For one day, the Washington/Baltimore area was college football country.  Nearly 160,000 attended MD-Navy at M&T followed by VA Tech-Boise at Fed Ex yesterday.  Both games left lots to discuss.  Let's get to it.

Maryland 17 Navy 14:

Navy's offense dominated the game statistically but made too many mistakes in the redzone.  Seven trips inside Maryland's 20 but just two scores.  Give Maryland's defense some credit for being resilient and making plays but they let Navy run 82 offensive plays and hold on to the ball for 40 minutes.  Bottom line, the Terps couldn't stop Navy until it mattered but Navy hurt themselves.  Ricky Dobbs' decision-making on the final play of the first half cost the Midshipmen 3 points.  Ken Niumatalolo's decision to go for it on 4th down on the final play of the game rather than force overtime with a short field goal will be second-guessed although I liked the call and was convinced they'd make one yard. 

For Maryland, where to start.  At least 7 coaching decisions had me scratching my head.  Here's the list.

1.  The Terps accepted a third down chop block penalty in the third quarter that gave Navy another chance on third and long versus forcing 4th and 3.  Navy ran a draw and got the first down.

2.  After a long momementum-changing punt return by Tony Logan, the Terps inserted freshman Danny O'Brian into the game for the first snap of his career.  He botched a handoff which resulted in a turnover.  Seems to me that with the game on the line, his college debut could have waited.  

3.  A 3rd and 10 QB draw call in the 3rd quarter was so conservative., especially considering that holding on to the ball and scoring was a near-necessity for the Terps at that point.

4.  Putting RB DJ Adams into the game for the first time on a 2nd and goal situation was almost as puzzling as the O'Brian substitution.  Davin Meggett and Da'rell Scott were running well and were in rhythm.  That substitution could have waited for next week's Morgan State game.

5.  The 3rd and goal fade pass that followed the DJ Adams run was conservative and never had a chance.  It looked and felt like they were playing for the field goal which was near-fatal.

6.  MD managed the clock horribly at the end.  Before Navy's final 4th down attempt, the Terps let close to 30 seconds run off the clock before calling timeout.  If Navy had scored, the Terps would have had 34 seconds to mount a final drive rather than 1:04.

7.  On the final play of the game, Jamar Robinson led and leapt over his center exposing the ball.  The only way you lose the game at that point is a fumble.  He should have taken the snap, tucked the ball away with both hands and bulled his way forward.....the game would have ended with no risk.  He took a huge risk. 

For the Terps, this was a huge win but one that left lots of questions.  Navy is so unique and so tough to prepare for but the Terp defense looked as vulnerable as it did last year.  Their linebackers are playmakers but the defense as a whole lacks speed.  Offensively, they have speed at the skill positions but Robinson looked uncomfortable throwing the football even though he didn't have many chances.  I'm a big Ralph fan but I sense over the last two years a conservative approach during key moments of games.  Yesterday, that mindset and the trouble with managing the clock at the end really should have done them in.

One more thought....I can't believe that Niamatalolo wasn't penalized for his confrontation with the referree at the end of the half.  His verbal beatdown of the ref should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty if not an ejection on top of that.

Boise State 33 Virginia Tech 30:

This was a great opening-weekend college football game.  The atmosphere, stakes, and performance of both teams was fun to watch.  How much did we learn about Boise State's ability to compete with the big boys?  Not sure because the truth is Virginia Tech may struggle early in the season with a bunch of new starters.  But make no mistake about this...Boise is well-coached and talented.  Are they as talented as Alabama or Ohio State or Texas or Florida?  Who the hell knows but the season-long debate is underway.  Boise has Oregon State at home on Sept 25th but that's it.  Barring serious injuries, they will be double digit favorites against every other team on their schedule.  An unbeaten Boise State for a second straight year would be tough to avoid for the BCS title game especially if it's for a one-loss SEC or Big 12 team.  Lots of football to go but it'll be hard to top the final game of week one.

The story in the Post this morning describes another brewing Haynesworth vs. Shanahan situation.  According to two team sources who reviewed game film from the Redskins-Cardinals preseason game on Thursday night, Haynesworth's performance was "awful".  It was described as lacking effort and even when there was effort given, Albert strayed from his 3-4 responsibilities.  So here we go again....or not.  I wrote two weeks ago that there was a fish or cut bait deadline and it was Monday of Dallas week.  If the Redskin coaches truly determine that he gave little to no effort in a "let's see you give effort" game then they should release him now! 

The Arizona game was a test for Haynesworth.  Putting Haynesworth out there with second and third stringers was a test of his committment.  If he went out and made the best of a bad situation by playing with passion, heart, and brains, then good for him.  If his ego couldn't handle playing a 3rd and 4th quarter in a preseason finale then thanks for nothing.  It appears as if he couldn't quite summon up the type of response the Redskins were looking for.  So cut bait.  He's not worth it.  Sure he's a talent and more talented than anyone on the roster but he doesn't want to be here.  He probably doesn't want to be anyplace that asks him to play football.  The Redskins made an honest run over the last month to get him professionally engaged.  It didn't work.  He's unprofessional.  It was worth the try but it's not worth continuing to try.  The season is here.  Any ounce of energy hoping he engages is a wasted ounce.  Every energy ounce must go towards preparing for Dallas.  And I hope Shanahan makes it clear to any player who attempts to defend Big Al that they can go too.  Are you listening D'Angelo?  

The culture is changing.  Anything less than on board, reporting to duty, and yes sir shouldn't be tolerated.  For too long, Redskins Park has been a festival for the undisciplined.  If you're a Redskins fan be happy it's changing even if it means saying so long to $32 million of talent.  If that waive goodbye does come to fruition, good riddance Al and thanks for nothing.

I'm over it.  Enough talk about the last few players on the Redskins' roster.  I'll be the first to admit that I've spent alot of time over the last few days talking about it but I'm sick of it.  Who cares really?  I'm an idiot for spending time on the Selvish Capers or Clint Oldenburg debate.  Dallas is eight days away and neither one of those players is going to play.  Sure, depth is important and the Skins haven't had much of it over the last decade but obsessing over it is a waste of time.  In truth, we're obsessing over something we know very little about.  Do you know how many so-called experts including ex-players said Edwin Williams was headed for NFL stardom?  None of us no anything about these teams until they begin practicing and playing in the regular season and even then, we're mostly in the dark.  There should be no surprises tonight unless Donovan McNabb is released.  If Devin Thomas or Reed Doughty or Chris Horton or Andre Carter get cut today, there is no need to say that you didn't see it coming.  How could you unless you're sitting in coaches' meetings reviewing film.  So, congrats to the 53 men who make the final roster.  Let's hope that 45 of them are ready for Dallas.  Now, I'm off to a worthwhile obsession---the first college football Saturday of the year.

Here it goes.

The Redskins have seen enough of QB John Beck to give him a contract extension which results in him being under contract for the next three years for $3.35 million according to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com.  An interesting development considering that Rex Grossman is signed for just this season.  This means the end of Richard Bartel after tomorrow night assuming no injuries.