Thumbs Up

TB Clinton Portis, who ran for 129 yards and 2 TD on 21 carries [6.1 yards per carry]. With the passing game in shambles due to lack of protection, Portis WAS the Redskins offense against the Rams.

The story was looking awfully familiar. New Caps goalie Jose Theodore was in goal, and Chicago struck twice early in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. Eerily similar to last night. Nerves flared as Theodore was stunned.

Matt Mosley of ESPN had a conversation with Redskins LT Chris Samuels about football, life and politics. It's an interesting read and Samuels is definitely more interesting that the average pro athlete. We even get some info on Redskins plays.

The good thing for all you guests, the leader did not score again for the second straight week, which means, believe it or not, getting in right now for the first time, THIS contest is wide open for ANYONE! Best of all, it's FREE to play. Simply join our forum, post your guess of the score, and that's it. Then, feel free to join us in great discussion.

It is here! Finally! After a long off-season, your Washington Capitals square off in their season opener tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers. Take note a€" we put the Ball Hype widgets...vote in the poll at end of post, who will score Caps first goal.

CB Chris Horton: --- The rookie played another fine game last week leading the Redskins defense in tackles, 7 tackles, 1 assist. One thing is for sure, Greg Blache knows what he has in Horton because Horton is on the field alot. His aggressiveness, speed, and tenacity make him a perfect partner with Laron Landry.

The Wash Post points out the obvious a€" one of the biggest questions facing the NHL in 2008/09 a€" who is better, Ovechkin or Crosby.

Wizards center Brendan Haywood, who had the best season of his career last year, will have surgery and miss the next 4-6 months.

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that center Brendan Haywood will have surgery to repair a torn dorsal scapho-lunate ligament in his right wrist. He originally suffered the injury during last week's training camp in Richmond, VA.

or all the rumors that circulated out there about the fate of Michael Nylander in DC, did anyone notice, opening day is Friday, Michael Nylander is a Capital. Can these rumors just die no, please?

Okay, the Washington Wizards lost their first preseason game in Dallas to the Mavericks last night, but don't worry about that because it isn't important. Instead, worry about this:

Center Brendan Haywood, who has been out since injuring his right wrist last Thursday, will have the wrist examined by a hand specialist in New York on Wednesday.

After watching 5 weeks of NFL football, The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll has come to two conclusions:

1. The two best teams in the NFC East should just play each other in the Super Bowl;

2. Norv Turner has embarrassing photos of some powerful people.

CB Shawn Springs is feeling much better after a week off to rest his aching calf: "I'll be rocking this weekend," he said. "I feel good. I'm playing."

SLB Marcus Washington also expects to play at or near full speed against the Rams on Sunday.

The biggest news, besides the Capitals are just 3 days away from the start of 2008/09 season, is the Washington Capitals roster is set. Some out there seemed surprised by the final roster reduction, I wasn't.

Here are the DCPSR Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down for the Redskins, Week three. Each week we provide 2 Thumbs Up and 2 Thumbs Down to the players we felt deserved a shout out or shout down from something they did in the game. This isn't necessarily the star of the game, but more so, a recognition of something we feel was critical or extra efforts.

THUMBS UP:

Offensive Line. Why? The Philadelphia Eagles have an absolutely brutal pass rush.

The Washington Redskins dropped behind Philadelphia 14-0 early in the first quarter. But, the Jim Zorn run Redskins fought back to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia 23-17.