Archive for July, 2012

Can RGIII Lead The Redskins To The Playoffs In His Rookie Season?

For me, the biggest question the Redskins have heading into training camp is listed above. Can The Redskins make the playoffs this season with Robert Griffin III in his rookie season?

The odds are certainly against it. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, only 6 rookie QB’s who’ve started the majority of their teams games have led their teams to the playoffs (Marino, Kosar, Roethlisberger, Flacco, Ryan & Sanchez). Let’s do some math here. That’s 42 seasons times an average of 28 teams (expansion) which equals 1,176 teams that played during that time…only 6 of those teams made the playoffs with a rookie QB at the helm. Six divided by 1,176 equals a .005% chance of making the playoffs. That percentage is slightly higher than Bluto Blutarsky’s GPA.

However, in the words of Lloyd Christmas “so you’re telling me there’s a chance.” Four of those QB’s have led their teams to the playoffs in recent seasons. Let’s do some math again. 4 teams divided by 256 (8 seasons x 32 teams) = .015% chance of making the playoffs…or roughly the same percentage that I have of banging Sofia Vergara.

Ok, now let’s forget about all those stats and talk real. The NFL isn’t the same as it was 10, 20 or 40 years ago…it’s a different game. Rookie QB’s usually held a clipboard and rarely saw the field their first few seasons in the league. Still, it’s a daunting task to lead a team to the playoffs as a green pea. The QB’s who’ve made the playoffs were surrounded by great defenses. The Redskins ranked 13th in total defense last season and there’s no reason to think that they will not be the same or better this season. The O-line should play better, the running back position is solid and the WR’s are definitely improved. Factor in the fact that there’s a fine line between being a 6-10 team or a 10-6 team in the NFC East and you have possibility that the Redskins could be a playoff team.

My prediction? Well, I’m drinking the kool-aid, I have a roll of quarters in my pocket and I’m wearing my nikesAdizero Sonic 3’s while waiting for the RG3 mothership.

Cheers and Hail

I See Your Jess Atkinson & Raise You One Ali Haji-Sheikh

With the 2012 version of the Washington Redskins set to start training camp Thursday, I thought it would be fitting to revisit a trip I took to Carlisle, PA back in 1988. I made the trip north to PA from NOVA with my childhood friend Chris Hairfield and had the opportunity to watch the defending Super Bowl Champs prepare for the 1988 season. Along the way I scored a Super Bowl XXII poster and secured the autographs of 20+ Redskins. Twenty-four years later I’m certain that I have a one of kind piece of memorabilia here.

Among the autographs that I secured, I scored not 1, not 2…but 3 kickers! Despite the fact the Redskins drafted Chip Lohmiller in the 2nd round of the 88′ NFL draft, they still felt in necessary to bring 2 other horrible kickers to camp. I am 100% CERTAIN that I’m the only person in the world that has both a Jess Atkinson & Ali Haji-Sheikh autograph on the same poster.

I have 2/3′s of the Posse…Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders.

Ed Simmons signed his autograph on the awesome picture of his pancake block.

Wilber Marshall’s signature is upside down. I got Marshall’s autograph several times and he always signed upside down and backwards.

Dave Butz signed, it was his last season.

One of my favorite all-time Skins Neal Olkewicz signed, as did the late Mel Kaufman.

Looking at this poster brings back great memories. Hard to believe we are 6 months away from the 25th anniversary of the Redskins 1987 Super Bowl win and that amazing 2nd quarter against the Denver Broncos. Here’s to more memories, HTTR.

Cheers and Hail