Redskins Insider - Your daily source for news and commentary on the Washington Redskins, by Jason Reid - December 6, 2009

Alexander: Adapting to a new kicker on the fly

Lorenzo Alexander is going back to Cali. A native of Berkeley and a three-year starter at defensive tackle for the University of California, where he earned a bachelor's degree in legal studies, Alexander returns to the San Francisco Bay Area with the Redskins for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders....

By Jason Reid | December 12, 2009; 12:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (155)
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Daniels toughs out a rough season

Defensive lineman Phillip Daniels has continued to be productive while overcoming a lot the last two seasons. Daniels, 36, suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament on the first day of training camp in 2008. This season, Daniels has managed to stay in the starting lineup despite a torn right...

By Jason Reid | December 12, 2009; 10:55 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (4)
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Zorn recalls his days playing the Raiders

Jim Zorn compared the fervor of the rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders when he quarterbacked the Seahawks to that of the Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboys rivalry. "I do remember, when we would finish those games, if it was home or away or if you won or lost, it...

By Zach Berman | December 12, 2009; 10:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (14)

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Hall, Sellers, Haynesworth won't play

Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, cornerback DeAngelo Hall and fullback Mike Sellers are each out for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, Coach Jim Zorn said after Friday's practice. Haynesworth could be seen wearing a walking boot in the locker room. Haynesworth (ankle) and Hall (knee) have been fighting injuries during...

By Zach Berman | December 11, 2009; 2:25 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (229)

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Lingering Questions About the Kicking Change

When the Redskins board a plane Saturday for Oakland, they'll have a new kicker with them. But four days after cutting Shaun Suisham for rookie Graham Gano, there's still some lingering questions surrounding the change and who was behind the decision. There were whispers this week around Redskins Park that...

By Rick Maese | December 11, 2009; 12:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (103)

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Gradkowski gives Raiders a little life

The Oakland Raiders are coming off a 27-24 road victory last week over the defending Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who are in a spiral after losing their fifth straight game Thursday night to Cleveland. Against Pittsburgh, Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski passed for a career-high 308 yards with three touchdowns and...

By Jason Reid | December 11, 2009; 7:26 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (128)
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Schottenheimer speaks up

On his radio show, former Redskins coach Marty Schottenheimer talked about the report that owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice-president of football operations, had done college scouting. Dan Steinberg has the rest of the comments at D.C. Sports Bog. "When you send Dan [Snyder] out along with...

By Cindy Boren | December 10, 2009; 8:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (67)

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Sellers out; Hall, Haynesworth likely to miss game

Redskins Coach Jim Zorn said fullback Mike Sellers would not play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders because of a thigh injury, and though Zorn did not rule out cornerback DeAngelo Hall (knee) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle), it appears likely both will miss the Raiders game. Haynesworth did not...

By Barry Svrluga | December 10, 2009; 3:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (112)

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Moss predicts Portis will be back next year

No player in the Redskins' locker room is closer to Pro Bowl running back Clinton Portis than wide receiver Santana Moss, a fellow Floridian and a teammate in college at the University of Miami. The two have side-by-side lockers at Redskins Park, and they frequently socialize off the field. Moss,...

By Barry Svrluga | December 10, 2009; 2:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (44)

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Gray's tale of 2 DBs and double-moves

When cornerback Carlos Rogers got beat on a couple of double-moves, giving up long touchdowns last month, he lost his starting job and didn't get it back until DeAngelo Hall sprained his knee. Safety LaRon Landry has now given up a couple of touchdowns, but his starting job is apparently...

By Rick Maese | December 10, 2009; 1:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (55)

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O line has a hand in Redskins' improvement

Because management did not adequately address internal concerns about the offensive line during the offseason, the unit's poor performance has been the biggest single factor in the Redskins' 3-9 season, according to many in the organization. But the patchwork line has performed better recently, which has contributed to the improvement...

By Jason Reid | December 10, 2009; 12:30 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (42)
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Fletcher earns another accolade

It's not quite the Pro Bowl, but the honors have started to come in for London Fletcher, who recently was named to Peter King's all-decade team. The Redskins' linebacker was one of 26 players named today to the inaugural All-Fundamentals team, sponsored by USA Football and the NFL Players Association....

By Rick Maese | December 10, 2009; 11:39 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)

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Hall faces another part of his past on Sunday

On Nov. 8, Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall played in Atlanta for the first time since he was traded from the Falcons to Oakland before the 2008 season. The result: A sideline skirmish between Hall and several Falcons players and staff members - including Atlanta Coach Mike Smith - that resulted...

By Barry Svrluga | December 10, 2009; 6:43 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (145)

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Zorn: Suisham's 'situation had been building'

Former Redskins place kicker Shaun Suisham connected on 18 of 21 (85.7 percent) field-goal attempts this season, but Suisham missed twice (from 39 and 50 yards) in the 7-6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and failed to convert a 23-yard chip shot in the 33-30 overtime loss to the New...

By Jason Reid | December 9, 2009; 6:57 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (94)
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Zorn elaborates on RB rotation

Coach Jim Zorn was caught off guard today after starting running back Rock Cartwright revealed he has been demoted in favor of Quinton Ganther. "Rock's going to play," Zorn said. "We'll decide, at some point, what's going to happen and what the rotation is going to be. But [Ganther] will...

By Jason Reid | December 9, 2009; 4:12 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (64)
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Gano finds comfort level as Redskins' new kicker

Not surprisingly, newly signed place kicker Graham Gano said he was excited to be with the team after completing his first practice. Gano most recently kicked for Las Vegas of the UFL and the NFL is "a different level," he said. "But the good thing about kicking is you just...

By Jason Reid | December 9, 2009; 4:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (27)
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McCoy, Clausen draw Redskins' attention

Owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, recently attended a University of Texas game to scout quarterback Colt McCoy, according to sources within the organization. Cerrato also made a trip to conduct an in-person evaluation of Notre Dame junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who this...

By Jason Reid | December 9, 2009; 2:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (233)
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Ganther to start over Cartwright at RB (updated)

Quinton Ganther will be the starting running back Sunday in Oakland, Rick Maese reports via Twitter, a move that Rock Cartwright announced and said disappoints him. (He added that he'd like to go back to returning kicks, but Coach Jim Zorn hasn't said anything about that.) Zorn confirmed the RB...

By Cindy Boren | December 9, 2009; 1:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)

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Is Haynesworth's contract a ripoff?

Alex Marvez of FOXSports has listed his top 10 NFL contract ripoffs this season and he ranks Albert Haynesworth at No. 7. (No. 1? Jake Delhomme and Julius Peppers share that spot on his list.) Haynesworth is a dominating defensive lineman when healthy. But is he good enough to justify...

By Cindy Boren | December 9, 2009; 1:03 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (61)

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Hall, Sellers, Haynesworth not practicing

The Redskins moved their practice up to 11:30 this morning. Not practicing, according to Rick Maese, were DeAngelo Hall (knee injury), Mike Sellers (thigh contusion), Albert Haynesworth (ankle sprain and re-sprain) and Stephon Heyer (present but seemingly not practicing). The Redskins have moved offensive lineman Will Robinson from the practice...

By Cindy Boren | December 9, 2009; 11:57 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (35)

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Poll: Looking ahead to Sunday

poll by twiigs.com...

By Cindy Boren | December 9, 2009; 9:30 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (113)

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Thomas never doubted he would succeed

Second-year flanker Devin Thomas had his first big game in the 33-30 overtime loss to the Saints. He had career highs with seven receptions -- including a 40-yarder -- for 100 yards and two touchdowns. And just in case anyone wonders if that was a fluke performance, it wasn't, Thomas...

By Jason Reid | December 9, 2009; 7:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (80)
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Fletcher named to all-decade team

Peter King of Sports Illustrated has named his all-decade NFL team and his linebackers are Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks and ... London Fletcher. Of Fletcher, King writes: I've got an athlete, Ray Lewis, playing sideline to sideline, and now I'll take a tackling machine to clean up the run game....

By Cindy Boren | December 9, 2009; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (25)

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Redskins change practice-squad WRs

The Redskins have made a change in their practice-squad wide receivers, cutting Keith Eloi and signing James Robinson. Robinson was an undrafted free agent who spent time on the Cleveland Browns' and Miami Dolphins' practice squads this year. Eloi had been signed to the practice squad Dec. 2....

By Cindy Boren | December 8, 2009; 7:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (68)

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Poll: Is Portis done here?

poll by twiigs.com...

By Keith McMillan | December 8, 2009; 6:01 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (81)
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Offense improving despite missing pieces

Running back Clinton Portis is the 10th player the team has placed on the season-ending injured-reserve list. Portis joins tight end Chris Cooley and left tackle Chris Samuels as Redskins' offensive Pro Bowlers on IR. Despite losing so many key members on offense, the Redskins have been much more productive...

By Jason Reid | December 8, 2009; 5:29 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (28)
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Portis' future and the salary cap

Many in the league believe 2010 will be an uncapped year, but the current system and its rules still are in place. If the Redskins released Clinton Portis before June 1 in 2010, they could face a cap hit of as much as $14.8 million, according to league sources familiar...

By Jason Reid | December 8, 2009; 4:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (36)
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Rosenhaus optimistic about Portis' Redskins future

On his Twitter account today, running back Clinton Portis's agent said he expected Portis to play again as a Redskin. "After speaking with Clinton's doctors, I have been assured that he will make a complete recovery in time for the 2010," according to the tweet from agent Drew Rosenhaus. "The...

By Jason Reid and Rick Maese | December 8, 2009; 4:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (64)

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Suisham surprised at release

Just got off the phone with place kicker Shaun Suisham, who obviously expressed disappointment about being released today and said he was surprised by the move. "Unfortunately, this seems to be the life of a kicker," said Suisham, who had a late miss in Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to the...

By Jason Reid | December 8, 2009; 2:56 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (136)
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Portis placed on IR list

UPDATED (3:48 p.m.) In a move that became more likely each week Clinton Portis sat out, the Redskins today put the veteran running back on the season-ending injured-reserve list because of his health problems stemming from a concussion suffered a month ago. "We felt at this juncture in season, it...

By Jason Reid and Rick Maese | December 8, 2009; 2:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (97)

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Zorn: Missed FG affects 'all of us'

Redskins Coach Jim Zorn today explained the reasoning behind the release of place kicker Shaun Suisham and signing of Graham Gano, who "clearly had the strongest leg" in kicking tryouts at Redskins Park, on ESPN's 980's "The Jim Zorn Show." Gano won the Lou Groza award at Florida State and...

By Jason Reid and Rick Maese | December 8, 2009; 1:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (159)
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Redskins dump Suisham, sign Gano

Two days after place kicker Shaun Suisham's missed chip-shot field goal contributed to an overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints, the Redskins today waived the five-year veteran and signed Graham Gano after kicking tryouts at Redskins Park. Gano won the Lou Groza award at Florida State and kicked most...

By Jason Reid and Rick Maese | December 8, 2009; 12:26 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (178)
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Vote now on the kicker (updated)

Tony Dungy's answer was emphatic when he was asked on NBC's Sunday night telecast what he'd do if his kicker had missed an important 23-yard field goal Sunday: "I'd have to cut him before he cost me my job." poll by twiigs.com That may be a moot point for Jim...

By Cindy Boren | December 8, 2009; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (183)

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Zorn says Landry must work on double moves

Free safety LaRon Landry acknowledges he has bitten on double moves recently. The New Orleans Saints specifically targeted Landry with double moves in Sunday's 33-30 overtime victory, and he was burned for 40- and 53-yard touchdown passes - the latter tied the score at 30-30 with 1 minute, 19 seconds...

By Jason Reid | December 8, 2009; 7:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (60)
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Redskins auditioning kickers

Following place kicker Shaun Suisham's missed 23-yard field goal in the closing minutes against the Saints, the Redskins plan to audition kickers on Tuesday. Among those expected to kick for coaches at Redskins Park are Nick Novak and Graham Gano. Novak is a University of Maryland product who has bounced...

By Rick Maese | December 7, 2009; 10:51 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (65)
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Thomas is gaining maturity to match ability

Before the New Orleans Saints' late rally stunned the Redskins in Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss, I had planned to write a lot about the breakout performance of second-year wide receiver Devin Thomas. Thomas set personal bests with seven receptions -- a 40-yarder among them -- for 100 yards and two...

By Jason Reid | December 7, 2009; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (232)
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Zorn says FG attempt was 'a poor kick'

After Sunday's loss, Coach Jim Zorn said he thought the snap was high on place kicker Shaun Suisham's missed 23-yard field-goal attempt late in the fourth quarter. Long snapper Ethan Albright agreed. But Suisham said the snap was fine and accepted full responsibility for failing to connect on a chip-shot...

By Jason Reid | December 7, 2009; 2:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (46)
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Ganther leads running-back-by-committee

Backup running back Quinton Ganther showed some elusiveness and a nice burst while rushing for a team-high 46 yards with a 5.8-yard average in Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints. Ganther has been a pleasant surprise on offense and special teams. Rock Cartwright started against the Saints...

By Jason Reid | December 7, 2009; 1:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (32)
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Zorn supplies Sellers, Haynesworth updates

Here's a quick injury update from Coach Jim Zorn's press conference, which just ended. Mike Sellers was released from the hospital after getting treatment for a thigh bruise. Remember Jason Taylor's battle with "acute compartment syndrome" last year? That was the concern with Sellers. Suffice it to say there was...

By Cindy Boren | December 7, 2009; 12:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (62)

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Suisham comes under fire for key misses

Shaun Suisham is a consummate professional. And not that this matters in terms of his ability to perform at his job, but he's one of the nicest guys on the team as well. Not that I had anything against Dave Rayner when he was brought in to challenge Suisham for...

By Jason Reid | December 7, 2009; 9:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (192)
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Sellers' injury a thigh contusion

Mike Sellers' injury information was updated last night by the Redskins; he has a thigh contusion, not a hip injury. Coach Jim Zorn will have an update on his condition when he talks to the media at 12:25 today; there will be no player availability, the team said....

By Rick Maese | December 7, 2009; 7:03 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (137)

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Campbell's play may draw attention

Quarterback Jason Campbell likely is playing to impress other teams for a job elsewhere next season. Although Campbell is a restricted free agent, it appears the Redskins will be moving in many new directions again, so Campbell's time in Washington could be drawing to a close. And if that's the...

By Jason Reid | December 7, 2009; 6:28 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (41)
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Saints cite Moore-Meachem play as a key

One of the key plays of the Washington Redskins' 33-30 overtime loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday came on a bizarre sequence at the end of the first half. With 39 seconds remaining and the Saints facing third and 26 on the Redskins' 44-yard line, New Orleans quarterback...

By Paul Tenorio | December 6, 2009; 8:21 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (182)

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Brees does what no QB has done in 214 games

Saints quarterback Drew Brees managed what no quarterback has in 214 games against the Redskins: He threw for 400 yards. It wasn't a day the Washington defense will remember fondly. For a third straight week, the Redskins offense built a fourth quarter lead and its defense relinquished it. "We have...

By Rick Maese | December 6, 2009; 8:06 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Landry caught by double moves

Free safety LaRon has struggled in deep coverage this season and did again in the loss to the Saints. Saints quarterback Drew Brees teamed with wide receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem on 40- and 53-yard touchdown passes - both times burning Landry on double moves. The Saints specifically targeted...

By Jason Reid | December 6, 2009; 7:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (81)
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Sellers undergoing hip examination

The Redskins escaped Sunday's game relatively injury-free compared with recent weeks. Fullback Mike Sellers was in noticeable pain the postgame locker room and was taken to an area hospital to have his hip examined. Team officials say the hospital visit is just a precautionary measure. Defensive tackle Kedric Golston suffered...

By Rick Maese | December 6, 2009; 7:39 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)

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Albright shoulders part of blame for miss

Although placekicker Shaun Suisham faulted himself for missing a 23-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter that would have put the Redskins up by 10, long snapper Ethan Albright was also quick to accept blame. The 15-year veteran said the snap felt high to him, which he thought disrupted...

By Dan Steinberg | December 6, 2009; 6:46 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (36)

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Redskins fall short in overtime

Another week, another heart-breaking loss. Despite leading by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Redskins lost to the New Orleans Saints 33-30 Sunday at FedEx Field. The Redskins have now lost their past three games by a total of seven points, and the Saints escaped Washington...

By Rick Maese and Paul Tenorio | December 6, 2009; 4:27 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (237)

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Randle El's return is questionable (updated)

Antwaan Randle El has a sprained shoulder and his return is questionable, Rick Maese reports. Kedric Golston comes out of the game after spraining his elbow. His return is questionable....

By Cindy Boren | December 6, 2009; 3:48 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (386)

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Redskins keep outplaying Saints

A slim one-touchdown lead and only 15 minutes to go. The Redskins, still playing strong on both sides of the ball, hold a 27-20 advantage after three quarters and show no signs of letting up. Through three quarters, the Redskins have already put up a season-high point total, seen their...

By Rick Maese | December 6, 2009; 3:38 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (31)

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Griffin's return questionable

Cornelius Griffin has a knee sprain and his return is questionable, according to Rick Maese....

By Cindy Boren | December 6, 2009; 3:34 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (22)

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Tell us about it ...

poll by twiigs.com poll by twiigs.com...

By Cindy Boren | December 6, 2009; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (105)

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A halftime tie for Redskins, Saints

The Redskins were 22 seconds away from taking a lead against the undefeated New Orleans Saints into the locker room at halftime when safety Kareem Moore intercepted a Drew Brees pass at Washington's 30-yard line. Instead, the second-year safety was stripped by Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem during the return...

By Paul Tenorio | December 6, 2009; 2:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (18)

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Redskins lead by 10 after 1 quarter

There was a dominant defense and a dominant offense on display in the opening quarter, but they belonged to the Washington Redskins -- not the 11-0 New Orleans Saints. The Redskins burst out to a 10-0 lead after one quarter on a Fred Davis touchdown catch and a Shaun Suisham...

By Rick Maese | December 6, 2009; 1:43 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (153)

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Hall tops inactive list for Redskins

The Redskins list Richard Bartell, Justin Tryon, DeAngelo Hall, Clinton Portis, Edwin Williams, Alvin Bowen, Paul Fanaika and Renaldo Wynn as in active for today's game against the Saints. That means that Edwin Williams goes from starting to inactive. Mike Williams will start in his place. Fred Smoot will start...

By Rick Maese | December 6, 2009; 11:35 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (76)

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Fujita won't play for Saints today

Linebacker Scott Fujita will not play for the Saints today against the Redskins at FedEx Field. Fujita, who has a knee injury, was downgraded from probable to out, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Fox Sports is reporting that he has developed a staph infection. poll by twiigs.com The Saints...

By Cindy Boren | December 6, 2009; 9:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (13)

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Batiste, Haynesworth strike unusual friendship

Hope you got a chance to peruse this weekend's story on D'Anthony Batiste. He's a backup offensive lineman who had a nontraditional path to the league, going undrafted and actually serving as a sheriff's deputy in Lafayette, La., before finally cracking an NFL roster. With such an unusual background, there...

By Rick Maese and Jason Reid | December 6, 2009; 8:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (15)
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Redskins Insider: December 6, 2009 - December 12, 2009