Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Robinson takes advantage of his opportunity

By Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com 

When Pierre Garçon left Sunday’s game in New Orleans with a foot injury, the biggest opportunity of Aldrick Robinson’s NFL career hit him square between the numbers.

“I knew I had to step up,” Robinson said of his first NFL regular season action. “The game plan was to go to ‘P’ a lot. So I knew the ball was going to be coming my way.”

Robinson caught four passes for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins’ 40-32 victory over the Saints. If Garçon is unable to suit up in St. Louis – he was limited in practice the past two days – Robinson could make his first career start against the Rams.

“That’s what you’re hoping he could do because there’s no doubt he’s talented enough to do it,” Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said of Robinson, a 6^th round pick out of SMU in 2011. “You never know until a guy gets thrown into that situation. Aldrick came in and …we didn’t miss a beat. He stepped it up, did what he was supposed to do and I was real happy for him.”

Robinson’s second reception resulted in a milestone he won’t soon forget. With the Redskins leading 10-7 in the second quarter and looking for more, the 23-year-old who spent all but one game on the practice squad last season ran a shallow slant and snagged Robert Griffin III’s pass just as he crossed into the end zone.

Then, in the third quarter, the Redskins faced a second-and-19 when Robinson made another impressive catch, hauling in a ball that was thrown slightly behind him for a 29-yard gain.

“Opportunities come, and you have to take advantage of them,” Robinson said. “That was an opportunity I knew I had to take advantage of.”

Just as important, Robinson has proved to himself – and the coaching staff – that he belongs.

“It was a big confidence booster,” he said. “It allowed me to see where I was at, and let me know that I can play on this level.”

All's well that ends well for Briscoe

By Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com 

Friday was Dezmon Briscoe’s 23 birthday. It was also cutdown day around the NFL, and the Redskins wide receiver wasn’t certain he had done enough in the preseason to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

“Everybody kept asking me what I wanted” for a present, Briscoe said. “I really didn’t want anything. I told them, ‘Just pray for me.’ The only thing I really wanted for my birthday was to make the team.”

On Friday morning, his cell phone rang. It was Paul Kelly, the team’s director of football operations.

“He said, ‘Coach wants to see you,’” Briscoe said. “I was like, ‘Um…’ Then he was like, ‘Calm down. It’s not one of them calls.’ It was a good feeling.”

Briscoe said his talk with Shanahan was more of the personal one. But Shanahan was also very clear when the conversation turned to on-field expectations, he added.

“He just wanted to get to know me,” said Briscoe, who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on July 28 after the Buccaneers released him for reportedly failing a conditioning test. “He didn’t really know me as a person. He just wanted us to get to know each other a little better.”

Shanahan “also said he wants me to come in and keep doing what I’m doing,” he continued. “Keep making plays, catch every ball that comes my way, contribute anyway I can, whether it’s scout team or getting reps on offense.” 

Added Shanahan: “I felt very good about my conversation with him.”

Still, Briscoe didn’t allow himself to relax until the 9 p.m. deadline for submitting rosters had passed. At 7:30, Briscoe tweeted, “I hour 30 minutes …”

A second call from Kelly never came. The team released Anthony Amrstrong instead to create a spot for him.

“No call is a good call,” said Briscoe, who tweeted “HTTR” just after the deadline. “I just basically showed up [Saturday] and had a locker.”

It was the end of a stressful week for Briscoe, who sounded downtrodden after the Redskins’ preseason finale against the Buccaneers. He had expected to see ample playing time but didn’t enter the game until the second half and was hardly used, leading him to believe he wasn’t in the teams’ plans.

“I was on the edge because I didn’t play special teams,” he explained.

As it turned out, the 6 foot 2, 210 pound third year professional out of Kansas had already shown Shanahan enough. In three preseason games, Briscoe had hauled in six passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

“Briscoe is a little bit bigger guy,” Shanahan said. “A very physical receiver, whereas Anthony is more of that X guy where he’s got that great speed, very similar to [Pierre[ Garçon, [Aldrick] Robinson and even [Brandon] Banks. So we thought we were a little deeper at that X position than we were at that Z position, so that’s why we went in that direction.”

So after an anxious birthday, Briscoe got the present he wanted. But he said Monday that he also knows this is not the time to celebrate, not for a player listed on the third string behind Garçon, Morgan, Leonard Hankerson and Santana Moss. 

“Just don’t slack off,” Briscoe said. “Everything can easily get taken away. Don’t take it for granted. Just go out there and contribute any way that I can.”

20 questions in 20 days: #12 Will Hankerson break out?

By Rich Tandler and Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com 

20 questions in 20 days

As we count down to the first game of the Redskins’ season, Tarik El-Bashir and Rich Tandler are going to be looking at some of the big questions facing the team and attempting to look into their crystal balls and answer them.

Question 13: Will Leonard Hankerson have a breakout season?

The background: The Redskins thought they got a steal when they took Hankerson in the third round in 2011. Early in the year it looked like they may have been too high on the Miami product as he struggled with drops. But when he finally got his chance to be in a featured role in the offense he produced, catching eight passes for 106 yards against the Dolphins in Week 10. That turned out to be his last game of the season, however, as he suffered a hip injury and went on injured reserve. Injury rehab had him sidelined for most of OTA’s and minicamp but he appears to be fully healthy and ready to go.

Tandler: When the Redskins signed Pierre Garçon and Josh Morgan in free agency, it looked like they were hedging their bets on Hankerson’s health. But with Hankerson healthy the Redskins could have a quartet of potent weapons at receiver with Garçon, Morgan, Hankerson, and Santana Moss. Hankerson could emerge as a dual threat receiver in this group with the ability to move the chains on third and five and to get open deep. That could make him one of Robert Griffin III’s best friends and that could add up to a Hankerson stat line of 60 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns. That would constitute a breakout season in my book.

El-Bashir: I like Hankerson’s chances of enjoying a breakout season. First, the 23-year-old appears fully recovered from offseason hip surgery. Second, he finally seems comfortable in Coach Mike Shanahan’s offense, one season after he occasionally looked lost in it. And third, it’s possible he’ll find himself matched against weaker defensive backs as opposing teams look to shut down Robert Griffin III’s favorite target, Pierre Garçon. I also like Hankerson’s size. At 6 foot 2, 211-pounds, he‘s the Redskins‘ biggest receiver. Now, he just needs to prove he’s gotten over last season’s maddening case of the drops. Fifty-plus receptions, 700 yards and five touchdowns would constitute a successful season, I think. 

20 questions in 20 days

#20 Aug.20—Will Jammal Brown play this year?
#19 Aug.21—Will Chris Cooley make the team?
#18 Aug. 22—Can Brandon Meriweather get he job done at safety?
#17 Aug. 23—Is Garçon a No. 1 receiver?
#16 Aug. 24—Can Trent Williams go from good to great?
#15 Aug. 25—Can DeAngelo Hall be a defensive playmaker?
#14 Aug. 26—Can Santana Moss regain his old form?
#13 Yesterday—Can Orakpo post 15 sacks?
#12 Today—Will Leonard Hankerson break out?
#11 Tomorrow—Can the Redskins flip their turnover ratio?
#10 Thursday—How much can Hightower contribute this year?

Moss in best shape of his career

Camp preview: Who will RG3's targets be?

The Redskins start training camp on Thursday. We’re going around the team to let you know what we’re looking for when practice gets underway. Earlier today we looked at the offensive line, now the offensive backs and receivers are up.

Anticipated starters:

QB Robert Griffin III
RB Tim Hightower
FB Darrel Young
WR Pierre Garçon, Josh Morgan, Leonard Hankerson
TE Fred Davis

In the span of a few hours, one of the Redskins’ soft spots – wide receiver – became one of their strengths. The team acted swiftly on the opening day of free agency, nabbing Garçon and Morgan, who received a combined $28 million in guaranteed money. Although critics will point out that the team still lacks a true No. 1, the Redskins seem to be hoping that a pair of No. 2’s will suffice. Griffin’s third option figures to be Hankerson, a promising second-year receiver who says he’s fully recovered from offseason hip surgery, while Santana Moss should add depth and veteran leadership.

Key reserves:

RB Roy Helu Jr.
WR Santana Moss
TE Chris Cooley

While Garçon, Morgan and Hankerson may appear set to start, it would be premature to count out Moss, who is coming off his worst season (46 receptions and 584 yards in 12 games) since 2002. During the offseason, the 33 year old showed the coaching staff he still is hungry for more by shedding 15 pounds and standing out in OTA’s and minicamp as Morgan and Hankerson nursed injuries.

On the bubble:

WR Brandon Banks
WR Anthony Armstrong

No position figures to be as competitive in camp as wide receiver, where 12 players are battling for six spots. Banks has been told by Coach Mike Shanahan that he must contribute at wide receiver and kick and punt returner, while Armstrong must rebound from a lost year. A deep threat with speed to spare, Armstrong’s inability to beat bump-and-run coverage led to a dramatic reduction in his role last season (7 catches for 103 yards), down from 44 receptions for 871 yards in 2010.

Three things to watch:

All RG3, all the time

Griffin has navigated the first few months of his newfound fame and fortune flawlessly. But how will RG3 cope when each pass is dissected on sports talk radio, each comment parsed in the newspapers? With all apologies to the President, playing quarterback for the Redskins might be the toughest job in Washington.

‘Captain Chaos’ set for a comeback?

Chris Cooley says the problematic left knee that cut short his season a year ago is completely healthy. But the 30-year-old fan favorite costs $6.23 million against the salary cap and will face stiff competition from converted wide receiver Niles Paul for playing time behind starter Fred Davis. To beat out Paul, Cooley must prove that he’s regained his (modest) speed and is the better blocker.

Who will emerge from the trio of running backs?

Tim Hightower, a Shanahan favorite, enters training camp atop the depth chart. But the versatile 26-year-old is coming off major knee surgery, raising questions about his ability to elude defenders. If Hightower falters, look Shanahan to give Helu (three consecutive 100-plus yard performances last season) and/or Royster (two 100-yard  efforts) the opportunity to step forward.

Banks is 'ready and excited'

By Tarik El-Bashir
CSNwashington.com 

Last month, Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said return specialist Brandon Banks also must contribute at wide receiver if he’s to earn a spot on this season’s roster.

On Sunday, Banks reaffirmed his intent to meet Shanahan’s challenge.

“I’m not nervous; I’m more ready and excited,” Banks said during his youth football camp at Georgetown Prep. “If I can get the ball in my hands, I can go the distance anytime I touch the ball. [But] I’ve got to be able to get into the right areas for the quarterback to get me the ball.”

And that, right there, is the catch for Banks as training camp opens at Redskins Park this week.

The 24-year-old is well established as a punt and kick off returner, having filled that role each of the past two seasons in Washington. Now, though, the diminutive fan favorite has about a month to prove he can run routes, overcome his size disadvantage, find openings in coverage and, of course, snag Robert Griffin III’s powerful passes, too.

There are 12 wide receivers currently listed on the Redskins’ roster. That deep corps is headlined by free agent additions Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, veteran Santana Moss and the emerging Leonard Hankerson.

In minicamp, Banks saw time at each receiver spot and impressed the coaching staff. He’s also reportedly packed 10 more pounds onto his 5 foot 7, 155-pound frame.

“My mindset is to contribute at wide receiver, show the coaches I can run a route, catch the ball and make plays without a punt return or kick return,” Banks said. “That’s my main concern. I’m just trying to get a connection with the quarterback, so hopefully I can be here this year.” 

In addition to practicing his route running and studying the playbook this offseason, Banks said he also spent time at rehab facilities in Arizona and North Carolina working on strengthening his left knee, which required surgery in 2010. Lingering discomfort in the joint bothered him off and on most of last season, too, he conceded.

“I’m a hundred percent,” Banks said. “I went back to the doctor that did my surgery, and he checked me out and told me exactly what I needed.” 

“I went back home to Raleigh,” he added, “and really focused on myself and my rehab. It’s back. I’m back. I’m back in full effect.”

Banks understands the daunting task he’ll face in the coming weeks. But he’s also confident that his skill set – and specifically his speed and elusiveness – will ultimately help him secure one of the 53 spots on the opening day roster.

“I don’t think nobody has an advantage,” he said, referring to the receivers he must beat out. “Guys have certain skills, certain talents. Mine is speed.”

A breakout year on tap for Hankerson?

NFL.com did a spin around the NFL and looked for a player on each team who could be set to have a breakout year in 2012. While I don’t always agree with their take on things, I wholeheartedly endorse their selection of Leonard Hankerson as the Redskins’ potential breakout layer.

Hankerson might not have been in to conversation to be a breakout player this year had he not injured his hip in Week 10 against the Dolphins last year. Had he been able to play in the Redskins’ final seven games he might have broken out in 2011. The rookie dominated a pretty good Miami secondary, catching eight passes for 106 yards before getting injured late in the game.

Now, Hankerson was not going to average eight catches for 100 yards the rest of the way but he certainly had the potential to be the team’s top receiver and biggest threat for the last half of the season.

But as it turned out all of that had to wait until this year. And if he was going to break out last year with Rex Grossman at quarterback, then he has the potential to really burst onto the scene with Robert Griffin III throwing him the ball. From the NFL.com article:

Griffin was highly accurate at Baylor and used the weapons around him. All Redskins wideouts should see a boost with the rookie QB at the controls, but Hankerson, especially, could see his career altered by RG3's arrival. Hankerson's not a household name here in June, but riding Griffin's coattails could thrust him into the lights.

And Hankerson, a big target at 6-2, will help Griffin as much as RG3 will help the receiver. It should be fun to watch.

 

Transformation at receiver continues

While the offseason has another month to go, it’s safe to say that offseason personnel and coaching moves are pretty much over. There might be a minor trade or a waiver wire pickup here or there but the cake is mostly baked.

So before training camp starts, let’s take a look back at the five biggest moves of the offseason. We’ll count them down in order of how important they were. Earlier, we looked at the hiring of Raheem Morris and the roster decisions made at the start of free agency. Here we look at the signings of wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Josh Morgan.

NFL free agency started at 4:00 Eastern time on March 13. Well before 5:00, former Colts wide receiver Pierre Garçon announced on his Facebook page and Twitter feed that he was a Washington Redskin. 

That news of one lightning-quick negotiation barely had time to sink in before there were multiple reports that the Redskins had signed receiver Josh Morgan away from the 49ers. Those reports were soon confirmed.

The Redskins almost had a third wideout in the fold but negotiations with Eddie Royal, an area product and a draft pick of Mike Shanahan’s in Denver, fell through. He eventually signed with the Chargers.

The timing left no question as to what the Redskins’ priority was in free agency. Neither did the money the two new receivers got. Garçon’s deal pays him $42.5 million over five years with $20.5 million guaranteed. Morgan’s deal has some voidable years and it boils down to $12 million over two years with $7.5 million guaranteed.

The Redskins had already moved to upgrade the quarterback position by trading away two first-round picks and a second to be able to swap picks with the Rams, putting themselves in position to draft Robert Griffin III second overall (a move that will be dissected later in this series). Clearly, they decided that they needed better weapons for their rookie quarterback.

The wide receiver corps, a sore spot that the team has been trying to fix ever since The Posse broke up in the early 1990’s, had already been transformed since Shanahan came to town in 2010. Only Santana Moss remains from the group of receivers that played for Jim Zorn in 2009. 

The rebuilding effort has yet to bear fruit. Joey Galloway, who was 38 at the time, and veteran Roydell Williams played a substantial number of snaps in 2010. Leonard Hankerson was starting to be productive last year before his season was cut short with a hip injury. Jabar Gaffney, acquired in a post-lockout trade, led the team in receiving in 2011 but the coaches were not satisfied with his playmaking ability. It looked like they had a real find when Anthony Armstrong averaged almost 20 yards on 44 receptions in 2010 but he crashed back to earth last year with just seven catches.

They drafted Hankerson, Aldrick Robinson, and Niles Paul last year. Robinson has a shot at making it this year after spending most of 2011 on the practice squad and Paul has been moved to tight end. 

The transformation continues with the additions of Garçon and Morgan. So far, the changes have just been akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Shanahan hopes that Garçon and Morgan, along with RG3, can get the ship sailing in the right direction. 

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email here and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.

 

Hankerson watches and learns

Despite the fact that about a dozen players watched what turned out to be the last practice of the Redskins’ minicamp on Wednesday with an assortment of injuries, none of them are expected to linger into training camp, which will start around July 26.

Mike Shanahan indicated that the player about whom there was the most concern, Leonard Hankerson, could have fully participated in minicamp.

“He’ll be able to go Day One of camp,” he said when asked about Hankerson. ‘[W]e could push him in this minicamp. He was doing drill work. The last couple of days you could see the routes that he ran were full-speed. I’m glad we didn’t try to push him or overwork him because I thought we could set him back. Hopefully, over the next five-six weeks, he’ll just be getting better and better.”

The second-year wide receiver had his rookie season cut short when he suffered a hip injury in Week 10. After trying to rehab the injury for a few months, the doctors decided that surgery was needed and the procedure was done in February.

Hankerson has been participating in some drills, running patterns and catching passes from Robert Griffin III and the other quarterbacks. But when things got more serious and they line up to run plays 11 on 11, Hankerson became a spectator. 

“It’s been every tough emotionally, I want to be out there but I can’t,” he said after Wednesday’s practice. “It was very tough for me to sit on the sideline knowing that the next practice is six weeks from now, very frustrating. 

“I want to be out there.”

Hankerson understands why he has been sidelined even though he is physically able to go and he is trying to make the best of it. He says it’s a matter of attitude.

 “It depends on you. You can get down, go in the tank, and learn nothing, he said. “Or you can watch the guys, you can go in the meeting room, listen and learn, break down the notes, stuff like that. 

“You can learn a whole lot sitting on the sideline and seeing what the other guys do.”

 

Shanahan: Banks must contribute at WR

Last year, Brandon Banks lined up to return every kickoff and every punt. He saw very limited action on offense, just a handful of snaps.

The latter part will have to change if the first part is going to happen again in 2012.

Mike Shanahan said today that Banks will need to contribute as a wide receiver if he is going to make the team. 

“I called him in early and I told him that he was going to have to help us at the wide reciever position as well if he wanted to make this football team,” said Shanahan. “And he accepted the challenge.”

Shanahan said that Banks came into the offseason program in excellent shape and that he has added about 10 pounds to his 5-7 frame. 

“It’s really positive what he’s done,” said Shanahan. “Hopefully he can continue to do it.”

Banks may have to provide more than just depth at wide receiver; with 46 players active on game day he could have to play meaningful snaps. Normally there are four or five receivers on the active list each game. If Banks is one of those he will have to play in some packages and would play a major role if someone got hurt during the game.

That would be a big step up for Banks, who has three career receptions in his two years in the league.