Hail To The District Podcast

Hail To The District's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice provide part 2 of their preview of the 2018-2019 Washington Redskins, discussing the remaining 5 key storylines for this upcoming season, including whether tight end is secretly a strength of this team (1:24), how defensive line is definitely a strength for this team (14:22), if Alex Smith is really an upgrade over Kirk Cousins (25:17), Jay Gruden coaching for his job in 2018 (37:33), and where the Redskins stack up in the NFC overall (50:54).

Hail To The District's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice preview the 2018-2019 Washington Redskins, discussing 10 key storylines for this upcoming season. In part 1, they discuss: the running back depth chart suddenly being a mess (1:47), if the newly-signed Adrian Peterson has anything left in the tank (6:48), concerns about the lack of depth in the secondary (19:57), Washington's duo of pass-rushers who could have a big season (33:33). how good the wide receivers will be this year (41:28), and the interior of the offensive line being an under-discussed concern (48:28).

HTTD's Patrick Rice is joined by DC Sports Talk Czar Grant Paulsen to discuss some of the early storylines around the Washington Nationals through roughly two months of the MLB season. Conversation topics include Bryce Harper's perennial early season's struggles (1:05), what happens to Matt Adams when Ryan Zimmerman returns to the lineup (4:53), and if General Manager Mike Rizzo will make any big moves to fix the bullpen this summer (7:29).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati talked to Benjamin Allbright of Mile High Sports Radio, to get the latest buzz regarding what could happen in the 2018 NFL Draft. Discussion topics include: Cleveland's debate between the top three quarterback prospects for the #1 overall pick (1:49), the New York Giants' keeping the #2 overall pick a mystery (7:09), which positions the Washington Redskins could target with the 13th overall pick (13:35), if any "top 10" player(s) could fall to the Redskins at #13 (17:27), and how the rest of the NFL views Redskins personnel czar Bruce Allen (21:45).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is rejoined by good friends John and Neel to preview the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Conversation topics include: which team would've been the best matchup for the Washington Wizards in Round 1 of the playoffs (1:42), Cleveland's "cakewalk" path to winning the Eastern Conference yet again (7:23), why LeBron James should be the MVP of the 2017-2018 season (24:07), our previews of the Western Conference matchups in Round (36:40), and discussing the one-and-done rule in college basketball and recent college hoops scandals (45:09).

HTTD’s Rajan Nanavati is joined by NFL Insider Chad Forbes to discuss the hot-button topics of the 2018 NFL Draft, and who the Washington Redskins could be targeting in the draft and in free agency. Discussion topics include: which position is Cleveland towards with the first overall pick (2:00), if the Giants will actually take a quarterback with the second pick (6:02), where Josh Rosen sits among the top four quarterbacks and the concerns about his personality (11:07), the two wide receiver prospects who might be the best in this year's draft class (21:04), the Redskins options with the 13th overall pick (24:04), three players whom the Redskins could be targeting in free agency (29:54), and if it's really worth using a top five pick to draft Saquon Barkley (38:39).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice are joined by Jamal Collier, the Washington Nationals' beat writer for MLB.com, to preview the upcoming 2018 season for the Nationals. They discuss The early returns on the difference between Dave Martinez compared to Dusty Baker (4:18), who will be the fifth pitcher in the starting rotation (14:16), the contrast of the bullpen between last year and this year (23:07), Victor Robles being a future star for the Nationals (28:15), how the Nationals stack up to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs (37:03), and if Bryce Harper will still be a member of the Washington Nationals in 2019 (47:02).

Rajan is rejoined by good friends John and Neel to recap the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline, and discuss the new balance of power in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Discussion topics include: the Cavaliers remaking nearly their entire roster (1:36), whether LeBron James or James Harden should/will MVP this year (17:08), how do the moves made by Cleveland impact their prospects in the playoffs? (21:33), buyout players that could be available for the Wizards (or other teams) to sign (28:59), and Neel's thoughts on the Bulls acquiring Noah Vonleh from Portland (37:53).

Rajan chats with Mark Bullock of the Washington Post's Redskins Insider section, to provide his analysis of Alex Smith becoming the new starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins. Discussion topics include: how Alex Smith will fit in Jay Gruden's offense (1:44), if the Redskins having enough weapons on the offense around Smith (7:13), whether we'll see the Run Pass Option (RPO) In The Redskins Offense (12:43), if the Redskins could/should address the quarterback position early in the 2018 NFL Draft (20:57), and Mark's analysis of the top quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft (23:45).

In the first-ever HTTD emergency podcast, HTTD's Rajan and Dash convene to break down the trade in which the Washington Redskins acquired quarterback Alex Smith. Discussion topics include: the Redskins hijacking a big news day with the Alex Smith acquisition (2:19), the biggest areas of need on offense around Alex Smith (6:46), the curious timing of making this move in general (11:05), and real-time reactions to Kendall Fuller's inclusion in the trade (15:55).

HTTD’s Rajan Nanavati talks to Grant Paulsen of 106.7 FM about the Kirk Cousins' contract situation and how that will play out this spring and summer, and then is joined by John to discuss the Wizards failed players-only meeting. Discussion topics include: What the Redskins will do, in regards to Kirk Cousins, before the franchise tag deadline (2:28), if Cousins would sign a cheaper contract just to leave Washington (8:05), a final prediction regarding whether Cousins is in Washington in 2018 (14:22), the failed "players-only" meeting by the Washington Wizards (19:21), who was the player that John Wall and Bradley Beal referenced in their cryptic comments (24:26), if John Wall deserved to be an All-Star this year (35:51), and if the Wizards should trade their first round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft (40:38)

Jake Whitacre, Editor of BulletsForever.com, sits down with HTTD's Rajan, Dash, and John, to discuss the state of the Washington Wizards midway through the 2017-2018 season. Discussion topics include: initial thoughts on the team's recent struggles (3:19), sources for the Wizards playing up or down to the competition (9:56), the up-and-down season from Otto Porter (17:33), potential targets for the Wizards to acquire via trade (26:32), and if any of the Wizards be selected to the 2018 All-Star game (38:46).

Washington and Denver both falling short of preseason expectations (2:07), the Broncos being a top suitor for Kirk Cousins in free agency (4:53), if Paxton Lynch should already be written off as a bust (6:40), why Vance Joseph will not be fired this offseason (11:53), and discussing Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield as the top QB prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft (19:30).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Dash Kannan talk to Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated, discussing Bishop's feature story for the magazine on Cousins, and Cousins' future in Washington. Conversation topics include: the real reason Kirk Cousins didn't sign an extension with the Redskins before the 2017 season (7:27), how he views Jay Gruden's offense and the talents around him (12:55), where Cousins ranks among all starting quarterbacks (15:53), if there's any "bad blood" between Cousins and the current Redskins regime (21:00), how the national narrative is still reluctant to accept Cousins as a franchise quarterback (26:31), what Cousins teammates think of him and how they respond to him (29:29), and the #1 factor that will determine whether Cousins will stay in DC after this season. (37:00).

Rajan and John rank the top 25 players for the 2017-2018 NBA season to date, with the premise of: if you were playing a basketball game tonight, with everything on the line, who is among the top of the list of players that you'd want on your team? Discussion topics include: debating who the second-best player in the NBA (4:56), whether the Wizards could miss the playoffs this season (10:01), Kyrie Irving becoming a top 6 player in the NBA (14:22), Kristaps Porizingis the NBA's most under-discussed new superstar (18:49), where Joel Embiid should be ranked (31:58), defending the legacy of Sam Hinkie (38:19), whether John Wall deserves to be in the top 25 of this season (45:56), and selling Real Estate on "Karl-Anthony Towns Peninsula" (1:06:15).

In Part 2 of their 2017-2018 NBA season preview, the HTTD basketball trio of Rajan, John, and Neel start examine storylines in the NBA's Eastern Conference, including LeBron James' chances at winning the MVP award this year (2:12), if the Cavaliers are primed for a blockbuster midseason trade (5:02), different ways the Wizards could/should trade Ian Mahinmi (19:07), Milwaukee's chances of improving on last year's performance (34:19), the Chicago Bulls terrible moves in the 2017 NBA Draft (44:54), the Charlotte Hornets overcoming the self-inflicted "Dwightbola" virus (50:37), and why Lavar Ball is the sports version of Donald Trump (57:59).

With the 2017-2018 NBA season set to top off tonight, the HTTD basketball trio of Rajan, Neel, and John sat down for Part 1 of their two-part season preview podcast(s), taking a look at the storylines in the NBA's Western Conference. Discussion topics include: the Minnesota Timberwolves after the acquisition of Jimmy Butler (3:06), the Lakers being a surprise playoff contenders this year (8:55), picks for the 2017-2018 Rookie Of The Year (19:32), if the San Antonio Spurs fall out of the top 3 in the West (27:36), an honest assessment of the Oklahoma City Thunder (31:08), the most popular and connected player in the NBA (36:11), and whether it's cool to root for the Golden State Warriors, or to root against them (39:15).

Rajan, John, and Neel convened to discuss John Wall's contract extension with the Washington Wizards, and Kyrie Irving's trade demands to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Discussion topics include: John Wall's extension being a win-win scenario (2:10), if the Wizards are an Eastern Conference "superteam" (12:55), Kyrie Irving being the modern day Stephon Marbury (25:23), why the Knicks make the most sense for a Kyrie Irving trade desination (29:46), all the "What Ifs" for the Cavaliers offseason (43:43), and other news and notes from the NBA (52:54).

The basketball-obsessed trio of Rajan, Neel, and John reconvene to break down the ridiculous 2017 NBA Offseason. Discussion topics include: was the Wizards re-signing Otto Porter Jr. the right decision? (2:49), how realistic is the possibility of John Wall leaving DC in 2019 (11:43), if the Wizards could still trade for Demarcus Cousins (18:49), if the Boston Celtics really got better this offseason (25:20), how Minnesota became evolutionary Chicago Bulls (32:13), if both Paul George and Russell Westbrook leave Oklahoma City for Los Angeles (49:17), how the Golden State Warriors actually got better in the offseason (54:14), if Carmelo Anthony a good fit for the new-look Houston Rockets (1:01:28), and how the 76ers have become the most fun young team in the NBA (1:06:42).

Rajan is rejoined by good friends and fellow basketball fans Neel and John, to provide their wrap-up thoughts on the 2017 NBA Finals, and to take a look ahead at what could be a very interesting offseason in the NBA. Discussion topics include: if Golden State losing game in the Finals takes away from their spot in history (3:24); LeBron James is still, unquestionably, the best basketball player on the planet (8:26); why you can't root against Durant for joining the Golden State Warriors (13:22); how this Golden State team stacks up against other historically great teams (29:41); if Golden State can keep this team together as their top players approach free agency (38:14); players the Cavaliers could add, in order to dethrone the Warriros (51:26); and how the Philadelphia 76ers are the most interesting team in the 2017 NBA Draft (1:01:40).