The Redskins Blog

Golston ‘Excited’ To Return To Redskins

On Wednesday, the Redskins re-signed one of their core players of the last seven years, veteran defensive end Kedric Golston.

The 2006 sixth-round pick out of the University of Georgia appeared in all 16 games for the 2012 NFC East champions, providing quality depth behind starters Stephen Bowen, Jarvis Jenkins, and Adam Carriker.

After signing his contract, Golston took to Twitter (@Golston64) to thank the fans and celebrate his return to the Burgundy and Gold: Read more »

Redskins Working Out in Unorthodox Ways

(AP Photo)

When you think of a Washington Redskins player’s workout routine, what do you picture?

Lifting exorbitant amount of weight bench pressing? Spending countless hours in the weight room doing biceps curls and squats?

While the players do indeed continue to weight lift during the offseason, after months of wear and tear on their bodies, they look for different ways to heal their bodies while still being able to train.

Sometimes, their training methods can be a little, lets say, unorthodox, at least for what you might expect.

Find out how the players are training here:

Read more »

Golston Excited About D-Line Depth

To have a top defense in the NFL, a team must have continuity and depth — two things defensive lineman Kedric Golston believes the Redskins have plenty of heading into the 2012 season.

Redskins.com TV caught up with Golston after Thursday’s round of organized team activities.

Read more »

Redskins Enjoy 3rd Annual ‘Ride 2 Provide’

via @graceramirez

The forecast called for rain, but it was nothing but sun and smiles at Lorenzo Alexander’s “Ride 2 Provide” charity bike ride on Saturday.  Alexander and Kedric Golston hosted the event for the third year, and were joined by teammates Ryan Kerrigan, Niles Paul, Logan Paulsen, Rob Myers, as well as former Redskin Chris Wilson and the Hogettes.

And yes, Paulsen is shown wearing a light purple tutu.  No, I don’t know why–but I will find out.

The event raises money for wounded veterans recovering from their injuries, as well as Alexander’s ACES foundation.  Alexander was excited with the biker turnout, but really enjoyed the support of his teammates for his biggest annual event:

“It’s pretty cool to have your teammates out here supporting you,” Alexander said with a grin.  ”A lot of guys have chosen to get involved and help me out, and it shows what type of men they are and what they’re all about.  The local media have created a great bond over the years, and those guys have come out to support me as well.

“It goes beyond football and the Redskins on a day-to-day basis,” he added.  ”We’re about relationships and building a better community.”

Watch video recapping the day, below: Read more »

Pilates Now A Part Of Offseason Workouts

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With the first batch of voluntary offseason workouts wrapping up this week, the Redskins strength and conditioning staff is introducing a new workout to the rotation: Pilates.

A lot of attention has been brought to Pilates in recent years, as Kedric Golston got Lorenzo Alexander into the workout regimen (and then eventually into the Pilates studio business).  Their subsequent success on the field led to increased interest from players like Rob Jackson and Perry Riley, who have tried out the routines on their own.

But now, according to strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright, the workout routine will become mandatory for the entire team, in preparation for 2012: Read more »

Golston Gives Redskins More D-Line Depth

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Yesterday, the Redskins announced the return of defensive lineman Kedric Golston, who rejoins the team after an injury-shortened 2011 season.  Even though he did not start any games last season, he was an integral rotation member on the defensive line, and filled the gap left by injured rookie Jarvis Jenkins.

Golston has been an offseason fixture at Redskins Park, rehabbing his MCL and ACL injuries, while working out and getting stronger with the training staff.  Building strength is no mystery to Golston, who was awarded 2005 Leon Farmer Strength and Conditioning Award at Georgia.

According to Georgia’s athletic site:

The award is given annually to the player whose dedication to the strength and conditioning program results in a significant contribution to the football team. Past winners include David Pollack in 2004, Ben Watson in 2003, Will Witherspoon in 2001 and Richard Seymour in 2000.

That’s pretty good company. Read more »

Injured Redskins Players Back In The Mix

Open locker room on “Black Monday” is generally headlined by quiet, somber reflection for the teams and players that don’t make the playoffs.

But for injured players, this is the first time that many of them have been permitted to sit in on team meetings and team functions.  Rather than feeling like outsiders looking in, this is an opportunity for these players to stand alongside their teammates and look forward to next season.

“As a player who hasn’t produced for my team for what feels like forever, I’m really excited about starting over and moving forward,” tight end Chris Cooley said.  ”Today is good for me because it feels like I’m back to the team.”

This was a fairly common sentiment in the locker room today, as injured players like Cooley, Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Baker, Kedric Golston, Leonard Hankerson, and Tim Hightower all showed up to meet with coaches and clean out their lockers.

One advantage that the injured players have over their teammates is that they have already reflected on the disappointments of the 2011 season.  For Cooley, today was the first day of his preparation for the 2012 season, and it’s something that he was encouraging his teammates to do as well.

“I think a fresh start’s probably good for everyone right now, in terms of record and in terms of what we have going on right now,” he explained.  ”I don’t think it sounds daunting, we just need to get back to work.”

After a quick shower and change into his sweatpants, he told teammate Logan Paulsen that he was off to go get in a workout.  From the sounds of it, we can expect to see Redskins No. 47 back on the field in 2012.

Marine, SEALs Lead Team’s Exit Meeting

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Late last week, the Redskins “exit meeting” was scheduled for Monday morning at 10 a.m.  Players were told to meet in the main auditorium/team meeting room at Redskins Park, for the last time as the 2011 Washington Redskins.

But when players arrived, it wasn’t head coach Mike Shanahan that was running the meeting.  It was assistant head coach Bobby Turner, or either of the coordinators, general manager Bruce Allen or even owner Daniel M. Snyder.

Standing on the stage in front of the room, were two Navy Seals and a Marine, waiting to address the team about the importance of teamwork in the offseason.  Who better to discuss preparation than those whose lives depend on it? Read more »

Alexander Credits Pilates For Better Heath

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When healthy, Lorenzo Alexander is special teams ace and can play almost any position on defense.  The problem in recent years is that he has been slowed by hamstring injuries in two of the last three seasons.

This offseason, however, he found a secret weapon that has kept him healthy this season: Pilates.

“It’s probably the best thing I’ve done offseason wise, as far as training,” he said.  ”Every other day, I was doing something that would focus on hamstrings and glutes to get them strong.  This year, I feel like I’m healthy enough to sustain the grind of the season, and I haven’t had any problems with them.”

I knocked on wood.  ”God willing,” Alexander responded.

Pilates is a fitness program that focuses on controlled movement and breathing in order to strengthen the support tissues around the dominant muscles.  This can improve strength and work to prevent injury, as it has for Alexander.

“It allows me to be stronger than usual because it trains your core and ligaments before you work on the big muscles,” he said.  ”If that stuff isn’t strong enough, you’re not able to carry the weight and do the work, and be as explosive.”

Alexander said that it was teammate Kedric Golston that got him involved with Pilates for the first time in February.  Alexander’s only regret is that he hadn’t suppressed his pride and gotten involved sooner.

“Once upon a time, I believed it was like yoga, and that’s for women.  That’s not for me,” he said with a smile.  ”But it’s not a feminine discipline, it can be very masculine, and you’ll feel better when you go to the gym.” Read more »

Redskins Bring Back Stallworth, Scott

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Last Tuesday, the Redskins cut receiver Donte Stallworth and defensive lineman Darrion Scott.  On Sunday, the Redskins lost receiver Leonard Hankerson and defensive lineman Kedric Golston to season ending injuries.

This Tuesday, the Redskins have re-signed Stallworth and Scott, solidifying positions of need on the team.

And they also brought back two of the best-liked Redskins to a locker room that needs their positive motivation.

Even after being cut on the week of his birthday, Stallworth was a positive motivator to his former teammates, many of whom he had selflessly mentored since training camp:

Thanks everyone for the positive messages. LOTS of work left in these legs, I will be fine. Thanks to #Redskins org & fans for having me.—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) November 08, 2011

You can miss a lot of good things in life by having the wrong attitude.—
Donte' Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) November 12, 2011

DeJon Gomes was especially touched: Read more »