SB Nation DC - Redskins Vs. Panthers: Cam Newton Dominates Second Half, Carolina Wins, 33-20https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-10-27T13:04:36-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22652022011-10-27T13:04:36-04:002011-10-27T13:04:36-04:00Before He Got Injured, Tim Hightower Was Angry At His Teammates
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<p>One of my favorite NFL features is the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8238064b/Sound-FX-Week-7">SoundFX thing that NFL.com does</a> where they give you a glimpse of the heat-of-the-moment emotions of the game. You get an idea of just how competitive these games really are.</p>
<p>In this week's edition, there's a clip of <span>Tim Hightower</span> chiding his offensive line. Fast forward to the 1:41 mark to see the whole thing. Transcript below the jump.</p>
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<p>"WE TOO GOOD FOR THAT, FELLAS! WE TOO GOOD. IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, MAN! IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, FELLAS! IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH! COME ON!"</p>
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<p>There's also a clip of <span>Brian Orakpo</span> slamming a Gatorade carton down after Steve Smith caught a long pass late in the game. These are the images of losing and frustration.</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/27/2518641/tim-hightower-redskins-vs-panthersMike Prada2011-10-25T12:02:22-04:002011-10-25T12:02:22-04:00Washington Redskins Lose To Carolina Panthers, But Win Fan Battle
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<p>Looking for a silver lining on what might prove to be a season-killing loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> on Sunday, considering all the injuries the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> had in the game? At least Redskins fans traveled well. They traveled so well that Panthers players and coaches noticed. <a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/24/2719898/protect-this-home-field.html#ixzz1boGNhB1L"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/24/2719898/protect-this-home-field.html#ixzz1boGNhB1L">Via the Charlotte Observer</a>:</p>
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<p>"You don't want to see that. You don't want to have a bunch of maroon fans in the stands," left tackle <span>Jordan Gross</span> said Monday. "But if we were undefeated, you probably wouldn't have that many. So hopefully the fans recognize the importance of home field and home games, and they're keeping their seats for Panthers fans."</p>
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<p>Carolina was Redskins country for many years before the Panthers became an expansion team in the mid-90s, so the presence of many Redskins fans isn't a huge surprise. There's a lot of talk in the article about how visiting fans often flood Carolina's stadium, but it's especially pronounced when the Redskins come into town. Tons of Panthers players and coaches are quoted saying that needs to change.</p>
<p>Hey, it's something for Redskins fans to be happy about, so we'll take it.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/25/2513094/washington-redskins-fans-carolina-panthersMike Prada2011-10-24T16:06:50-04:002011-10-24T16:06:50-04:00Tim Hightower Delivered Locker-Room Speech After Suffering ACL Injury
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<p>Now that we know <span>Tim Hightower</span> <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/23/2508979/tim-hightower-injury-knee-washington-redskins">suffered a season-ending torn ACL</a> in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>' 33-20 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> on Sunday, the many Twitter reports that he delivered a locker-room speech to the team after the game carry on extra significance. Nobody outside of that room has reported exactly what Hightower said, but <a href="http://blog.redskins.com/2011/10/24/hightowers-fiery-locker-room-speech/">Brian Tinsman of the official Redskins blog got some information from the man himself</a>.</p>
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<p>"We play this game for one reason: to win," he related to the media after the game. "We want to focus. Regardless, we’re still in the hunt. Whether we were 6-0 at this point, or whether we were 1 and whatever, we’re still in the hunt right now. We still have our goal in front of us and we still have the ultimate goal, and that’s what we’re going to keep working to."</p>
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<p>He later said he told the team not to "get discouraged" and to "stay hungry" even though they lost. The words themselves don't see too remarkable on their own, but Tinsman said Hightower had the team's "undivided attention." Surely they were delivered with plenty of force.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/24/2511331/tim-hightower-washington-redskins-injury-speechMike Prada2011-10-24T11:32:54-04:002011-10-24T11:32:54-04:00ANIMATED: John Beck Licks His Hand
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<p>I find this animated GIF of <span>John Beck</span> licking his right hand way more amusing than I should. I guess you could say he was "licking his chops" at the opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.</p>
<p> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/842624/beck-lick-h.gif"><img alt="Beck-lick-h_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/842624/beck-lick-h_medium.gif"></a></p>
<p>(click to play)</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/24/2510586/animated-john-beck-licks-his-handMike Prada2011-10-24T10:14:45-04:002011-10-24T10:14:45-04:00DeAngelo Hall Compares Cam Newton To A 'Pretty Ferrari'
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<p>Leave it to <span>DeAngelo Hall</span> to provide a sharp quote even after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>' 33-20 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> on Sunday. Hall was one of many Redskins' defenders to be burned by Cam Newton throughout the game, especially<a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/23/2508496/cam-newton-run-carolina-panthers-washington-redskins"> on this one run early on</a>. Afterwards, he made a pretty amusing comparison. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-had-no-answer-for-cam-newton/2011/10/23/gIQATbFcAM_blog.html"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-had-no-answer-for-cam-newton/2011/10/23/gIQATbFcAM_blog.html">Via Rick Maese of the Washington Post</a>.</p>
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<p>"The kid is a pretty Ferrari," said cornerback DeAngelo Hall. "He can run. He can throw. He’s got the total package. He’s going to be a player in this league for a long time."</p>
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<p>Two things:</p>
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<li>Someone with better photoshop skills needs to do something with this quote.</li>
<li>This begs the question: is there such thing as an ugly Ferrari? Isn't "pretty Ferrari" kind of redundant? <br>
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<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, check out SB Nation's Washington Redskins blog <a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/">Hogs Haven</a>. For more on the Redskins vs. Panthers game, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/19/2501161/redskins-vs-panthers-john-beck-era-begins-against-cam-newtons-panthers">visit this StoryStream</a>. For more on the Panthers, visit SB Nation's Panthers blog <a href="http://www.catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/24/2510372/deangelo-hall-cam-newton-carolina-panthers-washington-redskinsMike Prada2011-10-24T08:15:09-04:002011-10-24T08:15:09-04:00Leonard Hankerson Argues With Twitter Followers After Redskins' Loss To Panthers
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<p>Losing sucks for a player, especially when they are coming under fire for running the wrong route that caused an interception. It's safe to say <span>Leonard Hankerson</span> was in no mood to deal with angry fans sending messages at him on Twitter after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>' 33-20 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. That doesn't mean what he did was worth doing.</p>
<p>Both <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/HankTime85">Hankerson</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/speedybanks16">Brandon Banks </a>were vocal on Twitter following with loss, with Hankerson dishing out the most heat after he and <span>John Beck</span> miscommnuicated on a late play that led to a Beck interception. Lots of people were frustrated with Hankerson, and Hankerson fired back at many of them. Teammate <span>DeJon Gomes</span> had to intervene at one point. Meanwhile, Banks sent a tweet out agreeing with a follower who asked why he wasn't getting more touches on offense.</p>
<p>Venting happens, but doing so in a public forum like Twitter was a poor decision on both of their parts. Tweets are below the jump. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/post/leonard-hankerson-responds-to-redskins-critics-on-twitter/2011/10/23/gIQATRT7AM_blog.html">As first noted by Dan Steinberg</a>:</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, here's Banks sort of asking for more touches.</p>
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<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> blog<a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/"> Hogs Haven</a>. For more on the Redskins vs. Panthers game, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/19/2501161/redskins-vs-panthers-john-beck-era-begins-against-cam-newtons-panthers">visit this StoryStream</a>. For more on the Panthers, visit SB Nation's Panthers blog <a href="http://www.catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/24/2509865/leonard-hankerson-redskins-vs-panthers-twitterMike Prada2011-10-24T08:01:05-04:002011-10-24T08:01:05-04:00Redskins Vs. Panthers: Defense Lets Washington Down Against Cam Newton
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<p>For the first time all season, the Washington Redskins' defense let them down, and they paid the price against Cam Newton and Carolina. Is this the start of a trend?</p> <p>Given what is known about this <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> team, it's pretty easy to figure out what their formula is for winning games.</p>
<p>It's a simple recipe: They must score around 17 points, control the clock by running the ball, don't turn the ball over and ask the defense to hold down the opposition. That sounds like a game plan that could be applicable for nearly every team in the league, but it might be especially true for <i>this </i>team. It's clear through six games that Washington does not have enough talent yet to overcome and achieve victory when any of those ingredient go awry.</p>
<p>That came to light Sunday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. The defense failed to do it's part, which was the primary reason the Redskins fell 33-20 to Cam Newton and company. In the game's first half, the Redskins were in position to stick to that formula, running the ball with <span>Tim Hightower</span> and giving <span>John Beck</span> high-percentage opportunities for completions, using bootlegs and rollouts to take advantage of his mobility. On the other side of the ball, the defense held Newton and the Carolina offense in check, notching four sacks and holding the Panthers to just nine points.</p>
<p>The problem for Washington came in the second half, when the Redskins defense went from a bend-but don't-break unit to one that was giving up big play after big play. They rarely got pressure on Newton. When they were able to generate a rush, the rookie signal caller still managed to burn them either by scrambling or by making incredible throws. In total, the defense allowed a soul-crushing 24 points in the second half. To put that number in perspective, the Redskins defense hadn't allowed that many points <i>in an entire game</i> prior to Sunday. </p>
<p>That's the last thing this offense needs. Even before injuries began plaguing the Redskins offense, they were not a group that was built to come from behind in a two-score or more game. Without a number of explosive playmakers and a quarterback in Beck that hasn't seen action since 2007, it was asking too much to have them stage a rally of any sort. And yet, they were faced with a 17 point deficit in the game's final period, a steep mountain to climb for a unit that has trouble scoring that many points over four quarters, much less one.</p>
<p>Simply put, the Redskins defense let the team down on Sunday. They were playing very well through five games, but turned in the worst performance of the season against the Panthers. In addition to allowing their highest point total all season at 33, they surrendered five plays of 25 yards or more, another season high. Needless to say, that's not good.</p>
<p>The question now becomes whether or not this game will be an aberration or if it will be the start of what would be a concerning trend. The defense was considered the clear strength of the team, and if they continue to struggle like they did Sunday, then it goes without saying that the season's outlook will be much grimmer than what it was just two short weeks ago when the team was 3-1 at the bye.</p>
<p>At 3-3, the season is certainly not over, but it certainly feels like it's slipping away. Of course, the NFL is a week to week league, and all it could take is one impressive victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> next week in Toronto for the Redskins to be right back in the heat of the NFC East race.</p>
<p>But for now, the season is unfolding just the way most thought it could, with the past two weeks revealing that the Redskins are looking more and more like the 7-9 or worse squad most projected they would be. But if the Redskins still want to surprise at season's end, it's obvious they'll have to lean on their defense to get it done.</p>
<p>With an offense that lacks playmakers, it's their best and seemingly only chance to win this year.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> blog<a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/"> Hogs Haven</a>. For more on the Redskins vs. Panthers game, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/19/2501161/redskins-vs-panthers-john-beck-era-begins-against-cam-newtons-panthers">visit this StoryStream</a>. For more on the Panthers, visit SB Nation's Panthers blog <a href="http://www.catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/24/2509684/washington-redskins-carolina-panthers-cam-newton-defenseDaniel Shiferaw2011-10-23T18:16:34-04:002011-10-23T18:16:34-04:00VIDEO: Cam Newton Explains His Crazy End Zone Leap
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<p>Cam Newton made a ton of highlight-worthy plays in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>' 33-20 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, but the most noteworthy one may have been a play where he<i> didn't </i>score. On the Panthers' opening drive, Newton took off on a quarterback run in the red zone and tried to leap straight sideways from four yards out. Instead of scoring, he got leveled twice; first by <span>DeAngelo Hall</span>, then in the shoulder by <span>London Fletcher</span>.</p>
<p>After the game, Newton was asked to explain why he decided to do what he did. Let's just say his answer made him sound like a wide-eyed kid. Video of both the play and the response is below the jump. <a href="http://www.twitvid.com/N6RSX">Thanks to Bill Voth for the response video</a>.</p>
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<p><iframe title="Twitvid video player" class="twitvid-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.twitvid.com/embed.php?guid=N6RSX&autoplay=0" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe> <br id="1319408091963"></p>
<p><i>For more on the <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, check out SB Nation's <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> blog<a href="http://www.hogshaven.com/"> Hogs Haven</a>. For more on the Redskins vs. Panthers showdown, <a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/19/2501161/redskins-vs-panthers-john-beck-era-begins-against-cam-newtons-panthers">visit this StoryStream</a>. For more on the Panthers, visit SB Nation's Panthers blog <a href="http://www.catscratchreader.com/">Cat Scratch Reader</a>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-redskins/2011/10/23/2509136/cam-newton-carolina-panthers-washington-redskinsMike Prada