SB Nation DC - Features

After Dale Hunter And Alexander Semin, Capitals Face Offseason Of Limbo

2012-05-15T13:14:11Z

A new coach, a cap crunch, and an uncertain CBA future are what face George McPhee this summer. He'll have to be at his best.

The two biggest decisions that Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee would face in the summer of 2012 were made for him hours apart Monday.

In the morning, Dale Hunter, who had coached McPhee's roster for all of 74 games dating back to November 29, walked into McPhee's office and told him, essentially, "It's been real, it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun."

In the afternoon, Alexander Semin's agent spoke to an ESPN reporter and said, essentially, that for his client, this past season had been no fun at all.

The first departure is easy to discuss and dispose of. Dale Hunter did not need to be an NHL head coach -- neither monetarily nor, it seems emotionally. When Hunter accepted George McPhee's offer to replace Bruce Boudreau this past November, he did so on the understanding that he would see out the season. However, Hunter also reserved the right to pack it in if it all became too much for him.

Exactly what aspect or aspects of the season proved to be the tipping point is not clear. Neither Hunter nor his radical defensive realignment looked out of place behind the bench or on the ice. But the travel, the packed schedule, and all the other ancillary duties required of an NHL bench boss take a toll on any man, even those who do need the job. It's no coincidence that Hunter's final press conference as Caps coach was the only one that didn't resemble parental interrogation of a sullen teenager ("How was school, Dale?" "We're battling. We're making hockey plays.").

It's fast become accepted fact among Caps followers that the team needs a coach with Stanley Cup experience to lead them over the last part of the trail. The natural division of opinion has followed in short order. Are you a Craig McTavish guy or a Paul Maurice gal? Does the name Jacques Martin make you go "Ooo, la la?" How about Ron Wilson, Part II? (Not likely, if Bob McKenzie is to be believed.)

If McPhee is willing to wait to get his man, and he is apparently willing to do just that, he could do far worse than placing a call to the New Jersey Devils to ask if Larry Robinson is available. A winner of six Stanley Cups as a player with Montreal, and another as a head coach with New Jersey (jumping on late in the 1999-2000 season in place of the fired Robbie Ftorek), Robinson was once described by his Montreal teammate Ken Dryden as a player with "a game rooted in defense, opportunistic on offense, limited, economic, and dominant." Sound a little too close to Hunter Hockey for your liking? Then you should know that Robinson is no complete stranger to offense, recording 144 points in 227 career playoff games, no small total for a defenseman.

Replacing a coach is a relatively straightforward thing. Replacing someone like Alexander Semin is less so. Semin's two previous one-year deals, the first with a cap hit of $6 million and the second with a cap hit of $6.7 million, had been relatively private dealings done in midseason, with the team's release announcing the agreement the first inkling many outsiders had of any negotiation, much less an agreement.

The decision of Semin's agent to agitate for a free-agent deal in the media almost certainly spells the end for his client in Washington; as the case of Eric Belanger and, most recently, Matthias Sjogren proved, McPhee can be quite cold-blooded when it comes to matters of personnel.

Semin is one of seven free unrestricted free agents set to come off the books July 1. Washington currently has no cap space to speak of, as can be seen here. In addition to Semin's $6.7 million cap hit, we can also safely deduct the $1.5 million hit of Tomas Vokoun, who appeared to cut his own path out of town on Monday as well.

If all seven depart, which is a real possibility (the others, for the record are Mike Knuble, Jeff Halpern, Keith Aucoin, Dennis Wideman, and Dany Sabourin), that plus a few other cap breaks will free up roughly $20 million of cap space, space that McPhee could use, if he so desires and once he's done cursing himself for the Brooks Laich and Joel Ward contracts, to go for at least one marquee free agent this summer.

A prime candidate would be Nashville defenseman Ryan Suter, who would be a clear upgrade over Wideman (and is also two years younger). Other, more cost-friendly options on the back end include Florida's Jason Garrison, Philadelphia's Matt Carle, and Chicago's Johnny Oduya.

The pickings for a potential second-line center, that seemingly perennial hole in the Captals' lineup, are slim. If McPhee really felt frisky (and didn't feel like shipping assets in a trade), he could sign Olli Jokinen (age 33, and late of Calgary) to a short-term deal. The premier offensive free agent this season, New Jersey's Zach Parise, would be the perfect replacement for Semin in the hearts and minds of all Caps fans, but he's played himself into a massive contract this playoff season, one that McPhee would probably not be inclined to give.

All these decisions will have to be made against the uncertain background of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which expires September 15. Negotiations between the NHL and NHLPA have been more or less suspended through the playoffs because the league doesn't want fans distracted by the prospect of a lost season a la 2004-05. The prospect is there, and will be something that George McPhee has to take seriously.

So as McPhee left his office at Kettler on Monday, here was what he was looking down the barrel of: not only the need to bring in a new coach, not only the need to sign better, complementary all-around players, but the very real prospect that not merely one, but two years of the Caps window could close by the time Washington reconvenes for their next season.

Say a prayer, George. You'll need to.

Why Football Will Go On

2012-05-11T17:21:17Z

In spite of bounties, lawsuits, and suicides, football will continue to be played.

After the horrific suicide of Junior Seau, and on the heels of suspensions for New Orleans Saints players and coaches for injury bounties, and in the wake of lawsuits filed against the league by former Redskins heroes Art Monk and Mark Rypien, a debate rages on the future of professional football. Let's make one thing abundantly clear: Football will be fine.

Seau's suicide is very sad. By many accounts, he was a good man and he was certainly a hell of a football player. Statistics also show an increased suicide rate among former NFL players when compared to normal people in the workaday world. The comparison should end there.

Professional football players undoubtedly absorb a number of hits to the head, and preliminary data may link those head shots to depression, dementia, or other ailments inflicted upon the brain. If the data proves true, that is awful. But it still won't kill football.

It is important to remember that the vast majority of people who play football end up with no long-term physical impediments. For every Earl Campbell, there are 1,000 high school football jocks that look back at their time on the gridiron as the best days of their lives. Don't forget that.

Concussions and head trauma are nothing to take lightly. But we also need to consider what it means for NFL players, accustomed to stardom and all of the benefits that brings, to retire.

What happens for players when life goes from private jets, luxury hotels and adoring fans to flying coach, staying at a Marriott and little embrace from an uninterested public?

Riki Ellison played linebacker at USC and later in the NFL, just like Seau. In a heart-wrenching letter to the Los Angeles Times, he addressed as best he could what may have driven Seau to suicide. Concussions were clearly a part of it, he writes, but fading celebrity may have made an impact too.

"As I see it, his loss is the result of sustained concussions to the brain together with the inability to control depression that can easily follow after losing the stardom that comes with the achievement of extraordinary accomplishment and the kind of adrenaline one gets when competing at world-class levels," Ellison wrote.

The NFL needs to do more for retired players. That is certain. The NFL Players Association should do the same. But no matter what happens, players will still play, and fans will still watch.

Certainly, a growing segment of the population - particularly college-educated, two-parent households with young children - will make a grand gesture of forbidding their sons to play football. Like most grand gestures, this will have little impact.

News flash: Those kids don't grow up to play football anyway.

A quick look across the NFL landscape reveals players from inner-cities, rural areas, small towns and everywhere in between.

It also reveals, in some cases, children from poor backgrounds who see football as a way to achieve for their family and kids from football-playing families with such a love for the game that little could stop them from strapping on a helmet and shoulder pads.

Will the game change? Yes. Do violent hits targeting the head need to be cut out of football? Yes. Should equipment manufacturers tweak helmets so they can no longer be used as a weapon? Absolutely.

But let us dismiss the naysayers who predict football's demise.

Risks are inherent in any sport, some more than others. In Europe, a similar crowd questioned the effect of heading the ball in soccer, without any equipment shielding the head from contact. The same discussion goes on in the U.S. You know what? People are going to keep playing soccer too.

Players, coaches, and certainly the folks making money in the NFL league offices need to address head trauma in football, and they need to make changes. But within the confines of the game.

Football is a beloved institution in this country. It's not going anywhere. And if it does, it will be because of ticket prices, ugly fan behavior and a growing disparity within the labor force that will resent the riches of pro athletes.

The white noise suggesting the extinction of football comes from a crowd of apologists, a group that because of the sad stories of a few, wants to eliminate the fun, the tradition, the institution, for many.

If a have a son, and he wants to play, I will encourage him to play football.

Chain Reactions: Skins Waste No Time With RGIII; Can Clutch Caps Do It Again?

2012-05-11T16:50:58Z

This week's Chain Reactions hits on the 'Skins proclaiming RGIII the starter and the two big keys of the Caps Cup run. And yes, we do have a quick thought on those new uniforms, too.

I feel obligated to react to the Redskins' new throwback uniforms. Not because I care at all, but because in looking at my Twitter and Facebook time lines, I see that many of you do.

I have always been more interested in who wears the uniforms than in what they look like. That being said, these throwbacks are fine ... I guess. At least they are actually burgundy and gold. However, I think the helmet is kind of boring. The best feature, though, is the fact that a guy named Robert Griffin III will be wearing one of them when the season starts.

Speaking of which, this week's "Chain Reactions" focuses on Mike Shanahan wasting no time with RGIII and the keys to the Caps' Cup run thus far.

RGIII is QB1

It is not shocking that the Redskins intend to have Robert Griffin III ready to start in Week 1, considering all that they gave up to pick him at No. 2 overall in this year's draft. However, I was shocked Mike Shanahan felt the need to make him No. 1 after just three days of practice at rookie minicamp.

Is this the same coach that wants competition at all positions? The same coach that gives the media next to nothing each week? So why pull the trigger on the announcement this soon?

There are plenty of theories and many come from the overall lack of trust that still exists when it comes to all things Redskins. The first theory falls under the category of conspiracy. Name RGIII starter now and watch the jerseys go flying off the shelves and ticket office phones ring off the hook.

This is a pretty weak theory considering RGIII mania was already off and running, with or without the Shanny proclamation. I was at FedEx Field the day RGIII addressed over 20,000 fans who just wanted a glimpse of the franchise QB. So, firing up the fan base is not a issue. They are beyond fired up.

Next theory: it was done to quash the "controversy" started by the selection of Kirk Cousins in the 4th round. Really? Is it even a "controversy?" Maybe only in Washington, where we get excited about backup quarterbacks, which probably has more to do with all the mediocre starters we have seen over the years. I like Cousins at Michigan State, but in terms of skill set, RGIII is well ahead of him. Plus, there is the investment issue. No "controversy," move along, please.

The final theory is a boring one, yet probably closest to the truth. The off-season is about getting RGIII ready to be the franchise guy, and by making the announcement now you are letting the entire roster know that this is "our guy" and you need to support him. It gives him instant cred with the other players, and they do not have to worry about being asked which quarterback is doing what in camp. RGIII is the guy, which is the way it should be given both the price they paid and his talent.

Certainly Mike and Kyle Shanahan, have fumbled in quarterback selection thus far, between the Donovan McNabb debacle, Rex Grossman, and John Beck. However, any good coach or leader learns from their mistakes, right? Why can't anyone believe that could be going on here with the Redskins? Oh wait, I just answered my own question.

From Chokers to Clutch?

It is probably a good thing we have a two-day break before the big finish to the Capitals/Rangers series, which will wrap up Saturday night with Game 7 at MSG. Or I should say it will start Saturday. If we have learned anything from this series, it's to expect things to be close and score first. The team to score first is 6-0 in the series.

The series, like the one before, has had fans that Rock the Red on the edge of their seats throughout and area cardiologists and bartenders working overtime. The Caps, though, have always found a way to fight back in these playoffs. They seem to be relishing the underdog role, knocking off the Stanley Cup champion Bruins in seven and now having an opportunity to do the same against the top-seeded Rangers.

A Game 7 win Saturday night or, hell, even Sunday morning if needed, would be the biggest win in pro sports in these parts since the Caps made that improbable Cup run in 1998. I can't measure Caps fans' confidence based on sports talk callers or my friends. However, some of the most paranoid Caps fans seem to suddenly believe this group has something special in the works.

The two biggest story lines in my book has beeen the emergence of 22-year old netminder Braden Holtby and Head Coach Dale Hunter. After Tomas Vokun and then Michael Neuvirth went down with injuries, Hunter had no other options. Yet Holtby has looked like a playoff veteran. The young netminder has an amazing ability to let things go and focus on the here and now. He is now 9-0 after losses this season.

Things did not start off so smoothly here in D.C. for Hunter as the team was slow to buy into his defense-first style. Trusted veterans like Mike Knuble and Jeff Halpern found themselves in the doghouse for long stretches this season (They both have come out of it nicely in the postseason, especially Knuble). Hunter also treated his goalies like Steve Spurrier treated quarterbacks, never settling on just one for too long.

Yet something has clicked. And yes, Holtby has made him look good, as has the defense in front of the young netminder, which is all because of Hunter's system. So the Coach should get a fair share of the credit. His demeanor also fits this group well as Brooks Laich points out.

"I can’t [say] enough. He’s been great," Laich continued. "It’s almost like having another veteran in the locker room, is what it feels like. You can draw on his experience [and] he’s willing to open up and share it. He’s been through these battles."

Hunter the player was a rough and tough player who didn't back down to anything or anyone. As I have stated in this space before, he was D.C.'s version of Bill Laimbeer, one of those players opposing fans loved to hate. Yet you loved him because you knew what he meant to the team. He had everyone's back on the ice as a player and he's doing the same thing from behind the bench now.

If the Capitals can finish off the Rangers, Hunter's D.C. hockey legend will only grow, as will the need to make sure he sticks around beyond this run.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Braden Holtby And Dale Hunter Have The Capitals On The Shore Of Uncharted Waters

2012-05-10T17:34:42Z

They weren't here at the start of the season, but Dale Hunter and Braden Holtby will see the Caps through to the end, whenever that is.

As the postgame media scrum around Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby was dispersing Wednesday night following his team's 2-1 victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, a straggling reporter walked quickly up to the 22-year-old and asked him a couple of questions, the last of which was, "Excited for another Game 7?"

The reply came back with a smile, "Can't wait."

Holtby had made 30 saves in Wednesday night's win, his seventh of the playoffs. Earlier, he had admitted that he had felt more comfortable between the pipes than at any point in the series, and by the middle of the third period, the netminder seemed to be flaring his glove on every single save. Holtby says the glove flare is a quirk in his game that he's been trying to eradicate since age 6, but in these playoffs it's very hard not to see it as a sign that he is seeing everything.

Wednesday night, Holtby was helped by a strong defensive performance that limited the Rangers second shot opportunities, kept Holtby's vision clear, and blocked 24 shots just to make life that much easier on the young netminder.

"There's always something good to say about him," said Karl Alzner, who led all Capitals defensemen in ice time, playing 23:13.

Saturday night's Game 7 will match the high-water mark from this group of Capitals, who have never been to the conference finals. If they match their feat against Boston and win a second consecutive Game 7 on the road, they would be in the NHL's final four for the first time since 1998.

If they do get there, they will get there through the efforts of guys like Holtby, Alzner, and Matt Hendricks, who played his finest game of the playoffs Wednesday night. Most notably, Hendricks won 9 of the 16 face-offs he took, the great majority of which came against Rangers superstar Brad Richards.

"Winning face-offs is very important, especially against a skilled guy like that," Hendricks said. "And all the centermen have been doing well; Nicky [Backstrom, who won 10 of 15 face-offs on the night], Brooksie [Laich, who won 8 of 15 on the night]. If you keep the puck out of their hands, it makes it easier."

There was even an Alexander Ovechkin sighting, as the captain took advantage of an untimely stumble by Ryan Callahan and a spot of puck-watching by Dan Girardi to fire an unstoppable shot past Henrik Lundqvist at 1:32 of the first period. Jason Chimera, who has played himself into big-name status this entire season, added a second at 10:59. Washington could have put the game out of reach before Marian Gaborik's consolation goal, but some steller goaltending by Lundqvist (21 saves) managed to keep New York within touching distance.

Everyone knew the effect an early goal would have on the game. Rangers coach John Tortorella will have warned his team to prepare for an early Washington surge. The fact that his team did not deal with it well (Anton Stralman was caught up-ice and tripped Jason Chimera on a break, giving the Caps a power play that led to an Ovechkin goal) was no doubt a part of the reason for Tortorella's especially snippy postgame press conference.

Coach, did you think you got the necessary effort from your team?

"No. No."

What about that four-minute power play in the second period?

"Sucked. It kills you. Sucked."

It seems petulant, but it isn't, really. Tortorella is as smart as any coach in the league. He knows, just as Hunter does, that this series of similar styles has produced similar results. The Rangers could have easily lost Game 3, and should have lost Game 5. The Rangers have home ice for Game 7, but if the Capitals proved anything this playoff year, it is that home ice doesn't matter.

The legacy of disappointment for these Capitals is not worth rehashing. But there are two crucial components that are new to all this. One was an Ontario farmer at the start of this season. The other was in Hershey, and engages in a pregame routine of extreme concentration and visualization. Before Game 6, the routine coincided with a music choice by the Capitals' game entertainment staff that not only matched the intensity of the moment, but the incredulity of this whole playoff run.

"Helter Skelter"

Cole Hamels, Bryce Harper, And Baseball's Kabuki Theater

2012-05-08T16:12:09Z

While Bryce Haper played the Cole Hamels incident cool, the Phillies pitcher earned a five-game suspension for breaking the fourth wall.

Here's what Philadelphia pitcher Cole Hamels said after being asked whether he intentionally hit Nationals rookie outfielder Bryce Harper with a pitch in the first inning of Sunday night's game.

I was trying to hit him. I'm not going to deny it. That's just - you know what, it's something that I grew up watching, that's what happened, so I'm just trying to continue the old baseball - I think some people kind of get away from it. I remember when I was a rookie the strike zone was really, really small and you didn't say anything just because that's the way baseball is. Sometimes the league is protecting certain players and making it not that old-school, prestigious way of baseball.

If Hamels really wanted to be honest with himself, the media, and the fans, here's what he should have said.

Bet your ass I hit him on purpose, and I'd do it again. Why? Because I could, and because I thought it would be fun. Seriously, you hear the way people talk about this kid? Been in the big leagues a week and his manager's already comparing him to Mantle. F--- that s---.

If that makes Hamels seem like a high-functioning sociopath, well, you're not wrong. If you haven't figured out by this point in your sports-watching life that most great athletes, and, in particular, great baseball players have a little of that in them, then I really don't know what to tell you.

The problem with both the real and fictional Hamels quotes above (and what ultimately earned him a five-game suspension from Park Avenue) is that they broke the fourth wall in the great kabuki drama that is the unwritten rules of baseball. Now, just about everything in life has unwritten rules. They're called etiquette. But no walk of life has as many unwritten rules so strenuously enforced as baseball.

Hamels was enthusiastically joined in his walk outside the lines by Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who called him both "chicken[bleep]" and "gutless." The full outburst may or may not have earned Rizzo a private reprimand from MLB, but it's hard to blame him. Just as it's hard to blame Hamels for wanting to send a message to a 19-year-old who's OPS-ing .924 against big-league pitching and whose team had taken the first two of three in a series that was increasingly looking like a passing of the torch in the National League East, Rizzo's horrified reaction at the sight of his prize position player prospect taking one in the kidneys is perfectly understandable

The young man at the center of all this, Mr. Harper, played his part with admirable coolness, saying:

"He's a great guy, great pitcher and knows how to pitch. He's an All-Star. It's all good."

Harper knows that there are other forces at work here. This as as much about a GM who has been under pressure to shake a moribund baseball town awake and a staff ace who had watched his team's grave get danced on for the previous two days as anything else.

The question of whether this will force some sort of larger action on Major League Baseball's part is hardly worth considering. This is certainly not the first time a pitcher has hit a batter deliberately, and it definitely won't be the last. Anyone who quickly flipped the schedule calender over to see when Hamels might pitch against Washington next (by our reckoning, he'll take the mound again on May 23 at Citizens Bank Park), or has even participated in the communal "OOOOO" followed by the rising, inarticulate sound of anticipation knows that this sort of thing captures the imagination of fans almost as much as a perfect game or game-winning home run.

No, it doesn't make perfect sense. But if you haven't figured out by now that very little about baseball makes perfect sense, then you've got a lot of catching up to do.

Robert Griffin III's Smarts, Charisma Winning Over The Washington Redskins Already

2012-05-07T16:50:52Z

As impressive as Griffin's physical traits are, those alone aren't the reason why the Redskins are over the moon.

ASHBURN, Va. - Ten days after the Washington Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III, it was finally time to see what the rookie quarterback could do.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick practiced for the first time in front of the assembled media Sunday morning, as the team concluded its weekend-long rookie minicamp. Over 50 credentialed members of the media came to catch a glimpse of the player the Redskins believe could change their fortunes for years to come.

Under an overcast sky, all eyes were on Griffin, who donned a gold Redskins practice jersey with his familiar ‘Griffin III' nameplate and jersey number 10 on the back. He consistently displayed superb arm strength, accuracy, and footwork while running a stripped-down version of the Redskins offense in 7-on-7 drills.

As impressive as Griffin's physical traits are, those alone aren't the reason why the Redskins are over the moon since his drafting. His charisma, intelligence, and ability to quickly grasp Shanahan's playbook has seemed to already wow everyone from the coaching staff to his fellow rookies.

Put all of that together and it's no wonder why head coach Mike Shanahan didn't waste any time declaring him the team's starting quarterback.

"He's the starter," the coach proclaimed after practice. "Period."

"He's ahead [of schedule]," he said later. "Very few people can take as much verbiage [from the playbook]. Robert was able to pick it up very quickly and it showed on the field."

Shanahan also raved about Griffin's ability to run the offense without a bust in formations or a play call this early in camp. "I don't think I've ever had that in any minicamp that I've been involved with," he said.

Griffin, though, downplayed his knowledge of the long verbiage that is usually associated with a West Coast offense playbook.

"Actually, the verbiage is a lot easier than you think," Griffin said. "I'm not saying anybody can go out and do it, but it's different when you look at 14 words on a piece of paper and you have no idea what those 14 words mean. So when you get in the playbook and you get in the film room with the coaches once you actually know what that means, it comes to you a lot easier to where if you forget the back half of the play you know it in your head just because you've gone over it so many times in the film room."

Many of Griffin's intangibles that draft experts lauded him for have already seemed to show themselves early, one of the many reasons why he's been a huge hit so far with the Redskins.

On Sunday, Griffin was his usual, jovial self, cracking jokes to media and teammates alike. He joked with reporters that he ate a burrito with backup Kirk Cousins, but that it "wasn't the same burrito - just to clear that up."

Coming off the practice field, Griffin walked just behind one of his fellow rookies, third round center/guard Josh LeRibeus, and greeted him with a high-pitched "LeRibeus!" and a laugh. LeRibeus turned around and returned the favor with a cackle.

"He's a great guy," LeRibeus said of his new quarterback. "Feels like he came in and he already knew the damn playbook...His throws are beautiful and I love snapping to him. At that very first day of practice, he came in and was throwing. It just looked like he was hitting all the receivers. Even if he didn't know all the plays, he pulled it off great."

His rookie teammates also cited his humble and hard working nature as a reason why he's been able to earn respect early in mini-camp.

"[He's a] real humble, real cool, down to earth type of guy," added sixth round running back Alfred Morris. "[With him] getting all the publicity and all the stuff that he does get, you wouldn't think a guy like that would stay the way he is. He's still humble, and he's still down to earth. I'm glad I got the chance to meet him."

Now that he's won over his coaches and rookie teammates, now it's time for Griffin to win over the veterans. He'll get that chance next week when Griffin returns to Redskins Park for OTAs.

"I can't come in flamboyantly, and I don't plan to do that," Griffin said. "[I have to] come in and earn the guys respect. Even if they say you've already got it, you've still got to go out and earn it."

Nationals And Phillies Epic Takes On New Meaning

2012-05-04T18:55:50Z

If the Nationals need a "statement series," this weekend's first meeting with the Phillies at Nationals Park is it.

It is no secret that the Washington Nationals have offensive problems. Their inability to get runs across the plate brings back memories of 2011, and why not? Aside from the rookie call-ups and plug-ins due to injuries, it is basically the same line up as 2011. The definition of "madness" is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results, a mindset that General Manager Mike Rizzo seems more than happy to subscribe to.

As a result, the Nationals got Clubber Lang'd by the L.A. Dodgers in a sweep and they luckily, barely, Bryce Harper-ly avoided the venomous bite of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The fans, thankfully, didn't have to suck out the poison after that series. Remarkably, the Nationals have maintained their grasp on the top spot of the NL East through it all, but it is unfortunate that these offensive revelations (although they have been fortold for awhile now) come right on the cusp of one of the more important home series they have played since the team relocated to D.C. in 2005.

At first glance, the first meeting between the Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies in 2012 seems rather lackluster and pointless. They are two NL East rivals going in opposite directions: the Nationals are a team on the rise with its youth movement while the Phillies are on the decline as they watch their once reliable stars become fallible and their game become as shaky as Chase Utley's knees. They both start a series at Nationals Park on Friday night without some of their powerhouse players due to injuries. The Nationals lead the division while the Phillies sit in fourth. If it still wasn't so early in the season, I would compare this contest to Darth Maul fighting Jar-Jar Binks.

As a Nationals fan, it would be almost too easy to get cocky. It is strange saying that finally after so many seasons of having to endure abuse and embarrassment in the stands and standings at the hands of Philadelphia and their troupe of traveling degenerates. Yes, it would be more than easy to be sucked into the whole "Take Back The Park" thing and believe the team did everything in its power to prevent Phillies fans from buying tickets to "invade" Nationals Park. I might be the only one, but I find the whole gimmick sort of embarrassing. Yeah, it got the team's name in a bunch of papers and made COO Andy Feffer into even a bigger cartoon character than he already is, but come on-- is this how Major League teams act? Someone is making money off this farce and you have to tip the hat to the guy who concocted such a simple, but evil scheme. Will there be a lot of Phillies fans in attendance this series? I am willing to bet yes. This is America. If you have the time, the drive and the money you can do anything. If Phiilies fans want to be in D.C. spending their money, that is what they are going to do.

For the Nationals, the series this weekend against their dreaded rivals is more than trivial attendance numbers, hordes of disrespectful visitors trampling flower beds and the ridiculous debate on "whose" park it is (Look at the name on the outside of the building for the answer. End of story.) It isn't about staying in first place or gunning for the playoffs. If this weekend should mean anything to the Nationals, it should be about kicking sand in the Phillies face and beating them to dust over nine innings.

This weekend should be about making a statement on the field.

Make no mistake: just because the Phillies are without Utley and Ryan Howard does not make them any less formidable. Fourth place this early in the season means nothing. Philadelphia is still the team to beat in the NL East and if by some nightmarish chance Philly can leave D.C. with a three game sweep-- POOF. There goes that 3.5 game lead and first in the division. The Phillies have cherished a dominating record over the Nats the past few seasons and have no doubt they will be coming in with the confidence (overconfidence?) of knowing they can pound Washington into the ground.

The Nationals will not be pushovers however. They come into Friday's game with one of the youngest, hottest and hardest-throwing rotations in MLB and will pit them against the veteran Phillies rotation that has had more than its share of weak points this season. Even with injuries to Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Morse and Adam LaRoche, the Nationals line-up is the strongest it has been in years and it is being led by a hot rookie named Bryce Harper whose competitive nature must be dying to dig in and duke it out with the East's finest.

The Nats have said they have changed the culture of baseball in Washington and are ready to stake their claim in the NL East. I can think of no better opportunity or a better team to prove it against. So forget about the Dodgers. Forget about the attendance and who is or who is not there. Pay attention to what is going on on the field. The tides of the NL East will be changed by the end of the weekend.

Let's just hope the offense doesn't leave the team on the beach.

Chain Reactions: Why The Caps Cup is Half Full; Plus, The Great Cousins Controversy

2012-05-04T15:51:33Z

This week's Chain Reactions: Harper's a home run in D.C., the Caps Cup chances are still half full, and the Redskins once again give us something to talk about.

In sports, we tend to over-hype stuff all the time. That is why it is so satisfying when an athlete lives up to the hype, like Bryce Harper is. We heard plenty about him before he ever left high school. Now, the former SI cover boy is getting it done in the big leagues.

His manager has uttered the name "Mantle" in breaking down his batting practice at-bats. His teammates say there is no reason for another stint in AAA and he is producing in the field, on the base paths, and at the plate with a .375 average and a .625 slugging percentage. He even had the game winning RBI in Thursday night's win over Arizona.

The only person that has tapped the brakes since his call up is the big boss, GM MIke Rizzo. But so far, the kid has made the front office executive seem silly for even talking about him ever taking another at bat in Syracuse. The only negative may be that haircut.

In this week's edition of Chain Reactions, we hit on the Caps' cup run and the 'Skins' somewhat surprising 4th round selection.

Caps Hope for Cup Half Full

The Caps head into Saturday afternoon's Game 4 trying to get past the hangover effect of the excruciating Game 3 loss to the New York Rangers in 3 overtimes. The Caps had plenty of chances to win it, yet whiffed at their opportunities. Still, despite yet another bad experience in the postseason in extended overtime there should be no "here we go again" angst over the Caps.

In case you are not a history buff, here's a quick lesson, the Caps never win these marathon overtime games in the playoffs. That does not matter as the team heads into Game 4. This team is gritty and has proved mentally tough under Dale Hunter. That still does not guarantee anything as they try to even things up on Saturday. However, if we have learned anything since these playoffs started, it's this: Washington tends to play well coming off losses.

The Caps are also playing playoff hockey. Blocking shots, hitting, playing responsbile defense, and getting strong play between the pipes from youngster Braden Holtby. So while some fans may want to cry the sky is falling again, the Caps players look forward.

"You can't dwell on it," said Troy Brouwer, who misfired from point blank minutes into the first overtime. "We played a real good game tonight, I thought, holding them to one goal for almost two full hockey games. If we continue playing like we did tonight, creating offense, blocking shots, playing good, patient hockey, we'll be successful."

Game 3 was a fun game to watch if you could step away from the roller coaster of emotions. Outcome aside, you could not hate the effort, which was something you could do in years past. Expect the Caps to bring it again on Saturday and make it a best of 3.

Cousins Controversy?

This year's NFL Draft may go down as the most boring ever. Everyone knew the first two picks before the draft started and the most talked-about moment was the Redskins selection of Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins in the fourth round. Days after the draft, ESPN talking heads and sports talk show hosts were still talking about the move by Mike Shanahan.

I'm no Mel McShay or Todd Kiper, but I was not outraged by the selection like so many others seemed to be. Going into the draft, I thought the Skins would take another young quarterback. I never thought they would do it in round 4. However, by that time it was slim pickings at the position. As a matter of fact, after the 'Skins took Cousins in the 4th round with the102nd pick in the draft, the next QB was not taken until round 6 (San Diego State's Ryan Lindley with the 185th pick) . So clearly, there was a big drop off after Cousins.

I understand why some fans and media are questioning it. The Redskins had bigger needs at the time of the selection, like at cornerback and offensive line, and Kirk Cousins is unlikely to help you next season. He could help down the road, either on the field or in a trade, but that's down the road. The Redskins too often have passed on the long-term plan and settled for the here and now. That is not the case with this move. Shanahan may not even be here if the Skins don't win in the next two seasons. Yet he still took a young quarterback to be a backup or potential trade commodity down the road.

I think it is ridiculous to argue that this pick somehow undermines RGIII. If that is the case, the Redskins are beyond screwed, because they gave up the farm for a guy that can't handle competition. And RGIII hardly comes off as a guy that will wilt under the pressure of a little competition.

Plus, the Skins need a backup. The sooner they can wash their hands of the Rex Beck era, the better. They have half of that mission accomplished already. I had the opportunity to talk to Cousins shortly after he was picked and he admitted he was "shocked" the Skins selected him. By all accounts, Cousins, in addition to having talent, is not a trouble maker.He's an A plus character, a leader, who will do anything to help the team. You honestly can not have enough of those guys on your roster.

I know many Redskin fans that are still conditioned to expect the worst from the franchise. However, do you think Mike Shanahan would give up the freight he gave up for RGIII only to intentionally ruin him? That makes no sense at all. The coach's long-term future depends on RGIII being the real deal. Expect him to throw everything, including the kitchen sink toward make that happen.