In a post-game locker room interview with Comcast Sports Network DeAngelo Hall explained that something uglier than a minor shoving match occured.  He claimed that Atlanta’s head strength and conditioning coach – Jeff Fish – grabbed him in a manner that was intended to do him physical harm, and that Atlanta’s Head Coach Mike Smith directly threatened him and also grabbed him in a manner intended to inflict injury.   One of the Fox TV Analysts, I believe Tony Siragusa, commented that Smith has a reputation for being willing to mix it up on behalf of players, would not hesitate to get involved, and would not back down.  So, it’s certainly plausible that, in the heat of the moment, harsh words were exchanged and those involved did more than just hold players back to prevent a fight.  More to the point, after reviewing a video of the incident I’m convinced Mike Smith struck Hall with his right elbow directly in front of a referee, yet only Redskins’ players were flagged.

If DeAngelo Hall follows through on his pledge to speak with the NFL Commissioner’s office tomorrow about the incident, the league should take his concerns seriously.  There already is a perception that the league has a double standard when it comes to players and coaches.  If Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders was a player, he’d have likely been suspended by the league by now over the incident wherein one of his assistant coach’s jaw was broken.  To properly sort today’s incident out, the Commissioner should interview all involved and treat everyone equally.  To do otherwise would reinforce the double standard concern.

Let’s be clear – DeAngelo Hall did not blame the loss on the scuffle.  He didn’t make any excuses whatsoever.  He simply did what anyone with an ounce of courage and self respect would do – pledged to stand up to people he perceived to have acted like bullies and punks.  Whether the league shares his perception or not is irrelevant at this point.  His complaint should be investigated fully and resolved fairly & openly by the league to ensure player safety.

About those defensive players.  All London Fletcher’s done is lead the league in tackles with 71.  40 were unassisted; 31 were assisted.  He also has a quarterback sack.  Yea, he deserves to go.  Let’s see that he does.

Andre Carter is tied with Trent Cole among the league leaders in quarterback sacks.  They both have been credited with 6 1/2.  As for the NFC, they’re tied for second behind Jared Allen who has 7 1/2.   Carter also has made 34 tackles, which is second among defensive ends in the league.     Cole has been credited with 27, while Allen has made 29.  Clearly, he is among the elite players at his position.  Let’s vote him in.

DeAngelo Hall has a case for being elected, but he needs to keep up the good work.  He’s tied for 6th in the league with 3 interceptions.  Seven defensive backs are tied with him.  He’s tied for 17th in passes defensed.  Nine players are tied with him in that category.  He’s made 30 tackles, which isn’t a lot when you count safeties, but is a lot when you only consider the top 12 pass interceptors in the league.  Among the latter, he’s tied for 1st with 30.  If you compare him to the other cornerbacks in the conference, only Charles Woodson and Asante Samuel have more picks, and they only best Hall by 1.  He deserves to go to the Pro Bowl.  Let’s hope he keeps producing so enough Redskins’ fans will take notice.

Last but not least is Albert Haynesworth.  Only 4 defensive tackles and 2 nose tackles have recorded more tackles than Haynesworth.  Only one of those is in the NFC.  And, Haynesworth leads all interior linemen in the league with 3 sacks.  How can he not be voted to the Pro Bowl?

I’d love to vote Santana Moss in.  Hopefully, he’ll have a few more balls thrown his way before voting is over.  Right now, there are 8 receivers in the conference who have caught more passes than him.  That’s not his fault of course.

I’d also love to vote Clinton Portis in.  At this time, six backs in the conference have greater yards-per-carry averages than CP.  Half of them have broken off twice as many long runs as CP.  I hope he’s able to break lose for the next few games before the voting period ends.

For now, I figure Fletcher, Carter, and Haynesworth would have to be robbed not to be selected for the Pro Bowl.  Hall is on the bubble.  Both Moss and Portis need to have a couple good games before the voting period ends in order to be in the running, no pun intended.

Let’s get behind these guys.  Go Skins!

Washington lost today.  Sure, the Panthers ran hard in the second half when they had to.  But by and large, the Skins lost this game.  The Panthers got away with holding a couple times, for sure.  But, that didn’t stop the Skins from scoring.  The Redskins’ offensive line struggled.  That didn’t help.  Nonetheless, the Redskins were positioned to win with 5 minutes to go.  They’re just not a good team from a couple of critical perspectives.  To have not gotten the ball to Chris Cooley, regardless of the reason, was downright unthinkable.

I am not a fair weather fan.  I will root for this team and look for positive signs for time and memorial.  Rooting for the Redskins is a rich tradition in my family.  Nonetheless, facts and facts, and there are a few obvious ones which I do not like acknowledging.  Coach Zorn’s lack of experience as a coordinator in the pro ranks is obvious.  Jason Campbell’s second year in this offense is statistically better than the first, but that isn’t translating into wins.  Of course, he did not lose this game for the Skins.  So, the jury is still out on him, at least in my mind.  I’m not sure Coach Bugel shouldn’t retire.  I tend to think he should, but that’s just my opinion.  Vinny Cerrato should definitely resign, and Dan Snyder should definitely sell the team.   It may not make good business sense for Snyder to do so.  But, he’s a bumbling owner who brings derision on this team by both his personality and by his actions.  He’s a meddling  owner who has run the team he claims to love into the ground.

Now we get to look forward to all of those naysayers in the mainstream media finding every negative angle they can, and dwelling on every negative fact they can.  They’ll repeatedly spew their derisive comments about Zorn and Campbell.  We’ll get a healthy dose of that.

I’ll leave you with this question – would Campbell be more successful under a more seasoned Head Coach?   My standard here is based on one success criteria – the Redskins’ won-loss record with Campbell at the helm.  I believe he would, and I think his personal stats justify that belief.  That said, I haven’t seen anything that would compel Dan Snyder to grant him a long-term contract.  I hope for Campbell’s sake that changes, but with the Redskins cruising toward the tough part of their schedule, I’m not holding my breath.

As always, go Skins!