Yup. Whacktalk. After over a year of nagging Brad, Herdie, and Woodward, they finally let me voice my opinion…in the final issue; how big of them. Now since, Herdie’s trying to make his record of longest Backtalk of the century, along with the worst and over-used Kobe comments, I’m going to have to make this long - so I’m hitting all the major points that they wouldn’t let me hit this entire year.

First up, NFL Kickoff Day, aka, second best day of the year, next to the Superbowl of course. Besides the fact that it was on my 17th birthday, the opening game between the Raiders and the defending champion Patriots was an easy call. Little did anyone know that the Pats would have the tough season they did, and not win the AFC title for a third straight year. Enough with the Pats though. I’ve been labeled a severe anti-Washington/Maryland fan with my strong dislike of the Redskins and the Ravens. I am an Eagles-Cowboys-Colts fan. Yup, I have three teams because you can’t win them all, so you need to have your backups. The fact that my backups are basically enemies with the local teams just makes everything even more fun, but only some of the time. Who knew that the Eagles would lose their three best players all at the same time? I mean, T.O. aka princess of the NFL, could have been predicted, but to have Westbrook and McNabb out also just made the season worse. Bringing in newbies like Reggie Brown and Ryan Moats just didn’t cut it. The Cowboys have been a lost cause for years, but I love getting into arguments with Herdie about them. As for the Colts, same old story every year, only this year it hit hard. Nearly perfect in the regular season, but in the posteason, as usual, their luck ran out. Poor Peyton lost out again. With all the upsets that occurred to all three of my teams, you’d think I’d change them, but no, we go back to 1994 when it all began, and you can’t break a bond like that. And finally, to Herdie and Brad, just remember who called who crazy when someone put the Steelers in their Top Five.

Like half of the D.C. population I jumped on that Nationals’ bandwagon last April. My longtime despise towards the Orioles however still continues. None of that “the magic is alive in Camden Yards” nonsense; the magic died, several years ago. The real local magic would be the unexpectedly awesome first season the Nats had; which almost makes up for the not so great season they’re having now. I am however still standing strong with my top five. Picking the White Sox has become a basic given for anyone’s top five, and everyone needs to have love for the Red Sox. As a victim of the PBVC Fourth Place Curse, I know firsthand that breaking a curse isn’t easy. If that doesn’t convince you enough, then Curt Schilling’s record should. Bottom line on MLB is: love the Nats, they’re my fairytale team, even if they are going downhill right now.

Okay, on to the NCAA Tournament: my bracket struggled when Duke got cut, but after Connecticut was out, it went straight to hell. Seeing J.J. Reddick cry however, proved to be quite priceless. Local school George Mason turned out to be quite the tear-jerker Cinderella story; even more tears were shed when all that hype was only for a loss. I did admire their accomplishments however, but UCLA pretty much had them steady. What else could you expect with a team that won the tournament for more than ten year straight? Crucial props do go out to Mr. Schiffigens for winning the MainstreaM pool by picking UCLA all the way. And even more points go out to him for donating the winnings to the MainstreaM.

And finally, the NHL: in the words of Vinnie…nobody cares, except for Mr. Woodward. First and final Whacktalk for me kids, and I think you can figure out why. Thanks to Herdie and Brad for being so big in giving me my own 570+ word column. Oh, and for the record Herdie, the overuse of Kobe comments becomes less and less cute after the fourth issue.