Free Sav Rocca!

Sav Rocca

((ht: nbcwashington))

It appears the Washington Redskins are still waiting for their punter to get a work visa and report to camp.

New punter Sav Rocca, from Australia, has not gotten the "O.K" from the government to have said Visa and thusly show up in the U.S.

Apparently, slightly loony Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan has an idea to get Rocca here. Marry an American.

We think he was kidding, but Shanahan told reporters Thursday morning Rocca has a job here in the U.S. He also said, "Eventually they'll let him go or, at least, I'm hoping they'll let him go. If not, I told him to get married to an American and that'll make it easier."

Except Rocca is already married.

Anyway, here's the story from NBCWashington including some quotes from Rocca, RIGHT HERE

Rocca, a former Australian Rules Football star, kicked for the Eagles the last few seasons and apparently made a pretty good impression, developing quite the following. Much like the Hispanic Baseball players, he's struggling probably because we aren't exactly known here in the U.S for our bureaucratic efficiency.

He'll eventually show up, and the Redskins will be fine. The only real question here, and without the video it'll be tough to tell, is whether Shanahan was kidding...or not.

Here's Rocca face planting Roscoe Parrish with a tackle. Nice!

Kyle Addresses Shanahanigans Over McNabb

((HT: CSNWashington))

Kinda... at least Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan and QB Donovan McNabb had a sit-down to discuss things...

CSNW's Kelli Johnson cornered Kyle in the parking lot at Redskins Park...


Kyle's familiarity with Rex Grossman is understood with their time in Houston with the Texans... we all know how well that went...

And Brother J-Dub knows how well its going now...

Albert Hayneswoth suspended 4 games...Haynesworth says...uh uh...no you did unt...

Well, it was just a matter of time before the Albert Haynesworth versus Mike Shanahan battle came to a head. Today it was announced Fat Albert (our hero) will be sitting for the next 4 games, partially after saying on Monday "I ain't talking to him anymore".

The 'Skins for their part say that Haynesworth is being suspended for "Conduct Detrimental to the team". Though they didn't specify what that conduct was. Haynesworth was declared inactive for last weeks game, a humiliating 31-7 loss to the New York Giants. Reports about the reason he sat ranged from "Illness" to "Hangover" to "Being late".

More on the protest of the protest from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

We think at this point the two sides just need to part ways. Haynesworth may go down as the biggest free agent flop in the history of free agency. Do we agree with the way that coach Mike Shanahan has handled all of this. Uh...no. He hasn't exactly been player friendly this year. Though it may very well be a process of weeding out old, overpaid veteran players who have their own agenda, not necessarily one that jibes with the team.

Though everyone involved denies it, expect Haynesworth to be cut loose after the season. We are pretty sure that someone will take a flyer on him, give him a chance to resurrect his career. He does have some talent and could be helpful to a team if he is interested or buys into the whole work 1st/team behavior that most teams expect. Whether that happens or not, remains to be seen.

Now....we have a chance to re-post Albert's theme song, one that until he proves otherwise, should stick:

DEVELOPING: Hallelujah!!!! Albert Haynesworth Passes His Test!

Albert in happier times//Courtesy: Zimbio.com

And there was much rejoicing! The Fat Albert watch is over. Yes, that's right. It's over.

Our hero apparently took his conditioning test early on Saturday morning. To the pleasure of at least a few, he passed. Yay!

The details from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

We aren't sure at this point who is the most happy. Is it Daniel Snyder? Is it Mike Shanahan? Is it Albert's agent? Or maybe it's just Albert himself?

The fact that there was so much consternation over a very large...and highly paid football player who threatened to hold out from camp because he didn't like his teams defensive strategy, is kind of a bit sad and pathetic. From what we know about sports, players are rarely...if ever in the position of trying to dictate what the team will do. They don't pay players to decide what scheme fits them best. They pay players to play and do the right thing.

Time will tell if this works for our hero, we would be interested in seeing the Vegas odds of him making it through the season without getting hurt. But then again, we could be wrong.

ESPN's David Lloyd talked back to Jeannine Edwards who looked like she was at the redskins facility in Ashburn, Virginia...
((HT: ESPN))


For the last time...enjoy our hero's theme song. Thanks YouTube:

Albert Haynesworth Tries Again Tomorrow

((HT: CSNWashington))

According to ESPN's John Clayton, Albert Haynesworth couldn't run a third 300-yard sprint in a good enough time, so Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan didn't let him practice with other Redskins Thursday.

Haynesworth had to pass a conditioning test of two sprints, but Shanahan thought he had too much rest time in between runs one and two.

Thus, the third was requested and, then, failed run...
He tries again tomorrow...
Won't that be fun...

Here's "30-To-40 Pounds Less Fat" Albert after practice sweating through his T-shirt...


But, then of course, this is what we all associate with Haynesworth, anyway...
((HT: RetroHeroes/CBS/Scheimer-Prescott/Cosby Enterprises))


Wonder if Haynesworth is going to learn something before it's done...???

Redskins aren't happy with their Albert Haynesworth....

And they shouldn't be happy with their Albert Haynesworth. The reasons are numerous, but the biggest is about $21 million, dollars that is.

You see, Mr. Haynesworth has chosen not to participate in this weeks Redskin mini-camp. The reason, well, he isn't holding out for money. No, he just doesn't want to play in Washington. The Redskins intially said "OK, if you don't want to be here, we'll let you find someplace else. But do it before your $21 million bonus in April". Needless to say, that didn't happen and Haynesworth gladly took his money. He still says he won't play in Washington, they say fine, they want their money back.

Tracee Hamiton of the Washington Post opines on the greedy one, read it RIGHT HERE

MyFOXDC took the pulse of the fans. See what they had to say:




Haynesworth's stance. He won't do anything mandatory and wants a trade. Sorry, not a whole lot of people are going to empathize with a guy who has a $100 million contract. No. Not going to happen.

Albert's current teammates aren't very happy either.

More from myfoxdc sports:



We would wish Mr. Haynesworth luck, he's going to need it. As his coach, Mike Shanahan said "If he wants to leave and go somewhere else where he can play in a 4-3 defense, fine, leave. Just don't take our money and then say that you won't play for us".

True that Mike Shanahan.

McNabb Introduced To DC, Colt Brennan Left Numberless...

((HT: WTTG-TV))

Conspicuous by his absence, Daniel Snyder did not introduce his new quarterback to the world today...

Mike Shanahan introduced his new number five to the Nation's Capital...

Shanahan hates the word rebuilding, so here's his reloading...
Now all he needs is some offensive linemen who can keep McNabb upright

Here's some of the presser...
((HT: MyFoxDC))

Shanahan Introduced As Redskins Coach

((HT: MyFoxDC))

To no one's surprise, Mike Shanahan was rolled out to the DC media as the new Redskins head coach... and his son, Kyle, gets to be the new Offensive Coordinator for Jason Campbell- should he get to stick around...

Let's count the number of optmistic cliches The Grin breaks out...


He gets the final word on personnel decisions- for now...
Okay, J-Dub...
Let's hear it...

Shanahan Speaks... Briefly...

((HT: MyFoxDC))

This is about all The Grin would say before a 2PM scheduled press conference announcing "something" according to the Washington Redskins...

The team would not elaborate...



MyFoxDC also caught up with TE Chris Cooley and got his reaction here...

The Grin Is In... Shanahan New Exec VP For Skins

((HT: MyFoxDC))

According to the Denver Post and Mike Klis, Mike Shanahan will become the new Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Washington redskins once pen is put to paper...

The Post also is claiming that the signing will be announced Wednesday...

The Post reports the Broncos will pay approximately $3.5 million in 2010 and in 2011 to essentially have Shanahan coach the Redskins. The website reports that will save Broncos owner Pat Bowlen about $3.5 million for each of those years.

The full deal is for five years at, roughly, the same dollar figure Shanahan was getting in Denver- US$7-million per season...

More when we know more...

Shanahan The Object Of Jerry Jones' Affection?

When Jerry Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys, he was immediately infatuated with former college teammate Jimmy Johnson. Jones was able to land his first love and it was a marriage that lasted 5 seasons. It ended with a bitter divorce.

Later Bill Parcells couldn't resist Jones' temptations. That union lasted until 2006.

Now that Mike Shanahan is on the market it seems he is becoming the object of Jones' affection.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Shanahan could be stalking the sidelines of Jerry's New Football Palace in 2010.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported this Saturday morning on NFL Gameday Morning on the NFL Network:

"Mike Shanahan and a potential coaching position with the Dallas Cowboys makes a lot of sense. The Cowboys and Broncos have practiced together in training camp for the last two years. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Shanahan know each other. Shanahan went to Eastern Illinois where Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo played college football (Sounds shakey). Romo and Shanahan would work great together, but in talking to people in Dallas, Jones is not going to do that this year. It looks like Wade Phillips is going to be back as head coach of the Cowboys next season as Jones has said. It sounds like the Cowboys are open-minded, perhaps exploring Shanahan in 2010 if things don't work the way they want next season."

Sports Illustrated's Peter King interviewed Mike Shanahan for SI.com and reports that Shannahan may take a year off to catch his breath.

"What I'm going to do is take a couple of weeks to sit back and relax a little, then consider what it is I'm going to do. Unless there's a perfect situation out there, I'd rather sit out the year and return next year.''

But Jerry Jones may make an offer Shanahan can't refuse. Cowboy offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who is the Cowboys head coach in waiting, is talking to the Denver Broncos about their head coaching position. Should Garrett get the Denver gig do you think Jones and Shanahan might make a "secret" deal to be Dallas' new head coach in waiting?

The flirtation has only just begun.

Photos Courtesy: Getty Images

Your Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan Presser

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and deposed head coach Mike Shanahan addressed the local media today...

"I think it was time for the organization to move on, and for Mike to move on," Bowlen said.

"I have a great deal of respect for Mike obviously and would support him as much as I can with anything he wants to do in the future," said Bowlen.

Here's your highlights of Shanahan and Pat Bowlen...
((HT: Denver Post))

Broncos Fire Shanahan

Mike Shanahan ((pictured, thanks Denver Post)) has been fired as Denver Broncos coach after the team lost a three-game lead with three games to go in the AFC West.

Shanahan, 56, coached the Broncos since 1995, the second-longest tenure for a coach with one NFL team behind Tennessee’s Jeff Fisher. He coached the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1998 and 1999 and compiled a record of 146-89 with the team.

This season, the Broncos had an 8-5 record but lost their final three, including a 52-21 defeat Sunday night in San Diego that gave the Chargers the division title.

He also was dismissed as director of football operations.

From the Denver Post...
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen issued a statement: "After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned."

The move was effective immediately.

Bowlen added: "I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time. His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history."