SB Nation DC: All Posts by Scott Jackson

Chain Reactions: Can the Redskins continue a Super Run?

2013-01-04T17:20:19Z

Redskins fans are taught early not to like anything about the Dallas Cowboys. Last Sunday brought back a lot of childhood emotions as the Redskins clinched the NFC East title with a 28-18 win over the Cowboys.

I don’t like anything about the Cowboys, I hate the star, I hate their players, their coaches, their owner (oh, do I hate him and his bad plastic surgery). I even hate their cheerleaders (Well, actually you shouldn’t hate women in skimpy outfits. Let's just move on.)

However, I have to admit there is one Dallas Cowboy that I have suddenly become a real big fan of: Tony Romo. That’s right, I like Romo. Hell, I love him after Sunday’s three-pick performance at FedEx Field. My radio partner and former Redskins great Doc Walker believes that Romo suffers from something called competition anxiety disorder. I don’t know what it is that causes a quarterback to go from playing at a Pro Bowl level over the previous month to throwing up all over himself in win-or-go-home games. I’m just glad he’s a Cowboy and hope he gets an extension that keeps him in Dallas for years to come. I hope someday the rest of Redskins Nation recognizes what a unique player Tony Romo is and thanks him. D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray should give this guy the key to the city to show our thanks.

In the first 2013 edition of "Chain Reactions" we look ahead to the Redskins' wild card weekend game against the Seahawks and go three downs style on what might be keys to making it 8 straight wins.

Stay Well Grounded

The Seahawks have the NFL’s top ranked scoring defense, which allows a stingy 15.3 points per game. The Seahawks also rank 4th overall in yards per game, 6th against the pass, and 10th against the run. So how do the Redskins attack? Well, like they always do -- by running the ball. The Redskins have the NFL’s top-rated rushing offense, led by their rookies Alfred Morris (now the franchise’s single-season rushing champ) and RGIII (who even on one leg averaged over 10 yards per carry and scored a touchdown against the Cowboys). The Seahawks are hardly dominating against the run, giving up 4.5 yards per carry.

The Redskins offensive line, which has been the picture of consistency this season, may need to rely on rookie Josh LeRibeus if Kory Lichtensteiger’s ankle keeps him sidelined. As we have seen this season, the Redskins' running game and the threat of it opens up everything, whether the 'Skins want to go with a read option or a bootleg, like they did against Cleveland and Philadelphia. If they run with success, those pass plays will open and RGIII will have to be sharper against what is arguably the best secondary Washington has faced all season.

The question will be how Pete Carroll chooses to defend the Redskins offense. Will he load the box and try to take away the run? Or keep the safeties back in order not to give up big pass plays from RGIII and the well-rounded receiving corps? The Redskins have been great at taking what defenses give them this season. However, they are also great at imposing their physical will on teams, as they did last week against the beat-up Cowboys. Both the offenses like to gash opposing defenses with their physical running games. The question will be which team is able to impose that will most consistently.

Win The Turnover Battle

The Redskins and Seahawks have forced an identical number of turnovers this season (31). In the giveaway/takeaway category, the 'Skins are + 17, the Seahawks + 13. So both teams do not beat themselves and are opportunistic. This time of year, the team that does not implode usually advances. The Redskins can ill afford to suddenly slip and lose the turnover battle, which has been a key in their 7-game winning streak (the only time they have not won the turnover battle in this streak was the Monday Night win over the Giants).

The amazing thing about the lack of Redskin turnovers is the two players handling the ball the most are rookies. Since back-to-back games with fumbles (against the Giants and Ravens), Alfred Morris has not fumbled in three straight games and only has lost 3 over the whole season. RGIII has thrown just 5 interceptions all season long. Griffin’s accuracy and ball protection were strengths coming out of Baylor and continue to be among his best attributes. Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett has gone from the coordinator fans most wanted to see fired to the coordinator suddenly on the radar for head coaching jobs. He has done a masterful job mixing and matching personnel. There are plenty of Redskin defensive players raising their game on defense as well, led by December’s Defensive player of the Month, London Fletcher, who is the coach on the field making sure players are lined up right to make those key plays. Winning the giveaway/takeaway category is top priority week in and week out for Mike Shanahan’s team, and this week will be no exception.

FedEx Field Advantage

I know it is popular to talk about the 12th man in the playoffs, especially in a match-up of teams that have to fly across the country. Sure, that could be big and the noise level that could cause Seahawks linemen to miss the snap count could matter. Home teams in the NFL win close to 60% of postseason games, according to Washington Post stats guru Brian Burke.

However, that is not the biggest advantage to playing at Fed Ex Field this week. The advantage could be that awful excuse for a grass field at FedEx Field. The Seahawks play on artificial turf in Seattle, where they went 8-0 this season. They do not have to worry about changing cleat lengths during home games. FedEx Field is a painted mud pit right now. Last Sunday night, the surface was an absolute mess. It did not seem to affect Alfred Morris and his ability to cut as he racked up 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. It could bother the Seahawks' stud running back Marshawn Lynch, who plays the majority of his games on a fast surface. It could also cause problems for the bigger Seahawks cornerbacks that are not used to backpedaling with unsettled footing. Sure, the Seahawks beat the Bears at Soldier Field, which is not exactly a fast track. However, that game was not played in January in the post season. It may not be a huge advantage for the Redskins Sunday, but it certainly beats playing the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, where the 12th man is high on Starbucks and Seattle is 59-29 since 2002.

Prediction: Redskins 24-17 in a physical game that will be well grounded.

Chain Reactions: Redskins' future is now

2012-12-28T16:27:37Z

The Redskins have won 6 games in a row and just need one more win to earn their first NFC East Title since the 1999 season. The team standing in the way is, appropriately, the franchise’s most hated rival: the Dallas Cowboys. Sure, the 'Skins may make the playoffs anyway if both the Bears and Vikings lose earlier in the day, but in order to play at home in the postseason, they need a win.

The Redskins and Cowboys have not played many important games in the past decade-plus. The Redskins, frankly, have not been that good, and the Cowboys have hardly ever lived up to the hype. Then there is the uncomfortable friendliness of the two owners. Beyond the obvious dislike between the fan bases and the rivalry's once-rich history, there is symmetry in the two meeting with the NFC East title on the line. The Redskins found their groove (swag?) in the Thanksgiving Day win at JerryWorld.

That Thanksgiving Day was also the day the Redskins fan base became extra thankful for their franchise quarterback. It was his second straight game with four touchdown passes. The 'Skins exploded in the second quarter, putting up 28 straight points. It was also the game when we found out Pierre Garcon could play on 9 toes. It was just the second win in the current streak, but it proved to mean much more.

In this week’s "Chain Reactions" we go three downs style on what it will take for the Redskins to return to the postseason.

RGIII needs to Be RGIII

The Redskins got away with one last week with Robert Griffin III. He never needed to take off and run. The 'Skins protected his injured right knee. There was just one designed run in the entire game. Washington took the better-safe-than-sorry route against the down-and-out Eagles. This week, RGIII will need to have the ability, or at least be a viable threat to run against the Cowboys' pass rushers. Following Dallas' Thanksgiving Day loss, Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan boasted his unit "stopped the college stuff."

It is debatable whether Ryan’s group stopped much of anything on Turkey Day. The "college stuff" keeps defenses guessing and freezes linebackers and safeties, which allows RGIII to throw over the top and Alfred Morris to pick up big chunks on the ground. At some point in the first series or two, RGIII will have to show the Cowboys he is willing to take off around the end if the opportunity presents itself. The 'Skins may also need to call on RGIII to run bootleg plays in order to slow down a dangerous Dallas pass rush. He will need to be closer to himself this week than he was in Philadelphia. One of the things the Redskins have been able to count on this season is the franchise quarterback’s ability to raise his game in the biggest moments.

"It is the biggest stage. None of us are looking at this that way. It’s another game that we have to go out and win. That’s the way we look at it. Every moment in your life is the biggest one at that time, so we look forward to having many more of these, but we’ve got to make sure we take care of this one."

Sunday night’s stage will be the biggest yet in his young career.

Skins Need To Be Well Grounded

Rookie Alfred Morris has often been overshadowed by RGIII. Yet Morris can earn the franchise’s single-season rushing record with yards Sunday night. He has been a stud this season, and opposing defenses know who he is each week. However, Morris was snubbed from the NFC Pro Bowl team, even though he will likely go as the first alternate since many veterans bail on the exhibition. Hopefully, Morris will be busy that week before the Super Bowl.

Anyway, despite his anonymity at times, the low-key Morris will be needed to play big Sunday night. As defenses have keyed on him the past two weeks, the running lanes have not been as big for Morris. Yet he’s been effective, racking up 87 yards and 2 TDs against the Browns and 91 yards and a TD against the Eagles. Morris will need to continue to run effectively while protecting the football if the 'Skins are going to be NFC East Champions.

Defense Does Not Need to Dominate

To think the Redskins defense could shut down the Cowboys' high powered offense would be foolish. They have played much better over the past six weeks, but they are not good enough in the secondary to stop all the Cowboys weapons, especially Dez Bryant. That’s OK, though, because they don’t need to. They just need to capitalize on their opportunities Tony Romo will give them and get their offense an extra possession or two.

This game will be a shootout. The quarterbacks and skill players on both sides are too good for it not to be. So the Redskins defense will need to keep the formula going. Increase pressure on the quarterback, create turnovers, and minimize giving up big plays. Rob Jackson and Ryan Kerrigan have turned up the heat on the edge and Barry Coefield, Stephen Bowen, and Jarvis Jenkins have been collapsing the pocket. London Fletcher has been making plays in the secondary with interceptions in three straight and four of his last five. The secondary is still in need of serious help at safety and the corners; however, give the players create for minimizing the big plays that killed them early in the season. Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett needs to keep mixing and matching packages and sub packages to keep offenses confused. This unit is not going to suddenly morph into the Seahawks, but if they just keep improving on what they have been doing they that should enough to be NFC East Champions.

Chain Reactions: Time to Cool it with Cousins Trade Talk

2012-12-20T17:33:45Z

The world could end tomorrow. At least, that is what the Mayan calendar tells us about 12-21-12. I have to admit, I have never owned a Mayan Calendar. I did have several sports calendars over the years. Then, in college, the calendars went from sports to swimsuit models. Anyway, the point is that I have no clue if we should really be worried about the world ending or not.

There are several reasons why I hope the Mayans are wrong, but from the sports side of it, the apocalypse would really suck. I mean, there are actually things to look forward to these days in the DMV with our pro sports franchises. The Redskins have a big time quarterback and are two wins away from a division title. The Nationals are the defending NL East Champs and should be a World Series contender once again next year. The Caps have a strong roster, just not a season (and it ain't looking good either), and the Wizards are, well, the Wizards. If this prediction proves to be wrong, than I hope holiday shoppers are smart enough not to buy these Mayan Calendars anymore.

In this week’s ‘Chain Reactions’ we assess Kirk Cousins' value, and ask if RGIII is ready for Week 16.

Kirk Cousins' Value to the Redskins

Seconds after the Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of this year’s NFL draft, many fans started dreaming about a day when the quarterback’s value would be high enough for the team to trade him. Well that day apparently is here. Shortly after Cousins' 329-yard, 2-TD performance in the team's lopsided 38-21 win over the Browns, a value was put on him. Former Redskins GM Charley Casserly proclaimed on Redskins Postgame Live that he thinks Cousins is worth a 2nd rounder, and perhaps you could get another pick, too. The Redskins are short some picks after giving up some serious freight swapping this past year’s first and second-rounders, along with their next two number 1s (in 2013 and ’14) to the Rams for RGIII.

So to recoup some draft selections makes perfect sense. However, before we send Cousins out of town ,there are some things that should be considered. It is important to have a good backup quarterback. Not having one can cripple a team (see last year’s Chicago Bears). The Houston Texans, on the other hand, had depth at the position and third-stringer T.J. Yates led them into the postseason and actually won a game.

RGIII plays a dangerous style, as we have seen. He has been knocked out of two games and missed one altogether. Hopefully, he will play smarter and safer as his career moves forward. That is not a given, though, and a good backup will always will be needed.

For those that think it is easy to find a good backup, consider: it took Mike Shanhanan three years to finally get his starting quarterback situation settled here in D.C. Does he really want to start over again next year? Even if he gets two picks he likely will have to burn one pick on a young quarterback to play behind RGIII. The recent mistakes made by franchises like Arizona with Kevin Kolb and Seattle with Matt Flynn (who Seattle at least signed in free agency and didn't give up picks for) may make some teams wary of dealing for players with small sample sizes. There will be teams, though, that will overlook those stories of caution because this year’s quarterback draft class is weak. The 'Skins are not enamored with Rex as the No. 2, since he’d been the 3 all year until this past week. The franchise is also set to be shorthanded financially in free agency once again thanks to the NFL's cap penalty, so a veteran backup seems out of the question given all their other needs.

This is not to say the Redskins will not answer the phone if it rings. The Redskins, like all teams in the NFL, will listen to any and all offers. The question is: will the right offer be made for the Skins to part ways with Kirk Cousins after just one season?

RGIII Ready for Week 16

On Wednesday Robert Griffin III took all first-team snaps and once again made it clear his mindset is to play this Sunday.

"I was able to go through a full practice, so that was good. I feel good. It was exciting to get back out there and practice with everybody – get ready for the game."

He wanted to play the previous week and was not happy he didn’t get to.

"It is frustrating. Like I said, players play. I told them in the locker room when they told me [I wouldn’t play] that night I would be upset, but once we step on the field, I was all for this team and all for Kirk [Cousins]. That’s the way you have to approach it. You don’t take those things to the field and try to become a cancer or a distraction to the team. You support the team."

You've got to love the rookie’s competitiveness. RGIII wants to be there for his team. He knows how much these games mean down the stretch. Will he play this week? It would be surprising if he didn’t. Anyone who saw the FOX pregame video of RGIII working out in Cleveland knows he made a ton of improvement in the first week of rehab. So it would be reasonable to expect him to go this week. Also, taking all first team reps, as Cousins had the previous week, is a good sign, too.

Does that mean Mike Shanahan will have a big reveal at some point this week? Probably not. He will try his best to keep this under wraps until Saturday or perhaps Sunday. The Redskins cannot afford a letdown in Philly. Sure, the Eagles are TERRIBLE right now and Andy Reid is likely headed out. However, they are still capable of beating the Redskins. Running back LeSean McCoy is coming back this week and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is still a game-breaker, while Jason Avant moves the chains. The Redskins cannot afford to take them lightly; they need some momentum heading into the likely winner-take-all finale against the Cowboys. They need their star under center, and barring a setback, he should be ready to go.

Chain Reactions: Will RGIII's Knee Derail Skins Playoff Push?

2012-12-14T18:03:53Z

There has been a week long RG-knee watch in the DMV, but there was other big news this week, too. The Wizards got a win! There was also a report they passed on a deal for James Harden due to money. I spoke with a NBA source that denies there was such a deal, just conversations with lots of teams about lots of scenarios. I do think it is interesting that the Thunder would have reportedly taken Chris Singleton, who struggles to score, and a 19-year old Bradley Beal in exchange for scoring machine Harden. In the end the Thunder ended up with Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, TWO first-round picks and a second-round pick.

Let me say this: if the Wizards balking over bucks really pushed the Thunder to a deal with Houston, then the Thunder owe Ted Leonsis big time. In the end, the Thunder got a much better deal from the Rockets. It was the kind of deal we would expect from Sam Presti. Whether an offer was truly made or whether tires were just being kicked, the perception of the Wizards organization league wide and locally is not good. The bad decisions in the draft date back to the Bullets days, and the successes have been short-lived. There have been more lottery appearances than playoff wins. Fans are frustrated and want some results. Instead, they are dealing with more setbacks with the franchise player John Wall, who is set to see another specialist instead of playing time. So once again, Wizards fans are left to think about deals or picks that were not made because it keeps them from thinking about the current sad state of affairs.

In this week’s "Chain Reactions" we hit on angles of RGIII’s knee and how it may impact the current playoff push.

How’s RG’s Knee?

RGIII’s knee has the most talked-about injury in town since his RGIII’s concussion back in October. The leg is not supposed to whip around that way Griffin’s did last Sunday and players certainly are not supposed to walk off the field and return after those collisions take place. Yet RGIII did both Sunday in the Redskins' OT win over the Ravens.

The reports have been encouraging with a dash of caution all week long. We have our usual set of town criers saying "please don’t put RGIII on the field until he is 100% healthy, the future is too bright." We have the barbarians who say "throw some dirt on it, we got a division to win." We also have the armchair GMs who want Kirk Cousins to play even if RGIII is ready so the Skins can showcase him for an off-season trade.

Ultimately, the Redskins will only put RGIII on the field if he gets cleared and he’s able to protect himself, which is the right call. Washington's easiest path to the postseason is to win out and that still does not guarantee anything. They need to keep the pedal to the metal and No. 10 gives them the best chance at winning. The idea that the Redskins can treat the Cleveland Browns like a preseason opponent is ridiculous. Cleveland has suddenly won 3 straight and are actually fighting for the postseason themselves, believe it or not, at 5-8. The coaching staff is also fighting for their jobs beyond this season thanks to an ownership change.

So, if RGIII gets the green light from the doctors, he will play. We can all hope RGIII will lead the Redskins to many playoff and Super Bowl appearances, but truly, no one has a clue or a guarantee that will happen. Keep in mind, RGIII is not your everyday person, or pro athlete, for that matter. Remember the hand-wringing over him playing after a concussion? That worked out really well. His knees are very important for a guy that moves like him. I have read and even talked to an orthopedist who gave me the ‘3-4 weeks for an LCL sprain Grade 1 timetable.’ The same doctor pointed out it is impossible to say for sure without examining RGIII’s MRI. Dr. James Andrews has seen the MRI, and he just happens to be the best of the best in sports.

This is not something the Redskins are taking lightly. The last thing anyone wants to see is him play and get hurt again. This is probably the toughest call the Shanahans will make this season. However, if he is cleared, you can bet he will be playing Sunday no matter how nervous it may make the rest of Redskins Nation.

Plan B with Cousins

The million dollar question surrounding the Redskins this week is how different the offense will be if RGIII is sidelined Sunday? Do Mike and Kyle Shanahan have a completely different offense they will unveil for Kirk Cousins? Will they be able to run the pistol still? Will the Browns stack the box and take Alfred Morris away? All legitimate questions and concerns. The Redskins have run very well out of the pistol formation thanks to RGIII’s ability to take it the distance. There will be no such threat with Cousins, who is more of a traditional drop back passer, but who can also move some, as proven on the game-tying two-point play last Sunday. It would certainly be an easier transition if, say, Russell Wilson was the Redskins backup quarterback. However, it is Kirk Cousins that the Redskins will turn to if RGIII cannot play and Mike Shanahan has plenty of faith in him.

"We felt like we got a diamond in the rough in being able to get Kirk in the fourth round. We had him ranked a lot higher so that’s the reason why we took him."

There is no question the Redskins will be different if Cousins is under center and not RGIII.They will probably look like they did last year when Rex Grossman was under center, just hopefully without all the turnovers.What Cousins will need is for the 'Skins offense line to protect better than they have all season. He will also need a heavy dose of Alfred Morris. Everyone on the offense will have to raise their game and that means the wide receivers who have played much better lately will need to catch every opportunity. Big games will be needed on defense too as they try to make it a long day for Brandon Weeden and special teams will need to be ready for the game breaking abilities of Josh Cribbs. This is not Mission Impossible for the Redskins Sunday if Cousins starts, just another spot where the team and staff need raise their game, as they have for the past 4 weeks.

Chain Reactions: It's Battle of the Beltways Weekend, as the Redskins meet the Ravens

2012-12-07T16:46:38Z

The Redskins and Ravens will play in the "Battle of the Beltways" this Sunday at Fed Ex Field, but before we get to the many aspects of the neighbor vs. neighbor showdown, let’s take a look back at the charmed week of Washington's prized rookie, Robert Griffin III.

To start the week, RGIII helped lead the Redskins to a 17-16 win over the defending world champion New York Giants, ending a 9-game losing skid at Fed Ex Field on Monday Night Football. RGIII not only threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon in the 4th quarter, but he also invented the fumble-pitch play in a first quarter score by Josh Morgan. Then on Tuesday, RGIII sat next to the Wizards bench as they knocked off the defending world champion Miami Heat. He received a standing ovation at the Verizon Center, and also heard his name chanted like he had just played in the game. Even Cowboys fan Lebron James embraced RGIII (which really grossed me out).

I mean what can’t this guy do? He even got Bryce Harper over 100,000 Twitter followers. So what’s next? Well, hopefully four more regular season wins en route to a division title and Super Bowl Championship, but let’s not put too much pressure on the young star. However, once the season's done a trip to the Hill may be in order to motivate our elected officials to save us from the "Fiscal Cliff." In this week’s ‘Chain Reaction’ we take on the "rivalry" of the Redskins and Ravens, plus we look at the a difference a year makes for Trent Williams, as well as Pierre Garcon’s impact.

Is There A Redskins/Ravens Rivalry?

The short answer is "No". The players all seem to say ‘No,’ even guys like Josh Wilson, who used to play for the Ravens. The players will point out that each team has rivals already in their respective divisions. Baltimore is coming off a loss to their biggest rival, the Steelers, and for my money, those two have the best rivalry in football now. I mean, Pittsburgh won in Baltimore behind 50-year-old Charlie Batch. The Redskins, meanwhile, have won three straight over their rivals: Philadelphia, Dallas, and New York.

The bottom line is, there is no history. The teams have played just four times in the regular season. Yes, the Ravens have won three of those four. (or as their fans like to say, "We kicked your D.C. asses 3 of 4 times HON!") That’s not to say the fans can’t feel like this game means more than next week’s game at Cleveland or than any other out-of-division game. We are the ones that have to live next door to these idiots who swapped the 'Skins gear for Ravens gear just because times got tough. Although I will say this: I respect those that made the clean break much better than the fools who are straddling both sides of the fence cheering for both. Pick a damn side already! Also, please do not show up to Fed Ex Field in one of those stupid half uniforms.

From Suspension to Anchoring O-Line

A year ago left tackle Trent Williams began serving a four-game suspension for multiple failed drug tests. One more failed test would mean a yearlong suspension. Many fans wanted him and suspended teammate Fred Davis to be released. Fast forward to the present, and Williams is preparing to play through pain once again this week and anchor the surprisingly solid 'Skins offensive line. Williams suffered a "thigh bruise" in the Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys in the 1st quarter and played through it. The injury limited his ability to explode off the line and also gave him balance issues.

I watched him warm up with trainers in the pregame on the field Monday night and he was clearly in pain and had limited mobility. He played with thigh pads for the first time in his career (something he will do from now on) and played well as the Redskins racked up 207 yards rushing and RGIII was kept clean in the one point win over the Giants.

"I feel like [crap]," Williams said, "but I feel better now that we got that win."

The Redskins' offensive line has been one of the underrated success stories this season. The five starters are hardly household names, but their play has helped anchor one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. The 'Skins have a 1,100 yard rusher already in Alfred Morris, and the NFL’s most talked about player in RGIII, both rookies. While those two get the headlines, the unit continues to perform at a high level. The guy anchoring the group is Williams, who just a year ago nobody seemed to trust. Now he is in charge of protecting the blind side of the franchise’s biggest asset. It might even earn him a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Pierre No Longer Down and Out

The Redskins wasted no time in Free Agency signing Pierre Garcon for 5 years and $42.5 million from the Indianapolis Colts. Immediately, NFL pundits wondered if the Redskins had once again spent too much in free agency for a wide receiver that had never been a No. 1 guy and had never even had a 1,000 yard season. In the opening quarter of the season in New Orleans, the Redskins looked real smart as Garcon exploded with 4 catches for 109 yards, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown, before leaving with a toe injury.

The injury had him on the brink of shutting it down for the season before he returned following the bye week to give it one more shot. The results in the Eagles game were hardly encouraging: just 3 receptions for 5 yards. A short week and the turf in Dallas seemed like a hopeless situation. Garcon, however, gutted it out, posting a 6-reception 86-yard performance that was highlighted by a 59-yard catch-and-run score. It was a play where Garcon once again showed a burst of speed and picked up big time Yards After Catch. Monday night, Garcon was able to raise his game once again, making 8 catches for 106 yards and the game winning touchdown. Mike Shanahan just a few weeks ago was questioning his star’s threshold of pain, and now he’s grateful to have him on the field. As the coach put it Wednesday:

"Pierre has been a big part of our system going in to the preseason. He gave us a lot of confidence and unfortunately we lost him after that first quarter but I think he has demonstrated the last couple of games exactly what type of wide receiver he is both in the running game and the passing game. We are glad to have him."

The Redskins insist they are not doing anything different from a scheme standpoint with Garcon back in the mix. However, it is clear he is RGIII’s go to guy, just as he was back in training camp. The Redskins now have the ability to stretch the field and that opens up things for everyone on offense and gives them another dynamic playmaker that can get big yards after the catch. The team is also 5-1 with him in the line up, as opposed to 1-5 without him. If he can continue to get better each week, so should the Redskins passing attack as they head down the home stretch.

Chain Reactions: RGIII Makes Nothing Impossible for Skins and Nats Not Standing Pat

2012-11-30T15:38:38Z

The number 13 proved to be lucky for the Wizards, who finally broke through with an 84-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Verizon Center Wednesday night. In typical Wizards fashion, they made things way too interesting by blowing a 15-point 4th quarter lead. However, in the end they defended well enough to ‘improve' to 1-12 on the season.

There are so many things wrong with the Wizards. First of all, the overall talent is not equipped to deal with the loss of John Wall and Nene, their two best players. Of course, Nene is playing right now, but he's hardly at full strength. The Wizards brass have no idea if the roster they put together is any better than last year's because it is impossible to measure without Wall and Nene healthy. What we do know is that for one night, under a full moon, the Wizards were winners. How good of a night was it for the Wizards? So good that Emeka Okafor even helped save a fan from a nasty fall.

Will this be a springboard to a long winning streak? Not likely, and until Wall is back on the court with a healthy Nene, we truly will never know how good, bad, or indifferent this team would have been this season. Let's just hope it does not take another 13 games before they win the next one.

In this week's "Chain Reactions" we examine whether RGIII can once again rise to the occasion, and if the Nationals' latest trade means the end of Adam LaRoche.

RGIII Makes Everything Possible

The 2012 Redskins season started in the Superdome, a stadium where no road team had won the year before. Getting a win was seen as "Mission Impossible" for a Redskins team led by a rookie QB in week one. The 'Skins put up 40 en route to a 40-32 win over the Saints as Robert Griffin III proved that nothing is impossible if he's on the field.

Then, the home losing skid that had lasted over a year ended as RGIII ran wild in a 38-26 win over the Vikings. Shortly after that win, the Skins went on a 3-game losing skid and Mike Shanahan appeared to wave the ‘white flag' on the season. Hope appeared to be lost. Then RGIII promised better things after the bye. The 'Skins came back from the bye and ripped the down and out Eagles, 31-6 thanks to four RGIII TD passes. That win ended the run of winless November games at Fed Ex Field in the Shanahan Era.

Then the next hurdle: the Redskins had never beaten the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in six tries. That stat, too, is now history as RGIII put on a show in his first NFL game in his home state, throwing four more TDs in the Redskins' 38-31 win over the Cowboys. Now the Redskins are staring at a 9-game home losing streak on Monday Night Football as they get set to host the Giants this week. The 'Skins are also only 1-9 at Fed Ex Field under the Monday Night lights, with that lone win coming back in 1997. If that didn't scare you enough, the Giants are coming off a dominant performance in a 38-10 win over the Packers. It also happens to be December, the time of year when the Giants usually heat up.

Actually, there is no reason to be scared. The Redskins can play with anyone as long as RGIII is under center. His teammates believe in him, especially after the last two games, in which he has thrown 8 TD passes to just one interception. The Redskins players have been unwavering in their belief in themselves and the last two weeks have added to that belief as RGIII sees it.

I think it's increased the team morale. It kind of showed us that what we do have as far as team-wise, going out winning games, playing well when our backs are against the wall, when it's on the line, everybody showed up ready to play. We played physical. We played tough. I think that's a benefit for us because your season can go one of two ways when you're sitting there at 3-6. It can get really, really bad or you can have shining moments like we've had the past two weeks. We want to keep that going.

This will be RGIII's first second look at a divisional opponent and it will be interesting to see what adjustments the 'Skins and Giants make from the 27-23 New York win at MetLife Stadium back in October. A win would get the Redskins to .500 for the first time since they were 3-3 going into the first Giants game on October 21st. A win would also suddenly make the playoff talk more realistic for the Redskins, too. The Giants could all but end the 'Skins NFC East hopes with a win. The Giants found out in the last meeting how special a competitor the Redskins' rookie quarterback is already. Now, the rest of the nation is paying attention. It always seems that the bigger the stage, the brighter the lights, the better RGIII plays, which should serve the 'Skins well when the Monday Night show rolls into town.

Nats Find a Leadoff Man

The Nationals made their move shortly after their division rival, the Braves, signed free agent outfielder B.J. Upton to a big-dollar deal. The Nats countered with a trade that sent pitching prospect Alex Meyer to the Minnesota Twins for center fielder and lead-off hitter Denard Span. The 28-year old is a prototypical lead-off hitter that has the speed to cover plenty of ground in center field. Bryce Harper will now move to a corner outfield position, and likely into the cleanup spot in the batting order. Jayson Werth can also move into the two hole and hit behind Span now.

It also means that either Michael Morse or free agent Adam LaRoche is outta here. LaRoche is coming off a career year at the plate and in the field, winning his first ever Gold Glove. The Nats would like to keep LaRoche, but like everything with this franchise, it must be at their price. If LaRoche bolts, Michael Morse will likely head back to first base, or perhaps second-year slugger Tyler Moore will get his chance. Neither can replace LaRoche's leather at first, which the Nationals praised all season long. The franchise let Adam Dunn walk, to the dismay of some at the time, because he was a defensive liability at first. To let LaRoche walk would seem foolish after the season he had in the field and at the plate.

The perfect scenario for the Nats would be to deal Morse get some assets and to sign LaRoche for two more years. Then, in two years, they would move Ryan Zimmerman to first and prospect Anthony Rendon would be in the big leagues at third. However, this is baseball free agency and ultimately LaRoche will make the call based on what is the best for him. So the Nationals have to be ready to react, and as GM Mike Rizzo has proved in the past, he will do what's best for the franchise not just here and now, but for years to come.

Chain Reactions: Suddenly, 'Skins Have Life in NFC East

2012-11-23T14:52:00Z

The Washington Redskins suddenly have plenty to be thankful for, as they are alive in the NFC East thanks to their 38-31 Turkey Day win over the Dallas Cowboys. Now, next Monday’s showdown against the Giants at FedEx Field has a chance to be for first place if the Packers can beat Big Blue Sunday night.

Just a week ago, before the Eagles game, I called for baby steps -- like beating someone in November at FedEx Field. That mission was accomplished with the 31-6 beatdown of the Eagles. Even after the Eagles game, though, the 'Skins could not celebrate because they found out defensive difference-maker Brandon Meriweather was done for the season. Thursday, Washington was playing on short rest with a banged-up defensive captain in London Fletcher and a major question was whether Pierre Garcon would play, let alone be effective ( his 59-yard TD reception answered that).

What a difference a week can make -- unless you are the Wizards, who still have as many wins as the Capitals do right now: 0. In this week’s "Chain Reactions," we give thanks for Washington's first-ever win in Dallas on Thanksgiving, and, of course, give thanks for RGIII.

Robert Griffin III

So this is what it is like to have a real quarterback. There is no first-ever win in Dallas on Thanksgiving without RGIII. The Redskins quarterback promised to be better after the bye week. He has delivered, throwing 4 touchdown passes in each of the past two games, with completion percentages of 93% and 71.4%, and QB ratings of 158.3 and 132.6, respectively. Oh, forgot to mention: the two wins have come against division opponents. The big plays we saw on the highlight reel at Baylor are now being seen here too. It helps having Pierre Garcon on the field. Garcon proved on Turkey Day he’s not just a decoy. He still has some burst even with the toe injury.

"It all came down to how the turf felt," Garcon said. "I wanted to play. I wanted to go out there and gut it out and I did that, really."

Speedy Aldrick Robinson suddenly is finding a role as a deep threat and Santana Moss is because the new Cris Carter: just catching touchdowns. Josh Morgan continues to get the tough yards and move the chains. The other rookie, Alfred Morris, gave the Redskins a big boost once again with 113 rushing yards and a TD. RGIII’s leadership is off the charts too. He is "Cool Hand Luke" as Mike Shanahan called him after the win in Dallas. Afterward, RGIII talked about how the win was just another step.

"It feels as if something is building," Griffin III said after another spectacular outing. "Being 3-6, the character of your team is tested. If you don’t beat the Eagles, you’re 3-7 and you’re likely to kill your season or the morale of your team. Then we come out on Thanksgiving and really dominate the game, let [the Cowboys] back in and close it out. It was big for the mindset of everybody." "Hey," he added, "We might have thought we could do it. Now we know we can do it and it’s in our hands."

Redskins fans are just thankful the ball will be in RGIII's hands next Monday night when they take on the Giants at Fed Ex Field.

Takeaways Give Redskins D a Chance

Going into the bye week, the Redskins defense went two straight games without a takeaway. Since returning from the bye, the defense has come up with 6 takeaways in two wins over two weeks. For the season, they already have 22 takeaways, one more than last year's season total of 21. The Redskins defense is not going to shut anyone down this year given the issues they have in the secondary and their lack of a consistent pass rush. But the 'Skins are an effective enough defense when they give the offense short fields as they did against the Eagles and Cowboys. It was encouraging to see they could continue to make plays even after losing their best play-making safety in Meriweather.

A Psychological Boost for the Shanaskins

Let me first say this: I thought Mike Shanahan would be the Redskins coach next season, no matter what happened this year. However, going into the bye his proclamation that the franchise was headed in the right direction sounded a little hollow without real results. Now, after two straight wins over division opponents, his credibility seems to be suddenly restored. To a man, the players have openly supported the coaches' thoughts on the direction of the team. Again, though, without results, it comes off as spin. However, a win like Thursday's should empower the belief among coaches and players that they are headed on the right path.

The built-in excuses were everywhere this week for the Redskins. The loss of Meriweather, the short week on the road, a banged-up London Fletcher, and a hobbling Garcon. The Redskins are suddenly looking resilient when you stack up all the season ending injuries (Brian Orakpo, Adam Carriker, Fred Davis, Roy Helu, Chris Neild, Meriweather) they have had to overcome in order to still be in position to play big games in December.

Chain Reactions: Are Redskins postseason dreams realistic?

2012-11-16T18:16:26Z

Before I give my 2 cents on the fantasy possibility of a late-season Redskins run, let's talk about the winless Wizards. How bad is it right now? There is a joke that circulates on Twitter every night these days,"the [locked out]] Capitals have as many wins as the Wizards this season."

Sure, no one thought the Wizards were going to compete with the Heat or the Thunder this year, but being worse than Charlotte and Orlando is tough to swallow even with John Wall and Nene on the sideline. The team did finally end the Jannero Pargo era and sign fan favorite Shaun Livingston, who is a true point guard. The guy gives effort every night. Granted, that should be a given -- it is a job for goodness sake -- but if you have paid attention to the franchise in the past, you know that was not always guaranteed. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, that approach will pay off with a "W" or two. It is going to be tough for the Wizards until Wall returns and a healthy Nene would go a long way in helping them avoid those lottery places.

If that did not depress you enough, this week's "Chain Reactions" weighs in on the "reality" of a Redskins post season run.

Mathmatically Alive

The Redskins, at 3-6, are tied with this Sunday's opponent, the Eagles, for 3rd place in the NFC East. They are just one game back of the Cowboys, who Washington still has to play twice. They are two-and-a-half gmaes back of the Giants, who lead the NFC East (and are off this Sunday). Overall, the Redskins have 5 division games of their remaining 7. So despite a 3-game losing streak, a defense that can't stop anyone through the air, a offense that is suddenly stalling out rather than giving us spectacular highlights like they did early in the season, the Redskins remain "alive" for a post season run. Is any of that realistic?

OK, so I laid out the groundwork of optimism above, but now it's time for a dose of reality. The Redskins are the last team anyone should "expect" to make a run in the NFC East. The defense is terrible. I could bore you with the stats, but everyone knows they are not getting pressure on quarterbacks, and suddenly over the last two weeks, they are not taking the ball away like they were in the first seven games.

Offensively, they have no one that can stretch the field without Pierre Garcon. He might try to play Sunday, but I don't have to be Doogie Howser, M.D. to know he is not going to be the explosive guy we saw in the first quarter against New Orleans, even if he does play.

I think Mike Shanahan was speaking the truth when he slipped into evaluation mode two weeks ago after the loss to Carolina. Sure, he has backpedaled like Deion Sanders since, but that's because he got crushed and the rest of the division has crumbled since. In the Shanahan era, the Redskins have yet to win a home game in the months of November and December. So, that would be a good starting point this weekend against the Eagles. Sure, the roster has been flipped significantly from year one to year two to now year three. What the Redskins need is more talent and players who will not give in to the "here we go again" mentality that can ruin any cultural change that may be going on in Ashburn.

One player with plenty of talent and character is the franchise quarterback, Robert Griffin III.

"I don’t think it’s an unrealistic goal. For us, the biggest thing, like I said the whole time, it’s one game at a time. You don’t look to the future because you have to take care of what’s in front of you. What am I saying? Yeah, I think the playoffs are a realistic goal for us and I don’t think there’s a guy in that locker room that doesn’t believe that."

There has to be a belief system. I totally get that. However, two Fridays ago, I was at Redskins Park and an offensive player told me the Panthers on tape were "terrible." He then paused and said, "But we also seem to play down to our competition." He was right, but he was also missing the fact that the Redskins are the down team/franchise and they have been for a very long time. The players walk by three Lombardi trophies everyday on their way into work. That's great, but instead of being a symbol of what to strive for, many still seem to think they were a part of those championships.

Hopefully, players like RGIII and Alfred Morris and the other new, young guys can help break that down that old cultural wall. They need to be the hungry team that is trying to fight for respect, not just this Sunday but over the final 7 games. I do not expect a playoff run. There are just too many holes to still fill on the roster. However, for the future of Mike Shanahan and the franchise, they need to at least go down fighting and give the fan base a reason to believe they are headed in the right direction.