Hail To The District Podcast

HTTD's Pat Rice and Rajan Nanavati re-assemble for their annual two-part season preview of the Washington Football Team. In this episode (Part 1), they take a comprehensive look at the defense. The conversation topics include: the depth and versatility of the secondary (4:02) headlined by a newly-rejunvenated and on-a-mission Landon Collins (24:13), what to expect from the linebacker position (31:10) and Jamin Davis' rookie season (36:55), and how the under-discussed return of Matt Ioannidis (43:37) plus the continued brilliance of Chase Young (49:21) firmly cements Washington's defensive line as one of the very best in the league.

After a few weeks of summer break for the HTTD podcast, Rajan Nanavati gets the pod going against with a two-part episode. In Part 1, he talks to Sheil Kapadia of TheAthletic about the 2021 edition of the Washington Football Team (3:40). They discuss the perception around the league of this Washington team as they head into the 2021 season especially after the defensive upgrades and addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick (4:49). They also take a closer look at Washington's rivals in the NFC East (13:29), and Sheil provides way-too-early thoughts on Super Bowl favorites in each conference (21:27). In Part 2, longtime buddy John re-joins the podcast (24:58) to discuss all the offseason moves made by the Washington Wizards. They talk about the Wizards having roster flexibility and assets after trading away Russell Westbrook (30:17), the entire framework of the offseason being about keeping Bradley Beal in DC (39:40), what Wes Unseld Jr. brings to the table as the new head coach (45:57), and where Washington ranks in an in

In Part 2 in their recap of the selections made by the Washington Football Team in the 2021 NFL Draft, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice discuss the team's picks in Rounds 2 through 7, plus its lone undrafted free agent acquisition. Specifically, they talk(ed) about: Ron Rivera clearly building the WFT around his long-term vision (2:45), the undersized but highly-productive Jarett Patterson being a legit possibility to make the team (9:43), 7th round picks Shaka Toney and William Bradley-King potentially having a "Day 1" impact (24:28), the freakish athletic profile plus special teams awesomeness of safety Darrick Forrest (35:04), John Bates being a deep sleeper-type pick in the fourth round (40:52), third-round pick Dyami Brown making Washington's offense that much more potentially lethal (48:41), the boom-or-bust "project" pick that is cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (1:02:17), and why Samuel Cosmi was an excellent value pick being overlooked through mostly no fault of his own (1:12:42).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice break down the Washington Football Team's selection of linebacker Jamin Davis from the University of Kentucky. The conversation includes: the potential of Washington drafting quarterback Justin Fields (2:32), Davis being the guy that Ron Rivera was targeting all along (7:08), the freakish profile that Davis presents (15:16), Rivera further establishing a certain culture in Washington with the addition of Davis (23:24), the current NFL players to whom Davis best compares (30:46), grading the selection of Davis and potential flaws/red flags he presents. (34:56), and other 'winners' in Round 1 of the NFL Draft and certainly teams making "panic" picks (45:15).

NFL Insider Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites on Twitter) joins HTTD's Rajan Nanavati to talk about the latest buzz pertaining to the 2021 NFL Draft. They discuss: the likelihood of Washington trading up into the top 10 for a QB (1:05), which former "top 5 lock" might be dropping down Draft boards (8:32), teams that could make a big jump up and shake up the first round (11:45), if the two Alabama receivers could go later than most people expect (16:46), the developmental quarterback who could be a good fit in Washington (23:44), and under the radar teams who could make big moves in the first round of the Draft (34:00).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice crack open a few cold adult beverages to celebrate HTTD's 100th podcast episode, and provide their thoughts on the signings made by the Washington Football Team in free agency. They discuss: the guys they consider their headliner and/or favorite free agent acquisitions (2:05), the upgrades at the cornerback and wide receiver positions (14:54), the roller-coaster ride that is (or will be) Ryan Fitzpatrick (25:51), thoughts on the top quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft and by which team they'll be selected (39:45), and the current leaders in the clubhouse for Washington's top pick in the upcoming Draft (50:28).

The HTTD guys are joined by distinguished DC football analyst Mark Bullock, to get the latter's thoughts on the "hot topics" pertaining to the Washington Football Team this offseason. They discuss: the top priority positions for the team to upgrade (1:56), a couple of free agent options at WR and TE (5:28), their thoughts on the quotes by Alex Smith in the recent interview published by GQ Magazine (17:41), if Sam Darnold has any potential salvage value here in DC (25:38), whether the team could roll with Kyle Allen and/or Taylor Heinecke next season (42:56), and why Marcus Mariota is an intriguing option for Washington at QB (48:35).

In the conclusion of HTTD's 2021 Offseason Preview for the Washington Football team, Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice discuss what the WFT could (or will) do to address the quarterback position. That includes the possibility of a Deshaun Watson trade (1:26), a semi-heated debate about acquiring one of the two quarterbacks from the Las Vegas Raiders (5:07), whether they should take a chance on Sam Darnold of the New York Jets (12:40), and scenarios for Washington taking a quarterback early in the 2021 NFL Draft (19:07).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice return for Part 2 of their 2021 Offseason Preview for the Washington Football team, discussing the team's second and third biggest need to address this offseason: the wide receiver and linebacker spot(s). They discuss the current group of Washington linebackers (4:17), potential upgrades via free agency at the position (10:46), and their respective favorite linebackers in the NFL Draft for Washington (25:38). At wide receiver, they again talk about the state of the current group (31:35), their top preferences among the premier free agent options (41:55), and potential options -- or lack thereof -- in the NFL Draft (53:52).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice return for the first of a 2-episode series, previewing the top needs the Washington Football Team needs to address in the 2021 NFL offseason. That includes two "honorable mention" positions that just missed the cut (3:12), the desperate need for a second tight end to compliment Logan Thomas (13:34), Ronald Darby's free agency and the state of the cornerback position (29:52), whether left tackle is as big a need as people around the league believe (46:04), and if running back is secretly a position of need as well (1:03:17).

In a special two-part episode recapping the Washington Football Team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 20201 NFC Wild Card Round, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice give your their immediate and post-game reactions to the matchup, including the magnificent (if not legendary) performance by Taylor Heinecke. At 1:51, you'll hear Part 1, which features Pat and Rajan as fired up as you've ever heard this season (including a conversation about the horrific officiating at 18:25). In Part 2, Rajan provides his critique of Offensive Coordinator' Scott Turner's came plan (33:32) and DaRon Payne being Washington's second-brightest star in the loss (38:50).

HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice take joy in an otherwise ugly victory by the Washington Football Team against the Philadelphia Eagles, earning an NFC East division championship for Washington. In this episode, they discuss: Washington coming out on the winning end of a miserable football game and making no apologies about it (1:44), New York Giants having no right to whine and complain about the Eagles "tanking" this game (8:11), Chase Young having yet another game-changing performance to help Washington win (19:09), Scott Turner calling another stink bomb of a game offensively (27:19), how much -- if anything -- we can expect moving forward with a clearly debilitated Alex Smith against Tampa Bay (38:23), and why Ron Rivera unquestionably deserves to win the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year Award (45:21).

Dwayne Haskins' putrid performance in the Washington Football Team's loss against the Carolina Panthers left HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Pat Rice fired up and fed up with the quarterback and the team's performance overall. The angry ranting about Haskins' wretched showing starts at the 17:43 mark. But, the rest of the post-game podcast discussion includes: this loss being arguably the worst loss of the season for the WFT (1:18), this game being one of the worst performances by the coaching staff as a whole this season (12:03), Chase Young being one of the lone bright spots, and a look ahead to the regular season finale against Philadelphia next week (48:38).

In Part 2 of the 2020-2021 NBA Preview podcast, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is joined by good friends Neel and John, to give their thoughts on the NBA's Eastern Conference landscape. The conversation includes: the "last two (teams) in" under the new playoff format (1:42), where the Washington Wizards fit in in the Eastern Conference hierarchy (12:05), which Eastern Conference teams are the best and/or most likely fits for James Harden, the challenges the Miami Heat will face in trying to repeat as conference champs (48:35), the best version of the Philadelphia 76ers coming after they trade Ben Simmons (59:33), if the supporting cast Milwaukee put around Giannis Antentokounmpo is enough to win the Conference (1:09:38), and predictions for who wins the Eastern Conference (1:17:02).

With the 2020-2021 NBA season set to tip off, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is joined by good friend and longtime HTTD contributor John for Part 1 of their annual NBA season preview, in which they discuss the NBA's Western Conference. Conversation topics include: the two teams they think will make the postseason in the West under the new playoff format (4:04), what to expect from the New Orleans Pelicans with Zion Williamson in his second year (11:17), the "mosh pit" that represents the #4 through #6 seeds in the West (18:34), their favorites (from a betting perspective) in the NBA MVP race (35:18), and the reigning NBA Champions (unfortunately) being the overwhelming favorites to repeat (53:13).

With the 4-game winning streak now over, HTTD's Pat Rice and Rajan Nanavati break down the Washington Football Team's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and dive deep into the various takeaways from the game. Those include: opening and over-arching thoughts on the WFT's performance (2:02), Montez Sweat making another momentum-changing play (19:06), JD McKissic perhaps playing his best game as a member of the WFT (23:44), Logan Thomas putting up a career performance (26:38), the all-too-familiar culprit for struggling to stop the opponent's running game (34:34), Dustin Hopkins being arguably the biggest culprit for losing this game (40:05), the ridiculously deep dive into the performance by Dwayne Haskins (47:04), examining the last two games of the season for the WFT and the implications in the playoff race (1:19:56).

Reveling in the current four-game winning streak on which the Washington Football Team is riding, HTTD's Pat Rice and Rajan Nanavati recap the team's win over the San Francisco 49ers. They discuss: today's win against San Francisco officially being dubbed (by them) as "The Chase Young Game" (1:04), the underrated performance by the entire rushing offense (14:52), Why Washington fans need to stop holding out hope around Dwayne Haskins (18:52), a potentially overlooked (but under-discussed) blemish from today's win (29:00), and how Washington matches up against the offense of the Seattle Seahawks in next Sunday's game (37:11).

Overcome with joy after the enormous victory on Monday Night Football, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati and Patrick Rice discuss the Washington Football Team's massive win over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. Topics include: the win being symbolic of the impact made by Ron Rivera's time in Washington (0:45), the impact made by Washington's duo of pass rushers in Chase Young and Montez Sweat (7:19), Cam Sims and Logan Thomas making numerous clutch receptions all evening (15:40), concerns around the injuries to Antonio Gibson and Brandon Scherff (30:33), Alex Smith continuing to demonstrate poise and playmaking as Washington's quarterback (37:52), and projecting when Washington's 3-game winning streak will end ... or IF it will end anytime this regular season (46:26).

In an emergency podcast session, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati is joined by good friends and longtime HTTD podcast contributors John and Neel to discuss the Washington Wizards acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Wall. They discuss: their initial thoughts and reactions (1:26), the drivers for the Wizards trading Wall (7:43), the acquisition of Westbrook being in line with Tommy Shepherd's focus on "culture" (22:34), if the acquisition of Westbrook now makes the Wizards "his team" (31:36), where Washington now falls within the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference (40:18), and one interesting trade possibility available for Washington (52:26).

Coming out of the Thanksgiving holiday long weekend, HTTD's Rajan Nanavati provides his final thoughts regarding the Washington Football Team's win against the Dallas Cowboys, and looks ahead to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He discusses: the three major plays that secured Washington's win against Dallas (2:01), if the sweep of the Dallas Cowboys is a sign of better things to come (12:53), Washington likely facing one of the two best defensive players in the entire NFL next Monday (16:00), and what the rest of the season looks like for Washington if they pull off the upset against Pittsburgh (23:32).