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2012 was a fun season for the Washington Redskins, but it all ended on the first game of 2013, when the Seattle Seahawks came to town, talking big and backing it up. Seattle struggled early, but eventually took control of the game and proved themselves the better team. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III was injured and ineffective for most of the game before finally leaving late in the fourth quarter when he re-injured his knee. Seahawks rookie QB Russell Wilson wasn't spectacular, but he was efficient and avoided mistakes while his great running game and fearsome defense tightened its grip on the game. 

The Redskins got the ball first and started from the 20-yard line. Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan leaned on TB Alfred Morris early, running him over the left side twice on the first few plays for 17 yards. QB Robert Griffin III picked up an early first down with his feet with a 3-yard read option run over the left side. From the Washington 49-yard line, RG3 ran play-action and hit WR Pierre Garcon at the 21-yard line, near the left sideline, a beautiful, leaping 30-yard catch by Garcon. The next play went to the three yard line when Morris picked up great blocks from RT Tyler Polumbus and TE Niles Paul. The Redskins ran left on the next play and lost a yard. On second down and goal RG3 hit WR Josh Morgan in the back of the end zone, but he couldn't get his second foot down before the Seahawks' defensive back pushed him out of bounds. On third and goal from the four yard line, RG3 hit TB Evan Royster in the end zone for the score. Royster just ran out of the backfield and sat down in the zone for the six points.

SCORE: Redskins 7 Seahawks 0

The Redskins got a stop on 3 downs on Seattle's first possession, which ended when ILB London Fletcher and DE Stephen Bowen met at the quarterback for a sack of Seattle rookie signal-caller Russell Wilson. Richard Crawford returned the Seattle punt to near midfield and the Redskins set up for their second possession. 

Alfred Morris ran right for six yards on first down and RG3 hit Santana Moss for 10 yards on first down to set the Redskins up at the 37 yard line of the Seahawks. Seattle lined up in the neutral zone on second down, giving the Skins five free yards. RG3 ran the read-option to the right on the next play and picked up seven yards for the first down, thanks to a great lead block from FB Darrel Young. Morris got three yards on first down, setting the Skins up at the 21-yard line with a 2nd and 7. Morris ran right on the next play for five yards to set up a third down and 1 yard to go on the 15 yard line. RG3 faked the handoff to Morris and rolled out to his right, hitting TE Logan Paulsen in the flat. Paulsen lowered his head and bashed into the Seahawks, moving the ball down to the four yard line.

DISCUSS THE GAME IN OUR GAME THREAD HERE

Here we go Washington Redskins fans.  Our first playoff game in 5 years and first home playoff game since 1999.  The NFC East Division Champs take on the Seattle Sehawks in less than two hours.  The Redskins only had one concerning injury this week.  That was too starting left guard Kory Litchensteiger, who did not practice all week.  Both Litchensteiger and S Dejon Gomes took place in pre-game warmups and will play today.  Good news for the Redskins.  Reports from the field have Robert Griffin III wearing a less obtrusive knee brace in warmups. 

Here are your Redskins inactives for the game today. 

QB Rex Grossman

OG Adam Gettis

WR Brandon Banks

LB Rodderick Muckelroy

LB Vic So'oto

WR Dezmon Briscoe

OT Tom Compton

According to multiple reports, the National Hockey League lockout has ended.  According to sources, the owners and players reached a tentative agreement to end the lockout and labor dispute after a marathon bargaining session over night.  The deal is reportedly for ten years.  

There are two scenarios.  If the NHl plays a 50 game season, it would likely begin on January 15.  If they choose a 48 game season, it would likely begin on January 19.  The reported cap for this season is $60 million with teams permitted to spend up to $70.2 million.  Cap floor is set at $44 million. 

Freshman Jake Layman scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half leading Maryland to an easy 94-71 win over Virginia Tech at the Comcast Center. Layman stated in place of sophomore Nick Faust who is nursing a shoulder injury.

The Terrapins have won 13 straight games since a three point loss to then number one Kentucky in the season opener. Maryland also improves to 12-0 at home. Freshman Seth Allen led the Terps with 21 points.

Defending ACC Champion Florida State visits the Comcast Center on Wednesday, tip off is set for 8pm.

Ten more college stars are giving up their final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Among the latest, four members of the LSU Tigers from the powerful Southeastern Conference.

David Amerson CB NC State- Led the nation in interceptions as a sophomore, but lost a bit of luster this season. May not have the speed and hips to play corner and poor tackling was an issue. May be a better fit at safety and would be welcome in Washington. Prototype size at 6'2" and 195 pounds.

Travis Frederick C Wisconsin- The Badgers lose a starting center early for the second year running. Great size at 6'4" and 340 pounds and can excel at both guard and tackle. While Frederick has the kind of versatility the Redskins love, he would require a second round selection and the need is more on the edge at tackle.

Jordan Reed TE Florida- The second tight end to declare early, Reed has enough athleticism to have served as the Gators wildcat quarterback in 2011. A first team All-SEC selection, Reed is projected in the middle of the April draft. Should the Redskins decide not to pursue free agent Fred Davis, Reed would be a nice option.

Justin Pugh OT Syracuse- Actually a senior, Pugh had been seeking an extra year of eligibility (medical redshirt). A left tackle at Syracuse, Pugh may project on the right side at the next level. Injury concerns (shoulder) may push his value down and may be worthy of a gamble by the Redskins.

Bjoern Werner DE Florida State- The former German exchange student is projected for an early first round selection with some mock drafts slotting him as high as first overall. The 6'4" 255 pound Werner was a key to the Seminoles defense this season with 13 sacks. While any team would welcome him, the Redskins don't have the pick or the luxury to do so.

Jarvis Jones LB Georgia- My projection for the top overall pick in April is Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. Jones began his career at Southern Cal, but transferred back home to Georgia after a neck injury. An impact player, Jones set a Bulldogs school record with 14.5 sacks and also led the nation in forced fumbles with seven.

Spencer Ware RB LSU- A true power back at 5'11" and 225 pounds, Ware saw his work load cut in half this season. With the emergence of freshman Jeremy Hill and a large stable of elite backs, Ware saw the need to move to the next level before getting buried in his own team's depth chart. Expect a mid-day selection of Ware.

Tharold Simon CB LSU- Nobody cranks out NFL corners like LSU, witness Patrick Peterson and Morris Claiborne in the past two drafts. At 6'2" and 195 pounds and possessing a tremendous upside, NFL teams will need to step up with an early mid round pick to land Simon. A bit of a project, he might be just what the 'Skins are looking for.

Kevin Minter LB LSU- Les Miles and staff did everything in their power to keep Minter for another year, but the potential of the NFL was too great for Minter to pass up. A Butkus award finalist, Minter has the size (6'2" 245) and production (130 tackles in 2012) to warrant a selection in the opening rounds.

Eric Reid S LSU- A tough off-season for LSU with so many elite players passing up their senior seasons. A sure first first round pick, Reid is 6'2" 210 and is a definite play maker. Reid has known to miss a tackle or blow coverage, but will proper development has the talent to be a long time Pro Bowl performer.

Riley Barber and his Team USA have won gold at the 2013 World Juniors, beating Sweden 3-1 in the final.

USA had previously finished third in preliminary group B, before beating the Czech Republic 7-0 in the quarter-final and Canada 5-1 in the semis.

Barber, who skated on a line with fellow Miami RedHawks forward Sean Kuraly and top Montreal Canadiens prospect Alex Galchenyuk, did not record any points in the final, nevertheless ending the tournament with an impressive three goals and three assists in seven games played.

Fellow Caps prospects Christian Djoos and Filip Forsberg each captured a silver medal, very impressive considering the Swedes were missing arguably their four most important players in Ottawa Senators forward Mika Zibanejad, who scored the tournament-winning overtime goal in last year's final, Minnesota Wild blueliner Jonas Brodin, Edmonton Oilers prospect Oscar Klefbom, and Anaheim Ducks first-rounder Hampus Lindholm.

Sweden had finished top of preliminary group A, going on to beat Russia 3-2 (SO) in the semi-final to reach the gold medal game.

Djoos and captain Forsberg were both pointless in the final. Djoos ended the tournament with three assists and a -2 rating from six games. Forsberg had three goals and two assists and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.

All three players remain eligible for the 2014 tournament to be held in Malmö, Sweden, and though Forsberg is unlikely to feature as there is a good chance he'll be starring with the Washington Capitals, Djoos and Barber will both likely return.

Russia beat Canada 6-5 (OT) to capture bronze on home soil.

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Washington Redskins tailback Alfred Morris has been named NFL Pepsi Max Rookie of the Month for December, according to the NFL. This marks the third time Morris has won the award. 

In five December games, all Redskins victories, Morris rushed for 631 yards and 7 TD on 127 carries, five yards per carry. Morris' best game of the month was the last one, where he ran for 200 yards and 3 TD on 33 carries against the Cowboys on December 30, leading the Redskins to a 28-18 win that delivered the NFC East division championship to Washington. 

This concludes an amazing run for Redskins rookies, who won the Rookie of the Week award 11 of the 17 weeks this season. In addition to Morris' three wins, QB Robert Griffin III won the award seven times and backup QB Kirk Cousins won the award once, in his only start of the season. 

Both Morris and Griffin are finalists for the Rookie of the Year award, along with Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Doug Martin.

Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger [ankle] did not practice again today and will be a game time decision for the Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field when they face off against the visiting Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs. Lichtensteiger was injured in the week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys and was replaced by backup rookie Josh LiRibeus last Sunday. If Lichtensteiger cannot play against Seattle, LiRibeus would again take his place, this time in the starting lineup. 

In other news from Mike Shanahan's presser today, the coach confirmed that QB Robert Griffin III will continue to wear a brace on his injured knee, though he said the knee is healthy. It is not known if RG3 will continue to wear the bulky brace that causes him to limp or if he will choose a lighter one that permits him to be quicker and more mobile.

Additionally,

• DB Cedric Griffin has been activated to the roster and DB DJ Johnson [aka "Toast"] has been placed on injured reserve with a busted coverage;
• Shanahan praised front office honcho Morocco Brown, who will reportedly interview for the GM job in Arizona;
• Shanahan said the field surface at FedEx is fine, citing the 277 rushing yards the Skins ran up last Sunday against Dallas

Washington Redskins starting left guard Kory Litchensteiger did not practice again today.  Litchensteiger was injured in the season finale against Dallas, suffering an injured ankle, that forced him out of the game.   Although Litchensteiger and the Redskins previously have said that he appears to be a game time decision, the fact he has not practiced all week does not bode well for Sunday. 

Litch was replaced late Sunday by third round draft pick Josh LeRibeus.  LeRibeus earned praised from Mike Shanahan on a superb performance subbing in for the injured starter.  LeRibeus was drafted by the Redskins last year in the third round out of Southern Methodist University. 

GETTY PHOTO

Sources are reporting that Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III and TB Alfred Morris are two of the five finalists for NFL Rookie of the Year. I'm not sure who the other three nominees are, but if I had to guess I'd guess Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, Colts QB Andrew Luck and Buccaneers TB Doug Martin.

Griffin set a rookie record with a passer rating of 102.4 this year, while Wilson came in second all time with a passer rating of 100. Griffin also set a rookie record with 815 rushing yards. Wilson tied the rookie record for passing touchdowns with 26. Griffin also set a rookie record by throwing an interception on only 1.3 percent of his passes and turned the ball over only seven times all year -- five interceptions and two lost fumbles. 

Like Griffin and Wilson, Luck led his team to the playoffs this season, a year after all three teams missed the playoffs. Luck's team made the biggest jump in wins, going from two in 2011 to 11 this year. Luck also set a rookie record with 4374 passing yards. He threw 23 touchdowns, but also 18 interceptions, far more than Griffin or Wilson. His completion percentage of 54.1 and passer rating of 76.5 were far lower than Griffin or Wilson. 

Alfred Morris rushed for 1613 yards and 13 touchdowns, both Redskins rookie records and the former also a franchise record. Doug Martin rushed for 1454 yards and 11 TD and, unlike Morris, Martin was a factor in the passing game, too. Martin caught 49 passes for 472 yards and another touchdown. In addition, Martin lost only one fumble this year, while Morris lost three. Morris had the better average yards per carry, leading Martin 4.8 to 4.6. 

I would rank the nominees this way, in terms of who had the best rookie season: 

1. Robert Griffin III [Rookie of the Year]

2. Russell Wilson

3. Andrew Luck

4. Doug Martin

5. Alfred Morris