David Serna, who spent seven seasons as Florida Atlantic’s running backs coach, remembers recruiting Alfred Morris out of high school. He remembers Morris' high school coach telling him, "If he ain't good enough for you, you'll never find anyone good enough for you." And Serna remembers thinking if Morris had been an inch taller or slightly faster, Florida Atlantic would have had no shot at him.
But Serna is clearly thrilled that Morris wasn't a little taller or faster. Then he would have missed out on a player he considers "the best character kid I’ve ever been around....He’s one of those young men where you say if you had a daughter and she brought him home you wouldn’t be disappointed."
The Redskins, though, aren't bringing him here to date anyone's daughters. They want him to be productive, which is what Morris was in college. Some analysts consider him a potential third-down back in part because of his pass-protection skills.
"Not only is he a tough kid but he has a football IQ and he can understand it and he’s willing to embrace that role," said Serna, who also coached three years at Texas El-Paso. "That’s a big transition for running backs, but it won’t be as big for him. He brings a workmanlike O-line mentality when he’s called upon to block."
In the email report, Serna also talks about why he thinks Morris would have been as productive as some backs in BCS leagues, but why they would not have matched what he did at FAU. It comes down to intangibles, Serna said. He also talks about how Morris fits into the stretch zone and his toughness -- mental and physical.
And, yes, he discusses Morris' penchant for fumbling. After he was drafted, Morris said part of the reason he fumbled so often (16 times) stemmed from a lack of talent around him. Serna agrees.
"He could have done a better job of holding it high and tight, but the kid was trying to win the game and fight for every yard," Serna said.
It'll be difficult for Morris to win a roster spot, with Evan Royster, Roy Helu and Tim Hightower ahead of him. But Morris can also play fullback and that versatility ultimately could help.
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The Redskins and Cowboys, unusual allies, lost their fight to recoup a combined $46 million of cap space when arbitrator Stephen Burbank dismissed their grievance against the NFL it was announced Tuesday at the owners meetings in Atlanta by NFL executive vice president and general counsel Jeff Pash.
The Redskins and Cowboys issued a joint statement Tuesday afternoon that closes the matter: "We pursued our salary cap claim pursuant to the CBA and we respect and will abide by the arbitrator's decision to dismiss. We will contiue to focus on our football teams and the 2012 season."
The NFL stripped the Redskins of $36 million in cap space for what they viewed as a violation of an unwritten agreement over how to use the uncapped year of 2010. The league also penalized Dallas $10 million. Several league sources said teams were warned multiple times not to do what these teams did and structure contracts to take advantage of the uncapped year. The sources also said teams were told there would be consequences.
One source, who was in the room when warnings were given, said the league was “emphatic” about how it wanted contracts structured.
"They grossly violated it and everyone was upset when they found out what they did," said the NFL source shortly after the cap violations were noted on March 12. “This is something Al Davis would have done.”
Both teams were accused of creating future cap space by dumping money into 2010. The Redskins reportedly structured a $21 million bonus to Albert Haynesworth and a $15 million bonus for DeAngelo Hall so it would all count in 2010. By placing more money into 2010, it created an imbalance according to the NFL. Here's a look at why they argued that, according to NFL.com. The story focuses on the increased salary cap numbers and how it impacted other teams.
The Redskins argued that there was no written agreement about not doing this and that the NFL approved the contracts. Perhaps what mattered most in the end is that the NFL Players' Association signed off on the penalty. Multiple league sources they did so because the NFL would not set the salary cap for 2012 until they agreed to do this, or face a decreased salary cap. The NFL said it would then spread the $46 million equally among 28 other teams (with New Orleans and Oakland excluded for similar violations, though not as serious).
The Redskins lost $18 million in cap space this season and next. Though they have not said how they would have spent the money, there's little doubt they would have been more aggressive. They could not pursue several big-time free agent defensive players -- corner Cortland Finnegan for example -- because they lacked the cap space.
1. The ball just jumps out of Robert Griffin III's hand at a different speed. That was evident again during the OTA workout Monday. Because of that, he’ll get away with some throws that others just can’t make. For example, on one out route to Pierre Garcon, Griffin stood in the pocket and delivered a strike into a tight window. Rookie Richard Crawford had good coverage and was right on Garcon’s hip. But Griffin zipped it in to Garcon – and it would have allowed him to gain yards after the catch, too. His most impressive throws really came on the out patterns rather than straight downfield. That’s where you see the arm as much as anything. Remember the times when tight end Fred Davis had to wait on passes on the bootleg toss-back plays? A 30-yard gain would be made, but another 20 or 30 were lost because he had to wait. If that happens this season I’d be surprised.
2. On the bootlegs, Griffin gets on the perimeter ultra-quick. That, plus the velocity on his throws, will stress defenses. Because Griffin gets on the edge and squares his hips so fast, it’ll give the receiver a chance to make more plays, especially on clear outs. Corners or safeties might not arrive as fast as they would have vs. other quarterbacks. Not that Rex Grossman threw lollipops, but Griffin is much faster and throws a faster ball. He had one throw Monday to Niles Paul where you could hear it hum as it arrived. Griffin’s traits will give the offense a faster tempo.
"It’s a total difference when he’s out there running on the play-action,” Davis said. “He gets out so fast. He sees the whole field. He can make throws other quarterbacks couldn’t make. He gets out on the play action very fast. Very fast.
3. One side benefit of Griffin having already graduated does not just involve learning the offense or the playbook. There’s little doubt that a guy like Griffin would learn as much as possible even if he wasn’t here. But here’s one important thing: The ability to interact with the veterans during a less stressful time. If Griffin could only make, say, the minicamp, he’d have perhaps a week to interact. Instead, he’ll have more than a month. And this will give the vets time to see what he’s about.
4. Linebacker London Fletcher, whose locker is next to Griffin’s, saw his pre-draft interviews. But now he gets to learn more about him. And it’s important to impress players such as Fletcher. “He’s very humble, very respectful,” Fletcher said, “not coming in feeling like he’s entitled to anything. He’s willing to work. He’s in here early and he’s in his playbook. There are some first-round picks, especially high guys, they come in and feel like things should be given to them. That’s not the case with him.”
Fletcher did joke about Griffin, “He thinks he’s a singer. He’s always singing. He doesn’t sound bad, but he really thinks he can sing.”
Here’s something else Fletcher said: “I’m in my 15th season, to go into another year with not having a quarterback was not very appealing to me….I’ve had enough years of the other stuff.”
5. Though Griffin would get razzed for his Jay Leno appearance, even if in good fun. Some players joked about his beat box, but players genuinely seemed to enjoy that he was on the show. It’s difficult for rookies to fit in that well that fast to the point where vets don’t have an attitude of, “Prove it first, kid.”
Griffin said, “Even the Leno show helped with the beat boxing. They could get a little bit of my life without me having to say it directly to ‘em. I associate a lot better with a lot of the guys. It’s been great. I feel real comfortable in the locker room.”
Griffin clearly is at ease with who he is and his role on the Redskins. There’s a rare confidence. How many rookies would say, when asked why he wore a yellow glove on his left hand Monday, “The simple answer to that is I was a huge Michael Jackson fan growing up.”
Still have no idea when this kid will blossom. But this is what we do know: he’s off to a good start and not just on the field.
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One couldn’t finish the season because of health; the other because of drugs. So both Chris Cooley (knee) and Fred Davis (suspension) have something to prove at tight end for the Redskins.
For Davis, he needs to stay clean. The NFL suspended him for the final four games of 2011 after multiple drug tests.
“Lesson definitely learned,” Davis said. “It’s definitely a good feeling to be back out here after missing those games and not being able to help my team. It’s one of those things that shouldn’t happen and definitely won’t happen again in my career.”
Davis said he’s altered his lifestyle since the suspension (something left tackle Trent Williams, also suspended, said he did not do).
“Just not being around it,” Davis said. “It’s not that hard. You choose to be around it. It’s like anything you just have to make sure you make the right choices. This game doesn’t last long and missing four games, it could have been your last four games. So I think of it as that and it’s something I’ll never do again.”
As for Cooley, he understands the situation. He’s 29 years old and coming off an injury-plagued season because of his left knee. And he’s playing alongside a guy in Davis who had a breakout season (59 catches for 796 yards).
“It’s very apparent Fred Davis had a great year,” Cooley said, “and for me to contribute the way I would like to contribute I have a big challenge ahead of me in proving that I’m still the player I think I can be and I’m still the player that I was. That’s something I’m honestly excited about.”
While this offense works well with two pass-receiving threats at tight end, Cooley’s knee and salary cap number for 2012 ($6.2 million) called his future into question and still might. But Cooley said his knee feels good. He also weighs 237 pounds, the lightest of his career.
“I feel the best I’ve felt,” he said. “It’s to the point that I trust I’m healthy. It’s tough to know but I’ve worked hard enough and ran hard enough and I’ve had no swelling.”
According to a team source, the Redskins haven’t approached Cooley about restructuring his contract either. Earlier this offseason one league source said it would be difficult to pay a No. 2 tight end $6.2 million. Also, the Redskins could have a logjam at the position with Niles Paul and third-year Logan Paulsen.
“Any move that’s ever made you wonder what it means for your status,” Cooley said of Paul’s switch from receiver. “What I want to do is show up and play the best I can and show them I’m as good as I can be and go from there. I’ve always felt confident when it comes to playing football.”
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- Coach Mike Shanahan was the main casualty during Monday’s OTA session, getting blindsided by cornerback Brandyn Thompson on a deep Robert Griffin III incompletion. Shanahan lay on the ground for nearly five minutes as players gathered around him (giving him space). They applauded as he was finally helped to his feet. “He showed some toughness,” Griffin said. “That’s the bedmark of our team, you know. But it was pretty scary actually to see two guys running full speed smack dab into your coach. We’re glad he got up, glad he was fine. Hopefully he’s fine tomorrow because usually hits like that don’t kick in until the next day.”
- The problem for Shanahan on the play: Because they were practicing indoors, he was standing at midfield watching action at the other end (where the No. 2 offense worked vs. the starting defense). Had this been an outdoor practice, they would have been on different fields and he could have stood on the sidelines. But after getting hit Monday, he stayed at the practice. However, he did not address the media afterward as scheduled.
- Linebacker London Fletcher said of acquiring Griffin, “I’m in my 15th season, to go into another year with not having a quarterback was not very appealing to me. So when they were able to make the trade, knowing we would be getting either Andrew Luck or [Griffin] that definitely made the situation a lot brighter as far as coming back here. I’ve had enough years of the other stuff.” Fletcher also wasn’t in great demand on the market because of his age (37). But it’s amazing how he works even in the OTAs; the guy goes hard every play. It’s hard to quantify what the Redskins would have lost had he signed elsewhere.
- Corner DeAngelo Hall was absent Monday. The reason is uncertain. Receiver Leonard Hankerson (hip) and defensive end Stephen Bowen (knee) did not participate and instead worked on the side. Left guard Kory Lichtensteiger (knee) participated in individual work, but not in full-team drills.
- Bowen underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in mid-April, a result of the partial PCL tear last season. Bowen said he tried to avoid surgery but “one day I felt a pinch and wanted it to get taken care of. I didn’t want there to maybe be a chance I’ll be 100 percent and then feel that pain again so I wanted to have it taken care of.” Bowen said he should be 100 percent in two to four weeks.
- Second-year lineman Maurice Hurt spent his time at right tackle (Tyler Polumbus worked at left guard). With rookies Josh LeRibeus and Adam Gettis also able to play guard, Hurt needs to prove he can help at multiple spots. He worked at tackle some last season as well. OK, I know it’s only May 21, but James Lee needs to get a heck of a lot lower at the line of scrimmage. On one pass set he was way too upright in his stance, a clear tip-off a pass was coming. Needless to say the defender, linebacker Chris Wilson, drilled into his mid-section and drove him back off the snap. Definitely something to watch this summer.
- Santana Moss looked quicker. Maybe it comes from knowing that he’s lost 15 pounds or so, but he appeared to be running faster than a year ago.
- Saw quarterback Kirk Cousins throw a nice deep out about 30 yards downfield. His arm is plenty strong enough for the NFL.
- Rookie corner Richard Crawford showed decent coverage skills, though one time still resulted in a completion because of Griffin’s arm strength. But another time Crawford lunged and batted down a Griffin pass intended for Garcon.
- Niles Paul can be an effective pass-catching tight end – he made a one-handed grab of a Griffin pass Monday. He could end up being a major threat on bootlegs or plays in which he’s being hit in stride. I do wonder about his ability to block ends. At 235 pounds, he’s only about two pounds lighter than Chris Cooley but at 6-foot-1 Paul is two inches shorter. Will that make a difference in terms of reach, etc.? Then again Shannon Sharpe was only 6-foot-2. So here’s the point: We’ll find out this summer. And in this offense more often than not the blocking is about beating a defender with their feet and setting the edge.
- Rookie Josh LeRibeus will become a go-to guy if and when he cracks the starting lineup because of his colorful quotes. He said of Griffin Monday, “He's a little, you wouldn't expect it, from the bright eyes, big smile but he's a little mastermind." LeRibeus said he worked at both guard spots and center. Sounds as if his main spot will be center for the time being. Again, his coach at SMU, June Jones, said LeRibeus’ best position in the NFL likely would be center.
- Will post something in a couple hours on Griffin's day.
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Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz spent six years as an offensive line coach in the NFL. He's also had 13 linemen drafted in the past 10 years. Yes, he's a little biased toward Redskins fifth-round pick Adam Gettis. But he's also insistent that the Redskins drafted a quality player. He's not alone in that sentiment as others consider Gettis a potential future starter.
Whether that happens or not, time will tell. But nobody knows Gettis the player better than Ferentz. Here's one thing to digest: In this week's email report, Ferentz said Gettis "played as well as anyone on our offensive line and that includes Riley [Reiff, a first-round pick]. Riley has a different physique and a different stature, but Adam played at a real high level. No one asked about him in August and by November everyone was asking about him. People paid attention."
Gettis' issue is that he's undersized at just around 290 pounds. But Iowa uses a zone blocking system, just like the Redskins. The size shows up more over the course of a season when the wear and tear of facing defenders 20 pounds heavier takes a toll.
But Ferentz said Gettis compensates well with strength and technique. Draft analyst Russ Lande said the same thing in last week's email report. Actually, Lande said he wouldn't be surprised if Gettis quickly challenged for a starting job.
That's why Ferentz said, "he could be successful in anyone’s offense because he’s a good blocker and he’s strong and explosive."
As for ex-Hawkeye Jordan Bernstine, a seventh-round pick and defensive back, Ferentz singled out one play from his junior season that he says shows his ability. But Bernstine only played one year of safety, his spot in the NFL.
"It’s a matter of playing more and learning all the nuances and getting experience and gaining confidence," Ferentz said. "He’s a perfect late-round guy because he has everything you hope for. Now, can he catch on as quickly as needed?"
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Running back Tim Hightower agreed to a contract with the Redskins, first announcing his news via Twitter with a simple message, "I'm baaaaaaaack."
....General manager Bruce Allen said the Redskins presented their case for two and a half hours in front of special master Stephen Burbank Thursday, hoping to recoup money $36 million in salary cap space the NFL took away from them. Allen said he did not know when they would hear a resolution from the arbitrator.
"We wanted to present our case and we were able to present part of our case," Allen said.
As for whether or not there will be another hearing Allen said, "You hav eto check with the league or [Giants owner] John Mara."
...The Redskins had a grand opening of sorts for their new indoor practice facility -- which owner Dan Snyder jokingly said would be named after former coach Joe Gibbs, who was dead set against a bubble when he was in charge. It's a full-length field and the ceiling is 12 feet higher than the Dallas Cowboys scoreboard, Allen said.
The GM said some of his father's former players were "happy dad didn't have this facility. They would have stayed at practice until midnight. We never had lights on the field and they're thinking dad would have used this to have evening meetings."
Allen said the facility not only will help during inclement weather, but also when they play in domes (like New Orleans in the season opener). He also said this doesn't necessarily mean they won't look to relocate their facility elsewhere in the region. But he said, "We're still looking at ways to upgrade our facility. ... We have other ideas we will announce later this offseason."
...The Redskins also unveiled their throwback uniforms, which they will wear twice this season (they haven't announced which games yet). They have a Boston College/Florida State feel to them. The cool part: the helmets are made to look like leather helmet, a throwback to the Sammy Baugh era.
Linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo modeled the uniforms.
"It's a great look, great feel," Orakpo said. "The feel of it, the fabric... It's going to benefit a lot of players around the board a lot. They won't be dealing with altering their stuff throughout the game, cutting this cutting that. It feels totally better."
Which could make it harder to hold, someone joked.
"Harder to hold, exactly," said Orakpo, who, you might have heard, gets held a little bit. "That's my ultimate."
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Russ Lande used two phrases quite a bit when talking about the Redskins' draft: "I liked the pick of ..." And "I loved the pick of ..." In fact, of the Redskins nine-member draft class, there were really only three players he didn't see much of a future for: Tom Compton, Richard Crawford and Jordan Bernstine.
And, yes, he talked about the Kirk Cousins' selection for the email report. I can now update my little survey of what people who either are involved in the draft process or have been think about this pick. Of the eight people -- ranging from GMs to scouts and coaches -- six now had no issue with the pick. That should tell you something.
"If you’re sitting there in the fourth round and according to everyone else they had a late first or high second-round grade, how do you not pick him?" Lande said. "You can’t pass on that guy. I think it’ll make both Kirk and [Robert Griffin III] better. It will make both guys have to step up."
And he likes third-round choice Josh LeRibeus, saying, ":He has the talent to challenge for a starting job as a rookie. He’s a real athletic kid. If he has the weight thing under control he’s going to be a really good player. He can move his feet."
University of Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz provided insight into fourth-round pick Keenan Robinson, an inside linebacker. Diaz coached Robinson one season.
"He’s done a better job of being more aggressive and playing more and more vs. the run, which is what he’ll have to do," Diaz said. "And he’ll have to continue to improve on using his hands and shedding blocks, but he’s willing and coachable."
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The trick is to see a change in training camp, once the pads are on and the practices more intense. When the Redskins reach that point, maybe Aldrick Robinson will feel the same way he does now: confident. And fast.
Robinson could be one of the more intriguing players to watch this summer if only because the speedy receiver never looked all that fast last summer. Will a year in the offense and a legitimate offseason make a difference? He’d better hope so. And, for now, he says it has made one.
“It’s a big difference,” Robinson said. “I came out here last year and I didn’t know the plays and I didn’t know where to line up. I couldn’t let my talent show. Now that I know the offense I can compete now. I can show my speed. I can run routes faster. I can be a better-paced guy.”
Robinson admitted he didn’t play as fast as he wanted to last summer. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds at the combine in 2011, but too often he failed to get past defensive backs on routes in practice.
“I wasn’t able to show my speed," he said. "That’s my main attribute. That’s the one thing that puts me above others, now that I know the offense and I’m comfortable with it I can show my speed, get in and out of breaks and catch the ball.”
The Redskins kept him around because of that speed – that speed is why they didn’t want him to sign with Jacksonville off the practice squad and instead promoted him. They also worked with him on catching punts, something he struggled to do last training camp.
It’ll still be tough for Robinson, especially if the Redskins keep Santana Moss. Anthony Armstrong, who plays a different role on offense, nonetheless takes a roster spot. If the Redskins keep six receivers, including Moss, then Robinson has to beat out Terrence Austin and Brandon Banks. All three can play in the slot if need be and on special teams.
His coach at Southern Methodist University, June Jones, called this a big year for Robinson.
“When Mike [Shanahan] and I talked what I told him is that Aldrick has world class speed and it will start to show up with the more confidence he gets and the more he knows what he’s doing,” Jones said. “This is the year that he has to really step up and do it… I thought he would be better at the pro level, moving him around and putting him in the slot. We only played him outside. But I think he’s a really smart kid and he has the speed you can’t coach. I would think this is the year he either takes it to the next level or they look for someone else.”
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