Bleeding Burgundy | Washington Redskins Blog

Bruce Allen: Hire RUSS GRIMM as next REDSKINS head coach

2009-12-18T13:07:00.004-05:00

WASHINGTON REDSKINS, HIRE RUSS GRIMM.

Bill Cowher retired and Russ Grimm became a leading candidate for the head coach vacancy of the Steelers in 2007. Surprisingly, Mike Tomlin got the Steelers job and Grimm headed to Arizona as offensive coordinator. Ironically, Russ Grimm and Tomlin would meet in the Super Bowl the following season. The Steelers won, but it was Arizona's insane offense that got all the attention.

Russ Grimm has led great offenses in Pittsburgh, but the one he's running in Arizona is one of the best in the league...well ahead of the Redskins in every offensive category. Imagine Greg Blache's sound defense paired with an offense as explosive as the one Russ Grimm is running in Arizona.

The Redskins had Russ Grimm working as an assistant from 1992 - 2000. It's not surprising that Grimm hit the road when Snyder and Cerrato started their reign of destruction.

A head coach in the making was already working at Redskins Park...but why would Snyder take a chance on Grimm when Schottenheimer, Spurrier, and Gibbs 2.0 are available? We'll never know how that would have played out, but it's not too late to make amends. The first step was firing Vinny Cerrato, the next step is bring Russ Grimm back to the Redskins as the head coach.

C'mon man.

REDSKINS: "We are who we thought we are"

2009-09-27T21:24:00.004-04:00

Yep, as the great Dennis Green once said (sort of)...WE ARE WHAT WE THOUGHT WE ARE.

The Washington Redskins are:

1. Run by horrible ownership, a man that once cheered for a team and has single handily run it into the grown. Jimmy Hoffa's corpse ain't as deep in the end zone as the 2009 Washington Redskins.

2. Draft picks, trades, free agents, coaches, practice squad....Vinny Cerrato...does anything else need to be said here?

3. Strongest fan base in the NFL eroding before the teams eyes. Dan Snyder could give free tickets to Six Flags (more fun) or greasy hamburgers to every season ticket holder and promise not to sue them, but it isn't going to stop the avalanche of crap football that is flying down Capitol Hill today.

You see, this is a DEBACLE in the making. It all started in 1999 when Snyder bought the Redskins from the great estate of Jack Kent Cooke. Little (no pun intended) did Snyder know that his $800MM would grow into the billions, but while doing so he would slowly destroy his investment while the public and NFL vets screamed and shouted louder every season. The other owners secretly laughed at this little rich man as he showed the rest of the league how to make money from die hard fans, or sheep, as he calls them. If you got in his way then he'd sue you or ban you, or buy your radio station. Nothing stops this guy.

Keep going. When the shit hits the fan all you have to do is bring back a legendary coach for $5.5MM a year to quiet the storm for a few years...then back to your Norv/Marty/Terry/Spurrier ways. Let the bug eyed Cerrato draft a punter or two, waive his pom-poms over a 5th, 6th, or 7th round pick making the team (aren't they supposed to if you DRAFTED them?).

Poor Zorn, the guy is nice, but he is just another Spurrier. Stuck with Vinny and Dan chomping on their cigars with Sonny, watching the next great offensive offense to hit Washington. FedEx Field is dead. Redskins Park is a mausoleum. Readkins Nation is heartbroken. The Detroit Lions are 1-19.

Redskins vs. Ravens - The BLAME GAME

2009-08-14T12:05:00.007-04:00

Wow...I know it's pre-season, but that WAS BAD. The Redskins got their asses handed to them, but at least the punter looked decent. A Dan Snyder drone called me a couple hours before the game begging me to renew my season tickets (that I waited 11 years for)....Hell no, I said. I'll have more on that decision later. But most of it has to do with these ass clowns:

The answer to why the offensive line is full of undrafted free agents can only be answered by those two fantasy football gurus above. We'll never know what the picks the Redskins gave up for Jason Taylor could have been on this roster. And to think this all started back with Jeff George...the writing has been on the wall for almost a decade...THEY NEVER LEARN.

Next week, Pittsburgh.

Washington Redskins 2009 NFL Draft - The Brains

2009-04-24T11:52:00.011-04:00

Tick tock, tick tock. These dudes will be running the burgundy and gold War Room...

2009-02-27T10:16:00.001-05:00

Former Redskin Leigh Torrence Now A Saint

2008-11-10T20:25:00.005-05:00

The New Orleans Saints claimed former Washington Redskins cornerback Leigh Torrence off waivers according to a report. Leigh Torrence was a back up corner under Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot, and Shawn Springs. He was a stand out special teams player, and very active in the Washington DC community. Couldn't find a nicer guy. He was released over the weekend to make room for newly signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a two time Pro Bowler.

The Saints now have a good corner back/special teamer, but more importantly a good person with a good head on his shoulders. More info on Leigh and his on/off field life can be found at: www.LeighTorrence.com.

GOOD LUCK LEIGH!

HAIL.

Redskins Portis has sprained knee, '50-50' for Sunday

2008-11-10T15:33:00.004-05:00

Wow, didn't see this coming! The AP reports that Redskins running back, Clinton Portis, has a sprained knee. Wowzers! The Redskins are already missing Ladell Betts. It would not be good to not have a stud like Portis against the hated Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It is an NFC East division game that the Cowboys MUST win. A heavy dose of Portis is what is needed to sweep the Cowboys in the 2008 season.

Per the AP, "Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis is unable to practice because of a sprained knee, and coach Jim Zorn says the running back is "50-50" for Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The pain got progressively worse after Portis was treated following the game, however, and Zorn said Monday that Portis has a bone bruise on the femur as well as a sprain."

Clinton Portis is a tough S.O.B. - I say he plays, and takes back the rushing lead from Adrian Peterson. Just ask Bubba Tyer to give him one of those Vitamin B shots he gave Riggo back in the day.

HAIL.

Redskins No Longer Have NFL Leading Rusher

2008-11-10T13:03:00.003-05:00

The Washington Redskins surprised many during the first half of the season. Jim Zorn, coming from the pass happy West Cost Offense, had the NFL's leading rusher through mid-season. Clinton Portis dominated and led the league with 995 yards as he went into the bye week. Enter Minnesota's Adrian Peterson. He now holds the NFL rushing lead with 1,015 yards, and has banged out 5 straight 100 yard games.

It will be interesting to see if the Redskins bye week rest is what the offensive line and Clinton Portis needed. It will be even more interesting to see if Portis can keep up with Peterson for the NFL rushing title for the 2008 season. Portis has always said he would rather have W's than stats, but c'mon...Portis wants that recognition badly. He wants the league to put him back at the top of running back totem pole. He wants the league, the fans, and himself to know what he is capable of.

If the bye week rest was all that was needed then I think Clinton Portis just might give Adrian Peterson a RUN for his money.

HAIL.

Hall Signs With Redskins - Back In Burgundy

2008-11-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

Well, that was fast. The internets just got word that DeAngelo Hall is now a Washington Redskin. The Redskins gave Hall a prorated one year deal, meaning he will get paid for the remainder of the 2008 season at the same rate he was to get from the Jokeland Raiders. He will be a free agent come March 2009.

This is a good signing. You can never have too many cornerbacks, especially in the NFC East. Also, this Redskins team is full of high character players, so Hall will know right away not to mouth off...Portis, Fletcher, Campbell, Moss, hell...any player....will put him in his place. This is a good environment for Hall who has played with losing teams since he left the Virginia Tech Hokies. He will have a very experienced coaching staff to transition him to the playbook and the culture of this football club. Just what the doctor ordered for this young talent.

It will be interesting to see if he sticks around for 2009, it would be wise for both I think (as I said on the previous post).

HAIL.

DeAngelo Hall Clears Waivers, Eyes Redskins

2008-11-06T22:41:00.003-05:00

Crazy old guy Al Davis (below), the owner of the dismal Oakland Raiders cut Pro Bowl cornerback DeAngelo Hall the other day to "make a statement" to the team. That's just crazy in my opinion. Now there are reports Hall is considering the Washington Redskins as his third team in 5 seasons. He's only 24 years old, and he does have skills. But, he also has an ego...the T.O. type ego. Not Pacman, more like T.O. and Chad Johnson/Ocho Cinco.

The thing I've noticed is that players like T.O. and Chad get humbled, get put in their place, then perform. This would not be a bad signing for the Redskins as they head into the second half of the season and have a bunch of games against pass happy offenses. It just may be what they need as insurance for the regular season and possible playoffs. I mean, the Cowboys picked up Pacman Jones...that was stupid. Hall is a great corner that was playing for a crappy team. If his ego got bruised a winning atmosphere may be just what he needs to "get on track".

Sure, the Redskins have Carlos Rogers (who is breaking out), Fred Smoot (ol' reliable), and Shawn Springs (savvy injured veteran), but adding Hall to that group would allow the Redskins to compete with the Giants, Eagles, and Cowboy potent pass attacks. And if it works out you could have Rogers and Hall next season with Good O'l Smoooooot holding down the nickel next season. Remember, Springs' contract is up. Worth a shot, at least an incentive based contract. And the best thing....NO DRAFT PICKS REQUIRED!

I say pull the trigger and let Blache teach this kid how to be a REAL professional football player.

HAIL.

Redskins vs. Steelers - Monday Night Football

2008-10-30T12:14:00.007-04:00

The Washington Redskins are 6-2 midway through the 2008 NFL season. The Redskins will be facing the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football at home in the Nations Capital at FedEx Field on the eve of the Presidential Election. The Steelers are a good squad, so this will be a nice test to see if the Skins are as good as their record. So, are you going to the game????

If you are a Loudoun County resident you may want to consider taking the Skins Bus (www.SkinsBus.com) which is operated by some great people who happen to be die hard Skins fans. The bus leaves Lansdowne Town Center, includes all you care to drink beer/soda/water and tailgate food (provided by The Dock this week). The bus also has a bathroom (no waiting in long lines in the cold for a messy Don Jon) and plasma TV's airing the pre-game and post-game show. The cost is $60 per person, and that includes the beer/food/and piece of mind of getting to and from the game safely. Parking passes alone are $60 and you have to pay for gas and sit in traffic! Why do all that when you can ride the Skins Bus with fellow fans?

The SkinsBus leaves at 4PM SHARP on Monday. For more information visit www.SkinsBus.com

HAIL.

Redskins Todd Collins Ranked Best Backup QB

2008-08-27T14:05:00.006-04:00

Don Banks, the ever so opinionated writer for SI.com, ranked the NFL's back up quarterbacks...and Todd Collins (a.k.a. Rainman) was his top choice. No, not Colt Brennan. All you visitors from Hawaii will have to wait a few years for that to change.

I think Collins is a great backup, but the best in the NFL? Numero Uno? If that's the case, the current Redskins backup QB is ranked higher than five...yes 5...former starting Redskin QB's.

#07 - Trent Green (now with St. Louis)
#11 - Brad Johnson (now with Dallas)
#16 - Gus Frerotte (now with Minnesota)
#18 - Mark Brunell (now with New Orleans)
#20 - Patrick Ramsey (now with Denver)

And, according to the rankings, Todd Collins just barely beat out the number 3 ranked backup in the league...Sage Rosenfels (now with Houston). Funny how three former Redskins "developmental quarterbacks" are on that list. It's weird in general to see all of those former Redskins quarterbacks still playing in the league yet none of them seemed to work out here in DC. I guess the Redskins have had mediocrity at QB since the former players are at least contributing in the league still.

But Todd Collins at #1? Above young stars Matt Leinart and Brady Quinn? Above seasoned vets Kerry Collins and Billy Volek? Sure, why not...it's just a preseason backup ranking.

Here's what Banks said about Collins:
Washington: Todd Collins -- The unspoken truth in D.C. is that the veteran would run Jim Zorn's offense better today than starter Jason Campbell, who I still think might struggle in his transition to the West Coast style attack. It was Collins, not Campbell, who orchestrated the Redskins' four-game late season winning streak and wild-card playoff berth last year.

Another question is, will Jason Campbell follow the trend or stick around? I think (and hope) he does the latter. I would hate to see his name on Don Banks 2010 back up QB rankings.

2 Redskins vs. Jaguars Tickets

2008-08-27T14:00:00.007-04:00

Can't make the game, if anyone wants the tix let me know. $25 ea., Dulles/Loudoun area.

The good thing is starters will be playing and you can move around the stadium since a lot of seats are open. Will also be odd to see Gregg Williams defense against Jim Zorn's offense.

Let me know...later.

Redksins Sign Linebacker, Cut Former Terp

2008-08-26T10:24:00.010-04:00

ESPN reported that the Washington Redskins cut tight end Jason Goode. He was recently known as the guy who caught the pass from Colt Brennan to score the winning touchdown against the Jets. Former Terp. End of the road with the Redskins (for now at least).

The Redskins signed another free agent with no experience to replace Matt Sinclairs' roster spot. You could argue that Sinclair had a little more experience/value than the new guy Danny Verdun-Wheeler. I don't think Danny Verdun-Wheeler or recently signed linebacker David Holloway will make the team...so why bother? The team has to trim the roster again soon, so these guys may not be around next week.

I think a lot of people have pointed out the lack of depth the Redskins have at linebacker. There's a lot of injury prone guys there, and not much experience behind them. It amazed me that the Redskins didn't consider signing former Pro Bowl LB Takeo Spikes in the off season. Sure he is old, but would make a good back up...at least better than Danny Verdun-Wheeler. But, too late. The San Fransisco 49ers signed him on August 10th. But then again, the Redskins don't have much cap room after signing Jason Taylor at the start of training camp.

I'm worried about the Redskins linebackers going into the regular season. I don't know what else to say than that. 3 of the top 5 have injury history and the others have little experience. Khary Campbell is in that top 5 but Greg Blache has called him more of a special teams guy, not an every down linebacker.

Redskins linebackers in camp:
Fletcher, London (10 years) Starter
Washington, Marcus (8 years) Starter
McIntosh, Rocky (2 years) Starter
Campbell, Khary (6 years)
Blades, H.B. (1 year)
Fincher, Alfred (3 years)
Gatewood, Curtis (R)
Holloway, David (1 year)

Redskins Cut LB Matt Sinclair

2008-08-25T12:26:00.005-04:00

Just got a txt that Matt Sinclair has been released by the Washington Redskins. He has been having back spasms lately, but it was revealed he has fractures in his vertabra. This is not good news when it comes to the depth at linebacker for the Washington Redskins. Rocky McIntosh is coming off a season ending knee injury and Marcus Washington has been knicked up the last few years, and has recently been hurting from this long preseason. In addition, H.B. Blades just had his knee scoped. Look for the Redskins to scour the NFL waiver wire for a linebacker with experience in the coming days/weeks.

Matt Sinclair

Also, Good news for Jason Campbell and the offensive line....Giant's DE Osi Umenyiora is out for the season with a knee injury.

Redskins Release Fox, 2 Others...Taylor Out 10 - 14 Days

2008-08-24T22:50:00.006-04:00

After the horrible showing in Charlotte you would think the Redskins would cut half the team, well no, just three. Veteran Vernon Fox was one of them according to Redskins.com. The other two were back up defensive end Dorian Smith and defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo (both were buried on the depth chart). It was a little surprising to see Fox cut due to his special teams skills, but the newly drafted safeties Kareem Moore and Chris Horton have had a good camp and appear they will stick. The Redskins will cut two more before Tuesday for the 75 man roster limit (I think Devine and Gant).

In other news, good news...and old news, Jason Taylor appears to just have a knee sprain and is expected to be out 10 - 14 days. The slow motion recap with Joe Theismann having flashbacks made me think Jason Taylor was doneski. Well, the dude seems lucky...and the Redskins horrible night in Charlotte is not as bad as it could have been.

Still, I did not see any contribution from Taylor or Carter...or any defensive starter really. They are starting to look counterfeit. They've got one week to get things right. Gonna be a long week in Ashburn for these guys. Let's hope Taylor recovers quick and take Manning out on the opening drive.

Hail.

WTF??? Redskins Get Blown Out

2008-08-24T01:25:00.006-04:00

Seriously, what the hell just happened? The Redskins were a complete debacle in Carolina. The only thing worse that their performance was Jason Campbell's GEICO commercial. Very fitting for a total collapse of the team.

At least there was a 65 yard punt...rad.

Get it together Skins.

Friday Redskins News

2008-08-22T11:21:00.007-04:00

Corey Masisak - Washington Times - Redskins' Doughty tackles hearing loss
Just another reason to like Reed Doughty. The guy has been through a lot, and we continue to find out more about this guy who doesn't let anything get in his way.

Mike Wise - Washington Post - Losses That Come Too Soon
A great followup article to his recent story on the Bugel family.

J. La Canfora and J. Reid - Washington Post - Redskins Have A Lot to Mourn
Recap of yesterday's sad news around Redskins Park and the tragedies that have affected this team recently.

David Elfin - Washington Times - Frost may keep job with solid showing
I think this may be the last article about Frost in DC. Too many fans are tired of the ups and downs of the punting. Like an offensive lineman, it's good to not hear your name in the press.

Rich Tandler - Real Redskins - Flashback Friday: Redskins vs. Panthers
Rich reminds you that the Skins own the Panthers. And the great Sean Gilbert heist!

Mat Terl - Official Redskins Blog - Travel Day
Matt shows the inside scoop on the travel process to away games. Coordinating the trip of about 100 people, equipment, and Larry Michael's tanning bed takes precision. Something the average fan doesn't think about but it's interesting.

Joseph White - AP - Redskins' Rogers, McIntosh return from injuries
The remarkable recovery from season ending injuries less than a year ago. Their return to the Redskins lineup makes the defense almost identical to last years top 10 ranked squad.

Craig Garrison, Sr. - Bleacher Report - Redskins-Panthers: What Will We See This Week?
A breakdown on what to expect Saturday when the Redskins are expected to play their starters a full half and allow the players on the bubble another opportunity to make the team.

Skin Patrol - Hogs Haven - Outsider Bill Barnwell talks Redskins and the NFC East
A quick, unbiased Q&A about the Skins and their rivals

Redskins Owner Gives Rare Interview To WSJ

2008-08-21T13:02:00.011-04:00

Shirley S. Wang, of the Wall Street Journal had a very rare interview with Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins. Snyder BASHES the Washington Post. The Redskins have been publicly at war with the Washington Post over the last few years...and I don't see it stopping anytime soon. Media is very competitive and both the Redskins and the Post are in it together. While the fight is entertaining to watch, it is annoying at the same time. The fans are the ones that get screwed in this situation. Oh....and vacationing with Jerry Jones? What?

Here are some of the excerpts:

WSJ: In June you bought a radio station, WTEM, which is a very popular local sports station. There's some concern among fans that it might become a propaganda tool for the Redskins. What do you say to that?

Mr. Snyder: It's actually just the Washington Post. We have a problem in this marketplace with our local newspaper. There's a monopoly. I have no problems saying that. They have been losing circulation by the droves, losing advertising by the pound load and they are desperate to create controversy. They had a Washington Post radio business at the time -- it's since gone out of business -- that was a competitor. We did write them a letter saying obviously you're a competitor, so don't use your newspaper to affect the business. Other than them, you won't find any of that type of talk.

WSJ: Are you saying there's a not a reason for concern?

Mr. Snyder: No, I think we're careful to ensure that content remains content. Eighty percent of the local talent -- on-air talent -- I don't even know, never even met. So they're doing their thing. They can say whatever they want. If we're winning, they're going to say good things and if we're losing, they're going to say bad things. That's life.

WSJ: How would you characterize your style of ownership?

Mr. Snyder: I'm a passionate owner who wants to win on the field and off the field. I also think [the fans have] seen me grow as an owner. When I bought the club, I was 34 years old. I was much more naive and probably immature than I am today. Since then I've had cancer, my wife's had cancer, I've lost my father. I think I'm probably a lot more patient than I was when I first got here.

WSJ: Some people have described that as more micromanaging.

Mr. Snyder: I'm not in any of the coaching meetings. I never have been. I don't watch film with the coaches. I let the scouts scout and the coaches coach. What I try to do is help get the deals on the business side done. After the scouts and coaches come up with the grades, for example, on free agency, I'm the one that's eager to go sign the player and negotiate the contracts with their agents. When it comes to, 'OK, this is the player we really would like to have,' then I'm going to help with the help of the salary-cap people to make that work.

WSJ: Are you still in touch with Coach Gibbs?

Mr. Snyder: I talk to him probably every three or four days. We're good friends. He's very respectful of Jim Zorn being the [new] head coach.

WSJ: Gibbs's tenure wasn't the same is it was the first time around when he led the team to the Super Bowl. What do you make of that? Did his time pass?

Mr. Snyder: No, I think if you look in the last three years we made the playoffs twice. We got close. We should have beaten Seattle two of those years and I think we would have had a lot of fun playing Dallas. But I think we just didn't finish. We got close but didn't finish. It's a shame that Joe felt that at 67 he needed to retire again. He just felt that he couldn't give it everything, the commitment.

WSJ: Are there owners you admire?

Mr. Snyder: I admire Pat Bowlen [of the Denver Broncos]. He has a tremendous desire to win. And in the offseason, I get along great with Jerry Jones [of the Dallas Cowboys]. We have a lot of fun times together with our wives. We vacation together. But during the season, we are definitely enemies.

Full WSJ article link here

Joe Bugel's Daughter Passed Away

2008-08-21T12:45:00.011-04:00

According to the Washington Post and Redskins Blog - Washington Redskins assistant coach Joe Bugel's daughter, Holly, has passed away from osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. She has fought this since December 2007.

The Washington Times did a story on the Bugel family back in January.

Another good story from Mike Wise was written in July. It gave you a glimpse into the Bugel family and the strength Holly and the family have. Just about everyone (including me) has been affected by cancer somehow. Just earlier today Gene Upshaw passed away suddenly from cancer. It really is a devastating disease that affects so many people.

Thoughts and prayers with the Bugel and Upshaw family.

UPDATE: The videos on Redskins.com show some pretty sad football players.

From Washington Post, Joe Gibbs on Holly Bugel:
"Obviously, our heart goes out to coach Bugel, Brenda and the Bugel family," Gibbs said in a phone interview between meetings at Joe Gibbs Racing in Huntersville, N.C. "I left voicemails for Joe and Brenda and I talked to Brenda personally. I told her I was praying for her and praying for their family. Everybody is so close.

At this time of the year, coach Bugel is probably spending more time with the football team than he does with his own family, and so it's like family, you have two families.

"What happens is, when you have a loss and somebody grieves, it has a big effect on everybody. It is a grieving process. But the thing that you have there is that you get real comfort from all that are around you who care about you."

Jim Zorn:
"Win or lose it'll be somber after that football game, but also they will take pride in doing a good job without Joe there, and if he does happen to come back, they'll work hard for him as well. It's just very, very difficult, but I think his wife and Holly his daughter, bless her heart, I think they both realize this is his passion, and they've figured this out. ... It was surprising that he would come out and be on the football field, but the way he explained it was this was where he needed to be in order to lose himself a little bit in the familiar surroundings. I think that was one of the things that he touched on when he came out here. These were very family surroundings to him and this is where he felt most comfortable."

"We try to do what it is that he'd want us to do, which is prepare and play. I don't think there's anything you can say to anybody to make the loss of a child any easier. They've known she's been sick for some time, but my guess is that you can think you're prepared mentally for something like this to happen, and then find out you're totally not. My heart breaks for him, It's got to be the most unnatural thing in the world to bury your child. You just wish him peace of mind and that he gets together with his family and that their hearts heal quickly, because there's really nothing else you can do."

Casey Rabach:
"Whether it Sean's murder last year, or Vernon Fox losing a dear friend early in camp and now Coach Buges losing a daughter, this is not just a football team, this is a family. When one's person heart is hurting is affect everybody on this team, especially with us offensive linemen having such a close relationship with Buges."

The Weird World Of Washington Redskins Stuff

2008-08-20T17:28:00.005-04:00

There is a reason why Dan Snyder makes so much money. I've stumbled across some random Redskins stuff for sale on the net. Note to bachelors: tread lightly or you may look like the 40 year old virgin Redskin fan.

Take your date home and show her your room:

When hanging a giant "Dallas Sucks" sign:

Trust me, chicks dig these bro:

And girls love this stuff, it's all about the logo...not the fit:

You can sit on your couch, watching the clock tick until kickoff, drinking a brewski:

Then play some games during half time:

Or fire up the grill:

Ok, that's enough. I gotta stop. It's obvious Dan Snyder has half of China hard at work building us these incredible products. For real though, a jersey is sufficient, there is a thin line between bleeding burgundy and falling victim to commercialism.

I love seeing the old school stuff that fans made with their own hands. You know, the old bus that was converted to a tailgating machine, those Redskins bean bag toss games you see in the parking lots, an old refrigerator painted burgundy and converted into a giant kegerator, or a simple Redskins blanket hand made by a relative. That's the good stuff. Made for fans by fans. Let me know if you have any custom built Redskins stuff and I'll post it. Or tell me about a cool Skins contraption you've seen.

Hail.

Redskins Have Two Weeks To Get It Right

2008-08-20T00:01:00.005-04:00

I happened to catch the first half of the Giants/Browns game on Monday night. The first 15 minutes of the game was total domination by the defending champions. I immediately thought, "Wow, Zorn better get things going before September 4th". In case you missed it, the Giants ran the ball with ease, threw the ball all over the field, and scored at will....that was just the offense in the first quarter. Then their defense shut down the Browns (who were actually very good last season). They even knocked the Browns starting quarterback out with a concussion. And, for the hell of it, they blocked a punt for a safety, then returned a kick for a touch down. All of this happened in the first quarter. Score: 30 - 3.

The Washington Redskins will open the season in the Meadowlands in a couple weeks. I have liked what I have seen from Zorn & Campbell so far, and I think the defense will be just as good if not better than last year. But after that performance against the Jets it makes you wonder a little. Who will show up come September 4 when the Redskins and Giants kickoff the NFL season on prime time? Will Jansen and Samuels hold off Umenyiora and Tuck to give Campbell time to throw? Will Taylor and Carter keep Manning out of a groove? Will Portis and Betts out gain Jacobs and Bradshaw? Will Fletcher out-tackle Pierce? These teams are pretty similar, huh?

We'll have a better idea after Saturday's preseason game in Charlotte. This is the best chance to see what we've got. The Redskins plan on playing the starters a full half of the game. This is when Jason Campbell must take some shots down field...air it out, it's the preseason! This is a great chance to put Cooley and Davis in on two tight end sets...let's see how a defense responds to that. This is the chance for Fred Smoot and Shawn Springs to actually intercept a football instead of pounding the turf as the ball wobbles on the ground next to them (they've each dropped an easy pick this summer). This is when we should see Clinton Portis rip of a 75 yard run like Rock Cartwright did last week. Jake Delhomme seems like a fine specimen for the Andre Carter/Jason Taylor experiment to be unleashed on. And last, lets see a couple of those creative fleaflickers that Zorn dreamed about doing while being an assistant in Seattle all those years.

You see, some of these things need to be "tried" in case the season opener against the Giants turns into a shootout...or nail biter. So better test them this weekend for two full quarters. I don't think there will be much time the following week against the Jaquars. So Zorn, let it rip this weekend. Practice makes perfect. We may just need it come Thursday night, around 10:15 p.m. on September 4th.

Hail.

Former Redskin Heath Shuler Is "Washington's Finest"

2008-08-18T15:52:00.005-04:00

Upcoming Washington, D.C. magazine "Washington's Finest" has former Redskins Quarterback of the Future - Heath Shuler on the cover in one of their preview ads. I saw it and did a double take. Washington's finest? Seriously?

For those that do not know or remember, Heath Shuler was the Redskins first round draft pick (number 3 overall) in 1994. He was dubbed the Redskins Quarterback of the Future for all of 18 games that he started for the Redskins. Shuler was traded to the Saints after his third season in Washington and losing the starting job to Gus Frerotte (who is still in the NFL).

I am sure Heath Shuler is a good guy, and maybe even a great congressman, but Washington's finest? Maybe this new magazine should consider putting Brandon Lloyd on the cover for a special Christmas edition of Washington's Finest. LMAO.

Almost, but no cigar

At least the Redskins moved on from Shuler very quickly. The recent drawn out quarterback projects in Detroit, Houston, San Fransisco, Chicago, and Baltimore have paralyzed those respective teams for years (then again, so were the Skins after Shuler). Maybe Joey Harrington, David Carr, Alex Smith, Rex Grossman, or Kyle Boller can one day return to their inaugural team's city and run for mayor or something....maybe they can be on the cover of that city's newest and lamest magazine.

Hail.

Redskins Depth Players Put Up Stats

2008-08-18T11:41:00.010-04:00

With two weeks left in the preseason the Washington Redskins make their presence known on the NFL stat tracker. Sure, they had an extra game to pad their stats but so did Indianapolis. And when it comes to the Colts, it's a good thing to be in their company when mentioning stats for offense or defense.

According to NFL.com the Redskins are in the top 5 in four of the six main categories (Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, Receiving Yards, Tackles). Marcus Mason leads the NFL in rushing with 233 yards, but Rock Cartwright is third with 148 yards. Matt Sinclair is second in the NFL with 18 tackles, Khary Campbell is right behind Sinclair with 15 tackles, Billy McMullen is fourth with 142 receiving yards, and Colt Brennan comes in fifth with 239 yards passing.

If you look a little deeper you'll see Shaun Suisham is fourth in kick offs. Yeah, kickoffs. Suisham was pretty lousy at that last season, so it's good to see him averaging 70.9 yards per kickoff with 2 touch backs. He'll need to keep that up when the season starts, but this is promising.

Durant Brooks in 10th in the league in punting (not bad for a rookie) while Derrick Frost is 38th. I think the writing is on the wall for Frost.

This shows that our depth players are starting to stand out in the league. It's always a good thing when your third and fourth string guys out perform the rest of the leagues third and fourth string guys, especially under a new head coach.

Again, it's just preseason, but to see our depth players make these kind of contributions is definitely a good thing and long overdue. Teamwise, the Skins are just so-so in the middle of the pack, but they have been pulling out wins this preseason and have been lucky at times. The next games against the Panthers and Jaguars will wrap up the preseason, but I think we've seen enough from the guys mentioned above...I say they all make this squad.

Hail.

Former Redskin Great Joe Jacoby Wants to Coach...

2008-08-13T15:01:00.008-04:00

First, Joe Jacoby needs to be in the Hall of Fame. Along with Russ Grimm.

It was reported last month that former Redskins Hog Joe Jacoby wanted to get into coaching. And it was reported today that Jacoby took a "volunteer" assistant coaching job with the small Shenandoah University.

You'd think that the Washington Redskins would have room for a guy of his caliber to help out Joe Bugel with the offensive line, especially with Bugel being out for some time to be with his ill daughter. And, the fact that Jacoby is volunteering at Shenandoah University makes me think either Jacoby didn't want to start coaching in the pros or the Redskins didn't want him to start here either. Whichever the case, I think Jacoby would make one hell of a coach and if he eventually coaches in the NFL like Russ Grimm he would likely increase his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame due to the publicity and being around the game more.

Joe Jacoby #66

With Bugel getting up there in age, and retirement a possibility, I think Jacoby would fit in nicely with the Dirtbags. There is no doubt he could help teach the young guys (Heyer, Reinhart). Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Other notable former players turned coaches:

Tom Landry, Dan Reeves, Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Bill Cower, Tom Flores, Jim Zorn, Sam Wyche, John Madden, Chuck Noll, Don Shula, Earnest Byner

Share your thoughts on Jacoby coaching, or any other former player turn coach.

Jim Zorn Pulls Pants Down; Bonds With Redskins Players

2008-08-08T11:19:00.009-04:00

I knew the Redskins got a nutty coach on February 10th 2008. The infamous Maroon & Black press conference was just the beginning of the quirky head coach from Seattle. Sally Jenkins was one of DC's first to write about Zorn's likability...and she was right. The man is an open book that says what he thinks, and does so in his own unique way. That's exactly what went down recently, according to Matt Mosley of ESPN. According the the article, Zorn got his point across, and continued the bond he has formed with his players. As the Redskins were getting ready to travel to Ohio for the Hall of Fame game Zorn had a meeting about the dress code:

In what must've been a surreal moment for the players, Zorn began naming off certain brands (True Religion, Republic, 7's for All Mankind) and noted that he understood that people would be wearing $250 T-shirts.

Then he turned around, pulled down his pants and tightened his belt.

"But I don't want you to wear saggy jeans," he said to roaring laughter.

Campbell characterized it as a breakthrough moment for the new staff.

Steve Largent & Jim Zorn (looking kinda brokebackish)

I couldn't imagine former Redskin coaches Joe Gibbs, Steve Spurrier, or Marty Schottenheimer pulling that one. Jim Zorn gets his point across, but in his own way. And in a town full of politicians with full time speech writers telling you what they think the people want to hear, we have Jim Zorn, who only says what he wants to say. This could be well received by the DC people for the foreseeable future...all Jim Zorn has to do now is WIN.

Jim Zorn Signature (via his right brain artist stuff)

Here are some interesting facts about Jim Zorn:

Given name: James Arthur Zorn (Art Monk's given name: James Arthur Monk)
The meaning of Zorn in the modern German language means wrath but its meaning in old Germanic is more to "tear apart" or destroy.
The town of Zorn, Texas is 233 miles from some crappy city called Dallas, Texas
Jim Zorn led the NFL in pass attempts in 1976 (over Tarkenton and Staubach)
Jim Zorn led the NFL in interceptions in 1976 (over Stabler and Namath)
Jim zorn led the NFL in yards per completion in 1977 (over Bradshaw)
Jim Zorn led the NFL in sacks in 1978 (over Theismann, Jaworski, Manning)

Quotes on Jim Zorn:
Steve Largent: "There's no question, Jim comes at things from a different perspective, he thinks about things differently than a normal person does."

Matt Hasselbeck: "He's just honest. He's a very bad liar. He'll tell you what he thinks, and he'll tell you the truth."

Mike Holmgren to Dan Snyder: "You absolutely did the right thing. Now help him as an owner. Help him. Do everything you can to help him because you've got a good man."

Quotes by Jim Zorn:
"I always want to be good at everything" - July 16, 2008

"I won't be here until 2 o'clock in the morning" - July 21, 2008

"We're just going to jump right in" - July 21, 2008

"Bigger, faster stronger - that's what this league is" - July 30, 2008

"It's going to be really fun, but there are going to be some errors" - August 2, 2008

"You sort of have that image in your mind of how a head coach is supposed to behave" - August 7, 2008

HAIL.

Redskins 2008 53 Man Roster - Prediction

2008-08-07T12:01:00.010-04:00

The Washington Redskins kick off the regular season in about 4 weeks. The guys on the fringe have a lot of time left to get noticed, so this can change, especially if there is an injury. Here is my prediction of the 53 man roster when the Washington Redskins walk into the Meadowlands on September 4th and give the NY Giants a beat down.

Quarterback

Campbell, Jason
Collins, Todd
Brennan, Colt

Running Back

Portis, Clinton
Betts, Ladell
Cartwright, Rock

Fullback
Sellers, Mike

Wide Receiver

Moss, Santana
Randle El, Antwaan
Thrash, James
Thomas, Devin
Kelly, Malcolm
McMullen, Billy

Tight End
Cooley, Chris
Davis, Fred
Yoder, Todd

Offensive Line
Rabach, Casey

Samuels, Chris
Jansen, Jon
Thomas, Randy
Kendall, Pete
Heyer, Stephon
Fabini, Jason
Wade, Todd
Rinehart, Chad

Defensive Tackle
Griffin, Cornelius
Golston, Kedric
Montgomery, Anthony
Alexander, Lorenzo
Boschetti, Ryan
Defensive End

Taylor, Jason

Carter, Andre
Evans, Demetric
Wilson, Chris
James, Erasmus (PUP List)

Linebackers
Fletcher, London
Washington, Marcus
McIntosh, Rocky
Blades, H.B.
Campbell, Khary
Sinclair, Matt

Safety

Moore, Kareem
Corner Back
Springs, Shawn
Smoot, Fred

Rogers, Carlos
Torrence, Leigh
Tryon, Justin

Kicker
Suisham, Shaun

Punter
Brooks, Durant
Long Snapper
Albright, Ethan

Jim Zorn may decide to keep two fullbacks, and if that is the case you may see Nehemiah Broughton take a roster spot from an aging offensive lineman. Either Fabini or Wade could be out since most teams usually only carry eight linemen. But, I think Broughton will end up on the practice squad if he is still eligible for it.

The safety position really scares me. Who would have thought that this time last year when the late great Sean Taylor was teaming up with LaRon Landry to form one of the greatest tandems ever seen? If Landry gets dinged up from his wild man play then you're looking at a pretty big step down. Blache has indicated they will keep five safeties, and including the two rookies Moore and Horton, that's all they have.

The defensive end position looks good. Jason Taylor and Andre Carter are getting a ton of rest this training camp and should be ready to roll come September 4th. Demetric Evans will rotate in on some downs, while Chris Wilson is strictly a back up pass rusher. Erasmus James is still hurt, so he will be on the PUP list until October and will not count against the roster until then.

A lot of people love Marcus Mason and he has looked good so far this camp. But you have to be real here. You have three very capable running backs on the roster ahead of him. Having four running backs is a luxury and that one extra spot could be used at a position with more need, like the defensive line or linebacker. Mason will likely end up on the practice squad again.

Well, that's my take. There is plenty of time for people to play well, play poor, and get hurt. So it will be interesting to see how this looks in four weeks. But, I would not mind heading into the regular season with the roster above....pretty solid in my opinion.

Hail.

Washington Redskins Cut Adam Archuleta 2.0

2008-08-05T15:56:00.005-04:00

Phew...that was quick. Adam Archuleta, err, Stuart Schweigert was cut yesterday afternoon by the Washington Redskins.

I saw this news come across the wire about 6:30 pm yesterday...and didn't think much of it until today. Then I realized how close the Redskins were to Archuleta Redux. No, not the huge contract, but the possibility of a malcontent.

You see, the Washington Redskins have put themselves in a bind in the past. They sign a guy to a huge contract, it doesn't work out, then the player gets unhappy. The only problem is that crazy huge contract makes it almost impossible to part ways the moment things go sour.

Not in this case. Stuart Schweigert was a decent safety in Oakland and he had a decent shot at making the Redskins roster even though the Skins drafted Kareem Moore and Chris Horton late in the 2008 draft. Enter Sunday...Chris Horton had a great game (for a rookie) and Schweigert didn't show up. If you factor in the practices the writing is on the wall. After two weeks of training camp Horton improved (and impressed) and Schweigert didn't. Two men enter, one man leave.

You see, the Redskins are learning. No huge bonuses being thrown around, no draft picks wasted, and most importantly no time wasted at another players expense. Another player as in, Moore and/or Horton. Those guys will only benefit from the departure of Schweigert. Go back to 2006, when Archuleta was on the Skins roster. That was also the year Pierson Prioleau blew out his knee and the year we drafted Reed Doughty. You can't help but imagine how much more Doughty would have learned/improved had Archuleta been released the moment the Skins realized he wouldn't fit in. Or, the long shots Antuan Edwards, Ben Emanuel, or Mike Rumph...maybe they "could have" had just that much more attention from coaches to make a difference.

Maybe Kareem Moore and Chris Horton make the team in 2008, maybe they don't. But, by the Redskins releasing Stuart Schweigert they will have a better chance not only making the team, but to learn more in the coming weeks. That's how you grow your team through the draft.

Hail.

James Thrash is 3rd Redskins WR, Others fight for 6th spot

2008-08-05T12:25:00.006-04:00

Redskins Insider reported Washington Redskins veteran wide receiver James Thrash has the third wide receiver spot locked down. This isn't surprising since rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are both injured, but what is clear is that it appears likely Thrash will make this squad.

There was some speculation earlier in the year that a youth movement may be underway in the Redskins receiving corps. But it looks like the special teams stud, Thrash, will remain and may even contribute to the offense while Thomas and Kelly heal and try to catch up on what they missed.

The following will definitely make the team:

Santana Moss
Antwaan Randle El
James Thrash
Devin Thomas
Malcolm Kelly

These dudes are on the bubble, with likely one spot left on the roster:

Anthony Mix
Billy McMullen
Horace Grant
Burl Toler
Maurice Mann

My bet is on McMullen. I was a fan of Mix, but a lot of drops early in training camp followed by an injury may have given McMullen an advantage.

The other dudes are too raw in my opinion, but you never know.

Besides, does the 6th wide receiver really matter? Sure depth is good, but Campbell already has many options when he drops back (Moss, Randle El, Cooley, Davis, Portis, Sellers).

Pictures from Hall of Fame Weekend

2008-08-04T13:16:00.002-04:00

I am trying to recover from the weekend and catch up on work...will be updating some more later. But, here are some pics from an awesome weekend in Canton Ohio.

HAIL.

Live from Canton Ohio...Redskins Fans Have Taken Over

2008-08-02T16:24:00.000-04:00

Redskins fans are everywhere, all you see for a 30 mile radius is burgundy.

I just got done with the Hall of Fame museum after a 45 minute line wait...then it was crazy packed inside. Really cool stuff..pictures will be posted soon so check back.

The Hall of Fame is dry, meaning no alcohol. So Redskins fans are sniffing the air and finding the only bar in town...The Stables. We are all here boozing it up and singing Hail to the Redskins over and over.

Again, there are so many Redskins fans here. All of the Canton locals I have talked to say they have NEVER seen anything like this before. Really amazing here.

Gotta go, check back soon for pictures and video.

Cheers! Hail!

Fox 5's Dave Feldman in da house...

2008-08-02T01:04:00.001-04:00

Ok Skins fans at home...you're not missing much. I am posting this live from my blackberry and these parts are, well, country...as Smoot would say. I ran into the great Dave Feldman from Fox Sports, had a little chat about the Skins, Monk, Green, and the beat. The dude is cool, and knows his Skins stuff. So be sure to check him out on Fox and his Sunday night program after the local Fox news.

Also, have you ever been to FedEx Field and seen the Monk Dudes in their Monk outfits? Well, they are here too to watch the Monk get inducted. Will be interesting to see if they continue their dress at FedEx this season.

Aight, going to a bar with the homies, I am 30 miles south of Canton tonight and SKINS FANS are everywhere...everywhere. And this podunck town doesn't know what to do. Call it an invasion.

I will have my camera tomorrow and will update whatevs.

Centreville. Little Rocky Run.

Cheers!

Sneak Peek at Monk and Green HOF Busts

2008-08-01T11:28:00.002-04:00

Redskins greats, Art Monk and Darrell Green will be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame tomorrow. Those bronze busts that line the walls of the enshrinement gallery are made by hand...and here's a sneak peek of Art and Darrell courtesy of renowned sculptor Blair Buswell and the Washington Times:

Darrell Green by Blair Buswell

Art Monk by Blair Buswell

Check out the article if you're curious about the statue stuff.

Art Monk's Record Breaking Catch

2008-08-01T09:59:00.006-04:00

I will always remember The Catch. I watched the Redskins play the Broncos on TV in a Monday Night game on October 12, 1992. The fans at RFK erupted as the referees stopped the game and the Redskins players hoisted Art Monk upon their shoulders. It is definitely the moment of Art Monks career that I will always remember...him breaking Steve Largent's record to have the most receptions in NFL history. Art Monk's record was shattered by a future hall of famer a few years later....some guy named Jerry Rice.

The catch is caught by sequential still photos by John McDonnell courtesy of the Washington Post. Check it out: Monk's Moment

Rookie Redskin Receivers Don't Know About Art Monk

2008-07-31T12:51:00.011-04:00

There's a great article by Dan Daly of the Washington Times about Art Monk. The disappointing thing is he mentions that rookie Redskins wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly don't know jack about one of the greatest NFL wide receivers to ever play the game.

"Never saw him play," Thomas says. "I know he was a great receiver, but I've only seen him on the NFL Network, making catches and stuff."

The loquacious Kelly gave a lengthier version of the same answer. "No memory at all of him," he says. "I was so young when he was finishing up" - 8 years old, to be exact, when Monk closed out his career with the Eagles in '95.

Wow, that's a bit disappointing in my opinion. I would think, if I was Dan Snyder (I ponder that a lot), I would have put those two dudes, and the other draft picks through a 2 day crash course this offseason on the history of the Redskins....you know, the team that is paying them millions of dollars.

Even I know of the great players of other NFL teams over the last 50 years. Why don't these kids know about them? Don't they realize there are so many players other than Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, and Jerry Rice? Shouldn't a college athlete broaden their knowledge on those that paved the way to their new career? You'd think.

But, I am not surprised, it's been reported that many players on the current Redskins roster do not know who/what The Posse was. And veteran guard Randy Thomas doesn't know the words...not even a couple verses...of Hail to The Redskins. The song that plays after every touchdown at FedEx field. Darn shame to some extent.

Well, I am taking off tomorrow to drive to Canton, Ohio to see Art Monk and some guy named Darrell Green get immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'll get some pics and thoughts and post them up here for those that can't make this long awaited event.

Devin Thomas...Malcolm Kelly...MEET ART MONK!

HAIL!

Redskins to Fans: Sip Your Drink, Don't Guzzle It

2008-07-29T22:36:00.012-04:00

Redskins fans, you're on notice. Maybe not the Dead Tree Crew. I've always heard the rumors of the Redskins confiscating your season tickets if you (or anyone using them) get all belligerent during a game. Maybe it really is true...I received the Redskins Fan Code of Conduct (pic below) from the Redskins and their sponsor Diageo (alcohol distributor) along with my season tickets. It's probably just a CYA for the Skins and Diageo...but this part stood out:

Sip your drink, don't guzzle it. Remember it's about quality, not quantity ($8 Bud Lites?)

To stay hydrated, always drink water ($4 Dasani) after each alcoholic beverage

Always eat before you drink ($4.00 hot dog, $8 chicken sandwich)

Never accept a drink from a stranger (Turn down a free $8.00 Bud Lite??)

If you ask me, those suggestions by the Redskins make more than a friendly atmosphere, they make more money too! All joking aside, some fans (including myself) can get carried away. Shots of Jack in the parking lot make for a really loud crowd...and a team needs that. You know, the whole 12th man thing. There is something about alcohol that makes one louder. And you need that when the Cowboys or any other team faces a 3rd and long at FedEx Field.

Now, being a total jacka**, that's a different story. I've seen some fights between fellow Skins fans...seriously, WTF? And I've even got some bad looks from parents of kids in the stands...but, hey...you're at a football game and the Skins fans are the most passionate of them all. There's going to be some things said that you won't hear at Chuck E Cheese, ok? But, if some dude is plastered and acting a fool the whole game...then that's different. You can do more harm than good when being too drunk and annoying to your fellow fans.

I am all for getting buzzed for the game, maybe a little drunk too, but try to keep it down if you are on your way to being "That Guy"...after all, the Skins could revoke your tix.

PS...there are more and more group shuttles/bus charters in addition to public transportation to get you safely to and from the game...SkinsBus is one in Loudoun.

Cheers

Redskins Season Tickets Arrive

2008-07-29T21:08:00.007-04:00

It's that time of year. Training camp is underway and preseason games are just around the corner. The Redskins need to make sure about 900,000 (2 preseason, 8 regular season) tickets get FedEx'd to the fans before they face the Bills on August 9th at FedEx Field.

My FedEx package arrived today, filled with the tickets, a merchandise catalog, a letter, a receipt, and some random third party junk mail...err, "special offers".

I admit, I almost didn't renew my tickets in protest over the way the coach hiring (or "The Process" as Snyder called it) was handled. I was pretty bewildered each day that passed following Joe Gibbs' retirement 2.0. And I was one of many that thought Gregg Williams was the obvious successor...BUT, after seeing the Skins show restraint in the off season, drafting 10 players, and hiring a zany offensive coach willing to air it out...well, I gave in and renewed...after receiving 3 "Final Expiration" notices. So, suffice it to say, I am looking forward to this season...and not looking forward to paying off this new debt on my credit card.

Hail.

$4.00 Weiner Sandwiches?!?!

2008-07-26T09:05:00.010-04:00

I'm sure you've heard of the $6.00 Burger, or the $5.00 Footlong, but what about the Washington Redskins $4.00 Hotdog?

The Redskins training camp has concession stands for the thousands of fans that come to each practice. Their menu, ummm...well, is eclectic.

This caught my attention because I went shopping the night before and bought some fresh bratwurst (5 to be exact), for $4.00. Planning to boil them in beer for about 15 minutes, then brown them on the grill with onions, peppers, and all that other stuff. I know for a fact my $4.00 weiners are bigger and better than Snyder's $4.00 weiner. But, I could not just assume...so I tried one. My palate found the following:

Charred and smokey aromas are inviting to the nose, and similar pork, beef, and chicken flavors are enjoyed on the palate. It’s just a touch hot upfront, causing a slight sting, but mellows out, with the mustard, and ketchup flavors dominating. The tannins are medium, acidity is mild to medium. Because of the slight hotness (from 98 degrees), it is a little overbearing on its own, but when paired with a Coors Light, the processed meat is pushed to the background and the hot dog is quite enjoyable. Try it with beer, Doritos, french fries, or onion rings. At around 4 bucks, it is a decent value when there aint much else to choose.

Some other things you can get for $4.00:

1 Gallon of Regular Unleaded Gas
1 Pack of cigarettes
2 40 ounce bottles of Malt Liqour
1 6 pack of Charmin toilet paper
1 Frozen pizza
1 Starbucks Venti Caramel Mochiato

So, there's a little review of the $4.00 Redskin hotdog. Not too shabby, especially in these trying times.

I'll do a review of the food, beer, and liquor selections in the coming weeks when I'm at FedEx Field.

Cheers!

Redskins Training Camp - Friday (Day 6)

2008-07-25T12:44:00.013-04:00

The parking lot was completely filled by 8:45...by far the biggest turn out so far. I can imagine what tomorrow's Fan Appreciation Day will be like...been there, done that. Great to go to it if you're a kid....but I feel bad for the parents and others that become a herd screaming for autographs in 90+ degree heat. I personally leave FAD for the younger ones that are up and coming Skins fans.

Redskins Training Camp Fans - View from the 50

Practice was very similar to the previous ones...the players start off in their usual position drills. D-Line in the left far field, LB's and DB's in the middle of the far field, O-Line on the right far field, RB's on the left of the front field, and the QB's and Receivers on the right of the front field.

Just like yesterday, a lot of the players did drills that focused on technique, and where to go (blocking, routes, etc.). Again, a lot of passing...running backs, tight ends, and obviously the wide receivers were catching a lot of passes. Campbell is continuing to look good. Here's some things I noticed from Fridays practice:

Justin Tryon (#20) looks really good, the guy is smallish but covers well and is quick. Definitely making this squad. He makes the younger receivers look bad, and hangs with the vets when he covers them.

Anthony Mix (#19) is inconsistent. I was pulling for him due to his past with Jason Campbell, but a lot of passes thrown to him have ended up on the ground. But every now and then he pulls in a great catch. I think he's better in redzone and goal-line drills due to his height, but so is Malcolm Kelly (#12).

Jason Taylor (#55) was lining up on the right a lot today, with Andre Carter (#99) on the left. They collapse the pocket very quickly and Campbell and Collins seem hurried when those two are bull rushing. I think Greg Blache will be alternating them to throw off offenses. I also saw Taylor leading a little more today, he had a bunch of defensive players bunched up and was telling them what to do.

Ladell Betts (#46)got dinged up on a running play. The Skins are doing full contact 11 0n 11 drills and the crunching hits are echoing on the field. Betts went up the middle and cut left only to end up at the bottom of a pile of burgundy jerseys. He was slow getting up, and was hesitant about walking for a moment, then the trainers helped him off the field...he remained on the sideline.

Derek Devine (#2) has looked pretty decent in his QB3 competition with Colt Brennan. It has been said that Jim Zorn brought Devine to the Redskins from Seattle, and Colt Brennan was Vinny Cerrato's pick...will be interesting to see who wins.

Chris Cooley (#47) and Fred Davis (#86) catch everything. A lot of stuff in thrown to them in the middle, so it looks like Zorn purposely wants them matched up against linebackers...which they should have an advantage.

Demetric Evans (#92) continues to have a good camp. He lined up on the left, and batted a Todd Collins pass to the ground. Great depth guy that can sub for Carter or Taylor. He's got a baby face but the dude is big.

Stephon Heyer (#74) was lining up at LT as Samuels backup and was holding his own. Dude is big.

Fred Smoot (#27), Shawn Springs (#24), and Carlos Rogers (#22) have all been practicing and look good. Along with Justin Tryon (#20), we could have a solid CB stable heading into the season. Knock on wood.

Random pictures from Washington Redskins Training Camp (Day 6)

Redskins Training Camp - Thursday (Day 5)

2008-07-24T13:22:00.013-04:00

I swung by training camp on the way to work. So far, I've gone Sunday, Tues, and Thurs. The largest crowd was today by far. I guess not many wanted to come out in Sunday's heat, or Tuesday's storm.

As usual the defense was on the far field, the O-line was out there too in their usual corner with Buges, the offense was on the front stage for the fans to Ooh and Ahh over, and the kickers....ahh, screw the kickers...they were somewhere I am sure.

The first part of practice is all drills. Mostly about formations and where to go for any particular play and working on technique. For a first time head coach it seems Zorn has this really organized...surprisingly organized.

Defense
So, the defense, the veterans really get it easy...I saw Jason Taylor and Andre Carter taking it easier than the others...still working, just not as much. A couple drills involved chasing each other around a big hoop and then hitting a bunch of dummies while running and dive tackling the last one. Demetric Evans was getting a lot of work, and he seems to have a lot more swagger than years past. Overall, the D-Line seems to have good camaraderie and the size and speed of Carter/Taylor makes you envision Tony Romo's head crammed up his a** for a safety come September 28th.

Redskins Defense

O-Line
The O-Line looked like they were getting mostly technique work...slow motion footwork and hand placement drills conducted by Buges. Like the D-Line, the vets didn't work as much and I noticed Jon Jansen, Casey Rabach, and Randy Thomas taking a knee in the shade of the trees. Probably thinking about Jansen's RV.

Jansen, Rabach, Thomas loungin'

Offense
The offense skill positions were another story. Zorn & Co. worked the hell out of them...they were moving from one drill to another with constant rotations of players. Jason Campbell looked rusty on Sunday, but improved Tuesday, and by today he was slinging the ball accurately with zip. Cooley continues to have a good camp as usual, and Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El have looked better than last years camp. The thing that stands out the most are the Rookies...Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis all have very good hands. They're also very fast....or quick is a better way to describe it, and they use smart moves to get open in space. There is a ton of passing going on in this training camp....more than Gibbs 2.0 and even more than Spurrier's camps. And get this...the running game has opened up too...I have seen a lot of runs for decent gains this camp...courtesy of Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Mike Sellers, and Rock Cartwright. And...they all have been catching passes out of the backfield too!

11 on 11 drills

Good luck defending this offense...it's looking really good only 5 days into camp.

Hit of the Day: London Fletcher knocked the shit out of Ladell Betts...but Betts held onto the ball.

Catch of the Day: As I mentioned, there were a lot of them...some nice corner end zone catches by Devin Thomas, Randel El, Moss...all looking good. Sellers has been catching a lot too...and Fred Davis has continues to impress.

Pass of the Day: Jason Campbell on 11-11 drills threaded the ball to Chris Cooley in traffic and in stride...Cooley cut the second he caught the ball and ran up the middle of the field for what would have been a long gain if it were a game

Jim Zorn's Z-Shades

I plan on getting to Friday's practice a little earlier to get a better spot and more details.

Redskins Injury Bug Bites Devin Thomas

2008-07-24T12:15:00.004-04:00

Wow, I just left practice towards the end, looked like it was winding down. Turns out that Rookie WR Devin Thomas hurt his hammy according to this AP report and Redskins Insider. Hopefully he is ok, and it's just a minor tweak.

Devin Thomas has looked relly good so far in camp. I haven't seen him drop as pass at any of the practices I've gone to, and his burst/acceleration is impressive. The guy can cut quickly too, often gaining separation from the CB.

Thomas was the Redskins first pick in the 2008 NFL draft. He has seen a lot of reps during training camp and has rotated with the first string offense through camp.

Hope everything is going to be ok for #11.

Washington Redskins - Media Hogs - Dan S. vs. Dan S.

2008-07-24T11:53:00.004-04:00

The burgundy steel curtain draped over Ashburn has booted another dude just trying to share his perspective on all things Redskins. The Washington Post's Dan Steinberg got a cease and desist letter from the Redskins law firm Pay, Us, & Moore LLP. I am sure you've seen Dan's work, he gives you the Redskins fix that you need along with a twist. Often very amusing, and all in fun types of commentary on Redskins happenings and other DC sports stuff. But, this time, the Redskins were having none of it! There has been an ongoing battle between the Washington Post and Redskins for years. This latest skirmish is just another awkward standoff between the growing Washington Redskins Media Empire and the local beat reporters in DC. Imagine having to report to work every day to try to do your job, but the operators of the location prevent you from doing so as you wish. Sucks!

Well, I feel for Dan Steinberg, his stuff is great and his best is when he puts his own twist on the random happenings at Redskins Park. I just started this little blog and am wondering if/when I will get a letter in the mail from Pay, Us, & Moore LLP. But, to my defense, I shell out crazy cash for season tickets and $8 beers...so take it easy on me Snyder.

Phillip Daniels Injury

2008-07-24T10:12:00.010-04:00

I stopped by Redskins Park Sunday (start of camp) to see the Zorn era kick off. Unfortunately, Phillip Daniels blew his knee out right in front of me that day. I was only about 15 yards away but I was using my binocs to get a perspective of details. With my binocs I could see Daniels lay on the ground in pain as trainers delicately maneuvered his left knee as if it was a ball of dough. I then saw Dan Snyder walk up to investigate, he placed his hand on his forehead as if he was shocked, upset, and also thinking what to do next...all in one motion. He turned around, took a few steps, then turned back to Daniels and observed. Then, Cornelius Griffin walked up to Daniels as he remained on the ground...peeked his head over the kneeling trainers...and quietly turned around and approached Andre Carter. I'll never forget the look on Griffin's face as his lips mouthed "It's his knee". Andre continued towards Daniels, kneeled down and said something to him, then allowed the trainers to continue their work. The Cart then arrived. I have never seen a huge athletic person have so much trouble getting off the ground...then need the assistance of two men (half his size) to help him walk 3 feet to The Cart.

A fan to my left asked his friend, "How bad do you think it is? Out for the preseason?", his friend replied, "Career ending". After seeing what I saw through my binocs I agreed with the later.

It was really bizarre, the first Offense vs. Defense drill of Redskins Training Camp 2008, and a starting defensive end goes down for the season and possibly his career. The play itself was almost in slow motion. There was a little bit of intensity as they walked up for the fist play of 7 on 7 drills, but they were really just trying to make sure they were all going in the right place for the play...no contact, just a fast paced rehearsal.

But, the show must go on, and it did. Not just the expedited trade for Jason Taylor, but within seconds of Daniels falling to the ground and Jason Campbell frantically waiving his arms to the trainers, the entire Redskins team and staff walked around Daniels as he lay on the ground, put the ball on the ground about 20 yards down field, and continued the drill. The team is a machine, and the best machines don't skip a beat when a piece breaks.

Hat's off to Daniels, I really hope he gets better soon, and sticks around no matter the outcome. The 2008 Redskins training camp started out with a horrible injury to a starter, but the way the team conducted itself...players, coaches, and front office...should be a positive note in how this team now operates as a whole.

All Systems Go...Welcome to Bleeding Burgundy

2008-07-23T23:19:00.005-04:00

Thanks for stopping by...as you can see, this site is brand new. But, that means you can be a part of it from the beginning. Hail.

Bleeding Burgundy is updated 24/7. Whether it's my opinions as a fan or the live Washington Redskins news feeds you see over to the right.

A little about me and why I started this. I've been a Skins fan since 1980. My parents moved me here as a tot so I grew up in Fairfax during the Skins glory years. I guess I lucked out, I was pretty close to growing up a Chargers or Bears fan...guess the planets were aligned in the early 80's. So, I had a kid's perspective of Joe Jackson Gibb's run at 4 Super Bowls and the 3 wins. It was pretty dope to relive it as an adult when he came back...but we all know how that worked out (I'll get into that later).

After waiting on the season ticket list for 10 years...and began receiving "Official Redskin Junk Mail and Spam" for the rest of my life...I finally got my season tickets last summer. It was one hell of a season to be a part of at FedEx. The 2007 season was f$#%ing crazy! From Jon Jansen's snapped ankle on Opening Day, the 4th quarter loss to the Giants, the Cardinals nail biter victory, Sean Taylor's tragic death, to the insane run to the Playoffs. So, this year, I am doing this blog and getting back on the net after a few years off.

I'll be posting random training camp observations, on site Hall of Fame stuff, Redskin home game banter including drunken tailgating debacles, Monday morning quarterbacking, and other random stuff that may or may not interest you. Stay tuned.

Again, welcome, come back soon/often, feel free to check the news and video over to the right...post comments...offer tips...whatevs. Hail.

Cheers.

Redskins News by ESPN

2008-07-23T18:13:00.001-04:00

Check out ESPN's little widget. I'm going to test this a bit to see if it's worth it.

Later