Monday, November 5, 2012

A Change to the Blog

My dear reader,

Ever since August of 2010, you have made it a point to take a few precious minutes out of your day to stop here and see what is the latest and greatest in all things Washington D.C. sports. And some of you have even gone out of your way to share what you read on here on your Twitter and/or Facebook pages and for that, I thank you.

But, there will be a somewhat major change hitting The Skinny On Sports blog from here until forevermore.

Late in the month of October, I was contacted by Beyond Sports Network and was offered the position of Director of Media Relations. Let me back track a quick second...

Recall if you will, this blog post I did this past spring regarding the Beyond Sports Network Collegiate Showcase in Akron, Ohio. I kept in touch with powers that be at BSN and they offered me this position.

Due to the workload that I have happily taken on, I will not be able to post up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite D.C. sports teams. It pains me to say this, but The Skinny On Sports will only be updated 2-3 times per week.

When will it be updated? you may ask. This blog will now be used to recap the latest sporting event, be it Redskins, Wizards, Capitals, or Nationals, and give my personal take on what happened during the game.

I sincerely hope that you continue to check in on this blog on read my latest and greatest take on what exactly happened on the ice, diamond, field, and hard wood. I promise to bring you my unbiased (mostly) opinion on what went down during the game.

Thank you to my readers that check in day after day to see the latest and greatest sports news. You keep me motivated to continue my work and perfect my craft. For now, keep this blog on your list and check in every now and then to see what is going on in the world of The Skinny.

Sincerely,

Brian "The Skinny On Sports" Skinnell

Friday, November 2, 2012

Nats Make Offer to LaRoche

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche (25)
(Photo: Keith Allison)
Today, it was reported that the Washington Nationals made a qualifying offer to free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche. The Washington Times has more here.

According to the report, the offer is for one-year and $13.3 million. The original offer that LaRoche turned down to become a free agent was for one-year and $10 million. As you can see, this would give LaRoche a hefty $3.3 million more.

This qualifying offer serves two purposes. The first is that it gives Adam LaRoche something to mull over. He has until November 9th decide whether or not he will accept the offer. It also turns LaRoche into a compensated free agent. If he were to decline the Nationals offer and sign with another team, the Nationals would receive a compensatory draft pick.

The compensatory draft pick significantly decreases his value to other teams. According to the Washington Times article, the Nationals would likely receive a second round draft pick. If a team had to give away big money and a high draft pick in order to acquire LaRoche, that will drop the number of teams willing to sign him.

However, should LaRoche decline the offer, the Nationals are still more than welcomed to submit another offer. Like stated above, LaRoche has until next Friday to either accept or decline the Nationals offer.

The Nationals have not yet submitted an offer to free agent relief pitcher Sean Burnett.

Question: Do you think Adam LaRoche should get paid more, less, or exactly $13.3 million? Leave your answer in a comment below!

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Source: The Washington Times

Redskins Hall Fined

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was fined by the NFL yesterday for his tirade towards an official in the second half of Sunday's game against the Steelers. Since he did not make contact with the official, Hall was not suspended. The Washington Times has the full report here.

In the fourth of quarter of last weekends game, Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders took Hall to the ground via his helmet while he blocked him on a running play. A flag was not thrown and Hall decided that then was his chance to voice his disgust.

Hall, with his helmet off, then verbally attacked the official and pointed his finger at him. It took a number of Redskins to finally pull Hall away from the official and even then he was still able to be with shouting distance.

This is the second time a Redskins player or coach has been penalized for verbally attacking an official. Following the week 3 loss to the Bengals, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan attacked the official for how they handled the final moments of the game. Those actions incurred a $20,000 penalty.

To the best of my knowledge, the amount that DeAngelo Hall was fined has not been disclosed. Since Shanahan was fined $20,000 for a similar violation, it would not be surprising if Hall was fined $15-$20,000.

A point that the article linked to above mentions is that Hall will be more severely punished if disciplinary action is needed against him in the future. With the new mindset of the NFL and they way they discipline players, repeat offenders will be receiving harsher penalties as a way to try to get them to stop misbehaving.

At any rate, in the heat of the moment it doesn't matter what the repercussions may be when that player goes off. In Halls case, it was late in the game, the Redskins were losing, it was cold and rainy, and they were on the road. Those factors probably didn't help him keep a cool head and then add in the adrenaline that's already flowing and you've got a recipe for an explosion.

Hopefully, the Redskins will look internally instead of externally when slowing down their players and keeping them from being fined. This is the second time that Redskins coach/player has gotten in trouble for an altercation with the officiating staff.

Question: Do you think DeAngelo Hall was right in attacking the official? Should he have faced disciplinary action? Leave you opinion in a comment below!

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Source: The Washington Times

Thursday, November 1, 2012

LaRoche, Burnett Hit Free Agency

Adam LaRoche, Bo Porter
(Photo: Keith Allison)
Today, Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche and relief pitcher Sean Burnett declined their options and will officially declare for free agency which begins this Saturday at midnight. The Washington Post has more here.

Don't expect the Nationals to sign them to new deals before the clock strikes twelve on Saturday night. The whole point of these two declaring free agency is so they can make more money. How much money, you ask?

Well, LaRoche turned down $10 million over the next season in hopes of a long-term higher paying contract. As the Nationals biggest bat this past season and Gold Glove winner, LaRoche deserves to be paid a little more over a few years.

To give comparison with the money aspect, Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder is set to make around $23 million annually. LaRoche is more than likely not asking for that much, but I would be willing venture that LaRoche wants between $15-$20 million annually over 3-4 years.

Letting LaRoche walk would be a mistake. While the Nationals do have Anthony Rendon, the minor league star broke his ankle last season and finished off the year on the recovery trail. Also, it would be a good idea to hang onto 33 homers and 100 RBI. If the price is right, LaRoche will be a National next season.

Sean Burnett, however, is a different story. I believe that Burnett is more likely to go than LaRoche. Last season, Burnett made just $2.35 million (his option was for $3.5 million). He'll likely be looking for something around $4-$5 million annually and over 2-3 years.

However, if the Nationals were to let Burnett walk, it would not be the end of the world. Burnett was by no means the star of the bullpen and is coming off of surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow.

The Nationals would have Tyler Clippard, Tom Gorzelanny, Drew Storen, Ryan Matheus, and Craig Stammen in the bullpen. I don't want to get your hopes up prematurely, but Todd "Coffey Time" Coffey will be available this free agency.

Both Burnett and LaRoche have been adamant they want to stay in Washington and the Nationals have said that they want to retain both players. Maybe that kind of mindset will aid in the negotiation process and both will be willing to give a little to make a deal work.

Question: Do you think the Nationals should resign LaRoche and/or Burnett? Leave your answer in a comment below!

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Source: Washington Post
Salary Source: ESPN

Pierre Garcon Out Against Panthers

Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon has officially been ruled out of this weekends game against the Panthers according to the Washington Post. For more on Garcon and a few other injured Redskins, go to this link.

Garcon has played in just three of the Redskins eight games this season. He started week one against the Saints and had a huge impact early in that game. Garcon had four receptions for 109 yards including an 88 yard touchdown reception. Garcon then left the game late in the first half after injuring his foot.

Garcon then returned in weeks four and five and had nowhere near the impact that he had in week one. In those two games combined, Garcon was targeted by quarterback Robert Griffin III eight times and made just four receptions for 44 yards and no touchdowns.

The biggest problem that the Redskins biggest free-agency addition this past season has been running into is his explosion and ability to push hard off that foot. Not being able to do that will effect his jump off the line, jumping ability, and he has also said that it hampers his ability to go side to side.

The earliest we will see Garcon return to the field next is against the Eagles in week 11. Following the Redskins game against the Panthers, Washington has a bye week. That will give Garcon more time to try to heal his foot.

Another thing to keep in mind about Pierre Garcon's injury is that it could require surgery. While a doctor told Garcon that he doesn't need surgery for it to heal (doing so would end his season), he will need to stay off of hit completely in order for it to heal the fastest.

As for now, Garcon and the Redskins are trying to avoid surgery by giving him plenty of rest. Expect Santana Moss to still have an impact on the passing game. He has been Griffin's top target with Garcon out. Another receiver that has felt the impact of Garcon's absence is Dezmon Briscoe. Briscoe has seen an elevation in playing time as the fourth receiver.

Question: How do you think Garcon's absence has impacted the Redskins? Leave your opinion in a comment below!

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Source: Washington Post