The Great John Riggins is Back with New Show
Gayle Saunders
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Riggo is back. Sportsman Channel is launching a new series with HOF Running Back John Riggins. Riggo on the Range, which will begin airing January 2013 on the cable network. Show segments will follow Riggins around the world in pursuit of “extraordinary hunting, outdoor and cooking adventures.”
Gaffney Joins Crowded WR Bunch in New England
Gayle Saunders
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Patriots signed WR Jabar Gaffney to a two-year deal.
The Patriots have brought in variety of guys at the WR psotion and now with Gaffney in the mix it gets a lot crazier. The Pats already have Julian Edelman, Deion Branch, Anthony Gonzalez, and Donte’ Stallworth behind starters Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.
The Skinny: At age 31 Gaffney still has game left in his tank. He played well for the Redskins and he was their leading receiver in 2011. Gaffney already knows the system and he is familiar with what they do in New England. He gets to reunite with Josh McDaniels, which probably leaves Chad Ochocinco on the outs.
Redskins: Meet The 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
Griffin is an excellent fit in Mike Shanahan’s system. His athleticism will make him deadly on bootlegs, and his arm strength complements the downfield attack favored by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Plus, Griffin’s speed will freeze backside ends on stretch zone plays, creating more backside cuts.
Griffin still needs to clean up some mechanical issues with his footwork playing under center.
Look for Griffin to play as soon as possible. Griffin says he has to beat out Rex Grossman for the job, Seeing that your new team gave up the world for them to move up four spots to get him, expect him to start from day 1.
ROUND 3: Josh Leribeus, G, SMU
Leribeus adds depth inside, something the Redskins desperately need. He started two seasons at left guard, but also played right guard and worked out at center for teams before the draft. Leribeus played in a man-blocking scheme at SMU, but will play in a zone scheme with Washington. He mentioned he felt more comfortable in the zone scheme he played in during the East-West Shrine Game. He’s not considered a great athlete, but has good footwork.
Leribeus should open as a reserve, especially if Kory Lichtensteiger is healthy and starts at left guard as expected. Chris Chester is set at right guard and Will Montgomery is at center. But the interior backups, Maurice Hurt and Eric Cook, have tenuous holds on their spots — especially Cook. It wouldn’t be surprising to someday see Lichtensteiger move to center and LeRibeus take over at left guard. But that shouldn’t happen this year.
ROUND 4: KIRK COUSINS, QB, Michigan State
Cousins was a surprise choice considering the Redskins already took Robert Griffin III in the first round. If both players pan out, then the Redskins have their QB rotation set for the next several years at least. Cousins is an accurate thrower with excellent footwork and intangibles. But he was known in college for making bad mistakes at inopportune times. He fits the profile of a career backup.
ROUND 4: KEENAN ROBINSON, LB, Texas
Robinson could add needed depth at inside linebacker behind starters London Fletcher and Perry Riley. Robinson played middle linebacker last season, but also has played outside. He played in a 3-4 at Texas for a couple seasons under former coordinator Will Muschamp. He can run and his coverage skills are solid, but he must learn to take on blocks inside. If nothing else he should help the Redskins on special teams.
ROUND 5: ADAM GETTIS, G, Iowa
Gettis adds more depth inside, with the ability to play either guard spot. He also was a backup center in college. He’s an excellent fit for a zone blocking scheme, which is what Iowa used. Gettis is considered athletic and a tough competitor. At 293 pounds he’s a bit small. He’s also started only one full season. Given a year or two to develop Gettis could help the Redskins.
ROUND 6: ALFRED MORRIS, RB, Florida Atlantic
Morris provides the Redskins depth at running back and possibly fullback. The 5-foot-10, 219-pound Morris is a tough inside runner with a strong lower body, but who lacks breakaway speed. He was the first running back in Howard Schnellenberger’s 27 seasons as a coach to post consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He has issues with ball security, having fumbled 16 times in 762 career carries.
ROUND 6: TOM COMPTON, OT/G, South Dakota
Compton is experienced, having started two years at left tackle and two years at right tackle. The only young backup tackle Washington has is Willie Smith, an undrafted free agent in 2011 who is far from a finished product. Compton is athletic and familiar with the zone scheme. He said he’s worked on guard technique this past offseason to become more versatile.
ROUND 7: RICHARD CRAWFORD, CB, SMU
Crawford can cover in the slot, which the Redskins need. And it’s not as if they’re deep at corner after starters DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson. But as a seventh-round choice it’ll be tough to see him making the roster let alone garner playing time. However, he’s also a return specialist, which helps his chances.
ROUND 7: JORDAN BERNSTINE: S, Iowa
Bernstine started at both corner and safety in college and is comfortable covering receivers in the slot, something the Redskins need. If he stays at safety, he’ll give the Redskins speed (another need) and a strong hitter. The safety position is not a strong one, but there are a lot of numbers so Bernstine will have a difficult time making the roster. If he does, it’ll be because of special teams, which is a strength for Bernstine.
| Pick | Player | Pos | School |
| 1 2 (2) | R. Griffin III | QB | Baylor |
| 3 8 (71) | J. LeRibeus | G | Southern Methodist |
| 4 7 (102) | K. Cousins | QB | Michigan State |
| 4 24 (119) | K. Robinson | OLB | Texas |
| 5 6 (141) | A. Gettis | G | Iowa |
| 6 3 (173) | A. Morris | RB | Florida Atlantic |
| 6 23 (193) | T. Compton | T | South Dakota |
| 7 6 (213) | R. Crawford | CB | Southern Methodist |
| 7 10 (217) | J. Bernstine | CB | Iowa |
Pre Draft Visits: Washington Redskins
By Gayle Saunders
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League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.
Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.
One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that the players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.
Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!
LAST UPDATED 4/21/12
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Washington Redskins
Robert Griffin III -QB from Baylor
Andrew Luck – QB from Stamford
Aaron Corp -QB from Richmond
Trent Richardson – RB from Alabama
Stephen Hill – WR from Georgia Tech
Donald Stephenson -OT from Oklahoma
Robert Turbin -RB from Utah State
Omar Bolden -CB from Arizona State
Keith Tandy -CB from West Virgina
Michael Brockers -DT from LSU
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Kelcie McCray -S from Arkansas State
Philip Thomas -S from Syracuse
____________________________________________________________________________________________
London Fletcher is Back with the Skins!
Gayle Saunders
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The Redskins management have finally made good on their word to bring back veteran LB London Fletcher.
London Fletcher announced on Friday, via Twitter, that he is back in the fold as the Redskins Captain and MLB! In fact, Fletcher should participate in off season workouts, that start on Monday if all goes as planned.
The Skinny: When you play the game as well as London Fletcher regardless of age, and respected by your peers like he is, it only makes sense to bring back a team leader like London Fletcher. He’s totaled over 116 tackles in each of the last 12 seasons and leads all active NFL players with 1,782 career stops. You cant make those numbers up folks.
Washington Redskins
Team Needs and Draft: If quarterback is not addressed in free agency, or by moving up into the second pick then the Redskins have to do something highly with the sixth pick. The wideout spot needs help badly and must be addressed asap. If the Redskins somehow sign Manning or Flynn, then this pick becomes all about wide receiver. Help in the secondary and offensive line surely would be a plus, as well as depth in the front seven, but quarterback and wide receiver are the prime concerns.
2012 Draft Selections
1.6, 2.7, 3.6, 4.7, 4.14 (from OAK), 5.6, 7.6
Free Agent Signings
WR Pierre Garcon, WR Josh Morgan, CB Cedric Griffin, S Brandon Meriweather
2011 Draft Picks
1st: Ryan Kerrigan (DE) Purdue
2nd: Jarvis Jenkins (DT) Clemson
3rd: Leonard Hankerson (WR) Miami
4th: Roy Helu (RB) Nebraska
5th: Dejon Gomes (S) Nebraska
5th: Niles Paul (WR) Nebraska
6th: Evan Royster (RB) Penn State
6th: Aldrick Robinson (WR) SMU
7th: Brandyn Thompson (CB) Boise St
7th: Maurice Hurt (OG) Florida
7th: Markus White (DE) Florida St
7th: Christopher Neild (DT) W Virginia
Pierre Garcon is Officially a Redskin!
Gayle Saunders
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Pierre Garcon has officially tweeted he has signed with the Washington Redskins.
Garcon recently turned down a contract extension from the Colts during this offseason which is why he made it to free agency. Last season Garcon had his best season of his career catching 70 balls for 947 yards and six touchdowns last season.
The Skinny: The Redskins did have their eyes on Vincent Jackson, but with their recent cap space issues led them to their plan b, which was Pierre Garcon.
Redskins & Cowboys Cap Space Take Major Hit!
Gayle Saunders
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Adam Schefter is reporting that NFL will take millions in salary-cap space from the Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys for illegal front-loading of deals during the 2010 uncapped season.
Profootballtalk.com also reported that both the Redskins & Cowboys were warned at least six times they would face serious consequences for using the uncapped year as an opportunity to dump salaries.
The Skinny: The Cowboys will now lose $10 million and the Redskins’ will lose $36 million from their cap space. The Cowboys were reportedly $4.7 million under the $120.6 million cap and the Redskins were $31.3 million under. Both franchises will have the opportunity to split the damage over 2012 and 2013 seasons. Either way you look at it, Both teams will be seriously effected for the free agency frenzy. It will now be tough to sign guys like Carl Nicks, Mario Williams, Cortland Finnegan and Vincent Jackson.
Chargers Will Probably Let Vincent Jackson walk
By Gayle Saunders
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Union-Tribune San Diego’s Kevin Acee is reporting that the Chargers will “almost certainly” let Vincent Jackson hit the free agent market next month.
Even though they found the bank to pay Chargers safety Eric Weddle last season, they believe that the WR market will be pretty deep in 2012. The Chargers insist they want to be in the mix for Vincent Jackson, but they don’t believe they’ll be able to give him the offer he is looking for versus other interested teams. Its most likely Jackson could be gone in the first few days of free agency.
If a team is looking for Jackson’s services the price tag will be around $10 million a year as he is the top receiver on the market. Look for the following teams to show interest: Rams, 49ers, Redskins, Bucs, Bears, Jaguars, and perhaps the Vikings or Eagles if they plan to trade Desean Jackson after franchising him.
Redskin’s GM on London Fletcher: “We Want Our Captain Back”
By Gayle Saunders
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London Fletcher could soon be mouthing the words “Home Sweet Home” making the Redskins his final destination in a phenomenal career.
It sounds as the Redksins GM, Bruce Allen, made it known that he wants the veteran back and re-signing Fletcher is something he plans to do. Read more
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