Give Washington basketball its bragging rights back

I smell fresh blood.

For the first time in a long time — perhaps ever — the Washington region’s men’s basketball scene is full of new faces. And we’re not just talking about the freshmen. George Washington head coach Karl Hobbs is out. In is Vermont’s Mike Lonergan, a native of Bowie and former assistant at the University of Maryland. The revered Gary Williams is finally retiring after more than two decades as Maryland’s head coach — replacing him is Texas A&M’s Mike Turgeon.

And not to mention Debbie Yow’s exit from her post as Maryland athletic director; replaced last fall by Kevin Anderson, the first African-American to hold the position at Maryland. Her GW counterpart, Jack Kvancz, retired in February and America East Conference Commissioner took his place last month.

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Happy Friday! Best clip of the year

Keenan Cahill, the YouTube phenom who suffers from a rare disease, has teamed up with te Giants' Brian Wilson and Cody Ross -- and that wacky seal -- for this latest lip-syncing video. The video is part of a fundraiser Ross and Cahill are promoting that's taking place at a Giants game next month.

This is hands down the funniest thing I've seen all year and I've watched it five times so far -- you won't want to watch it just once, either! If you didn't love the misfit Giants before ... well, you're heartless if you still feel that way after watching this. Learn more about Cahill by clicking here. In the meantime, check out the video:

NFL commissioner wants players back at bargaining table

This letter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell went out to players Thursday and was published by CBSsportsline.com's Mike Freeman. Here it is in its entirety:

Dear NFL player,

As you know, negotiations between the NFL Players Association and the clubs have not led to an agreement. Last Friday, the NFLPA Walked out of the federal mediator’s offices in Washington, told us that it had abandoned its right to represent you as a union, and filed a lawsuit. Some hours later, the clubs instituted a lockout.

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The NFL lockout unfolds on Twitter

Updated on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 6:13PM by Liz Farmer

Finally -- a decent reason to follow Twitter. No where on Friday has news been more aflurry on the lockout than n the social network for people with 140-character attention spans.

We're still in the middle of it now so I'll update this later but I've taken the liberty of compiling the story as it has unfolded on Twitter:

AdamSchefter 5:02pm via ÜberSocial

RT @AndrewSiciliano: Mort reporting NFLPA decertifies in federal court in Minneapolis

RayRice27 5:04pm via Echofon

Looks like we are about to get locked out

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NCAA's inconsistent suspension policy

Below is a great read from the NYT's Michael Sokolove on the suspension of Baylor basketball star Perry Jones. The piece highlights the inconsistencies in the NCAA's policy regarding payments and gifts for athletes and coaches. Somehow a $1,000 loan to a player's mother is worse (more suspendable) than a B.C.S. championship game QB's dad seeking cash payments during his son’s recruitment?

You be the judge. Read on:

On the N.C.A.A. Benching of Perry Jones
By MICHAEL SOKOLOVE

That Perry Jones may have run run afoul of some N.C.A.A. rules, triggering his suspension for Baylor’s Big 12 tournament game last night, is, in one sense, not shocking.

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