(AP Images)

Last year Redskins Nation had to watch one half of the dynamic linebacker duo of Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo, known more affectionately as Kerrakpo in our Nation’s Capital, sit out the majority of the season with an upper-body injury.

The twosome had the opportunity to brew something as the bookends of a talent laden linebacking unit. In the debut season of Kerrakpo the pair totaled 122 tackles, 16.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, and seven forced fumbles.

With a fully healthy Orakpo on the horizon and a Pro Bowl year under Kerrigan’s belt, Kerrakpo 2.0 could be even deadlier than the first version.

Lookout NFC East.

As OTA’s swung into full gear yesterday a delighted Kerrigan looked on as his pal is fully healed and ready to add a third Pro Bowl appearance to his already extensive NFL resume.

“He looked like the Rak we all know and love,” Kerrigan said. “That’s a good sign for this defense and this team.”

No. 91 was the Redskins lead sack man in 2012 with 8.5. As he continues to build on his team-high 16 over the past two seasons, Kerrigan knows that having Orakpo on the other side could free up a lot of room for the entire front seven.

“He just does a lot for our defense not just in terms of rushing the passer, but playing the run and playing the run and playing in coverage as well,” Kerrigan said of Orakpo’s impact to the Burgundy and Gold. “That’s something you can’t replace.”

As for Kerrigan’s thoughts for the 2012 NFC East champs as a whole, the former Purdue Boilermaker thinks the best is yet to come.

“We’re building something really good here in Washington and you could see us taking some steps last year towards getting better,” Kerrigan said. “We haven’t reached our potential yet and that’s an exciting thing.”

I think we are all excited, Ryan.

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!

(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!

(AP Photo)

As I wrote earlier today, the Redskins had an extra fifth round draft pick in this year’s from a 2011 trade and used it on Florida State linebacker Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins was the second Florida State player selected by the Burgundy and Gold in the fifth round. Just eight picks earlier, the Redskins took FSU running back Chris Thompson.

Did the Redskins just add another future Pro Bowler to a unit that already features Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrgian, London Fletcher and Perry Riley?

Jenkins was a preseason All-American and All-ACC candidate in 2012 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. If the former Seminole plays up to his top pick potential before being sidelined, the Redskins just got another late round steal–a Mike Shanahan specialty.

Here’s a little video to get you jacked up for Jenkins arrival in the Nation’s Capital.

Jenkins’ strengths according to NFL.com:

Possesses very good initial quickness, eats up grass with long strides, and has the flexibility to turn the corner as a pass rusher. Has length and upper-body strength to rip off blocks and throw quarterbacks and running backs to the ground. Also displays the power to get lesser linemen on their heels. Not contact-shy playing the run, will stick his shoulder to keep leverage against single blocker and double teams to hold the line.

And NFL Draft expert Mike Mayock thoughts on a selection that he had graded well above fifth round levels. 

While Jenkins is on the road to recovery from his injury it will be interesting to see how he fits in.

But one thing is for certain—he has some pretty amazing mentors to work with.

Hail to the Redskins!

Mark your calendars Redskins Nation its official, the 2012 NFC East champions will open the 2013 slate against NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football at FedExField. The opener is one of five primetime affairs for the Burgundy and Gold.

And yes its the same Eagles who the Redskins swept during the 2012 campaign including a 31-6 victory at FedExField that jump started the Redskins epic run to the postseason.

With plenty of storylines to dig into, it only seems fitting to do a way too early preview of a game that is still months away.

Here are some topics to follow that night:

The Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles have met 156 times dating back to 1934 when the Burgundy and Gold beat the Eagles in a defensive contest, 6-0.

Don’t expect such a low scoring game this time around, though.

With Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris leading the charge for the Redskins and former Virginia Tech star Michael Vick and 2011 All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy taking command of the Eagles offense, there’s not telling how many big plays could come on offense that night.

Remember last year the highly talked about matchup between Griffin III and Vick never came to fruition as the Eagles gunslinger was sideline both times the teams took the field.

The waiting game to see these two human highlight reels battle for a number one spot on top play countdowns could finally be coming to an end.

Speaking of offensive fireworks, will newly-minted Eagles coach Chip Kelly be able to translate his highly successful spread offense to the pros or will two-time Super Bowl winning coach Mike Shanahan spoil his professional debut?

Kelly’s offense, however, could struggle against the Redskins defense especially with the pending returns of linebacker Brian Orakpo and defensive end Adam Carriker.

Orakpo will rejoin fellow linebackers Ryan Kerrigan, London Fletcher, and Perry Riley to form the best linebacking unit in the league. Fletcher and Riley finished last season in the top-15 in tackles while Kerrigan appeared in his first Pro Bowl.

Other storylines to follow:

–Morris broke the Redskins single-season rushing record in his first year, what will he have for an encore in year two?

–How will the newest members of the team perform in their first regular season games in Burgundy and Gold?

–Tight end Fred Davis was one of Griffin III’s favorite targets before he went down with a season-ending injury in Week 7 last year, will a fully healthy Davis be No. 1o’s go-to-guy once again?

–This is the Redskins second primetime, home opener under Shanahan. In his debut in the Nation’s Capital in 2010, the Redskins defeated the Cowboys 13-7 on Sunday Night Football.

–Same story, different year: Fletcher’s games played streak. Need I say more?

Check back with the blog and website as we will be dissecting each game over the next few weeks as we inch closer to September 9th.

Tell me your thoughts on the schedule as well as the opener at FedExField.

Hail to the Redskins!

Kirk Cousins has been a busy man this week. First, he went back to East Lansing recently to call the X’s and O’s for his alma mater’s spring game. Now, he has been all over ESPN where he talked to NFL Live and did a sit down chat with ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning.

With Cousins’s media stock quickly rising, the former Spartan great has been asked to be a guest speaker at a local event and unfortunately for No. 12, the event organizers may have forgotten Cousin’s 329 yards and two touchdown performance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 from behind center.

Excited for "Comp. Heart" event! But, the local paper forgot the position I play for the 'Skins….humbling, again http://t.co/QZqN7a8ykv—
Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) April 11, 2013

So, can Cousins compete for the Burgundy and Gold’s starting kicker spot against record-setter Kai Forbath?

Highly doubtful, but Cousins isn’t the only member of the Redskins squad that has had an “identity theft” of sorts.

@KirkCousins8 we've all been there, bro. http://t.co/iZf5yfkKRZ—
Ryan Kerrigan (@RyanKerrigan91) April 11, 2013

It can even happen to Pro Bowl linebackers!

Ryan Kerrington, or should we actually say Ryan Kerrigan, has been the Redskins sack leader the past two season after being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

While we don’t know the origins of the picture, we can easily confirm that isn’t the Redskins logo either.

Okay, so I can understand why Cousins and Kerrigan can have their identities misconstrued into something different seeing as they are both fairly new to the NFL, but what about when it happens to someone that has been around for years?

Wrong name and number for Reed Doughty. Ouch!

Anyways, we hope to see all three of you back at Redskins Park soon and Kirk—please stick to throwing the ball!

2011 first round pick Ryan Kerrigan has quickly becoming one of Redskins Nation’s favorite players, as the Purdue product has led the Burgundy and Gold in sacks the past two years.

Recently, I looked into why some Redskins players wear a visor on game days and while some prefer it as a fashion statement, others wear a protective shield due to injury history. Kerrigan is one of the top performers on the newly minted Redskins “All-visor team”.

While a visor protects Kerrigan’s eyes and nose, the face mask protects his mouth and unfortunately for No. 91, he couldn’t have either piece of football equipment when he went to the dentists office yesterday.

You see that smile above?

Find out why it might be looking slightly different after his most recent visit to the mouth doctor.

About to go get these wisdom teeth out 👎—
Ryan Kerrigan (@RyanKerrigan91) April 09, 2013

For any of you out there in Redskins Nation, I’m sure you can feel Ryan’s pain right about now.

Usually you don’t hear about an NFLer getting their wisdom teeth removed, but with Kerrigan at the ripe age of 24, he still had time to let the annoying back row chompers make their debut.

However, Kerrigan decided to cut their cameo appearance short and got them extracted from his mouth.

With OTAs still days away, Kerrigan will make a full recovery by the time he returns to Redskins Park.

All finished up, not nearly as bad as I anticipated. HOWEVA (Stephen A. Voice) my face will look like a basketball in no time—
Ryan Kerrigan (@RyanKerrigan91) April 09, 2013

Send your best wishes to the 2012 Pro Bowler (@RyanKerrigan91) and let us know how excited you are to see him back in Burgundy and Gold for the 2013 campaign

Quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of the hottest players in the league after posting over 4,000 combined yards and 27 touchdowns in his rookie season. Numbers like that are a rare for players transition to the pace of the professional game.

While I am still in amazement of Griffin III’s 76-yard touchdown scamper against the Minnesota Vikings, as we approach the six month anniversary of that play, one thing always stood out to me during that game and every game he appeared in for that matter.

His visor.

I have always wondered why Griffin III, and some of the rest of his teammates wear the protective shields across their faces.

So I decided to take a gander through their playing days to see how long the have been wearing a visor and why they chose to snap one on during game days.

For some its simply a style statement, for others, it might be from past facial injuries. Lets take a look at some of Washington Redskins and their visors.

Griffin III might be the flashiest player in the NFL today with his lethal concoction of a quick release strike and fleeting footwork, opposing defenses struggle to game plan for the AP Rookie of the Year.

His accessories equally match his flair on the football field as he is always sporting a visor and compression sleeve on his left arm.

After going through some pictures of No. 1o’s days in high school at Copperas Cove High School, I noticed that he did not wear a visor, but from during his four year stay in Waco, he wore a clear shield.

So, why the visor?

Well to be honest there is no definite answer as to why he wears it, other than its likely for the style. Or maybe its to block the wind from his eyes when he’s running down field for a touchdown?

Anyways, we do know why 2012 Pro Bowl linebacker Ryan Kerrigan wears one.

As he wrote last year during training camp, the 2011 first round selection began wearing one after he was poked in the eye during practice.

Poking Kerrgian’s eyeball may be the only way offensive lineman can stop the Purdue prospect as he leads the team in sacks the last two years with 16.

Trent Williams, Rob Jackson and DeAngelo Hall are also members of the Redskins who donned visors during the 2012 NFC East championship campaign.

To see photos of the Redskins “All-visor team” check out this photo album to relive some of the top moments of the 2012 season by players wearing a visor.

So Redskins Nation, what are your thoughts on players wearing a visor?

Last night marked Opening Night at The Diamond, Home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. In attendance for the festivities was none other than your favorite Redskins LB Ryan Kerrigan, who was invited to throw out the first pitch.

For Ryan, the outing was redemption of sorts from his high school days as Muncie Central High School’s all-conference outfielder. It was Ryan’s first return to the mound since he pitched less than an inning in relief against Richmond High School (Richmond, In.) ending his short career on the mound with an 84.00 ERA.

There was no way that he was going to turn down an opportunity to relive his glory days on the diamond at The Diamond and throw out the opening pitch.

However, the evening became even more special and memorable when Ryan decided to select a youngster from the stands to come help him warm up for his milestone return. The chosen one: Josh, a freshman at Cumberland High School and catcher for Cumberland’s JV Team.

How was his return you may ask? Well after a brief warmup and stretch of the arm with Josh, he was ready.

As far as Ryan’s baseball skills are concerned, he confidently claimed that he was throwing heat comparable to that of pitcher Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn from the movie Major League.

“I threw it pretty hard yeah, didn’t full out gas it but a solid velocity, just off the inside corner, knee high. I was pleased with it. I’d have to compare myself to a young wild thing Rick Vaughn because you never know where the ball’s going to go,” said Kerrigan.

Since we weren’t there to witness Ryan throwing this so called “gas”, we’ll have to take his word for it and credit Josh for helping him warm up his arm. Way to go, Josh, and what an awesome experience!

After the game Duane Partusch, Josh’s Cumberland High School Baseball Coach, chimed in on the experience:

“I can assure you that it was an experience of a lifetime for Josh and he was extremely excited about it. He and many others on the team are big Redskins fans so it’s always really cool for me to see one of my kids get to do something exciting like that.”

Now if you remember, Ryan was once just a kid playing high school baseball in the great state of Indiana. Back in training camp during Ryan’s Inside the Park Feature, a daily blog where Ryan chronicled the hot summer days in pads at Redskins Park, he blogged about his time spent on the diamond.

Ryan was an avid baseball player growing up and played all throughout high school. If it weren’t for the copious amounts of football scholarships thrown his way which helped sway him towards the gridiron, the star-powered outfielder said he had pondered the idea of playing collegiate baseball.

His love for the game was clearly evident when he met baseball legend Hank Aaron last July and was smiling from ear to ear like a kid on Christmas morning. He loves the game. It’s as simple as that.

Following his dominating first pitch performance last night, he was introduced to former Atlanta Braves catcher Javier López, who was also in attendance to witness Ryan’s toss.

All in all, we can say that it was a pretty cool spring evening spent down in Richmond for Ryan and Josh and definitely a ceremonious evening at that. And don’t worry Redskins fans, Ryan will assure you that his loyalty remains with the Nationals.

Nonetheless, Richmond held the lead 4-3 before the game was suspended in the fourth inning due to rain.

Who knows? Maybe Ryan and a few of the guys will be attending some games this summer since The Diamond is located just a few miles from the site of the new Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center and Home of 2013 Redskins Training Camp!

Last week, the Washington Redskins signed former Philadelphia Eagle and Seattle Seahawk Darryl Tapp. During his seven years in the National Football League, Tapp has dug his hand deep in the dirt in the three-point stance on the line.

However, with the Burgundy and Gold Tapp will convert to linebacker and provide quality depth for one of the best linebacking units in the league that includes Pro Bowlers London Fletcher, Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo. Middle linebacker Perry Riley was top-15 in tackles in his first year as a full-time starter and Rob Jackson burst onto the scene after setting career-highs across the board including a key interception in the team’s Week 17 NFC East clinching victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

While he has spent the past three years with one of the Redskins biggest foes, Tapp is ready to play for the team he grew up rooting for.

Sometimes u jus gotta go home—
Darryl Tapp (@dtapp55) March 28, 2013

Tapp was born and raised in Redskins country in Portsmouth, Virginia. After a standout career at Deep Creek High School, he had several options as to where he could play at the next level. Although he had discussions with the University of Virginia and the University of Florida, he ultimately decided to stay close to home and attended Virginia Tech under coaching legend Frank Beamer.

Over the last several decades, Virginia Tech’s success has been built on lockdown defenses. From 2003-2006, the unit’s dominance was headlined by Tapp. His senior season was his best as he was an All-American nomination for a top-15 team that held opponents to 20 points or less in 10 out of 13 contests.

Across the board the 2006 NFL Draft was one of the deepest in league history. While the first round was littered with high-profile prospects, the entire draft features 35 different players that have appeared at the Pro Bowl.

After the Seattle Seahawks selected Tapp with the 53rd overall pick in the draft, the Virginia Tech product made a cross country move to Washington state.

After four years in the Emerald City, Tapp decided to move closer to home and wound up with the Philadelphia Eagles before signing with the Burgundy and Gold.

For his career Tapp has 288 tackles, 24 sacks, nine forced fumbles and two interceptions. 47 of his 288 tackles have come against NFC East  teams, and yes for those of you who are wondering 14 of those have come against Washington.

As an admitted lifelong Redskins fan one can only wonder the mixed emotions he might have felt on each take down. No worries for Tapp or the Redskins as he is coming home to the team that he loves.

With four playoff starts and 107 career appearances, Tapp fits in perfectly with an experienced defensive unit that will also featuring the return of Adam Carriker.

Keep and eye on Tapp’s transition to linebacker under defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and his 3-4 scheme during training camp this summer in Richmond. With Fletcher, Kerrigan and Orakpo as mentors for Tapp we have no doubt that his move is in good hands.

Hail to the Redskins and welcome home, Darryl!