Redskins Cut Graham



In one of the smartest moves in Redskins history, the Redskins have cut kicker Shayne Graham. Graham lasted one game (2 kicks) for the D.C. franchise.

In cased you missed it, the first drive for the Redskins ended with a chip shot 29 yard field goal. That is until Shayne Graham stepped on the field for the attempt. The key word for Graham is ATTEMPT. The kick was lined up on the right hash and Graham preceded to kick the ball across the front of the uprights and so far wide left that a fan in the left corner of the endzone caught the ball! C'mon MAN!! Grahams second attempt was from about 40 yards out. He then pushed that one wide right.

So from one Graham to the other we go! The Redskins sole remaining kicker is now Graham Gano. Gano went 3 for 3 and kicked a 45 yard field in the final three minutes to seal the game for the Redskins.

The End Of Kickoff

As we saw these past two nights of football, one of the most iconic plays in football has virtually died: Kickoff.

The new rule that the NFL has put in to kickoff from the 35 yard has killed kickoff. Last night, Redskins kicker Graham Gano put the kick between the uprights. Meaning it's a touchback and the ball will start on the 20 yard line going out.

The NFL made it clear why they moved kickoff: to reduce the chance of injury. Players on the kicking team would run as fast as they could down field and would launch themselves into the players on the receiving team. Many times we saw players get carted off the field because of this type of play.

The days of the opening kickoff getting taken back for a touchdown are over. The always exciting quick touchdown after the opposing team scores days are gone as well. The new rule has also diminished the value of the returner. Returners are now only needed for one play: punts.

The iconic field level Super Bowl kickoff shot will be there, but the days of the kickoff game changer are over.

Redskins Show Promise

Last night the Redskins defeated the Steelers 16-7 in their first preseason game. Even though it was a preseason game, the Redskins did show some promise. Keep in mind while reading this...I DO know that it was a preseason game and the Steelers only played their starters for ten plays.

Lets start with the offense.

The offensive line played better than I think anyone expected. Grossman had good protection and the offensive line was able to move the defensive line around. Speaking of "Gross Rexman" (courtesy of Sally Block), he didn't play that bad last night. Rexman, I mean Grossman, went 19 for 26 with 207 and a touchdown. The receivers played well catching virtually everything that came their way. They also did a good job blocking on the outside to open up running lanes for Tim Hightower.

Tim Hightower! What a pleasant surprise the ENTIRE running back corp was! Hightower, Helu, and Royster were running all over the Steelers defense last night. They were catching screen passes and running hard down hill.

Lets move onto the defense.

Holding the Steelers to seven points is no easy task. But, the Redskins were able to make it happen. Rookie Ryan Kerrigan was making plays all over the field. Newly added nose tackle Barry Cofield was in the backfield quicker than you can say "hike". The corners were coming up and supporting the run defense and the linebackers played well supporting the secondary. All in all, I'm more than pleased with the Redskins defense.

Now for the special teams.

Special teams. Yeah, I don't know where to begin. We could start with how Shayne Graham just gave the job to Graham Gano? If there was ever a "C'MON MAN" moment, Shayne Grahams 28 yard field goal attempt was it. Let us not forget how the air tackled Brandon Banks. He shakes the punter and breaks another players ankles, but, good old air was there to save the day for the Steelers! At least our back up punt returner didn't screw up. Oh wait...he did worse. Aldrick Robinson fumbled two punts! Yep! We spent a draft pick to get him! Go head on over to receiver drills, Aldrick, that's where you're going to stay. But there is one thing that we do know about our special teams...Graham Gano is going to be the kicker!

Next week the Redskins head to Indy to take on the Colts. Don't expect to see Chris Cooley on the field as he is still nursing a knee injury. Hopefully the Redskins can keep improving from this decent start to a preseason.

Redskins vs Steelers Preview

Redskins QBs from left: John Beck, Kellen Clemens, Rex Grossman

It's opening night for the Redskins in preseason. Their first opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kickoff tonight will be at 7:30 at Fedex Field.

The theme for tonight's game for the Redskins is going to be quarterback. Expect Rex Grossman to take most of the snaps that the first team will take tonight. John Beck is still healing from a groin injury he suffered last Saturday at practice. Beck, however, is expected to some snaps. Look for Grossman and Beck to take most of the snaps in the first half and look for Kellen Clemens and Ben Chappell to take over in the second half.

The squad of running backs that the Redskins have lined up is, well, interesting. Tonight Ryan Torrain, Keiland Williams, and Tim Hightower will be featured in the first half. To me, only Hightower has an opportunity to be effective for the Redskins. The running backs that I want to see are playing in the second half. Evan Royster and Roy Helu can become two outstanding running backs for the Redskins. Look for Helu to really take advantage of his snaps tonight. He's fast and shifty and can really run with the football.

The offensive line should be a blast to watch. With the release of center Casey Rabach the Redskins have lost their main man on the offensive line. The battle for just about every position on the o-line will be on tonight. Trent Williams is the only one who really has his spot locked up at left tackle.

The defensive line should be an area of note to watch. With the exit of Albert Haynesworth the line will take on a whole new athleticism with the addition of Barry Cofield. Also look for Adam Carriker to see some reps at nose tackle as well as Cofield. The rest of the Redskins defense looks solid except for safety as Laron Landry and Kareem Moore will not play as they are on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Also, keep an eye on O.J. Atogwe at cornerback. He has had a great camp and expects to perform very well for the Redskins.

All eyes will be on the offense tonight to see who will step up at quarterback. Keep in mind that John Beck is still healing from a groin injury and therefore his reps, and the plays he runs, will be limited. Also, don't expect to see Chris Cooley as he will be resting an injured knee.

Are You Ready?

What is it about the NFL that makes us love it so much? Could it be the big plays? The big hits? The electric atmosphere? The personalities? I say it's something much more. Please...read on!

When I watch a football game, I see much more than 22 men beating the crap out of each other. There is something there that is so mesmerizing that I can't get enough of. The creativity. The sights. The sounds. All of it! Every aspect of an NFL game grabs my attention and keeps me watching.

The way the players are constantly battling trying to get the better of one another. The constant chess match between the coaches. The offensive coordinator constantly trying to beat the defensive coordinator. The competition between the offensive line and the defensive line.

I love the way the NFL brings people together. Whether it's a kickoff party in someones living room or 40,000 of your closest friends in the stands watching your favorite team take the field, everyone comes together to root for a common goal and against a common enemy.

So this fall make sure to call your friends, throw some bratwursts on the grill, and fill a cooler with cold ones. It's time to gather 'round the T.V. to watch the game we all love. The NFL is back! I just got one question for you...

Are YOU ready for some football?

Cooley Out on Friday

CSNWashington.com reported yesterday that Redskins tight end Chris Cooler will not play in Fridays preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cooley is still bothered by a left knee injury. Mike Shanahan confirmed Cooleys status after practice.

Don't expect his knee to be bothering him into the regular season. Cooley is still participating in some practice but the coaching staff don't want to injure his knee anymore.

Redskins Add OL

Rich Tandler reported yesterday that multiple sources say the Washington Redskins have signed former Seattle Seahawk Sean Locklear.

The 30 year old veteran has played seven seasons in the NFL, all have been with the Seahawks. Locklear played both guard and tackle. He is an excellent pass blocker but an average run blocker. His role with the Redskins is yet to be established but he will be competing for a starting spot at either guard or tackle.