The last five games the Washington Redskins have played have been some of the most difficult to watch football that I can remember seeing in recent history. After each game I am left thinking, well, it can’t get worse than that. However that debacle that the team displayed yesterday was disgusting, embarrassing, and just plain shameful. Shame on the players, shame on Mike Shanahan, shame on the Redskins’ organization.
Roger Stumbaugh
More Redskins Camp Pictures from Mozelle!
More Redskins Training Camp Photos thanks to Skins Family Member Mozelle Meyers – @Sportsgal5_2000 on Twitter:
Camp Battles: Tight Ends
Redskins’ fans have had many worries in the past, but one of them has not been the tight end position. Chris Cooley has been the guy, period. Last season that changed, but fans discovered that the team had another card they were keeping close to the vest, Fred Davis. Of course that hope was crushed as Davis was suspended for the final four games and has since been busy playing out his own off the field soap opera. So now what? Training camp is less than two weeks away and the TE camp battle should feature some fierce competition, especially now that Niles Paul has been added to the mix. Let’s take a look at the entire TE picture heading into camp.
Camp Battles: LineBackers
The Redskins linebacker group has had a tough couple of seasons after transitioning to the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 is a defense that works much better with a lead. However, with the lackluster performance the offense has displayed the defense has been tasked with keeping the team in games rather than attacking at will like it is designed to do. Most of the linebacker group was either a part of the transition from the 4-3 at a different position or came from a team where they played defensive line. The staff seems to have a knack for finding players that can make the transition well though, with Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo being super examples. In 2011, the team had good starting players but, depth was an issue, mainly because of inexperience. In 2012 however, the linebacker camp battles we will witness will be epic. If the defensive line and secondary can play better this season, the Redskins linebackers could rise to be the top threat in the NFC East. Let’s get to know a little about this group of players.
Brandon Banks: From Kansas State to Redskins Park, But What’s Next?
I first saw Banks in a game between Nebraska and Kansas State. It was November 15, 2008. In That game Banks returned a kick 98 yards for a TD. That kickoff return tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Oddly enough, on the other side of the ball Nebraska’s Niles Paul was busy garnering his own attention as a wide receiver and special teams player. He returned 2 kicks for 38 yards in that game as well as recovered a Deon Murphy fumbled punt which led to a Nebraska TD. Oh yeah, and Roy Helu rushed for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Tough Decisions: The Washington Redskins Secondary, Who to Keep?
It’s hard to believe, but there truly looks to be “more” competition for roster spots on the Washington Redskins this year than last year. Seriously, other than quarterback, kicker and punter, there’s an abundance of quality players battling for a position. The offensive line, defensive line and receiving corps all could see some changes, but the most intriguing area to me is the defensive secondary.
Take a look at the names on the roster:
Why Drafting Cousins was a Great Move
Kirk Cousins isn’t in Washington to take Robert Griffin III’s job. He’s a backup. Yet, he has stirred up more controversy than anyone in the draft. Let’s take a look at a few of the arguments concerning the Cousins pick.
1) The Redskins should draft best available
All I heard heading into the draft is that the Redskins need to draft the best available player. Where did all those voices go? Of course they are still around, but now they are up in arms because Shanahan actually did it. It’s not a good practice at all to bash the guy for not drafting best available and then bash him again when he does it. It seems everyone was so busy looking for a great quarterback in the senior bowl that they forgot who gave the best performance, Cousins. The guy is a smart player and an intelligent person. He’s more confident than John Beck and has better awareness on the field(Yes, Beck has no confidence regardless of what he says, remember the Bills game, ok) and more realistic than Rex Grossman (as well as more mechanically sound). Cousins has actually worked to improve his awareness and confidence.