Ovi Plays Well To Give The Fans Free Chicken Wings

The Capitals continue to pull out great offensive performances in game after game.  So far in January the Caps have outscored their opponents 38 to 22 with a record of 6-2.  This all comes after Ovechkin was named Captain after their three game skid to end out December and start January.  The Caps seem to just be rolling once again and have established their offensive rhythm that we all love to see and watch. 

And what does 8 The Great have to say about their great offensive performance as of late?  "I just wanted to give the fans free chicken wings."  Ovechkin truly is a man of the people.  For those who don't know, Glory Days Grill is offering 10 free wings after every home game where the Capitals score five or more goals in a game.  This has happened at three of the four home games this month so far. 

Ovechkin will be looking to give the fans more free wings when the Caps take on the Red Wings on Tuesday.  The Capitals took control of the Eastern Conference with 66 points with their win today against the Flyers and continue to roll.

Agent Zero's Name Still Finds Its Way Into Verizon Center

For every game since Gilbert Arenas was suspended from participating in the NBA with the Washington Wizards, virtually every trace of his name was erased from Verizon Center.  Every piece of Arenas merchandise was taken out of the stores and he was edited out of the pregame video.  One player, however, still found a way to bring in his old teammates name into the game.

Deshawn Jackson took the court for warmups with the name "AGENT" and "ZERO" written in capital letters on the tape just above his ankles.  He said it was because he was still part of the team.

"He's still a part of the team, right?" Stevenson said. "He's still part of the team, he's my brother, so I'm going to stick to him through rough times. It's like my little tribute."

And as if removing Arenas' name from Verizon Center wasn't enough, fans at the game saw a banner focusing on the team's community service with the slogan "On your team, on the court and in the community, Wizards care."

Arenas Benched By Stern And NBA

This couldn't come soon enough.  Stern has finally dropped hammer on Gilbert Arenas after bringing guns into Washington's locker, violating NBA rules pertaining to guns.  Stern said the suspension starts now and that his actions will "ultimately result in substantial suspension, and perhaps worse."  The Wizards respected the decision by Stern saying

"We fully endorse the decision of the NBA to indefinitely suspend Gilbert Arenas," the Wizards responded in a statement on Wednesday. "Strictly legal issues aside, Gilbert's recent behavior and statements, including his actions and statements last night in Philadelphia, are unacceptable. Some of our other players appeared to find Gilbert's behavior in Philadelphia amusing. This is also unacceptable. Under Abe Pollin's leadership, our organization never tolerated such behavior, and we have no intention of ever doing so."

I agree with this suspension and wish it had come sooner.  The NBA is getting a negative image now that all these players are carrying guns around, which in fact is probably true.  But this image is the last thing that the NBA needs right now.  There is no reason that players should feel the need to carry their guns to games and keep them in their locker.  Even if you said you kept them on you so that your kids wouldn't get into them at home, that is no excuse.  Get a lock box and keep them at home!  In a normal job, if your boss walked in to see you keeping a gun in your desk and you used that excuse, you're going to be fired on the spot.

In Arenas' case, he had four guns.  Is this not a little excessive.  Not to mention his subsequent joking, apology, un-apology, and failed re-apology. Oh and to add to it, if your still not convinced try reading his twitter comments that just kept on coming. The NBA needs to, at the very least, suspend him for the rest of the season if not next season as well.  If anyone will do it, it will be Stern.  And a stiff suspension will send word to the rest of the NBA players that guns will not be tolerated in the NBA.

What should the team do?  It's time for a fire-sale.  I know most people won't like that phrase, but lets be honest.  We have the talent but we aren't winning.  It's time to start over, get some good prospects, and rebuild this team back into a winning team.  Seems like thats what every single DC team needs to do right now, excluding the Capitals and maybe D.C. United.

Dan Snyder Gets His Man

Yesterday Mike Shanahan signed his name on a contract that makes him the head coach of the Washington Redskins on a 5 year deal that would give him $7 million a year.  And not only that, the new offensive coordinator will be his son.

But how good will the Redskins be with Shanahan at the helm.  After all, most of his wins in the playoffs came from having John Elway at the starting quarterback position.  And lets face it, Campbell is no where close to being an Elway.

Shanahan's style may also prove a problem.  Shanahan loves to be in control and under the terms of the contract he will have the final decision on all team decisions.  Does this mean Snyder is willing to just sit back and let the people he hired do their jobs?  We can only hope.

With Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan in control of the team I think the Redskins franchise can finally rebound and get back to its former glory.

BREAKING: Capitals Name Alexander Ovechkin Next Capitals Captain

Its better sooner than later in naming the next captain for the Washington Capitals.  After a three game skid this was the best thing the Capitals could do to help bring the team back together and get them playing back at the level they had been before the Capitals traded old captain Chris Clark.

Alexander Ovechkin has been named the 14th captain for the Washington Capitals.   In terms of skill, no one is better.  But just how good will Ovechkin be filling out the responsibilities of being captain of a team?  In my opinion he will do just fine.  I don't think there is a single person on the Capitals team that doesn't already look up to Ovechkin.

Now that the void is filled, will we see a spark in the Capitals play?  We should see tonight when they return home to take on Montreal.  

Varlamov Expected To Miss 2 More Weeks

The rehab game went well in Hershey in terms of Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov in terms of his performance.  He made 28 saves and gave up only one goal in the game against Adirondack.  However in the game he tweaked his lower body injury that has kept him out since December 7th.  This tweak during the rehab game will keep him out for about 2 more weeks. 

Varlamov was chosen for the Russian Olympic team on Christmas Day and the injury, so far, will not keep him from participating in the Olympics.

Redskins Resign Nine Players

Nine players, all of which were on the Redskins' practice squad at some point this year, have been resigned into future contracts.  Running back Anthony Alridge, who was released at one point and then resigned to the practice squad, was among those resigned.  The complete list is below.

• Anthony Alridge - RB
  
• Anthony Armstrong - WR
  
• Doug Dutch - CB
• Antoine Holmes - DT
• Clint Oldenburg - OL
• James Robinson - WR
• J.D. Skolnitsky - DL
• Lee Vickers - TE
• Darrel Young - LB

This seems like a strange move considering the head coach (Shanahan) has not yet been made official.  I would have expected resigns to happen after a head coach was named and a plan was drawn out with Bruce Allen and the future coach.  This may, of course, be Snyder's micromanagement of the team.  If it is, I fear the Redskins' woes are going to continue. 

Message to Snyder: You have Bruce Allen and, soon, Mike Shanahan in place.  Time to step back from the team and let them do their jobs.