Jammer visits Redskins

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

Veteran free agent cornerback Quentin Jammer will be visiting the Washington Redskins today, as the team looks to fill out a critical roster need leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft, beginning Thursday. 

The Redskins have less than $30,000 in salary cap space right now, so it is not clear how they can fit Jammer or any other NFL player under its cap, unless they choose to restructure some existing contracts, such as the ones belonging to OLB Brian Orakpo and/or LT Trent Williams

Jammer has spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with the San Diego Chargers and has been a Pro Bowl in the past. However, quarterbacks have had a lot of success against Jammer the past few seasons. Opposing signal-callers had a 94.8 passer rating against Jammer in 2012, but that was superb compared to 2011, when quarterbacks had a 131.8 [yes, really!] passer rating against him. Jammer also gave up 8 TD passes in 2012, second-most among all NFL corners, and giving up touchdown passes -- particularly long ones -- was a major problems for the Redskins' defense last season. 

However, Jammer is a veteran, a former first round pick and still knows a lot about how to play the position in the NFL. He's still available for a reason -- he hasn't been terribly good lately. However, the Redskins are not in a position to be too choosy at this point and having a look at Jammer is a very good idea. 

no comments

Luke Joeckel is Top Pick According to 88 Mock Drafts

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in NFL Draft

Just four days away from the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft and the mock drafts writers across the Web have built a pretty consistent projection within the Top 6 draft selections.  Several mock drafts within our database are also projecting trades, mostly projected at the sixth spot, owned by the Cleveland Browns. 

The NFL Mock Draft Database has been updated this evening and our running total for mock drafts listed has hit 495 mock drafts.  We can only imagine the amount of updates that will come in over the next four days.  I would not be surprised if carpal tunnel syndrome is a listed ailment of mine come Thursday, given all the updates that will occur.   So stay tuned here, we will keep the NFL Mock Draft Database updated. 

The 495 mock drafts listed in the database are a broad array of writers, including major media sites like ESPN, Fox, Pro Football Talk, and CBS Sports, to newspapers, to official team sites, to the NFL Network, to professional NFL scouting sites, to long running NFL Draft sites, to fan created websites, to sports blogs, and to personal blogs.  We utilize several search methods in reaching out and finding all these mocks, perhaps too many methods.  Many of these mock draft writers have been listed in our Mock Draft Database for over a decade.  Some are new.  It's a broad array.  

What we did today to give you an indication of what mock draft writers are projecting in totality is to munch together all mock drafts that were updated between  4/18/2013 to 4/21/2013 and then provide the projected leaders.  When tallying all mock drafts updated between those dates, that is a mock munch of 88 different mock drafts.  

Although we have the teams listed in the chart, remember, some mocks are projecting trade, particularly at the #6 spot.  So the leaders are more the projected Top 6.  So who are these 88 mock drafts projecting to be the top 6 picks?  Well, here you go . . .

PICK PROJECTION % MOCKS RUNNER UP  
Kansas City OT Luke Joeckel 86% Eric Fisher  
Jacksonville LB Dion Jordan 50% Geno Smith  
Oakland DT Sharrif Floyd 69% Star Lotulelei  
Philadelphia OT Eric Fisher 34% Geno Smith  
Detroit OT Eric Fisher 39% Ziggy Ansah  
Cleveland CB Dee Milliner 59% Lane Johnson  

As you can tell, the mock writers have pretty solid consensus at most picks and seem absolutely convinced that Andy Reid will be taking the best offensive tackle in the draft, Luke Joeckel.   Mock Writers are also pretty high on Sharrif Floyd going to the Raiders at the 3rd slot overall.  We have not done a mock munch since mid-March, but the reality is, these spot have not really changed much at all, except the projection percentage have solidified at bigger percentiles. 

We will make an all out attempt to do one more final mock munch before Thursday, but given the amount of updates that will roll in this week, we make no promises. 

no comments

Redskins 2013 Regular Season Schedule

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

 

  1. Mon 9/9 v. Philadelphia Eagles at 7.10 PM [Monday Night]
  2. Sun 9/15 @ Green Bay Packers at 1 PM
  3. Sun 9/22 v. Detroit Lions at 1 PM
  4. Sun 9/29 @ Oakland Raiders at 4.25 PM
  5. 10/6 Bye
  6. Sun 10/13 @ Dallas Cowboys at 8.30 PM [Sunday night]
  7. Sun 10/20 v. Chicago Bears at 1 PM
  8. Sun 10/27 @ Denver Broncos at 4.25
  9. Sun 11/3 v. San Diego Chargers at 1 PM
  10. Thur 11/7 @ Minnesota Vikings at 8.20 [Thursday night]
  11. Sun 11/17 @ Philadelphia Eagles at 1 PM
  12. Mon 11/25 v. San Francisco 49ers at 8.30 PM [Monday night]
  13. Sun 12/1 v. New York Giants [Sunday night]
  14. Sun 12/8 v. Kansas City Chiefs at 1 PM
  15. Sun 12/15 @ Atlanta Falcons 1 PM 
  16. Sun 12/22 v. Dallas Cowboys at 1 PM
  17. Sun 12/29 @ New York Giants at 1 PM

DC Sports Stock Report: Who's Up and Who's Down (4/18)

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in DC Pro Sports Stock Report

With the Washington Wizards season over, having secured their fifth consecutive season under 30 wins, and the Washington Redskins looking ahead to the NFL Draft, we have just the Washington Nationals and Washington Capitals involved in the current DC Pro Sports Stock Report.  So, let's take a look at who we have on the UP report and who we have ont he DOWN report.  

So who gets a THUMBS UP?

Alexander Ovechkin.  He is one of the hottest players in the National Hockey League.  Ovi has clearly embraced and has grow fond and comfortable in the new system of bench boss Adam Oates.  In fact, you can say that Ovi has returned to old form under Oates.  That is a good thing considering both will be in Washington for years to come.  Ovechkin is clearly the main reason the Capitals went from last in the Eastern Conference to the lead in the Southeast Division and own the NHL's longest winning streak, now at 8 straight games.  In the 8 games in April, in which the Caps are 8-0, Ovi has scored 9 goals and added 4 helpers.  He now leads the NHL in goals (28), is fourth overall in points (48) and leads the NHL in shots (198).  He also become the most powerful force on the power play, just like years past, leading the NHL with 15 power play tallies, 6 ahead of the nearest skater.  

Nicklas Backstrom.  Another big part of Ovechkin's surge has been the synergy with Nicklas Backstrom.  Backstrom has rejoined Ovi on the top line and has had a terrific April, notching 13 assists in 8 games, most of those to Ovechkin.  He has regained the mantle as one of the NHL's most prolific passers.  He is 11th overall in the NHL in points (44) and third overall in assists (38).  Backstrom has also posted a .513 faceoff percentage.

no comments

Nats win & finally support Detwiler

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Nationals

Ross Detwiler dominates the Miami Marlins in a 6-1 Nats win

Ross Detwiler threw 107 pitches in Miami last night -- almost all of them fastballs -- and it was enough to dominate once again, only this time his relief pitching didn't screw him over and the Washington Nationals walked away with a 6-1 win. The victory improves the Nationals to 9-6, good for second place in the NL East with a big divisional series against the Mets coming up this weekend in Queens. 

In a rotation with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman and Dan Haren, Detwiler is often forgotten and he's certainly not the name people remember. He's been the best pitcher on the staff through three starts this season, but only got his first win last night because the bullpen has not been able to hold the leads he's handed them. That wasn't a problem last night, though, as Tyler Clippard and Rafael Soriano shut the door for once, combining for two hitless, scoreless innings with three strikeouts between them.

Detwiler was fantastic again, pitching 7 innings and giving up only 7 hits and one run while striking out five and walking none. The performance lowers his ERA to 0.90, sixth-lowest in the Majors. That number would be even lower if not for a blown call at home plate by umpire Greg Gibson, who started to call Chris Valaika out after he was clearly tagged by catcher Kurt Suzuki, but Gibson changed the call at the last second.

Manager Davey Johnson came out to argue, to no avail. "I said, `You had it right, and then you changed it," Johnson said. "We survived it."

It wasn't all good pitching, though. The Nats got some good hitting from Bryce Harper, Steve Lombardozzi, Kurt Suzuki and Adam LaRoche. Harper, his head and stomach reeling from the flu, broke out of his recent slump and went 4-5, with a double, a run and an RBI to raise his batting average to .364. Lombardozzi, batting second, went 2-5 with a run, boosting his batting average to .381. LaRoche went 2-4 with a run and RBI, while Suzuki swung the big wood, going 2-3 with a double,a 5th-inning home run, 2 runs and 2 RBI. Suzuki is now hitting .360 and leading the team with .800 slugging percentage. 

The Nationals began to take control of the game in the second inning when LaRoche and Ian Desmond both singled and were driven in by a Roger Bernandina groundout RBI and a Suzuki sacrifice fly. That 2-0 lead held until the top of the 5th, when Suzuki led off the inning by swattiing a 3-2 pitch 377 feet over the left field wall for a 3-0 lead. The Marlins cut the lead back to two when the scored their phoney-baloney run thanks to a missed call by the home plate umpire. 

The Nats got it back in the 6th when Bryce Harper scored after Adam LaRoche singled to left. They were not done. In the seventh, Lombardozzi singled to center, getting Suzuki across the plate to increase the lead to 5-1. In the 9th, Jayson Werth walked and eventually scored when Harper scratched out an infield single to shortstop. That put the lead ta 6-1, the final score. 

Nats Minor League Recap (Apr - 18)

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Nationals

Syracuse Chiefs (AAA) were swept in a double header by Buffalo last evening.  They lost Game 1 4-3.  The Chiefs offense only collected 5 hits during the game.,  Mike Costanzo drove in 2 runs and Jeff Kobernus double din a run.  Ryan Ohlendorf (2-1) took the loss in his third start, allowing 5 hits and 4 runs over 4.2 innings. 

In Game 2, the Chiefs fell 5-4.  Jimmy Van Ostrand, Costanzo, Zack Walters, and Carlos Rivero each had two hits.  Van Ostrand raised his season batting average to .433.  Ryan Tatusko pitched 3 innings and allowed 4 hits and 3 runs.  Michael Crotto blew the win and took the loss allowing a run over 2 innings. 

Harrisburg Senators (AA) were off last night. 

Potomac Nationals (A) won 4-2.  Jason Martinson was 2 for 4 and raised his season average to .326.  Adrian Sanchez was 2 for 4 with a double and drove in 2 runs.    Cole Leonida homered in the ninth inning.   Taylor Jordan is off to an impressive start, as expected.  Jordan tossed 7 innings and scattered 6 hits with no runs allowed.  He fanned 5 batters.  In 3 starts, Jordan is 1-0 with a 0.95 ERA.  Tyler Herron p[picked up the save, throwing 2 scoreless and hitless innings.  He fanned 5. 

Hagerstown Suns (A) won 3-1.  Tony Renda was 2 for 4 with an RBI.  The 2012 second round draft pick is 6 for 12 with 3 RBI in his last 4 games and has raised his batting average to .255 after a slow season start.  Wander Ramos is off to a fantastic start and continued last night going 2-4 with a triple and 2 RBI.  He raised his batting average to .353.  He is 4 for 7 with a double, triple, and home run in his last two games.  The Nats 3rd round pick is off to a great start as well.  Brett Mooneyham threw 4.1 scoreless and hitless inning with 2 strikeouts.  His season ERA was lowered to 0.63.   In three starts, Mooneyham has allowed 1 run over 14.1 innings.  He has only allowed 4 combined hits.  Brian Rauh (1-0) earned the win, throwing 3.2 innings and fanning 5 batters.  Robert Benincasa picked up his third save. 

MINOR LEAGUE NOTES:

The Nationals lost one of their top prospects for an extended period of time.  The promising third baseman Matthew Skole will be undergoing Tommy John surgery.  In some reports, Skole was ranked the 11th best prospect in the Nats system.  I would have rated him higher than that.  He was the Nationals minor league system MVP last season.  He is having TJ surgery on his left UCL, which is his non-throwing arm.  Skole racked up 27 homers and 104 RBI while batting a solid .290 last season for Potomac and Harrisburg. Recovery shoudl not be as long or as extensive for Skole considering it is his non-throwing arm. 

Francisco Soriano and Randolp Oduber were promoted from Potomac to Harrisburg.  Steve Souza was placed on the 7 day DL by Harrisburg.  Khayyan Norfolk was promoted to Potomac from Hagerstown after Blake Kelso was palced on the 7 day DL by Pootmac. 

no comments

Redskins preseason schedule released

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

August 29, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins' offensive players line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defends at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 30-3.

The NFL previously released the Washington Redskins preseason schedule for 2013, but it was incomplete, lacking times and exact dates for all the games, apart from the one on Monday night. Now, the full preseason schedule has been released. 

Date Opponent Network Time (ET)
Thursday, Aug. 8 @ Tennessee Titans NBC4/CSN 8:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 19 vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS ESPN 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 24 vs. BUFFALO BILLS NBC4/CSN 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 29 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers NBC4/CSN 7:30 p.m.

So the Redskins have two home games -- against the Steelers and Bills -- and two road games -- against the Titans and Buccaneers. The last game, against Tampa, is the only one featuring an NFC opponent. It's unusual to play the Titans, but the Redskins have played the Steelers and Bills in the preseason on many occasions and played the Buccaneers last year in the preaseason, as well as the regular season. 

One unusual feature is the afternoon game against the Bills. That's the third preseason game, traditionally the most important game, where the starters often play to halftime or even beyond. 

Don't expect to see QB Robert Griffin III in any of these games. 

Nats Minor League Recap (4/17)

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Nationals

Syracuse Chiefs (AAA) were postponed last night.

Harrisburg Senators (AA) lost 4-3 in 10 innings.  They fall to 7-6 on the season.  Sandy Leon was 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI.  The Senators offense only generated 5 hits on the night.  Paul Demny allowed 10 hits and 3 runs over 5.2 innings.  Marcus Frias blew the win, allowing 2 hits and a run.

Potomac Nationals won 3-2 in 10 innings improving to 5-6 overall.  Michael Taylor was 3 for 5 with a run scored.  Jason Martinson was 2 for 4 and raised his batting average to .310.  Cutter Dykstra was 2 for 6 with a run and 2 RBi.  He is batting an impressive .417.  Robbie Ray put up a nice start, throwing 6 innings and allowing 4 hits and 1 run while fanning 4.  His lowered his ERA to 2.12.  Richie Mirkowski picked up the win, throwing 2 scoreless innings.  He starts the season with a 1.29 ERA out of the Nationals bullpen.

Hagerstown Suns (A) won 11-2 to improve to 7-6 on the season.  Tony Renda was 2 for 4 and raised his batting average to .235 after a slow start.  He is batting .308 over his last 7 games.  Wander Ramos swung the big bat, going 2 for 3 with a double and a home run while accounting for 3 of the Suns runs.  Brandon Miller was 1 for 4 with a grand slam home run.  Shawn Pleffner also had a double and home run while driving in 2 runs.  Brian Dupra threw 5.1 innings in relief to earn the win, allowing 8 hits and 2 runs.  Will Hudgins pitched 3 scoreless and hitless innings of relief to earn the save. 

 

no comments

Slumping Nats fall in Miami

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Nationals

Miami Marlins center fielder Justin Ruggiano (right) celebrates with catcher Rob Brantly (second from right) after defeating the Washington Nationals 8-2 at Marlins Park.

The Washington Nationals fell 7 runs behind tonight in Marlins Park as both pitching and hitting abandoned them. The Miami Marlins eventually won the game 8-2, dropping the suddenly-disappointing Nats to 8-6 and 2-3 on the road. The Nats have now lost 4 of 5 and their pitching, thought to be a team strength, is a complete disaster.

Two-thirds of the outfield and the top third of the lineup were out last night with the flu, as manager Davey Johnson sat Denard Span and Bryce Harper. Roger Bernadina and Tyler Moore took their places, making the lineup look like this: 

RF Jayson Werth
CF Roger Bernadina
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
LF Tyler Moore
2B Steve Lombardozzi
C Kurt Suzuki
RHP Dan Haren

Dan Haren lasted barely over 4 innings before being pulled, giving up 7 runs and 7 hits. Only three of those runs were earned, thanks to Ryan Zimmerman's fourth error of the season. Haren's ERA through three starst -- two awful and one mediocre -- is 8.1 and I'm wondering why the team wouldn't be better with the younger and cheaper John Lannan. The bullpen wasn't much better, with both Craig Stammen and Henry Rodriguez struggling to throw strikes and get outs. 

Things started well enough for the Nats, with Jayson Werth leading off the game with a single and Zimmerman reaching on a walk. However, Roger Bernandina hit into a 4-6-3 double play to ruin the inning. 

Haren looked good through three innings and in the third he retired the side on a strikeout and two ground ball outs. It appeared as if he was finally going to throw a good game. But that's when everything fell apart. Zimmerman made a bad throw on a routine play to pull first baseman Adam LaRoche off the bag, allowing Placido Polanco to reach safely. That's the third error in the last five games for Zim. The Marlins followed it up with two singles and a 3-run homer by Adeiny Echavarria to put Miami up 4-0 by the time the bottom of the fourth inning was over.

Things got even more embarrassing in the fifth inning, as Roger Bernandina, hitless so far this season, was called out for running outside the basepaths to first base. Since Bernadina was actually running on the grass, not the dirt path, it looked like the correct call to me and an obvious attempt to interfere with a fielding throw.  

In the Marlins side of the fifth, Haren's poor pitching continued, as he gave up three singles and then issued his first walk of the season, sending home a run. Johnson lifted Haren after one out in the fifth, so Haren has yet to make it to the 6th inning yet this season. 

Craig Stammen entered the game and gave up a 2-run double to Justin Ruggiano, with both runs being charged to Haren. The Nats trailed 7-0 and on a night when their bats were largely silent, that was more than enough. 

The Nats broke their shutout in the sixth, with two runs off Miami starter Alex Sanabia. Doubles by Adam LaRoche, Steve Lombardozzi and Tyler Moore plated the runs, with LaRoche and Moore both scoring. 

The next inning, Henry Rodgriguez let Juan Pierre get on base and then allowed him to steal second and third base. Pierre eventually scored, putting the Marlins up 8-2, the final margin for the game. 

Can of Corn

Written by Adam Jennings on . Posted in Fantasy Sports Coverage

Taking a look at some of the early season surprises.

Catcher

John Buck-  He has 6 HR and is batting .317 on the season.  Let's be realistic, he's likely not going to continue this pace.  Buck hasn't hit more than 20 HR in a season and is a career .236 hitter.  He's going to cool off, but he's still a Top 10 catcher.

Willin Rosario- Last year Rosario busted onto the scene with 28 HR in 117 games.  He's off to a hot start through 10 games with 4 HR and a .361 AVG.  He's young, he plays in Colorado and has a legitimate shot of being the No. 1 catcher for the season.

Evan Gattis-  With Brian McCann injured, Gattis has thrived.  In most leagues Gattis also has OF eligibility (and the Braves seem to be letting him play 1B once in a while too).  Ride the hot streak.

READ FULL ARTICLE.  PLEASE CLICK CONTINUE READING.

no comments