Tag: Mike Shanahan (Page 7 of 13)

      Clinton Portis to miss the next 4-6 weeks with groin injury

      October 6, 2010 /
      PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

      Those impressed by Ryan Torain’s effort in the Redskins’ 17-12 win over the Eagles last week are about to get themselves a helping hand of it again.

      Mike Shanahan told the media on Wednesday that running back Clinton Portis will miss the next 4-6 weeks because of a groin injury. Portis said that he heard his groin “pop” in the third quarter on Sunday and although he was able to return to the game in the fourth, he immediately aggravated the injury and had to return to the locker room.

      Torain now becomes the featured back in Washington, while Keiland Williams and Chad Simpson will battle for carries as well. Keep in mind that Skeletor likes to rotate his running backs, so there’s no guarantee that Torain will receive a full workload every week. Shanahan will continue to play the hot hand from game to game, just as he’s always done.

      For now, Torain becomes a great story. He sifted through the muck that was the Redskins’ depth chart (i.e. Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker) to reach this point and remained patient throughout. He goes from the practice squad to the starting lineup in one, quick jump.

      Don’t be surprised if the Skins placed Portis on IR, which would end his season. There’s a ton of wear and tear on those tires and he can’t stay healthy. If Torain runs well over the next couple of weeks, there’s no reason for Shanahan to turn back to Portis.

      External Sports, NFL

      Barron, Cowboys might as well return game checks after loss to Skins

      September 12, 2010 /
      Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo passes during their NFL game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, September 12, 2010. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      I think it was rather fitting that the Cowboys scored what would have been the game-tying touchdown tonight, only to have the play negated by a holding penalty.

      There are some people that believe the Cowboys could be the first team that plays in their host city for the Super Bowl. So naturally, they come out in Week 1 and throw up a dud performance against a team that won only four games last year.

      Everyone has seen the Cowboys play uninspired football before, but their 13-7 loss Sunday night to the Redskins was extra special. Every time they did something positive, they negated it by doing something stupid. They committed 12 penalties for 91 yards tonight and most of them came after they had either picked up a first down or converted a big play opportunity. Of course, the biggest blow came when Alex Barron was flagged for holding (his 17th penalty on the night) on the final play of the game, which nixed what could have been a game-winning touchdown.

      And what was that at the end of the half? Tony Romo either has to chuck that down field or run forward three yards and fall down. OR Tashard Choice either has to run out of bounds or run forward three yards and fall down. What did Choice expect to happen on that play? All the Redskin defenders to trip over themselves and he was going to have a clear, 69-yard path to the end zone? That play was a massive punch to the gut right before halftime.

      I know the ‘Boys made it interesting in the end, but if it weren’t for the Redskins being so inept offensively, this would have been a blowout. Its understandable to look a little stagnant because of injuries, but it’s inexcusable to only score 7 points when you rack up over 350 yards of total offense.

      On a more positive note, what a great win by Mike Shanahan to start his tenure in Washington. Obviously this wasn’t a sharp performance by his offense, but Jim Haslett’s defense played its ass off.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Preview: NFC East Predictions

      September 2, 2010 /
      MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys yells to call a play during the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

      2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

      Much like its counterpart in the AFC, the NFC East is extremely difficult to predict this year. Three of the top four teams are legitimate playoff contenders and the Redskins have improved after going 4-12 last season.

      It’s going to be a battle in this division this year, much like it is every season.

      Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC East in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

      1. Cowboys

      What to Like: The ‘Boys already had quite the offensive core in Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Felix Jones. But then they had Dez Bryant fall to them in the first round last April, which gives the offense yet another playmaker that defenses have to deal with every Sunday. After finishing sixth last year in total offense and 14th in scoring, I don’t see any reason why Dallas shouldn’t light up the scoreboard again this season. Defensively, DeMarcus Ware returns as a pass-rushing terror from his outside linebacker position and the unit is littered with underrated players like Jay Ratliff and Igor Olshansky.
      What Not to Like: The biggest two question marks surround the free safety and left tackle positions. Alan Ball is an intriguing prospect, but he’s only a rookie and no matter how well he plays, he’s going to make some mistakes. At left tackle, the ‘Boys dumped long-time veteran Flozell Adams and replaced him with the inexperienced Doug Free, who played well on the right side last year but he has never been counted on to protect a quarterback’s blindside. The good thing is that if Free struggles, the team added Alex Barron this offseason as insurance. The other concern when it comes to the Cowboys is that they have a habit of fading down the stretch, with last year being the exception. I put that on coaching more than anything and with Wade Phillips (good coach, but he doesn’t come without his criticisms) still roaming the sidelines in Dallas, that means a late-season free fall isn’t out of the question.
      Keep Your Eye On: Dez Bryant, WR
      The Cowboys’ first round pick has already turned heads this offseason (both for his play on the field and his decision not to carry Roy Williams’ shoulder pads after practice) and if he can recover from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the preseason, he’s going to have opportunities to make plays out of the team’s three receiver set.
      The Final Word: This is the most talented team in the division and they’re pretty deep at most positions. The problem is that the Cowboys usually get in their own way down the stretch and late season collapses are nothing new to this franchise. That said, they got the playoff monkey off their back last year by advancing to the second round and as long as Phillips can keep this squad motivated, the ‘Boys should win the East for the second straight year. Their offense will be tough to stop and their defense will put pressure on the quarterback. The talent is there, now let’s see if the execution follows.

      Dallas Cowboys 2010 Question Mark: Free Safety

      Continue reading »

      External Sports, NFL

      Albert Haynesworth rips Redskins following preseason loss

      August 22, 2010 /
      Washington Redskins' Albert Haynesworth is seen on the sidelines as the Redskins play a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills at FedEx Field in Washington on August 13, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch Photo via Newscom

      Following the Redskins’ 23-3 loss to the Ravens on Saturday night in which he didn’t play until the third quarter, Albert Haynesworth ripped the team in 90-second post game locker room interview.

      From CSN Washington:

      Haynesworth said he wasn’t injured enough to be held out of practice last Wednesday and Thursday.

      “I was told I had ‘headaches’ or whatever and that’s why I couldn’t go out and practice,” he said. “I think it was a little bit more than that.”

      Haynesworth added: “[Headaches] was part of that but it wasn’t all of it. They left out a lot of stuff.”

      Asked for specifics, he said: “You would have to ask them.”

      Haynesworth said the Redskins were holding him out of practice as punishment for skipping the OTAs and mini-camps.

      “I guess to make me look bad for not going to their offseason conditioning program,” he said. “Next year, I’m not coming either. I’ll be with my trainer again and come back in the same shape I’m in and feel good about myself.”

      Haynesworth did not play in the first half against Baltimore and was upset he was on the field in the second half.

      “I’m a ninth year pro,” he said. “I don’t think I should have been out there in the third quarter, but having ‘headaches’ again, that’s what they wanted to do.”

      It sounds like both sides are playing the power-trip game right now. Mike Shanahan doesn’t want to just give Haynesworth back his starting job (which is why the DT didn’t play until the third quarter last night), while Haynesworth probably feels like he’s done enough to move forward and put the offseason mess behind him.

      Either way, there’s obviously still a lot of tension between Haynesworth and Shanahan and neither of them are ready to sit down to a Sunday picnic together and share their feelings. At some point though, Shanahan is going to have to turn this into a positive situation and move forward because Haynesworth gives the team their best chance of winning. When he’s on top of his game (which includes him not being a malcontent), he’s the Skins’ best defender.

      External Sports, NFL

      Albert Haynesworth once again skips conditioning test. Ok, now what?

      August 2, 2010 /
      ASHBURN, VA - JULY 29: Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth walks back to the locker room after the Redskins first day of training camp on July 29, 2010 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

      For the third straight day, Albert Haynesworth didn’t attempt Mike Shanahan’s “conditioning test” because of a sore knee.

      I use quotation marks around the words “conditioning test” because Shanahan is hardly trying to determine whether or not Haynesworth is in shape. There have already been several reports that have stated he’s in the best shape of his career and as I highlighted last week, these tests are more about punishment and less about running.

      But now that Haynesworth has missed almost a week’s worth of practice, is Shanahan satisfied? Does it really matter if Haynesworth passes this test or has Shanahan done enough to prove his point? Because in a couple of months, it’s not going to matter what Haynesworth said about his contract or how many sprints he ran in training camp. The only thing that will matter is whether or not he helps Shanahan and the Redskins win.

      At some point, Shanahan needs to take a negative situation and turn it into a positive. No matter how big of a pain he is at times, Haynesworth gives the Redskins their best chance to win and sooner or later, both he and Shanahan will have to move forward if everyone is going to get what they want in the end.

      External Sports, NFL

      « Older posts Newer posts »

      © 2026 The Scores Report – The National Sports Blog

      Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑