In this craziest of NFL offseasons, only a small handful of teams make sense for the annual Hard Knocks assignment: the Jets, Saints, Broncos, Colts, and Redskins.

Cross the Redskins off the list.

Appearing on Wednesday’s PFT Live, coach Mike Shanahan said that he’s not inclined to open the doors to cameras and microphones, because it keeps coaches and players from being themselves. He said that he declined an opportunity to do it in Denver during the first year of the series.

“I just didn’t feel comfortable with being in that situation,” Shanahan said. “You know, I can’t be myself. I don’t think coaches can be their self and I’d like players to concentrate on their job. I don’t know if it’s old school or what. You know, for me I just didn’t feel comfortable with that atmosphere.”

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The Redskins have another weapon for new QB RGIII, as the team Sunday came to terms with free-agent running back Tim Hightower.

Reports say that Hightower agreed to terms on a one-year deal. He broke news of the deal on his Twitter account. He tweeted a photo of himself in a Redskins hat, along with the message “I’m back.”

Hightower had gotten some interest from the Patriots, but instead the 25-year-old will come back to the new look Skins with a new QB and other new players that will hopefully get the team back to the top of the NFC East..

Hightower had 84 carries for 321 yards and a touchdown in five games with the Redskins in 2011 before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament that knocked him out for the year.

The Redskins initially acquired Hightower after the 2010 season, shipping defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday and a draft pick to the Cardinals in exchange for the running back.

Several people familiar with the case said in recent days they thought it was unlikely that Stephen Burbank, the sport’s system arbitrator, would make an immediate ruling.

The hearing is to take place at the University of Pennsylvania law school in Philadelphia. Burbank, who is in charge of resolving disputes arising from the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, is a law professor at the school.

Attorneys are scheduled to argue the case before Burbank without testimony from any witnesses on Thursday, according to several people familiar with the case. One of those people said Thursday’s hearing is likely to focus primarily on jurisdictional issues, specifically whether the Redskins and Cowboys have the right to bring such a case before Burbank given that the league and the NFL Players Association agreed to the salary cap reductions given to the teams.

A person familiar with the matter previously said that the league had asked Burbank to dismiss the case because of that agreement on the cap reductions between the league and the players’ union.

Gettis is a guard chosen with the 141st overall selection. He started all 13 games at right guard for Iowa last year and was a second-team All-Big 10 selection by the conference’s coaches.

The Redskins announced the signing Saturday, the second day of their rookie camp. They signed two seventh-round picks on Friday.

My fury could be directed at numerous media outlets and writers, but I’ll simply forgo the extreme rant and go with what I believe:

The Kirk Cousins selection makes sense and will yield a high return at some point.

Does anyone actually think there will be a controversy in DC? If you do, you are in an NFL-crazed media starved for a headline that will get people to talk. That is all (Here’s looking at you ESPN). Everyone here in the DMV and within Redskins Nation as a whole, knows this is nothing more than a “Gus Frerotte” pick. Kirk Cousins has already provided Mike Shanahan the opportunity to rid the team of John Beck , and a chance to provide more value down the road then he does now.

In order to get Robert Griffin III, Bruce Allen and company had to give an arm and a leg. No first round picks over the next two years is tough to stomach, but completely worth it. However, Shanahan, who’s demonstrated a preference for a plethora of draft picks, understands that he needs to find value in the draft over the next couple of years to continue his rebuilding program and make a yearly contender.

Enter the fourth round pick of Cousins. Cousins is an extremely high character guy and already somewhat polished. Many scouts believe he could become a starter in the NFL with some patience and time. Sitting behind Griffin and learning from the likes of Mike and Kyle will help his development and push Griffin to become better. Also, with his continued development, the Redskins will have the luxury of not dealing with Rex Grossman’s contract year in and year out.

Insurance is a great thing and similar to Frerrote, this is exactly what Cousins is. There is always the chance that RGIII does not pan out. I am praying he is what we all believe, but there are no guarantees in the NFL. Griffin is one bad shot from DeMarcus Ware or Justin Tuck from being sidelined for a week or 10. Would you rather have Grossman come in and hand the other team the ball, or have Cousins come in and show what he has? Perhaps he proves to be a solid backup and becomes Matt Flynn or Matt Schaub. His stock value soars and all of a sudden the ‘Skins have more picks down the road that are of greater worth than a fourth round pick.

Look at the 1994 draft of Heath Shuler. I know it is not a name any of us like to mutter, but Washington took Gus as insurance to him and it paid off. He wasn’t great, but he was better than most seventh round picks. Mike Shanahan is protecting his investment and hoping for the reward that some backup quarterbacks have offered in recent memory. Nothing more, nothing less.

So to all you media types who believe there is a controversy in DC, let me tell you something: You are not in DC and get paid to put out crap reports. ‘My Way Mike’ is married to RGIII and will be for the rest of his career. Kirk Cousins is depth at a position that has plagued the Redskins for my entire life. With all the experts saying “They need depth, they need depth”, why not add depth at the most important position.

Kirk Cousins was a smart pick. Nothing more could or should be said about this.

As teams say hello to their rookies and undrafted free agents, it means the end for others. Today the Redskins said “so long” to a veteran, as they released veteran pass catcher Jabar Gaffney, their leading receiver last season.

Gaffney made 68 catches for 947 yards and five touchdowns in 2011, setting career highs in receptions and yardage and matching a career high in TD catches. He started 15 games in 2011.

Washington signed free agents Pierre Garcon and Joshua Morgan in free agency, and already had five other holdovers at wide receiver.

The 31-year-old Gaffney has played 10 NFL seasons, making 443 catches for 5,622 yards and 24 touchdowns. He previously played with Houston, New England and Denver.

Lennon Creer, RB, Louisiana Tech

Grant Garner, C, Oklahoma State

Darius Hanks WR, Alabama

Lance Lewis, WR, East Carolina

Monte Lewis, DE, Jacksonville State

Vaughn Meatoga DT Hawaii

Brian McNally, DE, New Hampshire

Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

Josh Oglesby OT Wisconsin

Michael Shaw, RB, Michigan

Eain Smith, S, WVU

With the 2012 NFL Draft wrapped up, let’s a quick look at the Redskins haul from the past three days:

Round 1, Pick #2: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Redskins fans hope they’ve found their franchise quarterback for the next decade-plus. If Griffin can stay healthy, and all the intangibles he’s shown throughout his career stay with him as a professional, the sky is the limit for him.

Round 3, Pick #71: Josh LiRibeus, OG, Southern Methodist

LiRibeus is a gritty, nasty guard that’s a good fit for the zone blocking scheme run by the Shanahan’s. He battled some weight and academic issues in college, but the coaching staff is excited about his ability to play guard or center. He has the size and the potential to play early on.

Round 4, Pick #102: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

Cousins was taken as a “best player available” situation, and will immediately become a developmental backup QB. His selection led to the immediate release of John Beck, so Cousins will likely hold the clipboard for a year behind Griffin and Rex Grossman, before eventually becoming the primary backup. However, any talk of Cousins even challenging for the Redskins starting QB job is silly; there’s a reason the Redskins gave up as much as they did to go get Griffin.

Round 4, Pick #119: Keenan Robinson, LB, Texas

Robinson is a great athlete and high quality individual, two qualities that stuck out to the Redskins coaching staff while watching Robinson at the Senior Bowl. While Robinson has some ability to rush the quarterback, the Redskins are hoping to move Robinson to inside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme. For now, Robinson will be a solid contributor on Special Teams, perhaps get in on some 3rd down passing situations, and may be able to spell London Fletcher or Perry Riley for a few snaps,

Round 5, Pick #141: Adam Gettis, OG, Iowa

Another gritty guard that fell because of “body” issues, only this time it was because scouts worried Gettis might not be quite big enough (6’2, 293 lbs). But she’s shown solid footwork, high football acumen, and overall consistency throughout his college career, which immediately makes him a fit in the zone blocking system. He could also contribute early due to his familiarity with zone blocking schemes, which is what they used at Iowa.

Round 6, Pick #173: Alfred Morris, RB, Florida Atlantic

Morris is a big back who could come in as the short yardage runner, spelling Roy Helu and Tim Hightower (assuming the latter is resigned). After moving from fullback to running back in college, Morris thrived. He has the athleticism and ability to run between the tackles to where he could contribute in the NFL, but his overall top-end speed is the issue. At the very least, he could be a solid special teams contributor.

Round 6, Pick #193: Tom Compton, OT, South Dakota

An intriguing talent that might have been overlooked because of his small school pedigree, Compton has the physical tools (size & athleticism) to play in the NFL, and his tape shows the instincts and consistency to where he could be a solid contributor if developed properly. He has excellent footwork and understanding of using angles and leverage to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage, key traits needed to play offensive lineman for the Shanahan’s.

Round 7, Pick #213: Richard Crawford, DB, Southern Methodist

Crawford has shown some playmaking ability around the football, but he’s very raw and still learning the game overall. He was first-team all-Conference USA in 2011, and said he felt comfortable with the Redskins defensive scheme & its similarities to what they ran at SMU, after visiting the team a couple of weeks ago.

Round 7, Pick #217: Jordan Bernstine, CB, Iowa

Bernstine was a hybrid safety/corner at Iowa, but will play strong safety at the next level with his propensity to make big hits. He has the speed to contribute, as he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He also has some potential to play in coverage, as he’s not afraid to cover tight ends and wants to get better at.

Photo Credit: sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Today during the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft (Day 3), the Redskins selected Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, which would have been a solid pick had there not been a certain player picked second overall….

The move is very confusing. The Redskins traded up and traded the ranch to draft Robert Griffin III, so he should be the starting quarterback. It’s ok to have a formal “competition” between Griffin and Rex Grossman, because that’s giving Grossman a fair shot at the job. But to draft an additional capable rookie quarterback? That suggests that the Redskins aren’t 100% confident in Griffin, and suggests that the job is up for grabs, which it isn’t (at least I hope…).

I love Kirk Cousins as a football player and as a person. He led the Spartans to much success this past year, and won the Lowe’s Senior CLASS award for character. If it wasn’t for the Redskins taking Robert Griffin III, I’d have wanted that the first round pick was used on someone else (had they not traded up of course) and the Redskins would have picked Cousins to be their next quarterback.But they already drafted a franchise quarterback and put themselves in a good position, so as the Beetles once said, “Let it be.” I guess they can’t..