The Washington Redskins believe that QB Robert Griffin III has a 'legitimate' chance to start week one, despite his ACL knee surgery.  Despite being only a month removed from the surgery, the Redskins are confident. 

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the team is already encouraged enough by Griffin’s rehab that they believe he has a “legitimate chance” of being on the field when the Redskins start the 2013 season. “Legitimate chance” is one of those purposefully vague phrases that leave a lot of wiggle room and it is with good reason in this case.

Griffin’s rehab is just starting and there are plenty of other checkpoints that he’ll have to hit in the seven months before the start of next season before he’s given the green light to lead the Redskins offense. Encouraging signs are just that at this point in the process because there’s no way they or anyone else can know how RG3′s knee will progress over the long road ahead.

QB Kirk Cousin will no doubt go into the off-season OTAs and opening of training camp in the mind frame that he will start the season out as starter.  The fact the Redskins are encouraged this early may be telling that RG3 may be a head of rehab schedule.  It is a story that will dominate the off-season for the Redskins. 

The NFL Mock Draft Database has grown to 284 mock drafts for the 2013 NFL Draft.  For this week's mock munch, we munched together all NFL mock drafts updated between February 9, 2013 and February 13, 2013, that is a total of 59 mock drafts!   By munching them together, we come up with leaders based upon an average of the most updated mock drafts out there. 

These mock drafts range from major sports media, to fan networks, to newspaper media, and to fan bloggers.  It's OK to be skeptical.  Their just mock drafts.  Their just opinions.  However, our mock draft consensus was pretty accurate last year.  So were many mock drafts.  Many of these are based on inside sources and team connections that may know a team's specific and general thinking of player rankings. So take it for what it is worth and what you value it to be. 

We track the total percent of mock drafts projecting the Top 6 picks and the change in percentage from the last update.   Here are the Top 6 picks

DATABASE TRENDS:

First off, we have one change in the Top 6 projected leaders.  CB Dee Milliner is now the leader at the 5th overall slot to Detroit.  Out of the 59 mocks, 20 project Milliner to Detroit.  Last week's leader, DE Bjoern Werner had 16 projections this week.   Other than that change, projections were remarkably steady.  The biggest gain or loss was Werner losing 4% at the second overall spot.  OT Star Lotulelei is surging as a possble second overall pick. We probably will not see much fluctuations now until after the NFL Combine.   

OTHERS NOT LISTED:

 DE Damontre Moore is a favorite in the Top 6, even though he does not specially lead at any of those slots.  39 of the 59 most updated mocks have Moore going between 2nd and 5th overall.  14 mock draft project Moore to go second overall to Jacksonville.  OT Eric Fisher still gets 8 projection at the fourth overall slot to the Eagles.  LB Barkevious Mingo is only 1 mock projection behind LB Jarvis Jones for the lead at the sixth slot.   Finally, keep an eye on DE Ezekeil Ansah at the sixth slot.   He has been projected at the 6th slot by 5 mocks, but all those mocks were updated the last two days. 

Washington Capitals fans received some great news today, after head coach Adam Oates confirmed to Washington Times reporter Stephen Whyno that center Brooks Laich has been cleared to practice with contact.

I know Smitty told me he’s allowed to have contact," said Oates. "I think it’s going to be a day-to-day basis evaluation because it’s one of those things where we don’t want to set it back.

Laich suffered a groin injury while playing with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss National League during the lockout. His absence appears to be a major reason why the Caps have started the season 4-8-1, and though the group has won two straight, Laich's return should still provide a massive boost.

The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers reported to Viera yesterday to kick off Spring Training 2013.  The talk of the first day centered around two starters, Gio Gonzalez and Stephen Strasburg.  That focus was starkly different. 

First, Gio Gonzalez addressed the PED Miami clinic issue yesterday, again giving a complete denial and an expression of bewilderment of how is name was ever linked to the Miami clinic.  You can read more from ESPN, Washington Post, Washington Times, and CSN Washington.  Gio is honored to receive the WBC invite. 

Meanwhile, as reported yesterday, Stephen Strasburg is excited to get the season started and be a work horse for the Nats, with no innings limitations.   His goal is and has been a 200 plus innings season at the top of the Nats rotation. 

More expectations writing for the 2013 Nats.  Nats reliever Craig Stammen plays the expectation game as well. 

“Our manager has definitely already came out and popped off saying that if we don’t go to the World Series it’s going to be a disappointing season,” Stammen told 106.7 The Fan’s Holden and Danny Tuesday. “I guess we gotta follow our leader and that’s probably true; because we won the National League East last year and we pretty much have a lot of the same guys back. We made a few changes in the offseason that hopefully improves our team.”  “Our goal is the same as every other team’s should be and that’s to win the World Series,” Stammen added.

Federal Baseball previews pitchers and catchers.  When you are as solid of a team as the Nats, the emphasis on roster spots at training camp is on depth roles.  Few guys are ont hat tight rope, including pitcher Christian Garcia and OF Corey Brown.   

Washington Nationals starter Gio Gonzalez arrived at spring training today as pitchers and catchers report for duty.  Gonzalez has been embroiled in a hot topic of PEDS when his name appeared in notes from a Miami PED Biogeneisis clinic.  After his name was released, Gonzalez took to twitter and vehemently denied any involvement or any purchases with the Miami clinic.  Gio addressed the issue head on today. 

“I feel very confident.  At the end of the day, I’ve never taken performance-enhancing drugs, and I never will. I’m actually pretty excited about this year.”  “You’re stunned, you’re shocked.  Your name was brought up out of nowhere. You’re like, you can’t do nothing about. You have to listen to what’s going on. You can’t jump the gun. You can’t jump to conclusions. At the end of the day, you have to listen in and wait patiently.” 

On his Dad's involvement.

“My father already admitted he was a patient there, a legitimate patient,” Gonzalez said. “And then after that, you know how my father is. All of South Florida, all of baseball knows my father is the most proud father in baseball. He says hi, he tells everyone about his son. That’s the best I can say. Other than that, I have no clue why my name was on that list or notebook or anything.”

Nats fans could possibly take comfort in the fact that Gio was added to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.  Team USA manager Joe Torre is assigned to the front office of major league baseball and likely would not have selected Gonzalez for a team role if he knew a suspension was forthcoming. 

Here we go, the latest DC Pro Sports Report Stock Report.  This is our opinion over the least week or week and half, players that deserve shout outs or shout downs. 

STOCK UP:

Goalie Braden Holtby:  Holtby is on the stock up.  Holtby has indeed struggled so far in the short season.  There was a feeling out there that not only was Holtby playing very inconsistent, but also signs of losing confidence.    Then came the Florida Panthers at the Verizon Center.  The Caps 5-0 win was exactly what the doctor ordered on many fronts, but more so for Holtby.  Holtby recorded his second career shutout, blanking the Panthers by stopping all 27 shots and making some dazzling saves to bail out some defensive lapses.  Is it enough to light a fire under Holtby and the Caps?  We may find out tonight. 

F Mike Ribeiro:  Ribeiro continues to spark the little offense the Capitals muster.  Ribeiro is riding a four game point streak, in which two of those games, he has recorded 2 points.  During the last 4 games, Ribeiro has tallied 3 goals and 3 helpers.  So far this season, Ribeiro is the most consistent Cap on ice. 

F Alex Ovechkin:  Placed on our Stock Down list two weeks a in a row, Ovi goes up this week.  Silently, Ovi has put together a 4 game scoring streak and appears to be settling in with right wing duties.   Over the last 4 games, Ovechkin has recorded 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points.  He was visibly angry after the loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins and that anger may have also provided a bit of spark for his teammates. 

C Nene Holario:  The Brazilian center has been an integral part of the Washington Wizards surge.  Over the last two Wiz wins, Nene has put down 20 and 21 points respectively, while grabbing 11 and 13 rebounds.  Last night Nene sparked the Wiz on a come from behind win, grabbing 13 rebounds, adding 6 assists, scoring 21 points and shooting 76.9% from the field.  Nene has three consecutive double doubles. 

Bradley Beal:  Beal returned from injury and sparked the Wiz to their fourth consecutive win last night, recording a career high 28 points.  It was also the single game high for the Wiz this year.  We will have to keep a close on Beal's wrist as he appeared to wince in pain last night after going down to the floor on a layup. 

P Stephen Strasburg:  Strasburg arrived in Viera, Florida for spring training one day early and fired up for the season.  Strasburg is set for a no innings limitation, now two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery.  Strasburg also let it be known that he is 100% over the decision to shut him down last year and is looking forward to tossing 200 plus innings.  Baseball fever is in the air and a full season of Strasburg is on tap!

STOCK DOWN:

Jordan Crawford:  Crawford is mired in a three game slump during a hot home game winning streak for the Wiz.  In his last 4 games, Crawford wa son the floor for a little over 10 minutes and recorded just three points.  The 2010 first rounder did not even play the last two games.  Randy Wittman commented “He’s in a funk or whatever,” Coach Randy Wittman said of Crawford. “He’s got to stay with it. He’s got to work hard. He’s got to continue to play hard. That’s it.”

Marcus Johansson:  Like Crawford for the Wizards, another first rounder for the Caps, Marcus Johansson, clearly occupied the dog house of Caps bench boss Adam Oates.  Johansson did not practice yesterday in what is being referred to as an upper-body injury.  Not sure there is an actual injury there though.  Johansson will not accompany the Caps to Florida for tonight's division game.    Oates singled out Johansson after the loss to Pittsburgh stating "We need more execution and didn't get enough in Pittsburgh," Oates said. "I think his confidence might be one of the problems."

Baseball is back in the District!  Sort of.  Something to get excited about though.  Nationals pitchers and catchers report to Sporing Training today, officially kicking off spring training. 

For a preview of what to expect the first day of reporting, read Mark Zuckerman's article. 

Stephen Strasburg declared himself 100% and ready to go.  He report to Viera one day early.  Strasburg has big reason to be excited for this season.  Now two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg will not face an innings limit and will likely be expected to put in 200 plus innings. 

“It feels good,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge, it’s going to be a test. I think I’m ready for it. I trained really hard this offseason to hopefully answer the bell and throw 200-plus innings and be the guy in the rotation that can be reliable. To go six, seven, eight, hopefully nine innings this year, every time out.”

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The Washington Wizards got their 4th straight win for the first time this season and won only their fourth game on the road, with a 102-90 triumph in Wisconsin over the Milwaukee Bucks. The win tonight represents Washington's first road victory against an Eastern Conference team this season. Their previous road wins were against New Orleans, Denver and Portland, all Western Conference clubs. The Bucks fall to 25-25 and have lost 4 in a row and six of their last seven. The Wizards improve to 15-35 and 10-7 since John Wall's season debut.

The Wizards played a complete game tonight, hitting 57% of their shots from the field, out-performing the Bucks on rebounds and assists and holding Milwaukee to 38% shooting from the floor. Washington's only blemish tonight was 19 turnovers, 7 by John Wall, who veered between moments of excellence and moments of wildness. 

The leaders tonight, however, were starting power forward Nene and first-man-off-the-bench, Bradley Beal, the backup [for now] shooting guard. Beal scored a career-high 28 points and hit shots from all over the floor. Beal scored on drives and nailed 4 of 5 3-pointers, as well as 10 of 17 shots overall. When the Wizards fell behind early in the first half Beal poured in 16 points before halftime to keep the Wiz in the game and then push them into the lead in the second quarter. His +27 court ratio was easily the highest on the game. 

Nene continued his fine play down low for the Wizards, hitting 10 of 13 shots, grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing 6 assists. In addition, the interior defense provided by Nene and Emeka Okafor shut the Bucks out of the paint for much of the night, forcing Milwaukee to rely on its outside jump shooting, which didn't come through for the home team. Okafor also had a double-double, scoring 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting and pulling down 10 boards. 

On a night when Martell Webster's hot shooting abandoned him, Beal came through instead, adding 4 rebounds to his 28 points. Also off the bench, Trevor Ariza provided some lockdown defense and hit 4 of 7 shots for 8 points and a +19 court ratio. 

John Wall finally hit some shots, hitting 5 of 6, but mostly concentrated on setting up his teammates with his 9 assists. Although Wall's 7 turnovers were disappointing, he played the best defense of the season, pestering Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings into missing 14 of 17 shots. 

Most of all, though, this game was about Beal showing he may be fully healed from his wrist injury and demonstrating the sort of player he can be. The tentative rookie we saw so much of earlier in the season was nowhere in evidence tonight. Instead, Beal attacked the basket, shot after a dribble or two and looked very natural within the flow of the team's offense. 

Washington's next game comes tomorrow night in The Palace at Auburn Hills against the Detroit Pistons. After that, the Wiz get a breather for the All Star game break.

The Washington Redskins have hired former Denver assistant Keith Burns to coach the Redskins special teams.  Burns replaced long time special teams coach Danny Smith, who exited Washington to take the same position with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Current Redskins assistant special teams coach Richard Hightower was a popular pick among players to replace Smith, but Shanahan elected to go with Burns instead.

Burns, according to league insiders, is regarded as an up-and-coming coaching talent.

Smith was Washington's special teams coach for nine seasons.  He had up and down years that were marred by poor kicking, until this season, when the Redskins signed rookie Kicker Kai Forbath. 

Mike Shanahan has one coaching staff position to fill, wide receivers coach. 

Now that we have a few weeks of hockey, we can start getting an idea of fantasy values.  The following list takes into account the following:

For forwards and defensemen: goals, assists, power play goals, power play assists, shots on goal, hits, blocked shots and penalty minutes

For goalies: saves, goals allowed, wins, losses and shutouts

SEE THE LIST.  PLEASE CLICK CONTINUE READING