The 3 Amigos

TC: Ghosts Don't Exist on WashPost Live

TC: Offseason Update

When the season ended and guys departed Redskins park for the off season some had crazy plans like this.

"Do you know how me and Chris are gonna improve our football skills? We're gonna go wrestle bears in the wild," Yoder said. "We both think it's gonna help our blocking technique."

Though this idea stands out in the crowd of goals like: spend time with family, come back in better shape, read a book, Yoder told me yesterday that he actually accomplished this feat along with a few others.

"I accomplished two of the three things I set out to do when the season ended. I wrestled a bear in the Canadian wilderness and did some base jumping of a cliff in Costa Rica."

Whether or not that is true, I will let you determine. What is a fact however is that the season is just around the corner. Players are back at Redskins Park for the team's second session of OTA's. For some it is a chance to break up the monotonous lifting and running schedule they have kept and get back on the field. Santana Moss told me that "OTA's are OTA's. Mini camp is more intense where these are a more of the learning opportunity, trying to get better at the little things." When I asked him what he would like to accomplish between now and training camp he sighed and said, "I just wanna get in all the rest I can cause once its all said and done and I'm back up here then its strictly business."

Strictly business is a great answer because many of the news outlets that claim to be experts are picking the Redskins to be a middle of the pack team. This is something that I find very interesting considering they didn't lose any significant players and they have a full season under their belts with Zorn. So it will be great to see them prove some of the donks wrong when they come out firing this season.

For now however, the players that are in Ashburn will do what they need to do, work on the little things. Because after today they are only four OTA's away from training camp. Something that, for this city, couldn't come any quicker. Because the only thing to cheer for between now and then is the Nats winning their 43rd game.

TC: The Perfect Summer Night

On Sunday night the Cooley family decided to celebrate the spring/summer weather we've been having with a nice little cookout and campfire. First chef Chris who cooked up an amazing meal. Marinated chicken, corn on the cob. To go along with it, Christy made her special fruit salad which was probably the best fruit ever.  To make: add any mix of berries you like, bananas, and top it all off with honey. Truly a taste explosion in your mouth.

After the meal we went down to the beach where I picture many good times will be had. We built a nice little fire (not with the wood that Chris chopped down) and cooked s'mores and a new little desert called the banana boat. This little desert was a true delight described by my wife as "better than you can even imagine in your mind." And for the most part it was true. Except for the burns acquired by trying to get it out of the fire.
Little if anything can beat sitting out under the stars enjoying good company around a warm fire. No one could be happier than the four of us that summer if finally here. 

Fatpickle: The Redskins...What's In A Name?

Thanks to a court ruling last week, I'm still a fan of the Washington Redskins. Not the Washington Presidents, or the Wasington Johnny Rockets, or some other name that I could never imagine.I (like most of you) have spent a lifetime bleeding burgundy and gold, singing the words "braves on the warpath" and rooting for my Skins. I've never once in my 30 years as a fan thought of the name "Redskins" as being offensive or racist. I've never heard nor said an off color or racist remark about the name. I've never heard one of the 90,000 drunken fans at Fedex field say anything derogatory about the name...even when the Redskins have a sucky day or a bad loss. In fact, I am proud of the name, proud of the team, and proud of the history and heritage of Native Americans. But who am I too voice my opinion? I'm just an ordinary white guy who can't jump and can't dance (especially when I think I can dance, usually around beer 8 or 9).

Well, I happen to be a part of a large group of people that believe that the Washington Redskins are a tribute to Native Americans. That group of people happens to include the Native Americans themselves. Yes that's right, 90% of American Indians do not find the term "Redskins" offensive in any way. Lets stop and think about this for a minute. Do you think 80 years ago the Redskins chose their team name to personally offend an entire race? Is that really how team names are chosen? No, they are chosen as a tribute to something. And without those teams that honor the American Indian, how often would we be reminded of our Native American history? I think that the people that bring on these lawsuits are only interested in what the root of all lawsuits boil down to...$money$ and notoriety.

I've been a fan of many of the names that have graced the backs of the jersey's. Monk, Riggins, Green, and Cooley to name a few. But, the names on the back of the jersey's change quite often. However, the Redskins name and the burgundy and gold is a lifetime relationship for me (and for you). Rooting for another team, or even the same team with a different name just wouldn't be right. I have to give Dan Snyder props for fighting in court and spending loads of cash to keep the tradition and history of the Redskins in tact.So hip, hip, hooray to Chief Zee, that guy on the side of the helmets, and the Indians getting to mix it up twice a year with those Cowboys. And if you find that offensive, spend the day surfing the Internet...I think there's a lot worse things you could focus on.Cheers and Hail

Valley Vikings Girls Lax = Fun

Last night I watched the Loudoun Valley Vikings girls team finish their season by winning their 19 straight game and taking the region championship. I went with Christy because her cousin Courtney is a senior on the team and we wanted to check out the action. I would just like to say that the girls at Valley are awesome. Even for a entry level observationist I would tell how smart they play the game. They had downright crazy passing skills and even with the tiny pockets they had little problem moving the ball with ease around the field. Those girls also had amazing stamina, I mean seriously, that is a shit ton of running and they never slow down. I also made some other simple notes concerning girls lacrosse as I got home from the game.

1. I would have been awesome at lacrosse. It is an great game and since moving back east I have had a blast watching it being played. A couple of the men's college teams are crazy good! And fast. It's definitely a different game watching the men play vs. women.

2. The rules to girls lacrosse is lame. It's bullshit that they can never touch each other, plus the game is stopped every minute because someone bumps someone else. A dangerous shot is a freaking joke, let the girls throw the ball around a little bit, it would make it a hell of a lot more fun. I'm sure if you gave them a helmet and pads excitement would ensue. Plus I want to see girls hit.

3. Girls never take it to the hole. They pass around all day and maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like if they would just give a little juke move or a spin move they would easily slip defenders. The girls have worse moves than I do on a football field and for anyone that doesn't know, that means none.

4. What the hell is everyone away from the ball doing during the face off. They are absolutely so ready to play, everyone in crazy stances and all. Just chill out, if you 40 yards away from the ball in the middle of the field I'm sure you will have time to react without your crouching dragon stance.

5. High school girls are hilarious. No less than 300 spy pictures were taken of me at the game. I guess it's better than signing autographs.

6. I hung out after the game and played my first catch with a lacrosse stick. It was pretty tough because the girls sticks have the little pockets, but after about 5 minutes I had it down. I can throw the shit out of the ball, just gotta keep tight control. Shave my legs, give me a little tuck, throw a wig on me and I would be and All-American.

7. The team that lost the game was more excited than the winners. I guess they were excited they held them to less than ten points, but that shit was crazy. I mean, get back on the bus and go home. I was talking to the girls on the winning team after the game and even they couldn't figure out what was going on. Weird?

8. I love dads in the stands. They yell the smartest things and make the game much more enjoyable. I can't wait the be the best asshole dad in the stands. I promise to never let any surrounding fans down. P.S. If anyone has set next to my dad in the stands at a skins game you would know what I'm talking about. I just want to follow in his footsteps. Well, maybe with just a little bit less groping and boob signing, and a little more "Open your eyes you cock sucking ref!" yelling.

TC: Drug Bust Drags DC Sports into Headlines

Steroids and sports has been one of THE topics in the news in recent years. Just a few weeks ago it was Manny and today, its our home town teams in the Nationals and Capitals. In Manny's case we all knew it was true because there was a positive drug test. This story, so far, is completely hearsay. Because let's be honest, if you were to get arrested would you immediately begin running your mouth? So that raises the real question. Do you believe this guy? And further more, what is going to happen if he starts throwing names out there?

What we do know it that the guy had a shit ton of steroids at his house. $200,000 dollars worth to be exact. Which is great for anyone who wants to get themselves in trouble with the law. Because now, Richard Thomas and his wife are staring at 10 counts of possession of anabolic steroids with intention to sell and deliver; one count of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony; 10 counts importation of anabolic steroids into state of Florida; one count of maintaining a residence for selling drugs.

Maybe this brings to the forefront of why this man would throw out the teams he allegedly dealt steroids to and the possibility that he will throw out big time names. It is like when someone is drowning, they start grabbing for anything that can get them above water. Unfortunately in Dick's case, nothing he grabs at is going to help him get though this one, it is only going to make it worse for those people he tries to involve. All we can do now is hope this is some serious bullshit. But from this quote maybe it's not.

The sheriff said when Thomas was asked whether he had sold steroids to professional athletes, he replied, " "You name the sport, and I've sold steroids to athletes who play it."

Related The Piss Man Cometh

Fishing Anniversary

This trophy blue gill is the first fish landed by me on my boat. No I am not proud to admit that today was the tenth time that I have been out on the river and this little guy was my first, although I am ecstatic that I have breached the positive fish count category. I swear I'm pretty good at catching trout, but I must be the worst bass fisherman alive.

Christy and I spent a little more than two hours on the river today and by the end I did manage my first measly bass, caught it behind a rock in the middle of the river with a little green rattle trap lure. Christy, who usually beats me on the river was skunked for the day. She did loose three lures though! Bass Pro Shops will be happy, I'll be sure to spend more money.

Also, I need to mention that today is our one year anniversary. How cool is it that my wife wanted to take me fishing. I love you baby! Now we eat year old cake!

Road Warriors from SI.com

SI: What are the gadgets you can't live without when you travel?
Chris Cooley: My laptop, an Apple MacBook.

SI: What's one tip you can share for people who travel a lot?
Chris Cooley: The hotel will do anything you want. They'll do anything you ask. You just have to ask.

SI:What's your least favorite way to travel?
Chris Cooley:I hate airplanes. I hate turbulence. It scares the s--- out of me. I'm a [wimp] when it comes to that.

SI:Do you care where you sit on a plane?
Chris Cooley:I almost always have to sit in the window seat. It bugs me if I can't look out.

SI:What's your least favorite city to visit?
Chris Cooley:Philly. I really don't like Philly. I got a cheesesteak the first time I went there, but other than that, there's just nothing exciting about Philly.

SI:What's your favorite sports venue to visit as a fan or player?
Chris Cooley:I haven't been to very many. But I'm gonna go with the Verizon Center for Capitals games.

SI:What's your favorite place to eat on the road?
Chris Cooley:Any Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I love Ruth's Chris.

SI:What's your craziest/best travel story?
Chris Cooley:We were playing in Denver during my second season and I was trying to fit in with all the guys. Cory Raymer had an entire backpack full of mini bottles of Jack Daniels. So we got into a drinking contest on the bus. The next day I found 13 or 14 of those bottles, empty, in my bag. And this was just on the bus to the airport after a game. Before we even took off, I'm conducting the pre-flight announcements. Twenty minutes into the plane ride I'm on the floor in the aisle eating out of an applesauce container. Needless to say, I had a visit with the head coach the next morning.

SI:Which city has the most rabid fans?
Chris Cooley:Philly. We got eggs thrown at our bus when we came into town last season.

SI:What's the first thing you do when you get home from a trip?
Chris Cooley:Last year, I would watch Entourage, Californication and Dexter. It was the Showtime/HBO night, so I'd TiVo those shows and I always looked forward to watching them when I got home. I can never sleep when I get home from a trip.

SI:What's your favorite mini–bar item?
Chris Cooley:I guess beer. The truth is we don't really need to use the mini-bar. Everything is usually provided for us.

Original Article here

Tell Me Something Wednesday: That's a Wrap!

We'd waited 15 days to hear those words, crackling across 9 walkie-talkies and reverberating throughout Chris Cooley's cavernous estate—all while trying to keep an excited and growing crowd of cast, crew, and wrap party revelers quiet for the final shots.Principal photography on Ghosts Don't Exist wrapped at 7:50PM Monday night, just in time for the arriving mass of friends, family, investors, and other guests—all eager to celebrate the completion of the film we've worked so very hard on for the past few weeks. It was the culmination of a terrific concerted effort, and the beginning of the next phase of the project—post production.

Our final day of filming was a breeze, helped along by gorgeous weather and the wonderful setting of the Cooley home. Chris and Christy generously hosted our wrap party, which included a surprise sneak peek at the trailer (a rough cut created on site by editor Matt West).

We will post the official trailer here as soon as it's completed!

The night—and indeed, the entire production to date—was a huge success. There were hugs and congratulations all around, as cast and crew remembered fondly the long hours we'd invested, breathing both a sigh of relief and regret that this portion had finally reached it's end. Much like the end of a memorable school year, we all made sure we had each others' contact info, (and Facebook, of course) and collected autographs throughout the night.
For many of us, it was back to the "real world" on Tuesday—coping with the withdrawals that come with the end of an incredibly fun, rewarding production like this. But of course, this is really only the beginning. The ride has just started, and will only pick up steam as editing is completed, distribution deals are reached, and film festivals come calling—so stay tuned.

Posted by Richard Friend