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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

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd looks to throw against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

For college football players, staying or leaving is a choice often without an easy answer

Tajh Boyd ultimately chose to stay at Clemson for his senior season, temporarily delaying the allure of an NFL career in favor of one more season in college. It was a worthwhile move: The Tigers finished 11-2, including a victory over Ohio State in the Orange Bowl, and Boyd will likely be one of the top quarterbacks selected in the NFL draft in May.

January 20, 2014
Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner (27) and goalie Michal Neuvirth (30), from the Czech Republic, celebrate after an NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, in Washington. The Capitals won 3-2. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Anxious for opportunity, Michal Neuvirth steady in victory

Blanketed by disappointment for the better part of two months, goaltender Michal Neuvirth was fraught by anxiety Friday afternoon, knowing that the opportunity he wanted for some time was finally approaching. He remained calm, helping the Washington Capitals take a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

January 10, 2014
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Jay Gruden hired as Redskins coach

Jay Gruden will be introduced as the Washington Redskins' next coach on Thursday afternoon. Gruden, who spent the last three years as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator, emerged as one of the front-runners for the opening since Mike Shanahan was fired on Dec. 30 after four years with the team.

January 9, 2014
New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell instructs players during NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Redskins interview Perry Fewell as coaching search heats up

The Redskins, according to a variety of reports, reached out to five other candidates on Monday to gauge their interest in interviewing: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

January 6, 2014
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell walks onto the field as his team warms up during an NFL Super Bowl XLVII football practice on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in New Orleans. The Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday, Feb. 3. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell spends his Sunday at Redskins Park

In the past week, Redskins general manager Bruce Allen has interviewed four candidates, all of whom are current NFL coordinators. He, director of player personnel Morocco Brown and director of pro personnel hosted Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell at Redskins Park in Ashburn on Sunday, a team spokesman confirmed.

January 5, 2014
Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, looks on from the ice after he fell during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Washington. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Quick-response goals causing problems for Capitals

Hampered continuously by goals scored shortly after their own, the Washington Capitals again realized they can't continue to make such mistakes after losing 4-3 at home to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

January 2, 2014
Former Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan walks away from the podium after making a statement after he was fired on Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Redskins Park, in Ashburn, Va. Shanahan was fired after a morning meeting with owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Redskins keeping open mind in post-Shanahan search

Hours after Mike Shanahan was fired, general manager Bruce Allen said Monday the search for his replacement would begin immediately and noted that the "open list" would include candidates from the professional and collegiate ranks.

December 30, 2013
NFL head coaches fired by their respective teams. Washington Redskins Mike Shanahan, Minnesota Vikings Leslie Frazier, Cleveland Browns Rob Chudzinski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Greg Schiano, Detroit Lions Jim Schwartz.

Redskins fire Mike Shanahan after four seasons

The Washington Redskins fired Mike Shanahan on Monday morning, bringing to an end the tenure of a coach who four years ago seemed likely to return a once-proud franchise to its winning ways.

December 30, 2013
Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and coach Mike Shanahan won't have as much time to strategize before Thursday's game against Dallas. Washington needs a win to stay in the NFC East hunt. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

End of an era? Redskins fall again, Shanahan might, too

The Washington Redskins' most miserable season in 19 years ended mercifully on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where they lost, 20-6, to the New York Giants. Now, the focus shifts to the status of coach Mike Shanahan.

December 29, 2013
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan, left, talks with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan during the teams NFL football training camp practice on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 in Ashburn, Va.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Kyle Shanahan, other Redskins assistants know uncertainty comes with the job

Between the team's dismal performance this season and a series of reports by national media outlets pointing to irreparable rifts throughout the front office, it's likely Mike Shanahan will not return as the Redskins' coach next season. That means Kyle Shanahan, the team's offensive coordinator, as well as defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and the Redskins' 14 other assistant coaches, also face uncertainty once the season ends.

December 26, 2013
Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall (23) is congratulated by inside linebacker London Fletcher (59) after scoring a touchdown on his first quarter interception as the Washington Redskins play the Detroit Lions at FedExField, Landover, Md., September 22, 2013. (Preston Keres/Special for The Washington Times)

Redskins prepare for mass exodus from roster

Twenty-two players will be free agents following the season, including seven starters on defense. The Redskins should have approximately $25 million available under the salary cap when the new league year begins in March, and that amount should be enough to address many of their concerns.

December 25, 2013