Former Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger may be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame tonight. Hanburger was nominated as a senior candidate. The voting takes place today. Hanburger made nine Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro four seasons. He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 when the Redskins made it to the Super Bowl.
Hanburger was part of teams that made five playoff appearances in seven years in the 1970s for George Allen’s Redskins. Click here to see my article on Examiner.com.
Just watching an NFL Network “roundtable.” The four guests? Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Daryl Johnston and Brian Billick. Three of the four are ex-Cowboys. The NFL Network, ESPN and other networks go way overboard with all their former Cowboys on TV. It’s sickening. At least Emmitt Smith is no longer on ESPN. He was awful. It’s bad enough that the Redskins are mediocre. It’s even worse to constantly get Troy Aikman or Johnston as our game announcers. And of course, every time the NFL Network or ESPN replays old Super Bowls or regular season games, they ignore the Skins and play Dallas, or Green Bay (Favre).
And what about Favre being the 20th best football player ever and Sonny Jurgensen not even making the list on NFL.com’s list of Top 100 players? Pathetic.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan deserves some blame for Washington's 5-8 season. Photo by Mike Frandsen.
Donovan McNabb deserves part of the blame for the Redskins’ disappointing season, but Washington could have been successful with the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback if coach Mike Shanahan had made better personnel and coaching decisions.
Shanahan benched McNabb for the final three games of the year Friday.
If the Redskins had avoided a few disastrous mistakes, McNabb could have led the Redskins to a respectable season this year. In that scenario, McNabb could have continued to start next season while a rookie quarterback drafted in 2011 would have been groomed a year before starting. Now the Redskins will play Rex Grossman or acquire a veteran next year to hold the fort down anyway before a draft pick starts.
McNabb didn’t perform up to expectations, with 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, but he didn’t have much help, and he shouldn’t be made the scapegoat for the Redskins’ problems.
To see how the Redskins could have won with McNabb at the helm, and which mistakes could have been avoided, click here for my article on Examiner.com.
Chris Cooley participated in a promotional event for FedEx Office Tuesday in Washington. Photo by Mike Frandsen
I caught up with Redskins tight end Chris Cooley Tuesday at FedEx Office in Washington for a brief interview for Examiner.com. Cooley was participating in a FedEx promotional event.
Cooley, in his seventh season with the Redskins, said that the team is very motivated to play Dallas this week.
He likes the discipline Shanahan has instilled in the team and is optimistic about the future.
Cooley defended himself against criticism by former Redskin Brian Mitchell.
The former Pro Bowl tight end said he’s 100 percent healthy now and he hopes and expects to end his career in Washington.
When asked about ex-Redskin Colt Brennan, Cooley said the former quarterback is up and walking around after his car accident last month.
Click here to read the interview on Examiner.com.
Redskins kicker Graham Gano probably won't be signing autographs for Redskins fans next year. Photo by Mike Frandsen.
Is Graham Gano the worst kicker in the NFL? There’s no doubt that he is – the statistics back that up. Gano has missed 10 field goals on the year, which leads the NFL. But a more important question to ask would be: How much better would the Redskins have been in recent seasons with kickers who were merely average or above average instead of bad?
Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Gano missed two field goals that any high school kicker should make. Either of the chip shot field goals Gano missed, a 24 and a 34-yarder, would have given the Redskins enough points to win a game that they lost 17-16. Never mind the botched snap and hold on what would have been a game-tying extra point – the Redskins should have never been in that situation. True, it was rainy, but those are kicks that have to go in.
In fairness, Gano did kick a game-winning 33-yard field goal in overtime to give Washington a 16-13 win over Green Bay.
This brings up an often overlooked issue: the Redskins have had some of the worst kickers in the NFL during the Dan Snyder era, a time when NFL teams have been so close in talent that special teams can make a huge difference. Kick returner Brandon Banks has kept the Redskins in several games this season, but during the previous decade, Washington had one of the worst kick return units in the league, and its punters were nothing to brag about either.
(This just in – the Skins today cut Hunter Smith, whose failed hold cost the team an extra point that would have sent the game against the Bucs into overtime. Smith was one of the worst punters in the league – par for the course for Washington the last 15 years or so. I might even be underestimating the importance of special teams. If Skins kickers, punters, and return and coverage units were good the past decade, maybe the Skins would have even averaged 10-6 instead of 7-9.)
This inattention to detail has been symbolic of a franchise that was once known for its blue-collar work ethic, but has gained a reputation of overpaying stars at glamorous positions.
Talk all you want about Tom Brady, but he hasn’t won a Super Bowl without Adam Vinatieri. Neither has Peyton Manning. So when you complain about questionable coaching decisions or Donovan McNabb, don’t forget double G.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
At the midway point of the season, the Redskins are 4-4 and have as many wins as they had all of last season. Coach Mike Shanahan has improved the discipline and attitude of the players, and the Redskins are 2-0 in the NFC East. But before calling this season a success so far, remember that last year’s team lost several close games, and when coach Jim Zorn was stripped of play calling duties, it signified Washington essentially throwing in the towel. Otherwise the 2009 Redskins might have easily won seven or eight games.
With that in mind, here are the Redskins’ mid-term grades. There aren’t any A’s but no units have failed either.
Quarterback: B-. At first glance, Donovan McNabb isn’t having a great season. His passer rating of 76.0 is the worst of his career and his accuracy has been up and down. The six-time Pro Bowl quarterback has more interceptions (eight) than touchdowns (seven). However, McNabb is playing behind a porous offensive line with inconsistent, inexperienced running backs and a receiving corps that is one of the worst in the NFL. Still, McNabb’s leadership has helped Washington to as many wins as it had all of last season, and he has already become the Redskins’ best deep passer since Mark Rypien played nearly 20 years ago. There may also be something to what coach Mike Shanahan says about McNabb being banged up and having hamstring problems, because power and accuracy on throws stem from the legs.
McNabb has also had to learn a new offense as well that is very different than the short passing game he ran in Philadelphia. Despite media reports that McNabb will move on via free agency at the end of the year because of his recent benching by Shanahan, there’s no reason he can’t stay and in fact it would be hard to find a better option in free agency or coming out of college.
Here are a few other excerpts from my article on Examiner.com:
Wide Receivers: D. Santana Moss is a solid pro and is having his usual strong season but is best suited to being a number two or slot receiver. Moss’ 48 receptions are 19 more than the rest of the team’s receivers combined. Other than Moss, this may be the thinnest receiving corps in the league.
Cornerbacks: B-. Carlos Rogers is a solid cover corner but couldn’t catch a cold if he spent the season teaching kindergarten.
Coaching: B-. Shanahan is a good football coach who wins games. Unfortunately, his alter ego, “Shenanigan,” plays games that hurt the team.
For the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan's decision to bench Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman was unexpected, and, perhaps, indefensible. Photo by Mike Frandsen.
Redskins coach Mike Shanahan’s decision to bench quarterback Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman with less than two minutes to go and the Redskins down by six in Sunday’s 37-25 loss to the Detroit Lions was indefensible. See my article on Examiner.com here.
It just gets curiouser and curiouser. First, Shanny said McNabb didn’t have as good of a command of the 2-minute offense as Grossman. Then he said something about McNabb not being in good cardiovascular shape because of injuries. Let’s face it – the whole thing is weird. McNabb hasn’t played that well, but the Skins don’t exactly have a good running game, a passable receiving corps, or even a solid offensive line. And the defense gives up tons and tons of yards. (So much for the technical analysis in this article).
Maybe Shanahan is trying to show the team that no one is above anyone else. He messed with Albert Haynesworth by not playing him against the Colts, benched Derrick Dockery, and cut Devin Thomas. And at other times during the season, Haynesworth has played sparingly, despite the fact that he has shown he can be dominant against both the pass and the run.
Washington traded for McNabb last spring for these moments, because he has been one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL for the last decade. Grossman is a journeyman, he hadn’t played in a regular season game since last year, and he is known as a streaky player. McNabb has a reputation as a leader, and already led a comeback this season against Green Bay. No quarterback has more 50-yard passes this season than McNabb, and with no timeouts, long passes would have been critical.
McNabb has made the Redskins a significantly better team than they were in 2009, already leading Washington to as many victories as it had all last season.
One scary possibility on this Halloween is that the decision came from up above. Last year, in a bizarre, unprecedented move, Redskins owner Dan Snyder took away coach Jim Zorn’s play-calling duties and hired former NFL offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis to call plays from the booth. Lewis had been calling bingo games since his retirement in 2004. If a frustrated Snyder hastily gave orders to Shanahan to replace McNabb with Grossman late in the game, Shanahan should have ignored him and dared him to fire him.
Of course, any talk of Snyder’s involvement is purely speculative, and it’s much more likely that Shanahan is sending a message to the team with these moves, that it doesn’t matter your draft pedigree, and that even McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback, can be benched for poor performance. But it’s not loyal to your franchise quarterback to pull him late in a close game. It’s insulting. It’s very doubtful that former Hog Russ Grimm would have made that decision had he been head coach.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Redskins receiver Anthony Armstrong signs an autograph after Washington's 27-24 loss to Indianapolis Sunday at FedEx Field. Photo by Mike Frandsen.
The Redskins may be the oldest team in the NFL, but Washington has some young players contributing this year more than in recent seasons. Brandon Banks is electrifying as a punt and kick returner. Ryan Torain had 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns against Indianapolis, and backup running back Keiland Williams had four receptions including one for a touchdown. Receiver Anthony Armstrong also made five catches.
Maybe the decisions not to sign Brian Westbrook and T.J. Houshmandzadeh weren’t so bad after all, because it allowed the Redskins to give playing time to younger players.
And as badly as the Redskins have drafted in recent years, they have hit on their last three first round picks: left tackle Trent Williams, who shut down Dwight Freeney, linebacker Brian Orakpo, who had Washington’s only sack against Peyton Manning, and safety LaRon Landry, who made 11 tackles against Indianapolis to add to his team-leading total of 63.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Former Hog Russ Grimm was awarded his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring Sunday at halftime of the Redskins-Colts game at FedEx Field. Former teammate Jeff Bostic looks on.
Former Redskins guard Russ Grimm was awarded his Hall of Fame ring at a halftime ceremony which former Hogs George Starke, Jeff Bostic, Joe Jacoby, Rick “Doc” Walker, Fred Dean, and offensive line coach Joe Bugel attended. Grimm, an assistant coach with the Arizona Cardinals, was able to attend because the Cardinals have a bye this week. It was a great moment, but too many of the fans left their seats at the half, which was a little disappointing.
Two hours before the game, the former players circled FedEx Field in a parade. Shortly before kickoff, the team introduced the 62 former Redskins in attendance who played from the 1960s to 2004 as part of “Homecoming,” an alumni weekend organized by general manager Bruce Allen. It’s nice to see the team honoring former players, because, strangely, Snyder hasn’t done a good job of that until recently.
To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.
Joe Theismann, at the 2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremony of Art Monk and Darrell Green, is one of the best ex-Redskin analysts working on TV and radio. Photo by Mike Frandsen.
The Redskins may have more ex-players working on TV and radio than any other NFL team. I made a list of all the former Skins with a brief summary of what they’ve done as well as a critique. Click here for my complete article on Examiner.com.
Overall, the best in my opinion are Sonny Jurgensen, Trevor Matich, Mark May, Brian Mitchell, Joe Theismann, and Rick “Doc” Walker. In my opinion, John Riggins is overrated as a commentator but some may disagree.
A couple of interesting ones — Dexter Manley has his own show, “Dexter’s Rush Hour,” which is irreverent, sometimes pretty bad, and other times, surprisingly must see TV, even though it’s only on the web; and a long-forgotten kids TV show called “It’s Elementary,” by former Redskins receiver Roy Jefferson (view the vintage video here).
Lavar Arrington, LB (2000-05) – Arrington has come into his own as a broadcaster, doing afternoons on 106.7 FM, “the Fan.” Arrington’s personality comes through and his knowledge of the Redskins is excellent. Arrington also shows enthusiasm for basketball, and he’s working on hockey, though baseball is an area in need of major improvement. The former linebacker has recently begun writing snippets for the Washington Post, and he’s showing a knack for writing as well.
Unfortunately, neither L.A. nor his co-host know enough about Redskins history before, say, the mid-1980s, which is a glaring oversight because the Redskins have such a great history from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Needless to say, Arrington’s knowledge of D.C. area sports before 2000 is sorely lacking.
Roy Jefferson, WR (1971-76) – Jefferson hosted a children’s show in the late 1970s called “It’s Elementary.” See the vintage video here. This show was similar to “Wonderama” and “It’s Academic,” and Jefferson was such a good host, many children didn’t even know he used to play for the Redskins.
Sonny Jurgensen, QB (1964-74) – Jurgensen has been doing color commentary on Redskins games on the radio since 1981 with Huff, and for 24 seasons was part of the “Sonny, Sam, and Frank” team. Jurgensen is uncanny for his ability to call a play before it happens. Jurgensen is the dean of Redskins on the air. In the late ’70s and ’80s, he co-hosted the interview show “Redskins Sidelines” with the late Glenn Brenner, and also interviewed players and coaches with Brenner in the ’80s. Jurgensen also did games on CBS in the ’80s.
Dexter Manley (1981-1989) – Dexter has resurfaced after being out of the spotlight for many years and has a show called “Dexter’s Rush Hour” on the web. The irreverent show features skits, puppets, interviews, and predictions. His personality comes through and he makes some surprisingly astute observations. Before the season started he predicted LaRon Landry would have a great year. Before the Dallas game he said that the Cowboys think they’re better than other teams. “Redskins vs. the Dallas Cowgirls…,” Dexter rambled on. “You must be willing to run over your grandmother, your mother, your sister, and your little sister, and all your other sisters out there, you got a lot of illegitimate kids, run over them, run over dogs, cats, whatever it is, you run over them to go beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.” The show can be a little cringeworthy at times, but it’s also refreshing to see Dexter being Dexter again, and good to have a Redskin call out the Cowboys as the rival that they are.
Trevor Matich, C (1994-96) – Matich works on Comcast SportsNet’s excellent Redskins post-game show and also provides analysis on college football for ESPN on TV and radio. Matich’s attention to detail is very thorough and he has quickly become on of the best football analysts in the country.
Mark May, T (1981-89) – May has been a regular on ESPN’s “College Football Scoreboard” for the last 10 seasons. He knowledge about college football is extensive, and his pairing with Lou Holtz works exceedingly well. May is one of the premier college football analysts in the country. It’s fitting that the former Outland Trophy winner is also a standout analyst for college football instead of the NFL, though May was a very good guard for the Skins.
Brian Mitchell, RB (1990-99) — Mitchell does a superb job of analysis on Comcast SportsNet’s Redskins post-game show. Mitchell has always been outspoken and brutally honest. In the early years after his retirement, he almost seemed to enjoy the Redskins’ poor play, probably because owner Dan Snyder let Mitchell go a few years too early. That bitterness is mostly gone, but Mitchell has clearly become the most knowledgeable former Redskin about the team. Mitchell tells it like it is. He also has worked for both D.C. sportsradio stations and puts in a fair effort at covering other sports.
John Riggins, RB (1976-79, 1981-85) – Riggins worked as a panelist on George Michael’s “Redskins Report” for many years, co-hosted a daily show on Sirius NFL Radio, and in recent years has hosted various radio and Cable TV sports shows such as Riggins Post Game Xtra. This show appears to be on MASN as well as the web. Riggins has often been entertaining and outspoken with a strong personality, but also lacks depth and insight into the technical aspects of football, especially for a former player. Think Mike Ditka. (However, many fans disagree with this assessment and love Riggo as a media personality). Finally, here’s Riggins’ YouTube video in which he says former Skins coach Jim Zorn is a high school coach. It was a little unnecessary to pile on like that.
Joe Theismann, QB (1974-85) – Theismann has been one of the most articulate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable ex-players in the NFL since he retired after the 1985 season. In fact, in January 1985, while still active for the Redskins, Theismann did color commentary on Super Bowl XIX on ABC. From 1988 to 2005, Theismann worked on Sunday Night Football telecasts on ESPN, and called Monday Night Football games the following season. In 2007, Theismann was replaced by Ron Jaworski on MNF, a questionable decision despite the fact that Jaworski is a one of the best game analysts around. Theismann surely could have continued to be one of the top color commentators on NFL or college games but declined offers. He currently does Thursday Night games on the NFL Network and contributes to various radio sports talk shows. Theismann is still one of the best NFL analysts and could easily step into a top position calling games and wouldn’t miss a beat.
Rick “Doc” Walker, TE (1980-85) – Walker got his start as soon as his football career ended, as a reporter for Channel 4 under George Michael. In those days, Walker was overly enthusiastic, as he tried to ham it up for the camera with a little too much Hollywood. Within a few years, Walker developed a more authentic delivery with substance to go with his style, and he has been a regular co-host on Sportsradio WTEM for most of the past 20 years. Walker, like Mitchell, is honest in his opinions. He’s an expert on the Redskins, and, like Riggins and Theismann, is a link to the glory days of the 1980s. Walker has also done ACC football and a variety of local cable TV shows. His basketball knowledge is passable. Along with Mitchell and Matich, Walker does a first rate job of analysis on the Redskins Postgame show on Comcast SportsNet, currently the best of all Redskins shows.
To see the complete list, click on the Examiner.com article.
