Jim Zorn took up Joe Gibbs Racing's offer to spend a day at the tracks with the Hall of Fame Coach down in Charlotte. The two coaches spoke about family, Redskins' football, and of course, Jason Campbell.

Regarding if JC was treated like the red-headed step-child during the very public Mark Sanchez/Jay Cutler soap opera:

"I have a different outlook on that," Gibbs said of shopping the quarterback he had plucked from Auburn. "At some point you're going to have to take the team down the field in a driving hailstorm to win the game. If you get all uptight about stuff as the quarterback -- if (trade rumors) is something that bothers you -- you're in the wrong position."

Gibbs thinks Campbell's hardship is similar to previous QB's he coached:

"You gotta realize an NFL quarterback is going to go through a lot -- all the ones I coached did," Gibbs added through that wheezing laugh of his. "If it wasn't (Mark) Rypien getting benched in the middle of a season, it was Joe Theismann technically going to get benched. Or it was Doug Williams going through two teams and coming here when everybody thought his career was over."

Gibbs on Zorn's legitimacy as a coach:

"I think he has a good feel for the job and where he is," Gibbs said of Zorn. "He understands coaching. He understands where he is. I think that going through that first year, I know what that was like for me. I mean, he wound up in the same spot I did -- 8-8. The second year, you're more settled."

Gibbs on whether he has any regrets coming back to DC for a second go at coaching:

"In life, you get an opportunity you take it," he said. "It was important for me to come back. I felt like it was the right thing for me to do. I think it was the right time for me to leave. I took my best shot and went after it.

"The four games we won after Sean (Taylor) died was the most unbelievable coaching experience ever," he added. "How that team came together and got into the playoffs, man, just unbelievable."

I've read all of Gibbs' comments multiple times trying to dissect the truthfulness in them. I suspect the REAL conversation went more like this:

Zorn: Coach. I am really in a pickle here! The entire fan base wants Campbell to QB this team, but I'm the only one that knows he can't run this offense.

Gibbs: If you look inside your heart, and talk to Jesus, you will find a way.

Zorn: What made you trade up to get this QB? Sure, he never lost a game at Auburn, but he had Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams in his backfield. They would have won all twelve games if they had the drummer for Def Leppard under Center!!

Gibbs: Boy! I'll tell ya! That drummer really plays his guts out. His faith in God must be at a level we all need to be at.

Zorn: The only level the drummer has is a Blood Alcohol Content level....and it's probably higher than the amount of points we're scoring a game.

Gibbs: I really give it our guys. They really fight hard!

Full Article: [WaPost]: Zorn Joins Gibbs for a Day at the Races

Does Jennifer Walcott's Dad Own A UFL Team? I'm not sure either, but the UFL draft was held last night and many former "big" name NFL players were drafted, most notably, our beloved Adam Archuleta. Bruce from Baltimore Beatdown must be so proud!!! I don't know the details of the contract, but the former bust Redskin was drafted by the Las Vegas TBDs, coached by Jim Fassell (Gene Hackman) and QB'd by...wait for it...J.P. Losman! The first thing that comes to mind for me with the UFL is Shane Falco. 

Other notables drafted, so you can get a jump up on your UFL fantasy team, are: Jermaine Wiggins, Labrandon Toefield, Brooks Bollinger, Chris Perry, and BJ Sams. I'm not gonna lie, I'm really disappointed Jeff George is not on the list.

Images via media3.washingtonpost.com, a.espncdn.com

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View full size photo uploaded June 12, 2009

UPDATE 7:00PM: Redskins sign Marko Mitchell as twittered by Matt Terl. I like how things are moving along!

This is certainly bitter sweet news, but it is probably the best for his health and the team. James Thrash was just released by the Redskins for failing his physical, as twittered by Matt Terl. James embodied the hard-working professional we'd love to see every Redskin encompass. Thanks for the memories James, and we wish you the best.

Receiving Stats

Anyone got any good stories? I certainly remember his touchdown this past year against the Cowgirls.

Good news everyone...it looks like we now know who is in line to take at least one of our draft picks next season. I know it has been a real source of worry for many of you out there. I mean, with a full slate of draft picks on the board, you just knew something stupid was going to happen sooner or later. The best part of the Haynesworth deal--in my humble opinion-was that it didn't cost us any draft picks. If they can prove we tampered with the Tennessee Titans and their efforts to re-sign Albert Haynesworth, we can kiss goodbye at least one draft pick.

Oh man...are you kidding me?

Just when you thought it was possible to land a player with nothing more than $100 million, we get this story.  Are we really going to be busted for tampering? Something it seems that EVERYONE does. How do you get busted for tampering? Seriously. It is like getting busted snacking in the bulk food section. If they didn't want you to help yourself to the gummy worms, why would they put a whole barrel of them out there like that? Same with the chocolate chips, mini-Reese's, and Cheerios. The scoop is still mandatory of course. We're not animals.

This rule is absurd. The whole world knows the Redskins were talking to Haynesworth's agent before the free agency period started. It was reported Snyder and Chad Speck had dinner, but spent the whole night talking about Malcolm Kelly, another one of Speck's clients. Nobody, and I mean nobody believed that story. Even if it was technically true, there was still a whole exchange that went something like this:

Dan: Malcolm is going to be great this year. I can just taste it. He is so gifted. If he was like, 100 lbs heavier, and maybe played on the defensive line, I would be tempted to pay him $100 million.

Chad Speck: Yeah, Malcolm has been really working hard this offseason. If he was on the verge of free agency, he would be super interested in a place like D.C.

Dan: You don't say? I hear it is hard to leave a place like that. So nice down there. You're telling me that Malcolm Kelly, if he--hypothetically speaking of course--wore number 92 (cough, cough), he would keep his house on the market long enough to consider some out-of-town offers?

Chad: In today's real estate market, you would be hard-pressed to turn down something so absurdly over-the-top like that...what would you be looking for in the way of a home inspection? (wink, wink)

Dan: I am so confused right now.

Chad: Do you want to be gay with me?

Dan: Sorry, dude. I am already with Drew Rosenhaus.

How do they prove wrongdoing here?

Who is going to admit to wrongdoing?

Listen, if we get docked a draft pick for this, at least we can say that we actually DID something with the pick. Right? I mean, there will be an actual action that we can point to and say, "That was what that draft pick was used for." As opposed to having ZERO clue what we have gotten in return for so many draft picks over the years. What do you guys think?

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View full size photo uploaded May 15, 2009

Two big things to report today. The NFL announced that the salary cap will raise $12 million this year to $123 million. More free agents!!! *sigh*

The cap was due to increase $7 million to $123 million this season, but additional adjustments stipulated in the current CBA will increase the total amount that teams can spend on player compensation to about $128 million. The $12 million increase is the largest in three years.

The current top free agents are Edge, Derrick Brooks, Jon Runyan, Marvin Harrison, and Chris McAlister.

In other news, Dan Snyder (and Redskins Nation) dodged a bullet and won a lawsuit in the Federal courts allowing them to keep "Redskins" as their mascot name.

The decision issued Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington doesn't address the main question of racism at the center of the case. Instead, it upholds the lower court's decision in favor of the football team on a legal technicality. The court agreed that the seven Native Americans waited too long to challenge the trademark first issued in 1967. 

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

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A lawsuit was filed May 1st against Albert Haynesworth by Jon Perry, the lawyer representing Corey Edmondson. Corey was left disabled as a result of the accident caused by Albert last December. The court date stemming from the indictment was recently pushed back for early June.

In a press release Hogs Haven received from the victim's lawyer today:

Haynesworth refuses to accept responsibility for his dangerous and reckless behavior causing this accident and has not apologized, contacted, visited, or provided any assistance to Corey Edmondson.

In short, Haynesworth was intentionally and selfishly driving like a maniac and he has wreaked havoc on the life of a 25 year old man and his family. 

Even if he refuses to voluntarily accept responsibility, Haynesworth will be held responsible for this accident through the legal system.  This suit is the civil action against Haynesworth.  Haynesworth’s criminal cases are handled by the District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Edmondson and my office will cooperate with the DA’s office as requested.  I understand that Haynesworth’s criminal charges are still pending and I cannot comment on them at this time.  We know that DA, Kim Helper, will do what is appropriate in his criminal case. 

We look forward to receiving Haynesworth’s response to the suit along with all the documents and information we have requested.  We hope to move Mr. Edmondson’s case to trial as quickly as possible.

I have been following this story from day one, and it really is a sad story, especially if it is true Albert has yet to check in how the victim is doing. It seems like human nature to follow up with all the injured parties involved for such an intense moment. When I spoke with Jon Perry earlier this March, he was very clear Albert, who was still living in Tennessee at the time, made no effort to call or visit Corey. I had hoped this would get resolved quickly when it came out a few months ago, but unfortunately for everyone, it has not. 

In an email exchange I had with the victim's lawyer:

HH: How is Corey doing? Is he still rehabbing and unable to leave his home? Last I spoke with you he had only been out of the house a handful of times and was unable to work.

Jon Perry: Still in Physical Therapy – moving is still very limited.  He is home almost all the time.  He uses walker and cane to go to treatments and therapy.

HH: Isn't Albert's insurance company responsible for paying the damages and hospital bills for the victim?

Jon Perry: They will likely not pay anything until after the case is over.  Not sure he has enough insurance to cover a case of this size.  I hope he does.

HH: How much is the lawsuit for?

Jon Perry: Presently for $7.5 million plus whatever the jury awards in punitive damages.

HH: Looking at the medical bills, $7.5 million seems to be a very high $ number. Where I live in MD, there is a damages cap over medical expenses. Is there is no damage cap in Tennessee and if not, how did you get to the number $7.5 mil? 

Jon Perry: He can't walk. He will need 4-5 hip replacements over his life. Plus he was a laborer. 40 years of lost wages adds up. 

Here is the link to the Tennessean article which Hogs Haven member Ach included in the comments.

Chris Wilson was on Doc Walker and Kevin Sheehan's 'The Locker Room,' yesterday talking about Chris's move from DE to Linebacker. I paraphrased the interview below, or you can listen to it in full here.

Doc: Chris, you're moving away from the line to linebacker. Are you OK with this?

Chris: Hey, it enables me to be on the field more often which is what I want.

Doc: Have you played linebacker in HS or college before? 

Chris: Oh yea. I've played linebacker in High School, college, and Canada.

Doc: OK GOOD! I can sleep tonight. You attack the QB so well from the line and I'd hate to see the Skins move a player away from their natural position. But if you've played it before, then I have no problems with that.

Doc: Who approached who about making the switch? Blache or did you ask?

Chris: KO (Kirk Olivadotti) talked to me.  We want to try this early before mid-season. If it doesn't work...then I could go back to DE. I'll still get to the QB...it just makes me and the D more versatile.

Doc: What linebacker position would you play? Stud?

Chris: I'd play Stud LB (over the TE).

Doc: Tight ends are 6'5 260 coming off the ball. Can you deal with that?

Chris:  I'm used to huge guys coming off the line.

They cut Chris loose at this point, but Doc was more than satisfied Chris could make this adjustment.

Doc: This is a whole new skillset which worried me at first, but the fact he has played LB before in HS and college relieves me. I like it.

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This makes the Sanchez rumors a lot stronger, eh? Chris went to Northwood University, which is located in Michigan. He played for the British Columbia Lions in the CFL and was part of the defensive line the year they won the Grey Cup in 2006.

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Dan Snyder's Six Flags Inc. will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange on April 20th after failing to meet the NYSE's quantitative listing criteria.  (The stock, SIX, has been under $1.00 per share since September).  

In 1999, the shares traded as high as $41.62, but the stock has been in a downward spiral ever since. The company's debt has mounted over its' large efforts to expand globally and build new rides.

Filing for Chapter 11 is an option for bankruptcy protection, though Six Flags legal advisors are still trying to work out a restructure plan of their debt. 

The company, which recently warned it could buckle under its $2.4 billion debt load, said the development would have no impact on its park operations or vendor relationships

Hmm. I'm no Alan Greenspan, but if the stock is delisted, and there is no way for people to publically invest in the company, how is that going to have "no impact" on operations? It has to have some!!

I have an idea!!! Wait for it.....How about Snyder raises the price of parking $5 per car and beer 25 cents per bottle? That should keep Six Flags afloat during the winter months when the park is closed! Not only that, for every beer you buy, the vendor gives you a ticket which you can exchange for Six Flags merchandise! 45 tickets gets you a Six Flags fanny pack, and if you're crafty enough to save up 100 tickets, you can exchange them for a Redskins Snuggie (so you can be as cool as this guy). I am a genius, yes. Loyola College, MD, education right there ladies and gentleman. I can now put away my T-81 calculator.

Six Flags History:

In August 17, 2005, Snyder’s investment vehicle, Red Zone, began a proxy battle to gain control of Six Flags Inc.'s board of directors. On November 22, 2005, Red Zone announced victory in the battle for control over the loss-making amusement park operator which provided for the removal of three board members and replacement by three new directors, including the CEO, chosen by Snyder. [Wiki]

What's interesting about Dan Snyder winning this battle? He was battling against no other than Bill Gates.

Image via lolfed.com