The Redskins Blog

New Redskins On All-NFC East Team

(Photo by Brian Murphy//ExtremeSkins.com)

Two of the more important pieces of the Redskins’ staunch run defense are getting some due recognition.

Nose tackle Barry Cofield and middle linebacker Perry Riley this week grace ESPN.com NFC East blogger Dan Graziano’s weekly “All-NFC East Team,” which is based on an entire season’s body of work and is not a week-by-week evaluation.

Cofield (pictured above and looking hyped up about his All-NFC East Team selection) and Riley are the plug of a Redskins’ rush defense that ranks fourth in the NFL by allowing just 91.5 yards per game.

They’re included this week with a couple other Redskins All-NFC East Team mainstays, and were evidently almost joined by a couple other teammates:

- Quarterback: Robert Griffin III
- Running back: Alfred Morris
- Tackle: Trent Williams
- Center: Will Montgomery
- Defensive tackle: Barry Cofield
- Inside linebacker: Perry Riley

Graziano also said he nearly picked Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson for this week’s All-NFC East Team (Wilson has already been on and off the list a couple times this season). Instead, however, Graziano went with Dallas Cowboys rookie cornerback Maurice Claiborne, and explains why:

“Redskins cornerback Josh Wilson, who’s occupied that Claiborne spot for much of this season, played very well Monday night against the Giants and nearly go this spot back. But Claiborne also played well, and scored a touchdown, and you know how I struggle at cornerback. I’m like a coach here. Gonna leave Claiborne in there, be patient with him and see how he handles it.”

Graziano also addressed why Redskins’ fullback Darrel Young is not ever on the All-NFC East Team:

“Redskins fans get mad about fullback, and trust me, I think Darrel Young is a great player. But while Hynoski doesn’t touch the ball the couple or three times a game that Young does, he’s a road-grader of a blocker in the run game, and Young only plays 3/4 as many snaps as Hynoski does. It’s close, and they’re both great, but overall I think Hynoski’s been the better player in 2012. I like both players a lot. Wish one of them played cornerback or safety, so I could put them both on the team.”

Dan, Darrel played safety in college — does that count enough to put him on this list already? He’s the reigning “Gruden Grinder” award winner, for crying out loud!

CHIME IN: What do YOU think of this week’s All-NFC East Team? Feel free to comment below.