All posts in football

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Even though the Washington Redskins had the weekend off, it was still a stressful Sunday for ‘Skins fans.

That’s because playoff hopefuls were losing starting quarterbacks left and right, with Chicago’s Jay Cutler, San Francisco’s Alex Smith and Philadelphia’s Mike Vick all sidelined due to concussions.

While Redskins fans have no love lost for any of those three franchises, the fact is quarterback Robert Griffin III has already missed time this season because of a concussion. And although the playoffs are certainly a long shot for Washington, the franchise’s long-term success hinges on a healthy RGIII.

For as ugly as things have been this season, at least the Redskins know they have a legitimate playmaker at the game’s most vital position.

Although he’s only played in nine NFL games, Griffin has shown enough during his limited time in the burgundy and gold to make some of the greatest names in franchise history gush over him. So much so that three receivers — Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders, affectionately known as “The Posse” — can’t help but think of what it would be like to play alongside the 22-year-old phenom.

“From my standpoint, we were very fortunate with the quarterbacks we had,” Clark said. “But I tell you what … you can’t say enough about this young man. I had the chance to meet his dad the other night and it’s clear he comes from a quality family. I can see where he gets it all from. His father is a great man and RGIII’s numbers on the field speak for themselves.

“He’s like the LeBron James of the NFL,” Clark continued. “He came in at such a young age, he’s so composed, he knows exactly what to say and what not to say. To me, he’s the perfect player.”

Because LeBron James is such a polarizing player off the court who revolutionized the game on it, I asked Clark to further explain exactly what he meant.

Was this Clark’s way of warning the nation’s capital that it’s only a matter of time before RGIII rips our collective heart out and “takes his talents to South Beach” or was he actually saying it as a compliment?

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(courtesy photo)

I have yet to meet a single person who has anything negative to say about Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris.

Maybe it’s because he’s made it know he grew up rooting for the burgundy and gold. Maybe it’s because, through hard work and determination, he was able to go from unheralded sixth round pick to one of the most productive backs in football seemingly overnight. Or maybe it’s because he’s willing to do things like let fans vote on what ridiculous Halloween costume he’d wear for a Pediatric Halloween Party at Georgetown University Hospital.

Either way, it’s clear that the 23-year-old is quickly becoming a fan favorite in our nation’s capital.

‘Skins fans were given four choices — Popeye, Angry Bird, Batman and Captain America — and, as you can see from the highly-entertaining photo at the top of this post, Captain America emerged victorious. Even though Morris told me his vote probably would have gone towards Batman, it appears he had no trouble embracing this slightly different superhero role.

Here’s hoping the Redskins use the bye week to remember just how productive Morris has been thus far, so he’s able to do more than protect the old Lombardi Trophies during the second half of the season.

[Editor’s note: The photo is borrowed with love from the team’s official Pinterest page, whatever that is.]

(photo by Brian Murphy)

There will never be another player quite like Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis.

On the field, he was a model teammate who will be remembered, not only as one of the most productive running backs in franchise history, but also as one of the best pass blocking backs in the history of the game.

Off the field, he was a lightning rod for criticism, thanks to questionable practice habits, a fierce radio feud with a former player and a buddy-buddy relationship with the owner.

But whether you loved him or hated him, you had to respect Portis for, at times, throwing the entire team on his back and willing the Redskins to victory. When Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs came back to town, he said he needed a workhorse to center his offense around.

Enter Portis.

For seven seasons, he was Washington’s offense. When he was on his game, the Redskins usually won. If he had an off game, so too did the burgundy and gold.

Now, with his playing days over, the 31-year-old looks back fondly on his time in Washington. Even though he was already honored earlier this year when he officially retired, Portis said he was more than happy to come back to town to participate in the team’s homecoming weekend.

I had the chance to chat with Portis on the sidelines before the Redskins hosted the Carolina Panthers and, as always, enjoyed listening to one of the quirkiest athletes I’ve ever been around. Here’s what we had to say:

Okay, you officially hung up your cleats back in August. How’s retirement treating you?

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(photos by Brian Murphy)

We’re less than a week away from one of the most important elections in U.S. history, and yet, history shows that at the end of the day, your vote is meaningless.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican. Doesn’t matter if you’re a Democrat. It doesn’t even matter if you live in Ohio.

If history is any indication, the only thing that matters when deciding the fate of the leader of the free world is the outcome of this weekend’s Washington Redskins game.

This might come as a bit of a shock to those newbie fans who came on board with the arrival of franchise savior Robert Griffin III, but 18 of the last 19 presidential elections have been decided by the Redskins’ final home game.

Simply put — if the Redskins win their final home game before the election, then whichever party is current in office, remains in office. If they lose their final home game though, change is on the horizon.

So while football fans were already excited at the thought of RGIII and friends matching up against Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, this weekend’s game is much more than two of the NFC doormats playing out the schedule.

If you’re hoping to see Barack Obama remain the commander in chief, then you’d be wise to root for the Redskins this Sunday. If Mitt Romney is your candidate of choice, then you’re best bet is to pull for a Panthers upset this weekend.

I’m sure some of you out there remain unconvinced the local football franchise hold this kind of power. It’s understandable that more than a few people hear sports fans talking about the “Redskins Rule” and remain skeptical. But facts are facts.

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(photo by Brian Murphy)

I think it’s safe to say the Washington Redskins did not play their best game of the year against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From the opening drive, the defense let the Steelers march up and down the field — allowing two touchdowns and two field goals on Pittsburgh’s first four drives. Special teams managed to once again drop the ball — screwing up an extra point and muffing a punt. And then there was the offense.

Because Washington got behind so quickly, they had to get away from what they do best — run the football. And once that happened, the ball game was essentially over.

The Steelers are too good to play one-dimensional football against. Their defense is one of the most aggressive units in the league and presents a challenge for any opposing offense. But if you allow them to basically eliminate half of your playbook, there’s little chance you’re leaving Heinz Field with a victory.

The only way you’ve even got a shot at stealing a win in that situation is if everything in the passing game is clicking on all cylinders. That, of course, was not the case for Washington.

Redskins receivers dropped the ball 10 times against Pittsburgh. If you’re wondering how Robert Griffin III, who came into the game as the NFL’s most accurate passer, completed only 47.1 percent of his attempts against the Steelers, that explains it.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a game like this, relative to that many opportunities that you didn’t take advantage of when guys were open. I was disappointed,” said head coach Mike Shanahan. “I don’t care where the placement is. As long as it hits your hands, you better catch it or else you won’t be in the National Football League for very long.”

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