The Best Redskin Fantasy Football Team Name

After a successful 2012 Fantasy Football season with a cool if not dated team name called “The Replacements”, I am left to ponder a suitable new and improved team name.  Being a die hard Redskin Fan, I am once again considering a Redskin based team name.  I have previously used variations of the Hogs, Hogettes and the Fun Bunch but have decided to look for something more relevant.

Yes there are the obvious top choices from last year such as:

ABC RG3

RG3PO

But I am a bit of a non-conformist and hate being viewed as blatantly following the heard.

Ummm, but aren’t you writing a piece about popular fantasy football names ?

 

No, No I’m . . . Oh never mind . . .

 

So, that brings me to the second most obvious choice and variants:

Helu Helu

Helu Again

Helu Kitty

Helu-cination

and . . .

THE HELU-CINATOR

But there are others, such as:

I Kerrigan

I Don’t Kerrigan

or my personal favorite of this bunch . . .

Like I Kerrigan

But how about one that perhaps relates to the organization?

Shanahanigans

The Shanahan Can / or Clan

or my other personal favorite – of this bunch . . .

The Real Slim Shanny

So, which one do you think is the best Redskin based Fantasy Football name?
Leave a comment below to vote or make a suggestion.

Redskins Trade RGIII For Jay Cutler !

The Washington Redskins have traded RGIII, Leonard Hankerson and a 2nd round draft pick to the Chicago Bears for Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall !!!

Apparently, after the recent rift and public shot at “other parties” in the organization by RGIII regarding his season ending knee injury; the Redskins are tired of a QB unnecessarily taking risks and blaming others for their decision making capability.

RGIII:

My first NFL season and my injury that ended it showed me a lot about the league, my team and myself.

I know where my responsibility is within the dilemma that led to me having surgery to repair my knee and all parties involved know their responsibilities as well.

 

Cutler brings with him a wealth of experience of properly avoiding further injury and risking his career. And although he has been the butt of a lot of motivational jokes and accused of not being the best team player, he does have Mike Shanahan complete confidence.

Jay Cutler :

I have played this game a long time and know when I am hurt and when I am not, when I can play and when I can’t.  I want to have a long NFL career and if that means I have to sit on the bench, then so be it.

Mike Shanahan:

He (Jay) is a Pro Bowl player; has a good supporting cast around him and has always been “A worker”; very smart; handles himself like you want. I think he is just getting better and better.  I like the way he competes. I like him on a day-in, day-out basis. I think people will see his personality in time, and hopefully it’s a short time before we all can see him build on our success of last year.

This trade reunites Coach Shanahan with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall and gives all of them a chance to rekindle past success and future championship dreams for all Redskins and Bears Fans a like.

HTTR !!!

 

A Matter Of Trust

All season long both the Shannies would ask who ever was their starting QB “can you make this play”.  If the answer was “Yeah, I got this” then that is what they did.  And it worked.

So, when their starting QB said “I got this” after twisting his knee, they believed him.  Problem was, it wasn’t working.  For at least 2 quarters of play – even after the next couple of series – it was evident that RG3 was not able to perform, to do what was expected of him.

So, at that point, what should a coach do?

Do you take him out and put in your proven backup QB?
But then you would need to change your play selection.
Or, do you change your play calling to keep your starting QB from scrambling?
Or keep going as you have?
Do you consult the team doctor?
RG3’s Dad?
The psychic in the stands?

Truth is, you make a decision and you live with either the consequence or the success.

Nobody can foresee the future.  You go with the information on hand, historical precedence, and trust in your gut.

I read one article where a reader made a comment that star athletes are going to want to be in, to play, no matter what. That is what they do, they believe they can can take on the risks and succeed.  No matter what the cost. “you leave it all on the field”.  And It’s the coaches job to save them from themselves.

I agree – with the first part.

I disagree – on the second part.

It is about performance and results.  As Robert said so himself, you risk injury on any given play. Don’t believe me, ask Joe Theismann. And how many time have we seen somebody “play through the pain”.  The players job is to make the play.  The coaches job is two fold, 1) to develop players, skills and game plans that 2) give their team the best chance to win.

When one of the parts from “1)”  – listed above – doesn’t work, you make a change.  Notice, at no point does the question of further injury come into play.

Now some may argue that taking players out to avoid injury is done. And they would be correct.  It is done when the game is inconsequential or considered an easy game to win.

However, the Seattle game was a playoff game.  In the playoffs, there is no “easy game”.  No “we can sit our starters” because it does not matter.

The question really is, and always will be, who and what scenario, gives us the best chance to win.

You make your decision.

And trust that you make the right one.

Spreading The Cheer

– think of this as my way of spreading the cheer, and jeer.

OK, I resisted all week but have finally broken down and am posting Dallas Cowboys, Tony Romo Memes in honor of Fun Strip Fridays.

😉

Also, if you have not already seen it, the Mic’d up RG3 footage from the game is simply awesome – a true thing of beauty!

I especially like the part where he RG3 says “run it down their throats – make them quit”.

Here is another version – with some different sound footage and editing – but it does not have my favorite quotes like the one mentioned above.

Until next time – Be Good, Do Well, Have Fun
HTTR

Streaky Gut Predictions – Who Will Win The Super Bowl

Inspired by my blogger friend at Snot Bubble Football, I have come up with my “Streaky Gut” predictions for not only who will win the Super Bowl but the entire NFL playoff picture!

Originally I made a bracket based solely on statistically probability, but quickly realized that it looked just like every other “expert prognosticator” out there on the internet. . .

(Gee, I wonder how they came up with their brackets . . .)

And, decided it was, well . . . boring.

 

So I tore up the paper, tossed it into the fireplace, took another sip from my drink and went a different route.

I stuck with win streaks, hotness and the ultimate in hype . . . fabricated story lines!

After all, that is what truly sells.

Looking at the NFL playoff brackets, teams, players, coaches, and hidden story lines, I realized that there is a ton of marketing potential! Here are some, just to name a few:

• Ray Lewis’ final run and the Ravens
• Andrew Luck and the Colts
• Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning
• A rematch between the Bengals and the Texans
• Two rookie QB’s and their power running games
• A freaky godlike RB and the Vikings

It’s all there, just waiting for the networks to spin, and you to tune in and watch.

Here is what I see happening. . .

Scenario #1:

Yes, many will be talking about Ray Lewis’ final season and the Ravens ‘playing’ for their franchise player – the face of the team.  But it will not happen.

For one thing, another team already has the ‘lets win this one for him’ designation and that is the Colts. They will play well enough to win, and Flacco will have one of his notoriously frustrating ‘off’ days and pull a Romo.

The slumping Texans will be challenged by the Bengals and ultimately lose in OT in a low scoring game. It will not be won by any decisive offensive play, but rather, by the defense – the Bengals Defense.

This sets up a Colts vs Patriots and Bengals vs Broncos showdown. And some will say hey, it would be cool to have the Colts vs Broncos for the AFC Championship. Queue the ‘QB That I Used To Know‘ parody.

But it will not happen. No way. Sorry.

AFC Championship Game will be Broncos vs. Patriots.

Scenario #2:

A rematch of two old NFC teams with a history of playoff match-ups, epic games, and perhaps one team / player with a grudge and/or perhaps a thought of . . . revenge.

Add to this that said team player is carrying his team on his back, ALL DAY , ALL GAMES and you have match-up #2

The NFC Championship Game will be the AP Minnesota Vikings vs Washington Redskins!

But just like that day, back on January 17^th 1988, the Redskins will ‘make a play’ and ‘seal the deal’ for the ultimate prize against . . .

Yes folks, this sets up . . .

Scenario #3:

The Old vs New.

Imagine if you will – a former coach, called back into service to help restore fame and NFL fortune to a franchise going up against his old former team with a new owner (who just happened to have been tutored by said former retired coach) and newly resurrected “old” QB (who we used to know).

Imagine the headlines, the nationwide hoopla and hysteria of a match-up between the Shanahan RG3 Redskins and The Peyton (Elway) Broncos!

OMG!

It could happen.

But who will ultimately win the Super Bowl?

Look below at my streaky gut prediction to find out.

 

Oh, and if you want to see some of the other Fumbled Returns prognosticator predictions click below to see their brackets.

But, they are not as streaky or fun as mine . . . 😉

Greatest Quarterback And Running Back Combos

Many NFL teams have had either great quarterbacks and or running backs over the years. Yet how often have any of them been fortunate to have teamed up together at the same time?

For the Redskins, they have had a few throughout their history. This year I think it is safe to say they have another dynamic duo in RG3 and Alfred Morris. What is remarkable, beyond all their achievements, is they are both rookies.

In the entire NFL, five rookie quarterbacks have won playoff games since 1970. Mark Sanchez (yes that Mark Sanchez), Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger Shaun King and T.J Yates. None of them were paired up with a rookie running back.

There have been a few rookie running backs who have won playoff games, most notably Chris Johnson, Joseph Addai, and Reggie Bush. None of them were paired up with a rookie quarterback and no Redskin rookie running back has won a playoff game.

The rookie QB / rookie RB combo (certainly one which is successful and stands an excellent chance of winning their first playoff game) is truly remarkable.

To find the last Redskin rookie quarterback to win a playoff game, you have to go all the way back in the record books to 1937 to this person who happens to be none other than the great Sammy Baugh. As you will see below, he also helped lead the Redskins to a Super Bowl Victory over the Chicago Bears that very same year.

Will history repeat itself this year? Lets hope so.

Listed below are what I consider the greatest Redskin quarterback / running back combos.

And yes, I am including RG3 and Morris in this list.

 

1)

SAMMY BAUGH (1937 – 1952)

During his rookie season in 1937, Baugh played quarterback, defensive back, and punter, set an NFL record for completions with 91 in 218 attempts and threw for a league-high 1,127 yards.   He led the Redskins to the NFL Championship game against the Chicago Bears, where he finished 17 of 33 for 335 yards and his second-half touchdown passes of 55, 78 and 33 yards gave Washington a 28–21 victory.  His 335 passing yards are the most in a playoff game by any rookie QB in NFL history.

• 5× All-Star selection (1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942)
• Pro Bowl selection (1951)
• 7× First-team All-Pro selection (1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948)
• 2× Second-team All-Pro selection (1938, 1941)
• 2× NFL Player of the Year (1947, 1948)

CLIFF BATTLES (1932 – 1937)

• 6× All-Pro selection (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937)
• 2× NFL Rushing champion (1932, 1937)

 

 2)
SONNY JURGENSEN (1964 – 1974)

Five time Pro Bowl selections (four with Washington). Led the NFL in passing three years 1966, 1967, 1969)

In 1967, Jurgensen broke his own record by passing for 3,747 yards and also set NFL single-season records for attempts (508) and completions (288).

In 1969 Jurgensen led the NFL in attempts (442), completions (274), completion percentage (62%) and passing yards (3,102).

LARRY BROWN (1969 – 1976)

He went to four consecutive Pro Bowls during his first four seasons and led the Redskins to their 1973 Super Bowl VII appearance against the “perfect season” Miami Dolphins. Brown was the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 1972.

He finished in the top five of the league for rushes five times, rushing yards three times, yards from scrimmage three times and total touchdowns twice. Brown was the first Redskins running back to gain more than 1,000 yards in a single season.

 

3)

JOE THEISMANN (1974 – 1985)

One Time Super Bowl Champion (1983) and two time Pro Bowl selections and NFL Offensive Player of the year 1983.

Theismann led the Redskins to a win in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP in 1983 by four organizations.  He earned the Player of the Game Award in the second of his two Pro Bowl appearances.

JOHN RIGGINS (1976 – 1979) (1981 – 1985)

Super Bowl MVP and Champion (1983)

he gained 444 Playoff yards in victories over the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings (where he had a franchise playoff record 185 yards), and Dallas Cowboys, and helped the Redskins reach Super Bowl XVII.  Riggins rushed for a then-Super Bowl record 166 yards on 38 carries as the Redskins beat the Miami Dolphins 27–17.  He was then named Super Bowl MVP.

 

4)  – Just to review their remarkable achievements so far

ROBERT GRIFFIN III (2012 – Present)

• Pro Bowl (2012)
• 2× NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (September 2012; November 2012)
• 2× NFC Offensive Player of the Week (Week 1, 2012; Week 11, 2012)
• 7× Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16 2012)
• 59th “Perfect Game” in NFL History (November 18, 2012 vs. Philadelphia Eagles)

ALFRED MORRIS (2012 – Present)

• Washington Redskins Franchise Record of All-Time Rushing Leader in a Single Season (1,613 yards; 2012–present)
• 2× Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 7, 2012; Week 14, 2012)
• NFC Offensive Player of the Week (2012: Week 17)

 

All Stats referenced from wikipedia.org and pro-football-reference.com

 

Who do you think makes, or made, a great QB – RB Combo?

 

We Have Something Nobody Else Does

Yes, I realize the Redskins – mostly thanks to Dan Snyder – have been the butt of the NFL for years, but we have something nobody else does; and that my friends is RG3.

This is probably one of the best video spots I’ve seen in a long time.

HTTR !

BBB Betting On The Jets

Queue the Elton John music:

You are gonna lose

here’s some booze

You know I read it in a magazine oh oh

BBB Betting On The Jets

 

So, what have the mighty media whores of the Jets done this season?

Amassed a stellar 3 – 6 record.

Lost their last three games in a row.

Lost the last two games by a combined 58 – 16 score.

Registered the following stats:

• 21 sacks
• 7 fumbles
• 9 interceptions
• -53 point differential

And now the players beat up on a guy who has a total of 33 plays all season, a better passer rating than your starting QB, a matching team average for rushing stats and, oh by the way has none, ZERO, of the said turnovers listed above?

Really?

 

Now lets contrast this with another 3 – 6 team which is equally media friendly.

The Washington Redskins:

They have the following stats:  (note: very similar to the Jets and – like them – have lost three in a row)

• A -22 points differential
• 21 sacks
• 9 fumbles
• 5 interceptions

And despite a perceived tossing in of the towel by the head coach after their last loss, does the team throw anybody under the bus?

No.

They vote their QB offensive Team Captain. I’m not sure I can remember the last time a rookie was voted team captain.

Coach Shanahan certainly can’t.

I wonder why I feel a lot more comfortable betting on the Skins than I do the Jets?

 

Here is this weeks predictions from the Fumbled Returns Editorial Team with Upsets of the Week Highlighted in Bold.

Match-up	TacoMan		SuperCarlos	NinjaSailor	RedskinDoug
Dolphins vs Bills	Dolphins	14 – 10	Bills	Dolphins	Bills
Cardinals vs Falcons	Falcons	27 -17	Falcons	Falcons	Falcons
Colts vs Patriots	Colts	31 – 28	Colts	Colts	Patriots
Buccaneers vs Panthers	Buccaneers	24 – 6	Buccaneers	Panthers	Buccaneers
Eagles vs Redskins	Redskins	21 – 13	Redskins	Redskins	Redskins
Jets vs Rams	Rams	30 – 17	Rams	Jets	Rams
Jaguars vs Texans	Texans	27 – 0	Texans	Texans	Texans
Packers vs Lions	Packers	21 – 20	Packers	Packers	Lions
Bengals vs Chiefs	Bengals	17 – 13	Bengals	Bengals	Chiefs
Browns vs Cowboys	Cowboys	28 – 23	Cowboys	Browns	Browns
Saints vs Raiders	Saints	35 – 24	Raiders	Saints	Saints
Chargers vs Broncos	Broncos	34 – 16	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Ravens vs Steelers	Ravens	20 – 7	Steelers	Ravens	Ravens
Bears vs 49ers	Bears	27 – 21	49ers	49ers	Bears

BTW:  Last week RedskinDoug and TacoMan once again tied with a 9 – 5 record.  TacoMan won on point differential, but RedskinDoug accurately predicted an upset of the week by picking the Bengals.

NFL and Fantasy Football Thoughts – Week 1

Rex and the Jets lose the Circus Label

 

Are the Jets really that good and is Rex really that smart to have duped us all with their pre-season performance – or lack thereof?

 

 

 

 

Have the Redskins started the next QB-ing MEME?  Griffining!

Griffining !!!

 

I take my hat off to Mike and Kyle Shanahan!  

They game planned around Robert Griffin and his talents. 

The result was a stunning win and performance by the whole team. 

They should get the game ball this week. 

 

 

 

 

It seems even the Democrat Party and Bill Clinton want to catch some of that Kevin Ogletree popularity. 

His fantasy stock ownership has risen from a paltry .4% to well over 21% in less than one week!

 

• Guess I should have picked AP over CJ in the draft.  Sorry I doubted your recovery time dude.
• All the experts were putting McFadden right up there with the rest of the best.  OK, well not quite the best, but still a lot higher than he should have been.  There are a lot of really upset McFadden owners out there today.
• Tampa learned how to tackle!
• Miami still Sucks!
• Matt Forte is still pissed.

Oh and speaking of hate and discontent. 

• With lots of Fantasy Leagues (including mine) with bonuses kicking in at 300 yds per game for QB’s . . . Flacco’s Stats: 21/29 for 299 yards.  Seriously dude, you couldn’t get 1 more yard?  Really!  Sheesh.

You’ve Just Finished Your Fantasy Draft! Now What?

By now most folks have completed their fantasy football drafts and have a brand new team filled with various big name NFL players and dreams of greatness for a yet to be played 2012 season.

Congratulations!  You have completed a very important step in your fantasy football career.

Now what?

Here are some helpful things to remember:

– It is all about probability
– Follow your instincts
– Stay informed
– Once you make a decision, unless new information is published, do not second guess yourself.

– Remember the KISS principle.

OK, that is a lot but really it is quite simple.

Probability:
Your starters and more importantly, your studs (you have at least one right?) Are exactly that because they perform on a weekly basis.  And despite the odds, despite the defenses they go against, if anybody can step up and make a difference,  they can.  If they are healthy and starting in the real world, you should start them in the fantasy one too.

Instincts:
RG3 is going to be the next Cam.  Rookie of the year!  He is going to surprise everyone and be a top 10 QB next year in fantasy land.

To bad everything I just said is already there – IN FANTASY LAND!

This is a possible scenario to RG3 rookie year.  Just not a probable one.  Remember probability?

Face it.  RG3 is more like Michael Vick than Cam.  Cam is built to not only take the hits, but give them out as well.  He is a stud QB.

But, being a hard core Redskin Fan myself, lets pretend RG3 lives up to his potential which should be somewhere around 3200 yards passing 20 TDs and 18 interceptions and oh yeah, about 400 scrambling yards and another couple TD’s to go along with all that.

That actually is not too bad by NFL/Fantasy standards.  Pretty average. And very probable.

Don’t worry.  He could get a lot better in time.

So this makes him a solid 2nd QB for the draft.  GO FOR IT!

Information:
Probability and instincts can be backed up and enhanced with statistics.  This is where you should apply the KISS principle as well.

Let me explain:

Most fantasy football platforms provide ratings on players and each teams defense.  Chances are a 32 ranked run defense will give up more points than a a number 1.  Always use stats to back up probability!  When faced with a dilemma, go with the weaker defender or circumstance.  That will give you the higher probability of success.

Problems start when you begin to use stats and perceived/probable scenarios to back up instinct.

Let me explain:

RG3 is going against the Saints this weekend.  They are a tough defense but not without holes.  The entire Saints organization is on probation, so you think they will not be bounty hunting RG3.  They may chase, but they will not go for the kill shot.  So you think RG3 will have a chance.  Then you realize that the Saints are really a scoring juggernaut and will probably run away with the score.  This means that after, amazingly keeping it close – the skins are only down 13 – 10 at half – (due to an improbably punt return TD by Santana Moss) the Saints open it up in the second half and by the time the 4th quarter roles around the score is 30 – 13!  Then you start thinking that this is great for RG3 because the entire 4th quarter will be garbage time and he will rack up 20+ yard gains and even more scrambling yards because the Saints are not bounty hunting, have won the game, and are playing soft.

This is a great scenario for a Fantasy QB!

And you start RG3 this week over Cam Newton. Or Manning.  Or even possibly Matt Ryan.  Or god forbid Aaron Rodgers or that guy from NE.  Ol’ waz hiz name.

The previously mentioned RG3 scenario is just that.  A scenario.  A possible outcome of the game.  But not necessarily a probable one.  Go with the more probable scenario of a proven starter against an average or less than average defense.

Doubt:
Have confidence in your research, stats, and you team.

Oh and one last rule.

HAVE FUN !