By John Solomon
How the government's punishing of the exposure of official wrongdoing can linger for years
At a certain point, a winning streak becomes a form of group hysteria, almost — an altered state. There's no understanding it, really. It just is.
Kirk Cousins just wanted to say he's sorry. The Washington Redskins backup quarterback's phone filled up with messages after he replaced the injured Robert Griffin III and finished off Sunday's 31-28 overtime victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
A win in Dallas on Thanksgiving, another over the New York Giants on "Monday Night Football," and suddenly Robert Griffin III is a national phenomenon — a rookie with the NFL's top-selling jersey, a name politicians love to drop. It can happen quickly, can't it? Almost as quickly as Griffin can run the 40. In his case, just 12 games into his pro career.
Until the Washington Redskins started beating the NFL's better teams, they couldn't be considered one themselves. They finally accomplished that Monday night at loud and proud FedEx Field, coming from behind in the fourth quarter to hang a 17-16 loss on the division-leading New York Giants — and keep their various playoff possibilities alive.
A quarter-by-quarter recap of the Redskins' 27-12 loss against the Steelers.
It's almost like Chris Cooley has been on the Physically Unable to Perform List for the first seven weeks of the season. Except, of course, that he was willing and able to perform; the Washington Redskins simply preferred other tight ends -- temporarily -- and released him in training camp.
Santana Moss led the Redskins in receiving yards for six consecutive seasons from 2005 to 2010 and has long been one of the team's primary targets. But in Sunday's comeback win against the Buccaneers, he played just 35 of 73 snaps and recorded three catches for 33 yards.
Pushed and shoved throughout a game he felt was "unprofessional" and "dirty," Robert Griffin III finally heard the obvious from one of the St. Louis Rams defensive players.
Scroll through Joshua Morgan's Twitter mentions from the past three days and a sick feeling takes hold of your stomach.
Every time something bad has happened to the Washington Redskins in recent years, it's cost them one way or another. A starter has gotten hurt — and there's been nobody to replace him with. Or somebody has fumbled or thrown a pick or committed some other on-field blunder — and it's crippled their chances to win a game.
Robert Griffin III wasn't seen on the field Wednesday in Washington's preseason finale, but all eyes will be on him once the season starts.
Say this for Robert Griffin III: The kid knows how to make an entrance. Even behind a offensive line missing three starters Thursday night, he ran the Washington Redskins offense with confidence and polish. As crazy as RG3 Mania has been up to now, you get the feeling we ain't seen nuthin' yet.
There's a strong chance quarterback Robert Griffin III will make his Washington Redskins preseason debut Thursday night without half of the first-stringers on offense.
Chris Cooley will play some fullback in the Washington Redskins' preseason opener on Thursday night at Buffalo, he said Monday. First-stringer Darrel Young has been sidelined by a strained left hamstring, giving Cooley, the franchise's all-time leading receiver among tight ends, the opportunity to showcase his versatility in his attempt to make the roster.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III will usher in the new era of Washington Redskins football Thursday morning when the team holds its first full-squad practice of training camp. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, with his athleticism, arm strength and charisma, provides reasons for optimism and hope following four straight last-place seasons.
"It feels normal," Morgan said.
Redskins' Chris Cooley to get work at fullback in Thursday's preseason opener →
"[Receivers] coach Ike Hilliard has been in my ear all the time because he's been through it, you know, coming to a new team," Morgan said. "It would be frustrating for most, but I've got great teammates. They've been doing a great job keeping me focused and keeping my mind right."
Redskins' Chris Cooley to get work at fullback in Thursday's preseason opener →
