Goin' to Maryland with Two Bitches and A Truck

Welcome to my cross country blog!

In case you loyal readers did not know, I am leaving sunny California to return to the womb... the place I call home... that place of forgiving fortitude... My Maryland. It has been a year of good's and bad's since I packed up and moved West. I love Northern California, but I feel my time here has served its purpose. The good things I will cherish, (hanging with Denny and Sue; getting to now Sue and her family so much more, learning from Jack and hanging with Billy--my brother from another mother--, meeting great people like Steven and Sherri and their wonderful children; writing a manuscript--albeit a crappy one--in hopes that one day it becomes a great book. But let's face it, I'm leaving a place where it just became illegal to put a live person in the trunk of your car and medicinal marijuana is accepted. Not good enough for you? OK... Arnold is in his 2nd term! Huh?)

The most important thing that I discovered here in California was my soul mate. My fiance' Julia is the shining light in my life. If I had not come here, we would have probably never met her. I am lucky and fortunate to have met such a wonderful person, such a sweet human being, such a good person. And I am better for it. Ich liebe dich, meine feine Frau!

Tonight, the 30th of January, 2007, has been an up and down night for me. I think of all of the promise and fortune that I came here to claim, like so many before me. I could be upset that things did not work out the way I hoped they would--working with my Dad and learning from the master... being in a new place where the the sky is the limit. But some things matter more than money and status. I got to see my Dad show how strong of a soul he truly is. I got to see how strong my step-mom really is. I got to know my California family more than I probably ever would have, (Dee, I will never play Dominoes with you because you don't cheat, you are just that good) and you accepted me with open arms, for which I am forever grateful.

The most important... I met my future wife--the ONE I have dreamed of my whole life, the girl everyone told me did not exist, but to my joy she does. I always wanted to live in California and I regret none of it, and my send off was more than I ever could have expected. Thank you all, my friends and loved ones in Petaluma. I will miss you. But fear not, I will be back to bother you before Norv Turner coaches the Cowboys into oblivion. (Drew and Steven, that was for you.)

So, I stand on the verge of my cross-country drive from No-Cal to Annapolis. I hope you all will check my blog each day because I will update each leg of the journey as I make my way across this great and vast country we call the United States of America. If you know me, you will tune in for the things I hate the most or the things that piss me off about driving, or why I hate weird small towns or how shitty the Motel 6's really are from here to DC. I promise it will be well worth the read. (Motel 6, we will call the cops on you!... Ask Me for the story. Its a good one.)

Keep a link to my blog: http://rantinghockeyfan.blogspot.com/ and I assure you there is much more entertainment to follow. For Christ's sake, I'm driving East in a Ford F-150 with two dogs and my computer... let the inappropriate jokes begin!

Things Looking Grimm for Russ

The past few years, Russ Grimm, former Hog and current Offensive line coach of the Steelers, has been mentioned for almost every head coaching vacancy in the NFL. Sadly, Grimm has yet to nab the title of Head Coach for any team. It was thought he was Bill Cowhers obvious successor in Pittsburgh, but with Monday's hiring of Vikings D-coordinator Mike Tomlin as the Head man in Steel City, you have to wonder why Grimm keeps getting passed over.

Grimm was a great lineman in his career, Hall of Famer in many people's eyes, and he has a fine coaching resume. However, since he was not called back for a second interview with the Cardinals--a job that went to Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt--I'm starting to wonder if there might be something wrong with Big Russ. It seemed a given that Grimm would take over when Cowher retired. Suddenly, Grimm finds himself practically out of a job while Mike Tomlin (not to be confused with rag-arm pitcher and former Oriole Mike Timlin) takes over Grimm's hometown Steelers. That doesn't seem fair. But I am biased, so what do I know.

Grimm won three Super Bowels as a player for the Redskins. He got another ring last year with Pittsburgh. When Coach Gibbs came back into football and reportedly wanted Grimm on his staff, the Steelers refused to let Grimm talk to the Redskins. That's how highly they thought of him just three years ago. Now, with the hiring of Tomlin, Grimm most likely will be let go from his contract with Pittsburgh and free to find work elsewhere. Why Grimm seems to have fallen out of favor in the annual search for head coaches is beyond me. Granted, I do not have the contacts or the wisdom to tell you why this keeps happening.

What's next for Grimm? Well, at last count there were still two head coaching vacancies. The Raiders are looking for a head man, but they are every year it seems. Grimm can pick the brains of mentors Norv Turner and Joe Bugel to find out how working in Oakland will play out, which everyone knows is not good. Working for Al Davis is the worst job in sports. Period. Now that Bill Parcells has retired (which I predicted on a previous blog. Hey there's a first time for everything) the Cowboys have a coaching vacancy to fill. (Gag, cough, wretch!) Come on, Grimm grew up a Steelers fan and played for the Redskins. He wouldn't be able to stomach working for Jerry Jones. Working for Jones is the second worst job in sports.

I hope Grimm signs on with the Redskins staff. Come on, its a perfect fit. He knows the city, the fans and what it means to be a Redskin. Plus, I'm sure he can help the Skins offense. Lord knows Grimm would command some respect and show everyone what it means to be a champion. It would be a feel good story. Gibbs can prep Grimm to take over when he retires. The Redskins always could use another coach, eh? What other options does Big Russ have? Work for Al Davis? Hardly. Or coach the Cowboys? I don't think so. If Grimm ends up on the sidelines wearing Silver and Blue then that would signal the End of Days. I suggest everyone rush out to the nearest church and claim Jesus Christ as your personal savior. That way, you will be taken in the Rapture, sparing you from the coming of the Anti-Christ and the sight of the Greatest Hog coaching the Boys in Blue.


Monday Side Note

I read on foxsports.com that the Raiders want Michael Vick. It was reported by Ben Maller that Oakland would send Receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, as well as the 1st overall pick in the 2007 draft for Vick and the Falcons 1st rounder (10th overall). Huh? This begs the question: If Vick didn't have anyone to throw to in Atlanta, who the hell would he throw to in Oakland? Tim Brown retired, didn't he? Typical Raider craziness, my friends. If I were Atlanta, I would be all over that one.

"Agent Zero" is much more than Nil

I am a hockey fan, first and foremost. Baseball and Football are most likely tied for second place, but hockey is no question number one in my heart. I like basketball, don't get me wrong. I don't love it, but I happen to enjoy the game. College basketball, in my opinion, is a better game to watch than the pro game, however I do follow the NBA and enjoy it. I also enjoy watching my hometown Wizards. After a lifetime of heartache and after watching a few Wizards Games this year, I can not say I have ever been more excited and pumped up to watch them play then I am this year. Why you ask? Two words, one person. Gilbert Arenas.

Can Gilbert shoot the rock or what? Eleven times this year he has hit a quarter/half/ or game ending shot. He has hit game winners from 25 feet and out. He has scored 50 points over four times so far, three of those games against the high flying Suns and Steve Nash, another against perennial contender Dallas, and a 64 point performance against the Lakers. There is only one way to make people stand up and take notice of your talent in any sport and that is to beat the best teams in the league by having career nights. This year, Arenas has risen to the occasion and delivered for the beleaguered fans of DC. After all these years of futility, Washington's pro hoops team has a bona-fide star, and not just someone who claims to be among the elite--Chris Webber, I'm talking to you.

Arenas was drafted in the second round by the Warriors. He felt slighted because he believed he was better. When he hit the free-agent market, Arenas had a choice between his hometown Clippers and far away Washington. He couldn't decide, so he did what any logical person would have done. He flipped a coin. He flipped that coin 12 times. Clippers 11, Washington 1. So what did Gilbert do? He signed with the Wizards. Huh? When telling that story, Arenas apparently referred to the fact that he never follows the rules or listens to fate. He listens to his heart.

Well, after getting snubbed for the All-star game a few years ago(which he is a shoo-in for this season) and getting left off the Olympic team in 2006, Agent Zero (which just happens to be Gil's jersey number, a reminder that few believed in his abilities in the past) has responded with by far his best season. He is second in the league in scoring at over thirty points per game, has the aforementioned clutch shots and has four 50 point-plus games under his belt. (That one was against Kobe and the Lakers and he went for 64 only makes his heroics that much sweeter) Arenas now has the Wizards making serious noise in the Eastern Conference, not to mention has given Washington a SuperStar basketballer for the first time since the days of Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes. Don't agree with me? Then let's handle this like Gilbert would... How about we flip for it?

Caps Continue Growth Spurt

It is worth writing about Your Nations Capitals these days for a plethora of reasons. Their young players are beginning to show signs of maturing into solid, everyday NHL players; they are scoring more on offense and giving up less on defense compared to last year, and Alex Ovechkin is on pace to match, or most likely, better his statistics from last year when he won Rookie of the Year Honors. However, and more importantly, the Caps are worth writing about because they are winning, something that did not happen as much last year as it has been taking place this year.

At the halfway mark this season the Caps have a winning record as of January 9th, 2007, something that did not take place at any point last season. Alex Ovechkin is not their only scoring threat since Alexander Semin and Danius Zubrus have taken the pressure off great number 8. The Caps young defensemen show some not so subtle signs of maturing, not to mention since they added enforcer Donald Brashear in the off-season, they have a lot more muscle to discourage other teams from picking on Ovechkin and the other skill players.

Perhaps all of those factors have led to the performance in goal by stalwart Olie Kolzig as well as back-up Brent Johnson, who have combined to reduce the team's goals against average, and in turn raising their collective save percentage. Good goaltending wins games, and the Caps have received sparkling net-minding so far this year, especially from Godzilla...Olie the Goalie.

Why are the Caps better this year--almost 10 games better compared to last January? I think the main reason is coach Glen Hanlon. He has pushed his club and set the rules; if a guy takes off just one play on one shift, they find their fannies on the bench. Hanlon realizes that the margin for error on this team is so small that some guys may need 27 minutes on the bench to ponder their lack-sa-daisical play--just ask 2nd year D'man Mike Green after he turned the puck over twice on one shift against the Flyers Tuesday night and didn't step foot on the ice again that night. Or just ask Jakub Klepis (TIMMY!!) who has also been benched--and perhaps is on his way back to the minors. A number of times Klepis has been benched for hooking opponents after they beat him on defense leading him to panic and drawing a potentially devastating penalty. Hanlon demands more from his players and they all no it. No one complains in public about being singled out because as a group they know Hanlon is right.

Hanlon is a good coach, perhaps a great one in the making. He has talent, solid veterans and good leaders on his roster. The Caps are mere points out of the playoff picture with just under half a season to go. They have a winning record, Ovechkin is second in the league in scoring, first in goals scored. Their young defensemen are starting to come into their own. Steve Eminger and Shaone Morrisson are showing encouraging signs that they indeed are the pillars on defense the Caps so desperately need but absolutely can not afford to buy in free agency. They are trying to build from within, which in the new salary cap era is practically necessary.

The Caps accomplished a first on Tuesday night by beating the hated Flyers from Philadelphia. This marks the first season in Capitals history that they have swept a season series from the Flyers. I wish I had been at Verizon Center so I could have given the finger to all those Philly fans who took the bus down from up North. I know we only played them four times this year--as opposed to as many as six times per season back in the 70's, 80's and 90's, but a sweep is a sweep. The Capitals, from ownership on down, have pledged to build from the bottom with a foundation to use for years to come. (Maybe the Redskins should look into that.) If you look at the successful teams in pro sports, you will see that building thru the draft and trading for young players almost always results in a successful organization, and sometimes a championship one. Who am I to say anything...but I do like the Caps chances.