Saturday, August 21, 2021

Washington and Cincinnati Preseason Game Takeaways

  1.  Undrafted rookie running back Jaret Patterson continued to put on a show. The University of Buffalo alum rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown, while adding three catches for 25 yards. With one more preseason game to go, it seems Patterson is already a lock to make the final roster. Bonus points: he grew up in Maryland and is a long-time Redskins fan.
  2. Landon Collins finally looked like a player worthy of the deal he signed with Washington two years ago—a six-year, $84 million contract. The strong safety was all over the field, showing flashes of his All Pro days as a New York Giant. He scared Bengals rookie receiver Ja'Marr Chase into dropping a catchable pass. He nearly demolished tight end Thaddeus Moss. After suffering a torn Achilles last October, many assumed Collins' best days were behind him. Despite the negative rumors, he insisted the recovery process had gone well and switching to the linebacker position was out of the question. 
  3. Dustin Hopkins proved (for now) that his kicking woes last week were minor glitches. He went 3/3 with his field goal attempts last night.
  4. Rookie cornerback Benjamin St-Juste looked very promising. He was tight in coverage while seeing a lot of playing time, which should bode well for his confidence.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Will the New Team Name Please Stand Up?

The Washington Football Team's generic and uninspiring name will not last forever. Fans have been asked to submit ideas for a new team name. Whether or not those submissions will actually be taken into consideration, remains to be seen.

One thing is certain, Washington Warriors will not be a contender, despite it's popularity among diehard fans of the now-retired Redskins moniker. Team president Jason Wright insists the new name will have zero ties to Native American themes. Apparently the term warrior is offensive, even though dictionary.com defines it as "a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics."

Since it takes only a few people to complain about something now—whether it be a statue, a law, or a name—to yield rapid change, choosing the perfect team name seems impossible. That is, of course, unless the front office likes Flying Saucers as the new moniker. To the best of my knowledge, flying saucers are in no way, shape, or form considered offensive. So, why not move forward as the Washington Flying Saucers?

Furthermore, there is a history between flying saucers and Washington, D.C.

On July 19, 1952, shortly before midnight, the nation's capital was dealing with something straight out of a science fiction movie.

Air traffic control at Washington National Airport saw seven slow-moving objects on radar. The objects flew away at speeds exceeding 7,000 mph.

After realizing this was no laughing matter, two F-94 interceptor jets were sent to check things out. Each time they approached where the UFOs were shown on radar, the blips would disappear. Hours later, the UFOs were seemingly gone.

(Photo: YouTube)
However, one week later, the UFOs were spotted flying back over the nation's capital. Radar operators confirmed this, with the mysterious blips reappearing on their screens. Deja vu kicked in as two more F-94 jets were sent to hunt down the UFOs. Just as the jets would reach their destination, the blips would once again vanish from radar.

The next morning, front-page headlines across the country referenced the incident, such as "Saucers Swarm Over Capital." Due to the mass publicity, President Harry Truman wanted an explanation from his trusted Air Force aides. Captain Edward Ruppelt, who supervised Project Blue Book—the Air Force's investigation into UFO sightings—said the events may have been caused by a temperature inversion.

Regardless of what truly happened in Washington, the public's fear and intrigue was real. This story can live on in the name of the Washington Flying Saucers.



Monday, July 19, 2021

WFT 2021 Season Schedule

Washington Football Team 2021 Preseason Schedule:
Aug. 12: at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Aug. 20: vs CINCINNATI BENGALS (8:00 p.m. ESPN)
Aug. 28: vs BALTIMORE RAVENS (6:00 p.m. NBC4)
Washington Football Team 2021 Regular Season Schedule:
Sept. 12: vs LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1 p.m. CBS)
Sept. 16: vs NEW YORK GIANTS (8:20 p.m. NFL NETWORK)
Sept. 26: at BUFFALO BILLS (1:00 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 3: at ATLANTA FALCONS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 10: vs NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1 p.m. CBS)
Oct. 17: vs KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1 p.m. CBS)
Oct. 24: at GREEN BAY PACKERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 31: at DENVER BRONCOS (4:25 p.m. FOX)
BYE WEEK
Nov. 14: vs TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Nov. 21: at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Nov. 29: vs SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8:15 p.m. ESPN)
Dec. 5: at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (4:05 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 12: vs DALLAS COWBOYS (1:00 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 18 or 19: at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 26: at DALLAS COWBOYS (8:20 p.m. NBC)
Jan. 2: vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Jan. 9: at NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)



Saturday, May 1, 2021

Washington Football Team 2021 Draft Selections

(Photo: Hogs Haven)
Round 1 (Pick No. 19)
Jamin Davis, ILB
College: Kentucky

Round 2 (Pick No. 51)
Samuel Cosmi, OT
College: Texas

Round 3 (Pick No. 74)
Benjamin St-Juste, CB
College: Minnesota

Round 3 (Pick No. 82)
Dyami Brown, WR
College: North Carolina

Round 4 (Pick No. 124)
John Bates, TE
College: Boise State

Round 5 (Pick No. 163)
Darrick Forrest, S
College: Cincinnati

Round 6 (Pick No. 225)
Camaron Cheeseman, LS
College: Michigan

Round 7 (Pick No. 240)
William Bradley-King, LB/DE
College: Baylor

Round 7 (Pick No. 246)
Shaka Toney, LB/DE
College: Penn State

Round 7 (Pick No. 258)
College: BYU



Saturday, May 9, 2020

2020 Season Schedule

Redskins' 2020 Preseason Schedule:
Aug. 15: vs TENNESSEE TITANS  (2:00 p.m. NBC4)
Aug. 24: vs INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8:00 p.m. ESPN)
Aug. 29: at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7:00 p.m. NBC4)
Sept. 3: vs BALTIMORE RAVENS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Redskins' 2020 Regular Season Schedule:
Sept. 13: vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Sept. 20: at ARIZONA CARDINALS (4:05 p.m. FOX)
Sept. 27: at CLEVELAND BROWNS (1:00 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 4: vs BALTIMORE RAVENS (1 p.m. CBS)
Oct. 11: vs LOS ANGELES RAMS (1 p.m. CBS)
Oct. 18: at NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 25: vs DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)

BYE WEEK
Nov. 8: vs NEW YORK GIANTS (1:00 p.m. FOX)
Nov. 15: at DETROIT LIONS (1 p.m. FOX)
Nov. 22: vs CINCINNATI BENGALS (1 p.m. CBS)
Nov. 26: at DALLAS COWBOYS (4:30 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 6: at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 13: at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4:25 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 20: vs SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 27: vs CAROLINA PANTHERS (1 p.m. CBS)
Jan. 3: at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 29: at DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

2020 Washington Redskins' NFL Draft Selections

Round 1 (Pick No. 2)

Chase Young, DE
College: Ohio State

Round 3 (Pick No. 66)
Antonio Gibson, WR/RB
College: Memphis

Round 4 (Pick No. 108)
Saahdiq Charles, T
College: LSU

Round 4 (Pick No. 142)
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR
College: Liberty

Round 5 (Pick No. 156)
Keith Ismael, C
College: San Diego State

Round 5 (Pick No. 162)
Khaleke Hudson, LB
College: Michigan

Round 7 (Pick No. 216)
Kamren Curl, S
College: Arkansas

Round 7 (Pick No. 229)
James Smith-Williams, DE
College: N.C. State

UNDRAFTED COLLEGE FREE AGENTS:

Thaddeus Moss, TE
College: LSU

Steven Montez, QB
College: University of Colorado

Johnathon Johnson, WR
College: Missouri

Isaiah Wright, WR
College: Temple



Saturday, April 25, 2020

Was Dwayne Haskins to Blame for 2019 Season?

By all accounts, Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins had a subpar rookie season. The question then becomes, was it solely his fault?

Leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft, Haskins' name was a polarizing one, frequently praised by NFL pundits. After all, he did throw for 50 touchdowns at Ohio State in one season—a rare feat. Despite the eye-popping statistics and media hype, he fell to the Redskins at No. 15 overall in the draft. Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones were selected before him. Word had spread that Jay Gruden—the Redskins' head coach at the time—wanted Jones, not Haskins, to be their signal caller. On draft night, Haskins was shown laughing at the announcement the New York Giants had taken Jones instead of him. Between Gruden preferring a different quarterback, and Haskins believing the Giants would call his name, things were already off to a terrible start.

The offensive weapons surrounding Haskins, or lack thereof, did not help matters for his rookie development. Terry McClaurin, an explosive wide receiver selected in the third round of the same draft, was the only clear-cut playmaker. Beyond him, the wide receiver talent was hit or miss. In fairness, the group consisted of three rookies, one of whom was McClaurin. The oft-injured Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn were of no help due to their injuries.

At the tight end position, long-time veteran Vernon Davis was on the decline. Injury-riddled but ultra-talented Jordan Reed did not see the field after receiving a concussion in a preseason game. Jeremy Sprinkle, used primarily as a blocker, showed minor signs of improvement here and there. Hale Hentges, an unknown name, looked good in the very few snaps he played, but not in a game-changing way.

At running back, Derrius Guice was supposed to be the workhorse. Instead, he saw limited playing time with even more injuries to his young NFL career. Insert 34-year-old Adrian Peterson, an unequivocal future Hall of Famer. Peterson continued to defy his age as he rushed for 898 yards and 5 touchdowns, while surpassing multiple records in the process. He was the lone bright spot at the position. The once-explosive Chris Thompson was a shell of his former self. He, too, had an unfortunate knack for catching the injury bug.

So, when considering all that happened during the 2019 season, is Haskins still to blame? Magic 8-Ball says...

(Photo: businessinder.com)

Friday, April 19, 2019

Redskins' 2019 Schedule Has Arrived

Redskins' 2019 Preseason Schedule:
Aug. 8: at CLEVELAND BROWNS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Aug. 15: vs CINCINNATI BENGALS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Aug. 22: at ATLANTA FALCONS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Aug. 29: vs BALTIMORE RAVENS (7:30 p.m. NBC4)
Redskins' 2019 Regular Season Schedule:
Sept. 8: at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Sept. 15: vs DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)
Sept. 23: vs CHICAGO BEARS (8:15 p.m. ESPN)
Sept. 29: at NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 6: vs NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1 p.m. CBS)
Oct. 13: at MIAMI DOLPHINS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 20: vs SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Oct. 24: at MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8:20 p.m. FOX, NFL NETWORK, AMAZON)
Nov. 3: at BUFFALO BILLS (1 p.m. FOX)
Nov. 10: BYE
Nov. 17: vs NEW YORK JETS (1 p.m. CBS)
Nov. 24: vs DETROIT LIONS (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 1: at CAROLINA PANTHERS (1 p.m. CBS)
Dec. 8: at GREEN BAY PACKERS (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 15: vs PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 22: vs NEW YORK GIANTS (1 p.m. FOX)
Dec. 29: at DALLAS COWBOYS (1 p.m. FOX)

Thursday, March 7, 2019

The Quarterback Carousel Continues in Washington

Smart football decisions and the Washington Redskins are words that do not coincide. Instead of drafting a rookie quarterback next month, or even trading for Josh Rosen—the 10th overall selection in the 2018 NFL draft—the Redskins elected to make a head-scratching move.

(Photo: NFL.com)
Case Keenum is being shipped from Denver to D.C. along with a seventh-round pick, and in return, the Broncos receive a sixth-rounder from the Redskins. Both picks are for next year's draft. Denver will pay $3.5 million of Keenum's $7 million salary, while the Redskins pay the remaining half.

Keenum, 31, will compete with incumbent signal-caller Colt McCoy for the starting role as of now. Neither one of these names sends a warning message to the rest of the NFC East. If anything, this screams mediocrity and a regression to the old Redskins ways of conducting business.

Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Keenum has been with five teams, including the Redskins. His career statistics include 12,661 passing yards, 64 touchdowns, and 42 interceptions.

Add his name to the eye-popping list of starting quarterbacks in the nation's capital.


Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Redskins Organization Keeps Embarrassing Themselves

Bad publicity continues to plague the Washington Redskins organization—just ask head coach Jay Gruden. His 22-year-old son, Jack Gruden, was arrested early Sunday morning for public drunkenness.

The arrest occurred at 2:15 a.m., after Gruden had engaged in multiple confrontations at a restaurant in One Loudoun. According to the police report, a deputy broke up the initial argument between Gruden and another male, but Gruden was involved in two more confrontations leading to his arrest.

Gruden has been a part of the Redskins staff for two seasons. He started out by volunteering the first year, and then more recently, served as a video assistant. His court hearing is scheduled for March 21.

Tony Wyllie, the team's senior vice president of communications, said in a statement, "We are aware of the arrest of Jack Gruden. We are gathering more information and will not comment until we have further details." Wyllie is a busy man, having to constantly address the media regarding the black cloud—namely Bruce Allen—hovering over Redskins Park.

Alcohol seems to be a culprit, though. Two months ago, Redskins safety Montae Nicholson was arrested for—stop if you've heard this one before—public drunkenness around 2 a.m. at One Loudoun. Unlike Gruden, Nicholson was also charged with assault and battery, effectively ending his season. Wyllie, in a statement verbatim to the one above, said, "We are aware of the arrest of Montae Nicholson. We are gathering more information and will not comment until we have further details."

Maybe they should quit playing Redfoo's song "Good Things Happen When Ya Drunk" at Redskins Park.