Let's start with the Nationals because free agency starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, and the Nationals say they will be very active. The Nationals want to acquire atleast two veteran pitchers to help their young staff. They have already inquired about John Lackey, but the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets and Angels are also bidding. He has played his entire eight year career with the Angels and he won 102 games. The Nats are also looking for quality relievers, with interest in left-handers Mike Gonzalez and Billy Wagner.

 

Clinton Portis will miss his second straight game. He is officially out of the rival game with the Cowboys. By the way, since beating Denver and getting the media to back off, there is a great deal of confidence at the park.

Hey Dematha fans, do you remember Tim Connolly? Timmy was a quality point gaurd on the basketball team for Morgan Wooten (class of 1967) and then played at Colgate. I had the opportunity to play golf with him Wednesday and the former Secret Service agent is now retired and completely recovered from knee replacement surgery. He plays to a 17 handicap.

I have seen pictures of the Gonzaga post game celebration after beating rival St.John's and their deportment was questionable. It was a great win. Congratulations! However, show the class that has made Gonzaga College High School such a great school. By the way, Gonzaga also beat St.John's in the second annual alumni golf tournament to even the series at 1 - 1.

Doc Walker and I are headed to Florida State to announce the Noles' game with Maryland Saturday. I had a long talk with Ralph Freidgen today and he believes that this very young (banged-up) football team will be really good next year. He certainly hopes to be in College Park to coach them. Ralph has two years left on his contract and if Maryland does fire him the school would have to pay 4 million dollars to have him leave.

I have thought long and hard about posting this blog because I wanted to get more concrete details and to confirm the facts with more than one source. I know the rumors have been all over the blogesphere for more than a week. I'm not TMZ , and I do feel badly for Gilbert Arenas in this situation. The story on the internet and reported by the Huffington Post says that Shaquille O'Neal and Laura Govan ,who is Arenas fiance, are embrioled in an affair.  A source within the Wizards organization told me today that Arenas called Shaq and that O'Neal denied the rumors. Gilbert Arenas was on a tear before this mess came to light and  Shaq's denial to the affair hasn't lessened the pain and/or suspicion. Gil went in the tank. That was before the Indiana game November 6 and Arena's had only 13 points. According to the source, Arenas has been in a funk ever since and the Wizards play the Cavaliers tonight at Verizon Center. Laura Govan is expecting Gils third child in little more than a month. It's a horrible situation for Gil and not a very pleasant one for the Wizards. SHAQ WILL NOT PLAY TONIGHT BECAUSE HE HAS A SORE SHOULDER!!!!!  

This has been an incredible time in Washington Sports. The Redskins are on everybody's mind. Dan Snyder is being beaten up by  the fans who have a reason to gripe. I don't understand how a guy that smart and in the marketing business could allow so many things to go wrong. It's been a public relations nightmare, from suing season ticket holders and limiting the duties of your head coach to banning signs and censoring tee shirts.  Snyder spoke to the media the other day and that is what he should have done weeks ago. John Riggins crossed the line on "Inside The NFL" this week by saying that Dan Snyder is a bad guy who has a dark heart. That is getting way too personal for a professional broadcaster and not constructive criticism.

 

Deangelo Hall will return punts against Atlanta. We asked Antwan Randle El about the demotion and he didn't know about it. Jim Zorn then played it down and said the punt return duties would be handled by committee.

Working ACC Football games with Doc Walker has been fun. We had an incredible game last Saturday in Tallahassee.  Florida State beat N.C.State 45-42. Doc was good and made the game fun. This weekend we're going to Miami for the UVA-Canes game. Doc in Miami? Lookout!

This weekend is the annual St.John's-Gonzaga football game with the 5th quarter across the street at St.B's for all alumni. I wish I could be there but Miami calls. Friday is the second annual St.John's-Gonzaga Alumni golf match. SJC holds a one nothing series lead.