The Redskins Blog

Theismann’s Busy Weekend In South Bend

(AP Photo)

Long before current Redskins quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman, and Pat White had stellar collegiate careers,  Joe Theismann constructed one of the greatest college football resumes to date.

Theismann was the man in charge at Notre Dame right smack dab in the middle of the school’s legendary run through the NCAA during the 6o’s and 70′s.

No. 7 complied an impressive 20-3-2 record as a starter and proved his worth in being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

However, Thesimann’s career might not have ever reached the NFL or starting quarterback status in South Bend is if wasn’t for then-Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian.

Theismann and some of his Golden Domer teammates rejoined for a reunion of sorts to celebrate Parseghian’s 90th birthday.

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Grossman Adds To His Resume

Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman is a 10-year veteran at the professional level. Currently, Grossman joins AP Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Pat White to form one of the best quarterback units in the league.

Before the Redskins drafted number 10 and number 12 last April at the 2012 NFL Draft, Grossman was the man behind center for the Burgundy and Gold during the 2011 campaign, starting 13 games and throwing for over 3,000 yards.

Grossman was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 22nd overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Florida.

In his three years in Gainesville, Grossman threw for nearly 10,000 yards and 77 touchdowns. Even after deciding to forgo his senior season, Grossman ranked in the top-10 SEC history in passing yards at the conclusion of his junior season. No small feat when you consider just how dominant the conference has been for the last few decades.

Recently, the Gators honored the 2001 Heisman Trophy finalist for his days in the Sunshine State. Find out what accolade number 8 can add to his collection here:

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Is Grossman The Best 3rd-Stringer In NFL?

On Thursday, the Washington Redskins brought back a another familiar face—10-year veteran gunslinger Rex Grossman.

2013 will be Grossman’s fourth year in the DMV. From 2010-2012, the University of Florida product appeared in 17 contests and threw for over 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Before number 8′s stint with the Burgundy and Gold, Grossman was the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears where he started 31 regular season games.

In 2006, he was the Bears field general during their run to Super Bowl XLI.

Grossman will be joining Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins and Pat White to form quite the quartet behind center and while Griffin III and his fellow 2012 NFL Draft colleague are entrenched as the top two signal callers on the depth chart, Grossman will more than likely be the number three quarterback in Washington this season, and let me tell you to have someone with Grossman’s experience as a third-stringer is a rarity.

Find out what the Redskins and Grossman can claim that no other team in the league can here:

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Training Camp Video: Quarterbacks

(AP photo)

Here’s some quick video of the Redskins’ quarterbacks warming up Friday at the second training camp practice of the year at Redskins Park.

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Robert Griffin III’s New Nickname

The Washington Redskins have had “Slingin’” Sammy Baugh and “Captain Bubbly” Joe Theismann under center in the team’s illustrious history, but some are already handing rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III his own nickname:

“The arm.”

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QBs Embracing Healthy Competition

“Healthy competition” is a phrase often thrown around in sports, but it’s definitely something being embraced by the Redskins’ four quarterbacks through organized team activities this season.

Quarterback Jonathan Crompton — in his second season with the Redskins and third overall in the NFL — said all four Redskins quarterbacks have the same goal of competing for a starting job this season, but aren’t letting that get in the way of improving as a unit.

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Grossman: Redskins Not That Far Away

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Yesterday, Redskins free agent quarterback Rex Grossman talked to Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan on SiriusXM’s ‘Movin’ The Chains,’ to discuss his past and future in Washington.

Grossman confirmed that he would like to return to Washington for a third season, citing a franchise with history and tradition, a passionate fan base, and a coaching staff focused on success as his motivating factors.

But perhaps most importantly, Grossman mentioned that with a few more pieces and consistent play, the Redskins are “not that far away” from success.

This is what he describes as his “dream scenario”: Read more »

Redskins Have Their Very Own ‘R.G.3′

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While I typically focus my energies on professional football, one of the top names in all of football this year was Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, affectionately dubbed “R.G.3″

What most Redskins fans fail to realize is that the Redskins had their very own ‘R.G.3′ under center this season, in Rex Grossman III.  Seriously.

Grossman has extensive Indiana football lineage, with each generation staying local to Bloomington, Ind. to raise families.  Let’s have a look back at “The Grossmen” football tradition: Read more »

Third Quarter Thoughts

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Following a long touchdown pass to Roy Helu–the first receiving score of his career–the Redskins were right back in the game.  However, if they want to stay in it for the fourth quarter, they have to eliminate the big 15-yard penalties that are consistently pushing them backward.  So far, they have three of them on the afternoon.

The first was a penalty on Santana Moss for taking his helmet off after a play. He was understandably frustrated, but that’s a long-standing rule–on the field, helmets stay on.

The second penalty was on Donte’ Stallworth on the Roy Helu touchdown catch and run.  It’s unclear what exactly was going on, but Stallworth took a knee in the end zone and was flagged for excessive celebration, going to the ground in the end zone.

The third penalty was for a hit on a defenseless receiver, on the defense.

You can say what you want about the legitimacy of the rules, the interpretation of said rules, and whether or not the Redskins players violated those rules.  I certainly have my own thoughts on all three facets.  But no amount of angst or debate on the topic will change the fact that the Redskins put themselves in a position to be flagged for three flagrant fouls in a game that they’re losing.

This is a game for pride alone, and this isn’t the type of focused football that’s going to win this afternoon.

On a very positive note, running back Evan Royster is over 100 yards from scrimmage again this week, piling up 73 on the ground and 37 through the air.  It’s hard to project how Royster and Helu will pan out to a 16-game season, but the experience that they’ve gained in their respective rookie campaigns have laid the groundwork for an informed, focused offseason.

Although the Redskins haven’t found their top guy in the passing game today, Grossman has spread the ball around, finding nine different receivers, including Brandon Banks for the time this season.  Receiver Jabar Gaffney was a non-factor in the third quarter and still needs 53 yards to reach 1,000 on the season.

After three quarters in Philadelphia, it’s still in reach for the Burgundy and Gold: Redskins 7, Eagles 13.

Halftime Report From Philadelphia

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Redskins fullback Darrel Young spent four years of college only 17 miles from Lincoln Financial Field at Villanova University.  Villanova Stadium holds only 12,500 people, each of whom cheered on his defensive prowess

Today, in front of five time as many people, he’s silencing the Philadelphia crowd with his offensive ability, piling up 32 yards from a non-traditional playmaker position.  On top of that, he’s cleared the way for Evan Royster who continues his run of dominance as the Redskins tailback.

Averaging only 1.8 yards per carry in the first quarter, Royster has found his stride with 41 yards in the second quarter, including a 28-yard churn and burn scamper.  On that 28-yard run, he broke four tackles, something that Redskins running backs have struggled to do this season.  Forget the strategy of “one cut and go”– Royster cut four defenders nearly out of their shoes on one play.

At the half, Royster leads the team in both rushing and receiving yards.  Young is second and fourth, respectively.

One player that we should be celebrating in the first half is receiver Anthony Armstrong.  Armstrong has stretched the field deep today, but has been unable to sync up with quarterback Rex Grossman.  On two plays, Grossman was pressured and either checked down or forced the ball deep.  On the other play, he had time but it appeared that he waited half a beat too long, as the corner popped the ball in the air and the safety picked it off.

By trying the deep ball, the Redskins have opened up running plays and short passing routes underneath.  But the offense really needs these plays to work if they expect to keep pace in this game.

The Redskins passed up their best opportunity at points in the second quarter, when a field goal attempt from Graham Gano was blocked up the middle.  It’s been a frustrating year for blocked field goals, something that has been attributed in the past to the injuries and suspensions that the Redskins have weathered along the offensive line.  Whatever it is, it’s something that will need to be addressed in the offseason.

Receiver Jabar Gaffney had a solid first half, surpassing his career high in receptions with 67 this season.  His 25 yards put him within 56 yards of 1,000 on the season, for the first time in his career.  The Redskins need someone to step up big in the passing game in the second half.

After 30 minutes in The Linc, the Redskins still trail: Washington 0, Philadelphia 10.  Redskins will receive first in the second half.