It could be a long day for us media gadflies at Redskin Park.
Contrary to what a few people told us Thursday night in Jacksonville, the 22 players cut were not informed of their demise Friday night.
Several on-the-bubble players have left the facility and said they haven't been informed of their status yet.
Translation: The Redskins will take it down to the wire at 4 p.m.
As soon as there is a list, we'll post it.
Chris Cooley's six-year contract extension is worth a maximum of $30 million and includes $14 million in guarantees.
He will make $850,000 this season before the new deal kicks in.
"It feels so good," he said. "I feel this is such a great place for me, and it's a great fit to be with the Redskins. I'll be here seven more years, and I can play my whole career here, and that's an unbelievable thing, especially in today's football."
Cooley has not missed a game in three seasons and has 165 catches for 1,822 yards and 19 touchdowns.
"One of the goals we set out was getting Chris' deal done," coach Joe Gibbs said. "They've been working on it hard the last couple months. He's been a productive guy, and it's great to get it done and get it out of the way. We think he's earned it and will be here for a long time."
The official list of cuts has yet to be released but the following players have returned and then left Redskin Park: Ryan Hoag, Jordan Palmer, Calvin Armstrong, Taylor Whitley, Carl Berman, Dallas Sartz and Brian Bell. I'm not saying they're all getting released, but those names do make sense.
The 4 p.m. deadline has come and gone, and although the Redskins have submitted their list to the league office, we're still awaiting the official word.
The most notable name will be defensive end Renaldo Wynn, who had the fifth-longest tenure on the team.
The Redskins didn't do Wynn any favors -- the regular season starts in a week, so it will tough for him to latch on. Lemar Marshall was released two weeks ago and caught on with Cincinnati.
"At first I was [stunned], but I've known for a couple hours and it's something you prepare yourself for if it does happen," Wynn said. "But you never know how it feels until it happens."
Wynn turns 33 on Monday. His departure leaves the Redskins with only three veteran defensive ends -- Andre Carter, Phillip Daniels and Demetric Evans.
It's official. The Redskins made 23 roster moves yesterday to get down to 52 players (one below the 53-man limit):
Quarterbacks (3): Jason Campbell, Mark Brunell, Todd Collins.
Running backs (5): Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright, Marcus Mason, Clinton Portis, Mike Sellers.
Receivers (4): Brandon Lloyd, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, James Thrash.
Tight ends (3): Chris Cooley, Eric Edwards, Todd Yoder.
Offensive linemen (9): Jason Fabini, Stephon Heyer, Jon Jansen, Pete Kendall, Mike Pucillo, Casey Rabach, Chris Samuels, Randy Thomas, Todd Wade.
Defensive linemen (9): Lorenzo Alexander, Ryan Boschetti, Andre Carter, Phillip Daniels, Demetric Evans, Kedric Golston, Cornelius Griffin, Anthony Montgomery, Chris Wilson.
Linebackers (6): H.B. Blades, Khary Campbell, London Fletcher, Randall Godfrey, Rocky McIntosh, Marcus Washington.
Defensive backs (10): Reed Doughty, Vernon Fox, LaRon Landry, David Macklin, Pierson Prioleau, Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot, Shawn Springs, Sean Taylor, Leigh Torrance.
Special teams (3): Ethan Albright, Derrick Frost, Shaun Suisham.
Coach Joe Gibbs and his staff made some unexpected moves this summer.
Three former starters -- Lemar Marshall (three yeasr), Joe Salave'a (two) and Renaldo Wynn (four) -- let go. Three players with not even practice squad experience -- rookie free agent Stephon Heyer, rookie free agent Marcus Mason and CFL refugee Chris Wilson -- made the team.
Consider that in the summer of 2004, the first of Gibbs Era II, the Redskins only cut two of former coach Steve Spurrier's starters: Ifeanyi Ohalete (two years) and Regan Upshaw (one)
The next year, the Redskins tirmmed players who had combined to start just six games in 2004: Andre Lott (three), Ron Warner (two) and Mark Wilson (one). Hardly front page news even though the team was coming off a 6-10 season.
Last year, Chris Clemons and Cedric Killings, who had each started one game for the Redskins, were the biggest names let go.
So to have assistant head coach Gregg Williams whack three of his longterm starters in the space of 12 days is stunning. The departures of Marshall, Wynn and cornerback Ade Jimoh leaves no players left on the defense that Williams inherited in 2004. Shows what a plunge from two top 10 years to 31st in 2006 will do to a coach's thinking.
Salave'a and Marshall were liked and respected, but Wynn was a vocal leader and will be really missed in the locker room. It will be up to Phillip Daniels to try to fill that role now on the defensive line. The media will also miss Wynn, winner of our Good Guy Award in 2005 and a man who always had time for every question.
Our first Redskins chat of the regular season is Tuesday at 2 p.m. Email questions to Ryan O'Halloran at skinsmailbag@washingtontimes.com
The Redskins practiced for about 1 hour, 45 minutes today. The team said that everybody -- chiefly Chris Samuels, Clinton Portis and Marcus Washington -- participated in the full workout.
Joe Gibbs said he has made a decision on the No. 2 quarterback (Todd Collins and Mark Brunell) but won't announce it until he's talked to both players.
Based on the fact that Collins took almost all of the second-team snaps during the first 30 minutes of practice today, I think No. 15 will be No. 2.
Think the Redskins keep changing personnel?
The Dolphins, who visit Washington for Sunday's season opener, have just three players left from 2003. The three are receiver Chris Chambers, defensive end Jason Taylor and middle linebacker Zach Thomas. Cornerback Yeremiah Bell was on the Dolphins' practice squad that season.
The Redskins have seven players left from 2003: offensive linemen Jon Jansen, Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas; snapper Ethan Albright; running backs Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright and linebacker Khary Campbell.
Don't be surprised if Anthony Montgomery starts ahead of fellow second-year man Kedric Golston on Sunday against Miami.
Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams hinted as much today and a couple of players who should know didn't knock down the idea.
Starting would be a big step up for Montgomery, who was inactive for 11 of 16 games as a rookie after being taken in the fifth round, a round ahead of Golston, who started 13 games.
Welcome to the second annual El Gaucho Bowl, the weekly NFL picks contest between myself and long-time Redskins reporter/all-around life of the party Jim Ducibella of the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk.
Last year, we merely selected five games and Duce named the contest after his favorite restaurant in Seattle. Unfortunately for Duce, during the Redskins' last trip to Seattle -- the playoffs in Jan. 2006 -- it took longer for him to fly to the northwest than it would take to get to Budapest.
This year, we're selecting EVERY game.
Miami at Redskins
Ryan: Redskins; Duce: Redskins
Philadelphia at Green Bay
Ryan: Philadelphia; Duce: Green Bay
Atlanta at Minnesota
Ryan: Minnesota; Duce: Minnesota
New England at NY Jets
Ryan: NE; Duce: NYJ
Tennessee at Jacksonville
Ryan: Tennessee; Duce: Jacksonville
Denver at Buffalo
Ryan: Denver; Duce: Denver
Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Ryan: Pittsburgh; Duce: Cleveland
Carolina at St. Louis
Ryan: St. Louis; Duce: St. Louis
Kansas City at Houston
Ryan: Houston; Duce: Houston
Tampa Bay at Seattle
Ryan: Seattle; Duce: Seattle
Chicago at San Diego
Ryan: San Diego; Duce: San Diego
Detroit at Oakland
Ryan: Detroit; Duce: Oakland
NY Giants at Dallas
Ryan: Dallas; Duce: Dallas
Baltimore at Cincinnati
Ryan: Cincinnati; Duce: Cincinnati
Arizona at San Francisco
Ryan: San Francisco; Duce: San Francisco
Seven final pregame thoughts, one for each victory I have predicted for the Redskins.
1. Boy, was the locker room loud at Redskin Park today. Why?
It was Friday and the players were done practicing for the week. And it had been a tough week with four days in the heat after just one day on on the field the last week of preseason. And of course, Fred Smoot is back. The Smooter can take over a room with the force and the volume of his personality.
2. With Renaldo Wynn having been released, Smoot (2004) is the only former winner of the Good Guy Award in the room other than last year's co-winners, Santana Moss and Phillip Daniels. Champ Bailey won the award in its first two years, 2002 and 2003.
3. Wynn's departure moved alternate James Thrash up to player rep. Thrash said this year's alternate has yet to be named.
4. Driving home from Redskin Park, I was behind a car with a Virginia license plate "Brunela." If that's your car, are you a huge Mark Brunell fan or are you making fun of the soon-to-be 37-year-old QB?
5. The Redskins and the Dolphins beat each other in arguably the most important games in each franchise's history. Miami beat Washington 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to win its first title and cap the NFL's only modern-day unbeaten season. Washington returned the favor 10 years later, 27-17, to win its first Super Bowl and first title in 40 years.
6. The Dolphins were also the victim in the last great game of Sonny Jurgensen's career when the Hall of Fame quarterback led a comeback victory over the two-time defending champions in 1974. The Redskins also won in Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino's last regular season game in the 1999 finale. That was also the last time that Miami visited Washington.
7. What are the odds that Brian Bell and Byron Westbrook, teammates at DeMatha High in Hyattsville, would wind up as rookies together for the hometown team's practice squad?
The officials are in midseason form.
They tried to cancel Derrick Frost's 64-yard punt with a penalty on Washington's No. 44. The last Redskin to wear that number was John Riggins, who retired after the 1985 season.
Turns out the penalty was on No. 44 of Miami, Cameron Worrell.
Jon Jansen, long the ironman of the Redskins, might be done for the year. The veteran right tackle went down with a dislocated right ankle with 12:17 to go in the second quarter. He was replaced by former New York Jet Jason Fabini, who looked to be at the end as a backup in Dallas last year.
Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor appeared to beat the snap and pushed left tackle Chris Samuels back toward Jason Campbell. Jansen, backing up on the other side, wound up bearing the brunt of Taylor's sack. On the ground and in serious pain, Jansen immediately ripped off his helmet. The cart that transports injured players to the locker room came out very quickly at the behest of the Redskins' medical staff. Offensive line coach Joe Bugel came out to see Jansen and kicked the football in disgust when he learned of the severity of the injury.
And it's not a good sign when the opposing players come to offer their condolences as the Dolphins did. It was reminiscent of the November night in 1985 at RFK Stadium when New York Giants defenders consoled Joe Theismann after linebacker Lawrence Taylor broke the leg of the Redskins' quarterback. Theismann, 35, never played again.
Jansen, 31, missed the 2004 season after rupturing an Achilles tendon in the preseason opener with Denver. The only other game that Jansen has missed in nine seasons was last December in New Orleans when he finally gave in to the torn calf muscle. Of course, he played the next week.
Sights and observations from Opening Day at the Mistake By The Beltway:
10:15: First players appear on the field. Fans can't come into the stadium until a little after 11 a.m. but you're not missing anything -- several Redskins merely sat around on midfield.
10:50: Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell comes to the field, puts on his ball cap and starts to throw for a few minutes.
11:25: Pete Kendall, Kedric Golston and Lorenzo Alexander, still out of uniform, work on technique drills at the goal-line. Golston would serve as the defensive tackle and Kendall/Alexander as the offensive linemen.
11:45: Veteran long snapper Ethan Albright hits the field with punter Derrick Frost and kicker Shaun Suisham. Albright has played in every game for 11 straight seasons and hasn't made a snapping mistake in Joe Gibbs' three seasons.
1:00: Game time is approaching. Today's Redskin captains are Randy Thomas, Rock Cartwright and Pierson Prioleau.
1:01: Some guy, probably paid about $3 by the Redskins, runs the length of the field with a giant 12th Man flag. He is greeted by a smattering of applause.
1:02: The 2007 season officially kicks off. Hundreds and hundreds of empty seats dominate the club and upper deck levels.
Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen, who sustained a season-ending right ankle injury in Sunday's overtime win over Miami, talked with reporters a few minutes ago via conference call.
Jansen said the ankle was fractured and dislocated and that he will have surgery Wednesday or Thursday. At that time, he'll know how much ligament damage has been sustained.
As for recovery time, Jansen said: "In 3-4 months, I should be ready to play football. It will be about six weeks in a cast with crutches. I'll be able to start in a walking boot and put some pressure on it. By 10-12 weeks, I should be running. ... I know I'll be able to bounce back from this."
Meanwhile, Todd Wade will probably get the first shot at right tackle, ahead of rookie Stephon Heyer.
Anyone who watched the Redskins' season-opening victory over the Dolphins knows that Shawn Springs can play better than Fred Smoot, who surprisingly started instead of him at cornerback. Springs has said that he feels fine, but coach Joe Gibbs was very evasive during his Monday press conference in discussing Springs' health and why he didn't start against Miami.
The question is whether the Redskins are resting Springs to coax a full season out of his 32-year-old body or whether he's beginning to get the cold shoulder treatment that one-time face of the franchise LaVar Arrington received in 2005. Springs didn't win many hearts at Redskin Park by skipping almost the entire offeseason to train in Arizona and for declining to redo his contract.
If Smoot gets the nod over Springs against the Eagles next Monday in Philly, I'd like to know for which game assistant head coach Gregg Williams is saving his presumed No. 1 corner. The NFC East champions didn't play well on offense or special teams in their opening loss at Green Bay and the Redskins would be two games up on them in the standings if they could spring (no pun intended) the upset.
After the Eagles, the Redskins have the Eli Manning-less Giants folowed by a bye. If Springs, the defense's highest-paid player, doesn't start in Philly, that could well signal the beginning of the end of his tenure in Washington.
-- David Elfin
The first chat of the Redskins regular season is today at 2 p.m. with Ryan O'Halloran.
Receiver Reche Caldwell confirmed moments ago that he signed a one-year contract with the Redskins. He was going to the airport to fly home but said, "I'll be back tomorrow."
This is another indication the Redskins are absolutely fed up with Brandon Lloyd, who had no catches on Sunday and didn't exactly hustle during an interception return.
Caldwell is a proven player who got caught up in a numbers game this training camp in New England. I expect him to be the No. 3 receiver relatively quickly. A solid move by the Redskins that probably didn't cost them a lot of money.
The Redskins have had a busy day. A team source just relayed this information, some of which might become official later in the day.
Running back Marcus Mason has been released from the active roster. I'm guessing that if he passes through waivers, the Redskins will re-sign him to the practice squad. That leaves the Redskins with an open roster spot.
On the practice squad, receiver Burl Toler has been released and replaced by offensive lineman Justin Geisinger.
Earlier, the team placed right tackle Jon Jansen on injured reserve today, officially ending his season. Jansen is expected to need four months to recover from his broken right ankle, which was also dislocated. He is scheduled to have surgery later this week to repair probable ligament damage.
Some things never cease to amaze me. Witness the fact that former Redskins Christian Fauria and Ade Jimoh actually found NFL jobs on Tuesday.
First, Jimoh. The cornerback/special teams player was released by the Redskins last week. Although a good player on special teams, he was simply inept as a defensive player, and the Redskins finally decided to cut their losses. Jimoh signed with the Chicago Bears. No, I'm not making this up. He goes from the outhouse (the last-place Redskins in 2006) to the penthouse (the Bears reached the Super Bowl last year).
Now Fauria. He was a forgettable free agent signee last year. Although a great guy to talk to in the locker room for his veteran perspective, he didn't play well and then disappeared when he was put on injured reserve, repairing to his Northeast home. He signed with Carolina on Tuesday.
Obviously the Bears think they need somebody to cover punts. Let's just hope they don't need Jimoh to cover receivers.
I'm still trying to figure out what the Panthers are thinking.
-- Ryan O'Halloran
Reche Caldwell caught 61 passes for 760 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Brandon Lloyd caught 23 passes for 365 yards and no touchdowns last season.
Since Caldwell played in an offense similar to Al Saunders' in San Diego from 2002 to 2005 -- and one which the mastermind claims even yours truly could learn a receiver's job in 10 minutes -- how about the Redskins really sending a message and using Caldwell as the No. 3 wideout on Monday in Philadelphia? And since James Thrash plays special teams, Lloyd would be No. 5 and inactive.
If that's the kick in the pants Lloyd needs, that's great for the Redskins. If he didn't respond to being benched, then there's not much hope of him ever producing.
Reche Caldwell was New England's leading receiver last year, but that hasn't earned him any slack with Washington's coaches.
This morning, Caldwell was hanging out on a far field with fellow receivers Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd, who don't play special teams, as practice started as usual with special teams. That is until special teams coach Danny Smith noticed that No. 86 wasn't working with his units. Smith hollered for Caldwell to get his butt over with the vast majority of the Redskins and the new man came running with his receiving gloves velcro-ed to his facemask.
Such is Caldwell's lot at Redskin Park until/if he moves ahead of No. 3 receiver Lloyd in the pecking order.
-- David Elfin
As good as Week 1 of the NFL season was -- several close games that lived up to their billing, Week 2 is that bad ... at least on paper. While I surmised that 14 games were coin-flips last week, this week features several locks: Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Baltimore, Dallas, Chicago and Denver.
I got off to a 13-2 start and hold a commanding three-game lead over Jim Ducibella of the Virginian-Pilot.
To this week's picks:
Washington at Philadelphia
Duce: Philadelphia
Ryan: Philadelphia. Redskins fans should hope for a win but at the very least, have an expectation to see their team be competitive.
Cincinnati at Cleveland
Duce: Cincinnati
Ryan: Cincinnati. Lock of the week. The Browns are terrible and they’ve already traded their first round pick to Dallas (in the Brady Quinn deal).
Houston at Carolina
Duce: Carolina
Ryan: Houston. A mild upset but the Texans have the better quarterback (Schaub over Delhomme) and the better running back (Green over Foster).
Atlanta at Jacksonville
Duce: Jacksonville
Ryan: Jacksonville. The Jack Del Rio Firing Watch is already in full swing.
Green Bay at NY Giants
Duce: Green Bay
Ryan: Giants. I’m picking Big Blue even if Jared Lorenzen starts in place of Eli Manning.
Buffalo at Pittsburgh
Duce: Pittsburgh
Ryan: Pittsburgh. The week the Bills have had with TE Kevin Everett’s injury combined with how impressive Pittsburgh looked in Cleveland makes this an easy pick.
San Francisco at St. Louis
Duce: San Francisco
Ryan: St. Louis. The 49ers played until 1:35 a.m. D.C. time on Tuesday morning and now have a long trip. Can you imagine if Joe Gibbs had to go through this. He might hitch-hike to the league office to protest.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay
Duce: New Orleans
Ryan: New Orleans. The Saints offense gets back on track against a bad Bucs team.
Indianapolis at Tennessee
Duce: Tennessee
Ryan: Indianapolis. Some people think this could be a sleeper upset. Did they see the Colts last week?
Seattle at Arizona
Duce: Seattle
Ryan: Arizona. My Upset of the Week pick. The influence of Russ Grimm on the running game can already be seen.
Minnesota at Detroit
Duce: Detroit
Ryan: Detroit. The Vikings are close to my heart but you can’t lack a passing game and win division road games.
Dallas at Miami
Duce: Dallas
Ryan: Dallas. The Cowboys offense looked unstoppable last week. They roll to 2-0.
NY Jets at Baltimore
Duce: Baltimore
Ryan: Baltimore. This could be a more interesting game than some think. Personally, I would start Kellen Clemens over Chad Pennington even when both are healthy.
Kansas City at Chicago
Duce: Chicago
Ryan: Chicago. The Chiefs have ZERO chance of winning.
Oakland at Denver
Duce: Denver
Ryan: Denver. The Raiders have ZERO chance of winning.
San Diego at New England
Duce: New England
Ryan: New England. Potential Game of the Year. I’m hoping for an offensive showcase.
Last week: Ryan 13-2; Duce 10-5
Yesterday, I was walking my dog in Bethesda when I ran into former Redskins guard Tre Johnson, whom I profiled a couple of years ago when he was coaching and teaching at Landon.
Former center Cory Raymer, who started next to Johnson on Washington's last NFC East champions in 1999, just walked in the front door of Redskin Park in search of medicine from director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer to heal his bad case of poison ivy.
And, Jon Jansen just rolled in. Literally. Jansen, who had season-ending surgery on Wednesday to repair a fractured fibula and dislocated right ankle, was upbeat as he rolled in on a special cart that allows his leg to be elevated as he wheels from place to place.
Reclusive Redskins owner Dan Snyder has granted a rare one-on-one interview with Comcast SportsNet, to air following next Sunday's game against the Giants. The network will show the entire interview in its entirety on "Redskins Post-Game Live" after the game, with excerpts to air during "Redskins Kickoff" at 3 p.m. that day.
Comcast says Snyder will discuss his relationship with fans and the media, with coach Joe Gibbs and the possibility of winning a Super Bowl.
Some highlights of the interview include:
-Snyder proclaiming Ryan O'Halloran to be "the greatest sportswriter I've ever met from a state ending in 'Dakota.' "
-The 'Skins owner revealing that FedEx will now pay its stadium naming rights fee in the form of an annuity that can't be cashed until he turns 60.
-News that the team will shed its controversial mascot and will now be known simply as "GEICO."
-Snyder acknowledging that he ordered the use of video cameras on the sidelines at FedEx Field, but only to make a home movie of Katie Holmes.
PHILADELPHIA — When they built The Linc, they got it right. Plenty of good parking (unlike FedEx Field). Affordable $20 parking (unlike FedEx Field). Good sight lines from nearly every seat (unlike FedEx Field).
But the folks at McFadden's Ball Park restaurant across the street at the Phillies' stadium deserve mention — for all the wrong reasons. Upon arriving in Philly at 4:15 p.m. to beat traffic, a few of us walked over to McFadden's to have dinner . . . and were forced to pay a $5 cover charge. At first, we thought they were joking and waited to be seated. But they insisted, and, yes, we did get a receipt.
Later on, most of the parking lots were filled three hours before game time, with many fans obviously taking a half-day off from work to get an early start on the tailgating.
The first Redskins on the field (at 5:48) were Casey Rabach and Jason Fabini. Sean Taylor — sporting a large Afro — was doing running drills with Shawn Springs, who was wearing a white T-shirt with "Watch This" on the back.
At the other end of the field, new receiver Reche Caldwell was getting extra work with Jason Campbell. Caldwell, signed Tuesday, was inactive for the game.
Redskins kicker Shaun Suisham was the first player in uniform to take the field, showing that the Redskins were wearing their burgundy jerseys for the first time since last September in Houston.
Sean Taylor was running around in pregame warmups with his hair totally frizzed out and riding high. He looked like he would've fit in with Dr. J and the rest of the 1970s Philadelphia 76ers. If the idea is to fit into his surroundings, will Taylor sport a cheesehead for the next road game in Green Bay?
A week after the Redskins lost longtime right tackle Jon Jansen to a fractured right fibula and dislocated right ankle, right guard Randy Thomas left the game with a triceps injury.
The Redskins didn't immediately reveal the extent of the injury but announced that Thomas wouldn't return to the game. That leaves Jason Fabini, playing in his first game for Washington, positioned next to Todd Wade, playing in his second.
Thomas left the game in the second quarter. On the next series, Juqua Thomas came unblocked to Jason Campbell's right side and sacked the quarterback.
Ryan O'Halloran should be awake soon (in case you haven't heard, the guys had a late night event in Philadelphia), and his live chat on all things Washington Redskins will get underway at 2 p.m.
You can get your questions in now by sending them to skinsmailbag@washingtontimes.com.
Philadelphia fans pelted at least one of the Redskins' buses with rocks on the way into the stadium. Those on the bus said that there was at least one father and son rock-throwing team. And after Washington's 20-12 victory, unhappier fans gave the Redskins' buses the ever-popular one-finger salute.
Here are two takes on the snafu at the end of the first half in which the Redskins were called for delay of game after spiking the ball with 14 seconds left and no timeouts, sending the field goal team on the field and then sending the offense back out after Eagles coach Andy Reid called timeout because Philadelphia had only 10 men on the field.
"There was a lot going on at that point, " coach Joe Gibbs said. "In the confusion on the sidelines -- I've got to take responsibility for that -- some guys started out for the field goal and some guys started off. You could see the clock ticking and I didn't want to get into another situation where we have a delay of game so I made up my mind, 'OK. We're going to kick the field goal.' Then they called timeout. I had a chance to rethink it and we decided we'd take one shot."
That's where tight end Chris Cooley saved everybody with a 16-yard touchdown catch on a pretty pass from Jason Campbell that put the Redskins ahead to stay, 10-6. Here's Cooley's take:
"We wanted to make sure we got points. It was a quick decision. When we had a chance to stop and think about it, we knew we wanted to get back on the field and take a shot at the end zone before we kicked a field goal. We had some communication problems, but we stayed together and got some points on the board. We had a spike and they set the play clock to 25 seconds. We expected maybe a 40-second play clock and I don't think anyone knew. No one upstairs got the play in. Then we had a couple offsides. It was wild what was going on. All of us were kinda confused. But we hung in there and score points. It was almost like the two-minute drive's over, let's get to the sideline and get in at halftime."
The Redskins should sign whichever tryout guard, Keydrick Vincent or Rick DeMulling, looked the best in today's workout. Even if the Redskins hold a roster spot open until Randy Thomas heals in December, they only have seven healthy linemen. Both Vincent or DeMulling have started in the NFL. Veterans can be paid week-to-week at this point of the season, so get one in here on the practice field now instead of promoting Justin Geisinger or Kili Lefotu from the practice squad. Third tight end Cody Boyd and sixth receiver Shaun Bodiford are eminently expendable and can go right to the practice squad. And if safety Omar Stoutmire was so critical, he would've been on the roster from the start.
-- David Elfin
The game between the Redskins and Eagles was the most-watched program on any channel on Monday night, and was the highest-rated program on ESPN this year.
The contest was seen in an average of 8.75 million homes, trailing only "High School Musical 2" as the top broadcast on cable in 2007.
Content related to the game at ESPN.com and on mobile devices generated 53 million page views, an increase of 25 percent over the comparable period last year.
Locally, about one-third of all people with televisions in the D.C. area tuned into the game on either ESPN or WDCA Channel 20.
I'm sure the dozens of people who read this blog with any regularity took glee in the fact both myself and Jim Ducibella from the Virginian-Pilot picked Philadelphia to beat Washington last week, only to see the Redskins gut out a 20-12 victory.
As the El Gaucho Bowl rolls into Week 3, the Redskins have an excellent chance to go into their bye weekend at 3-0 and put the entire area into a full-blown tizzy. As dreadful as the NFC is, nine wins will probably get a wild card berth.
By the way, Duce and I were thrilled to see Our Girl Katherine Heigl from "Grey's Anatomy" win an Emmy last Sunday. I was also glad to see Jeremy Piven win again for his Ari Gold character on "Entourage." And yes, I did watch the Emmys instead of San Diego-New England.
To the picks:
N.Y. Giants at Washington
Duce: Washington
Ryan: Redskins. This won't be as easy as some think. The Redskins have struggled in past years handling prosperity and this is certainly a trap game. The Giants stink on defense so that will ultimately make the difference.
Arizona at Baltimore
Duce: Baltimore
Ryan: Baltimore. Zzzzzzzzzz. This game has all the pizzazz of a "Law & Order" repeat and worse yet, it’s the early game that will be broadcast locally.
San Diego at Green Bay
Duce: Green Bay
Ryan: Green Bay. I did DVR the Pats-Chargers game and had three impressions: 1. New England is awesome. 2. Phil Rivers is an average NFL quarterback. 3. Has Norv Turner ruined the Bolts already? The Pack move to 3-0.
Indianapolis at Houston
Duce: Houston
Ryan: Indianapolis. The Texans are improved, are 2-0 and have a good QB in Matt Schaub (Atlanta GM Rich McKay -- what were you thinking, trading this guy even before the Vick thing blew up?). But the Texans aren't good enough just yet to beat the Colts.
Minnesota at Kansas City
Duce: Kansas City
Ryan: Minnesota. I was ready to pick the Chiefs until it became likely that Kelly Holcombe and not Interception Jackson will start at quarterback for the Purple.
Buffalo at New England
Duce: New England
Ryan: New England. Potentially the Lock of the Year. The Pats should be favored by about 26 points in this game. Brady is an incredible 47 of 59 passing in two games.
Miami at N.Y. Jets
Duce: N.Y. Jets
Ryan: Miami. The only reason I have for picking the Fins is that Duce picked the Jets and we can't always pick the same team.
Detroit at Philadelphia
Duce: Philadelphia
Ryan: Detroit. While Duce figures the Eagles will sound the bugles and pound the drums, I can't see it. They'll have trouble stopping the Lions' passing game. Philly drops to 0-3. Ouch.
San Francisco at Pittsburgh
Duce: Pittsburgh
Ryan: Pittsburgh. Kudos to Newport News native Mike Tomlin on the Steelers' start. They're playing Pittsburgh Football -- they’re second in the NFL in rushing attempts (75).
St. Louis at Tampa Bay
Duce: St. Louis
Ryan: Tampa Bay. The Bucs aren't very good but they'll be 2-1 after this game while the Rams drop to 0-3 and Marc Bulger starts to wonder, I signed up for this?
Jacksonville at Denver
Duce: Denver
Ryan: Denver. The Jaguars are a wretched offensive team. The Broncos got lucky last week with their phantom time out in overtime.
Cleveland at Oakland
Duce: Oakland
Ryan: Oakland. Cleveland was bad in Week 1, great in Week 2 so I figure they're in for a letdown. Plus, the Raiders know this is a rare chance at victory so they'll be ready to go.
Cincinnati at Seattle
Duce: Seattle
Ryan: Seattle. After watching the Bengals defensive film, Seattle coach Mike Holmgren should make this proclamation: We're going to throw on every single play.
Carolina at Atlanta
Duce: Carolina
Ryan: Atlanta. The over-under on Byron Leftwich starting for the Falcons? As soon as he can find his way to the Georgia Dome without getting lost.
Dallas at Chicago
Duce: Chicago
Ryan: Dallas. Game of the Week. The Cowboys' pass defense is bad, but it won't be tested against the Bears. The Cowboys take over NFC early-season supremacy.
Tennessee at New Orleans
Duce: New Orleans
Ryan: Tennessee. What some of us thought late last year has now become apparent to others -- the Saints are wretched on defense, Reggie Bush is a scat back (not a running back) and when the Redskins beat the Saints last December, they provided the blue-print: Running it + play action pass = points.
Last week: Ryan 12-3, Duce 11-4
Season: Ryan 25-5, Duce 21-9
Attached to the back of the Giants' weekly release is a contract for a executive suite for Sunday's game at FedEx Field.
The Redskins are charging the Giants $25,000 for the use of a suite on Sunday. It's a bargain, of course, since it comes with six purple parking passes and food as well as $500 worth of booze. No word if the food is from Danny's Johnny Rocket's joint in the stadium.
But, in Snyderesque fashion, any portion of the $500 not imbibed will be forfeited. Word is that the Redskins -- who are the only team in sports to charge the media to park and for Internet access in the NFL's only press box with no wireless Internet -- also charge the visiting team to park. And Danny charges $22 for a burger, fries and shake at his stadium Johnny's.
What's next? Pay toilets?