Bleacher Report - Articles by DC Landing Strip

The Caps Draft Is In Good Hands With the "Vice President of Atmosphere"

DC Landing Strip — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:05:00 -0400

Now that, amigos, is what I call a mullet.

Caps GM George McPhee, a.k.a. the former "VP of Atmosphere" of Blue Moon Mexican Cafe restaurants in New York City, a.k.a. DC's longest tenured GM, a.k.a. the man with the plan, a.k.a. The Undertaker, will be directing his 12th draft as the Caps head bossman tonight, 7 PM, and all day Saturday.

While his drafting success has been mixed, he has overseen a streamlining and revamping of the organization's scouting system that is finally reaping dividends.

I could drone on and on about McPhee's GM skills, but it's Friday and I don't want to make Vinny Cerrato cry before the weekend even starts. Instead, I'll regale you with tales of McPhee's manliness that earned him the Undertaker moniker. And maybe a tidbit about his GM skills at the end:

After a pre-season game in Chicago in 1999 in which the Blackhawks dressed goons and played dirty, McPhee took on the entire coaching staff and roster of the 'Hawks BY HIMSELF. Money quote, after receiving a month-long suspension and $20k fine: "I will never regret standing up for the organization or for what I think is right for the league."
An undersized McPhee beat the shit out of current Tampa Bay Head Coach and convicted bookie Rich Tocchet with a busted hand. Glen Hanlon - back-up goalie at the time - was, um, fired up about it.
The Tocchet-McPhee rematch is probably a draw. But the dude proves his fearlessness.
McPhee takes on noted pugilist Bob Nystrom, who has at least a foot on him.
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't direct you towards this four part behind-the-scenes look at McPhee during the '06 entry draft (Backstrom, Varlamov, Neuvirth, Osala, Bouchard, Perrault came out of this one). Fascinating stuff. (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) The highlight, from Part 3: "I just want to make it look like we're doing stuff. Did I ever tell you you look marvelous?"

Well, I feel comfortable with this guy picking our prospects, don't you?

What to expect: The Caps pick 24th tonight, and WaPo beat writer Tarik El-Bashir thinks McPhee is looking long and hard at speedy RW scoring prospect Landon Ferraro, son of former NHLer Ray. Which would be consistent with his recent taste for drafting NHL lineage (Seabrook, Bourque, Bouchard, Perrault, Gustafsson).

You're not getting an NHLer right away with the 24th pick, but Mike Green was snagged 29th, Jeff Schultz 27th, and studly blue-chipper John Carlson was last year's 27th pick. A trade or two to acquire a 2nd-line center to replace Fedorov is possible.

What not to expect: McPhee trading the pick for washed up veterans and handing them massive contracts, and then watching as future NHL stars Victor Hedman or John Tavares fall to the 24th slot anyways. Grunfeld and Cerrato have that shit covered.

Amateur Player Rankings and Scouting Reports
Mock Draft 1
Mock Draft 2
Mock Draft 3

NHL Amateur Draft Round 1. 7 PM, Versus Network.

NBA Draft Review

DC Landing Strip — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:19:00 -0400

We could have had Rubio................

I would like to give a big f*ck you to Grunfeld for that stupid trade, Agent-0 for having a fat contract that is preventing a rebuild, and Agent-0 again for refusing to shift to SG for the good of the team.

I would then like to give a 2nd f*ck you to Grunfeld for creating a giant hole at the rugged-PF-rebounder spot, then passing on Dejuan Blair in the 2nd round for "cash considerations". The Spurs ended up grabbing Blair, and which is why they are the best drafting team of the last 15 or so years; this is not always rocket science.

The Wiz could have walked away from this night with Ricky Rubio and Dejuan Blair if we had stayed pat. Thanks to the general league stupidity, we could have had two of our five future starters and been well on our way to a good rebuilding effort, unbelievable.

Hey, at least we didn't draft four point guards.

My mood was also slightly brightened by my sister's observation that Rubio looked like "the guy from the new 90210"; as you can see in the pictures above, she is absolutely right. This makes me feel slightly better about not drafting Rubio.

The worst draft ever (WDE) lived down to expectations, with a relatively predictable top-15 from Chad Ford's latest reports, no big trades, and no ridiculous suits. Hasheem Thabeet ran away with the worst suit award for that silver number that made him look like a wet hippopotamus, in addition to his $2 million yellow diamond earings.

I thought the night could be saved by the draft's most entertaining prospect, Brandon Jennings, aka Young Money. This only led to me getting even angrier when I discovered that Young Money backed out of attending the draft when he was not guaranteed a lottery spot, which meant I would miss both his suit and interview.

I actually yelled for joy when he was picked No. 10, then angrily cursed-out Fran Fraschila when I realized Young Money wasn't at MSG. Oh, but my man didn't totally dissapoint, making a grand entrance 4 picks later, totally upstaging the current selection thanks to David Stern's intro, and blowing a kiss to the draft audience.

Given that Young Money got to MSG within about 10 minutes of being selected, he clearly had the suit on and ready should a lottery team have selected him, and planned on making that grand entrance, what a guy.

That said, the suit was lame, which was probably because he wasn't sure he was going to be at the draft, and his interview was also short and shitty.

As if all of that wasn't enough, Dejuan "Hot Shit" Summers slipped into the 2nd round, where he is not guaranteed an NBA contract.

What an asshole, he passed on being a 2nd round pick last year, then left GTown after an okay season because of the WDE, thinking that this was his best shot at getting a guaranteed 1st round deal, and then falls to the 2nd round anyway.

The worst-case for him after playing another year in college was the 2nd round, and he would have had a chance to boost his stock and play for what should have been a top-10 Hoya team. I hate my life almost as much as Summers hates his right now.

I was also wrong about Jordan Hill's profile reading "Must improve: Offensive game". Although I still think his offense sucks, I now think the profile should read "Must improve: Ability to speak english". His interview with Mark Jones was the highlight of the night, no question.

Maybe things will get better, as there should be some trades in the next few days, possibly including the Wiz dealing for a veteran big man. In the meantime, I am going to pour some boiling water down my throat.

(Photos via imdb.com and njnysports.blogspot.com)

Washington Nationals Fans Direct Clueless Red Sox Fans to Gay Bars

DC Landing Strip — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:03:00 -0400

A level of toolishness and arrogance once found only amongst Yankees fans has abruptly crept its way into Red Sawx Nation, and my hatred level for the latter has risen accordingly. So, I found this story amusing. Per NBC Washington:

In the best use of a Nats message board we've ever seen, a Red Sox fan looking for good sports bars around Nationals Park to check out during a visit to D.C. for the Sox-Nats series this week was directed to a gay bar.

Apparently the dope actually took the tip and showed up, where he "pounded his drink" and possibly more than that before leaving nervously.

Now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being gay, and lots of penguins and Penguins are gay, and they're funny little things the way they waddle and such. I don't know where this is going, so I'm going to stop right here.

I just want to point out that 1.) there are no black Red Sawx fans because Bostonians are racist bastards, 2.) Red Sawx fans are self-important ass-wads, 3.) drunken Red Sawx fans in the Fenway bleachers are hilarious, and 4.) rooting against the Sawx is now just as appropriate as rooting against the Yankees once was.

The Sawx used to be the "people's team" that baseball fans rallied behind to take down the evil Yankees empire. Now, they are the evil empire.

Watching Sawx Nation morph over the past five years was a bit like watching Annakin Skywalker become corrupted by his own power—at first, you think there's hope, then WHAM!, he slices up a gaggle of adorable toddlers. Point of no return, that is.

Things will only get worse as these people continue to spread the globe like locusts, so let us revel in their awkward encounters at gay bars while we can. Besides, immature jabs are how I cope with my envy and my therapist says coping is healthy. Boston fans like it in the pooper. Go Nats!

[Image via The Boston Blogger]

[H/T to reader Goldie for the tip.]

Wilbon Loses Mind, Keeps Job

DC Landing Strip — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:15:00 -0400

Take a good look at what Michael Wilbon puked out in the first sentence of his Washington Post column this morning:

"No way in the world I'd have taken Stephen Strasburg with the No. 1 pick in the draft."

Now read it again. And again.

Normally, while reading a Wilbon column, we have to wait at least three or four sentences before he regurgitates some absolute garbage he ate for breakfast that morning. But not on this special occasion.

I've made the argument several times that Wilbon knows nothing about sports, but perhaps I'm being a little harsh. So let me rephrase that: Wilbon knows nothing about DC sports.

Hey, douchebag, here's an idea! Why don't you pretend to know fucking anything about the Nats and then write your "expert" opinion in a column the morning following potentially the most important day in the history of a franchise that has set unprecedented lows for futility.

You pretty much did the same thing prior the Caps-Pens series, pretending for brief a moment that you both know about hockey and care how close Ovechkin and Crosby push the sport to the cusp of—dare I say—nationwide popularity.

Wilbon's assertion that the Nationals drafted Strasburg solely as a P.R. move to appease their diehard, loyal fanbase, all 74 of them, proves that he has finally given up watching sports.

Could it be, perhaps, that Strasburg was indeed the best player available, that the pick was not entirely made to put butts in the seats?

Not according to Wilbon. "I wouldn't draft a guy who's going to play every fifth day to improve my team's attendance. And I certainly wouldn't pin my hopes on the most fragile thing in baseball: the arm of a young pitcher."

Holy shit, brilliant! Why EVER draft a pitcher?! He's only going to play once every five days, and he might get injured!

Wilbon ends his miserable life column by alluding to the city of Boston and almost completely contradicting what he had said earlier about Strasburg. I know.

Shocking.

"Had the Red Sox drafted Strasburg, I'd be less likely to think this had "bad move" written all over it because the Red Sox, of recent vintage anyway, make decisions that lead to first place while the Nationals mostly look like the Charlie Brown All-Stars. "

Then move to Boston, Wilbon. Or back to Chicago.

Either way, get the fuck out of DC.

[Image via Smarter Sports Blog]

C.R.E.A.MLB Draft: After Strasburg, Nats & O's Make Careful Picks

DC Landing Strip — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:56:00 -0400

In a year in which 90 amateurs demanded 1st round money, and during an economic downturn in which a studly baseball hunk like Jay Gibbons has to play for the Newark Whoseewhatsits, " sign-ability" was unsurprisingly the biggest factor in the MLB draft on Tuesday.

Except for the Nationals at No. 1, who drafted Stephen Strasburg and are about to bend to his every whim. If he wants $50 million, you give him $65 million.

If he wants to wake up next to Elizabeth Hurley every morning for the rest of his life, you deliver Megan Fox. If he wants to enter Nationals Park in a parade on elephant back, you get Ringling Bros.

Because he's that good.

Due to this hefty ransom, the Nats passed on the opportunity to nab the second best pitcher in this draft too, Aaron Crow, who they had failed to sign last year anyways.

Instead they took Stanford relief pitcher Drew Storen at No. 10 probably because his agent is also Ryan Zimmerman's. They're one of three teams that think he can become a starter. Crow fell to KC at No. 12.

The Orioles were back to their curious ways, taking California high school pitcher Matt Hobgood at No. 5 even though Crow and others were available. "Hobgood" just has average middle-relief pitcher's name written all over it, doesn't it? He was the 18th best prospect according to ESPN.com's Keith Law.

General consensus is that a lot of other top guys dropped (Zach Wheeler to No. 6, Tyler Matzek to No. 11, Tanner Scheppers to No. 19 and Shelby Miller to No. 19) because of signing concerns, but being a "top guy" of an MLB draft is about as sure a thing as Clay Aiken's heterosexuality. And I have no idea who these people are, so whatever. /MLB draft in a nutshell

Strasburg. Strasburg.

Nats Top Picks and what they're sayin':

No. 1 - You Know Who, Scouting Report & Video: Legend in the making.
No. 10 - RHP Drew Storen, Scouting Report & video: Has 3 pitches, starter stuff, low 90s heat.
No. 50 - 2B Jeffrey Kobernus, Scouting Report & video: "projects as an average tool in the future".
No. 81 - RHP Trevor Holder, College Stats & video.

O's Top Picks and what they're sayin':

No. 5 - RHP Matt Hobgood, Scouting Report & video: 6'4", 245 lbs. Josh Beckett-like.
No. 54 - RHP/SS Mychal Givens, Scouting Report & video: Good athlete who will fill out, hitting needs some work.
No. 85 - 1B Tyler Townsend, College Info.

[Image via Need Morneau]

Orakpo Switch to OLB Rivals New Coke for Epic Stupidity

DC Landing Strip — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:53:00 -0400

DC Landing Strip correspondent Marion's Crackpipe checks in with some opinions on Brian Orakpo and the Great Position Switch of 2009.

Last week a genius idea struck me. Let's draft the best defensive lineman in college, pay him tons of money, then make him play linebacker. No, better idea. Let's make him learn two positions!

Just when I thought I had the Mensa Genius Award locked up, Cerrato amd company beat me to it. It's not the first time, either: I once had this idea of paying an overrated white guy record—breaking amounts of cash to miss tackles for my favorite team. Cerrato took that one and ran with it too.

'Skins first round pick Brian Orakpo, the 2008 Nagurski Award recipient for the best defensive player in college football, is a studly pass—rushing defensive end known to make opposing QB’s o-crap-o their o-pants-o. After the 'Skins nabbed him with the 13th pick, McNabb, Romo and Eli were spotted at nearby Costcos stocking up on the Astroglide. An obvious need of the 'Skins and for once, a seemingly wise draft pick by Vinny boy.

Then the truth surfaced: instead of grooming this potential sack monster to take over the LDE spot as Philip Daniels withers into obscurity, 'Skins brass decided to cover their own ass and have Orakpo also fill the other glaring defensive need, strong-side "Sam" linebacker, simultaneously. Hey, it worked for Frankie "Zip" Joseph on the 1925 Dayton Triangles, why can't it work for Orakpo?

To be fair, Orakpo did work out before the draft as both a linebacker and d-end, and played a few pass-rushing downs at LB in college. The idea of switching college DEs to LBs at the pro level is not new, though it's riddled with tales of failure (the most recent being Vernon Gholston's struggles learning OLB in the 3—4 Jets' defense). And true, Orakpo is a bit undersized as an NFL d—end (as is Dwight Freeney, btw) and lighter ends tend to struggle against the rush (and the 'Skins' D is based on stopping the rush).

The 'Skins run a 4—3 defense in which the linebackers must drop into coverage, audible at the line, know varied gap and blocker assignments, and generally do the sort of things a college DE like Orakpo would never have learned. The 'Skins think so highly of Orakpo that they're making him learn all this while figuring out DE at the NFL level. Most 'Skins fans would be happy with just modest gains in the latter.

In classic Cerrato fashion, a domino effect of personnel and cap mismanagement has led to a seemingly desperate move. Last year, it was throwing away this year's second rounder (which could have been used to draft an outside LB, for example) for Jason Taylor because the 'Skins had no roster depth after Daniels went down (we also switched JT's position; how'd that work out?). This year, it's forcing a rookie to play two positions because there was neither cap room nor the draft picks to obtain a reliable starter at both.

Look, there's a fine line between getting the most out of talented personnel and setting a kid up for failure. Redskins management has completely obliterated that line once again. It's why guys like Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders and even the great Joe Gibbs are considered failures upon departure, even if they did well during their tenures. It's why insane athletes like Sean Taylor aren't forced to learn second positions, even if they have the build for it. It's tough enough for Orakpo to shoulder the burden of becoming the 'Skins' entire pass rush, but then to expect him to learn a completely new skill set? In a few short months?

I understand that Orakpo will still be unleashed as a pass rusher on 3rd—and—long, and might very well become a Pro Bowl level OLB. Maybe he's the kind of kid who thrives under weighty expectations. I just feel like I've seen this movie before, and in a Redskins Nation where patience has gone the way of the do—do bird, I'm anxious to see how it plays out. Hint: I can already hear the "Orak-poo" calls coming.

-Marion's Crackpipe

Hoyas Early Summer Preview

DC Landing Strip — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:16:00 -0400

DC Landing Strip's Georgetown Hoyas expert Marion's Crackpipe checks in with his early season preview.

It’s June, and you know what that means: It’s time to talk Hoya basketball!

After a season that started with promise (12-3), and finished with pain (16-15 !!), questions abound. Like how do you lose to St. John’s and Cincinnati (twice) with a talented lineup that also beat UConn, Syra****, and Memphis?

Let’s start with the good. The Hoyas return three of their five best players, including the biggest recruit to come to DC since Allen Iverson, center Greg Monroe.

With Austin Freeman and Chris Wright starting, and Jason Clark coming off the bench, the backcourt is in capable hands. Inside, Monroe is a flat-out stud and the key to G’town success as long as he stays on the court. That was quick.

Now the bad:

1. Dajuan Summers is going pro. I think you can find his name under “second round pick” in the dictionary, but thanks to this pathetic draft class (“…and with the fifth pick, the Wizards select my left testicle…”), he is probably going to go late first round.

Good for him I guess, but if he’d stayed another year, he’d be better off, and so would the Hoyas. His horrible second half killed his draft stock and he needs to stay in school to learn another language or two, because the only place he’s playing long-term is Europe.

2. Transfers. Vernon Macklin and Jeremiah Rivers last year, and now Omar Wattad (you know times are tough when Omar Wattad makes the season preview). I love JT3, but having three players transfer in two years is not a good sign for a coach on a team lacking depth.

True, Rivers can’t shoot and Wattad just plain stinks, but Macklin would start on this year’s team.

3. Recruiting. Take a gander through the ESPNU 100 for this year. Strangely lacking in Hoyas, isn’t it?

Rivals.com ranks their top recruit Hollis Thompson No. 63 in their list of 150, and the other two recruits aren’t exactly world-beaters. Seriously, why can’t JT3 bag a couple local studs? No. 63 Is the best he can do!?! Besides, his name sounds like a certain former Iggles D-lineman and that makes me queasy.

The 2010 class is shaping up well though, and I can only hope that they get the chance to play with Monroe before his inevitable NBA ascent.

Overall, things look bleak for ’09-‘10, unless Monroe makes the leap and becomes a top five player in the nation. Hoping for that kind of improvement from a guy with a questionable work-ethic, is a huge…wait for it….leap.

The biggest thing in Georgetown’s favor is that Syra****, Pitt, UConn, and Louisville all lost their best players. The downside is that ‘Nova is a national title contender this year and they, in addition to UConn and Louisville, actually find ways to replenish their talent. After last year’s debacle, just avoiding the NIT would be a success.

Season Prediction: 19-11, fifth in Big East, eighth seed in NCAA Tournament

-Marion's Crackpipe

The Case for Michael Vick on the Redskins: As if Dan Snyder Needs Convincing

DC Landing Strip — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:52:43 -0400

This article first ran at the DC Landing Strip.

Listen, I'm no Redskins apologist. I hate Dan Snyder with all but two fibers in my being (the two that realize that he's better than this guy). I hope Vinny Cerrato chokes on a Danish or, better yet, is fired. FedEx is Hell on Earth.

Also, I love puppies, and the worst harm I'd ever inflict on one would be to boot a really tiny loud one off a bridge.

But the Redskins had better dig their star-horny claws into Michael Vick and never let go—and not just because the jersey sales will correlate to an illogical 45 percent rise in FedEx concession prices. It will work for the Redskins on the field, and if you remember, that's the point.

Several reasons:

1. The Redskins Offense needs an ATHLETE.

'Skins fans lament the lack of a No. 1 receiver, and it's hard to disagree. And some think JC17 isn't the answer behind center. But what's really lacking is a guy who can simply make tacklers miss.

Vick's presence alone means the other team has to account for him, game plan for him, think about him before the game. If you've made D-coordinators think that much harder, you've improved your offense that much...harder.

What position exactly? We'll get to that...

2. We've yet to see the Zorn Star work magic with a Shiny New Wand.

In 2008, Zorn adjusted his West Coast pass-happy offense to suit his personnel, which is the mark of an intelligent coach. The result was a bland running-based game due to bland running-based personnel. Enter insane athlete.

Now, Zorn has studied the Wildcat diligently this offseason and admitted the 'Skins don't have the personnel to make it happen. Yet. Why? "Cleveland, with [Josh] Cribbs...probably did the best, but he's got a real acceleration."

So we need someone with real acceleration, preferably with QB experience? Hmmm...

I'm not saying Vick should become the new 'Skins QB; far from it. I think his unique skills are best utilized in various roles at various times. Sometimes that might mean some QB snaps. Mostly though, he needs plays designed for him specifically in some quasi-hybrid tailback role, a la 1920s football.

There has never been an athlete like Vick in the NFL—why not make up a position that's never existed? I'd love to see what Zorn can do with a unique talent on the roster for the first time.

3. Vick will be cheap.

I know, I know, the Redskins are salary cap wizards, and yes, there might not be a cap after this year...but the 'Skins are still paying Mark Carrier like $4.3 million per, and contract terms will be critical.

Vick's market value is going to be around Bear Sterns' right about now—which for those of you who don't read the Wall Avenue Journal means Vick will be getting dick for salary, and for one or two years tops. Low risk (cap room wise)/high reward is the idea here.

4. Vick will be motivated.

There are just plain ruthless murderous sociopaths, and there are ruthless murderous sociopaths with 10-figure debt and the whole world watching their every move.

True: You have to be colossally stupid to squander what Vick had circa 2006, and I wouldn't be surprised if he, Clinton Portis, Albert Haynesworth, and Fred Smoot were caught financing an underground squirrel-fighting ring or something. But he has to have learned from this. Maybe not in that moral, soul-saving way...but in a superficial, my-job-and-life-are-on-the-line way, which is good enough for me.

Maybe he'll still have the urge to strangle a labradoodle at first sight—but I get the feeling he'll resist this time. He's in survival mode at this point.

5. Despite pleas from fans, the 'Skins are determined to win now and delay a rebuild.

To most logical fans, 14 years of consistent mediocrity with an aging roster is a sure sign that the talent has been maxed out. To Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder, it's a never-ending indication that the 'Skins are one player away from winning it all.

I'm not saying Vick is that guy. I'm saying given the right circumstances, a healthy year on the offensive line, and basic progress from JC17, a well-utilized Vick could help put up enough points to make the offense respectable again. The 'Skins D and running game remain their strong points, and if healthy could do some postseason damage. It's getting there that's the issue.

So as long as we're stuck with a front office and owner playing this game, Vick is worth a look.

6. The offense needs hope.

If there was one thing that defined the Redskins offense in the second half of 2008—other than three-and-outs—it was the look and feeling of hopelessness. Early in the year the group was unstoppable, and they had the swag. As passes starting slipping through hands, Jon Jansen opened the Sack Gates, and Portis' injuries caught up to him finally, they lost it.

And what have they done since the disastrous 2008 finale? Precisely dick. Unless you believe in UFOs, you realize that Devin Thomas is a joke and Malcolm Kelly's knees are made of peanut brittle, and there's no such thing as an NFL offense with two tight end weapons. The cavalry isn't coming from those three.

But inject Vick into a locker room with stable vets and leaders, and it's an instant spark. Suddenly you have a guy turning heads in practice, adding that "wow" factor, that extra ingredient that Antwaan Randle El was supposed to provide but can't, since he is 5'2" in real life and was never that good.

Sometimes that's all it takes for a football team to make it over the hump. Hope.

Now Vinny, get on the phone with the Falcons and send next year's first, third, and fifth into oblivion and make this happen. Even if Roger Goodell doesn't reinstate Vick, what do we have to lose? They're just draft picks.

Nationals' Best Pitcher Not Yet on Nationals

DC Landing Strip — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:44:00 -0400

Next Tuesday, the most exciting draft in sports hits us like a hangover poop at 8:15 a.m.: Suddenly and explosively. Most of the explosion this year will be coming from your soon-to-be most dominant pitcher in DC: Stephen Strasburg.

If you're unfamiliar with the guy, he can be summed up thusly: "He may be the best pitcher in the world." He throws some high-90s cheese, and also, this: "His breaking ball is a plus-plus slider, with two-plane break that's virtually unhittable."

Pretty awesome considering he used to be plus-plus pants size.

He was a walk-on at San Diego State, and with head coach Tony Gwynn mentoring him, he's developed into the second coming. Always heartwarming when pimple-faced fatsos become athletic studs.

L to R: Stephen Strasburg's Mother, Aunt, Senior Prom Date, and

Stephen Strasburg at age 17. [image via Colonel Robert Neville]

Mostly, I can't be bothered to like the Nats, though I'm trying my damndest, and the prospect of rooting for this flame-throwing Aztec certainly intrigues me.

A source within the Nats organization denied that the drafting and signing of Strasburg is a done deal (he wants $50 million—gangsta), which means it's definitely a done deal, since the Nats organization is filled with liars. Kidding.

Then again, CBS Sportsline already labeled him a Nat. That makes it official.

We talk a lot about hope around here, and any time you can add a once-in-a-generation ace, it can change the course of an entire franchise. But I'll believe it when I see it. His arm looks like a rubber dildo of death in the above video, and I'm no Doctor James Andrews, but that can't be natural.

Whether some overambitious minor league coach gets his hands on him and/or a desperate Manny Acta totally screws it up by overpitching the kid remains to be seen.

Here's hoping he's the next Nolan Ryan and not the next Mark Prior.

Jason La Canfora Leaves 'Skins Beat

DC Landing Strip — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:10:00 -0400

For those devout Redskins followers who refresh Redskins Insider every 30 seconds during football season, by now you've become acquainted with the voice of "The Sourcerer" Jason La Canfora. His epic anti-Cerrato screeds are must reads, and if you haven't yet, you'd damn well better read this one. Or better yet, just read any in-season post from 2008 in which he destroys the 'Skins' front office for ignoring the O-line. I, for one, enjoyed every word.*

But that's all over now, as La Canfora has followed the cashola and accepted a position with NFL Network, which is great for him, his family, and his wardrobe, though it leaves a gaping void of incendiary hatred at the Washington Post that needs to be filled, post-haste. Problem is, I'm not sure there's anyone capable.

Jason Reid, co-beat writer during the '08 season, is the logical successor to "The Insider" position and JLC endorses him in his farewell post. But is he too much of a nice guy? Amongst a media horde more inclined to worship than question, La Canfora stood out because he challenged Gibbs and the front office when no one else would. He's the kind of guy who didn't care if he looked like a slob; he just wanted the damn story. That's who I want covering my teams. I'm not so sure Reid can be that guy.

Barry Svrluga and Zach Berman have done a nice, but bland, job covering OTAs, and Cindy Boren is the editor/voice of reason. Steinberg is always money at the Sports Bog, though, and maybe that will do.

As training camp approaches and players try to claw their way up the depth chart, a similar fight might be taking place at Redskins Insider. Whose voice will emerge? What will Vinny do to piss off the beat writers and fans next? Could the potential acquisition of an ex-convict be in the works? Will Snyder scratch his itch, buy the Post, and fire everyone? What are horse shoes? Are there any horse socks? Is anyone listening to me?

*(For a complete rundown of the epic 2008 La Canfora - Cerrato catfight, acquaint yourself with Chase's take at The Player Hater's Ball. You won't regret it.)

[La Canfora image via WaPo]

Orioles 1, M's 0: Rich Hill Shows All You Need Is One

DC Landing Strip — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:27:00 -0400

"All you need is one." Tenacious D

Rich Hill tossed a beauty, the bullpen didn't mess it up, and that was all the Os needed to earn their eighth W in 11 games. They're now 6-6 in one-run games, and they pulled out a close one in their 14th game in as many nights.

Os' President Andy MacPhail must be psyched; he almost traded Brian Roberts for Hill and once-hyped uber-prospect Felix Pie last season. He was saved by the Cubs' overconfidence in the pair. But that crafty crafterson managed to snag them both this offseason anyways and Hill looked like Barry Zito (circa 2002) with that crazy rainbow lefty curveball thingy.

But we can't give MacPhail too much credit because the new catcher, if you've heard, is awesome at everything. Os' pitchers are now 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA, 23 Ks, and just 4 BBs with Wieters behind the plate. He is a dream pitching target at 6' 5" and his ice-cold demeanor is contagious.

Buck Martinez noted last night, and it's worth repeating, that he has a knack for understanding a pitcher's pace and rhythm, doesn't waste time calling pitches, and the result is a pitcher finding his groove. It's a pleasure to watch.

And, though he had another 0'fer night at the plate, according to the law of averages, he is due to go 47 of his next 55 with 19 HR and 400 RBI. That would probably break some kind of record.

Tonight: Adam Jones gets to homer off trade counterpart and former O's ace Erik Bedard.

Wizards Draft Preview Part II: Evaluating the Prospects

DC Landing Strip — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:48:00 -0400

In Part I of our Washington Wizards draft preview, we arrived at three conclusions:

1. The NBA Draft Lottery is an unnecessary, superficial, awkward event;

2. Gilbert Arenas is not what one would call a "classic" point guard;

3. Ernie Grunfeld better draft one a "classic" point guard.

In Part II, we will evaluate potential Wizards' draft picks, assuming three things:

1. The pick isn't traded;

2. Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio, and Hasheem Thabeet are unavailable by the 5th pick;

3. The Wizards will draft a point guard, shooting guard, or power forward.

The second assumption is based on most big boards and mock drafts, while the third assumption is based on a combination of logic, a DCLS poll, and team needs. While we at DCLS believe drafting a point guard would be in the team's best interests, Ernie may not. So we will account for that accordingly in our evaluation.

Below is a list of potential Wizards' picks along with their measurements and notable 2008-09 statistics. Each player's "Rank" is an average of five big boards, picked arbitrarily by yours truly: ESPN, nbadraft.net, Draft Express, CBS Sports, and RealGM. Players are ranked highest to lowest:

There are two ways a general manager can approach a draft pick: Take the best player available, or take the best player available in consideration of team needs.

According to the above rankings, only Harden and Hill would be "steals" at the fifth pick. With their college accomplishments, athleticism, and outstanding upside, I wouldn't grimace at the idea of either player joining the Wizards.

Hill would immediately become former Wildcat Gilbert Arenas' best friend, and could provide valuable energy off the bench until Antawn Jamison transforms into "Antawn Jamison's Expiring Contract." Harden, while lacking ideal size for a shooting guard, is a great leader and has the ability to share ball-handling responsibilities with a fellow guard. Defensively, he is decent, although he has limited lock-down ability.

Were Ernie to venture down the path of "team needs" when making a final decision, there are several point guards he may consider. I'm going to eliminate Brandon Jennings from the discussion because I lack the knowledge to evaluate him, and I (perhaps falsely) believe someone who forgoes a full ride at "Big-Time U" to get limited playing time in Europe has character issues.

My preference with regards to the point guards above?

1. Flynn
2. Evans
3. Maynor
4. Curry
5. Lawson

Evans has ideal size and can play either guard position. Maynor hasn't consistently faced the same level of competition as the others, but he is a "money player". Curry's three-point ability is desirable, but he is new to the point guard position. I honestly have no problem with Lawson, but there's a good chance he will around when Washington is called at pick 32.

As for the guy I ranked first: For anyone who watched the Big East Tournament, specifically that UConn-Syracuse marathon, I implore you to go back in time and not fall in love with Jonny Flynn. It's impossible. It can't be done.

And I know it's usually silly to evaluate a player based on his performance in one game. But when you are desperately seeking a way to improve your team, aside from talent, you look for winners and you look for heart. And if there is anything that embodies those two characteristics more than someone's performance in a six-overtime elimination game against the #1 ranked team in the country, please let me know.

He's small, and he reminds me of Chris Paul, both in size and playing style. Those who say he's too small for the NBA need look no farther than guys like Paul, Aaron Brooks, and Nate Robinson. Remember, it's not the size of the dog in the fight ... it's the size of the fight in the dog.

In Chad Ford's profile of Flynn, the point guard had this to say about the prospect of playing in New York. Conveniently replacing New York with Washington, you get this:

"You have to have heart to succeed in [Washington]. I've got a big one."

We could use that on the Wizards, don't you think?

[Title Image via Syracuse.com]

Nationals Lose 6th in a Row: Ask for Blog Coverage

DC Landing Strip — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:35:00 -0400

“It’s mind-numbing at times to watch the Nationals' defense.”
-Rob Dibble said in the fourth inning of yesterday's game.

The Nats' 4-2 loss last night marked their third, six-game losing streak of the season. It was a milestone defeat, however, as Jamie Moyer won his 250th career game at the ripe age of forty six. Moyer was probably throwing back Mike's Hards like they were water, on the night Nats' starter John Lannan, twenty four years old, was being conceived.

However, yesterday's loss cannot and should not be pinned on Lannan. Allowing three ER and striking out seven in five innings is a little less than you expect from your staff ace by default, but not by much. No, let's chalk up another loss to the worst fielding team in the majors. Their inneptitude around the diamond has been discussed before, but sometimes the less than obvious plays are game-breakers.

With one out and runners on first and third in the bottom of the fourth, Lannan got Pedro Feliz to ground into a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play, to end the inning. The only problem is Nats' fielders don't have a tailor, and in classic fashion, Anderson Hernandez couldn't even get the ball out of his glove, messed up, and pathetically watched Raul Ibanez cross home plate for a 3-1 lead.

The game was ultimately won by two runs, 4-2, but these are the types of plays that indirectly affect the outcome by altering the momentum of a game. They are also the type of plays that make a winner become mediocre, a mediocre team become a bad team, and a bad team become a historically bad team.

Historically bad? No thanks, didn't we come close enough last year?

Nationals go for seven in a row for the third time this year tomorrow against the Giants.

Caps Doping Investigation

DC Landing Strip — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:07:00 -0400

Momma Plotty once said people living in glass houses should not throw stones.

She followed that up by cautioning me against trusting people who are facing 21 criminal charges, including possession and importation of illegal anabolic steroids, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and maintaining a residence to sell drugs.

In light of said criminal investigation, it appears Momma Plotty's nuggets of wisdom may have some traction:

"NHL investigators have been unable to make a connection between Thomas and the Caps."

The bullshit factor in this case is through the roof, but let us recap.

Richard Thomas and his heinous wife are arrested in their home with $200,000 worth of anabolic steroids, among other paraphernalia. The cops require three sets of cuffs to subdue this guy, so clearly he is either an animal, off his goddamn rocker, or some combination of the two.

The standard operating procedure in any arrest that involves three separate sets of handcuffs immediately should set off alarm bells, showing that the arrestee probably isn't too thrilled about the prospects of jail time.

However, the Lakewood Police Chief Donald Judd apparently finds the words of a just-arrested heat-packing meathead to be worthy of the public record. Seriously, take a look at this nutjob. It's 11 pm, do you trust your National Hockey League franchise with this guy?

Major League Baseball has screwed itself so royally with steroids I can't completely exculpate the Nationals. But the Capitals? On a team that had only five players log more than 100 hits this season? And passed five rounds of drug testing over the last two years without incident?

As flimsy as the accusation appears on the surface, the incident itself and Commish Gary Bettman's recent public comments make me slightly uneasy. If they've passed drug tests (which they have) but the NHL establishes some connection to Thomas and the Caps (which they have not), expect the league to levy a massive fine on the Capitals organization and institute much tougher league-wide testing policies.

This publicity would be devastating for the NHL, which needs the news that players are passing league-instituted drug tests and juicing like I need a groin punch. But for all intents and purposes, lock this guy up and let's put to rest this ridiculous story.

Chris Pronger Could Be the D-Bag the Doctor Ordered for the Washington Capitals

DC Landing Strip — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:13:00 -0400

So I'm sitting at a bar in Brooklyn on Saturday nursing a beer. Apparently someone that speaks hipster had spread the word about the Sierra Nevada draft special and a horde of these fuckers took over the bar. After four to six full sips of beer each, they started "dancing" like wacky, waving, inflatable arm flailing tube men and irritating me to no end.

So naturally, my thoughts turned to violence. How sweet would it be, I wondered, if Chris Pronger walked into this bar, elbowed and stomped these clowns, hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head and paraded around the bar in triumph over their bloodied corpses? And then Caps GM George McPhee traded Tom Poti, Tomas Fleischmann, D prospects Josh Godfrey and Joe Finley and a first-rounder for him?

But my fantasies rarely become reality, except for the time I ordered the Super Juicer. And the obstacles preventing this dream from coming to fruition are steep. For one, the Ducks' ridiculous asking price: three blue-chip prospects, one of whom is a studly two-way defenseman in the Pronger mold. That, however, was during a seller's market trade deadline and the asking price is sure to go down this offseason—especially if Scott "Brett Favre" Niedermayer decides to return to the Ducks for another year.

For another, that pesky salary cap. By my math, and after making a few logical assumptions about which RFAs will be retained (Fehr, Gordon, Schultz, Jurcina) and which UFAs will not, the Caps will have around $52 million in salary towards the cap with only one open forward spot available. The 34-year old Pronger has one year left at $6.25 million. The cap this year was $56.7 million and is expected to go down. Balls.

Details shmetails, I say! Pronger is 100 percent tenacious in his defensive end, which makes him a perfect fit on a Caps blue line that currently has zero percent of that. His track record alone would make guys think twice about coming across the middle. Mike Green needs someone to ease the burden of being an offensive stud and a physical presence, which he tried and failed to be these playoffs. Erskine and Jurcina? Scott Stevens and Rod Langway they are not. Plus I think Pronger would like it here: we have plenty of hot sports reporters available for him to impregnate.

More importantly, however, Pronger will bring the edge to the backline that Ovie takes care of up front, and the young guys like Alzner—who curiously prides himself on not hitting—could stand to learn a thing or two about Capitals-do-what-it-takes-to-win-the-St?urn=nhl,163762">what it takes: namely, a dose of d-baggery when appropriate.

As I finished my beer one particularly pissy, life-hating hipster was at the bar whining about his $3 Sierra Nevada being too hoppy; about Modest Mouse becoming too "commercial," and other such bullshit things. It occurred to me that this was the Michael Nyander of the bar: he talked in circles like Nylander skates them and sucks the life out of the room like Nylander sucks it out of the Caps' offense. And similarly, he was the final roadblock to fun/improvement. The 36-year-old Swede is $5 million in cap deadweight for the next two years and it'd be a shame if that kept the Caps from acquiring a guy like Pronger.

Though not nearly as shameful as the way in which the corporations have like totally screwed us over again, man. Dumbass hipster.