SkinsTalk: Talking Washington Redskins Football since 2008

Talking Clinton Portis On 106.7 The Fan

2011-03-06T23:42:00.000-05:00

Scott Jackson and Mike Prada had me on to talk Clinton Portis this morning on 106.7 the Fan in DC. With Portis recently released it's the end of an era for the Redskins, but it's up for debate as to what his legacy meant to the team. As I wrote earlier, I think Portis made the Redskins relevant again, but he never displayed the skills of the elite back he was in Denver. However, there was rarely

With Clinton Portis On His Way Out, What Is His Legacy In Washington?

2011-02-28T13:06:00.002-05:00

A column for SB Nation DC. The DC sports landscape is often devoid of star power, but in 2004 the Washington Redskins landed one of the premier running backs of the past decade from the Denver Broncos. Seven years later, the Clinton Portis era has come to an end as the Redskins have cut ties with the high profile running back in an effort to jumpstart a youth movement.Portis will leave

Weekend Roundup: Combine 2011

2011-02-25T09:34:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. We're already starved for football, so we tune into a weekend of guys sprinting 40 yards at a time and throwing up an inhuman amount of repetitions on bench press. And for some reason, it's entertaining. Here's what I'm reading to keep up to date with all the latest comings and goings from Indianapolis. Mike Jones has been doing a fantastic job as the new Redskins

Redskins Roundtable: Offseason Musings Part Two

2011-02-24T20:48:00.003-05:00

Here's round two. Part one can be read here. 3. Out of all the Redskins set to hit the free agent market, which one does Bruce Allen have to re-sign? Pappas: Santana Moss (Editor's note: I was hoping for some elaboration, but seeing as I agree with Pappas and have argued this point ad naseum, I think you guys get it). Murf: Jammal Brown, Santana Moss and Carlos Rogers are the three guys I feel

Redskins Roundtable: Offseason Musings Part One

2011-02-23T14:13:00.007-05:00

Coverage of the Redskins is in no short supply on the Internet. Various media outlets and blogs do a fantastic job breaking down all the comings and goings involving this team and without them I honestly wouldn't be able to keep in the loop. I've been writing this blog for a a few years and this offseason, I felt it would be a good idea to bring in some fresh perspectives to the site. So I

What's the Deal With St. Patrick's Day Merchandise?

2011-02-22T20:03:00.001-05:00

I like holidays. I'm a huge fan of gifts and eating and drinking. But what I don't like is the marketing done by sports franchises on St. Patrick's Day. The Redskins sent out an email today, advertising their St. Patty's Day apparel. Funny but the Redskins don't have green in their color scheme and Washington DC isn't Boston, Buffalo, or Chicago. The Nation's Capital has zero ties to Ireland

Have The Redskins Learned How To Be Smart In Free Agency?

2011-02-21T16:16:00.002-05:00

It was only a matter of time before the Redskins figured out free agency. After all, they've had since 1993 to master the art. If the developing OJ Atogwe story is an indication of how savvy Bruce Allen can be, then I'm sold. Allen wasn't aware Atogwe would be cut a year after signing another contract with the Rams, but the simple fact that he passed on the free safety when the asking price was

Terrence Austin on Santana Moss: "I Would Love To See Him Back"

2011-02-16T21:55:00.002-05:00

Terrence Austin happens to be a favorite on this blog and I was able to catch up with him last week for a great chat as he talked about his rookie year, life on the practice squad, his first catch, and the offseason. However, he also touched on Santana Moss and the latter's potential departure from the Redskins. Moss is a free agent this offseason and Austin made no bones about the fact he wants

Albert Haynesworth Is At It Again

2011-02-14T15:53:00.003-05:00

This is just getting comical. Hours after turning himself in for a misdemeanor assault charge on Saturday, Albert Haynesworth was accused of sexually abusing a waitress early Sunday morning. Controversy is his forte and over the weekend he managed to stir up two breaking news stories in record time even by his lofty standards. Haynesworth allegedly got a bit carried away after slipping his

Character Counts In Redskins Rebuild Effort

2011-02-14T10:48:00.001-05:00

A column for SB Nation DC. It has been said that drama finds the Washington Redskins. Dan Snyder is suing a newspaper, Albert Haynesworth is suffering from the ill effects of road rage, and even in an offseason devoid of free agency, the Redskins have taken center stage. Without a doubt, drama is the key word-but let's be honest-they bring it upon themselves. The Redskins modus operandi has

Redskins Would Be Wise To Re-Sign Santana Moss

2011-02-08T17:27:00.012-05:00

It isn't news that Santana Moss' contract expires this offseason. The Redskins top receiver addressed this issue several months ago at the end of the season and made it clear he wants to remain in Washington. "I don't feel like leaving is going to help me win games somewhere else," Moss told Redskins Blogger Matt Terl. "I feel that, you know, somewhere that you are comfortable with, that you

Albert Haynesworth Voted One Of The Most Disliked Figures In Sports

2011-02-01T01:07:00.000-05:00

Albert Haynesworth isn't just hated in Washington. Apparently, the negative feelings towards the surly defensive tackle resound around the nation. Fat Albert came to DC amid much fanfare. He'll be lucky if he leaves without being tarred and feathered by a contingent of burgundy and gold clad season ticket holders. In his wake he leaves a legacy of failed wind sprints, belly flops, some failed

2011 Pro Bowl: Hall, Orakpo, Fletcher Shine Bright

2011-01-31T12:13:00.000-05:00

A column for SB Nation DC.Glorified flag football game or not, the Washington Redskins ended their season on a positive note. It wasn't the ideal time to shine, but DeAngelo Hall, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo silenced the critics who believed them ill-suited to play in the 2011 Pro Bowl at Honolulu Stadium on Sunday.The voting process may be a farce, and the Redskins may have been

More On Cam Newton And Drafting A Quarterback In The First Round

2011-01-28T02:05:00.001-05:00

I know I've beaten the quarterback situation to death, but Jason Reid of the Washington Post was on 106.7 the Fan with LaVar and Dukes and he had some great insight on the rumors of Cam Newton going to the Redskins in the first round. "As far as Cam Newton; you mention the word project. [He's] clearly a bigtime athlete, but in that offense he runs, it's one read and then run," Reid told Chad

Redskins Roundup: Carson Palmer, Senior Bowl, And More

2011-01-27T02:37:00.002-05:00

Grant Paulsen takes a look at the Carson Palmer to the Redskins rumors. I'm of like mind. Palmer is a turnover prone quarterback whose best days left town after Kimo von Oelhoffen ran into his knee. He struggles mightily with his accuracy at times and he hasn't sustained much consistent success in Cincinnati. Obviously all of that can't blamed on him. The Bengals have had their share of injuries

Crunching Numbers: Season Ending Stats (Defense)

2011-01-21T17:25:00.003-05:00

Last week, I had a Crunching Numbers piece focusing on the Redskins offensive performance in 2010. Now for your reading pleasure, I'll take a look at the defensive side of the ball, digging up some nuggets on what was a very disappointing first year in Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense. The Redskins have long had trouble getting to the quarterback, but after last season when they finished tied for

Kevin Barnes Is On The Rise In The Redskins Secondary

2011-01-20T00:35:00.001-05:00

Kevin Barnes hasn't had much of a chance to display his talents on a football field since being drafted by the Redskins in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft. The 24-year old defensive back played in four games his rookie year and until week 10 of this past season he had played in just three. However, injuries to a plethora of defensive backs left the door open for the ex-Terp to play in the

An Interview with Ken Harvey: The 3-4 Defense, Brian Orakpo, Darrell Green And More

2011-01-17T17:42:00.001-05:00

If you didn't catch the first part of my interview and subsequent column with former Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey, check them out. Harvey talked with me a few weeks ago about his campaign against teen drinking, his involvement in the community, the state of the Redskins franchise, and gave me his thoughts on Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense after watching it for a full season. Here's the full

Ken Harvey Outlines A Defensive Blueprint For The Redskins

2011-01-17T14:23:00.001-05:00

A Column for SB Nation DC Surveying the final stats for the Washington Redskins defense this year, it was a struggle to take many positives from the NFL's 31st ranked unit. After finishing in the top 10 in total defense for three consecutive seasons, the Redskins ranked near the bottom of the league in every statistical category, far from a distinguished first effort from defensive coordinator

Crunching Numbers: Season Ending Stats (Offense)

2011-01-13T03:47:00.001-05:00

It was tough to dig up many positive numbers for the Redskins offense. Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, and Ryan Torain are guys with some solid production, but overall the unit is a trainwreck. Donovan McNabb threw an interception in 10 straight games. Then when he snapped that streak and led what should have been a game-winning drive against Tampa but for a botched extra point, he was benched. Rex

2011 Redskins Draft: Quarterbacks Will Be The Focus But Should They Be

2011-01-10T11:18:00.002-05:00

A column for SB Nation DC As Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan heads into the offseason, he will have some crucial decisions to make when it comes to remedying the inadequacies of his current roster. A quick fix is always desirable in D.C., but after applying that method for much of the past decade, the team is in need a steady approach which will focus on acquiring the right

Hanburger Is A Hall Of Fame Finalist

2011-01-09T15:41:00.000-05:00

Former Redskins linebacker Chris Hanburger has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame elections to be held on Feb. 5, the day before the Super Bowl. Hanburger is a senior finalist along with Les Richter and they join 15 other nominees including Deion Sanders, Tim Brown, Chris Carter, Jerome Bettis, and Marshall Faulk. I have long been a proponent of getting Hanburger into the

New Skinscast: The Party's Over

2011-01-06T03:24:00.000-05:00

The gang wrapped up the season with a special two hour episode recapping 2010 and previewing the offseason in what is sure to be another year where the Redskins make some big moves. We debate which players on the current roster make it back and also talk some draft possibilities. Needless to say we are all intrigued by the free agent class. I'm very thankful to the guys for letting me join them

Redskins Roundup: Season's End

2011-01-04T16:55:00.002-05:00

It's strange to see the season go by so quickly for the Redskins this year. I was fortunate enough to receive terrific access through SB Nation DC and met many members of the media who gave me a hand and made sure I learned the ropes. Thanks to all them and the players who took the time to talk football with me. Also thanks very much to the readers here. I don't know who is regular and who isn't

2010 Redskins Season Superlatives

2011-01-03T16:01:00.000-05:00

A column for SB Nation DCThe Washington Redskins ended another futile campaign to bring home the Lombardi Trophy with a loss to the New York Giants on Sunday. It may have been another mediocre season for the Burgundy and Gold, but this 6-10 team managed to stir up enough national and local headlines to merit a whole column reviewing the ups and downs of Mike Shanahan's first year at the