Jose Theodore, Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth...Who's the Odd Man Out?

The Washington Capitals are now finding themselves with a good problem to have, too many goalies. While none of them are of superstar status yet, two of them very well could be soon. Theodore and Varlamov split time to begin the season before Varlamov began to establish himself as the top goalie. A lingering knee injury for Varlamov, opened the door for Neuvirth to come and show off his goalie skills this season as well. So far he has impressed head coach Bruce Boudreau so much that he's taken over the goalie responsibilities starting 9 of the last 12 games. Many look at Neuvirth's play of late and claim he is even better than Varlamov. With three goalies ready to play, the question for this team going forward is what role each will have.

Varlamov really came to prominence last season as he took over in the playoffs for a struggling Theodore leading the Caps into the second round and finishing with a 7-6 record. His play was so impressive that it was clear his Hershey Bear days were over. He has continued to play well this season posting a 12-1-2 record with a 2.21 GAA, and .924 save percentage. His strength as a goalie is clearly his flexibility. If you can't beat him on the 5-hole, you can't beat him low, period. He can stretch his legs and cover the entire goal line. His large body and imposing frame allow him to play a butterfly style without leaving the top of the net open to shooters. Coming into the season, his major weakness was rebound control, especially with his glove, but he has improved dramatically over the course of the season. The other major problem that has truly revealed itself this season is that he may be injury prone. Varlamov suffers numerous groin and lower body injuries that force him out of the lineup due to his style of play. Still, for all the praise Neuvirth is getting this season, Varlamov still remains the goalie of the future. Say what you want about his weaknesses, he doesn't lose. Period. He has one regular season loss in his career. For every soft goal he gives up, he makes up for it with at least one spectacular save. If the Caps can keep him healthy, then he will become the franchise goalie.

Neuvirth's numbers so far this season aren't nearly as impressive. Right now he has a 5-4 record with a 3.27 GAA, and .892 save percentage, but you shouldn't let these stats take away from the great job he's done taking over for Varlamov. His major strength is his glove. The man should have played shortstop. Nothing would get by him. He still has a ways to go, however, before he can really be an NHL goalie. He lets in far too many soft goals. At times he plays too timid and won't challenge shooters at the top of the crease. He also seems to struggle with his 5-hole, allowing pucks to squeak through. These things, however, can easily be resolved as he continues to develop.

The veteran for this team is Theodore who came into the season as the number one goalie on paper at least, since many thought Varlamov would take over rather quickly. With his contract set to expire at the end of the year, Theodore has performed admirably knowing that he was performing for his job. Comparatively, he appears to be better than the young Neuvirth with 12-7-4 record, 2.88 GAA, and .902 save percentage. His playing time, however, is not a priority for the Capitals organization who want to establish their future superstars. Theodore saw the writing on the wall when it came to Varlamov, but taking the backseat to Neuvirth has clearly upset him. When Varlamov was placed on IR and Neuvirth was called up, Boudreau chose to give the backup significant playing time rather than sit him in favor for the established Theodore. He clearly does not like being backup to the backup.

Caught in this position, the Caps have to make a decision regarding their three goalies relatively quickly. What the team was hoping for was for both Varlamov and Neuvirth to develop by this season so that the team could look to unload Theodore at the trade deadline. With questions surrounding the durability of Varlamov and the play of Neuvirth, the Caps may want to hold onto Theodore for the playoffs and even resign him for a one or two year deal. Theodore seems unlikely to return, however, with two prospective goalies behind him.

The Caps also face another, more long term problem. My guess is that Varlamov will develop into a starting/superstar caliber goalie. He's that good. But if injuries remain a question for him, then the Caps need a backup able to handle the load. In steps Neuvirth, but it is unclear how good he can be. My guess for him is that he will be a perfect fit, a backup who is better than most backups, but not good enough to be a full time starter. This may be wishful thinking. The problem is if he develops into a better or worse goalie. If he is better than a backup, he won't like being a backup and earning backup money. If he isn't as good, then he won't be able to handle the load of an injured Varlamov.

A lot of questions remain for the Capitals surrounding their goalies. They need good, consistent play to make a deep run into the playoffs. They need to decide if they are better off with Theodore or with the value he will bring in through trade. They also need to decide what role Neuvirth will serve in the future. If the Caps do it right, their goalie questions will be over for many seasons to come.

Still a Long Road Ahead for the Redskins

Get a real GM...check
Get a good coach...check
Go 16-0 and win the Superbowl...

I wouldn't be surprised if this was Daniel Snyder's checklist regarding his football team. It seems to have been in the past. It may also be on the check list for many fans who start drooling when they see the three super bowls Mike Shanahan brings with him (two as head coach, one as offensive coordinator). It is important, however, for both Snyder and the fans to not let their soaring expectations ruin what might be the start of the Redskins' return to prominence.

After Marty Schottenheimer went 8-8, Snyder decided he could do better and took back control of the personnel. Things have gone down hill ever since. Snyder finally did the right thing in hiring Bruce Allen, a GM with a back bone, and Shanahan, essentially turning over all football decisions. Now, he's got to accept that they won't be able to turn things around overnight. I credit Snyder's desire to win, but can't head into this season with a one-and-done mentality.

Take a look at this team: the offensive line is awful. Rebuilding is going to take time and draft picks. They won't be able to fix it with free agents alone. The quarterback has proven repeatedly that he is terrible. Clinton Portis may be one of the best running backs in the league, but if he has no line to block for him and he can't stay healthy then he isn't much good. The Redskins' approach to their offensive problems in the past is similar to putting a band aid on a broken arm: draft receivers. If the Redskins pickup another wide receiver then everyone needs to go out and start buying Baltimore Ravens' merchandise because the Redskins have gone nowhere. When it comes to the defense, the Redskins are much better off. Only the safeties are terrible. I don't know if Chris Horton had a good play all season. Everyone marvels at his development this season, but just watch the Detroit game. It brings so many tears to your eyes that you'll think you're peeling an onion. Leron Landry also receives much acclaim. He has definite potential, but he gets beat deep all the time because he keeps playing the run. If you're a safety and you're late on the run, they gain 5 yards. If you're late on the pass, they score. This apparently is just too much for him to handle because it happens all the time. Otherwise, the defense isn't too bad. If you get Greg Blache and Albert Haynesworth on the same page, then we're in business.

There is a laundry list of holes on this Redskins team and they won't be fixed very quickly. Everyone needs to keep things in perspective. When Joe Gibbs took over (the second time), he received a team that was going nowhere and he went nowhere, finishing his first season 6-10. It took two seasons to get the Redskins into the playoffs and even that was remarkable. I don't think you'll see the Redskins make a lot of noise in 2010, but it won't be because of Allen or Shanahan, it will be the team they took over. If you give it time, I think you'll see great results.

Mark McGwire Admits to Steroid Use, Refuses to Admit Wrongdoing

Mark McGwire finally admitted this week to what we all knew, that he used steroids during his MLB career including during the 1998 season in which he broke the single season home run record. McGwire had been a long time member of the club of MLB stars, including Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who was fooling nobody, but still denied every using steroids. He refuses to acknowledge, however, that either steroids or growth hormones (which he also admitted to using) gave him any advantage when it came to home runs. "I believe I was given this gift. The only reason I took steroids was for health purposes." McGwire claims that he was motivated only to avoid injuries and maintain his strength for the full 162 games of the season and that they had no affect on his home run hitting abilities.

This is the same asinine argument many dopers have taken when confronted with the reality of their fraudulent careers. Oh it didn't affect my ability to hit the ball, blah blah blah. Really the only reason McGwire came out was in an attempt to justify his career for the hall of fame voters. What these players have done to baseball is deplorable. Is steroids against the rules? Yes? Then it's cheating. Period. It doesn't matter if everyone does it, it doesn't matter if you don't think it helps, it's still cheating!! To knowingly break the rules in order to gain an advantage for yourself is cheating. Bud Selig hasn't helped either. Rather than crack down on the league in which all the best players of the last 10, perhaps even 20 years are known cheaters, he has tried to sweep this under the rug. As a result it keeps getting worse.

McGwire also subscribes to the belief that "There's not a pill or an injection that's going to give me, going to give any player the hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball." So while it didn't help him at all, he still did it and he's still sorry for it. What? Who does he think he's fooling? First, if it didn't help, then why are so many players doing it? If it offers no real advantage then why risk tarnishing your career? The simple answer is that it does help and they know it. What they are sorry about is getting caught. Even if the only thing it does was help keep him healthy for the full season, that's still an unfair advantage. Why? Because Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, all the old stars didn't have that advantage. I don't understand how McGwire can think he broke Roger Maris' record when he did it with performance enhancing drugs that are, by rule, illegal. Is that fair? How can baseball players delude themselves into thinking this is ok?

If Bud Selig refuses to fix this, the only people who can still help turn baseball around are the hall of fame voters. McGwire obviously really wants to get into the hall and if the last few years are anything to go on, he won't come close. Let's hope a similar fate awaits Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, Bonds, and all the other cheaters out there; all of whom supposedly either didn't know what they were doing, or didn't gain any advantage from it.

AFC Playoff Picture

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts came under scrutiny for resting players despite an undefeated record. Now many wonder how the Colts will go forward without that momentum. Despite this scrutiny, it was an entirely justified decision. Peyton Manning and Joseph Addai have both been listed on the injury report for several weeks. Both continue to play, but they clearly are a bit nicked up. What's important is winning a Super Bowl, not going undefeated. Many say that now you can't compare this team to the 1972 undefeated Dolphins, but last time I checked the '72 Dolphins aren't in the playoffs. Ask the New England Patriots if they would rather keep their 16-0 season or trade it for the 2008 Super Bowl and they'll all say the same thing, the lost the one game that mattered most. Despite the controversy surrounding the Colts, they still remain the team to beat (yes even over the Chargers).

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers head into the playoffs as the hottest team in the NFL, winning eleven straight. Philip Rivers has played well enough to gain some MVP attention and they have the ever dangerous Ladainian Tomlinson. Despite a history of great seasons and terrible post seasons, the Chargers head into the playoffs motivated to win it all. The question is whether LT can remain healthy enough to remain a serious threat. The Chargers have Darren Sproles as backup, but this team needs a healthy LT to really make a Super Bowl run. With LT injured at the beginning of the season, the Chargers could barely beat Oakland. A bye week is a huge asset for this team so they can get healthy for the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals surprised a lot of people this season, but it's little wonder now that they have a healthy Carson Palmer back. Cedric Benson has been one of the best players this entire season and of course, there's always Ochocinco who proved he doesn't need TJ Houshmanzadeh playing opposite in order to get open. They really stepped up when it came to divisional play, but they can't quite get it straight against other big opponents winning only one game against a team with a winning record outside of their division. I think you'll see them step up against the Jets, but I don't seem them going much farther than that.

New England Patriots: The Patriots seemed to have a lot of internal struggles despite having a 10-6 record. With Tom Brady back and Bill Bellichick at the helm, you can never count this team out (unless of course they go for it on 4th down). Losses against both the Colts and the Saints make me think they can't beat the real Super Bowl contenders and I doubt they will make it past the divisional round.

Baltimore Ravens: Any question about the Ravens' chances can be answered by watching the game against Pittsburgh in which they completely self-destructed in a game they desperately needed to win. Costly penalties, dropped balls, you name it. This team has no chance. Maybe an upset against the Patriots, but that's as much as they can hope for.

New York Jets: Not sure really what to expect from his team. Despite having a rookie quarterback and head coach the Jets managed a 9-7 record. They really don't have any big wins this season excluding the 37-0 win over the Bengals last week in which the Bengals had no reason to show their potential playoff opponents anything. I don't see any surprises from either wildcard team in the playoffs.

NFC Playoff Profile

New Orleans Saints: After a 13-0 start, the Saints lost three straight losing to Dallas, Tampa Bay, and Carolina. With Drew Brees at quarterback, however, it's definitely not time to panic. There was clearly an emotional let down in New Orleans after the big win against New England. They still had home-field advantage to play for, but it's hard to be as excited to play teams like the lowly Redskins and Buccaneers. The Saints won't have that trouble when it comes to the playoffs. The Saints still have a bye week despite a 3 game losing streak and will take that time to regroup.

Minnesota Vikings: Brad Childress was recently exposed as a tactical moron for his attempt to pull Brett Favre in the game against Carolina despite being ahead 7-6. Favre was exposed to be as big a pre-madonna in the locker room as he is in the offseason. Despite coming into the season told that he would not be able to start all 16 games, Favre refused to step aside. There is also tension between the two since Favre frequently changes the plays at the line. When Childress wants to run, Favre wants to pass. After spanking the suddenly terrible New York Giants, the Vikings have a bye week to get on the same page. What both need to realize is that neither of them are the most important guy in purple. That would be Adrian Peterson. If Brett lets him carry the ball once in a while, he'll carry the team deep into the post season.

Arizona Cardinals: The defending NFC champs once again won their terrible division. As one of the most inconsistent teams in the league this season, it's hard to know what to expect. Winning the conference last season was a surprise, but there were no teams as good as New Orleans or Minnesota waiting for them. No repeat for Cinderella.

Dallas Cowboys: After hearing from everyone that they are a bad team in December, the Cowboys went on to beat the undefeated Saints and destroy conference opponent Philadelphia to win the NFC East. This team clearly has the talent and ability to play with any team in the conference, but when expectations are high for this team, that seems to be when they play their absolute worst. Without TO, however, this may be a new Dallas team.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers quietly climbed the NFL standings to find themselves in the post season hunt, but they don't seem to offer much for other teams to worry about. They come in with a very good defense, but with no real offensive line allowing more sacks even than the Washington Redskins. How far the Packers go will be up to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. A wild-card match up against probably the worst playoff team in the NFC, Arizona, gives them a shot at the second round.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles collapsed at the end of the season with a terrible performance against Denver and a 24-0 shellacking by the Cowboys to lose the NFC division. But the Eagles could easily be a sleeper team. Everyone knows about their struggles to win the conference championship, but that's because they make it to so many. Andy Reid always has his team playing well come the playoffs. There will be no repeat of last week's game against Dallas. There's no guarantee that they beat the suddenly dangerous Cowboys, but they will be much better prepared for this week's game.

Goodbye Agent 0

At the beginning of the basketball season, many had high expectations for the Wizards after numerous offseason acquisitions. I wrote that if Arenas couldn't get it done this season, with new players around him, if he wasn't able to show some measure of improvement and hope, then he should be gone.

Where are the Wizards now?

Dead last in their division with a 10-21 record. Arenas' obscene salary means that this team needs to compete and they aren't doing that. And if the team's appalling performance wasn't enough, how bout some gun charges? After an argument over a card game, teammate Javaris Crittenton threatened to shoot Arenas in his knee. At practice two days later, Arenas laid out three guns with a note saying "pick one." Arenas claims it was a joke, but neither Crittenton or DC police thought it was very funny. Now the case will be reviewed by a grand jury.

Maybe instead of thinking up a gem of a joke like that, he should have been worried about how to turn his team around. Whether he accepts it or not, this was supposed to be his team, led by him. If they can't get it done, it falls on his shoulders. He's paid like a superstar, he needs to start performing like one. And while there have been plenty of dumb superstars, this latest incident can just be added to the list of reasons why Agent 0 needs to go.

Ridiculous Bowl Games

During the bowl season we really see how out of hand the commercialism has gotten in college. Was everybody excited for the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl? How about the Meineke Car Care Bowl? Or the PapaJohns.com Bowl? I'm not against advertisements in sports nor am I naive enough to think that Bowls should do away with these names all together. That's not going to happen. What I don't like about it is the fact that these names have taken away from the prestige and accomplishment of the players. How can a player say with pride that he played in AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl? The names have really cheapened these games.

The Peach Bowl used to be a pretty prestigious bowl. Pitting a top ACC team against an SEC team made it one to watch. Then it became the Chick-fil-A Peach bowl. Ok, I understand that. It might not have the same ring to it, but at least it doesn't have a ridiculous name like some of the others I mentioned. Now, it is simply the Chick-fil-A bowl. Why was that necessary? The message here is that the bowl is not as important as the sponsor. The actual bowl took away from their advertisement. Maybe they shouldn't even play the game, but just have a four hour slide show about chicken.

The bottom line is that you have a group of college kids leaving everything they've got on the field and we reward them with a trophy for the Capital One Bowl. When bowl names get thrown out completely and replaced by companies, they lose something. The BCS gets rich and then they wonder why people aren't as excited about bowl games as they used to be. This also completely undermines the NCAA. College players can't take a salary, can't make endorsements, can't hire agents, and then play in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. It's completely hypocritical. Why are people surprised when players leave early? The BCS has sent a message that money is the most important part of football. When officials collect on the EagleBank Bowl and then tell players that their scholarship is too high or it violates some obscure rule, why should they stay?

Well, players are asking themselves the same question. Think of all the superstars that walk away every year to collect that big pay check. Who can blame them? If players have nothing else to play for, they will play for money and the college game suffers because of it.