Friday, April 26, 2019

DCSB: It all broke right for the Redskins

D.C. Sports Bog

The newest quarterback. (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

While I am biologically conditioned to have extreme, debilitating skepticism toward everything that happens in Ashburn, up to and including the opening of a new Wegmans, last night felt like it went pretty well for the local football franchise. In the interest of time, of which I have little, I will keep this brief and bulleted.

• I would not have been excited about training camp had the Redskins drafted Brian Burns, Chris Lindstrom or Greedy Williams. And I am now, in fact, sort of excited about training camp. First-round quarterbacks are interesting. First-round quarterbacks who prompt disparate opinions and have local ties and draft night grudges and are oft-discussed on First Take are especially interesting.

• Maybe you miss on the quarterback. That would be bad. But you gotta swing. The answer isn't Case Keenum. It isn't Colt McCoy, either. You need to take a real swing, while limiting the potential cost of a mistake. They took a swing.

• Those two bullets alone are not a great reason to displace skepticism. But the Redskins got all those things that they presumably want -- national buzz, a reason to pay attention again, and a potential franchise quarterback -- and they did not have to trade up to get them. Had they moved to No. 3 to get those things, it would have been bad. Those things fell to them at No. 15.

• Then they did trade up, and they took a guy many of their supporters thought they might take at No. 15, and yes there was a cost, but they had extra draft capital this year and they spent it modestly and for someone else with great potential. (Mississippi State pass rusher Montez Sweat, who reportedly has some health concerns, but who many analysts believe could be a star.) Again, there is a high upside, and again, they did not kneecap their draft capital to get it.

• I'm not even going to mention the fact that, without a Stanley Cup run or a D.C.-based All-Star Game or a World Cup, and with a baseball team addicted to .500 baseball, we were staring at an extremely boring few months unless the Redskins did something extremely interesting. We as in The Washington Post sports section. Because that's not relevant to you. It's only relevant to me. So I won't mention it. Ever. But. You know. This won't hurt.

That is all you get on what's shaping up to be a very memorable few days for local sports fans. And you can tell me where you fit on the skepticism meter if you'd like. I'm planning on spending my weekend in Atlantic City watching youth volleyball. I wish you similar happiness, and I'll be back on Monday. -- Dan Steinberg

  • Brewer: Redskins' selection of Dwayne Haskins deserves a pat on the back — and a healthy dose of skepticism. (Read)
  • Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. went in the first round to the Packers. (Read)
  • The Nats are calling up top prosect Carter Kieboom. (Read)
  • Izzy's breakdown of a huge offseason for the Caps. (Read)
  • Why this loss felt different. (Read)

Tonight on TV: The Nats host the Padres at 7 on MASN. The Orioles are in Minnesota at 8 on MASN2. The draft continues at 7 on WJLA, ESPN and NFL Network. The Islanders host the Hurriances at 7 on NBC Sports Network. Golden State is at the Clippers at 10 on ESPN.

 
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Perspective
Redskins' selection of Dwayne Haskins deserves a pat on the back — and a healthy dose of skepticism
Washington was both aggressive and creative on the first night of the draft, seemingly improving. But the hard part is just beginning.
 
Analysis | Redskins draft: What Dwayne Haskins and Montez Sweat bring to Washington
The Redskins were able to plan for their future and address an immediate need in Thursday's first round.
Redskins draft Dwayne Haskins as QB of the future, trade up for pass rusher Montez Sweat
Washington takes the Ohio State quarterback with the No. 15 pick, then takes the Mississippi State standout at No. 26 after executing a trade with the Colts.
 
Packers make Maryland safety Darnell Savage Jr. a first-round pick
"To hear my name called on draft night is the realization of a lifelong dream," Savage said in a statement.
 
 
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Nationals plan to call up top prospect Carter Kieboom
Kieboom is a 21-year-old infielder who has been crushing the ball for the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies. The Nationals would need to make two corresponding moves because he is not on the 40-man roster.
 
Analysis
What free agent moves, trades will Capitals make to extend title window?
Change will come to Washington this offseason as Capitals try to prop open their title window for what could be the last season with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and goaltender Braden Holtby all on the roster.
 
For some Caps fans, this Game 7 heartbreak was different
Last year's Stanley Cup title helped lessen the sting of Washington's first-round loss.
 
The Hurricanes trolled the Capitals with a 'Game of Thrones' burn after Game 7 win
Carolina demanded Washington "bend the knee" after vanquishing the defending champs.
 
 
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