ExtremeSkins Blog: I'm going to Dallas :).

[Art]

Ok, so, this may be the only entry in this thing. Maybe there'll be more. Depends on how I feel and the access we have. Here's my "Going to Dallas" Diary so far .

-- Friday, Sept. 16, 5 p.m.: Team upgraded our hotel to the very one the team will stay in. Eric and I will keep sentinel in the lobby reporting any curfew violations. . Will work to see if we can slip on to the team bus for the trip to the stadium. Dream big, you know .

-- Saturday, Sept. 17, 3 p.m.: Wearing Redskins gear at a running store my wife made me go to for a baby jogger, the girl behind the counter said, "Hey, you're a Redskin fan. My mom's in Maryland and never misses a game." Almost before she could finish, I blurted out, "I'm going to the game. With the team." I felt like I was about five .

-- Saturday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m.: Arriving home, I did something I never do. I went with my wife to the mailbox where I was exposed to neighbors I would have to talk to. I did this so I could say, "I'm going to the game on Monday." Now getting to about 4 years of age I think.

-- Saturday, Sept. 17, 5:30 p.m.: Called best friend to taunt him about the fact I was going to the game. He screens calls and knew better than to pick up .

-- Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 p.m.: Best friend called back thinking I'd calmed down some. Discovering I hadn't, he said, "Your article was too long." If he was on the internet he'd be the biggest jerk on the internet . Talked about Bears game and he promised to look for me on the sidelines on Monday.

-- Saturday, Sept. 17, 11 p.m.: Printed out boarding pass, directions from airport to team hotel, directions from hotel to stadium, tucked them in carry on bag with picture of my baby girl and my dad.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m.: "What are you going to wear?" asks dutiful wife. Bless her. I don't know. I figure my full game-day regalia is a no-no in the press box. The Mills No. 50 Redskins jersey probably would be looked at a bit skeptically, you know, by all those pros I'll be with in the press room. So, I check weather.com figuring hot here in September is around 80 for a high. Texas around 85 or so I figure. Uh, nope. High today of 100. High tomorrow of 99. Minnesotans don't have clothes suited for that weather. Heat explains blithering Cowboy fans here as it must take a lot out of a guy.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 11:45 a.m.: In the car. Heading to the airport. Baby Brynn asleep. Wife needs food, adding to stress level. WOMEN.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 1:00 p.m.: Meet Eric in MSP airport as he connected through. Hit the plane. Life is good. On the way to Dallas.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 4:02 p.m.: Hit the gate in Dallas. HOLY HELL, it's hot. I hate this place and the Cowboys even more for making me come to this hellish pit.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 4:45 p.m.: In line for rental car. See a dozen or so Skins fans wandering about. Good showing up guys. Call hotel to assure reservations are secure. They say, "Yes, Mr. Mills." So, I ask, "No, I mean, have the reservations been taken care of." They say, "Yes, sir, you're with the group." The group being the Washington Redskins. WICKED COOL!!!!!!!

-- Sunday, Sept, 18, 5:10 p.m.: Arrive in hotel lot. Blondie calls to see what's up. She's at the team hotel from last year. Poor thing.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 5:18 p.m.: Check in. Treated like royalty. We're with the group you know. Discover I'm woefully under dressed for occasion. Head to room to change.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:00 p.m.: Eric and I enter hotel lobby, greeted by lovely site of entire team chilling out. I'd changed, but, now I would have fit right in for dress. Players looking pretty loose, milling around readying for dinner and meetings.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:02 p.m.: Eric and I decide to stand in the group looking like we belong. See first "honey" only available professional athletes. Must go lift or something. NICE.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:10 p.m.: Meet up with PR to get passes for game. Looking for anyone we might otherwise know so they might confirm we belong .

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:18 p.m.: Enter sports bar for first drink. Start seeing scores. See our first "friend" as Karl Swanson was looking for a place to park and smoke cigars. He joins us with one Sonny Jurgenson. How cool is that. We sat with Sonny smoking cigars and chatting about football.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:25 p.m.: Meet Mike Dillow who introduces himself as, "You know, Mr. Port-a-Potty." Good work Mike.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:35 p.m.: Joined at our table by Larry Michael drinking something suspiciously like water. Must get this corrected.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 6:45 p.m.: Joined at our table by one Sam Huff. Eric and I just coolin' with Sonny, Larry, Sam, Karl and other team officials. The trip is already worth it.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 8 p.m.: Eat dinner watching game. Norv is Norv through and through.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 9 p.m.: Call Blondie to tell her we're booked up. She laments not being there to get Sonny to sign a card she had.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 10 p.m.: Sam heads to bed.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 10:20 p.m.: Sonny heads up for the night.

-- Sunday, Sept. 18, 10:45 p.m.: Great evening ends. Lots of choice comment you'll never get to hear. Sorry suckers .

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 5:45 a.m.: I wake up feeling strange. The room is dark. I'm comfortable. Trying to place it, I finally do. I woke up because I had to pee. I.E. NOT because my baby screamed on the monitor.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m.: Eric calls, ruining what was another three or four hours of sleep to come. Apparently front desk didn't take me seriously when I asked them to call me at 7:30 and cry like a child. Will have to address that. I mean, at $400 a night, you'd think they'd bark like a dog, wouldn't you?

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:45 a.m.: Finishing breakfast, I discover the hoops game has been moved up. Walking out of the area, I spot Sam Huff chatting up an inconspicuous defensive coordinator named Gregg Williams. I could smell his after shave and I didn't even lick his face, though I should have .

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 9:15 a.m.: Trying to find the basketball court in this sprawling complex. Once again forced to endure Texas heat walking outside. This place sucks. Anyway, I look lost and this LOVELY blonde approaches me asking if I need some help. I told her I needed to find the gym. She started to lead me, showing heightened interest in my every word. It dawned on me, "She's flirting with me." We continued to walk when I figured out why. "So, maybe I could go to the game tonight and we could hang out after." Yes. MY FIRST FOOTBALL GROUPIE. In full Redskin garb, she thought I was a player. I said, "Uh, um, well, why are you asking me." Blonde, foolish, she says, "You play right?" Here, a smart, unmarried man with no seven-month old baby at home says, "Yes. My name is, uh, Casey Rabach." This honest, married man with a baby at home says, "Nope. I'm just a fan the team let's hang out like a groupie. You know how that is." She didn't say, "Quite," but she did say, "The gym's right down there," and left me alone thinking about what could have been. Told wife this story and informed her rather vigorous rewards are required at the homestead on Tuesday.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 9:25 a.m. -- Get basketball. See Joe Bugel, Don Breaux and a couple other team officials and coaches huffing away on the treadmill. Amazing stamina these old dogs have. Go to the gym and start getting warm.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. -- Larry shows dressed to the basketball nines. Man has hoops style. I team up with one of his WJFK crew while he plays with the other. Five minutes in Larry asks, breathless, "Jesus, how much do you weigh man, 260?" He starts cheating, but I keep scoring. In radio terms it was like 106 to 7 . My team hammers him twice, by ones with two pointers, 16-8, 16-3.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 10:45 a.m. -- Few minute rest to scope out very fine ladies doing lunges on track above us. Realize now that I'm not the only little boy in the room. Don Warren comes in and watches us play. I put a little mustard on the hot dog for that, breaking out the sweet passes and moves as if playing for the captain of the cheerleading team in school. Donny apraises, "Big boy has played some basketball in his day." Indeed. We win 16-4.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 11:05 a.m. -- Blondie calls to say she'll be at the hotel at 2 p.m. if we're free. Informed her of my remarkable domination. Much impressed as you can imagine. Donny leaves.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 11:10 a.m. -- Two guys from Redskins.com TV show and we split teams up so the biggest guy gets to guard me. Game is closer now, but, Big Mills takes two step back threes (twos) to end the game in high fashion, calling out the victory even before the ball leaves the ever loving sweet stroke of my hoops-blessed hands (Thank you Freddie Mitchell).

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 11:35 a.m. -- Leaving gym, walk by Lavar Arrington heading in. As with every player I've seen, I try to act like I've been there before so they don't get freaked out. Fighting urge to leap into his arms and say, "Beat Dallas!!!!!!!!" Instead, walk by with a smooth, "What up." Receiving slight nod. Lovely. Lavar has nodded at me. Me .

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 2:15 p.m. -- Blondie arrives. Eric and I get to meet Blondie who was with Rock's dad, aunt and baby girl. Very cute in her Redskins cheerleader outfit.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 2:45 p.m. -- Players released from meetings. We're standing at the elevators where they are all going. See most of the team coming out in groups -- linebackers, secondary, etc. Sean Taylor greets Rock's family, gives Blondie a hug, then shakes Eric's hand saying, "Have a great time today." As he was reaching for my hand, I said, "Sean, I'd rather have a great time tonight. Take them down man." He laughed and said, "I will." Ray Brown was goofing with the elevator, laughing, then Taylor said, "We will. We will."

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 2:55 p.m. -- Rock shows up to a running baby girl and shakes our hands in greeting. We wish him well tonight. Things are moving now.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m. -- Head outside and see Monday Night Football trucks and one Sonny Jurgenson sitting outside relaxing, smoking a cigar. Talked about our picks and helped him make his for next week. He's come to rely upon my football knowledge, what can I say .

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 4:08 p.m. -- Hitting the road. Team busses are getting filled up. Best sight is Texas police forced to wear Redskins hats to escort team.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 4:38 p.m. -- Eric refuses to follow simple directions and we get lost a lot. About to pummel Eric. Red lot is across the highway. Want to make it to Blondie's tailgate. Park and walk across pedestrian bridge. Halfway across, sweating, decide we're not doing the tailgate with Blondie.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 4:45 p.m. -- Arrive at Gate 5 looking for Press Gate. Told it was at Gate 8. Liars. Walk to Gate 8. Told Gate 1. At Gate 1 we're told Gate 2. Sweat pouring, we arrive and are gratefully let in.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 4:58 p.m. -- Hit the press box and greeted with smiling faces of Larry Michael and Karl Swanson. Chat up a little. I go find Paul Woody from the Times Dispatch and we talk about old times.

-- Monday, Sept. 19 5:35 p.m. -- Get settled, start looking around. We're half-way up on the 30-yard line. Exquisite guys. Exquisite.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 5:55 p.m. -- Spot Jason LaCanfora and go introduce myself as he knows me. He's with Wilbon and some other Post guys. Bram is yammering non-stop about eight seats away.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. -- Jason comes down to chat with the ES boys. We told him we were not constrained by journalistic ethics which is why we can post pictures you'll see later:

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 6:15 p.m. -- Make our way down to the field, but not before Casey Husband yelled at me . He was talking to Larry and Gary and I kept asking where we were going and I kept answering, so he yelled, "I'm not talking to you." We have all field access. Went down with Larry and Gary from Redskins.com. Vinny and Dan down by the field. Got some nice video and pictures of the field and some players out.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 6:32 p.m. -- Grabbed Vinny to introduce myself as the guy who interviewed him with Extremeskins a while back. Shook my hand and kept walking.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 6:46 p.m. -- Ran in to Dwight Shar's brother-in-law who talked up some projects he was working. Saw Ed Werder coming out of the tunnel.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. -- Went back to the box for some grub. Saw Chris Mortenson coming out of the feed room.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:15 p.m. -- Met one Nunyo Demasio. Talked about how I'd whip him up in hoops. He doubts it. So did Larry. I know better. New Yorkers can't whip on D.C. boys in hoops. Not going to happen.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:20 p.m. -- Eric heads back down to the field. I'm in the box.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:22 p.m. -- Team enters the field to chorus of boos.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:38 p.m. -- Teams go back into tunnel. Have to admit, in little offensive drills, I liked what Dallas did more than us. Bledsoe throwing a go for 40 yards. Throwing a 25 yard corner. We were doing 8 yard outs.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:43 p.m. -- Cowboy cheerleaders do little dance. Unison splits of 40 women inspires audible delight in press box.

-- Monday, Sept 19, 7:49 p.m. -- Comcast's Kelli Johnson enters. This is a lovely creature. Two seats down. If a player's not nailing that, something's rotten in Denmark.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 7:52 p.m. -- Cowboy blow up helmet and tunnel ready. Honest to GOD this tunnel and helmet are sponsored by Levitra. This is taking ads too far. Really. This can lead to nothing but jokes. Here on our they are the Levitra Cowboys.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:07 p.m. -- Kickoff. This is the greatest day of my life.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:16 p.m. -- First down run by Jones on third down has interesting personnel package. Two linemen, four backers, five defensive backs. Lavar on the line. We've had some 3-4 early in the game as well. Not working, but, different looks.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:20 p.m. -- Prioleau bad hammy. Out.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:30 p.m. -- Brunell drops back, looking for big play. Great coverage by Dallas. Sack. DAMN.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 8:40 p.m. -- Brunell pass on line, but didn't see the corner sitting under that out. Bad pass.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 9 p.m. -- Dallas is reading everything very well. Protecting well against the deep pass. Offense seems highly figured out.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Halftime -- Eric comes back up sweating. Decides to stick it out in the press box for most of the second half.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 6 minutes left -- Eric and I depressed. Game looks over. Press box starts thinning out at 5 minutes left. I mention to Eric if we can score in a minute or two of game clock we have a chance. Williams gets a sack and we know it's over. Very, very depressing.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, TD SANTANA MOSS -- Eric and I are in thinned out media room in front of observers from the NFL high fiving the Moss TD. Not going crazy as that's probably inappropriate . But, the only sound in the box was Eric and I hollering, YEAH.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Dallas drive after TD -- Eric and I decided not to go to the field yet, wanting a better view to see if we can stop the Cowboys and make a drive happen. We stop the Cowboys. Thank you Flozell .

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Brunell to MOSS TD -- Now we're obnoxious. Media members looking at us. Screw them. YES BABY!!!!!!!! We sprint down to sidelines now.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 3rd and 4 for Dallas -- I'm standing on the 30-yard-line with a great view of the play. The sideline and Eric and I explode. YES.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 4th and 4 for Dallas -- Great stop, though the tight end may have had a slipping Washington beaten. So what. It's OUR BALL. Andy Groom tells us to get out of his way as we're standing at the kicking net. We move to the far side to watch our three and out and Groom's punt.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, First Down Dallas -- We're standing right at the line of scrimmage. We run into the Redskins.com TV guys and pound on their chests. This is much better. Everyone is breathless. High five the WJFK boom mic guys. We can feel it. Incomplete.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Second Down Dallas -- Watch Redskin players erupt as pass goes incomplete. View not great as we're on the same sideline about thirty yards down.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Third Down Dallas -- The sinking feeling comes back after Bledsoe drops the snap and still nails it in there for a 20-yard completion. This was the last bit of Norvousness.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Four Seconds Left -- Now we know. Game over even if the lateral to Glenn looked like it might open up . WE FINALLY BEAT THIS BASTIGES.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Immediately After the Game -- We're on the field. Looking like Jimmy Valvano for anyone to hug. Finding Renaldo Wynn. Not sure how we got into a bear hug, but we did. Thanking him. Him thanking me. Strange, but wonderful.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, Joe Gibbs presser -- Right after Gibbs speaks, I corner him and get a quote. He was blowing me off until he heard "ExtremeSkins." He turned to me, eyes bright and thanked the fans for everything. That was a great feeling.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 15 minutes after the game -- Entering the locker room for the first time. I'm in something of a daze. Not sure how I got here. Not sure how happy a person or team can be. I almost run over Karl Swanson, who I hug. I just stand back taking this in. Smiling faces everywhere. Karl turns down my efforts to give Dan a hug and a fan quote but, hey, you can't win them all . Marcus Washington and Robert Royal singing and just jabbering. Larry and Sonny interviewing Moss, Brunell. Walk up to Jon Jansen and talk to him about going to the moon, where he vacations in Michigan. Talk to Sean Taylor and thank him for keeping his promise, though he thought I was media and didn't want to chat.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 30 minutes after the game -- Get Clinton Portis in the tunnel after his Comcast chat. He's a nice guy. Great guy. Still walking on air. As we leave the tunnel Jason LaCanfora approaches and tells us he'll be inspecting the star for damage since he knew of our plans . Pretty funny.

-- Monday, Sept. 19, 45 minutes after the game -- Sitting in the press box drinking two beers with Eric. Looking for the board which is crashing out . Nervous energy draining me. The only thing I can think of is if being a fan of this team can lead to something this great, imagine what being a fan of a great team could lead to .

[AJWatson3]

can't wait to read your report. have a blast and enjoy our close win! and if you see any reporters for the Times tell 'em you're coming for their job!

[TheDane]

All I can say is, if your friend is the biggest jerk on the Internet, then tomorrow, you maybe the luckiest guy on the Internet.

Or at least, you and Blade will be fighting for that right. Blade v. Art.

Hmm... mod fight? Who's with me?

[RedskinsFn]

Be looking forward to reading your blog when ya get back. have a great time

[Art]

can't wait to read your report. have a blast and enjoy our close win! and if you see any reporters for the Times tell 'em you're coming for their job!

No promises, but, I could see a few choice lines being offered up for Lenny the Hutt and some others .

[Major Harris]

could you let sean taylor slide a few minutes on the curfew????

[bobzmuda]

Never seen you this excited before!

Enjoy it! Remember, we need some good dirt.

[Huly]

make sure you meet up with blondie!

[TK]

Will work to see if we can slip on to the team bus for the trip to the stadium. Dream big, you know .

Well, it would negate the need for a rental car.

[Tarhog]

Enjoy every second of it

What more is there to say?

[Joncevensen]

have fun at the game, i personally would have worn a jersey even if i was going to be in the pressbox.

[Mad Mike]

Hi. My name is Art. That guy who claimed he was Art? Just an imposter. Now where were those tickets and passes? That noise. What noise? No, there's nothing in my trunk. Now back to those passes.

Can you tell I'm a little jealous? :laugh:

Have a great time.

[Art]

Hey, ExtremeSkinners in Dallas, if things come free, we hope to run into you. Blondie has our contact numbers, so, work through her if you guys are getting together.

[Skinsfan1311]

Can you at least wear a Skins shirt, under whatever else it is that you're wearing...then proudly display after our win??

[Long n Left]

Burgundy and Gold tailgate Art. Myself and a few friends will be there, hope you can make it too. I know Blondie has all the info, and I'll wear an eXtremeSkins Tee so you can find me! Hope to see ya there!

[bubba9497]

sometimes dreams do come true :thumbsup:

[spanishomelette]

This is fantastic...Can't wait to read more.

[bubba9497]

Can you at least wear a Skins shirt, under whatever else it is that you're wearing...then proudly display after our win??

don't worry, I'm sure he be wearing his "lucky" Redskin thongs

[Blade]

Ok, I am going to pick up from where Art left off...

4pm... arrive at Dallas..... wait in line for a freakin' hour at Dollar rental car. Only redeming part of this experience was seeing at least 20 Redskins fans coming in with all sorts of B&G from various airlines.

5:20pm... arrive at hotel, get settled in....

5:30, meet in lobby and get our press credentials....

5:45pm Saw several players in the lobby as they were gathering to go to dinner and/or have meetings.

6:00pm.... head to hotel sports bar and have a beer, finish watching the 4pm games and highlights.

6:30pm... (here is the super-cool part)... have a cigar with Sonny J, Larry Michael, and Sam Huff. Best quote of the evening for me, "Eric, let me get that for you," as Sonny helped me light my stogie with his lighter (The matches I had just werent cutting it.) Art is THE MAN for breaking out his very impressive cigar collection to share with the guys.

7:30-10:45... Watch Raider Nation learn the meaning of 'Norvousness'. It could only be better if Norv was the coach of the Cowboys. Can you tell I am still bitter over our loss in '83?

Ok, Art.... back to you if you decide to get online tonight; otherwise, we hope to bring you more from Texas Stadium tomorrow night (assuming we have internet access there) or sooner if anything cool comes up.

HTTR!

[spanishomelette]

Ok, I am going to pick up from where Art left off...

4pm... arrive at Dallas..... wait in line for a freakin' hour at Dollar rental car. Only redeming part of this experience was seeing at least 20 Redskins fans coming in with all sorts of B&G from various airlines.

5:20pm... arrive at hotel, get settled in....

5:30, meet in lobby and get our press credentials....

5:45pm Saw several players in the lobby as they were gathering to go to dinner and/or have meetings.

6:00pm.... head to hotel sports bar and have a beer, finish watching the 4pm games and highlights.

6:30pm... (here is the super-cool part)... have a cigar with Sonny J, Larry Michael, and Sam Huff. Best quote of the evening for me, "Eric, let me get that for you," as Sonny helped me light my stogie with his lighter (The matches I had just werent cutting it.) Art is THE MAN for breaking out his very impressive cigar collection to share with the guys.

7:30-10:45... Watch Raider Nation learn the meaning of 'Norvousness'. It could only be better if Norv was the coach of the Cowboys. Can you tell I am still bitter over our loss in '83?

Ok, Art.... back to you if you decide to get online tonight; otherwise, we hope to bring you more from Texas Stadium tomorrow night (assuming we have internet access there) or sooner if anything cool comes up.

HTTR!

Okay...That is awesome stuff...Green with envy, I am.

[TK]

6:30pm... (here is the super-cool part)... have a cigar with Sonny J, Larry Michael, and Sam Huff. Best quote of the evening for me, "Eric, let me get that for you," as Sonny helped me light my stogie with his lighter (The matches I had just werent cutting it.) Art is THE MAN for breaking out his very impressive cigar collection to share with the guys.

I take it Art had the travel humidor with him.

Too cool guys. Too freakin cool.

[Art]

Update in first post. Fun stuff.

[Art]

We're going with MY times. Eric was not clock watching like I was .

[Blade]

We're going with MY times. Eric was not clock watching like I was .

True enough... i guess that is why doctors are always running late Nice update, Art.... glad you added the 'mr.portapot' line. To Mike Dillow's credit, he is a VERY funny guy.

[BD]

Give 'em hell, Art. Give 'em hell.

BD