I was a guest on NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt on News Channel 8 today and we discussed the injury to Robert Griffin III, whether Head Coach Mike Shanahan made the right decision to leave him in the game so long and we spoke to Dr David Geier, the director of sports medicine at the University of South Carolina about knee injuries. We also put a bow on the Redskins season. Have a look.

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Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said the extent of Robert Griffin III's knee injury is unclear, saying the young quarterback will be examined by Dr James Andrews tomorrow because the results of today's MRI on the knee are unclear. Shanahan said what is seen on the MRI could be an old injury [Griffin suffered a torn ACL in that same knee in college at Baylor] or it could be a new one.

Mike Shanahan said he talked to doctors "three or four times" during the game yesterday to determine the health of Griffin's knee. He reiterated that Griffin told him his knee was good enough to continue playing in Sunday's wild card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. 

Shanahan said Griffin is "looking forward" to meeting with Dr Andrews tomorrow to get more information about his injured knee. Redskins team owner Dan Snyder will accompany Griffin to Pensacola, Florida at the Andrew Institute for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. 

Robert Klemko, NFL reporter for USA Today, contacted Dr James Andrews about whether or not the doctor cleared Griffin to continue playing in the Ravens game, which has been a point of contention in recent days. 

Just spoke with Dr. Andrews. He says he doesn't remember if he had a convo with Shanahan clearing RG3 vs. Ravens: "It was a month ago."

Shanahan refused to be pinned down on a date for information about the extent of Griffin's injury, but assured reporters he would pass it on to them when the information came in. 

Shanahan said the Seahawks did not take lots of cheap shots at Griffin and said with Seattle the issue is the trash-talking chatter of several of their players. But he brushed the issue aside, noting Seattle is hardly alone in having a reputation as a trash-talking team. 

Coach Shanahan refused to discuss which players or coaches would return next season, citing the need for post-season evaluation. He did say he  understood if coordinators Kyle Shanahan and Jim Haslett wanted to interview for head coaching jobs, saying he thought every coach wanted a shot at a top job one day. 

On the subject of the field conditions at FedEx yesterday -- which Seattle players and coaches have sharply criticized -- Shanahan said the field was not perfect, but was "okay" because he did not see people slipping a lot during the game. He indicated a willingness to discuss a change to an artificial turf field for the Redskins, but indicated a preference for natural grass. 

On the subject of the $18 million salary cap penalty the Redskins will endure this offseason, Shanahan refused to comment on whether or not it might be lessened, citing the fact that the team is still involved in negotiations on that matter. 

Unbeaten Duke remains atop the latest AP and Coaches Poll released this afternoon.

Despite a blowout of Virginia Tech in the ACC opener for both schools, Maryland remains out of both polls. The Terrapins are 13-1, having won 13 straight since losing their season opener 72-69 to then #1 and defending national champion Kentucky.

Maryland hosts defending ACC Champion Florida State on Wednesday night at 8pm at Comcast Center. Mark your calendar now! Saturday January 26th the Terps travel to Cameron Indoor to take on the Blue Devils. Tip off is scheduled for 1pm and the game will be carried nationally by CBS.

April's NFL draft class continues to grow stronger by the day as six more college football stars have decided to give up their final season of eligibility.

Tony Jefferson S Oklahoma- Take note Redskins fans, Tony Jefferson should be on the Redskins short list in April. At 5'11" and 212 pounds, Jefferson is one of the top five safeties available. Had 113 tackles this season, including 7 for loss.

Kenny Stills WR Oklahoma- Still has a huge junior season in Norman, catching 75 balls for 892 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6'1" 190 pound Stills is considered one of the top dozen WR's in the draft class. Would look great in Burgundy & Gold.

Jawan Jamison RB Rutgers- Only a redshirt sophomore, Jamison gave up two seasons of eligibilty to enter the draft. The 5'8" 200 Jamison considers former Rutgers star Ray Rice as his mentor. Topped 100 yards rushing six times in 2012.

Barkevious Mingo DE LSU- Is Mingo the top speed rusher in the draft? Recently tabbed fifth overall, regardless of position by Scouts, Inc., Mingo is a 6'5" 240 pound terror on the edge. It wll take a top ten selection in the first round to tab Mingo.

Sam Montgomery DE LSU- The bookend partner of Mingo, Montgomery is 6'4" 245 and projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 end. Like Mingo, Montgomery is a sure fire first round pick and a welcome addition to any NFL roster.

Bennie Logan DT LSU- At 6'3" and 295 pounds, Logan has scouts drooling about his potential as a 4-3 defensive tackle. Logan particularly impressed scouts in the Chick-Fil-A bowl against Clemson with nine tackles. Projected in the 2nd round.

Red Alert, your daily Caps news center, has returned, now that the NHL and NHLPA have decided they can once again, live with one another.  At least the marriage this time around is for ten years.  Negotiations are a funny thing.  Numbers being floated around were four or five year deals between the two in a new CBA, so we end up with a ten year deal.  Good for fans.  A decade of hockey, uninterrupted. 

No doubt, the NHL and NHLPA have significant damage control to do for themselves and the sport in general.  The second lockout in eight years could be a death blow to your more casual hockey fans.  We shall see.  It will be interesting to watch attendance numbers roll in during the first month. 

Puck Daddy reports that we are likely looking at a 48 game schedule and a January 19 start date.  Seems like this Saturday would be the logical start date for training camps to begin. 

CSN Washington and the Washington Post give you a little flavor on current Caps player comments on the end of the lockout. 

Dmitry Orlov will likely take on a bigger role in Washington's defense this season.  Orlov has been out of the Hershey Bears lineup with an undisclosed upper body injury.  Orlov will likely not be ready for the first game of the season.  Orlov has not been skating and is expected to start this week. 

Nicklas Backstrom is already back in Washington.  Backstrom suffered a neck injury in Russian hockey league and it is unclear as to the extent of the injury and how long, if at all, Backstrom could miss at the beginning of this season.  Word is, he had been listed over in Russia as week to week, certainly worse than the standard day to day.  Alex Ovechkin and Marcus Johansson will join Backstrom in DC in a few days.  Seems Ovechkin has already departed the Dynamo in Russia.   Speaking of MoJo, we assume he was picked up from the gas station that he was discarded to. 

For what it is worth, Caps' owner Ted Leonsis gives us fans a welcome back message.  Hmm. 

Washington Redskins rookie QB Robert Griffin IIII talked to reporters after the loss to the Seattle Seahawks that booted the Redskins from the playoffs.  Here is some of what he had to say.

On the Injury ... "I don't know how bad it is, but people on this team know what I had to deal with.  Honestly, it's up in the air for me right now."

On playing hurt ... "Mike asked me if I could play.  I said yes.  I don't feel like me being out there hurt the team.  I'm the best option for this team.  That's why I am the starter.   I think I put myself at more risk being out there.  I tried to go out and help the team win.  Period." via Rich Campbell

On throwing ... "The knee did not effect me trying to plant and throw." via @grantpaulsen

On leaving the game ... "there was no way I was coming out of that game." via @Redskins

The Washington Redskins amazing 2012 season comes to an end with the loss to the Seattle Seahawks.  We were blessed to see a team that fought back from a 3-6 start and not give up, but rally behind their rookie quarterback to come back and deliver an NFC East Division Title.  For that, we as Redskins fans are grateful and appreciative.  This team has guts, determination, and character.  Things are definitely looking up for Washington Redskins football. 

On to the final Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down for the 2012 season ender. 

THUMBS UP:

S Reed Doughty.  What?  Yup, you read that right, Reed Doughty.  He had a big game on defense with 7 tackles, 5 assists and 2 sacks.  The defense got shredded late in the game, but some of that can be blamed on the lack of offensive sustained drives.  They were flat out tired.  Doughty played a tough game, tackling hard and coming up with 2 of the Redskins 4 sacks on Russell Wilson.  He deserves the recognition.   

RB Alfred Morris.  Morris carried the ball just 16 times and gained 80- yards.  That was an average of 5.0 yards per carry.  He wasn't the difference maker in this game that he was against Dallas, but that was not Morris' fault.  With a clearly hobbled quarterback, Kyle Shanahan for some reason still abandon the run for the most part.  With a quarterback that was clearly playing in pain, Morris should have had 25 to 30 carries.  He was running the ball effectively.  Still, on several first downs, Washington chose to go to the air with a quarterback that was clearly effected with pain.  Mind boggling.    

Honorable Mention:  Robert Griffin III.  He gave it everything he had and more, perhaps too much.  He sacrificed in pain to tried desperately to make something happen for the Redskins.  Nobody can say this kid didn't have heart and guts.  He had it all, perhaps, too much so.  A+ for effort RG3.  We appreciate it and are grateful to have you in Washington.

THUMBS DOWN:

HC Mike Shanahan.  Not only were the Redskins out coached after Seattle make second quarter adjustments, but he will ultimately be questioned if he did not give the Redskins the best chance to win the football game by sticking with a clearly limited quarterback over a healthy Kirk Cousins.  By the time RG3 went out for good, the game was already lost and the players on the field knew it.    We understand the desire to stick with RG3, but the limitations as the game went out were so clear.  As good as Kirk Cousins has been this season, it is hard for me to believe that a heavily limited RG3 would have given a better chance to win than a healthy Cousins.  It will be a question that dogs Shanahan for sometime.  Additionally, it was also pretty clear as the game went on that just moving around the pocket was difficult for RG3.  Why play the kid until the knee gives out.  Makes no sense. 

Daniel Snyder.  Wow.  What horrible shape the FEDEX field was in.  Did Snyder cut field staff to save bucks?  If not, then the field crew needs relieved and a new field crew needs hired.  That field was in awful condition. 

Dishonorable Mention:  Will Montgomery.  Did you forget how to snap the football?  Leonard Hankerson.  Big game and Hank comes out for 2 catches for 5 yards.  Shameful. 

THE FIFTH QUARTER

IT WAS OVER WHEN... Trailing 21-14 and facing second down and 22 yards to go from their own 11 yard line, after a 12-yard sack by Seattle DE Bruce Irvin, Redskins center Will Montgomery skipped a bad snap back to ailing QB Robert Griffin III. As Griffin stumbled to recover the loose ball, Griffin's knee buckled and he collapsed to the field in agony. The ball was recovered by Seattle and they kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 24-14. 

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING... The Redskins built their 10-6 behind the NFL's top rushing attack and decent run defense, but the script was flipped today, as Seattle rushed for 224 yards [131 for Marshawn Lynch, 63 for Russell Wilson] to only 104 for the Redskins... Seattle averaged 6.1 yards per rush today... Redskins rookie quarterbacks completed only 13 of 29 passes, as RG3 struggled with accuracy and receivers dropped several passes from Kirk Cousins... The Redskins ran only 52 plays on offense today, which just is not enough to win a playoff game.

I LIKED THAT... The Redskins notched 5 sacks today, thanks to inspired blitzes called by Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett... Reed Doughty was fantastic, with two sacks and 12 tackles... ILB London Fletcher had another fine game, with 12 tackles and .5 sack... Alfred Morris rushed for 80 yards and 5 yards per carry today, despite very little help from the passing game.

I DID NOT LIKE THAT... Robert Griffin III was left in the game long after it was apparent he was not fit to quarterback an NFL team to a win in the playoffs... Will Montgomery fell apart in the fourth quarter, skipping two shotgun snaps, the first of which led to a turnover and the injury that knocked RG3 out of the game... The wide receivers repeatedly dropped catchable passes... Evan Royster missed a blitz pick-up on a fourth down blitz that led to a big hit on Kirk Cousins and an incompletion that turned the ball over on downs... Seven passes were thrown to Josh Morgan and he caught one ball for zero yards... The Redskins defense handled Seattle's pass attack well enough, but it wasn't ready for the read-option, leading to big yardage games for Wilson and Marshawn Lynch... The defense missed too many tackles today, particularly on Lynch.

WHAT IT ALL MEANS... The fun, fun 2012 season of the Washington Redskins is over. The Redskins won 7 straight games, including five over division opponents, to finish the regular season 10-6 and win the NFC East. The Redskins had their best season since 2005 and its most hopeful season since... I don't know when. Thanks to a very productive rookie class the Redskins are loaded with young talent, which bodes very well for the future. However, a question mark hangs over the future right now, as we await news on the health of Robert Griffin's knee. Griffin will have an MRI on his knee tomorrow and we will know more. If Griffin's knee injury is something that will heal well and permanently long before the start of the 2013 season, all signs are pointing up. If, however, the knee injury is more serious and will have long-lasting repercussions, there will be a bittersweet taste to the 2012 season. 

Right now, so much depends on the health of Robert Griffin III -- as it has all season.

DISCUSS THE REDSKINS IN OUR FAN FORUM

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