The Redskins Blog

(Some) Resting ‘Skins Catch Soccer Match

During training camp it’s probably difficult for the Redskins players to find a free minute or two to do anything but eat, sleep and drink football.

So when the opportunity arises, the guys on the team are going to take full advantage.

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Cool Day For Erik Cook’s No. 1 Fan

It’s not every day you get to meet your favorite player’s roommate — who also happens to be a professional football player.

But Saturday’s Washington Redskins 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour stop in Virginia Beach allowed 15-year-old Tessa Altman to do just that.

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Club DJ Tiësto Is An Excited Redskins Fan

via @Tiesto

Make room on the Redskins bandwagon for Dutch musician Tijs Michiel Verwest, known in dance clubs around the world as the famous DJ Tiësto, or simply “Tiësto.”

For those of you that don’t frequent the rave, Tiësto has released 66 singles and 79 remixes in the last 15 years.  He has been nominated for 61 international awards, and has walked home with 48 pieces of hardware.  If you follow club music, he needs no introduction.

If you don’t, his introduction doesn’t mean much.  Just trust me that he’s a big deal.

The important part is that he’s officially a big fan of the Redskins, as he revealed to his 1,033,590 followers on his Twitter account (@Tiesto): Read more »

Erik Cook Training In A Premier UFC Gym

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Redskins reserve center Erik Cook had an exciting sophomore season, appearing in his first career game (six total), starting his first career game (two total), and seeing quality playing time throughout.

But in order to make an impact on the squad in 2012, Cook told me after the season that he needs to improve his conditioning and his hand speed.  In order to do that, he’s traveling back to his native Albuquerque, N.M. to train at the famous Jackson’s Martial Arts And Fitness Academy. Read more »

The Best Redskins Thanksgiving Leftovers

After finishing up practice and serving the community, players attended to their own holiday plans yesterday, and shared them with the Redskins Twitterverse.

First, there was the group of long snapper Nick Sundberg, offensive linemen Erik Cook and Eric Olsen, and third-string quarterback Jonathan Crompton celebrating a deep-fried Thanksgiving:

At the house with @ErikMCook @EOlsen69 and Crompton about to deep fry our turkey. Getting all the sides ready, love turkey day.—
Nick Sundberg (@NickSundberg) November 24, 2011

@NickSundberg droppin the turkey in! lockerz.com/s/159128051—
Erik Cook (@ErikMCook) November 24, 2011

We did alright huh? @NickSundberg @EOlsen69 lockerz.com/s/159171447—
Erik Cook (@ErikMCook) November 25, 2011

Heck yeah we did! So good #thankgodwedonthavetoweighintomorrow RT @ErikMCook: We did alright huh? lockerz.com/s/159171447—
Nick Sundberg (@NickSundberg) November 25, 2011

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Players Deliver At Annual Harvest Feast

The 9th Annual “Harris Teeter-Redskins Harvest Feast” (presented by Ryan Homes) was another rousing success, as the Redskins helped package and deliver a Thanksgiving experience to 3,500 area homes.

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Redskins players Jabar Gaffney, Donte Stallworth, Josh Wilson, Brandon Banks, Willie Smith, Oshiomogho Atogwe, Brandyn Thompson, Doug Worthington, Niles Paul, Erik Cook, and Lorenzo Alexander helped out with the event.  They did everything from organize the handouts, to handing out the final packages, to delivering them to area families. Read more »

Redskins Play Soldiers In Call Of Duty 3

This afternoon at Redskins Park, players Stephen Bowen, Kareem Moore, Brandon Banks, Erik Cook and Nick Sundberg challenged 50 local military members from the Army’s “Old Guard” to games of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

The event was organized by the Redskins Community Relations, the USO, and Pros vs. G.I. Joes, a non profit organization that links up soldiers with professional athletes to play video games in a relaxed setting.

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“It’s just an incredible event,” said Pros vs. G.I. Joes founder Greg Zinone.  ”The thing that makes our events different from anyone else’s, is that you’ll see we’re not a handshake tour, we’re not an autograph session.  Right from that door up there, the troops strip off their rank and the players strip off their uniforms, and it’s just like hanging out with the guys in your basement.  You’re just hanging out with your best friends in your basement.  Who wouldn’t wanna play Call of Duty with professional athletes?”

This is the Redskins third time teaming up for the event, and Zinone called the team one of his organization’s biggest supporters.

“Right when the schedule comes out every year, I get a call and the Redskins set up a date right around Veterans Day,” he said.  ”What better way to support our troops than to do what they’d be sitting home doing anyway?

The event featured a push-ups contest between a soldier and the Pros vs. G.I. Joes’ own Joe Oneto: Read more »

Flawless Friday Finished For Redskins

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Looking to rebound from last week’s loss to the Eagles, the Redskins have been battling to stay the course this week in a sea of change.  The team will likely trot out four different starters from last week, with various other position changes possible.

In order to adjust to the changes, the coaches and players have held themselves to a higher standard in practice.  Receiver Anthony Armstrong tweeted that sentiment this morning:

Gotta close out the week strong! Flawless Friday!
#GTAU—
Anthony Armstrong (@MrArmstrong13) October 21, 2011

Coming off the practice field, players looked determined and focused, as they were greeted by front office personnel to wish them on their way: Read more »

Second Quarter Summary

AP Image

The first half left much to be desired, as the Redskins came out a little flat after last week’s bye.  Even though the Redskins fixed their early penalty predicament, the important numbers speak for themselves:

Time of possession: 8:22 vs. 21:38

Penalties: 6-for-55

Turnovers: -2

On top of that, the Redskins offense is missing key players with Trent Williams, Chris Cooley, and Kory Lichtensteiger–all questionable to return.  Williams was seen coming out of the tunnel at the end of the first half, returning to the sidelines.  Cooley was seen standing on the sidelines without his pads or helmet.

Fred Davis, Erik Cook and Sean Locklear have all played well in their respective absences, but this is clearly venturing outside of the ideal.

The Cook to Rex Grossman exchange has gone reasonably well, save for one high snap out of the shotgun near the Redskins goal line.  Credit Grossman for not trying to do something with nothing, and getting rid of the ball out of bounds.

Other good performances in the first half:

• Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan has consistently been in the face and eyes of Michael Vick, getting a tackle and a pass defensed.
• Kicker Graham Gano tied a career-long with a 50-yard field goal at the end of the half for the Redskins only points.
• After Will Allen’s interception, he weaved his way upfield and had a chance for a much bigger play, if not for the saving tackle of running back Ryan Torain.  Tim Hightower has made some huge plays in this regard previously this year, and it’s good to see Torain continue the trend.
• Cornerback Josh Wilson has four tackles, three unassisted, saving several big plays.

There is understandable frustration in Redskins Nation right now, but there are very important reasons to stay tuned in the second half.  The halftime score is 20-3, the exact same lead that the Eagles had over the 49er’s at halftime, two weeks ago.  They went on to lose that game 23-24, unable to stop the bleeding in the second half.  The Eagles have coughed up three fourth quarter leads this season, and that will remain in the back of their minds today.

Don’t despair, Redskins fans, this one isn’t over yet.  The Redskins have been a solid second half team, and the Eagles have disappeared late.  Redskins trail at the half, 3-20.

Huge Support For ‘Cooley’s For Cure’ Rally

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Last night’s 3rd annual “Cooley’s for the Cure” event at Clyde’s in Ashburn, was a really fantastic evening of hope, celebration, and amateur auctioneers that moonlight as professional football players.

The night kicked off around 7 p.m. with food and drinks, and the atmosphere buzzed as more and more Redskins players came out in support of Chris Cooley and his family.  All told, about 20 players showed up, and spent time schmoozing with fans, taking pictures and signing autographs: Read more »