Washington Redskins 2010 Midseason Grades

Quarterback

Donovan McNabb - B - : McNabb has had to carry the Redskins offense so far. He has had the running game help him seldomly, and is third on the team is yards rushing himself. He has done this dealing with nagging injuries all season, so a week off will help.

His accuracy tossing the ball has been wildly erratic for the most part. Though he has had more pressure than most NFL QB's due to a porous offensive line, so he won't get a fair grade unless he can have at least just a few games of competent blocking in front of him.

Enjoy him now Redskins fans, because the Shanahan's have made it quite clear he will not be back next season.


Rex Grossman - D - : One of the worst backup quarterbacks in the NFL. He was called into one game and promptly fumbled a ball that was returned for a touchdown by the opponents.






Running Back

Clinton Portis - C - : Most pundits felt the 29-year old was running on flat tires before the season began, and he did little to dispel those opinions in the four games he played before getting hurt.

After averaging barely three yards on his first 31 carries, Washington started handing the ball off to other players more often. His last 18 carries bumped up his yards per carry average to four, but his main contribution this year was pass blocking.


Ryan Torain - A : Torain has been a very pleasant surprise. He did not even make the team coming out of camp, and was only given the chance because head coach Mike Shanahan drafted him in 2008 during the fifth round with the Denver Broncos and getting hurt after two games..

Torain has played just six games, after playing none last year,, but leads the Redskins in rushing with 391 yards and three scores while averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also has eight catches and another touchdown. If he had not given Washington this, their record would be a lot worse right now.


Keiland Williams - A - : Williams made the team as an undrafted free agent rookie with just a few starts in college. He soon found himself placed as the teams pass catching specialist out of the backfield.

He was cut after week three when Portis went down, but was back a week later. He is third on the team in receptions, and did a good job filling in for an injured Torain by scoring. His pass blocking needs improvement, but that is a typical quandary for rookies.


Mike Sellers - B : Sellers is consistent when asked to catch the ball. He has 12 receptions so far, but his main job is to run block. He has been inconsistent in this area, and seems to have lost a step at 35-years old.







Tight Ends

Chris Cooley - A + : Cooley leads all NFC tight ends in receptions and is second in the NFL behind Antonio Gates of San Diego. His two scores is also tied for the team lead.

Cooley came into the season excited to play with McNabb, hoping to become a favorite target. He has done just that and is also a very underrated blocker who appears headed to his third Pro Bowl.


Fred Davis - D : The question about Davis has always been how much he really likes football, considering he has said he isn't much of a fan of the game when not playing it. Shades on ex-Redskin Michael Westbrook.

After coming up big last year when Cooley went down for the year, he has been virtually invisible so far this season. He has nine catches so far, and has not blocked very well often in jumbo sets.







Wide Receivers

Santana Moss - A : Moss has been the steady receiver Washington needs. He already has 48 receptions and has also shown to be an excellent blocker down field. He is quietly putting together one of the best seasons of his career.


Anthony Armstrong - A+ : Easily the best rookie the Redskins has this season. He sat on NFL practice squads for a few years, as well as playing in the Intense Football League, before making a squad in desperate need of receiver help this season.

He has 17 receptions at a 18 yards per catch clip, but he has been more than a deep threat. He has a propensity of always being around the ball, whether it is snagging a pass deflection, falling on a fumble, or making a tackle on special teams.


Joey Galloway - C : It is amazing he even wears a uniform these days at 39-years old. He has pitched in with eight receptions, but is no longer the consistent threat he once was.


Roydell Williams - C : The journeyman rarely plays, and has two receptions so far.


Brandon Banks - A - : He hasn't been used on offense really, and has one catch. That is probably due to the fact he has major ball security issues.

He makes his bones returning kicks, something Washington did not ask him to do until the fourth week this season. After making the team out of camp, the rookie was cut and brought back as the season went on.

He has 16 kickoff returns for 436 yards and a score. The 213 yards he had Sunday almost matched his seasons total, and an additional touchdown called back on a penalty. Banks has also pitched in 17 punt returns for 234 yards. He is exciting when he is able to hold onto the ball.






Offensive Line

Trent Williams - A : The rookie has been everything Washington hoped for since being drafted in the first round. He has struggled at times, bu mostly with his health. A week off will do him good.



Jamal Brown - B - : Brown has done well run blocking, but most of this season has seen him play injured. His return to full health is sorely needed.



Stephon Heyer - B+ : Heyer has been valuable coming off the bench when Williams and Brown have gone down frequently with injuries. He has also cut down on mistakes, which Heyer was known to often make in his previous three years with the club.



Artis Hicks - D : Hicks is a journeyman backup that Washington overpaid to get as a free agent this year. When a flag is thrown for holding or a false start, Hicks is usually the culprit. There have been moments he has run blocked well, but Hicks has generally played poorly so far.



Kory Lichtensteiger - C : He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2008 draft by Shanahan, and he spent his rookie year as a reserve. Denver let him go after firing Shanahan, and he spent about three weeks with the Minnesota Vikings last year but never saw the field.

Washington signed him one week after Shanahan was hired this year. Though his best position is center, Lichtensteiger replaced Derrick Dockery at left guard in week three and has stayed there since. He isn't overpowering, but he rarely makes mistakes either. There is a very good chance he starts at center next year.



Derrick Dockery - D : Dockery earned a starting job early in his rookie year, then went 111 games starting and never missing a game. After the second week of this season, his streak was snapped when Washington benched him. Dockery hasn't been seen since, which says a lot for an offensive line that has played as poorly as the Redskins have in the middle.


Casey Rabach - D : He is 33-years old, but has played a lot older too many times this season. Last Sunday was a perfect example, as he stepped on quarterback Donovan McNabb's foot twice in the first quarter, killing two drives. Only outmatched centers make the error of stepping into the bucket, especially one as veteran as Rabach.

Both Rabach and Hicks have been the weak link of the Redskins offensive line, and the worst kind of pressure a quarterback can face comes from up the middle. Though it may be easy to say Rabach needs to be benched, the backups aren't any better and he was recently signed to a 3 year contract worth $12.3 million.








Defensive Line

Albert Haynesworth- D - : Though he has played his best football for Washington the past two weeks, he still is basically a grossly overpaid reserve who is one of the biggest free agent busts in NFL history. It is doubtful the sullen, immature Haynesworth will be much more than that, given his present state of mind and heart.



Adam Carriker- C - : Carriker had a few flashes this year that showed why he was a first round pick in 2007, yet he has just eight tackles and a half a sack as a reserve so far.


Kedric Golston - D : He has just seven tackles in six games this season. Not exactly stellar production from a starter.


Ma'ake Kemoetu - B - : He is the Redskins best defensive lineman, and leads the unit with 16 tackles from his nose tackle position so far. He is the only consistent run stuffer the team has.

Vonnie Holliday - C : The 35-year old journeyman has pitched in on 11 tackles, a half a sack, and a couple of batted down balls in his five games.

Phillip Daniels - B : The 37-year old Daniels has been helpful when he has played, which is just three games so far. He has seven tackles and a sack.






Linebackers

London Fletcher - A : A true pro. His transition to the 3-4 has gone very well, and he is second on the team in tackles. He also leads the Redskins in forced and recovered fumbles, while showing he can still defend against the pass well.

Fletcher has also pitched in 1.5 sacks, which is just half a sack short of his high mark with Washington. One of the only consistent players on the Redskins roster, the 35-year old may be heading to his second Pro Bowl at this pace.


Brian Orakpo - B : Orakpo is basically just a pass rusher right now. His seven sacks lead the team, and it is tied as the third most in the NFL so far. Though he is not much of a pass defender, Washington would like to see him improve against the run.



Andre Carter - C - : The veteran defensive end has struggled in his transition to linebacker. He has just 19 tackles and a sack thus far, and has lost his starting job. Washington has lately been putting him back at defensive end on passing downs to try to get him going.



Lorenzo Alexander : B + : Mr. Versatile has been found playing along the line on either side of the ball, at fullback, and now at linebacker. He has been so valuable to the team, one must wonder if he could handle kicking or quarterback duties as well.

Alexander has moved into a starters job, pitching in 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.



Rocky McIntosh - B + : He might be best at the OLB slot, but Washington needs him at ILB and he has done a good job. His two sacks are tied as second most on the team, and his 63 tackles is tied as third most. He has struggled in pass defense, but that is not shocking for a player learning a new position in a new defensive scheme.


H.B. Blades - C + : H.B. makes his bones on special teams. Despite a few penalties that hurt the team, he is one of their better kick return coverage guys.








Safeties


LaRon Landry - A + : The best safety in the NFL today, he leads the NFL in solo tackles and his 76 total tackles are far and away to most by any NFL defensive back. It is also the third most in the entire league.

Landry is the M.V.P. of the team so far this year, as he has improved on every aspect of his game. His seven passes defended is third most on the team, though Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett loves to send him after the quarterback.

Not only is he on his way to the Pro Bowl, but this current pace will have him First Team All-Pro and in the running for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.



Kareem Moore - C : After missing the first two games of the season because of injury, Moore has done a mostly decent job in his first year as a starter. He still makes mental errors, but he is maybe the only true free safety on the roster.



Reed Doughty - C + : Doughty is an old school player able to play either safety slot. Though he might be the least athletic Redskin defensive back, Doughty has piled up 38 tackles already. He can be picked on in man to man coverage, but he is mostly dependable and consistent.




Chris Horton - D - : After a excellent rookie season in 2008, Horton hit a sophomore slump and seems stuck there. Now playing more tentatively, Washington has used him in just four games in what might be his last season in the NFL.







Cornerbacks

DeAngelo Hall - A + : Not only does he lead the NFL with six interceptions, his 63 tackles lead all NFL cornerbacks and his nine defended passes are tied as the second most in the league.

He is playing his position the way all expected when drafted with the eighth overall draft pick in 2004, and Hall appears on his way to his third Pro Bowl appearance.


Carlos Rogers - B + : Quietly, Rogers is tied with Hall in passes defended. He also has pitched in 38 tackles and an interception. Though Washington has given up a lot of yards in the air, they leave their veteran cornerbacks on island with little pass rush to help.


Phillip Buchanon - C - : When Redskins general manager Bruce Allen won the George Young Executive of the Year award with the Oakland Raiders in 2002, it was the same year he drafted Buchanon in the first round.

When Allen moved to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004, Buchanon was traded to Houston but rejoined Allen in Tampa Bay for almost three years in 2006. Now the pair are reunited again in Washington.

While Buchanon has defended eight balls and had 19 tackles, opponents seem to pick on the journeyman, now on his fifth team in ten seasons, often. He has mostly been a disappointment, making mistakes someone as veteran as him should not be making. It makes the fact that Kevin Barnes has yet to show anything that much more painful, because Washington needs an upgrade here.







Kicking Game

Graham Gano - A : The rookie has been solid. Though he has missed both attempts of 50+ yards, Gano has only missed three of 18 other attempts. He is giving Washington a consistency at this position not enjoyed in years, and his kickoffs have allowed the Redskins to have one of the best kickoff coverage units in the league.

Hunter Smith - D - : Smith has been pretty lousy ever since he replaced the injured Josh Bidwell. He has a net punting average of only 33.4 yards, hopefully prompting the Redskins to try out a few free agent punters during their week off.





Coaches

Mike Shanahan - D : Shanahan has brought more chaos than stability in his first season. He has mishandled a few veterans Washington planned to rely on this season, then dealt conflicting stories to the media when asked about each issue.

Though the veteran coach gets a pass in his first year because he won it all in the past, fans either like his rigid approach or are beginning to see why Denver fired him.







Kyle Shanahan - D - : Let's face it, the guy has the job because his dad is the boss. Though he was given the title of offensive coordinator for two seasons in Houston under his fathers disciple Gary Kubiak, it was Kubiak who called the plays.

His dad says he stays out of the way and allows his son to call the plays, but perhaps this needs to change because the inexperience shows.

In the Redskins 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, they faced a team that could not stop the run. Torain had 100 yards and two scores on 20 carries. Shanahan mostly ignored the run game in the second half, which allowed the Colts to come back and win. An experienced, competent offensive coordinator would have handed the ball off more than 22 times, as opposed to throwing it 45 times. His play calling lost a winnable game for Washington.

Mike Shanahan was handed $35 million over five years. Perhaps it is time he starts earning his paycheck and start calling the plays again. He won two Super Bowls doing this, and Washington deserves to have the best chance possible at winning too.




Jim Haslett - C + : It is hard to grade Haslett for a few reasons. Not only is the team adjusting to the 3-4 scheme, but the defensive coordinator does not yet have the personnel that fits his system.

His defense gives up a ton of yards, yet the defense has been excellent inside of the red zone. Three games have seen the team give up just one touchdown, and another saw two scored. While they do not harass opposing quarterbacks enough, the defense is tied with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers as the best in the NFL at creating turnovers.

Considering the team had an extremely difficult time at creating turnovers under ex-defensive coordinator Greg Blache for the past two years, Haslett's defense has brought a welcome wrinkle to their game.

NFL Week 8 Shows Teams Need To Put Old Yeller Out Of His Misery

Many NFL fans are tired of saying "He's back!" Then there are others who wished he was never asked to return. Then there are the Hickocritons who don't care what he does, just so long as he returns.

Brett Farve is trying to tell his media buddies he will try to play Sunday so his team can win. With an ego so out of control, he fails to see he is the biggest reason they are 2-4 with his 15 turnovers.

With the highest interception rate of his career, coupled by the lowest yards per attempts average and passing yards per game of his career, Favre resembles the punch-drunk heavyweight who got in the ring one too many times.

While time eventually forgets those missteps, his may linger because of other issues that show he is more than the crying boy playing for his dead dad. He is now the dirty old man touching himself to a girl old enough to be his child while wearing Crocs instead of slippers.

ESPN tried to exclaim Farve took part of practice, while only showing footage of an old man by a locker trying to put weight on his injured ankle. Vikings head coach Brad Childress, obviously tired of watching a self absorbent egomaniac throw away games while playing outside of the the system, has publicly said the team needs a quarterback who values possession of the football.

If Childress does the right thing and benches Farve, the media blitz is on from the quarterbacks buddies. If he says nothing, he loses respect in the locker room. While people point to the streak, trying to compare it to Jim Marshall or Cal Ripken Jr., it should be noted Marshall and Ripken were not causing their teams to lose for the sake of their streaks, and still contributed heavily towards victories.

Childress only has himself to blame. He asked for a return and even picked him up at the airport. Perhaps his only avenue is to let the Hickocrite play, lose the game, and possibly get damaged so bad in the ankle that he is forced to retire. The Vikings win in that scenario.

Albert Haynesworth came out this week saying ''I'm not good enough to play the 3-4 defense. 'I would like to start and start playing like I used to ... but right now I'm fine with it ( coming off the bench in the nickel package)."

Haynesworth may have been trying to be facetious, considering he just came off a game where he had his first sack this season and came up big on a goal line play, but the message of pity was the recurring theme he has spouted since Mike Shanahan was hired as the Redskins head coach and announcing plans to switch to a base 3-4 defense.

He doesn't seem concerned whether or not he will be with Washington past this season either. ''I don't know. I have no clue. Right now, if I just keep playing, I'm going to be somewhere. Keep playing and help the teammates, and make plays and I guess get noticed more,'' Haynesworth pondered, ''so people will say I'm not a bust or whatever.''

Guess he is so self involved and so deeply sequestered from society that he fails to realize people have been calling him a bust most of his Redskins career.

Week six of the 2010 NFL season can also be called "The Day The Game Died", thanks to commissioner Roger Goodell listening to a bunch of whiny media yenta's instead of thinking of the good of the game itself.

They went on a media blitz, and Goodell looked like a wide-eyed rookie. He proceeded to throw an interception that cost the game its game. A commissioner, who hasn't played organized football since his teens, showed his insight of the game by sending a message even clean, hard hits will be fined.

He fined one player who made a clean and legal hit. The player led with his shoulder, blowing up a 165-lbs player to the point the whiplash effect caused a concussion.

The NFL has made its bones, as well as billions of dollars, on violent hits. It is a part of the game that is clearly unavoidable, no matter how the league tries. Every position but running back has gone through major rule changes. The quarterback now plays practically in a prom dress surrounded by a booth of safety, a step away from flag football.

Week six is when the entire offense became the coddled quarterback, as the defense last semblance of manhood was lopped off, thus completing the castration of the NFL.

This week he tried to top himself by holding a first ever conference of every NFL referee. He wasn't just talking about the plethora of bad calls that are as ingrained into the gridiron as the player themselves. He continued his lip service about hard tackles.

Instead of taking an intelligent path of calling out coaches of kids who are too busy scrounging for pennies instead of teaching fundamentals, Goodell thinks he can get to the root of an issue by starting at the very top of the food chain.





Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

The winless Bill proved that they still were an NFL team last week by taking the Baltimore Ravens to the wire in their 37-34 loss last Sunday.

Buffalo's problem is they are good against the pass, but are the worst against the run defensively. The Chiefs stink at throwing the ball, but are the top team in the NFL at running it.

Buffalo might try to pound halfback Fred Jackson often, but attacking the Chiefs 25th ranked pass defense is the best way to go with them. They have a good shot at getting a win this week, but betting on the Bills to be consistent is a huge gamble.

Bills 27 Chiefs 24







Denver Broncos @ San Francisco 49ers

If you said the Chiefs/ Bills game would be a better game before the season started, go buy a lottery ticket fast.

The Niners have one win, the Broncos have two. Besides Denver quarterback Kyle Orton, neither team does anything particularly great on either side of the ball. San Francisco has recently shown some signs of getting halfback Frank Gore going, and they will have to lean on him heavy with a third-string quarterback playing.

The NFL is trying to get global, playing this game overseas, but it it hard to imagine this battle of mediocrity will inspire much of a following.

Broncos 31 49ers 23




Carolina Panthers @ Saint Louis Rams

Here is a look at two teams going in opposite directions a lot faster than expected. The Rams already have three wins, a total many did not expect over the entire season from them in training camp. Carolina has just one.

Matt Moore is back as the Panthers quarterback, and he had a few nice moments last week. With halfback DeAngelo Williams dinged up and questionable, he will need to step up again.

The Rams underrated defense is improving weekly, and they can get a big load of help from running back Steven Jackson pounding the ball frequently against the Panthers 24th ranked rush defense.

Rams 21 Panthers 10





Washington Redskins @ Detroit Lions

The 4-3 Redskins are just a few plays away from being undefeated and winless. They have been so impressive that gamblers are betting on the 1-5 Lions this week. Not just because they beat Washington last week either.

As Detroit returns from their bye week, Washington heads into theirs. Detroit has the seventh ranked pass attack, but that was from the arm of Shawn Hill. Hill came on early in the season to replace the injured starter Matthew Stafford. Now Hill is hurt and Stafford is ready to go against the Redskins 31st ranked pass defense.

While Washington statistically has the second worst defense in the NFL, they get real tough once teams approach the end zone. Detroit also has no power backs to rely on, as they prefer to hand it to scatback Jahvid Best. Best has had a productive season, but has had nagging injuries to the point even Lions head coach Jim Schwartz conceded that full health is not likely to return all year for the rookie.

The Lions defense is nothing special either, but rookie Ndamukong Suh could present a beat up Donovan McNabb issues all day behind his sub par offensive line. If he gets time, McNabb could carve up Detroit's secondary when not handing the ball of to Ryan Torain. Torain is seeking his third straight week of over 100 yards rushing.

Redskins 30 Lions 28





Green Bay Packers @ New York Jets

It has been a questionable move by the Pack not to supplement their running backs corps after Ryan Grant went down for the year early on, especially after watching Marshawn Lynch get had for very little in return.

The glare of Grant's absence will glow brightest this game, because the Packers will need to pass often to win. They are missing their best tight end and their leading receiver is beat up. Donald Driver is so hurt, he failed to catch a pass for the first time in almost nine full seasons, 139 games, last week.

The Jets are coming off a bye week, so guys are getting healthy again. Derrelle Revis is one of them, and he should be blanketing Greg Jennings all game. New York also has the second best rushing attack in the NFL, not good news for a 23rd ranked Green Bay run defense so beat up that they had offensive lineman T.J. Lang helping out last week.

Jets 26 Packers 17





Miami Dolphins @ Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati is a mess. Last week typified their 2010 season. Getting blown out 24-3 at halftime against the Atlanta Falcons, they went into the fourth quarter leading 25-24. Atlanta then put up 15 straight points before the Bengals added a late cosmetic score in their 39-32 loss.

That has been the problem, looking good cosmetically with no substance. But that was expected after pairing up Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, who are exactly what the Bengals are. A galaxy away from the 2009 team that went 10-6.

Miami should look to kick start their running game against a under-performing Bengals defense.

Dolphins 28 Bengals 20







Jacksonville Jaguars @ Dallas Cowboys

This is a game no one cares about, and that includes the players that will take the field. While Jaguars quarterback David Garrard returns from injury, John Kitna makes his first start in place of the injured Tony Romo in this battle of two teams going nowhere worthwhile in 2010.

Cowboys 18 Jaguars 17







Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers

Only a Norv Turner-coached team can be first in offense and defense with a 2-5 record. Bolts quarterback Philip Rivers gets Vincent Jackson back from his holdout, but it is hard to imagine Jackson giving his full effort. Jackson is probably looking to get out healthy in 2010 so he can join a new team next year.

Vince Young returns to the Titans after missing over a game from a knee injury. Wide receiver Kenny Britt has gotten hot recently,taking a little pressure off bell cow Chris Johnson.

This game should go to the wire.

Titans 34 Chargers 31






Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Arizona Cardinals

Tampa Bay's head coach Raheem Morris says his team is the best in the NFC. Now is the time to prove it.

Buccaneers 21 Cardinals 17






Minnesota Vikings @ New England Patriots

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady once said he wants to play until he gets past 40-years old. Perhaps watching Brett Favre crash and burn this year will have him rethink that plan.

Vikings halfback Adrian Peterson should get the ball a lot, but maybe more in the pass than he has before. The Pats have one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL, but they could get good fast against a Vikings passer who already has 10 interceptions.

Randy Moss returns to New England, where he played over three years, wearing a Vikings jersey he wore six seasons previously. He will want the ball. The only question is if Minnesota has someone who can get it to him.

Patriots 37 Vikings 31






Seattle Seahawks @ Oakland Raiders

It is fitting these two face off on Halloween, because they truly are Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Oakland went crazy last week, scoring at will, after a season of battling to get points. Seattle is leading their division, putting new head coach Pete Carroll in serious consideration for an award. One week they are stomping the 49ers, Chargers, or Bears, the next they are getting destroyed by the Rams.

Oakland did beat Seattle 27-24 in preseason, for whatever that's worth.

Raiders 27 Seahawks 17






Pittsburgh Steelers @ New Orleans Saints

The Saints are looking for that wondrous offense that won them a Super Bowl last year. It is doubtful they will finally find it courtesy of the Steelers, perhaps boasting the best defense in all of football.

While New Orleans has been excellent defending the pass this season, their 16th ranked run defense will be tested by Steelers halfback Rashard Mendenhall. If the Saints can't run well, this could be over fast.

When Pittsburgh won Super Bowl XLIII in 2008, they failed to make the playoffs the following year. The 4-3 Saints are dangerously flirting with that territory this year.

Steelers 23 Saints 20





Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Game of the Week

Houston showed they could beat the Colts in the first week of this season. It helped that halfback Arian Foster ran for 231 yards and three touchdowns, but the Colts are horrible defending the run and rank 26th in the league. It is possible Foster matches those career best totals once again this Monday.

Duane Brown is the Texans best offensive lineman, and the left tackle will have his hands full with pass rusher Dwight Freeney. Houston did lose their best linebacker in DeMeco Ryans in the middle of their defense for the year, and they now hope 2009 Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing can play the spot.

Indianapolis always seems to lose a key pass catcher every year and not miss a step. All-Pro tight end Dallas Clark is gone for the year, and red zone specialist Austin Collie is also out.

Future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning has already said this game is important to his Colts. They have lost both games in their division so far, thus making him realize how catastrophic a third defeat could be in this battle of 4-2 squads.

Colts 38 Texans 35



Power Rankings

1. Steelers
2. Jets
3. Patriots
4. Giants
5. Ravens
6. Colts
7. Titans
8. Falcons
9. Texans
10. Chiefs
11. Saints
12. Dolphins
13. Redskins
14. Buccaneers
15. Eagles
16. Packers
17. Bengals
18. Bears
19. Chargers
20. Rams
21. Vikings
22. Jaguars
23. Raiders
24. Seahawks
25. Cowboys
26. Broncos
27. Cardinals
28. Lions
29. 49ers
30. Browns
31. Bills
32. Panthers

The Washington Redskins Bending Defense Is Breaking Their Season

When the Washington Redskins went through masses changes within their coaching ranks after the 2009 season, one move was to replace Greg Blatche with Jim Haslett as the defensive coordinator and go with the 3-4 base defense for the first time in the franchises history.



Haslett is a former NFL inside linebacker who spent his entire eight year career in a 3-4 defense. Seven were spent with the Buffalo Bills, who drafted him in the second round of the 1979 draft. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season, the first Bill, and one of two, to earn that award.



After coaching a few years in college, he joined former Bills head coach Kay Stephenson, best known for changing the Bills helmets from white to red, on the Sacramento Surge of the now defunct World League as a defensive coach in 1992. After the Surge became to only American team to win a World Bowl that year, Haslett moved on to the NFL and eventually ascended to become defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1996 to 1999.



The Saints made him their head coach in 2000, where they won the NFC West with a 10-6 record before losing their second playoff game. He was named NFL Coach of the Year, becoming the only Rookie of the Year ever to later become Coach of the Year.



After five more years, he was fired and replaced by current coach Sean Payton. Haslett moved to the Saint Louis Rams as a defensive coordinator immediately, then was named interim head coach in 2008 after Scott Linehan was fired before the fifth game of the year.



He then became head coach of the Florida Tuskers in the fledgling UFL in 2009. Haslett was named Coach of the Year after leading the team to the leagues championship game before losing in overtime. When the Redskins newly hired head coach Mike Shanahan offered him the teams defensive coordinator job, he came on board.



Since his arrival, results have been mixed. It started off with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who Washington had signed to a $100 million contract the year before, refused to participate in any team functions because he was upset that the 3-4 was being installed, which would force him to play nose tackle.



With virtually the same defensive personnel as last year, the unit is playing worse in many areas. While giving up a point more per game so far, the Redskins rank last in the NFL in yards allowed, and second to last in passing yards allowed. They ranked tenth in both areas last year.



Part of this problem may be from growing pains from a group of players playing in the 3-4 for the first times in their careers. There seems to have been a few areas of optimism. The run defense is currently ranked 11th. Last year it was ranked 16th.



LaRon Landry, Washington's first round in 2007, has been playing safety at a level not seen since Ken Houston used to patrol the grounds of RFK stadium before heading to Canton as maybe the greatest strong safety in NFL history.



Landry has piled up 34 tackles already, a pace that would give him over 180 tackles at seasons end. Though he has one official sack, he has pressured the opposing quarterbacks constantly by being sent in on a blitz by Haslett frequently. He has also been hitting opponents with a technique and ferocity that all his teammates should strive to emulate.



Andre Carter and Brian Orakpo are defensive ends masquerading as outside linebackers. In today's NFL, this is a common practice. One opposing teams often try to expose. While Carter and Orakpo do well rushing the passer from an upright position, they struggle mightily when asked to defend against the pass. This incompetency puts added pressure on the Redskins defensive backs, which is seen by their having the second worst pass defense in the league.



The defensive line is a mix of veterans, cast offs, and journeymen. Ma'ake Kemoeatu, who has a brother named Chris starting at left guard for the Steelers, enters his eighth year being asked to play nose tackle for the first time since 2005. Washington needs him to be the full-time starter for the first time in his career since Haynesworth has shown no interest and has put in very little effort thus far.



Phillip Daniels and Vonnie Holliday are ancient reserves at defensive end, aged 37 and 35 respectively. The starters are fairly young in Kendric Golston and Adam Carriker. Carriker has experience at nose tackle, and has been a pleasant surprise so far, showing why the Rams drafted him in the first round of the 2007 draft six selections after the Redskins tabbed Landry.



While the rest of the defense has played inconsistently, the lack of turnovers created is hurting Washington. They have just two interceptions and two recovered fumbles so far. With the offense even more anemic as it was last year with the ground game, it puts the defense on the field to create more opportunities that have yet to transpire.



Will the Redskins defense, which has four key players over 30-years old, hold up an entire season seeing extra snaps and time on the field? This is the question Haslett must struggle with as his defense continues to give up huge chunks of yardage weekly.



Unless the Redskins run game gets better, the 3-4 will get tested more and more. It may have the team continue their losing ways that have them currently with one victory in three games. Maybe the extra snaps gets the players better adjusted to the 3-4 faster, but it is not a winning formula.



Jim Haslett has been running a gambling defense with blitz packages that has gotten seven sacks and several hurried passes so far. Though that has been an area better than last season, which produced 40 sacks, the lack of turnovers continues to be the issue. Washington intercepted 11 balls and had 18 fumble recoveries last year, which is abysmal.



The saying goes there are no bad players, just bad schemes that fail to place them in the right areas to be productive. Entering his seventh season as an NFL defensive coordinator, Haslett knows he has to come up with a better scheme to get the ball back for the offense more.



As the defense bends more and more each possession with fatigue, it is imperative the rest of the defense follows Landry lead by enforcing havoc and helping achieve turnovers.

Albert Haynesworth Is "No Slave" To Excellence

When Albert Haynesworth decides to open his mouth to the media, surreal hilarity ensues. Though he was given $21 million in April, he has tried to ostracize himself from the Washington Redskins since 2009.

The Redskins ran a base 4-3 defense last year, which is preferred by Haynesworth. He was only able to suit up for 12 games and contribute four sacks and 30 tackles. Not what Washington has hoped for from a man they envisioned entering his prime and coming off his second Pro Bowl season the year before.

Now in his ninth season, Washington needs to be concerned about a man who has played a full season only once in his career, his first when used primarily as a reserve. He has already missed one game, and played very little in the other as a reserve.

To say the Redskins aren't getting their moneys worth out of the $100 million contract he signed is a vast understatement. Haynesworth has shown no drive, dedication, nor pride to his craft. Instead he has chosen to bicker and seek excuses.

His stance as a pariah should shock no one, because it has been a prevalent theme of obtuse immaturity throughout his career since being a first round draft pick in 2002. Whether it was stomping on the faces of defenseless opponents or complaining about disrespect, it caused many teams to not show much interest in his free agency despite a strong 2008 season.

Haynesworth complained about the system defensive coordinator Greg Blatche ran last year, even though he defended a career high five passes in it. When the organization went through a massive transformation from the front offices to the coaching staff, he chose to stay away from joining his teammates to work out and learn the newly implanted system and show up late for training camp out of shape.

Blatche was replaced by Jim Haslett, a former player who has been a long time defensive coordinator and two-time head coach. He specializes in the 3-4 base defense, which is something Haynesworth said he wants no parts of. At his size, Washington feels he is best suited to play nose tackle.

Some of the best nose tackles in NFL history were not 6'6" like he is. Curley Culp, considered by many the greatest anyone has ever seen play the position, was four inches shorter and weighed 265 lbs. He was also a champion wrestles and had pride in trying to be the best he could be.

Like Haynesworth, Culp started his career in a 4-3 defense for just over six years and made two Pro Bowls. He then moved to nose tackle for the betterment of his team and went to four more Pro Bowls in the almost seven seasons with the Houston Oilers. He never griped, he just played the game to the best of his abilities.

Washington D.C. heard Haynesworth get on a local radio show proclaiming he had backbone and, ''I mean, I'm not for sale. Yeah, I signed the contract and got paid a lot of money, but that don't mean I'm for sale or a slave or whatever.''

His purported backbone is the same ilk of many of the modern athlete who feels entitled to not have to earn their keep, instead seeking a free ride. His backbone is green from the color of money to some and yellow to the rest who observe his constant fiascos.

He now claims to like the system Haslett has installed, but follows that up with how he was signed to play in a 4-3 and cannot be forced to do things he chooses not to be part of.

For a guy who would rather ''go to Wal-Mart and hang out.'' than play football to the best of his ability in order for his team to win a championship, it seems Haynesworth is content with earning his money in hypocritical double talk.

Albert Haynesworth For Vincent Jackson Trade Appears Likely

Those who have been following the storyline of Albert Haynesworth in 2010 know he has fallen out of favor with the organization and especially head coach Mike Shanahan. The man who was signed to a $115 million contract, including $41 million guaranteed, found himself on the bench in the teams opening game victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Redskins second game against the Houston Texans found Haynesworth deactivated. Washington claims a foot injury is the reason, but it appears the defensive tackle has worn out his welcome with a malcontented attitude where he put himself ahead of the team and championship dreams.

Vincent Jackson is a tall, strong, fast wide receiver holding out on the San Diego Chargers for more money after making his first Pro Bowl team last season. The Chargers appear uninterested in fulfilling his wishes, and apparently have placed him on the trading block.

Rumors claim San Diego general manager A.J. Smith was seeking two first-round draft picks, which will most likely not happen.

The Minnesota Vikings would love to acquire Jackson's services to help out their running game and aging quarterback Brett Favre after losing Sidney Rice for much of the year because of injury. It is unknown if Minnesota is willing to mortgage so much for an aging team that is on the cusp of needing rebuilding.

San Diego has lost two key defensive linemen the past two years in Igor Olshansky and Jamal Williams. Olshansky signed a free agent contract with Dallas in 2009, and Williams was an aging three-time Pro Bowler released at the end of 2009. While San Diego got Cam Thomas late in the first round to play nose tackle, most of the rest of the defensive line is a mix of cast-offs and veterans.



Haynesworth would prefer to play in a 4-3 defense, but San Diego runs the 3-4 like the Redskins started to this year. He stated he would prefer playing defensive end over nose tackle, which was something the Redskins did not want to hear. He would represent an upgrade over current starting defensive end Jacques Casaire for the Bolts.




Jackson would immediately become the number-one receiver on Washington. Santana Moss holds that position now, but he is known for his frequent drops and would be best suited as a number-two receiver. With 38-year old Joey Galloway starting over the slow developing Devin Thomas, Jackson's arrival would be a huge boon for the team.

The only question to get this deal worked out in the end would be money. Washington would probably have to eat some more of Haynesworth's contract and pay Jackson as well. Owner Dan Snyder has never been shy about throwing around money to try and improve his team in the past.

With Haynesworth skulking on the sideline yet again, the Redskins do not need him to continue griping to the media as a way to get out of town. Washington should quickly acquiesce his wishes and try to improve the team with Jackson, who appears to want out of San Diego.

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen made a smart move a few months ago to make this move possible without hurting the defense. He shrewdly grabbed Adam Carriker by swapping draft picks with the Saint Louis Rams in the 2010 NFL Draft. Carriker was the Rams first round draft pick in 2007, and was the 13th overall selection.

Carriker missed the 2009 season because of injury, but the 6'6" 296 player has the ability to play nose tackle or defensive end. He has played well so far this year for Washington, showing why he was drafted as highly as he once was.

The Redskins are fielding the oldest team in the NFL this season. It is obvious the message is to win now, something Bruce Allen learned from his Hall of Fame father, and Redskins legend, George Allen.

The Redskins average 28.7 years old on their 2010 roster, while the famous "Over The Hill Gang" roster of 1972 was actually younger by averaging 28.5. The 1972 team, coached by George Allen, made it all the way to Super Bowl VII before losing to the perfect Miami Dolphins.
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The best way to win now is to get a locker room together in a single minded mission, something stressed by all winning teams. It is obvious Haynesworth and Jackson would be happier elsewhere, so a swap of the two could bring victory to everyone involved.

Mike Shanahan's Rookie Treatment Shows Albert Hayneworth's Cowardice

When Albert Haynesworth finally ambled unhappily into Redskins Park, new head coach Mike Shanahan wanted to see how football-ready the highly paid defensive lineman was. Haynesworth showed up after announcing he had shed 15 pounds from his playing weight of 350 in 2009.



Shanahan wanted to see if the weight loss translated into being in playing shape. He asked Haynesworth to run three 100-yard dashes in succession, but Haynesworth has yet to complete the task after a week. Between bathroom breaks and excuses, Haynesworth has made it evident he is showing his displeasure at being a member of the Washington Redskins.



A year ago, Haynesworth was one of the most sought after free agents in the NFL. He signed a 7-year deal at $100 million with Washington, $20 million less than what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered. His reasoning was he wanted to play in front of the Redskins large fan base, something he had yet to experience in his career as a football player.



He struggled most of 2009, and said then-defensive coordinator Greg Blatche's schemes would have him unable to "survive another season in this system if it stays the way it is." Though the Redskins replaced Blache with Jim Haslett, they also decided to run the 3-4 defense in 2010. It is the first time in the teams history that they will run this as their base defense, and Haynesworth has voiced his displeasure with that decision as well.



Haynesworth has never played nose tackle, and is thought to be too big and slow to play defensive end. The weight loss may be his way to attempt to get quick enough to play end, because nose tackle may be the most difficult and brutal position to play in football. Though he frequently faced double-teams in blockers, he would take this and even triple-teams on each and every play at nose tackle.



Instead of embracing the challenge, or for, perhaps, the betterment of the team, Haynesworth has continued to grouse. He is mostly know to Redskins Nation for his constant complaining and $32 million he has collected thus far, not his play on the gridiron. His whining has fallen mostly on deaf ears, though Shanahan took him to task in a "put up or shut up" challenge.



The swelling of the knee has been put out to the media as a major reason Haynesworth has stood watching his teammates practice this week. He has not yet been reported as a distraction in the teams clubhouse, though there has to be a question how much his teammates question him, his drive, or his real desire to win. It mostly seems his main path is to take the money and saunter, not run, to the training room as his fellow Redskins drip beads of sweat under their helmets.



Though it seems quite apparent Shanahan cannot back down on his idealism to get Haynesworth ready to take the field. However, so far he has encountered a similar stubbornness from an overpaid child unwilling to earn his keep. Instead of getting ready to face opponents in hopes of attaining a championship, the only battle in camp has been of wills.



Who caves in first in the ugly tug-of-war is anyone guess. There is a division amongst observers on who is just in their cause and who will prevail. In the era of the Prima donna athlete, most players are used to getting their way. Shanahan's old school approach may seem outdated to many, who perceive his treatment of Haynesworth to be a rookie move straight from the Vince Lombardi playbook. A playbook that won so much, the league named their championship trophy after the Hall of Fame coach, something most players most likely aren't aware of nor care.



What exactly Albert Haynesworth cares about is anybodies guess. Money or rings, the only answer can come from his ego and spirit. Time is ticking on training camp, and the Redskin have to be concerned how many quarters each game they can depend on a man who can't even run the length of the field three times in an entire day.