<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Washington Wizards finally got a good look at their $23 million offseason acquisition yesterday when forward Darius Songaila practiced for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back on Nov. 2. The 6-foot-9 Songaila, who signed a five-year, $23 million contract with the Wizards in July, has shown steady progress through the rehabilitation process and was cleared to participate in contact practices for the first time. Now, Songaila will attempt to work off several months of rust while trying to establish some level of familiarity with teammates he's never played with. Neither Songaila nor the team has established a firm date for a return to game action, but Songaila did say that he is shooting for after the all-star break, which ends Feb. 19. "He went longer and was more physical than I thought he'd be today," Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said. "It's a process, so there's no timetable or anything. He just looked good today."</div> Link It's good to hear that he's out on the court again and before we know it, he'll be out there spreading the floor on offense and getting back in shape for the playoffs. I'm tired of Eddie Jordan going small with Jarvis Hayes during significant times and not succeeding, so hopefully Songalia will be the one who can pull through and play center. He'll still be at a disadvantage guarding a big man, so I'm hoping for Ruffin's return sometime soon.
