Should Redskins Feel Buyer’s Remorse for RG3 Trade?

What a difference a month makes.

On December 30^th, Robert Griffin III led the Redskins to a 28-18 win over the Dallas Cowboys to cap off an improbable seven-game winning streak. The win clinched a playoff bid and the team’s first NFC East Division title in 13 years.

Since then, Griffin underwent surgery to repair his LCL and ACL and we’ve seen quarterbacks previously dismissed as inferior dazzle in their quest for the Super Bowl. Despite how incredible Griffin was in his rookie season, with his future now in doubt the Redskins may be thinking about all those draft picks they gave away for their “long-term” QB.

Griffin left fans in awe of his abilities in his rookie season. The Redskins have not had a franchise quarterback since Joe Theismann, but Griffin showed that streak was over in his very first game. In New Orleans, Griffin threw for 320 yards, two touchdowns, and ran for another 42 yards. You could not ask for a better debut.

Griffin took the team on his back for much of the season, helping the Redskins improve to 10-6 after going 5-11 just one year ago. He boasts impressive arm strength, pinpoint accuracy, and incredible mobility. These skills make him one of, if not the most dangerous QB in the NFL.

The problem with Griffin is his durability. I would not label him injury prone, but the way in which he plays makes him more susceptible to serious injuries.

Griffin played 16 games this season and did not finish three of them. He also missed one game entirely due to injuries sustained the week before. Each of these injuries could have been avoided.

Many critics of the Redskins’ offense argue that the read option system the team runs allows a QB to take too many hits. This can be successful in college, but in the NFL where players are bigger and faster, you cannot allow your most important player to take so much punishment. While injuries are always a risk, both Russell Wilson of the Seahawks and Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers have managed to run a very similar type of offense successfully and without injury. True, even Michael Vick managed to play one full season in his career, but if you watch Wilson and Kaepernick play the difference between how they play and Griffin plays the same offense is noticeable.

Whenever Griffin scrambles, the play inevitably ends with a bone-crunching hit as Griffin continues extending the play looking for extra yardage. Wilson and Kaepernick run along the sidelines and slide when rushing in the middle. Essentially, the problem is not the Redskins’ offense, but the way Griffin approaches it.

With his entire 2103 season now in doubt and Wilson and Kaepernick running the same system with success, do you think the Redskins think about those four draft picks they traded for Griffin?

Hindsight is of course 20/20 and there was no way the Redskins could have known Wilson would be as effective as he has been. Wilson fell to the third round of the draft as every NFL team had questions regarding his size, but ask yourself this: would the Redskins have been better off keeping the picks and drafting Wilson?

With Wilson falling to the third round, the Redskins could have addressed other needs as well as quarterback with the 2012 draft. The Redskins could legitimately have drafted both Wilson and Morris Claiborne. Claiborne could certainly have helped the team’s struggling secondary this year. Of course, the fan base would not have been pleased at least initially. After the John Beck disaster, few would have had the stomach to see Shanahan pass on a chance to trade up for Griffin choosing instead to draft a "hidden gem" in the third round, but the results would have silenced the critics.

Let’s say teams were aware of Wilson’s potential. Many experts have said Wilson’s talent puts him on par with Griffin and Andrew Luck; the only reason he fell so far was because he is only 5ft 11in. The Redskins’ would not have needed to trade up for a quarterback.  Indianapolis would have selected a QB with the number one pick, but no one in front of the Redskins needed one.  Cleveland may have traded up to ensure their spot, but that would still leave the Redskins either Luck, Wilson, or Griffin depending on who was left.

The Redskins’ prospects for the 2013 draft would be very different as well given that they would still have their first round pick. With an $18 million cap penalty, it will be hard to address team weaknesses through free agency. A first round pick, however, would allow the Redskins to draft a safety that could have an immediate impact on the field.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Griffin. He has better arm strength than any of the rookie QBs and incredible accuracy. A healthy Griffin is undoubtedly better than Wilson, Kaepernick, and debatably Luck. He does not help the team, however, if he can’t stay on the field.

After Griffin’s concussion against Atlanta, he came back saying all the right things about how he needed to be more careful and protect himself.  That message did not sink in.

He needs to consider what’s best the team and best for his career. Take notes on how both Wilson and Kaepernick run the read option. It’s ok to slide; it’s not ok for your career to be cut short after only two or three seasons.

If Griffin takes another shot to the knee, his career may be over before St. Louis can even use the last draft pick they received in the trade. That was not what the Redskins had in mind when they drafted their franchise QB.

Alexander, Redskins Shine in the Pro Bowl

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http://www.csnwashington.com/football-washington-redskins/talk/alexander-redskins-shine-pro-bowl

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No Love for Beal

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http://www.csnwashington.com/basketball-washington-wizards/talk/no-love-beal

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Armstong Admission Sparks Debate on Legacy, Doping

Lance Armstrong confirmed this week something most people already knew, that he indeed used performance-enhancing drugs in order to win his seven Tour de France titles.

It was not a surprise. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused him in 2012 of doping and drug trafficking. It was a very damning accusation and, though Armstrong denied it, he also stated he would not appeal.

For many, that was as good as an admission.

But now, Armstrong has left no doubt, admitting to it in an interview with Oprah.  Now the debate over his legacy has begun.

Armstrong was a hero to many because he was given a death sentence, diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs, abdomen, and brain, and battled back to survive and win the Tour de France seven straight times. He also founded the Livestrong Foundation that provides support for people with cancer. Through his efforts, he has helped countless people and raised millions of dollars.

The notoriety he gained from his cycling no doubt allowed for the success of the Livestrong Foundation. Without his success in cycling’s biggest competition, he would just be someone that overcame cancer who happens to compete in a sport no one in America cares about. He was an inspiration for beating cancer, but he was a public hero for his success. Had he not used PEDs, it is safe to assume he would not have been as successful and likely would not have been able to accomplish as much as he did in the fight against cancer.

No amount of doping will ever take away what he’s done for charity, but it does take away from the man.

Part of Armstrong’s legend was being a clean athlete in a dirty sport. PEDs plague cycling more so than any other professional sport. Now its greatest ambassador appears to be just as dirty. But, if everyone in cycling is doping, was he really gaining any kind of competitive advantage? TO some his actions may seem justified by this logic, but it’s a moot point. Using any banned substance is against the rules. Cheating is cheating regardless of how many people do it. Does this make him a despicable human being? No, but it does diminish his character.

Armstrong also went to great lengths to prove he was clean. He has sued newspapers, witnesses, and colleagues. Even when there was little evidence to suggest he was a doper, no one could deny that he was a bully at the very least. Armstrong did not just deny using PED’s he set out to destroy everyone tried to tell the truth. He lied in interview after interview all to save his own legacy. Going after people smaller than you for trying to tell the truth is despicable and even worse than the cheating itself. For that, he’s no longer a hero; at least to me.

Support his charity, support his cause, but don’t support someone willing to step on others for personal prestige.

Yet another athlete’s legacy has now been tarnished by PEDs, this coming after it was announced that no players will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame. These scandals have again reopened the steroid debate. Professional athletes are adults; they are grown men and women who are well aware of the effects steroids can have on their bodies. Sports criminalize their own athletes for pursuing these drugs.  Shouldn’t the rules be changed to allow athletes the choice of using steroids or other PEDs?

No, no, a thousand times, no!

The ‘it’s their body’ argument is the same logic 15 year olds use when they want to get their girlfriend’s name tattooed across their chest. Grow up people.

I won’t spout all the health risks of steroids like an angry father who just caught his kid smoking a cigarette, but all steroids and PEDs carry severe physical and mental side-effects. Allowing athletes to start doping would open the floodgates. If you think only a small percentage of athletes would choose to use them, you’re kidding yourself. The steroid era of baseball started because players felt they had to use them in order to keep up with everybody else. Cyclists start doping because they see everyone else around them doping and feel they have to in order to remain competitive. Armstrong even said this was why he began doping. To think only a select few would use banned substances is incredibly naïve.

Look at the culture of sports today. In the NFL, Commission Roger Goodell is doing everything he can to make the game of football safer and he’s getting slammed for it by the players who say they’re aware of and accept the health risks. How could we possibly think most players would not use steroids if given the choice? Think back to Robert Griffin III’s game against Seattle. He hobbled around the field, refusing to be taken out of the game even though by doing so he was risking a more serious injury. He was willing to put his long-term health at risk for a short-term gain. If you offered him something to make him faster and stronger, why would he turn that down?

I don’t know Griffin and I’m indicating that he has suggested in any way that he would be open to steroids, I’m just pointing out that in the NFL a mentality exists where players simply do not think about their long-term health. The few players who do are often criticized for being “soft” or not putting the team first. If quarterback John Doe is willing to use steroids to get better, why won’t you? Aren’t you willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better? Don’t you want to prove you’re a leader?

More importantly, professional sports cannot be allowed to devolve into leagues where you must dope in order to remain competitive, much as cycling already has. If they do, then every aspiring athlete who can, will start doping regardless of age. The risks of doping are much more severe for an adolescent. How can you send a message that doping is the only way to be successful in a professional sports league and expect it not to become a problem among high school and college athletes? You can’t.

Many look at cycling and baseball and ask, who cares if they dope? Everyone else is doing it, so no one gains any competitive advantage. If only one athlete decides to follow the rules, then you’ve gained a competitive advantage over that one person who is trying to compete honorably. Shouldn’t we be more concerned with how to help those who follow the rules instead of making provisions for those who circumvent them? Instead of making excuses for those who decide to cheat, let’s honor those who choose not to. I just wish I could still consider Lance Armstrong one of those people.

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Capitals Preview: Shortened Season Provides New Challenges

The most baffling work stoppage perhaps in the history of sports finally came to an end Saturday with the NHL and NHLPA’s signing of the “memo of understanding” on Saturday night. Now the Washington Capitals must fit an entire offseason of preparation into one week as they prepare for the season opener on January 19^th in Tampa Bay. Here are the big questions that face this team heading into training camp.

Can Adam Oates instill a successful system quickly?

Adam Oates takes over for Dale Hunter as the third coach for the Caps in the last year. Oates served as an assistant coach in Tampa Bay for the 2009-2010 season and in New Jersey from 2010-2012. He has been universally praised for his offensive acumen, and the hope is that he will be able to revive Alex Ovechkin and the Caps’ potent attack. His system is seen as a hybrid of Bruce Boudreu’s and Hunter’s, and I think the Caps will thrive under it. Eventually.

Oates has no head coaching experience and only a week to instill his system on his new team. With a shortened season the Caps cannot afford any growing pains that can come with a new coach. A bad first month will be much harder to recover from. The Caps went 5-5 in their first ten games under Hunter, and 11-9-1 in their first 20. They did not qualify for the playoffs until the second to last game of the season. A similar stretch this season may prove too steep a hill to climb.

Can Braden Holtby transition into a full-time NHL goalie?

Who can forget the heroics of Braden Holtby in the playoffs last season? Called upon when both Tomas Vokoun and Michal Neuvirth went down with injury, Holtby showed he was more than ready for NHL action with an impressive postseason performance. The Caps hope he can continue playing at the same level this season as a full-time, albeit for a shorter season, NHLer.

Neuvirth returns as well so expect to see a dual goalie system again. Both played during the lockout, Neuvirth in Europe and Holtby in the AHL, so both should be in game shape. One of the Caps’ main weaknesses over the past several seasons now looks to be a real strength for this team with two solid, playoff tested goalies on the roster.

Do the Caps have enough offensive weapons to make up for the loss of Alexander Semin?

In Semin’s best season with the Caps, he scored 40 goals and tallied another 44 assists. As the team hopes for a bit of an offensive revival under Oates, Semin’s goal-scoring capabilities will be sorely missed. The Caps have speed and playmakers, but without him they lack real goal-scoring depth.

The hope is that Mathieu Perrault will develop into a top scorer and Wojtek Wolski will makeup for the rest. A resurgent Ovechkin would also be nice. The three of them together can easily makeup for the absence of the fickle winger.

That’s wishful thinking.

The loss of Semin will takeaway from Ovechkin’s potency. While Semin only scored 49 goals in the past two seasons, he was someone else teams needed to account for. In clutch situations when both players would play together, teams had to be aware of both wingers at all times. Without Semin, teams will continue to key on Ovechkin. He may have been playing well in Russia, but unless Oates can devise a way to get him free from opposing defenses, he will continue struggling to produce at the level Caps fans expect and haven’t seen since 2010.

Perrault has shown great potential, but he remains incredibly inconsistent in his offensive production. I like the addition of Wolski, but I would not be surprised if McPhee is looking for more offense before the trade deadline.

Are injuries already an issue?

The Caps had a scare when they learned Nicklas Backstrom had suffered a “neck injury” while in Russia that reportedly made him feel dizzy. After seeing a concussion expert upon returning, it appears he did not suffer another concussion and should be fine for the start of the season. Still after how long he was sidelined last season, the Caps are likely to be very protective of their star center.

Brooks Laich has not participated in training camp and a report by TSN’s Bob Mckenzie says Laich could miss the first one or two weeks of the season. Laich is a great player whose leadership will be missed while he is away, but his grinding style of play is more effective in the latter months of the season. The Caps of course would prefer to have him in the lineup, but two weeks to start the season is not the end of the world.

Young defenseman Dmitry Orlov also has yet to make his debut at camp due to an upper-body injury and, according to the Washington Examiner, he will not be ready for the start of the regular season. I’m not quite sure how serious this is. No one seems to talk about it, but he’s been out since early December. He played well as a number 6 or 7 last season and I was hoping to see further development this season. Hopefully this injury will not keep him out of the Caps lineup for an extended amount of time.

Predictions?

We will learn everything we need to know about this team in the first month. This season will lack the major ups and downs of a typical 82 game schedule which means a quick start will be crucial. That’s not good news for a team with a new coach and several new key players. The team will likely lean on Ovechkin for offense and Holtby in net as they continue to learn Oates’style. If they can quickly adapt to it they can make a lot of noise in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, the shortened schedule and makeup of this season really hurts a team like the Caps. They have too much talent to underachieve as badly as last season, but not enough time to put it all together and will finish second in the division yet again. They will make the playoffs, but it will not be a deep run.

The Caps will thrive under Oates eventually, but not this season.

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Wall Makes Long Awaited Return

In a season that’s had very few bright spots, the Wizards finally had a reason to smile Saturday. Team star John Wall made his season debut to the delight of the fans at Verizon Center and led the Wizards to a 93-83 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

 

Wall missed the first 33 games of the season with a stress fracture in his left knee and the Wizards showed just how dependent they are on his talent. The team took a 5-28 record into Saturday night, easily the worst record in the NBA. They left looking like the team Ted Leonsis and Ernie Grunfeld had envisioned at the beginning of the season.

 

Wall did not start, but came in at the 4:56 mark in the first quarter. The crowd at Verizon welcomed him with a standing ovation. Initially, he struggled to find his shot, but Wall quickly made it clear he belonged on the floor. He played only 21 minutes and recorded 14 points, four assists, and two rebounds.

 

What was striking was just how different the team looked with Wall back in the lineup. Without him, the Wizards were the little engine that couldn’t; they started slow, kept things close for three quarters, then collapsed in the fourth quarter. It had become an all too familiar formula of futility.

 

Saturday, the Wizards looked like an actual collection of professionals. They played with confidence, they passed well, they executed well, they looked like a completely different team. This did not come against Cleveland or Sacramento, it came against a very good Atlanta team. It was the first glimpse of what this Wizards’team was expected to be.

 

What does this mean going forward? Unfortunately, the Wizards have dug themselves a hole far too deep to dig out of. They may have had playoff aspirations to start the season, but those are long gone. Interestingly enough, Wall’s return may actually hamper the Wizards. While they won’t challenge for the playoffs, if Saturday is any indication, they could climb the standings and hurt their place in the 2013 draft lottery.

 

To start the season the Wizards declared they were no longer a lottery team, but they probably did not foresee a 6-28 start. We knew this team was built around Wall, but in his absence we learned just how few playmakers there were on the roster. The loss of your best player does not excuse a historically bad start. Look at Chicago. Even without Derrick Rose, the Bulls are sixth in the East with a record of 20-15. The Wizards cannot build a team solely around a player who has yet to play a full NBA season and they would make his job easier with another star player. If they cannot get one in the draft, they will have to look elsewhere. There are reports that the Wizards are currently trying to negotiate a deal with Memphis for Rudy Gay. That’s a good start.

 

While it was only one game, the Wizards should us a glimpse of what they could be with Wall back in the lineup. Now, they just need to could him healthy and get him some help.

How Should Shanahan have Handled RG3?

The Redskins’ season came to an inglorious end Sunday night with a 24-14 loss to Seattle. Redskins’ fans hope their future did not end that night along with the season.

 

In the fourth quarter, Robert Griffin III bent down to pick up a low snap, his leg caught in the turf, and his knee buckled beneath him. As Griffin lay on the ground writhing in agony, the worst fears of the Redskins’ faithful became realized.

 

The question on everyone’s mind this week is whether Griffin should have stayed in the game. In the first quarter, Griffin threw the ball as he scrambled towards the sidelines and seemed to pull up after the throw. He began to visibly limp after that play and struggled for the remainder of the game.

 

Many people have been critical of Shanahan’s decision to keep him in the game, but before you bash him, remember that hindsight is 20/20. It is easy to say now that Griffin should have been pulled, but you cannot ignore the circumstances during the game.

 

It is completely unfair to say that Griffin should have been pulled when he began limping in the first quarter. Immediately after reinjuring his leg, Griffin threw his second touchdown pass of the day. While he clearly was playing injured, he had played injured the last two games. There was no way for Shanahan to know just how ineffective he would be. Had the doctors or trainers gone to Shanahan and told him Griffin needed to come out, then of course, he should have pulled him, but that does not seem to be the case.

 

True, the offense struggled immensely through the second quarter. The Redskins managed only 16 yards in two drives. That’s not good, but it’s also probably not enough to determine that Kirk Cousins gave them a better chance to win. Also, keep in mind the situation. The Redskins were ahead 14-13. While it seems obvious now that pulling Griffin was the right move for his future, it would have been a tough sell not just to Griffin, but also to the media and the fans.

 

Imagine if Griffin had been pulled at halftime and the Redskins had lost. Wouldn’t the clamor over what Shanahan was thinking be just as loud as it is now? Yes, the coach gets paid to make tough decisions even if they are unpopular, but are two drives really enough to go on?

 

My point is not that Shanahan should have kept Griffin in, it’s that you could make a valid argument either way. That’s not to say Shanahan handled this well, however.

 

There are many different versions of what happened on the sideline; who said what, who examined Griffin, who decided he was ok to go in, etc. As soon as Griffin limped off the field in the first quarter, the trainers should have been there. It doesn’t matter whether he wanted to talk to them or not, he needed to be examined. The most important things for the doctors to find is how serious the injury was, whether Griffin was able to continue playing, and how likely it was that he could make it worse. If the doctors came to Shanahan on the sideline and said Griffin needed to come out, then it doesn’t matter if Griffin wanted to keep playing or not. The fact that Griffin re-aggravated his knee on a play in which he wasn’t even touched, then hurt himself even worse later in the game, makes me think Griffin was not examined on the sideline as thoroughly as he should have been.  Clearly there was a chance he could reaggravate his injury because he did just that. Was he unlucky or was he hurt to the point that by continuing to play he was putting himself at serious risk for a disastrous injury?

 

The most egregious mistake the Redskins made was not adjusting their play calling in light of Griffin’s struggles. The team has hailed their two rookie phenoms all season long, but for some reason when one was injured, they took the ball completely out of the other’s hands.

Alfred Morris had only 16 carries and eight of them came in the first quarter. If Shanahan thought Griffin gave them the best chance to win I’m willing to accept that, but it was undeniable that the the injury rendered him less effective. This was a situation in which the team needed to turn to Morris. The Redskins did not trail until the fourth quarter, there was no reason to abandon the run. Morris had 33 carries against the Cowboys, he’s capable of shouldering the load.

 

This is something that both Shanahans, assuming Kyle returns next season, need to think about going forward. Initial predictions for Griffin’s recovery are somewhere between six months to a year. Some doctors have said he will not be the same dynamic player when he returns and even if he is, the offense needs to change.

Critics of the pistol offense argue that this college-style offense puts Griffin at too much risk. We can now safely put that debate to rest because it absolutely does. Granted, Griffin was not hit on either of the plays he was injured on against Seattle, but the initial knee injury came from a hit in the game against Baltimore as Griffin scrambled from the pocket. Before that, he suffered a concussion against Atlanta.  He is the franchise quarterback. His running abilities are what make him dynamic, but the Redskins should be looking to prevent him from taking hits, not putting him in a situation to get hit more. Clearly, his body cannot take this type of punishment.

 

The responsibility does not fall solely on the coaches’shoulders, Griffin also needs to adjust his game. After his concussion, Griffin declared he would look to slide more and keep himself out of harms way. Obviously, his sliding needs some work.

 

Daniel Snyder also must do something about the field. It was a disgrace. It is embarrassing for fans and for the team when visiting teams come to your stadium to play on painted mud. It could very well have contributed or even caused Griffin’s injury. Seattle’s Chris Clemons tore his ACL during the game and, don’t forget, Adrian Peterson tore his ACL and MCL the year before at FedEx. It is a problem that needs to be addressed.

 

Judging Shanahan’s decision with the benefit of hindsight of course makes it an unfair debate, but an argument can be made defending either point of view. What’s clear, however, is that a change must be made to the offense in order to keep Griffin safer. We live in a world where Jay Cutler’s entire legacy has been tainted because he was injured in the 2011 NFC Championship game and did not look sad enough on the sidelines. Expecting Griffin to take himself out or to let you know when he’s injured is unrealistic. Shanahan needs to come into next season knowing he needs to protect his quarterback not just from opposing defenses, but from himself. Otherwise, Griffin’s career could be cut tragically short and the fans of Washington are going to pin the blame squarely on the coach’s shoulders.

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What's the Hold-up on LaRoche?

Adam LaRoche is coming off a career year and wants to return to the Nationals. He was undoubtedly the best player on the team last season and the Nationals want him back. Sounds like a done deal.

So what’s the hold-up?

The main sticking point between the two sides is the contract length. LaRoche wants a three-year deal, but the Nationals are only willing to give him two.

LaRoche had the best season of his career in 2012, winning his first Golden Glove and Silver Slugger awards. A three-year contract would be a huge risk for the Nationals. Injuries have been an issue for LaRoche his entire career. Sure, he looked great last year, but his 154 at bats were the most he’s ever had in a single season. What we saw in 2012 may be what LaRoche is capable of when he stays healthy, but at 33, his physical decline will begin sooner rather than later. Is it worth it to give him three years for diminishing stats and possibly shortened seasons?

The fact is, the Nationals just are not desperate enough to offer him three years guaranteed. With a crowded outfield, the Nationals could move Michael Morse to first base if LaRoche went elsewhere. The team has no reason to risk three years.

As a free agent, LaRoche could certainly look somewhere else for a better deal, but as of yet no one has offered him the three years he was seeking.

When Josh Hamilton signed with the Angels, it was widely reported that Texas would pursue. While he is no Josh Hamilton, the Rangers desperately need hitting to replace their former slugger. If they were not willing to offer him three years, it’s hard to imagine anyone else would.

The only hope for LaRoche right now seems to be Boston. The Red Sox are currently trying to rework a deal with Mike Napoli after discovering a previously undisclosed hip condition. If they are unable to come to terms, the Red Sox would reportedly look at LaRoche. According to MLB.com's Peter Gammons, however, Boston isn't willing to give LaRoche a three-year deal either.

If no one will give him three years, then it may be time for a reality check for LaRoche if he wants to sign before spring training. If it continues to be a sticking point, the Nationals could offer him a team option for a third year in an attempt to placate him, but that is essentially the same thing as a two-year deal.

The Nationals would like him back, but they don’t need him. Even among the teams who do need him, he isn’t worth two years. Now it’s a question of how long LaRoche is willing to wait.

DC Sports 2012 Year in Review

For the Redskins, 2012 was the year of RG3.  In March, the team decided to go all-in on Robert Griffin III, trading three first round picks and a second round pick to St. Louis in order to move up to number two in the draft.

Additionally, the NFL fined the Redskins $36 million in cap space because of contract structures during the uncapped season.  With less cap space and no top draft picks for the next two seasons, Griffin’s success became paramount for the Redskins to become competitive in the near future.

He did not disappoint.

Griffin finished with 3,200 yards, a 65.6 completion percentage, and 27 total touchdowns. He also threw for only five interceptions, displaying accuracy and decision making capabilities well beyond his years. Both he and surprise running back Alfred Morris transformed the offense this season and everyone bought in on the feeling that this team had the makings of something special.

The season did not start out as many had hoped, as the team dropped to 3-6 heading into the bye week. Mike Shanahan then made his now famous comments about how it was time to evaluate his players to determine who would remain in the years to come, making everyone believe he had given up hope on the season.

The team, however, did not. They returned from the bye and proceeded to win the remaining seven games on the schedule, including a 28-18 win over Dallas in the season finale to earn their first NFC East division championship since 1999.

The Redskins now prepare for a wildcard matchup with Seattle as they hope to extend their storybook season.

New Year’s Resolution:  Keep RG3 healthy and get defensive personnel to match the talent on offense.

The Nationals also saw their team carried into the postseason by their young talent. After a much improved 2011 season in which the team finished with a 80-81 record, the Nationals compiled a roster with the expectations of competing for the division in 2012.

In addition to the return of ace Stephen Strasburg, the team also debuted a rotation featuring Gio Gonzalez, mainstay Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson, and the surprising Ross Detwiler. The rotation quickly became the most dominant in the MLB.

Though the Nationals were hoping to further develop Bryce Harper in AAA, injuries forced him into the lineup and he made his MLB debut on April 28 against the Dodgers. Did he prove he belonged in the majors?  “That’s a clown question, bro.”

The Nationals compiled a record of 98-64, finishing with their first ever NL East division title.  In addition, Davey Johnson was named NL manager of the year and Harper was named NL rookie of the year.  Strasburg, Gonzalez, Harper, and Ian Desmond were all named NL All-Stars, the most since the team moved to DC.

The Nationals met the St. Louis Cardinals in the divisional series, where Jayson Werth provided perhaps the biggest moment in the history of the Nationals, a walk-off homerun in game four to force a decisive game five.

Game five of course had a very different outcome.  After jumping out to a 6-0 lead, the Nationals watched as the Cardinals chipped away until finally taking the lead with a four-run ninth inning. It was a bitter end to a fantastic season.

Perhaps the biggest story of all for the Nationals did not even take place on the field.  General Manager Mike Rizzo adamantly declared that Strasburg would be kept on an innings limit after returning from Tommy John surgery.  Rizzo was mostly ignored as no one expected the Nationals to be a legitimate World Series contender, but his decision sparked weeks of debate as the shutdown approached and the team sat atop the standings.  In the end, Rizzo stuck to his guns and Strasburg was pulled.

Clearly hoping for another postseason run, the Nationals brought in Denard Span and Dan Haren. They are also continuing their negotiations with Adam LaRoche in the hopes of retaining him.

New Year’s Resolution: Sign LaRoche, repeat as NL East champs, play Strasburg for a full season including postseason, and make a deep playoff run.

While 2012 featured dream seasons for the Redskins and Nationals, the Wizards year has been a nightmare.

The end of the 2011-2012 season saw the Wizards in yet another lottery season, but Ernie Grunfeld decided not to wait until the offseason to address some of the team’s problems. In a three team trade, Grunfeld sent off locker room headaches JaVale McGee and Nick Young and brought in Nene and Brian Cook. The move seemed to work as the Wizards finished the season winning six straight.

In July, the team also released Andray Blatche and brought in Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza in a trade for Rashard Lewis.  The organization declared loudly that they were no longer a lottery team, largely based on the team’s assumption that Wall would be playing.

In September, the team announced that Wall had suffered a stress injury to his knee and he would not be able to start the season.  Without the key player the team had been built around, the Wizards didn’t stand a chance and finished out 2012 with the worst record in the NBA at 4-24.

New Year’s Resolution: Get Wall back, avoid the worst record in NBA history, bring in talent in the offseason.

The Wizards might not be having a good season, but the Capitals haven’t had any season at all. The NHL lockout has now stretched on at ridiculous length, forcing the cancellation of all games from October through December and into January.

As slow as things may be now, the beginning of 2012 was very eventful. The Caps found themselves struggling to transition from an offensive mentality to a defensive one under new coach Dale Hunter. The team did manage to claw its way to a seventh place finish and a matchup with Boston.  Thanks to the emergence of young Braden Holtby in goal, the Caps and Bruins played the closest playoff series in NHL history.  Game seven went to overtime where Joel Ward knocked in a rebound in one of the most exciting games in the history of the organization.

The Caps met an even tougher matchup in round two against the New York Rangers and Ward went from hero to goat.  In game five with the series tied at two and the Caps holding onto a two-goal lead, Ward was called for a double-minor high sticking penalty.  The Rangers scored on both, including the game-tying goal with 6.1 seconds left, and won in overtime.  The Caps forced a game seven yet again, but fell in Madison Square Garden.

At the end of the season, Hunter decided to return to Ontario, so the reins were passed to another former Caps’ captain, Adam Oates, who by now must be dying to prove himself.

New Year’s Resolution: PLAY!!!

In another mad dash to the playoffs, DC United suddenly found themselves in dire straits as leading scorer Dwayne De Rosario went down with a knee injury. United led by head coach Ben Olsen, however, did not lose again for the rest of the season and clinched their first playoff berth in five years. After a thrilling victory over rival New York, United’s season came to an end in the conference finals against Houston.

New Year’s Resolution: Find consistency and return to the playoffs.

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NFC East Champs Prepare for Wildcard Mathup

In his first professional season, Robert Griffin III has led the Redskins to a division title and hopefully, he’s not done yet.

The Redskins defeated the Cowboys 28-18 Sunday night to win the NFC East for the first time since 1999.  Clearly playing at less than 100%, Griffin went 9 for 18 for only 100 yards, but rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.  Alfred Morris shouldered much of the load, with a spectacular performance rushing for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The game put an exclamation point on a remarkable seven game winning streak to finish the season.  It also showed just how bright the future is for this young team.

There is a clear difference this year as compared to 2007, when the Redskins last made the playoffs.  While there was legitimate excitement over a return to the postseason, there was nothing really to build around.  The Redskins were led by Jason Campbell, who inspired little confidence, and a rapidly aging Clinton Portis.  There was no young core and little hope for the team to expand on their success.

Now, the Redskins have two budding superstars in Griffin and Morris and two leaders on defense in Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan. Finally, we are seeing a team built through the draft, rather than pieced together by costly, over the hill free agents.

The big question in terms of this season, is whether the Redskins con keep the streak alive.  The Seattle Seahawks will come to FedEx Field this Sunday in the wildcard matchup.  Seattle has eliminated the Redskins the last two times they were in the playoffs.  They are also being led by a rookie QB who is having an incredible season.

Russell Wilson was selected in the third round of the 2012 draft by Seattle.  He was expected to backup the newly acquired Matt Flynn, but Pete Carroll liked what he saw from the young rookie and decided to roll the dice.  Wow, did it pay off.

Wilson has led the Seahawks to an 11-6 record, narrowly losing the NFC West championship to the 11-4-1 San Francisco 49ers.  He threw for 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions.  He has also rushed for another 489 yards and four touchdowns.  It would be an even more remarkable rookie season if there weren’t two other guys named Luck and Griffin also having amazing success.

Perhaps most importantly, Wilson has durability.  Griffin on the other hand continues to heal.  A week ago against Philadelphia, Griffin returned and stuck to the pocket.  He still played a very good game, completing 16 of 24 for 198 yards, two touchdowns, and a QB rating of 102.4, but he only rushed for four yards.  He was clearly limited in his mobility.  He played a very different game against Dallas.  Though still limited and lacking the break-away speed we have become accustomed to seeing, he still rushed six times for 63 yards.  He really seemed to struggle passing, however.  He completed only nine passes for 100 yards with a QB rating of 66.9.

It was clear very early on that the Redskins’ offensive gameplan against Dallas revolved around running the ball.  Morris carried the ball a whopping 33 times.  Still, Griffin’s regression in terms of passing is a little worrying.  He only attempted 18 passes, but still completed 50%.  Some of his incompletions were uncharacteristically inaccurate.  His mobility may have improved, but his passing did not.  Everyone is entitled to a bad game, even Griffin who really had not had one all season until Sunday.  Perhaps that’s all it was, but when it follows an injury you have to wonder how much the injury may have affected him.

To be fair, Griffin was wearing a brace on his right knee.  His knee may be feeling much better than we think, but those braces can really restrict a player’s movements.  Griffin may be as fast as ever without the brace, but if he must continue to wear it, will it continue to affect his performance?  Pierre Garcon has proven himself to be a key playmaker for this offense.  If you can’t get him the ball, he can’t change the game for you.

After watching the Dallas game, I would expect Seattle to load the box and force Griffin to beat them through the air.  Griffin has had no trouble beating teams deep, but he will need to be healthy.  After another week of rest and healing, hopefully we will see the Griffin we’ve come to expect from week to week.

The Redskins and Seahawks have gone a combined 11-1 since week 11.  They are two of the hottest teams in the NFL heading into these playoffs.  These are the kind of streaks that carry teams deep into the postseason.  Whoever wins this game on Sunday will have a legitimate shot to play in the Super Bowl.

Regardless of how this season may end for the Redskins, it has been a remarkable ride.  Will the Redskins be able to maintain that one game, back against the wall attitude, or is there already a feeling of “mission accomplished” spreading through the locker room?  If the Redskins can approach this game with the same determination and heart they have shown over the past seven games, then they will add yet another chapter to the already remarkable year 2012 has been.

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