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05/05/08
Of
Murf and Men
So
in linking the word “twit” to my ES profile in his
blog about
Fred Davis on Homer McFanboy, I get the impression that Murf
feels that I made more out of the story of Fred Davis skipping
practice Sunday than there was to it. Fair enough. I can certainly
see where someone would get that point of view from spending
3 minutes with the kid in an interview. Brian asserts this
is much about little. But a little more research and a little
less indignation might have provided Brian with some real insight.
Let me explain why:
Exhibit 1 – The rookies were all housed in the same hotel.
As Brian accurately points out, the rooks were bunking with other
players. What Murf should and does know is that team security
is always present when Redskins’ players are housed in a
hotel. They do this to keep overzealous fans away. They are around
24-7 from what both Murf and I have observed doing road games
staying at the team hotel. So the chances are he would be observed
going to the front desk late at night to get a room. But let’s
say he wasn’t. Let’s say he got another room unobserved.
Where might be the first place team security would go when they
found his room empty? Maybe the front desk?
My guess is that is
what they would have done. It should be noted that Coach Zorn
in comments after practice Sunday spoke about how great of a security
detail the team has. I wonder if he was complimenting their acumen
in NOT finding a kid who rented a room in the hotel the rest of
the rookies were housed in.
Exhibit 2 – Murf
cites John Clayton as his source. For the record I think John
Clayton is a great reporter. However, not being in and around
Washington I wonder who Clayton’s source was? I am going
out on a limb to suggest that just possibly; the kid’s agent
made a call and did a little damage control.
Exhibit 3 – While
Murf is busy towing the party-line, some reporters were actually
working the story. Take Jason Reid of the Washington Post (you
know Brian, Steinberg’s co-worker) who wrote the following
in Monday’s
Redskins Insider blog:
“Questions arose
anew about Davis's decision making after he missed the final practice
of minicamp on Sunday. The Redskins said Davis simply overslept.
Attempts to contact Davis were unsuccessful, but Davis's
brother, Kedran, also said that Davis overslept after a late night
out on Saturday.”
Exhibit 4 – Another
guy out tracking it down is John Keim of the DC Examiner. Here’s
a sample of a
story he did on Monday:
“Several league
sources said they liked Davis’
talent, but did not like his character. One talent
evaluator listed him among a handful of players he would not have
drafted for that reason. Another said they couldn’t understand
why the Redskins took him, questioning if he’d put in the
necessary work to succeed.”
From where I sit things don’t add up to Murf’s version
of the story. They didn’t when I heard about it Sunday,
just based on how I know the team handles players.
I think understanding
the above makes for a more informed and fair platform from which
to decide if this is a big deal or not. For the record I have
not said one way or the other. Sports is rife with stories of
players who break or bend the rules; guys like John Riggins skipping
practices all week and then magically recovering Sunday, or Sonny
Jurgensen and his nights at the Waffle Shop, or maybe even Clinton
Portis and his mystery ailments in training camp.
The
one difference is these are guys who performed at a high level
and in a sense earned the right to screw up. Davis is just a draft
pick with character questions who missed his third day at work.
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| 01/22/2008
Gee, you think I could
wait longer between blogs next time?
Before I get to current
events, let me share a few thoughts on the season just ended.
Starting with FA and then draft day, and moving on to the rookie
and mini-camps, OTAs, Training Camp, preseason, and then the season,
it was a long year for me. I reveled in the amount of access I
got and coverage I was able to do and I hated to see the season
end (especially as I was slated to work the Dallas playoff game),
but it was a long year and I am a bit glad for the break.
Of course, Coach Gibbs
went and retired, extended the year and killing most of the full-time
media’s offseason. Sorry guys, looks like it’s Ashburn
for you until they figure it all out.
On Cerrato
Today we learned that
Vinny Cerrato has been promoted to Executive Vice President/Football
Operations, where he will assume responsibility for all aspects
of the team’s football organization - including personnel,
the team roster, scouting and salary cap management. I’m
not mad at him or the team. After all, just a few weeks ago I
wrote a piece (http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=33635)
praising the work of the front office in getting talent on the
team that was instrumental in withstanding injuries and making
the playoffs.
In the article I wrote
the following: “While Coach Gibbs, the assistant coaches
and the players have rightfully been recognized for a remarkable
achievement in making the playoffs, what has been overlooked is
the masterful job that Gibbs, Vinny Cerrato, and the personnel
department did in bringing in players whose talent and fortitude
were instrumental to the effort.”
Beyond one’s
feelings on Cerrato and on the promotion, I think today’s
announcement is interesting in a few areas when considered in
the larger context.
1. For those of you
(us) who have clamored for a GM in Washington congratulations
- Vinny is now effectively it. As we were told, Cerrato “has
responsibility for all aspects of the team’s football organization
- including personnel, the team roster, scouting and salary cap
management.” Additionally, “Cerrato currently is playing
a central role in the search for Gibbs’ replacement.”
That sure sounds like a GM to me.
2. There is now no
super-urgency for picking a coach this week. I get the feeling
that promoting Cerrato reduces the urgency with which Snyder needs
to name a new coach. The driver I felt came from free agency now
only five weeks hence as well as not having a new organizational
structure. With Cerrato handling personnel AND the money they
don’t need to have the coach right-away. Cerrato (with Snyder
signing the checks) will handle all the renegotiations of current
staff as well as consider free agents. As a result they can now
(if they choose) wait until after the Super Bowl if there are
coaches on either New England or New York they wish to speak to.
I’m not saying that the new coach won’t have a lot
of input in the personnel process once he gets here, but it is
not vital that he be here this week or next.
3. No big name Coach
is getting full control. With Cerrato’s promotion the table
is set for a coach with substantially less power than Gibbs, or
Marty. For those convinced Cower was coming or some other big
name that would want full control of operations it does not look
like it will happen this year. Could this mean giving a younger/less-experienced
coach a shot?
On Gibbs
A few words on Gibbs;
He is the reason I wanted to write about the Redskins and I am
sorry to see him go. He was one of the men I most admired as a
teenager and twenty-something in the 80s and 90s, and I wanted
to get a glimpse of how he operated. I think I did that a little
bit and am very grateful for the opportunity.
While his 2nd retirement
saddens me, I sensed around the Sean Taylor tragedy that he could
be done (predicted as much). He seemed emotionally spent at times
and I wondered how/if he could sustain it. We know now he could
not.
And while the team
never achieved its former glory with Gibbs again at the helm,
I was witness to the impressive run at the end of the season,
having covered three of the four games to close the season and
make the playoffs. In the locker room following the Bears victory
it was as if someone had turned a switch. From that point on through
the Dallas win at home to end the regular season the team played
with a purpose I had not seen in the two years covering them.
As far as I am concerned Gibbs gets all the credit for the run.
Best of luck Coach.
Some Gloating
At the beginning of
the season I predicted 10-6 and a return to the playoffs. The
team finished 9-7 and did return to the playoffs. The fact that
I pronounced them done at week 13, possibly to win only one more
game should have no bearing on the accolades I am claiming now.
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07/22/2007
“A
man’s got to know his limitations…”
Sage
words from one of the great thinkers of our time: Dirty Harry
Callahan. Had I remembered this I may not have spent Friday evening
working out for the upcoming fall softball league, and then spent
Saturday playing a 3-hour gig with my band. The gig included me
lifting a lot more equipment than my drums and the softball included
me looking every bit the 42 year-old smoker as I misplayed routine
pop-flys, swung at pitches only an umpire could love, and barely
managed to get the ball out of the infield when I did connect.
But
none of this matters now. What matters only is that our off-season
ends officially this Friday, July 27th, 2007 with the start of
the Redskins training camp. As of Friday the new season is begun.
Since the pitiful 2006 season ended we have had to endure playoffs
that featured teams not our own, a draft where we had too little
to work with, a rookie-camp that helped pass the time, OTAs that
left us wanting, and a mini-camp that teased the hell out of us.
Through it all we’ve waited, and waited, and waited. Now,
finally, it is all set to begin.
I can’t
believe it got here so fast.
Beginning
Friday we will be receiving daily camp-reports. The big papers
like the Times and Post will have features on players both veteran
and newbie. ESPN will give us a Redskins camp report. And I will
be reporting to you from camp over at Extremeskins.com, as will
the Murf, as will others.
And
before you know it, we will have a scrimmage (don’t care)
and our first exhibition game (care very much). How close is that
first exhibition game? Two weeks from this Saturday.
Damn.
So
now my friends, sit back, relax, and get ready. If the off-season
has become your reality (as it has mine) then everything is going
to change for you this Friday. This Friday heralds rebirth and
renewal. All records are even and it is anyone’s to win
– even the Redskins.
As for me I am off to soak in a hot tub and recall the days when
my chest was bigger than my gut and I could lift more than a fork-full
without feeling sore the next day.
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04/01/2007
I need
an off-season from the off-season.
The
rumor-mill has been giving me heartburn since the NFL owners meetings
a week ago. Depending on who you talk to, the Redskins are either
trading the first pick to Chicago for a later 1st-round pick and
a linebacker we don’t need, trading up to get a wide receiver
or a new franchise quarterback to develop, sitting pat and taking
a defensive lineman, or looking for willing participants in a
deal to trade down.
My
agony was especially pronounced when a certain Washington radio
station reported that the deal for Bears’ linebacker was
done with the ‘Skins sending the 6th overall pick to Chicago
for Lance Briggs and their 31st overall pick. The report stated
that Washington offered Briggs a deal that included $20 million
guaranteed. Let me state for the record that I think Briggs is
a very good player, and would probably be an upgrade to the current
weak-side line-backing corps.
The
thing is they’ve already upgraded that position. With the
signing of London Fletcher, Lemar Marshall can return to spell
or start at weak-side, his natural position. Rocky McIntosh looked
good last year when he finally got in and considering what they
paid for him in picks I say let’s see what the man can do.
As
it stands this Palm Sunday (and I don’t mean as in “Jimmy
the Palm”), the Bears are reportedly mulling a Redskins’
offer for Briggs. Apparently the Bears have an issue with having
such a high draft pick because they are reluctant to pay the guy
high draft pick money. How novel.
Let’s
look at the other rumors.
As
for Calvin Johnson – if they are going after a big wide-out
I will be disappointed. As good as Calvin Johnson is, they have
more pressing needs. I said in my last blog that he will not be
a Redskin. I still believe this.
As
for trading up for a Jamarcus Russell or Brady Quinn – come
on now Coach Joe, really? After seven starts for Mr. Campbell
are you ready to get the next guy? And does this mean that you
are extending your contract beyond next year while he develops?
I think
the most disturbing thing about these rumors is that they smack
of exactly something the Redskins have a reputation of doing –
big splashy moves that usually translate to more headlines than
wins. How many of you felt this way when the Briggs news broke?
The
good news is that for the first time in a while we have no idea
what they will do.
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03/18/2007
It’s
Sunday so it must be time for another blog…
For
the past 4-5 years I have sat through drafts yelling at the Redskins
to draft linemen. By all appearances this is the year.
In
the midst of me gushing over the Redskins off-season moves this
week, Reffkin asked an interesting question; with the moves the
team has made, how many victories are we improved over last year?
I answered five.
“Five?!”
he exclaimed. “You think we are five games better?!”
Yes, I said, assuming we add bodies on the defensive line. I have
reasons for this, but will save them for a future episode.
Jason
La Canfora from The Washington Post has offered the best coverage
of the Redskins’ free agency period to date. His blog at
the Post (HERE)
is required reading for Redskins’ fans. This year he has
offered the most current, accurate, insider reporting on the team.
He has also shared his blog with fans of the team (such as one
fan who is currently serving in the armed forces in Afghanistan).
Often he has gotten flack from Redskins’ faithful over his
team coverage. For those quick to chastise JLC, you may want to
take another look.
So,
can we assume the trade with Denver for Bly and picks is dead
in the water?
I see
the rumor-mill is alive and well on various sites and message
boards. Here’s what I have to say about Jamarcus Russell
– he will NOT be a Redskin.
Here’s
what I have to say about Calvin Johnson – he will NOT be
a Redskin.
Who
the hell thinks up this stuff anyway? Of all the areas the Redskins
lack depth; wide-out is not one of them. It reminds me of the
2004 draft when many wanted the Redskins to draft Kellen Winslow.
The Redskins didn’t need him and I’m glad they didn’t
get him.
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03/11/2007
This
Sunday morning I awoke to the sound of my wife running down the
steps and out the front door. She sounded hurried.
Ah
yes, the first victim of the early daylight savings time.
We
have a new Myspace site (http://myspace.com/skinscast).
I like it and hope all of you visit, request to be added as friends,
and send comments. I learned yesterday that Fred Smoot has a Redskins-themed
Myspace already, and was kind enough to add us (as was Chris Cooley
and Jason Campbell).
So
here we are nine days into Free Agency and the Redskins remain
very low key in terms of personnel activity. I like this. However,
after hearing about all the cap room the team created and the
possible trade with Denver we on the show supposed that something
was afoot. But so far nothing, even though Sunday morning came
early this week.
You
know what would be great? If the Redskins pulled off some blockbuster
trade that we all loved. That way maybe it would spur another
podcast episode for us. As it stands we will not meet again until
mid-April. But until then we will be blogging, message boarding,
and Myspacing.
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03/04/2007
59 hours
into free agency and the most notable thing about the Redskins
is all of the people they haven’t signed.
- Nate
Clements, gone west to San Fran, and for big money (money we don’t
now have to spend).
- Dre
Bly, gone to Denver (undisclosed)
- Big
Daddy Wilkinson, ok, just kidding, but I was surprised to hear
him still kicking around the league
Can
we now say that the Redskins have taken a different approach to
free agency this year? I understand that this could change a bit
if we decide to give Mr. Leonard Davis all the money in the world,
but from where I sit I don’t see it.
I am
pretty pleased so far this FA. I have no problem with the Fletcher
signing, as he has been a stalwart MLB for a while. Yes I would
feel better if he was a few years younger, but we didn’t
give him all the money in the world and he knows the system. I
loved his response to a reporter’s question regarding his
height (5-10”):
“Last
time I checked the holes open this way (wide) not this way (tall).”
I was
surprised at how happy bringing back Fred Smoot made me. That
signing made me giddy almost. Let me tell you why I like Smoot
so much – he has heart and is tough as hell. In his third
year I believe with the ‘Skins he sustained an injury to
his solar plexus early in the season. The doctors told him that
he would be able to play, but that the injury would not heal until
he rested it for while. Smoot played the rest of the year, even
though the injury was so painful on Mondays after games that he
could barely function. Because of the pain, he did not sleep in
a bed the rest of the year, but instead had to sleep in a recliner.
Try that every night for a few months even without an injury and
tell me how you like it.
So
now I wonder what will happen will Mr. Davis. No doubt we will
hear something today. My hope is we don’t give him a buttload
of money. My fear is we will.
Overall,
for right now, I am happy with FA this year.
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02/25/2007
I’m
sitting here watching a late winter storm inundate my neighborhood
with snow. And I’m thinking I would like to find Punxsutawney
Phil and stick my foot in his ass for predicting an early spring
with temps above normal. It has in fact been colder than average
here in Maryland and we are now on our second major storm in two
weeks.
The
weather notwithstanding, I am happy to at least be reading and
hearing about some Redskins’ news after a month-long drought.
We have the combines going on this weekend – spurring stories
about the coaches and players. And next Friday we have the start
of free agency. I can’t wait until we sign a guy or two
and I am hoping I get to cover some of the press conferences.
I gotta tell you, I love covering the games, but I think I love
covering the press conferences more. Maybe this is because when
covering games one has to maintain a modicum of impartiality as
you watch (I am a big screamer when it comes to the games) and
you have the challenge of telling millions of people something
unique about a game they just witnessed. With the pressers I get
to tell many people who were not allowed to be there what it was
like.
I am
guessing that the team is going to take a more pragmatic approach
to free agency this year. I get this from the comments of people
like Coach Gibbs. While Jason La Canfora has been kind enough
to tip us to some of the players being considered, the list is
a short one. There is the reality of the cap - something we knew
going into the off-season. It was for this reason I predicted
Dockery would not remain with the Redskins’. The only big
question for me is; will we get FA over with by Sunrise Friday
with one or two big signings, or rather a slew of lower-priced,
sensible, acquisitions over the period.
FA
will set the table for the draft. I am hoping that we manage to
trade down our number 6th overall pick for more picks/players.
I love
that Gibbs has said the focus is on defense this year.
I hope
all of you like the new site and the new show/s. We are adding
a fourth member to the show – Brian “The Murf”
Murphy. Brian is someone I have worked with covering games. He
is a terrific writer and photographer and I am committed to ruining
his name by having him associated with us.
Did
You Know
I learned
this weekend that Casey Beathard, son of former Redskins’
GM Bobby Beathard, is a very successful Nashville songwriter.
He has written more than a few hits on the country charts and
was named “The BMI Country Songwriter of the Year”
in 2004.
john@skinscast.com
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