Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Another week, another comfort level reached for RG3

By Ben Standig

Through six practices and one rookie camp, plenty has been thrown at the Redskins starting passer, Robert Griffin III. Like the entire Redskins offense, the rookie quarterback said.

Understanding of every read, throw and bootleg has not come yet. Not that anyone was expecting that level of proficiency so soon. Nevertheless, the dynamic one is getting closer.

“I feel a lot more comfortable today, whereas I didn’t know anything before I got here,” RG3 said, speaking to a cadre of reporters after Thursday’s OTA. “I think I know at least 60 to 70 percent of it pretty well, but you can’t operate at 60 to 70 percent. You’ve got to operate at 150 percent with your offense because not only do you have to know it, but you have to know what to do in certain situations. That’s still to come.”

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Team commitment showing during OTAs

By Ben Standig

Spring practices – organized team activities if you prefer – are not mandatory in the NFL, but attendance is preferred. Actually, in the case of Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan showing up or at the minimum being accountable is expected. Through two weeks of OTAs, so far, so good.

“We’ve had some good work, guys are working hard, we got some competition – that’s what you look for in these OTA days,” Shanahan said following Thursday’s outdoor practice at Redskins Park. “We’ve got 100% attendance. If a guy has missed, it’s been an excused absence.”

On this day nose tackle Barry Cofield and safety Tanard Jackson were the only Redskins not in attendance and Shanahan said the pair was excused.

Others on hand but not fully practicing included Leonard Hankerson (hip), Brian Orakpo (pectoral), Kory Lichtensteiger (knee), Adam Carriker (foot blisters), Steven Bowen (knee), Jonathan Goff (knee) and running back Tim Hightower, still recovering from November’s knee surgery. Otherwise, it was an all hands on deck situation.

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Kirk Cousins signs with the Redskins

By Jennifer X. Williams

The Washington Redskins have announced via their twitter account that they have signed rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins, the player announced via Twitter.

Cousins actually beat the Skins to the punch, tweeting, 'Just signed my contract. Officially a member of the Washington Redskins.”

While terms of the deal have not been released, fourth-round picks last season signed four-year deals worth around $2.5 million.

The Michigan State signal caller was drafted in the fourth round.

Only two of the nine drafted rookies remain unsigned. First-round pick Robert Griffin III and  third-round pick Josh LeRibeus have yet to close a deal with the Redskins but continue to take part in offseason practices.

Cousins is up against with veteran Rex Grossman and Jonathan Crompton for next slot on the depth chart after Griffin.

 

How well is RG3 catching on?

In the NFL, OTA’s are different from training camp in terms of access. Every training camp practice is open to the media and many of them are open to the fans. In the spring, teams are only required to open one OTA per week to the media, a total of three. The three-day minicamp is also open to the media by NFL rules. 

Since the media was last allowed into the team’s first OTA a week ago Monday, they have had four additional practices. So that is where we pick up the story lines going into OTA No. 6, which the media will be able to see.

Here is what to watch for:

--Might as well start with Robert Griffin III. Each day more and more of the offense is being installed. He did not look entirely comfortable in the pocket last Monday and it will be interesting to see how he responds with even more plays in his head today. The key for Mike and Kyle Shanahan is to give Griffin enough to challenge him without overwhelming him. The balance is important and how well and how quickly he learns and adjusts will be critical to how well he can perform as a rookie.

--Chris Cooley, who lost 15 pounds during the offseason, showed no effects from the knee injury that cost him most of the 2011 season. He wore no brace or wrap of any kind on the repaired knee and he ran and cut like the Cooley of old. But that was on the first day. How is the knee doing after five practices? 

--Who’s returning kicks? It looks like the weather will permit today’s practice to be held outside so there should be a good opportunity to see who is fielding punts and kickoffs. Brandon Banks is the incumbent returner but he will have to fight off strong challenges from the likes of Aldrick Robinson, Anthony Armstrong, rookie Jordan Bernstine, possibly veteran Santana Moss, and others. With the team likely to keep three quarterbacks this year and perhaps an additional offensive lineman, it will be difficult to keep a return specialist as Banks was last year. The returner may well end up being whoever can do the job competently and still contribute at another position.

--Will DeAngelo Hall be there? It appears that much more was made of his absence from last week’s OTA than was warranted. London Fletcher said that Hall had been present for nearly all workouts prior to the one he missed and absence from one of many days of voluntary activity is not anything to get worked up over. We have not heard if he has been present for the four OTA’s since last Monday since they were closed to the media and attendance isn’t discussed. If he’s not there today, however, then there could be a story. This time Mike Shanahan should be available for questions after practice to clear things up, assuming he can avoid being blindsided by one of his defensive backs. 

Days until: Minicamp 12; training camp 58; preseason opener @ Bills 70; Redskins @ Saints 101; home opener vs. Bengals 115

 

Redskins would have rocked 'Hard Knocks'

By Jennifer X. Williams

It's official. The Miami Dolphins, will star in the next installment of HBO's 'Hard Knocks,' a behind the scenes look at NFL training camps. The immensely popular series had taken a hiatus as a result of the NFL lockout and is now back with a splash, right?

Well…while it will be hard to replicate Rex Ryan's infamous (and don't forget, inspirational) snack quote, it's safe to say HBO show producers know what they are doing. Couple that with the gravitational pull of the NFL? Chances are, fans will at least check out the first episode.

There are teams, however, that would have made this season 'must-see TV.' Teams such as the Washington Redskins, a franchise shrouded with secrecy, who naturally, declined HBO's offer.

People love lists, so without further adieu, here are 5 reasons why the Redskins, headlining 'Hard Knocks,' would have captivated audiences:

1) RGIII 

The future of the Redskins franchise has been placed on the shoulders of a rookie quarterback, Robert Griffin III. Not just any QB, but a Heismann winner who brought Baylor University's program out of obscurity and into the national spotlight. 

In Mike Shanahan's own words, he is a 'natural' leader, just one of the reasons why the head coach is straying from his M.O. and building the offense around his coveted new signal caller. Heralded as the total package, Griffin is equally as dynamic off the field as he is on the grid iron. Griffin has some huge socks to fill, not only must he live up to the hype--he must surpass it.

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Tarik El-Bashir is joining CSNwashington.com

Tarik El-Bashir is joining CSNwashington.com as our new Redskins Insider!   While you’re likely familiar with Tarik’s widely acclaimed work covering the Washington Capitals, you probably don’t know about his passion for the Redskins and all things NFL.   

Rich Tandler and Chick Hernandez will continue to contribute to our Redskins coverage. 

The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg has the full story here.   The official press release is here.

 

Former USC recruit, exonerated convict, to tryout for Redskins

By Kellie Cowan

 

Former USC recruit Brian Banks is expected to tryout with the Redskins, according to ESPN.  

Banks, a middle linebacker at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, had his football career cut short in 2002 when he plead no contest to a schoolmate's false accusation of rape at the age of 17.  Banks spent his next five years in a jail cell.

Last week Banks was completely exonerated of his rape and kidnapping conviction after a ten-year nightmare when his accuser admitting to lying about a charge she made at sixteen years of age.

While fighting his case in 2003 --a battle that cost his mother both her condo and her car-- Banks worked toward completing his high school degree.  Despite his grim circumstances, Banks never gave up on himself and his future while in prison.  He took college courses.  He remained athletic.  He focused on life beyond bars.  

"Those first few months were the hardest for me," Banks said in an ESPNLA interview.  "There were times where I just wanted to give up and give in to the life and environment of prison but it was at that time that I realized: I'm in here for something I didn't do.  I'm not even supposed to be here.

"With that in mind I vowed to myself to focus on the betterment of me, regardless of the environment.  I wanted to focus on my attitude and outlook of what I wanted to be regardless of what people thought of me or labeled me to be.  I just focused on bettering myself and moving forward ... it's gotten me to where I am today: a free man with a good heart and strong mind."

Banks has been working vigorously with personal trainers since October in the hopes of achieving a dream he was forced to shelve for a decade.  

"I live by the saying, 'Good things come to those who hustle while they wait,'" explained Banks. "There is nothing in this world that I feel is too difficult for me, or too hard for me to accomplish because the hardest thing for me to do was to become free --and I accomplished that." said Banks. "Everything else is sky's the limit."

With Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, London Fletcher, Lorenzo Alexander and recent additions Keenan Robinson and Jonathan Goff, the Redskins will probably just be looking to add some inexpensive padding to their depth charts at the linebacker position, which could be a great scenario for both the Redskins and Banks.

"I'm confident in what I've done so far," said Banks.  "I know that if given the opportunity to show my talents any team would be impressed with what I can do, despite all the things that I've been through these last ten years."

Banks is also expected to workout with the Seahawks, Chiefs and Dolphins.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

 

Free Agency: Who's left, defensive linemen edition

By Ben Standig

Now that salary cap-gate is over, what's next for the Redskins 53-man roster. According to Rich Tandler - and without factoring in potential savings by cutting certain veterans - there is around $3.8 million left to play with, some of which goes toward signing the remaining draft picks.

So, what should the Shanahan's do with that remaining coin? Considering the free agent options remaining are your rank and file types, there are few must-have players. Regardless, you never know what happens between now and the start of training camp and the regular season. That is why we're compiling this list of the viable and rainy day options among remaining NFL free agents.

So far, we focused on the available offensive tackle/line, running back, defensive back and wide receiver and tight end options. Now the defensive lineman.

Based on Tandler's recent depth chart analysis, the only positions likely in play are the deep reserves at end - especially if five are kept - and nose tackle where 2011 seventh round pick Chris Neild backs up Barry Cofield. Should there be a need for more training camp depth or injuries strike, here are some of the names the Redskins could be calling on. In this area, those cut before or during training camp might will dramatically bolster the free agent pool.

Andre Carter: The former Redskin pass rusher had a resurgent campaign with the Patriots last season, posting 10 sacks in 14 games before suffering a torn quad. Reports suggest the 33-year-old will be "ready to practice full speed in training camp." There is also a belief the Patriots are open to bringing Carter back. It would be a stunner to see Carter, never a good fit in a 3-4 scheme, return to D.C.  "It was no surprise to see Carter thrive in the 4-3 again," the minds at Walter Football wrote, "which makes you wonder why the Redskins installed a 3-4." Let's move on.

Aubrayo Franklin: The 31-year-old nose tackle was slapped with the 49ers franchise tag in 2010. After a downer of a season with the Saints in 2011, he now falls into the secondary free agent market. Like Cofield, Franklin is not the most massive of nose tackles (317 pounds), but he has played 16 games in four straight seasons.

Marcus Thomas: Reportedly was seeking a long-term deal from the Broncos, but so far Denver has not given in to the 26-year-old tackle. The 2007 fourth-round pick started 11 games last season, finishing with 30 tackles.Would likely move outside in a 3-4.

Rocky Bernard: With only one start over the past three seasons at defensive tackle for the Giants, adding the 33-year-old would be a pure depth play.

Kelly Gregg: Another true veteran of the trenches, the former Ravens mauler still was a force against the run at times last season for the Chiefs. Turns 36 in November.

Fred Robbins: Played his career primarily as a 4-3 defensive tackle. At 35, Robbins is obviously much closer to the end than the beginning of his career, but notched six sacks in 2010.

Others: Wallace Gilberry, Tim Bulman, Jovan Haye

And yes, Albert Haynesworth is available...

How do the Redskins average out?

By Ray Frager

The guys at the Kissing Suzy Kolber blog have come up with a list of the 100 “Most average players ever,” which they acknowledge was compiled with minimal attention to statistics and basically just pulling names out of thin air. All right, they phrased it a little more indelicately when describing where they pulled the names out of.

So, the point is, you and I could have sat around and come up with our own list, and it would have been just as valid. Well, maybe you could have. I don’t have a long enough attention span.

In any case, there are quite a few Redskins on the list, including the man at No. 1, which, I guess, makes him the most average of all time. That would be — does this rate a drum roll? — James Thrash.

Thrash, a wide receiver/kick returner, spent nine years with the Redskins, sandwiched around three seasons with the Eagles. It was with the Eagles that he had his most productive seasons, with 63, 52 and 49 receptions. He did have a 50-catch season in 2000, the year before he went to Philly. And he was a decent enough kick returner.

So is he the most average NFL player of all time? Sure, why not?

No. 6 on the list is someone Redskins fans might have wished even played up to being average – safety Adam Archuleta. At No. 37, Jabar Gaffney, No. 39, Gus Frerotte, and No. 45, Jason Campbell.

On average, you might enjoy the list.

Who will be on the receiving end of RG3's long passes?

Robert Griffin III was the most accurate deep thrower in major college football last year. He completed 50.9 percent of his passes that traveled 25-plus yards. And rarely did he throw it up for grabs; his touchdown to interception ration on those deep throws was 20-1.

The deep accuracy was one of the reasons why the Redskins gave up a lot to move up in the draft to secure his services. Their longest pass play last year covered just 51 yards, the shortest longest pass play of any NFL team. They had to try to put together sustained drives to score and that got them ranked 26th in the NFL in scoring with 288 points (18 points/game).

It’s great if Griffin can throw the ball a long way with accuracy but who is going to be on the other end of those RG3 spirals? Here is a look at some of the wide receivers who should be working on their go routes during OTA’s.

--Pierre Garçon did have an 87-yard touchdown reception against the Bucs last year but that was on a Curtis Painter throw that was about 17 yards downfield. From the 13, he made the catch at about the 30, got past a defender who had a bad angle on him, and was gone. We probably won’t see a lot of Garçon going deep downfield. Garçon and Griffin will hook up on some big plays this year but most of them are likely to be the result of the receiver picking up yards after the catch, not a deep pass. 

--Santana Moss may have lost a step or maybe even two but getting open deep is not all about  pure speed. He has the smarts to break free downfield a couple of times a game, especially if Garçon and Leonard Hankerson can draw the attention of the defense on a consistent basis.

--Griffin could save Anthony Armstrong’s career. As a 27-year-old rookie in 2010, he had a good rapport with Donovan McNabb and he averaged  19.8 yards on his 44 receptions. Last year, he and Grossman did not click on the field and the receiver’s production plummeted to just seven catches. If Armstrong can develop some deep ball chemistry with RG3 he could have an important role on the team. If he can’t, he will be very much on the bubble when it comes to making the roster.

--The Redskins don’t quite know what they have in 2011 sixth-round pick Aldrick Robinson but they sure want to find out. They know he’s fast and that he’s willing to work and they hope they can turn those traits into productivity on the field. It could end up being Robinson vs. Armstrong for the final receiver roster spot. If Robinson makes it, look for him to be one of the surprise stories of 2012. 

You can reach Rich Tandler by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.