Tracee Hamilton: s good to be home, to find some sanity in an insane world. The Redskins drafted offensive lineman Trent Williams. The Caps will start Varlamov in goal tonight. The NCAA Tournament is expanding by three teams instead of 33. And Jason Marquis is going on the DL, where perhaps he should have been all along.ll start with the draft but Game 5 and whatever else is on your mind is fair game as well.  Paul Williams: More on the draft:By drafting Williams, Redskins answer the lineA sensible selection  Trent Williams: In looking at the picture of Williams shaking hands after being selected, what a wuss! He's shaking hands like a girl. MAN UP! If you cannot shake hands like a man DON"T!  Paul Williams: Is this the handshake of a starting left tackle? Do they grade handshakes at the combine?(Photo: Jonathan Newton/Washington Post)  Tracee Hamilton: What a great place to start the morning! Although I take exception to the "like a girl" remark. I have a firm, bold handshake, as instructed by dear old dad. I am hoping he was going for a special shake and perhaps Goodell was just slow on the uptake. But I will shake his hand first chance I get and report back.  Wasn't it great?: Remember last week, when we were all freaking out about the Caps and Theo, and we were all convinced that the Redskins were going to do something stupid like trade up to get Bradford, and we were all sure that the Natinals would find a way to lose 163 games? Wasn't that fun?Let's all go back there and be miserable for a while. Incidentally, I'm the person who said that Marquis was a .500 pitcher. I was aiming for "voice of calm wisdom," not "voice of attacking Tracee." I'm sorry it came off that way.And I apologize for implying anything other than that you're awesome.(Wanna know how Marquis hurt his elbow? Calculating his ERA! [Ba-dump-bump.] Thank you! Tip your waitresses!)  Tracee Hamilton: Isn't it great, the way emotions shift in sports? I sometimes think that's why we like them -- the adrenaline!I was kidding about the attacks. I just couldn't believe that third start. You owe me no apologies. Great Marquis joke, by the way.And I must apologize to one and all; I was POSITIVE they would increase the tournament field to 96. Like Baby's dad, when I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong.  Talk me off the ledge...: So many great prospects, please tell me you're hearing something to say that we're not gonna take a nap on day two and we'll get back into the mix somehow?  Tracee Hamilton: So far, nothing. I really think management ought to plan for this from now on; you should hang on to a first and second rounder if only to guarantee you'll be on TV the first two nights and give your fans something to get excited about.Then again, it frees everyone up to watch Game 5.Also, let me just say right now I'm going to refer to this guy sometimes as Treat Williams because I love "The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper." Just ignore it. I was hoping they would draft Okung just so I wouldn't have this problem.  ESPN Draft Coverage: Saw the entire 1st round. Love Kiper, but when did Steve Young become a human wind bag? No one could talk, as Young wouldn't shut up. He is still talking......  Tracee Hamilton: Well, I missed a lot of the first round because I was at the animal ER, where we watched Animal Planet. But that is weird; Steve Young used to be so quiet. The last thing I saw was Kiper and Gruden arguing over Tebow and Young was looking on trying to get a word in. Maybe once he did he just couldn't stop?  draft: What a refreshingly boring draft for the 'Skins!  Tracee Hamilton: HA! That's another way of looking at it.  You Know The Redskins Faithful Are Thinking This...: The Redskins addressed the o-line! They're going to the Super Bowl!!! YEAH!!!!!!!Now that that's out of the way, if Varly performs as well as he did in game four, do you think Jose is done for the remainder of the playoffs?  Tracee Hamilton: I think Jose is done until Varly has a bad night. The way Varly is playing, that may not happen. But if he does, Boudreau won't hesitate to use the hook.  Haynesworth: Did Shanahan play the Haynesworth fiasco badly by letting it be known publicly that he wanted Al out? Shanny's leverage was lowered in an instant, which is why it surprised me that he was letting his desire float out there.  Tracee Hamilton: Unless it's all an act to wake up Albert, which perhaps it is. Not working, but still...  Dirty Dancing quote!: Tracee, you rock! No question, I just love your chats and your use of "chapeau" in yesterday's column.  rest: How important is it for the Caps to finish up the series tonight and get the extended break before round two?  Tracee Hamilton: I don't think any of them want to go back to Bell Centre and risk getting pushed to a Game 7. I think we'll see their best effort tonight. If they could put together three great periods on the same night they'd be set.  Virginia Beach: I have to ask..As a general sports fan (my preference is actually towards track and field), why doesn't Mel Kiper, the supposed all-knowing and greatest talent evaluator ever, work for the front office of an NFL team? He seems to know every player, their strengths, weaknesses and areas of concern.  Tracee Hamilton: He is well regarded by front office people, I know that. He is a good evaluator, but he also mines the evaluations of others so it's hard to know where Mel ends and his contacts begin. Maybe that's the doubt. I don't know if he'd want a front office job but it's no secret he doesn't like sharing the draft spotlight with the other guy whose name is currently escaping me. Argh. You all know who I mean.  NFL Draft and Haynesworth: The Post has been saying for several weeks that Hanyesworth is on the trading block, yet Shanahan is saying he is not (they will listen to offers but are not actively looking to move him)...I get the feeling that Hanyesworth was offered in the McNabb deal (and before the giant paid bonus) and my thoughts all along are that he isn't going anywhere...what is really going on?  Tracee Hamilton: have a feeling this is all part of a grand plan, and I'm kind of impressed the Skins have a grand plan. I didn't see any kind of grand plan last year. Whether it works is another matter.  Best player/Best Fit: Most say that Williams was the best fit for the zone-blocking scheme. Do you agree in taking a player that fits a system over a player who may be a better overall player?  Tracee Hamilton: Well, until you change the system. (Albert Haynesworth again.) That's when you may wish you'd taken the best overall. I don't honestly think the differences between Okung and Williams were substantial.  Handshake: Looks more like the last step in the combo handshake. Props to Williams for giving one to the commish.  Tracee Hamilton: That's what I was hoping...  Trades: Has there been any rumblings about trading players on the Skins roster?  Tracee Hamilton: I don't think anything's come close to fruition. They are obviously trying to move Campbell but that's a tough sell, especially while Clausen and McCoy are still on the board.  Clausen falling?: I love the Redskins pick (Thank God), but why do you suspect Clausen fell so much, past Tebow? Could it be "character" issues. Perhaps the wake of the Roethlisberger fiasco has cost any player in this draft (Clausen, Dunlap) who have had problems or run-ins?  Tracee Hamilton: That's certainly a possibly theory. It is weird that Clausen rose to such heights before the draft, but I think it was due in large part to Kiper, who just loves the guy. So he was high on media draft boards as part of the Kiper Effect, but perhaps not as high on actual draft boards.The Roethlisberger decision certainly sends a message about the league's intent.  ER: So how is Fluffy? Dog or cat what breed, age and sex? Draft choice or rescue?  Tracee Hamilton: Well, it's a cat named Phog Allen, 10 years old, got him and his brother Dr. James Naismith (Doc) from a coworker. I was just on the phone trying to determine with the surgeon what to do. We're going with a cystotomy. He' s a honey of a cat, best natured one I've ever had and that's saying something. I had one bad tempered cat in 27 years and his name? Ty Cobb. (He was all black and I was living in Detroit.) Thanks for asking!  And so it begins...: Obviously it was the tail-end of a combo handshake. This is why you Skins fans make Patton Oswalt from "Big Fan" look like a normal, well-adjusted adult.  Tracee Hamilton: I don't know this reference so I'll throw it out there. And I'll check with Newton on the handshake. Clearly this is turning into a controversy.  Todd McShay: That's who Mel Kiper can't stand because Todd's nipping at his draft analysis heels. That is all!  Tracee Hamilton: Thank you! Yes, McShay is challenging Kiper's throne.  Those guys: Don't know if you saw it or not, but it looked like all those ESPN commentators hate each other and it was shining through during their coverage. It looked like Tom Jackson wanted to punch out Steve Young. I was secretly hoping he would. And the Chucky Doll had the evil eye on Young for a while, too.  Tracee Hamilton: Yes, I caught a whiff of that on the Tebow discussion; Jackson looked angry. I like him. I'm not a big fan of the ESPN NFL team for that reason; it's a bunch of individuals forced to sit in proximity of each other.  TO: Isn't he a perfect fit? He kind of embodies the Redskins' management team -- acts irresponsibly and recklessly; promises to reform; never actually does. Even if he doesn't play here, he could be a good mascot.  Tracee Hamilton: Ouch! So even with drafting an o-lineman and trading for McNabb but making no big free agent splashes, you aren't ready to believe things might have changed yet? There are a lot of fans who agree with you; I'm just asking.  Let's not get ahead of ourselves....: To compare Jimmy Clausen to Ben Roethlisberger is like comparing Willie Nelson to OJ Simpson; yes, they've both had run-ins with the law and have become aware of the American legal system, but if ever there was an apples-and-oranges characterization, this is it.  Tracee Hamilton: Ah, good point. Popping someone for giving you grieve isn't the same as trolling for college age girls and then ... whatever happened. You're right.Also, working Willie Nelson and O.J. Simpson into the same sentence: nice!  Go Bears: Strangest pick of the night? Jacksonville picking Tyson Alualu #10. I'm a Cal fan, and I had barely heard of him. Even the Raiders managed to make a reasonable selection.  Tracee Hamilton: Oh, good, I thought it was just me. I was reading the crawl when I got home and thought, "who?" Kind of hope this guy's a star; makes a good story.  Honor: You know, Phog Allen had a doctorate too.Any cats named Larry Brown? Or did he run away to San Antonio (or Charlotte or Philadelphia or...)?  Tracee Hamilton: Ha! Yes, that would be a danger in having a Larry Brown. I never wanted a Wilt because I couldn't bring myself to neuter a Wilt Chamberlain. Just wouldn't be write.These are my first two KU-named cats. I've had Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Tiger Lee (inherited from grandma, but again, perfect for Detroit). Phog Allen did have a doctorate; my dad took a class from him at KU.  Big Ben: I think Ben Rothlissberger suffered an undiagnosed brain injury during his motorcycle accident. Has he been evaluated? Do you think that this is worth looking into? Maybe he has a pinched "restraint" nerve.  Tracee Hamilton: edited a story once in which the writer said a player had "tension deficit disorder." I wondered how I could catch that!Okay, I'd better wrap this up. Thanks for all the questions. Monday's chat is up in the air; I may be traveling to Montreal, and I may not, so stay tuned!  Big fan of "Big Fan": GREAT movie! Though calling out Skins fans as Oswalt-like is a little harsh (though upon review of the play, not entirely off-the-mark). Every franchise has them, I guess- it just seems like a lot of them end up on chats, bombarding you and Wilbon w/preseason anxieties and front office conspiracies.  Tracee Hamilton: Since I don't know "Big Fan" I'll throw this out before I dash... Yes, every franchise has them. Washington seems to have a lot.  Ty Cobb: How ironic you named your black cat Ty Cobb  Tracee Hamilton: That was the plan. Loved him as a baseball player. As a human being, not so much. That was one crabby cat. But I brought home a white kitten and he loved that cat to death. So just goes to show you ... cats aren't people.  RE: TO: No - not ready to believe yet. Gotta see more then a single pick to make me a believer. I am also not sold on McNabb yet - seemed to easy. I have a feeling he will spend more time on his back then a....well, never mind....  Tracee Hamilton: And in fairness, here's the answer to my question to the earlier chatter/non-believer. Fair enough...
Every morning, Post columnist Tracee Hamilton discusses the most amazing and outrageous news from the world of sports.