Skip to content
Advertisement
Author profile
Zac Boyer

Zac Boyer

zboyer@washingtontimes.com

Zac Boyer is a sports writer at The Washington Times. Before joining in October 2013, he covered the Washington Redskins for The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Va. for parts of three seasons and spent the previous five years at the Hartford Courant. A University of Connecticut graduate, he can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Zac Boyer

Jets fly over Nationals Park before the start of an opening day baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals on Thursday, April 12, 2012 in Washington.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Nationals Park announced as NHL Winter Classic venue

While a variety of locations in the area had been suggested in the media for months, including FedEx Field, RFK Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and even the National Mall, it always seemed apparent that Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, would host the game.

September 10, 2014
Washington Redskins safety Ryan Clark (21) shares a light moment with teammate, defensive lineman Chris Baker (92) on the practice field during mini camp practice at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va., Wednesday, June 18, 20124. (Photo Rod Lamkey Jr.)

Chris Baker adds playing time to play time with Redskins

Baker has endeared himself to his teammates and coaches for years, partly because of his easygoing, good-natured personality. Now, after spending parts of three seasons toiling on a practice squad and two more as a rotational player, Baker finally has a chance to make his name known to the general public as well.

September 9, 2014
Nose tackle Barry Cofield (above, left), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (above, right), and linebacker Brian Orakpo (below) are among the Redskins' core group of impact players younger than 30 who add talent, experience and leadership this season. (associated press photographs)

After ankle injury, Redskins put Barry Cofield on short-term injured reserve

Cofield, who sustained a high right ankle sprain in the Redskins' season-opening loss at Houston on Sunday, has been placed on injured reserve with the "designated to return" label, the team announced Tuesday. It was one of several changes the Redskins made as injuries affected their depth.

September 9, 2014
Washington Redskins' Adam Hayward (55) rallies teammates before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Redskins don’t want special teams miscues to open ‘Pandora’s box’

The hiring of a new coach led to the hiring of a new special teams coordinator and an effort by the Redskins, in the offseason, to sign players who had significant experience playing special teams. Those issues, then, were thought to have been put to rest — until Sunday.

September 8, 2014
Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden, right, talks with Robert Griffin III during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Jay Gruden ‘sick’ over losing Redskins debut

As far as debuts go, Gruden will likely be the only one to remember Sunday's game for any worthwhile reason. The Redskins lost, 17-6, to Houston in an otherwise forgettable game at NRG Stadium, spoiling his first regular-season game as the 29th coach in franchise history.

September 7, 2014
Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) runs for a first down after making a catch as he puts a hand to the helmet of Cleveland Browns defensive back Jordan Poyer, right, with teammate Craig Robertson (53) giving chase during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, in Landover, Md. Washington defeated Cleveland 24-23. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

Santana Moss inactive for Redskins’ opener against Texans

Moss will not play in the Redskins' season-opener at Houston, marking the first time in his 10 seasons with the team he has been a healthy scratch. It will be the first time he's been inactive since he broke a bone in his hand and missed four games in 2011.

September 7, 2014
Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo says when it comes to the last year of his contract, "throw all that out the window, man. I'm signed for the 2014 season ... I need to go out there and be a force." (The WASHINGTON TIMES)

Brian Orakpo questionable for Houston homecoming with ankle injury

Orakpo, limited in practice for the third consecutive day on Friday, will be listed as questionable on the injury report, coach Jay Gruden said. The Redskins' game at Houston on Sunday would be the first time he's played a game in his hometown since 2005.

September 5, 2014
Washington Redskins running back Silas Redd carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Silas Redd defies odds to earn Redskins roster spot

Despite facing the longest of odds throughout training camp — six running backs were with the team, and only three were likely to make it — Redd had made it, the third running back behind starter Alfred Morris and backup Roy Helu.

September 4, 2014

Jay Gruden takes unorthodox path to NFL head coaching job

Jay Gruden has, for much of his life, lived in his older brother Jon's shadow — first as a football player, now as a football coach. In the end, Jay's hope is that he will be remembered for one trait his brother recognized on a humbling summer afternoon long ago. Jay wants to be a winner.

September 3, 2014
Redskins coach Jay Gruden tweaked the offense to maximize abilities and let playmakers like DeSean Jackson (right) do their thing. (Associated Press Photographs)

Don’t expect radical changes in Redskins’ playbook

However one describes it, two things are clear: Jay Gruden, as he has often tried to do, has tailored it to his players' strengths. And, come its full reveal for Washington's regular-season opener on Sunday at Houston, it won't look much different from what the previous coaching staff strung together in recent years.

September 3, 2014