The Nationals have signed P Micah Owings to a minor league deal.  Owings only pitched in six games for the San Diego Padres last season because of season ending elbow surgery.  The Nats did not sign Owings to pitch, but to play first base.  His deal is a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. 

Owings has always been a solid hitter, as the 30-year-old holds a career batting line of .283/.310/.502 with 14 doubles and nine home runs over 219 plate appearances. The Nationals are hoping this track record translates into success as a position player.

With a nearly set roster, the deal will likely land Owings in the Nats minor league system.  More on the Owings signing:  Wash Post, Wash Times, CSN, CNNSI

As we wrote in out Catchers Preview, Kurt Suzuki will more than likely open the 2013 season as starter.  Wilson Ramos is recovering from ACL surgery and will likely not be ready for any full time role.  Nats will likely take his entry into the lineup slowly.  Meanwhile, Suzuki looks to continue building his relationships with the Nats pitching staff. 

“The spring training part where it’s not games every day is where you can really get to know guys and hang out with guys. I’m a big believer in relationships, building relationships with different pitchers. That’s how you really get to know them personally and you can understand them. It’s not just players, it is about people,” he said.

“You have to learn those relationships so you can get their respect and have a mutual respect for each other. I think having spring training will definitely better the relationships and allow me to understand them as pitchers a little better.”

As you know, Gio Gonzalez took to Twitter after the PED Miami news linked him to a PED Miami

The Washington Redskins have released CB DJ Johnson. 

Johnson signed with Washington's practice squad in mid-season and was eventually promoted to the 53 man roster.  He appeared in 7 regular season games and recorded 8 tackles.  Johnson ended the season on injured reserve with a knee injury.  

Johnson's release won't shock too many Redskins fans as he bore blame for allowing a few big pass plays for TDs late int he season.   

For a number of years, the Washington Nationals had been lacking a true center fielder who couls secure the the leadoff hitter role.  Last season the Nats got by with shifting rookie phenom Bryce Harperfrom a corner outfield spot to center field and having RF Jayson Werth assume the leadoff batter role. 

Going into this off-season, there was no doubt, much like prior off-seasons, that a true leadoff center fielder was the top priority for Nats GM Mike Rizzo.  With relatively limited needs outside the bullpen and a fourth starter, Nats GM Mike Rizzo focused on acquiring that leadoff position player.  He did it by dealing top pitching prospect Alex Meyer to the Minnesota Twins for CF Denard Span.  The Nationals have coveted Span for the past two seasons and finally got their man.  The acquisition of Span also hadadditional roster reverberations.  By acquiring Span and resigning 1B Adam LaRoche, the Nats ran out of roster room for slugger Mike Morse.  Subsequently, they dealt Morse back to Seattle for prospects, including P AJ Cole.      

Span has been bit by the injury bug recently, suffering a concussion that limited him to 70 games in 2011, returned last season and played in 128 games for the Twins.  Span batted .283 with 38 doubles, 4 triples, and 4 home runs, while scoring 71 runs and drivbing in 41runs.  Span produced a .342 OBP and added 17 stolen bases.  Span provides the Nats outstanding defense and range and will be the patrol in center field the Nationals have been seeking for three plus seasons.  The Nats were able to acquire Span at a relatively bargain price of $4.75 million and $6.5 million in 2014 with a $9 million team option in  2015.   Span joins with Harper and Werth to create the best defensive outfield in all of baseball. 

Harper will be moved back to the corner, most likely in left field.  The 2012 National League Rookie of the Year recorded an .817 OPS and finished with 22 home runs, second all time for a teenager in major league baseball history.  His 57 extra base hits, which included 26 doubles, 9 triples, and 22 homers, was the most in major league history for a teenager.  In 139 games, Harper batted .270 with a .477 slugging percentage.  He scored 98 runs while driving in 59.  His 9 triples were tied for fifth overall in major league baseball.  However, it was not just Harper's bat that was astounding.  Harper's defense was mind boggling that included two highlight reel throw outs at home plate with picture perfect deliveries.  His powerful arm and speed compliment Span in centerfield.

Yesterday we wrote our first position preview before spring training gets underway, we previewed Catchers.  Today we will release our preview of the Nats outfield.  You can discuss the previews here. 

The Nats added two to their minor league system.  C Chris Snyder and P Jeremy Accardo were signed to minor league deals yesterday.  We are tracking all roster moves in our Roster Tracker.   Snyder played for Houston last year as a reserve catcher and batted .176 with 7 home runs and 24 RBI.  Accardo pitched out of Cleveland's bullpen and posted a 4.82 ERA. 

The Olympian released it's spring training questions for each team.  Completely agree with heir big question for the Nats.  The roster has no weaknesses and really no roster battles.  The Nats are set for a big playoff run.  How will they handle that pressure?  How will they handled big expectations compared to hopes?  Let's face it, it is much easier to win by surprise than to win by expectation.  The pressure is simply different.  Losing streaks can become mountains.  How will the young Nats handle the pressure.  That is the first and most likely only big spring training question.

The 2013 Washington Nationals are loaded in several positions and appear to be favorites for a possible World Series run.  They are not only loaded in top talent, but much of that talent is also young.  Catching is one position the Nationals have very little worries.

Last season, the Nats were set behind the plate with Wilson Ramos as starter and Jesus Flores as backup.  However, injury gripped the Nats early in the season when Ramos tore his ACL just 25 games in the 2012 season.  The Nats moved forward with Flores taking over the starting role and recalling rookie Sandy Leon to fulfill the backup role.  Unfortunately for the Nats, injury bad luck continued as Leon went down to injury in a plate collision in his his major league debut.  The Nats then recalled another rookie, Johonatan Solano. 

On August 3, 2012, the Nats pulled off what I deemed to be the acquisition of the 2012 season by the Nats, sending prospect catcher David Frietas to Oakland for veteran Kurt Suzuki.  Suzuki was instrumental in leading the Nats to their first playoff appearance and wrapping up their first division title.  In 93 at bats, Suzuki batted .301 with a .482 slugging percentage over the final 26 games.  He added 5 doubles and 5 home runs.  Before his acquisition, Suzuki batted just .218 in Oakland and increased that average to .267 over 43 games with the Nats.   The Nationals acquired Suzuki out of concern for Flores' defense.  Suzuki gave the Nats unexpected punch at the plate.  Better yet, Suzuki came to DC with an additional year on his contract. 

The Nats enter training camp with two quality starters behind the plate in Ramos and Suzuki.  Ramos is still recovering from his ACL and torn meniscus surgery and is not expected to be 100% by the time spring training starts with pitchers and catchers reporting in just one week.  Suzuki will more than likely open the season as the starter.  Any notion that there will be a Ramos and Suzuki battle for the starting job at training camp is likely not reality.  The Nats will take their time in rolling Ramos back into the swing of catching duties. 

In the wings:

Sandy Leon did appear in 12 games for the Nats in 2012.  In 36 plate appearances, he batted .267 with 2 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.  He allowed 3 passed balls and threw out 14% of attempted base steals.  Solano appeared in 12 games for the Nats and batted .314 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs.  He also drove in 6 runs.   He threw out 38% of steal attemps and allowed 2 passed balls.  Nats also have AAA catcher Carlos Maldonaldo.  He did not record a hit in 9 plate appearances for the Nats in 2012.  The Nats drafted Erick Fernandez in 2011.  He appeared in 97 games at high A Potomac last season and batted .237 with 1 double.  The Nationals slected Adrian Nieto in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.  Nieto batted .257 with 17 doubles, 6 home runs, and 39 RBI in 70 games at Low A Hagertsown.  Cole Leonida was a 2010 draft pick and appeared in 56 games for Hagerstown and batted .191.  Jeremy Mayo is another 2010 draft pick in the system.  Washington drafted two catchers in the 2012 draft.  Spencer Keiboom was drafted in the fourth round and spent his rookie season in Auburn.   Kieboom weas drafted because of his defensive prowess.  In 41 games at Auburn, Keiboom batted .258 with 6 doubles and 20 runs driven in.  The Nats also drafted Craig Manuel last year.  He split time with Kieboom at Auburn and batted .266 in 44 games.  

The beginnings of baseball are almost here.  The Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just one week.  Not soon enough for many DC fans.  The Washington Redskins season is complete and the Washington Capitals look pretty awful.  The Washington Wizards are playing much better baksetball, but far, far from any contention.  So, we anxiously await the return of Nats baseball.  Who would have though that just two to three years ago.   On to some Nats links. 

Patrick Reddington writes on the Nationals catching situation. 

Mike Rosenbaum ranks the five most underrated prospects in the Nationals system.  He lists OF Brandon Miller, P Brett Mooneyham, P Sammy Solis, P Rob Wort, and P Nathan Karns.  I disagree a bit on Solis.  Not sure Solis is underrated.  He is a highly touted prospect that missed last season due to Tommy John surgery.  Our weekly minor league reports touted Nathan Karns and Rob Wort all last season.  These two pitchers had pretty terrific seasons and Wort has been incredibly consistent in the bullpen throughout the Nats system.  He coudl become a main stay in the Nationals bullpen soon.     

Finally healthy—but still on a short least—Karns emerged as one of the top stories in the minor leagues during his full-season debut in 2012, as the 25-year-old registered a 2.17 ERA and .174 BAA with 148/47 K/BB in 116 innings between both Class-A levels.

The 6'5" right-hander’s fastball sits 92 to 94 mph with weight, and he uses it to pound the strike zone and get ahead in counts.

30th-round draft pick in 2009, Wort seemingly came out of nowhere last season to post the highest strikeout rate (15.1 K/9) and strikeout percentage (41.3) in the minor leagues. Granted he did it as a 23-year-old while repeating High-A Potomac, but it was nonetheless impressive.

Overall, the 6'2" right-hander registered a 2.38 ERA with 95/19 K/BB in 56.2 innings. After posting a 6.6 BB/9 at the level in 2011, Wort’s improvement to 3.0 BB/9 last season was a huge step in the right direction.

Eric Flynn from our Bloguin partner site wraps up Tyler Clippard for 2012 season. 

Mark Zuckerman takes a look at the five players, besdies the big stars, that could be critical for a Nationals World Series run this season. 

District Sports page preview the Nationals starters and the Nationals bullpen. 

How about a Nats/Orioles World Series in 2013.  Find out what some Execs think. 

Lee County, Florida wants the Nationals for spring training.  However, it could cost them around $36.6 million. 

(Bob Youngetob - CSNwashington)

The Washington Wizards played without starting shooting guard Bradley Beal [sprained right wrist] tonight, but the visiting Los Angeles Clippers were even more short-handed, with point guard Chris Paul [bruised right kneecap] and Blake Griffin both out with injuries. The result was a hard-fought 98-90 win at the Verizon Center, in which Washington led most of the way and took control of the game late in the fourth quarter. The win snaps a four game losing streak for the Wizards and improved their record to 12-35. The Clippers fell to 34-16, still first place in the Pacific Division. 

"It wasn't the prettiest, but we'll take it," said Wizards head coach Randy Wittman. "It wasn't all artisitic for us. We still had ups and downs from an offensive standpoint," he continued, pointing to poor passes and subpar efficiency on offense. The coach liked the 51 points Washington scored in the first half, but said the team "seemed to forget" what they did that worked in the first half during the second half, though the Wiz did narrowly out-score the Clippers in the third and fourth quarters. 

Paul was known to be out long before this game, but Griffin was a surprise scratch after injurying a hamstring before the opening tip. 

Martell Webster led the way for Washington with 21 points, including a season-high five 3-pointers, 5 rebounds, 3 dimes and no turnovers in over 34 minutes of play. Also making big contributions were Nene [15 points, 7 boards] and, off the bench, Trevor Ariza [10 points, 6 boards].  Washington's backcourt looked a bit different, with Garrett Temple taking Beal's place in the starting lineup, but it worked, with Temple hitting his first four shots and scoring a season-high 15 points on 7-12 shooting. The defensive specialist also blocked three shots and grabbed 3 steals. John Wall could not hit shots, hitting only 6 of 18 from the floor and 1 of 3 from the line, but he managed to put 13 points up to go with 8 assists in 32 minutes. His counterpart and former college teammate, Eric Bledsoe, starting in place of Chris Paul, basically outplayed Wall, though, scoring 17 points and dishing 9 assists. 

In the paint, Emeka Okafor was strong again for the Wiz, scoring 9 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. 

The Wizards shot only 44% from the field, mostly because of Wall, but their 7-12 shooting from 3-point range made up for their poor record from the free throw line, where they missed 10 of 27 shots. The Wiz matched the Clippers with 44 rebounds [DeAndre Jordan of LA had 22 rebounds by himself] and turned the ball over only 12 times compared to 20 for the Clippers. 

Washington held a precarious lead midway through the fourth quarter when Martell Webster hit a huge 3-pointer from the corner, in front of the Clippers bench and moments later John Wall took a pass off a Clippers turnover and cashed in with a thunderous dunk that put the Wiz up 91-81.

The Wizards got a scare when Jamal Crawford converted a four point play by hitting a three pointer and then a free throw after he was fouled by Trevor Ariza on the shot. That cut Washington's lead to six at 94-88, but Nene came back with a good post move, got fouled and went to the line to hit both free throws and put Washington back up by eight with 49 seconds left in regulation.  

Forward Lamar Odom, forced into the starting lineup by the injury to Griffin, fouled out with less than 45 seconds remaining after scoring only 3 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Wall got fouled and sent to the line, but missed both free throws, keeping the lead to eight points. However, the Clippers could not do anything to capitalize, with former Wizards forward Caron Butler [15 points, 6-16 FG, 6 REB, 4 TO] dribbling on the baseline under Washington's basket for a turnover. 

The NFL Mock Draft Database has grown to 266 mock drafts for the 2013 NFL Draft.  For this week's mock munch, we munched together all NFL mock drafts updated between January 31, 2013 and February 4, 2013, that is a total of 64 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:

Back a few weeks ago, we had two projections OVER 70%, Geno Smith at #1 and OT Luke Jockel at #43.  Both players are still projected the leaders at those respective slots, but they are in the 50% range instead of high 70%.  Geno Smith did gain 4% this week to solify at the top spot at over 50%, with 57%.  Joeckel continues to also get projections at #1 overall, garnering 22 of the 64 mocks at #1.   

DE Bjoern Werner takes over the lead at the #2 slot from DE Damontre Moore.  21 of the 64 mocks project Werner to go to Jacksonville.  Moore is still a popular choice among mock writers for being a top 6 pick.  52 of the 64 mocks project Moore to fall between 2nd and 6th overall, although he leads at none of the six top spots. 

KEEP AN EYE ON:

The NFL Combine tends to change mock drafts often.  That is coming up.  We are starting to see some players getting increasingly mentioned in the Top 6.  OT Eric Fisher is increasingly being slotted at #4 to the Eagles.  10 moc ks now project him there, where before, he was rarely mentioned.  LB Barkevious Mingo is picking up projections at #6 as week.  Keep an eye on that.  

The NFL Combine is February 23 to February 26.  Things will change in these projections then.  They always do.  It was rare to see QB Robert Griffin III slotted in the Top 5 before the NFL Combine last year.  He skyrocketed up with an impressive Combine.  There will alos be players you see mentioned in the Top 10 likely plummet based on the Combine.  So sit back and enjoy the lead up to the NFL Draft. 

Christian Djoos is establishing himself as a legitimate Washington Capitals prospect.

Riley Barber

RW - Miami (Ohio) University – 18

Freshman Riley Barber had another month to remember for the Miami RedHawks, but not before he ended his World Juniors debut in style. In the three January championship round games, Barber scored two goals, one assist, and went +2 to help lead his Team USA to the gold medal. He ended the tournament with three goals and three assists in seven games. Barber has also been in fine form with his NCAA team. In January, Barber, who turns 19 this month, appeared in six games, scoring one goal and three assists and going -1. On the season, Barber now has nine goals and 17 assists in 24 games. He has a +8 rating.

Greg Burke

C – University of New Hampshire (NCAA) – 22

After making his return from a six-game absence with a shoulder injury in late December, Greg Burke’s injury woes continued into 2013. The forward, in his last year of NHL eligibility, managed to appear in only two games, going pointless and -2, before going down with an undisclosed injury. Burke now has three goals, two assists, and a +1 rating in 13 games this season.

Travis Boyd

C – University of Minnesota (NCAA) – 19

Much like Burke, Minnesota sophomore Travis Boyd had a pretty disappointing January. After a tremendous start to his season, Boyd saw action in seven games this month, but managed only one assist. Boyd’s numbers, however, are still rather impressive, as he now stands at three goals, nine assists, 12 points, and a +3 rating in 26 games.

Connor Carrick

D - Plymouth Whalers (OHL) - 18

Connor Carrick has been fighting his way through a bit of a rollercoaster season, but after a disappointing December, he impressed in January. Plymouth played well, and Carrick was a major reason why, racking up four goals and six assists for 10 points and a +2 rating in just 12 games. The defensemen now has 30 points in 50 games. His rating is +3. All-around, the numbers are very encouraging for the Caps fifth-round pick.

Thomas DiPauli

C - University of Notre Dame (NCAA) - 18

The difficult start to the season for fourth-rounder Tom DiPauli continued past the halfway mark, as the forward managed a rather miserable -3 rating with just one goal in eight games in January. DiPauli now stands at four goals and two assists through 26 games, though his +4 rating and continuous top-six exposure suggests his luck should soon turn.

Christian Djoos

D - Brynäs (Elitserien) - 18

Few Caps prospects had a better month of January than young Swedish defenseman Christian Djoos. It started with two World Juniors games, where he went -2 but did play a significant role as Sweden reached the final. He ended his debut WJC tournament with three assists and a -2 rating in six games. We’ll see him back next year. But it was in Elitserien play with Brynäs where Djoos really turned it on. In the first three games of the month, he was pointless, making it 31 games in a row where Djoos had failed to record a goal or assist. Then, his confidence surged, as he went on to score the first two goals and three assists of his pro career in the next seven games. He even received his first game misconduct for talking a little too much to the referee. His rating was -1. On the year, Djoos now has two goals and three assists for five points in 38 games. His plus-minus rating is +1 and he averages 14:32 of ice time per game. Those are incredibly impressive numbers for an 18-year-old in arguably the world’s second best men’s league.

Filip Forsberg

RW - Leksand (HockeyAllsvenkan) - 18

Like Djoos, Forsberg had a great month of January, which began with his road to the World Juniors final. In the semi final and final, the Caps first-rounder and Team Sweden Captain scored one goal. He ended the tournament with three goals and two assists in five games, being named to the tournament All-Star team in the process. Forsberg has also been in fine form with Leksand in the Swedish second division. This month, Forsberg appeared in eight games, from which he scored an impressive four goals and five assists, along with a lofty +9 rating. In 30 games in 2012-13, the winger has 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points, and a +12 rating. The guy is NHL ready.

Garrett Haar

D –Western Michigan University (NCAA) – 19

Garrett Haar did not play in January after picking up an undisclosed upper-body injury late in December, but is expected to return soon. He remains at three goals and three assists in 16 games and an even plus-minus rating.

Caleb Herbert

C – University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) – 21

After his miserable start to the year, sophomore forward Caleb Herbert’s resurgence continued into 2013. Though he is still well off the pace of his 2011-12 numbers, Herbert’s one goal and two assists in January suggest he is improving. That said, he remains at five goals and eight assists through 24 games, rather disappointing numbers for a player who was expected to become a leading NCAA scorer this season. His rating is -1.

Patrick Koudys

D – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) – 20

Patrick Koudys continued his unremarkable season for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks this month, totaling four assists, a -1 rating, and 28 penalty minutes in 11 games. The Penn State Nittany Lions-bound blueliner stands at 10 assists in 44 games this season, and is rapidly sinking off the radar of Caps prospects.

Evgeny Kuznetsov

RW – Traktor Chelyabinsk (KHL) – 20

After continuing to improve his NHL stock through the first half of the season, the league’s top prospect had a comparatively quiet January, notching two goals and six assists in 11 games. Perhaps even more quiet was his -5 rating. Still, Kuzya showed progression from last year by reaching the 49-game mark with 42 points, as opposed to 41 in 2011-12, while his 20:46 average time on ice shows clearly the responsibility he carries for Traktor Chelyabinsk. As mentioned, he has 42 points through 49 games, which places him seventh among all KHL players. He is set to star for Russia in the upcoming Swedish portion of the European Hockey Tour.

Jaynen Rissling

D - Calgary Hitmen (WHL) – 19

The great 2012-13 continued for seventh-round pick Jaynen Rissling. A player not known for his offensive flair, the 6’4”, 225-pound defenseman racked up seven assists in 11 games. His rating was +7 and he also contributed with two fights. Eligible for an AHL contract at the end of this season, Rissling is making a good case to be a pro next year with four goals, 18 assists, +20, and 104 PIMs all being signs he is ready to make the next step in his development.

Taylor Stefishen

LW - University of Calgary (CIS) - 22

Very much a fringe prospect, Taylor Stefishen was solid in January, posting four goals and four assists for eight points through eight games. On the season, Stefishen has 20 points and a +9 rating in 25 games played.

Chandler Stephenson

LW - Regina Pats (WHL) - 18

Though a scary tendon injury disrupted his season, Chandler Stephenson will likely be happy with his performance this year. January was another good month. The grinding 2012 third-rounder scored two goals and six assists in 11 games, and posted an even plus-minus rating. He also had one fight. To date, Stephenson has totaled 10 goals and 16 assists through 26 games, numbers to be proud of for an 18-year-old playing in a very tough Western Hockey League.

Steffen Søberg

G – Vålerenga (GET-Ligaen) – 19 

After a very disappointing December, Steffen Søberg bounced back big-time in January, leading his Vålerenga to seven wins and a return to the summit of the GET-Ligaen. Personally, Søberg saw his save percentage rise from .911 to .915, and his goals-against-average drop from 2.54 to 2.42. Caps fans may be frustrated about his decision to stay in Norway last season, but his talent and potential is hard to question.

Patrick Wey

D – Boston College (NCAA) – 21

After a great start to the season, the #1 ranked BC Eagles struggled badly in January, managing to win only two of seven games. Caps blueliner Patrick Wey actually wasn’t that bad, going pointless but +3 in that stretch. He should play a major role should the Eagles manage to bounce back in February. Wey now has one goal and eight assists in 23 games, to go along with a +8 rating.

Tom Wilson

RW - Plymouth Whalers (OHL) - 18

In many ways, it was literally an unbelievable month of Tom Wilson. At times, he was superhuman, and at times, he was downright dangerous. It was a tale of two months for the 6’3” manchild, as he first totaled two goals and eight points in five games, then proved himself to be very near NHL-ready at Washington Capitals training camp, and then racked up 20 penalty minutes in two games on his return. He would also be suspended for five games, though he is eligible to return early on in February. Wilson has 13 goals and 36 points through 33 games. 

Austin Wuthrich

RW - University of Notre Dame (NCAA) - 19

Thomas DiPauli may have had a rough start to the season, but it does not come close to the struggles Austin Wuthrich has been going through. The sophomore at Notre Dame was -2 with one goal in eight January games, but picked up an injury towards the end, and looks set to miss some time in February. To date, the winger, who it was hoped would step up to play a big role for the Fighting Irish this year, has two goals and four assists to go along with a -1 rating in 23 games.

DC Pro Sports Report Three Stars of the Month:

1. Christian Djoos (10Gms, 2G, 3A, 5P, -1)

2. Filip Forsberg (8Gms, 4G, 5A, 9P, +9)

3. Connor Carrick (12Gms, 4G, 6A, 10P, +2)

Will Robert Griffin III begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list? It appears likely, according to ESPN's Adam Scheffler. Placing RGIII on the PUP list would allow him more time to heal and open up an additional spot for an extra quarterback on the Washington roster. Griffin is recovering from a torn ACL and LCL and the team won't know when he might return until some time this Summer.

Skins fans aren't alone in wondering when the Rookie of the Year will return. The NFL wants to know as it will impact when, and how often, the league schedules the Redskins for nationally televised games. The 2013 regular season schedule will be released in April.