RGIII top selling jersey ever

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Redskins

According to ESPN, Jersey #10, the Washington Redskins jersey of rookie QB Robert Griffin III, is the fastest selling jersey of all time for single season sales.

The NFL will not provide specific sales numbers but did say that Griffin moved into the top spot by overtaking Brett Favre, who previously held the record for most jerseys sold in a year twice -- with the New York Jets in 2008 and the Minnesota Vikings in 2009.

What makes Griffin's accomplishment even more impressive is that the NFL's fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, meaning that he has the league's highest-selling jersey with 3½ months to spare.

Moore rookie records from the wonder kid from Texas.  Griffin's status for this week's game against division rival Philadelphia is still uncertain.  Griffin missed the win last week against Cleveland and suffering an MCL sprain against Baltimore. 

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The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll: Week 16

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in World's Most Prestigious Power Poll

It's the best part of your week -- the return of The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll! With with only two games left in the regular season and the playoff picture still up in the air, who can explain what's going on to the huddled masses yearning for comprehension? Only The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll. Read and be enlightened...

AP Photo - Patrick Semansky

01. Denver Broncos [11-3]: Have not lost since the first week of October and with the Browns & Chiefs left on the schedule, should waltz into the playoffs with 13 wins and a first round bye. [+1]

02. San Francisco 49ers [10-3-1]: Proved they are contenders by slaying the dragon in the dragon's lair. [+2]

03. New England Patriots [11-3]: NFL's best on offense, but defense is up and down & that's why they're vulnerable in the playoffs. [-2]

04. Houston Texans [12-2]: Pass defense is suspect, but that won't be a problem against the Vikings this Sunday. [NC]

05. Atlanta Falcons [12-2]: Chose a good time to prove they've got guts. [NC]

06. Green Bay Packers [10-4]: Have won 8 of last 9 and own the North again. [+2]

07. Seattle Seahawks [9-5]: Destroyed the patsies with panache, but can they handle the Niners coming to town? [+1]

08. Washington Redskins [8-6]: More to these guys than RG3. [+1]

09. New York Giants [8-6]: Let the division get away from them, but can save their season by coming out of Baltimore with a win. [-3]

10. Dallas Cowboys [8-6]: Winners of 4 of their last 5, but now must face a Saints team capable of winning in Dallas. [+3]

AP Photo/Mike Groll

11. Cincinnati Bengals [8-6]: Finish season with diminished Steelers & reeling Ravens. If ever there was a chance to seize the AFC North, this is it. Are they finally tough enough to do it? [+4]

12. Baltimore Ravens [9-5]: Will have to save their season against the Giants and Bengals. [-2]

13. Chicago Bears [8-6]: Lost 5 of last 6 but finish with games againt pitiful Cardinals and Lions. [-2]

14. Pittsburgh Steelers [7-7]: Can they halt their slide to mediocrity with a win at home against the Bengals? [-2]

15. New Orleans Saints [6-8]: Maddeningly inconsistent, but still dangerous enough to beat almost anyone. [+2] 

16. Indianapolis Colts [9-5]: Couldn't handle a good Texans team, but they get another patsy, the Chiefs, next. [-2]

17. Minnesota Vikings [8-6]: Can Adrian Peterson literally run this team to the playoffs? He'll have to. [+4]

18. St. Louis Rams [6-7-1]: Giants in the NFC West. Pipsqueaks everywhere else. [NC]

19. Miami Dolphins [6-8]: Seeing real potential in rookie QB Ryan Tannehill. [+3]

20. Carolina Panthers [5-9]: Showing signs of improvement, but too late to matter this year. [+3]

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [6-8]: Free fall reached a new low with 41-0 loss to the Saints. [-5]

22. Cleveland Browns [5-9]: Could have had a better QB & RB in the 4th & 6th rounds and spent those 1st rounders on something better. [-3]

23. San Diego Chargers [5-9]: Hardly anyone showed up to see the Chargers clinch first losing record since 2003. [-3]

24. Tennessee Titans [5-9]: Need to schedule the Jets more often. [+4]

25. New York Jets [6-8]: Keep the coach, ditch the QB. [NC]

26. Buffalo Bills [5-9]: Ditch the coach & the QB. [NC]

27. Philadelphia Eagles [4-10]: Can salvage something by playing spoiler to the Skins & Giants. [NC]

28. Arizona Cardinals [5-9]: Gotta love playin' those Lions! [+4]

29. Detroit Lions [4-10]: Can't blame this mess on Matt Millen anymore. [-5]

30. Oakland Raiders [4-10]: Offensive MVP is the kicker. Again. [NC]

31. Jacksonville Jaguars [2-12]: Didn't turn the ball over and still lost by 3 TD to the Dolphins. [-2]

32. Kansas City Chiefs [2-12]: Wondering if you're a terrible football team? Getting shut out by the Raiders is a pretty good clue. [-1]

Jordan Black suspended for PEDs

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins tackle Jordan Black has been suspended four games for testing positive for a banned performance enhancing drug [PED]. The punishment begins immediately, so Black will miss the final two games of the regular season and, depending on whether or not the Redskins advance to the first and/or second rounds of the playoffs, could end in January 2013 or extend into the 2013 regular season. 

Black joins fellow Redskin CB Cedric Griffin on the banned list for PEDs. Before the regular season began FS Tanard Jackson was banned for the year for illegal drug use, while OT Trent Williams and TE Fred Davis were both suspended for the final four games last year, also for illegal drug use. I'm not sure what's going on with the Redskins, but clearly the team has problems with substance abuse. 

Black's loss is a problem because he played yesterday after RT Tyler Polumbus went out with a concussion. Polumbus now comes under the concussion protocols and it isn't clear when he will play again. Expect the Redskins to activate rookie tackle Tom Compton from the practice squad and possibly hit up the waiver wire for some help as quickly as possible. 

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Redskins Roundup: First among equals

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

"As soon as you start winning everything feels more realistic." -- Redskins WR Pierre Garcon

The Washington Redskins went into Cleveland yesterday and crushed the Browns 38-17. Who was the Redskins Player of the Week? Vote now in our poll in the upper right sidebar. 

For more on the latest Redskins win, get the who, the how, the why and what it all means in The Fifth Quarter.

Get the latest updates on the Redskins injury situation. I'm particularly concerned about C Will Montgomery, who is having a terrific season. We will have more on the injury situation as the news comes in today.

What did the NFL pundits have to say about Washington's win over the Browns? Find out in our Monday Morning Pundit Report.

As a result of Washington's win in Cleveland, the Cowboys win over Pittsburgh and the Giants loss in Atlanta, the Redskins are in control of their own destiny for the first time since 1999.

Don't be shocked if that week 17 game against the Cowboys gets flexed out of Sunday at 1 PM to Sunday at 8.30 PM.

Who gets cheers and who gets jeers for their performances against the Browns? Check it out in Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down.

The Redskins scored 38 points -- tied for second-most on the season -- and threw for 329 yards -- highest on the season -- because rookie QB Kirk Cousins spread the ball around in his first NFL start. 

Redskins DE Stephen Bowen sums up the playoff situation in one line.

USA Today sports

With a sack, an interception, a tackle for loss and two passes knocked down, OLB Rob Jackson did it all last night for the Skins.

Rick Snider writes Kirk Cousins has proven he's a good backup plan for the Redskins. Former Redskins GM Charley Casserly thinks the Redskins can get at least a second round pick for Cousins right now. Maybe more.

“I’ll tell you what, you’ve got a minimum of a second-round pick on the table, I think,” Casserly said Sunday evening. “I think if you can work it — and Bruce Allen’s a terrific trader — if you can work it, you might be able to pull two No. 2s out of this thing.

“Now what you’re gonna need is a team that needs a quarterback,” he continued. “That’s simple. I just wrote down Buffalo, Arizona, the Jets and Kansas City — four teams right there. You’ve got to have a team that liked him in college, because he hasn’t played a lot. But there ought to be enough people that [did]. And then when you look at this draft, there are not a lot of quarterbacks that are gonna jump out to you.
 
“Kansas City and Arizona, you’re talking about top five picks,” Casserly said. “If they don’t want to take a quarterback that high — which they probably don’t — now do I feel more comfortable with a Kirk Cousins, who I liked in college? I’ve seen him play in the pros. He plays another game like this, hey, I’m gonna give up a second [rounder], not even batting an eye. Now I’m gonna get squeezed by the Redskins, and maybe I’m gonna give up two, like the Matt Schaub trade to Houston. So they’ve got a shot right now to start regrouping some things.”

I have the latest on the legal and medical situation of London Fletcher's relatives. Check it out.

This probably won't make Donovan McNabb happy, but offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is getting some head coach chatter

“If Kyle Shanahan delivers a win with a backup quarterback – a backup rookie quarterback – he shows the rest of the NFL he is ready to be a head coach and take the next step,” the NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi said during Sunday’s pre-game show. “What he has done with Robert Griffin III is remarkable, but we knew Griffin had talent. If he does it with Cousins, then all of a sudden all those teams who will be looking for a head coach soon are going to take notice.”

Dan Daly writes that Washington's 5-game winning streak is amazing and hard to understand: 

Stranger still, the Redskins are doing it in a way no NFL club has ever done it. “They don’t expect rookie quarterbacks to win in this league,” Garcon said, “but we’re doing it.” They did it for 13 games with first-round-pick Robert Griffin III, who sat out the Cleveland game — restlessly — with a sprained right knee; and they did it Sunday with fourth-round-pick Cousins, who didn’t know for sure he’d be starting until the quarterbacks meeting the night before.

Before friends and family, the Redskins‘ “other” first-year QB, pride of Holland, Mich., carved up the Cleveland defense for 329 passing yards, two touchdowns, a .703 completion percentage and a 104.4 rating. (RG3’s rating for the season: a league-leading 104.2.) He threw an early interception that helped the Browns jump on top 7-0, but after that he and his mates got it going and there wasn’t much the home team (5-9) could do to stop them.
 
“It shows you what the guy’s all about,” Shanahan said. “You’ve got to keep your composure [after a pick]. You’ve got to fight through. He’s got a lot of confidence. You can see that in practice.”
 
Rich Campbell is impressed by what he sees: 
 
Seriously, regardless of whether the Redskins finish the season as division champs or out of the playoffs, this five-game winning streak is one for the ages. They have overcome significant injuries on both sides of the ball, including on Sunday, when they scored 38 points and gained 430 yards without star QB Robert Griffin III. Everything is working right now, and I don’t think there’s a team in the league the Redskins can’t beat.
 
This team’s perseverance is beyond impressive. It’s a great indication of the high character in the locker room. Credit coach Mike Shanahan for assembling the roster with that as a priority. The finger-pointing at 3-6 was minimal; instead, there was determination.
 
Rich Tandler charts out the various paths to the playoffs for the Washington Redskins.

Redskins Monday AM Pundit Report: Browns Edition

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Redskins

For the first time since 1999, the Washington Redskins sit atop the NFC East in December.  They did it by grabbing a huge 38-21 win on the raod with a fourth round rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.  Kirk Cousins delivered two TD passes and threw for 329 yards to lead the Redskins to their fifth consecutive win and improve to 8-6.  So what do the Monday morning media pundits have to say?  We will show you.

John Clayton, Last Call, ESPN

The Redskins have turned around a 3-6 start and now stake claim to the NFC East lead after their 38-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys gutted out an overtime victory over the Steelers to create the three-way tie with the Redskins and Giants. This is the first time since 1999 that the Redskins are in first place this late in the season.

The Redskins play at Philadelphia and host Dallas in the final two weeks. The Cowboys host New Orleans next week and finish in Washington. The Giants play at Baltimore next week and host Philadelphia in the final week. The biggest surprise has been the Giants, who fell to third place in the tiebreaker because of a 2-3 record in NFC East games. The Redskins have the tiebreaker because of a 3-1 divisional record.

"We didn't play well, we didn't stop the run, we didn't do anything consistently on offense," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Dan Graziano, NFL East Blog, ESPN

There was a lot driving the Redskins on this day. The announcement Saturday night that Cousins was getting his first career start because Griffin's knee hadn't healed enough to let him play made everybody sit up and take notice. Cofield said the defense used that announcement as a "rallying cry," convincing itself it had to play its best game of the season in case the backup quarterback couldn't deliver the same kind of offensive performance the starter's been delivering all year.

And while this was all happening, while the Redskins were handling the part of the playoff-fate equation that was in their hands, they knew what was going on in Atlanta. By the time their game ended, the Giants' game had already gone final, and the Redskins left the field aware that they were in first place. They need only a win next week in Philadelphia and then at home against Dallas the following week to call themselves NFC East champions. Won't be easy, but knowing it's possible has been the fuel for the winning streak that has them, finally, where they want to be.

Hungry is exactly the way these Redskins have begun to look at the most critical time of the year. The hunger with which they're playing is the reason it's all in their hands now.

Clark Judge, Judgements, CBS Sports

I'll tell you what that Washington victory tells me: That Cleveland chose the wrong quarterback, that's what. The Browns should've taken Kirk Cousins, not Brandon Weeden.

Vinny Iyer, Checkdown, Sporting News

The NFC East is a three-team race with two games remaining in the regular season. With the New York Giants getting shut down, 34-0, in Atlanta on Sunday, the door opened for both the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys—and they walked right through to pull even with New York at 8-6.

Based on having the best division record (3-1), the Redskins are the new first-place team and control their destiny. Rookie backup quarterback Kirk Cousins, subbing for Robert Griffin III, led them to an impressive 38-21 road rout of Cleveland. The Cowboys (3-2 in the NFC East) were able to keep pace by fighting hard to outlast Pittsburgh at home, 27-24, in overtime.

What We Learned, Week 15, Fox Sports

Now, there's an understatement. First, Washington trades up to nab franchise-transforming quarterback Robert Griffin III. Then it uses a fourth-round pick to add a quality backup for RG3 in Kirk Cousins, who is a sparkling 1-0 as a starter after directing the Redskins' 38-21 victory at Cleveland on Sunday in Griffin's absence. But how about sixth-rounder Alfred Morris (pictured)? The running back had 87 yards rushing and two touchdowns to support Cousins, upping his season total to 1,322 yards rushing. He's 194 yards away from the storied franchise's single-season rushing record, held by Clinton Portis. No coincidence the Redskins have ascended to the top of the NFL East with that kind of drafting.

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com

The Redskins currently are in first place. They'll claim the division title if they win out against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cowboys the next two weeks. With just four conference losses so far, the Redskins also stand a better chance than most of lucking into a wild-card spot even if they finish 9-7.

and Around the League,

4. The Redskins don't even need Robert Griffin III to get healthy in time for next week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kirk Cousins has it covered. Let's just get RG3 back for the regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Michael Smith, Pro Football Talk

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London Fletcher's aunt injured at Browns game

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

UPDATE: London Fletcher was just on the NFL Network and confirmed that his relatives were involved in a physical altercation at the game yesterday. He said his relatives were harassed by Browns fans all day, but he blamed stadium security for the arrests. Fletcher said security was belligerent with his family and that led to the arrests. 

Fletcher said his aunt was hospitalized for "neck injuries" and said she "did not suffer a heart attack." He confirmed she has been released from the hospital. 

Fletcher hinted he and his family may pursue legal remedies against stadium security and said his family members that were arrested are still in custody and have not yet been formally charged. 

Redskins ILB London Fletcher is from the Cleveland area and he had plenty of family and friends in the stands yesterday to cheer him on. Unfortunately, people in the stands lost their temper, forgot that this was just a football game and some very bad things happened

The veteran linebacker's family was involved in an altercation with Browns fans after the game and his aunt suffered a heart attack, NewsChannel5 in Cleveland reports.

Police used Tasers in the incident and three of Fletcher's family members were arrested.

Fletcher's aunt, 57-year-old Evette Robinson, was rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center, Nita Ashford, a Cleveland school teacher and relative of Fletcher, told NewsChannel5.

Robinson's condition is unknown at this time.

All of us at DC Pro Sports Report hope Ms Robinson makes a complete recovery.

Below is video of the altercation. 

Vote in our poll: Redskins Player of the Week

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

Which Redskins player earned Player of the Week honors after Washington 38-21 win over the Cleveland Browns. VOTE IN OUR POLL on the upper right sidebar. 

PIERRE GARCON: 12 passes, 6 catches, 65 yards, 10.8 yards per catch

KIRK COUSINS: 26-37, 329 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 104.4 passer rating, 22 rushing yards

ROB  JACKSON: 6 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defensed, 1 sack, 1 INT

LEONARD HANKERSON: 3 passes, 2 catches, 56 yards, 2 TD

The 5th Quarter: Redskins 38 Browns 21

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on . Posted in Washington Redskins

IT WAS OVER WHEN... TB Alfred Morris capped a beautiful 8-play 76-yard drive with an 8-yard gash over left guard into the end zone to put the Redskins up 38-17. The drive took 5 minutes and 11 seconds and left the Browns with only 5 minutes to make up 17 points.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING... RG3 leads all quarterbacks with 8.3 yards per pass attempt this season, but Kirk Cousins topped that today, averaging 8.9 yards per attempt against the Browns... Cousins threw for 329 yards today, six yards more than RG3's highest total this year... Cousins had a passer rating of 104.4 today, about equal to Griffin's passer rating on the entire year... Washington's 28 points and 4 second half touchdowns today are the most points and most touchdowns the Redskins have scored in a half this season... Of Washington's six possessions in the second half, four ended in scores, one ended in a punt and the last ended the game, with the Skins in victory formation... The Redskins had the ball three times in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns and kneeling down to end the game the third time... The Redskins had almost twice as many first downs as the Browns, 25-13... The Redskins have had trouble on third down this season, but today went 8-16 on third and fourth downs... The Redskins converted 4 of 5 red zone opportunities into touchdowns and settled for a Kai Forbath field goal on the fifth, for a total of 31 out of a possible 35 points... despite the Browns defense over-committing to stopping the run, Washington stayed with it, rushing 35 times for a total of 122 yards and 3 TD... 35 rushing attempts and great efficiency on 3rd and 4th downs led to the Skins dominating time of possession 36:17 to 23:43.

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

I LIKED THAT... Kirk Cousins overcame a rough 1-7 with one INT start to finish 26-37 for 329 yards, two TD and 1 INT... At no time did the game seem bigger than Cousins and he handled the pressure of his first NFL start, on the road, quite nicely... the linebackers played a great game, with Ryan Kerrigan and Rob Jackson both knocking two passes down, Jackson and London Fletcher both intercepting a pass and Jackson also getting a sack, bringing him to 3.5 on the year... Alfred Morris got the ball 27 times today [plus two receptions] and did not fumble... Josh Morgan had a  nice game, catching all 4 passes thrown to him for 60 yards.

I DID NOT LIKE THAT... on the second-to-last play of Washington's last scoring drive Santana Moss took a short pass and raced toward a first down, but fumbled because he wasn't covering the ball up properly. Fortunately, Pierre Garcon alertly jumped on the ball to preserve the drive and Alfred Morris scored on the next play, but Moss is a veteran and he CANNOT fumble in that situation... Garcon continues to treat every reception as if he just won the game and today he earned a 15-yard taunting penalty that destroyed a promising drive... DJ Johnson got caught peeking into the backfield in the fourth quarter today and the result was a 69-yard TD pass from Brandon Weeden to Travis Benjamin. Once again, the secondary did the one thing it must not do -- allow a long scoring pass while defending a 4th quarter lead. 

AND IT ALL MEANS... the Redskins are 8-6 and thanks to a NY Giants loss in Atlanta today, on top of the NFC East thanks to a superior division record. The Cowboys won at home against the Steelers, improving its record to 8-6, so we have a 3-way tie in the NFC East, though the Redskins are currently in the lead. The Redskins face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday and then return home to defend their own turf -- and perhaps clinch a division championship -- when Dallas comes to DC on December 30, the regular season finale. The Giants go on the road again this week to face the Ravens in Baltimore and then finish the season home in New Jersey against the Eagles. The Cowboys host the dangerous New Orleans Saints on Sunday and then, of course, come to DC in week 17. Washington's schedule looks as good as any of them. What's more, all the Redskins have to do is continue doing what they've done the last five weeks -- win. Two more wins and the Redskins are champions of the NFC East, no matter what anyone else does. No need to look for help or check the scoreboard anymore -- the Redskins are in complete command of their own destiny.

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Lesson for Redskins: Just Take Care of Business

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins did a huge favor for themselves and the Pittsburgh Steelers last week in defeating the Baltimore Ravens.  However, the Steelers failed to return the favor, falling to the Dallas Cowboys on an overtime interception by Ben Roethlisberger. 

The lesson learned, rely on no other team to get you in the playoofs.  Just take care of your own business. 

Washington has two final games in their 2012 regular season.  Both are NFC East division rival games against Philadelphia and Dallas.  What the Redskins must do is what they have done since the 3-6 bye week.  Take one game at a time, take care of your own business.  If they do that, they are NFC East Division Champs and headed to the playoffs.  They must not overlook the importance of the game next week against Philadelphia.  No looking forward to Dallas, the final game of the season. 

Take a look at the divisions:  The Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants are all 8-6.  That is the precise scenario where your division record comes into play.  Currently, the Redskins are 3-1 while the Cowboys are 3-2 and the Giants are 2-3.   It's simply math.  Redskins win out, they finish 5-1 in the division and win the NFC East Crown. 

Again, take care of business.  One game at a time. 

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Redskins Injury Update post Browns

Written by Mark Buterbaugh on . Posted in Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins came out of the 38-21 win over the Browns with two injuries on the offensive line.  According to HC Mike Shanahan, RT Tyler Polumbus suffered a concussion.  Polumbus was replaced in the second half by OT Jordan Black.  In addition to Polumbus, Shanahan also reported that OL Will Montgomery strained his MCL.  That is one we will have to keep an eye on as the week progresses.  Montgomery would be a big loss in the middle of the Line.  He anchors the Redskins line as Center.     

As for Robert Griffin III, he will remain on a day by day watch.  Shanahan explained rthat the decision to hold Griffin out was based on the medical opinion of two of the best Orthopedics out there. 

 

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