The return of Captain Chaos?

When the Redskins released longtime tight end Chris Cooley on August 28, both the team and the player left the door open for a possible return.

Next week, the sides plan to discuss such a scenario, Coach Mike Shanahan said Friday afternoon.

General Manager Bruce Allen first broached the subject during a speaking engagement at the National Press Club, saying, “Yes, absolutely that door is still open. We have a meeting next week.” 

Asked to expand on Allen’s comments later, Shanahan said the team is weighing its options with regard to Cooley.

“Yeah, I’m not sure when that is,” Shanahan said of the meeting. “To be honest with you, I’ve been pretty busy this week getting ready for a game. [But] we’ve always left the door open for Chris.”

When Cooley gave his tear-filled goodbye 10 days ago in Ashburn, the Redskins said the move was made so that the loyal veteran of eight seasons could explore the possibility of starting for another team. The Redskins are committed to starting Fred Davis.

Cooley hired an agent, but as of Friday afternoon had not signed with another team. The 30-year-old Leesburg, Va. resident told The Washington Post Friday afternoon that he was unaware a meeting had been scheduled for next week but was open to discussing a possible return to the team that drafted him in the third round in 2004. Cooley's agent, David Dunn, did not immediately return a phone call.

“It gave him an opportunity to see if there’s anything where he’s got a chance to start,” Shanahan said. “That’s the main thing. He’s going to weigh his options. I’m sure he’s looking at his options with different teams right now. Who needs a tight end? What’s going to happen maybe after this week? Probably weigh all of his options, and we’ll look at our options as well. We have three tight ends, so it’s not like were very deep at the position. And with one fullback, it’s not very deep.”

The Redskins would have to move another player on the 53-man roster if they were to bring back Cooley, which at this point still seems like a long-shot. When Cooley was released, he counted $6.23 million against the Redskins’s salary cap. If he’s resigned, his salary would be more inline with an aging reserve player and it would not be guaranteed.

“There are a lot of possibilities,” Shanahan said. “I can’t tell you for sure what’s going to happen at this time. But we’d like to have as many options as possible. As you mentioned, we’ll get a chance to talk next week.”

Redskins vs. Saints preview

Very excited to see the RG3 era begin and the first regular season game.  It's a tough matchup going against a perennial power in the Saints particularly in New Orleans.  Drew Brees is one of the best to play the position.  However, the Saints will be without Sean Payton (serving his suspension) and I believe the Skins are underrated and looking to make a point. 

Here are my keys to the game:

1. First and foremost is stopping the Saints passing attack.  Our secondary is mediocre at best particularly at safety where Meriweather will be out for another 2-4 weeks and idiot Tanard Jackson has basically ruined his career by not being able to stay off the drugs.  Second year man, Dejean Gomes, will get the nod.  He was okay in limited time last year but he will have to step up big time on Sunday.  Wilson and Hall are okay but I'm not thrilled with Cedric Griffin so it will be a tall order for the secondary to stop the many weapons the Saints have.  Our best hope is for our front seven (the strength of our defense) to get pressure on Brees and force errant throws.  If Brees has time, he will pick us apart.

2. RG3.  It's his first NFL regular season game.  It's away.  It's against a strong team.  It's being played in his parent's home town.  There will definitely be nerves so it will be tantamount for him to settle down quickly and not get overly excited and play beyond himself.  The O line will need to give him protection and the WRs will need to get open.  He will need as much help as possible to get comfortable. 

3. Get running game going.  Towards the latter part of last season and in the preseason, Shanny's zone blocking run game started taking shape.  That needs to continue on Sunday.  Royster apparently is slotted as the starter on the depth chart but I expect to see a healthy dose of all the backs (Royster, Morris, and Helu).  Who ever is back there needs to get it done.  We need to establish that run game.

4. Be aggressive.  I firmly expect to see some deep throws.  I wouldn't be surprised one bit if RG3 takes a shot deep on the first play or on the first drive.  I just want to see him throw it deep a few times as we have the ability to do that now with his arm and speed at WRs.

5. Turnovers. Going back to defense, it will be critical for this team to create turnovers.  If we can win that battle, we may have a chance to steal a victory. On the flip side, we have to be very careful not to give the ball away.  RG3 will need to be careful in what he does and I will be particularly upset if a back/WR fumbles the ball away.

In the end, I think we will be competitive.  I think we will see a number of positives but I believe the Saints are too much of a talented, veteran bunch to lose at home.  Skins will fall 27-16.

HTTR!!!

New keg

Just replaced the keg yesterday and was deciding between Blue Moon pumpkin ale, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Lost Rhino Pale Ale. 

I ended up with the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.  I like pumpkin ale but not so much in a keg.  A bottle or two is fine but that's about it.  I like the Oktoberfest but I wanted something with a bit more bite and I enjoy Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale.  For me, it is the nice cross over beer going from late summer into early fall.  Might end up getting the Oktoberfest next time.

CHEERS!!!

JMU football - week 1

JMU rolled in its first game of the season against St. Francis winning by a final score of 55-7.  It was 41-0 at halftime.  It's a nice opening victory for the #5 nationally ranked Dukes.  Next up is Alcorn State on Saturday which should be another good primer for the Dukes as they will face #9 ranked West VA at FedEx field the following week. 

In other college football news, UVA beat Richmond handily by a score of 43-19.

W&M fell in the fourth quarter to Maryland by a score of 7-6.

I was looking for VCU's score but then I remembered they don't have a football team.

GO DUKES!!!

Jerry Jones wants him some "glory hole!"

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O's and Nats both in first place

Lost in the excitement of the football season is the fact that both the O's and Nats are in first place in their respective divisions.

The Nats came into the season considered an improved team but no one thought they would be arguably the best team in baseball.  They hold a large lead in their division and seem a lock to make the playoffs.  Strasburg has one more start in him before they shut him down.  I don't particularly agree with the move but then again, the Nats brass got them to this point so who am I to argue.  Assuming they make the playoffs, the Nats will be tough to beat as they have a tremendous rotation and we all know that pitching will beat hitting especially in the playoffs. 

On the other side, the O's have been playing great ball all season particularly as of late having taken two of three from the Yankees over the weekend and now the first two against Toronto.  They now find themselves sharing the AL East lead with the aforementioned Yankees with the Rays nipping at their heels.  The O's have been irrelevant for the last 15 years so it's good to see them in the thick of things again.  Like the Nats, they have a good, young core with quality guys in their system so there is some excitement with this team. 

I don't think the O's are quite the complete team the Nats are but I'm hoping they can keep it up and get a spot in the playoffs.

Again, it's interesting because despite the success of both these teams, they still seem to take a back seat to the Skins and the upcoming football season. 

Suddenly the Caps have some competition in town.

ESPN Power Rankings - Week 1

ESPN issued their first power rankings of the season and no real surprises.  The Puckers hold the top spot going into the season.  Seems deserving as the Puckers still have a young, talented core led by Aaron Rodgers.  This is a team that won the Super Bowl just two years ago so not a surprise that they should be one of the better teams in the NFL again this year.

The Pears land at number nine.  Also not much of a surprise.  They are a solid team and probably not as good on defense as in previous years but they have improved on offense with the addition of a bona fide #1 wideout in Brandon Marshall.  If he keeps his head on straight and if Jay George can stay healthy, they should be a pretty strong team.

The Skins find themselves at #24.  Not surprising.  We are starting a rookie in RG3.  There is talent on the defense particularly in the front seven.  The Skins are still in the rebuilding process but I like the direction of the team and if Bob can pull it together quickly and the defense plays as well as they should, it's a team that can surprise and be solid.

Whatever.  Rankings are just for fun but really I'm just glad that the NFL games start for real tomorrow night with the Cowboys at the Giants.  Seems I come to love football more with each passing year.