Month: April 2017

Valor Victorious; but it’s the District that Wins

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Friday Night, April 7, 2017, Washington DC
Indoor football has existed for a long time. Here in the DMV, we once upon a time had a team called the Washington Commandos. They were renamed the Maryland Commandos and then the Washington Commandos again after moving to Fairfax, VA. They eventually faded away and were forgotten. But the Verizon Center, affectionately known as the phone-booth for the last twenty years here in DC, played host to the first ever Washington Valor Arena Football League (AFL) game… and it was completely different.
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The pregame atmosphere was different. It wasn’t anything I had witness before having been in the Verizon center a number of times for both meaningful and meaningless games for the various teams that share this space. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t good, it was different, and sometimes different is all something has to be to peak the interest of the people.
Arena football is an interesting game. It is just close enough to football to trick your brain into thinking you are watching football but it has elements of showmanship that seem borrowed from the WWE or UFC which act as a very unique change of pace to what you expect to see in a football game… in a word… it is different. And in this case different is perfect!
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Last night the announced attendance was 15,000 and change but honestly it was probably closer to 10-12000 but it simply didn’t matter. The Verizon Center was empty at 7p at kickoff which isn’t unusual and in fact is the norm for most Capitals and Wizards games too as it is so hard to get anywhere in DC around rush hour, especially on a Friday. By 745p the bulk of attendees had arrived. Some were enjoying the party-zone behind each end-zones but most were in their seats ready to cheer. They cheered loud and they cheered often.
Arena football in DC, especially with a team named so well, with an awesome color scheme and logo, can produce exactly what this city needs in the summer time… an indoor fun inexpensive activity suitable for families, couples, or a group of guys that want to do something… different. Arena football won’t surpass the big four teams or even the United or Mystics in popularity but it also doesn’t have to.
After the game, the players were as excited as the fans were to share the field, sign autographs, and just enjoy the moment. Afterwards Valor Coach Dean Cokinos shared his thoughts with the media stating simply “this atmosphere tonight, here, that is a playoff atmosphere in our league.”
Others including WR/DB Terrence Smith (#10) shared the same sentiment sharing he was blown away by the enthusiasm of the crowd in supporting the team even while the opponent made a comeback. Said Smith “the fans were really loud, and the team responded to that, even when Baltimore came back, we pulled together, we rally well as a team, but when the fans are loud, we hear them, we draw energy and focus from that.”
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The Washington Valor ultimately defeated the Baltimore Brigade in a win AND loss situation for Ted Leonsis who happens to own both teams but as far as the product on the field and that product achieving its desired outcome he won… he won big! The true test will be the next home game and if the Valor team, staff, media, and everyone involved can create this atmosphere again for the fans and if they do the fans will reward them by coming back and cheering louder and louder and louder. This may be the only professional sport where performance is not paramount… again that is different, but different in this case is PERFECT!

A Near Perfect Franchise Opener for the Valor

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It’s April in DC and the Nation’s Capital has football fever! That isn’t a typo. Cherry Blossoms and Football now go hand in hand, at least for this one night!

The Washington Valor did everything right and everything they could do to steal the hearts of football fans in the DMV! From a raucous pre-game celebration to TD bombs on the opening drive to players sailing over the side barriers, DC was introduced to a whole new brand of football. A fun football. A different football. A football characterized by big plays, bigger hits, and speed on a smaller field.

For one night the DC football team was no match for it’s competition in this space (re:Redskins) as the Valor cruised to an easy victory 51-38 over the completely outmatched and unprepared Baltimore Brigade. A bittersweet victory for Valor owner Ted Leonsis, who also happens to own the hapless Brigade squad, but as far as talent, quality of play, and excitement, the Valor scored high marks in all categories with a great display of passing, led by QB Erik Meyer and WR Mike Washington.

The Valor put on a great show for its fans and rewarded the faithful who came out to the Verizon Center to cheer them on. While the phone-booth was far from sold out, the fans who came were passionate about their team and there was an electricity and fervor that you don’t see for a regular season Mystics game or maybe even an early season Wizards or Capitals game at the same home venue.

The million (and potentially multi-million) dollar question for the Valor and Ted Leonsis is simply: did they do enough to steal the hearts of football fans in DC for a spring/summer season and provide a real alternative to the OTHER football team based out of Ashburn? While I don’t see anyone in DC switching their burgundy and gold for the red and blue Valor colors, I do think that Arena Football can burrow a nice little niche in the DC market with the 18-35 young professional (mostly male) crowd, looking for a fun and different sporting experience on a Friday night…or as a precursor to a night on the town. The games moves quickly and provide just the right substance and feel to trick your brain into thinking you are watching football… which you are… it’s just different.

DC loves fads and a new franchise playing downtown with an awesome logo and great colors is the ultimate fad. So why not give it a shot DC? For what it is, it might be exactly what the District needs… a different brand of football that anyone can enjoy casually. Let’s get behind this team cause at least for one night, the Valor showed they’re worth our time and attention.

Check out some exclusive audio from the Valor’s first AFL game:

Mike Washington Interview:

Coach’s Press Conference:

Wizards, Are they Back?

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The Wizards beat a desperate team in the Hornets, who is playing as well as any team in the East at this point. Does that mean the Wizards are back? Back to playing at a high level like they were in December and January? Does that even matter?

The beauty of the NBA is that the playoffs is not a single elimination game, but rather a 7 game series, which is going to be of benefit to the Wizards this post season. Any given game I think any team in the Eastern Conference playoffs can beat any other team in the East. Where I think the Wizards have an edge is I don’t think many teams can beat the Wizards in a 7 game series. If you go back and look at the Wizards record by month they aren’t as bad as some fans have made them out to be. Sure they have dropped a few games that they should have won, but that is not to say they peaked too early or they are slipping as a team. The Wizards are 1-1 in 2 games this month, 11-7 in March, 7-3 in February, and 12-4 in January.

Sure, if you just look at the records the Wizards are on a slight decline, but if you look at what the Wizards can do when they put all their pieces together they can be a dominant team.

I was very encouraged by what I saw last night from a few key players, not named John or Brad(ley). The Wizards front court starters and key bench players finally had a great game. The front court only had 31 points but you saw Marcin play some exceptional defense and block a couple of shots. You saw Markieff with a positive performance scoring, and you saw Otto hit a clutch 3 at the end of the game. The bench scored 45 led by Jason Smith’s 17 point, season high in 3 pointers, performance. I said this on our DTC Podcast earlier this week that the Wizards are going to need players other than John and Beal step up. I specifically called on Otto porter to return back to 2015 playoff form, that seems like it’s starting to take place.

In addition, the Wizards weren’t necessarily flying high into the 2015 playoffs where they swept Toronto, and probably would have beaten Atlanta if it wasn’t for the John Wall hand injury. My point is that I don’t think its a big deal that the Wizards aren’t flying high into the playoffs on a 10 game win streak, or a long home win streak. This team has proven that they can play and win against any team, especially in the east. I am more encouraged by the little things that I saw in yesterdays game, like Kelly Oubre’s play, the team defense, and Keiff getting back on track. Besides, if the Wizards get to 50 that is probably all the mental confidence, momentum you can ask for.

Let’s get 50!

Caps, Defeating the Curse.

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Our Caps are once again favorites to win the Stanly Cup, and I can confidently say that this is the best team in the NHL. In past seasons, there has been a lingering lack of confidence entering the playoffs. However, this season, I don’t think it’s fair to let our franchise’s history cloud reality. It’s true we have the burden of disappointing playoffs, but we are deep at every position and I strongly believe we are good enough to overcome it.

My (not-so-bold) prediction: The playoff disappointment streak ends, and in my opinion, it doesn’t matter if they finish first in the Metropolitan Division or not; they are too ready, and too deep. The Metropolitan Division is home to three out of the four best teams this season. As of now, the Caps hold the first place spot, followed by the Pens, and then the Blue Jackets. For those of you who are not familiar with the playoff format, the league will force the teams that finish second and third in the division to play each other in the first round. So, that means one of the NHL’s best teams will have to suffer and early playoff exit. Washington can secure the top seed in the East if they beat Toronto, and Pittsburgh loses to Columbus.

If the season ended today, and the Caps secured the top seed, we would face the Ottawa Senators. This season we went 2-1 vs Ottawa, with Philipp Grubauer in net for our one loss. Grubauer is a great goalkeeper, but he’s no HOLTBY. I like our odds in the first round for sure, but we all know the second round is what really ails the Caps. As I said previously, the Caps are too deep and too ready this season; I wholeheartedly believe they overcome their previous playoff woes.

The Caps have an 8-1-1 record, and that’s tied for best in the league through the last 10 games. Never-mind the March stumble and the Arizona Coyote’s game hiccup, because the Caps are catching their groove at the perfect time. They have the players, the numbers, the motivation and the momentum to bring the first ever NHL championship to DC.