All posts in football

10Sep

redskins-eagles playlist

In blog, football, playlist by b murf / September 10, 2013 / 2 Comments

(photo by Brian Murphy)

1. “Halfway There” by Soundgarden

During the Mike Shanahan era, the Washington Redskins defense has had little trouble making a splash right out of the gate. In fact, Jim Haslett’s men have now scored a touchdown in all four home openers — starting with DeAngelo Hall’s 33-yard fumble recovery against Dallas in 2010, followed by Ryan Kerrigan’s nine-yard interception return for a touchdown against the New York Giants in ’11 and let’s not forget Rob Jackson’s interception for a touchdown against Cincinnati last season.

Well, Jackson is suspended for the first four games of the season, so that left Hall and Kerrigan to make some more magic and they didn’t disappoint — with Kerrigan deflecting a backwards pass attempt by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, and then Hall scooping up the football and returning it 75 yards at a leisurely pace for the easiest score of his NFL career.

Just like that the Redskins were off to a wonderful start and all was good in the burgundy and gold universe.

2. “Light Up The Sky” by Thousand Foot Krutch

Of course, it’s probably not a great idea to peak in the first four minutes of a 60-minute affair.

Once the Redskins jumped out to a quick lead, things quickly devolved into what can only be called a worst-case scenario. Running back Alfred Morris, who only fumbled the ball three times his entire rookie campaign, coughed up the football on the team’s very first offense play of the season. One play later the Eagles scored an easy touchdown and suddenly led the game 10-7.

Morris’ second rushing attempt lost three yards, which, sadly, is a “highlight” when talking about just how bad he looked to start the game. And then the second-year pro bobbled the ball on a pitch out, which resulted in a safety. Obviously this is a game Morris will be in a hurry to forget.

LeSean McCoy, on the other hand, had a career day as he abused the Redskins defense seemingly at will. When the ‘Skins were passive, he gashed them up the middle. When they got overly aggressive, he had an answer for that as well.

Take, for example, outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, who was cleared amp up to get back out on the field after missing most of last year due to injury. As talented as Orakpo is, he repeatedly over-pursued throughout the game, which allowed McCoy to bounce back outside to the gap Orakpo just vacated. If you’re rooting for the home team, that’s a bad thing. If you’re an Eagles running back, it’s a dream come true (which explains his 181 rushing yards for the night).

Basically, whatever the defense tried to do, McCoy had a counterpunch ready and if this was a prize fight, it wouldn’t have lasted more than a round or two before McCoy won by a TKO.

05Sep

why your team won’t win the super bowl in 2013

In blog, football by b murf / September 5, 2013 / 1 Comment

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the 10th-annual “Why your team won’t win the Super Bowl” column. So head to Las Vegas and put money on it – this is why your favorite football franchise won’t get it done this year.

Arizona Cardinals – Carson Palmer was pretty mediocre back in the day when he had weapons. What makes anyone think an over-the-hill version of him surrounded by less talent is going to suddenly be more effective?

Atlanta Falcons – Until the NFL decides to schedule the Super Bowl during the regular season, the Falcons will have to settle for racking up meaningless victories for 17 weeks until it’s time for their annual postseason collapse.

Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco looks like the love child of Sam the Eagle and Bert from Sesame Street.

28Aug

are the washington redskins a lock to win the division?

In blog, football by b murf / August 28, 2013 / 1 Comment

(photo by Brian Murphy)

In just a few more days, the 2013 season will be underway and the Washington Redskins will have a chance to prove that their magical seven-game winning streak to close the ’12 campaign wasn’t a fluke.

They’ll start things off by hosting their division rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, at FedEx Field on Monday Night Football, which proves they’ll have a spotlight on them for the entire season. As you can plainly see, flying under the radar isn’t an option when you have the biggest name in professional football for a franchise quarterback.

But before they officially get underway, I had to get together with the rest of the Skinscast gang to break down the preseason, take a stab at which players will make the 53-man roster and, most importantly, whether or not the Redskins are a lock to win their second-straight NFC East title.

As is usually the case, this episode is filled with plenty of laughs and some serious debate.*

*Mostly because John Pappas, who I love dearly, stupidly believes Pat White should be the team’s third-string quarterback over “Sexy” Rex Grossman. Don’t worry though, the rest of us quickly try to knock some sense into him.

So if you’re trying to pass the time between now and the season opener, feel free to click this link and give this week’s episode a listen. And when you do, try not too be too mad at me for trying to be the voice of reason when it’s time to predict Washington’s record at the end of the 2013 season.

25Aug

redskins-bills playlist

In blog, football, playlist by b murf / August 25, 2013 / No Comments

(photo by Brian Murphy)

1. “Have A Cigar” by Pink Floyd

Historically speaking, the third preseason game is the most important preseason game. Typically, teams use it as a dress rehearsal for the regular season — allowing the starters to play for most, if not all, of the first half.

Well, as you know by now, the Washington Redskins aren’t like most teams.

With starting quarterback Robert Griffin III coming off of major knee surgery and backup quarterback Kirk Cousins sidelined after suffering an injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the ‘Skins were more than happy to be overly cautious heading into their third preseason game. That is why head coach Mike Shanahan was more than happy to roll out Rex Grossman and Pat White at quarterback, while also limiting his starters to roughly 15 snaps worth of action.

While it’s safe to say Shanahan and company would prefer to put the ball in the hands of Griffin or Cousins, the two-time Super Bowl winning coach was pleased with the performance of his third and fourth-string quarterbacks in Washington’s 30-7 rout over the Buffalo Bills. The not-so dynamic duo combined for 267 passing yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, which is probably the best-case scenario for these two flawed passers.

“You never know how a game’s going to go,” he said. “But when you’re the second-team, third-team, or fourth-team quarterbacks, that’s what happens during the game you have to come off of the bench cold. You have to produce even though you’re not warmed up and we wanted to put both guys in that similar situation today. We wanted both to get a chance to play with the same players. We wanted to give Pat a chance to play with the starters and Rex started the game, and I was pleased with both guys and how they played.”

2. “Easy Breeze” by Clutch

While the performance by Grossman and White would have been more than enough cause for celebration, Washington’s ground game was even more impressive — racking up 208 yards on 43 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and a touchdown.

Honestly, it didn’t matter which running back had the ball in his hands or which Bills defender was in front of him — all four running backs who carried the ball had little trouble moving the chains. Alfred Morris started the game, and carried the ball four times for 16 yards before Shanahan wisely removed him from the game to ensure he remained healthy for games that actually matter.

Rookie Chris Thompson ran for a career-best 44 yards, although he did fumble for the second time this preseason. He also contributed with a 31-yard punt return, to try and atone for his lack of ball security. Keiland Williams rushed eight times for 52 yards and a touchdown, which will likely help him land on a roster — either in Washington or elsewhere in this running back starved league.

And the most impressive showing of the day came courtesy of Roy Helu Jr., who led the way with 13 carries for 70 yards on the ground and one catch for 21 yards in the passing attack. While the question with Helu is always going to be “how many games in a row can he remain healthy for?” He once again showed his coaches that, as long as he’s able to play, he’s going to be a dependable second option behind Morris.

“I was impressed with our offensive line and our backs,” Shanahan said. “It’s a group effort anytime you run the football and our wide receivers blocked exceptionally well. So it’s a group effort anytime you run the ball and I thought we had a couple of play-action passes off of it as well that set up a couple passes, but it was a good day overall.”

09Aug

redskins-titans playlist

In blog, football by b murf / August 9, 2013 / No Comments

(photo by Andy Zunich)

1. “Safe And Sound” by Capital Cities

Say it with me – the final score of a preseason game is meaningless. Ten minutes after the game ends, no one cares.*

*Seriously, can you even name the four teams the Redskins played during the 2012 preseason without cheating and looking it up? More likely than not, the answer is no.

Washington Redskins coaches, as well as the rest of the NFL, simply want to have the opportunity to evaluate the players competing for roster spots – especially when it comes to the bottom third of the roster.

Most importantly, everyone just wants to avoid any major injuries. Get a chance to see your players lineup and compete against someone wearing different color jerseys and get them out safe and sound, and that’s a successful evening. And if you’re able to walk away victorious – as the Redskins did against the Tennessee Titans in their 22-21 preseason opener – that’s just icing on the cake.

2. “Born To Rise” by Redlight King

When the Redskins opted to utilize a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft to select Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, the move was heavily criticized by both fans and media members alike.

Apparently, even though the franchise had just gone through an entire season with Rex Grossman and John Beck “playing quarterback,” conventional wisdom was that the 102nd overall pick in the ’12 draft should have been used to bolster another position on the roster – especially since the team had already landed franchise savior Robert Griffin III 100 picks earlier.

Of course, Cousins already began to prove his worth last season when he stepped in for an injured Griffin against the Baltimore Ravens late in the season and then again when he got his first career start versus the Cleveland Browns.

Fast forward to now and Cousins is scheduled to play with the first-team offense throughout the entire preseason as the coaching staff practices caution while RGIII returns from the devastating knee injury that abruptly ended his rookie campaign.

Even though he attempted less than 50 passes last year, it’s crystal clear that those limited reps have been enough to bolster Cousins’ confidence. Now when he walks onto the field, he does so with the poise and maturity of a proven NFL starter. He might still have plenty to learn, but he’s already ahead of any reasonable expectations for a 24-year-old with one start under his belt.

In related news, Cousins completed six of seven passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in limited action with the starters against the Titans.

So, in the end, maybe people shouldn’t have rushed to judgment and been so hyper critical when the powers that be in Ashburn went out of their way to establish depth at football’s most vital position.

08Aug

recapping 2012: 21 redskins games in 21 photos

In blog, football, photos by b murf / August 8, 2013 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

In a matter of hours, the Washington Redskins will officially kick of the 2013 campaign when they face the Tennessee Titans in their preseason opener. Like every other ‘Skins fans out there, I too am exciting to see what this season has in store for the burgundy and gold and it’s a safe bet most of the day will be spent staring at the clock, wishing it was time for kickoff.

To help pass the time, I’ve decided to take a quick look back at the roller coaster ride that was Washington’s ’12 season. The highly-anticipated debut of Robert Griffin III. The improbable emergence of Alfred Morris. The horrendous start, followed by the amazing second-half surge.

And best of all, I was on the sidelines for all 21 games — from the preseason opener in Buffalo to the heartbreaking postseason defeat at the hands of Seattle — it was easy the most compelling season I’ve been around the Redskins for since I began covering the team back in 2005. So without further delay, here is one final look back at the beginning of a new era of Washington Redskins football.

29Jul

getting to know xavier nixon

In blog, football by b murf / July 29, 2013 / 1 Comment

(photo by Geoff Burke)

It goes without saying that when the league takes away a large chunk of your salary cap space and you trade away multiple first-round picks to land a franchise quarterback, it requires you to get a little creative to round out the rest of the roster.

That’s the approach the Washington Redskins have had to take this offseason — with $18 million less to work with than other franchises and no first rounder this year or next thanks to the Robert Griffin III trade last year.

Which explains why there were no splashy acquisitions or no marquee free agent signings to tout at Redskins Park as head coach Mike Shanahan and friends prepare for the 2013 season. Instead, if the Redskins are going to defend their NFC East title, they’re going to have to do it largely with the same roster they had last season.

One of the new faces in town who is hoping to make a strong impression during training camp is tackle Xavier Nixon, an undrafted free agent who played his college ball with the Florida Gators.

“I grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina,” Nixon said. “Both of my parents are in the military. I didn’t do a lot of bouncing around as a kid though. I went to the University of Florida and I was a four-year starter.”

For those ‘Skins fans who don’t know much about you, how would you describe your game?