1. Clinton Portis was limited in practice and, though the Redskins have not ruled him out and though the running back has been in a good mood the past couple days, it’s still hard to see him playing. Why play a guy coming off a groin tear who can’t get through a week of practice? Especially if you want this guy to be a factor over the second half of the season.
2. Punt returner Brandon Banks caught a couple balls, but his status also is very uncertain because of his knee. Banks will catch some more punts in practice Saturday.
3. Ryan Torain had a second good day of practice, coach Mike Shanahan said. That has to be good news regarding his status for Monday. The Redskins desperately need Torain or Portis to play. Regardless, if Portis doesn’t play it’ll be interesting to see how the backs handle the blitzes.
4. The Hat Crisis of 2010 is over. Thank goodness. Portis wore a red Nationals hat given to him by that franchise, one day after wearing a Phillies hat (which he did because it matched his red hoodie). Players view those hats as nothing more than a fashion statement in most cases. Yes, Casey Rabach wears a Brewers hat all the time; he’s also from Wisconsin. For the most part, though, it’s not a statement on anything. This is not LeBron James teasing the Cleveland fans by wearing a Yankees hat, knowing that New York was a contender to land his services.
5. Yes, this qualifies as one of the more silly stories of the season. When you’re down to writing about hats, you know it’s been a long time since a team has played. I will say, it wasn’t the smartest thing to do (wearing a Phillies hat the week they’re playing Philadelphia).
6. The update on the Donovan McNabb contract situation is basically this: they’re not going their separate ways just yet. And maybe they won’t at all. And they say they’re still working on an extension. And nothing is signed. Actions speak louder, my friends. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but until it does there has to be some skepticism. But certainly the Redskins would have to know how bad it would be to trade two picks for a guy who walks after one year. It’s not over and much can happen over eight weeks. Nothing is a done deal at this point.
7. The Redskins face a different challenge this time around vs. Philadelphia, assuming QB Michael Vick plays the whole game. They will spy him on occasion, but you can’t make a living doing that, not with the Eagles having dynamic playmakers in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Leave LaRon Landry up near the line too often and the Eagles will sting the Redskins deep. “If you do that, then you have back-end issues,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. “You’ve just got to be smart.” And if a linebacker does it — as they will at times — you have to hope Vick doesn’t blow past them.
8. The Redskins will mix it up when it comes to spying and not spying. I’m guessing they will play a lot of cover-2 zone and prevent big plays; teams that are used to scoring fast can get frustrated when they have to drive. But they need to play fast.
9. Haslett on Vick and his throwing ability: “I’ve seen him throw off his other foot. I’ve seen him throw sideways. I’ve seen him throw on the run. I saw him throw one earlier in the season 65 yards on a rope right down the middle of the field and he was running sideways.”
10. Haslett on Brian Orakpo as a pass rusher: “He’s relentless first of all. He has a great knack for it. He’s powerful; he’s really strong. He’s fast off the edge. His career will get even better when he has a couple of inside moves. But the guy is relentless. He is really a heck of a pass rusher. He’s explosive. He’s fast. He’s everything you look for in a pass rusher.”
11. Haslett puts Orakpo up there with the great pass-rushing linebackers he’s been around, guys like Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd. Orakpo has a chance to get into that level, but you have to post big sack numbers first; 11 is nice, but he needs more. However, he’s definitely capable. The guy is fun to watch.
12. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the Eagles blitzed the Redskins probably more than they’ve blitzed any other team this season. Look for more of the same. Me? I’d overload the Redskins left side until they prove they can stop it; thus far, they have not (lately at least).
13. Shanahan on how much thought he gave the McNabb situation during the bye week: “None at all.” Of course, he then added: “You definitely think about it a little because I got some time off and I enjoy watching football so it’s hard to watch and not hear about it. But there was nothing to think through with him. It was just about being honest with him and being on the same page.”
14. Shanahan said the offense isn’t limited by McNabb’s hamstrings as far as rollouts. “It doesn’t make him as great as he can be at rolling out, but as you can see if you watch us, I think we do that as much as anybody.”
Recommended Stories
15. Eagles DE Trent Cole told Sirius Radio today that McNabb was not difficult to play against. “I think I’ll say no, he’s not that difficult to play against. Because I think we should have won that game. …He’s a good quarterback — I didn’t say he was bad — he’s a good quarterback and he’s done great things over time. But now, talking about bad, I feel like our team can go in there and stop all that. We can go in there and win that game.”
