Redskins Insider

Reports: Gray will not get Memphis job (updated)

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:13:00 -0500

Thought to be the leading candidate for the vacant head coaching job at the University of Memphis, Jerry Gray instead seems destined to finish out the season as a Redskins assistant coach. The Commercial-Appeal is reporting this afternoon that the Tigers will hire LSU assistant Larry Porter to replace Tommy West. ESPN's Joe Schad reports that Gray himself said he will not be getting the job. "One day it will be the right situation," Gray said, according to Schad's report. The Redskins were not available Saturday. Gray, who is in his fourth season as Washington's secondary coach, has close ties to Fred Smith, a Redskins minority owner, FedEx CEO and prominent Tigers' booster. Gray interviewed for the Memphis job Tuesday. Reports quickly emerged that he was a top candidate, which sparked a backlash from many close to the Memphis program. Some outlets, including ESPN's Schad, reported that Gray-to-Memphis was already

Haynesworth: 'It ain't too late'

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:49:49 -0500

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sat out the Redskins' 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday because of an ankle injury, and he is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. On Friday, Coach Jim Zorn said Haynesworth's status would be a game-time decision, just as it was a week ago. At this point, however, does it really matter if Haynesworth or any of the Redskins' other top veterans play in the final six games? The Redskins are 3-7 and last in the NFC East. Top running back Clinton Portis has been ruled out of at least another two games because of lingering affects from a concussion, No. 2 back Ladell Betts suffered a season-ending knee injury in the loss to the Cowboys and Zorn is not expected to return in 2010. It appears inevitable Washington will miss the playoffs for the eighth

Redskins plot to limit Jackson's action

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:30:08 -0500

When the Redskins last faced wide receiver-punt returner DeSean Jackson, the second-year star scored on a 57-yard touchdown pass and a 67-yard reverse in the Philadelphia Eagles' 27-17 victory in Week 7. Jackson also averaged 10 yards on three returns, including a dazzling 29-yarder. Not surprisingly, Jackson is the focus of another installment of Special Teams Saturday With Lorenzo Alexander. On Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, Washington defensive coordinator Greg Blache and special teams coordinator Danny Smith will spend much of their time focusing on one player: Jackson. A second-round selection in the 2008 draft, Jackson has emerged as one of the league's top big-play threats. He has the ability to score whenever he touches the ball, as the Redskins could attest first-hand, and returning punts often gets him into a groove. Philadelphia's opponents try to contain Jackson with a mixture of directional punting, hang time and coverage. The Redskins

Hall will miss Sunday's game; Rogers to start

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:21:50 -0500

Top cornerback DeAngelo Hall (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles and the recently benched Carlos Rogers will start for Hall at Lincoln Financial Field, Coach Jim Zorn said after practice today at Redskins Park. "This is that thing that we were talking about last week. Here's another shot" for Rogers, Zorn said. "And he's had a good week of practice." After repeatedly struggling this season against double moves, Rogers was benched early in Washington's 27-17 victory over the Denver Broncos in Week 10. Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall utilized a double move in beating Rogers for a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Wideout DeSean Jackson used a double move while burning Rogers for a 57-yard touchdown in the second quarter of the Philadelphia Eagles' 27-17 victory in Week 7. Zorn and secondary coach Jerry Gray were encouraged by how Rogers responded to being

Eagles defense thrives under McDermott

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:59:25 -0500

Philadelphia Eagles first-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was promoted to the position on an interim basis in May because Jim Johnson, the successful group's longtime leader, took a medical leave of absence while battling cancer. Coach Andy Reid removed the interim tag in July as Johnson's health continued to decline. Johnson died shortly after the move was announced. The Eagles' defense has continued to thrive under McDermott, who has held many assistant positions since joining the organization in 1998. McDermott has retained many of the attacking, blitzing principles Johnson utilized in his scheme that helped to elevate Philadelphia among the league's elite defensively during his nine-year tenure.

Eagles' defense presents a challenge for Redskins

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:52:00 -0500

The Philadelphia Eagles are tied for third (with Pittsburgh) in the NFL in sacks and rank fourth in interceptions. That means that, obviously, pass protection and ball security will be two important keys Sunday when the Redskins face the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins' offense, and its offensive line in particular, face another challenging situation. "We definitely have to do our best to protect the football," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "But at the same time, we can't be afraid to make plays. We can't be afraid to have fun and play at a high level. "With that being said, we understand that we are playing with a defense that moves around a lot and causes a lot of issues and problems. So everybody has to make sure that we are on the same page. If things get a little rough, we can't get frustrated. We have to continue

Redskins say locker room remains united

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:00:41 -0500

Defensive end Andre Carter recently said there was no potential for division to develop in the Redskins' locker room over the fact that the defense has mostly performed well and the offense has struggled. Wide receiver Santana Moss agreed. "We're not that kind of team," Moss said. "I feel that every weekend we go out there with the intent to win, still with a 3-7 record. We go out there knowing that we're just a play here and there, a drive here and there, from being better than that opponent. I think the past three weeks we've really been coming together, and playing decently. "Decent as in not where we want to be, but it's better than what we were before. And all you can do is build off of that. I feel very confident in just knowing that I feel like we have something in mind that we know

Hall, Haynesworth remain questionable

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:18:56 -0500

If top cornerback DeAngelo Hall sits out Sunday's game in Philadelphia because of a knee injury, Carlos Rogers will join Fred Smoot in the starting lineup, Coach Jim Zorn said today after practice at Redskins Park. "He's looking good," Zorn said of Hall. "But he's very questionable for the game." Although Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle) has improved, he also is still listed as questionable. "Albert was running pretty good straight ahead," Zorn said. "He's still not ready." The Redskins expect veteran tackle-guard Mike Williams (ankle) to play in the game at Lincoln Financial Field, but rookie guard Edwin Williams will remain with the first-team. Williams filled in well after Chad Rinehart suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. "We're going to try to keep that group in there," Zorn said of the offensive line that finished the game against Dallas.

Landry is growing into role as free safety

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:57:54 -0500

Although free safety LaRon Landry often has been criticized for his performance this season, he has shown encouraging signs lately, especially in the Week 11 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In probably his best game of the season, Landry played extremely well in coverage and was credited with five tackles. Safeties coach Steve Jackson recently spoke with Landry about his approach to the position, and the coaching staff was pleased with Landry's outing against Dallas. "We kind of talked to LaRon, and I thought Steve did a great job of getting LaRon to understand that he is a free safety," said secondary coach Jerry Gray, who speaks for the defense. "He has instincts and the natural ability to be a strong, aggressive guy. But as a free safety, you've got to be more calculated. You've got to be more risk-taking, but in the right time. "You can't just waste a

Gray: May the best scheme win

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:10:18 -0500

In their 27-17 loss in Week 7 to Philadelphia, the Redskins watched standout Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson score on a 67-yard reverse and a 57-yard touchdown pass. The Redskins don't want that to happen again. "If you take a look, they did a great job right before halftime of getting a big touchdown, and game planning Carlos [Rogers] on a double cut," secondary coach Jerry Gray said. "Then on the reverse, it was one of those desire things, and I thought Jackson did an excellent job. "If you take those two plays out, those plays hurt us, especially on defense. Good teams really don't make wholesale changes, and we're not going to make a wholesale change on defense, and I don't think they're going to make a [wholesale] change on offense. Whoever schemes the best is going to win those games." Have a great day The Redskins will practice

Expect Mike Williams to play; Edwin Williams may start

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:11:35 -0500

Veteran tackle-guard Mike Williams (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, but rookie guard Edwin Williams might make his first career start, Coach Jim Zorn said. "He is going to be available," Zorn said of Mike Williams, who sat out the last two games. "He's trying to work his way as quickly as he can into the mix now. He's got a great attitude. His ankle is a lot better. He's able to move, and move laterally. ... Right now, he's going to be starting from the backup position, but he's working." After sitting out the last game against Dallas, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle) hopes to play against the Eagles. ... Rock Cartwright will start at running back, but the recently re-signed Marcus Mason will play, Zorn said. ... With top cornerback DeAngelo Hall (knee) slowed, cornerback Carlos Rogers worked with the

Westbrook's replacement is the real McCoy

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:46:23 -0500

With All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook sidelined because of lingering problems from two concussions in a span of four weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles are relying on rookie running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy has rushed for 452 yards (with a 4.3-yard average) and three touchdowns and caught 23 passes for 181 yards. He has been a key contributor for the Eagles (6-4), who are tied for second in the NFC East and play host to the last-pace Redskins (3-7) on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. "I couldn't have predicted what happened" with Westbrook," Philadelphia Coach Andy Reid said. "I'm glad Brian is here to help this kid with the maturation process. Brian's been like a big brother to him. It's hard to put a price on that. "LeSean wants to be a good player. He's worked very hard at it. He has an opportunity now and we'll see how he does

Players, coaches give Gray high marks

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:21:16 -0500

Although secondary coach Jerry Gray has not been officially named the new head coach at the University of Memphis, Redskins players and coaches today expressed confidence he would excel in that role. "It's good. It's an opportunity," cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "I know him kinda more than just being my defensive back coach. I think he'll do a really good job down there." Gray is highly respected in the organization. He is considered an excellent teacher and he is extremely organized, which are among the reasons many at the complex would express a sigh of relief if the Tigers went in another direction. But that seems unlikely given the support Gray is believed to have received from Redskins minority owner and Memphis booster Frederick W. Smith, who is chairman, president and chief executive officer of FedEx. "Just like everyone else who's been here and has moved on, we'll continue on,"

Gray tunes out talk of Memphis job

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:10:35 -0500

Secondary coach Jerry Gray today declined to directly address news reports that he will be named the new head coach at the University of Memphis - possibly as early as this week - and preferred to focus on the Redskins' upcoming game against the Philadelphia Eagles. But Gray acknowledged the situation has been somewhat of a distraction, prompting him to focus even harder on his current duties. "It's tough right now, because if you take a look, we got [the] Philadelphia Eagles this week, and you got a whole bunch of other stuff going, and the distractions are around," Gray said while speaking on behalf of the defense during his weekly media session at Redskins Park. "I think our guys are grown enough to understand that, you know, the distractions are going to be there. But the thing you got to do is still focus in a little bit harder.

McNabb on Campbell: 'No one wants to be benched'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:50:45 -0500

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has been among Jason Campbell's mentors since Campbell entered the league in 2005. During difficult times, of which Campbell has experienced plenty with the Redskins, he often has reached out to McNabb for advice and guidance. Campbell and McNabb have had many discussions about events this season, including Campbell having been benched for the first time in his NFL career after halftime in the Week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. "What we discussed kinda is just between the both of us, but no one wants to be benched," McNabb said today in a conference call with reporters who cover the Redskins. "No one wants to be benched when you're really just not the full problem. There's a lot of things that's going on and a lot of things that can honestly be cleaned up, but I think he handled it well. He did

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Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:50:45 -0500