It's now two hours until kickoff, and as we get ready for the 2-1 Redskins (WOOT, WOOT!) to face off against the 0-3 Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, I fear the inevitable will happen: the favorites (Redskins), picked by many to win this game, create mistake-after-mistake to cost them a victory against the heavy-underdog Rams team. It's happened before - actually two times the last three years:
2008 The Pete Pickup-and-Fumble Game
Click the above picture to see highlights from this game
Yikes! And to add insult to injury, Rams offensive lineman Richie Incognito blew his fuse and got a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty near the end of the game, but kicker Josh Brown nailed a 50-yard field goal (instead of a 30-some-yard FG) to win the game.
2010 We-Didn't-Come-to-Play Game
Click the above picture to see highlights from this game
This game involved the 0-2 Rams against the 1-1 Redskins (again, favorites for this game). But this time, w/ McNabb at QB, the Redskins didn't show up. The big 40+ yard run by S-Jax (Steven Jackson) in the 1st quarter was the big dagger/big hole that we were unable to overcome come the second half. Despite him leaving with a groin injury in the 2nd quarter, we just could not stop the Rams offense offensively.
So, my question to you is this: Which Redskin team will show up? The one that defeated the Giants, or the one that created multiple blunders against the hapless 2011 Cowboys team/2008 + 2010 Rams teams of the past three years?
As reported by ESPN a couple of minutes ago, Redskins star quarterback Donovan McNabb is going to be benched in favor of quarterback Rex Grossman for Sunday's Week 15 game against the rival Dallas Cowboys.
What I do NOT understand is how you offer multiple draft picks for this guy, bench him in the final two minutes of a crucial game against the Detroit Lions, sign him to a multi-year contract extension, then BENCH him with three games left in the schedule! This Redskins organization has been doing some crazy stuff in recent years, and it starts from the top down.
I believe that Dan Snyder, the current owner for the Redskins franchise, has put a curse (Bad Karma) on this team for the past decade - and this is the cherry on top of that sundae.
I found this great comment from a Washington Post Redskins Insider reader regarding the benching of McNabb:
"I'll bet you that McNabb gave Kyle some crap on the sidelines or on the headset and Kyle ran to dad. Dad got upset and benched McNabb. Only possible scenario."
In context, the Redskins, down by two at the two-minute warning of the fourth quarter, decided to sub in a cold 'Sexy Rexy' Rex Grossman against a feisty Lions defensive line. This is what happened instantly:
Saturday, July 31, 2010
I know this might be a tad early, but here's my guess as to who makes the starting 53-man roster come opening day against the Cowboys on September 12 (Sunday Night):
Offense (Today)
Defense and Special Teams (Tomorrow)
Let's begin:
Quarterbacks
QB1: Donovan McNabb
QB2: Rex Grossman QB3: Colt Brennan
We know that McNabb is the starting QB and Rex is the backup. The big question is, who will be the emergency third-string backup? My guess is on Colt - I really hope he gets a good chance during the preseason to succeed. We've seen some glimmers of hope, so I hope he gets more reps than Richard Bartel, who is batting Colt for the last QB spot on the roster.
UPDATE (8.1.10): Coach Mike Shanahan has said yesterday that we might carry only TWO QB's when the season begins. This is a bad sign for the two youngsters - Colt and Richard.
UPDATE (8.2.10): With the trade of CB Doug Dutch to the Ravens for QB John Beck, Colt Brennan has been released by the team.
So long, Colt! We'll miss you!
Running Backs
RB1: Clinton Portis RB2: Larry Johnson
RB3: Ryan Torain
If Portis participates well during Training Camp and runs through the D during the preseason, he will claim the starting RB spot. The battle is for the backup and the third RB spot on the roster - fighting for the spots are ex-Chief Larry Johnson, ex-Steeler Willie Parker and ex-Bronco Ryan Torain. Out of the three, I, like many, believe Parker will be cut - the sole reason is that Johnson has a more promising future as the third-down back and Torain has been in Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system before in Houston and in Denver.
Fullbacks
FB1: Mike Sellers
No question about it, Mike Sellers is the starting and only true fullback on the current 80+ person roster right now.
Tight Ends
TE1: Chris Cooley
TE2: Fred Davis
TE3: Dennis Morris
The first two spots are entrenched - with Cooley taking the #1 TE spot and Davis the backup. Both are great pass-catching TE's. The third TE spot is what is up for grabs- among the contenders are Dennis Morris (a rookie from Louisiana Tech University), Logan Paulsen (rookie from UCLA) and two-year veteran Lee Vickers. I don't know much, but of the three, I think Morris will excel in Training Camp and in the four preseason games.
Wide Receivers
WR1: Santana Moss WR2: Devin Thomas
WR3: Joey Galloway
WR4: Malcolm Kelly
The battle here is who will take the slot receiver position (WR2) and who will be the backup WR's. I believe with what I saw from last season - Thomas will be in the slot, and wily vet Joey Galloway will get the third WR position. Kelly, who is coming off surgery in the offseason, will hopefully make it onto the team, since he, unlike the other WR's is the tallest heading into the preseason games.
Left Tackle
LT1: Trent Williams LT2: Will Robinson
The test here is for the backup LT spot - between second-year Will Robinson and first-year Clint Oldenburg. I do not know anything about either player, but my money is on Robinson.
Left Guard
LG1: Edwin Williams LG2: Derrick Dockery
Ahh! Our first battle for a starting position - between Maryland alum Edwin Williams and ex-Bill Derrick Dockery. Being a Maryland student myself, I hope Williams starts for the Redskins, but I wouldn't be surprised if the veteran takes the starting Left Guard position.
Center
C1: Casey Rabach
Like the fullback position, there is no one opposing the center position (unless Rabach gets injured)
Right Guard
RG1: Artis Hicks RG2: Chad Rinehart
This spot is literally up for grabs, since Mike Williams is out for the year with a clogged artery (we wish him the best).
Right Tackle
RT1: Jammal Brown
RT2:Stephon Heyer
After acquiring Brown from the Super Bowl-winning Saints, the battle is for the backup right tackle position - with this position being the premier offensive line position in the NFL. I believe Heyer will beat out the rookie Selvish Capers from West Virginia University.
There you have it, folks. That's 23 22 of the 53 positions already filled. The other thirty will come tomorrow.
Wow. It has been a long time since my last post - more than a year. Since my last post, we have a new Batman and Robin (move over, A-Roid and Jeter); Spain has taken over the sporting world; the Washington franchises have a bright future ahead of them; and we have seen a plethora of pitching displays unlike any other - this after baseball's steroid allegations have died down.
Today, I'll be talking about what everyone's been chatting about - Terrell Owens joining the Bungles. Since when did these cats turn into the Cowboys? They have TO, Pacman and Tank Johnson - all of whom played for the 'Boys years ago. I think this match of TO and Chad Johnson Ochocinco will be a perfect fit. Both are identical receivers (outside of Owens' bad hands) and have had a troubled childhood before entering the NFL. Most importantly, though, is that they are were NFL divas. Both have reached a point in their careers as wily old veteran wide receivers who would benefit with a veteran QB. Not only that, but the Bengals have a talented running back in Cedric Benson. With the addition of Owens, the defense will be forced to double-team Ochocinco and thus open running lanes for Benson - who might have a Pro-Bowl-caliber season ahead of him.
The problem is that Owens is a trash-talker, on-and-off-the-field. When he was with the 49ers, he jawed with Jeff Garcia; with the Eagles, he and Donovan McNabb (now a Redskin) would go back-and-forth on the sidelines; the same goes with Tony Romo and Owens. We did not hear much of that when TO was with the Bills, but that's because the whole team was AWFUL. With his age and his contract (only a one-year deal), he should better keep his mouth shut - otherwise disaster may ensue.
Since I am a Redskins fan, I am glad he has joined another AFC team. We will not have to face the Bengals for at least another year.
What do you think of Terrell Owens joining the Cincinnati Bengals?
