Just for fun, our first look at who the Redskins might be looking at in the 2013 NFL draft. Picks projected at draftsite.com were used as a guide of who might be available in each round.

DISCUSS THIS IN OUR REDSKINS FAN FORUM!

1st Round- To St. Louis (Robert Griffin III)

2nd Round- Robert Lester FS Alabama 6'2" 207

3rd Round- Brennan Williams RT North Carolina 6'7" 315

4th Round- Nigel Malone CB Kansas State 5'10" 180

5th Round- Josh Johnson CB Purdue 5'11" 195

5th Round- Tobias Smith G Mississippi State 6'3" 305

6th Round- Dave Kruger NT Utah 6'5" 290

7th Round- Mario Benavides C Louisville 6'4" 305

I am not surprised that these stories about the draft and young players have started to appear in print. They are well researched and well written. But there are two perspectives to share.

Young players develop at their own pace and in context to how the team is developing and playing. When you are a sitting with one win this season, it is very easy, and frankly casual, to critique very young players. We now have six players we have drafted in the lineup, and one player that we traded for who was a first round pick in the lineup, as well in Jordan Crawford. So, that’s seven players out of 15 that have come into our rotation from the draft in the last three off seasons.

Frankly, more than half our team is now made up of seasoned and complementary playing vets. We have seven new vets in our lineup this season as well. And Cartier Martin, who has played with our team before. People advocate for change, and sometimes having so much change at a time when you also have core players out with injuries makes for a very tough start to a season. I am supportive of our young players, and will continue to advocate that we build around a core of players that we have drafted and developed. We have made trades to add the vets. We have done some free agent signings. What we haven’t done is wade into free agency to add a big star to our team.

CONTINUE READING for more from Wizards owner Ted Leonsis

The Nationals began to address their bullpen today at the winter meetings, specifically from the left side. Washington re-signing veteran Zach Duke and bringing back former Nat Bill Bray.

The 29 year old Duke had an outstanding season at Triple-A Syracuse last season, going 15-5 with a 3.51 ERA. Duke also did well in September with the parent club. Duke may assume the role held by Tom Gorzellany last season. Duke began his career in Pittsburgh.

Bray, also 29 years old, was a first round pick of the Montreal Expos in 2004. The Nats traded him to Cincinnati in 2006 in the eight player Austin Kearns deal. Bray was injured much of 2012, but was very effective the previous season. Bray posted an ERA of 2.98 in 79 appearances, averaging more than eight strikeouts per nine innings of work.

With the re-signing of first baseman Adam LaRoche beginning to look a bit more promising, the Nats may use Mike Morse to acquire more bullpen help. The team believes that Sean Burnett is going to be more expensive than they are ready to spend. The club could bring back Mike Gonzalez or explore a trade for Milwaukee's Manny Parra who has a tremendous upside.

Washington Redskins CB Cedric Griffin has been suspended for four games -- the remainder of the 2012 regular season -- for violating the NFL's rules on the use of performance enhancing drugs [PED]. 

Here is the official statement from the NFL: 

"Cedric Griffin of the Washington Redskins has been suspended without pay for the team’s next four games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances. 

"Griffin’s suspension begins immediately. He will be eligible to return to the Redskins’ active roster on Monday, December 31 following the team’s December 30 game against the Dallas Cowboys."

UPDATE: Redskins starting CB DeAngelo Hall is on crutches and wearing a walking boot today. Apparently, though, he seems confident he will start, as usual, on Sunday against the Ravens.

If the suspension of Griffin is being announced now, and it is, then that means an appeal filed by Griffin, if one was filed, has already failed. The suspension should take effect immediately. 

This makes Griffin the fourth Redskins player to be suspended for substance abuse violation in the last year. TE Fred Davis and LT Trent Williams were both suspended for the last four games of 2011 for marijuana use and FS Tanard Jackson was suspended indefinitely at the start of this season for using drugs while a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The loss of Griffin, who has been one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL in the past three years, thins out the Redskins already thin secondary. As noted above, Jackson, who was expected to start at free safety, has missed the entire year due to drugs. SS Brandon Meriweather, who was expected to to start at the other safety position, has missed all but 2+ quarters of this season due to injuries to both knees. 

The loss of Griffin should not cripple the defense, however, Griffin missed three games earlier this season with a strained hamstring and the Redskins won two of those games. Backup CB D.J. Johnson played some against the Giants last night and will probably get additional playing time now. Rookie 7th round pick Richard Crawford, who has spent recent weeks on the inactive list, will probably now be activated and play on game day. 

I was on News Talk with Bruce DePuyt on News Channel 8 today to discuss the Washington Redskins victory on Monday Night Football over the New York Giants. We also discussed the NFC playoff picture and the growing legend of Robert Griffin III. Check it out. 

The Nationals have signed veteran starting pitcher Dan Haren. The 32 year old Haren was signed to a one year deal for $13 million dollars. A three-time All-Star, Haren was plagued with hip and back injuries last season while pitching for the Angels. In 2009, Haren was named #33 on The Sporting News list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. Haren has a career record of 119-96 with a 3.66 ERA. Haren is known for having pinpoint control, with a strikeout to walk ratio of more than four to one, the best of any active pitcher in the majors. Haren completes what continues to be the best rotation in all of baseball, joining Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Ross Detwiler.

The signing of Haren ends speculation that the Nationals might sign free agent picher Zack Grienke and turns their focus to the bullpen, specifically left handed specialists. Washington had also been rumored to be offering second baseman Danny Espinosa and Mike Morse to Tampa for pitcher James Shields. The addition of Haren ends speculation surrounding either Grienke or Shields joining the Nationals.

Washington is still negotiating with free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. LaRoche is seeking a three year deal, while the Nats are only willing to commit to two seasons. If LaRoche goes elsewhere, the Nats will move outfielder Mike Morse back to first base.

The Redskins Monday Tuesday AM pundit report is here.  The Washington Redskins, led by rookie QB Robert Griffin III, WR Pierre Garcon, and some nifty offensive line play, extended their winning streak to 3 straight, all over NFC East Division rivals, and pulled their season record to 6-6, just one game behind the Giants for the division lead.  The Redskins defeated the Giants at FEDEX Field last night 17-16.  The big win in DC also snapped a an NFL record 10 game losing streak by the Redskins on Monday Night Football.  So what do the media pundits have to say?

Dan Graziano, ESPN

This is unquestionably the case, outside the Redskins' locker room and in, and Griffin is the centrifugal reason. He is the franchise player for whom the Redskins happily traded three first-round picks and a second-round pick, because they knew that the process of building a core group around your quarterback is far less stressful when you're no longer worried about your quarterback. And Griffin has delivered, repeatedly. But what has been happening over these past three weeks is the emergence of the young group he has got around him on offense. And Monday night's victory managed to do something few have been able to do this year -- slide Griffin into something less than the starring role.

The MVP of this game for Washington was rookie Alfred Morris, a tireless skee-ball of a running back who fits Mike Shanahan's offense with utter perfection, building a head of steam, spotting the hole, hitting the hole and running as far as he can before he gets tackled. If you want to know what the Redskins like about Morris, all you have to do is watch the tape of this game, in which he picked up 124 yards on 22 carries. He was the engine of a Redskins' offense that was determined to stick with the run even though it was behind in the second half and seemingly couldn't get on the field. And after a costly third-quarter red-zone fumble that led to three points for the Giants, Morris returned more determined than ever. He got 58 of his yards on 11 carries after the fumble, including the critical third-down pickup that finished off the game with a minute to go.

Our Response:  It is so easy to get caught up in all the hoopla that is Robert Griffin III.  Why?  Because he is changing the very face of the National Football League.  He is one of the most electrifying players to grace the NFL in the last two decades.  He has revitalized and reignited what was becoming a dormant fan base for one of the most storied franchises in the game.  However, to be fair, let;s not lose sight of rookie 6th round pick Alfred Morris.  He has been absolutely instrumental in Washington's success the past three games.  Given the fact he was such a late round pick, sixth round, makes his value that much more.    Let's also give appropriate credit to the Washington offensive line.  RGIII was not sacked once last night.  They blew open holes for Morris to do his thing.  This line is playing excellent football.  So when we ravish praises on RGIII, well deserved, let's be clear that the success is not just a one person show.  It's a team effort. 

Clark Judge, CBS Sports

Let me repeat that. The defense that betrayed the Redskins earlier this season on Monday preserved a critical 17-16 defeat of the New York Giants that might have saved Washington's season.

But that's the second time in their last three starts the Redskins bottled up an opposing offense, and this time it wasn't just anyone; it was Eli Manning and a Giants' club that shredded Green Bay a week ago in a victory reminiscent of so many wins in the Giants' Super Bowl run of 2011. Moreover, it was a Giants team that's a tough out on the road, winning 26 straight starts there when ahead at halftime -- last blowing a halftime lead in 2006.

Our Response:  Valid point.  I spent numerous commercials last night screaming and hollering at the Washington defense.  Too many open wide receivers, almost as if the Washington secondary simply forgot the element of covering opposing receivers.  Obviously, Jim Haslett and London Fletcher drew up some adjustments in the second half that neutralized Eli Manning and the Giants offense.  Not an easy feat.  They held the Giant offense to 16 points and fended off any late game heroics by Manning.  For that, recognition deserved. 

William Brinson, CBS Sports

With Garçon on the field, RG3's averaging 234.67 passing yards per game, and the Redskins are averaging 27.83 points per game. Without Garçon on the field, Griffin's averaging 209.83 passing yards per game and the Redskins are scoring an average of 24.17 points per game.

The proof isn't just in the stats and the wins -- it's in the game as well. With Garçon on the field it's clear Griffin's more confident in the passing game with a true No. 1 option.

Our Response:  We agree.  Garcon's involvement in the offense has made RGIII a much more confident player in the passing portion of his game.  It was evident in week one that RGIII clicked in chemistry with Garcon more than any receiver on this team.  His presence the last few games has been huge.  His catches have been game changing.  The return of Garcon has been a vital injection of production for the young rookie quarterback. 

AJ Perez, Fox Sports

Griffin’s charisma — not to mention his athleticism and what the Redskins mortgaged to draft him — created buzz. The fact he’s churning along with other facets of the team has made the Redskins a contender, even if the road the rest of the way is by no means easy.

Our Response:  AJ uses the term 'mortgaged', we prefer the term "investment'.  RGIII and the three first round draft picks was a monumental investment that is already, in his first season, yielding huge returns.  There is nothing that drives franchise success than a franchise quarterback.  Ask the Giants, the Patriots, the Steelers, and the Packers.  Washington's investment of three first rounders to get their franchise QB was full of risk, but has turned out to be a clear winner. 

Curtis Crabtree, Pro Football Talk

Snyder was excited after the game and congratulating everyone in the Redskins locker room according to Robert Klemko of the USA Today. It was what he told a team staffer that stood out.

“I hate those motherf——,” Snyder said of the Giants.

Our Response:  No criticism of Dan Snyder here.  We hate those mother f _____ too!  There is no doubt John Mara hates competition.  That's why he stole cap dollars from Washington and Dallas because both franchises rejected going along with a plan for illegal collusion.  Either that, or he was simply jealous that Snyder and Jerry Jones were simply smarter than he was in cap management.  So yeah, I hate those mother _____ too!  Very much. 

Peter King, CNNSI

What's going to make Washington a tough team to beat down the stretch is the maturation of its Pistol offense led by Griffin. In the Pistol, the quarterback stands about four yards behind center instead of the seven yards in the Shotgun; standing closer for the snap allows the quarterback to get the ball faster, and allows more options in the running game because the back isn't so deep and can hit holes in the line faster. As this year has gone on, the neophyte Washington offense with the rookie quarterback and running back and the new lineup of wideouts and tight ends has learned the offense better week by week. I'd estimate 70 percent of the Washington offensive snaps Monday night at the snap of the ball were run out of the same formation, with maybe a few different motion characteristics.

THUMBS UP

Alfred Morris -- Alfred Morris is a grown-@ss man! He's rushed for 313 yards in these 3 victories over Washington's division opponents -- and he saved his best for Monday Night Football, when he gashed the Giants for 124 yards on 22 carries [5.7 ypc]. No run was more important than the last, when he blasted through a Giants defense for six yards on third down and three with one minute left in the game. The run yielded a first down and effectively ended the game, as Washington knelt down on the next play to end the game. Morris now has 1106 rushing yards on the season and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Morris is the first Redskins running back to rush for 1000 yards in a season since Clinton Portis in 2008 and he's only the second rookie in franchise history to hit the 1000-yard mark. His 1106 is a rookie rushing record for the Redskins -- with four games still to play. 

Robert Griffin III -- It wasn't his best game -- he played better against the Eagles and Cowboys -- but he made very few mistakes and no killing mistakes. For the 8th time this season RG3 didn't throw an interception in a game and he made enough plays with his arm [13 of 21 for 163 yards and 1 TD] and legs [14.4 yards per carry on five carries for 72 yards] to beat a far more experienced and battle-tested opponent on the biggest stage Griffin has seen in his life. And I give kudos to the coaching staff for placing its trust where it belongs, with RG3. With 2:19 left in the game and the Redskins facing a 2 down and 8 yards to go from its own 41 yard line, the Skins did not do the safe thing and run the ball. Griffin faked the handoff and cooly fired a perfect spiral over the middle to WR Pierre Garcon [8 catchces, 106 yards, TD] who went to the ground at the New York 42 yard line. A 17 yard gain that helped the Redskins run out the clock, but it also demonstrated the faith the coaches correctly have in their rookie signal-caller. 

Offensive Line -- We've only got one thumbs down tonight so I'll add a thumbs up in its place. The offensive line was terrific tonight, dominating a Giants defensive line that is probably the best in the NFL. Last week the Giants defensive line sacked Aaron Rodgers five times and racked up four tackles for loss. Against the Redskins, the Giants had no sacks and only one tackle for loss. Meanwhile, Washington rushed for 207 yards on 31 carries, an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Most of all, the Redskins ran the ball when they needed to do it. On Washington's final scoring drive, which spanned the third and fourth quarters, the Redskins ran 12 plays. Eight of those plays were running plays and they covered 55 of the 86 yards on the drive. The drive lasted 6 minutes and 38 seconds and was straight from the Joe Gibbs/Joe Bugel playbook of power football. Morris, Griffin, Darrel Young and Evan Royster all had at least one carry on the drive and the offensive line cleared the way for all of them. 

THUMBS DOWN

Pass Rush -- I'm not going to waste time going on about this. If you've watched Redskins games this year you know the pass rush is virtually non-existent. That happened again tonight. The Redskins got one sack [Rob Jackson] and it happened in the fourth quarter when they needed it. However, other than that, Giants QB Eli Manning had plenty of time to throw on almost every passing play. That one sack was the only real hit on Manning during the entire game and he was almost never hurried either. I know the Skins are missing OLB Brian Orakpo and DE Adam Carriker, but the complete absence of a pass rush is not a tenable position to maintain. Something must be done. I doubt much can be done this year so getting more of a pass rush must be obtained -- somehow -- during the offseason.

Photo from Bleacher Report

It Was Over When... On third and three with just over one minute left in regulation, the Redskin called TB Alfred Morris' number for the 22nd and final time of the game and he plowed over the left side of the offensive line, gashing through the Giants defense and diving forward for six yards. It was first down and the Redskins and Robert Griffin III knelt down the next play to end the game. Washington won 17-16, having finished a trifecta of victories against their NFC East opponents. 

Statistically Speaking... The Redskins are 5-1 in games this season when WR Pierre Garcon plays... The Redskins held the ball for less than ten minutes in the first half, as the Giants mounted long drives of 11 plays, 13 plays and 13 plays. However, the Redskins dominated the clock in the second half, using their power running game to grind out first downs and hold the ball for over 17 minutes. The Giants won time of possession but not by nearly as much as it appeared they would at halftime... Robert Griffin III threw 9 TD and 1 INT against their NFC East opponents the last three weeks... RG3 had a passer rating over 100 tonight for the sixth time this year, including each of the last three weeks... RG3 set an NFL rookie record tonight by rushing for 714 yards on the season -- with 4 games to play... TB Alfred Morris rushed for 313 yards on 66 carries [4.7 ypc] against their NFC East opponents the last three weeks. The Redskins are the first team in NFL history to have a 2000-yard rookie passer and a 1000-yard rookie rusher... TB Alfred Morris not only became the second Redskins rookie to run for over 1000 yards, he passed Reggie Brooks' record by gashing the Giants for 124  yards, giving Morris 1106 yards for the season -- with 4 games still to play... Morris is the first Redskins running back to rush for over 1000 yards since Clinton Portis in 2008... The Giants had a single tackle for loss in the game, proof the Redskins offensive line was controlling the line of scrimmage... This is the first time the Giants have lost after leading on the road aat halftime since 2006. 

Al Bello/Getty Images

I Liked That... RG3 bounces right back up after taking a hard hit from the defense. That's old school Art Monk never-let-'em-see-you-hurt toughness right there... The Redskins did not panic when they fell behind 16-10 in the second half. They went right back to their running game and gave the Giants a double dose of Alfred Morris - and the Giants couldn't handle it... The Redskins rushed for 207 yards, averaged 6.7 yards per carry and did not allow a sack. That's great work from the offensive line... A week after the Giants sacked Packers QB Aaron Rodgers 5 times and racking up for tackles for loss, they had zero sacks and only one tackle for loss against the Redskins... RG3 completed only 62 percent of his passes for 7.76 yards per attempt -- both below his season averages -- but he avoided the killing mistake and committing no turnovers... The Redskins defense gave up 5 catches for 82 yards and 1 TD to TE Martellus Bennett in the first half -- and zero in the second half. .. The Redskins defense stiffened in the second half, giving up only one field goal and allowing the Giants to run only 8 plays in the fourth quarter.

I Did Not Like That... Allowing your opponent to covert 9 of 15 on third down is horrible... The Redskins scored only one touchdown on three trips to the red zone... The Redskins defense really struggles against opposing tight ends and Martellus Bennett had 5 catches for 82 yards and 1 TD in the first half tonight... ILB London Fletcher had another tough night in pass coverage and the Skins have got to come up with an answer for that... Washington will struggle against tight ends until they find some safeties and inside linebackers who can cover... The Redskins pass rush was AWOL virtually the entire night, but particularly in the first half... TE Logan Paulsen had a tough night with a drop and two penalties... The fumble by Alfred Morris in the third quarter nearly cost the Redskins dearly. The rookie needs to cover up the ball better... Washington gave up 117 yards on the ground tonight. The Giants never controlled the game with their rushing attack, but the Skins won't often win games when they give up over 100 yards rushing AND get torched in the passing game, too. 

And It All Means... The Redskins are in a 3-way race for the NFC East with the 6-6 Cowboys and the 7-5 Giants, who still lead the division. Washington has won three in a row -- all against division opponents -- and have become a team capable of taking over a football game with a rushing attack that is brutally powerful one play and quick-as-lighning the next. The Redskins will continue to play important games in December, with a realistic chance at some kind of playoff berth. Most of all, it means hope has returned to fans of the Washington Redskins. No longer need fans look upon each season and each game with dread, awaiting the inevitable disappointment and embarrassment. The Redskins are fun to watch and root for again. We have two rookies, Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris, to thank for that. 

Just hours before the 2012 free agency period began, the NFL penalized the Redskins with a $36  million salary cap charge spread over two years, this year and next year, for free agent contracts signed during the uncapped 2010 season. The Redskins are trying to use comments made by Giants co-owner John Mara as motivation tonight.

Mara, the chairman of the NFL's management committee, was among those who led the charge to take away $36 million worth of salary-cap space from the Redskins this past offseason.

In an article that was posted on ESPN.com on March 25, Mara was quoted as saying, "I think (the Redskins) are lucky they didn't lose draft picks" and "I thought the penalties imposed were proper."

In the days leading up to the Giants-Redskins game on "Monday Night Football," Washington coaches and officials had Mara's quotes hanging on sheets of paper on their office doors, according to team sources.

Based on the quotes, the Redskins are convinced that Mara tried to have enough draft picks taken away so that Washington couldn't complete its deal with St. Louis for the rights to select quarterback Robert Griffin III.

I think it is very likely Mara was trying to stop the Redskins from doing precisely what everyone in the NFL knew they were trying to do. My real problem with the entire affair is that it was an obvious case of self-dealing. as Mara, who had a hand in the final punishment handed down to the Skins, had an incentive to see his division rival punished as harshly as possible. 

As for whether this quote will motivate the Redskins players, that seems unlikely to me. This is a huge game for the Redskins and if they can't get geeked up for this game, there is no hope for this bunch. Besides, did the coaches use this quote before the first Redskins-Giants game this year? If so, I never heard about it.