The Front Row with Grant Paulsen : CBSSports.com Blogs

Haslett is DC Bound

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 1:39:51 EST

Jim Haslett has reportedly agreed to serve as the defensive coordinator on Mike Shanahan's staff in Washington.

In Haslett the Redskins are adding a defensive mind who has designed schemes for 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. They are also getting a guy who has served as an NFL head coach on two separate occasions.

First for the not-so-important Haslett information:

1. He looks kind of like the guy who played Lou Collins in "Little Big League."

Take on Cooley

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:53:03 EST

Two months ago, Washington Redskins fans could have cared less about Fred Davis. The only thing many of the team's fans knew about Davis was that he slept through one of the first practices of his NFL career. He was considered talentless, and labeled a bust.

But in the several weeks since Chris Cooley was sidelined with a season-ending injury, Davis had been called upon to serve as Washington's No. 1 tight end. He's responded exceptionally well, becoming one of Jason Campbell's favorite targets while catching 25 passes (three for touchdowns). He's also been Cooley-like after the catch, in that he hasn't gone down without a fight in the open-field.

Over the past few days I have heard fans calling into local radio stations in DC, and seen plenty of Redskins fans online talking about making Davis the permanent top tight end in Washington. Some have even said that the Redskins should trade Cooley to clear the way for the second-year former USC standout.

Cutting Suisham is 'No Good'

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:13:50 EST

Shaun Suisham missed the three biggest field goal attempts he lined up for this season. Two of them (from 39 and 50 yards) came in a one-point loss to Dallas two weeks ago, and the other came at FedEx Field on Sunday from just 23 yards out. The errant kick, which sailed wide-right, cost Washington a chance to beat the unbeaten New Orleans Saints.

But cutting Suisham was a bad decision.

He was released on Tuesday so that the Redskins could sign some guy named Graham Gano.

Gano drilled the game-winning field goal for the Las Vegas Locomotives in overtime of the inaugural UFL championship game last month. A 22-year-old Florida State product who was born in Scotland, Gano has never attempted a field goal in the NFL. He tried out for the Baltimore Ravens this summer, but he was beaten out for Baltimore's kicking job by a guy who is no longer kicking for the team.

Raptors @ Wizards

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:18:05 EST

First Quarter

- The Wizards missed their first eight shots from the floor before Gilbert Arenas knocked down a 3-pointer over three minutes into the game.

- Washington can't get off to a good start at home. They fell behind 10-0 in the first 1:57 of the conest. Before the game Flip Saunders said that his team's key to winning would be to get off to a fast start.

- DeMar DeRozan looks like he is 7 years old. He's actually 20. He'll be matchup-up with Nick Young tonight, which is interesting because the USC products know eachother well.

Redskins 27, Broncos 17

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:18:11 EST

A few nuggets:

- Ladell Betts has started 11 games since the 2004 season, and in those game's he's run for 1,082 yards. That's an average of 98 yards-per-start. He carried the ball 26 times for 114 yards and scored a touchdown in Sunday's win over Denver. "He steps up every time he gets a chance," Santana Moss said about the former Iowa Hawkeye. "That's what Ladell does."

- Left tackle Levi Jones was thoroughly impressive in his first start as a Redskin. The former Cincinnati Bengals 1st-round pick did a nice job protecting Jason Campbell's blindside, and he also became a reliable lead blocker in Washington's running game. "He's only been here a few weeks," said Rock Cartwright who rushed for 41 yards. "But he seemed like he's been here all season. He was a beast."

Things You Won't Hear Today

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:38:19 EDT

The obvious: The Redskins aren't playing well and today is a sad day in and around the district of columbia.

But everybody is going to be talking about that. Nobody is going to point out a couple of the positives from Sunday, so allow me.

Call me a homer (bailey) if you want. You'd be wrong. I'm not saying that the Redskins are any better than there 2-4 record or that they'll end up competing for a post season spot. I am just staying that it's easy to call a bad team bad. It's tougher to actually go back and find a few strengths that are worth pointing out. If you want to bury a team, fine. But it's only fair to point out the very little good that occurs as well.

.........................

Quarterback Change

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 7:34:27 EDT

The Washington Redskins offense was awful in the first half.

They couldn't run the ball. They couldn't throw the ball. They couldn't block. They couldn't move the ball.

Washington racked up all of one first down in it's first five drives (on a nice gain after the catch by Chris Cooley along the home-sideline to move the chains). The Redskins didn't score a first-half point for the second straight home game against a winless team, and yesterday's first half struggles came against the NFL's worst defense.

All that said - benching Jason Campbell for Todd Collins wasn't irrational. I didn't agree with the decision but it wasn't a foolish move by Jim Zorn. It was just an act of desperation that probably shouldn't have happened.

Three and Out

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:03:18 EDT

1. Deangleo Hall

I have to give Hall credit for being a professional. The guy holds court with the media after every game and during every open locker room session. Even after he has a bad game (which has happened a few too many times), he's been there to field questions.

Hall did his best to deflect attention from his head coach, Jim Zorn, this week. He wants the fans to know that Zorn isn't to blame for Washington's awful start to the season.

From Jason Reid's piece in the Post: "I think a lot of people made the comment, '[Zorn's] not out there playing in the games.' That's the truth of the matter," Hall said. "If you want to blame someone, look at the film. Look at the guys who are out there trying to play. We haven't been doing a great job, bottom line, we haven't been doing a great job. I think the blame lies with us. I think the blame lies with us. I think we're the ones out there playing every day, practicing, trying to do the right thing, but I don't know if we've got the right personnel here to do it."

Panthers 20, Redskins 17

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:21:03 EDT

Plusses...

Jason Campbell

Campbell didn't make many plays but he did a nice job taking what he was given behind a disastrous offensive line. He completed 17-of-23 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. He didn't turn the ball over and he didn't force any passes into tight coverage, impressive considering that he was running for his life most of the day. The Auburn-product was sacked five times, or almost once every five drop backs.

Andre Carter

Lions 19, Redskins 14

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:35:23 EDT

Plusses...

1. Santana Moss

It took three games but Moss finally showed up. The ninth-year receiver caught 10 balls for 178-yards, 57 of which came on a catch-and-run that got the Redskins back into the game in the opening minutes of the second-half. Moss wasn't fighting with cornerbacks or fumbling the football like he had in the two weeks prior. He was running precise routes and catching everything that touched his hands. It was good to see the 30-year-old get back to his old play-making ways. I'd anticipate the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to shade safety help over towards Moss' side of the field on Sunday. That should open up the middle of the field for Chris Cooley and Antwan Randle El again. (They combined for just five catches and 59 yards against Detroit).

Redskins 9, Lions 7

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:15:34 EDT

Plusses...

1. Chris Cooley

Cooley might not be the best player on the Redskins' offense (I still think Clinton Portis is), but he is unquestionably the team's most reliable offensive weapon. Cooley caught seven more passes and compiled 83 receiving yards, setting the pace in the Redskins' passing attack for the second consecutive week. Jason Campbell threw nine passes Cooley's way, seemingly finding him in the middle of the field on check-down reads whenever he was in trouble. Cooley has phenomenal hands and plays the game with the type of passion that the fans in Washington want to see all 53 players on the Redskins exuding. If the NFL kept a statistic on broken tackles, Cooley would lead all pass-catchers and it wouldn't even be close.

Giants 23, Redskins 17 - Final

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:57:43 EDT

Plusses...

1. Antwan Randle El

Antwan Randle El's first game working in his more natural slot position was a major success. He was running free in the middle of the field most of the afternoon, catching seven passes for 98-yards (both a team-best). Randle El was working against linebackers on several of his receptions. He was Washington's most consistent offensive weapon, which hasn't been the case very often in his time in DC. Getting him back into the slot to run around between the hashes is going to be a major help to Jason Campbell this season.

2. London Fletcher

Breaking the Redskins down by position

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:45:24 EDT

I wanted to take a few minutes to break the Washington Redskins down by position.

I've ranked each of the team's units on a scale of 1-10, based on how it ranks as we prepare for Thursday night's NFL Kickoff special. A five means the position is just average by league standards, and the closer to 10, the better.

...

Quarterbacks: 6.5

Random Thoughts

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:33:29 EDT

I've never been a big fan of Soulja Boy. I don't know why but I just never saw him as talented, and that's coming from a guy who listens to 90% rap and 10% everything else. But I found out today that I am not Soulja Boy's biggest detractor. That distinction goes to this dude.

...

It's my first day of a new semester of classes at George Mason University. College is wonderful for a lot of reasons. You learn, which is always a good thing. There are lots of attractive females in a semi-small area, which is neat. And you get to do a ridiculous amount of people-watching. I love sitting in public places and just watching people. Weird? Yes. But fun.

Give it a try, though. Every now and then you might see something epic.

Redskins Release Five

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:24:57 EDT

The Washington Redskins announced on Sunday afternoon that they hace commenced their cut-down process by releasing five players.

CB Michael Grant

LB Alfred Fincher

DT Michael Marquardt

Rabach Isn't Worried About 'Skins Offensive Line

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 3:37:40 EST

The right side of the offensive line is still an area of interest at Washington Redskins training camp.

Right-guard Randy Thomas (sore knee) missed all of Thursday morning's practice and right-tackle Stephon Heyer only participated in limited drill-work.

But even with 40% of his club's offensive line on the sideline, ninth-year center Casey Rabach isn't overly-concerned about his unit.

"It's really early," a rain-soaked Rabach said after Thursday's practice.

'The Predator' doesn't tweet, but he's a gamer.

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 3:23:25 EST

Chris Horton's 76-tackle, three-interception rookie season was a pleasant surprise for the Washington Redskins in 2008.

A seventh-round pick known more for his extra-long dread locks than his skills at strong safety until early last September, Horton climbed up defensive scheme at Usain Bolt-like speed.

He intercepted two passes during his first start in week-two last year, the second clinching a victory. Two weeks later he intercepted a Tony Romo pass in Dallas, the easiest way for any Redskins defender to guarantee the support of his team's fan base.

Horton's expected to begin this season where he finished last: starting at strong safety opposite Laron Landry in the Redskins' secondary.

Tuesday at Camp

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 3:18:59 EST

The morning session has come and gone. Today's afternoon practice, which is closed to the public, will be "special teams only."

.....

Albert Haynesworth was back on the field this morning after missing consecutive practices. Jim Zorn told reporters that the all-pro defensive tackle "did great" this morning. He also said that there should be "no worries" about Haynesworth's knee.

.....

Camping from the Front Row

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:25:00 EDT

I just got back to the newly-built press offices at Redskins Park. The team's first practice of "Training Camp 2009" was a success. By that I mean that nobody got hurt, and nobody had a poor enough morning of work that they won't get a second chance to impress the coaches on the practice fields this afternoon.

...

Worth noting:

-Jason Campbell was sharp during both passing drills and 7-on-7 work.

The new face of baseball in Baltimore

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 8:43:21 EDT

The Baltimore Orioles were still two hours from the first pitch of their game with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday evening. The second of three batting practice groups was in the cage working up a sweat, taking their cuts in the batter’s box at an overly-humid Camden Yards.

Adam Jones, Baltimore's 23-year-old center fielder, left the batting cage with a frown on his face. Visibly perplexed, the young outfielder strolled over towards the home-dugout with a purpose.

Jones picked up the dugout phone and called upstairs to the game-day operations booth where the ballpark’s music is played. "What kind of song is this?" Jones asked whoever had answered. "Can we get some hip-hop or something,” he asked.

Welcome to "The Front Row"

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:14:46 EDT

Internet friend,

Hello, my name is Grant Paulsen.

I'll be writing about all of the local DC-based sports teams. I may even dabble into some Baltimore Orioles thoughts on occasion. If you aren't down with the Orioles, I apologize. That's a "you-problem." But Duff Goldman's cake shop is in Baltimore and I know you like cake. So with that in mind I hope you'll be okay with me talking a little bit about our friends to the North.

This blog will be Washington Redskins heavy, especially throughout the football season. I'll be posting stories before and after games, as well as the transcripts of various interviews conducted with players.