(AP Photo)

On Wednesday, Washington Redskins legend Joe Gibbs was back at Redskins Park for the annual luncheon for his foundation, Youth For Tomorrow. Gibbs was joined by current head coach Mike Shanahan and former coaching fraternity brother and friend Mike Ditka.

When Gibbs first put on his signature burgundy Redskins snapback as the lead man in our Nation’s Capital, few knew who he was. Even Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke admitted that he wasn’t sure what Gibbs brought to the table.

After the Hall of Fame coach failed to get a victory in his first month with the Burgundy and Gold, questions about the offensive guru’s longevity were popping up left and right.

However, Gibbs put those questions to rest just one year later when he led the Redskins to their first of three Lombardi Trophies. Washington steamrolled through their regular season schedule with ease and missed a perfect record by two touchdowns.

Luckily for Ditka, he avoided Washington’s reign of dominance for the most part– well sort of.

Someone forgot to mention to him that Darrell Green was that good.

“Darrell Green [was] a thorn in our side for a long time” Ditka told Larry Michael on the set of Redskins Nation in reference to No. 28′s punt return for a touchdown in the 1987 playoffs.

Before each beloved icon decided to hang up their headsets (temporarily) in 1992, Ditka and Gibbs squared off against each other eight times, three of which were in the playoffs. Gibbs would ultimately get the better of Ditka more times than not (five wins to three), but in the end the two fierce competitors became friends away from the gridiron.

“Joe’s a dear friend, he could have taken it a little easier on me when he coached against me, but he had a win [and] we had to try to win.”

Since their heydays, the NFL has changed drastically to include a shifted focus on aerial attacks. Ditka, however, still believes in the importance of pounding the pigskin, a signature of the 1980′s.

“In the beginning maybe Joe wanted to do one thing but he didn’t have that so he pounded the football. He ran the ball and I think you don’t see that too much anymore, but I think that’s old time football. You can break down the other team’s will if you pound the football.”

You’re preaching to the choir, Ditka. After all, the Redskins can boast about having the top-rated rushing attack in the league.

While every hat should be tipped in honor of Alfred Morris‘ historic first season, everyone knows that Robert Griffin III was just as instrumental in vaulting the Redskins into the upper echelon of offensive units. That includes Ditka.

I love everything about the kid. I love his demeanor on the field. He’s got to be a little bit careful when he takes off. This guy’s the real deal. Throws the ball great, he’s a great field general. [He’s] got all the qualities you want.”

Hail to the Redskins!

(AP photo)

Going into the 2012 season, the hype surrounding the Redskins reached unrivaled levels thanks to this fellow by the name of Robert Griffin III.

Griffin III was joining a team littered with first round talents (Ryan Kerrigan, Trent Williams and Brian Orakpo) and undrafted phenoms outperforming their draft day exclusions like NFL ironman London Fletcher.

While No. 10 thrashed his opponents en route to AP Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, he isn’t the top rated Redskin on CBSSports’ NFL Top-100 list.

Enter Alfred Morris.

While the story of No. 46’s unexpected rise from seldom known sixth-round pick to a franchise rushing record has been told multiple times already, let me give you a shortened recap of the former FAU star’s career.

Before Morris was strapping on a Burgundy and Gold helmet, he worked out 12 hours a day honing his skills that would eventual bolster him to one of the top tailbacks in the league. Then, after being pretty much an afterthought of the 2012 draft class he found himself starting in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.

1,613 yards, 13 touchdowns and one franchise record later, Morris finds himself as the No. 41 player on Peter Prisco’s top-100 list and the second running back behind 2012 NFL MVP Adrian Peterson.

While Morris’ 2012 output was perhaps the biggest “feel good” story of the year, he wasn’t a one-man band for the league’s top rushing attack.

Griffin III rushed for 815 yards and seven touchdowns along with his 3,200 passing yards and took the Nation’s Capital by storm. While a No. 83 placement seems a bit low for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year,   Prisco does believe that the best is yet to come from the former Heisman-winner.

“He was electrifying until he hurt his leg late and then suffered the ACL injury in the playoff loss. I think it will help make him a better quarterback in the long run.”

Williams paved the way for Morris and Griffin III to rush for over 2,000 yards and protected No. 10’s blindside. The 2012 Pro Bowler is No. 78 on Prisco’s list.

So what are your thoughts on the three Redskins on the list? Are they too low?

Also, do you find it odd that none of the three Pro Bowl linebackers are on the list?

Hail to the Redskins!

When you think of the Washington Redskins and their biggest rival, who is the one team that comes to mind?

I’ll give you a break if you said the Giants or Eagles, but anyone who’s anyone knows that the Cowboys have been the Redskins biggest rival since the first time they took the field together in 1960—a 26-14 Redskins victory.

Since that day, the Redskins-Cowboys rivalry has become one of the most heated battles as they often find themselves jockeying for playoff spots. Week 17 of the 2012 season I’m looking at you.

So, where do Redskins-Cowboys encounters rank among the best rivalries in the NFL today?

According to the Russell Baxter of Bleacher Report, the two teams find themselves as the No. 5 rivalry in the NFL.

While AFC North contests between the Steelers and Ravens is Baxter’s top rivalry, their matchups don’t have nearly as much prestige as a Redskins-Cowboys tilt.

From 1970-1995 the two teams combined to win a whopping 18 division titles and eight Lombardi Trophies.

Despite the fact that the Burgundy and Gold struggled against the Cowboys in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the two games were always circled on the Redskins schedule as must-see TV. However, with Robert Griffin III in town those days are over.

Long over.

Last year No. 10 led the Redskins to two victories over their NFC East counterparts including their epic 38-31 shellacking on Turkey Day in front of a national audience in front of the tube and chants of “RG3” filling Cowboys Stadium.

Baxter will have a keen eye on their battles next year as he knows that they always go down to the wire in memorable fashion.

“Eight of the last 10 meetings between Dallas and Washington have been decided by seven points or less. And be it Tom Landry vs. George Allen, Jimmy Johnson vs. Joe Gibbs or today’s Jason Garrett vs. Mike Shanahan, the intensity of the rivalry never changes.”

Hail to the Redskins!

(AP Photo)

How many of you out there have a Robert Griffin III burgundy and gold jersey?

I’d take a safe bet that a majority if not all of you have a No. 10 jersey tucked away somewhere in your closet. If not, Griffin III may have had you rethinking your sock “game” and branching out to colors beyond your everyday blacks and whites.

Maybe you find yourself repeating the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year’s quotes in inspirational Facebook statues.

No matter what you do, you always find yourself enamored with Griffin III’s rock star-like lifestyle.

The reason?

He’s the most marketable American athlete in the world.

SportPro released their annual rankings of the most marketable ballers and race car drivers across the world and No. 10 is considered the fourth most marketable athlete. The Redskins signal caller sits just behind soccer stars Neymar and Lionel Messi and golfer Rory McIIory.

When you consider the fact that all three athletes play in multiple countries across the world while Griffin III remains locked in the continental USA, it’s amazing that No. 10 ranks with those athletes.

Just imagine if the NFL played an international schedule.

SportsPro had this to say about their No. 4 most marketable athlete:

One of the most commercially active rookies the NFL has seen – he has deals with the likes of Subway and Evoshield – Griffin III’s debut season was full of positives, with the Redskins making it to the play-offs led by their young buck of a quarterback. That his first year ended with a serious knee injury has merely added another marketing layer to the growing ‘RGIII’ brand: he’s about to become the comeback kid, possibly in time for the new season.

Criteria was based on value for money, age, home market, charisma, willingness to be marketed, and crossover appeal.

He definitely has the love of the home market as the accolades just keep popping up for him–even in the quietest times of the NFL year.

Congrats!

(AP Photo)

The Washington Redskins were one of the most exciting draws during the 2012 season. With mounds of hype surrounding quarterback Robert Griffin III and the unknown factor that was Alfred Morris, excitement abound was in our Nation’s Capital.

No. 10 quickly transcended from lead man at Baylor to superstar in the NFL in minutes. 12 minutes to be exact via wide receiver Pierre Garcon’s 88-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown with the cameo debut of Griffining as the cherry on top.

Despite the fact that the Burgundy and Gold entered the bye week at 3-6 and dwelling at the cellar of the NFC East there was hope with seven games remaining, five of which were against NFC East foes.

While the Redskins 31-6 smackdown of the Eagles after the bye week was certainly unforgettable thanks to Griffin III’s perfect 158.3 quarterback rating, everyone waited in eager anticipation for their Turkey Day matchup with the Cowboys.

Insert the 20^th best game of the 2012 season.

NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison has been rewinding footage from every game during the 2012 NFL season to recap the top-20 games from the year that was.

What better way to kick off the countdown than a Redskins victory over our biggest rivals—on national television too.

Dallas entered the game at 5-5 looking to go above .500 and within striking distance of the then first place Giants. Cowboys fans may have forgotten that Griffin III’s reign of terror began in the Lone Star State and the eventual AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was hungry to show off in his first homecoming.

Forget the first quarter of the game.

Yes Dallas would strike first but does anybody remember a three point quarter?

No, but they do remember a 28-point second quarter.

Robert Griffin III to Aldrick Robinson—touchdown. Alfred Morris comes in unnoticed with the Cowboys defense cemented to No. 10’s every move-touchdown. Robert Griffin III to Pierre Garcon-touchdown. And then just went you that you could catch a break in the onslaught and sneak out of the living room to grab a second serving of mashed potatoes-touchdown from the Cowboy killer himself, Santana Moss.

In total in took only 19 plays for the Redskins to blow open the floodgates in a one-sided quarter that was reminiscent of Super Bowl XXII were they tacked on 35 points in the second quarter.

Despite a 25 point halftime lead, the Cowboys did make it a game in the second half which is the sole reason why this game finds itself on Harrison’s list.

“Griffin put on a show for America that Thursday evening in November, and because of the huge national audience, there was a bit more oomph to his game in Dallas than the narrow loss to the Giants or the aforementioned win over Minnesota. But a strange thing happened during RG3’s national coming out party, and over-the-moon return to his home state of Texas. The Cowboys made a game of it.”

…Only to come up short.

Hail to the Redskins!

(AP Images)

Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan form quite the duo on the outsides of a talent-laden linebacking unit. The two have combined for three Pro Bowl appearances, 45.5 sacks, and countless opponents who fear entering the duo’s territory.

While Redskins Nation is waiting for the moment Orakpo rejoins Kerrigan and the rest of the Burgundy and Gold, the youngest generation of footballers in the DMV will be able to catch a glimpse of the pair and gain unparalleled knowledge from the former first round picks at the Brian Orakpo/Ryan Kerrigan Football Camp this July.

The camp will take place on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Shortly before the pair takes the fields in Richmond for training camp, they will be giving pointers and instruction for players ages 7-18.

For all you future NFLers out there name me another camp that features teaching from two of the top linebackers in the league?

Exactly.

If you aren’t a sack machine like the combo and instead prefer to be the next Robert Griffin III, don’t worry—this camp will improve technique at all positions.

Campers will spend upwards of six hours of daily demonstrations, lectures, and practice time with the twosome.

For those of you who are interested in instruction from a Redskins player but aren’t sure if you can make it to Northern Virginia in the heat of July, no worries—Josh Morgan will also be holding a camp with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Lardarius Webb in June at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.

For more information on both camps as well as sign up information click on the link here.

Hail to the Redskins!

Yesterday, we profiled running back Alfred Morris as Pro Football Focus ranked him as the 38^th best player in their ‘Top 101 of 2012’ list.

Today, it’s another rookie member of the Redskins backfield who is being recognized for his incredible first season in the NFL. However, this Offensive Rookie of the Year signal caller needs no introduction.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III comes in at number 31 on the PFF list of ‘Top 101 of 2012’.

Here’s PFF explaining their ranking:

Turning the Redskins from a punch line to a relevant contender, RGIII was the dose of energy and talent that this team desperately needed. His play on the field was nothing short of his exceptional, with the Redskins putting him in an offense that made full use of his skill set from Day 1. The end result was a player who was extremely accurate and extremely productive, and well worth such a prominent ranking.

Best Performance: Week 6 versus Minnesota, +5.1

Key Stat: With an Accuracy Percentage of 75% under pressure, RGIII was tops of all quarterbacks.

The article points out his accuracy ‘Passing Under Pressure’ as one key stat that helped separate Griffin III from his counterparts. New Orleans Saints quarterback and perennial Pro Bowler, Drew Brees, was last year’s accuracy under pressure leader (69.2%).

And although most quarterbacks would probably prefer to not have to prove their worth in this particular statistical category, Brees isn’t bad company to be in for Griffin III.

Bottom line, Griffin III had a spectacular season and put up historic numbers that compare to the all-time great quarterbacks to ever play the position.

It’s no surprise that PFF deemed his best performance against Minnesota in Week 6.

Do you remember his electrifying 76-yard 4^th quarter touchdown run that sealed the victory and sent chills down the spines of 80,000 fans in a packed FedExField? If not, you can relive it here!

On Wednesday, quarterback Robert Griffin III appeared at the American Cancer Society luncheon in downtown Washington, D.C. to further extend the Washington Redskins charitable donations in the fight to end breast cancer.

No. 10 joined Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and wife Tanya, as Ms. Snyder was being honored as the American Cancer Society Mother of the Year for her efforts to end breast cancer.

The AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has quickly reached unprecedented levels of popularity across the country. No matter where Griffin III makes an appearance, you can be assured that he will be the star of the moment as pictures and autographs will be a request by each and every fan that gets the opportunity to meet him.

Wednesday, Griffin III used his iconic status to continue the franchise’s efforts to end cancer in the form of $33,000.

A generous man paid $15,000 for @RGIII pink shoes! Benefitting @AmericanCancer #HTTR http://t.co/78LWjFVlCG—
  (@Redskins) May 08, 2013

After months of hot and humid weather in the DMV during the summer months, fall is a welcoming blessing to the region. As the temperatures dip and leaves begin to turn, the smell of the pigskin fills the air.

Football weather.

October is the first full month of the autumn season and while hues of yellow, red, and orange are sprinkled through the region, one color always stands out.

Pink.

In 1999, Ms. Snyder spearheaded the initiative to bring breast cancer awareness into the forefront of Redskins Nation.

Due to Ms. Snyder’s efforts, every NFL team now wears pink accessories during the month of October.

In Griffin III’s first year with the Burgundy and Gold, he sported a pink glove, arm sleeve, and cleats—yes the same cleats that helped bolt him to a 76-yard touchdown scamper against the Minnesota Vikings.

Those cleats went for auction at Wednesday’s luncheon for $15,000. Then, Griffin III used his star power to continue the day’s charitable enterprise by doing photo-shoots for $1,000—with all proceeds going towards cancer research.

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.

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(AP Photo)

During the 2012 offseason the Washington Redskins reloaded their offense with several big play, quick-strike weapons on the offensive side of the football.

When free agency’s flood gates were unlocked, the Redskins bolstered their wide receiver core by adding the Super Bowl experienced Pierre Garcon and homegrown talent Josh Morgan.

Then during the annual NFL Draft, they acquired soon-to-be record setting rookies Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris.

Not a bad quartet to repackage your assault around.

In their regular season debut together, the Griffin III-Garcon connection struck early, torching the New Orleans Saints defense for an 88-yard touchdown in the first quarter that was stamped off by the now internationally famous “Griffining” celebration.

Then later in the season the duo struck gold again, only this time the whole country witnessed their magnificence.

NFL AM and NFL.com have been spending countless hours sorting through every play from the 2012 campaign to compile the top-100 plays of last season.

You already know the 2012 NFC East champs will have a handful of cameos on the list.

Coming in at N0.66-Griffin III to Garcon on Thanksgiving Day.

In the second quarter of Washington’s tilt with the Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins offense exploded for 28 points in a 19 play span.

On Washington’s first possession of the second quarter, No. 10’s play-action fake handoff to Morris stupefied the Cowboys defense to give Aldrick Robinson what seemed like a mile of space downfield for a 68-yard touchdown toss.

Then on their next possession, the Redskins worked the ball down to the one yard line where everyone in attendance knew that No. 46 was going to get the pigskin.

But did you think that was going to derail a man who works out 12 hours a day perfecting his craft?

Nope.

Touchdown Morris.

After a Cowboys three and out, the Redskins got the ball back on their own 29 yard line and wasted little time tacking on six more tallies to the board on Garcon’s over his back shoulder grab.

Pause the video at the :09 mark. Seriously, how many Cowboys does it take to pull down a Redskins receiver?

Apparently more than four.

Use that joke with your Cowboys fans the next time you meet up.

Hail to the Redskins!

(S. Morris Photo Courtesy SAA Sports, A. Morris Photo Courtesy AP Images)

Yesterday, we explored Kevin Matthews’ deep bloodlines in the NFL. His Hall of Fame father, Bruce Matthews, is of Oilers/Titans fame and his cousin is current Green Bay Packer All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews III.

Matthews, though, is the only current family member with the luxury of calling Washington, D.C. home.

Last year Redskins running back Alfred Morris, of the lesser known Morris clan, burst onto the scene galloping to a franchise record 1,613 yards.

Morris became quarterback Robert Griffin III’s go-to sidekick when the burgundy and gold lined up in the pistol formation.

No. 46, however, has his own Robin to his Batman—Birmingham Southern running back and little brother Shawn Morris.

While Alfred was running over NFC East rivals last year, the younger Morris was putting the finishing touches on an incredible collegiate career with a 1,000 yard season and All-SAA honors his senior year.

After finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards just one year after being drafted in the sixth round out of Florida Atlantic, the elder Morris opened the door for small school running backs, proving that they can be instant contributors. Shawn is one of those backs that have been given an opportunity to see if he can replicate his older brother’s success.

“I think Alfred Morris, my brother, he paved the way for me being kind of unknown and coming in and showing out in the NFL, basically putting our name out there and me I was All-American in division III and just showing flashes of talent even though I’m not playing against the caliber talent of D1 [players], that I can make some plays.”

For anyone that has kept tabs on Alfred since being drafted last year, you know that he is the definition of a family man. His admiration for his family’s support has kept No. 46’s engine running even during the dog days of summer at last year’s training camp when some thought he might not even make the active roster.

Most were shocked that a sixth round rookie was the starting for the Redskins opening day alongside the Heisman-winning Griffin III. Count Shawn, however, as one that wasn’t stunned by the opening day development.

“I was surprised that he did it so fast, but I knew his talent, I knew what he can do [he] just needed an opportunity and once he got that opportunity he just showed out. That first game I saw against the Saints and I saw what he did I was like this is about to be a crazy season for him. It was great watching him.”

Growing up the two were nearly inseparable, even in their earliest days.

“Oh growing up [we] we’re Batman and Robin. I’ve always been Robin, he’s been Batman. It’s a funny story my mom tells all the time, when I was a baby and he was a little toddler he used to always tell my mom ‘don’t forget the baby’ she was talking about me. We’re real close, talk to him every day and he coaches me up.

Even though the two don’t share a house anymore they are still each other’s biggest fan, but as is the case with most sibling relationships, they can also criticize each other—all in good fun of course.

“Oh yeah I’ll bash him just like he’ll bash me. He came and watched my last game of the season and I had a pretty good game. I had like three touchdowns [and] 250 yards and every little thing he bashed me about. He was like ‘Hey you missed this block, you missed this cut. Man you could [have] done this better.’”

With a brother that has already had his first dip into the NFL, you knew that the older Morris would be willing to give some pointers on making a successful transition from the collegiate ranks.

He could have told him how to elude NFL defenses or how he kept his body in peak condition until the end of the season like he did when he destroyed the Cowboy defense for 200 yards and three touchdowns in Week 17. Instead, Alfred’s top words of wisdom—be prepared for running backs coach Bobby Turner.

“If you all don’t know he’s a character, he’ a great guy though full of wisdom. He has helped Alfred grow into the guy he is now. A jumpstart mentally and I was prepared for whatever coach Bobby T. had for me.”

While Shawn’s future with the team is unknown as his appearance at last weekend’s rookie minicamp was a tryout, he knows that he has the skill set to cling to an NFL roster spot.

“If I don’t make it with the Redskins, I’ll keep working and I know I can make it eventually.”

If Shawn is anything like his older brother don’t discredit his chances of making a team and maybe we’ll be seeing a few more Morris brothers trickle into Redskins Park in the coming years—there are seven of the after all.