Redskins Insider - Your daily source for news and commentary on the Washington Redskins, by Jason Reid - October 11, 2009

With Smith Still Out, Pakulak Will Punt Again

Still bothered by a groin injury that occurred in Week 4, punter Hunter Smith will miss his second consecutive game and Glenn Pakulak again will handle punting duties Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Redskins signed Pakulak from the practice squad and released veteran defensive end Renaldo Wynn to...

By Jason Reid | October 17, 2009; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (87)
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Marko Mitchell and the Numbers Game

It seems as if a day doesn't pass without someone stopping me at the grocery store, at a restaurant or after church (when I get a chance to attend service these days) to ask about the playing status of rookie wide receiver Marko Mitchell. Many Redskins fans are frustrated Mitchell...

By Jason Reid | October 17, 2009; 1:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)
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Rinehart Questionable for Sunday

The Redskins have added guard Chad Rinehart (shoulder) to their injury report and listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field. With backup guard-center Will Mongomery scheduled to start at right guard, rookie center-guard Edwin Williams could be active this week. The Redskins...

By Jason Reid | October 17, 2009; 11:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)
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Alexander: Teams 'Want to Be the Spark'

In this week's installment of Special Teams Saturday with Lorenzo Alexander, we'll take a look at how the Redskins intend to rebound after two momentum-shifting plays on teams helped the Carolina Panthers rally from a 15-point deficit for a 20-17 victory over the Redskins. Trailing, 17-2, in the third quarter,...

By Jason Reid | October 17, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
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Rhino: Battered Shoulder, Bruised Ego

It has been a rough stretch for second-year guard Chad "The Rhino" Rinehart, who was demoted from the starting lineup after only two weeks and inactive in the last game. He could be inactive for Sunday's game as well and he also has a sore shoulder. "I don't know about...

By Jason Reid | October 16, 2009; 5:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (120)
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Moss Could See Additional Returns

Although Antwaan Randle El still is the team's primary punt returner, top wideout Santana Moss has been involved in the return game and could have a bigger role for the remainder of the season. "If you've noticed, I've had Santana back there," Coach Jim Zorn said. "They are going to...

By Jason Reid | October 16, 2009; 4:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (45)
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Punter Smith Has One More Day to Recover

The Redskins plan to work out Hunter Smith (groin) on Saturday to determine whether he could handle punting duties this week against the Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field. "We're going to make a decision tomorrow," Coach Jim Zorn said after practice at Redskins Park. "We're trying to give him...

By Jason Reid | October 16, 2009; 2:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (117)
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Tell Us How You Think Redskins Will Finish

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By Cindy Boren | October 16, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (249)

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Hall Meets Expectations of Team, If Not Fans

Some of our friends on the Insider apparently aren't too pleased with the tackling of cornerback DeAngelo Hall. There have been comments about Hall's poor performance in that key area since the season opener against the New York Giants. And after the Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers, many...

By Jason Reid | October 16, 2009; 9:25 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (90)
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Burgundy & Gold Daily

From "Washington Post Live" on Comcast SportsNet, Ivan Carter talks to Doc Walker, Jason Reid and Thomas Boswell about the state o' the Redskins. Chats Today Jason Reid will be chatting at 11 a.m. today and he'd love to hear from you. At 12:30, Gene Wang is up with fantasy...

By Cindy Boren | October 16, 2009; 7:27 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (64)
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Zorn Says Public Statement Isn't Needed

In the wake of the revelation that some prominent Redskins would appreciate a show of support from management for their coach, Jim Zorn said he didn't need such an endorsement to carry forth with his job. "I can't speak for those guys, because they're grown men," Zorn said. "I think...

By Barry Svrluga | October 15, 2009; 4:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (148)

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Daniels Expects to Be Ready Sunday

For the second day in a row, defensive end Phillip Daniels was limited in practice, nursing a torn biceps suffered last week against Carolina. But Daniels said he still expects to be ready to play on Sunday against the Kansas City. "Feeling pretty good," Daniels said after today's practice. "There's...

By Rick Maese | October 15, 2009; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (79)

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Redskins' Defense Prepares to Step Up Again

Frustrated about their undisciplined performance in a 19-14 loss to the lowly Detroit Lions in Week 3, the Redskins got back to basics on defense. Coaches and players ratcheted up their efforts and refocused on the details of their work, and the results, for the most part, have been positive...

By Jason Reid | October 15, 2009; 2:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
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The Strain is Showing in Ashburn

I wonder how much longer things in Ashburn can continue as they have the last few weeks. There's no other way to put it: The mood at Redskins Park has been downright depressing since the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions. Privately, many players have bemoaned the situation, criticizing...

By Jason Reid | October 15, 2009; 7:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (440)
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Sources: Redskins Not Interested in Quinn

With the trade deadline Tuesday, there has been a little buzz out there about the Redskins possibly being in the mix for Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Well, that's not going to happen, two league sources wrote in texts. The team is not interested in the former Notre Dame standout...

By Jason Reid | October 14, 2009; 4:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (245)
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Will Montgomery Will Start on Sunday

Third-year guard-center Will Montgomery will start at right guard for the Washington Redskins against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, beating out second-year lineman Chad Rinehart, Coach Jim Zorn announced Wednesday. Rinehart, a third-round draft pick out of Northern Iowa in 2008, initially beat out Montgomery for the starting job...

By Paul Tenorio | October 14, 2009; 4:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (75)

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Punter Situation Remains in Flux

The Redskins took the practice field this afternoon and began installing the gameplan for the Kansas City Chiefs. What they aren't sure about right now is just who will perform punting duties for them this Sunday. As Hunter Smith recovers from a groin injury suffered Oct. 4 against Tampa Bay,...

By Rick Maese | October 14, 2009; 3:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (49)

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Sellers on Season's Hardest Part: 'You Reporters.'

Pro Bowl fullback Mike Sellers, who was elected one of the Redskins' six captains prior to the season, spoke with the media Wednesday for the first time since his confrontation with running back Clinton Portis became public late last week. In a three-minute session, Sellers essentially said the media was...

By Barry Svrluga and Paul Tenorio | October 14, 2009; 2:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (149)

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Hall: 'I Don't Know If We've Got the Right Personnel'

Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall has been among the most outspoken players during Washington's struggles this season, and on Wednesday afternoon he again voiced his opinions on several of the franchise's problems. With a critical game coming up Sunday at home against the winless Kansas City Chiefs, Hall emphasized how important...

By Paul Tenorio | October 14, 2009; 2:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (83)

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Anthony Montgomery Being Shopped Around

Defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, sidelined the first five games because of a knee injury, acknowledged he has been informed the team is attempting to move him before Tuesday's trade deadline. "I don't know if it would be better [to be traded] because at heart I'm a Redskin," he said. "This...

By Jason Reid | October 14, 2009; 1:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)
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Samuels Does Not Know How Long He'll Be Out

Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels -- ruled out of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs because of a neck injury -- does not know how long he will be sidelined and is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week, he said today before practice at Redskins Park. "Just kind...

By Jason Reid | October 14, 2009; 12:52 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (121)
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An Odd Streak Nears Its End

The Kansas City Chiefs visit FedEx Field on Sunday and, at this point, two things are certain: the Chiefs are winless after five games and the Redskins' six-game streak of playing a winless opponent to open the season will end. It's a somewhat dubious streak, given that the New York...

By Jason Reid | October 14, 2009; 6:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (228)
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What I Think: The Week That Was (Updated)

Another loss to a previously winless team, an "extra set of eyes" brought in to overlook Coach Jim Zorn, a suddenly silent defensive coordinator and a heated verbal exchange between the star running back and the Pro Bowl fullback. What a week that was in Ashburn. Obviously, trying times such...

By Jason Reid | October 13, 2009; 3:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (295)
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Realistically, Help on the O-Line Isn't Available

Insider readers have sent a ton of e-mail expressing their frustration that the team has not signed any free-agent offensive linemen despite its injury problems in that area. Many expressed anger and confusion when the Redskins re-signed running back Anthony Alridge to fill the roster spot that opened when starting...

By Jason Reid | October 13, 2009; 11:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (297)
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The Tuesday Reading, Viewing Links

Coach Jim Zorn said he is "really disappointed" and "hurting." Rock Cartwright said, "It's us against the world." So the week began in Ashburn, Barry Svrluga writes. Tracee Hamilton brought another set of eyes -- her own -- to Redskins Park on Monday. And Rick Maese breaks down the offensive...

By Cindy Boren | October 13, 2009; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (136)

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Vote Now: Pick the Winner

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By Cindy Boren | October 13, 2009; 6:08 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)

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Zorn Returns to Fair-Catch Play

Coach Jim Zorn spoke today with Mike Pereira, the NFL's vice president of officiating, about the Redskins' botched punt return in the fourth quarter that resulted in a turnover and led to the Carolina Panthers scoring the go-ahead touchdown in their 20-17 victory Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The...

By Jason Reid | October 12, 2009; 4:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (324)
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Wynn Returns to Roster

We'll see if Renaldo Wynn's third stint as a Redskins lasts longer than his second. The team released punter Glenn Pakulak today and re-signed the veteran defensive end this afternoon, just two days after releasing him. Pakulak was essentially a punter-for-rent who filled in for an injured Hunter Smith against...

By Rick Maese | October 12, 2009; 2:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (222)

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Line Dance: Adjusting to Samuels' Injury

Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels has been ruled out of this week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs at FedEx Field because of a neck injury he suffered in the 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Coach Jim Zorn said today. Samuels suffered the injury on Washington's second play...

By Jason Reid | October 12, 2009; 2:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (30)
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Samuels Will Miss Sunday's Game Against Chiefs

Left tackle Chris Samuels will not be available for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Coach Jim Zorn announced today. Samuels suffered a stinger on the Redskins' first touchdown against the Panthers and did not return to the game. Though Samuels said after the game he felt better, he underwent an...

By Rick Maese | October 12, 2009; 12:35 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (133)

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Rogers: 'Things Ain't Working'

The Redskins gathered Monday morning in Ashburn, and the message was clear: They're trying to hold things together as best they can in the wake of Sunday's 20-17 loss at Carolina, but there are already indications that the players believe changes must happen. Cornerback Carlos Rogers said the future of...

By Barry Svrluga | October 12, 2009; 12:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (81)

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Daniels Opts to Postpone Surgery

Defensive end Phillip Daniels said this morning that he suffered a full tear of the biceps tendon in his right arm during Sunday's loss at Carolina. Doctors said the injury would require surgery, but Daniels isn't ready for that. "Instead of having surgery, I'm opting to go ahead and play,...

By Rick Maese | October 12, 2009; 12:18 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (23)

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Rogers, Cartwright on Redskins' Struggles

Carlos Rogers, from the Redskins' open locker room: "It starts not only with players and coaches, it starts with the ownership. They bring everybody in and they've got last say-so of everything, so that's where it starts, I guess." (via @RickMaese on Twitter). Rock Cartwright: "We look better than everybody...

By Cindy Boren | October 12, 2009; 11:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (54)

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Vote Now: Who's to Blame? (Updated)

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By Cindy Boren | October 12, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (139)

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Daniels Has Torn Right Biceps (Updated)

Just got off the phone with veteran defensive lineman Phillip Daniels, who was headed to Redskins Park after undergoing an MRI exam to determine the extent of his torn right biceps. "Yep, just got it, so we have to wait and see what it says, but I feel good," Daniels...

By Jason Reid | October 12, 2009; 9:02 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (67)
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The Same 'OL' Story Up Front

The offensive line performed so poorly Sunday that Coach Jim Zorn said he significantly pared down the offensive game plan in the 20-17 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Was anyone really surprised? As has been reported, the Redskins, in an internal self-evaluation during the offseason, determined the offensive line was...

By Jason Reid | October 12, 2009; 7:10 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (55)
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Carter Has a Career-Best Day

Redskins defensive end Andre Carter played a big part in putting pressure on Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was pressured much of the day. Carter, who had never posted more than two sacks in a nine-year career that spans 122 games, was credited with two-and-a-half against the Panthers. "It's just...

By Barry Svrluga | October 11, 2009; 7:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (182)

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Portis v. Sellers, One Week Later

At one point in the second quarter, running back Clinton Portis turned to fullback Mike Sellers in the huddle and gave him a high-five. Portis, who scored his first two touchdowns of the year, managed only 57 yards on 19 carries. But he appeared to have little problem interacting with...

By Barry Svrluga | October 11, 2009; 7:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (41)

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OL Injuries Change Cooley's Role

Tight end Chris Cooley is the most reliable target for Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell. He led the team with 83 catches last season, and was ahead of that pace 22 receptions over the first four games -- again, most on the team. But in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Carolina...

By Barry Svrluga | October 11, 2009; 6:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (29)

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Referee Explains Call

Referee Walt Coleman explains the punt-fumble call: "What happened was, the two guys were blocking each other. The Washington guy got blocked into his own man, so there was no interference. All we had to figure out who touched it first. If the Washington player is stationary and just standing...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 5:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (122)

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Vote Now on Zorn

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By Cindy Boren | October 11, 2009; 4:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (256)

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Redskins Lose a Stunner to Panthers

A team in disarray returns to Washington with an array of new problems. The Panthers picked their first win of the season, beating the Redskins 20-17 Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Redskins lost left tackle Chris Samuels, a six-time Pro Bowler, whose status for next week was not...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 4:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (151)

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Redskins Take 17-9 Lead into 4th Quarter

The Redskins, who had only 98 yards of total offense in the first half, needed only a yard to take a commanding lead on the Panthers early in the third quarter. After Washington punted on its first possession of the half, Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme looked for receiver Muhsin Muhammad...

By Barry Svrluga | October 11, 2009; 3:24 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (237)

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Samuels Won't Return

Left tackle Chris Samuels is out for the game with a shoulder stinger suffered early in the first quarter. As the team returned from the locker room to start the third quarter, Samuels wasn't in pads and wasn't even wearing his jersey. D'Anthony Batiste has been playing left tackle, and...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 2:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (170)

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Vote Now on Redskins-Panthers

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By Cindy Boren | October 11, 2009; 2:33 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)

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An 8-Point Redskins Lead at the Half

Thanks to Shaun's Suisham's 38-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining in the second quarter, the Redskins carried a 10-2 lead into halftime. Entering the Panthers' final drive of the half, neither team had yet amassed 100 yards of offense. (At the half, though, Carolina had 129 yards of offense and...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 2:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)

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Redskins Lead after 1 on Portis TD

The game couldn't have started in better fashion for the Redskins. On Carolina's first play from scrimmage, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth broke through the left side of the Carolina line and changed the direction of Panthers tailback DeAngelo Williams. When Williams was hit by defensive end Andre Carter and tackle...

By Barry Svrluga | October 11, 2009; 1:47 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (157)

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Batiste Replaces Injured Samuels

The Redskins' first touchdown of the game was a costly one. As Jason Campbell connected with Clinton Portis for a 10-yard score, left tackle Chris Samuels went down. Samuels has a stinger and his return is questionable. He was replaced on the Redskins' ensuing possession by D'Anthony Batiste, who's seeing...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 1:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (67)

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Rinehart Out, Mike Williams In (with Inactives)

Big Mike Williams is scheduled to start at right guard today in place of Chad Rinehart. Williams hasn't played in the regular season since 2005 and primarily has been a tackle throughout his career. According to the Redskins' media guide, Williams, while with the Buffalo Bills in 2005, started a...

By Rick Maese | October 11, 2009; 11:29 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (105)

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A Revised Prediction

During this week's segment of "4 Quarters" on Comcast SportsNet, I picked the Redskins to defeat the Carolina Panthers, 17-14. Well, many things happened after we taped, and I now believe the team has too many distractions to overcome today at Bank of America Stadium. Just consider what occurred during...

By Jason Reid | October 11, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (42)
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Hitting the Morning Links

Breakfast links are as essential to gameday prep as eyeblack: Barry Svrluga on the West Coast offense and JIm Zorn. If it seems as if there are more undefeated and winless teams this deep into the season than any time in recent memory, you're right. Mark Maske deciphers what this...

By Cindy Boren | October 11, 2009; 8:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)

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Redskins Insider: October 11, 2009 - October 17, 2009