The Start to a Big Off Season

With one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, the Wizards are looking to have a big off season. They got that off to a good start today as they traded Rashard Lewis and their lowest draft pick to acquire Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor. 

When I heard about this trade the first person I thought about was Coach John Thompson. Before he left radio, I remember him talking about the Wizards. He didn't agree with how they never wanted to get veterans to lead their young players. Doc Rivers made a similar point about young players needing to earn their spot.

This is a great step at fixing these problems, it also adds two pieces that help this team where it needs it. Okafor gives this team a rebounder (they needed a rebounder bad) and a defensive presence. This defensive presence is  needed if a team wants to be good defensively.He also compliments Nene and Seraphin well.

Trevor continues the defensive theme. Don't be surprised if Singleton or Booker are available come draft night. After picking #3,(MKG or Beal) I hope the Wizards trade back into the middle of the first (or luck up) and get another starting caliber player (Jeremy Lamb or John Jenkins). The point is, this could be a good team next year; if things are done well.

John Henson, Could He Fit with the Wizards

With the NBA draft coming up,I have begun my yearly exercise of getting to know the different prospects that the Wizards might be interested in drafting. My opinion is the Wizards should take either Beal or MKG with the third overall pick. That would address this teams biggest need at the shooting guard spot.

If the Wizards do go with Beal or MKG, I think they would be wise to invest in a big man that can rebound and pair well with Nene and Seraphin's game.

One of the biggest weaknesses on this team (other than needing shooters) is rebounding. As I made my way down the prospect list one prospect caught my eye. John Henson. I don't really hear much buzz around him, but I think his strengths fit this team and his weaknesses could also be hidden by this team.

The Next Quarterback

By Caesarscott

The big debate that is going in DC is, "Did the Redskins pay too much to get the number two pick in the draft?" If you are asking me, I am going to answer "No".

The way I see it, the Redskins front office has found their guy. If you watch How I Met Your Mother, you know that Ted would do anything to find "The One". And say what you will about Daniel Snyder, he wants to win.

The Redskins quarterback history has not been so good in recent history. Even in Joe Gibbs years they used three different quarterbacks to win three different Super Bowls. Now Doug Williams is my favorite Redskin quarterback, and Mark Rypien led the best football season I ever watched; But imagine what Gibbs could have done with a franchise quarterback.

When I heard the price the Skins had to pay to get the number two pick in the draft, I almost fell on the floor. Good thing was I was in bed. The thing that I thought about, that made me reconsider is that everyone is blown away when the meet Robert Griffin III, when they watch him play, and when they look at his raw tools.

The Redskins have leadership in Shanahan, a savvy GM in Allen, and a rich owner will that is willing to spend in Snyder. (Not to mention lots of money under the salary cap.) There is NO reason the Skins can't dramatically change their offense.

1. Improve offensive line. Sign a right tackle and a guard or too. 2. Give quarterback weapons. Sign 1 or 2 wide receivers. 3. Sign an experienced quarterback to go with Griffin. Step 4 is have a good draft. Best player available and don't be afraid to make deals.

I am not naive, the defense need help as well especially in the secondary. The Skins still have 6 picks and they can turn them into more. They must resign London Fletcher. All of that is for another time. I am only thinking of offense today.

A Team We can be Proud Of

It's been a long time since I have posted. This hasn't been due to a lack of things to write about, but more about real life happening. None of that has caused me to change my focus from the team the Nationals are building, however.

Being a DC Sports Fan has not been easy, especially for one living in the Baltimore area as I do. As a die hard, burgundy and gold fan, I have had to endure too many days at work while some Raven fan jokes on my Skins. This year friends, things are going to change.

Before you laugh, I am not suggesting the Skins will be better than the Ravens. I am saying that this summer DC Fans will have the Nationals to be proud of. And the once proud Baltimore fans will have the Orioles. Anything can happen, but as of now I would be will to bet the rent money that the Nats will be in the playoff hunt this year. Whether they make it is another story.

Living on the Edge: The Revised Starting Rotation and Center Field

When I first started this "Living on the Edge" series, I stated that the purpose of this team is to improve from being almost .500 to more like a 90 game winner. There is no guarantee that 90 will get you in the play-offs, but it should be enough. Let's not forget, the new wild card spot that makes it even more likely.

We begin our exploratory journey with the starting rotation. 2012 has been the year Nationals fans began to look to. Finally, the Nats rotation would have two guys that could be at the top of most rotations; Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman. Now, another name has been added to that group Gio Gonzalez.

With these three guys at the top of the rotation the Nats have created quite a dynamic duo. Each of these three young power pitchers can easily hit mid 90's. Also they finally have balance in their rotation with a righty, lefty, and righty respectively at the top of the rotation. No one is saying that this trio will be the best tro in baseball but they would be in the conversation.

The best thing to me is the new addition to the rotation has a longer history of success. He has proven he can pitch 200 innings and win 15 games. per. This year it might not happen but imagine Him, Strasburg, and Zimmermann doing that in 2013.That isn't even factoring in the rest of the rotation next year or in the future.

Chein Ming Wang is the wild card of the rotation. He has shown over his career that he can pile up wins, when he stays healthy. If not, "Mr Reliable" John Lannan will be there to take 180 to 200 innings.

The most long term upside belongs to Ross Detwiler. After his conversation with Randy Knorr, he finally seems to have figured 'it" out. If he builds on what he did down the stretch the Nationals could have one of the best rotations in baseball. Especially if the defense does it's job.

Speaking of defense, it appears the Nationals have found their CF for next year, Jason Werth. I like this decision. There weren't many options on free agency and they keep their options open. If someone like Brian Goodwin can progress enough, maybe they find the long term piece from the farm. If not there is next year's free agent class.

For this year though, it means that Ian Desmond will be the lead off hitter for the Washington Nationals. 
That is a discussion for a different time though. I think Werth will be a solid center fielder, until a better solution comes along. Basically, things are going to look quite different in DC this spring.

The Awkard Times

Awkward. If I had to pick one word to describe the Wizards, that would be it. Clearly, there is talent on this team, plenty of potential. The problem is they are awkward. By awkward I mean like a teen going though body changes and the like. For many those are some of the most challenging of their life. Watching this team is one the the most challenging non work things I have to do.

John Wall is the most important player on the Wizards. It is clear that he is awkwardly trying to understand and master his role. As the Face of the Franchise, Wall has the weight of the world on his shoulders. It is too early to really get anything from stats, but it obvious when watching.

Jordan Crawford is under pressure to preform, so he presses harder and harder. The problem though, is he needs to slow down and let the offense work. He isn't the only offender in that regard though. Like Flip says, "Hero Ball" is contagious.

I am of the thought that some changes need to be made so that growth can continue. Here, I will make a few suggestions.

Is help on the way?

We all saw what happened to the Wizards on Friday night. There was terrible offense and bad defense.  In all it was terrible. Well help is on the way as Nick Young is set to sign his 1 year offer sheet.

Even thought the Wizards got outplayed friday, I am concerned with how Young will fit in with this team. He has to be irritated not to get a long term deal. He may play selfish to get his stats. Don't get me wrong this team could use a player like Nick.One look through the roster tells you there aren't many pure scorers on the team. If Nick buys in, this can really help this team.

What I enjoyed Friday, was seeing the young guys. Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack, and second year player Kevin Seraphin. Those guys, it seems, will have a big impact on this team. Vesely looked good running the floor. Singleton's defense will help the team immediately. Mack is a good looking point guard. Kevin also really showed me something.

Tuesday, we get another chance to see these guys in a competitive game. I hope to see N'Diaye and Booker in that game. Hopefully the starters can get it together, and that starts with John Wall. Friday was only the first preseason game. The journey has begun. Obviously, they can only get better.