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)