Washington Redskins

Both RGIII and Alfred Morris rookies in 2012 turned out to be more than what the Redskins needed in the offensive backfield. Why not put two talented rookies in the defensive backfield in 2013? Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo As a "unit" Washington will be better if strong safety Brandon Meriweather returns from his torn right ACL, as expected. If he returns he will compete at strong safety, forcing Phillip Thomas to focus on playing more at free safety. Rambo is more of a natural free safety than Thomas. So... Why not put the best player at free safety (Rambo) and not just force Thomas to move to free safety because Meriweather is returning from his injury. I feel that Rambo and Thomas are better athletes than Meriweather and Thomas is a better option at strong safety. Therefore, starting rookie safeties in the backfield would be the best option for the Redskins who struggled in the secondary in 2012. Both Rambo and Thomas could still be interchangeable safeties. The athleticism of both rookie safeties will help the Redskins disguise coverages leading to more interceptions. Thomas as a (strong safety) led the country with eight interceptions over the regular season (three of which he has returned for touchdowns) and forced five fumbles. He joined Alabama's Dee Milliner and Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks as a finalist for the 2012 Thorpe Award as the nation's top defender. Rambo is accomplished ball-hawk (16 career INTs) and an intimidating hitter. In 2011, he was second in the country with eight interceptions behind Redskins second round pick David Amerson (13 interceptions). In 2012, after a second violation of Georgia's drug policy which led to a four-game suspension, Rambo returned to finish the season with 67 tackles and three interceptions. Both RGIII and Alfred Morris rookies in 2012 turned out to be more than what the Redskins needed in the offensive backfield. Why not put two talented rookies in the defensive backfield in 2013? Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo As a "unit" Washington will be better if strong safety Brandon Meriweather returns from his torn right ACL, as expected. If he returns he will compete at strong safety, forcing Phillip Thomas to focus on playing more at free safety. Rambo is more of a natural free safety than Thomas. So... Why not put the best player at free safety (Rambo) and not just force Thomas to move to free safety because Meriweather is returning from his injury. I feel that Rambo and Thomas are better athletes than Meriweather and Thomas is a better option at strong safety. Therefore, starting rookie safeties in the backfield would be the best option for the Redskins who struggled in the secondary in 2012. Both Rambo and Thomas could still be interchangeable safeties. The athleticism of both rookie safeties will help the Redskins disguise coverages leading to more interceptions. Thomas as a (strong safety) led the country with eight interceptions over the regular season (three of which he has returned for touchdowns) and forced five fumbles. He joined Alabama's Dee Milliner and Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks as a finalist for the 2012 Thorpe Award as the nation's top defender. Rambo is accomplished ball-hawk (16 career INTs) and an intimidating hitter. In 2011, he was second in the country with eight interceptions behind Redskins second round pick David Amerson (13 interceptions). In 2012, after a second violation of Georgia's drug policy which led to a four-game suspension, Rambo returned to finish the season with 67 tackles and three interceptions. Poll What are the Redskins best options at the safety positions? Rambo and Thomas Thomas and Meriweather Rambo and Meriweather 1 votes | Results

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who have fought and died for our freedom through military service. On this Memorial Day, we at Hogs Haven wish to celebrate our Redskins veteran players who have served our franchise with valor. Career Highlights: Darrell Green is one decorated Redskins veteran. Green played for an almost unheard of 20 years in the NFL, and he accumulated many NFL and Redskins records. Some of his NFL records include: most seasons with one team in one city (20), most consecutive seasons with an interception (19), most games played by a defensive player (295), and he is a 4 time NFL's Fastest Man Competition winner and the only player to win multiple times without losing. His Redskins records include: most career interceptions (54), most game starts (258), most games played (295), and most interceptions returned for touchdown (6). He could even still run a 4.43 40-yard dash on his 50th birthday. He was a monster cornerback and is arguably one of the greatest cornerbacks of all time. Green is also one of the fastest players in NFL history. He was selected to seven pro-bowls, has four all-pro selections, and is in the Redskin’s Ring of Fame. While green lacked size (5’9"), he made up for it with extreme toughness, his dedication, and not quitting on plays by chasing opposing offensive players with the ball down. Stats: In his Hall of Fame Career, Green accumulated 1,159 tackles, 1 sack, and 54 interceptions. Standout Moment: Green’s punt return against the bears during the playoffs leading up to Super Bowl XXII stands out as on of the best plays in NFL history. He returned a 52 yard punt for the go ahead game winning touchdown to advance in the playoffs. Green holds his rib cage as he runs the last 30 yards of the punt return. Even with extreme pain, he finished the play to help the Redskins win. It is one of the more memorable plays in Redskins playoff history. The video of this play is posted below. Darrell Green - 1987 NFC Divisional Playoffs (via chuckmak1979)

Dr. James Andrews, the renowned surgeon who rebuilt Adrian Peterson’s knee before his MVP 2012 season, and who has said Robert Griffin III is making “superhuman” recovery from his own reconstructive knee surgery, would like everyone to understand something: Peterson and Griffin are the exception, not the rule. Andrews told Newsday that a couple of… More...

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/63239/104-day-nfl-warning-31-minutes-of-sean-taylor-being-even-better-than-you-remember When reader Eric Wagman sent along this video last week, I was hesitant to use it. No conversation about Sean Taylor really inspires excitement. It’s impossible to consider him as a football player and a person without lamenting what might have been. When Taylor was killed outside his home in November 2007, he’d emerged as one of the best defensive players in football, but more important was the other emergence, the one of a man who’d found himself through family and fatherhood. But as I started watching, I realized that it’s also impossible to consider Sean Taylor as football player and not love what football can be. In this excellent video remembrance of Taylor, Clinton Portis notes that to watch Taylor play was to watch someone born to play. And he’s right. A high school running back built like a linebacker who could run like a corner, Taylor was the purest of football talent. That he didn't wear gloves later in his career really is too perfect. So with that in mind, here’s 31 minutes of Sean Taylor playing football in a way that few ever have, or could have. http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/63239/104-day-nfl-warning-31-minutes-of-sean-taylor-being-even-better-than-you-remember When reader Eric Wagman sent along this video last week, I was hesitant to use it. No conversation about Sean Taylor really inspires excitement. It’s impossible to consider him as a football player and a person without lamenting what might have been. When Taylor was killed outside his home in November 2007, he’d emerged as one of the best defensive players in football, but more important was the other emergence, the one of a man who’d found himself through family and fatherhood. But as I started watching, I realized that it’s also impossible to consider Sean Taylor as football player and not love what football can be. In this excellent video remembrance of Taylor, Clinton Portis notes that to watch Taylor play was to watch someone born to play. And he’s right. A high school running back built like a linebacker who could run like a corner, Taylor was the purest of football talent. That he didn't wear gloves later in his career really is too perfect. So with that in mind, here’s 31 minutes of Sean Taylor playing football in a way that few ever have, or could have.

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said he expects safety Brandon Meriweather, who’s working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, to be “fine” for training camp, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. “I think Brandon will be fine once we get to camp. … He did a good job in his drill work,” Shanahan said following Thursday’s offseason practice at Redskins Park. “The one thing you don’t want to do when somebody hurts his knee is get him going too quickly — just let it heal and strengthen the muscles around the knee. Right now he looks pretty good.” Meriweather was less definitive about his status for the outset of training camp. “Any doubt? I don’t know, to be completely honest,” he said after spending Thursday’s organized team activity working on rehabilitation drills. “I never really had a torn ACL so I don’t know what the timetable is like. If you ask me, I’ll tell you I can go today. If you ask me if there’s any doubt, I’ll say no. But if you ask the doctor and the trainer, they may say yes. So to be honest, I really don’t know.”

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said he expects safety Brandon Meriweather, who's working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, to be "fine" for training camp. "I think Brandon will be fine once we get to camp. He did a good job in his drill work," Shanahan said following Thursday's offseason practice at Redskins Park. "The one thing you don't want to do when somebody hurts his knee is get him going too quickly ? just let it heal and strengthen the muscles around the knee. Right now he looks pretty good." Read full article >> More...

Quarterback Robert Griffin III says he could envision himself starting the Washington Redskins? regular season opener in September even if he doesn?t play in any preseason games, if it comes to that. ?I?ve thought about that and yeah, I would … Continue reading → More...

Quarterback Robert Griffin III says he could envision himself starting the Washington Redskins’ regular season opener in September even if he doesn’t play in any preseason games, if it comes to that. “I’ve thought about that and yeah, I would … Continue reading →

This is the second part of the series of four posts on Redskins personnel groups. If you missed the first, click here to check it out. Today we'll look at the 'U' and 'Goal line' groups. U Personnel Also know as 22 personnel. In this group, the X receiver is substituted out for a second tight end. That allows a run heavy look of two running backs, two tight ends and just one wide receiver. Pierre Garcon would have to make way for the second tight end (or he could move to the Z position). This is a much more run-orientated personnel group. With just one wide receiver, the defense will most likely stack the box. But with the versatility of guys like Darrel Young, Fred Davis, Jordan Reed and Chris Thompson, this personnel group could line up and appear drastically different to what I've drawn above. But if you see this group with Logan Paulsen and Josh Morgan in, expect a run play or potentially a play-action pass should the defense over-commit to the run. Goal Line Personnel The goal line group is, as you'd expect. a run heavy group. A second and third tight end take place of both the X and Z receiver. The third tight end is labeled as the Z in goal line personnel. You would usually only see this group in short yard or goal line (who'd have guessed?) situations. Paulsen would probably take the role of the U while Niles Paul would come in as the Z. Young becomes a candidate to carry the ball on a fullback run as we saw a couple of times on fourth and 1 last year. In the red zone, you might also try to sneak one of the tight ends out on a route on a play-action pass. Check back tomorrow for more on personnel groups.

Been doing this since the old days. A big "thank you" to my buds here that have put on the uniform and stood on the wall, and to everyone that has ever served this countrY. MacArthurs Farewell Speech General Westmoreland, General Grove, distinguished guests, and gentlemen of the Corps! As I was leaving the hotel this morning, a doorman asked me, "Where are you bound for, General?" And when I replied, "West Point," he remarked, "Beautiful place. Have you ever been there before?" No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such a tribute as this [Thayer Award]. Coming from a profession I have served so long, and a people I have loved so well, it fills me with an emotion I cannot express. But this award is not intended primarily to honor a personality, but to symbolize a great moral code -- the code of conduct and chivalry of those who guard this beloved land of culture and ancient descent. That is the animation of this medallion. For all eyes and for all time, it is an expression of the ethics of the American soldier. That I should be integrated in this way with so noble an ideal arouses a sense of pride and yet of humility which will be with me always Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn. Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction, that poetry of imagination, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that they mean. The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule. But these are some of the things they do: They build your basic character. They mold you for your future roles as the custodians of the nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid. They teach you to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but humble and gentle in success; not to substitute words for actions, not to seek the path of comfort, but to face the stress and spur of difficulty and challenge; to learn to stand up in the storm but to have compassion on those who fall; to master yourself before you seek to master others; to have a heart that is clean, a goal that is high; to learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; to reach into the future yet never neglect the past; to be serious yet never to take yourself too seriously; to be modest so that you will remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength. They give you a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions, a freshness of the deep springs of life, a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of an appetite for adventure over love of ease. They create in your heart the sense of wonder, the unfailing hope of what next, and the joy and inspiration of life. They teach you in this way to be an officer and a gentleman. And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead? Are they reliable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory? Their story is known to all of you. It is the story of the American man-at-arms. My estimate of him was formed on the battlefield many, many years ago, and has never changed. I regarded him then as I regard him now -- as one of the world's noblest figures, not only as one of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless. His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen. In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give. He needs no eulogy from me or from any