SB Nation DC: All Posts by Martin Shatzerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2012-03-13T08:00:46-04:00https://dc.sbnation.com/authors/martin-shatzer/rss2012-03-13T08:00:46-04:002012-03-13T08:00:46-04:00NFL Salary Cap Ruling Against Redskins Creates Many Questions
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<p>Who deserves the blame for Monday's ruling? Can we just make Albert Haynesworth pay it? We'll address these questions and more as we dig deeper into the Redskins' supposed violation of the NFL salary cap.</p> <p>Just when things were looking up here in D.C., the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Redskins</a> will be at a disadvantage once again this coming season. <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2012/3/12/2865812/nfl-releases-statement-on-redskins-and-cowboys-punishment/in/2443550">In a cryptic statement Monday</a>, the NFL announced that a small number of teams upset the competitive balance of the league with the way that they structured player contracts in 2010, the uncapped season that preceeded the lockout. Although the collective bargaining agreement that was in place during that season did not prohibit teams from restructuring contracts, the teams were warned against doing so. The only good news in all this for Redskins fans is that the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Cowboys</a> will have to suffer as well.</p>
<p>The NFL's statement created far more questions than answers. Let's take a look at some of the questions that we should all be asking of this new, less-documented version of the NFL.</p>
<p><b>Why are the Redskins being punished?</b></p>
<p>Because they moved significant amounts of money from the back to the front of the contracts given to <span>Albert Haynesworth</span> and DeAngelo Hall. This would have enabled the Redskins to have more cap space in the future. If not for the contract change, the Redskins would still be paying Haynesworth this year.</p>
<p><b>Since most of the salary cap hit is due to Haynesworth's contract, shouldn't he have to give the money back?</b></p>
<p>Yes! That's the greatest idea I've heard in a long time! Seriously though, we can't blame Haynesworth.</p>
<p><b>Who should we blame then?</b></p>
<p>First, Roger Goodell for not making the rules more clear. Then, the other NFL owners and the player's union for agreeing to this settlement. But Bruce Allen shouldn't escape the blame, either. Allen was in charge of restructuring the contracts, and he did so in a way that was specifically warned against (though not specifically legislated against) by the league. He took a gamble and he lost. In any other organization, in any other industry, executives get fired for losing $36 Million. Allen could be in trouble.</p>
<p><b>But don't teams do stuff like this all the time?</b></p>
<p>Well, sort of. On a regular basis, NFL teams have the ability to structure their player contracts in many different ways. Most teams choose to spread out the money of big contracts over multiple years to minimize the cap hit each year. Other times, player contracts will be back-loaded so as to minimize the cap hit early in the contract. This gives the team the flexibility to restructure the deal later if it suits them, and also gives an incentive to the player. In some rare cases though, such as when a team has extra cap space, contracts can be front-loaded, with the majority of the amount paid early in the term. That's what the Redskins did with Haynesworth and Hall in 2010. All contracts are submitted to the league for approval.</p>
<p><b>So if the NFL has the ability to disapprove of a contract, why didn't they reject the Haynesworth restructuring?</b></p>
<p>That's hard to say. If you asked Goodell, he'd probably just shrug his shoulders and mutter "competitive balance."</p>
<p><b>Are the Redskins and Cowboys the only teams that broke the rules?</b></p>
<p>Well first of all, there weren't any rules to break. But the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a> and <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Saints</a> are also apparently being somewhat penalized because they're not receiving the $1.6 Million salary cap bonus that the other 28 teams in the league are receiving from these penalties</p>
<p>So it stands to reason that the Redskins moved $36 million in bonus money into 2010, the Cowboys moved $10 million, and Raiders and Saints each moved $1.6 million. Therefore, they essentially are receiving a $1.6 million penalty compared to the rest of the league. And no other teams restructured player contracts in 2010 to move money into the uncapped year. And I guess no other team restructured player contracts in 2010 to move some money to a future year, because then that team should expect to receive more than $1.6 million.</p>
<p>Actually, I doubt any of the above is true.</p>
<p>There had to be other teams that broke some unwritten rule in some way. How could there not have been any other front-loaded contracts written that year? The Redskins and Cowboys may have been the most egregious examples, though.</p>
<p><b>Are the Redskins supposed to just accept this ruling and move on?</b></p>
<p>Ha! This is the Redskins we're talking about. Dan Snyder has sued many, many people for far, far less important things. No, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2012/3/12/2866194/bruce-allen-redskins-have-not-been-informed-of-salary-cap-penalty/in/2443550">they're going to fight it</a>.</p>
<p><b>Will they file an appeal then?</b></p>
<p>It's not entirely clear at this point that the Redskins have any ability to appeal the ruling. The ruling itself is unprecedented, so there aren't formally established procedures for appealing it. If the league doesn't allow for an appeal and doesn't allow for the Redskins to plead their case, we might even see a lawsuit.</p>
<p><b>Would "Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones v. the National Football League" be the weirdest name for a lawsuit of all time?</b></p>
<p>Why yes. Yes it certainly would.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2012/3/13/2866436/nfl-salary-cap-ruling-against-redskins-cowboys-dan-snyderMartin Shatzer2011-12-13T09:19:58-05:002011-12-13T09:19:58-05:00The End Of The Washington Redskins' Season: Testing The Myth Of The Carryover Win
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<img alt="LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 11: London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a sack against the New York Giants season-opening game at FedEx Field on September 11, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5SpmnHkoBknP-9XTeAbDWd1Vq5Q=/0x34:946x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4019869/124723130.jpg" />
<figcaption>LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 11: London Fletcher #59 of the Washington Redskins celebrates after a sack against the New York Giants season-opening game at FedEx Field on September 11, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Does the momentum generated from late-season wins actually carry over into the following season? Or would the Redskins be better suited to just tank the rest of 2011 in hopes of improving their draft stock? We did some research to find out.</p> <p>For some strange reason, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Redskins</a> beat the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a> in the opening game of the 2011 season.</p>
<p>If you were to survey 100 football fans - Family Feud style - to inquire about the main reason how the Redskins managed to beat the team that is now leading the NFC East, you might receive the following answers, in roughly the most popular order:</p>
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<li>Because the Giants had suffered a ton of injuries to key defensive players during the preseason</li>
<li>Because the Redskins had far fewer injuries</li>
<li>Because the Redskins got lucky</li>
<li>Because Rex Grossman had his best game of the season</li>
<li>Because Ryan Kerrigan is a freakin' beast</li>
<li>Because the NFC East is perennially overrated and no team is truly better than the next</li>
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<p>Hey wait. There's one supposedly possible reason that was left off the list. The carryover win.</p>
<p>After the Redskins beat the Giants in Week 1, no one was claiming that the momentum resulting from the Redskins' win over the <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> in Week 16 last year had anything to do with it. And yet hundreds of Redskins fans are currently clamoring that the team needs to win as many of its remaining games as possible in order to have momentum heading into next season.</p>
<p>The carryover win is a complete farce, right? It's something that teams will use to justify the fight for wins at the end of a lost season. By definition, the carryover win is something that only losers root for.</p>
<p>But does the carryover win actually exist? To put the theory to the test, let's take a look at the teams that missed the playoffs in 2010, but still won the final week of the season. That list is the following teams: the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Raiders</a>, <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Detroit Lions</a>, <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>, <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a>, <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Cowboys</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers" class="sbn-auto-link">San Diego Chargers</a>, and <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">San Francisco 49ers</a>. Hmm... That's actually a pretty good list. Five out of seven of those teams are above .500. All but the Bucs are still in playoff contention.</p>
<p>Looking at the other side of the coin, you see exactly what you might expect. Of the 10 teams that missed the playoffs in 2010 and also lost in Week 17, only one team has a winning record: the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Bengals</a>.</p>
<p>So this carryover win thing ... Maybe there's actually something to it. Maybe, rather than tanking the rest of the season (or use the rest of the season to "evaluate" the bottom half of the roster), the Redskins should be looking to do everything they can to win out. Maybe the surest path towards future success isn't drafting a quarterback fourth overall. Maybe its actually gaining momentum, playing as a team, and learning what it feels like to win.</p>
<p>The Redskins meet the Giants again this Sunday, but this time the teams are going in complete opposite directions. The Giants are fresh off a thrilling comeback win over Dallas in Cowboy Stadium on Sunday night, while the Redskins fell in exciting fashion to the <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Patriots</a> for their eighth loss in nine games. Watching the Redskins lose close games to good teams is just fine for some. It improves Washington’s draft position, while still providing plenty of viewing entertainment.</p>
<p>But instead of rooting for close losses while salivating at the possibility of drafting Robert Griffin III or Matt Barkley on #042612, recent history shows that Redskins fans should still be rooting for their team to rack up a few meaningless late-season wins. The carryover win is for real.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/12/13/2632134/washington-redskins-2011-season-carryover-winMartin Shatzer2011-11-29T08:36:59-05:002011-11-29T08:36:59-05:00Reasons For Washington Redskins Fans To Be Optimisitc About 2012 Season
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<img alt="SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 27: Roy Helu #29 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against Raheem Brock #98 of the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, 2011 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eJL6CBfilu1LPGUWs_EB262CxIU=/0x18:996x682/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4859062/134182648.jpg" />
<figcaption>SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 27: Roy Helu #29 of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against Raheem Brock #98 of the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, 2011 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Washington Redskins have shown lots of improvement the past two weeks. If that continues, we could be looking at the early stages of a 2012 playoff run.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> looked like a real professional football team in their 23-17 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> on Sunday afternoon, catching many of us by surprise. The team that showed up in Seattle was somehow different from the Redskins team that had lost its previous six games. They were clearly motivated, and I don't think the motivation was due only to the pushing and shoving that preceded the opening coin toss.</p>
<p>They were motivated because they were playing for their jobs. And because these players, unlike many of their fans, still want to win as many games as possible. They played on Sunday like they had something to prove, and perhaps they were right. Perhaps they proved it.</p>
<p>We're not going to get ahead of ourselves though. Beating a four-win team is certainly not a predictor of any future results, especially not when the Redskins have upcoming games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>. Those are three potential playoff teams. And the Redskins are not a playoff team. At least not this year.</p>
<p>What we saw from the Redskins on Sunday though was a hint that that may be changing soon. These Washington Redskins might be a playoff team before you know it.</p>
<p>Mike Shanahan's record as head coach of the Redskins might be far closer to disappointing than impressive, but the team has shown significant improvements at times, in several different areas. The defense has gone from being ranked 31st overall a year ago to 11th now. They're giving up only 20.2 points per game, and as the team completes its shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4, they're only going to get better. The Redskins have successfully introduced <span>Barry Cofield</span> and <span>Stephen Bowen</span></p>
<p>Jenkins may not have played a single down this season due to his preseason injury, but his selection in the 2011 NFL Draft is already seen as nearly a success. Getting Jenkins back in training camp next season will be like having an extra second round pick.</p>
<p>But Jenkins isn't the only rookie who will be a big part of Shanahan's plans going forward. <span>Ryan Kerrigan</span> leads the team with four forced fumbles, and is tied with <span>Brian Orakpo</span> for the team lead in sacks with six. Oh yeah, and of course an interception for a touchdown. Kerrigan is going to be a star. And so too maybe is <span>Roy Helu</span>, who has looked to be by far Washington's best running back of the three that have earned starts at one point this season. Helu will be the unquestioned starter for the near future, a position that he's rightfully earned.</p>
<p>By this time next year, the Redskins will be in playoff contention. Led by Helu and whoever Shanahan decides to draft to fill the quarterback position in 2012, the offense will continue improving in addition to the defense. By this time next year, they could be closer to the league's elite than the league's worst.</p>
<p>By this time next year, that six-game losing streak will seem like a distant memory; something we can all look back at and laugh.</p>
<p>And the division just might be swinging in the Redskins' favor. By this time next year, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> and their head coach Judd Harbaugh (Jim and Jeff's lesser-known cousin) will be the ones scouting out potential first round quarterbacks in the following year's draft as their $100 Million experiment known as <span>Michael Vick</span> continues to look like a failure.</p>
<p>Football has no guarantees, obviously. Plenty could go wrong for the Redskins in the next 12 months. But it's important to note that we could be staring at the light and the end of the tunnel for this team. If the improvements continue, we could be seeing the very very earliest early stages of a 2012 playoff run.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Redskins, please visit <a target="blank" href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a>, SB Nation's Redskins blog. For more on the <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/seattle-seahawks">Seahawks</a>, please visit <b><a target="_blank" href="http://seattle.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Seattle</a> </b>and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fieldgulls.com/"><b>Field Gulls</b></a>, SB Nation's Seahawks blog. For coverage of Sunday's Redskins/Seahawks matchup, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/2011/11/23/2583807/redskins-vs-seahawks-washington-travels-to-seattle-looking-to-end">please visit this StoryStream</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/11/29/2591202/washington-redskins-fans-2012-seattle-seahawksMartin Shatzer2011-11-23T08:01:25-05:002011-11-23T08:01:25-05:00Washington Redskins Fans Just Can't Wait For #042612
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<img alt="WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Robert Griffin III #10 of the Baylor Bears celebrates a 96 yard touchdown pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GWBbbTUA5TaLAsJSG_dH5EM_qhY=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4778230/133531651.jpg" />
<figcaption>WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Robert Griffin III #10 of the Baylor Bears celebrates a 96 yard touchdown pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Floyd Casey Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>No matter which quarterback the Redskins select in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the franchise may never be the same again. So we might as well look forward to April 26, 2012.</p> <p>Sunday November 20, 2011 could not have possibly gone much better for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> won. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> won. And the Redskins lost in very entertaining fashion while looking to be a much improved team from what we had seen the previous several weeks. The Redskins actually looked like a quality team while still managing to maintain their draft position. Perfect.</p>
<p>The only thing that could have gone better on Sunday would be if <span>Peyton Manning</span> (or Johnny Unitas for that matter) miraculously returned to the field for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> and guided them to their first of six consecutive wins.</p>
<p>The Redskins lost to their biggest rivals in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>, and for once, that's okay. For once, losing to the Cowboys was in Washington's best interest. I'm not going to say I was rooting for the Cowboys, but the end result was exactly what we expected going in, and it wasn't disappointing. It was actually downright enjoyable.</p>
<p>So how does one manage to detach oneself emotionally from a team that one has supported since birth? It’s easier than it sounds really. When I watch a Redskins game now, I just pretend that I’m watching a fairly entertaining television program. Some weeks are more entertaining than others, of course. And I’m interested in the outcome, but I’m not specifically rooting for any certain outcome. Just like I could be entertained by watching Lost without stressing over whether Kate will wind up with the reluctant leader doctor or the bad boy redneck who uses a certain cliché as a crutch, I can also watch the Redskins without stressing about who will win and who will lose.</p>
<p>We don't stress about the Redskins because for the first time in 20 years, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light shines brightly with the promise that the Redskins will soon be in position to select the second best quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft. It shines on the hope that either <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78123/matt-barkley">Matt Barkley</a> of USC, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> of Oklahoma, or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35519/robert-griffin-iii">Robert Griffin III</a> of Baylor will soon be the franchise quarterback this team has been so sorely lacking.</p>
<p>The light shines directly on the date April 26, 2012.</p>
<p>And so we're introducing <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/%23042612">#042612</a>. It's not just a hashtag. It's a movement. It's a lifestyle. It means that our years of despair may soon be over. It means that the quarterback that will lead the Redskins to their next Super Bowl will soon be on the roster. It's something I think about every single day.</p>
<p>It also means that there will immediately be a new and highly marketable face of the Washington sports scene. Step aside Alex Ovechkin. Move over Stephen Strasburg. A new star will be born on #042612. It might be the most important day in this franchise's history.</p>
<p>Of course there are no guarantees that any quarterback taken highly in the first round will turn into an elite player. Barkley could just be a younger <span>Matt Leinart</span>. Jones' NFL career might not last much longer than <span class="sbn-auto-link">Jason White's</span>. But in the supposedly best quarterback class in a decade, the chances increase that Washington might get a future Pro Bowler.</p>
<p>And the Redskins shouldn’t feel like they are settling for Barkley, Jones, or Griffin after missing out on Andrew Luck. Each one of these quarterbacks is a great prospect who might have easily gone first overall if Luck had entered the draft in 2011 instead of 2012. This isn’t like choosing between <span>Blaine Gabbert</span> or <span>Jake Locker</span> as the second best quarterback in the draft. This is like choosing between <span>Drew Brees</span> and Phillip Rivers.</p>
<p>Or at least we hope it is.</p>
<p>We'll find out soon enough. We'll find out on #042612. I can't wait.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/11/23/2581912/nfl-draft-2012-washington-redskinsMartin Shatzer2011-11-21T22:30:44-05:002011-11-21T22:30:44-05:00Santino Quaranta Tops List Of Players Left Exposed By D.C. United For MLS Expansion Draft
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<p>With the 11-man protection list finalized for each MLS team, the Montreal Impact is left with a wide array of talented players to choose from on Wednesday in the 2011 MLS expansion draft. They'll be able to assemble their roster for their first MLS season by selecting 10 players from across the league.</p>
<p>There were some surprises on the list of players left exposed by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/dc-united">DC United</a> for the draft. The list was revealed today and includes veteran leader <span>Santino Quaranta</span>. The midfielder was drafted by United in 2001 and after journeying to a few other MLS clubs, returned to D.C. in 2008 and set career highs in minutes, games, and goals. Since then, Quaranta has seen his playing time decrease as <span>Chris Pontius</span> and <span>Andy Najar</span> have emerged as two of the top wingers in the league, and has evidently been deemed expendable by head coach Ben Olsen. Still, Quaranta was a valuable contributor off the bench for United in 2011, and could be an attractive commodity for the Impact to select in the expansion draft.</p>
<p>United's exposed list for the expansion draft also includes <span>Brandon Barklage</span>, <span>Branko Boskovic</span>, <span>Blake Brettschneider</span>, <span>Marc Burch</span>, <span>Steve Cronin</span>, <span>Austin da Luz</span>, <span>Stephen King</span>, <span>Devon McTavish</span>, <span>Kurt Morsink</span>, <span>Joseph Ngwenya</span>, and <span>Jed Zayner</span>. As young inexpensive players with plenty of potential, rookie forward Brettschneider and midfielders King and da Luz could each be targets for the Impact.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/11/21/2579586/dc-united-santino-quaranta-mls-expansion-draft-2011Martin Shatzer2011-11-21T22:18:39-05:002011-11-21T22:18:39-05:00D.C. United Protects 11 Players From Montreal Impact Ahead Of 2011 MLS Expansion Draft
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<p>The 2011 MLS Expansion Draft is this Wednesday as the league welcomes the Montreal Impact for the 2012 season. The Impact will begin to assemble its roster by selecting 10 players from MLS teams. But today, each MLS team released its list of 11 players that it will be able to protect from the draft.</p>
<p>The protection list for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/dc-united">D.C. United</a> includes a mix of stars and role players who were of high-value to the team this past season. United didn't hesitate in protecting 2011 MLS MVP <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>, along with proven starters <span>Chris Pontius</span>, <span>Perry Kitchen</span>, <span>Dejan Jakovic</span>, <span>Brandon McDonald</span>, <span>Clyde Simms</span>, and <span>Josh Wolff</span>. United also elected to protect young players <span>Daniel Woolard</span>, <span>Chris Korb</span>, and <span>Joe Willis</span>, while also securing the rights to <span>Charlie Davies</span> by protecting him despite the fact that he might leave the league this offseason.</p>
<p>Young players <span>Andy Najar</span>, <span>Bill Hamid</span>, <span>Ethan White</span>, and <span>Conor Shanosky</span> are also automatically protected due to their homegrown status.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/11/21/2579523/dc-united-protection-list-charlie-davies-mls-expansion-draftMartin Shatzer2011-11-21T21:49:30-05:002011-11-21T21:49:30-05:00D.C. United Protects 11 Players Ahead Of 2011 MLS Expansion Draft
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<img alt="WASHINGTON DC - OCTOBER 23: Santino Quaranta #25 of D.C. United takes the ball away from Julian de Guzman #6 of Toronto FC at RFK Stadium on October 23 2010 in Washington DC. Toronto defeated DC 3-2. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/out7EtnPuGcC0TwgqfRpxNx3Ovs=/0x0:599x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1354933/GYI0062169371.jpg" />
<figcaption>WASHINGTON DC - OCTOBER 23: Santino Quaranta #25 of D.C. United takes the ball away from Julian de Guzman #6 of Toronto FC at RFK Stadium on October 23 2010 in Washington DC. Toronto defeated DC 3-2. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The list of players left exposed by D.C. United ahead of the MLS Expansion Draft includes a few surprises.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/dc-united/2011/11/21/2579514/dc-united-protection-list-mls-expansion-draftMartin Shatzer2011-11-20T18:57:12-05:002011-11-20T18:57:12-05:002011 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament: Casey Townsend Scores Hat Trick As No. 5 Maryland Terrapins Defeat West Virginia
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<figcaption>COLLEGE PARK, MD - SEPTEMBER 05: Maryland Terrapins fans cheer before the start of the Terrapins game against the Miami Hurricanes at Byrd Stadium on September 5, 2011 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Maryland Terrapins Men's Soccer Team continues their quest to return to the NCAA Tournament Final with a win over West Virginia today in College Park. </p> <p>Since 2002, the Maryland Terrapins have reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament every single year. With a 1-0 lead at halftime in College Park over the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Terrapins are well on their way to continuing that streak.</p>
<p>The Terrapins' Men's Soccer team has seen plenty of success in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. They fell to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Tournament Final in 2008, and won it all in 2005. That 2005 team included plenty familiar names to MLS fans. <span>Stephen King</span> and <span>Marc Burch</span> were each key contributors for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/dc-united">DC United</a> this season, while defender AJ DeLaGarza will be featured for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/mls/teams/los-angeles-galaxy">Los Angeles Galaxy</a> in the MLS Cup Final tonight.</p>
<p>Several players on this Terrapins team could be on to bigger things as well at the next level. Senior forward Casey Townsend is one of them. He scored a hat trick for the Terrapins, and could be on his way to an early first round selection in the 2012 MLS Draft.</p>
<p>Maryland took the lead in the first half of today's match with a clean finish from Townsend, the target forward who has scored 13 goals for the Terrapins this season. Townsend was fortunate to collect the ball after West Virginia goalkeeper Pat Eavenson failed to secure it. The goal came in the 20th minute, and the rout would be on in College Park.</p>
<p>Townsend added his second goal just after halftime. On a quick counterattack, sophomore midfielder Sunny Jane sent a low cross in from the right wing. Townsend beat Eavenson to the ball and struck it strongly underneath the diving goalkeeper. Jane would come through again just a minute later with a cross just a long the goalline, finding Jordan Cyrus at the back post. Cyrus made no mistake about it with a simple kick into the back of the net to increase the lead to 3-0.</p>
<p>Townsend found himself in alone behind the Mountaineers defense once again with 14 minutes left in the game. With the goalkeeper sprinting towards him, Townsend cheekily chipped the ball over Eavenson and into the net.</p>
<p>With the win, the Terrapins move on to the NCAA Tournament round of 16. They'll be kicking off again next Sunday at Ludwig Field in College Park against the winner of tonight's match between the No. 12 Louisville Cardinals and the Bradley Bulldogs.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/11/20/2576390/2011-ncaa-tournament-maryland-terrapins-soccer-westMartin Shatzer2011-11-19T16:44:40-05:002011-11-19T16:44:40-05:00Oklahoma Vs. Baylor: A.K.A. The 2012 Redskins Starting Quartback Bowl!
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> continue their rivalry with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> this Sunday, but that might not be the most important football game of the weekend for the Redskins organization. The most important game is tonight, and its taking place in Waco, TX. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners">Oklahoma Sooners</a> and Baylor <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Bears</a> meet at 8:00 PM, and fortunately for those of us taking interest, the game will be broadcast nationwide on ABC.</p>
<p>Why is this game so important? Because it features <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35519/robert-griffin-iii">Robert Griffin III</a>, two quarterbacks projected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft this coming April. Neither will be the first quarterback selected, (that will be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37738/andrew-luck">Andrew Luck)</a> but either could be the second.</p>
<p>The Redskins are quite obviously in the market for a new franchise quarterback, and will be picking pretty early in the Draft. Jones or Griffin could be it.</p>
<p>Redskins scouts will certainly be watching the game tonight to get a feel for which player might be a better NFL quarterback. Mike and Kyle Shanahan will probably be watching too, to determine which quarterback might fit their offense better. <span>Jabar Gaffney</span> and <span>Fred Davis</span> will probably be watching too, hopeful that one of these quarterbacks will be throwing them the ball next year. <span>John Beck</span> and <span>Rex Grossman</span> will probably be watching too, jealous of the passing skills that they'll never have.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/11/19/2574003/oklahoma-vs-baylor-landry-jones-robert-griffin-iii-redskinsMartin Shatzer2011-11-19T16:18:55-05:002011-11-19T16:18:55-05:00Fantasy Football Week 11 Advice: Start DeMarco Murray, Sit Felix Jones
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> offense got back on track last week against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> defense that they face this week is much tougher. Still, as the Redskins aren't likely to score many points, and will probably fall behind early, you might be tempted to start either of the Cowboys running backs. According to the<a href="http://www.numberfire.com"> fantasy football projection site numberFire</a> though, only one Cowboys running back is a worth a start. Its rookie <span>DeMarco Murray</span>.</p>
<p><iframe id="iframe-wide" src="http://www.numberfire.com/widgets/byTeam.php?t=9&f=wide" width="584" frameborder="0" height="168" scrolling="auto"></iframe></p>
<p>At 14.53 fantasy points, Murray is projected to be the seventh highest scoring running back this week as he is coming off an elite performance in which he racked up 23.10 fantasy points against Buffalo last Sunday.</p>
<p>Wide receivers <span>Dez Bryant</span> and <span>Laurent Robinson</span> are each strong plays this week against the Redskins, as is tight end <span>Jason Witten</span>.</p>
<p><span>Tony Romo</span> is projected to earn 16.30 fantasy points, making him the fourth rated quarterback heading into Sunday's games, and the Dallas defense is also a good option against the interception-prone <span>Rex Grossman</span>.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/11/19/2573962/fantasy-football-week-11-demarco-murray-tony-romo-dez-bryantMartin Shatzer