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John Keim
1. The Redskins will bring in free agent place kicker Shayne Graham to compete with Graham Gano. That’s not a surprise considering Gano made just 24 of 35 field goals last season. His kickoffs are solid, but the majority of his paycheck comes from an ability to make kicks. And a career percentage of 71.8 isn’t getting it done in the modern era where 80 percent is only OK. In fact, Gano’s .686 percentage last season was the worst of any kicker with more than four attempts. Oh, and Graham is an 86 percent career kicker. That’s third best all-time behind Nate Kaeding and Mike Vanderjagt, who are tied for first. Gano and Graham – confusing, right? – hung out together this offseason.
2. For what it’s worth, I remember covering a state playoff game years ago in which Shayne Graham made a game-winning field goal to beat Robinson. Graham was a freshman at the time and looked like a sixth grader. In fact, when I saw him on the field after the game I assumed it was someone’s little brother dressed up in a football outfit.
3. Defensive end Vonnie Holliday said via text that he will report to Arizona as part of a trade for running back Tim Hightower. Had he retired, the Redskins understanding is that the trade still would have been a done deal. There is a buyer beware element to any trade. Meanwhile, Hightower is expected to be in Ashburn later this afternoon.
4. Coach Mike Shanahan said he’s not surprised that free agent Rex Grossman hasn’t re-signed yet. Grossman can’t practice until Thursday, but he would be able to sit in on meetings and be on the sidelines during practice. Grossman told ESPN 980 that, although a deal isn’t done, he’s optimistic that it will get done this week. Seems smart; if you want to compete for a starting job you might want to, you know, get into camp.
5. Still waiting to hear what happens to players such as Kedric Golston, Chris Wilson and Reed Doughty. From what I’ve heard, the Redskins have offered Wilson a new contract, but, like Golston, he wants to be somewhere he’s going to play. Golston would be the fourth end at best in this front and Wilson will have a tough time getting on the field as well. The coaches would like Doughty back; they say he can still help -- especially with LaRon Landry's Achilles still bothering him.
6. Landry says he’ll be back by the opener, and Shanahan said, “He’s by no means 100 percent. But the game plan is to get him 100 percent by the first game.” Not sure if this is cause for concern yet or not. But it definitely bears watching.
7. Shanahan on what the Hightower trade means for Ryan Torain, “Competition. What Tim’s done over the last three years speaks for itself. What Ryan’s done speaks for itself. Ryan has some competition. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Tim is a back who can do it all, run, pass protect, he’s a third down back. I feel very good about him.”
8. Receivers coach Keenan McCardell said he sees the Brandon Banks pre-knee injury this summer. “He’s healthy now. You can see the suddenness, you can see the speed. A lot of people forget how fast he was because he was playing banged-up last year.”
9. Darrion Scott changed his number to 93, previously worn by Phil Daniels. They gave No. 92 to undrafted free agent linebacker Obie Ezah.
10. The NFL Network reported that linebacker Lofa Tatupu and corner Kelvin Hayden will visit the Redskins later this week. Tatupu was cut by Seattle the other day; here’s a good take on his situation. Suffice to say, injuries have caused his play to go down the past couple years. And I remember talking to Redskins defenders a few years ago who were upset that he made the Pro Bowl over London Fletcher. Didn’t think it was warranted. Hayden was cut by the Colts recently; he never lived up to a big contract. His agent, by the way? Fletcher Smith. Yes, that's the same one who represents Donovan McNabb. And who torched the organization.
Follow me on Twitter @John_Keim
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1. The Redskins will bring in free agent place kicker Shayne Graham to compete with Graham Gano. That’s not a surprise considering Gano made just 24 of 35 field goals last season. His kickoffs are solid, but the majority of his paycheck comes from an ability to make kicks. And a career percentage of 71.8 isn’t getting it done in the modern era where 80 percent is only OK. In fact, Gano’s .686 percentage last season was the worst of any kicker with more than four attempts. Oh, and Graham is an 86 percent career kicker. That’s third best all-time behind Nate Kaeding and Mike Vanderjagt, who are tied for first. Gano and Graham – confusing, right? – hung out together this offseason.
2. For what it’s worth, I remember covering a state playoff game years ago in which Shayne Graham made a game-winning field goal to beat Robinson. Graham was a freshman at the time and looked like a sixth grader. In fact, when I saw him on the field after the game I assumed it was someone’s little brother dressed up in a football outfit.
3. Defensive end Vonnie Holliday said via text that he will report to Arizona as part of a trade for running back Tim Hightower. Had he retired, the Redskins understanding is that the trade still would have been a done deal. There is a buyer beware element to any trade. Meanwhile, Hightower is expected to be in Ashburn later this afternoon.
4. Coach Mike Shanahan said he’s not surprised that free agent Rex Grossman hasn’t re-signed yet. Grossman can’t practice until Thursday, but he would be able to sit in on meetings and be on the sidelines during practice. Grossman told ESPN 980 that, although a deal isn’t done, he’s optimistic that it will get done this week. Seems smart; if you want to compete for a starting job you might want to, you know, get into camp.
5. Still waiting to hear what happens to players such as Kedric Golston, Chris Wilson and Reed Doughty. From what I’ve heard, the Redskins have offered Wilson a new contract, but, like Golston, he wants to be somewhere he’s going to play. Golston would be the fourth end at best in this front and Wilson will have a tough time getting on the field as well. The coaches would like Doughty back; they say he can still help -- especially with LaRon Landry's Achilles still bothering him.
6. Landry says he’ll be back by the opener, and Shanahan said, “He’s by no means 100 percent. But the game plan is to get him 100 percent by the first game.” Not sure if this is cause for concern yet or not. But it definitely bears watching.
7. Shanahan on what the Hightower trade means for Ryan Torain, “Competition. What Tim’s done over the last three years speaks for itself. What Ryan’s done speaks for itself. Ryan has some competition. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Tim is a back who can do it all, run, pass protect, he’s a third down back. I feel very good about him.”
8. Receivers coach Keenan McCardell said he sees the Brandon Banks pre-knee injury this summer. “He’s healthy now. You can see the suddenness, you can see the speed. A lot of people forget how fast he was because he was playing banged-up last year.”
9. Darrion Scott changed his number to 93, previously worn by Phil Daniels. They gave No. 92 to undrafted free agent linebacker Obie Ezah.
10. The NFL Network reported that linebacker Lofa Tatupu and corner Kelvin Hayden will visit the Redskins later this week. Tatupu was cut by Seattle the other day; here’s a good take on his situation. Suffice to say, injuries have caused his play to go down the past couple years. And I remember talking to Redskins defenders a few years ago who were upset that he made the Pro Bowl over London Fletcher. Didn’t think it was warranted. Hayden was cut by the Colts recently; he never lived up to a big contract. His agent, by the way? Fletcher Smith. Yes, that's the same one who represents Donovan McNabb. And who torched the organization.
Follow me on Twitter @John_Keim
More...
