A Wild 48 Hours

RGIII Injury

After a quick 14-0 start by the Redskins, things went downhill once RGIII tweaked his already tender knee in the first half. Many fans felt like Coach Shanahan should have put Kirk Cousins into the game in order to pull out the victory, however, RGIII demanded that he stay in the game and Shanny did not disagree. As we all know, this turned out disastrously with RGIII tearing his LCL- and possibly his ACL- when he could not get to a low snap and crumpled to FedEx field’s embarrassingly terrible conditions.

While I believe that Shanny needed to take Robert out of the game regardless of what the player was telling him, I have never played football and do not know what it is like to feel the need to give everything you have in order to win a playoff game. Robert knew the risk he was taking with his body and felt that it was well worth it. Hopefully the surgery that takes place tomorrow (Jan. 9th) will confirm the hope that the ACL injury shown on his MRI is from the original injury when he was at Baylor and he will be healthy and at full speed for the start of next season. However, if things do not work out that way, it appears as though the selection of Kirk Cousins in last year’s draft will certainly be a great one. 

Emergence of Bradley Beal

I was one of the many fans who, once hearing of the Bradley Beal & Chris Thornton for James Harden deal, laughed out loud about the shear ineptitude of the Wizards franchise. If Ted Leonsis isn’t willing to fire GM Ernie Grunfeld for his inability to draft players or do anything well other than make trades only after his original plan falls apart, or spend the money necessary to put a playoff-caliber team on the court, then why should I be asked to support the team? After what I saw last night and the past few games from Beal, however, I have begun to change my tune. The rookie from University of Florida has dropped 20+ points in three of his last five games and has started to shoot the ball with confidence. For one of the youngest players in this league, it is great to see him finally start to come into his own. Hopefully he will build on the past few games and start to play as more of a leader and go-to-scorer for this young Wizards squad.

Resigning of Adam LaRoche

According to a person with knowledge of the deal, which LaRoche has signed after passing a physical Tuesday (Jan 8th), he will earn at least $24 million over two years. He will make $10 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2014. The contract includes a mutual option for a third year worth $15 million. If the option is not picked up, however, LaRoche will receive a $2 million buyout. This is a great deal for the Nats because it locks up their Gold Glove first baseman for two years, ensuring that the lefty will remain a constant threat in the middle of the Nats lineup for a few more seasons. In addition, the option for a third year allows for Ryan Zimmerman to move to first base while Anthony Rendon takes over at third base (unless the Nats end up trading Danny Espinosa, in which case Rendon could play second base). Now that the LaRoche signing is complete, GM Mike Rizzo must trade away Michael Morse, a player who no longer has a place in the lineup after the offseason addition of Denard Span. Hopefully the Nats will receive a pitching prospect (a starter) and an established reliever (desperately needed) in return for the slugger. While LaRoche may not be able to repeat last season's offensive production, his elite first base defense will keep him a vital piece as the Nats look to defend their NL East title in 2013.