Skip to content
Advertisement
Author profile

Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

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

Articles by Matthew Paras

In this Aug. 15, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders offensive tackle David Sharpe (72) looks to block as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Pete Robertson (45) defends during the first half of an an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz. Washington has acquired offensive tackle David Sharpe in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Washington traded a 2021 sixth-round pick to Las Vegas for Sharpe and a 2021 seventh-rounder. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)  **FILE**

Washington re-signs David Sharpe, Lamar Miller

After making a splash with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and cornerback William Jackson III, the Washington Football Team focused on depth Wednesday by re-signing a pair of veterans.

March 17, 2021
Cincinnati Bengals' Mackensie Alexander (21) and William Jackson (22) celebrate after Pittsburgh Steelers turned the ball over on downs during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Washington to sign William Jackson to fill cornerback void

When the NFL's negotiating window opened, the Washington Football Team lost a starter in cornerback Ronald Darby, who agreed to a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos. A day later, Washington replaced him with arguably the top corner on the market.

March 16, 2021
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) waits for the snap during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., in this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, file photo. Ryan Fitzpatrick has agreed to sign a one-year deal with Washington, according to a person with direct knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday, March 16, 2021, because the deal cannot be official until the new league year starts Wednesday. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File) **FILE**

Ryan Fitzpatrick not the first choice, but he makes sense

In the fall of 2019, there was little reason to watch a matchup between the winless Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins -- let alone a reason it should have been entertaining. For three quarters, the widely dubbed "Toilet Bowl" lived up to the billing: Two bad teams playing bad football.

March 16, 2021
New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (26) runs with the ball against Washington Redskins free safety Montae Nicholson (35) and cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)  **FILE**

Washington quiet as other teams splash in free agency

Washington coach Ron Rivera said there were a "couple of guys" his team would pursue when free agency began. But when the legal tampering window opened Monday -- allowing teams to reach agreements with players on the market -- Rivera and the team's revamped front office continued to work mostly behind the scenes as other teams around the league made a splash.

March 15, 2021
Washington Football Team defensive end Ryan Kerrigan (91) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.) **FILE**

Washington free agency preview: What players will be retained?

In meetings over the past few months, Washington's brass hasn't just discussed which players the team should pursue in free agency and the draft. The conversation also shifted to how the organization should handle its own players whose contracts are set to expire.

March 10, 2021
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera looks on during the NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) **FILE**

Washington ‘won’t be desperate’ in free agency despite plenty of cap space

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, coach Ron Rivera said the team has a 'couple of guys' that the team plans to chase when clubs can begin negotiating next Wednesday with other free agents. But the coach stopped short of saying Washington plans to splurge, urging a cautious approach to build upon the success of last season's 7-9 playoff berth.

March 10, 2021
Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith talk before the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) **FILE**

NFL sets salary cap at $182.5 million

With free agency a week away, the NFL finalized next year's salary cap Wednesday -- informing teams the figure with be $182.5 million.

March 10, 2021
Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, in this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, photo. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) **FILE**

Alex Smith officially released by Washington

The Washington Football Team officially released quarterback Alex Smith on Friday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation -- cutting ties with the reigning Comeback Player of the Year.

March 5, 2021
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) and center Moritz Wagner (21) react during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Wizards credit mental toughness for turnaround

As losses mounted, guard Garrison Mathews shared a message that resonated with Bradley Beal. Speaking to reporters, Mathews said the Wizards couldn't afford to adopt a losing mentality.

March 4, 2021
Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) passes the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Russell Westbrook, leading the league in turnovers, vows ‘easy fix’

Russell Westbrook drove the baseline, had the ball poked out and recovered it in the corner -- only to chuck a pass over a sea of bodies when he collided with teammate Bradley Beal. The careless throw went right to a defender, spurring a three-on-one fastbreak for the Memphis Grizzlies.

March 3, 2021