The Washington Wizards came into Phoenix tonight still smarting over a bad loss in Charlotte two nights ago to get this road swing off to a rough start. However, the Wiz shrugged off an illness to starting center Emeka Okafor that kept him in a suit and tie the whole game and defeated the Suns 88-79. The victory is only Washington's sixth away from the Verizon Center this season and improves the team record to 24-43. It is the first time since 2001-02 the Wizards have swept the Phoenix Suns. The Wizards had not win in Phoenix since 2006 when Gilbert Arenas scored 54 points to lead his team to victory. 

Jason Collins, little-used since acquired earlier this season in a salary dump trade that sent guard Jordan Crawford to the Boston Celtics, started at center in place of Okafor. Collins played 17 minutes and, as is his habit, picked up far more fouls [4] than points [zero]. 

The Wizards trailed by one point, 26-25, after a hard-fought first quarter, but jumped all over the Suns in the second, thanks to strong play from the bench. Big man Kevin Seraphin led the reserves tonight, scoring 16 points on 8-11 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and blocking two shots. Fellow backup forward Trevor Ariza scored 14 points on 5-10 shooting [3-7 on 3-pointers] and pulled down 6 boards. The Wizards outscored Phoenix 34-19 in the second quarter to take a 59-45 lead into halftime. It appeared as Washington was going to have yet another hot-shooting night. 

However, the Wiz went cold in the third quarter, repeatedly feeding the ball down low to Nene, who failed to turn scoring opportunities into points by repeatedly missing make-able shots or simply turning the ball over. [Nene finished with 17 points on 4-10 shooting, 9-12 FT, 8 rebounds and 5 turnovers.] The Suns got hot [ouch], starting making some shots and whittled the lead down to single digits, 73-64, by the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter featured more bad shooting by both teams, but this time the Suns were, if anything, worse than the Wizards. Both teams scored a measly 14 points in the final quarter -- giving Washington 29 points in the entire second half, less than they scored in the second quarter alone. However, John Wall [game-high 19 points, team-high 8 assists, 5 turnovers] hit some big shots down the stretch, including a leaning fade by the near corner of the court, to preserve a fragile Wizards lead that shrunk to four points at one time. 

Martell Webster scored 13 points on 5-9 shooting [3-5 on 3-pointers] and Trevor Booker had an active game off the bench, scoring only 3 points, but grabbing 7 rebounds in 16 minutes and repeatedly keeping precious possessions alive in the fourth quarter by tapping loose ball offensive rebounds out to teammates. 

The game really would not have been close, but for 21 Wizards turnovers which the Suns turned into 25 points. Wall, Nene, Seraphin and rookie Bradley Beal, who came off the bench again, were all far too careless with the basketball. The Wizards got some bad news when Beal feel hard [yes, again] in the first half of the fourth quarter, turned his already-injured ankle and spent the next few moments writhing in obvious pain under the basket. He left the court under his own power and did not return. It is not clear how serious the injury might be. 

Despite the turnovers and sloppy play, the Wiz were able to get the rare road win with some timely shooting by Wall and the bench and holding the Suns to 33.7% shooting from the field. Washington shot over 48%, just enough to win by 9 points. 

Members of the House of Representatives, including Washington, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton [D-DC], Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-CA] and Del. Eni Faleomavaega [D-American Samoa], have introduced a bill to strip the Washington Redskins of trademark protection for their name on the grounds that the name itself is offensive. 

The bill, entitled the "Non-Disparagement of American Indians in Trademark Registrations Act of 2013" and authored by Faleomavaega, would end the Redskins trademark and prohibit trademark of any future names that insult Amerindians. The bill is the latest point of attack for opponents of the Redskins name. A new case has been brought before a federal trademark board in Alexandria, Virginia in which the plaintiffs are arguing the Redskins should be prevented from profiting off the team name, logo and all representations of such. 

The bill, which is currently supported by only four Democrats -- two of whom have no voting power -- would seem to have little chance of success in the Republican-dominated House of Representatives. However, there is some GOP support for changing the name coming from one of only two Amerindian members of Congress. 

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, said on Thursday that he finds the name, a racial descriptor for indigenous Americans, deeply offensive and feels strongly that it should be changed.

Washington Redskins outside linebacker Rob Jackson is facing a 4-game suspension for testing positive for use of a banned substance, according to reports. Jackson was informed of the suspension before he signed a one-year contract with the Redskins earlier this month. 

It is not clear what substance Jackson tested positive for and the NFL does not confirm that information. The Washington Post is reporting one source claims the substance is an unprescribed pain medicaation, but that is unconformed and could be false. 

Here is what I wrote about Jackson when he signed his contract: 

It was a career year for Jackson, who finally got substantial playing time when OLB Brian Orakpo suffered a season-ending chest injury in the second week of the season. Jackson started 14 of 16 games and posted career highs in tackles [37, up from 10], sacks [4.5, up from zero], passes defensed [6, up from zero], interceptions [4, up from zero] and forced fumbles [2, up from zero]. 

The Redskins have added one of the top cornerbacks in the free agent market, E.J. Biggers. Biggers is reunited with Redskins secondary coach Raheem Morris, who coached Biggers while with Tampa Bay.

The 25 year old Biggers spent the past four seasons with the Buccaneers after being selected in the 7th round out of Western Michigan in the 2010 NFL draft. Biggers started 24 games in Tampa, a dozen of them last season.

Biggers, 6'0" 185, lacks bulk, but isn't afraid to play physical and help out against the run. Barring further free agent signings, Biggers figures to start opposite Josh Wilson at cornerback this Fall. Biggers is a better fit in the slot, so this move may be a precursor to DeAngelo Hall's return.

With the Redskins barely under the cap, expect either a corresponding roster move, or more likely a restructuring of one or more existing contracts.

The 'Skins now have ten defensive backs on their roster, not counting safety Tanard Jackson.

CB: Josh Wilson, E.J. Biggers, Richard Crawford, Jerome Murphy, Chase Minnifield

S:   Brandon Meriweather, DeJon Gomes, Jordan Bernstine, Reed Doughty, Jordan Pugh

In case you were wondering, E.J. is short for Edjaun Cinclair.

Of course we mean that in more than one way.  The young phenom former first overall draft pick sells tickets by being on the Washington Nationals roster.  Just like side kick pitcher Stephen Strasburg.  It helps that both of these young stars are central to the Nationals roster build orchestrated by GM Mike Rizzo.  Furthermore, both are central to helping the Nationals to the winning ways that saw their first division title, first playoff appearance, and best record in Washington baseball history. 

It goes beyond playing baseball for Harper.  Harper was literally helping to sell baseball tickets. 

Via his Twitter account, Harper asked fans to phone in and "ask for Bryce." I'm not sure if the Nats were recording any of the conversations Harper had, but at least a couple of them must have been amusing. He engaged fans for at least an hour, maybe a couple of hours, so it's not like he was working his fingers to the bone taking down names, credit card numbers and the names of first born. That's what season tickets cost these days, right?

Harper tweeted at the end of his office day. 

Thanks for all the calls! I'm out of the office for the rest of the day but keep placing your season ticket orders by calling 202-675-NATS!

Gotta love Bryce Harper.  The character of the kid continues to grow. 

The Nats were off from the Grapefruit League yesterday.  Won't stop us from posting updated Grapefruit League stats leaders for the Nats.  You can view those at bottom of this post.  

Tom Blaz from DC Pro Sports Report writes on the Nats final 8 roster reduction and his prediction for who will receive the Davey Johnson ax.   

One thing that is clear is the Nationals outfield appears set.  Then again, it appeared set from day one of spring training.  Your starters of course will be Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and Denard Span.  Your reserves will be Tyler Moore and Roger Bernadina.  Steve Lombardozzi can play in the outfield as well. 

Ryan Sullivan writes on the three concerns he sees for the Nats this season.  Only one I agree with.  The improved National League East, especially the Atlanta Braves, will be a challenge for the Nats.  I suspect we will see a Nats and Braves race to the finish.  I really have two concerns.  Besides the improved division, managing expectations will be a balancing act for skipper Davey Johnson.  Last season the Nats ran to the division title with little to no expectation of such a run.  Now, the Nats head into the 2013 season as the favorites, they have been written about across the MLB beat scene as the best team in baseball, and skipper Davey Johnson declared a World Series or bust.  Those are big expectations.  Huge expectations.  And a young baseball club.  That is what Johnson will need to manage effectively.

“Any time you deal with the knee or ligaments, you can get the muscles stronger around it, but it does take some time. Robert will do it the right way and we will find out in July exactly where he is at. You are hoping he is ready, but you cannot plan for him to be ready. Kirk Cousins will work at the quarterback position and have all the reps in the offseason.  Robert will have a lot of reps but it will be mental. You will know when he is 100 percent [based on] what he can do on the football field, what he can do through  practices. He will not come back until he is 100 percent.”

-- Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan talking to the NFL Network about QB Robert Griffin III and when he will play football again.

Was there ever really any doubt when Spring Training began who would make up the Nationals 25-man roster on Opening Day? Barring injuries and the outside chance Washington would acquire a second left handed pitcher for the bullpen, there really hasn't been any question. In fact, there aren't position battles or even a fight for a spot in the rotation. The acquisition of free agent closer Rafael Soriano even put to rest any discussion surrounding Tyler Clippard or Drew Storen as the club's closer, after the melt down in the NLDS against St.Louis.

With Opening Day less that two weeks away, there is plenty of time to breakdown the 25-man roster, so let's get a jump on who will be sent down, or farmed out to get to that point.

THE EIGHT

Chris Young P

Christian Garcia P

Cole Kimball P

Fernando Abad P

Jeremy Acardo P

Carlos Maldonado C

Carlos Rivero INF

Micah Owings OF

Although "the eight" are the last players to be "let go", they aren't necessarily the first to get the call when Manager Dave Johnson makes a move. Players like Jhonatan Solano, Chris Marrero, Zach Walters and Corey Brown, already residing at Triple-A Syracuse are likely the first position players to get "called up" due to injury or slump at the major league level. Pitching may be a different story as Young, Kimball and Garcia may be first in line if a starter is needed, while Abad and Bill Bray are left handed relievers available should an additional southpaw be needed for the bullpen.

Via DC Sportsbog: 

The Washington Examiner announced today it will cease publishing as a daily tabloid newspaper on June 14 and relaunch as a right-wing weekly magazine and website focusing on national politics. [That's what America needs -- fewer newspapers and more right-wing websites!] Eighty seven employees will be fired, including everyone covering local news, sports, transportation, and entertainment reporters.

Unfortunately, that means the end of some great coverage of local sports by reporters like Brian McNally, Craig Stouffer and, most of all, Redskins beat reporter John Keim. I was born in Washington, D.C. and have lived and studied in this area all my life. I've been reading local sports pages for a couple of decades now and I've never read a better beat sports reporter than John Keim. I read everything he writes and on Fridays  have been known to ignore work emails with the word URGENT in the subject header so I can finish reading Keim's updates on the latest Redskins news. Hopefully, Keim, McNally and Stouffer can catch on somewhere else. The possibility of going into the 2013 Redskins season without Keim on the job is a very depressing thought. 

Then there is one of my favorite columnists, Rick Snider. As the columns in the Washington Post sports section have continued to decline over the years, my appreciation for the terrific work Snider does has grown and grown. Like most Washingtonians I will always associate Snider with the Redskins more than anything else, but he's been a must-read on most local sports, including college, for years. I don't know if Snider will continue to write columns elsewhere, but considering the quality of most of the sports columns in this town, it seems almost criminal for Snider to disappear while certain others remain.

[Yes, I know I'm coming across like a real twerp right now, but quality sports columnists are rarer than they ought to be and I hate to lose one in this town.] 

So, why is this happening? Well, The Atlantic had a good piece yesterday about the horrendous decline in ad revenue in the newspaper business. 

Since 2003, print ads have fallen from $45 billion to $19 billion. Online ads have only grown from $1.2 to $3.3 billion. Stop and think about that gap. The total ten-year increase in digital advertising isn't even enough to overcome the average single-year decline in print ads since 2003. 

Or, to put it another way: 

I certainly hope DC sports fans have not read the last of John Keim, Rick Snider, Craig Stouffer, Brian McNally and the rest of the great team at The Examiner. The only parts of the Examiner I thought worth reading was the local coverage and, especially, the sports. Losing the paper is bad enough, but losing the great journalists who made the sports section so much fun would be truly terrible. Let's hope it doesn't happen. 

Here is the full press release: 

Following a sluggish start, Maryland came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, posting an easy 86-72 win over Niagara at the Comcast Center. The Terrapins appeared to be experiencing a let down early on, after highly emotional games against Duke and North Carolina over the weekend and were tied 35-35 against the undermanned Niagara squad at the half. The Terps woke up after intermission, outscoring the Purple Eagles 21-3 early on and coasted to the easy win. Nick Faust led five Terps in double figures with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Less than 5,000 were in attendance on the College Park campus, due in large part to students being away for spring break. Maryland hosts the winner of Denver-Ohio in second round play, time and date TBA.