THN: What will the new coaching staff do to cater to your skill set to become the best linebacker you can be?

AC: I really don’t know because I don’t have an idea of what they want me to do. It will be a communication between the coaches, myself and Orakpo. Timing is of the essence and we will have a new learning experience.

THN: What do you like about the 3-4? How does a defense that is built for the 4-3 adjust to 3-4 in one offseason?

AC: The 3-4, when ran correctly, can be very deceptive against opponents. Blitz packages can create big plays in the backfield, interceptions, etc. We will have to take it one day at a time when we transition our defense to a 3-4.

THN: Will Coach Haslett implement a mixture of 3-4 and 4-3 or just the 3-4?

AC: I really don’t know what he will do. I have heard he has coached the 4-3 defense before but prefers the 3-4.

THN: Will the new defensive staff cater the defense to each individual player’s talents or will the new defense be scheme oriented? Does it matter to you which of those will be the main priority of the new defense?

AC: I am sure with the 3-4 defense the coaches will tweak certain packages, so we can be more successful with the talent we have.

THN: Did you learn anything about yourself during a tough 2009 season that will be beneficial for you for the rest of your career? Or did you already know how to handle stressful seasons based on your last couple years in San Francisco?

AC: You always learn something new every year. Similar to life, you have ups and downs but in the end you grow as a person. 2009 was a blessed year. As my career is winding down I will continue to perfect my skills until my time in the NFL is done. I know what I do is my job. I have to be a professional whether the outcome is good or bad.

THN: Was a change of culture necessary and why? Are things starting to change in a way that you would approve of?

AC: There is always going to be change in the NFL. That’s the nature of the business. Teams are measured by success and winning. When you show lack of success, everyone is always going to be evaluated… everyone.

THN: What kind of culture do you expect this new regime to provide?

AC: Hopefully a winning season. We are tired of losing.

THN: Have you talked to Coach Shanahan or new GM Bruce Allen? If so, what were the conversations like and what are your impressions of them? What do you like about what they’re bringing to Washington?

AC: I haven’t spoken to them. Both men bring experience and leadership to the Redskins.

THN: Have you talked to the new assistants at all?

AC: Unfortunately, I haven’t. I am sure I will speak to them after the Super Bowl.

THN: Do you feel snubbed by not making it into the Pro Bowl considering 2009 was arguably your best season?

AC: All I can say is that I played hard for my God, my wife, my kids, friends, teammates and the organization. All I can do is rest up and play to the best of my ability the following season.

THN: Have you been keeping in contact and joking with London [Fletcher] and Brian [Orakpo] while they’re down in Miami?

AC: I haven’t. I didn’t want to bother them.

THN: Even though you’re in California, have you been working on helping other Pro Bowl players try to prank Brian because he’s a rookie?

AC: Ha ha ha. No man, it’s [the] Pro Bowl and I think the last thing people are thinking about is pulling a prank on somebody.

THN: Do you like the Pro Bowl being in Miami? What are your thoughts on its move from Honolulu to South Florida?

AC: I understand why they wanted the change. But overall, the history of the Pro Bowl is to go to Hawaii. It’s a great spot to enjoy the weather, I’m sure fans from Hawaii go to watch their favorite players. Luckily it’s in a warm climate so I don’t think too many people are complaining.

THN: Give me your thoughts on the Super Bowl matchup and break it down for people. Who do you like in the game?

AC: I would like to see the underdog win out; the New Orleans Saints. I have to support two men: Gregg Williams, because of the history of working with each other in the past [and] the other is Scott Fujita, my old Cal teammate from back in the day.

THN: Where will you be watching it from and who will you be watching it with? Do you usually hold a Super Bowl party at your house or are you the type of player who watches it on his own and doesn’t celebrate it because you’re not there?

AC: My wife and I will be watching the Super Bowl at our house. No parties for us. Too much cleaning after all the guests have left.

THN: Update the fans on your progress on your recovery from surgery. How do you feel, how far along are you in your recovery, when will you be ready, etc.

AC: I will be ready to return. This injury is nothing compared to some of the nightmares I have seen on the field. The rehab will start in a week or two. I feel great and moving around well.

THN: You had two sacks on Sunday but Brian Orakpo still caught up to you. Since you were ahead of him all year but now that you both have 11, is there any type of competition brewing between you two now that the numbers are so close?

AC: We compete to get to the quarterback but as far as who gets the most sacks, we never talk about it. I always mess with him and ask him to go on the left side when we are [in] nickel and dime situations. He shakes his head and says no. We both laugh about it but at the end of the day we just rush and make plays.

THN: Since the coaches have seen how successful he can be playing as an end compared to standing up as a linebacker, do you see him playing on the line with his hands down for the majority of the rest of the season?

AC: That will be the coaches’ call. Brian is so versatile he can do anything the coaches ask.

THN: Fred Davis declined to go to the USC game during the bye week and instead stayed in Ashburn and worked on his craft. How much does stuff like that get noticed by the veterans?

AC: Sometimes, as vets, we notice it and sometimes we don’t. We are grown men and when it goes to the bye week, it’s every man for himself.

THN: How would you assess the team’s overall performance Sunday?

AC: We won and it was a great victory. We played hard and the important thing was that we finished.

THN: Since starting out 5-0, the New York Giants have slid pretty badly over the past month and a half. While the records don’t indicate it, the Redskins have played better than the Giants over the past month and a half so this matchup will be much more even than the Week 1 contest, which is strange because of the number of injuries the Skins have dealt with since then. What have you learned about yourselves and the Giants since Week 1 and why do you think the matchup this time around will be so different?

AC: I have learned that we have overcome a lot of adversity through injury, tough losses, play callers etc. No matter what has happened, we have come to each game determined to win and play at a high level despite the team record or score.

THN: Were you able to watch the Eagles-Giants Sunday Night Football game on the plane ride back from Oakland? If so, what did you gather from it? There seemed to be no defense and all offense.

AC: Unfortunately I didn’t catch the game.

THN: It was written on the Washington Post’s Redskins Insider blog that Coach Blache said Albert Haynesworth isn’t the reason for your improved performance but you’ve said several times that he makes the people around him better, especially you. Why does what Blache says contradict with what you have said? http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/jason-reid/a-helping-and-from-haynesworth.html#more

AC: I couldn’t even tell you. I do know that the sacks I have is God’s gift. How I am playing is God’s gift. I have always worked hard and prepared my mind and body for the season. My faith and focus has grown from 2001 as a rookie to 2009 as a vet. Haynsworth has been a great addition but the other men on the field have done their part as well. I have worked with [Cornelius] Griffin, [Brian] Orakpo, [Kedric] Golston, when Haynsworth needed a blow. I thank all my teammates first and foremost.

THN: What, in your opinion, is it going to take to turn this ship around?

AC: Faith and believing that we can get this turned around.

THN: Is the team getting frustrated losing to division opponents (especially on national TV)?

AC: I think the team hates losing period no matter who we play. The division opponents hurt the worse because it puts you in a bind when you are trying to make a playoff run.

THN: How did you spend your bye week?

AC: I spent a lot of quality time with the family. Took my son on the merry go round and took many naps, during the day. I am well rested now.

THN: “Urgency, heart, ‘want-to,’ whatever. I don’t know. We’re lacking a lot of stuff right now. The fans are losing interest. The more games we play, the fewer fans come. It’s getting bad.” That was a quote from Albert Haynesworth by the Associated Press after the Eagles game. Is Albert correct and does he have a point? How does the team find its “want-to”?

AC: It’s about making a choice. We can choose to play hard and win or chose to be inconsistent. It’s the matter of having the want to.

THN: It seems as the defensive line improves and applies more pressure to the quarterback, the secondary gives up more big plays. Do you believe that assessment and if so, what will it take for the defense to come to a happy medium and be able to provide blanket coverage in the secondary to go along with pressuring the quarterback consistently?

AC: I feel as a defense we are getting better. There are many things we need to work on. Tackling, controlling our gaps, etc. One thing we do well is play hard, fast and together. As a defensive line we continue to communicate and focus on stopping the run and rushing the passer.

THN: Is the defense blitzing enough?

AC: Greg Blache makes the call and we go out and play. We haven’t blitzed as much I think due to the success of our four man rush.

THN: Clinton Portis only had 43 yards and was the team’s leading rusher against Philly. What is the reason for his lack of production (for his standards, at least)? Is it because of a decline on his end or the troubles with the offensive line?

AC: I really don’t know. It’s really hard to say.

THN: What do you do to handle the stress of a single loss or even a losing season? What do you do to get your mind right and do you think your teammates are taking to correct measures to appropriately handle the team’s current situation?

AC: My faith, my family and the great men and coaches that I work with gets me through the day. In life, if it’s good or bad, you always have to have a positive perspective.

Since the bye week is almost at the half-way point, I thought I’d take a look at the things that were ‘good’ for the Redskins in the first half of 2009.

1) Albert Haynesworth – check last week’s blog to see what I think about Big Al and the way he’s played so far.

2) Andre Carter – In last week’s blog about Haynesworth, I mentioned the great season that Carter is having. So far Andre has 6.5 sacks, to go along with 34 tackles. He is consistently in the backfield disrupting the passer, and he has taken advantage of the inside pressure created by Haynesworth. He has also played much better against the run, and has 3 forced fumbles. If he can continue playing at his current level, he will have a good shot at the Pro Bowl.

3) London Fletcher – Speaking of Pro Bowls, it sure would be nice to see Fletcher finally make it to one. It’s criminal that he hasn’t already, but with 71 tackles going into week eight, he led all NFL players. As usual, Fletcher is quietly putting together another great season. Well, quiet in that he’s an unassuming man, but just ask Brian Westbrook if he plays quiet. London is the leader and heart and soul of the Redskins defense, and he leads by example. Sometimes it’s hard to notice how great a player is, when he’s so consistently great, but Fletcher is that kind of player, and has been again in 2009.

4) Brian Orakpo – Can you say real deal? This kid hasn’t even cut his teeth yet, and he’s hard for anyone to handle. There are many people that feel that having him play linebacker is a mistake, but there’s no denying that when he lines up with one hand down, he has shown that he is an absolute force. He has 3.5 sacks in his rookie season, and that with very minimal snaps at end rather than linebacker. It’s hard to move Orakpo to end when Carter is also playing so well, but the Redskins have to find more ways to get Orakpo up to the line. It’s hard for a Redskin fan to be patient waiting for a young defensive end to be used, when it’s so long since we had such a promising one. If the season continues to go South, it would be nice to see Brian get a longer look at end at some point, even if it means moving Carter to the other side. Carter isn’t really an ideal left end, so maybe platooning the two of them for a game or two, would allow the Redskins to let Orakpo get into a groove. He looks so hungry out there, that it’s hard to imagine that perpetual motor not coming into full effect and fully releasing the beast.

One more worthy Orakpo note – he may not be the best linebacker in the league, and have struggled slightly in coverage, but for a rookie to walk on to a starting NFL roster at a position that he doesn’t really play, is pretty darn amazing. The kid is a phenomenal athletic talent, and while others may have played slightly better than Orakpo in 2009, no Redskin has more up-side and future.

5) Chris Cooley – You can’t talk about who’s played well without mentioning Captain Chaos. He may be out for a while with the ankle injury, but he was putting together another good season. The Redskins continually fail to utilize him enough, but when they do, CC never disappoints – he’s one of the league’s very best tight ends.

6) Mike Williams – Surprised to see an offensive lineman on the list? Well I think it bears mentioning and acknowledging that Big Mike has actually done a very decent job stepping in after injuries to first Randy Thomas, and then Chris Samuels. Originally Williams got slotted in at guard where he did better than either of the other previous attempts (Chad Rinehart and Will Montgomery), and then when Samuels went down and Stephon Heyer moved to left tackle, Williams moved to right tackle. He has been effective in pass pro, and excellent in run blocking, and shown absolutely no signs of having not played football since 2005. He is a massive man, and has worked  himself into good football shape, and I think he has done a surprisingly bang up job. Kudos to Big Mike for the amazing dedication that it took to get back on a roster, let alone to play his way on to the field and play well.

7) Shaun Suisham – What can you possibly complain about when Suisham is perfect on the season? Obviously Shaun had a bad 2008, but it’s amazing to me that people just seemed to forget that his 2007 was the second best season EVER for a Redskins kicker in terms of accuracy. He is 9-for-9 on field goals in 2009, with a season long of 47 yards; it’s hard to do better than 100%, so its pretty safe to say that the Canadian kicker is having a good season.

8) Reed Doughty – While it was disappointing for many Redskin fans to see Chris Horton relegated to back-up status, give Doughty credit for playing his way back on to the starting roster. He has been steady and effective, and has 37 tackles so far in 2009.

9) Kedric Golston – The big defensive tackle continues to improve and contribute; he’s played very well along side of Big Al. Pretty good find in the 6th round.

Give yourself a break – think about some of the good things on the 2009 Redskins roster.

Here are the article’s that the Leftovers did not make them into:

THN Weekly with Andre Carter – Week 5

THN Weekly with Andre Carter – Week 6

Leftovers – Week 5:

THN: What was said at halftime that changed the mode and momentum of the team heading into the second half and who said it? Or was it more than one person saying it?

AC: Nothing was said. We all knew what had to be done. It’s not how you start but how you finish. We played hard and won the game.

THN: What was the mood of the team heading into halftime with the boos coming down from the fans and what was the mood heading into the locker room after coming back and heading in with the win when the game was over? How differently did the team feel?

AC: We didn’t focus on the boos. We can’t control the reactions of the crowd. Of course a person from the outside looking in would say “score more points”, etc. However, when we came in at halftime, our focus was to make adjustments on offense, defense and special teams. When we heard the cheers, it was a good feeling because we won.

THN: What did you do to change your approach for a successful second half? Did you even change anything at all?

AC: A few plays but I think the main thing was looking at the man next to you and having faith we were going to win.

THN: It seemed that watching the game, at least in the first half, that Josh Johnson was performing a lot better than expected but once the game was all said and done, he only passed for 106 yards, which is great for a defense and the secondary. What was the key for the defense holding him to such a small amount of yards?

AC: Watching film we knew he was going to scramble. The important part of our gameplan was to contain him in the pocket and not allow him to gain yardage. During passing situations we put pressure on him so he couldn’t complete many passes. Everyone was in sync on Sunday.

THN: The defense didn’t allow a 100-yard rusher on Sunday. Is that always something for the team to build off of heading into the next game or does the defense look for something else to stay positive about? In the grand scheme of things, how important is it for a defense to hold a rusher to under 100-yards?

AC: It was a blessing to stop the run under 100 yards. For any defense, that’s the main goal week end and week out. As for next week, in order to stop the run within those parameters, the defense needs to be on the same page. Know the call, who your opponent is man-on-man and 11 men swarming to the ball.

THN: Despite the occasional boos, the fans were loud on defense throughout the whole game, especially in crucial situations. How much of a factor did that have on the defense’s success and do you think if this was a road game, that the crowd factor would have made a difference in the outcome?

AC: If it was a road game, I think we would play hard regardless. Playing home is great because it confuses the calls of our opponents on offense.

THN: Do you feel the boos were necessary for the fans to get a point across to the team and did that inspire the team to play harder to get them to stop? Do you think that the team felt vindicated when the cheering from the fans increased as well as the performance from the team in the second half?

AC: ‘Til this day I don’t know why the fans booed. The fans are being fans. The only thing we can control is to be victorious. When we won, the sound of cheers was amazing.

THN: Jeremy Jarmon and Brian Orakpo got in on some plays yesterday and did well. Orakpo even lined up at end on at least one play that I saw. After one quarter of the season, how do the young guys on the line look? Will fans see Orakpo lining up in a three-point stance at end more often as the season progresses?

AC: The young guys on the line look great. They have a lot to learn but we are fortunate to have Jarmon and Orakpo contributing. I think the futre of Orakpo being in a three-point stance more often will be determined by Coach Blache.

THN: How do you feel Shaun Suisham did in place of Hunter Smith after Smith got hurt? Apparently Suisham hadn’t punted since high school.

AC: I was impressed with Suisham. Hey, somebody has to do it. I don’t know anyone on the team who can punt. Oh yeah, Cooley can but we will see what happens in the future.

THN: Who impressed you the most Sunday and why?

AC: I felt that Reed (Doughty) did a great job. He has had his ups and downs on and off the field and for him to contribute the way he did was remarkable.

THN: What does it say about the team (players, coaches, etc.) that considering all of the negative publicity as of late, that the guys can stay together and focused and work successfully as a team?

AC: In life everyone is a critic. Family, friends, associates, etc. The important thing is how you handle adversity. We have 16 games to do something amazing. Time in this business is short, so let’s take advantage of it before it runs out.

THN: The next two opponents (Carolina and Kansas City) have a combined record of 0-7. The following week it’s Philadelphia at home. Do you think these next two games are a great opportunity for the team to get back on track and get rolling before the real big games start?

AC: Every week is an opportunity to win but it doesn’t mean teams are going to hand a win over to us. We have to earn each play and each game.

Leftovers – Week 6:

THN: Run me through the sacks and forced fumble. How were you able to make those plays?

AC: The sack came off of having good timing of the QB’s cadence and knocking my opponents hands down before he could hold me. I turned the corner and stripped the ball as I tackled Carolina’s QB.

THN: What will it take for you to repeat your personal performance against the Panthers this Sunday at FedEx Field?

AC: I leave it in the hands of God in regards to playing against Kansas City. I will watch plenty of film and study my opponent. Feet for an offensive lineman are important as well as hands. When analyzing games you get an idea of how he plays. He might be aggressive, strong hands, is he passive, etc. Rushing the passer is similar to a game of chess. You have to set up your opponent then when the time comes attack him when he leasts expects it.

THN: How tough is it to stay focused on your goals when there is so much talk about the team and so many rumors, such as the head coaching job being available at the end of the year for guys such as Jon Gruden or Mike Shanahan? I know you guys try to block it out and focus but you all have to know and hear what’s going on on the outside.

AC: It’s not hard to stay focus on our objective. All rumors do is develop negativity towards the team. It’s important we prepare for our opponent and continue to stay driven.

THN: Albert Haynesworth continues to get hurt and take a little bit of time to get off the field. How serious are his injuries when he does that? Has anyone talked to him about his conditioning at all? It appears he’s proving Rams center Jason Brown’s assessment of him is correct and that he gets winded and seems to takes plays off.

AC: From what I know he has a few ailments that he has been treating and staying on top of during the season. He has been putting pressure in the middle and has helped us stop the run. As far as his conditioning is concerned, he runs hard to the ball and is physical. I feel that the center is wrong with that statement. I have had more tackles because of Albert.

THN: Jason Campbell was interviewed on the radio Monday and was asked about the Portis/Sellers situation and whether “Portis’ act was wearing thin with the rest of the team” and without saying yes or calling him out or throwing him under the bus, Jason essentially said that there are things with the team that shouldn’t have been let out in the media. If you listen to the interview, he basically says yes without saying it. Has Portis’ reputation with the team changed or morphed over the years?

AC: All I can say is that Portis is Portis. He is funny, passionate and says what’s on his mind. You have to know him to understand him. I feel like his behavior isn’t affecting the team moral. He says what’s on his mind whether or not the others agree or disagree His time with the Redskins, I think, isn’t running thin.

THN: This Sunday, it’s another underperforming team, this time the Kansas City Chiefs at home. The Skins are currently undefeated at home. What will it take to keep that homefield advantage going?

AC: A lot of pride and Redskin fans. Having fun at our home turf.

THN: The Chiefs played the Cowboys pretty tough on Sunday. What makes them dangerous?

AC: I haven’t watched film on them yet but from what I heard, their passing game is a threat. If (Matt) Cassel is in the pocket long enough he can create big plays for the offense.

You look at our roster and it feels like a scene from the movie “Major League.”

Malcolm Kelly? Devin Thomas? Ricky Vaughn? Willie Mays-Hayes? Who are these effin guys?

Using the pre-season as a barometer, the fan excitement seemed to peak in the first half of the game versus the Patriots.

There are some things to keep in mind as we start this new season. While it’s true, the Redskins’ didn’t go out and land a big-name free-agent QB, or really any new big-name talent on the offensive side of the ball, there is some glimmer of hope here for the offense.

An offense that’s not offensive

The Redskins offense in the first eight games of last year showed some real promise. Many are ready to dismiss that as an anomaly but really, the Redskins offense was really clicking, with largely the same players they have now. They put up 20+ points in five of the first eight games and won six of those eight..

As far as the second half of the season went, they only scored 20+ points in two games while only winning two of their last eight (one of their 20+ games was a loss; San Fran 27-24). If they had consistently scored 20+ points in each of their last eight games, they would have finished with a record of 10-6…not 8-8.

Most of the blame for this falls on the offensive line. With Jansen, Heyer and Thomas all injured, the right side of the line became an Achilles-heel for the Redskins’ offense. Defenses could pour through that right side and the game plan began to center around shorter quick passes, and running plays that went to the left.

If the Redskins’ offensive line can stay healthy, we should see the team return to the form that it was in at the beginning of last year.

Not just a passing fancy

Last year Devin Thomas was an after-thought in the passing game. He was the only healthy rookie leaving Moss and Randle-El as the only viable receivers not lining up at tight-end. This year Kelly is finally healthy and turning heads in camp, and Mitchell, the Redskins 7^th round draft pick has quickly won over many of the fan-base.

This should mean that Randle-El should be able to line up as the slot receiver (where he belongs, IMO) with Kelly and Moss to the outsides.

Wind him up and let him go

If the Redskins’ passing game becomes a viable threat it will take a lot of the pressure of Clinton Portis. Without a viable passing attack, defenders can simply line up shallow and stuff the run, but if they have to worry about play-action, then you can keep ‘em honest with a downfield pass or two.

Clinton has already shown that you don’t have to give him much in the way of day-light for him to squirt through into the secondary. He was on par to break the single season rushing record last year when the O-line failed. Again, if the line can stay healthy, we should see Portis break the Redskins’ all-time rushing total.

A little more defensive

The Redskins’ defense may have been ranked 4^th overall last year, but I’ll be damned if I know how. The one thing they did well was stuff the run. They didn’t make a lot of sacks, they didn’t get many turnovers and when the team had a lead, they seemed to let the other team march down the field at will.

They picked up D’Angelo Hall and that seemed to spruce up the coverage a little bit, but there still really wasn’t a pass-rush to speak of.

This year the Redskins committed to focusing on the pass rush by acquiring Brian Orakpo and Albert Haynesworth. Even if these two monsters don’t get to the QB, maybe they put enough pressure on him that he throws an ill-advised pass resulting in a pick.

The keys for the Redskins’ defense are going to be:

1)      Can they stay healthy?

2)      Keep the pressure on

It drove me absolutely crazy seeing the defense let up last year as soon as they had a lead. If you go back and look at those first six wins you’ll see that most of them weren’t as close as the score were implied.

If the Redskins’ D can keep the pressure on like when they are behind then I think you’ll see more turnovers and more chances for the offense to score.

The Redskins’ first opponent is the Giants. A game they lost last year by a score of 16-7.

The Giants have on awfully big hole to fill on offense with the loss of Plaxico Burress. This doesn’t mean that they are gonna be pushovers, but it might just make them weak enough that the Redskins’ have a better chance than many in the media world are currently giving them.

Kick-off is at 4:15 and it should be a good one!

Go ‘Skins!

I understand why the Redskins made the decision they made, and I understand Rock’s decision to keep playing, particularly when his hometown Lions offered him a contract to play close to his family and off-season home.

So to the question I’ve received both publicly and privately, no, I will not change my screen name. I am still a Jon Jansen fan. Since he made the decision to stay out of the NFC – East, I won’t even stop pulling for him to do well unless he’s up against Brian Orakpo or another Washington player.

Watching Jansen and Michael Strahan battle it out twice a year was the highlight for me of some pretty dismal years as a Redskins fan, so for that, I am grateful. Thanks for being a classy leader, a solid contributor, and a Rock for this franchise.

Good Luck with Detroit… except on September 27th.

First, the New York Jets swooped in to select Sanchez at #5 overall following a trade they made with the Cleveland Browns. And then, unexpectedly, Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, projected to be a Top-10 pick on some boards, slipped to the Redskins at #13 overall.

Orakpo, the Lombardi and Nagurski Award Winner, will likely fill in at defensive end and hopefully provide the Redskins with a pass rush that has long been desired in D.C. He also has the ability to drop back and play linebacker as well.

Hoepfully the workout warrior will provide the Redskins with instant results and improve the NFL’s No. 4 ranked defense with its lackluster pass rush.