Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Talking Points: It's RG3 day again

Normally, the player speaking in the midday heat on the podium behind the main building at Redskins Park is unknown until sometime during the morning practice. But that is not the case today as the availability of Robert Griffin III was scheduled well in advance.

This session is unlikely to interrupt local news broadcasts or ignite a local media kerfuffle over broadcast rights. But it actually could be more informative than his news conference last Wednesday since he actually has, you know, a few training camp practices under his belt.

I’m going to try to talk to Jarvis Jenkins at some point this afternoon. I’m interested to see what he thinks of his role this coming season and how he’s coming along just shy of a year after his torn ACL. If there's anything you'd like me to ask Jenkins, hit the comments or get me on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.

Mike Shanahan will have his usual presser after practice. Don’t expect an update on Jammal Brown’s condition as his MRI (apparently to Shanahan’s chagrin) will not take place until tomorrow.

 

Monday Talking Points: More than just RG3

The Talking Points are going to be brief today since we don’t know to whom we will be talking. Redskins PR promised us some folks at the podium and that we could catch players coming off of the field but no specifics were offered.

So we assume that we will get a chance to ask Robert Griffin III about his first OTA with the first-team offense and perhaps Pierre Garçon will talk about being on the receiving end of RG3’s passes. And maybe we can get London Fletcher to talk about what Griffin looked like from a defensive standpoint.

As you can tell, the talk is likely to be a lot about the rookie quarterback. But look for other, non-RG3 news and notes as well. I want to see how Jarvis Jenkins’ knee is doing nine months after his torn ACL and perhaps get a few words with Trent Williams to see what he has to say about taking his game to the next level. And perhaps a word with Chris Cooley, who should be ready to go in terms of health but may face an uphill battle to make the team.

We will get Mike Shanahan at the podium but Redskins PR has informed us that we will not be able to talk to any assistant coaches until minicamp next month.

 

Talking Points: Rookie minicamp

Here is what we’re looking for as we visit Redskins Park for the final day of the Redskins’ three-day rookie minicamp:

--On the practice field will be a few dozen draft picks, undrafted free agents, first-year players, and others hoping to land an NFL contract. 

--We’ll get a look at a two-hour session with some individual drills and some “team” drills. Team is in imaginary air quotes because these guys have been together since Friday and there isn’t much cohesiveness there. Some players are not in their primary positions due to the nature of how the group of the field was put together. Guard Josh LeRibeus, for example, has been lining up at center.

--One prediction–Robert Griffin III will look good. He will be throwing passes and he won’t have DeMarcus Ware breathing down his neck and his intended receiver won’t be blanketed by Nnamdi Asomugha. 

--With no contact allowed, it will be difficult to glean much knowledge about the three offensive linemen the team drafted last week. We’ll get a look at how well LeRibeus, Adam Gettis, and Tom Compton can move in shorts and helmets but for the most part they will remain a mystery.

--Linebacker Keenan Robinson should provide a few highlights with his ability to fly all over the field. He won’t be able to finish off with tackles but he should be fun to watch.

--When the come off of the field we will get Griffin at the podium to get his thoughts on the weekend and what is ahead. His immediate future is a week off, where CBA rules say he can’t enter the team facility, followed by participation in the second phase of the offseason program starting May 14. 

--Mike Shanahan also will speak to the media with impressions of RG3, the other draft picks, and the undrafted players. 

For ongoing updates on the practice via Twitter, follow @Rich_Tandler. We will get some pictures up on both the CSN Washington and Real Redskins Facebook pages and then look for posts and updates right here during the afternoon. Quotes and transcripts will be available on Real Redskins. 

 

Talking Points: One last round of roster churn

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we will be talking about at Redskins Park during the last week of 2011 season:

Fletcher snubbed, no Redskins in Pro Bowl—We’ll get reaction from players and coaches to the NFL’s leading tackler being omitted from the Pro Bowl. Fletcher possibly has a chance to make it as an alternate (unlike many other teams, the Redskins did not announce alternates, we will effort getting that information) but his failure to make it on the original vote is puzzling. Lorenzo Alexander was a deserving candidate as the special teams player; we’ll ask about him being left off the team and about the Redskins being one of just two NFC teams to get shut out of the Pro Bowl.

Torain cut, Robinson promoted—The Redskins had one last round of roster churn for the season on Tuesday as Ryan Torain, the team’s leading rusher in 2010, was released and rookie wide receiver Aldrick Robinson was moved from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. We’ll see what Mike and Kyle Shanahan have to say about the moves and get some player reaction, including that of Robinson.

Staying focused—The Redskins will start a long vacation as soon as the clock hits 0:00 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. We’ll ask them how they stay focused and what they will be playing for when they take on the Eagles. 

 

Talking Points: Wilson was 'a little woozy'

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we’ll be talking about at Redskins Park this week:

--This will be a short week for the Redskins as their game against the Vikings is on Saturday. The Vikings and almost every other NFL team, however, face the same issue as the NFL opted not to hold its slate of games on Christmas day. The players were off on Monday and will resume today as though it was a Wednesday. That means that Rex Grossman will address the media today and we will talk to Kyle Shanahan and Jim Haslett on Wednesday.

--There are a few injury concerns during the short week. Jammal Brown has missed the last two games with a groin injury and his progress and practice participation will be monitored through the week. Mike Shanahan mentioned on Monday that Roy Helu was slowed down by knee and toe injuries against the Giants, factors that contributed to his subpar average of just 2.3 yards per carry. He also said that cornerback Josh Wilson was “ a little woozy” on the sideline on Sunday after taking a blow to the head. Wilson will be tested to see if he can resume practice.

--With LaRon Landry being added to injured reserve, the Redskins played the Giants with a 52-man roster. No big deal, of course, it just meant that there were six inactive players instead of seven. Expect to see a 53^rd player added at some point before practice today. At this point in the season, it could be someone at almost any position, a free agent or practice squad player who will get two weeks of NFL minimum salary money (that would come to $44,117 for a rookie, more for a player with accrued seasons) and a chance to get a head start at catching on with the 2012 Redskins.

--Donovan McNabb was traded to the Vikings shortly after the lockout ended and this game was immediately marked as his return and chance for revenge. The intrigue faded when McNabb was benched in favor of rookie Christian Ponder earlier this season and then it disappeared altogether when McNabb was released earlier this month. Rookie Christian Ponder got the starting job. The Redskins could have drafted him and we’ll ask Mike Shanahan if that was seriously considered.

 

Talking Points: Playing for their jobs

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we will be talking about this week at Redskins Park:

--The Redskins have shelved NT Chris Baker after just one week on the active roster. He sustained a quad injury in practice last week and he was put in injured reserve. The Redskins signed TE Richard Quinn, a former second-round pick of the Broncos, to take Baker’s roster spot. That move brings into question the health of FB/TE Mike Sellers, who left the Patriots game with a hyperextended elbow. We will see how it all sorts out over the course of the week.

--Last year Mike Shanahan made a bold move after the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention, benching Donovan McNabb and putting Rex Grossman at quarterback. Now that the Redskins are mathematically out of the postseason again, will Shanahan make any other such moves? Problem is, injuries and other factors have pushed younger players like Perry Riley and Roy Helu into the starting lineup already, so there aren’t many stunners out there. Still, he could have Willie Smith remain at left tackle for the rest of the year and he could give some more snaps to cornerback Brandyn Thompson and wide receiver Niles Paul.

--Shanahan said during his Monday presser that the players are playing for jobs. Another round of roster churn seems inevitable, although it probably will be less wholesale change and more fine-tuning. We’ll talk about that and other incentives over these final three games. 

 

Talking Points: Any bold lineup changes?

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we will be talking about this week at Redskins Park:

--According to reports, the Redskins have shelved NT Chris Baker after just one week on the active roster. He sustained a quad injury in practice last week and he was put in injured reserve. The Redskins signed TE Richard Quinn, a former second-round pick of the Broncos, to take Baker’s roster spot. That move brings into question the health of Mike Sellers, who left the Patriots game with a hyperextended elbow. We will see how it all sorts out over the course of the week.

--Last year Shanahan made a bold move after the Redskins were eliminated from playoff contention, benching Donovan McNabb and putting Rex Grossman at quarterback. Now that the Redskins are mathematically out of the postseason again, will Shanahan make any other such moves? Problem is, injuries and other factors have pushed players like Perry Riley and Roy Helu into the starting lineup already, so there aren’t many stunners out there. Still, he could have Willie Smith remain at left tackle for the rest of the year and he could give some more snaps (and pass targets) to wide receiver Niles Paul and to cornerback Brandyn Thompson.

--Shanahan said during his Monday presser that the players are playing for jobs. We’ll talk about that and other incentives over these final three games. 

 

Talking Points: Kyle faces a tall task

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we will be talking about on Thursday at Redskins Park

The suspensions of Fred Davis and Trent Williams have been pretty thoroughly explored but the certainly will remain a topic the rest of the week. We have yet to hear from Kyle Shanahan, who will have to put together some semblance of an offensive attack without two of the unit’s best players for the rest of the season.

Jim Haslett does not have an easy task this week, either. He needs to find a way to stop Tom Brady from being able to complete passes to receiver Wes Welker and tight end Rob Gronkowski at will. He won’t give away much of his scheme but the usual formula is to try to get pressure on Brady.

The starting strong safety and the punter missed practice yesterday and as odd as it may seem, the Redskins might be worse off if Sav Rocca, who is nursing an ankle injury, can’t go than if LaRon Landry, who missed the last game with a groin injury. With the offense likely to struggle, Rocca could be called upon frequently to flip field position to try to keep the Redskins in the game. 

 

Talking Points: Is Rocca healthy?

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we will be talking about around Redskins Park on Wednesday:

--The suspensions of Trent Williams and Fred Davis are now official and Mike Shanahan will be able to talk about them when he meets with the media after practice this afternoon. Don’t expect too much detail as to how events that led to the suspensions unfolded—those are still confidential. But the effects of missing two of the team’s best offensive players for the rest of the season are fair game as well as the impact going forward.

--It looks like nose tackle Chris Baker has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. That and another roster move will be announced today and we’ll get to know the new players and what their roles will be.

--Punter Sav Rocca was in a walking boot on Monday due to an ankle injury he suffered after being roughed—even though the referee only called the five-yard “running into the punter” penalty—on a punt against the Jets. We will monitor his status through the week along with that of LaRon Landry, who was inactive against New York with a groin injury.

--Rex Grossman takes the podium first thing today and we’ll rehash the generally dismal performance of the offense against the Jets. We’ll also talk about him having Davis, his favorite target, and Williams, who protects his blind side, gone for the rest of the year.

 

Talking Points: Rex and Rex speak

By Rich Tandler

Here is what we’ll be talking about at Redskins Park on Wednesday:

--Rex Grossman steps up to the podium at about 11. We’ll see what he had to say about what probably was his best game as a Redskin. In particular, we want to find out about his comfort level with this offense with this team.

--In the locker room, it will be about breaking the losing streak and if it is more about celebrating or about being relieved. Also we’ll see what they have to say about what they can accomplish the rest of the year. Is finishing at least .500 important? Matching or beating last year’s win total of six?

--There are a couple of injury concerns to get sorted out. Mike Shanahan said on Monday that starting fullback Darrel Young sustained a concussion in the Seattle game so he will have to take the baseline tests and be cleared in order to practice. Stephen Bowen (pictured) has a third-degree tear of the PCL in his left knee. That sounds bad but Shanahan said that it’s possible to play without a PCL so we will see. Other than that, things seem to be in pretty good shape on the injury front as we head into December.

--This afternoon we’ll have our teleconference with Jets coach Rex Ryan. That should be entertaining.