Will Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith return for his tenth season in burgundy and gold? Or is he looking to wind up his career in his native Pittsburgh?

Smith, who will turn 60 when the season opens, has been granted permission to speak with the Steelers about their special teams coordinator job. Pittsburgh was denied a similar request two years ago.

The Wizards have been playing very well, winners of seven of their last ten. Wins over Oklahoma City and Chicago and at Denver are signs of real progress. But just how valuable is the club?

Forbes has released its current rankings and Washington is ranked #23. According to the business magazine, the Wizards are worth $397 million dollars, with a profit of $1.7 million. The average NBA team is worth $507 million, with the Knicks the most valuable team in the Association. New York surpassed the Lakers and is worth an estimated $1.1 billion dollars!

After starring out 0-3 and showing signs of struggling in a new system and lack of effort, the Washington Capitals responded with a three point weekend. 

Down 2-0 on Friday night against the New Jersey Devils, the Caps rallied to even the score and force overtime.  Though they dropped the decision in OT, at the least, they walked out of New Jersey with 1 point.  Despite falling in OT, the Caps had goalie Michal Neuvirth to thank for the point as he played absolutely splendid between the pipes, making some critical saves on pretty bad defensive lapses.   Mike Ribeiro and Mike Green tallied for Washington in the third period to lead the Caps to a point pickup. 

The Caps picked up their first win of the season.  Joel Ward scored his third of the season to tie the game up at 1-1 late in the first period.  John Erskine put the Caps up 2-1 in the second period with a bomb from the blue line.  Erskine tallied a helper in the overtime loss to New Jersey, so the Caps have a point streak going with Erskine in the lineup.  It was also Erskine's first goal since 2011.  Alex Ovechkin scored the game winner at the 5:11 mark in the third period.  If was Ovi's first of the season and came on the Washington power play.  Ovi had a second easy goal with an empty net, but misfired and hit the pipe. 

This weekend was all about getting back on track and some great goal tending from Neuvirth.  Caps head north to Canada for a two game road trip Tuesday and Thursday.  Tuesday they will face the Senators in Ottawa and Thursday they head to Toronto.

Of note, Marcus Johansson was a healthy scratch.  Bench boss Adam Oates decided it was best for Johansson to take a step back and watch after recording a -5 in the first four games.   

Here are your weekend multi-point scorers:

Mike Green:  Had 1 goal and 2 assists

Mike Ribeiro:  Had 1 goal and 2 assists

Joel Ward:  Had 1 goal and 2 assists

Jason Chimera:  Had two assists

Surprising word from NatsFest yesterday that Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa played through a torn rotator cuff in his left (non-throwing) shoulder late last season.

Espinosa is one of the more underrated Nats, given he is the only backup shortstop behind Ian Desmond, in addition to his starting duties. Espinosa's versatility is also seen at the plate as a switch hitter, where he has shown consistency over the past two seasons since becoming the everyday starter in 2011. Espinosa is averaging 19 homeruns, 61 RBI and 19 steals and 159 games played, since becoming a full time player two years ago.

Danny needs to work on making better contact, as a career .239 hitter, he has struck out a staggering 355 times, while drawing only 103 bases on balls. Espinosa hurt the shoulder on September 8th, diving for a ball against the Marlins. Originally diagnosed as a bruise, doctors determined the rotator cuff tear following the playoffs. He hit only .188 following the injury and disappeared against the Cardinals, going 1-for-15 in the NLDS.

Espinosa isn't having surgery, opting instead for rehab. He didn't start swinging a bat again until this month, but promises to be ready for Spring training next month.

Who might the Redskins be targeting in the April NFL Draft?

Prospects that teams have a meeting with are a good indication of genuine interest.

Ten players have met with the 'Skins according to Charlie Campbell with WalterFootball.com

Sam Barrington, LB, South Florida (EW)
Marcus Davis, WR, Virginia Tech (EW)
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson (SR)
Montori Hughes, DL, Tennessee-Martin (SR)
Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas (EW)
Brandon McGee, CB, Miami (EW)
Ty Powell, LB, Harding (SR)
Mychal Rivera, TE, Tennessee (SR)
Phillip Thomas, DB, Fresno State (SR)
Duke Williams, DB, Nevada (SR)

(EW)- East West Shrine

(SR)-  Senior Bowl
 

President William Howard Taft had several things about him to be known for, besides being Commander in Chief.  More than likely, the current fact most Americans may know about President Taft references his physical appearance.  The 27th President of the United States was also the largest man to occupy the office, weighing in at about 332 pounds.  President Taft was big enough that he had to have a custom made bath tub brought to the White House after he got stuck in one. 

President Taft also holds the lone distinction of being the only President to also serve on the United States Supreme Court.  Not only was President Taft appointed to the Court after his Presidency ended, but he was also appointed Chief Justice.  In that role, President Taft swore in two Presidents that followed him, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.

However, despite all that, President Taft likely will achieve his greatest accomplishment this Saturday afternoon.  According to Dan Steinberg, President Taft will be the fifth racing President to be added this season at Nationals Park.  President Taft joins Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt.  

“Teddy has handpicked the next president for the Presidents’ Race,” Nationals COO Andy Feffer said late Friday. “There was a great amount of banter and discussion back and forth, but Teddy won out with his recommendation.”

While the team considered all sorts of presidential options, this was actually an inspired choice. Taft avoids all the messy political subtext that virtually any post-war president would have created. He has an intimate connection with baseball, having
started the tradition of ceremonial first-pitch tossing with a 1910 delivery before a shutout win by Walter Johnson at Griffith Stadium. He’s also widely credited with having accidentally created the seventh-inning stretch.

Congratulations President and Justice Taft.  We welcome you to Nationals Park!

UPDATE:  Adam Schefter reports that Williams is not a suspectin the latercation.  He was a 'victim'.  Who the hell woudl pick on a Pro Bowl NFL offensive lineman.  Dude has guts!  Updated information that is out is that Williams was hit by a champagne bop0ttle and tasered by someone other than police.   According to the NFL, Williams is still on the NFC Pro Bowl team. 

Credit shouting out to Grant Paulsen who broke the original sotry. 

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Perhaps one of the best investment the Washington Redskins could make this off-season is the placement of LT Trent Williams in anger management and common sense counseling.  Williams, who was set to play in his first Pro Bowl, was involved in an altercation last evening in Hawaii, and as a result, needed a few stitches.  As a result of that, he will be repalced due to the injury by Minnesota Vikings OT Matthew Kalil. 

The problem here is, this is not out of the ordinary for Williams.  Frequently this season, Williams was rough housing after plays and was fortunate he was not called for more personal foul penalties.  Williams behavior needs ot be controlled and he needs to put business first, the business of football.  Another dumb decision by Williams.   

Washington Capitals F Troy Brouwer is pretty descriptive on what he thinks of the Caps 0-3 start to this season.   This via the Washington Times.

"Embarrassing is almost the right term right now. Pathetic is probably a better one.  You know, I feel bad for the fans. I’d like to finish a game with at least 50 percent of the fans still in the stands. Their reaction is completely warranted: booing us. We haven’t earned any of their respect. We haven’t earned any of their passion, their ambition. We’ve got to turn something around, and we’ve got to do it fast.”

We appreciate that Troy.  We appreciate the fact you feel bad for us fans.  You should.  It has been painful to watch these first three games. 

The Caps look sick, and not in a good way.  The penalty kill has been awful, goaltending has been pathetic, and the effort put forth on the ice has been dismal.  Over the last five years, DC has embraced the Capitals and revitalized the fan base.  They have sold out Verizon Center time and time again.  The effort put forth by some of the leading veterans on this team is a pretty decent way of killing that rejuvenation.  It really isn't about the fact that the Caps have started the season 0-3.  It is the way they have played on ice.  The Caps fan base doesn't deserve that effort. 

“If I had to say one thing, I’d say work ethic," Brower said. "We’re not out of shape. That’s an excuse right now. Guys are professionals here. They came into camp in shape, ready to go, and it’s not fitness. It’s work ethic. We’re getting outworked. We’ve been outworked three times, we’ve lost three games.”

Wait.  What?

I thought getting rid of Alexander Semin solved the work ethic issue.  I thought casting out former head coach Bruce Boudreau was another step in increasing work ethic and responding to players who didn't care for Boudreau.  If work ethic is indeed a problem, after all this time, then it points to bigger, much bigger problems with the construction of the current roster.  That would of course fall to GM George McPhee. 

If work ethic is an issue, doesn't that finger also get pointed to the leadership of the team, mainly the one who wears the 'C'?  Oh wait, we are not allowed to criticize Alexander Ovechkin, right?

It is pretty clear, if you watched the three games this season, we can give credit to a few players.  Matt Hendricks, Joey Crabb, Joel Ward, and to some extent, Mathieu Perreault, deserve some credit for all out effort and play.  Hendricks has been phenomenal.  How about putting the 'C' on Matt Hendricks.  After all, shouldn't the rest of the roster being trying to emulate their Captain?   

In the pathetic 0-3 start to the 48 game shortened season, the Caps have tallied 6 goals.  SIX! Where did these goals come from?  Ward has 2, Wojtek Wolski, Matt Hendricks, Joey Crabb,  and Brouwer have one.  Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin, Mike Green, Jason Chimera, Marcus Johnansson have ZERO.  Furthermore, Backstrom and Johansson are a -3. 

New head coach Adam Oates was clear he wanted improvement in Washington's special teams from last season.  He may have made it clear, but the response has been dismal.  The special teams units have actually been worse.  The Capitals are struggling to stay out of the penalty box, not having one game this season under 5 penalty kill situations.  Of 16 penalty kill situations, the Caps PK unit have allowed 5 goals.  The power play special teams units have not been any better.  In 12 power play opportunities, the Caps have netted just 2 goals.  

So yes, given the combination of goalie play, work ethic, effort on the ice, and lack of special teams execution, we agree Troy, the Caps have been nothing short of pathetic.

The Redskins staff won't be coaching the game this time around, but they are scouting the talent just the same. Mike Shanahan and crew coached the South squad a year ago and ultimately added four players to their 2012 roster that played in the game. Who should we be keeping an eye on in advance of April's NFL Draft?

Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma (South 69)- Just like they love Iowa and SMU players, the Redskins like Oklahoma offensive lineman (Trent Williams & Chris Chester). Likely a first rounder, the Skins will need some luck to land him in 2nd round.

Kyle Long, G/T, Oregon (North 74)- Yes, he is a member of "that" Long family. Displaying the versatility the Redskins love, Long can play both guard and tackle and seems a good fit as a right tackle in the zone blocking scheme.

D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama (South 76)- The Redskins are seeking a right tackle and Fluker is the top natural RT in the draft. An absolute road grader in the run game and holds his own in pass blocking. Will fall to Skins in 2nd round with some luck.

Margus Hunt, DE, SMU (North 96)- My favorite player in the entire draft. Absolute freakish athlete that seems fit as a 3-4 five technique. When your defensive ends get only one sack all season, you need to take a chance on a guy like Hunt.

Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina (North 92)- Very athletic tackle that is flying a bit under the radar. Provides a very balanced skill set and relieve Barry Cofield or allow him to move outside on passing downs.

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue (North 93)- Short is capable of playing either the three or five technique and would provide much needed depth and a potential pocket collapse type rusher in the interior.

Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State (North 14)- Elite corner who excels in zone coverage. Top end speed may be only concern and scouts will be watching his official 40 times. Absolute position of need for the 'Skins.

Bacarri Rambo, S, Georgia (South 18)- Big time playmaker at free safety. Double digit interceptions over past two seasons and leader of a very talented Bulldogs secondary. Excels at coverage but needs work against the run.

Robert Lester, S, Alabama (South 37)- Alabama is an NFL factory for defensive backs. Nick Saban takes pride in the position and personally coaches 'em up in practice. Lester could start for the rest of the decade in Washington.

T.J. McDonald, S, USC (North 7)- The son of former NFL pro bowler Tim McDonald. A jumbo safety with the potential and athletic ability matching any DB in the draft. Take Lester and TJ or Rambo and the question marks at safety are answered.

The Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama kicks off at 4pm Saturday and will be carried LIVE on the NFL Network.

According to two French newspapers, Caps F Mathieu Perreault has asked the Capitals to trade him, or, at the least, commented that he wished to be traded. 

Whomever the coach is, every year it is the same story, and the GM doesn’t seem willing to change anything,” Perreault told Godin as translated by friend-of-the-blog Lindsey Novak. “Trade me if I am not part of your plans.”

“It’s hard on my morale,” Perreault continued. “I try to stay positive, but I do not want to endure it for two more years.”

Today, Perreault denied he has any interest in being dealt. 

"I didn't ask for a trade. Obviously I like it here, been around for four years, all my chums are [here]. I don't wanna go anywhere. All I want is a little bit more ice time and I talked to Adam Oates and George [McPhee] today about it,” Perreault said (listen to full audio here). “All I want is to play. I wanna be here. I don't wanna go anywhere. If you guys read the article in French it doesn't say that I asked for a trade. Never.”