I heard Coach Rick Houchens has the "gift of gab."  With the exception of DM and GC, should they rest of the WCAC be worried?

I watch a lot of high school football expecially the WCAC. I am wondering why this kid for Bishop Oconnell is not ranked on the All WCAC team. He has good technique is strong and very fast, number 21 Dexter Williams he is a sophomore. He started on the Varsity as a feshman and he was only 13. I am sure theres a lot of kids like this that dont get there due recognition for whatever reason. If you know of some please list them.

   I was at the Carroll vs Friendship Collegiate scrimmage this weekend and had a conversation with a parent who recently withdrew their son from Carroll due to the state of the football program. The child now goes to Bullis but the parent disclosed that Carroll transferred a kid into their school that is going to the 11th grade and he transferred from Riverdale Baptist. I was told that their was some kind of waiver that was signed to allow him to play immediately. I have a nephew that was not allowed to go and play for St. Johns College Prep in DC which is part of the WCAC without sitting out his junior year so how is this allowed to happen. Please read the transfer rules mshl.org/files/wcac_transfer_rule.pdf . I mean if this kid is allowed to go and play immediately for Archbishop Carroll all transfers should be able to play immediately. The kid lived in state, with both parents, and went to another Private school as I mentioned earlier Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro. Can anyone shed some light on this situation. I am a graduate of Archbishop Carroll and I would love to see the program reclaim the glory years but not this way. All of the WCAC competitors should be really upset if this is the case because all transfers should be allowed to compete immediately if this situation is true. I saw the kid play the quarterback position his skills are average at best but it is the principle of the situation and what is fair. I was also told there is currently no JV football team at Carroll and they are combing the hallways trying to enlist kids to play. If this is the case the program is taking a major step backwards. Dr. Stofa really needs to make a credible hire to get the program moving in the right direction. Anyone have any information to share?

I have yet to see the Gonzaga QB (Hogan) play.  How good is he?

Don Hursey III has been added to the 2010 recruiting class of Texas Tech football team.  He will report to the team immediately after spending one week at Hargrave Military Academy.  Thanks to Hargrave Military Academy PG football staff for making it happen.

How Did St Johns Look Against Gilman, Because I Know They Lost Alot Of Players At Key Positions.

I don't know about the rest of you, but enough - ENOUGH! - of the endless Brett Favre saga.  He used to be a tough guy but has devolved into a prima donna.  I mean, he arrives at the camp yesterday yet won't annouce is he's playing.  Come on, Alice, make a damn decision.  I sense that while some of the Vikes like him, others are fairly cool towards him. 

Personally, I hope he breaks his freaking ankle the first game and Tavaris Jackson tells Childress, "No, why don't you play QB, d*ckhead?"  Now THAT would be news. 

Who will have more of an impact on the Nationals in the next 5 years?

Thoughts or predictions? With St X a week away GC needs to up the ante, didnt look bad against FC but not dominant enough to beat X. Loyola should be a good matchup, with a good QB and strong interior offense.. The three things I want to see are.

1. Yes GC  can run the ball, but just how effective will they be passing? Dancel and co struggled throwing the ball against FC and need to be spot on against loyola. St X runs the exact same defense that shut down Jenkins and Porzel.. need to establish passing game.

2. How will GCs pass defense stack up against loyola?

3. Second teamers: what second teamers will step up and show they are ready to take over first team in case of injuries to key players? supposedly this is like a game scrimmage in game conditions

DATE:                        OPPONENT:                                     

Sunday, Sept. 12         vs. Dallas Cowboys                           

Real Deal’s Take:  First game of the Shanahan era happens to take place on national TV. Problem is that the Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East and favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. As much as I hate to say it, the Boys edge the Redskins on opening night. Skins 0-1.

Sunday, Sept. 19         vs. Houston Texans

Real Deal’s Take: Kyle Shanahan coached the Texans prior to joining his dad in DC, installing the Texans air attack offense led by Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson - therefore he knows how to instruct defensive coordinator Jim Haslett on how to shut it down. Skins win and move to 1-1.

Sunday, Sept. 26         at St. Louis Rams

Real Deal’s Take: One year removed from being the worst team in the NFL, the Rams aren’t far removed from that tag. The edition of Sam Bradford won’t help. Skins win and move to 2-1.

Sunday, Oct. 3            at Philadelphia Eagles

Real Deal’s Take: Donovan McNabb leads the Skins into a battle in the city of brotherly love and come out victorious as McNabb out-duels Kolb. Multiple fights are reported in the stands as Eagle-fan can’t handle seeing McNabb in B&G. Skins 3-1.

Sunday, Oct. 10          vs. Green Bay Packers

Real Deal’s Take: Green Bay comes to Fed Ex field looking for a fight and gets one; Rodgers out-duels McNabb. Packers edge Skins. Skins 3-2.

Sunday, Oct. 17          vs. Indianapolis Colts                                    

Real Deal’s Take: AFC champion Colts led by the superior Manning brother come to the Nation’s Capitol on Sunday night and show the Shanahan led Skins how winners win. Skins fall to 3-3.

Sunday, Oct. 24          at Chicago Bears

Real Deal’s Take: McNabb returns home to the windy city and leads the Skins to a road win at historic Soldier Field. McNabb is better than Jay Cutler and Skins fans will be glad that McNabb, not Cutler, wears burgundy and gold and not Bear orange and black. Skins 4-3.

Sunday, Oct. 31          at Detroit Lions

Real Deal’s Take: Detroit is ever improving; Redskins avenge a loss in Detroit last year with a win this year. Skins 5-3.

Sunday, Nov. 7           BYE

Monday, Nov. 15        vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Real Deal’s Take: McNabb’s old buddies come down I-95 for a Monday night showdown and play well, but not well enough to beat ol Donnie. Skins 6-3.

Sunday, Nov. 21         at Tennessee Titans

Real Deal’s Take: A trip to Nashville before Thanksgiving, who could think of a better place to be. I can; Titans steal one from the Skins. Skins 6-4.

Sunday, Nov. 28         vs. Minnesota Vikings

Real Deal’s Take: Last year’s NFC runners up come to DC looking for a post Thanksgiving win. Question is, will Farve be in purple and white this day?? Vikes win with Farve, lose without him. Let’s say that Farve is there and the Vikes win. Skins 6-5.

Sunday, Dec. 5           at New York Giants   

Real Deal’s Take: First trip to the new Meadowlands stadium, same Skins struggles in the swamps of New Jersey. Giants pick up a win. Skins 6-6.

Sunday, Dec. 12         vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Real Deal’s Take: Tampa coming to DC in the winter time = bad news for the Bucs. Skins 7-6.

Sunday, Dec. 19         at Dallas Cowboys

Real Deal’s Take: Dallas hosts the Super Bowl this year and many Cowboy-fans believe that their hometown team will be the first to play in their own stadium for the big game. Skins give Shanahan an early Christmas present with a win in Big D. Skins 8-6.

Sunday, Dec. 26         at Jacksonville Jaguars

Real Deal’s Take: One day after Christmas the Skins struggle but hold on to give fans a post holiday win. Skins 9-6.

Sunday, Jan. 2             vs. New York Giants

Real Deal’s Take: Peyton 1-0 at Fed Ex Field this season; Eli 0-1. Skins 10-6.        

I’ll settle for 9-7, even 8-8 in Shanahan’s first year at the helm of the burgundy and gold.