Tag: Washington Redskins

Clinton Portis outspoken on his time in Washington

He is still not a fan of Jim Zorn. And who was his favorite QB?

Clinton Portis was a beast of a running back.

Portis, a Redskins running back for seven seasons, started 83 of his 84 games and rushed for 6,824 yards, including 46 rushing touchdowns and 345 rushing first downs.

Portis was a more than capable receiver out of the backfield, catching 176 receptions for 1,340 yards (7.6). Even more noticeable was the spirit and intensity with which Portis was a blocker in the passing game. He was truly an all-around, dependable, and fierce NFL running back.

Portis appeared on the “Grant and Danny” show (106.7 The Fan) Thursday and made some striking remarks reminiscing on his playing days with the Redskins (2004-2010).

Portis said in Washington, he had five offensive coordinators in his seven seasons, who all wanted to do something different. That’s understandable, as Portis did have four offensive coordinators (Don Breaux, Al Saunders, Sherman Smith and Kyle Shanahan).

But Portis then claimed he “might have played for nine or ten quarterbacks.”  Actually it was only six (Patrick Ramsey, Mark Brunell, Jason Campbell, Todd Collins, Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman).

The former Washington running back said, “I left the DMV so upset because I felt like for years I was the savior, and I turned into the problem. That left a bitter taste in my mouth before I came back to broadcast, where I fell in love with the city.”

When Grant Paulsen asked Portis who his favorite Washington quarterback to play with was, Portis actually had no answer, pausing and then saying, “That’s crazy.”

Paulsen then supplied him with names of quarterbacks, to which Portis replied, “But I think Donovan (McNabb) had something going on. It was different. He was at the end.”

Indeed, McNabb did have some career lows that 2009 season in Washington, as his TD rate and QBR were his lowest, and his interception rate was his highest. He was traded after only one season to Minnesota and released during his lone season with the Vikings, never playing again.

Back to Portis’ favorite quarterback in Washington. He asked who they got from Kansas City. Grant Paulsen had to provide Portis with the name: Todd Collins. Portis then said Collins was his favorite. How strange is it that Collins was his favorite, yet he didn’t remember his name?

Portis then strangely blamed the coaches for Jason Campbell’s play, saying they told him where to throw it and then blamed Campbell. When pressed which coach, Portis quickly responded, “Of course, I am not talking about Gibbs. I love Coach Gibbs, I love Coach Shanahan.”

Again, on Campbell, “Jason didn’t have that fair chance to go out and be a ball player,” added Portis. However, many fans might recall Campbell often did successfully move the Redskins up and down the field, only to then struggle often inside the red zone.

Following his four seasons with the Redskins, Campbell continued to have his struggles, never catching on nor finding success in any of his other NFL stops with the Raiders, Bears, Browns, and Bengals.

Not to be overlooked is Portis rushed for an amazing 1,508 and 1,591 in his first two seasons in the NFL in Denver, rushing for 29 touchdowns and leading the NFL by averaging 5.5 yards a rushing attempt. Portis was a stud, no doubt.

Sean Taylor’s daughter honors her dad at UNC in an awesome way

Jackie Taylor will be a freshman volleyball player at UNC this fall.

The Washington franchise and NFL fans, in general, were robbed when Sean Taylor was tragically murdered in 2007. Over the years, the team has found ways to honor Taylor.

Taylor’s family also continues to honor him.

First, it was Sean Taylor’s younger brother who honored the late Washington legend. Gabe Taylor, Sean’s younger brother, is a senior safety at Rice University and has worn his older brother’s old No. 26 college jersey throughout his career. In 2021, on the 14th anniversary of his older brother’s death, Gabe Taylor helped Rice seal a victory over Louisiana Tech with a late interception.

Now, it’s Jackie Taylor’s turn. Jackie is Sean Taylor’s only child and was only 18 months old when she lost her father.

In 2023, Jackie Taylor committed to the University of North Carolina on a volleyball scholarship. She will be a freshman this fall. On Thursday, the Tar Heels revealed Jackie’s number.

Check it out:

Jackie is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who played at her father’s alma mater, Gulliver Prep, in Miami, Fla. She continues to honor her father with the Sean Taylor Legacy Project.

Washington retired Taylor’s No. 21 jersey in 2021 and unveiled a memorial outside the team’s stadium in 2022.

What’s the worst jersey Washington has ever worn?

Which jersey was named worst in franchise history? And do you agree?

It didn’t go well when the Washington Football Team rebranded to the Commanders in February 2022. No matter how much team management and some of the team’s fans said they didn’t mind the new name or new look, it wasn’t the majority.

Some fans don’t mind the name “Commanders.” Others don’t mind the new jerseys. Some hate them both, while others—well, hate everything. But one thing most Washington fans can agree on is that the uniforms since 2022 do not come close to the old uniforms—even as the “Football Team” for two seasons.

So, what is the worst jersey the team has ever worn?

Christian D’Andrea from For The Win recently looked at the worst jersey ever worn by all 32 teams. For the Commanders, he picked the black alternates the team began using in 2022.

There are few misses in Washington’s arsenal. Their rebranding as the Commanders brought the opportunity to innovate and instead the franchise opted to throw a bunch of crap at the wall and see what stuck, all in the confines of a single blackout jersey. Plus, you can barely see the team’s classic red/burgundy. That’s too much, man.

We agree with D’Andrea that there are very few misses when it comes to jerseys in Washington’s 90-plus-year history. Washington’s classic burgundy and gold color scheme is iconic. And the black alternates completely avoid using the colors. That can’t happen. The white jerseys aren’t much better, either.

What do you think are the worst jerseys in franchise history?

New poll reveals most D.C. fans dislike Commanders’ name

A new Washington Post poll reveals DC-area sports fans hate or dislike the “Commanders” name.

It’s been over two years since the Washington NFL franchise revealed its new name, the Commanders. The reveal, the name, and everything that followed were viewed as mostly a dud by a large portion of the fan base.

Last summer, the Commanders were sold to a group led by Josh Harris. Harris and some of his partners mentioned the former name on multiple occasions. Limited partner Magic Johnson even said all things were on the table regarding another name change.

Since then, Harris and others have acknowledged issues with the current name, but changing it is not a priority—for now, if ever.

Harris and his ownership group have a lot on their plates. First, they hired a new general manager and coach. By all accounts, Harris did well there. His new GM, Adam Peters, built the roster while Harris focused on other issues, such as finding a new home. The Commanders are in talks with D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for a potential new stadium.

The name remains a big issue for many Washington fans. Sure, there are some who are happy with the current direction and just want a winning product. There are others who will never come back unless the name is changed. One thing we do know is that the old name is not coming back. That doesn’t mean Harris and his group can’t change it.

A new poll from The Washington Post reveals that most D.C.-area sports fans either dislike or even hate the name.

Here’s the poll, courtesy of The Post:

Washington Post-Schar School Poll

Hardly anyone loves the name; others like it, some have no opinion, but many hate or dislike the “Commanders” name.

Here’s what one fan said in the Post’s story:

“I’ve been a fan for a long time, since I was a little kid, and obviously, the old name was a little problematic. I saw that,” D.C. resident Andrew Ravenscroft said. “I was in favor of changing it. But it’s just kind of a strange name.”

This is a fan admitting the old name needed to go. So, this isn’t a case where it’s “Redskins or nothing else.”

There are many interesting nuggets in the story. One thing remains clear: The name remains an issue. Sure, another portion of the fan base wants to move on from it, but if the name remains in its current form, some fans will continue to stay away.

For decades, the Washington, D.C., area was all about the NFL team. The other major sports were secondary. The poll revealed that local sports fans currently prefer the Nationals (MLB) and Capitals (NHL) over the Commanders.

A few winning seasons could change everything, even those who are looking for a name change. But something we all know too well, you can’t make everyone happy.

Remember the last time Washington opened the season against the Buccaneers?

Remembering the last time Washington opened a season vs. the Buccaneers. What a time.

If one game could’ve defined an era, the opening game of the 2004 season for the then-Washington Redskins would’ve kicked off another 1980s-like run.

It was the first game in legendary head coach Joe Gibbs’ return to the sidelines for Washington after 12 years away. On the first play from scrimmage, new running back Clinton Portis takes the Mark Brunell handoff and scampers 64 yards untouched for the touchdown.

FedEx Field came unglued. Message boards — yes, they existed long before Twitter and Facebook — were proclaiming a return to prominence for the struggling franchise. The beloved hero was back to fix his franchise, while the new star showed why Gibbs traded for him.

The Commanders remembered that play via “Touchdown Tuesday” on X.

Washington would go on to win the game, 16-10, and Portis rushed for 148 yards. However, the Redskins would lose their next four games and finished the season with a 6-10 mark. That wasn’t bad, considering Washington had won just five games the year before Gibbs and Portis arrived.

This year, the Commanders open the 2024 NFL season vs. Tampa Bay. Only this time, it’s on the road. But much like 2004, the 2024 opener will feature some long-awaited debuts for Washington: Head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Can Quinn and Daniels replicate that 2004 magic in September?

The Bucs and Washington have had some memorable games over the past 20 years, such as the controversial Mike Alstott call that gave the Bucs a one-point win (2005), Washington’s playoff win two months later, or the “You Like That” game, but the 2004 season opener will always be remembered fondly by Washington fans.

Former Washington DT Kedric Golston discusses taking over one of Virginia’s top HS programs

The longtime for Washington DT talks taking over one of Virginia’s top HS programs.

Kedric Golston was Mr. Washington. The legendary Joe Gibbs selected him in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Golston spent all 11 of his professional seasons in the burgundy and gold. He survived multiple head coaches, general managers, defensive coordinators, and defensive line coaches.

It wasn’t as if Golston was a star. He played in 142 NFL games with 53 starts, finishing with 224 career tackles and seven sacks. Golston was mainly a rotational player and special-teams standout. But Golston was a beloved leader in the locker room and on the field.

After retiring, Golston became a successful businessman in the DMV. He also got the coaching bug. After becoming a high school assistant, Golston was named the new head coach at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn earlier this month — mere minutes from Commanders’ headquarters. Stone Bridge is one of the top football programs in the state of Virginia and the alma mater of Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

In a recent interview with Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington, D.C., Golston spoke of his new job.

“Obviously, I’ve grown, I think there’s a couple of things you have control over,” Golston said when asked how the differences between him as a player and a coach.

“You don’t have control over your God-given athletic ability. But you can control your attitude and your effort. Some people start on third base; some people start on first base. But ultimately, it’s can each one of my players reach their ceiling and continue to improve day in and day out.”

Stone Bridge opened in 2000 and has 23 consecutive winning seasons, including three state championships.

 

What has happened since the Commanders opened on the road?

A lot has happened since the last time Washington opened a season on the road.

The Commanders will open their 2024 season at Tampa on September 8.

How long has it been since the NFL Washington team opened an NFL season on the road?

Well, put it this way: Jay Gruden was the head coach, and Case Keenum was the starting quarterback. Keenum’s backups were Colt McCoy and Dwayne Haskins.

Terry McLaurin was playing in his first NFL regular season game, and the two running backs who had carries for Washington that day were Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson.

McLaurin made a huge splash debut into the NFL that day, catching five passes on seven targets for 125 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from Keenum. The other receivers catching passes that day other than McLaurin were Vernon Davis, Paul Richardson, Trey Quinn, Kelvin Harmon and Jeremy Sprinkle.

Washington had traveled to Philadelphia to open the 2019 season and started magnificently. Keenum connected with Davis on a 48-yard touchdown and McLaurin on a 69-yard touchdown. Plus, Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal was sandwiched between, and the Redskins were beating the Eagles at Lincoln Field 17-0.

When Hopkins booted a 48-yarder on the closing play of the first half, the Redskins led the Eagles 20-7. However, Carson Wentz led the Eagles to 25 consecutive second-half points for a 32-20 fourth-quarter lead. The final was Eagles 32-27 over the Redskins.

A great first half had launched the season with great hope and excitement. However, the second half would be a microcosm of the season, as the Redskins began 0-5, and Gruden was fired.

Things were so bad in 2019 when the Dolphins were unsuccessful on a game-ending two-point conversion attempt; it actually saved the Redskins from starting the season 0-10.

The dreadful season saw Haskins celebrating with fans and thus missing the final possession for the victory formation snap against the Lions. The silly act was a sign of Haskins’s future actions with Washington, which resulted in his not lasting two seasons before being released.

In a bizarre twist, the following Sunday, the Redskins went down to Charlotte, defeated the Panthers 29-21, resulting in Ron Rivera being fired by Carolina’s new owner David Tepper.

Washington owner Daniel Snyder hired Rivera as the team’s next head coach one month later. Snyder strangely kicked off the press conference with a mysterious “Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody.”

Next summer, Federal Express owner and Redskins minority owner Fred Smith challenged Snyder that the team needed to change its name from the historic “Redskins.” Nike and Pepsi soon hopped on that bandwagon, pressing Snyder to cave, and the “Redskins” were history.

Rivera then coached the Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders to four consecutive losing seasons and was subsequently fired by new majority owner Josh Harris.

Harris then hired Adam Peters as general manager and Dan Quinn as head coach, who hired his coaching staff. Sam Howell was traded to Seattle, and Peters blew up the roster, signed many free agents, and drafted nine new college players, including LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the Heisman Trophy.

Isn’t that a tremendous amount of water under the bridge since the last time Washington opened an NFL season on the road?

 

Commanders Dan Quinn explains why he wore T-shirt

Dan Quinn had a good reason why he wore the T-shirt that seemed to upset some.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn went viral on Saturday during the team’s rookie minicamp. It was not because of anything said but, instead, because of the shirt he was wearing.

Quinn wore a non-licensed Commanders’ shirt with feathers from the team’s former logo on the current logo, which some made a big deal of.

On Tuesday, Washington opened the third phase of its offseason program with its first Offseason Training Activity (OTA). Before Washington took the field, Quinn spoke to the media and, of course, was asked about the T-shirt.

“I think one of the parts of me taking this job, I was excited to bridge the past and the present,” Quinn said. “What a cool privilege that is to do. And, I also recognize there’s a lot of layers to that. So, it was a great lesson for me. What I really hate is that any attention that would’ve been taken away from these rookies and this awesome crew. So, yeah, nobody wants to do that.”

There you have it. Quinn discussed the shirt. His reasoning for wearing it was plausible, and it went over well with not only the fan base but also some of the franchise’s former players.

This doesn’t need to turn into another debate about the name. It’s not coming back. Quinn wasn’t trying to reignite the name debate. We can all move on now.

Former Washington DT Kedric Golston to coach one of Virginia’s top high school programs

Golston played 11 years for Washington and will now coach one of Virginia’s top HS programs.

Kedric Golston spent all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins. A sixth-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft by the legendary Joe Gibbs, Golston appeared in 153 career games for Washington.

Golston was an active member of the community during his playing career, and after retirement, he remained in the DMV community. Golston, who played at the University of Georgia, owns a real estate company in Northern Virginia and is co-owner of a Pilates studio with former teammate Lorenzo Alexander.

Now, Golston has another job in the DMV.

Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn named Golston head coach on Monday. Golston replaced Mickey Thompson, who had been Stone Bridge’s coach since the school opened in 2000. In his 24 years, Thompson led the Bulldogs to 19 district titles, 16 regional championships and three state championships.

Golston has worked as an assistant coach since his retirement and now has the opportunity to coach one of the state of Virginia’s top high school programs while remaining in the area.

Stone Bridge is the alma mater of current Washington Commanders star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

 

Longtime NFL executive A.J. Smith dies at 75

A.J. Smith spent three seasons in Washington, working alongside his son, Kyle.

Longtime NFL executive A.J. Smith passed away Sunday at the age of 75. Smith spent over 30 years in the NFL, beginning his career in 1977 as a scout with the New York Giants.

Smith was with the Buffalo Bills from 1986 until 2000, beginning as a scout before moving up to the director of pro personnel. Smith played a role in building the roster of those Buffalo teams that went to four consecutive Super Bowls.

His best work came as general manager of the San Diego Chargers from 2003-12. While with the Chargers, Smith drafted Eli Manning No. 1 overall in 2004 before trading him to the New York Giants for No. 4 pick Philip Rivers and more draft choices.

Smith finished his NFL career as a senior executive/consultant with Washington from 2013-15. Smith was friends with former Washington president Bruce Allen, but the biggest benefit of taking the job was working with his son Kyle.

Kyle Smith spent 2010-20 with Washington, with many believing he’d become the franchise’s next general manager. However, he parted ways after the 2020 season and took a position with the Atlanta Falcons, where he has been ever since.

Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Redskins general manager Kyle Smith. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports