Hogs Haven: FanPosts

A few updates, since Skin Patrol will be scarce

dr WNC — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:23:36 -0000

[Note by Skin Patrol, 08/07/08 6:51 PM EDT ] Promoted from FanPosts, tagged, edited slightly. Enjoy, I'm off to Vegas.

The SP man-crush guy gives it up! [Ed Note: Poopsticks. I still love you Pete Schmitt.]

Top of the morning news at Redskins camp today, which had nothing to do with Favre: TORB had an immediate updated upon arriving

August 7th Roster move

So when I got into Redskins Park today and saw a note on my computer, I was completely unsurprised. I knew by then that Favre had gone to the Jets and that the Jets were planning to release Pennington, so I figured that the Skins had decided to add an experienced West Coast QB to heighten competition at the backup spots.

Not exactly, but almost as exciting: "We signed free agent safety Justin Hamilton and released FB/TE Pete Schmitt." A huge roster move indeed.

Which if SP was not scarce would be "huge" news on this sight as indicated by TORB, a huge move indeed!

Washington Times Blog (Redskins 360) provides a little more info:

Also, fullback Pete Schmitt "hung it up" on his own after one day of practice, according to Zorn. Hopfeully, he doesn't change his mind and then try to orchestrate a trade upon his return.

And in the Post, well they got it all! even a Zorn comment on Schmitt.

QBs, Injuries, Schmitt, Favre -- We've Got It All

Holy Schmitt!!!

Fullback Pete Schmitt left Redskins Park yesterday after rejoining and practicing with the team this week, saying he was through with football. The Redskins released Schmitt, 23, just before training camp, then re-signed him Monday.

"He just hung it up," Zorn said. "He just stepped aside and said, 'You know what, maybe this is not for me.'"

Pretty much the rest of it is just normal camp stuff, check out all the links under the "Redskins blogs" on the left side of the page, get yourself updated and possibly learn of Clinton Portis playing this Saturday, Rock's injury, a QB plan which has Colt playing before Collins ...all the normal stuff and Favre to be on the schedule next week. No injuries and all will be well after 2 of 5 worthless (to a majority of the team at least) games.

Selling 2 Redskins Tix vs. Bills Green Parking

Botts — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:45:14 -0000

Hey Guys,

I'm trying to sell the two tickets I have for the Bills game this Saturday. Green parking pass comes with it. I can't make it to the game on Saturday and just found out I had to do something else. My wife is lucky that this is preseason.

Section 421, Row 27, Seats 19 and 20 along with a Green Parking Pass.

Looking for best offer, and I will deliver them personally so you can get them on time. Hoping to resolve this soon, so I can drop them to you on Friday. I'm in Odenton.

Let me know,

Botts

Brennan's It Factor

Ach — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:44:35 -0000

Sorry to clog the blog (rhyming is fun) with Colt stuff, but since I've adopted him I at least have some basis for inflicting my opinion upon your illustrious selves.

I've watched Colt's highlight reels a few times and I come away with two reactions.

First, when he plays he looks just like he did in college (which is freaking stupendous, since he was a jolly green giant amongst mere mortals). I hate to point it out since it was preseason etc.... etc... , but if you extend his stats into three quarters of play, which is how long he usually stayed in games for, they equate almost exactly with his average college performance (27 for 30, 360 yards and 6 tds; a bit high in completion percentage and TDs, but otherwise on the mark). If he continues on this path, we are in for happy days as skins fans.

Second, is the "it" factor. People are (now) saying that Colt just has that intangible "it" thing (que John Maddens ability to feel Colt's "energy" from the booth). After pondering the weirdness of the existential "it" that the lucky few have, I came to the realization that the ball Colt forced was the perfect example of the "it". Someone without that "it" thang would have made that throw and been intercepted, and then been ripped a new one for it. Somehow it just works out for some people, and that's where Colt seems to shine. Ugly, wacky throw technique? It works. Made a risky decision? It worked. Get smoked in the Sugar Bowl and have your stock drop from near the top to near the bottom? end up with Zorny as your coach (at least it looks like it's working).

However Colt's career plays out, just having a guy like that around can really help, especially on a team that lost most of its games by less than seven (7) points last year. Good luck rubs off, and Colt seems to have the juice in that department. Even if he's on the bench, his "it" will help the team for sure.

Injury Bug Bites..again, Coach Zorn Tells it Like it is

CptChaosSidekick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:33:00 -0000

Apparently rookie wide outs Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas weren't in shape when they showed up to camp kinda like how I showed up to work Monday morning, pretty freaking weak. The Redskins Insider explains:

Kelly and Thomas could not pass the team's conditioning test and their bodies quickly wore down with two-a-day practices, Zorn said (players have to perform a timed shuttle run within certain parameters). Both will miss several more weeks of the preseason and will be quite far behind. Zorn said it will be difficult to count on them to have mastered much of this system by the start of the season - if they are healthy - and they will very much be behind.

Coach Zorn went on to say that if a player can't pass the physcial test the team gives then "then something's not right." In laymen's terms they need to get their collective heads and ass' wired together and condense the nonsense. Coach Zorn went further and mentioned if his knees allowed he'd run the test and called it a pride thing. Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas consider yourselfs called out. I like to try and take the good out of the bad in all things. The good: Coach Zorn is a players coach that wont be treated like a players coach. The bad: our rookie WR's wont be making any contributions any time soon.

Offensive linemen Todd Wade and Stephen Heyer join numerous other Redskins players on the pain train as they both be out at least two weeks.

As for other injuries, reserve tackles Todd Wade (high ankle sprain) and Stephon Heyer (MCL strain) will both miss at least two weeks, Zorn said. That's a pretty huge deal to me, considering they are the second-string tackles, and with the first team barely playing again Saturday night, someone's gonna have to protect Todd Collins's neck.

Well thank the maker we're installing the 3 step and throw offense because our QB's might not have time for a forth this preseason. Chad Rinehart who has lined up at both tackle and guard is now lined up at the all important LT spot.

Durant Brooks faired pretty well in the HOF game and Derrick Frost will try to at least match that aginst Buffalo where he will get all the punting duties. Look for the punters to possibly alternate duties by half in the last three preseason games.

Coach Zorn not only calls out players when they need to get their priorities straight, but also when they preform. One such player is RB Marcus Mason whom looked good in action against the Colts. Coach Zorn even thinks he could get a roster spot. I'm not so sure abouth that though. We have three RB's who have starting experience and two of them have 1000 yd seasons under their belts. With 80 man rosters already having hudge effects Marcus Mason might find himself on the practice squad simply because the team needsdepth on other positions.

Washington Redskins At PressPassTV

presspasstv — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:57:06 -0000

As Redskins Fans, knowing that your team is on the rise must feel real good. With young and talented players getting better every season, your team is now in contention not only to win, but to win big. However, winning does not only take place on the field. Knowing this, would you love to see what your favorite players do in the offseason on the side? Now, at PressPassTV, we can help you get insight to the personal profiles of your favorite athletes.

Ever wonder what Portis and friends do on Easter? Ever think that Santana Moss not only catches footballs, but softballs too? Here at PressPassTV, our goal is to give you,the sports fan, an online wonderland to go enjoy many variations of your favorite sports and hobbies through radio and video.

To visit our site go to Presspass.tv or our youtube page at youtube.com/presspass!

Hogs Haven in Canton: For One Day Redskins Owned an Ohio Town and I Was at Ground Zero

CptChaosSidekick — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:57:49 -0000

[Note by Skin Patrol, 08/05/08 9:09 AM EDT ] Many thanks to CptChaosSidekick for posting his Canton thoughts here at Hogs Haven. Edited a bit, enjoy.

Friday August, 1st, the day before I was to fly to Canton early in the morning; I celebrated that night as I could not contain my excitement for the upcoming trip.

Very early Saturday morning I woke up, vision blurred and my skull feeling like it was caving in, I began my journey to Canton. My girlfriend, who was my ride to the airport early the fateful day, was briefed prior that if she dragged her feet to get me to my plane I would in fact turn into a mythical beast (Ed note: not unlike Chris Horton). To her credit she proved her worth as a sky cab.

My first stop from departing Harrisburg, Pa was Detroit, Mi. I thought: how should I make this hour plus layover go by when I saw two women in Redskins gear at a Martini Bar. I promptly seated myself next to them, and upon further observations noticed that they were already drinking. My type of people. I had two beers with them and in the process came to learn that they were on their way to Canton without their husbands and they were most knowledgeable about football too. Extra Point: they were hella milftastic. Early quote of the day, in a day filled with quotes: It's not fun unless it's a double was the reply to a bartender who asked what kind of Bloody Mary they wanted. We boarded together bound for Canton. I fell asleep with their drunken laughs in the background.

Canton! I landed and the first thing I see out of the gate is a massive HOF banner. This wasn't a dream anymore; Art Monk and Darrell Green were going to be HOF'ers that night. The first indication that I was heading into something much bigger then me, than every Redskins fan, hell even the milky way, is when the Cabbie looked at me, laughed and asked "Canton?" with a chuckle. I replied yes promptly. He noticed I had no luggage, so I informed him that my flight left the next day and I'd just party the night away until then. He assured me that I wouldn't have a problem finding some people to tag along with. I agreed although I had no idea the magnitude of what I was getting into.

The Hall: One foot out of the Cab at 11am 7hrs before the ceremony was to start and it was a tidal wave of Burgundy & Gold. Being where football was born combined with the fact that I knew it was going to be a Redskin day was almost too much to take in. I overheard the Canton police saying that they never seen anything like this before. After walking around heaven for awhile I took a cab to a restaurant were I was to meet up with some nice folks I had met on Redskinsheads.com. After some intros, and food we all meandered back to the HOF. Everywhere in Akron, Canton Ohio Redskins fans were in the streets, cars, bars and restaurants.

5 minutes of walking the hallowed grounds my group walked smack dab into Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders! (Ed Note: no pictures?) They signed everything possible and had every picture taken asked of them before the Canton VIP patrol whisked them away. They were awesome. Walking through memorabilia tents and not trying to make my credit score astronomical was a challenge.

Fawcett Stadium: was a living breathing Redskins pulse by the time I arrived. Enter the Mayor of Canton with opening remarks: Today is Washington Redskins day he proclaimed playing to a crowd as only a politician can, but fuck it, it was Washington Redskins day with or without his blessing. Chris Berman would mention anything Redskins related and the fans went wild -- alternatively Berman or someone else mentioned anything Dallas and that place got downright hostile. Michael Irvin became the epicenter of Redskins hatred of the Cowboys. He wizzed by in a cart to a seat on the stage, and a wave of Redskins nation crashed into him along the way. Fred Dean, Andre Tippet, Gary Zimmerman, and Emmitt Thomas all had great speeches and were politely welcomed into the HOF. An army of Redskins fans though were on edge for what we all had waited for for so very long...

Darrell Green

Green was met with a loud, boisterous welcome. HOF Decon Jones places a bet every time this year on which inductee was going to cry first. Deacon Jones said I would cry. You bet your life I'm going to cry. You bet your life I'm going to cry. You bet your life, I will. His speech was uplifting and motivational. It concluded with something only a select few could say Can I tell you today at the expense of sounding real self-righteous, I belong here. I belong here. (Ed Note: He sure does.)

Art Monk

Art Monk was the last inductee to speak. I wondered the whole night what he might say. Monk was always soft spoken but he was the major: when he does speak people listen. Art Monk for some reason was passed over for selection time and again. What possible reaction will he get and how will it compare to Darrell's? Monk's son introduced him and the second Monk stepped to the mic, the dam that was emotion filled with Monk being passed over for years and erupted into what Mr. Irrelevant described best as the Ovation to End All Ovations. Seeing him up on the podium, soaking in the cheers from the sea of Redskins fans in the crowd, was simply fantastic. In the crazed croud I heard someone chant ART, ART and it spread through the stadium, then I heard one person yell IT's ABOUT TIME and with that a chant of IT's ABOUT TIME spread faster then a forest fire and was more deafening than WE WANT DALLAS. The ovation was so long, so passionate that the HOF'ers in their seats stood and clapped. Monk, by my count, tried four different times to begin his speech. After a while he stopped trying, paused looked down and then just soaked it all in. He deserved this and we the fans let him know how much we loved him and were going to celebrate the moment. For the rest of my life I'll remember this moment and have never in my existence been more proud to be a Redskins fan.

Aftermath

Long story short, Redskins nation brought Canton/Akron to her knees that night. Every bar & club was packed with us. I myself got hammered and woke up at the airport with time to spare for my flight. I felt like 32 bags of crap and the simplest tasks were hard to do. Although I left solo for this trip I was never really alone, Skins fans were one pulse, one entity. Would I do it again, you bet your life.

[Note by Skin Patrol, 08/05/08 9:20 AM EDT ] Closing gracias again to reader CptChaosSidekick for sharing his Canton experience. If anyone else was there make sure you get your narrative up in the FanPost section. Cheers, big week for Redskins Nation.

check this out

asdfqwer — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:21:23 -0000

hey check this out it's some new site that's pretty cool. they like our cheerleaders. ha ha

http://gridironexperts.com/the-first-preseason-game/

a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a

Bill Cowher

mlp — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:42:18 -0000

On Tuesday, July, 22, 2008 I saw Bill Cowher sitting at Wow Cafe and Wingery around 9:15pm, with some other people. This is very interesting seeing him there and Redskins stadium is down the street.

I wonder what this means. We will see in the future. Could it be James (Jim) Arthur Zorn may be one and done? You know Dan is stuck on big name everything, so this could be a long season. Hopefully it's a better season than last year.

MLP

Extra Practice

dr WNC — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:06:04 -0000

Lackadasical Camp...NOT!

Several reporters and a few prognosticators have mused that the Redskins will miss the discipline of Joe Gibbs now that Jim Zorn is the head coach. I beg to differ, Zorn's discipline at camp is challenging the men playing a game to be men and responsible for their actions. A good example, extra practice for Smoot.

Reported from several sources but detailed by the story Washington Redskins CB's legs can't keep up with his mouth: It appears that a preseason conditioning test given by the Washington Redskins had a few players not pass the test. One of them was veteran Fred Smoot

"That test mentally has me," said Smoot, who has spent five of his seven NFL seasons with the Redskins. "Never physically. Because I'm never going to pass out, never going to miss a rep, and I'm going to be full speed at practice. I think mentally that 300-yard shuttle has destroyed my brain. I can't pass it."

This must not be the first time he's been unable to complete a conditioning test. Drafted in 2001, and while not missing many games during his career and showing no apparent sign of excessive fatigue on the field or with his "mouth" he just hasn't been able to get over the mental block of the test. So....

Zorn had a heart to heart, it could be said that a type of discipline was established.

But because of that I think the players look at that and say, 'Well, this test isn't that important.'

If it's going to be done then it has to have meaning, if it means nothing than why do it in the first place the simplist form of discipline. So, Zorn challenged Smoot to be a leader and to show everyone that all aspects of preseason camp is important.

'Listen, this test is important, so I want you to work extra with the quarterbacks,'

An outstanding example of discipline in words and actions with the development of a person into a leader. Smoot thoughts...

Like he said, I've got a special gift when it comes to talking, and people listen to me. That's something everybody doesn't have," Smoot said. "And he said, 'Put the action behind it, and I think you'll be a complete player.' And that's what I'm trying to do."

Leading by example, discipline by showing every aspect of every drill which happens in practice is important and developing individuals, a sign of a gifted leader who happens to be the Head Football Coach of the Washington Redskins with the right kind of discipline, the kind which develop men.

He’s Tarzan

dr WNC — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:39:01 -0000

On the offensive line

It appears the undrafted backup on the offensive line who played well as a "fill-in" last year could be something special and may even resemble Tarzan.

ProFootball Talk provided Redskin Camp one liners

Says offensive line coach Joe Bugel of Stephon Heyer getting into shape, "Last year, Stephon didn’t have a real pretty body. He would never take his shirt off. He thinks he’s Tarzan now."

"Click" a little deeper and Coach Bugel expands on Stephon Heyer

He's walking with a little bit of a swagger. The kid's got 38-inch arms. He can reach for you real fast. He's going to be a whale of a football player for us."

Jansen even comments on Heyer in the Washington Times article Return to reserve role:

"Stephon did a terrific job of listening to [Bugel] and the guys around him," Jansen said.

A little confidence goes a long way and at 24 he should be a fixture on the offensive line for sometime to come.

"I couldn't have foreseen the opportunities that I had," Heyer said. "Being able to do what I did, I'm proud of myself and grateful to the organization for giving me the opportunity,

Some notes heading into the first preseason game against the Colts

CptChaosSidekick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:24:17 -0000

So I hear the Redskins have had a few injuries. Heading into our first and the NFL's first preseason game Coach Zorn informs the Insider that starters will see limited action Sunday, so limited infact that he said the word limited twice. So far the only players to be offically listed not to play are RB ladell Betts and S LaRon Landry. We can assume a host of others that wont play in this game as well.

Jim Zorn said Ladell Betts, who was kicked in the thigh yet again Tuesday, will not play Sunday night (good thing for Ladell all of these cleats have been landing on the periphery of the midsection, eh?). Betts said he is a little sore, but no big deal. Zorn said if this were the regular season, Betts would be playing, but since it's not we'll see him back at full go next week (only two days of practice remain this week).

RB Eric Shelton who caught a wicked neck/shoulder stinger some days ago is expected to sign an injury settlement with the team. The Insider seems to think the Skins will sign a LB in his place which makes me feel smart because that's what I thought they would do. Jason La Canfora then goes on to make a good point that if Betts isn't there to carry the rock and then we might indeed sign another RB. CP wont be there, Rock Cartwright already has a lot of experiance so we might see a lot of Marcus Mason.

CB Carlos Rogers continues to impress in his rehab but Coach Zorn isn't impressed with CB Fred Smoot's lack of conditioning.

Zorn is having the QBs do extra conditioning work after some practices, not wanting them to be above the fray when it comes to getting the heart-rate going (their workload is considerably less in the aerobic capacity than their brethren at other positions). Zorn told us that CB Fred Smoot will also be doing the extra work with the QBs. Turns out Smoot has not passed the conditioning test given at the start of training camp, so he and Zorn spoke and he'll do extra work and try to pass it. Zorn doesn't want others to get the impression the conditioning test is no big deal.

The Redskins are $1.8 million (said with my finger ala Dr. Evil style) under the cap which appears to be enough to sign someone should these injuries get out of hand.

KSK Blog gets a hold of Art Monk's HOF Speech

CptChaosSidekick — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:49:11 -0000

This weekend Art Monk will finally be enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. KSK has received a copy of the speech he plans to read upon his induction and it follows below in its entirety, and might I say, that guy is still all class

Go to KSK to get the inside scoop!

I fly out for Canton very early in the AM Saturday and will do my best to document the goings on. Art Monk is a very humble and soft spoken man, frequently deflecting praise to teammates and coaches. I'm extremely excited to hear what he has to say at the podium.

More about Montgomery and Kedrick and the DL

mmford10 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:03:20 -0000

Skin Patrol's post about Montgomery and Golston inspired me to take an honest and unbiased (yeah, right) look at our starting defensive line.

With Jason Taylor, I argue the Redskins are the wealthiest team at DE in the league. Before you laugh, consider this. we have the NFL's sack leader and most dominant active DL of the last decade on one end, and Andre Carter on the other end. Our starters may be the best tandem of DE starters in the NFL now. Impressive.

In addition, the services of Chris Wilson remain underrated. I've also heard good things about our 7th-rounder, Rob Jackson. Erasmus James could be a tremendous spark off the bench. If he's healthy, he's solid. Demetric Evans often fills in admirably as well. We have four sturdy backups at DE. Wilson and Evans currently project as the next two in line, but James could really end up working out for the Redskins. He's shown his skill before, but he's been injured for so long that people forget how solid he was when he played.

At DT, we also look great. Cornelius Griffin will finally be free from double-teams (what, are people really going to single-cover Carter and Taylor? nope!) and have an easier time clogging the middle. Redskins fans know how important and talented he is when he's in there. It's like a totally different DL when he plays. In addition, the services of Golston and Montgomery are invaluable. Both have their assets -- Golston seems a little more agile and a better tackler, but Montgomery seems to take up more space and be more of a presence when he's inside -- which can allow for the ends or LB's to get to the QB. And don't forget, Evans has logged time at DT as well. (Is Boschetti still the 4th DT?)

Just imagine this set on a 3rd down. DE -- Taylor and Wilson, DT -- Griffin and Montgomery, and 2 OLB's who sneak up and play on the line -- Washington and Carter (remember, he played OLB for 2 years). With Fletcher in the middle and our secondary playing close to the line to delay the WR's from running their routes, can anyone actually complete a pass on third down?

With Golston and Montgomery, they each have different skill sets. The benefit of having two guys like that is that they are always fresh. They can spell each other and Griffin. Meanwhile, Taylor and Carter now dominate third down and give the Redskins defense a new dimension. Having an elite defensive line and pass-rush is crucial in today's game. It's the way you win Super Bowls -- just ask the Giants, Colts, Patriots, etc. And now, guess what? The Redskins have one.

Depth Chart Out People! Randoms..

CptChaosSidekick — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:08:55 -0000

The Washington Redskins released the preseason depth chart and they're aren't really any surprises. I guess the team acttually has to play a couple of game first before they're any changes. Things I did notice that could or could not be a sign(s)

Colt Brennan: 3rd string listing, from what I hear Derrick not so Devine is having a bad camp. Nice rebound from injury Colt.

WR's: For those of you who thought James Thrash is on his way out, he's listed 2nd string and is having a great camp. Remember started with Philly & their WCO. Devin Thomas 2nd string, Malcolm Kelly & Anthony Mix round out 3rd string. That makes six WR's on the roster. Is that the number they plan to go with?

DT: Anthony Montgomery wins the competion for now.

FS & SS: Stuart Schweigert is backing LaRon Landry at FS and isn't even listed at SS which means fan favriote Reed Doughty is the starting SS.

P: Derrick Frost is ahead of Durant Brooks which is utter bullshit but I understand that this is wil take care of itself during the preseason..bye bye Frost.

Randoms:

The Insider reports that Zarnell Fitch din't have time to get cozy because he's been released. The Skins signed another D-Lineman but no word on who the mystery D-linemen is. H.B. Blades is scheduled to have arthroscopic knee surgery today and should be out 3 weeks. I look for a LB signing at some point before the preseason but who do they release to make room? Rocky McIntosh and Carlos Rogers are participating in individual drills but are being slowly brought back to full speed.

Head Coach Zorn, Can he be special.

dr WNC — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:01:21 -0000

What clues are availableabout the potential of Jim ZornT

The Washington Redskins 2008 year began on a down note with a first round play-off loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the game was almost there for the taking but the skins couldn't hold it together and it did not happen.

Weeks later the beloved head coach, winner of three superbowls, Joe Gibbs decided to retire and the search began...it ended where no one thought it would the naming of Jim Zorn, Seattles Quarterback coach, hired offensive coordinator, as the next Washington Redskins head coach. Obviously team owner and GM VP of Football operations Vinny Ceratto were taken by Jim Zorn during the interview process or did he have a familarity they had experienced over the past 4 years.

Over at Stets Sport Blog JC wrote "Why the Washington Redskins will Miss Joe Gibbs" which led to my thinking that Zorn is the most "Joe Gibbs Type coach" I've seen

Both men are very comfortable with who they are and believe deeply in family as well as having a strong faith but does it stop at just on a personal level. I enjoyed every ounce of the Joe Gibbs era and fully understand what he accomplished with the Washington Redskins as far as a fan goes, and I'm not looking to increase the pressure on Jim Zorn by comparing him to the HOF coach. Jim Zorn has not even coached his first game as a coordinator or a head coach but the similarities are actually telling and could be why the "Washington Redskins will not miss Joe Gibbs"

In the blog by JC he lists Gibbs as one of the last "hard-nose" NFC east coaches of the 60s and 70s, grouping him with Parcells but does he forget this is the era when Jim Zorn played football. He learned how to handle defeat playing for the expansion seattle seahawks, learned how to handle rejection being released by the Dallas Cowboys, and was taught a lesson early when his coach wouldn't hire him as an NFL coach, saying he'd do better to earn it. Jim Zorn has paid the dues and is part of the "old school" football, he just brings a new and refreshing twist to the game.

The discipline is still in place, Zorn has established his rules and expects without question that they be followed similar to what Joe Gibbs brought to the Redskins. Zorn brings a fresh and sometimes wacky twist to practice which is interpretted as non-structure but from the way it sounds practices are anything but not structured and are at a pace which should provide players which are in a better physical shape than in years pass. Playing at at up-tempo all the time, different from Gibbs but deep down the same type of ideals in which 'what you do in practice transfers to the playing field'. What could have been to 2007 if the defense didn't wear down during the game, be it with an offense who controlled the ball or a team conditioned to play at a high level.

Number of Points Against Per Quarter

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

44

67

86

116

The Redskins defense allowed more points in the 4th quarter last year then they did in the entire first half (116 points to 111)! In fact, the defense was lights out in the first half, giving up less than a touchdown per game by halftime (6.9 points). However, in the 2nd half, the defense gave up nearly twice as many points per game (12.6). That shows that we had a very good defense that just ran out of gas late in the game.
via Hail Redskin Entry

Zorn can be the coach who is grounded and will be able to lead in the tough times as well as the good times, never getting to emotional, a Joe Gibbs trait if there ever was one. The two men are very much the same and with Jim Zorn, in my opinion, the Redskins will not miss Joe Gibbs he is the next 'version', different but similar. Here's looking forward to a great run and some superbowl wins.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS PARTY BUS!!!

jenniferhuffman0619 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:05:08 -0000

Wingate By Wyndham - Dulles Airport invites ALL REDSKINS FANS to

GET ON THE BUS!

Washington Redskins Party Bus! Beer, Drinks, Snacks & Fun included in rate! Hotel Accommodations are optional. Round Trip accommodations to both Pre-season Games and all * Regular season Games. You do not have to stay at the hotel to ride. Please contact Jennifer at 571-203-0999 to sign up or to request more information jenniferhuffman0619@gmail.com. Hope to see you all There!

All is quiet on Hogs Haven

dr WNC — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 15:34:50 -0000

Despite the last day of Open to the public practices

Despite the big headlines from the Washington Redskins official website:

Fan Appreciation Day Includes Intra-squad Scrimmage, Jim Zorn Address, And More! And into Sunday Training Camp 7/27 All is quiet

BUT "stuff" is happening and the first week of Redskins practice is about to come to an end(it's ended!) as the Second half of practice cancelled today(Sun).

Some simple updates:

The Post's Redskins Insider Jason La Canfora continues to point out his dislike for the Washington Redskin's owner Daniel Snyder as he describes his "man-crush"

My Redskins Park mancrush is no longer in the building. My Redskins Park mancrush is Jerry Coleman.

finally some good information does make it's way to the page but with a lack of details:

After releasing injured DL J.T. Mapu, the Redskins have signed DT Zarnell Fitch, who is on the field for this morning's practice. The team also has released OL Kerry Brown and signed guard Fred Matua.

We are also told the length of time for Starting DT Anthony Montgomery's broken hand. Out 2-4 Weeks. See all the Ramblings at http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

All informaiton is confirmed by the Washington Times with even less information, I guess just reportingg the facts, remember "just the facts,maam, just the facts"

...A couple of Roster Moves

The Times provides an update on Montgomery's injury, confirming the post.

*Anthony Montgomery told us he expects to miss 2-4 weeks with the broken hand. A team official yesterday said he was expected to be out 10 days, but Montgomery said he will have surgery tomorrow and hopes to be practicing in two weeks.

On the cancelled afternoon practice Today, Sunday, the Times provides some insight on Zorn's thinking...Isn't this what a blog is suppose to do, interject some insight into the actual facts around a team?

Practice was pretty light this morning, and it was over by 9:45. Jim Zorn said he might have been a little overzealous in his planning when he orginally scheduled two practices today, but he expects a much tougher day tomorrow.

Leaving the two papers and not going towards the "Redskin official blog" ,with all it's information which seems too smarmy (word of the day:marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness) for my tastes.

The exciting Curly-R, points out another "new" blogger on the scene Bleeding Burgandy but you'll have to go here to see it for yourself NEW! The sight provides some insights on the days gone-bye but no up to the minute current, as a matter fact it's tough to find any up to the minute facts which isn't Redskin controlled.

A search for information on the two new Redskins zarnell fitch, not much at all on the web. He was with the Ravens last not making the roster, did make the roster with the Jets for a little while he seems to be a big body when a body is needed, not a chance to make the 53 roster team. Fred Matua has the always reliable Wikipedia entry, plus other information and has been camping out on practice squads which actually can be a good sign. His bio is one of someone who could have been, like someone who should have performed but didn't. Coming to the Redskins could be the answer as you never know what Bugle will be able to accomplish,

Remeber, he turned an undrafted defensive lineman in to a workable offensive tackle. i'm sure he can do just about anything and has....so we wait.

Here's to the practice season being done quickly, enjoy the Hall of fame game for the Redskin Hall of Famers, and hoping the rest of the preseason goes by quickly with minimal injury and team bonding...Good day!

Update: Forgot about the excellent analysis over at the Redskin Report, A historical look at what Jason Taylor could mean to the Redskins defense. Jason Taylor: What does his...and when it comes to historical references I'm 100% backing that kind of review. Who historically follows the Giants with a Superbowl win, yes your Washington Redskins...Go New England!

Yet Another Obstacle Overcome by Reed Doughty

CptChaosSidekick — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:03:44 -0000

From the Washington Post:

One day while closely observing Doughty in a meeting, Jackson noticed Doughty was watching his mouth move as if he were lip-reading. Jackson figured Doughty must have had trouble hearing, and a hearing test revealed Doughty had moderate to severe hearing loss. The Redskins made adjustments to help Doughty, and he has become a key contributor on defense and special teams.

Not only has Reed Doughty made it to the NFL from tiny Northern Colorado where we was a three-time academic all-American, he did it by memorizing the hand signals of his reammates on the defensive line and linebackers as well as the secondary.

Since being a Redskins Reed had to go through the pain of seeing his son Miach have kidney problems to the extent where it might have taken his life. Micah now after a kidney transplant is in good health.

Stuart Schweigert now is up against Doughty and after all of he's been through I'd say he's up for yet another challange.

Must READ Interview with Clinton Portis

CptChaosSidekick — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:49:53 -0000

Dan Steinberg of DC Sports Blog fame hits a home run of an interview with Clinton Portis that's extremely insightful.

"I think what people never realize is we go through the same thing that the normal, average person go through. You know, everybody say 'Ohhhh, we lost Sean.' Actually, my best friend mom passed, my grandmother passed, I lost a child, and THEN I lost Sean. So people never know what you're dealing with, what's on your mind, or what you're going through.

I really wish I had more time to post about this but I blew out both tires on the left side of my car. Real life: 362 Sean's fantacy world: 2

I strongly encorage readers to take a second and read this.

HHFFL?

Burgundy and Gold — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:39:41 -0000

Folks, I'm wrapping up a M.A. in Economics, which involves putting the finishing touches on a master's thesis. It also means that I haven't had any free time to post on the site, or do much of anything else in my free time. It'll all be worth it in the long run, but I digress.

The point of the post: I don't have time to host / be the commissioner for the 2nd season of the HHFFL. Any volunteers?