(photo by Brian Murphy)

One thing was immediately apparent in the post-game locker room following the Washington Redskins disappointing 18-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football – the players took this loss personally.

Tight end Chris Cooley called the entire week leading up to the game “a waste.” Safety LaRon Landry was so dejected – even though he had just returned to action for the first time in 10 months – that he said he could barely even bring himself to shower.

And then there was cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

As I wrote previously, Hall was so frustrated as turned the corner into the Washington locker room, he stripped off his jersey and shoulder pads and slammed them to the ground as violently as possible.

Moments later, he sounded off on everyone from the game officials, for the 15-yard face mask penalty called on him on a pivotal 3rd-and-21, to his defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, for what he considered “playing with fire” by sending the house so frequently.

“Sooner or later, somebody is going [expletive] figure it out,” Hall said of Haslett’s blitz-happy mindset. “You don’t have to be a [expletive] rocket scientist to figure it out after a while.”

Next thing you know, folks are lining up to crucify Hall – with some taking things to the extreme by calling the Pro Bowler the team’s “next problem child” and insinuating he’s an Albert Haynesworth-caliber headache in the making.

The people who write this, of course, don’t know what they’re talking about.

This drivel comes from someone who doesn’t actually cover the Redskins and who is simply taking Hall’s heated comments in the moments after a loss (he was directly responsible for) and drawing extreme conclusions.

Hall was never far from controversy in Atlanta and Oakland, so naturally this is just more of the same from one of the league’s most overrated players, right? It’s another case of “MeAngelo” Hall showing his true colors, right?

Wrong.

Anyone who suggests otherwise is simply hoping to stir up drama or is too lazy to come out and see the situation themselves.

For starters, Hall is a captain on this team. He’s well respected in the team’s locker room. He’s someone who goes out of his way to mentor young players in the secondary like Kevin Barnes and Macho Harris.

He’s not someone refusing to play the position his coaches ask him to. He’s not skipping OTAs or getting into off-the-field altercations involving strippers and/or road rage.

In fact, before his comments involving the Cowboys game, the last words written about Hall were that he and linebacker London Fletcher were the first two players to step up and say that the team should forgo “Victory Monday” in hopes of building momentum after their victory over the New York Giants in the season opener.

Does that sound like an out-of-control player who only cares about himself?

Continue reading this post

(photo by Brian Murphy)

With apologies to cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who took issue with Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s aggressive mindset in the decisive moments of the team’s 18-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, I can’t kill the defense on a night they held an opponent out of the end zone.

Nine times out of 10, when that happens, you’re going to walk away with a victory.

Unfortunately for the Redskins defense though, their offense was just as ineffective as the one they shut out.

The Redskins offense put together one drive of substance — a nine-play, 76-yard drive that was capped off by quarterback Rex Grossman’s one-yard touchdown pass to running back Tim Hightower — and that was about it for the highlight reel.

An offensive unit that had little trouble putting together consistent drives in their first two games of the season struggled for most of Monday night’s contest, and I can’t help but wonder if offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s game plan is the primary reason.

The 2011 Redskins are still in the process of developing their true identity, but what’s worked for this offense thus far is establishing the ground game early, and then once the defense is on its heels, turning the football over to Grossman so he can air it out.

None of this is exactly earth shattering — after all, head coach Mike Shanahan has had one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL for seemingly his entire illustrious career. The guy has a well-earned reputation for turning seemingly any running back into a thousand yard rusher, so focusing on the ground game early and often should be a no-brainer.

And yet, the Redskins gave up on running the ball. Even with the lead for the bulk of the fourth quarter, Kyle Shanahan and friends were content to call passing plays.

“We’re not playing to conserve the clock,” he said. “You’re trying to win, and the best thing we’ve got to move the ball is throwing it at the time.”

The Redskins ran the ball just twice in their final 16 plays of the game. Once it became clear that Washington was content to become one dimensional, the Dallas defense simply turned up the pressure on Grossman.

In related news, the Redskins’ last four drives ended with three punts and a fumble.

Nothing against Grossman, who has done a fine job of leading this offense for the most part this season, but he’s not exactly the type of player who should be asked to carry an entire offense on his shoulders — especially when his options in the passing game were severely limited.

Receiver Anthony Armstrong left the game in the second quarter with a strained hamstring. Tight end Chris Cooley was forced into the fullback role because of an injury to Darrel Young, so he spent as much time blocking as running routes. Santana Moss appeared to be double covered every time he left the huddle.

And worst of all, tight end Fred Davis was also a non-factor in the passing game, which was stunning considering he came into the game with the second most catches and receiving yards of any tight end in football.

The player who was the go-to guy for this offense in their two wins, was suddenly nowhere to be found when they needed him most. So what happened?

Continue reading this post

(photo by Brian Murphy)

1. “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul” by Gnarls Barkley

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall was so frustrated in the moments after his team’s fourth quarter collapse to the Dallas Cowboys that he couldn’t take it anymore.

As Hall turned the corner into the Washington locker room, he stripped off his jersey and shoulder pads and slammed them to the ground as violently as possible.

Ten minutes later, when the media was finally admitted into the post-game locker room, Hall was still steaming.

He went off on the official who called him for a back-breaking 15-yard penalty for allegedly grabbing Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant’s face mask.

“That was a [expletive] terrible call,” Hall said. “I told the ref he’s going to [expletive] lose his job. I told the ref, ‘That might have been the worst call of the game.’ He’s going to get some demerit points for that call because that wasn’t no face-mask.”

Hall then sounded off on his defensive coordinator Jim Haslett’s decision to blitz both safeties on 3rd-and-21, leaving the cornerbacks alone in coverage on the game’s decisive play.

“Sooner or later, somebody is going [expletive] figure it out,” Hall said of Haslett’s blitz-happy mindset. “You don’t have to be a [expletive] rocket scientist to figure it out after a while.”

While most of his teammates did a better job conceiling their frustrations, it was clear that the Redskins were left searching for answers after falling to the Cowboys 18-16 on Monday Night Football.

2. “Blame Game” by Kanye West (feat. John Legend)

The truth is, the Redskins defense does have a legitimate reason to be more than a little cranky after this game.

Any time you keep an opponent out of the end zone, you’re supposed to win the ball game. Dallas failed in all three attempts in the red zone – even bumbling away a golden opportunity when the Cowboys had the ball on the 2-yard line.

But six field goals were enough on this night because the Washington offense never really got things going.

Look at it this way, after running back Tim Hightower scored on a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rex Grossman to go up 16-9 in the third quarter, the Redskins offense never made it past midfield the rest of the game.

Their final four possessions went like this: punt, punt, punt, fumble.

The offense never looked comfortable. The passing game, which has been a joy to watch so far this season, looked out of synch.

The potent ground game, led by Hightower and rookie Roy Helu, was missing in action.

The offensive line, which had fared well for the most part in the team’s two wins, never created any lanes for the running backs.

And Grossman was flustered by an aggressive Dallas pass rush enough to turn the ball over twice – and he probably should have been picked off two more times because he kept trying to force passes to receivers who weren’t open.

Basically, it didn’t really matter who had the ball. No one looked prepared to take on a hated divisional rival on primetime television.

Continue reading this post

(photo by Brian Murphy)

The Washington Redskins travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys on Monday Night Football with a chance to improve their record to 3-0, while also gaining the upper hand on yet another divisional opponent.

Considering the Redskins haven’t been two games over .500 since 2008 that in itself is cause for celebration for anyone who has had to suffer through so unwatchable games over the last decade or so.

Yet, no one outside of the beltway region seems to think this year’s team is very good. Segments on both ESPN and the NFL Network this week have labeled the Redskins as “pretenders,” while unheralded teams such as the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions have been praised for their 2-0 start.

And why is that?

Because, too often, whenever the Redskins have a chance to make a statement in front of a national audience, they fall flat.

Look no further than Washington’s lone appearance on Monday Night Football last season, when Philadelphia quarterback Mike Vick accounted for six touchdowns by himself in a 59-28 route at FedEx Field.

If that’s the only game people outside of this area have to go off of, then why on earth would they go out of their way to praise the Redskins?

Toss in the constant change at head coach/offensive and/or defensive coordinator/quarterback and the always “enjoyable” meddlesome owner shtick, and it’s no wonder many so-called experts picked the Redskins to win just two or three games in 2011.

Until this team can go out and prove the critics wrong, this is tired storyline we’re all stuck with. The good news is the players in the Redskins locker room appear to understand the situation.

“My first year we went 4-12,” said linebacker Brian Orakpo. “The next year we went 6-10. We should be viewed as a sorry team. Expectations should be very low for this team. We just have to handle adversity; handle what everyone thinks of us and just go out there and fight.”

For as bad as the Redskins have been during Orakpo’s two seasons in Washington, the franchise has been even worse during primetime games – especially on Monday nights.

Here’s a breakdown of just how pitiful the franchise has been in primetime games since 2000:

Monday Night Football record: 3-11

Nov. 15, 2010: Redskins lose vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 59-28
Dec. 21, 2009: Redskins lose vs. New York Giants, 45-12
Oct. 26, 2009: Redskins lose vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 27-17
Nov. 3, 2008: Redskins lose vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 23-6
Sept. 17, 2007: Redskins win at Philadelphia Eagles, 20-12
Sept. 11, 2006: Redskins lose vs. Minnesota Vikings, 19-16
Sept. 19, 2005 Redskins win at Dallas Cowboys, 14-13
Sept. 27, 2004: Redskins lose vs. Dallas Cowboys, 21-18
Sept. 16, 2002: Redskins lose vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 37-7
Oct. 15, 2001: Redskins lose at Dallas Cowboys, 9-7
Sept. 24, 2001: Redskins lose at Green Bay Packers, 37-0
Nov. 20, 2000: Redskins win at St. Louis Rams, 33-20
Oct. 30, 2000: Redskins lose vs. Tennessee Titans, 27-21
Sept. 18, 2000: Redskins lose vs. Dallas Cowboys, 27-21

Just look at the last four Monday Night Football games involving the Redskins: four losses by a total score of 154-63, which results in an average score of 38-15.

Oh, by the way, all four losses came at FedEx Field and by double digits (with three coming at the hands of a divisional opponent). Not good times.

Of course, the team is somehow riding a two-game winning streak on the road on Monday nights, so maybe the key is just to get away from our nation’s capital.

Sunday Night Football record: 7-8

Oct. 17, 2010: Redskins lose vs. Indianapolis Colts, 27-24
Sept. 12, 2010: Redskins win vs. Dallas Cowboys, 13-7
Dec. 27, 2009: Redskins lose vs. Dallas Cowboys, 17-0
Dec. 7, 2008: Redskins lose at Baltimore Ravens, 24-10
Nov. 16, 2008: Redskins lose vs. Dallas Cowboys, 14-10
Dec. 23, 2007: Redskins win at Minnesota Vikings, 32-21
Dec. 16, 2007: Redskins win at New York Giants, 22-10
Sept. 17, 2006: Redskins lose at Dallas Cowboys, 27-10
Nov. 6, 2005: Redskins win vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 17-10
Dec. 12, 2004: Redskins lose vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 17-14
Oct. 10, 2004: Redskins lose vs. Baltimore Ravens, 17-10
Nov. 23, 2003: Redskins lose at Miami Dolphins, 24-23
Oct. 27, 2002: Redskins win vs. Indianapolis Colts, 26-21
Dec. 30, 2001: Redskins win vs. New Orleans Saints, 40-10
Sept. 24, 2000: Redskins win at New York Giants, 16-6

While the overall record on Sunday nights isn’t terrible, the Redskins have lost four of their last five games on the national stage by a combined score of 89-57.

Thursday Night Football record: 2-2

Sept. 4, 2008: Redskins lose at New York Giants, 16-7
Dec. 6, 2007: Redskins win vs. Chicago Bears, 24-16
Sept. 4, 2003: Redskins win vs. New York Jets, 16-13
Nov. 28, 2002: Redskins lose at Dallas Cowboys, 27-20

Quick math puts the Redskins at 12-21 in primetime games since 2000. More recently, Washington is 1-9 in primetime games over the last three seasons, while being outscored 257-127.

More specifically to this rivalry though, the Redskins and Cowboys have squared off in front of a national audience nine times since 2000.

Sadly, the Redskins are just 2-7, and have been outscored 162-113 during those match-ups.

Of course, the majority of those games involved players who are long gone. So maybe the roster is comprised of so many new faces that they haven’t been around long enough to know the burgundy and gold stink on primetime television.

And if you’re looking for reasons to believe, consider this: counting the playoffs, the Cowboys have lost seven of the last nine games quarterback Tony Romo has started.* So maybe that balances out Washington’s less-than-stellar record on Monday nights.

*Think about that for a second. Dallas is 2-7 in Romo’s last nine starts. Rex Grossman, who is viewed as a punchline rather than a legitimate starting quarterback, is 3-2 as the Redskins starter. Maybe if The Rex Cannon had been linked to Jessica Simpson rather than Steve Spurrier at some point in his career, people would be kinder to the nine-year pro.

Add in injuries to just about every player you’ve ever heard of in Dallas and this game seems winnable for the visiting team.

Regardless of who is in the lineup for the Cowboys, you can rest assured that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan will do everything in his power to have his players ready come Monday.

“If you can’t get up for games like this, then you shouldn’t be in this profession,” Shanahan said. “From a coaching standpoint or a player’s perspective, Monday night, especially in Dallas, it’s just a great venue. This, to me, is why you’re in this game.”

(photo by Brian Murphy)

[Editor's note: This is part two of an exclusive one-on-one interview with Redskins receiver Santana Moss. To read part one, please click here.]

Twice during the first two weeks of the 2011 season, the Washington Redskins have opted to keep the offense on the field and go for it on fourth down.

In both instances, the ball was put in the hands of receiver Santana Moss, and both times the veteran receiver came up huge when his team needed him most.

Washington’s biggest play of the season thus far came on 4th-and-3 in the fourth quarter, when the Redskins trailed the Arizona Cardinals by two scores with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

Rather than turning to kicker Graham Gano, who continues to blow easy opportunities, head coach Mike Shanahan asked his offense to step up and make a play when the game was on the line.

Quarterback Rex Grossman dropped back and delivered a ball to the back corner of the end zone, where Moss hauled in an 18-yard score to pull Washington within two points with 5:17 left in the game.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the play is the fact that Moss swears he wasn’t aware it was 4th down. He was too focused on being ready if the football was thrown his way.

“Did I catch a fourth down pass,” Moss asked after the game. “I didn’t even know. When you’re out there, you’re just trying to make plays regardless of what down it is. I sometimes don’t know what’s going on out of the field. I’m just looking at that play.

“When I’m out there I just go back to thinking about practice and how I did this in practice,” he continued. “How was it when I was tired in practice? Mentally, I’m everywhere, but I’m not worried about the downs or situations. I’m just trying to make a play because my team is calling on me right now.”

Clearly, that mindset has served Moss well, especially against next week’s opponent – the Dallas Cowboys.

In 11 games against Dallas as a member of the Redskins, Moss has 68 catches for 990 yards and six touchdowns.

Some of the 32-year-old’s best performances have come against Washington’s biggest rival, and Moss admits it’s not a coincidence.

“The Redskins-Cowboys games are something I remember watching growing up,” he said. “To get a chance to be a part of that — and to be here with the team I always felt I should be with — it inspired me to go out and play my best against Dallas. I couldn’t tell you why I’m able to have more success against them than some other teams, it just happened that way.

“I don’t really circle that game on the calendar or anything,” Moss added. “It’s just, when those lights come on with a chance to play on the biggest stage — every game is big to me — but for some reason the lights just shine a little brighter when it’s the Redskins and Cowboys.”

Continue reading this post

(photo by Brian Murphy)

If it was up to Santana Moss, the Washington Redskins would have been the only NFL team he’s ever known.

But, as the University of Miami standout quickly learned, life rarely goes according to plan.

Moss was still on the board when it was Washington’s turn to pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, but the Redskins used the 15th overall pick on a different receiver – Clemson’s Rod Gardner.

The New York Jets selected Moss with the very next pick, and the 5-foot-10 receiver was on his way to the Big Apple.

“The night before the draft, everyone said the Redskins had me at the top of their board,” Moss said. “And then, I guess something changed and I went to the Jets. I wasn’t mad because I got drafted, but once I finally got the chance to come here, it felt like I was finally in the place I needed to be.”

While it wasn’t exactly a secret the Redskins were interested in Moss in the days leading up to the draft, the front office did a good job of holding their cards close to their proverbial chest.

“I never met with the Redskins before the draft,” he said. “I had heard a lot — especially the morning of the draft — but I never got a chance to meet with the team. I just kept hearing that was the place I was going to end up.”

Although he left Miami as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,546 yards, ranked third in career receptions (143) and career touchdown receptions list (19), Moss was the fourth receiver taken in the 2001 NFL Draft.

“David Terrell, Koren Robinson and Rod Gardner,” Moss said without missing a beat. “Those are the guy taken ahead of me.

“It was said that if I was an inch or two taller, I would have been the first receiver taken in the draft,” he said. “I think that’s kind of harsh because I think I showed throughout my college career that I can play, even at this size. Now, you see guys my size drafted high all the time. People don’t even think about it anymore — if a guy has speed and can do more than one thing, they get picked high.

“I don’t look back at it like I should have been picked higher,” Moss continued. “I’ve always believed everything happens for a reason and maybe I helped break that stereotype about smaller receivers. I don’t know. I probably had something to do with that.”

After four up-and-down seasons in New York, Moss was traded to the Redskins for wide out Laveranues Coles. While Moss was grateful the Jets were the team to give him his first chance in the NFL, he admits he couldn’t have been happier about being shipped to Washington in time for the 2005 season.

Continue reading this post

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Judging by the preseason predictions made by so called “experts,” the Washington Redskins are off to start that few outside the beltway thought was possible.

The defense is once again capable of striking fear in opponents, quarterback Rex Grossman has silenced critics and return specialist Brandon Banks has fans on the edge of their seats every time he touches the football.

And yet, no Redskins player has gotten off to a better start than tight end Fred Davis.

Through two games, the 25-year-old has been the focal point of Washington’s passing attack – hauling in 11 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown.

There might have been a time when folks could lump Davis with fellow second-rounders Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, but those days are long gone.

While those two are no longer collecting paychecks at Redskins Park, Davis has shown once and for all that he’s too good to remain on the sidelines.

With six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, Davis was instrumental in helping the Redskins rally back from an eight-point deficit to defeat the Arizona Cardinals 22-21 Sunday.

After the game, I had the chance to catch up with the former USC standout and was pleased with what he had to say.

Would I be wrong to believe that these first two games seem to be you making a statement to the football-loving world that you have officially arrived?

“Oh yeah, and it ain’t gonna stop there, man,” Davis said. “It’s going to continue because there are still some things I could clean up and I still feel like I could have done a little bit more. I’ve just got to look at the film and get better every week. All that matters right now is getting that ‘W,’ and that’s what we got today.”

Looking at the numbers, you’ve got six catches of 20 yards or more through two games. It’s baffling because everything I’ve ever heard is that tight ends aren’t supposed to be able to stretch the field like that …

“That’s what they say to me. I’ve got guys out there on defense telling me to slow down,” he said. “They’re trying to hit me now on second-level releases. But I’m just getting started. The ball could be coming my way any time, so you’ve gotta make plays. I feel like I’ve just got to run fast, get out there and make plays.”

It was reported that you dropped something like 15 pounds during the offseason. Is it noticeable to you when you’re out there in the heat of the battle?

“Yeah, yeah,” Davis said. “Just in the way I play now, man. I definitely feel it as I’m playing and as I’m running routes and blocking. I’m a little lighter in the blocking area, but I can still move around with the guys and get a hold of someone for the running backs.”

As far as this offensive system goes, do you find it coming to you easier now? Is it second nature to you now that you’re in your second season in it?

Continue reading this post