After an exciting first week of Hullabaloo filled with Redskins player tweets and prospect visits, announcements this week were a little slower but there was still some new blood meeting with team brass. Also, RGIII went Easter Egg hunting at the White House, DeSean Jackson managed to keep his name in the news (and on the late night TV circuit) and a college student made Wheel of Fortune viewers cringe. While we wait with bated breath for the NFL to announce the schedule tonight, here's this week's Hullabaloo:
Redskins Player Spotlight:
Our Redskins spotlight this week shines on a new (old) friend who was brought back to Washington after many years, like the prodigal son, to bring stability and leadership to the defensive secondary: safety Ryan Clark. Clark actually started his career with the New York Giants in 2002, but jumped ship to Washington in time for the 2004 season. In two very solid seasons with the Redskins, he teamed with the late Sean Taylor to make a formidable safety tandem. However, following the 2005 season, the Redskins decided Clark was not sexy enough to wear the Burgundy and Gold and let him go in favor of Adam "Terrible Decision" Archuleta. Clark then proceeded to continue his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played a huge role as part of their often devastating defense, collecting 666 combined tackles and 12 interceptions in eight seasons, as well as a championship ring in Super Bowl XLIII. It is unknown how much is left in Clark's tank, but he is certain to be the starter in Week 1 and, if nothing else, brings badly needed experience to the safety position. Upon his return to the Skins this spring, he almost immediately caught flak from some fans when he tweeted about possibly wearing Taylor's old #21 at practice, as he did as a sign of respect for his former teammate while with the Steelers. We here at the Hump Day offices are glad to have him back and don't really care what number he wears on his practice jersey.
Redskins Hullabaloo of the Week:
- Earlier in the week, the NFL advised their fans that they may or may not release the regular season schedule on April 22nd, as had been previously leaked to the media through ProFootballTalk.com. We were not sure what the hold-up was on this, but were willing to play along like good little soldiers and wait for the almighty powerful league to release it when they were ready (and like it). However, it was finally announced late in the day on the 22nd that the announcement will be tonight at 8pm on the NFL Network. THANK YOU ALMIGHTY NFL!!!!
- In preparation for the incredibly late-in-the-year 2014 NFL draft, the Redskins met with (or scheduled to meet with) several prospects this past week. The list included but was not limited to: Charles Sims (RB, WVU), Demarcus Lawrence (OLB, Boise State), Jack Mewhort (T, Ohio State), Morgan Moses (T, UVA), Antonio Richardson (T, Tenn), Dezmen Southward (S, Wisc), Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech), Dexter McDougle (CB, UMD) and Jaylen Watkins (CB, Florida)
- Robert Griffin III and other teammates visited the White House on Sunday to hunt for eggs and take pictures with robots and Jared the Subway guy. Griffin also must have won the award for most creatively dressed while at the event.
#EasterEggRoll at the #WhiteHouse with Clicky the internet safety robot… http://t.co/kHl8CPr8dh
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 21, 2014
#EasterEggRoll at the #WhiteHouse with my man Jared Working on some new sandwich ideas #Subway2014 http://t.co/o964LfKxYW
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 21, 2014
"@PierreGarcon: This might be the first guy to wear cleats in the White House @RGIII @ The White House http://t.co/fqVRHFFj2P" 😂😂
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 21, 2014
- On the subject of Griffin, owner Dan Snyder talked with CSN Washington's Tarik El Bashir and stated that his quarterback is "100% and is wonderfully healthy" to the glee of many a staff member at the Hump Day offices. Here's to hoping he stays that way.
Snyder on RG3: "Whenever you're coming off a serious injury, it takes time to heal. He's a 100-percent and wonderfully healthy."
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) April 22, 2014
- DeSean Jackson remained in the headlines, this time for an appearance he made on The Arsenio Hall Show. While on the show, he stated that he will have "something special" on tap for when he plays his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Here is the link to his late night interview. Some rumblings have started about the star receiver having too much non-football related news since joining the Redskins. On the positive note, to date, he has still not unveiled a new logo that could possibly be a distraction to his team.
- Finally, speaking of wide receivers, two former Redskins pass-catchers (in the loosest sense of the word) found new homes this week. Brandon Lloyd ('06-'07) went back to the 49ers, and Josh Morgan ('12-'13) brought his talents to the Windy City. During their separate times spent in Washington, the players averaged 23 catches and 0.5 touchdowns per season in four combined seasons. Keep in the mind, the overall average is raised significantly by the 2012 campaign had by Morgan, in which he had 48 of the most unspectacular receptions you will ever see.
Team Having the Best Week: The Oakland Raiders & Seattle Seahawks - The Raiders are having the best of a somewhat slow week for dumping their problem child and former starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and getting a seventh round pick from the Seattle Seahawks in return. The Seattle Seahawks tied with the Raiders this week, for getting a possibly play-making all-purpose gadget man with game experience for only a seventh round pick. If anyone can make it work with Pryor, we feel the much hated yet respected Pete Carroll and his offensive staff, can.
Team Having the Worst Week: The New York Giants - The Giants received bad news on Tuesday when it was announced that third year veteran safety Will Hill will receive his third drug suspension from the league, and it most likely will be a long one. Last season, Hill played in 12 games after serving a four game suspension and finished the year with 77 tackles, two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and two forced fumbles. Our friends at ProFootballFocus.com had him ranked as the second best safety in the league in 2013. He can appeal the suspension, but the Giants may still release him, and according to various reports, the organization is "livid" at Hill. The rest of the NFC East may be slightly less upset.
Huge Redskins Fan Dale Jr. Report (Aka Why Junior is Awesome):
Junior, along with the rest of the drivers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series had a much deserved vacation this past weekend. They are back this Saturday, however, in the Toyota Owners 400 at the Richmond International Raceway, where Earnhardt will be looking to improve on his fourth place standing in overall points. We're hoping not to jinx anything, but look for a post coming soon in which Hogs Haven will dive into the mind of the man himself for insight on the upcoming race and the Redskins' offseason.
Random UnRedskins Item: This week's random item comes to us from the world of legendary game shows. Everyone, at some point or another, no matter where you come from, has laid eyes on the game show Wheel of Fortune. It's been on for a million years and the host and hostess of the show, Pat Sajak and Vanna White, have clearly made a decent deal with the devil as they have not aged at all during its entire run. In the past, there have been some good contestants and some bad contestants. This past week, there was a young man on the show who managed to make all the other bad contestants um....not look so bad. Please watch and enjoy in horror:
This Guy Is The Worst Wheel Of Fortune Contestant Ever (via nolifejpn)
Days until the Redskins First Pick in the 2014 draft: 16 agonizing days
Our Top 5 Mock Draft:
1) Houston Texans - Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
2) St. Louis Rams - Khalil Mack, DE/OLB, Buffalo
3) Minnesota Vikings - Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida
4) Cleveland Browns - Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
5) Oakland Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Redskins First Pick (34th):
- Morgan Moses, OT, UVA
That will do it for this week! Hope you enjoyed it and feel free to email me if there is something you would like to see included in next week's Hullabaloo that our readers will enjoy. If we use your info as part of the post, we may or may not send you some kind of fabulous prize. Not knowing is half the fun!!!
Until then.........