Pears shopping Olsen

Apparently, Jeff Cutler is trying to get back together with Cavallari and given that Olsen is the one that came b/t them, it is just too awkward to be in the huddle together so someone had to go.

Skins pick up DE Stephen Bowen

Guy is in his prime and understands the 3-4. He was supposed to be the starter in Dallas but we pried him over. Another needed piece for our revamped defense.

Again, I like not overspending and locking guys who are in their prime into multi-year deals.

Need to grab some O linemen.

Assessment of Redskins moves

Have to say that I am pleased with what the Redskins have done and their approach to FA. Here are a few things that I have been happy with:

1. Taking care of the McNabb and Haynesworth issues: In a matter of 24 hours, they got rid of both of these guys. McNabb is a standup guy and a class act and I'm glad we did right by him and traded him as soon as possible. Haynesworth is the anti-McNabb but we needed to jettison him ASAP so he wouldn't become a distraction and unnecessary story going into the season.

2. WR depth: We brought in a number of quality vets. There are no superstars in this group but these guys can produce and coupling them with some of our younger guys creates good competition. Not all of these guys will make the team but we have a bunch of guys that will bring out the best in each other and who will fight to make the team. Many of these guys have something to prove.

3. Pickup of Josh Wilson: Pretty much ends the Carlos Rogers era. I liked Carlos but he never panned out to what was expected of him. Also, the guy had hands of stone. He had countless opportunities for easy INTs that could have made differences in games. He's still a solid corner but I'm sure he expects big time money and I don't have a problem seeing him go particularly when we get a player like Josh Wilson. He's smaller but has great speed and is a qualty CB that understands the 3-4.

4. Pickup of Cofield: This guy can play DE or NT in the 3-4. He's younger and talented and will help free up guys like Orakpo and Kerrigan. This will be a big addition.

5. Staying away from the high profile marquee names: Love this. We have stayed away from Santonio Holmes who just got one of the biggest contracts for a WR. He's a good player but I don't think he is WAY up there. His stats haven't been overly impressive. Sure, he is a good player but people/teams get enamored by these big names and end up overspending big time. The Skins have been guilty of this numerous times. Holmes is also one strike away from significant suspension time. Instead of Asomugha, we get Wilson. I like Asomugha as he seems to have great character but he will command big bucks and at 30 years old not sure how much you would want to commit to a guy like that.

We need to address the O line and I would still love to see Cullen Jenkins here as he is familiar with the 3-4 and could make a difference.

Still, I love the approach to FA this season. Getting solid guys but not overspending on anyone. We have several holes and it seems like this management team is going about it the right way by bringing in quality guys to fill many holes as opposed to bringing in one or two high priced, big name players and forgetting about the rest of the needs.

HAIL SKINS!!!

Haynesworth is gone!

Before defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth could get to training camp and take his conditioning test, the Washington Redskins traded him to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round draft pick in 2013, according to league sources.

In trading Albert Haynesworth, the Redskins part with a potential headache, while the Patriots are banking on Bill Belichick's ability to turn malcontents into team players, writes Dan Graziano.

Washington believes it is ridding itself of a player it had no intention of bringing back to its team this season. Haynesworth clashed repeatedly with Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and frequently skipped workouts. Shanahan suspended him for the final four games of last season for conduct detrimental to the team.

Love the move as we know longer have the headache or distraction of Haynesworth. Even Orakpo said that he didn't want to deal with it this season. All of a sudden, even from a fan's perspective, it seems like there is a feeling of cleaning out the dirty laundry and the rest of the team can move forward with football.

Skins snag CB Josh Wilson

After a flurry of moves designed to improve the depth and quality of their receiving corps, the Redskins appear to have taken a break and made a move to improve their defense. Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reported via Twitter that the Redskins have agreed to a deal with cornerback Josh Wilson of the Baltimore Ravens. Adam Schefter reports that it's a three-year, $13.5 million deal with $9 million guaranteed for Wilson, who replaces Carlos Rogers in what looks to be a pretty strong Washington secondary.

Wilson showed last season in Baltimore that he's fully capable of being a starting cornerback, which he's likely to be in Washington now opposite DeAngelo Hall and with LaRon Landry and O.J. Atogwe playing safety. Wilson is undersized (5-foot-9), but his speed is a great asset in coverage and helps him make up for mistakes he might make there. He has the talent to keep improving, and he looks like a very nice investment for a Redskins team that's rebuilding all over the field but suddenly has a lot of very interesting pieces in the second year of Jim Haslett's 3-4 defense.

Skins get Brandon Stokley

Another veteran WR. He's older but can still be productive. With 14 WRs on the team, all of sudden there is quite a bit of depth at the position. There are no superstars but it's a solid group with a mix of vets and younger guys. Should be interesting to see who makes the team and the depth chart with this group.

Skins trade Jarmon for Jabar Gaffney

Not a bad trade. Jarmon wasn't a good fit for the 3-4 as he was too immobile to play LB and not big enough for the line. I like that we are trying to get the players needed to fit the scheme.

Gaffney is no superstar but like Stallworth, he is a quality WR that helps fill a need. Our WR corps last year was Moss, Armstrong, and anyone else we could find. It goes from that to Moss, Stallworth, Gaffney, Armstrong, and the rookie from Miami. It's not a stellar group but it is solid and certainly a heck of a lot better than what we had last season.

Skins sign Donte Stallworth

The guy is 30 years old and has had is off the field issues. Only had 2 catches last season. Still, we only signed him to a one year deal and he probably still has some talent in him. He can provide good depth on a weak WR corps. He also has incentive to play hard for a final, bigger contract next year.

Skins sign Barry Cofield

Solid pick up. Guy had his most productive year last season. He's a big body (306 lbs.) and is in the prime of his career (27 years old). He will play DE in the 3-4 defense and should take up space to allow for Orakpo and rookie Ryan Kerrigan to make plays.

The guy I would love to get is Cullen Jenkins from GB as he had a big year last year and he understands the 3-4. Even better is if we were somehow able to bring in Nick Barnett. Those acquisitions and I feel like on paper our defense would be VERY solid. Team still needs to understand the 3-4 but we would have good personnel and we have don't really have anywhere to go but up from last year's defense.

Favre to Iggles?

There are rumors that Favre will come back and be the Iggles backup.

Enough is enough! Will someone please explain to this guy that he should just stay retired and go away. Last year was a debacle for him -- both professionally and personally. Just go away and don't embarrass yourself any further.

Mc5 to Vikes?

Looks like the D. McNabb era in D.C. was short lived and unsuccessful.

The veteran quarterback could soon be bound for Minnesota. The Redskins and the Vikings agreed to the framework of a trade late Tuesday night, according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, though the deal was contingent on McNabb restructuring his contract. In exchange for McNabb, the Redskins would reportedly receive a sixth-round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional sixth-rounder in 2013.

Hopefully we can get this done quickly as McNabb has been an upstanding guy for his entire career and he deserves right done to him. The sooner we can get him out is best for everybody. He no longer becomes a question/distraction at Redskin Park and he can join his new team and get acclimated with his new teammates, coaches, playbook, and surroundings.

Git 'er done!

Skins resign San-TANA!

I really like the signing. Moss drops a number of passes and he is 32 years old but he still caught 93 passes last year and had a very solid year. The problem is that we were still trying to make him our #1 WR. He is better suited in the slot as he still has speed and is good after the catch. Plus, he likes being part of the Redskins and is a good Redskin guy. Glad we kept him.

The big question is we need a #1 WR. I don't want to overspend on a guy but would be good to get a Santonio Holmes or even Sidney Rice as they are larger targets that can spread the field. I'm fine with Armstrong being the #3 WR as he seems suited for that. Either Armstrong or our second pick guy from Miami.

Still, the more pressing need is O line. Have no idea what the right side of our line is going to look like right now.

John Beck turned away from Redskins Park

Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is adamant that relatively unknown John Beck can be his team's starting quarterback this season. The rest of Washington, D.C., has been a little slower to embrace him.

Beck showed up to Redskins Park on Monday to try to meet with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, but he wasn't allowed to enter the building. The security guy at the gate had no idea he was the Redskins quarterback. From Mike Jones at the Washington Post:

He was turned away at the security gate by a guard, who didn't even know who he was.

Beck was told that players can't report until Tuesday morning, and left slightly disappointed, but not offended.

"I'm OK with that," Beck said of not being recognized when reached this afternoon. "I haven't done anything yet."

If I was in the security guy's shoes that day, I believe I'd have done the same thing. I'm not sure I'd recognize John Beck if he walked into my kitchen right now and started making me waffles.

Beck was drafted in the second round of the 2007 draft by the Dolphins. In two years with the Fish, he started just four games (with a spotless 0-4 record) and was unable to beat out Chad Pennington(notes), Chad Henne(notes) or the great Cleo Lemon(notes) for playing time. He spent 2009 wearing a Ravens uniform, but never got on the field.

In 47 days, he could be starting for the Redskins.

I don't really like the idea of Beck at QB. In fact, I don't like it so much that I would rather see Rexy as our QB. While I'm not enamored with Rexy, he seems like our best option. In the limited amount of time I have seen Beck, he seems to be trying to play the part of starting QB. I just don't buy it. I'm willing to give him a shot and see what he can offer but my expectations are pretty low with him.

Again, don't love Rexy but I think he gives us the best shot at winning and is an okay stop gap until we find someone better. Rexy can be very good the problem is that he can also be very bad (make the stupid throw for an INT and not feel the pressure and takes the sack and loses the ball).

Jeff Cutler breaks engagement to Cavallari

I'M SHOCKED!!!

I heard the real reason for the break up was because Cutler was having an affair...WITH GREG OLSEN!!!

Actually, I am disappointed because marrying her would have just killed his season. All the drama would have been great fodder for the media and fans.

He probably had to spend more time with her during the lockout and then realized how big a pain she was especially as she was trying to plan the perfect wedding. Again, this is probably best for Bear fan as Jay George can now focus on football. Will be interesting to see if he goes back to Cavallari and how that story plays out over the course of the season.

Skins about to get back into FA?

From SI:

Apparently, the Washington Redskins are preparing to whip out their wallet and spend fast and furiously in free agency.

By now you've heard the names and the intended headline targets: Santonio Holmes at receiver; Cullen Jenkins and Barry Cofield on the defensive line; Marshall Yanda at guard; with fallback candidates to turn to at all of those needy positions on the Redskins roster. Who knows, maybe even a glitzy early push for prized cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is in the works, with Daniel Snyder's corporate jet awaiting only the filing of its late-night flight plan.

The Skins have money to spend and there is pressure on Shanny (from himself as well as the fans) to produce more this season. We'll see what moves they make.

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!!!

The lockout looks like it will be over in the next couple of days and football will be on its way starting with FA, leading into training camp, then preseason, and the regular season before we know it.

It seemed pretty obvious the two sides would find common ground and not allow the season to go up in smoke.

Still, it will be good once we get the official word and normal football operations begin.

Can't wait!

New Keg

So I finished up the Sam Adams Summer Ale a couple of days back and I have another big decision on what to put on tap. I went to the store and was happily surprised to see that they had an even wider selection than I had anticipated.

I would like a seasonal beer as I enjoy a nice summer beer as I grill and enjoy something that can keep me cool over the hot summer months. There are three summer beers to choose from:

1. Sam Adams Summer Ale
2. Harpoon Summer beer
3. Brooklyn Summer beer

Sam Adams Summer Ale is a nice, known commodity. I enjoy the beer and it certainly fits the summer months. Sam Adams describes this beer as a summer seasonal that uses malted wheat, lemon peel and Grains of Paradise, a rare pepper from Africa first used as a brewing spice in the 13th century, to create a crisp taste, spicy flavor and medium body. The ale fermentation imparts a background tropical fruit note reminiscent of mangos and peaches. All of these flavors come together to create a thirst quenching, clean finishing beer perfect for those warm summer days. HOW COULD YOU GO WRONG WITH GRAINS OF PARADISE?!!! Still, the issue is, as mentioned, I just finished it and wouldn't mind trying something new.

The description of Harpoon is that it is a Kolsch style ale. Originating in the Rhineland city of Cologne (Koln), Kolsch ales have the characteristics that many people associate with lager beers. Kolsch is brewed with an ale yeast, but like other northern German light ales, it is straw gold in color and light bodied. The flavor is mild. The hopping levels provide a crisp, dry finish that make this beer particulary refreshing. Not sure what Kolsch style is. I think they just made the word up but it sounds fascinating.

The description of Brooklyn beer sounded interesting. It's brewed from premium English barley malt, which gives this light-bodied golden beer a fresh bready flavor. German and American hops lead a light crisp bitterness and a citrus/floral aroma, resulting in a beer with a very sunny disposition. Sounds a little gay yet intriguing. If it's gay, I imagine Deepie will stick his face under the tap and drinking it by the gallon.

Anyway, I opted to get a single bottle of each of these and will conduct my own personal taste test to see which direction I go. Will let you know the results of my "scientific" experiment.

Good day!

Skins looking to add defense

According to the Post, the Redskins may be out to revamp their defense in a big way. Washington is among the long list of teams expected to make a push for Nnamdi Asomugha -- the top cornerback on the market. Cincinnati's Johnathan Joseph, the Jets' Antonio Cromartie and Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor also are expected to be on the market. Washington drafted defensive end Jarvis Jenkins (second round, Clemson) and nose tackle Chris Neild (seventh round, West Virginia), but they still are expected to try to acquire veteran help at both positions. A person familiar with the situation said that there is mutual interest between Washington and end Cullen Jenkins, who recorded eight sacks last season for Green Bay and is now a free agent.