Kirk Cousins

Expectations low for 2018 Redskins, according to NFL preview magazines

New quarterback Alex Smith hopes to point the Redskins to their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season. Photo by Brian Murphy.

The Washington Redskins faced an unprecedented situation when their twice-franchised quarterback Kirk Cousins was slated to hit the open market in March. Instead of ponying up to keep the three-time 4,000-yard passer in the stable, the team opted to give up rising cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third-round pick in April’s draft to the Kansas City Chiefs for quarterback Alex Smith.

Now the pressure is on Smith to keep the Redskins afloat. After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, Smith is charged with bringing the team back to relevancy. New running back Derrius Guice (a steal as the No. 59 pick in the draft) will certainly relieve some of the pressure Smith faces this season.

In one of their best drafts in decades, the Redskins continued to address defensive line in a big way, taking Alabama defensive tackle Daron Payne 13th overall along with Virginia Tech defensive tackle Tim Settle in the fifth round.

After losing four of their top five picks from the 2014 draft to free agency this spring, it’s unclear how quickly their replacements will step up. Based on how the rest of the division adjusted their rosters this offseason, it appears the Redskins haven’t done enough to compete for a playoff spot, at least according to the top NFL preview magazines. Take a look at how they view the Redskins going into the 2018 season. (more…)

Redskins 2017 Training Camp Photo Gallery – Day 2 PM Practice

Day 2 of Redskins training camp luckily featured lots of clouds before drenching rainstorms rolled through following the conclusion of practice.

Enjoy my top shots of Friday’s practice. (more…)

Redskins 2017 Training Camp Photo Gallery – Day 1 PM Practice

The Washington Redskins took the field in Richmond, Virginia Thursday for their first practice of 2017 training camp. Below are some sights from the Bon Secours Training Center. (more…)

NFL preview magazines predict down season for 2017 Redskins

Jordan Reed (and his health) will be key to how the Redskins perform in 2017. Photo by Brian Murphy.

Firing popular general manager Scot McCloughan on the first day of free agency seemed to add to the discontent the fan base developed toward the Washington Redskins after a disappointing late-season collapse in 2016. However, the team gradually salvaged a disastrous start to their offseason with respectable free agency and draft hauls. The team signed big-bodied receivers Terrelle Pryor while addressing each level of their defense, highlighted by their first-round selection, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, falling to them at pick No. 17 and the signings of linebacker Zach Brown and safety D.J. Swearinger.

The Redskins missed the playoffs by one game in 2016 and the road to the postseason in 2017 hasn’t gotten any easier based on the improvement of their NFC East counterparts.

Let’s take a look at what the top NFL preview magazines expect from the Redskins this season. (more…)

Redskins Training Camp Photo Gallery – Day 3 PM Practice

On the third day of training camp, the Washington Redskins took part in their first fully-padded practice, with some new drills that weren’t on display the first two days.

Offensive tackle Trent Williams blocks linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. Photo by Jake Russell.

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Redskins Training Camp Photo Gallery – Day 1 PM Practice

Football is back and the Washington Redskins kicked off their 2015 season in Richmond, Va. for their their third summer at Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

The team switched up their routine this year with walkthroughs in the morning and practices in the afternoon.

Enjoy some sights from today’s p.m. practice.

Linebacker Martrell Spaight lunges for fullback Jordan Campbell. Photo by Jake Russell.

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Redskins 2015 free agents: Keep ’em or let ’em go?

By Jake Russell

The Redskins are expected to have 16 players with free agent designations when the new league year begins on March 10. The open negotiation period between free agents and other teams opens on Saturday but deals can’t be signed until Tuesday at 4 p.m. The team will need to make several big decisions.

Assuming restricted free agents Kai Forbath, Trenton Robinson and Justin Rogers, and exclusive rights free agents Chris Thompson and Rishaw Johnson all return, the team will be left with 11 unrestricted free agents, meaning they are free to sign anywhere after March 10.

Safety Ryan Clark was set to become an unrestricted free agent after signing a one-year deal last year. The 13-year veteran instead opted to retire after a lackluster 2014 season.

The team re-signed tackle Tom Compton on February 27, who was slated to become a restricted free agent. Compton played in all 16 games in 2014 and started the final nine games in place of soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Tyler Polumbus.

Exclusive rights free agent safety Duke Ihenacho was re-signed on March 4. As an ERFA, the fourth-year veteran would have had to either re-sign with the team or retire.

Below is a list of the team’s 11 unrestricted free agents.

Keep ’em:

OLB Brian Orakpo

Photo by Brian Murphy.

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Redskins Pros and Cons: Week 7

By Jake Russell

A changing of the guard occurred during the Washington Redskins’ 19-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday when third string quarterback Colt McCoy took over for Kirk Cousins after halftime.

Cousins isn’t progressing the way the team would like and head coach Jay Gruden announced on Monday that McCoy will be the team’s starter heading into next Monday night’s showdown against the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys unless Robert Griffin III is 100 percent healthy and ready to go.

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Redskins Pros and Cons: Week 2

The Washington Redskins experienced the ultimate highs and lows Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

From injuries to quarterback Robert Griffin III and wide receiver DeSean Jackson to displaying total domination on offense, defense and special teams for the first time in recent memory, Sunday had it all.

Washington racked up 449 yards on offense and the defense held the Jaguars to just 148 yards in a 41-10 victory, evening their record to 1-1 on the season and snapping their streak of nine straight losses dating back to 2013.

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Redskins training camp photo gallery – Day 2 AM practice

Day two of 2014 Redskins training camp went on with perfect weather and attendance from head coach Jay Gruden’s brother Jon and father Jim as well as Joe Theismann.

Check out some great photos from Day 2 of training camp.

Robert Griffin III eludes defenders. Photo by Jake Russell.

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