I thought three days was a long time. Real quick--

The Carlos Rogers era is over, as Rogers is taking his talents to the West Coast. If I could offer one piece of advice to always remember: Not at the table, Carlos.

Sorry Joe Theismann...Rex Grossman is the starter. As far as Kyle Shanahan is concerned, a hotter girl has agreed to go to the dance with him. He might string along the less attractive John Beck for a little while--just in case. But there is nothing stopping this Rex/Kyle thing from happening. It is funny because they can call it a "quarterback competition" and EVERYONE believes them because...well, because it's Rex Grossman and John Beck. This contest is more fixed than a house at the end of an episode of "Holmes on Homes." (I also considered a Bob Barker/neutered dog joke here.) The fact that we are even talking about John Beck being in this contest is a testament to Mike Shanahan's smoothness.

Finally...I get it Philly. You can have any free agent you want. They all think you're the hottest team. You're turning free agents away. But signing Ryan Harris when you KNOW I wanted him was just...mean. He was the only one I REALLY wanted and you just had to take him. When you guys lose to the Packers in the playoffs, I will be even MORE satisfied now.

Washington Redskins linebacker Robert Henson checks in with us for the first time this offseason with his thoughts on the lockout. As always, we appreciate his contribution to our community.

"It's been a week now since the players of the National Football League were locked out from living their dream. Fairly soon after I was drafted in 2009, veterans began to tell me and other young guys to start saving our money and preparing for a lock out. That was nearly two years ago and honestly, I don't think anyone anticipated the lockout actually happening. I was very young the last time the owners and players were unable to come to an agreement. When the lockout grew from a whisper to a public media battle, I realized that this could actually happen. As the deadline drew close, it became increasingly clear that it was not a matter of if, but when we would be locked out.

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If you stayed up late to watch the game last night, you were treated to a pretty awesome performance from our very own Robert Henson. He was all over the field, involved in what seemed to be every play. When Hendog (as he is known) suffered what appeared to be a knee injury in the 2nd half, I am sure many of us all held our collective breath. Imagine my surprise when I got a text from Robert very, very late in the evening (very, very early in the morning) telling me he wanted to give us all an update. He sounded in good spirits and he said he was OK. I imagine he'll be checking in, so feel free to send him your questions, comments, and encouragement.

RH51:

Today is Friday, September 3rd and we just finished our last preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. I got the start at linebacker tonight and I just wanted to make as many plays as possible. I have not seen the final stats and honestly I do not care-I just wanted to play my heart out tonight and show this new regime that I can help this 2010 Washington Redskins team win. This game was exciting and fast paced, and the adrenaline rush caused me to do some bone head things early in the contest. Once I got locked in and settled down I felt like I played better.

The Cardinals are a good team and tonight they flashed their talent, but really I felt like we beat ourselves. We didn't tackle very well and did not execute when the pressure was on. My fellow Horned Frog was on the opposite sideline and was challenging me to make plays. Daryl Washington was the Cardinals 2nd round pick from April's draft and is now starting for them. He was very impressive when he was in the game. I remember when he came in to TCU I kind of took him under my wing and helped him learn the defense. He is as athletic as they come and deserves the starting job.

So now comes the toughest part of camp for any player or coach-who stays and who goes. This decision will impact the lives of every man on this team. To cut from 75 to 53 has to be a challenge, and I understand that so my goal was to make it as hard/easy of a decision as possible. I have to switch subjects for a second and speak my mind about being injured in the 3rd quarter. I do not really know what happened...I just felt a sharp pain, and the training staff decided to pull me just to be safe. I honestly felt like I let my teammates down by not being out there, and I broke down emotionally. This is my job and I want to be the best at it, and I cannot do that from the sidelines. I played beside so many great players tonight and no matter what happens we will be brothers for life!! HTTR!!

I want to give a special thank you to Ken and Kevin and everybody from Hogs Haven for the opportunity to do these journal entries. I also want to say thank you to the fans who continue to read and respond as well as continue to cheer for me despite my bone head Twitter comment last year. You all are truly the best fans in football and I would love to be a 'Skin for life. Have a blessed day!!

One last entry from linebacker Robert Henson before the final preseason game. Today, he addresses the very real threat of being let go, as well as his desire to be on "Hard Knocks". Since he is travelling with the team, I would not expect he will be able to spend any time answering questions today, but we will talk to him soon.

RH51:

It's Friday, August 27th, and we just played the Jets in our third preseason game. To be honest, I feel like we played an ugly game, but like the head coach preaches-the only thing that matters is winning. We would love to be perfect but we realize that nobody can be...especially with so many ups and downs during the course of a ball game. The Jets are a strong team and it was great playing against those guys, they really are one of the elite teams in the NFL. This game was not one of my personal bests, but I was productive while registering 5 tackles (one of those being a tackle for a loss) and a forced fumble. The most important tackle came on special teams. It's great playing for a coach like Danny Smith because he is a firecracker and always puts us in position to make plays. I am smart enough to know that I have to soak up as much knowledge as possible from him in order to help this team win and be productive until my opportunity comes to play defense.

So I know this may sound weird but it will be fun to be on "Hard Knocks", and honestly I think we should have it next year. I will say that it makes you a target in the NFL though because we were itching to play those guys and prove we were better. This next preseason game against Arizona will be a tough one on all the young guys, because we have to play on everything. For example, I am starting on defense and all special teams-I will rarely get a break. But who cares? I am ready to show people why I should be on this team, all the negative people and non-believers will see that even if it doesn't work for me on this team that I deserve to play in this league. It sounds weird but I am really not worried about being cut. I understand it's a business and that being cut doesn't define the player you are. I have seen lots of guys get cut two or three times and find a system that they flourish in and become Pro Bowlers. It is a hard process for the players and the coaching staff. Through the course of the off season and training camp you build relationships with guys and it is tough to see them leave. My Prime U brother Lendy Holmes was let go and it is going to be tough to come out of the locker room and not hear him getting ready. Well Redskins, fans I am going to try and get some rest on this plane. See you all on the other side of the final roster cuts one way or another!! HTTR

I received the latest entry from linebacker Robert Henson shortly before kickoff on Saturday night. His spirits are up and when I read his contributions I really get the sense that guys want to be part of something here in D.C. Be sure to ask Robert questions below in the comments section. We look forward to hearing his take on how things went against the Ravens.Keep up the good work #51.

RH51: Today is August 20th, I just left the Welcome Home Luncheon and now I am on my way to the team hotel. The luncheon was amazing but let me catch you up because it's been forever since I talked to you all. Last week we played our first preseason game against the Buffalo Bills. We played a great game and the score definitely reflected that. The whole team and staff were excited because it was our first opportunity to show you guys what we had been working so hard to put together since March. The competition at linebacker is real-guys like me are giving it their all to be on board this vessel and show we belong here. I have a lot of pre-game rituals. I'll share one: before I take the field I pray and promise my brother I'll give everything I have in his honor. I think each of us played well. Perry Riley and I had a friendly competition going to see who would get the most tackles. He really got out to an impressive start, playing the 2nd and 3rd quarter; he made 5 tackles and a sack. The 4th quarter was the only time I had to display my ability to run the defense and I personally was pleased with the results! I racked up 5 tackles and a sack also!! It's funny because we were able to challenge, as well as congratulate, each other on every good play throughout the game.

I know some people must be wondering why tell him good play when it's obvious you're competing? Honestly speaking everyone in the LB room gets along and it feels like you're hanging with your brothers. Fletcher and Draft might be the father figures (haha)...we learn so much from those guys. Draft has really "taken me under his wing" so to say and has grown me up mentally.  

Enough about the past let's talk about the Baltimore Ravens, one of the better teams in the NFL. These guys are good and play hard, they always give us a good game and we owe them from last year. Battle of the Beltway is what we call it. This game is also special because I have quite a few friends who play for Baltimore, like my TCU teammate and fellow linebacker Jason Phillips. Tune in and watch us go at it tomorrow night! HTTR

Robert Henson continues to fight for his rightful place on the 2010 Redskins defense. Here is his latest entry in his ongoing Camp Journal:

RH51: We have been in camp for a little over a week now...I'd be lying if I said we were not exhausted mentally and physically. The hits, the running, the weight lifting all take a toll on our bodies and our minds. But it's amazing how none of those things matter when we take the field and hear our fans cheering us on. Their energy becomes ours and each man digs a little deeper in order to make this season special. I wish I could tell you something amazing happened since I last wrote you, but honestly every day seems to be the same. Wait!! Never mind, the rookies have to entertain everyone for like ten minutes during the team meetings from here on out. Yesterday was the first of many to come, Riley, Paulson, Austin and Morris impersonated Galloway, Draft, Mcnabb, and Cooley. It was crazy Paulson impersonated the infamous "Cooley Shorts"! I can't go into much detail, but Mcnabb always tucks his shirt in and pulls them up to his belly button, he also got hit with a few Chunky Soup jokes!! The comic relief was much needed.   Ok so let's get to what's going on the field. The addition of John Beck has been interesting and honestly I love having him around! For one we are old Mountain West Conference rivals so you can imagine the smack talk--I cannot wait to pick him off! He threw one but unfortunately I dropped it. I'll get him though. Over these last few practices I have really been feeling more fluid in the defense. I feel a lot more comfortable in my role and what is expected of me. Staying late with some of the other guys, and critiquing each other's film has helped too. Like I said in the previous post we are all trying to help each other out and become a part of what will be a great season for the Redskins. My body is definitely adjusting to the regimen though, I haven't felt as tired lately and I am beginning to go to the next level of challenging myself more. We will be prepping for our first preseason game this Friday--these are the games that are important for guys like me and I plan on going out there showing them why they drafted me. Thanks to all the fans who came out for Fan Appreciation Day! I can't tell you great it is to see you guys out there!

Our good friend Robert Henson is fighting for a roster spot out in Ashburn. Here is his first Camp Journal entry for August. Good luck #51! *(To the extent possible, Robert will be hopping online to participate in the debate in the comments section--so toss a question or two his way.)

RH51: It's been three full days of camp so far and you can already feel the camaraderie in the locker room. Everyone is determined to do their part to make this team the best in the NFL . Our first day we had our meetings, that kind of gave us an overview of what we could expect for training camp, there is such a hands on approach with the staff, they have  very clear expectations and plans for not just 2010 but re-writing the history of the Skins.  You can actually feel the excitement in the building. This year everything we do is about business. No time for playing around, no time for egos, just time to play ball. This ship is moving full steam ahead and you can get on it or get left.

Thursday's practice was interesting, it rained out here at Redskin Park and for a minute there we weren't sure that we would be able to practice, but the moment we stepped outside and saw all the fans standing through the rain waiting to see their Skins our determination went through the roof! The Skins really do have the best fans in the NFL. In the rain, through the mud, they were there to get a little taste of what they could expect this year.

Friday was the first "normal" day of camp, all the guys had to stay at the hotel, and first thing in the morning we dressed and hit the field. I remember last year thinking it could be a lot of pressure to have so many people watching you practice but it's actually not, its motivation. You see all the fans their smiling, cheering, and catching on to the excitement that we have been building all off season. Usually after practice we shower, have lunch, try to catch a cat nap, and then it's back to meetings and walk-thru.  Sometimes you'll see some of the vets helping the young guys fully understand a play or call that was made in practice. No one wants to be left behind on what is sure to be an awesome year.

Some of the guys have enjoyed being back to work since they don't have to do any housework or "daddy" duty; of course I am not one of them (my wife reads this blog).  Seriously though, spending so much time with each other really only makes us more of a family, which translates on the field.

 I have to give a shout out to Ken and all the guys at Hogs Haven. I am going to get better at posting and I definitely will try to answer as many questions as I can.  I just had to adjust to my new wake-up time.

 That's all I can type right now, I have to try and catch some Zzzzzzzzs before my roommate falls asleep he snores LOL! (No names though)

I know I promised that Robert Henson would be posting these himself going forward, but his account is in our famous 24-hour lockdown (a measure put in place to help us weed out the spammers with a decent amount of success). Day two of mini-camp had a lot of storylines that we all have heard a lot about already. Here is # 58's take on yesterday:

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