One of the things I looked forward to the most when heading out for the Redskins’ afternoon training camp practices in recent days was discovering what Anthony Armstrong had put on his yellow “no-contact” jersey.

Well, Tuesday’s practice signified the end of training camp, so that pipe dream is over. But it doesn’t mean we can’t look back at the wide receiver’s antics with a glorious photo gallery.

Armstrong talked about the reason why he chose to alter his football fashion after Tuesday’s practice.

“It’s a way to break the monotony,” he said. “You get into late into training camp, it’s like groundhog day. And you don’t really know what day of the week it is. I’m just in there trying to be a little light and entertainment, for the guys that come out there. They’re going to dawn me with this yellow jersey, I might as well have a little fun with it and make a few guys laugh while I’m out here.”

Now, the reason Armstrong was wearing the yellow jersey — which is typically worn by the Redskins’ quarterbacks at practice — was not good. He injured his shoulder in practice last week and, while he recovered, was ordered to wear the non-contact jersey to avoid further damage.

Armstrong’s yellow-jersey adventure began Aug. 6 when he emerged from Redskins Park headquarters with question marks on his jersey.

Since that time, Armstrong’s designs have included a big “X,” a tic-tac-toe game, and Tuesday’s finale, which was a tribute to Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.

“I had to come with something real special,” Armstrong said. “Yesterday, they said I was looking like a quarterback out there — so why not be the quarterback. So I went with a little Bob Griffin shout out there.”

But why the mirror image of Griffin’s No. 10 and “Bob III” on the nameplate?

“Just because I had to be a different QB,” Armstrong said. “I wasn’t him. It was just 0-1 . Just flip it around a little bit.”

Armstrong said he thought the offense “would mesh just fine” with him at quarterback.

“We have a lot of great guys around, a lot of great additions out at wide receiver.  Good young talent at running back and the O-line,” Armstrong said with a smile. “I can definitely complete the ball. I don’t know how many deep passes there would have been. Maybe a lot of screens. Three-step backs. But I think with the talent that the coaches put around me, I think I would be able to run the show.”

By the way, for those of you who have already forgotten: Armstrong wears No. 13 with the Redskins. And he says his shoulder is healing just fine.

Here’s a video of Armstrong talking to reporters about his yellow jerseys:

Question: What was your favorite Anthony Armstrong yellow jersey design? Did he miss out on any good possibilities? Answer in the comments section below.

(AP photo)

By James Ho
Redskins.com

Redskins’ fans know wide receiver Anthony Armstrong as one of the team’s top playmakers, but yesterday Armstrong had himself a bit of an identity crisis.

During Monday’s training camp practice, Armstrong came out sporting a gold non-contact practice jersey – usually worn by quarterbacks– instead of his usual white #13 jersey.

The jersey, however, didn’t have a number printed on it, so Armstrong grabbed a roll of athletic tape and improvised.

Pictured above, Armstrong transformed into an international man of mystery, pasting question marks on both sides of his jersey. Why question marks you might ask?

“Just having a little fun y’know,” Armstrong said. “They put me in a special jersey and they didn’t have any numbers so I had to claim something. I figured I’d put a little question mark on there.”

If you notice on the front of the jersey, Armstrong printed an inverted Spanish question mark. When asked if he was familiar with the language, he flashed some linguistic versatility.

“Si.  ¿Quien es el hombre?,” Armstrong said with a smile. “That was my question from the front. Who is that guy?”

Armstrong was told to put on the gold jersey by head coach Mike Shanahan, who wanted Armstrong to participate in individual drills after suffering an AC second-degree separation in his shoulder last week in practice.

But in all his years of coaching, Shanahan had never seen the punctuation mark on a jersey before.

“I haven’t seen the question mark before,” Shanahan said with a smile. “I’ve got to admit that was something new.”

Yesterday was Armstrong’s first practice since the injury, and he’s hoping to return to his normal white jersey soon.

“That’s the plan,” Armstrong said. “Just trying to heal everything up, get good and healthy.”

Armstrong added that he’s feeling good and that the injury is something he just has to work through.

“I feel pretty good y’know. It still takes some getting used to. You got a different process, you gotta deal with a body part feeling a different way.

“It’s kinda hard to work past it, but you eventually do it and being able to run around right now is definitely helpful.”

And for however long he must don the gold jersey, we’ll be on the lookout for señor Armstrong’s changing identity.

The “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “how” are apparently on the back-burner for Redskins’ quarterback Robert Griffin III.

But it’s the “why?” that has the rookie quarterback curious.

Griffin III on Monday night sent a series of tweets to various Redskins teammates with the theme of “#KnowYourWhy” in an apparent effort to learn what drives them in life and in football.

Griffin III began the campaign around 9 p.m. Monday with this tweet:

I promise to bring the same passion for greatness to the DMV not only from myself but challenge my teammates to #KnowYourWhy—
Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 10, 2012

Griffin III also added this:

I play because I love the game & God has a plan for me. My story is his message. I sacrifice everything for my family & my team
#KnowYourWhy—
Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 10, 2012

He then asked several Twitter-friendly teammates — including Ryan Kerrigan, Tim Hightower, Anthony Armstrong, Lorenzo Alexander, Jarvis Jenkins, Terrence Austin, Niles Paul, Pierre Garçon, Alfred Morris, Richard Crawford, Aldrick Robinson and London Fletcher — about why they play the game and why they sacrifice.

To this point, Griffin III has received several responses, including from:

Alfred Morris:

@RGIII Football was my 1st love and I still love it like the 1st day. I sacrifice 4 my brothers in the trenches nxt 2 me, can't let em down—
Alfred Morris (@Trey_Deuces) July 10, 2012

Richard Crawford:

@RGIII I love the game. If i dont give it everything than I'm cheating my love. My parents believe in me and thats all i need to be great.—
Richard Crawford Jr (@Rich_Crawford6) July 10, 2012

Pierre Garçon:

#KnowYourWhy I do it for the challenge. I like doing things they say I couldn't do #ThatsWhy @RGIII—
Pierre Garcon (@PierreGarcon) July 10, 2012

Niles Paul:

@RGIII I grind because I'm living my dream & I refuse to let is slip away! I can't let my mim down, I made a promise & I plan on keeping it—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul84) July 10, 2012

Anthony Armstrong:

I sacrifice because my momma did & I LOVE this game. You? “@RGIII #KnowYourWhy
@Me why do you play the game?
Why do you sacrifice?”—
Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) July 10, 2012

Terrence Austin:

@RGIII this page in my life was written out by God.. He promised me a blessing so I'm sacrificing to get it—
Terrence Austin (@Terrence_Austin) July 10, 2012

And Tim Hightower:

@RGIII I'm purpose driven.—
Tim Hightower (@Tim_Hightower) July 10, 2012

I definitely like this engagement by Griffin III with his new teammates. It gives the world a view of how these guys interact every day on and off the football field, and shows the rookie quarterback’s focus and leadership skills.

We’ll keep you posted if this drive progresses.

Several Redskins players on Sunday took the opportunity to give a public Mother’s Day shoutout to the special women in their lives.

Here’s just a sample of the messages tweeted by the players on Sunday:

Recently-resigned running back Tim Hightower and his mother:

Thankful to be able to spend the day with my mom. I honor her for teaching me the power of being purpose driven http://t.co/Qi8G6hZH—
Tim Hightower (@Tim_Hightower) May 13, 2012

Tackle James Lee with a special shoutout to his grandmother:

She didn't birth me but she act like she did. #Grandmother instagr.am/p/Kk_VKyxDAT/—
James Lee (@77ways) May 13, 2012

Defensive lineman Chris Baker took to the kitchen for his Mother’s Day treat:

Getting ready to prepare a meal for my mom and grandma on mothers day—
Chris Baker (@cbaker92redskin) May 13, 2012

Safety DeJon Gomes with a special message:

Happy mothers day to all. I know i wouldn't be in the place I am today with my queen. I love that women with all my heart. She's ALL I need—
DeJon Gomes (@D_Gomes24) May 13, 2012

Tight end Niles Paul with a touching tribute to his mother:

My moms! RIP #HappyMothersDay lockerz.com/s/208726113—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul84) May 13, 2012

Linebacker Markus White also with a special message:

#HappyMothersDay 2 all the courageous woman of our world—
MarKus White (@Em_Whyte55) May 13, 2012

Defensive lineman Adam Carriker gets some brownie points with this tweet:

Happy Mother's Day to my wife Angie! No disrespect to anyone else, but she is the most beautiful woman, awesome mom and wonderful wife ever!—
Adam Carriker (@BigPoppaPump94) May 13, 2012

Longsnapper Nick Sundberg with this message to his mother…:

Happy mothers day @staciesundberg I would never have gotten where I am today without your love and undying support. #GreatestMomOfAllTime—
Nick Sundberg (@NickSundberg) May 13, 2012

…And his mother responds right back:

@NickSundberg thank you Son! You are my greatest achievement!!—
Stacie Sundberg (@staciesundberg) May 13, 2012

Linebacker Brian Orakpo:

Happy Mothers Day!!!—
Brian Orakpo (@rak98) May 13, 2012

And fellow linebacker London Fletcher:

Happy Mother's Day!—
London Fletcher (@LFletcher59) May 13, 2012

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton with a shoutout to two special women in particular:

Happy Mothers Day to all the moms out there but especially the greatest mom #JanetCrompton but also to the future mom @BrookeSmith416—
Jonathan Crompton (@jcromp8) May 13, 2012

Safety Reed Doughty with a message to his “#1 fan:”

Happy mothers day to my mom. she is the best. Loving, supportive, encouraging and Godly woman. Truly my #1 fan. #blessed—
Reed Doughty (@doughty37) May 13, 2012

Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander:

Happy mothers day to all especially to my mom & wife.—
Lorenzo Alexander (@onemangang97) May 13, 2012

Running back Evan Royster:

happy mother's day to all the moms out there!!—
Evan Royster (@Evan_Royster) May 13, 2012

And, finally, wide receiver Anthony Armstrong gives his orders:

Good morning and Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful Moms out there. Y'all can sleep in, everyone else #GTAU—
Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) May 13, 2012

With that, we certainly hope everyone out there in Redskins Nation had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Anthony Armstrong was having a good time on the golf course Monday afternoon.

With the opportunity to help contribute to a great cause, the third-year Redskins receiver also found himself in the middle of a lively group at Monday’s seventh annual Leukemia Golf Classic at the Trump National Golf Club.

Armstrong also shared his strategy when approaching any shot — and it’s apparently not as difficult as it’s made out to be.

“Usually when I hit the ball, I try to make sure I just hit it to where I can find it,” said Armstrong, who typically polishes his golf game early in the season.

Armstrong certainly looked the part. He was decked out in a baseball cap with white sunglasses sitting on the bill, a bright gold polo shirt, dark grey slacks and shiny new golf spikes.

He set some lofty goals for himself before his first hole of the day.

“I’m going to be playing like the old Tiger (Woods),” Armstrong said with a laugh.

Good cause
Though the mood was light at Monday’s event, the players, coaches and team officials participating in the outing were well aware of the seriousness of its cause.

The Leukemia Golf Classic – started in 2006 by then-Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell – serves as a fundraiser for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and has raised closed to $885,000 since its inception.

The event has been hosted for the past two years by Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo.

Those looking to donate to the cause can do so by clicking here.

A collection of Redskins players, coaches and team officials are hitting the links today for a good cause.

The seventh annual Leukemia Golf Classic – hosted for a second straight year by Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo – is set to tee off today at 11 a.m. at the Trump National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Va.

The event – started in 2006 by then-Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell – serves as a fundraiser for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and has raised closed to $885,000 since its inception.

Redskins wide receiver Anthony Armstrong showed up for the event dawning a bright gold polo – per the course rules, I’m sure.

Armstrong  said he’s gunning for first place.

“I’m going to be playing like the old Tiger (Woods),” he said with a laugh.

What would a birthday be without a picture of a teammate hug? (FYI: This photo was taken last August.)

Things have been awfully serious on the blog recently, and it’s time to freshen things up.  Fortunately, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins was kind enough to be born 24 years ago today, and is celebrating his one and only “golden birthday.”

For those of you that don’t know, the golden birthday is the year you turn the age of your birth date–so in this case, age 24 on the 24th.  Jenkins is the third Redskins player to celebrate a golden birthday this offseason, with fellow lineman Stephen Bowen turning 28 on March 28 and receiver Anthony Armstrong turning 29 the next day.

Jenkins announced his birthday early this morning on Twitter and has been fielding congratulatory messages all day:

Wanna thank god for blessing me and allowing me to see a 24th year. http://t.co/goJRjB4h—
jarvis jenkins (@Jarvis99jenkins) April 24, 2012

Happy birthday Double-J, and back to work tomorrow!

[Editor's Note: Credit to Redskins Broadcast Network's Jessica Monaldo for the heads up on golden birthdays.  Too bad I celebrated mine when I was 5.]

During the darkest hours of last offseason’s lockout, Redskins receivers Anthony Armstrong and Brandon Banks livened up the debate with a playful Twitter war of who would be faster in a foot race.

While the race was never consummated (due to concerns of injuries), the merit of each competitor was debated back and forth, 140 characters at a time.  Banks is traditionally thought of as the team’s speedster, but special teams coordinator Danny Smith has clocked Armstrong at a sub-4.2 on kickoff coverage.

Whichever man is faster, we may never know–but other Redskins receivers threw their hats in the ring this afternoon, declaring their shot at the title of ‘The Fastest Redskin.’

Here’s a Twitter recap between Brandon Banks (@SpeedyBanks16), Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) and Terrence Austin (@Terrence_Austin), with their respective merits:

It started with an admission of weight gain from Paul–a number that he then rationalized as a product of his workouts.  Paul filled the role as a reserve receiver, returner, gunner, coverage specialist, running back and tight end last year:

Y'all would judge me if I told y'all how much a weigh right now—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) April 02, 2012

I promise it's all healthy weight though, when I train I tend to put on weight…—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) April 02, 2012

Austin guessed that Paul had ballooned from his listed weight of 224 up to 240, which was approximately six pounds over the correct number. Seeing his opportunity to take a stab at Austin, Paul fired away this boast:

@Terrence_Austin I would lol crazy part is I feel more explosive than ever though! & I'm still faster than you & @speedybanks16—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) April 02, 2012

And shots were officially fired in this Twitter-galactic battle.  It should be noted that all three players have spent time in the return game, so all are considered to have game-changing speed and elusiveness.  Going back to their respective Combine performances, Banks ran a 4.43, Austin ran a 4.58, and Paul ran a 4.51.

And here’s the subsequent stream posturing and smack talk among the three:

@Terrence_Austin @niles_paul this is a dreeeaaaaamm—
Brandon Banks (@speedybanks16) April 02, 2012

@Terrence_Austin @speedybanks16 Ay man, I don't like all this doubt. We can race 15 yards, 100 bucks says I'd win lol—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) April 02, 2012

@Terrence_Austin @niles_paul lol u don't have a chance—
Brandon Banks (@speedybanks16) April 02, 2012

Now that pride was a factor for all three men, a gentleman’s agreement was in order. A Twitter-iffic handshake, if you will:

@Niles_Paul @speedybanks16 lol run dat—
Terrence Austin (@Terrence_Austin) April 02, 2012

@Niles_Paul @terrence_austin BET!!!—
Brandon Banks (@speedybanks16) April 02, 2012

And the rest of the conversation devolved into “I bet you’re slower than’s,” and rationalizing the different contestant’s testimonials of speed.

Paul finally squashed all debate, cementing a date for his teammates to race when the team reassembles in the middle of April:

@Terrence_Austin @speedybanks16 Enough talk lol I'll see you fellas in Mid April & we will settle this. I like my 100 in 1's though—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) April 02, 2012

With the start of offseason activities only two weeks away, who would win a race for the title of ‘The Fastest Redskins?’  As a followup question, does it even matter?

Friday night was the latest installment of the fabled ‘Battle of the Beltway,’ pitting the Redskins against their bitter rival Ravens in a Battle Royale for the ages.

Media hype aside, it was a fun-filled celebrity basketball game at Stafford High School, with proceeds benefiting Anthony Armstrong’s Lucky 13 Foundation and the Ravens’ Torrey Smith Foundation.  Redskins starpower was on high for the event, as current Redskins Armstrong, Lorenzo Alexander, Brandon Banks, Josh Wilson, Niles Paul, Aldrick Robinson, Terrence Austin, Joshua Morgan, and Markus White joined local radio personalities and former Redskins Chris Wilson and Darrell Green on the court.

While the question on everyone’s mind had to do with hoop dreams, the evening was actually kicked off with a contest to determine which team was better suited to “Teach Me How To Dougie.” Admire:

And the showmanship didn’t decrease once the whistle blew.  The highlight of the night was a ‘alley’ to the rim by Banks that was jammed home with Armstrong’s one-hand-oop.  Armstrong was very appreciative for the feed after the game:

Thanks for that alley oop! RT @speedybanks16 S/O to everybody who came out and supported tonight!! Had lots of fun!!!—
Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) March 31, 2012

Ravens receiver and Stafford alum, Torrey Smith, had a good game for the purple and black, but former teammate Kevin Barnes could have predicted that from their mutual time at Maryland.

All-in-all, it was a good game and a great cause.  Here was the player reaction and good-natured ribbing on Twitter:

Man i out here coach at @TorreySmithWR basketball game…HTTR…we killin em 35-26 at half…we bout to Mortal Combat FINISH 'EM!!!!—
Josh Wilson (@TheJoshWilson) March 31, 2012

Just finished playing in my boy @MrArmstrong13 celebrity basketball tournament. If you ever need a coach don't hire @TheJoshWilson. Lol—
Lorenzo Alexander (@onemangang97) March 31, 2012

Agreed! Lol He came late to the game anyway RT @onemangang97: If you ever need a coach don't hire @TheJoshWilson. Lol—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) March 31, 2012

They shorted us two points, @TorreySmithWR getting the hometown love RT @CWil95Flint @Terrence_Austin @TheJoshWilson—
Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) March 31, 2012

Big s/o to @TorreySmithWR & @MrArmstrong13 for allowing me to showcase the talent! Waiting on that call from the Wizards now!—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) March 31, 2012

Keep waiting on that call, Niles.  Maybe he should have done a backflip dunk.

AP Image

The gap between the start of free agency and the draft can be one of the longest of the NFL calendar year, but this is a good weekend for your Redskins fix.  Lots of players will be out and about in the community this weekend, and you can catch some of them at the following events:

Anthony Armstrong is hosting a Celebrity All-Star basketball game tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Stafford High School. (Address: 33 Stafford Indian Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405).   Redskins and Ravens fans will be treated to a jointly-hosted event by Armstrong and Maryland grad Torrey Smith in Fredericksburg, Va.  This is the second annual “Ravens vs. Redskins themed Celebrity Basketball Game,” and brings great football players together for a great cause.  Proceeds to benefit Armstrong’s Lucky13 Charitable Foundation.

(via Mike Jones, Washington Post): Collectors’ Showcase of America sports memorabilia show Saturday at the Dulles Expo Center. (Address: 4320 Chantilly Center, Chantilly, Virginia 20151).  Redskins players Lorenzo Alexander, Roy Helu, Evan Royster and Darrel Young, along with former Redskins Dexter Manley, Ravin Caldwell, Maxie Baughan, Darryl Grant, Keith Griffin, Roy Jefferson, Bob Kuziel, Paul Laaveg, Walt Rock, Lonnie Sanders, as well as former defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon and former general manager Charley Casserly are expected to be in attendance.

(via Susan Jenkins, Crofton Patch): Meet Josh Wilson at the new Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Waugh Chapel Towne Centre.   (Address: 1417 South Main Chapel Way, Crofton Md.)  The store will give out wristbands starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Wilson will be at the store from 1-3 p.m. The store will also give away Columbia T-shirts while supplies last.

Pres. Bill Clinton’s fifth annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) meeting in Washington, D.C. Anthony Armstrong, Joshua Morgan, and former Redskins receiver Donte’ Stallworth are expected to be in attendance.  The events brings together more than 1,000 students, representing all 50 states, more than 75 countries, and approximately 300 college and universities, along with leaders in business, nonprofit, government and celebrities engaged in efforts to create positive change.

In other news, a slow week at Redskins Park means that it was a busy week for players with their families.  Here are a few of the pictures that players shared of their families on Twitter:

Stephen Bowen led the defensive line in sacks last season, despite losing one of his newborn twin sons to prematurity and his mother-in-law to illness.  For his valiant effort and focus, he was a landslide winner of the team’s Ed Block Courage Award.

Bowen shared photos of his two kids this week, including 8-month-old Stephen III, saying “My son lil bo gettin big. #God is good.”  He called his daughter his “sweetie pie.”:

Fellow defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins has been steadily rehabbing his way back from an ACL injury that ended his rookie season.  But just because he’s in Washington doesn’t mean he isn’t thinking about his family back home, as he sent his mom some flowers.  They were very well received:

And anyone looking for a scholarship to help pay for college should consider the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation’s Annual $25,000 college scholarship.

High school seniors attending either a Washington, D.C. or Prince George’s County, Md. school may apply for the scholarship by visiting https://apply.collegesuccessfoundation.org/dc/ and selecting “D.C. Leadership – 1,000 Scholarship.”

The scholarship application deadline is Friday, April 6 at 5 p.m. ET.

Have a Burgundy and Gold weekend, everyone!