"The biggest win since Greivis was here", the words of Maryland coach Mark Turgeon, following the Terps 51-50 win over 14th ranked North Carolina State at the Comcast Center last (Wednesday) night. Turg referring to former Terrapin guard Greivis Vazquez, but could have also said the biggest since Gary Williams' departure.

“I didn’t come here to be mediocre. The players didn’t come here to be mediocre. I asked them why they came here. I told them I came here to be a part of something much bigger than myself.”

Sophomore center Alex Len tipped in a Pe'Shon Howard miss with less than a second to go for the game winner. Maryland students stormed the court in what was easily the best home win since the 2010-'11 season.

Maryland was coming off disappointing losses to Florida State and Miami, after a 13-1 start. Things don't get any easier as the Terps travel to Chapel Hill for a Noon tip on Saturday against North Carolina.

Washington defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has received most of the credit for patching together a makeshift secondary this season. Insiders point to secondary coach Raheem Morris as the glue that held things together.

The Browns have taken notice and Morris will reportedly interview for the defensive coordinator job tomorrow (Friday). New Cleveland Head Coach Rob Chudzinski is familar with Morris, from their time in the NFC South.

The Redskins and Morris reportedly have an agreement that allows him to interview for coordinator positions. Normally, teams can block such moves, unless they are for a Head Coach position.

This news does not likely bode well for current Cleveland defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.

Washington Capitals hockey is just a few days away from kicking off a shortened 2013 season.  To watch the Caps via TV, here you go, the CSN television schedule. 

Bloguin partner, Rock the Red, gives a summary of training camp from yesterday.  Read it here. 

Bleacher Report looks at the 5 biggest questions for the Caps this shortened season.  The first is the biggest in this writer's opinion.  How will the Capitals handle the change to the Adam Oates system.  Unfortunately for the Washington Capitals, this will be their fourth system change in two seasons.  Bruce Boudreau shifted the Caps from an offensive based system to a more defensive responsible system in his final season.  When Boudreau was fired, Dale Hunter installed his own defensive first system that took the Caps a bit to get used to.  Now the shift occurs to what is reported to be a more offensive aggressive system of Oates.  Without a full training camp and pre-season to install the new system, it will be interesting to watch how quickly the Capitals grasp it.  It will include Alexander Ovechkin playing both right wing at times and on the penalty kill.  Big adjustments for Alex. 

Speaking of Alex, he is excited to be named the Russian torch bearer for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. 

District Sports Page provides a season preview for the Caps' forwards.  One such forward that has the Capitals excited is the flashy Mike Ribeiro.  The flamboyance and quirkiness of Ribeiro will bring a different style of veteran leaders to the Caps locker room.  Don't expect pre and mid game speeches from the veteran, but rather jokes and laughter.  Here is another look at the questions on the Caps forward, coming from Peerless.  Another new forward veteran is looking to recapture his career.  Wojtek Wolski is looking to get his career back on tracker after it was derailed in 2011 by a series of injuries.  Those injuries and lack of production from the injuries led to his not being resigned in the off-season by the Panthers, after the Panthers acquired him through a trade from the Rangers.   Wolski understands what this season means to him as a player. 

"I definitely think that's the point I'm at in my career," Wolski said Wednesday after the Caps completed their fourth day of training camp. "I have to do everything I can to show that I'm still that player. After surgery last year, I'm sure there's a lot of questions about how I'll bounce back. At this point, I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that I'm ready, that I can succeed and given the opportunity that I can strive and do well."

John Walton provides a preview of Tampa Bay this Saturday. 

As for the goalie situation in Washington, it appears the Caps are content with golaie sharing dutiues.

Injury wise, Caps fans should be excited with the fact the Caps are entering the season Saturday night relatively healthy.  Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom will both be in the starting lineup. 

System news:  2012 first rounder Tom Wilson was shipped back to Plymouth.  He leaves camp under a good impression from the Caps brass.  The 18 year old was not expected to make the Caps roster, but was one of the only prospects invited to training camp.  Here is more from Mike Vogel.  Congrats to Caps goalie prospect Stefan Soberg.  For the first time in his career, he has made the Norwegian national team. 

The Nationals have traded Mike Morse to Seattle for pitcher A.J. Cole in a three team deal. According to FOX Sports, Seattle sends catcher John Jaso to Oakland. The Nats also receive minor league pitcher Blake Treinen and a player to be named later.

Cole was part of a package sent to Oakland by Washington a year ago to acquire Gio Gonzalez. Morse came to the Nats from Seattle back in 2009 in a trade for outfielder Ryan Langerhans. The move adds top prospects back to the Nats farm system, after the club traded away young, upcoming talent not only in the Gonzalez deal, but for Denard Span this offseason.

Morse became expendable when the Nats re-signed free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. That move, coupled with the trade for Span, left Morse as the odd man out. Bryce Harper is expected to slide over to left field, with Jayson Werth in right field, flanking Span in center.

The 21 year old Cole struggled in High-A last season, but pitched very well after getting bumped down to Low-A. Overall, Cole had a 3.70 ERA with 133 strikeouts in 133 and two-third innings across the two levels. A fourth round selection in the 2010 MLB draft, Cole was rated the #4 prospect in the Nationals farm system by Baseball America, prior to getting dealt to Oakland. MLB.com has already moved Cole and rates him third overall in the Nats farm system, behind only 3B Anthony Rendon and CF Brian Goodwin and the Nats top pitching prospect.

Treinen is a 24 year old right handed pitcher out of South Dakota State University. The 6'4" 215 pound Treinen was selected by Oakland in the seventh round of the 2011 draft.  Treinen was 7-7 with a 4.37 ERA with Stockton of the California League last season.

For the third straight year, a record setting number of college football players are passing up remaining eligibility to enter the NFL draft. In 2011, a record 56 filed, last year the number was 65.

Lets take a look at the last group of players to filed their paperwork.

QB Kyle Padron Eastern Washington- Best known for his work at SMU, Padron transferred to Eastern Washington when former Texas signal caller Garrett Gilbert transferred to Southern Methodist.

RB Cierre Wood Notre Dame- At 6 foot and 220 pounds, the former five star recruit could be a diamond in the rough after underachieving for the Fighting Irish.

WR Ace Sanders South Carolina- At 5 foot 8 and 175 pounds, Sanders projects as a slot receiver and kick returner at the next level. A week ago he announced his intentions to stay with the Gamecocks, but had a change of heart.

DT Brandon Moore Texas- The former JUCO star played only one season in Austin and his decision is a bit of a surprise. Moore started only five games this season, posting 18 tackles and a pair of sacks.

DE Stansly Mapogna TCU- Despite only starting eight games due to injury, Mapgonga was a first team All-Big 12 selection in 2012. His biggest season came the previous year, with nine sacks.

CB Tyrann Mathieu LSU- Mathieu has actually been preparing for the draft since getting dismissed by LSU this Fall. The 5 foot 9 corner has bulked up to 185 pounds and is undergoing regular drug testing to prove his is clean.

CB Nickell Robey USC- Robey has started every game during his three seasons with the Trojans. Robey was a second team all Pac-12 selection in 2012.

A few tips to dominating your fantasy hockey league

-Don't overpay for goalies

With a condensed 48 game schedule, top tier goaltenders will likely get a lower percentage of starts.  Guys like Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne still have great value, but overall, you should be subtracting about 10-15% from goaltender value across the board.  In a 10-team standard league that drafted last Thursday, I was able to get Jimmy Howard in the 3rd, Ryan Miller in the 6th and Antti Niemi in the 13th.  

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Washington Capitals forwards Alexander Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson had a pretty brutal collision at the scrimmage today against ECH affiliate Reading.  Check it out.  

Boys --- dial it down until Saturday. 

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two year, $28 million deal with reliever Rafael Soriano.  The deal apparently provides for an option for 2015 if innings requirements over the first two years of the deal are met. 

Soriano assumed the closer role for the New York Yankees last season after Mariano Riviera was placed on the disabled list with a season ending knee injury.  He appeared in 69 games and posted a 2-1 record with 42 saves and a 2.26 ERA. In 67.2 innings out of the Yanks bullpen, Soriano allowed 24 walks while fanning 69 batters.  He recorded a 1.16 WHIP.  Soriano recorded 45 saves in 2010 as the closer for Tampa Bay.

In acquiring Soriano, the Nats have forfeited the 29th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft. 

Apparently, according to the MLB Trade Rumors report, Nats owner Ted Lerner was 'heavily involved' in signing Soriano.  Lerner watch the Nationals bullpen meltdown with a 6 run lead to end their post-season run. 

The signing of Soriano will likely bring about speculation of whether the Nationals will keep both Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard or deal one of them. 

2013 NFL Draft Eligibility Reminders for Underclassmen

With the early-entry NFL Draft deadline for underclassmen fast approaching, the Compliance Office would like to provide some important reminders to football student-athletes with remaining eligibility that seek to "test the waters" as it relates to the pursuit of a potential professional football career.

The NFL Draft early-entry deadline for underclassmen is Tues., Jan. 15. Student-athletes that enter the draft early are required to sign, and have notarized, a petition for special eligibility with the NFL, which renounces all remaining collegiate eligibility. Student-athletes may regain eligibility by declaring their intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 72 hours of the draft declaration deadline. This declaration must be in writing to the student-athlete's Athletics Director no later than midnight on Fri., Jan. 18.

Student-athletes must NOT partake in any of the following activities during the draft evaluation process (or at any other time) in order to protect their intercollegiate eligibility:

1. Agree orally or in writing to be represented by an agent or any individual acting on behalf of an agent.
2. Accept any benefits from an agent, a prospective agent or any individual acting on behalf of an agent.
3. Participate in a tryout with a professional team that lasts longer than 48 hours and is not personally financed.
4. Participate in a tryout with a professional team during the academic year and miss class.

Football student-athletes, coaches and staff members are encouraged to review the NCAA memorandum for further information regarding the 2013 NFL Draft, Tryouts and Agents.

DCPRO Note: Interesting that this update comes from the LSU website, where at least ten Tigers have declared early.

The Washington Wizards won their third straight game tonight, routing the Orlando Magic 120-91 in front of over 14,000 happy fans. The 29-point win is the largest in the history of the Wizards-Magic series. Washington led by as much as 31 late in the fourth quarter.

Washington shot 56 percent from the field, 63.6 percent on 3-pointers and 84 percent from the free throw line. Six different players, three staters and three reserves, scored in double figures, led by center Emeka Okafor and his 19 points and 11 rebounds -- both tops on the team tonight. 

Washington got out and running early and often tonight and Okafor led the scoring and rebounding early. AJ Price scored 18 points on 5-9 shooting and dished 6 of Washington's 32 assists on the night. Fellow starting guard Bradley Beal poured in 17 points on 7 of 10 shooting. Off the bench, Kevin Seraphin scored 18 points to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. Jan Vesely played a high-energy game featuring his usual battery of flying fast break dunks. The young Czech scored ten points on 5-7 shooting, grabbed 7 boards and assisted on 4 buckets. 

Finally, John Wall, in only his second game of the season, scored 12 points and handed out 6 assists and led the team's fast break offense for 20 minutes on the court. Wall did miss a dunk so it's obvious he doesn't have all his lift yet, but he looked fast and destroyed Orlando's Jameer Nelson on a crossover dribble that led to a no-look pass for a dunk. The Wiz have won both games Wall has played this season and he has scored 12 points in each of those games, playing limited minutes off the bench while he works his way back to full healthy from the September knee surgery. 

Trevor Ariza added 8 points, 5 boards, 2 dimes and 2 blocks off the bench and third string point guard Garrett Temple contribued with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 18 minutes. 

This game was about energy and early offense, with the Wizards padding their shooting stats by getting plenty of barely-defended dunks and layups on the fast break. The Wizards were +25 in transition and fast break points tonight. The Wiz also played some defense, allowing the Magic to shoot only 42.5% from the field and under 30% on threes. 

The Magic trailed by 6 after the first quarter and looked like they might get run out of the building when the Wizards built the lead to 19 points late in the first half. However, the Magic went on a 13-0 run to end the half -- thanks to Wiz turnovers and lapsed defense -- to cut the lead back down to 6, 59-53, at halftime. 

However, Washington responded to the run in the third quarter by taking control of the game again, pouring in 37 points and pushing the lead back up to 19 when the fourth quarter began. The Magic managed only 24 points in the third quarter and a measly 14 points in the fourth, while the Wizards kept shooting and scoring and building the lead to over 20 points. 

Washington's halfcourt offense, which has been miserable most of the year, was not a factor tonight because the early offense worked so well. While John Wall often led the break himself, the team played 28 minutes without him on the floor and kept running all the time. Wall's presence on the bench -- his active presence in uniform -- seems to have given the Wizards a much-needed shot of adrenaline and a boost of confidence. 

Washington's third win in a row improves the team's record to 7-28, 6-13 at home.