The Redskins Blog

Redskins Embody ‘Team, Effort, Tradition.’

On January 5, 2010, head coach Mike Shanahan was formally introduced as the Redskins head coach. From 2010-present, coach Shanahan and the front office have completely revamped the team.

There are 60 new faces out of the 70 players currently listed on the roster, excluding last year’s the practice squad. Here’s a breakdown of the how the current team was built since coach Shanahan’s hire in 2010: Free Agency (37), Draft Picks (21), and Trades (2).

The roster changes, however, should not be viewed necessarily as a rebuilding effort, yet instead viewed as part of a bigger evaluation process in an attempt to build a team consisting of humble, hardworking, character guys.

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Griffin III: Sporting News Rookie Of Year

(AP photo)

Anyone getting sick of reading about awards for Robert Griffin III? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Sporting News has announced the 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year award, and it should come as no surprise that Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is the recipient. Griffin III was selected from a rookie class that included three playoff starting quarterbacks and two stud running backs, including teammate Alfred Morris.

Of the 800 voters, Griffin III received 363 votes, followed by Colts qaurterback Andrew Luck (213), Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (124) and Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (57).

Rather than bore you with the same statistical comparison that we’ve offered for every other award, let’s review the superlatives that Sporting News writer Clifton Brown gives No. 10: Read more »

Redskins Weekly Social Media Spotlight

Welcome to your weekly Redskins Social Media Spotlight, where we highlight the trendy topics and social media campaigns going on this week in Redskins Nation. Check it out and make suggestions below.

LT Trent Williams (@TrentW71) demonstrated growth and maturity in 2012 after dealing with some off-the-field issues in 2011. He was able to overcome adversity and bounce back this year to separate himself as one of the premier tackles in the game.

The coaching staff entrusted him with the all-important task of protecting QB Robert Griffin III’s blindside, ultimately leading to a Pro Bowl selection for his outstanding play.

Last Friday, No. 71 sat down to participate in a Twitter Takeover of the @Redskins Twitter account and answered fan questions. In case you missed it, here’s how it went: Read more »

To The Baltimore Ravens: You’re Welcome

(AP photo)

It turns out that the Redskins and Ravens both got what they needed out of the Week 14 clash at FedExField.

For the Redskins, it was one of the most thrilling finishes in stadium history, as backup quarterback Kirk Cousins took over in the game’s final seconds, finishing off a touchdown drive and two-point conversion to complete the comeback. In overtime, Richard Crawford busted a 64-yard punt return, setting up a game-winning Kai Forbath field goal.

The win was the fourth in a row for the Redskins, and gave Washington regional bragging rights for the next four years. More importantly, it was a milestone during the team’s seven-game win streak that delivered the team’s first NFC East title since 1999, and their first playoff appearance since 2007.

For the Ravens, it was the first back-to-back losses under fifth-year head coach John Harbaugh, and left a team that started the season 9-2 scrambling for answers. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was fired the next day, ushering in former Colts head coach Jim Caldwell to call plays.

The Ravens got healthy and hot at the right time, clinching the AFC North title and scoring decisive playoff victories over the Colts, Broncos and Patriots.

Although the Ravens are currently game-planning for the Super Bowl and making travel arrangements for the road, they should consider sending the Redskins a thank you note.

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Is AFC East Key To NFC Championship?

Happy belated birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have been 86 on Jan. 15 (his actual birthday), and a Happy Inauguration Day to all. Regardless of your political persuasion, everyone can enjoy a balmy Monday off of work in the middle of January.

Unless, of course, you’re working today, in which case thank you for choosing to procrastinate with the Redskins.

Yesterday’s playoff football action determined that the Baltimore Ravens will face the San Francisco 49ers on Super Bowl Sunday in two weeks.

Even if you don’t give two hoots about the matchup, there are many heart-stopping appetizers and hilarious commercials to be watched that day, so there is something for everyone.

To find out how the Redskins’ player predictions and a weird statistical anomaly played out, check the link below: Read more »

Alexander Plays NFL Expert, Convincingly

Lorenzo Alexander is one of the few Redskins players to ever win the Media Good Guy award multiple years, and did so in both 2011 and 2012. Alexander has a well-deserved reputation for offering honest, thoughtful insight into his life and his role with the Washington Redskins.

So it should come as no surprise that the “One Man Gang” can handle himself comfortably on camera, providing CSN Washington with a player’s perspective in the lead-up to this weekend’s NFL Championship action.

Alexander has the benefit of having played each of the four remaining teams at home in the last two seasons, with the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots in 2011 and the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons in 2012.

He speaks with the poise and confidence of a veteran newscaster, and has a second career in sports if he so chooses.

Hear what he had to say, below: Read more »

Cast YOUR Vote for NFL Rookie of the Year

This year, Redskins rookies represented comparatively well around the league. Heading into Week 17, QB Robert Griffin III, RB Alfred Morris, and QB Kirk Cousins had accounted for 10-of-16 Rookie of the Week Awards.

However, that was before Morris ran over Dallas to the tune of 200 yards and three touchdowns in the season finale, earning the team’s 11^th Rookie of the Week Award. After a quick recalculation, the Redskins batted .688 (11-for-17) in Rookie of the Week awards this season.

In fact, following Week 10 it was simply a question of which Redskins rookie will win this week?

Nonetheless, here are the five NFL Rookie of the Year finalists and the number of times they won Rookie of the Week this season: QB Robert Griffin III (7), QB Andrew Luck (3), RB Alfred Morris (3), QB Russell Wilson (1) and RB Doug Martin (1).

Now, let’s skip the pleasantries and before we go crowning Griffin III or Morris as Rookie of the Year get down to the nitty-gritty and explain why a Redskins player should win this year’s award.

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Redskins Found A Formula For Success

(SB Nation Photo)

Last weekend during the NFC Divisional Playoff Round, football fans across the nation witnessed the San Francisco 49ers and second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick run all over the Green Bay Packers. In the process, Kaepernick set the single-game record for rushing yards by a QB (181 yards).

That, you know.

Now here’s the twist. A lot of those yards came out of the reviled/revered Pistol formation. Couple that with an opportunistic defense and a plus-1 turnover margin and the Packers became a stepping stone on the 49ers’ route to the NFC Championship Game in Atlanta.

You may ask, ‘Who cares? It’s not the Redskins,’ and you’re right. But the Redskins’ may have the same formula for success that the 49ers have used to get to two consecutive NFC Championships.

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Fletcher Predicts Pats-49ers Super Bowl

(Photo by Brian Murphy // ExtremeSkins.com)

On Thursday, star linebacker London Fletcher was a guest on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on ESPN Radio.

Fletcher spoke with Cowherd about his thoughts on the four remaining teams left in the playoffs: the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers.

Fletcher has some “inside” knowledge on all four contenders. The Redskins played the Falcons and Ravens this year as well as the Patriots and 49ers last year.

Find out what London had to say about each team here (via ESPN Radio):

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Jacoby Still Awaiting His Enshrinement

AP Image

With the recent announcement of the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists, Redskins fans could only shake their heads at the obvious omission of former “Hog,” left tackle Joe Jacoby.

Despite leading his offensive line to four Super Bowls (winning three), with four Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro selections, Jacoby has been snubbed since his retirement in 1993. He was one-of-27 semifinalists announce in November, but must now wait until next year for this just deserts.

According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Jacoby’s career performance is comparable to the likes of Willie Anderson, Jeff Saturday, Flozell Adams and Stan Jones; several of which have been or are expected to be inducted into Canton.

The only difference between these players and Jacoby, are his three Super Bowl rings with three different starting quarterbacks.

Redskins Historian Mike Richman helps put his career in perspective, as the man on the outside looking in at his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Read more »