Football. It’s almost here. (Of course, Ladell Betts will probably want to do betterthan seven yards on four carries come September.) (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
- Ravens 23, Redskins 0: It’s a good thing that the NFL preseason doesn’t mean a damn thing. Here’s how the ‘Skins ended their offensive possessions last night: punt, punt, punt, punt, fumble, halftime, punt, interception, punt, punt, punt, punt. Yuck. Unfortunately, the individual numbers weren’t any less horrendous. Colt Brennan, who wants to challenge Todd Collins for the back-up quarterback role? 4/12, 43 yards, one pick. Clinton Portis took last night off — apparently, so did the rest of the tailbacks. The trio of Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, and Marcus Mason failed to impress, managing only 49 yards and a subpar 3 yards per carry. On the bright side, new punter Hunter Smith got a lot of practice — he hit nine punts last night, which was nearly six more than he averaged per game — 3.3 — last season with the Colts. Of course, this all means very little; frankly, tomorrow’s release of the newest edition of Madden will do much more to build anticipation for the season ahead. But still, real, actual football is on the horizon: get excited, Washington.
- Reds 7, Nationals 0: Sometimes you’ve just got to tip your cap and say “well played, good sir.” The Reds got a complete game two-hit shutout from Bronson Arroyo (11-11) and three home runs off the bat of right fielder Jonny Gomes in a rout of the Nationals. Washington starter Collin Balester (1-2) allowed five runs for the second consecutive start. But there was obviously little that the Nationals could do, as Arroyo was brilliant — he wasn’t overpowering (only three strikeouts), but exhibited a complete mastery of the strike zone and only walked one batter.
