Spurrier, take 2 » When the Redskins took tight end Robert Royal, Spurrier, addressing the media, whipped out his reading glasses, looked at the bio and noticed that Royal had caught 18 passes and said, “I guesshe can catch the ball a little bit.”

And more Spurrier » After taking another offensive player from the SEC, offensive tackle Reggie Coleman, Spurrier read his bio then started to leave. He got upset when reporters tried to question him about the player. But Spurrier couldn’t provide answers. He got angry when a reporter asked, “Shouldn’t you know something about him considering you played against him?”

Trade for Champ Bailey pick » In GM Charley Casserly’s last draft in Washington, he left the franchise in good shape with his draft-day maneuverings. The Redskins traded with both Chicago and New Orleans in the first round and still wound up with the corner they wanted. They also picked up extra first-round picks for the following year that the team turned into LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels.

Draft day tussle » In 2001, some in the Redskins war room wanted to take guard Steve Hutchinson. But owner Dan Snyder said in the room, “I don’t want to stand next to a guard on the podium.” So the Redskins traded down — twice — and selected Patrick Ramsey. Hutchinson has made five Pro Bowls.

Looks like it’s time to patent that ‘Dagger’

Whether or not it’s a coincidence, it is noticeable to Steve Buckhantz. When he listens to calls of NBA games, there’s one word he’s hearing more and more: “Dagger!”

That happens to be his signature call, going on several years now, for when the Wizards hit what he perceives as the game-winning shot.

 “I don’t give myself credit for this,” said Buckhantz, who called last night’s Wizards-Cavs playoff game for Comcast Sports, “but I’ve heard it more this season than ever. [But] I don’t own exclusive rights to saying it.”

Not yet at least.

“I’ve had a number of people this year ask if I’ve patented that yet,” he said. “I’ve looked into it a little bit, but not anything officially.”

Buckhantz also said a niece, who works in promotions for a company, suggested a T-shirt. Buckhantz said it helps that The Junkies, on WJFK-FM, now use the word a lot.

Nowadays, some coaches will ask him what basket warranted the “Dagger!” call. Fans will occasionally hold up signs with the saying.

One thing Wizards ownership — which changed the team name from the Bullets — hasn’t done is asked him to cease using the word.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said of the attention. “If [fans] are associating the word with me and enjoy watching the games, that’s all I can ask for as an announcer.”

Harvey finds himself in the middle

He dominated in the National Championship game as a sophomore, but his production dropped a bit as a junior. Which is why Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey sits squarely in the middle of the first round of the NFL Draft when it comes to projections.

One NFL source said he heard Harvey’s stock was dropping, though they also said Detroit, picking 15th, likes him.

“A lot of teams are disappointed when they watchfilm of him,” the source said.

However, Harvey, the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt, had 11 sacks as a sophomore — and forced others with his pursuit — including three in the championship win over Ohio State. He had 8.5 sacks last year.

“I liked his strength against the run,” said Scott Campbell, the Redskins’ Director of Player Personnel. “Typically don’t see [pass rushers] play the run that well. And he has the ability to chase the passer.”

Column inches

Opinions from around the nation on the hottest topics in sports:

» “Maybe this really is the Cubs’ season. You don’t want to act the fool by saying that 20 games into the season, but jeez. [Manager Lou] Piniella, who had a stomachache Tuesday morning, went by a gut feeling in the afternoon and won. Didn’t make a whole lot of sense, but it worked.”

— Rick Morrissey on the Cubs, who won 14 of their first 20 games

(Chicago Tribune).

» “The players insist they’re not going to be part of Jerry Jones’ security force. They’re not going to be chaperoning Pacman [Jones]. Or calling him to make sure he’s home by midnight. Or having the bouncers at various strip clubs phone them when he’s on the premises. Nor should they. It’s not their responsibility.”

— Jean-Jacques Taylor on how the Cowboy players will treat troubled corner Pacman Jones (Dallas Morning News).

» “It’s a fraud. I’m not going to say it’s a waste of time, because I’ll be tuned in myself. Mainly I want to watch the beady-eyed [Mel Kiper Jr.], who I’m fairly certain hates [Todd] McShay, spend eight hours on national television with his eventual replacement. Kiper might finally crack. He might just kill McShay.”

— Gregg Doyel writing about the NFL Draft (CBSsportsline.com)

» “But he also dribbled the basketball off one of his recycled sneakers, and he failed at running an offense and setting up scorers. One particularly awful attempt was a behind-the-back pass to [Amare] Stoudemire that became a turnover. A great player such as [Steve] Nash, is supposed to assume control in these tense playoff moments.”

— Buck Harvey criticizing Phoenix guard Steve Nash for his postseason performance (San Antonio

Express-News).

On the record

“I was actually watching (TBS’) House of Payne, I wasn’t watching this game. I’m just waiting for the second game with the Lakers and the Nuggets.”

—     TNT analyst Charles Barkley at halftime of             the Celtics-Hawks game.

“Yeah, just make him a starter. That way we only have to see him once a week, instead of every night. Because what I saw out of the bullpen was pretty special.”

— White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain.

By the numbers

25: Number of times NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. pegged his first-round picks in the last three years, according to Coldhardfootballfacts.com

175,100: Amount, in dollars, paid for David Ortiz jersey unearthed at new Yankee Stadium. The money was given to the Jimmy Fund, a cancer charity.