Mike Shanahan and the Redskins walked away from a chance to sign running back Brian Westbrook, who signed with the 49ers. (Photo by Mike Frandsen)

The Redskins made a decision that might end up haunting them for years, letting Brian Westbrook sign with the San Francisco 49ers Monday despite the fact that Washington has no established third down running back.

In a passing league that necessitates a running back who specializes in catching the ball and getting yards after the catch, the Redskins will apparently go with Ryan Torain, who has played two NFL games, out of the backfield in third down situations.

The Redskins should have signed Westbrook.

It’s not as if Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson are awful at catching the ball. However, they are a far cry from the third down specialists that every successful team needs to have. Portis is a good blocker but has never distinguished himself as a good receiving back. Willie Parker is even worse. Parker had only nine receptions the last two seasons combined even though he carried the ball 308 times.

To read the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.

Gary Clark cheers on Art Monk at the 2008 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony as Ricky Sanders looks on. Photo by Mike Frandsen.

Former Redskins guard Russ Grimm’s induction Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was long overdue. Grimm anchored one of the best offensive lines in history, the “Hogs,” who played in four Super Bowls, winning three.

Grimm and the Hogs blocked superbly for the Redskins’ running game and passing game for a decade, ultimately helping running back John Riggins and wide receiver Art Monk become Hall of Famers.

But Grimm was inducted into the Hall in his 14th year of eligibility. And it took Monk eight years, despite immaculate credentials. Why did it take so long?

An anti-Redskins bias remains among Hall of Fame voters. The Redskins aren’t considered as glamorous as the Dallas Cowboys or the Pittsburgh Steelers, who each have 10 players in the Hall of Fame from their Super Bowl winning teams. Meanwhile, the Redskins only have four players in the Hall from teams that won the Super Bowl (Riggins, Monk, Grimm, and cornerback Darrell Green).

To read the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.

Former Redskins Hog Russ Grimm becomes the first Hog to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Washington Redskins guard Russ Grimm is in Hog Heaven.

Grimm became the 18th member of the Redskins, and the fifth during the Joe Gibbs era, to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday.

Grimm played 11 seasons for the Redskins, winning three Super Bowls and appearing in four. He made four consecutive Pro Bowls, was named a three-time All-Pro, and was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1980s.

During his speech, Grimm thanked his fellow offensive linemen, the “Hogs.” He said, “I want to mention a few guys that made it possible for me to be here today. A group of guys that grew together, worked together, played together, raised families together, celebrated together, guys that I consider family, a group known as the Hogs.”

To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here.

After missing spring workouts in protest of the Redskins’ new 3-4 defensive scheme, Haynesworth has to catch up to learn the defense. The former All-Pro defensive tackle and 100 million dollar man has lost approximately 35 pounds since last season when he missed four games due to injuries.

Shanahan has made a point to prevent Haynesworth from practicing until he passes his conditioning test. Will Shanahan relent and allow Haynesworth to practice if he continues to fail the test? If Haynesworth doesn’t pass the test will it become a major distraction?

Here are some other training camp questions:

To see the rest of my article on Examiner.com, click here

.

See the article I wrote a while back saying the Redskins should trade Haynesworth for kick returner Joshua Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns in examiner.com here.

The problem is now that the Skins probably can’t get equal value for Haynesworth because teams know the Skins want to trade him and he wants to go.

Westbrook, who was cut by the Eagles in February, visited with the Redskins and the Denver Broncos last week, and the St. Louis Rams have also shown interest.

The Redskins already have three running backs in Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker who are, like Westbrook, close to 30 years old. But more importantly, they are primarily runners who aren’t nearly as adept at Westbrook at catching passes. Westbrook has 29 career receiving touchdowns. Johnson has six, and Portis and Parker have five each.

To see the rest of my article on examiner.com, please click here.

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan gets a quarterback with a strong arm, good mobility, great experience, and excellent leadership skills.

Meanwhile Eagles coach Andy Reid has given the keys to the offense to Kevin Kolb, a quarterback who has thrown four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his career.

McNabb could mean the difference between six wins and nine wins. And nine wins can make the playoffs. Heck, nine wins can even make the Super Bowl – see the Cardinals from two seasons ago.

Ok, let’s not get too excited. Nobody expects that to happen, but it has been said that the NFL stands for “not for long.” These days, teams get better – or worse – fast.

Look no further than last year’s Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, who finished 8-8 the previous year.

When Redskins general manager Bruce Allen made this move, he could have quoted a phrase made popular by his late father George, the Redskins Hall of Fame coach from 1971-77: “the future is now.”

But those who think that McNabb is part of a new “Over the Hill Gang” should look at Brett Favre. If Favre can play past the age of 40, then McNabb at 33 may have several good seasons left.

Also remember that McNabb has become the Eagles all-time leading passer in victories, completions, yards, and touchdowns despite only twice having a great receiver.

The first time was when the Eagles had Terrell Owens and they made the Super Bowl, losing to the New England Patriots 24-21 in 2005.

The second time the Eagles had a great receiver during McNabb’s tenure was last season when DeSean Jackson came into his prime and the Eagles ended up with 11 wins.

The Redskins now have a franchise QB and depth at running back with Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker. One of those three may go. All four of these players have something in common, though – they have something to prove.

Obviously the Redskins need to address the offensive line through the draft. They also need a third-down running back who can catch the ball. Another receiver or two would be nice to complement starters Santana Moss and Devin Thomas. McNabb and Chris Cooley should connect for at least 70 passes.  The defense is already solid.

But quarterback is the most important position on the field. And the Redskins finally have a great one.

McNabb is the best Redskins quarterback since Joe Theismann, and yes, it has been 25 years since Theismann’s last season. Mark Rypien was the Super Bowl MVP after the 1991 season, but Ryp had a relatively short career.

It’s not out of the question that the Redskins will still take a quarterback in the draft. McNabb could leave after the season.

Or, McNabb could be the Skins’ starter for the next five years.

Don’t underestimate the power of motivation. It can go a long way. McNabb will be pumped to play against the Eagles and to prove that Philly was wrong.

As for the Eagles, they will now likely be a few games worse than the 10 or 11 wins they usually get.

McNabb is not Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Drew Brees. But he’s clearly a top ten quarterback, and he’s a top five QB when he’s at his best. The only knock on McNabb is that is accuracy is sometimes a little off.

But overall, McNabb is a franchise quarterback – a sure thing. If history shows us anything, it’s that playing an unproven quarterback is a crapshoot.

For every Manning, there has been a Ryan Leaf. For every McNabb, there has been an Akili Smith (drafted one spot after McNabb in 1999).

Don’t forget, Heath Shuler, Patrick Ramsey, and Jason Campbell were all first round picks, and only Campbell has become a regular starter, and a mediocre one at that.

Campbell, who started three and a half seasons for the Redskins but struggled with different systems and shaky offenses, will likely go to another team.  Newly signed Rex Grossman should be the backup.  Colt Brennan, who was on injured reserve last year, may also be headed elsewhere.

Kolb did play well last year while filling in for McNabb for two games, throwing for over 300 yards each game and going 1-1.

But with McNabb, the Eagles were always on the verge of getting to the Super Bowl. How often does a quarterback lead a team to a Super Bowl in his first year as a starter? Hardly ever, except for Brady.

The Eagles also let a top ten running back, Brian Westbrook, depart this year although Westbrook had a couple of concussions last season.

Did Reid outsmart himself? Is he trying to prove he can win with a new quarterback?  Is it ego, or is the economy so bad that the Eagles were trying to save the money from McNabb’s salary?  Did the decision come from the owner’s box?

Say what you will about Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, but he will pay to put a winner on the field.

Ever since Eagles fans booed McNabb when Philadelphia drafted him second overall in 1999 instead of Ricky Williams, McNabb has never been fully accepted in Philadelphia.

But those fans miss the point. The object is to put your team in a position to win, which McNabb has done year after year.

We’re talking about a city that booed the greatest third-baseman of all time, Mike Schmidt.

These are fans who booed Santa Claus.

McNabb is too good for Philadelphia.

Welcome to Washington, Donovan.

To see my article on examiner.com, click here.

Let’s face it – the NFL is a passing league now and it helps a lot – in fact, it’s practically a must – that your running backs need to be excellent at catching passes out of the backfield.  (That is a cliche and redundant – where else are they going to catch passes from?)

Both players’ best years had them catching over 40 passes in a season.  Not much if you consider that’s about 2.5 per game.  Let’s hope the Redskins have plans to draft at least one running back who can catch the ball.  At least Portis can block.

I think the Skins should have gone after LaDanian Tomlinson who would have been more of a complement to Portis.  Or Brian Westbrook, who if healthy is still one of the best running backs in the NFL.  If you’re going to add another running back, why not Thomas Jones?  Because he’s better than Johnson?  That makes no sense.  You go for the best players.  Plus Johnson has a reputation as somewhat of a malcontent at times so that makes two with Portis.

The move improves the Redskins but I just think L.J. is too much like Portis.  Then again, you can’t have too many running backs and Shanahan likes to spread it around.  Now the Skins need some offensive linemen and a third down running back.

Former Washington Redskins guard Russ Grimm was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. Grimm, a member of the “Hogs,” the Redskins legendary offensive line, played in four Pro Bowls and four Super Bowls, including three wins. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1980s.

Former Redskins Guard Russ Grimm

Grimm anchored one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history, alongside players such as Joe Jacoby, Jeff Bostic, George Starke, Mark May, Raleigh McKenzie, and Jim Lachey.

Grimm anchored the line as the Redskins won Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks and three different primary running backs. Six different running backs led the Redskins in rushing during Grimm’s 11 seasons but the offensive line was the constant along with wide receiver Art Monk.

The Redskins often featured Grimm in a “counter-trey” play in which he and left tackle Jacoby would pull from the left side to the right side to lead running plays.

Grimm becomes the fourth Redskins player during the Joe Gibbs era to make the Hall of Fame. Monk and cornerback Darrell Green were inducted into the Hall in 2008. Running back John Riggins was inducted in 1992. Gibbs is also in the Hall of Fame.

Grimm was selected in the third round of the 1981 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He has been an assistant coach in the NFL since 1992 and currently coaches the offensive line of the Arizona Cardinals.

Jerry Rice, Rickey Jackson, Dick LeBeau, Floyd Little and John Randle and Emmitt Smith were also selected.

The full article can be seen at:

http://www.examiner.com/x-37753-DC-Sports-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m2d6-Russ-Grimm-in-Hog-Heaven–former-Redskins-guard-makes-Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame