DeAngelo Hall returns an interception against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day 2012

The Washington Redskins have re-signed CB DeAngelo Hall, whom they cut last month in an effort to get under the salary cap limit by March 12, according to Grant Paulsen.

Source: #Redskins and CB Deangelo Hall have agreed on a one-year deal that will bring the veteran defender back to Washington.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) April 2, 2013

The Redskins owed Hall about $8 million this year before releasing him and would presumably only bring him back at a substantially reduced rate. If true, this indicates the Redskins tried and failed to sign free agent CB Antoine Winfield, cut last month by the Minnesota Vikings.

I think this is unfortunate because Winfield at 35 is still a clearly superior player to Hall at 29. What's more, as he ages, Hall's physical ability will diminish and he will have to fall back on his technique, which is now and always has been poor. Hall graded out as one of the worst cornerbacks in the NFL statistically last year, though he was capable of having the occasional strong game, as he did against Dallas twice last year.

Former Washington Redskins head coach Jack Pardee has died.  Pardee confirmed a few months ago that he was diagnosed with  terminal gall bladder cancer.  Pardee was 76 years-old.

Pardee, a five time All Pro Linebacker, coached the Redskins from 1978 to 1980 and was replaced by Joe Gibbs, after finishing the 1980 season 6-10.  In three seasons with the Redskins, Pardee posted a 24-24 record and finished third in the NFC East each season.

Caleb Herbert finally found his form in March after a difficult start to the season.

Riley Barber

RW - Miami (Ohio) University – 19

No real surprise here, but Riley Barber, quite possibly the Caps top-performing prospect this season, had another sparkling month this March. The freshman appeared in eight games as the Miami University RedHawks closed out their regular season and enjoyed a solid but ultimately fruitless playoff campaign, recording one goal and four assists to add to his tally of 15 goals and 24 assists in 40 games. His -2 rating leaves him with +9 on the season. Barber ends the season as the top freshman scorer in the NCAA and Miami’s second-best point producer. He’ll return next season with expectation heavy on his shoulders as the go-to guy for the RedHawks, and should have a big role to play for Team USA at the 2014 World Juniors.

Greg Burke

C – University of New Hampshire (NCAA) – 22

The Caps’ sixth-round pick from 2008 has had his senior year with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats devastated by injuries, and once again did not manage to appear in a game this March after suffering a concussion earlier in December. He remains at three goals and two assists in 13 games this season. His Wildcats were eliminated from the NCAA tournament by UMass Lowell. He has until August 15 to sign a deal with the Washington Capitals.

Travis Boyd

Nationals manager Davey Johnson looked ready for his final season as a big league skipper

Opening day starter Stephen Strasburg threw 7 shutout innings for the win

Bryce Harper accounted for all the runs, hitting two solo homers

Harper tipped his cap to the adoring crowd after his second home run

Rafael Soriano struck out 2 in a perfect 9th inning for the save

Catcher Wilson Ramos congratulates Soriano after the final out

I was a guest on NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt earlier today to discuss the Washington Nationals season debut, which included reporter John Gonzalez live from the park. In addition, I spoke about the injury situation with Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and his recent remarks that have sparked controversy and speculation. Enjoy. 

First, the Nats: 

Now, the Redskins: 

The Washington Post is reporting that Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III will begin running next week, as he continues his rehabilitation from a gruesome knee injury that tore his LCL and ACL last January in the first round of the playoffs. 

Griffin's surgeon Dr James Andrews has called the pace of RG3's rehab "unbelievable" and called his patient "superhuman", comparing him to Bo Jackson and Adrian Peterson. However, apart from that and a few cryptic and non-committal statements by Head Coach Mike Shanahan, little is known about the rehab process and where RG3 is in it. However, his father recently shed some light on the subject: 

Robert Griffin Jr. on Monday, however, revealed exactly how far along his son was in his recovery.

Opening day went according to script for the Washington Nationals today, as the home team shut out the visiting Miami Marlins 2-0 and the big stars came out to play and dominate. The biggest home crowd in regular season history for the Nationals -- 45,274 -- showed up to enjoy pretty good weather and very good baseball. 

Ace Stephen Strasburg pitched 7 scoreless, almost perfect, innings, tossing only 80 pitches, 52 for strikes. On his way to the 7th inning, Strasburg retired 19 straight batters and 20 of his last 22. He struck out three and walked none. If you're wondering why Strasburg only struck out three, it's because he decided to use his fielders today -- and to good effect. Strasburg may have taken some advice from Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham," who told pitcher Nuke Laloosh: "Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls." 

Rob Carr - Getty Images

Left fielder Bryce Harper, who tore up spring training with his torrid hitting, continued his smoking hot streak on opening day, crushing a home run to right field in the first inning to put the Nats up 1-0. Then, in the fourth, he followed up with another home run to right and this one was never in doubt. "What can you say about Harp?," manager Davey Johnson said after the game. "I guess he likes the three hole." Harper became the youngest player in MLB history to hit two home runs on opening day.

We have seen some preview articles with 2013 questions for the Washington Nationals.  Some were brave enough to write that a big questions for the Nationals was whether Bryce Harperwould suffer a sophomore slump.

Answer --- we think not!

Bryce Harper has hammered away those little skpetics in one short afternoon, thus far.  In his first two at bast of the 2013 season, Bryce Harper has slammed home runs.  Through five innings, the Nationals lead 2-0.  They only have 3 hits so far, two of those being solo homers by Harper.  

And how is the other pheno doing?

Stephen Strasburg is through five innings and tossing a 1 hitter.  He has thrown 60 pitches, 37 for strikeouts, and has fanned 2 batters.  He has retired 15 straight. 

Nats lead the Marlins 2-0 after five innings. 

The Washington Nationals open their long awaited 2013 season today.  The season features a four critical components for the 2013 Washington Nationals. 

First, it is the final season for Manager Davey Johnson.  Johnson was signed to a one year deal to manage the Nats in 2013 and try and win the World Series.  Although he will not manage next season, Johnson has made clear he is not exiting baseball and will likely stay in a front office role with the Nats, as he formally retires from coaching.  The 70 year-old former major league player and manager has six major league playoff appearances, one Pennant, and one World Series win, the 1986 New York Mets.  In his final managing season, his Washington Nationals have lofty expectations, from predicted World Series winner to "World Series or Bust" right from the mouth of Davey Johnson.  Davey embodies what major league baseball is all about, the national past time.  The Washington Nationals roster loves Johnson and will embark on an opportunity to deliver the ultimate prize for his final season.  

Second, under Davey Johnson, the Nats won a franchise best 98 games last season and won their first National League East title as the Washington Nationals.  Johnson led the Nationals to their first post-season play in 79 years.  The Nats enter the 2013 as the reigning National League East champs and embark on their first title defense.  However, in many eyes, that is not good enough.  The Nats 'plan' has come to fruition and the roster is loaded in a wealth of baseball talent.  Several baseball media outlets have predicted the Nationals to win the World Series this season.  Perhaps, the biggest challenge for Davey Johnson in 2013 will not be winning, but managing the lofty expectations with such a young roster.  Pressure can be adverse.  Johnson's hall mark may very well be managing that pressure. 

The Nationals have finalized their Opening Day roster and it is precisely as we projected several weeks ago. There was some consideration given to keeping J.C. Romero as a second left hander out of the bullpen, but Henry Rodriguez held on. The fact that K-Rod has no options left may have played a role, but he is a personal favorite of manager Davey Johnson (and mine as well). Romero was re-assigned to minor league camp today, but we will see him in the majors, sooner rather than later.

PITCHERS (12 / 3 LHP, 9 RHP) 

LHP Ross Detwiler      

LHP Zach Duke     

LHP Gio Gonzalez         

RHP Tyler Clippard  

RHP Dan Haren   

RHP Ryan Mattheus                                                                                   

RHP Henry Rodriguez                              

RHP Rafael Soriano                                

RHP Craig Stammen

RHP Drew Storen

RHP Stephen Strasburg

RHP Jordan Zimmermann

CATCHERS (2)

C Wilson Ramos

C Kurt Suzuki

INFIELDERS (6)

SS Ian Desmond

2B Danny Espinosa (S)

1B Adam LaRoche (L)

INF Steve Lombardozzi (S)

1/3B Chad Tracy (L)

3B Ryan Zimmerman

OUTFIELDERS (5) 

OF Roger Bernadina (L)

OF Bryce Harper (L)

OF/1B Tyler Moore

OF Denard Span (L)

OF Jayson Werth