Undrafted rookie Willie Smith has daunting assignment: Vikings’ Jared Allen - WaPost
What we know: Scouting the Vikings | Washington Examiner
The Vikings are last in the NFL with just six interceptions and have not had a pick in nine straight games.
Studs and Duds (offense): Redskins-Giants | John Keim
RG Chris Chester. This was probably his best game of the season, or at least his most consistent. The line in general did its job, opening enough holes to get a steady ground game going.
Redskins’ Barry Cofield becoming a hit at the nose - The WaPost
The guy is going to be, I think, one of the best noses in the league when he comes back” next season, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said.
Redskins shuffling secondary in final weeks - The Insider - The WaPost
"It’s not a free for all where we’re just trying to play guys," Haslett said. "[We’re] trying to ...win the game, play well, and just try to look at some guys and see where they fit in as we go."
Brian Orakpo fighting double-teams - The Insider - The Washington Post
"Even the game last week, he probably got chipped 6-7 times, he got doubles 6-7 times. We even started moving him on the other side of the field and they slid the line to him a couple of times," Haslett said. "So they know where he’s at, and they’re going to take care of him."
Redskins Park: Quotes - Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan and Jim Haslett
Fred Davis, Trent Williams permitted to work out at Redskins Park - Insider
"We’re going to have them come in here over the next couple of weeks, get some good workouts in," said Shanahan. "We want to make sure they’re in shape. We’re not going to do anything football related, relative to meetings. … More so conditioning the next couple weeks."
Rick Snider: No marvelling at What If for the Redskins | Rick Snider | NFL | Washington Examiner
The Vikings lost eight one-score games. A touchdown here or there might have left them 6-8 instead of 2-12.
Kyle Shanahan assesses Rex Grossman’s play - The Insider - WaPost
The Redskins’ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was noncommittal on the quarterback’s future with the team while also offering praise and criticism.
Redskins Fans Are Outnumbered | Fatpickled
It’s evident in the "Support Your Team" feature on CBS Sports. Redskins fans have outnumbered the opponents fans in just 2 of 14 games
The Redskins Blog | Larry Brown Visits Larry Brown, Circa 1972
The Redskins Blog | Fletcher’s Feats Translate Nicely To Danish
On the Danish football site "Draftday.dk: Football For Folket" (which roughly translates to "Football For Everyone"), Fletcher was given a three-page exposé on his amazing streak, and the fact that he’s currently leading the NFL in tackles.
The Redskins Blog | Cooley Painting His Player Notebook
With his broken finger, Cooley has taken to painting.
The Redskins Blog | Wrestling Fever Comes To Redskins Park
Adam Carriker sports a solid Redskins/DC wrestling belt that was given by a fan.
In Safety Shuffle, Atogwe's Back In the Mix
"We went into the game knowing that we were going to rotate three guys in there," Haslett said. "We knew that DeJon would be the starter, but obviously we wanted to take a look at Oshiomogho to make sure we feel good about him and to see where he’s at."
Future uncertain for Vikings' E.J. Henderson (former Terp) | StarTribune.com
"I've had no contact [with management] about a contract," said Henderson, who is in the final season of his current deal. "It kind of surprises me. I thought maybe we would have tried to get something worked out by now or at least have started to talk about something. But who knows what's going on upstairs. They have a lot of things to deal with. The coaches, the [front office], the owner, they got a lot to deal with after this season."
Go Figure: Defensive backs should have plenty of chances against Grossman, Ponder | StarTribune.com
Ponder, with eight starts under his belt, has thrown a pick every 22 attempts.
Jared Allen: Firings Coming after Season
Improved Run Defense Faces a Test
Surprisingly, the Redskins have fared well against Peterson in past matchups. In a December 2007 game in Minnesota, the Redskins’ defense limited Peterson – then a rookie – to just nine carries for 27 yards in a 32-21 win. Last year at FedExField, Peterson was off to a strong start with six carries for 36 yards and one touchdown before he was sidelined with an ankle injury. The Vikings held on to win that game 17-13.
Washington Redskins' Offense Thriving Despite Major Personnel Losses - SB Nation DC
Daniel Shiferaw: Despite losing many starters, the Washington Redskins' offense is humming along as well as ever. Why is that happening, and what does it mean for the future?
Schefter: Redskins could try to trade for top pick in draft - DC Sports Bog
ESPN analyst and Mike Shanahan insider sees a scenario in which Washington might attempt to draft No. 1 overall.
Where does Matt Barkley rank among USC quarterbacks? - latimes.com
He has great statistics, but no Heisman or national title. If he returns for his senior season, he would have a chance to change that. (Compelling reasons here Barkley will stay...mainly, he'd be #1 pick next year).
Dallas Cowboys second to Green Bay Packers in 'America's Team' poll landslide - ESPN Dallas
The Packers received 22 percent of the votes, twice as many as the Cowboys.
Lavar Arrington Signs Paterno Support Letter
Lavar was one of hundreds of former Penn State players to sign a letter in support of Joe Paterno, and calling for the public to withhold judgement until all the facts are in. A few other former Skins on the list as well. http://playersletterforjoepa.wordpress.com/
Report -- NFLPA paid DeMaurice Smith $1 million bonus - ESPN
A person with knowledge of the payout says the NFL Players Association has given executive director DeMaurice Smith a $1 million bonus.
Dallas Cowboys RB Felix Jones sits out second straight practice - ESPN Dallas
Cowboys RB Felix Jones sits out second straight practice.
The Giants have a slew of awful contracts. – Blogging the bEast
List of 9 over-priced players .
Giants’ Victor Cruz: We’re going to throw the ball at Darrelle Revis | ProFootballTalk
"Teams aren’t really scared [of Revis] anymore," Cruz said, via the New York Daily News. "He’s got to earn his money this year. Teams aren’t really backing down. I feel like we’re going to do the same thing. We’re going to go out. Until he physically stops us we’re going to throw the ball on him."
Reggie Wayne: This could be my last game in Indianapolis | ProFootballTalk
Start the DC rumors in 3-2-1....
Denard Robinson seeks opinion of NFL draft advisory board | ProFootballTalk
"I did, but we’ll see what happens," Robinson told ESPN.com, adding that he will "most likely" stay at Michigan.
Veteran Lions 1 win from finally making playoffs - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com
Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola have spent more than a decade together on Detroit's offensive line.