Redskins Roundup: Five Years Ago...

Written by Thomas Threlkeld on Tuesday, 27 November 2012 10:00. Posted in Washington Redskins

Former Redskins safety Sean Taylor died five years ago today. DC Pro Sports Report takes a quick look back. The Washington Post has more.

How does Robert Griffin III compare to the other rookie passers in the NFL? Find out by reading our ongoing series Tracking the Rookie Quarterbacks: Week 12.

LT Trent Williams has been fantastic this year, as good or better than any left tackle in the NFC. His roughest game was on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys and now we know why -- he suffered a deep thigh bruise on the third play from scrimmage and says he played the remainder of the game at about 60% effectiveness. He practiced yesterday, but during the part observed by the media. Williams is hoping to be available for the Monday Night Football game against the Giants and, considering what we saw the Giants pass rush do to the Packers, he will need to be ready to go. Fortunately, he's had more time to rest and get healthy.

ILB London Fletcher missed practice yesterday with his sprained ankle, but Mike Shanahan seems pretty confident Fletcher will play against the Giants.

In "news" that should surprise no one, RT Jammal Brown missed practice again and it appears he is headed for injured reserve. The dude is done. I know Mike Shanahan hates admitting a mistake, but trading for Brown was an embarrassing blunder and it is time to cut the cord with that mistake.

Rick Snider writes that the Redskins have real playoff possibilities, but that's all they are right now, possibilities. Basically, the Redskins must defeat the Giants on Monday night and if they cannot wins seven games in a row [they've got the first two already] to finish 10-6, they'll need some help at 9-7. Fortunately, they've already helped themselves a bit.

Even if Washington beats New York, the Giants (7-4) would remain in control of the division with four games remaining. But New York has a tough schedule ahead: New Orleans, Atlanta and Baltimore before finishing with Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Washington faces Baltimore, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Dallas.

It's conceivable that Washington can catch New York at 9-7, but 10 victories would require the Redskins to win their last five games. The team is looking better, but that's too much to expect from a group that lost to Carolina (2-8) and St. Louis (4-6-1) already this season.

Still, it's fun to think about playoff possibilities for the first time since 2007.

If the Redskins reach the postseason, they likely will benefit from wild-card tiebreakers. Head-to-head is the first, and Washington beat Tampa Bay (6-5), Minnesota (6-5), New Orleans (5-6) and Dallas (5-6). Seattle (6-5) may have both its starting cornerbacks suspended four games for performance-enhancing drugs, and that would weaken the Seahawks' chances.

The Redskins are indeed paying attention to the emerging and changing playoff picture.

"Our team is well aware of where we stand," Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said.

"I don't think I've played a meaningful December game in a long time," said Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander, who has been with the team since 2006.

Rich Campbell points out that the Redskins win when they force turnovers and lose when they do not. That's because their defense gives up so many yards and points that basically the only way it can contribute to a victory is by creating turnovers.

The Redskins have signed a replacement for ILB Keenan Robinson, who was placed on injured reserve after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in the Thanksgiving Day victory over the Cowboys.

The Redskins on Monday signed inside linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy to take the roster spot of Keenan Robinson, who was placed on injured reserve with a torn right pectoral muscle.

Muckelroy spent parts of three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted him in the fourth round (131st overall) out of Texas in 2010.

"We liked him in the draft, and we were glad he was out there," coach Mike Shanahan said Monday afternoon. "When you lose a player and you get a guy like him to come into your system, you feel pretty fortunate."

Muckelroy has played in 19 games. He missed all of 2011 with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He was Cincinnati's second-leading tackler during the 2012 preseason.

His 12 special teams tackles in 2010 ranked second on the team. Robinson played on the kickoff coverage and return units, so that's where Muckelroy could best impact the Redskins.

I grew up in Bethesda, MD, a few minutes from Landon School and I still walk my dogs there from time to time. Former Redskins guard Tre Johnson is there a bit more often since he's teaching the boys there. Check out the story.

Giants DL Justin Tuck still isn't happy about having to face Redskins QB Robert Griffin III at least twice a year. Via Rich Tandler:

After the Giants edged the Redskins last month, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said, “I’m pretty mad at the football gods for putting him in the NFC East.” The former All-Pro, of course, was speaking of Robert Griffin III.

Five weeks later Tuck has not changed his tune. As the Giants get ready to play the Redskins on Monday night, he indicated that he still rues the day the Redskins pulled off the big trade with the Rams to get the draft rights to RG3.

"Until I exit stage right, it seems like he’s going to be a fixture in my dreams and nightmares,” Tuck said on Monday.

Mike Shanahan does not seem too pleased with the decisionmaking of RS Brandon Banks, who fielded a punt inside his own end zone against the Cowboys, pinning the Skins deep in their own territory. However, Shanny and the coaches love Banks' speed and quickness and won't give up on him easily.

TE Chris Cooley does not have a catch this season and it is fair to say this is not what he was hoping for when he returned to the Redskins after Fred Davis was lost for the season to injury.

RG3 got a "championship belt" from WWE fan and injured Redskins DE Adam Carriker for his performance against the Eagles. The presentation ran on TV during a WWE telecast. Check it out.

Anyone else see PK Graham Gano kicking for the Carolina Panthers last night? He missed an extra point so I guess some things never change.