'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities

The most surprising thing about Robert Griffin III's damaged right knee — aside from the White House not chiming in on the free world's most-debated joint — is that anyone is surprised at all.

Robert Griffin III waved his arms, encouraging Washington Redskins fans to keep up the chant. It wasn't the chorus of "RG3" that filled FedEx Field for most of the regular season, a tribute to the rookie quarterback whose success changed the course of the franchise.

Kory Lichtensteiger played off and on through a sprained left ankle in the Washington Redskins' NFC East-clinching victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, and the left guard hopes to be able to go when the playoffs begin in a week.

Will Montgomery practiced Wednesday through a sprained right knee. But that didn't mean the Washington Redskins' starting center's knee injury was minor.

Before Kory Lichtensteiger answered the question Monday afternoon, he wanted to find some wood on which to knock. Two victories from a division title is no time for a jinx.

In a hallway deep beneath FedEx Field, eight men surrounded Robert Griffin III. Some wore earpieces. They rushed the quarterback past white walls and idling Cadillac Escalades and into a black sedan.

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.

Trent Williams wasn't totally healthy, bothered by a thigh injury. Neither was London Fletcher, hampered by a bad ankle. But there was little if any doubt that the Washington Redskins' captains would be on the field for Monday night's showdown with the New York Giants.

When Trent Williams ran into Kory Lichtensteiger on the third play of the Washington Redskins' Thanksgiving Day victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the pain was overwhelming. The left tackle suffered deep left thigh bruise but refused to come out of the game.

There is one thing the Washington Redskins do better than any other team in the NFL.
![Diagramming Robert Griffin III's 76-yard touchdown run against the Vikings on Sunday. [No. 10: Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III; No. 22: Redskins running back Evan Royster; No. 83: Redskins tight end Fred Davis; No. 15: Redskins wide receiver Joshua Morgan; No. 20: Vikings cornerback Chris Cook; No. 54: Vikings middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley; No. 52: Vikings strong-side linebacker Chad Greenway; No. 33: Vikings free safety Jamarca Sanford; No. 22: Vikings strong safety Harrison Smith] (The Washington Times)](http://media.washtimes.com/media/image/2012/10/16/20121016-172508-pic-716951937_s101x57.jpg?1e38ab45eb20922e0b1946bfd8f398ca84df9337)
The Washington Redskins led the Minnesota Vikings 31-26 with 2:56 to play in the fourth quarter Sunday at FedEx Field. Facing third and 6 from the Washington 24, Robert Griffin III awaited the shotgun snap from center Will Montgomery. What followed would become the signature play in the quarterback's rookie season, and is presented here in an oral history:

Back in the state in which he grew up and played college football, Alfred Morris found a comfort zone quickly.

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.

Nick Sundberg knew his left arm was broken, but it was up to Washington Redskins long snapper whether he'd stay in Sunday's game. He watched center Will Montgomery practicing long snaps on the sideline with holder Sav Rocca and his mind was made up.
"I'll just make sure everybody is on the same page, which we've been on all week," Montgomery said. "I think we should be good out there."
LG Josh LeRibeus ready to join Redskins Year of the Rookie →
Center Will Montgomery said he would do his best to communicate with LeRibeus if Lichtensteiger can't play.
LG Josh LeRibeus ready to join Redskins Year of the Rookie →