Thom Loverro
Columns by Thom Loverro
DJ Durkin gone, but more fumigation needed in College Park
With play on the football field done, the spotlight is back on the question: What kind of school does the University of Maryland want to be? Published November 25, 2018
Wizards’ blame belongs to owner
Leonsis has betrayed a Wizards fan base that had been victimized over and over again for decades. You think the Redskins' fan base is damaged? Flesh wounds compared to what has been inflicted on fans of Washington's NBA franchise for nearly 40 years. Published November 22, 2018
Colt McCoy, Gruden’s guy, gets his shot
More than three years ago, Colt McCoy came to Redskins Park for practice and was stunned to learn that Kirk Cousins -- not Robert Griffin III -- would be the starting quarterback going into the 2015 season. Published November 20, 2018
Colt McCoy gets a chance to rewrite his own story
If there was going to be a storybook moment for Washington Redskins backup quarterback Colt McCoy in 2018, it wasn't going to be Sunday against the Houston Texans at FedEx Field. Published November 18, 2018
Redskins fans who stay home prefer style over substance
Among many good reasons for lack of support from a damaged and fatigued fan base, one that emerged that has startled some is that this 6-3 team is pretty boring, and that some fans would rather watch a more exciting offensive team lose than a comatose offensive team win. Published November 15, 2018
Josh Norman needs refresher on history of damaged Redskins fan base
You don't get to select the history you want to embrace. You don't get to bask in the glow of the Lombardi trophies and not wallow in the sewage that has gone through Redskins Park the last 20 years. Published November 13, 2018
Bill Bray, now lawyer, still in the MLB game
Bill Bray was at an amateur baseball tournament in Florida last month when he got the news -- he had passed the bar exam. Bill Bray, former major league relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds, was now Bill Bray, lawyer. Published November 11, 2018
Nationals likely to be left out of Bryce ‘Harper’s bazaar’
Whatever the Nationals' offer was, no one expected Harper and Boras to take it. They are determined to bring Harper to free agency, in what Boras, talking to reporters earlier this week at the baseball general managers meeting in Carlsbad, California, called, "Harper's Bazaar." Published November 8, 2018
Alex Smith’s worth to Redskins to be revealed in Tampa
After the Washington Redskins acquired Alex Smith, coach Jay Gruden testified in favor of the trade --enthusiastically, glowingly, effusively. In fact, he said the team was better off with Smith at quarterback than they had been with the previous quarterback, without mentioning his name. Well, we'll find out Sunday in Tampa against the Buccaneers. Published November 6, 2018
LOVERRO: Losing after falling behind is definitely a ‘thing’
If all three of your team's losses come when you fall behind early and your offense seems incapable of coming back, it becomes a thing. Published November 4, 2018
Maryland’s bullies finally being held accountable for their culpability
Fortunately, as much as the gangsters would love to run their fiefdom like strong-armed dictators, they are accountable to the rest of the human race and the reactions nationwide to the horror of trying to retain head football coach DJ Durkin -- the head man with the responsibility to protect the young athletes parents placed in his care, an obligation he miserably failed to fulfill. Published November 1, 2018
‘Godfather’ regents make Maryland an offer it can’t refuse
You want evidence of "toxic"? Look at regents chairman James T. Brady and the other members of the board that governs the University of Maryland. Published October 30, 2018
LOVERRO: Regents’ decision on Durkin will define their legacies
What will be the legacy of these people -- pillars of the community, successful leaders in their respective fields? Published October 28, 2018
Red Sox, Dodgers connections helped facilitate return of baseball to D.C.
It was the Boston Red Sox who helped facilitate the return of baseball in Washington in 2005, and it was a key figure with the Los Angeles Dodgers who was instrumental in the ownership and development of the franchise in its early days following the relocation of the Montreal Expos to Washington. Published October 25, 2018
Redskins winning in spite of Jay Gruden not having fun with Alex Smith’s play
Jay Gruden should have a bounce in his step, a smile on his face and a song in his heart. He is the head coach of a winning team nearly halfway through the season. But there is this one problem -- he's winning without his favorite toy, the quarterback. In fact, he is winning in spite of his favorite toy. Published October 23, 2018
What’s cooking at FedEx is an old Redskins recipe
A running back, a good defense, solid special teams and winning the turnover battle -- that recipe for success in your grandfather's NFL is today's blue-plate special for the Redskins. Published October 21, 2018
Rich Tandler brought passion, deep knowledge of Redskins to his reporting
It was a rare and remarkable feat: Someone who hadn't come up in the business, forcing his way into the conversation, during his 50s no less, and rising to the top in a major market like Washington -- and doing so with 21st century tools. Published October 18, 2018
Ted Williams’ marketing deal with Sears may have landed him Washington Senators job
In a conversation on my podcast "Cigars & Curveballs," McLain maintained that Washington owner Bob Short was able to convince Williams to come to Washington to manage the Senators because of Short's influence with Sears. Published October 16, 2018
Redskins make Alex Smith comfortable enough in win over Panthers
After last week's beating by the Saints, quarterback Alex Smith talked about the comfort level of the offense when the Redskins fall behind early in a game. So Sunday, the Carolina Panthers -- specifically their special teams said, "Alex, let us make you feel comfortable," on their way to a 23-17 loss to Smith and Co. Published October 14, 2018
Redskins give fans reason for doom and gloom even in first place
Why does it feel like the Washington Redskins are the worst, most pathetic, most embarrassing franchise in the NFL? Why is the air around here filled with toxic gloom and doom about the hometown football team? Published October 11, 2018