11
Mar
2012
Redskins mortgage their future for RGIII
As Peyton Manning narrows his choices between Denver and Arizona, and the Jets elect to extend Mark Sanchez, the importance of having a franchise quarterback – and the difference between the haves and have-nots – is as apparent as ever in the NFL.
So on Friday, the Washington Redskins pulled off a trade that rocked the league, acquiring the #2 selection in April’s draft from the St. Louis Rams, so that they can choose Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III with the pick.
(Image: KissingSuzyKolber.com)
In order to move up just four spots in the draft, the Redskins gave up their first and second round picks in 2012, as well as their first round picks in 2013 AND 2014. It’s one of the more expensive trades in league history, and Washington GM Bruce Allen and owner Dan Snyder are clearly betting the house that Griffin is the guy to turn the franchise around. And the Rams have to be feeling good about stockpiling draft picks for the next three years, while still having the #6 pick in this year’s draft.
People everywhere are saying Washington overpaid, and it’s certainly easy to have that knee-jerk reaction, and point to Snyder’s historic foolishness as a reason the deal won’t work out for the ‘Skins. But Snyder likely had little to do with this move, with Allen and head coach Mike Shannahan driving the train after becoming enamored with the Baylor QB at the recent combine.
21
Sep
2011
NFL Threatens Fines, Suspensions & More for Fake Injuries
(Photo: NYDailyNews.com)
Two days after Giants S Deon Grant was caught diving to the turf in an effort to stop the clock and slow the Rams no-huddle offense, the NFL issued a warning that players, coaches & teams caught faking injuries to disrupt the flow of the game could be punished with fines, suspensions and/or loss of draft picks. Although referees are powerless to penalize players suspected of feigning injury during the game itself, the league sent a memo to all 32 teams saying they would be reviewing questionable plays and handing out disciplinary action where appropriate for “conduct detrimental to the game”.
But several players have indicated that feigning injuries has long been a strategic part of the game, and is something that is even coached in certain circles:
“I’ve been places where it has been (taught),” said Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the players’ union executive committee. “They have a name for it and I’ve been places where it’s been pre-called. I’ve been places where it’s one player who has been designated. Maybe I’m getting everyone in trouble, but I’m just being honest.”
“It’s always been in the game,” Ravens All-Pro safety Ed Reed said. “It’s all tactical stuff you need to use. Whatever it takes. … If you’re tired, you’re tired. You get a break however you can.”
Added 49ers running back Frank Gore: “Hey, I feel if it helps, do it. I’m bound to do it. Whatever it takes to win …”
13
Mar
2011
TheDarkHorse’s 2011 Mock Draft – Picks 6-10
Colt McCoy needs a dance partner. A.J. Green will do. (Source: BCSknowhow.com)
For picks 1 through 5, go here.
Let’s continue with picks 6 through 10.
6. Cleveland Browns – A.J. Green, WR, Georgia: Cleveland’s in a terrible spot. They’re moving to the 4-3, but have nothing along the defensive line. They have a promising young quarterback in Colt McCoy — and they’re moving to the West Coast Offense — but he’s got almost nobody to throw to. They just cut NT Shaun Rogers along with a flock of grizzled defensive veterans — a fiscally sound move, but one that’s left Browns fans wondering who will take the field next season. Changing offensive and defensive philosophies during a lockout-hampered offseason in which coaches cannot communicate with players is tougher. The free-agency window possibly opening for mere weeks, if at all, is tougher. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh and Baltimore have stayed the course. This draft is critical for the Browns, forced to address needs all over the place. Pat Shurmur was brought in to groom McCoy and flip the switch on offense — and Green is the kind of sizzling wideout the team’s been missing since Braylon Edwards broke free in 2007 — and before that, since Webster Slaughter. Still, many could question the Browns passing up one of the blue-chip defensive linemen — but how do you meet two needs at once?
7. San Francisco 49ers – Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson: This is a tough one for me. In a mock with trades, I see Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers pressing for a quarterback, or possibly even trading down into a spot where they can gather picks and select Florida’s Christian Ponder late in the first. Honestly, how many more coaches can call Alex Smith their starter? That experiment needs to cease. With Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert off the board, the 49ers select Bowers, a defensive end who comes with question marks around the health of his knee, but, if ruled healthy, could serve as defensive stronghold while Harbaugh seeks a quarterback elsewhere. Moroever, there are some promising young passers to be had later in the draft, such as Washngton’s Jake Locker and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick – not to mention the polarizing Ryan Mallett out of Arkansas.
Picks 8-10 after the jump.
9
Dec
2010
Mike Shanahan speaks on Haynesworth suspension
As we all know by know, the Washington Redskins finally did something about the Albert Haynesworth debacle on Tuesday, suspending the $100 million dollar flop for the rest of the season without pay. The move brought a sense of relief around the Redskins’ organization, knowing they can focus on football now that the drama Haynesworth seemed to bring on a weekly basis is over with.
Yesterday, Mike Shanahan said that during their eight months together, Haynesworth was impossible to please, and it was simply time to part ways:
“He didn’t like the 4-3 defense a year ago,” Shanahan said. “He didn’t like the base defense. He didn’t like the nickel defense. He didn’t want to play nose tackle, didn’t want to play defensive end (in the 3-4 defense). We got him playing the nickel package, first and second and third down. He didn’t like first- and second-down nickel, wanted to play third-down nickel in passing situations. Hey, it was just time. It was just time to go in another direction.”
More surprisingly, Shanahan also said that he “hasn’t even discussed this situation with Dan” … meaning that overly-hands-on owner Daniel Snyder wasn’t aware of the suspension – which was officially for “conduct detrimental to the team” – before it happened. I don’t know about you, but I kind of love that.
Oh, and in case you’re still wondering if Shanahan made the right decision, we gently remind you of this.
15
Nov
2010
Why did the Redskins give McNabb a 5-year extension now?
(Photo via NYDailyNews.com)
UPDATE: The details of McNabb’s contract have come out, and it looks like the guarantee is much lower than originally thought. Per usual, it’s a wildly confusing deal with all sorts of clauses and incentives, but if the Redskins decide to cut or trade McNabb after this year, they’re only on the hook for $3.75 million.
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In perhaps the strangest move Daniel Snyder has made in the last 3-4 days, the Washington Redskins gave Donovan McNabb a 5-year contract extension on Monday. Under the terms of the deal, the 33-year old QB is guaranteed to make $40 million, and could make as much as $88 million with incentives. But that would mean that McNabb would have to play out his contract in Washington, which doesn’t seem overly likely considering his age, and his recently-strained relationship with head coach Mike Shanahan.
As we all know, just 2 weeks ago, McNabb was benched by Shanahan in overtime against the Lions, setting off a firestorm of controversy surrounding the franchise. On consecutive days following the incident, Shanahan blamed the benching on both McNabb’s physical conditioning and his grasp of the 2-minute offense … neither of which seemed like valid excuses for sitting down a six-time pro bowl quarterback (especially when the alternative was Rex Grossman). This inevitably led to accusations of racism against Shanahan from the media, which has been a topic of conversation in DC ever since.
So why did the Redskins make this deal? And why now? I mean, McNabb hasn’t exactly gotten off to a great start this season (7TDs, 8 INTs, 70.6 passer rating through the first 8 games), so this wasn’t a reward for his play of late. Was it an olive branch from the franchise to try and make Donovan feel better after his benching? Or was it an attempt by Snyder to make the whole racism thing just go away? You also have to believe that Shanahan was consulted on this move … so would that mean he’s sold on McNabb – who is clearly well past his prime – as his long-term solution at QB?
It just seems like a very oddly-timed move by the Redskins, and I can’t say I quite get it. But it’s not like we’re talking about Haynesworth money here. And either way, I think we can all agree that McNabb is a way better option than Danny-boy’s Plan B, which was going out and signing JaMarcus Russell.
20
Oct
2009
Mike Shanahan knows better than to coach the Redskins
Even Shanahan can't help you now, Danny Boy
NFL Fanhouse is reporting that Napoleonic Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has contacted former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan about possibly replacing current HC Jim Zorn. Fortunately for him, Shanahan knows better than to take command over a sinking ship in mid-season, and turned the job down:
“Shanahan told the franchise there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works,” a Redskins management source told FanHouse. “Several people that Dan Snyder trusts have suggested, if he makes a move, he should turn it over to secondary coach Jerry Gray. That could still happen.
Finally, someone who is actually making common sense! Someone who realizes you can’t just make wholesale changes to a team in mid-season and expect results. Once again, Snyder thinks he’s playing Fantasy Football, and that he can just switch out coaches & players like they’re batteries, with no regard to team chemistry or consistency.
I for one hope Dan Snyder stays in Washington for a long, long time. As long as he’s there, it’s pretty much a guarantee that the Redskins won’t be a factor in the NFC East. And I’m totally cool with that.
