The Redskins Blog

Redskins Ready To Rumble In ‘The Linc’

AP Image

Redskins players have taken and exited the field this afternoon, and they look ready to find meaning in this supposedly meaningless Week 17 game.

For Redskins punter Sav Rocca, this is his first return to his first NFL city, to take on a team that wanted to get younger at the punter postion.  In the first game against the Eagles this season, Rocca had a fine game, booting four times for a 42.5 average, a long of 53, and two punts downed inside the 20.

In pregame warmup, he and battery mate Nick Sundberg was rocketing bombs down the field.  Here’s his last effort:

Fellow special teamer Graham Gano was knocking his own missiles through the uprights from distances of 60 yards.  They both look calm and unaffected by the 10-15 mph winds.

On the offense, this is also the return of Jabar Gaffney and Donte’ Stallworth to Philadelphia.  Gaffney is chasing a career-year, having already matched his touchdown mark and exceeded his yardage output for a season.  With a touchdown and 81 more yards, he’ll finish the season as the team’s top receiver, with his first 1,000 yard season and six touchdowns.

Stallworth wasn’t backing down from heckles during pregame warmup, and seemed especially fired up–even for him.  Here’s footage of the receivers warming up with coach Keenan McCardell:

Gaffney seems to have perfected the one-handed touchdown catch.  Nothing like a little flair to go with his best season ever.

Here are the players’ tweeted thoughts as kickoff approaches:

#TheLinc – last day to have some fun until September 😔 DAMN!!! Let's go out with a bang #Redskins—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) January 01, 2012

Happy New Year! Let's start this new year off right with a "W". HTTR!!!—
Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker) January 01, 2012

Season Finale. #HTTR. Hail To The Redskins.—
Travon Bellamy (@Travon_Bellamy) January 01, 2012

Rumble young man rumble…—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) January 01, 2012

Nothing like playing vs your old team… #Philadelphia I love you!! But for these next 6, 7 hours it's on and poppin' #HTTR—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) January 01, 2012

And in case you were wondering, not even one nationally recognized NFL expert is picking the Redskins to win.  This reminds me of when the Redskins went on the road two weeks ago and knocked off the Giants in decisive fashion.

Don’t count that out from happening again.  And don’t forget to participate in the “2012 Social Showdown” in the next few minutes.