'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Overall, coach Mike Shanahan lived up to his word. The Redskins mostly remained idle, limited by having only $3 million or so of salary cap space because of their $18 million cap penalty.
The Redskins' Alexander and Golston are among several pairs of NFL teammates or former teammates who have ventured together into the business world. Some players pursue it as a hobby. Others hope to maximize their celebrity and disposable income to start building for their lives after football.
Robert Griffin III stood behind the end zone inside the Washington Redskins' indoor practice facility Wednesday morning, pulled up his right pants leg and fiddled with that darned brace on his right knee.
Barry Cofield wasn't heaping praise on himself or teammates along the Washington Redskins' defensive line Sunday after the 27-20 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Redskins allowed 411 yards, and the veteran nose tackle said he'll spend the week reminding guys of what needs to be better.
Kedric Golston got all too used to playing out the string on some bad Washington Redskins teams during his NFL career. He has the mentality down pat
Robert Griffin III needed a first down, so he took off and leapt into the air to get it. Three Carolina Panthers defenders converged and made the stop, but not until after Griffin finished what he set out to do, sore ribs or not.
Understanding the reality of where his Washington Redskins are after eight weeks, coach Mike Shanahan on Monday busted out the phrase that players agreed best describes the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers: "I think everybody knows that it's a must-win game," he said.
Lorenzo Alexander's life was simpler four years ago. He did not have a family of five. He did not own a pilates studio in Ashburn, and he did not have a strong foothold professionally as a co-captain of the Washington Redskins.
Big plays, long drives, demoralizing results: The passing yards allowed have added up for the Washington Redskins. Dead last in the league at 314.2 a game, they're on pace to have the worst pass defense in the history of the NFL.
The bigger Ben is, the harder he falls. That's the Washington Redskins' mentality going into Sunday's game against Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers. They know what the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback can do when given time, so there's an emphasis on not just pressuring him but knocking him to the Heinz Field turf.
Ben Roethlisberger wouldn't even entertain the possibility of a Washington Redskins defense without London Fletcher, who has played 231 straight games.
Giving up big plays often this season, the Washington Redskins' secondary has been a popular punching bag. Often, that criticism is deserved.
Many around the NFL have criticized Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano for breaking commonly accepted football etiquette and having his team crash the opposition's victory formation. That includes several Washington Redskins players, who more than anything else said they don't get why Schiano and the Bucs would endanger opponents in such a way.
No matter what your record is, one subject Wednesday around the NFL caused plenty of smiles: the return of the regular officials after three regular-season weeks using replacements.
Kedric Golston stood near his locker and stroked his goatee late Sunday afternoon as he contemplated how to answer the question that has come to define this Washington Redskins season after two straight ugly defensive performances in a pair of losses.
"I think it allows the coaches to build on what they're doing, and it allows the players to be even more comfortable and build in the schemes," Golston said. "You also understand what your players can and can't do and understand how to call games better. You're able to communicate better and throughout the course of games make adjustments on things."
CAMPBELL: Familiarity is Redskins' best bet in face of salary cap limitations →
