1. Kevin will--perhaps rightfully--suggest that putting out a Monday post on Thursday is technically cheating, but I like to think the consecutive weeks streak remains intact with this week's late edition/addition. Between the podcast, our Indecent Proposal series and Unexpected Pro Bowler series, and the critically acclaimed Daily Slop column that Phil knocks out of the park every day, we are squeezing out as much legitimate content as we can during these painfully slow times. Time for some illegitimate content I suppose.

2. Last year, I made a HUGE error when I discussed the plot of the most recent Game of Thrones episode in a Monday morning Sixpack post. It was nice to realize how many people actually read this, but very upsetting to know that I had ruined a great episode for so many. I can't imagine that anyone hasn't seen the most recent airing yet, but I have zero intention of discussing plot in this space...yet. (Holy crap, that show is awesome.) My question to those of you who have not read the books: Does the show make you want to read the books? My question to those of you who have read the books: Does the show live up to what you have read? I have not read the books and I am dying to pick them up, but I kind of want to avoid ruining the surprise each show brings. Ironic, I know--I am worried the book will act as spoiler for the show based on the book. Even more ironic is the fact that I acted as a spoiler. SPOILER ALERT: Kevin is a spitting image of Joffrey.

3. The mystery surrounding which team will be featured on Hard Knocks has been solved. If an overwhelming lack of interest from the majority of NFL teams wasn't enough to bury this show, wait until they try and make Davone Bess and Matt Moore into compelling, central characters. Will I be watching? Of course I will, but I am a junkie and will no doubt be trying to explain to my wife at some point why Kim Kardashian's ex-boyfriend is in for a banner year. It sucks for HBO to have to go from the Starks, Lannisters, dragons and breasts to...the Miami Dolphins.

Continue reading this post »

If making up trade scenarios wasn't enough for you, how about projecting a guy that is less than a year removed from backup status to the Pro Bowl? Remember, I am forcing all the writers to make a case for someone, so try not to assume we are all on crack for predicting some of these guys are Pro Bowl-bound.

I suppose we should first acknowledge the very real chance that the Pro Bowl is dead. Some would argue it has been dead for years. I am sure the players will breathe a collective sigh of relief when they can avoid needless injury in an actual football game--after all, there are pickup basketball games for that kind of thing.

But I digress...

Continue reading this post »

In this very dead period of the Redskins offseason, I thought I would get our creative juices flowing with a couple of post titles that our writers could chew on over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Similar to our podcast quick-hitters, these posts force the writer to make a choice that he or she would not otherwise suggest, so don't take this series of posts as anything other than fodder for debate.

While chances may be low that a trade goes down before the regular season, I think it is only fair that if you target something in trade, you should have to identify what you would give up to get it.

Since I am going first, I think I will propose a scenario where a very good team finds itself in need of a wide receiver because of a preseason injury. The Patriots, Steelers or even the Ravens come to mind. If a team like that loses one or even multiple wide receiver options, I can see them coming for a guy like Santana Moss. He is the ideal target for a veteran team in need of a professional wideout. Assuming he stays healthy long enough for that team to come calling, I think the Redskins would take that call.

If the Redskins tried to trade Moss today, the value would not be there, but if a team was interested and in need, I could see a middle-round draft pick being bandied about. Best-case scenario would probably be a third-round pick, with a fourth-round pick being very appreciated as well.

There you have it: Santana Moss for a third- or fourth-round pick. (I think Moss is in for a HUGE season this year off of our bench, by the way.)

1. Offensive line--You won't know how good your offensive line is going to be during or directly after May OTA's, but you can't have a good offensive line if something doesn't start materializing now. We should expect to hear coaches heap praise on guys like Trent Williams and Jammal Brown, assuming they tie their shoes right and show up. Can Chris Chester and Jammal Brown start getting on the same page this week? The right side of our line practically depends on it. I'll be listening intently to see how Josh LeRibeus fares working in at different spots, but let's not get our hopes up too much there. More than anything else, you want to see that guys didn't roll into this week sporting an extra 30 or 40 pounds.

2. Safety--Get used to the drama that will be ever-present in our secondary this summer. With so much uncertainty at the safety position, our attention is going to be fixed back there through August and into September. When we focus our attention on something, drama unfolds. It isn't that we have bad players battling for the safety spots--it is that we have no great players there. Here is what will be key for me: I don't want to hear about how a guy like Brandon Meriweather is "rejuvenated" in May, June or even July. I could care less if Cedric Griffin is "reinventing himself" as a potentially great safety. I have no interest in the potential "leap year" for DeJon Gomes being touted in the summer heat. You get the idea...none of it matters right now. We better get four or five guys ready to play by September and be comfortable with what each of them can do, because we are going to likely have to play them all. I want to hear about guys who are putting in extra classroom time. I want to hear about Reed Doughty providing the new guys with daily downloads of his experience and knowledge. We are going to have to rely on our safeties playing smart this season, because--at least from this vantage point--it doesn't appear that we have guys who can just coast on God-given ability.

3. Running back--This is where I do want to hear about guys showing signs of "getting it" after their first year in the Shanahan's system. This is where I can handle hearing the unnecessary superlatives applied to guys who are still four months away from playing Sunday ball. How does Helu look? Where is Royster's head? How far away is Hightower from being 100%? How are these guys working together? Tell me everything you can about Alfred Morris.

Continue reading this post »

Alright, I have no idea what the Hogs Haven salute looks like. It's certainly never been given to me, unless that is what all those horns I always hear honking on the road are about, or all those punches in the face from random strangers. (Hmmmm...I think I am going to stop letting Kevin do my PR.)

You can't live in or represent the Washington, D.C. area without being touched in some way by our nation's armed forces. (Don't do it, Kevin...resist...the...urge...to knock that softball out of the park.)

There is not a finer group of Americans than the ones that suit up everyday for Uncle Sam and represent our interests domestically and abroad. The fact of the matter is that they are, for the most part, better than all of us. Our debt to them is beyond calculation. Don't forget to take the opportunity this week to say, "Thank You."

Continue reading this post »

1. Welcome back, Tim Hightower. Whether or not Hightower returns to the form he displayed on his best day as a Redskin (you pick the day), the fact is that his presence solidifies the running back position. If he is good enough to win the starting job this summer, the Redskins will be sitting very pretty. If Hightower is merely in shape enough to push Helu for the top spot before falling to #2 on the depth chart, the Redskins still win, as Hightower is a heady presence in the backfield and has proven himself to be a capable pass blocker.

2. In his first career start, Roy Helu broke the Redskins all-time record for receptions in a game with 14 grabs. He put together a string of three consecutive 100-yard games late in the season--a franchise record for rookies. One could argue that a player like Helu could be ready to assume the load early in 2012, with a couple of fresh bodies on the sideline to aid the cause. Having Tim Hightower not only allows Mike Shanahan to continue to bring Helu along in a manner that won't add undue tread to his tires, it gives Robert Griffin III a player he should be able to trust on Day One to read blitzes correctly and pick up the right pass rusher to either buy Griffin additional time or simply save him from a crushing hit.

3. My point there is that there is plenty to be optimistic about when it comes to Roy Helu, but this team is in no position to hang its running back position on a second-year guy with a second-year guy backing him up (Evan Royster)--especially when neither guy went 16 games as the primary back in 2011. Once again, Shanahan and Bruce Allen have focused on creating very meaningful depth at a crucial, crucial position. You may have heard exasperated fans or even a talking head or two lament the possible onslaught of dumpoff passes this season in Washington. I am not certain why this is sometimes stated as such a potentially negative thing, especially if it saves Griffin from taking a few extra hits during his rookie year. Before we can even get upset about this though, we have to have guys in the backfield able to get on the same page with Griffin that are capable of both catching as well as quickly turning up the field for what yards there are to get.

Continue reading this post »

It's been a while...it's been too long. My italics button has grown rusty and stiff. That ends today. The time is right to get back to something we used to do at Hogs Haven on a much more regular basis. That's right...today we are Boldly Hoping.

On this week's Hogs Haven Staff Meeting Podcast, we had Matt Terl join us to talk about pretty much anything that came to our warped minds. Matt had a great perch for a while over at Redskins.com, so his perspective on just about anything that has gone down at Redskins Park over the last few years is incredibly insightful.

Among the topics we covered was the apparent change in the culture of the Redskins organization. I was trying my hardest at 10 PM on a Tuesday night to verbalize the idea that Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen have, in fact, seemed successful in their attempt to root out the bad and build up the good...seems so simple. (The Coors Lights were helpful. (I know there are people that frown on Coors Light. I am a Budwesier guy at heart, but sometimes I need the light, refreshing taste of the Rockies. (I have never been to the Rockies, but they taste great.)))

Continue reading this post »

1. "You know...the quarterback that has looked the most comfortable during training camp is Kirk Cousins."
I think this is the lead pipe lock of the century. Someone is going to say it. It might only be true of a snapshot in time...a moment on the practice field that causes a beat reporter or a visiting analyst from ESPN, FOX, or any other major outlet to openly speculate on the controversy that absolutely is not going to be there. Remember to laugh when you hear this. It won't be a true statement. It won't be evidence of the whisper of a thought that Robert Griffin III won't be our starter. It will serve all of the above outlets though as a nice little headline.

2. "I can't wait to see the Redskins have a lot of success utilizing a multi-tight end set."
The Holy Grail of offensive formation strategy banter among Redskins fans the last few seasons! It looks like Chris Cooley will be ready to play this season, so once again, our attention will focus on how the Shanahans are able to get both Cooley and Fred Davis going in a meaningful way to help out the rookie quarterback. Every one of us has had glorious visions of a potent red zone attack featuring Cooley and Davis, but we have fallen short of those lofty expectations. Even Cooley has been frustrated with the team's inability to capitalize from having two gifted pass-catching tight ends. Whether or not the multi-tight end set is one that will fully benefit RG3 remains to be seen, but as long as Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are lighting it up, we will expect to see our own version.

Continue reading this post »

1. Hmmm...it seems this Kirk Cousins thing isn't going anywhere. I know we spent a lot of time on it yesterday, but it looks like this one is going to be here for a long time. We really did it this time. We completely manufactured drama in a space where there could have been none.

2. I still don't mind the pick, despite its many very obvious, very valid, very represented deficiencies.

3. As for whether or not this affects RG3, let me assure you that Robert Griffin III is not losing any sleep worrying that Kirk Cousins can or will take his job. There's a reason why one was a fourth round pick and the other was drafted second overall. Every team passed on this guy multiple times...including us. There is not a sane human being alive that would attempt to argue that it is even possible for Cousins to win the starting job over Rex Grossman OR RG3.

4. But then you hit me with the old, "But what about using that pick on a player that could come in and help the team--and possibly Griffin--right away?" It's a strong and rather impenetrable argument, except for one thing: I am done with "right away." I have been for at least a few years now. We don't do "right away" well. This is Year Three of an overhaul of our entire organization by a couple of guys who have been to their share of rodeos. I could have lived with another year of trading down before making a move for a quarterback. I could have definitely lived with the kind of haul the Steelers had at the top of their draft, netting two starting-caliber offensive linemen with their first two picks (David DeCastro and Mike Adams). But that's not what this draft was all about, was it? In the year that the Shanaplan addresses the offense, it's hard to suggest there is no justification for dedicating precious resources to the quarterback position.

Continue reading this post »

1. When the Washington Redskins selected quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth round of the NFL draft this past weekend, talking heads around the country got the scratching of a lifetime. This just confirms what we all suspected over the last few years: nobody but us is watching the Redskins.

2. We are without first round choices in the next two drafts. I understand that the conventional wisdom, echoed by Peter King in this morning's MMQB, is that Cousins won't turn into a top-flight prospect in the minds of other teams by backing up Rex Grossman and Robert Griffin III. I also understand that there was at least one offensive line prospect on the board (Bobby Massie) that could have potentially contributed more to the team. I don't think the Shanahans picked Cousins with the sole intention of trading him, but I do think that Cousins could represent the kind of bargaining chip in trade discussions that the Redskins have lacked. Even so, I don't think this pick was pure luxury.

3. We all know that the Washington coaches got comfortable with Cousins at the Senior Bowl. None of us would have guessed that this comfort level would have been to the degree where they would be compelled to draft him even with Robert Griffin in the fold. For those that listen to the most ghetto fabulous podcast on the planet--the Hogs Haven Staff Meeting Podcast--you heard last week that Steve Shoup, UK, and myself definitely viewed that extra fourth rounder as a quasi-luxury pick. (None of us was prepared to use it on a quarterback.) Here's my Kool-Aid analysis: If you're Mike and Kyle Shanahan, you think you can take a guy with raw talent and mold him into an NFL starter. It's like flipping a house. You buy low and sell high. You believe that the work you can put into your investment will significantly increase its value. Unlike the current housing market, NFL quarterbacks are still a piping hot commodity. All that said, a LOT has to go your way to be able to flip a quarterback. I am guessing we have all watched enough HGTV to know full well what a miserable game it is to flip houses. Here's hoping the Shanahans fare better at flipping quarterbacks (oh man...now THAT is a great show idea.)

Continue reading this post »

1. Kevin assures me that Dan Snyder has steadfastly refused to allow HBO bring in their cameras for a season of Hard Knocksin D.C. It seems that HBO's task of finding willing teams in the NFL gets harder every year. I think it would be a mistake to invite any additional scrutiny into what will already be a circus this summer, so you have to hope that Dan Snyder stays resolute. One thing we all know: if Hard Knocks had been filming back in 2000, Dan Snyder would have paid them to come to Redskins Park. I like to think these are the kinds of things we fans can point to as evidence of maturation on the part of our owner. Baby steps.

2. I was getting my hair cut last week and the dude sitting in the chair next to mine asked a question we have all either heard or spoken in the last decade: Will the Redskins ever win a Super Bowl as long as Dan Snyder is the owner? My answer is always the same: "I sure hope so." This question gets asked to me as if there is some thought that we will change owners after another decade of futility. That is not how it works. Owners don't go anywhere--especially rich ones that grew up as fans of the team that they currently own. There are very few scenarios that could play out that would result in Snyder ceasing to be the owner of the Redskins. It is not a game worth playing. We all hope that our team will contend for a title at some point. Whenever that occurs, Snyder will almost definitely be the owner.

3. Have you read Rick Maese's article yet from this past weekend? It reads like sports porn for Redskins fans. I think my favorite part just might have been in the first few sentences: "...a home that features a Washington Redskins flag high atop a flagpole in the front yard--sacrilege here in the middle of Dallas Cowboys country..." Awesome.

Continue reading this post »

The debate that invariably pops up when one of the "other" teams in Washington begins to show signs of life is upon us:

Can Washington be a Nats town/Caps town/Wiz town/Divas town? (Kevin's autographed Rachelle Pecovsky Divas jersey tells you where he stands.)

The answer to this question is a resounding "NO." Washington is and always will be a Redskins town. That said, if a team like the Nats was able to sustain success through the summer and into the fall, there could be a major payoff for the Redskins franchise and fanbase.

For decades, the psychological well-being of diehard Washington sports fans has depended almost solely on the success of the Washington Redskins. This explains the "Dark Age" of DC sports we find ourselves in currently. Though the Washington Capitals have given us all cause to celebrate in recent years, the lack of any championships has muted our euphoria. When Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler were packing the Verizon Center during playoff runs, we were all feeling the excitement. Perhaps partly because NBA playoff runs take place in the spring and early summer, and partly because of repeated exits at the hands of LeBron James, DC sports fans were unable to carry any of this energy into the fall/NFL season.

Continue reading this post »

1. The NFL has us by the short and curlies, don't they? They schedule a primetime release of the 2012 schedule and we swarm like bees to honey. Out of all the "events" scheduled during the NFL's offseason though, this one is the first one to really get our heads pointed in a singular direction. We knew who we were playing. Now we know when we are playing them. Although we know that this matters a ton, the reasons that make this matter are mostly unknown to us at this point. Who knows who will be injured and when? Who knows when teams will be hot and when they will be cold? And let's not forget...who knows if we will be good enough to exploit ANY of that?

2. One thing we do know: our season opener is as daunting as they come. Playing the Saints in their dome is never easy, but you have to figure they will be ready to prove to the world that the whole bounty thing won't define them in 2012 (it will). Of course Drew Brees will be under center, throwing for a million yards to wide open receivers. It is going to be a long day for the burgundy and gold. Reality, logic and sound reasoning dictate that the Saints will be the stone-cold, deed-to-the-house, first-born, lead pipe lock of the century in their home opener. Not so fast. There is one thing that happens every year on the first week of the NFL season: a team that nobody thought was ready to compete with the big boys shows up and shocks the league. In fact, wasn't it just one year ago that the Redskins upset the Giants in Week One? In 2010, wasn't it the Redskins that knocked off the Dallas Cowgirls in Week One in a game that NOBODY picked Washington to win? The common denominator in those games was they both took place at FedEx, and Mike Shanahan had months to gameplan. New Orleans is a different ball of wax entirely. On the bright side, nobody has any tape of RG3 in the pros to watch. Nobody has any tape of the way Shanahan will deploy RG3. We will have a small element of surprise there, but it says here that Rex Grossman will have to play one of his best games as a Redskin if we have any chance of winning on the road in New Orleans on September 9, 2012.

Continue reading this post »

1. Who is this Ian Desmond guy? It certainly isn't the same player that I spent all offseason secretly wishing the Nationals would have the luxury of replacing/upgrading. It is gratifying to see a player that was drafted by the organization develop into a guy that contributes meaningfully to wins night in and night out. Drafted in 2004 by the Montreal Expos, Desmond worked his way through the minors and made his debut for the Washington Nationals in 2009. He is maintaining a solid batting average and decent fielding percentage. His blossoming--though only through eleven games early in a long season--has gotten me thinking about potential Redskins parallels.

2. Which player that has toiled in the background at Redskins Park has the best chance of turning into a major contributor in 2012? We could look to the practice squad or just look to the depth chart to determine if there is a player capable of imitating Ian Desmond's rise to prominence. It has to be someone we drafted. It has to be a player that we feel we could (and should) do better than prior to seeing what everyone can do in training camp. Finally, it can't just be a nobody that we think can "come out of nowhere" to star for the Redskins. After all, Desmond was rated in the top 20 prospects in all of baseball back in 2005, and the top defensive prospect at shortstop.

3. The danger of this game is actually looking at our drafts over the last five, six and seven years. So many bad memories. I don't think you can go with an undrafted free agent in this scenario because, again, Desmond was a fairly high (3rd round) draft pick. Even though a bazillion players get drafted in baseball, this kind of draft pick should be compared to a guy targeted and selected by the Redskins in the draft.

4. Can I just say one more time how upsetting it is to see, for example, an entire draft class from 2007 that consists of: LaRon Landry, Dallas Sartz, H.B. Blades, Jordan Palmer and Tyler Ecker? NOBODY even left on the team from a draft five seasons ago? If I got halfway decent odds, I would bet there were only one or two teams in the league that could say that.

Continue reading this post »

1. I still can't stop noodling that McNabb incident. You know, it's probably true that most NFL fans thought the Redskins mistreated or disrespected Don Burgundy. The majority of observers likely believed that the Shanahans at least mishandled the situation. People came to his defense in the national media, didn't they? People respected McNabb enough to believe it, didn't they? I think that the reason there are more people today not siding with Don Burgundy is Don Burgundy. (Unless RG3 comes here, bombs out, costs the Shanahans their jobs and legacies and sets the franchise back five to seven years...in which case McNabb looks like a genius and probably takes over for Sonny Jurgensen in the booth.) Donovan has always seemed to make all the right moves, Craig T. Nelson-style, when it came to his image. This was not in line with that history.

2.BUBBA!!!

3. Nice work by the CBS camera crew and commentators pointing out that opening in the tree canopy prior to Bubba Watson using it to frame one of the most awesome shots you'll ever see to win a Masters. Shrek, great round.

4. I am all offensive line, all the time when it comes to the draft lately, but if a guy who is capable of starting for us at safety is available at the top of the third round, I just don't see how we could pass that up. I have openly campaigned for Markelle Martin, the safety out of Oklahoma State, in that spot. I think what makes me feel better about that is the potential availability of an offensive lineman like Jeff Allen, the tackle out of Illinois, in the fourth round. We can find a guy capable of starting on our offensive line in the fourth round. Whether that is saying more about our offensive line or more about the offensive line depth in this draft...who cares?

Continue reading this post »

1. Welcome to the latest stroll through the wandering mind of a Redskins fan. Sometimes Ten Yard Fight manages to stay on one point for ten full thoughts. Today is not one of those days, though I do have some thoughts on our potentially franchise-saving top draft pick.

2. I watched the Jon Gruden "Quarterback Camp" special last night featuring Robert Griffin III. Was it just me or did that episode have the least amount of critique and brow-beating you've seen on these specials in some time? I am used to seeing Gruden slobber all over these young quarterbacks, but it seemed a bit more than usual last night. He really seemed to genuinely love Griffin and his film. I wanted to see him drag out a few clips and say something like, "You know...you do this at the next level and you're out of a job!"

3. The fact that RG3 can carry 225 pounds or so and still generate the kind of speed he is capable of gets my juices flowing. I can't imagine that head coaches in the NFL are ever going to run him like Tebow, but the extra bulk does help him with some of the hits he will soon be taking.

4. One of the best things I saw was Gruden suggest that RG3 would be the fastest player to ever play the quarterback position. I liked that the conversation immediately went to Mike Vick. We have all been thinking it, right? Who is faster: RG3 or Vick? I have watched plenty of film on Vick and I have now officially seen a billion clips of RG3...Vick just always seems to be faster than everyone. I liked how RG3 called Vick "quicker" but stated that nobody was going to catch him in the open field. If Griffin is just as fast as Vick is (or was when he first came into the league) I think we will all be very happy.

Continue reading this post »

1. Another week, another seven days of lustily discussing Robert Griffin III. I feel like he has been a Redskin for 17 years already. Is he in the Ring of Fame yet?

2. Ryan Leaf getting arrested for burglary couldn't come at a worse time for me. With our second overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft likely to be used on the second quarterback off the board, I simply can't be subjected to Ryan Leaf stories. These cautionary tales of "can't miss" quarterback prospects are freaking me out, man!

3. Of course Mike and Kyle Shanahan are going to cater their system to the skills and strengths of Robert Griffin. Of course they are going to adapt their style on the sidelines to put the rookie in the best position to succeed. Of course Mike Shanahan is going to check his ego at the door in 2012 to maximize his and everyone else's chances of winning as soon as possible. (For best results, repeat this 25 times per day while holding your favorite Redskins jersey.)

4. Just like so many of his passes, Donovan McNabb's criticism of Shanahan and the Redskins is late and in the dirt. Come on, dude...you wait until AFTER you sucked out loud in Minnesota to call out Shanahan? You wait until AFTER you lost your job to a rookie to blame the Shanahans for your shabby performance here? You wait until AFTER nobody has called to inquire about your availability for the 2012 season to suggest that not even one of the most coveted rookies in years could thrive under Shanahan? (I do see the irony in being a bit late myself in calling McNabb's recent bitterness late.)

Continue reading this post »

1. Remember when all that we talked about was the chance that Andrew Luck would be our starting quarterback in 2012? Remember when all that we talked about was whether or not Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan were going to be able to pull off the deal to snag that the Stanford grad--considered by most for quite some time to be the best quarterback prospect since...well, since Peyton Manning? Guess what? Our trade to the second overall pick puts Andrew Luck squarely in our sights. The weird thing about it is that if we end up with Andrew Luck, Redskins fans are going to be--I can't believe I am about to suggest this--let down. At one time, landing Andrew Luck was everyone's wet dream. These days, it is being painted by some as a bit of a nightmare scenario. We are a bunch of big, dumb animals, aren't we?

2. I have long since grown tired of reminding people that the Redskins did not trade for Robert Griffin III. We actually traded for the second overall pick. Most people have assumed--and continue to assume--that RG3 is D.C.-bound. Not me.

3. I have projected Robert Griffin III to Indianapolis for a few months now. When I first started suggesting it shortly after the Super Bowl, people looked at me like I had three heads. Today, I am joined by people who are considered way smarter than me, and in fact I am accused of globbing onto their prediction. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter because...well...nobody cares and my reputation has always been based more on my looks and less on my smarts. This explains why my reputation is in the toilet.

4. Robert Griffin III is the best player in the draft (according to me, which, based on my aforementioned reputation, is worth slightly more than a bag of chips). As you all know, I base this decision on who I think should go #1 overall. It came down to three players: RG3, Andrew Luck and Matt Kalil. I have Kalil as the second-best player in this draft. You have to understand that we are really splitting hairs here--I know how absurd it sounds to rate Andrew Luck third in this draft. Kalil has the ability to be a perennial All-Pro. He will very likely be his team's best offensive lineman on his first day on the job. As good as Luck and Griffin are, Kalil is probably the surest thing this draft has to offer.

5. The Griffin vs. Luck debate is going to go down right there with the Leaf vs. Manning decision. There are plenty of reasons why those situations are different and plenty of reasons why they are the same. One thing is pretty certain: the Colts and Redskins will be judged for YEARS based on who they pick here and how it turns out. This is where it gets at least slightly interesting to me. The Colts have all the pressure on them. Sure, we traded away an unprecedented haul to be in position to take one of these quarterbacks, but we are not picking which one we want. Indy is picking the one they think is best. The Redskins are taking the scraps...haha. It would be slimy to say it, but Bruce Allen could always suggest that the one he really wanted was the one that the Colts took. (Slimy and stupid, really.)

Continue reading this post »

1. As a story, the Redskins and Cowgirls teaming up to fight Roger Goodell is moderately intriguing. It should be noted that the Cowgirls initially determined that they would just take the $5 million dollar hit this year and next. After all, how many under-performing cornerbacks and safeties do you need? I don't like Washington and Dallas cooperating on anything. Then again, in a world where money seems to have been accorded unprecedented influence, Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones are a deadly duo. They remind me of Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik...formidable but hardly sympathetic.

2. If the Redskins are successful in getting this penalty reduced, great. An $18 million placeholder is kind of nice for a change. If the Redskins are successful in getting this thing thrown out, they can't be made whole by simply returning their cap space next year. The penalty this year cost the Redskins the ability to seriously contend for the services of certain free agents. Let's save the argument about whether Vincent Jackson would have been a good signing for never. The point is that with the cap space we would have had or should have had, we could have bid on him. Did the lack of money keep us from being able to move on Eric Winston or other players? If so, then the penalty gave the rest of the league a competitive advantage in this capped year.

3. How is the uncapped year supposed to deter owners from keeping a strong CBA in place if they are essentially permitted to collude and keep spending down during that year? To me, this is the real tricky one. Leading up to the most recent lockout, we heard from a variety of talking heads that the prospect of an uncapped year would help get the CBA debacle resolved because owners would not want the big spenders among them running rampant. That is by design, everyone. The players are best served by a strong and proper CBA, but an uncapped year--despite all the quirky rules that go along with it--is a real opportunity for them and their agents to get PAID by the Dan Snyders and Jerry Jones' of the world. They know this and they know that, while only some of them will reap this benefit, it is what brings the majority of owners to the table quicker which benefits the balance of the Players Association. This latest action by Roger Goodell basically takes the teeth out of the uncapped year deterrent. If I was a middle tier player (or lower), I would be screaming, "WHAT THE HELL IS SUPPOSED TO BRING THE OWNERS TO THE TABLE NOW?!?!?!"

4. Roger Goodell did something that Dan Snyder and his public relations team have failed to do for the last decade. He galvanized Redskins fans behind their owner. Snyder is almost an honest-to-goodness, sympathetic figure. Fans for the burgundy and gold are waking up to a world where it's us vs. them--and the "us" now includes Dan Snyder, while the "them" does not. Weird.

Continue reading this post »

1. The main reason why I think Tebow was an intriguing option for any team--including the Redskins--is that he forces defenses to prepare for him. Defensive coordinators install game plans during the week, deploying players to do specific things to stop what the upcoming opponent does best. In 2012, every defense who plays the Jets will have to prepare for the Sanchez-led offense as well as the Tebow-led read option package. I have never played in the league, but from what I hear, preparing to defend the Tebow offense is among the most boring things out there. The meetings are boring, the drills are boring, and even the games on Sunday can bore you to sleep. Every player on the defensive side of the ball has to play with incredible discipline, attending to his extremely unique job covering specific players and gaps. One mistake and Tebow rumbles for a huge gain. If Sanchez can display any kind of effectiveness and efficiency doing what he does, defensive coordinators will really be sweating out how to prepare their players. They'll be forced to spend more time on additional sets, and ultimately less time on everything. As long as the team who employs Tebow (in this case, the Jets) gets him on the field for a good 10-15 plays per game, they will enjoy the advantage of facing a defense each week that has been put through the wringer in practice.

2. Make no mistake: bringing Tim Tebow to your city is asking for a never-ending circus. At the end of the day, I think I see the Redskins as not really ready to handle that kind of mess. I am not so sure the Jets are better positioned for it than us. My theory: the Jets made the move to keep Tim Tebow away from New England. I do believe Rex Ryan and Tony Sparano will utilize Tebow effectively. If Tebow was in New England though...I would bet on him to make the Pro Bowl. Giving Belichick a player like Tim Tebow would be very, very bad for the Patriots' opponents--especially divisional opponents.

3. Last point on Tebow today: I agree with Steve Shoup--Tim Tebow will be starting for the Jets at some point this season. You think you saw chaos and drama in Denver last year? Wait until Tebow is starting in New York.

4. Speaking of mercurial quarterbacks...I have Rex Grossman piloting this Redskins team for at least the first six games of the season. If we draft RG3, he will absolutely get on the field right away, but only in selected situations. I think the Shanahans will develop a couple of packages for certain parts of the field that will maximize Griffin's ability to succeed and minimize his chances of getting hurt.

Continue reading this post »

1. It's official...the most exciting player in the NFL will be wearing a Redskins jersey next season. That's right...Rex "Human Heroin" Grossman is coming back. He's quickly becoming the Reed Doughty of our offense. You know...the player that--no matter what happens, or what we do, or what plans are made--somehow, some way, he ends up on the field.

2. Robert Griffin III (or Andrew Luck) will be plenty exciting to watch, but you can't deny the inescapable feeling that absolutely anything could happen with Rex Grossman under center. We have had quarterbacks where we knew exactlywhat was going to happen. There is obvious, unmistakable and proven downside with #8 on the field, but some of the signal callers we have employed over the last decade have been all downside. Rex Grossman gives you a puncher's chance sometimes. His familiarity with the offense, his ability to make "NFL" throws to underneath patterns and his incredibly short memory make him an ideal backup for our team.

3. Remember the part about the "NFL" throws. In September, we will likely be asking a rookie to learn on the fly. No matter how polished and ready this rookie may or may not be after one offseason and one preseason schedule, he will struggle with the throws that Rex Grossman is capable of making. I think it could be fair to suggest that our rookie will probably commit fewer turnovers than Rex--that is not really a bad bet. When Griffin or Luck miss quick slants, outs at the first down marker and read patterns, that is when we might--for a second--have a tiny bit of appreciation for Rex Grossman. That doesn't mean we will chant "REX! REX! REX!" from the stands.

4. If at any point this season fans chant for Rex, it will signal the beginning of ten more awful years.

Continue reading this post »

The news updates will continue to fly all day, but I just wanted to comment on the obvious: our offense is already better than it was yesterday morning.

We have not signed a Pro Bowl veteran quarterback, nor have we signed any true, top-shelf, #1 wide receivers.

BUT...both the quarterback position and the wide receiver position have been addressed in a way that signify honest-to-goodness improvements over what we have had.

If you look at what our offense was actually able to achieve in 2011--and I suppose I am only referring to the relative ease with which we were able to move the ball at times--with Rex Grossman and a group of average receivers, you have to be at least a little excited about our 2012 prospects. Having Luck/RG3 under center, throwing to a stable of young receivers who have all showed flashes in the NFL is not only more exciting, but potentially more dangerous.

Continue reading this post »

Got a thought, comment or question about anything discussed in this week's Ten Yard Fight? Email it to thetenyardfight@gmail.com.

1. I don't believe in curses when it comes to sports. I don't believe that teams and their fanbases can be doomed. That said, there are some days where I feel like--as a Redskins fan--my balls are perpetually being squeezed by a vice grip.

2. Even the most casual NFL fans are familiar with Washington's offseason "tendencies." To know us is to mock us. The current confluence of dramatic storylines surrounding this team, however...is impressive--even for these guys. We have been living in soap opera territory for years, but this series of headlines lately puts us in some rarefied air.

3. I am sure this story has been updated a million times between Monday night and Tuesday morning, but was our response to the NFL taking away $36 million of our cap space: "As far as we know, we still have that cap space?" It's very Costanza. I like it.

4. As most of you know, I do believe that Bruce Allen has taken a front seat to everyone in this organization lately. I see the trade with St. Louis as being a Bruce Allen-led decision. I believe that he is driving the bus right now. I am NOT suggesting he is doing things that Snyder and Shanahan don't or wouldn't approve of, and I am not suggesting he would cram his philosophy down anyone's throat. He still has to work with Shanahan, but to me, this Rams trade is a clear sign that Allen is wearing the big boy pants at Redskins Park.

Continue reading this post »

1. Take that, SEO gods. That is the headline equivalent of Egon and Venkman crossing their streams.

2. Dumb Thought of the Day: I told Danny Rouhier during my time with him yesterday on 106.7 The Fan that if the Broncos sign Peyton Manning, the Redskins should put a bid in for Tim Tebow. You could put split duties between RG3 and Tebow in that read option offense. Both guys are capable of killing you in that system in their own way. Most importantly, I think both men would appreciate the opportunity to work together to do something great. Kyle and Mike Shanahan would have a box full of toys on the sidelines, so everyone is happy. We already got sack-tapped by the Rams...we might as well give the Broncos a clean shot.

3. The trade between the Rams and the Redskins tells me one thing loudly and clearly: Bruce Allen is firmly in charge of this organization. (The rare Ten Yard Fight teaser.) If they pass out trophies for "Ballsy" you can expect to see Allen heading to the podium soon.

4. About that world class speed we need at wide receiver...ideas? Vincent Jackson is big enough to win balls in the air downfield but he is no speedster. Griffin can get outside the pocket and throw it a mile. We need receiver who flies up the field underneath RG3 bombs. (The success of those deep balls is vital to opening up the middle-depth patterns for Hank the Tank.)

Continue reading this post »

1. Guess who's going to be playing on Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football in 2012? Get your nighttime tailgating gear ready to go, because we're going to be playing under the lights.

2. It makes me absolutely sick to my stomach to see those draft picks leave our stable. The news of the trade physically affected me.

3. The only thing keeping me from losing it is the memory from the night I ran into Mike Holmgren in Phoenix last month. He didn't hesitate for even a second when it came to recommending the Redskins trade up to get either Griffin or Luck. He seemed genuinely sincere when he told me that the Browns were going to beat the Redskins to the #2 pick.

4. It has KILLED me to go against my own personal Holmgren Rule all offseason. If Holmgren says it--especially about a quarterback--you can believe in it. I wanted to trade down--or at the very least not trade up. That's what you get for going against the Holmgren Rule.

5. We're going to be talking about this trade for the next fifty years. Pace yourselves.

6. We have to sign a speedster wideout ASAP. The way RG3 can get out of the pocket and launch the rock, deep plays will be available often. It would have been nice to make a run at Mike Wallace. It is possible the Steelers would have considered taking our second round pick in exchange for the right to sign Wallace. (Watch the Rams do it instead of us.)

Thanks to everyone for the questions and kind words. If you have a question or comment you want included in next week's Ten Yard Fight Mailbag, or a topic that you feel requires the Ten Yard Fight treatment, please email them all to me at thetenyardfight@gmail.com.

Will new quarterback be given time by fanbase? "I'm afraid the fanbase may turn on RG3 quicker than they should; look at Manning (either one), Brady, Rodgers--current quarterbacks and a multitude of past solid quarterbacks. No one came in to an organization and started winning right away...it took time. Whomever is quarterback next year...will the fans give them time?" ---------David (dr wnc)

Doc, I suppose one could point to the systematic conditioning we were subjected to for the better part of the last decade that caused us to always think we were one or two players away from being a contender as a leading cause of our impatience. I feel like the Redskins organization has moved away from such foolish beliefs, and through their actions in recent years have begun to lead the fanbase away from its own foolish way of thinking. I think that because it has been so long since we have seen a legitimate "franchise quarterback" come through DC, confusion and disbelief may be misinterpreted as impatience if and when a guy comes in and begins to assume the role of "savior." While it is true that any team can morph into a contender inside of any given year rather quickly, it takes time to establish a team that is "built to last." If the Redskins invest wisely in the quarterback position, I think this fanbase will recognize the long-term value in such an investment and will hunker down for the ride ahead. That said, as long as teams like Denver turn themselves around overnight, there will always be fans who will scream, "Why can't that be us?"

(more Q&A after the jump)

Continue reading this post »

[This will be your Daily Slop substitute today. Always extra sloppy when yours truly delivers it.]

The issue of whether or not the Redskins will land Peyton Manning likely boils down to his desire to come here as opposed to our desire to sign him. I don't think this team jumps off the page for a player of his stature and who knows how much his affection/respect for Mike Shanahan will factor into his decision?

I have contended for quite some time that a Hall of Fame quarterback that his own team doesn't want is a risky player to sign. In light of the recent hype surrounding what Washington is allegedly prepared to pay for the rights to Robert Griffin III however, I am wondering if making a push for Peyton Manning would be a wise move--as part of a bigger plan to overhaul the quarterback position.

Continue reading this post »

1. London Fletcher, who played in Buffalo under head coach Gregg Williams and in Washington under defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, said last night on NFL Total Access that he was "extremely shocked to hear his role in this bounty thing." Fletcher said that, "Never at any point in time...did he ever get in front of us as a group and say, 'I'm going to give you x amount of dollars to go out and injure a player.'"

2. As for other Redskins players who may or may not have said there were bounties in Washington, Fletcher seemed to think that people were confusing bounties with pools of money for player incentives to do things like score touchdowns or haul in interceptions. According to Fletcher, that is nothing new and certainly not unique to Washington or Gregg Williams.

3. I have zero problem with these "player pools" as they pertain to rushing for a certain amount of yards or getting a sack. According to Fletcher, hundreds of dollars change hands on a weekly basis as a result of these pools. We would be naive to think that didn't take place in every locker room. Is it impossible to avoid the slippery slope those player pools create though? All it takes is one Pro Bowl player to throw down $10,000 or $15,000 in front of a bunch of guys making the league minimum with a demand that the other team's best player be taken out of the game.

4. Given the transient nature of the NFL, with players changing teams with unprecedented frequency, small practices like this have naturally permeated every franchise in the league. On one hand, you want to be able to count on the good sense and character of human beings to not weaponize themselves or their teammates. On the other hand, we are talking about a game that is played by giants with never-before-seen athleticism on a field that feels like it is shrinking by the second. Perhaps the commissioner and the league do need to make a point to root out these "side pots."

5. That goes for all the bounties on Parks, too.

Continue reading this post »

1. Nobody is surprised about this bounty business are they? You didn't think the culture of a game that is seemingly engineered to inflict pain would be wiped clean of such a practice? I think what surprises me the most are some of the dollar figures. In an age of multi-million dollar contracts, $1,000 here and $1,500 there just doesn't seem to be a lot of money. It doesn't even cover a fine. I didn't think some of these players rolled out of bed for less than five figures.

2. Don't get me wrong--the idea of paying players bounties for injuring other players is absolutely barbaric...but so is the opening kickoff. As much as the game of football tries to legislate violence out of the game, it will never be able to completely remove the inherent intent behind every hit made between the whistles. You might not wish harm to your fellow players, but ramming your body at full speed into another man's kidney is an action that hints at just a teeny bit of ill will.

3. Is anyone else amused that this bounty story has direct ties to the Redskins? Granted, this thing is likely going to shine a light on many teams and the practices of numerous coaches and players, but our boy Gregg Williams is right at the epicenter of this storm. Joe Gibbs was even compelled to comment on it, saying that he was unaware of anything like that taking place, and that he would "never" ask a player to intentionally injure another player. Dare I raise the potential question: Could this have had something to do with Gregg Williams NOT being retained to be the head coach that succeeded Joe Gibbs?

Continue reading this post »

I intend this post to set up a nice weekend debate on who we anticipate seeing twice a year for the next decade in the NFC East. I am by no means an expert on the wants and needs of our divisional foes. I mean, I do know that Dallas prefers problem children, Philly builds Dream Teams and the Giants tend to stink until Novemberish. I'll throw out a position or two per team and then you can tell me how wrong I am (JimmyK...people say you're a Dreamer, but you're not the only one).

Dallas Cowgirls

The Cowgirls need to upgrade their secondary in a major way. They could use an impact corner AND an impact safety. Sitting where they are in the middle of the first round, they are going to be tempted to take Janoris Jenkins, the troubled but exceedingly talented cornerback out of North Alabama (and Florida). There is little doubt he can contribute at the next level, but his checkered past will give most franchises reason to pass on him. Dallas seems to get comfy with guys like this. As you all know, I simply LOVE second round picks, and the possibility for the Cowgirls to land a player like Markelle Martin in the second frame disturbs me to no end. I love this safety out of Oklahoma State and I do not want to play against him for the next decade. If Dallas was able to draft this duo, that defense would immediately be legit...in my humble opinion.

New York Giants

When you win the Super Bowl, the last pick in the first round can often be considered a luxury selection. They will have holes to fill to be sure, but a Super Bowl champion is often tempted to add a playmaker. The Giants don't seem to be the kind of team to fall prey to such things, as they tend to draft well and fill needs with good players. For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume the Giants will consider targeting a luxury-type player. To me, Dwayne Allen, the tight end out of Clemson, fits the bill. Especially if they lose Mario Manningham, giving Eli Manning another big target seems like a slam dunk. Allen could be a huge factor underneath, up the middle and of course in the red zone. If anyone has proven the ability to quickly identify the route that the defense is giving him, it is Eli, and if he is choosing between Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Jake Ballard, Travis Beckum and Dwayne Allen on any given play...well, damn. Add to that the health concerns surrounding Beckum and Ballard, and Allen seems like more than just a luxury pick.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles need linebackers. It is just that simple. They will have their choice of a few very good players from their perch in the middle of the first round. Most people think Luke Kuechly would be the easy selection for the Eagles if he is still on the board when the Eagles pick. The Boston College player would be penciled in immediately as a starting inside linebacker for Philly. If Kuechly is gone, the Eagles might be forced to take a defensive tackle, as there don't seem to be any other inside linebackers worthy of the slot (unless you really like Don'ta Hightower). Dontari Poe of Memphis and Jerel Worthy of Michigan State would be guys that could be targeted here by Philly.