1. Nine players were limited in practice: linebacker Brian Orakpo (body soreness), fullback Mike Sellers (foot), safety Kareem Moore (knee), right tackle Jammal Brown (knee/hip), right tackle Stephon Heyer (ankle), quarterback Donovan McNabb (hamstring), RB Chad Simpson (hamstring), CB DeAngelo Hall (back) and S LaRon Landry (Achilles).
2. Coach Mike Shanahan said he expects both Brown and Heyer to be ready for Sunday, making it possible that he will rotate the two for a second straight game. Heyer would have played more vs. the Bears but sprained his ankle. Moore’s knee has swelled and he, too, was limited vs. Chicago. Safety Reed Doughty, who started in his place, said he has “no idea” who will start Sunday.
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3. Shanahan made it clear Wednesday that he’s not a fan of playing overseas, as San Francisco and Denver are doing Sunday in London. “There’s too many distractions,” Shanahan said. “It’s very hard during the season. From my standpoint I would say no, but they usually don’t call me anyhow.”
4. Think Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz is still a bit annoyed that DeAngelo Hall picked them four times? He told the Chicago Tribune that, “He guessed is what he did,” Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz told the Chicago Tribune. “He just guessed and he guessed right.”
5. But that’s what Hall does. The key with Hall is that he’s not afraid to make a mistake. And he will make them. However, he’ll also make plays because he’s willing to take a chance. Sunday, he even guessed wrong and wound up with a pick. But on the other plays they really weren’t guesses; he reacted to what he saw. And the fact that Jay Cutler was under pressure meant that they wouldn’t have time to attempt certain routes. “He’s not afraid to pull a trigger and make a play. Some guys may take a lifetime and not have the confidence to do it.”
6. Hall was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week and the Hall of Fame wanted his jersey. “That’s some good company,” Hall said. “It really hasn’t hit me yet. I’ve never been to the Hall of Fame, never been up that way. But when you hear that, huge honor. Huge honor.”
7. Last thing on Hall. Despite lobbying to cover the opposition’s best wideout after the Houston loss, he’s primarily stayed on the left side. Though Detroit has Calvin Johnson, don’t expect that to change this week. Johnson is seven inches taller than Hall, so it’s a matchup the Lions could exploit. That doesn’t mean Hall won’t ask defensive boss Jim Haslett to cover him all game. “Probably will,” Hall said.
8. The Redskins signed running back James Davis to the practice squad. Davis was a sixth-round pick in 2009 by Cleveland. He had a strong preseason in 2009, rushing 24 times for 186 yards. In the regular season, he’s carried 13 times for 24 yards.
9. Lorenzo Alexander on Albert Haynesworth: “I think they’re simplifying a lot of stuff for him. He’s not doing a lot of Okie stuff. He’s going in on pass downs, longer distances, and they allow him to do what he does best – getting off the ball and just going to get guys. They’re just working with him better. …Just unleashing him and letting him go and do his thing.”
10. Yes, the players remember what happened in the Lions game last season. Very much as a matter of fact. So if they lose it’s not because they’ve overlooked them; it would be because Detroit is playing better. I will say, it’s funny that players always say they have no idea who the opponent is two weeks from now. But if they have a bye the following week, they absolutely know it. And it’s the one time a team can be caught looking ahead. That’s another fear for this game.
11. My story from today on the Redskins; you’ll be surprised to see who has the most quality wins in the NFC.
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