The Redskins Blog

Redskins’ Huskers Celebrate 2012 Pro Day

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s been a year ago, almost to the day, that three members of the Nebraska Cornhuskers solidified themselves on the Redskins’ Draft boards with their efforts at the school’s Pro Day.  A mere seven weeks later, Roy Helu, DeJon Gomes and Niles Paul were called with successive Redskins picks, quadrupling the Nebraska presence on the team (Adam Carriker).

Yesterday was the 2012 Pro Day in Lincoln, Neb., and although none of the Redskins’ players were in attendance, it was definitely on the minds and fingertips of the two that use Twitter.

Paul tweeted his best wishes to his former Big Red teammates, sending good vibes to the NFL-hopefuls:

S/o to all my boys chasing their dreams at Nebraska's pro day today!—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) March 08, 2012

And it worked.

Read more »

Celebrating Redskins Aerials On Leap Day

AP Image

Happy soggy Wednesday to Redskins fans in the DMV, and a very happy Leap Day to everyone around the globe that follows the Gregorian Calendar.  For the record, we have respect for all calendars here at Redskins.com.

In honor of the obscure extra day that’s four years in the making, as well as all of the award shows going on this time of year, I thought we’d take a look back at the 2011 season and honor the top Redskins “leaping” plays of the year.  The plays were voted on by yours truly, and preferential treatment was given to those with commemorative Youtube clips.

With that being said, it’s a pretty good batch of plays: Read more »

Royster For Week 17 Rookie Of The Week

Following another standout performance in the season finale, Redskins running back Evan Royster has been nominated for the NFL Week 17 Rookie of the Week.

On the day, Royster rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries, and tacked on additional 52 yards with five catches.  His highlight reel run of the day occurred early in the second quarter, when he took a handoff up the middle.  Three cuts, four broken tackles and a career-tying 28-yard run later, Royster was finally brought down.

The Redskins have been nominated for the weekly rookie performance award on seven occasions this year, with Royster earning two nominations, running back Roy Helu earning two nominations, and linebacker Ryan Kerrigan earning three.

The three Redskins rookies have yet to bring home the hardware, but you have a chance to change that.  Vote here, now and later, early and often.  Voting will close on Friday morning, and the winner will be announced that afternoon.

Congratulations, Evan and good luck!  Here’s a look at the Week 17 field of competition: Read more »

Marine, SEALs Lead Team’s Exit Meeting

AP Image

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 »

Philadelphia Eagles In Rear-View Mirror

AP Image

Before beginning any coverage of today’s locker room cleaning, I would be remiss not to look back on yesterday’s Eagles game.  Please appreciate that I finally found a rear-view mirror photo of the stadium for this weekly blog post.

Yesterday was supposed to be a feel-good game, sending the team into the offseason on a high note.  It would have been a redemption game over a division opponent that had beaten the Redskins two straight times, including earlier this season.  It would have been a showcase of young talent, and potentially a claim-staking performance for offseason free agents.

A young, depleted Redskins team played with a lot of heart yesterday, but just didn’t get the ‘W.’  On Monday morning, it hurts.  But in a week or more, it will be nothing more than one-of-11 losses this season.

The important thing is the exposure and maturation of the individual players, which will hopefully translate to wins in 2012.

Here are the Redskins superlatives for outstanding play in the season finale against the Eagles: Read more »

A Fourth Quarter Farewell To 2011

AP Image

Looking strictly at the scoreboard of today’s game, there aren’t a whole lot of positives to take away.  ’Pride games’ are supposed to end in wins–or at least near misses.  Not 24-point deficits.

But to focus exclusively on the score wouldn’t really be the story of this season.  The story of this season was–and has always been–about development.  And the best way to illustrate the development of this team is to look at how a fully healthy Redskins team fared against the Eagles in Week 6, as compared to the team that took the field today.

In Week 6, the offense managed only 245 yards and turned the ball over four times.  The Redskins had a fully-rested, fully-healthy roster take the field that day, with two playmakers at tight end, a dominant left side of the line, and zero rookies in the starting lineup.  With that team, they managed only 13 points at home.

In Week 17, the offense managed 377 yards and turned the ball over once.  The Redskins were eliminated from the playoffs weeks ago, with a patchwork lineup, including three rookies in the starting lineup.  With this team, they managed 10 points on the road.

In Week 6, the defense yielded 422 yards and had two takeaways.  The Redskins defense had a full-rested, fully-healthy roster take the field that day, with two playmaker safeties, two budding young outside linebackers, and a front seven that was leading the NFC in sacks.  With that team, they yielded 20 points at home.

In Week 17, the defense yielded 390 yards and had two takeaways.  The Redskins defense has also taken hits this season, losing both starting safeties, replacing three defenders altogether due to injury and performance.  They didn’t finish out the fourth quarter that they wanted today, but they still managed to keep the Redskins in the game until late.

The progress that the Redskins achieved on both sides of the ball, despite losing important players during the season, is not something that is reflected in the season record (5-11).  Development isn’t a consolation prize, and it isn’t anything that this team or organization wants to hang their hats on.  But when this team regroups in the coming months for OTA’s and mini camps, it’s something that will be reflected in the elevated play of the young guys on the team.  It’s something that will be reflected in various units, which now have great familiarity with one another. And for a team that isn’t going to the playoffs this year, roster development is something that can pay off for years to come.

Today was an unsung hero sort of day, so here are your unsung heroes of the afternoon:

On defense:

The danger of in-game reporting is in drawing conclusions too hastily.  For example, after the 62-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson, Twitter went crazy with conclusions that Oshiomogho Atogwe’s injuries had reduced his ability to make plays, and that he was, thus far, a disappointment as a free agent.

And perhaps up to that moment, these reports were fair.  Until, on the ensuing drive, Atogwe intercepted Michael Vick for the second time this season, down near the goal line.  He then–with the help of cornerback DeAngelo Hall–returned the ball to the 30-yard line.

All of this is not to say that Atogwe has had his ideal season, but he’s played very well in big games.  Atogwe got all three of his interceptions against division opponents this season, with two against the Eagles and the other against the Giants.  The best part of his contributions to the defense, is that he’s done everything that’s been asked, including accepting and excelling in a reserve role.  His last two interceptions have come in games that he didn’t start.

On offense:

Evan Royster and Roy Helu both gave gritty performances today, with Royster rushing for 113 yards on 20 carries, and Helu catching a touchdown pass for 47 yards.

Both rookie backs had back-to-back 100-yard games to their name this season, a rarity in any organization, and a testament to their ability to step up.  Royster had to be taken to the locker room in the second half for rehydration, while Helu battled leg injuries that visibly hobbled him on his touchdown run.  But both stayed focused and active in the game, supporting each other and keying the offense.

Not bad for two rookie backs taken after the fourth round.

This was a tough day for the 2011 Redskins, but with positives that can allow them to march forward into 2012.  Will this team be able to get healthy and capitalize on the development and maturation of the players in the scheme?  Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait nine months to find that out.  But from the 300 level of Lincoln Financial Field, I think the Redskins will find their stride in 2012.

That’s all from Philadelphia on this New Year’s Day, as the Redskins fall to the Eagles, 10-34.  Here’s wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year.

Third Quarter Thoughts

AP Image

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.

First Quarter Impressions

AP Image

Prior to two weeks ago, Brian Orakpo was the team’s leader in sacks during his tenure with the team, having never registered a full sacked on a division quarterback.  Against the Giants, he brought Eli Manning down for the first of his career.  Against the Eagles, he took care of things early, “Orakpo-ing” Michael Vick on his first third down pressure.

Now that the divisional sack monkey is off his back, Orakpo looks to be flogging it.  Orakpo is also the first Redskins defender with eight or more sacks in three consecutive seasons since Dexter Manley achieved the feat between 1983-89.

The Redskins defense is getting good pressure on Vick today, which could prove to be effective.  Vick has been bothered by various contact related injuries this year, including broken ribs, and looks to prefer passing today.  I’m certain the Redskins will be spying him all afternoon, but it’s nice to know that he has a vested interest in being a passer first.

On offense, running back Evan Royster got the first crack today, continuing his success from last week.  The Redskins initially viewed Roy Helu as a change-of-pace back earlier this season, and the same dynamic could be in place today, with both backs healthy and active.  The Redskins have also continued to pitch the ball on almost all running plays, something that head coach Mike Shanahan attributed to their ability to get the ball, pick their hole, and get a full head of steam going through the line.

The running game hasn’t necessarily been effective in the first quarter, but this is an important facet of the game that the Redskins need to stick with.

With the 20-yard pass from quarterback Rex Grossman to fullback Darrel Young, Grossman passed 10,000 passing yards for his career.  For the Redskins, he passed for 3,779 yards in his first 16 games before today.

Punter Sav Rocca has been a model of consistency in his first season in Washington, but badly missed his first punt this afternoon, kicking it out of bounds for 12 yards.  The play essentially acted like a turnover, but the defense held on a short field, yielding only a field goal.

Rocca bounced back on his next two kicks, downing both inside the 20-yard line, tying a career-high for the season with 28.  Nice recovery from the Down Under Thunder.

At the end of the first quarter, the Eagles lead by a field goal: Washington 0, Philadelphia 3.

After the first quarter in the “2012 Social Showdown,” the Redskins fans have pulled it close, trailing by 40 fans.  #HTTR, #BeatPhilly

Royster Nominated For Rookie Of Week

For the sixth time this season, the Redskins have a newcomer nominated for NFL Rookie of the Week.  This is the third different player (Roy Helu, Ryan Kerrigan), and the third nomination on the offensive side of the ball.

Royster earned his nomination with a 19-carry, 132 yards performance on the ground.  He tacked on an additional two receptions for 15 yards through the air, in a 33-26 loss to the Vikings on Saturday.

His nomination comes on his first professional start, the third Redskins player this season to manage this feat.  As a sixth-round pick (177th overall), Royster is the latest draft selection among Week 16 Rookie of the Week nominees. Read more »

Family Prepares Royster For Lead Role

AP Image

In his first NFL start, running back Evan Royster showed gritty determination against one of the league’s better rushing defenses.  He gained the most yardage of a running back against the Vikings since Stephen Jackson in 2006, and he gained the most by a Redskins rookie back since 1993.

According to a chat I had with him on Thursday, his training in physicality has been a long time coming, as the youngest of four brothers.  Some of his best holiday memories were of getting presents, and then trying to keep them away from his brothers.

“My favorite gift growing up, was the Sega Dreamcast,” he remembered fondly.  ”I was so excited to get it!  I had wanted it forever, it was my gift, and I didn’t get to play it for a couple days because my brothers took over.

“As the youngest, I was spoiled, yes, but I took the punishment for it.  I was given gifts, but it didn’t mean they were always mine.”

But those days are behind him, as Christmas is now a peaceful time with family.  Yesterday was actually the first Christmas that Royster got to spend with family since 2005, when he was a senior in high school. Read more »