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Coach Zorn introduces the team to dodgeball
2008-06-05 02:47:00
Per Redskins Insider: Zorn, who has a reputation for "thinking outside the box" (hate that term but I'm kinda rushing here so I'm taking a lazy cop-out), brought out some huge silver exercise balls and started up a game of dodgeball. For real. One quarterback held the ball in the pocket and the other quarterbacks chucked the balls at him from various directions. The QB holding the football - not the dodgeball - would have to slither and slide away from the big silver balls, simulating having to elude an oncoming defensive player ... without the obvious risk of injury. "It 's (a drill) I've been doing to get the quarterbacks to be able to move without a real live guy (chasing them)," Zorn said. "It's been an effective drill to help improve the quarterback's feet and his lateral movement, and what's great with those big balls we use, if we were using smaller balls all they'd have to do is duck; here you really have to move your feet to get out of the way." Reader(s) are remi...
More About: The Team , Team , Coach

OTA etc.
2008-06-04 03:15:00
There is much going on. For a quick primer, read CptChaosSidekick's fanpost on recen shenanigans. I quote him because he speaks for me: I'm a beliver that everyone on the team should attend these practices as to build team unity and esprit de corps. Esprit de corps, for those of you who, like me, have not served in the military, in simple terms refers to morale. The concept is far from simple for those who have served, though (like CptChaosSidekick and we appreciate you for it, brother). I know this because I was raised by a Marine veteran, and had a house filled not with Narnia books but instead Fields of Fire by James Webb, A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo, On War by Clausewitz, The Short Timers by David Erban (you know it as Full Metal Jacket), With The Old Breed by Eugene Sledge, etc. I say this for a reason; there will be a test shortly. I also happen to be a full on esprit de corps cheerleader and true believer that it's a meaningful concept that enables individually norma...

Well John Madden is wrong.
2008-06-03 02:57:00
I'm confused as to why there exists a split of opinion among NFL fans on John Madden ; I love him. I don't know how one can love football without also loving the man, the legend, the Football icon that is Madden. Even if I didn't think highly of his sometimes bizarre broadcasts (but I do think highly of his broadcasts, especially the bizarre ones) I'd love him if only for his part in the Madden video game franchise. I feel like he raised me. Ready, break. My favorite Madden moment came years ago watching a game probably played in Arizona, though it was too long ago and too inconsequential for me to remember now. I think it was in Arizona because there were cows in it. And cactus. Maybe it was Texas. That's not important. What's important is that I don't recall a damn thing about the game besides the fact that John Madden was really on his game that day, talking absolute nonsense about anything and everything. I was watching the game with a close friend of mine, and we were bot...
More About: Wrong

Redskins Sign Safety Stuart Schweigert
2008-06-02 17:49:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 06/02/08 8:20 PM EDT ] Promoted, edited slightly. Thanks again to CptChaosSidekick for helping me in the site in my absence (just started the new job today) and keep the FanPosts coming. Also, make sure you read DC Sports Bog to get the good-for-print word on our newest safety. Per the Official Site. Schweigert, 6-2 and 210 pounds, has played four NFL seasons with the Oakland Raiders. He had lost his starting job late last season. He was released by the club on May 21. Schweigert has played in 63 games, with 42 starts, and compiled 315 tackles, four interceptions and 18 passes defended in his career To make room for Schweigert, the Redskins released linebacker Rian Wallace. Since Schweigert's release by Oakland on May 21st, I was thinking the Skins could make a run at him. From what I can tell he was released because of injury (and because Oakland might be cash strapped, though I'm not %100 on that). This guy is a hitter and he can cover to...
More About: Safety , Stuart , Sign

Redskins sign a safety and Coach Zorn sets training camp date
2008-05-31 18:32:00
First, the new signing per the Official Site: The Redskins have signed second-year safety Justin Hamilton, the team announced on Friday... Hamilton, 6-3 and 222 pounds, played the 2006 season with the Cleveland Browns, totaling 15 tackles (13 solo) during his rookie season. Hamilton is a full year removed from football, having been cut for an "alleged injury." More: Hamilton was drafted by the Browns in the seventh round of the 2006 draft, and it was somewhat of a surprise when we waived him. The initial reason for waiving him was because he had an alleged injury, thus the reason he was paid an injury settlement. But, that still begs the question I've been wondering since last season: why not just put Hamilton on the injured reserve list (although his injury didn't seem to merit such a long absence)? That's a very good question, even moreso because, as DawgsByNature points out, Hamilton was playing pretty decent backup safety before he was let go. He had fifteen tackles his r...
More About: Safety , Training , Sets , Coach , Camp

Some guy is on a serious podcast and he talks Redskins
2008-05-31 01:51:00
Some nasal guy, might be me, talked Redskins football with the guys over at... FootballGuys. That's being added to the sidebar, and here are some testimonials to convince you that these people are legit (and thus I'm legit by association! See what I did there?) There are all kinds of fantasy football updates that pop into my computer or onto my blackberry. Most I simply delete. But not the Footballguys newsletter. When it shows up, I sit down and read. And learn Adam Schefter Analyst, NFL Network See? It's no joke. I'm told The Audible (a FootballGuys podcast) is the most popular football show on iTunes. And if you go here, you'll see: May 30 20082008 Volume#123a - Interview with Will Allensworth from Hogs Haven. (#472)In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Will Allensworth from Hogshaven.com Topics Include: how is Erasmus James going to fit in, will this be the true breakout year for Jason Campbell, can Colt Brennan be the QB of the future, a discussion a...
More About: Podcast

Jason Campbell injury update
2008-05-30 22:59:00
Matt Mosley at his Hashmarks blog had an NFC sized injury update today with the good (or bad) word on Jason Campbell . As reader(s) are well aware, Campbell injured his hammy earlier this offseason. It went something like this: Next step: Zorn has Campbell working hard to bend his knees and stay low while dropping back. It's still a bit awkward for Campbell and might have led to the hamstring pull. Campbell will be the unquestioned starter, but he might not have much margin for error following Todd Collins' impressive performance last season. Interesting note on that last bit. I was impressed with the manner Collins came in and owned the offense last season though attributed much of that success to his familiarity with a system. I am not trying to take anything away from Todd, but I wonder if lightning will strike twice under a new coaching staff and playbook that he hasn't worn as a second skin for years. I also look at our earlier schedule -- especially the fact that three of ...
More About: Injury , Update , Jason Campbell

Phillip Daniels is strong
2008-05-30 16:45:00
Phillip Daniels is strong. Is that what passes for a lead/lede (the debate rages on!) around here? I'm just following the big dogs, as USA Today's Inside Slant demonstrates: Phillip Daniels is 35. That is hot off the presses, nine-minute old news, I'm told. But, unfortunately, very true. Phillip Daniels is old. USA Today might as well have substituted his actual age for a descriptive adjective like elderly, ancient, or antediluvian if they were feeling especially saucy. On the let's-keep-smiles front, battle-tested, seasoned, or familiar would have worked. Or just old. The reality in the NFL is that actually quite young human beings can be approaching their professional twilight by their mid-30s, especially when that person's job description says something like: Must outrun or out power a large, probably younger superhuman. At 35 I'm not certain how much success Daniels will have outrunning his younger opponents, but on this latter challenge there is some reason for optimism...
More About: Strong

If I were a gambling man... Oh yea, I am. Vegas gives Redskins 7.5 wins
2008-05-29 20:26:00
Hat tipped kind of towards Extreme Skins, from the old news department it somehow escaped my finely tuned degenerative gambling radar that the Vegas lines came out on the 32 NFL team's over/under record. I don't remember many of us picking much fewer wins than 7 on the season, though I recall a few of you saying we had 8-10 in the tank. If you still feel that way, I encourage you to call your bookie. Here are the opening lines for all the teams: The above linked website (that looks like a potential daily visit for me) has its own worthwhile analysis. Reader(s) should note that the NFC East has the 2nd highest predicted wins average. Does this worry me? No, and I say that giving Vegas more credit than most. I think they are pretty spot on, or as spot on as any human can be when discussing things of such variance as the amount of wins an NFL team will have on any given year. I actually really love the 7.5 given the circumstances (new coaching staff) since what it means is that Ve...
More About: Gambling , Redskins , Wins

Heads up to radio listeners in the Charlottesville, VA area
2008-05-29 19:53:00
Walking Redskins Encyclopedia and Redskins Historian Mike Richman is a friend of this space and has been extremely helpful for many moons now in providing Hogs Haven with great content. There's more to come on that front, as we'll probably do a Q&A with him at some point this summer. In the meantime, I'd like to return the favor his way for all he's done here by plugging a radio show he does. Take it away, Mike: I'm the co-host of a weekly show called the "DC Sports Blitz" on ESPN 840 in Charlottesville, VA.  We cover the Redskins, Nationals, Wizards and Capitals, and we encourage listeners to e-mail questions and comments that we address in our mailbag segment. The mailbag e-mail is theblitz@espn840.com. We've received a lot of e-mails thus far on the Redskins. The show airs from 6-7 on Tuesdays, part of a period on ESPN 840 called the Power Hour. The link for the station's home page where people can listen to...
More About: Radio , Area , Heads

John Clayton: Without Cap Redskins Could Be in Roster Depth Hell
2008-05-29 17:55:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/29/08 1:28 PM EDT ] Promoted, enjoy. Edited very little. Thanks once more to CptChaosSidekick. John Clayton wrote an article on five of the best -- and five of the worst teams to be affected if there was no salary cap in 2010.  The Redskins come in at # 5 on the teams sure to suck list. The Redskins are in great shape for the next two seasons, but 2010 could be tough. Eleven of their 22 starters are in their 30s, including five starters on the offensive line. Age is also creeping up on their defense. Cornerback Shawn Springs is 33. Linebacker Marcus Washington is 30. Defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin is 31. Linebacker London Fletcher is 33. Defensive end Phillip Daniels is 35. He goes on to say that finding replacements for older starters becomes harder and harder as teams will be trying to lock up future free agents much earlier than in years past. When the COB was unanimisly opted out by the owners, the Cowboys owner wasted no time in re-signing C...
More About: Hell , Roster , Depth

Erasmus James gets physical today
2008-05-29 15:35:00
Hat tip to ReggieBullits for posting the news in this FanPost, but in case you weren't aware, Erasmus James is now a Redskin and, pending his physical, his former Vikings are now the proud owners of the Redskins 7th round draft pick in 2009. Per the Official Site: "We really liked Erasmus coming out of college," executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said. "He's young and talented, and he has a great deal of potential. We like the fact that his defensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin--John Palermo--is our current defensive line coach." This quote tends to confirm my suspicion that Palermo was the driving force behind this move. The article quotes Palermo as well, who calls James "an every down player." That's high praise for a player who has spent the majority of his young career not playing 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down; James has been plagued by injuries since joining the league. His best year, as the article notes, was by far his rookie season in 2...
More About: Physical , Today

An interview with Redskins fullback Pete Schmitt
2008-05-27 18:37:00
As readers are well aware, this space is big, big time on Pete Schmitt. I've already called Pete Schmitt as a lock to make the team, and chose him in our Adopt-A-Redskin program to follow throughout the offseason. However much I appreciated Pete Schmitt then, consider it doubled and then some now, as he very graciously agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. Below you'll find an interview with him where he discusses, among other things, the changing coaching staff, Mike Sellers, the normalcy of a Midwestern accent, delicious Miller Lite, and the very fascinating process he's currently in that can turn a substitute teacher into a Professional Football player overnight. Please enjoy. Side note: I am indebted to Pete Schmitt's agent, John Perla, Jr, for his assistance in setting this up. As far as Hogs Haven is concerned, John is the best agent in the biz. Hogs Haven: This is actually your second stint with the Redskins , as you spent the 2007 ...
More About: Interview

Inside The Numbers: Fred Smoot
2008-05-26 15:32:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/26/08 12:16 PM EDT ] Promoted,  thanks to CptChaosSidekick for this excellent Fan Shot and reader(s) should expect more front page material out of him in the near future. Edited slightly, enjoy. Also: Happy Memorial Day. I found a good article by ESPN Inside r writer, KC Joyner, who statistically breaks down the leagues best vertical cornerbacks.  What does that mean, and how did he come to these analysis? As was the case with the receivers, this metric review measures medium (11-19 yards), deep (20-29 yards) and bomb (30-plus yards) pass attempts on a yards-per-attempt basis. Because cornerbacks tend to see fewer passes than wide receivers, I lowered the qualifying-attempt mark to 24. The yardage totals once again include "pass in the air" penalty attempts and yards (i.e., pass interference, defensive holding, illegal contact, etc.). On his top-10 list of best CB's per his mathematical equation, Fred Smoot ranks #5 on his list. Smoot's Stats:&...
More About: Numbers

The offensive line is an age old question mark
2008-05-23 20:55:00
Let me first state what this is not: I am not panicking. I am not actually all that concerned with the age of our offensive line at this moment, because I think they have enough juice in the tank to at least get the replacement parts installed before the whole thing crumbles. And, indeed, some of those service orders have already been placed; we just drafted Chad Rinehart and last year we developed undrafted rookie free agent Stephon Heyer. We also have a couple young bloods on the roster currently. Although they are mostly undrafted free agents, we've had success with Heyer and there is reason for optimism that lightning will strike twice on one of these guys. As reader Romans12 reminded, don't overlook Kerry Brown, who DraftGuys called a future Pro Bowler. Also, he can see into the future: We also have one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL in Joe Bugel. The list of "legendary" offensive line coaches is pretty small, but Bugel is on it. He's also been in the coachi...
More About: Question , Mark , Line

Cooley is Albright's backup and other randomness
2008-05-23 16:51:00
Yahoo! Sports has a weekly rundown on all the NFL teams, and the report for your Washington Redskins came out today. Inside it is all sorts of fun information, like how Buges is defending Jansen and Thomas against calls of their untimely demise and how Zorn says that Alexander might have to go both ways... again. But the best part of the article is the closing quote, from special teams coach Danny Smith regarding Cooley: "He?s a knucklehead. He messes with me all the time. He?ll say, ?Do you want to see it? Do you want to see it?? I say, ?No, we?ll work it tomorrow? and he?ll snap three perfect ones, laugh his butt off and go. The kid can do anything."?Special teams coach Danny Smith on Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley being one of his emergency long snappers along with right tackle Jon Jansen. Yes, Cooley is Ethan Albright's backup. Yes, that is Ethan "I'm the worst fucking player on Madden" Albright. This is an interesting part of the depth chart that I didn't know. I won...
More About: Backup , Randomness

Devin Thomas training as a flanker, Malcolm Kelly studying up on split end
2008-05-23 16:27:00
This is an update on the status of our two first day wide receiver picks as well as on the emerging playbook under Head Coach Jim Zorn. Timely, too, as it comes hours after this FanPost by Ach where he wonders what immediate impact either receiver will have in the coming season. I guess that all depends on how willing Coach Zorn is to line up in three-receiver sets. Hat tip to Extreme Skins on this Pro Football Weekly article: "I feel like I picked up on it pretty quick," [Devin] Thomas told PFW. "I noticed it’s a big playbook, so I am going to have to keep learning, but overall it’s not that hard." Thomas has been learning the "Z" (flanker) position so far, while Kelly has been working at the "X" (split end). "It’s the West Coast offense, so there are going to be a lot of three- and four-wide sets, so there will be a chance for me to get playing time," Kelly told PFW. Before we get into just what those terms mean (and most of you probably know, but a quick refre...
More About: Training , Studying , Split

Former Redskin says Nay to Patriots IR methods
2008-05-23 03:59:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/23/08 8:55 AM EDT ] Promoting this story for a couple reasons. First, it's an interesting story from Ross Tucker, who is a former Redskin . Second, CptChaosSidekick is going to be helping me with content on the site in the coming weeks; this is just the beginning. Edited slightly. I've listened to former Redskin O-Linemen Ross Tucker a lot on Sirius satellite radio, and everytime he's on, the man spits truth. Link: Last Friday, in an article published on SI.com, Tucker wrote that: "I had heard the Patriots did this before I signed with them in 2005 and I saw it firsthand during my time there. I asked veteran receiver Troy Brown about it one time and he responded, 'Every team in the league does that.' I quickly let him know none of the three teams I played for previously had done so. It's my personal belef that the Pats do go out of their way to get a competitive advantage on other teams, but do they all pratice this? Apparently not, he thinks: Basic...
More About: Methods

Florio: Skins won't make the playoffs in 2008
2008-05-22 20:59:00
Mike Florio, of PFT fame, recently picked six teams he didn't think would return to the playoffs in '08 after successful seasons in 2007 (hat tip: Behind the Steel Curtain). Your Washington Redskins made the cut, so to speak: 3. Washington Redskins The Redskins rallied late in ‘07, coming together as a cohesive unit after the tragic death of safety Sean Taylor. They unexpectedly qualified for the playoffs, sneaking in as the sixth seed and nearly shocking the Seahawks in the wild-card round. But then came the unexpected retirement of coach Joe Gibbs, followed by the curious decision to hire Seattle quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn as the offensive coordinator, and then to promote him to head coach. Zorn very well might become a great head coach, but it’s a tall order to expect him to navigate a competitive NFC East and get back to the postseason. The Redskins would have been wise to give the gig to defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who is now with the Jaguars. In a lea...
More About: Playoffs , Make , Skins , 2008

Shaun Suisham: Ethan Albright is the best player in the NFL
2008-05-22 19:48:00
This is a post about our kicker (hat tipped to Extreme Skins; if you are on the prowl for Redskins related news, you could do a lot worse than the ES Breaking News Forum). Patrick Maloney at the London Free Press caught up with Suisham via email and got him to answer a few of the critical questions we've all been waiting for, such as: SUISHAM SAYS 1) My all-time favourite movie is . . . Tombstone 2) In the movie about my life, I will be played by . . . Matt Damon -- according to my wife 3) My favourite food is . . . Fresh fruit 4) I drive a . . . F150 SuperCrew 5) I think the best player in the NFL is . . . Ethan Albright (the Redskins' long snapper) 6) I could retire happy if . . . Our family was healthy and I didn't have a mortgage. I, too, appreciate Tombstone and would be played by Matt Damon (it's a looks thing) though I have to part ways with Shazzam on... fresh fruit? Oh really, Shaun? Well then I'm calling you out and demanding you take a giant delicious yikes bite ou...
More About: Player

Antwaan Randle El, something about a bear, what?
2008-05-22 17:52:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/22/08 3:06 PM EDT ] MJD at Shutdown Corner has a post up about this segment with, I believe, video of the entire exchange, so you don't have to suffer through my nonsensical attempt at transcribing the entire thing. I don't know if he has video of ESPN's First Take (it might be Grizzly Man) because my laptop died yesterday and I'm forced to work on a circa 2000 Dell right now that is begging me to mercy kill it; I'm too afraid to download the necessary plugin to view the video because it may just end this miserable piece of machinery. I need it, though. MJD picks Antwaan: I like 'Twaan's chances here. I know what the bear expert says, but a professional athlete can change directions with such blinding quickness. A regular dude off of the street is probably going to be picked out of the bear's teeth. But Randle-El is paid so handsomely because athletically, he's ridiculously superior to the average dude on the street. So a friend of mine ok, I...
More About: Bear

Clinton Portis channels Marie Osmond
2008-05-22 17:27:00
Hat tipped to Deuce of Davenport, Dan Snyder has now made the Country Music Awards Redskins relevant: The Washington Redskins owner acquired the show last year as part of his $175 million buyout of dick clark productions inc., and has quickly infused a highlight-reel mentality. Redskins running back Clinton Portis went to the show, and Sacramento Kings owner Gavin Maloof said he took part in a bit at Snyder's request. When asked to pick winners, Maloof picked Rascal Flatts, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Former backyard brawler (isn't that illegal?) and now famous MMA fighter Kimbo Slice was also on hand, making this the official Greatest Country Music Awards ever. Slice apparently said he'd fight Mike Tyson and, honestly, I'd pick Kimbo Slice (but what do I know; check out Bloody Elbow for more info on Slice) Back to Portis, Dan Steinberg tracked down the diverting running back to get his thoughts on the festivities. Clinton Portis ... likey? "Because there...
More About: Channels , Marie , Marie Osmond

Fred Davis is really sorry, Chris Cooley is getting married
2008-05-21 21:35:00
Redskins 360 says Davis apologizes: Davis said that after switching rooms the previous night to get his own room, he awoke the next morning and practice had already begun. He reached front office boss Vinny Cerrato and then came in later that day to meet with coach Jim Zorn. Ditto over at Redskins Insider: "I just wanted to let everybody know that I'm apologetic about what happened," Davis said in his first public remarks since the incident. "I want them to know that when I come here I'm going to work hard and try to make as much progress as I can on the field and off." The Redskins were not aware of Davis's whereabouts as the team took the field on the morning of May 4. Several members of the organization have said privately that there were rampant rumors that Davis was partying in downtown Washington Saturday night, but he has denied those allegations to team officials, sources said, and reiterated again yesterday that he did not leave the Ashburn area on the night he went m...
More About: Fred , Chris , Getting Married , Married

Hogs Haven needs your help
2008-05-21 20:18:00
The good news is that I've attained gainful employment in my summer home and now will no longer need to sweat the passing days as inching closer and closer towards personal financial insolvency. Many thanks to the Federal Government for partially subsidizing my lifestyle for the past few weeks (but they'll get theirs back when I repay loans, don't you worry Uncle Sam). The bad news is that with this new J-O-B I won't be in a position to post at the hours. So for all those reader(s) who have grown accustomed to my poorly drafted and randomly timed (though typically during the working hours) posts, this could mean content comes at even stranger times in less consistent bunches. I'm not yet certain how I will adjust returning to the old 8-5 though we're all adaptable animals and I hope it works for the best. I don't know what TexSkins or the other contributors schedule will permit in the way of posting, but I assume it will be much of the same. In order to both secure more frequ...
More About: Hogs , Haven

Jim Zorn, Dr. Darrell Green, and Dexter Manley get to catch up
2008-05-20 16:24:00
First, who is this Dr. Darrell Green ? Redskins 360: Green was introduced as Dr. Darrell Green. Did No. 28 receive a doctorate in the land of the rising sun? No. Green said he has honorary doctorates from George Washington, Marymount and St. Paul's (Va.). Indeed he does, per Wikipedia which informs me that he received two Doctorates of Humane Letters. Is there anything this man can't do? No, there isn't anything he can't do, up to and including successful use of triple negatives. I model my life after his (except for the part about having talent). So what's all the hub-bub about? I [David Elfin of Redskins 360] just got back from a reception in honor of Hall of Fame inductee-to-be Darrell Green given by Japanese ambassador Ryozo Kato. Green and the ambassador became friendly in 2002 when the Redskins were preparing for their preseason game in Osaka and have stayed in touch since. Mr. Elfin also notes that Jim Zorn, Kedric the Barbarian, and former Redskins Darryl Pounds and ...
More About: Dexter , Catch

Redskins Insider: 'Skins uninterested in Odell Thurman
2008-05-20 15:58:00
Why was Odell Thurman cut from the Bengals? For missing voluntary minicamps, says the team: "The NFL provided Odell the opportunity to earn his way back onto our team, but we have not seen the right steps taken by him," Lewis said. "With our offseason work in progress and new talent added at our linebacker position, we've determined it's best to keep moving in a direction that does not include Odell."... [Thurman's agent John] Michels said "it''s purely a money issue right now" because the Bengals have a pending grievance against Thurman. Cut and dry, right? Well the article also notes that Thurman's agent Michels is considering grievences, or at least leaves open the possibility of that in the future. So what's the big deal, can't the team cut a player for missing a voluntary mini camp? Players aren't obligated to attend and can't be cut for not attending the voluntary sessions. Yea, but, since he's a Bengal and all he was probably off being a criminal and doing othe...
More About: Skins , Insider , Redskins

Football operations staff complete with addition of Morocco Brown
2008-05-20 15:32:00
[Note by Skin Patrol, 05/20/08 11:03 AM EDT ] Update per my amigo WCG at Windy City Gridiron. He has his own post up right now on the move, that probably deserves attention. Here's what he told me in an email: He worked for Bobby DePaul who is well thought of around here. The Bears scouting department, homer status aside, is one of the best in the league.  They get more from late round draft picks then a ton of of teams do with their 1st rounders.   I know the Bears did not want to lose him, I've seen a few blurbs talking about the Bears trying to up his money, but you can't keep a guy from a promotion and DePaul wasn't going anywhere. I can't recall if I told you this or not, but the Redskins released their pro personnel director Louis Riddick a couple weeks ago. Per the Insider his contract was up this summer, and the team did not intend to extend it, so bon voyage. This created a void in the football operations heirarchy that the team will apparently soon fi...
More About: Football , Morocco , Brown , Staff , Complete

Is the end of the salary cap era upon us?
2008-05-19 20:22:00
My quick editorial on the salary cap, the current CBA, etc: I love it. This is a strange position for a Redskins fan, since there are few, if any, franchises that would benefit more from an end to revenue sharing. The Redskins are currently 2nd on the Forbes list of most valuable NFL franchises , in virtue exclusively of the Cowboys' new stadium. At 312M in revenue last year, the Redskins are over 50M richer than the field. The team's 60M operating income is likewise tops in the league. So why do I love it? I think the NFL as a whole benefits from a system the fans believe encourages and equal field of play, and what is good for the sport is good for the Redskins. I don't want to overstate either the point or my knowledge of it, but I wouldn't be the first to attribute the NFL's successful growth since the 1993 CBA to that agreement. The reasons that a business entity as large and complex as the NFL cannot logically be attributed to simply one aspect of the game, though growth ...
More About: Salary

Greg Blache simplifying the defense
2008-05-16 17:21:00
We retained a good bit of coaching continuity defensively, even if we let Greg g Williams walk. Greg Blache has been around these players, under that former system, for some years now. And while much of that defense will remain, he's making his own changes, per Inside Slant: However, minicamp revealed that there are substantial differences between Williams, now Jacksonville’s coordinator, and Blache, Chicago’s coordinator from 1999-2003. For example, Williams’ beloved “packages,” which numbered well into the teens, have been considerably reduced. “We will have fewer packages because this is about the players,” Blache said. “This is not about building the perfect castle. It’s about giving the players something they can execute in the heat of battle and under stressful situations. The biggest thing is being able to execute, get to the football and knock the ball out. We’re trying to be a hard, physical defense that’s i...
More About: Defense

June 7th basketball game will all end in tears... of joy
2008-05-16 16:50:00
This is where soundbites are made. Dan Steinberg sets us up: So in this dream, we're talking about an early June charity basketball game at UDC featuring Clinton Portis, Fred Smoot, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Chad Johnson, Terrell Owens, Gary Payton, Braylon Edwards, and all the rest, with the promise of celebrity halftime entertainment even better than the game itself. Yeah, that'd probably be good for a few days of blog copy. If only, right? And indeed, it is on like donkey kong (who I played as on the new Wii Mario Kart yesterday, which was fantastically awesome): Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 13, 2008 -- BET host and internationally syndicated radio personality Big Tigger will assemble an impressive line-up of iconic athletes and celebrities for the All-Star Basketball Game during Big Tigger's 7th Annual Celebrity Classic. The game will be held Saturday, June 7th at 6:00pm at the University of the District of Columbia. Presented by the Street Corner Foundation Inc., the...