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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Washington Capitals right wing Anthony Mantha (39) shoves Florida Panthers left wing Ryan Lomberg (94) during the second period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Capitals’ Game 1 victory provides template for rest of series upset

Not long after he scored his team's first goal in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the top-seeded Florida Panthers, Tom Wilson headed back to the locker room with a lower-body injury. The Capitals winger didn't play again that evening. But the Capitals still prevailed, in part, because they found ways to replicate the sort of tough-nosed brand of hockey that Wilson has made a career of.

May 4, 2022
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Trai Turner (51) plays in an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) **FILE**

Commanders sign guard Trai Turner to one-year deal

The Washington Commanders are signing guard Trai Turner, a source confirmed -- a move that gives the team another potential starter along the offensive line. The deal is reportedly a one-year contract worth $3 million.

May 2, 2022
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Howell ‘fired up’ to join Commanders: ‘This is a perfect spot for me’

To start the fifth round, University of North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell got the call: The Washington Commanders were taking him with the 144th overall pick. And the "whirlwind," as Howell called it, of the past few days was suddenly worth it. "This is a perfect spot for me," Howell said. "This is the team I wanted to play for all along."

April 30, 2022
Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis (48) poses for a photograph during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mercer, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Washington Commanders have another defensive tackle from Alabama after selecting Phidarian Mathis in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night, April 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)

Commanders draft Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with 47th overall pick

The Commanders drafted Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with the 47th overall pick Friday -- taking a player who could eventually replace starter Daron Payne, whose contract is set to expire after next season. Mathis, at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, provides size up the middle and was a team captain for the Crimson Tide this past fall.

April 29, 2022
FILE - Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. Dotson is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Despite Dotson’s surprise, Commanders see a receiver too good to pass up

Jahan Dotson sat in a crowded household full of family and friends, watching Game 6 of the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans on his phone rather than actively tune in to the first round of the NFL draft. The wide receiver figured he was in for a long night, so he tried to take his mind off the event -- the event he was an option to get taken -- by focusing on something else.

April 29, 2022
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) runs following a catch against Penn State during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Nov. 13, 2021. Dotson was selected by the Washington Commanders during the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 28. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File) **FILE**

Commanders pick receiver Jahan Dotson in wild, trade-crazy draft

The Commanders selected Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson after trading down to No. 16. Before taking Dotson, a 5-foot-11 speed threat, Washington sent the 11th pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for picks No. 16, No. 98 (third round) and No. 120 (fourth round). The deal helped Washington net additional selections as the Burgundy and Gold had only six picks entering the three-day event.

April 28, 2022
Virginia's Jelani Woods (0) celebrates after a long gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. (Andrew Shurtleff/The Daily Progress via AP) **FILE**

Jelani Woods’ rise started long before he rocketed up draft boards

Every year there seems to be a handful of prospects who rocket up draft boards because of eye-popping statistical measurements, the kinds that cause scouts to double check their stopwatches to make sure the numbers are right. With the three-day NFL draft beginning Thursday, Virginia's Jelani Woods falls into that category.

April 27, 2022
Wide receiver Drake London runs a football drill during Southern California NFL Pro Day Friday, April 15, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) **FILE**

Commanders look to draft to add weapons for Carson Wentz

Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera spent months reviewing film of this year's top quarterback prospects, even honing in on "a guy" that he became enamored with. But when the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz in March, more than a month before the NFL draft, Rivera's priorities shifted. The coach went from trying to find a starting quarterback to now scouting players who would best fit around Wentz.

April 26, 2022