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Regardless of where he’s eventually taken in April’s NFL Draft, one of the most facinating prospects from this year’s class will be Heisman-winning Baylor quarterback RG3.

Or maybe I should say, ‘Robert Griffin III, CEO of Griffin Enterprises.’  That’s how he described his job to Jarrett Bell of USA Today, shortly before he left for the NFL Combine:

“This is a business trip,” Griffin, 22, says after a workout in Arizona last weekend. “I’m the CEO of Griffin Enterprises. It’s my job to go sell my product.”

But what exactly will that product be?  Rumors have suggested that top quarterback prospect Andrew Luck is ‘willing but unlikely to throw‘ at the Combine, acknowledging that it could only hurt his sky-high stock.  As the clock ticks down to throw time, it’s now being questioned whether or not Griffin will throw either:

“It would be foolish to say it’s even a fair and equitable environment for throwing,” [Griffin] says. “When you show up in a game, you’re never going in without a game plan. It’s a disadvantage to throw when you have no idea of the rhythm that you will have with your receivers.

“I’ll decide when I get there. I’ll do the other tests and see how it goes.”

In top receiver Kendall Wright, Griffin had one of the best vertical threats in college football last year.  At the Combine, he would be paired with receivers that he doesn’t know, making it an unrealistic game situation.

With that being said, Griffin should be motivated to throw in Indy in order to prove that he’s the top prospect in football.  The Redskins could address their quarterback situation through the Draft, meaning they would be willing to watch if Griffin is willing to throw.

If he chooses not to, it would be unfortunate, but unlikely to change his sky-high prospect status.

In his 2011 Heisman season, Griffin threw 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns in 13 games (six interceptions), completing an astounding 72.4 percent of his passes.

By comparison, Redskins quarterbacks threw for 4,058 yards and 19 touchdowns (24 interceptions), completing 58.5 percent of their passes.  With a pick near the top of the first round (No. 6), Griffin certainly represents an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on in the days and weeks to come.

A slow news day during the Redskins offseason affords me the occasional opportunity to catch up on news about other Washington area sports teams.

But only because I’m looking for a viable Redskins connection.

According to a piece done by NBC-4′s Sarah Kogod, the NBA’s Washington Wizard players have hotel aliases that keep the fans (and distant family members) at bay while they’re trying to relax on the road.

There were some humorous names on the list, but the best belongs to point guard and DC native, Roger Mason Jr.:

“I used to use ‘Doug Williams,’” Roger Mason told us. “He was my favorite Redskins football player.”

Mason describes himself on Twitter (@MoneyMase) as a Redskins fan for life.  Born in 1980, Mason has seen the best of times with this franchise, including the magical ride of the 1987 Super Bowl winning Redskins team.

Even in the lean years, he has and will continue to bleed Burgundy and Gold.  Since the beginning of the 2011 season, he tweeted no fewer than 25 times about his favorite NFL team. Sometimes it was excited, sometimes depressed, sometimes reflective, and sometimes focused on the future.

In Week 1, he tweeted (presumably) his view of the Redskins-Giants action at FedExField, adding, “A little too loud in here for Eli!!! leggo Skins!“:

LETSGO SKINS!—
Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) September 27, 2011

Big win for my Skins! #hailtotheredskins—
Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) September 18, 2011

He also threw his support behind a current Redskins player, and someone that he would like to see in Burgundy and Gold in the future:

I'm happy the Redskins have finally found the answer at running back. Helu is a beast!—
Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) December 11, 2011

I'm hoping the Redskins draft Robert Griffin III. Political Science degree already, seems to have high character, and a stud on the field.—
Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) December 29, 2011

He even had an moment of personal reflection following the Giants’ Super Bowl victory in Indianapolis:

Should I feel good about the Giants last loss coming from the Skins?—
Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) January 23, 2012

All-in-all, it’s nice to see Mason embracing his local team, and good luck to the Wizards after the NBA All-Star break.

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This week signals the kickoff to the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine, an even which has been held in Indianapolis, Indiana for the last 25 years.

Earlier last week, Redskins general manager and executive vice president Bruce Allen discussed his memories of the Combine with Redskins Nation’s Larry Michael.  Although Allen has only been an executive in the NFL since 1995, he’s been involved with the Combine since it’s early days:

Obviously, since 1985 the event has grown into a media spectacle that garners around-the-clock coverage on the NFL Network in the days and weeks to come.  Fans are taken into every conceivable angle of a player’s draft stock, but have never been allowed on the premises.

All of that will change this year, as 250 lucky fans are being invited to watch the workouts from stands in Lucas Oil Stadium.

Those selected were asked to submit a request for tickets, and the winners would be randomly selected in lottery fashion.  The winners will have a live view of the wide receiver and quarterback 40-yard dashes, as well as the position skill drills.

This is a big step forward for the NFL, which has consistently worked to create the best fan experience possible.  For any of you disappointed to not be attending this year, you can expect this plan to stick around and grow in future years.

The other, perhaps more fun opportunity for fan interaction, is the Fan 40-Yard Dash.  Seven years ago, the NFL Network’s Rich Eisen ran a 40-yard dash in his Prada suit and tie.  Admire the 2010 edition:

And this year, Eisen is calling on fans to submit videos of their own 40-yard dash, in their respective places of business, in their respective business attire. As Eisen points out on his NFL.com blog, it’s only fair:

For the love of all that is holy, block out the naysayers in your world and run. Run like the wind. And then tweet out a link to either @richeisen, @NFL or @NFLNetwork and use the hastag #RunRichRun.

The best runs – and the worst – will air on NFL Network as divine inspiration just before I take the field.

Together, we can create a (very slow) movement. Or not. Either way. Just run.

I will not ask you to run or do any physical activity not approved by your doctor.  But if you do choose to participate and share your 40-yard dash with the NFL Network, I ask only that you share your efforts with the Redskins online community as well.

Happy hamstrings, everyone!

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It’s been an academically productive offseason for Redskins rookies, as both linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and cornerback Brandyn Thompson have returned to finish their respective bachelors’ degrees.

Thompson shared the news with his followers on Twitter (@BThompson_BT), illustrating the hard work that got him to the NFL, with perhaps a touch of senioritis:

Officially Enrolled in my last 2 classes…gotta get the paper #degree—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) January 26, 2012

According to his Boise State player bio, Thompson is on track for a bachelor’s degree in communications.  A Facebook conversation with Thompson confirmed that he is back in the halls of Boise State–but only in the cyber sense–as he’s finishing up with online classes.

He’s spent most of his time since January living near his native Elk Grove, Calif., outside of Sacramento.

In addition to his work in the online classroom, he has been practicing his communication skills by keeping followers updated on Twitter.

His new-found free time has given him an opportunity to learn how to cook:

I'm actually gonna attempt to learn how to cook…starting….now—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) February 16, 2012

I gotta make these porkchops right quick…they should be good and marinated—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) February 17, 2012

He also appreciated the irony of being tested to make sure he’s working out the right way:

Just had to do an off season steroid test…I always get a good laugh when they test me for steroids…like really lol—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) February 13, 2012

And most importantly, he has taken time out of his busy schedule to give back to boys and girls in the “Sac” (Sacramento) area:

But just got home from the boys and girls club…felt good to give back to the community…Sac ain't much but it's home—
Brandyn Thompson (@BThompson_BT) February 18, 2012

Thompson has also teamed up with former Bronco’s teammate Austin Pettis and other former college football players to start the Dream Team Delivers Foundation.

According to the nonprofit organization’s Facebook page, the group intends to offer a handful of free football camps and charity basketball games across the country.  Thompson is signed on to help with the football camps, which are set to begin at the end of March.

Redskins running back Tim Hightower was honored yesterday for his athletic contributions to his alma mater by being inducted into the University of Richmond Hall Of Fame.

Hightower holds the all-time records at Richmond for most yards rushing in a game (295 at Bucknell 9/27/07), season (1,924 in 2007) and career (3,712). He is also the top scoring back in Richmond history, with 20 in 2007, and 34 in his career.

A particularly fitting element of his induction speech was his appreciation to the Spiders staff for giving him an opportunity (and scholarship) even after he was injured in his final season at Episcopal High School (via John O’Connor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch):

“It seemed like the end of the world,” Hightower said. A scholarship was his ticket to a college education. “Where am I going to go?” Hightower asked himself. For a while, there was no answer.

He started getting phone calls from Jim Reid, the University of Richmond’s coach at the time, and Jeff Hanson, one of Reid’s assistants. They visited Hightower in Alexandria.

“The next thing you know, I’ve got a scholarship to the University of Richmond, which I knew nothing about,” Hightower recalled on Saturday, when he was inducted into the UR athletics hall of fame.

“It truly was a blessing. I went from this kid who was very unsure of his future, had no clue what the next day held, to being a kid with a support system, with a coaching staff, with teammates, who helped me become somebody who people respect.”

Interestingly, Hightower finds himself in a similar situation going into free agency this offseason.  Teams that had previously been following his contract season closely were certainly disheartened by his injury in Week 7 against the Panthers.

Now, no matter where he ends up, Hightower has announced that he intends to be ready for the start of training camp this season.  Although there are some good and bad days, he also reported that his rehab is going well  (via the Richmond Times-Dispatch):

“You have those days when you wake up and you’re a little sore, and you’re thinking you’re not doing better. And then you go out there and do something functionally that you couldn’t do last week. That lets you know you’re progressing.”

“I don’t know how to throttle down. I don’t know how to back off,” said Hightower, Washington’s leading rusher (321 yards on 84 carries) before suffering the torn ligament in his left knee.

Hightower also told reporters that he hopes and expects to be back in Washington next year, keeping him close to his Alexandria, Va. home.

Congratulations to Tim on the well-deserved honor after a dazzling Richmond Spiders career.

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Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker is widely considered to be the team’s strongest player, and one of the top forces in the NFL.  Last season was a bit of a breakout year for the defensive end, who has steadily increased his production since coming into the league five seasons ago.

I recently chatted with Carriker about his time in the gym, and how he was able to translate that into football success in 2011.  According to him, this is a year-round process to exceed his prior limitations.

“Two years ago, I was the strongest I’ve ever been in my life, and last year I was even stronger,” he said.  ”I’ve been around for long enough and I get tips from other people, so this year it’s my goal to do that again.

“I can tell you that I’ll be stronger next year than I’ve ever been.”

In 2011, Carriker made it his goal to bench over 500 pounds, incline press 450 pounds, dip 550 pounds, squat 600 pounds, and clean and jerk 405 pounds.  Check, check, check, check, and check.

This year?

“I wanna do the same exact weight and same exact reps–but I wanna do them faster and more explosively,” he told me.  ”Instead of struggling on the seventh and eighth reps and barely getting them, I want to do four incredibly fast, and then four where I don’t even need a spotter.”

He continued: “I can be a body builder, I can be a power lifter, but at some point with strength, you need to convert it into something else.  When I say, I should say ‘stronger,’ I  really mean ‘to be more explosive with the same weight.’”

Carriker employed his explosiveness in 2011 by registering 5.5 sacks from the 3-4 defensive end position, an impressive stat that led the Redskins defensive linemen for 11 weeks.  He finished the season a half-sack behind teammate Stephen Bowen, but rarely played in nickel packages on obvious passing downs.

Carriker maximized his opportunities on defense, finishing tied for fourth in the NFL for sacks by a 3-4 defensive end.

“Y’know, London can run around and get 166 tackles and lead the NFL, the outside guys get the sacks, and it’s not our job to do that,” he said with a shrug.  ”We can still make plays, but we know that our job won’t get the numbers.”

Carriker likened his role on defense to what his opponents in the trenches do for the offense–hard work with little glamour.

“It’s not to the extent of offensive linemen, but it’s similar–and linebackers are similar to the running backs,” he explained.  ”Obviously the running back has to have speed and strength to make moves and break tackles.  But the greatest running back in NFL history can’t make plays without a line.

“The 3-4 defensive line is similar to that with our linebackers.”

With that in mind, Carriker said he won’t settle for not making plays.  Even if it’s harder to do from his position, he feels like he’s entering the prime years of his career.

“Some of these older players have all the edges, but they can’t physically do it like they used to,” he explained.  ”Young guys have all the physical advantages, but they’re just kind of running around out there.  Y’know, I’m right in the middle of both.

“I’m to a point in my career where I’ve gotten a lot of edges that I didn’t have early on.  Physically, I’m only 27, and I’m at the peak conditioning of my career.  You put those two things together, and I’m in my prime.  This year, last year, and for the next several years, this is the prime for me.”

So how does that translate to on the field success?  Carriker has a few numbers in the back of his mind for the 2012 season:

“I guess the goal for me for next year would be 40 or 50 tackles, somewhere between five to eight sacks.”

And in order to accomplish those career-highs, Carriker has done what he’s done every offseason, and tried something new.

“Nobody knows my body better than I do, and nobody knows what I need to work on better than me,” he said.  ”We have a great strength staff and great strength coaches in Washington, but they need to work on about 60 to 70 guys.  Just me working out on me allows me to focus in on exactly my needs.”

One of those ideas was a “detox” or “cleansing” to kick off his offseason.

“Basically, stuff builds up in your intestines and your stomach, so it just gets everything out of your digestive tract: the toxins and the waste that builds up from just being alive,” he said.  ”Especially playing football, it’s a cleansing that you need to do to keep your body working at optimal level.”

This is a fairly new approach to fitness regimens; one that was used by teammate Lorenzo Alexander, who gave Carriker the idea.

“It’s originally a 21 day detox, but when I started, I knew I wasn’t gonna make it three weeks,” Carriker said.  ”So I said ‘I know I can do a week.  Just make this thing ridiculously hard, and I can make it a week.’  I ended up doing it for 11 days.  I think it helped, and I already feel better.”

Carriker said that he’ll build back up to his weight goals as the offseason continues and he prepares for free agency.  He originally came to Washington as part of a trade with the Rams two seasons ago.

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The end of next week kicks off the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, on the same field that recently hosted Super Bowl XLVI.  I guess it’s true that the Midwest has all the fun.

The Combine is a time to measure every tangible element of a prospective players’ game: speed, strength, obstacle courses and hand size.  It’s a time of quick risers and tragic falls, as teams try to decide who will be the future faces of their franchise.

In anticipation of the festivities, NFL.com expert Mike Mayock posted his list of Combine attendees that he predicts will wow the stopwatches in the 40-yard dash.  Some of the names could be targets for a Redskins offense and defense looking to add speedy playmakers.

Here’s a recap of his top players to watch for:

Running back Chris Rainey, Florida: Mayock predicts that Rainey and fellow Gator Jeff Demps might be the two fastest men in the Draft, but with Demps training for the Olympic team, Rainey looks to be the man.  His fastest time clocked, according to Scout.com, is a 4.25, and he currently sits as a mid-round draft pick.  With top of the class speed, he might be pushed higher than that.

Wide receiver Kendall Wright, Baylor: Wright played a significant role in Robert Griffin III’s Heisman trophy, hauling in 108 receptions for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, with another 72 yards on the ground.  At 5-10, 190 pounds, he is currently projected as a first round pick, and has a 40 time listed at 4.32.  Mayock anticipates another mid-4.3 showing, calls him his No. 2 receiver in the draft, and compares him to Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson in ability.  He may not be the top-rated receiver in his class, but a good showing could push him up many teams’ draft boards.

Linebacker Zach Brown, North Carolina: It’s not very often that a linebacker prospect is included in the discussion for fastest man, but Brown packs speed that could change that.  At 6-1, 237 pounds, he’s slender for a linebacker, but could run a projected 4.35, down from his listed time of 4.40.  According to Mayock, Brown holds the UNC track record for the 60-meter dash, proving that he has legitimate speed, which could land him in the first two rounds.

How will this affect the Redskins?  Hard to say, other than that they’re looking for playmakers and depth at each of these positions.  All three prospects are seniors, and Rainey and Brown were teammates on the Redskins-coach South Team at the 2012 Senior Bowl (Wright was invited, but had to decline with an ankle injury).

That exposure will put these prospects in perspective, no matter what their 40 times are next week.

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[Editor's Note: In honor of this post, I dredged up an AP Photo of Redskins great Sam Huff with his family, taken on April 10, 1964.  From left to right, his wife Mary, his son J.D., Sam, daughter Cathy, and son Sammy Lee.]

For most NFL players, this part of the offseason is a time for the R’s: rest, rehab, recuperation and relatives.

The regular season doesn’t afford players much time to spend with family, so opportunities like a long Presidents’ Day weekend allows players get away for family time.

Some Redskins players like cornerback Josh Wilson have just been enjoying everyday life with their spouses.  Wilson revealed on Twitter (@TheRealJoshWilson) that he accompanied his wife to her “no limits spin class,” and had some discomfort with the limitations:

Man I went to my wife's workout class today after talk about how trash it was and all I got to say is…some of these classes r da real deal—
Josh Wilson (@TheJoshWilson) February 17, 2012

Good thing Wilson isn’t training to be a cyclist.  Let’s see how the spin instructor handles man-to-man coverage in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, somewhere between Houston and New Orleans, rookie receiver Niles Paul is meeting the newest member of his family, “little nephew NP Jr.”  Paul also happens to be wearing an awesome Popeye the Sailor Man T-shirt:

Recently, he also celebrated Spiderman-themed Beats By Dre headphones from his aunt and uncle, former NFL running back Ahman Green.  Those might come in handy if NP Jr. fusses too much.

In other baby news, defensive end Adam Carriker was there for his eight-month old baby daughter’s first words, which happened to be “We Want Dallas.”

No, not really.  This is what she actually said:

My baby girl said her first word yesterday. And of course it was, "Dadda."—
Adam Carriker (@BigPoppaPump94) February 07, 2012

“She had been saying word like “dadda” and “momma,” but they were just sounds,” he told me later on the phone.  ”But then today, she looked at me clear as day and said ‘dadda.’  I looked at my wife and said, ‘Was that her first word?’ and she said ‘Yeah.’”

“She wanted it to be ‘momma’ obviously, but [his daughter] knew who she was talking to and what she was saying, so that was pretty cool.”

Carriker went on to explain that it wasn’t really a fair contest, because it’s easier for babies to pronounce the “da da” sound than the “ma ma” sound.  But it still counts.

Other than that, it’s been pretty quiet on the Redskins Twitter network.  Here’s wish you a happy President’s Day Weekend with your loved ones as well.

Washington Redskins Cheerleaders Susan and Tena made the rounds at DC’s Radio One studios yesterday afternoon to promote the upcoming Cheerleader classes and tryouts.

The pair appeared on Magic 102.3, 93.9 WKYS, and Praise 104.1, and talked a little bit about what it’s like to be a part of the NFL experience.  For those interested in potentially joining the Redskins Cheerleaders next season, classes run every Tuesday and Thursday from Feb. 28 through March 29.

For more information on the auditions, consult the Redskins Cheerleaders page on Redskins.com.

Radio is supposed to be a medium where appearance doesn’t matter, but that rule doesn’t really apply to the First Ladies of Washington Football.  Susan and Tena were dressed in their winter finest, with white jackets, shorts and boots.

Trust me, their classy apparel really sounded good on air.

Here is Susan talking to Redskins.com about her experience as a rookie Redskins Cheerleader in 2011:

And this is Tena from her 2011 segment of “Beauties on the Beach”:

via @JaredGreenTheWR

The next generation of Greens are ready to take to the NFL gridiron, as Darrell’s son Jared is on his own path to the pros.

The 6-2, 200-pound receiver from Ashburn, Va. began his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, where he played for three years and earned his degree in anthropology.

He has ideal NFL size and speed (he told Aaron Wilson of Scout.com that he intends to run his 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds), but never got the opportunity to show what he can do for the Cavaliers.  So after his third season of eligibility, he transferred to Southern University last season, where he hoped to get noticed by NFL scouts.

In his only season with the Jaguars, he caught 17 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns.  Now he’s ready for the next level, which started with his appearance in the Astroturf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Los Angeles (via Wilson of Scout.com):

“I think [the bowl game is] awesome…We’re staying at the Westin. We’re using great facilities and we get nice food. We got our own football cards to sign and others we got to keep.  That was pretty cool, to have your own football card.”

Just like his father before him, he sounds humble enough to focus on the little things.

Courtesy of DraftNasty357Sports, here’s footage of his bowl practices, with commentary:

Green has also been detailing his path through the draft process with a diary at ProPlayerInsiders.com.  The most important question on everyone’s mind is how he deals with the pressure and expectations of being Darrell Green’s son.  But for Jared, it’s something that he embraces:

I haven’t gotten tired of all the questions about my dad. It comes with the territory and this is my life. I decided to play football, and if you’re Darrell Green’s son and you decide to play football, this is what comes with it. People want to know. Just like I would want to know if Kobe Bryant had a son that was playing basketball; I would ask all about Kobe. I think that it’s a privilege to be in this position.

That’s a solid answer, and a mental approach that will serve him well.  He also talked briefly about himself in the third person, saying that he expects more out of Jared Green at the next level:

My whole college career has been a lot of potential, but not as much opportunity…The AstroTurf NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was just another opportunity to show people what I can do. Due to different things going on in a young man’s college football career, I just haven’t been able to be the Jared Green that I know I can be.

And here’s one other person with informed third-person opinions of Jared Green, Southern University head coach Stump Mitchell:

“He’s got speed. He’s got size…He wasn’t the primary receiver at Virginia, but he caught some balls, and we’re a passing offense. That was the main thing he wanted to be involved with, because he has aspirations of playing at the next level.”

Good luck in your NFL aspirations, Jared, and keep the diary posts coming.