The Redskins Blog

Pro Bowl Proves Talent Outside Of FBS

What do Lane College, Furman University, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and John Carroll University all have in common?

Well for starters, chances are these aren’t the first schools that pop into your head when you think of college football. More importantly however, is the fact that each of these institutions have produced top-flight NFL talent, attending the 2013 Pro Bowl.

Big name Division-I FBS programs dominate the headlines and are the center of attention in college football. So much so that it is extremely easy for the proverbial “little guys” to get overlooked.

In the case of college football the “little guys” are programs in FCS (formerly Division I-AA), Division II, and Division III athletics.

Football players at these levels with hopes of playing in the NFL have a larger uphill battle than Division I athletes. Their national exposure isn’t nearly as great, so in order to be noticed they must shine when an opportunity presents itself.

When a player from a non-FBS program makes it to the NFL and gains staying power, it is a success for all athletes in similar situations.

Even more impressive is if one of those players is able to perform at a Pro Bowl-caliber.

Of the 116 players that have been chosen to represent their respective teams in the 2013 Pro Bowl, only nine attended non-FBS schools. They are as follows: Read more »

Alexander Relishes Role On Defense

(AP photo)

Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander spent all season backing up London Fletcher at inside linebacker, and that trend will likely continue on Sunday.

The Pro Bowl rosters are set up with two inside linebackers, Alexander will likely be the primary backup to Fletcher and Cardinals’ linebacker Daryl Washington. It’s a role that Alexander relished all season, and one that he embraces on the Pro Bowl stage.

“From what I hear, yeah, I will be playing defense,” he said.  ”I mean, they only have two inside linebackers so I will have to play. I assume so.”

With his versatility on defense, Alexander could even backup teammate Ryan Kerrigan at outside linebacker.

Alexander will be suiting up for the Packers’ coaching staff, a staff that runs the base 4-3 scheme in Green Bay. Alexander has never worked with members of their staff before, but was prepared for the opportunity. Read more »

Collegiate Connections At 2013 Pro Bowl

AP Image

This Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, the 2013 Pro Bowl will kickoff at the sunny Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The best players in the NFL this season (or at least most popular) will showcase their talents, and to enjoy some relaxing fun under the sun.

When not relaxing in the tropical heat, players have spent the past week practicing with their regular season conference foes, preparing for Sunday’s AFC vs. NFC clash. There was need for some introductions, but for others it was a chance to reconnect with childhood friends and former teammates. Read more »

Redskins Players Check-In from Hawaii

The 2013 Pro Bowl consisting of the AFC and NFC’s best will take place Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Representing the Redskins this year are LB London Fletcher, LB Ryan Kerrigan, LB Lorenzo Alexander, OT Trent Williams and QB Robert Griffin III.

Griffin III did not make the trip, staying in Florida to begin his rehab process. However, the remaining players are already in the central Pacific enjoying some well-deserved relaxation time with family and friends and are sharing their adventures on the island across their various social media accounts.

Read more »

Alexander Prepared For First Pro Bowl Trip

Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander understands that the key to success is through preparation.  Throughout the offseason he prepares himself to be stronger and faster than the year before. During the season, he prepares himself to be the best player on gameday.

And when he finishes off a career year that leads the NFL in special teams tackles, he solicits advice on how to be ready for his first career Pro Bowl.

The first person he talked to was teammate London Fletcher, who will be joining Alexander for his fourth-straight trip to the Pro Bowl. Like Alexander, Fletcher was snubbed until later in his career, when he finally got the respect from his peers to make the trip to Hawaii.

But that’s about where the respect element ends, at least as far as hotel room charges in concerned. Read more »

Enter For A Visit From The NFL Play 60 Bus

Calling all teachers, school administrators, PTO/PTA leaders and after-school/community center program leaders in Redskins Nation!

The NFL Play 60 initiative is currently scheduling visits for the NFL Play 60 Bus around the country. Consider this your opportunity to bring that bus to the greater-Washington D.C. area in 2013.

Enter for a chance to win a visit from the NFL PLAY 60 Bus at your school or community center. Tell us what your community needs to help kids from Kindergarten to 8th grade PLAY 60 minutes every day and stay active and healthy — your school or center may end up winning just what you ask for! Read more »

Morgan’s D.C. Return: ‘It Was All A Dream’

Growing up just two blocks from RFK Stadium in a tough Southeast, Washington, DC neighborhood, wide receiver Joshua Morgan was able to endure a lot of uncertainty and escape a childhood riddled with temptation and tragedy.

One thing that motivated him athletically from Day 1 was a passion and love for the Washington Redskins.

Since infancy, Morgan had little choice but to root for his hometown Redskins. He was born into a family of avid Redskins fans and raised on Redskins football.

So when he received a phone call from an Ashburn, Va. area code in the early moments of free agency 2012, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to play football for the team he spent his childhood dreaming about.

Read more »

The ‘Other’ Redskins Pro Bowl Honoree

Fifty years of tradition. That’s what Tecoya, this year’s Pro Bowl Redskins Cheerleader, represents.

Tecoya made the trip to Hawaii this week to dance with the mixed team squad at Aloha Stadium. She was chosen by her peers, voted based on her expertise in “dance, physical fitness and overall personality.”

Her reward is the trip of a lifetime, and the opportunity to share her experience with everyone in Redskins Nation.

Read more »

Redskins Linebackers Garnering Attention

(AP Photo)

On Sunday, linebackers London Fletcher and Ryan Kerrigan were named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad. They join fellow linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who was selected as the NFC special-teamer, as well as offensive tackle Trent Williams for the annual game in Hawaii.

It is the fourth-consecutive trip for Fletcher, who was snubbed before coming to Washington in 2007.  It is the inaugural trip for teammates Kerrigan, Williams and Alexander.

With the rightful inclusion of three Redskins linebackers in the Pro Bowl, the Redskins now boast one of the strongest linebacking corps in the NFL. This is a major accomplishment for defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and his coaching staff, who converted the Redskins from a 4-3 system to the 3-4 after his arrival in 2010.

Find out what the rest of the Redskins linebacker unit said here as well as an interesting fact that the Redskins share with a Super Bowl-bound team:

Read more »

NFC East Championship Dinner