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.”

The NFL Mock Draft Database has grown to 237 mock drafts for the 2013 NFL Draft.  That is an increase of 34 mock drafts since January 14, 2013.  Since our last update, much has changed in the National Football League, in particular, coaching changes.  Of the Top 6 picks, four have new coaches (Kansas City, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, and Cleveland).  As expected, given those change, the Top 6 projection in the Mock Draft Database have changed pretty significantly. 

For this week's mock munch, we munched together all NFL mock drafts updated between January 18, 2013 and January 23, 2013.  That is a total of 67 mock drafts!   By munching them together, we come up with leaders for the Top 6 picks as averaged about by the latest mock drafts.  We will 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

Three of the top six picks have new projected leaders.  DE Damontre Moore is one of the quickest gainers among mock writers.  He is now the leader to be the second overall selection by Jacksonville.  He replaced LB Jarvis Jones.  Of the 67 mocks draft, 53 project Moore to be selected in the Top 6.  DE Bjoern Werner is the new leader at the 5th slot, with 28% of mocks projecting the Lion to nab the defensive end out of Florida State.  Werner and Jones are tied as projected leaders for the sixth overall pick.  

Biggest changes were at the top overall pick and the fourth overall pick.  QB Geno Smith was projected by over 70% of mocks to be the top pick in the draft last week.  He plummets 26% to now under 50% at 46%.  So who is gaining at the top slot?  There is only a 6% difference between Smith and OT Luke Joeckel.  Joeckel is projected to be the top pick overall by 40% of the mock drafts.  If trend continue the way they are, our next update Joeckel could take over the lead as the top projected pick to Kansas City. 

Joeckel plummets 29% at the fourth slot.  He is the projected pick tot he Eagles, but at under 50% at 49%.  Last week 78% of mocks projected Joeckel to the Eagles.  However, it makes sense.  More and more mock drafts are projecting Joeckel to be the top pick overall. 

NatsFest will take place Saturday, January 26 from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Washington Convention Center.

More than 25 Nationals players and prospects are expected to attend the fun-filled baseball festival, including but not limited to*: Corey Brown, Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Christian Garcia, Gio Gonzalez, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Nathan Karns, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Mattheus, Tyler Moore, Ryan Perry, Anthony Rendon, Will Rhymes, Matt Skole, Drew Storen, Kurt Suzuki, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmermann.

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo and Mark Lerner, one of the team’s Principal Owners, as well as team broadcasters Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo, Charlie Slowes and Phil Wood will also be in attendance. In addition, Nationals fans will have the first opportunity to meet two of the team’s latest additions, Dan Haren and Denard Span. Please note that all autograph vouchers are SOLD OUT; autograph voucher holders are encouraged to visit nationals.com/natsfest for important information.

Open to fans of all ages from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., NatsFest will offer a variety of activities including:

• Q & A sessions with players and coaches on topics including ‘Preparing for Games’ and ‘Life on the Road’
• Opportunities to take photos with players and team mascots
• A special Jr. Nats Kids Forum featuring Player Story Times and Kids Press Conferences
• The chance to learn about the team’s innovative virtual ticketing system
• Games, interactive events and surprises

The event will also feature:

• Live broadcast by 106.7 The Fan, the team’s official flagship radio station
• Opportunities to purchase the latest Nationals merchandise as well as game-used and autographed memorabilia
• Batting cages, inflatable games and 2012 trophy display
• D.J. Stylus Chris spinning music throughout the day
• Concessions for purchase

NatsFest will also offer fans the first opportunity to purchase individual and group tickets to see the Nationals take on the New York Yankees in a special preseason exhibition game on Friday, March 29 at 2:05 p.m. Tickets for NatsFest are currently on sale for Season Plan Holders at $15 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12, and for the general public at $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12 and can be purchased at nationals.com/natsfest.

Fans planning to utilize Metro’s Red Line to attend NatsFest are encouraged to add at least 20 minutes to their planned travel time due to scheduled weekend track maintenance. For directions and parking, visit the Convention Center website at www.dcconvention.com.

*All player appearances are subject to change

Tyrann Mathieu is in Mobile, Alabama this week for the Senior Bowl. The "Honey Bear" is making himself available to coaches and scouts that may be interested in taking him in April's NFL draft. Among those teams reportedly interested, the Washington Redskins.

“I just want to shake some hands, look people in the eyes,” Mathieu told reporters yesterday at the South team’s practice. “I haven’t scripted any answers to any questions. This is the real Tyrann right now.”

According to the New York Post, the Redskins, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins have shown the most interest in the former LSU cornerback. Mathieu has been working out in South Florida with former Bayou Bengal and current NFL defensive backs Patrick Peterson and Corey Webster.

Mathieu was a Heisman finalist following the 2011 season, but was kicked off the team for substance-abuse problems last Fall by LSU coach Les Miles.