All posts in football

26Oct

alfred morris versus lazy NFL scouts

In blog, football by b murf / October 26, 2012 / 1 Comment

Heading into their Week 8 match-up against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Washington Redskins boast the top ground game in football — averaging an impressive 177.7 yards per game.

While much of the attention continues to focus on quarterback Robert Griffin III, the dynamic playmaker who continues to find ways to elevate his game on a seemingly weekly basis, the fact is running back Alfred Morris is having a pretty incredible rookie campaign as well.

Through seven games, Morris trails only Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson* and Houston’s Arian Foster in the league’s rushing race with 658 yards and five touchdowns.

*Peterson has already played his Week 8 game — rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. Coming into that game though, Peterson had also rushed for less yards than Morris on the season.

I cannot say enough about how impressive Morris has been thus far — especially, when you consider the fact that the Redskins essentially planned to come into the season with Roy Helu Jr., Evan Royster and Tim Hightower as their top three backs while Morris was pretty much an afterthought.

But all three of those players were banged up enough to create an opening for Morris, and he’s obviously made the most of it. And while he started the season strong, the 23-year-old has only gotten more impressive as he’s gained experience. Case in point, Morris has rushed 77 times for 395 yards and two touchdowns in his last four games (5.13 yards per carry).

Not too shabby for a sixth-round draft pick.

25Oct

death, taxes and london fletcher

In blog, football by b murf / October 25, 2012 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

Washington Redskins middle linebacker London Fletcher has been unable to practice this week and suffering a hamstring injury during the team’s 27-23 loss to the New York Giants.

The injury was serious enough that the Pro Bowler watched a good chunk of the back-and-forth battle from the sidelines and now there’s talk that he might not be able to play when the Redskins travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers this weekend.

That, of course, is newsworthy considering Fletcher has played in 231 consecutive games. During a press conference yesterday, Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan informed the media that the 37-year-old team captain is not only dealing with the hamstring injury, but also a balance issue as well.

“He’s having some problems with his balance and so he is going to talk to Dr. [Anthony] Casolaro,” Shanahan said. “He did talk to him Monday evening when he came in later on that day or he said something to me that day. He was a little more specific come Tuesday, but I‘m hoping it is nothing very serious, but that is why he is talking to Dr. Casolaro and a neurologist to find out why he is having a little problem with his balance.”

Until they know if he’ll be able to play this weekend or not, Washington’s already suspect defense must now prepare for this weekend’s match-up without Fletcher.

“I don’t think London Fletcher is going to break his streak,” said Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “Doesn’t he have 270 [consecutive games played] or something going? Some kind of crazy number. I don’t foresee that –- him missing a game –- so I’m not even preparing without him.”

For 15 seasons now, Fletcher has been there each and every Sunday, quarterbacking his defense. That’s why it’s so tough to envision the Redskins playing a game without him.

“I’m not a betting man, but I think he’ll be out there,” said quarterback Robert Griffin III.

It’s understandable Griffin would feel that way. After all, the last time Fletcher missed a game, RGIII was just eight years old.

Fletcher wasn’t exactly in a talkative mood yesterday. But he is on record as saying it would take more than just a minor bump or bruise to see him sit a game out.

“If you listen to my wife, she said I’d have to be in the hospital, strapped down to the bed,” Fletcher said. “Not just in the hospital, but actually strapped to the bed.

“If I feel I can go out and help the team win, then I’m gonna do my all to be out there and play,” Fletcher added.

So while it might not look good for Fletcher today, I’d still side with Griffin and Roethlisberger and guess that he’s in the lineup when the Redskins’ defense takes the field. If not, someone better have a hospital bed delivered to Redskins Park in a hurry.

24Oct

perry riley: like father, like son

In blog, feature, football by b murf / October 24, 2012 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

[Editor’s note: This season, the Washington Redskins have asked me to occasionally write feature stories for the team’s official website, Redskins.com. This article is my latest contribution, so please check it out.]

Washington Redskins middle linebacker Perry Riley grew up just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in what he calls a “regular, close-knit family.”

Everyone got along, everyone enjoyed spending time together and, most importantly, everyone loved playing sports.

It should come as no surprise Riley started playing football as soon as he was old enough, and from day one, he admits he was hooked.

“If I wasn’t at football practice, I was playing football in the neighborhood with my friends,” he said. “That was all I wanted to do.”

That’s probably because his father, Perry Riley Sr., was an experienced football player as well.

“He was a huge football fan and he played college ball in Virginia,” Riley said. “I can remember watching football with him and learning the game in my living room. Once I started playing, I was actually pretty good at it. People couldn’t really tackle me and I was pretty good at tackling other people, so I stuck with it.”

Naturally, when Riley was ready to begin his football career, his father was once again right there with him.

“My dad has been my football coach since I was five years old,” he said. “He coached me all the way to high school, and he wanted to come out and help the coaches at my high school, but they told him he couldn’t.”

It’s noble for a parent to want to be so involved in his child’s life, but just how good was Riley’s father as a football player?

“I’ve never seen any tape of him playing,” Riley said. “He has newspaper articles and clippings and they all say he was pretty good, and all of my uncles talk about how good he was as a running back until he injured his knee during his senior year of college. They say pro teams were looking at him, but I’ve never seen tape of him playing.”

Two Perry Rileys — one on offense, one on defense. If Riley the running back had the ball with a chance to win the game and the only defender standing between him and victory was Riley the linebacker, who makes the play to decide the outcome of the game?

“If you ask him, he’d probably say I couldn’t tackle him,” he said with a laugh. “But if you ask me, I think I could get that tackle.”

When it was time to select a college to attend, Riley had plenty to choose from. He was considered one of the top linebacker prospects in the state of Georgia, which is why most of the SEC and ACC schools were knocking on his door.

Although his father pushed for him to go to nearby University of Georgia, Riley kept an open mind during the recruiting process. And at the end of the day, he felt a connection with the Louisiana State University coaching staff.

“Everything just clicked,” he said. “LSU was just a perfect fit. During my visits with the coaches and again when they came to my house, I felt a better vibe with them than anyone else. It kind of broke my dad’s heart at first, but it ended up working out great.”

Riley probably feels that way because his sophomore season ended with LSU winning the 2008 BCS National Championship Game over Ohio State, 38-24.

“It’s hard to explain what it’s like to win a national championship. It really is one of those things you have to experience to truly understand,” he said. “It’s a great feeling because you work so hard for it. Football doesn’t just start in August when the games begin. Every year you’re faced with a long, grueling offseason and you put a lot of time and hard work into one goal – winning a championship.

“When you finally accomplish it, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Riley continued. “It’s surreal. It’s so hard to explain, but your body just kind of goes numb. When the clock hits zero and you start to see the confetti and then you’re holding that crystal football, your body just goes numb. It was amazing.”

The following season, LSU blew out Georgia Tech in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl, 38-3. Riley was named the defensive MVP in that game and finished the season as a finalist for the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the top linebacker in the country.

By the time his collegiate career was over, Riley had become a consistent performer on one of the top defenses in the country. But he still wasn’t sure how things would play out with the NFL Draft.

Click here for the full article.

24Oct

fans embrace the return of chris cooley

In blog, football by b murf / October 24, 2012 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

Seemingly every time a football fan wants to talk to me about the Washington Redskins this season, the conversation centers around one of three individuals.

Unsurprisingly, all Redskins talks this year begin and end with franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III. Regardless of whether the person roots for the Redskins or not, the most dynamic player in the NFL today is all anyone wants to focus on.

Of course, that’s because week after week he continues to find creative new ways to elevate his game. Whether he’s racing 76 yards for a game-winning score against the Minnesota Vikings or conducting a “Chinese fire drill” in the backfield on 4th-and-10 against the New York Giants, he continually finds way to deliver in key situations.

Sadly, the second most talked about member of the franchise is defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.

That’s because, for as good as RGIII has been since he stepped onto an NFL field for the first time, Washington is still just 3-4 because Haslett’s defense seems utterly incapable of stopping anyone.

Six out of seven opposing quarterbacks have thrown for 300 or more yards against the Redskins this season. The seventh — Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman — was “held” to 299 passing yards.

‘Skins fans see how Griffin has brought new life into a once-pitiful offense and wonder how the defense, which for years was the strength of this team, became so terrible so abruptly.

It wasn’t Haslett who allowed Giants receiver Victor Cruz to blow by him as soon as the ball was hiked (that was cornerback Josh Wilson) or to get behind him (safety Madieu Williams) for a backbreaking 77-yard touchdown, but he’s the guy in charge of the guys who can’t do anything right these days.

Washington’s defense, which has received the bulk of the team’s resources since head coach Mike Shanahan came to town, has already blown a fourth quarter lead three times in seven games this season, which is why more than a few local fans go to sleep at night dreaming of the day Haslett is relieved of his duties.

21Oct

redskins-giants playlist

In blog, football, playlist by b murf / October 21, 2012 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

1. “Already Over” by Red

With a chance to send a message to the rest of the NFC East, the Washington Redskins were uncharacteristically careless with the football Sunday — turning the ball over four times in a disappointing 27-23 loss to the New York Giants.

So rather than moving into a tie for first place, the Redskins are now once again in last place in the division and, for better or worse, have no one to blame but themselves.

Not only did they turn the football over four times during a six-possession span in the second half, but Washington also failed to score touchdowns on two trips to the red zone.

That’s not exactly the best approach to defeating the defending Super Bowl champions.

The saddest part is, the Redskins picked up 248 rushing yards against New York — which was the team’s best day on the ground since ’07. Thanks to the dynamic duo of Griffin and running back Alfred Morris, the Redskins were able to march up and down the field against the Giants for much of the afternoon, but when you’re settling for field goals rather than touchdowns, it’s only a matter of time before it comes back to bite you.

Washington controlled the time of possession throughout the first half and kept a very-talented Giants offense off the field for long stretches of the game, and yet, the score was still tied at 13-13 during the intermission.

21Oct

photos from the sidelines: week 7

In blog, football, photos by b murf / October 21, 2012 / No Comments

(photos by Brian Murphy)

How is it that an image can say so much with so little action taking place in it? Unfortunately for Washington Redskins tight end fred Davis, this shot that was captured Sunday speaks volumes, as the 26-year-old can only look on in disappointment after suffering a torn Achilles injury that will abruptly end his season.

After missing the last four game of the 2011 season because of a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Davis felt he had something to prove in his fifth season in Washington. While he was off to a solid start, the USC standout failed to finish a game with 100 yards and had yet to find the end zone this season.

And just like that he’s done for the year.

Redskins fans have definitely got to feel bad for Davis, who has been a dependable target for whoever has lined up at quarterback during his time in Washington. Now the team has one less weapon on offense and Davis has a long rehab ahead of him.

What a bummer.

If you would be so kind, please take a moment to check out my favorite photos I was able to capture from the sidelines this past weekend. If nothing else, I can assure you that not all of them are as much of a downer as this image. Don’t do it for me. Do it for Davis.

19Oct

how clutch is robert griffin III?

In blog, football by b murf / October 19, 2012 / 1 Comment

(photos by Brian Murphy)

Obviously the Washington Redskins believed Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III was a once-in-a-generation talent when they traded away a stack of future first-round draft picks for the chance to land him. But I honestly don’t believe that in their wildest dreams, the decision makers at Redskins Park could have envisioned the Heisman Trophy winner was going to be this good this quickly.

Since his first game in New Orleans, Griffin has been the talk of the entire NFL — dazzling players, coaches and fans with his ridiculous speed, amazing athleticism and pinpoint accuracy.

While the Redskins are just 3-3 through six games, there’s no doubt that RGIII has given his team a chance to win each and every time they’ve taken the field this season. And the craziest part of it all is that — for as good as he’s been — he still finds ways to elevate his game in key moments.

For example, as this NFL Films video suggests, Griffin excels at catching a defense off guard when it matters most this season. The Redskins have scored a touchdown on 13 of 14 attempts inside the 10-yard line this season. Four of those touchdowns came courtesy of quarterback draws from RGIII.

If a defense over commits in those situations in an effort to try and stop Griffin from keeping the ball and running it into the end zone, then he calmly drops back and finds an open receiver — like he did during the second quarter against Minnesota last week on a six-yard touchdown pass to fullback Darrel Young.

Griffin isn’t picky. Leave a man open and the NFL’s most accurate passer will hit him in stride for an easy completion. Drop back in coverage and he’ll tuck the ball and happily take it to the house himself. For a team that has struggled to score points consistently for much of the last decade, it’s been a welcome sight. For opposing defenses, it’s been a nightmare.