Reasonable Doubt: The State of the Union

Washington, D.C. has seen better days.  I'm not talking about the education crisis, or the $44.3 million dollar tax scandal, either. No, I mean something much less important to most people, but something the only important thing to some people.

Sports.

People of D.C., our sports are in a pretty dark place right now.

There are 4 and a half major sports teams in Washington, D.C., and each of them has more than their share of woes and problems, both on the field (or court), and off of it.  The Redskins had their best defensive player murdered in his home.  The Wizards lost the face of their franchise for three months.  The Capitals started their season with epic ineptitude, fired their coach, and are still pretty horrible.  The D.C. United probably had the best run of it this season, but they were bounced from the playoffs and are, quite frankly, the least important sports team in the city. 

In preparation for any soccer backlash, let me just say: please, cut the fucking shit.  I mean that objectively, you need to know your place on the public's radar.  That''s just the way it is, and I'm not judging or trashing the sport.  You can't argue that the team isn't followed like the Skins or the Wiz.  You can't argue that baseball is less important than soccer.  You might have a gripe that no one gives a damn about the Caps, and that United games are actually better attended than the hockey games, but I really have no idea about any of that.  Also, there is huge change that I'm writing this little aside for little more than my health, as I don't know any soccer fans that read this.  And also, there's only 16 of them in the city anyway.  (Ha!  Now that's how you dig at a team!)

The best thing going on right now is probably the Washington Nationals, who had a pretty surprising run last year (they weren't horrific, just bad), and just traded for a couple of incredible athletes that had worn out their welcome on other teams.  Did I mention the phenomenal new stadium?  Here it is covered in Wednesday's snow:

Photo: 2007 OxBlue, Inc.  See more here.

They say that it's always darkest before the dawn, so here are some things that the teams of the District has to look forward to...

Washington Redskins
There isn't a lot to say about them that hasn't been said.  Since Sean Taylor's death, it's been impossible to talk about the team in an objective manner, but I'm going to try.  They can't finish a game.  They're losing close games in the last minute of play what seems like every week.  They need to get it in their mind that they need to be sharp and try to win for an entire game, and that starts with the coaching staff.  Gibbs and company have been coaching not to lose and have been coaching to stay competitive for an entire game, and it's not really working out.  Coaching not to lose is what you do when you think you have a bad team.  Gibbs, do you think you have a bad team?  Play like winners, play to win, and you will.  Get it together, and finish this season in a different manner than you've finished those games.

Washington Wizards
So you started 0-5, and that shocked a lot of people.  Then Gilbert Arenas goes down.  Then you win a couple.  Then Gil gets shut down for 3 months.  You win a little more.  Caron Butler taking over.  You somehow crawled you way back up to 9-9, and the season can begin anew, right now.  41 wins should get you into the playoffs in the east, and if Gilbert comes back strong (not just comes back able), that playoff push might work out.  Caron, don't stop what you're doing.  We need you.

Washington Capitals
This team is bad.  I don't really follow hockey.  I know that they fired their coach and I know that they're last in their division.  This team is bad.  But, hey, new uniforms!  Cool!

Washington Nationals
We've gotten to the point that "no news is good news" around here, and since the Nats aren't in season, they, by default, have become something to get excited about.  They traded for Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge, two incredible talents that just didn't fit in with their previous teams.  They have the new stadium.  They have a great young manager that the players and fans love in Manny Acta.  Once they get that pitching rotation in order (and that could happen any time, considering we're just farming up the talent right now), this is going to be a great team.  At least they won't be boring; the 2006 and 2007 Nationals teams employed about a dozen of what I like to call "replacement players."  I don't mean this in the sense that these guys broke a picket line, but I mean that the Nats had anywhere from 10 to 14 guys on the team that were juuuuust good enough to avoid being sent down to Triple-A, permanently.  The 2008 Nats hope to avoid that.  They'll be good.  Trust me.

D.C. writes Reasonable Doubt Thursday mornings.  There might not be a column next week because of finals.  There will be a final post as The Bathtub draws to an end. 

Comments

[Bridget]

once again, a blatant lack of langerhaans.

[AT]

Hey, you know one soccer fan who reads this thing! Just a couple notes...
There's no "the" in front of D.C. United - rookie mistake there. Also, I'm dragging you to a United game next season just so you can get drunk and have fun yelling obscenities in Spanish. Oh, and they've won 4 titles in the last 12 years and had the best regular season record the past 2 years. Oh, and Steinberg likes United - so they must be okay, right? No, I'm not trying to justify my love.