If there were one word to describe Washington, D.C., sports as a whole, that word would be “disappointing.” Here’s a look at the four professional sports teams that call our nation’s capital home.
Wizards
The good news is that the Wizards have one of the best young players in the NBA in last year’s No. 1 overall pick, John Wall. This is the kind of player around which teams are built.
The bad news is that the Wizards also have a roster with names like Andray Blatche, Trevor Booker, Maurice Evans, Othyus Jeffers and others. I could literally be making up names right now and no one would know the difference.
With the sixth overall pick in June’s draft, Washington selected forward Jan Vesely. Like JaVale McGee, he is tall and athletic. But when there is nothing approaching a consensus on how to pronounce the guy’s name, you know you’re not off to a good start.
The bottom line is that this could be a team on the rise if players like McGee and Vesely reach their full potential. The problem is, they’re just as likely not to.
Where they play: Verizon Center
How to get there: Metro’s Red Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown
Redskins
Washington, D.C., is, and will always be, a Redskins town. Whether they’re winning or not (mostly not), the ‘Skins dominate sports talk radio.
Since Daniel Snyder took over as team owner, the Redskins have done nothing but embarrass themselves. This season, the Redskins head into training camp with an expected quarterback battle between John Beck and Rex Grossman. I’ll go on record as saying that if the Redskins receivers were Greg Jennings and Andre Johnson, they still couldn’t win with those quarterbacks.
It’s not all bad, though. Washington has a few promising young players on defense, with the most notable being two-time Pro Bowler Brian Orakpo. Rookie Ryan Kerrigan is expected to help Orakpo bolster the lackluster pass rush.
Where they play: FedEx Field
How to get there: Don’t bother, but if you must: Metro’s Red Line to Glenmont from AU. Transfer to the Blue Line heading to Largo Town Center at the Metro Center stop. Get off at Morgan Boulevard. From there, a 15-minute walk to FedEx Field.
Nationals
Like the teams above, the Nationals aren’t very good. But they have a much brighter future. Thanks to two No. 1 overall picks, the Nats now have two of the sport’s best young players in Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper.
They also have talented young players in Jordan Zimmermann, Danny Espinosa and relievers Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. Pitching prospect Brad Peacock is also a bright piece to the team’s future.
Everybody outside the Washington organization knew the team made a terrible decision with the Jayson Werth signing. Now, it looks even worse.
But the Nationals weren’t expected to make the playoffs this year. They probably won’t make it next year. But in two or three years, when the young talent is leading the team, the Nats could be competing for a playoff berth.
Where they play: Nationals Park
How to get there: Red Line to Gallery Place/Chinatown from AU. Transfer to the Green Line and head toward Branch Avenue. Get off at Navy Yard.
Capitals
The Caps are by far D.C.’s best sports team and maybe the most disappointing. Possibly the most talented team in the NHL, the Capitals come up short in the playoffs every year. Since two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin has been on the team, the Caps have never reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Washington made a lot of changes to its roster this offseason, signing players like forward Jeff Halpern, defenseman Roman Hamrlik and goalie Tomas Vokoun.
This may be the final year for the Caps to succeed in the playoffs. A postseason that falls short of a Stanley Cup appearance will most likely result in a complete roster overhaul.
Where they play: Verizon Center
How to get there: See Wizards
The overall state of D.C. sports
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Blasky@theeagleonline.com
