Archive for May, 2009

By now, most football fans know that the NFL has decided to look into possible tampering by the Redskins relative to Albert Haynesworth. That’s a noteworthy and serious matter, but it’s not particularly important in terms of assessing the value Haynesworth brings to the Redskins. The issue which speaks directly to his value to the team is the fact he was charged late last year with reckless driving and driving on a suspended license. For the record, Haynesworth has pleaded not guilty. Still, he’s facing the possibility of up to 7 months in jail. He could also be suspended by [...]

Like many of you, I reflect on Memorial Day. First and foremost, I think about my dad who died 25 years ago from lung cancer. He smoked as a teen-ager, getting hooked on unfiltered Lucky Strikes while serving in the US Marine Corps. (At that time, the public was not aware of the dangers of tar and nicotine though the tobacco companies were starting to study their effects.) Speaking of the Marine Corps and all of our fallen military heroes, I am and will always be truly grateful for their sacrifices which continue to enable our way of life. Always. [...]

In the Spring of 2008 there was a lot to like about Fred Davis. He had decent size for a Tight End, and was fast enough to line up occasionally as a Wide Out.  The year before he had been awarded the John Mackie Award. Davis led USC’s receivers with 62 catches, 42 of which resulted in first downs. His yards-per-catch average was just over 14. At the 2008 Combine, Davis ran a 4.76 40-yard dash while weighing 255 lbs. He was also timed at 4.67. With long arms and the strength to have benched 225lbs 24 times, he was [...]

Mike Williams is a man on a mission; a big man on a mission. That mission is to start at Right Tackle for the Washington Redskins. At first glance, his history strongly suggests he’ll fail. That’s what multiple pundits clearly think, anyway. But, how realistic is that? Like anyone, there’s more to Williams than meets the eye. All you have to do is dig a bit, and you’ll notice that the issue isn’t his athletic ability. It’s his mental toughness and heart. That is to say, it’s his football want-to and his courage to dis an unforgiving mistress – food. [...]

Antwaan Randle El is one slippery dude. He’s quick, and he’ll cut on a dime.  He probably doesn’t receive enough recognition in the press for his receiving prowess.  The past two years he’s caught over 50 passes while playing in a less-than-prolific offense.  Last year he averaged over 11 yards-per-catch (YPC). The previous season he averaged over 14 YPC.  Some might expect a # 2 receiver to get open more frequently, but it’s not like he’s been playing in the most prolific offense on the planet since coming to Washington.  When Randle El catches the ball, he moves the chains.  And, [...]

Daniel M. Snyder purchased the Washington Redskins and their new stadium in 1999. By 2001, this lifelong Redskins’ fan began to think Snyder was copying Jerry Jones’ marketing strategy a bit too closely. I believed that so strongly that I contacted Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News in the summer of 2001 and told him it seemed to me Dan Snyder was the ‘bastard son of Jerry Jones”. I’m not proud of that comment, and Mr. Cowlishaw, to his credit, wasn’t very receptive to it. Let’s face it though; Dan Snyder made more than a few decisions that irritated [...]