Since the All-Star Break

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It’s been awhile since we’ve posted at Defeating the Curse. I’d like to say the reason was because we were working on some really exciting things to bring to the fans; but we’ve just been quiet. (Cough… Redskins management…cough).

Depending on who you ask, a lot has happened since the NBA All-Star break. Right before, the wizards had a FANTASTIC win against the OKC Thunder. That game was in Washington’s control from the start. I like to use the phrase “statement game” a lot. This was not one. This was just the wizards living up to their hype and delivering when they needed to. And on a nationally televised game. From there we beat the Pacers, take the All-Star break and begin trade rumors. The trade deadline is today at 3pm ET. So far the Wizards are getting Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCullough and giving up Marcus Thornton, Andrew Nicholson and a 2017 first-round pick. Additionally Trey Burke is apparently in the trading block for a second round pick. If that goes through, you have to question who would play PG with the second unit. It is likely that more trades are in the works today.

The Capitals suffered a few losses while we were gone. One came to the Detroit Red Wings via shootout, the second to one of the more aggravating teams, the NY Rangers. Thankfully we crushed the Philadelphia Flyers, which is always a good feeling. With the bye-week behind them, the focus now is fully on Stanley Cup and playing their best hockey yet. This should scare every team. Especially in the East. As fans of our local DC hockey team, we also need to be keeping an eye out on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Having them sneak into the playoffs could possibly mean a rough road for the Capitals in the playoffs. No team wants to have to go through the Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins. Side note — The curse applies here. Who would really be surprised to see a sudden hot Tampa team knock out a Washington team in the playoffs?

On to the Redskins. The now awkwardly quiet Washington Redskins. At first I was proud of my team keeping silent, working behind the scenes and not making any insane splashes that we as fans are used to. Now, I’m concerned. Someone tell us SOMETHING. Are we signing Kirk? Can we Keep Pierre? All of a sudden DeSean said he likes it here and wants to play with a franchise QB…does that mean Kirk? Since the same timeframe as the NBA All-Star break, Redskin fans have had to deal with the Washington Post publishing articles that frustrate almost every Redskins fan. Click-Bait much? There was a small fire surrounding Chris Cooley claiming our GM was drinking again, and Pierre Garcon asking “Y’all hiring” on his Instagram, which is now where us fans are receiving most of their information. Couple all those things with reports leaking out that it’s looking more and more like Kirk will not be staying with the Skins and I’d go full boycott. Hey…at least Bruce Allen put up a new sign!

Pierre Garcon is going to receive a lot of attention in free agency

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There are two headlines every Redskins fan is sick of hearing this offseason. The obvious is the Kirk situation, the second is our two free agent wide receivers. I’m reluctant to bring up the WR topic yet again, however I am starting to get concerned. From the first pass that RG3 threw, Pierre Garcon has been there. Sure handed, ready to play, and with a fight in him that you could tell ignited the entire team.

Before we get into it, you need to understand that this isn’t a post about choosing between DeSean of Pierre. If it were up to me, we’d keep both receivers. DeSean’s speed is unparalleled. Every defense has to account for him, simply because he can blow the top off any coverage. Pierre is the tough, over the middle, earn every yard receiver. Both are important. Both are talented. Both want to stay, yet both might be leaving. No disrespect to DeSean, but it doesn’t seem like teams are as interested in him as much as Pierre. To me that is shocking. His stats since 2008 are incredible. But we’ll save that for another post…

Pierre Garcon is generating a lot of buzz. According to The Washington Post’s Mike Jones, the Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers are interested in Garcon’s services. Rumors are floating that the Ravens and Cardinals are interested as well. Thankfully he has stated many times he would love to stay in D.C., yet I find myself asking “who do you take in case PG isn’t around next year?” — My answer is Kenny Britt.

If I were Scot McCloughan I’d have a very difficult time deciding between the two. Kenny Britt is 28. Both DeSean AND Pierre are on the wrong side of 30. Kenny Britt is 6’3. DeSean is 5’10 and Pierre is 6’0. those few inches can make a huge difference. Especially with our red zone struggles. Kenny is also a 1000 yard receiver. 1,002 yard to be exact. Considering that was produced in the horrific Jeff Fisher-led Rams offense, I’m impressed. Who knew the Rams even gained that much yardage last year?! There are a few caveats you have to address however. Kenny Britt blew out his ACL/MCL back in the 2011/2012 season. He’s sprained his ankle, had a DUI, and overall kinda sucked before last year. Granted he was with the Tennessee Titans before Marcus Mariota and of course the Rams….two pretty bad teams.

Here is my dilemma – Pierre and Kenny will both want somewhere around 8m/year. Do you pay that much for an unknown receiver, who is younger and could possibly produce an even more productive year with a Kirk Cousins? Or do you pay your guy, who knows the team, the plays, the QB and has proven time and time again he is an integral part of the offense, but….is older? Also, you can’t forget about Jameson Crowder. One of the few draft picks the Redskins have that is actually producing. He’ll want his money next year. He can be your Pierre Garcon replacement. They are almost identical, except for the fact that Crowder is younger.

The decision is tough to make. Unfortunately the Redskins front office has kept all of us fans anxiously waiting for ANY news. Scot McCloughan and Bruce Allen have some big decisions ahead of them. Hopefully they make the right decision…and KEEP PIERRE GARCON!

Thats right. I don’t want him to go anywhere. The most important fact is Garçon worked alongside Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, six-time Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne and surefire Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. You can see week in and week out he learned a lot from those guys. Hopefully he can stay and be that mentor to our up and coming receivers too.

4 Down Territory – What the Redskins need to do before Free Agency

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Now that the superbowl is over, and the 2016-2017 season is officially behind us, we can begin to look forward to the offseason. The Washington Redskins were titled the offseason champions for about the first 16 seasons of Dan Snyder’s ownership tenure. Since then Scot McCloughan has taken over and the Redskins have changed course a bit. There was a sprinkling of superstar brought in with the Josh Norman signing, but the Redskins have been building from within and building through the draft.

In this new blog series titled 4 down territory we will go quick hitters on 4 things I would like to see the Redskins do BEFORE the start of free agency.

First down – No surprise here, SIGN KIRK COUSINS TO A LONG TERM DEAL. I don’t even want to see a Franchise Tag placed on Kirk (Not Kurt Bruce, not Kurt). Kirk wants to be here in DC. Bruce, Jay, and hopefully Scot want Kirk here so let’s just make it happen! The Redskins have over 60 million dollars in cap space, what’s the 22-24 million that it will take to sign Kirk? He is clearly deserving, end of story, period, no ifs ands or buts. UPDATE: Kory Lichtenstiger decided to make his retirement official today so the redskins actually have about 65 million in cap space.

Second down – Allow Scot McCloughan to speak to the media. Actually, don’t allow Scot to speak to the media. It was reported by the Washington post that Bruce Allen won’t let Scot McCloughan talk to media because his job is to focus on talent evaluation. What’s wrong with that? As long as Scot is ok with that why should we care? Scot is a great talent evaluator, so let him be the talent evaluator! Let Bruce do the political talking, after all that’s probably what he’s best suited for.

Third down – Decide to keep Pierre Garcon or Desean Jackson for continuity of the offense. In my opinion it’s a no brainer, you have to keep Pierre. He is a vital part of this offense and shows up to play down in and down out. He is a known quantity and is consistent at it. Not to even mention all the great things he does off the field and in the community. The Redskins lost their offensive coordinator this offseason but the best way to overcome that is to keep continuity of the offense. After all, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

Fourth down – Prioritize which positions on defense need immediate upgrade and which players can still be stop gap solutions for some positions. With 65 million in cap space the Redskins can add some serious player upgrades on defense, but they need to prioritize which positions are worth spending high dollar on and which positions can be upgraded in later rounds of the draft or some cheaper options in free agency. In my opinion it goes, ILB, DL, S.

Welcome to the Bandwagon

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Welcome to all the new fans and spectators of the Washington Wizards. We’ve been waiting for you. The Washington Wizards took the defending champs down to the wire on Monday in what was easily the most exciting game this season for the NBA. This game had it all, from lead changes to 3 point exchanges, and a shot at the end of regulation that to tie then ultimately lose. THAT is why a blog with this name even exists.

The Wizards win streak may have ended, but this is just the beginning. Monday was proof that the goal isn’t just to make it to the playoffs, its to make it deep into the playoffs.

Lebron James is good, he is also extremely lucky. Usually I would talk about how Monday night’s game is more proof that DC is cursed. Nobody should have been able to make that shot. Its inconceivable that we let Lebron score three times from long range within a 97 second span. On top of that was everything that went down in overtime. Lebron fouls out after 1 minute, DC fans celebrate…then Kyrie Irving decides to remind us all he exists. Kyrie scored 11 points in OT, the second-most for any player in an overtime this season, second only to Russell Westbrook, who scored 14 against Washington back in November. Despite those reasons, I’m not upset. I don’t think the curse played a part in the game on Monday.

The Wizards needed that game, and that outcome. Would a win have been preferred? Yes. I’m not an idiot. A win would have been huge. What I am saying now though, is that a loss can be used as fuel. The hunger will now be there after the all-star break. A win that big, this early, in this town….THAT is how the curse would strike. We can’t handle national attention. Not yet. Knowing this city, and our teams, a win Monday night would have quenched this teams thirst. If only for a little bit. I don’t want us to stumble a few games then fight our way back up the ranks before the playoffs.

The Wizards have something brewing and you’re all welcome to enjoy the show and cheer at the phone booth. Monday was your sneak peak. Buy your tickets, put your jerseys on, and rock your throwback Bullets snap backs. The Wizards are getting ready to make a statement. We’re coming for you Lebron…and next time that shot won’t fall.

Wizards have a very important few weeks ahead

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The Washington Wizards are in the middle of a 15-game home win streak. John Wall was recently rewarded with an all-star appearance and won player of the month (December). The Wizards have the BEST record in the east since December 1st 2016. Scott Brooks was named coach of the Month in January. All this and I say the Wizards have a very important few weeks ahead of them. Why? Well 2 reasons, we will hopefully find out if Ian Mahinmi was worth the 64 million he was paid in the offseason, and the Wizards have some critical east match ups. Where if all goes well the Wizards can put themselves in a good spot in the East.

First, I will briefly touch on Ian Mahinmi. Ian is reportedly close to returning and it has been reported that he will play again before the all-star break. Can Ian be the Wizards bench player that can help the team excel deep into the playoffs? Or will the Wizards be forced into making a trade before the trade deadline on Thursday February 23rd? Personally, I don’t need to see Ian come out and crush it, be the rim protector that the Wizards need, but I need to see potential and hope that he will improve over the last few months. With Jason Smith playing the way he has been we really need Ian to come in and compliment Jason with his defense.

Next the Wizards have the next 5 of 7 games before the all-star break at home. If the Wizards can come out on top for the majority of these games it will put them substantially ahead of teams in places 5-8 and solidify them as a contender in the east. The Wizards are currently sitting in the fourth spot in the east. They are currently 1 game out of third place, 2.5 games out of second place and 5 games out of the top spot. One of these seven games are a nationally televised game against the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Why is it important to make up ground in the east right now? Because it looks like some of the teams are going to get better via trade. Rumors have it that Melo may be joining the Boston Celtics, which will make them significantly better. Rumors also have it that Lebron James isn’t happy with only having 2 other all stars on the team and wants more. Wait what????

(Just a small note on Lebron James, I promise) Lebron pretty much hand-picked his team, brought in the guys he wanted to play with and is now making a case about additional players he wants to bring in. Is he a player or a GM? That’s not leadership! That’s not knowing you are in the conversation of being an all-time great and putting your team on your shoulders and winning a title. That’s the cheap way out! That’s a loser’s mentality! I will equate this to when I was a kid playing Madden. I would be down in the fourth quarter, where I would pause the game, switch teams, and punt the ball.

(Just a small note on how unfair the NBA is structured, I don’t promise this) In my opinion the NBA should do something to increase parity in the league. There are too many superstar teams and with players like Lebron recruiting mid-season and like the Warriors did this offseason in recruiting KD. Teams aren’t rewarded for building through the draft like it is say in the NFL. The NBA should really consider having a hard cap, where teams cannot spend more than the cap, and get rid of this luxury tax garbage. The NFL does many things wrong, but I think they control parity the way it should be. There’s almost at least 1 new team in the Super bowl every year, where in the NBA it’s the same teams over and over again. The Cavs basically went from one of the worst team in the league to playing in the finals by using their $$$ and drafting no players.

Rant(s) finished, now let’s just hope the Wizards prove the NBA wrong and prove that drafting the right players, adding in free agency (responsibly) can work.