Games 2 & 3: Euphoria
September 25th, 2008 | Published in DC, Redskins, Sports
As has been discussed here previously, my plans tend to be a bit more grand than my ability or time allows. I had intended to discuss my thoughts about the Redskins’ performance after every game, but after the Saints/Redskins game, instead of discussing the team’s performance, Jason Campbell’s remarkable progress, the Santana Moss touchdown or the emergence of the Predator, I wasted 1100 words on the organization, design and enforcement of the orange parking lot and Michael Wiggins.
In all fairness I thought the Redskins were going to lose that game. I thought they were going to lose big. I’m not sure that even the most ardent Warpath Insider sunshine blower would have bet much on the Redskins winning that game. But the Redskins did win - and because of that win, Carol Maloney and Comcast Sportsnet were able to craft a puff piece on the fans’ reaction to that win. A puff piece in which I unwittingly took part.
My friend Matt has an eagle eye and the unique ability to recognize and place celebrities. As Maloney was walking through the parking lot, celebrity spotter and heckler extraordinaire Matt began to give her the business, which surprisingly enough drew her to our tailgate. After a few moments of banter concerning our Jack Kent Cooke and “Tailgating Our Guts Out” t-shirts, I was interviewed on camera about our tailgate and the state of Redskins nation. During our discussion, I blathered for roughly two minutes on topics ranging from how disappointed and frustrated I was with the Redskins organization, the dickish ways of Michael Wiggins, the generosity of my parents and the fact that the Redskins would be very upset if they saw my t-shirt on Comcast Sportsnet. Maloney then asked me how I felt about the Santana Moss touchdown, and after explaining how frustrated I was initially, I gave her the clip she was looking for:
I suppose this is a lesson learned. When you are being interviewed, and you have one point you are trying to convey (for me, that was my disappointment with ownership and management), do not go off message for ONE SECOND, as invariably your message will hit the cutting room floor, and you’ll be left feeling LESS than euphoric. Equally as annoying is the fact that the shot was framed so as not to show the Jack Kent Cooke design on my t-shirt for the entire sequence. Thanks, Carol.
A few notes concerning the last two games:
- The tailgates have been great, with the Arizona game’s tailgate surpassing the New Orleans game’s for me (probably because it got off to a less douchey start). Kris’ jambalaya and Kevin’s hurricanes for the Saints and Kurt’s fajitas and Kevin’s scorpions for the Cardinals were solid visiting dishes. Ken’s post-win pork tenderloin is another nice addition. The interview with Maloney and Matt’s post game discussion with Marcus Washington on 202 were also highlights of the Arizona game.
- FedEx Field is still not full, I’m still not sure how they’re counting these games as sell-outs.
- While the Durant Brooks pick looks super shaky with the botched hold and the brutal punting, the Chris Horton pick looks terrific.
- The Moss catch was in our corner of the end zone and it was the most exciting play I’ve seen in that corner since the Sean Taylor blocked kick return against Dallas. Generally sitting close the field makes the game more exciting, but nothing beats an elevated corner view on long passes down the sideline.