Wizards Big Man Held Overseas

(Photo: nbasoup.com)

Here's a funny story. CSN broke today that Wizards big man and number one draft pick Jan Vesely is not allowed to come to the US as of right now.

Vesely, a native of the Czech Republic, is waiting to acquire his work visa (that's right, NBA players receive work visas, too). He cannot file to get his work visa until he signs his contract with the Wizards. He cannot sign his contract with the Wizards until the NBA lockout is officially over! Oh the drama!

There is a possibility that Vesely will not be in the states in time for training camp. He could still be in his homeland waiting for his work visa (still sounds funny) to be processed.

Espinosa Named to All-Rookie Team

(Photo: kffl.com)

Today, it was announced that Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa has been named to the 2011 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.

In the 2011 season, Espinosa appeared in 158 games for the D.C. ball club. He recorded a .236 batting average with a total of 135 hits. Espinosa hit 29 doubles and 21 homeruns. He scored 72 runs and finished with 66 RBIs. His slugging percentage was .414. Espinosa was also a threat running the bases with 17 stolen bases in 23 attempts.

Espinosa seemed to explode onto the scene in his first full season with the Nationals. He went through a few rough streaks were his hitting lagged, but, look for him to improve even more during his second full season in the majors.

Wizards Lose Big Man

(Photo: tbd.com)

Brian Jackson reported earlier today that Wizards free agent forward Yi Jianlian has injured his right knee while playing in China during the lockout.

Jianlian was hurt when his teammate for Guangdong Hongyuan fell into his right leg while facing Beijing's Stephon Marbury. He was taken to a hospital and doctors diagnosed him with a strained ligament in his right knee. Jianlian is expected to miss two to four weeks.

Jianlian also missed 19 games last season due to an injury to the same knee. He is currently a restricted free agent and the Wizards have right of first refusal on any offer sheet Jianlian receives from another team.

Capitals Week Preview

(Photo: washtimes.com)

This week marks the beginning for new Head Coach Dale Hunter. Hunter will attempt to turn around the Capitals who have fallen from first to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. He will be thrown to the wolves early, however. His upcoming week looks to be a tough one.

Tomorrow night the Capitals welcome the 13-8-2 St. Louis Blues to the Verizon Center. The Blues rank 2nd in the NHL in goals against with just over 2. The Capitals rank 5th in total goal per game with just over 3. This game should be a shootout and will certainly test the ability of Hunter to make in game adjustments.

This coming Thursday night the will play host to their hated rivals: the 14-6-4 Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins are currently ranked in the top ten in the NHL for goals per game, goals against, power play percentage, and penalty kill percentage. Washington won the only meeting between these two team back in early October.

The Capitals the round out the week on Saturday in Ottawa to play the currently 11-10-2 Senators. The Senators rank toward the bottom of the NHL in goals against. The Capitals should be able to showcase their powerful offensive attack. Washington won the only meeting between the two teams.

The Capitals face two very tough teams to start the week. It will test their ability to adapt to new head coach Dale Hunter. They certainly have the game against Pittsburgh circled on their calenders.

Hey Caps Fans!

Hey there, Capitals fans! From here on out I'm going to be trying out a new type of article so you can keep up with your favorite NHL team! Every Monday I will write a week in review and week preview. I will review the previous weeks actions as well as Capitals news! I will also set the stage for the next weeks action! I will let you know the schedule, any player movements, and so much more! Stay tuned, Caps fans!!

Tebowmania?

(Photo: everyjoe.com)

This "Tebowmania" thing has to stop. Every time I flip on ESPN or any sports radio/TV show, people are constantly talking about Tim Tebow and his incredible accomplishment of winning games. What?! We're STILL praising this guy for playing like a STARTING quarterback? In my opinion, it's about time he started playing like this!

Let's get something straight: I am NOT a Tim Tebow hater. I think the things that he can do on the football field are simply incredible. His ability to make plays is like no other. He is a breed of quarterback that we have never seen before in the NFL. But, people need to hop off the wagon.

First off: Enough of the references to his devotion to his religion! I am nowhere NEAR against his devotion, I think it's great, but, do we constantly have to reference that? Do you know how many other players pray before, during, and after the game? There are TONS of other players that are just as devoted as he is to their religion. I am not against his devotion, I am tired of people constantly using that to set him apart from other players.

Second: Are we SERIOUSLY praising him for WINNING? We don't sit back and talk about Tom Brady every week. We don't head to the water cooler and talk about Mike Vick every week. What about Drew Brees? Have we already forgotten about Matt Ryan? What's that guys name the plays for that team in Wisconsin again? Those guys are winning every week, as well. Have we lost sight of the fact that Tim Tebow is a STARTING quarterback? It appears so. His JOB is to win football games. I know the way he does it is impressive, but, he's done it the same way 5 different times now. Is it really that new of a thing? He did it for 3 years at the University of Florida.

In terms of being a quarterback, Tim Tebow is awful. His throwing motion is slower than molasses, his read progression only goes to his second or (maybe) third option, and he is inaccurate. He is not a quarterback. He is a running back that can throw the football. He runs more than he passes during the course of a game. He is a 4th quarter player. He is the worst in the NFL for the three quarters, but, turns it on when he has to get the job done (give him credit for that).

Is he the best player in the NFL? No. Is he one of the best play makers in the NFL? Yes. He simply finds a way to win football games. After all, he IS the starting quarterback. That IS what he is supposed to do.

Boudreau Out

(Photo: yahoo!sports.com)

Early this morning the Washington Capitals announced the departure of head coach Bruce Boudreau. Former Capital Dale Hunter will take over the vacant position.

The firing came after the recent nosedive that the team took from first to eighth in the Eastern Conference. After starting the season 7-0-0 the Capitals have now gone 5-9-1.

Hunter has had some coaching experience. He led the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League to their first Memorial Cup Championship in the 2004-05 season. He even won Coach of the Year honors in the 2003-04 season. In 11 years behind the bench, Hunter 451-189-23-24 record. He was the fastest coach in league history to get to 300 and 400 wins.

Hunter also played 19 seasons in the NHL from 1980 to 1999. He played in 1,407 games racking up 1,020 points (323 goals, 679 assists) and 3,565 penalty minutes with Quebec, Washington, and Colorado.

Hunter begins his new career with the Capitals tomorrow night at home against the St. Louis Blues.