Hogs Haven: FanPosts

What does Hogs Haven think of Mike Shanahan?

2013-06-16T06:32:30Z

Hello. I am ak4niner, a die-hard 49er fan. I am going to be posting this over all 32 SBN NFL sites to try to answer a question that I have had for the past year or so.

How do coaches rank among fans?

I’m going to do a little twist on this though. I am not going to set up a ranking system (like I think Harbaugh is #1, blah blah blah), or have you discuss any coaches other than your own. I want to know what the fans of your team think of your coach. After a week or two (timing based off of when I can sneak away to work on this) I am going to look over all 32 fanposts I have made and use the comments to make an “expert” analysis of what fans think of their coach. (Expert meaning I use my 3 synapses to write it, and the monkeys do the editing.)

There are only two things I ask.

One, be honest. I don’t care what direction the posts take us down, but be honest. If you think your coach is the greatest of all time, say so! If you think he doesn’t even deserve to be a dog catcher, then let us know. I am going to try to not let any personal bias creep in when doing the final document.

Two, please only fans of this team comment here. I want to do this ranking based off of each team’s opinion of their own coach. I only ask this so I can save myself time generating the final document. I will filter the comments as necessary.

Thank you for your help in this.

Hello. I am ak4niner, a die-hard 49er fan. I am going to be posting this over all 32 SBN NFL sites to try to answer a question that I have had for the past year or so.

How do coaches rank among fans?

There are only two things I ask.

Thank you for your help in this.

Redskins Jersey Question Pikes?

2013-06-14T02:40:22Z

I have a vintage Starter Football Jersey with "Pikes" on the front and the name "Johnson," on the back. According to the tag on the shirt it says, Designed exclusively for the Washington Redskins." The colors match a Redskins Football jersey, but I am confused by the " Pikes," on the front. Was this just something someone created on their own or was there really a Pikes team? Does anyone out there have any idea what this is? Is this really a Washington Redskins jersey? Thanks and go Redskins! Steve

Redskins add WR Devery Henderson

2013-06-13T06:39:45Z

The Washington Redskins have added yet another veteran WR to the mix in 9-year ex-Saint Devery Henderson just after signing Donte Stallworth.

Adding more experience on the field brings to question the front office's motives. They could be just "adding bodies" to training camp, but this could be a louder message that they are not satisfied with the crew, and possibly the large contracts, they have currently.

Pierre Garçon, Joshua Morgan, Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson, Aldrick Robinson, Dezmon Briscoe, and Lance Lewis, not to mention rookies Chip Reeves, Skye Dawson, and Nick Williams made for a full squad before the two new veteran additions. Regardless of whether the Redskins go into the season with five or even up to seven wide receivers, there are going to be some names we are all familiar with that will hit the waivers.

Who do you think will be cut that you thought would make the team a month ago?

The Washington Redskins have added yet another veteran WR to the mix in 9-year ex-Saint Devery Henderson just after signing Donte Stallworth.

Who do you think will be cut that you thought would make the team a month ago?

HH Playbook

2013-06-11T05:12:04Z

We have many esteemed football scientists, historians and innovators on HH.

It would be an interesting exercise to see what every ones favorite play or plays are; be it NFL, College, High School or Pee Wee flavored.

If you have an example on Video, GIF, white board, chalk board or bar napkin- I think there are members who would love to see it or hear about it.

I'm not by any means a football guru, but I find the longer I pour over HH on a daily basis, the more I can contribute to conversations with other football fanatics (in the mean time I'll continue to contribute with a bit of comedy).

Perhaps other novice HH members will enjoy this as much as I will (assuming someone sees this fan post).

One of mine would have to be Oregon's fake Statue Of Liberty play, not that I like Oregon OR Kelly (OC or HC) but the play seemed well planned and well executed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUAncQgzIpI

We have many esteemed football scientists, historians and innovators on HH.

It would be an interesting exercise to see what every ones favorite play or plays are; be it NFL, College, High School or Pee Wee flavored.

If you have an example on Video, GIF, white board, chalk board or bar napkin- I think there are members who would love to see it or hear about it.

Perhaps other novice HH members will enjoy this as much as I will (assuming someone sees this fan post).

One of mine would have to be Oregon's fake Statue Of Liberty play, not that I like Oregon OR Kelly (OC or HC) but the play seemed well planned and well executed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUAncQgzIpI

Practice Squad Rules- The Basics

2013-06-10T02:42:52Z

With all the discussions going on about what to do with Chase Minnifeild, it became clear to me that some of us are not sure what makes a player eligible for the practice squad. I figured I would write a Fan Post to help educate those so they can more confidently discuss what should be done with a prospect. So lets get in to it a little bit.

A player must not have been on a teams 46 man game day roster for more than eight games in any accrued season.

A player must not have been on a teams practice squad for more than two years. A team may place a player on the practice squad for a third year only if that teams roster has never fallen below 53 players during players employment. If that teams roster does drop below the 53 man base, the third year PS player automatically gets called up to the 53 man roster.

So that's the basics. I hope this has helped some of you.

HTTR!

A player must not have been on a teams 46 man game day roster for more than eight games in any accrued season.

A player must not have been on a teams practice squad for more than two years. A team may place a player on the practice squad for a third year only if that teams roster has never fallen below 53 players during players employment. If that teams roster does drop below the 53 man base, the third year PS player automatically gets called up to the 53 man roster.

So that's the basics. I hope this has helped some of you.

HTTR!

Redskins Over/Under

2013-06-09T20:11:08Z

Someone recently put up a post from eagles forum discussing most overrated and underrated players on each team in the division. For redskins they said Overrated: Garcon, Underrated: Will Montgomery. i made this post to discuss some peoples opinions on who they thought was overrated and underrated. Personally i thought Will Montgomery was a good choice but i didnt think Garcon was completely overrated.

Here's the link from the eagles site,

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2013/6/8/4407984/who-are-the-most-underrated-overrated-philadelphia-eagles

Here's the link from the eagles site,

http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2013/6/8/4407984/who-are-the-most-underrated-overrated-philadelphia-eagles

How many Corners are too many?

2013-06-08T04:58:23Z

After how disappointed I was with our secondary last year, I never thought I'd be scratching my head as to which corner to let go. Hall, Wilson, and Amerson are locked down for at least this year. Biggers is young and comfortable with Morris, so I think he's in. So are 6 corners too many to make the cut this year?

From what I've been reading, Crawford sounds like he is improving. I liked what I saw from him last year and not to mention that I heard he's being mentored by Darryl Green. Then there's Minnefield. I get the feeling that some guys think he's just another fan favorite that doesn't have the tallent to match his hype. But from what I read about him last training camp and watching some of his UVA highlights, I think this guy could really turn out to be a steal if he stays healthy.

So if 6 is too many, who should be cut?

Leave the Man Alone

2013-06-07T16:36:48Z

The hourly "RGIII Injury Update" needs to stop. In this day and age of Twitter and other internet up-to-the-minute news, we need to find a balance between too little and too much. It’s time to recognize this problem that has been going on since December – the Robert Griffin III obsession.

And this problem is not Griffin himself. It’s the media and how they’re handling him.

The 23-year old Griffin handles himself perfectly in public – no, he’s not perfect, but nobody is. However, when he is criticized for posting a picture of his wedding gifts, something is wrong. Griffin is simply trying to be a normal person, which is what he is.

Before last year’s draft, an anonymous source said Griffin had a "selfish streak." Each year, former coach Jon Gruden hosts quarterbacks on in his film room known as "Gruden’s QB Camp", and often gives gifts, such as shirts, to the invited quarterbacks. Griffin was the only quarterback out of 19 that had previously been on the show to give Gruden a gift – he gave him socks – so it is not understandable how anyone could possibly call the second-year pro selfish.

The criticism will always be there, but Griffin exhibits great poise and patience on and off the field – he knows what is best for him to say and do. He shrugs off everything negative said about him in the blink of an eye – not because of his words, but because of his actions and deeds.

Doug Williams, former Redskins quarterback and the only black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, has had several conversations with Griffin. "To see all the things that are going on with him and how big this thing has become… you’re not talking about some jackass here. All he did was play and everybody else makes a big to do about what he’s doing and what (he) should be doing and what he shouldn’t be doing," Williams said.

Griffin took some heat when signing autographs near Redskins Park, with people criticizing as to why he was signing during his rehab. "So he’s supposed to rehab the knee 24 hours a day?" said Williams on the matter. Williams has a point, and his argument says one thing: leave the man alone.

So, the media wants to disparage a kid that’s just trying to be normal, who was born in Japan to a military family, graduated high school early, was class president, was ranked seventh in his graduating class, is a world class athlete in two sports, won the Heisman trophy two years after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament, graduated college early, and single-handedly re-energized a tired fan base? Please.

Everyone somehow associated with Robert Griffin III needs to simply take a step back, let the man breathe a little, and let him do his thing.

And this problem is not Griffin himself. It’s the media and how they’re handling him.

Everyone somehow associated with Robert Griffin III needs to simply take a step back, let the man breathe a little, and let him do his thing.

Why You Shouldn't be Concerned About Jordan Reed's Health and Productivity

2013-06-02T23:09:33Z

via www.csnwashington.com

Reed, while physically limited to running sprints, routes and performing other drills during OTAs, took a lot of mental reps. Reed is memorizing the playbook and doing so from a QB's advanced perspective and study habits. From a mental standpoint his background as a QB may even have him ahead of schedule understanding the playbook. And as opposed to OTAs, it's training camp and pre-season that's the critical period when and where players develop the most and get incorporated into the offense (and defense.)

Following is the Reason Why Jordan Reed will be Physically Ready the First Day of Training Camp and Stay Healthy:

Jordan Reed: "I had a contusion [bruise] in college and that caused my quad to shutdown and stop working, which caused my kneecap to start moving around and banging into my bone, and that caused a bone bruise. As long as I get that quad back firing right, my kneecap will stay in place and I’ll be normal again."

Now that Reed is working with the Redskins trainers, he's reported: "I’m getting stronger, getting my muscle back. That’s all I really need to do, get my muscle back and I’ll be all set."

Jordan Reed mentioned (1) a deep bruise, (2) a loss of muscle strength, (3) an altered firing (pattern) of the muscle(s), (4) the resulting misalignment caused by all this, and (5) his improvement now that he's working with the Redskins' trainers, specifically getting his quad to "fire right", as he puts it.

This is the perfect description of a trigger point injury, something the Redskins organization is uniquely equipped to handle. Here's why:

Last season the Redskins became one of only five NFL teams to embrace dry needling in-house. Before the end of the season most of the Redskins starters couldn't resist taking advantage of this treatment on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. In fact before season end half the team was opting for needling once they saw the results in their teammates at the forefront. This percentage will continue to climb due to the effectiveness and convenience of the treatment.

The expert, in this case Redskins trainer, physical therapist and kinesiologist Elliott Jermyn, measures the athlete's area(s) of muscle weakness, compares the measurement to the player's baselines, then locates and needles the associated trigger points.

Picture the texture of a wide, old, dried-up rubber band. Project that texture to a small area of muscle fiber. That inflexible, weakened area is a trigger point.

Recall the feeling of tightness and soreness of a knot or deep bruise you've dealt with. Deep bruises often create trigger points. You aren't diagnosed with a sprain/tear. Further, nothing shows up on any imaging scan. But you notice your motion doesn't feel right. Possibly an astute teammate or coach notices your motion looks different. In that scenario, there's a decent chance trigger points formed in your musculature, and are now altering your biomechanics, hurting your performance, and possibly mis-aligning you so badly that you are degrading your cartilage.

Trigger points significantly alter the firing pattern of your muscles and measurably reduce your performance. These taught bands of muscle fiber compromise the nerve supply and cause a processing dysfunction known as pain inhibition. Your muscle isn't going to regain strength and you're not going to regain your normal motion until you get rid of the trigger points. If you want to recover quickly and fully you'll get dry needled as much as every other day (if you have convenient access to that resource.) Typically within 24-48 hours of each treatment you'll sense the increase in your muscle production, and your range of motion will improve. You'll see both of these critical attributes improve further as you continue your therapy.

Jordan Reed's recovery? It's extremely promising. Whether the source of the problem is trigger points alone or involves some calcification that is being dissolved by wet-point needling (a related topic), rest assured the Redskins organization knows the exact source of Jordan Reed's injury, they're aggressively and expertly treating it, he's rapidly recovering, and he'll be a full participant at training camp and in the pre-season. Under the Redskins care Reed has been steadily re-building the surrounding muscles and regaining his pre-injury motion and strength to the point he's already sprinting and running drills.

His recovery likely will be further assisted by other cool PT technologies, such as kinesio tape, which plays the dual role of supporting an athlete's musculature while providing sensory feedback to the brain, allowing the athlete to use the correct muscles and motions.

via www.medsupports.com

Given how tough Jordan Reed is, are any of us surprised that while in college he put up with this pain to the point where his leg was misfiring so badly his knee ended up out of alignment? For a measure of his toughness check out this video clip of Jordan sacrificing his body to make the catch and hanging onto the ball despite a brutal hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rQ4y-78vTkA

Drafting Jordan Reed was a well calculated risk by a Redskins organization that knew it could and would bring him back from his trigger point injuries. True to form, Jordan Reed is fully recovering with the aid of the above mentioned therapies and no doubt a multiplicity of other techniques, such as joint stability and movement relearning exercises. He expects to be cleared for full activity within the next 2 weeks. That's a full month before Training Camp begins.

Reed's final season at Florida he gained twice as many yards as Hernandez did his final season at Florida, and Reed didn't exactly have great QBs passing the ball to him. Speaking of passing the ball, Reed was brought to University of Florida to be a QB. The guy has an arm and the Skins will take advantage of it now that Jordan Reed is well on the road to recovery. It's just one more attribute that he possesses that Hernandez does not, in addition to superior height.

This season look for gifted, versatile Jordan Reed's size-speed combination, pass-catching, running and throwing to add another devastating element to the Redskins' already potent offense. Notice the guy in this picture's background. No doubt he's planning on Jordan Reed as well.

via www.washingtonpost.com

via www.csnwashington.com

Following is the Reason Why Jordan Reed will be Physically Ready the First Day of Training Camp and Stay Healthy:

Now that Reed is working with the Redskins trainers, he's reported: "I’m getting stronger, getting my muscle back. That’s all I really need to do, get my muscle back and I’ll be all set."

This is the perfect description of a trigger point injury, something the Redskins organization is uniquely equipped to handle. Here's why:

Picture the texture of a wide, old, dried-up rubber band. Project that texture to a small area of muscle fiber. That inflexible, weakened area is a trigger point.

via www.medsupports.com

via www.washingtonpost.com

OT: Are most Skins players permanent residents in other states?

2013-06-02T16:56:12Z

For tax purposes, I would think it would be beneficial to be domiciled in a state outside of the DC area that has low or no state income tax. Here is another tax question. The Redskins franchise based in VA (Ashburn) played they play in MD (FedEx Field). So do they pay MD state tax, Virginia state tax or income tax for the state where their permanent residents? I believe correct answer is MD, based on the article below.

http://www.hodgsonruss.com/Home/Practice_Areas/Alphabetical_Listing/State_Local_Tax/NoonansNotes/TheMultistateTaxQuandaryForProfessionalAthletes

Who do You Consider to be the Redskins' Biggest Rival?

2013-06-02T14:23:21Z

There was a series of fan shots done last year on this same subject, and I was wondering if the results would change over a year. With a whole bunch of shifts in the NFC East's ladder I believe there may be some changes in the rankings this year. Although, something that I should probably bring up is, this is for who is your biggest rival right now. Tradition with the Cowboys can play a part in this, but it shouldn't be the only thing you vote on. Think about who has gotten under your skin the most, who has won most undeservingly against you. Who is the biggest pain in the ass or demonized player out there in the division right now?

Link to-

Giants; Cowboys; Eagles posts

These were last years' results:

Washington Redskins Biggest Rivalries (458 votes):

Dallas Cowboys – 70% (325 votes) (Obviously)

Philadelphia Eagles – 15% (72 votes)

New York Giants – 13% (61 votes)

Link to-

Giants; Cowboys; Eagles posts

These were last years' results:

Washington Redskins Biggest Rivalries (458 votes):

Dallas Cowboys – 70% (325 votes) (Obviously)

Philadelphia Eagles – 15% (72 votes)

New York Giants – 13% (61 votes)

Poll

Who do you think are the Redskins biggest rivals?

Cowboys

68 votes

Eagles

23 votes

Giants

22 votes

113 votes | Poll has closed

Most hated non NFC team in the AFC

2013-05-31T23:55:59Z

There was a post on the home page tittle Who is the Redskins Most Hated Non-Division Team?
in this Article they choose the sea hawks basically as the team most skins fans hated that wasnt in our division. why i 100% agree with that the article did not include AFC teams.

i am here to say that for me and alot fo skins fans i know our 2nd team to hate outside of the division and number one team from the AFC is the Clv Browns.

When the game was coming up on twitter a bundle of Browns fan attacked me and fellow skins fans about how RG3 well get broken up and how there going whoop on us and blah blah blah so much trash talk i dont know if it was because deep down they wished they would have traded up to get RG3 or mad they picked weeden over cousins. But these fans where pissed. and just knew in they heart of hearts they would win that game

dont believe me ? check it out ,<--- here is a youtube video one of the fans made. i even saw the hatred from there fans on a joe haden pic on instagram. .... now of course we all kno what happen at the end of that game...we handed them there worst lost of there season

but even after that london fletchers family got in a fight with some clv fans after the game

Now idk about everyone who is going to ready this but i kno me and some other skins fans now hate the Clv browns...and cant wait to we blew them out next time we face off HTTR

i am here to say that for me and alot fo skins fans i know our 2nd team to hate outside of the division and number one team from the AFC is the Clv Browns.

but even after that london fletchers family got in a fight with some clv fans after the game

Now idk about everyone who is going to ready this but i kno me and some other skins fans now hate the Clv browns...and cant wait to we blew them out next time we face off HTTR

Here is my 53 man roster

2013-05-28T18:45:07Z

Offense

QB Rg3 and cousins , no REx because I feel we can save the roster space and bring Rex back quickly no one is signing him (2)

Rb Morris Helu Thompson and Jamison . PerhapsJamison goes to the PS but if Helu is healthy (which i think he will be ) then he will get those back=up snaps because he can catch the ball well . Thompson will get some looks because he is flat out explosive . you may see him on KOR's too (4)

FB young our most underated player (1)

Te Davis , Paulson Reed and Paul . This is a big year for Paul . He had an adjustment to make at TE and this year he should be more comfortable . He wasnt targeted much (15 targets , 8 rec , 1 td 19 yrd avg ) but he could overtake paulson next year (2014) if he can be more consistent (4)

WR Garcon , Morgan , Moss Hankerson and Robinson . People bag on Robinson but he had 19 targets 11 rec 3tds and a 21.5 avg . hard for me to give up on that yet . He has improved every year so perhaps he is reay for a bigger role next season (5)

OL Wiliams , Stieger , Monty , Chester , Compton , Polumbus , Hurt , Gettis Le ribius . I think Le Ribius will push for a starting job this year and Compton will be the suprise starter at RT . Gettis could be ready in 2014 I kept Polumbus because he can play OG . (9)

Forbath , Racca, and Sundberg are the specialist .

Defense

DE Jenkins Carriker Bowen Merling Merling is a suprise here but he might be a bust as a 2nd rounder but he is younger then Golston . Golston by the way was an outstanding find in round 6 . (4)

NT Coefield Brace Baker , Brace is another suprise but he appears to be in shape Baker will be hard to knock off the roster because he is in shape now as well Add Nield to the mix and this will be a fierce battle (3)

OLB Rak , Kerrigan , (Jackson /Tapp) Jenkins Jenkins could be a huge steal here . Jackson is suspended for the 1st 4 games (4)

ILB LBF , Riley Keihl Robinson . Robinson will spell LBF on passing downs to get exp. but he looks to me like the guy to take over at ILB when LBF decides to go . ILB should be high on our draft list next season (4)

CB Hall , Wilson , Biggers , Amerson , Minniefield Crawford . I think our Starting 2014 CB rotation could be Amerson Crawford and Minniefield (6)

S Merriweather , Doughty , Thomas, Rambo (4) THIs could be interesting because of the health of Merriweather and Jackson's unknown status . Doughty is another 6th round gem in my opinion . Hard to see him not making it

There it is , some hits can be taken here but I think its a decent roster with a few gambles .

Offense

QB Rg3 and cousins , no REx because I feel we can save the roster space and bring Rex back quickly no one is signing him (2)

FB young our most underated player (1)

Forbath , Racca, and Sundberg are the specialist .

Defense

DE Jenkins Carriker Bowen Merling Merling is a suprise here but he might be a bust as a 2nd rounder but he is younger then Golston . Golston by the way was an outstanding find in round 6 . (4)

OLB Rak , Kerrigan , (Jackson /Tapp) Jenkins Jenkins could be a huge steal here . Jackson is suspended for the 1st 4 games (4)

CB Hall , Wilson , Biggers , Amerson , Minniefield Crawford . I think our Starting 2014 CB rotation could be Amerson Crawford and Minniefield (6)

There it is , some hits can be taken here but I think its a decent roster with a few gambles .

Explaining RGIII's "Mental Reps"

2013-05-28T05:40:15Z

Most of us have heard Tandler mention Robert's mental reps and we've read the following snippets on HH or CSN Washington:

El-Bashir: Griffin’s challenge is to become intimately familiar with the playbook and how the defense reacts – without taking a single snap. It’s called a "mental rep" and it worked like this during OTAs:

During offense vs. defense drills, Griffin held a play card in his hand as Kirk Cousins directed the first team. Griffin stood several yards behind Cousins, but was close enough to hear Cousins call the play, audible at the line of scrimmage and identify the defensive alignment.

After each play, Griffin initiated a brief discussion with someone, whether it was Cousins, quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur or another member of the coaching staff. He was also quick to give Cousins – or a receiver – a pat on the helmet after a well-executed play.

Griffin (talking about mental reps): "You know the play, you know what defense you’re going against, you need to KNOW where you're supposed to be looking and what your eligibles are. You know what you’re supposed to look at and you’re yelling it out BEFORE it happens. It helps you, looking at [things] from a different perspective [so] when you get out there on the field, you already know, ‘I only need to look at this [key] on this play.’ ""

If we fans are "paying attention" (Robert's buzz phrase for "mental reps"), we'll realize Robert is doing a whole lot more than agility drills at OTAs. He's running the offense, albeit through intense mental reps (with the added benefit of ZERO distraction from physical pain or fatigue or re-injury concern.)

Mental reps, just like physical reps, become instincts. With repetition each play's conscious analysis and deliberate action becomes a reflex.

Think about your split second athletic reflexes. Drive to the hoop or deliver the bounce pass? Swing or take the pitch? Step up in the pocket or take off running? You developed these instincts by repetitively practicing what's commonly referred to as "pattern recognition" or "spatial reasoning." You see, process and understand not only what’s going on now, but what’s going to happen next. That's Spatial Reasoning - the ability to understand scenes in three-dimensions and predict how movement will change that dynamic.

Without even taking a snap, Robert is practicing every passing play's high-speed spatial reasoning. He's transitioning from conscious thought and deliberate action to instinct. (All this while we thought he was idling.)

Multiple studies have proven detailed imagery of a skill excites the same neuromuscular pattern associated with actually performing that particular skill. Our brains’ power to imagine and visualize develops the neurological pathways associated with that skill. In other words, Robert might just as well have been out there taking the physical reps himself. He'll continue performing these same intense mental reps in early June's OTA and mid June's mini-camp.

Barring an unlikely setback, Robert will be sprinting and cutting in less than 6 weeks. This is according to his statements. And those statements are supported by (1) standard rehab schedules for his type of surgery, and (2) many other athlete's historical recovery timetables. Do the math. Eight weeks from now, meaning day one of training camp, RG3 will be sprinting full speed and cutting. This will allow Robert to easily take physical reps at QB from day 1. He'll be taking those non-contact physical practice reps the ENTIRETY of camp and pre-season.

Recent statements from Mike Shanahan imply the plan is to keep Robert out of pre-season games and play RG3 September 9th in the Monday Night home opener against Philly. Mike has stated that if RG3 can fully practice the week before that game, he'll play. Fully practicing is something RG3 will have already been doing the entirety of training camp and pre-season.

I now strongly believe RG3 will return game 1.

I now strongly believe RG3's injury hasn't and won't delay his development.

What I'm wondering is how will the coaches split the 1st and 2nd team practice reps between Cousins and RG3 during training camp and pre-season?

Most of us have heard Tandler mention Robert's mental reps and we've read the following snippets on HH or CSN Washington:

El-Bashir: Griffin’s challenge is to become intimately familiar with the playbook and how the defense reacts – without taking a single snap. It’s called a "mental rep" and it worked like this during OTAs:

During offense vs. defense drills, Griffin held a play card in his hand as Kirk Cousins directed the first team. Griffin stood several yards behind Cousins, but was close enough to hear Cousins call the play, audible at the line of scrimmage and identify the defensive alignment.

After each play, Griffin initiated a brief discussion with someone, whether it was Cousins, quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur or another member of the coaching staff. He was also quick to give Cousins – or a receiver – a pat on the helmet after a well-executed play.

Griffin (talking about mental reps): "You know the play, you know what defense you’re going against, you need to KNOW where you're supposed to be looking and what your eligibles are. You know what you’re supposed to look at and you’re yelling it out BEFORE it happens. It helps you, looking at [things] from a different perspective [so] when you get out there on the field, you already know, ‘I only need to look at this [key] on this play.’ ""

I now strongly believe RG3's injury hasn't and won't delay his development.

What I'm wondering is how will the coaches split the 1st and 2nd team practice reps between Cousins and RG3 during training camp and pre-season?

Rookies in the backfield once again?

2013-05-25T19:26:04Z

Both RGIII and Alfred Morris rookies in 2012 turned out to be more than what the Redskins needed in the offensive backfield.
Why not put two talented rookies in the defensive backfield in 2013? Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo
As a "unit" Washington will be better if strong safety Brandon Meriweather returns from his torn right ACL, as expected.
If he returns he will compete at strong safety, forcing Phillip Thomas to focus on playing more at free safety.
Rambo is more of a natural free safety than Thomas.
So... Why not put the best player at free safety (Rambo) and not just force Thomas to move to free safety because Meriweather is returning from his injury. I feel that Rambo and Thomas are better athletes than Meriweather and Thomas is a better option at strong safety.
Therefore, starting rookie safeties in the backfield would be the best option for the Redskins who struggled in the secondary in 2012. Both Rambo and Thomas could still be interchangeable safeties. The athleticism of both rookie safeties will help the Redskins disguise coverages leading to more interceptions.
Thomas as a (strong safety) led the country with eight interceptions over the regular season (three of which he has returned for touchdowns) and forced five fumbles. He joined Alabama's Dee Milliner and Mississippi State's Johnathan Banks as a finalist for the 2012 Thorpe Award as the nation's top defender.
Rambo is accomplished ball-hawk (16 career INTs) and an intimidating hitter. In 2011, he was second in the country with eight interceptions behind Redskins second round pick David Amerson (13 interceptions). In 2012, after a second violation of Georgia's drug policy which led to a four-game suspension, Rambo returned to finish the season with 67 tackles and three interceptions.

Poll

What are the Redskins best options at the safety positions?

Rambo and Thomas

55 votes

Thomas and Meriweather

30 votes

Rambo and Meriweather

39 votes

124 votes | Poll has closed