'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Four months and two weeks removed from right knee ligament surgery, there, for all to see, was evidence to justify the Washington Redskins' optimism that their franchise quarterback will be ready to start the regular season Sept. 9.
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.
As the Washington Redskins awaited word on Robert Griffin III's health, teammates defended the rookie quarterback's decision to keep playing after reinjuring his right knee.
Pierre Garcon isn't sure whether he will have offseason surgery on his injured right foot, though the Washington Redskins wide receiver made it clear Monday he's not enthusiastic about the idea.
As Robert Griffin III planted his right foot in pursuit of an errant snap late in the fourth quarter Sunday, what little remained of the Tifway Bermuda grass exploded around him.
Seattle's cornerbacks present of the biggest challenges for the Redskins on Sunday in their NFC wild card game against the Seahawks, from Robert Griffin III to his receivers.
Trent Williams can't look back.
As seven NFL head coaches lost their jobs Monday, Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan implied offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, his son, wouldn't agree to interview requests until after Washington's playoff run ends.
At 3-6, the Washington Redskins were a mess. Coach Mike Shanahan talked about evaluating players and then, the next day, quickly clarified his meaning to explain he wasn't calling it a season.
Remember when Brian Orakpo tore his pectoral muscle in Week 2, and Washington Redskins fans anguished about the impact it would have on the defense? Remember when Fred Davis' Achilles gave way in Week 7, and Redskins Nation worried about the void it would leave in the offense?
The Washington Redskins' locker room was almost empty by the time Robert Griffin III finally got to his stall Wednesday afternoon. He and the other two quarterbacks stayed after practice to throw to receivers. Then Griffin hosted a 12-minute news conference that ESPN televised.
Indianapolis allowed one postseason-clinching chance to slip away at Houston.
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.
All the medical terms associated with Robert Griffin III's knee injury can be boiled down to one simple message: It's not too bad.
"We knew me and Robert could help the offense, could help the team win," Garcon said. "We didn't expect to be NFC East champs or we didn't expect to do anything. We just expected to play well and we wanted to play well, and we did that. It's a starting point. And hopefully we continue to grow and get better."
Early exit puts damper on Redskins' unlikely run to playoffs →
"I want to get another two to three years out. I enjoy it. I enjoy playing," he said. "And the family and myself really enjoy being over here and taking part in it. So we're going to see how long we can ride this thing for."
