Washington Capitals and the DC Sports Update

A post by "BEZ " To see more posts click here

Washington Capitals (38-12-6, 82pts 11-Game Win Streak):

In this area you absolutely cannot talk about professional sports and not start with CAPS. The area’s unquestioned best franchise is in the midst of perhaps the greatest run in team history. 11 wins in a row and a 14-1 record since comrade Ovechkin, the games most exciting player and reigning two-time MVP, was given the big Captaincy. They have the best record in the NHL at home. And right now the CAPS have an 10-point lead atop the NHL’s Eastern Conference, 1 point edge over the best team in the west, San Jose Sharks. Even though it is still early, the Caps have set the stage for a magical season. Having home ice, paired with consistent goal tending will be vital if the Caps want to get over the hump and to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Washington Redskins:

The Redskins currently atop the off season standings although being in that position three of the last four off seasons has not helped produce results on the field. The hiring of Bruce Allen as GM and Mike Shanahan as the Head Coach has us Redskin fans believing we are finally ready to turn the corner in the Dan Snyder Regime. Bringing in guys who have respectability in all league circles means the players will now be held accountable, perhaps even more so then in the past. The main question this off season is what to do with the Fourth pick in NFL draft. Do you try to rebuild the O Line, draft a franchise QB, or get younger on defense?  Also, don’t forget with next year looking like a year with NO salary cap the Redskins can rebuild in one off season. One of the main reasons Bruce Allen was brought in was because he was a wizard at manipulating the salary cap. His work along with CAP (not the hockey team) geniuses already in place in the DC front office should be interesting to watch.

Washington Nationals:

The Nationals have once again had a very solid off season. They have used the off season to strengthen what was considered there weakest link last year, which was pitching. The Nats signed one of the better free agent pitchers Jason Marquis.  They also acquired Brian Bruney from the Yankees and the Ben Roethlisberger look alike Matt Capps from the Pirates. Neither of whom are huge names but very solid players that fans will get to know very soon. They are also the favorites to land Orlando Hudson which would make the line up very scary. The future looks bright for Nats fans as the majority of the roster will be young. In 2-3 years when they are one of the top teams in the
league remember this post. And don’t forget based on last year’s  record they will get the number 1 pick in the June draft.  Let the Bryce Harper talk begin. The kid was hitting 500 foot homers in high school. The supposed “LeBron of baseball.”

Washington Wizards (16-31):

The Wiz are perhaps the biggest disappointments in the area, at least now that the Redskins season is over. Unlike the Nats who most people knew wouldn’t be very good, most people thought the Wiz would return to playoff form and get back to being the fourth or fifth best team in the east.  If you haven’t heard by now Gilbert the practical joker is gone for the year and maybe for good from Washington. The good news is with Gilberts antics the Wiz may be able to get out from under one of the worst contracts in the NBA.  Rumors coming out of Washington are that all players are on the market. Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have been linked to almost every playoff contending team. The question for the Wiz is do they want talent in return or do they want cap relief which could enable them to make a run at one of the big dogs this off season. For now the only reason to go to see the WIZ is to try camp out for leftover CAPS tickets (good luck) or to see the Wizard girls.

Local College Basketball:

Three local basketball schools are performing well right now. Seigle Seigle is on top of the college basketball so this will be quick. George Mason is leading the CAA (15-7 10-1) after holding on to beat Netti’s Dukes over the weekend. What’s very surprising is that William & Mary has beaten both Wake Forest and Maryland by pretty significant margins and yet they have lost four games in the conference.

Georgetown is coming off a huge home win over Duke with the commander in chief in the House. How much more pressure could you ask for? With a solid Big man, a couple guys who can penetrate, along with multiple scoring threats from the wings. In my opinion this is the only area team with a legit shot to make a deep run into the tournament.

Maryland is tied for second with UVA in the ACC after a loss at Clemson to the Tigers who are a significantly better team at home than on the road.  Gary Williams is doing it again with a team that is less talented than the folks he plays.

the dishes are done man . . .