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Staff Bios
Rick Snider
What could be better than writing a column on local sports? The variety keeps things interesting, big events seem non-stop and after 30 years in journalism it's a chance to connect directly with readers in my hometown. It's the best job I've ever had.
Teams I cover » Redskins, Nationals, Capitals, little bit of everything
Follow me on Twitter @Snide_Remarks
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It's 'fun' time for Terps
Published: Mar 18, 2010
Can Greivis Vasquez bring Maryland redemption in his final days with the Terrapins?
The Venezuelan guard has been Maryland's top player for four years. Indeed, the John Wooden Award finalist ranks among the school's top-10 offensive players. And fans argue whether he belongs among the top-10 Terps legends, too.
But has it been enough to resurrect a program that peaked with a 2002 national title after reaching its first Final Four the previous year? A disastrous recruiting class then spent four years derailing the program. By the time Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Vasquez reached campus in 2006, Georgetown again had supplanted Maryland as the top local program.
But Maryland is a No....
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Take the chalk, and take Kentucky to win the title
Published: Mar 16, 2010
Kentucky will win the NCAA Tournament, beating Kansas in the final. Pittsburgh and Villanova are Final Four losers.
What else do you need to know for your brackets?
Grab a red pen and a bracket sheet. It's time to get some of that reported $2.5 billion wagered in office pools. Disclaimer: I've won twice in 25 years (also my Kentucky Derby record), but I'm overdue.
Kentucky gets my nod for simply having the best roster in the tournament. Freshmen guard John Wall should be the national player of the year. The Wildcats also have freshmen DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe, meaning they're awfully young, but also matured quickly in the SEC. This seems like the best NBA team in waiting since...
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Terps are in Sweet spot
Published: Mar 15, 2010
Maryland looks like it's heading to the Sweet 16, but that's as far as the Terrapins will get.
The Terps were spotted an easy NCAA Tournament opener Friday as the fourth seed of the Midwest bracket, drawing 13th-seeded Houston. Maryland's toughest challenge may be traveling to Spokane, Wash., especially since Houston hasn't been to an NCAA Tournament since 1992 and needed an unlikely Conference USA Tournament title to reach the postseason.
More NCAA Tourney
Hoyas, Terps sent to Midwest
Region previews:
EAST | SOUTH | MIDWEST | WEST
The second round gets tougher with fifth-seeded Michigan State the likely foe. But if Maryland advances to the second weekend, overall No. 1 seed...
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No need for any expansion, NCAA Tournament is perfect
Published: Mar 14, 2010
Kansas, Duke, Kentucky and West Virginia are the four No. 1 seeds when the NCAA selection committee reveals the 65-team tournament on Sunday.
Maryland's probably a No. 5, Georgetown a No. 5 or 6. Some area schools may play in consolation tournaments, but perhaps for the last time.
The NCAA is considering whether to expand the NCAA Tournament to 96 teams. Sure, let another 31 schools have the long shot dream for a day. More importantly, give CBS another weekend of games and the NCAA another billion dollars in revenue.
Frankly, the tournament should be reduced, not expanded. This is purely another money grab on the backs of students the NCAA is supposed to protect, not...
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An opening act these days
Published: Mar 11, 2010
The ACC Tournament almost used to be more important than the national crown to the conference's fans. Now it's just a warmup act.
Second-seeded Maryland will meet the winner of Georgia Tech-North Carolina in Friday's quarterfinals in Greensboro, N.C. The Terrapins might advance a round, but coach Gary Williams' teams seldom make a big impression in the tournament. It always seems more about Selection Sunday than Sunday's championship.
Maryland has won the ACC Tournament once under Williams, and it wasn't in the Final Four seasons of 2001 and 2002. The Terps didn't even make the ACC championship game in those years.
MORE ACC TOURNEY
One tourney at a time for Terps
ACC Tournament...
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Vasquez-Williams friendship pays off for coach, player
Published: Mar 10, 2010
Greivis Vasquez can partially thank his predecessor, John Gilchrist, for his ACC player of the year honor.
Both Maryland point guards were nearly lured by the NBA as underclassmen. Gilchrist begrudgingly returned to College Park after winning the 2004 ACC Tournament MVP. Vasquez attended NBA pre-draft camps last spring before a last-minute decision not to enter the draft.
The outcomes were completely different. Gilchrist warred with Terps coach Gary Williams, never listening to his coach on matters like shot selection and passing -- this despite Williams being a one-time Terps floor general, too. Maryland didn't reach the NCAA Tournament and Gilchrist skipped his senior season for a...
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Now Allen needs to be a master of his trade
Published: Mar 08, 2010
Bruce Allen soon may prove to be his father's son.
George Allen loved trading players and picks as the Redskins' coach. He rebuilt the roster in a series of moves after arriving from Los Angeles in 1971, relying so much on players from his former organization that the team earned the nickname "Ramskins." Now Washington general manager Bruce Allen has a chance to wheel-and-deal, too.
During a slow opening weekend of free agency, owner Dan Snyder's zinger about his lack of compassion for the Cowboys was the biggest news out of Redskins Park. The Redskins signed a journeyman guard and missed on two offensive tackles.
Indeed, Washington seems to be shopping at Wal-Mart; it's certainly not...
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Skins show restraint in free agency?
Published: Mar 07, 2010
What a letdown.
The Washington Redskins didn't get pass rusher Julius Peppers -- the kingpin of free agency. They didn't sign Karlos Dansby, the best linebacker available. Safety Antrel Rolle went to the New York Giants. Even over-the-hill left tackle Chad Clifton turned Washington down.
Owner Dan Snyder must be saying, "Hello operator, I need the number of a V. Cerrato now living in Chicago."
Seriously, who forgot to tell new general manager Bruce Allen the Redskins are kings of the offseason? This is the uncapped year Snyder has awaited 11 years. The one time he could buy a Super Bowl. Instead, the Redskins haven't even bought a used Toyota, which at least would have raced ahead...
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Samuels settling for the sideline
Published: Mar 05, 2010
Chris Samuels may have retired, but he's not leaving just yet.
The Washington Redskins offensive tackle will coach his brethren. The same guys he teased in the classroom and played alongside the past decade are now his disciples as Samuels becomes a coaching intern during training camp.
"How can I become as good as you?" asked fellow tackle Stephon Heyer, not altogether joking.
Work hard, said Samuels. That's the same unrelenting style Samuels used since arriving in 2000 as the third overall choice. When coach Marty Schottenheimer led a brutal 2001 training camp with two-a-day workouts in 100-plus degree heat, Samuels joked he was from Alabama so nothing was too hot for him.
Little...
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Snyder likely to buy into uncapped year
Published: Mar 04, 2010
Has anything changed at Redskins Park now that real football people are running the Washington Redskins instead of a puppet regime?
We'll soon find out.
Will owner Dan Snyder turn the lack of a salary cap into an opportunity for a one-year turnaround and a bid for a Super Bowl championship? Or will coach Mike Shanahan and GM Bruce Allen take a more selective approach? Frankly, who knows given the front office shuffle, but bet on a spending spree.
A handful of teams, such as Washington, Dallas and now Chicago, aren't afraid to spend $20 million on a major player. Snyder gets the first real chance of his 11-year tenure to buy a title. Unfortunately, the 4-12 team needs to upgrade at too...
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Is Vasquez among Maryland elite?
Published: Mar 03, 2010
It's only fitting a legendary player exits Comcast Center in an epic game.
No. 22 Maryland hosts No. 4 Duke on Wednesday in the Terrapins' home finale. It's worth first place in the ACC with one game remaining, maybe a fifth seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament for the Terps and a first seed for the Blue Devils.
But it's also a farewell to Terps guard Greivis Vasquez, the Venezuelan wonder who has captivated College Park over four years. He should earn ACC player of the year after four player of the week honors this season and 12 over his career.
Vasquez is the Terps' third leading career scorer, just 80 points behind runner-up Len Bias. The only ACC player ever with more than 2,000...
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For Redskins QB Campbell, there's no place like somewhere else
Published: Feb 28, 2010
Jason Campbell remains with the Washington Redskins -- even if neither the team nor the player want him to stick around.
Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed Friday the Redskins will tender a contract to Campbell before free agency begins March 5. Barring a miraculous labor agreement, it would cost another team its first- and third-rounders to sign Campbell, too rich a ransom for an average passer.
It's an odd marriage of inconvenience, one in which neither has a choice. Campbell can't go anywhere, and the Redskins otherwise would need to draft a rookie and play him right away.
No matter what's said, not everyone is going to be happy. Campbell still bears the scars of the fans' boos, teammate...
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History proves Redskins shouldn't trade down
Published: Feb 26, 2010
Whispers of the Washington Redskins trading down in the NFL draft are a smoke screen.
Unless someone offers another dumb take-all-my-picks deal like Mike Ditka in 1999, the Redskins can choose a franchise quarterback or the next Chris Samuels-like tackle with the fourth overall selection. The extra pick received isn't worth trading down even a few slots.
We're not talking 7 to 11 or 10 to 16. A top-five pick is often a foundation player. Great players are sprinkled throughout the draft, but a top-five choice is seldom worth swapping.
Teams often whine over spending big money on high draft choices, and that might change in the next collective bargaining agreement. For now, too bad. Pay...
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An auction item captures a moment in D.C. history
Published: Feb 25, 2010
A baseball connecting one of Washington's all-time greats and one of the more popular modern U.S. presidents will be auctioned on Saturday.
More than 30 lots from the estate of the late Washington Senator Mickey Vernon are among a massive sports memorabilia auction in King of Prussia, Pa. The 264-page catalogue by HuntAuction.com has plenty of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan items, but the baseball signed by John F. Kennedy and tossed to Vernon at the 1963 season opener is the show stopper.
Kennedy threw out the first pitch three straight years, and the Senators manager cherished each moment. The balls were displayed at his home until Vernon's 2008 death.
Kennedy wrote, "To...
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Will Skins' new front office pass the L.T. test?
Published: Feb 24, 2010
LaDainian Tomlinson may show whether the Washington Redskins are led by seasoned talent evaluators or still driven by a star-chasing owner.
L.T. would have been a perfect free agent signing for owner Dan Snyder a few years ago. Snyder spent more time watching falling stars than NASA scientists. Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith and Mark Carrier started the big-money decade. Albert Haynesworth finally reached the $100 million level last season.
San Diego released its franchise player on Monday after 12,490 rushing yards and 138 rushing touchdowns over nine seasons. Running backs tend to lose it quickly and Tomlinson's 3.3-yard average was nearly two yards less than in 2006.
Redskins coach Mike...
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What more can Woods do?
Published: Feb 22, 2010
Tiger Woods finally did the right thing.
The world's greatest golfer admitted to his marital affairs on Friday. Admitted he has hurt many people. Admitted he was wrong on so many levels.
What more can we ask?
Athletes having affairs is nothing new. Happens all the time. I mean, all the time. I've seen married players fly women in for training camp. Directed them from parking lots to dorms myself. The road trips have women at the hotel bars, ready for opportunities. Before the NFL enhanced hotel security, women randomly knocked on players' doors until they found a client.
Woods is not alone in womanizing; he's just the face of the scandal for now. However, Woods looked sincere when he...
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When it comes to the Wizards, blame is shared
Published: Feb 19, 2010
Gilbert Arenas and the Zeros -- your Washington Wizards this fall.
It's hard to believe the Wiz may rely on someone facing jail time as their foundation next season, but Washington is down to practically no one after trading away three starters and two reserves for a fistful of players with expiring contracts.
The blame flows everywhere. It starts with Arenas' dumb gun prank that gutted any chance of the team's revival. It continues with veterans who went stale and prospects that never ripened. Nobody earned their money in that locker room.
General manager Ernie Grunfeld isn't the villain. It's clear the Pollin family ordered a dispersal sale to avoid the luxury tax and balance the...
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No cap means big problem for Skins
Published: Feb 18, 2010
No salary cap may actually hurt the Redskins' chances of quickly rebuilding through free agency.
The elite left tackles appear shackled to their teams. Many cornerbacks and receivers are as well. The uncapped year will instead create the thinnest free agency pool since the system was implemented in 1993.
Dan Snyder's money isn't any good if 212 players remain restricted free agents should labor talks between NFL owners and the players association fail by free agency's March 5 start. Given few league leaders expect an agreement, the Redskins ironically won't benefit from their free-spending owner rejuvenating the roster with high-priced signings.
Washington needs a left tackle,...
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Don't waste your time with this team
Published: Feb 16, 2010
The Washington Wizards just became officially unwatchable.
Not that the underachievers of the decade weren't already king-sized busts. However, trading two starters to Dallas to dump salary seems unfair to fans. Why should Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood now play for a contender while Washingtonians are left watching terrible basketball? Justice would be making them stay.
Washington swapped DeShawn Stevenson, Butler and Haywood to Dallas for four players that won't be on the team next year. Even worse, they gained Josh Howard, who is a major waste of talent. Howard would rather street race and smoke dope than score points.
By the way Josh, try not standing for the national anthem in...
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In basketball, national safety, McMillen rises above the rim
Published: Feb 14, 2010
Tom McMillen rose above the rim on his only Sports Illustrated cover, an eclectic high school basketball star whose possibilities seemed more far-reaching than his 6-foot-10 wingspan.
Tuesday marks 40 years since SI revealed McMillen's ambitions for social change. Basketball would be the beginning of something bigger, and McMillen made sure of it.
McMillen certainly was a hoops star, part of the Len Elmore-McMillen tandem under coach Lefty Driesell that launched Maryland's modern national relevance. He played 11 years in the NBA, too.
But the 1972 Summer Olympics changed McMillen. He was in Munich when terrorists killed 11 Israelis -- an act forever altering the games. McMillen earlier...
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Football is over ... now what?
Published: Feb 11, 2010
There's no more football, not even a dumb Pro Bowl. After seven months of Washington Redskins and NFL playoffs, Washingtonians suddenly are left with one thought -- now what?
Well, besides our newest sport -- snow shoveling. The Winter Olympics is trucking in snow for Friday's games and we can't truck it out fast enough. Washington in 2014?
Anyway, there is a team that's winning nonstop with plenty of physical play and a real superstar who actually earns his money. No, really, there is.
Is it too late to join the Capitals Express? Nobody used to pay attention to hockey until football ended, but Bruce Boudreau's boys are the NHL's best. They whacked Boston and then rallied past nemesis...
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Will NFL labor problems curtail Snyder's spending?
Published: Feb 09, 2010
New Orleans Saints fans may be celebrating, but now is the Washington Redskins' time of year.
Champions of the offseason, the Redskins are planning their big moves. They're guaranteed at least one blockbuster acquisition with the fourth pick of the April 22 draft. Maybe a quarterback, perhaps an offensive tackle.
Whether Washington once again can dominate free agency may be more about NFL labor problems than whether owner Dan Snyder truly has changed his overspending ways.
The NFL and Players Association spent Super Bowl week posturing over what we've long seen coming -- a 2011 lockout. Frankly, there will be no labor agreement extension, creating an uncapped season for 2010 and...
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After all those years of suffering, Dat's all, folks
Published: Feb 08, 2010
It was supposed to be a duel between the NFL's two best quarterbacks.
Instead, Super Bowl XLIV was about kickers, trick plays and defensive stuffs. While Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and New Orleans' Drew Brees sparkled, they were outshined by the stars around them.
SUPER BOWL XLIV
» Who Dat? Saints march to first Super Bowl victory, 31-17
» Super Bowl XLIV: Analysis by quarter
» Rick Snider: After all those years of suffering, Dat's all, folks
» Cheers & Jeers blog: Hype machine in gear
Oh, the game was a duel between Manning and Brees. And New Orleans coach Sean Payton and Indianapolis counterpart Jim Caldwell. And Saints kicker Garrett Hartley kicking...
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Manning, Colts will get it done
Published: Feb 07, 2010
It's all about matchups.
Picking the Super Bowl XLIV winner is easy -- Indianapolis 31, New Orleans 24. Go under 56 1/2 combined points.
The real intrigue is individual matchups. It always starts with quarterbacks. Indianapolis' Peyton Manning and New Orleans' Drew Brees are the NFL's top two passers. Everyone says the NFL is a passing league. Sure, until a great runner comes along again.
Manning is the ultimate counterpuncher. Brees has great accuracy, but Manning controls the game. He grasps a defense at the line and adjusts.
Which brings the second matchup -- Manning vs. New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the former Washington assistant head coach who was passed over...
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Grimm should be in Canton
Published: Feb 05, 2010
Russ Grimm deserves to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.
The Washington Redskins guard won three Super Bowl rings, exiting his career after beating Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVI. He was the best of the Hogs, one of the NFL's dominant offensive lines. Grimm was named to the All-80s team.
But, it's a numbers game as always. Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith are locks for the first two of five slots when 44 media members vote. Charles Haley, John Randle and Richard Dent will be favored for the remaining three openings while Dick LeBeau should earn the seniors category selection.
That leaves Grimm on the outside -- maybe.
Rice and Smith easily will receive the needed 80...
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Slingin' Sammy's Super bowl debut
Published: Feb 04, 2010
The greatest player in Washington Redskins history finally is part of the Super Bowl.
A jersey literally torn off the late Sammy Baugh in the 1940s is part of a massive football memorabilia auction on Sunday. Ripped while playing the Boston Yanks in 1947 or '48, it's expected to draw top dollar among 280 items by Hunt Auctions during Super Bowl pregame activities in Miami.
The only other known Baugh jersey is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This jersey was taken from the Redskins locker room by a team employee and given to a fan, whose family now is selling it. It was framed in the 1970s with the tears remaining and some sun damage to the fabric.
Hunt Auctions president David Hunt's...
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For Freeney, media day not so limp
Published: Feb 03, 2010
It was the most discussed ankle injury since Barbaro.
The NFL Network showed Dwight Freeney's swollen right ankle a dozen times Tuesday. A floorcam documented his exit, step by step, looking for a limp.
Whether the Indianapolis end will play in Sunday's Super Bowl became the day's great debate. Deion Sanders said yes. Warren Sapp said no. Freeney called it a "coach's decision." Jim Caldwell said Freeney is a tough guy. New Orleans tight end Jeremy Shockey suggested Freeney take medication to play.
Welcome to media day, when no detail is too stupid to explore -- down to whether Freeney recently underwent a pedicure. They almost discussed whether the first little piggy will go to the...
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For Skins, it's Okung vs. Bradford
Published: Jan 31, 2010
Russell Okung or Sam Bradford? Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen? Fourth overall or a late first- and second-rounder?
Washington Redskins coaches and scouts spent the past week gawking at the top college prospects at the Senior Bowl, a precursor to the coming NFL Scouting Combine. No longer are Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder running the draft, replaced by coach Mike Shanahan and GM Bruce Allen.
The needs are many after a 4-12 season, especially with a new coach's different schemes. Offensive linemen, running back, quarterback, safety, linebacker and cornerback are the primary holes. They'll likely only get one, maybe two contributors in the April 22-24 draft.
Does Washington go offensive...
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ACC is up for grabs this season
Published: Jan 28, 2010
The ACC must stand for Anyone Can Conquer, because the league's traditional pyramid of powerhouses is being toppled.
Virginia's 3-1 conference start is just one win short of last year's total. North Carolina already has matched its three losses from last season when it won the regular-season title.
The conference is more upside-down than many home mortgages at the one-third mark. Maryland coach Gary Williams loves to talk parity, but most years North Carolina and Duke dominate the conference. The Terps last took the regular season title in 2002 when they won the national crown.
Two more weeks are needed before the ACC race can be fairly judged. Teams with favorable first-half schedules...
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Fire up the hype machine
Published: Jan 26, 2010
Let the Super Bowl hype begin. Why wait until the actual week? Americans want everything two seconds ago so let's move right to the...
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