Bruce Allen: Hire RUSS GRIMM as next REDSKINS head coach

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"

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

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

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

Former Redskin Leigh Torrence Now A Saint

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."