Hey, I'm quoted in The Washington Examiner. Only, they got my name wrong.

David Sherfinski's story Redskins rake in the cash despite on-field mediocrity was published September 3, 2010 and appears online at www.washingtonexaminer.com.

"Michael" Brown (that would be me) is quoted in the article:

"I'll always hope for the best for this team whomever is coaching it or is on the roster," he wrote for Bleacher Report, an online sports network. "I just don't think Snyder earned the right to a direct transfer of my family treasure for every game, including exhibition games, at full price."

The quote comes from my story Why I Resigned As Redskins Season Ticket Holder posted in March 2010 on Redskins Hog Heaven and syndicated to Bleacher Report.

Bloggers work for validation, so to be quoted by established media is high pay indeed. Just be sure to make the check out to Anthony Brown next time.

Point After: Dropping my season tickets was not my only protest against Danny Snyder and football stupidity. I refuse to buy replica jerseys of big name stars brought to the Redskins until said star leads the team to a division title, at least. Yes, that includes Donovan McNabb for whom I hold great admiration. I don't want to reward the quick-fix behavior that has vexed the Redskins in Snyder's ownership. I'm more likely to buy a Rocky McIntosh or Robert Henson jersey because those guys grew up with the team. They are ours.

Think I'm holding a grudge? Snyder made the right move by bringing in Mike Shanahan and, finally, hiring a GM. The Danny has done that kind of thing before with Schottenheimer and Gibbs. It's not what Snyder does when he's been rebuked by fans. It's what he does a year or so later. The real test of how changed Snyder is won't come until 2011 when the Skins may be close to being a real contender. That's when the Danny has made his worst moves.

So I'm not surprised that Snyder is keeping his head down now. Lets see what he does when Shanahan has this thing turned around.

Our top story tonight: the 2010 Redskins are a team.  A team of 53 players.  Aside from a few surprise inclusions that can be counted on one hand, the Redskins stayed true to their tendencies when picking the right balance of players for the roster.

The surprises were less about individual players chosen, and more surprising in the general sense.  Guys like Terrence Austin, Erik Cook, and Selvish Capers might be important parts of the Redskins in the future, but as of today, they are not Redskins.  Of the six draft choices made in the 2010 draft, only two made it through today to actually become rookies.  That's a shockingly low number.  The last year Mike Shanahan didn't have all players or all-but-one player make his opening day roster from his draft class: 2003.  More than seven years ago.

Is this necessarily a bad thing?  I don't see it that way.  It's not common for a 6th or 7th round pick to turn into a starter, even after significant development.  While the expectation is that these players will make the roster in their first year, it's not shameful that they didn't.  The Redskins did very well with their undrafted free agents on offense.  Brandon Banks beat out Terrence Austin.  Kory Lichtensteiger beat out Erik Cook.  Logan Paulsen beat out Dennis Morris.  While Selvish Capers simply didn't prove to be NFL caliber, at least on the outside, the fact that the Redskins found three freely available players who proved to be more than that in this preseason is big time.  And that doesn't even include undrafted rookie RB Keiland Williams, who beat out veteran Willie Parker to make the Redskins.

Dennis Morris' pick was probably wasted, as many felt at the time (before his B.M.O.C. highlight reel surfaced).  But after that, the Redskins only had three picks in the first six rounds anyway: that's where this draft was lost.  Kudos to our experienced decision makers for not trying to put third round expectations on a trio of seventh round picks.

The actual roster is very balanced, but I have one specific criticism (and various other criticisms as well) of the way it was built.  That will be taken care of below:

Quarterbacks (3): Donovan McNabb, Rex Grossman, John Beck

McNabb was obvious.  Grossman is seen by this staff as much more of a 1a type player than a no. 2.  They would have no qualms starting him for long periods of time.  Grossman is ballzy, but his mistakes would likely frustrate Redskins fans as he can often make the efforts of his defense futile by making mistakes that result in long defensive returns and short fields.  There's a level of hubris here with the Shanahan's that make them feel as if they can coach around these mistakes, but this is professional football.  You're taking the bad with the good whether you intend to or not.  I am not sure why John Beck got extended, but that transaction ensured his presence on the roster.  He's the anti-Grossman, who is much more likely to hold it and take a sack than make an ill-advised throw.

Running Backs (5): Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Keiland Williams, Mike Sellers, Darryl Young

Mike Shanahan is very good at keeping his effective running backs in the game, so while Williams would be buried below Johnson on many teams, he's likely to get that playing time if he outperforms him.  Darryl Young is going to be an important part of this special teams unit, and Mike Sellers as well, so both will be active on gamedays.  In fact, all five are likely to play in the game against Dallas.

Wide Receivers (6): Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, Roydell Williams, Anthony Armstrong, Devin Thomas, Brandon Banks

There are a lot of options for Donovan McNabb to use here.  It's unclear what, if anything, Joey Galloway can still do.  What's more clear is that Roydell Williams and Anthony Armstrong were among McNabb's favorite (non-Cooley) receivers in the preseason.  Neither attended "Hell Week" in Arizona.  Devin Thomas looked good on special teams, and perhaps ever. so. barely. outplayed Terrence Austin in that role to win a roster spot.  Thomas wasn't just on the block -- he was on the very edge of the plank -- but he made it through, and for the first time in his career, did deserve it.  Brandon Banks is an absolute flash who could break games wide open or cost the Redskins a few games with mistakes.  He's not a meaningless player by any means.  He just might be the 'X' factor in the NFC East.

Tight Ends (3): Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen

It might have ended up being just Cooley and Davis, if not for the fact that the Redskins were about to run into a logistical issue.  The plan was to make Kory Lichtenstiger a tight end in certain power packages, but Lichtenstieger is now a THREE position backup.  More on this below.  He also might now be the best right guard on the roster.  Which is another problem.  He can't be a package player, so Paulsen, who is a blocking TE, is going to get the nod to play some special teams, as well as TE in short yardage and goal line.  As a bonus, Paulsen can also play offensive line (tackle) in a real pinch.  He's a good keeper.

Offensive Line (8): Trent Williams, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Artis Hicks, Jamaal Brown, Kory Lichtensteiger, Stephon Heyer, Will Montgomery

Oh, boy.  Well, the Redskins turned over half of their roster at OL from last year.  But they retained two of the worst offenders on last years line, Rabach and Montgomery.  Stephon Heyer, by all accounts is much improved, and will probably play a lot this year with Jamaal Brown expected to be in and out of the lineup all year.  RT shouldn't be much of an issue.  LT will be as good as Trent Williams is, and no better.  Derrick Dockery and Casey Rabach both have great bills of health, but may be weaknesses on the interior, especially against NFC East defensive fronts.  Artis Hicks offers versatility, but is as marginal of a starter as Rabach is.

The saving grace was supposed to be all the young, talented lineman who may not have been ready to start just yet, but could hedge against the ineffectiveness of the center or the right guard.  Lichtenstieger was the most impressive of that group, but Edwin Williams, Chad Rinehart, Erik Cook, and Selvish Capers all offered hope of a late-season find who could help this team in the chase for the playoffs.  Inexplicably, the Redskins cut every last one of them, and kept Will Montgomery.  Once again, depth is a major issue on the offensive line, and while we have five lineman who should be durable in the starting lineup, consider what will happen if Lichtensteiger wins that RG job in week five or something.  Will Montgomery becomes the backup player at the C and LG positions.  That's really terrible planning, and more likely than not, will cost this team in the long run.

Defensive Line (8): Adam Carriker, Ma'ake Kemoeatu, Kedric Golston, Albert Haynesworth, Vonnie Holliday, Phillip Daniels, Anthony Bryant, Jeremy Jarmon

Bryant holding on to a roster spot was a little surprising, but the Redskins can't seem to count on Albert Haynesworth to be a major part of this defense.  Certainly, he will be, but they have to plan almost as if he isn't there as not to be caught off guard if he gives up on them.  That could by why Bryant is there: Kemoeatu has looked bad, just very bad, in the preseason.  It may take him some time to return to form.  The team is a little stronger at end, but Carriker is an injury concern.  Golston could be the best all around player on the DL, but might lose snaps to Vonnie Holliday who still just makes plays when he's in the game for 8-12 snaps per game.  Phillip Daniels could find himself inactive a lot this year, and is on the roster as much for leadership as anything else.

Linebackers (8): London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, Andre Carter, Rocky McIntosh, Lorenzo Alexander, Chris Wilson, HB Blades, Perry Riley

No surprises here.  Robert Henson appeared to have the roster made as a special teams ace, but when his knee was injured, the Redskins replaced him with a fifth corner, Byron Westbrook, instead.  All of these guys can play defense, and all will be active for gameday either due to special teams obligations, or dual ability to line up on the defensive front and get after the passer on third downs.  These were clearly the eight best defensive players listed at their position.

Defensive Backs (9): Carlos Rogers, DeAngelo Hall, LaRon Landry, Phillip Buchanon, Kevin Barnes, Byron Westbrook, Reed Doughty, Chris Horton, Kareem Moore

The Redskins opted to trade Justin Tryon to the Colts for a roster spot to use on Byron Westbrook.  That was a little bit surprising.  Tryon is a much better defensive player, and I really didn't think there was much of a special teams advantage.  If there was, Tryon had that as well.  The Redskins get some sort of a compensation pick for Tryon, so it's not all bad to find a team that likes your player more than you do.  It's a bit surprising that Westbrook beat out Ramzee Robinson, but I also believe that the Redskins aren't done shopping at this position just yet, and Westbrook's stay on this year's 53 man might not last until the first game.  He's week to week.  Reed Doughty, Chris Horton, and Kareem Moore are really good depth at safety.  Moore could be out for the first three weeks of the season, which caused some to presume the Redskins might keep a fifth safety.  They will not.

Specialists (3): LS Nick Sundberg, K Graham Gano, P Josh Bidwell

Keep a watchful eye on Sundberg's snaps, but this has a chance to be our best kicking specialist unit in years.  Graham Gano really has a great leg.  Our special teams has more true weapons -- between Banks and Gano -- than it has ever had in the past before.

The Redskins likely aren't done at receiver.  Roydell Williams probably shouldn't feel very safe.  He could be released if the Redskins find a better offensive player than him on the waiver wire.  However, it's likely for financial reasons that this will be the group that plays against the Cowboys next Sunday night.  Then veterans can be signed without guaranteeing their entire yearly salary for their work.  One week could decide the Galloway/Williams camp battle, once and for all.

This trade for a receiver could go down as soon as tomorrow. Hog Heaven will have you covered if and when an agreement is reached.

UPDATE: The Seattle Seahawks have released wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh according to ESPN.com

The stories that wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh will not return to the Seattle Seahawks isn't quite news, but is beyond rumor. Stories that he may be headed to the Washington Redskins are rumors, but entirely credible. As things stand today, Saturday morning, the Redskins receiving corps is not the equal of last year's group. The Skins have to do something.

NFL teams must reduce their roster to 53 men by 6:00 P.M. ET today, so news of a trade or free agent signing could happen any moment.

Since the 2004 season, Houshmandzadeh has caught no fewer than 73 passes per year. He had 79 receptions for 911 yards and three touchdowns last year in Jim Mora, the younger's, short run in Seattle.

The Redskins haven't announced their final 53 man roster yet, perhaps because player acquisitions are still happening. Here's what circulating around the blogosphere:

Pete Carroll wants to move Houshmandzadeh because the 32-year-old veteran is taking snaps from Seattle's young receiver talent. That implies the Seahawks are in a rebuilding year and aren't afraid to show it--unlike the Redskins who are in a rebuilding year but insist they are planning to "win now." In any event, the Skins don't have young talent to develop.

Houshmandzadeh is guaranteed $7 million this year. That deal inhibits a trade with the four or five teams that might be interested. Houshmandzadeh's contract has offset language whereby, if he is signed as a free agent, Seattle must make up the difference between what his new team pays him and his guarantee.

A StarTribune.com story by Judd Zulgad notes that Houshmandzadeh assessed the quarterback situation at potential teams before he signed with Seattle last year. The StarTribune covers the Minnesota Vikings and Housh signed with Seattle before Brett Favre signed on with the Vikes. The Redskins can tout Donovan McNabb in their bid for Houshmandzadeh's services.

Zulgad also said Seattle is releasing Houshmandzadeh to clear cap room to sign disgruntled San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson. Let's be a little skeptical of that one. We don't know what the salary cap will look like next year, or even if there will be one. The owners and player's union are hashing that out now. Jackson and the Chargers are at an impasse. Dropping Houshmandzadeh in hopes of getting Jackson makes no sense...unless Seattle is 99 percent done in a deal with Jackson.

Last month, we gave six reasons why Vincent Jackson won't help the Redskins this year. Reason No. 2 was that Jackson would end up in Seattle. Houshmandzadeh is as sure a 70+ reception guy as you can find. Why would Seattle, or Washington, prefer Jackson to him? Because Jackson is 27 while Housh is 32. If a team can sell its fans on rebuilding, they can bet on the come. By that I mean Seattle can risk losing a sure handed receiver in return for someone who won't help much this season but has a big upside over a five year horizon.

The Redskins have never said they are rebuilding. They have just as much interest in Jackson as Seattle, but a lot Bruce Allen's player acquisitions have been veterans that averaged-up the team's age. Houshmandzadeh fits that profile.

Jackson is demanding a five year, $50 million contract, $30 million guaranteed, from the Chargers, Seahawks, Redskins, or whatever team signs him. The Chargers gave the Seahawks permission to talk to Jackson's agent in mid-August.

Scott Edwards at RedskinsRule.com blog suggests the the Redskins would cut Joey Galloway if they sign Houshmandzadeh.

This post can't end without reference to the greatest fantasy football commercial of all time. "Who's your mama" still cracks me up.

Malcolm Kelly returned to practice Monday morning. Malcolm Kelly reinjured his hamstring Monday afternoon; the same injury that kept him out of the entire Washington Redskins training camp. As they said in that old song, if it weren't for bad luck, Kelly would have no luck at all.

By all accounts, Kelly is a decent enough fellow. A story in Monday's Redskins Insider described Kelly as having the best hands on the team as far as wide receivers go. That may go a long way to explain why the Shanahans are so interested in giving the man a shot to make the team--the need for good hands is so great.

Kelly and Devin Thomas were two of the first three players selected by the Redskins in the 2008 NFL Draft. To fans, they feel like first rounders, but they were second-rounders in a draft class team scouts thought was devoid of first round receiver talent. Kelly ought to be evaluated on that basis.

And on that basis, Kelly isn't the worst performer among his second round peers. That honor goes to Cincinnati's Jerome Simpson (1 Rec, 2 Yds, 0 TDs). Kelly just isn't near the performance we hoped.

St. Louis' Donnie Avery was selected immediately ahead of Thomas. In two seasons Avery has 100 receptions for 1263 yards and eight touchdowns. DeSean Jackson was selected by Philadelphia immediately ahead of Kelly. Jackson has 125 receptions for 2079 yards and 11 touchdowns. Kelly has 28 receptions for 365 yards and no touchdowns.

That Kelly is still here says there's something about him we fans don't see. Hog Heaven's Greg Trippiedi says Kelly is a good downfield blocker. Perhaps he has a deep understanding of the new playbook, or is an inspiring locker room leader. But please don't tell me the coaches are keeping Kelly around because he catches well in practice.

There are two words to describe players who practice well but can't get it done in games: "Taylor" "Jacobs."

The Redskins drafted Jacobs in 2003--ironically in the second round--to fuel Steve Spurrier's "Fun 'n' Gun" offense. Jacobs failed to launch though both Spurrier and Joe Gibbs said he had an awesome pair of hands in practice and was an asset to the team. In three seasons with Washington, Jacobs caught 30 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown.

Gibbs went looking for receiver help because of Jacobs. Unfortunately, he found Brandon Lloyd. Jacobs would be traded to San Francisco for Mike Rumph.

Kelly is no Taylor Jacobs. He has to write the end to his own story. That doesn't mean we have to watch. There comes a time to say "enough."

Malcolm Kelly isn't rugged enough for the NFL.

UPDATE: The Redskins placed Kelly on Injured Reserve for the 2010 season.

Point After: Taylor Jacobs ended his career with the Denver Broncos when he was released by Mike Shanahan.

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It's the kind of story that makes team P.R. people cringe--and everyone else laugh.

Rumor-monger Pro Football Talk says Washington Redskins conerback DeAngelo Hall will not be punked by tall female reporters like Comcast SportsNet's Kelli Johnson. Hall insists that Johnson remover her heels before filming interviews with him.

"She was too tall. If I was 6 feet like [Carlos Rogers], I wouldn't have to do that, but I'm 5-11, so she definitely had to take them heels off for me," Hall said.

As a man, I understand the big difference between 5 ft. 11 in. and six feet. What man wouldn't want another inch or two?

The story doesn't give Johnson's height. Her profile on csnwashington.com notes her time as a four year starter on the University of Idaho's women's basketball team where she holds the record for three-point shots made (207) and was a .776 free throw shooter.

But stories like this make Hall look vain, or hyper-sensitive about his height. If he is the former, let it be about making turnovers. If he's the latter, then I point out that Santana Moss is the same height as Hall and we never hear such tales about him.

Time for Hall to grow up and be the bigger man.

Besides, tall women are hawt!

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For six-time Pro-Bowler Chris Samuels and 42 other former NFL players, life after football has a lot to do with football.

Samuels was one of 96 minority (I hate that word) coaches to participate in the 2010 Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship according to a story released on www.nfllabor.com.  Steve Atwater, Terrell Davis, Michael Pittman, former Redskin Clarence Vaughn joined Samuels as interns on the Washington Redskins coaching staff.

“Everything was great,” says Samuels.  “I learned from a great group of coaches who are experienced in the NFL.  I was in a great situation to learn how to coach football.  I have always known that I wanted to coach football once I retired.  This is always what I wanted to do, so now I’m just going to the second phase of my life.”

Pro coaching slots have eluded African-American players even thought they have made up the majority of most NFL rosters since the 1970's (That's my impression. I haven't done the research.) Tony Dungy is the poster child of capable candidates who were ready, willing and able for assignment but never got a nibble even with strong backing from his boss, Steelers head coach Chuck Knoll.

Hall Of Fame coach Bill Walsh recognized the problem and established a minority coaching intern program with the San Francisco 49ers  in 1987. Dungy would get his shot after Dennis Green, a Walsh protege, signed him as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. His performance building a rugged Vikings defense led the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers to hire Dungy as head coach in 1996.

Every team eventually hired minority coaching interns, but a NFL study found that owners were not considering black candidates for head coaching positions. The owners in 2003 established the Rooney Rule that committed teams to at least talk to a minority candidate before making a head coach hire decision. Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney chaired the owners committee that developed the rule.

The NFL named its minority coaching program after Bill Walsh in January 2009. The program cycled over 1,300 minority coaches through NFL training camps since its inception. NFL head coaches Lovie Smith, Marvin Lewis, Mike Tomlin and Raheem Morris are graduates of the program. So is current Redskins wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell.

Which could lead to big things in the NFL for Samuels in less time, hopefully, than for Tony Dungy.

The Washington Redskins won their third preseason game by the oddest of scores, 16-11, over the New York Jets. While the coaches tear through game film to evaluate players, why don't we take a media spin to see how this story is playing out.

Redskins put up better effort....

"Only one preseason game remains before the stakes become much higher for the Redskins under Coach Mike Shanahan, and it appears Albert Haynesworth will be a big part of Shanahan's plans after all."

~Jason Reid, The Washington Post

Parker gets his shot, but Johnson shines

[Willie] Parker, who had only one carry heading into Friday's contest, said he wants to play as much as possible in the preseason finale next week -- a game he would have sat out of as a starter in Pittsburgh. 'I'd rather run the ball no matter what. Even if it's the preseason, I still want to get out there and show [what I can do],' Parker said."

(Parker said he did not get in a rhythm with the offense. He rushed eight times against the Jets, but only gained 16 yards.)

~Redskins Insider

Jets drop preseason game to Redskins....

"Sanchez was erratic in the Jets' 16-11 loss to the Redskins, a final dress rehearsal that the starters would love to forget. Six days after the first-team offense sputtered in Carolina, Sanchez & Co. looked lost for the better part of Friday night."

~Manish Mehta, New York Daily News

Minus McNabb, Redskins top Jets

"Mark Sanchez and the Jets' offense sputtered again, and the Washington Redskins, without an injured Donovan McNabb, beat New York, 16-11, in East Rutherford, N.J., on Friday night.

"Larry Johnson, competing with Clinton Portis and Willie Parker for a spot in the backfield for the Redskins, caught a screen pass from Richard Bartel and rumbled 15 yards for the winning score with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left."

~AP summary in The Philadelphia Inquirer

Jets Offense Sputters in Loss to Redskins

"EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. —The Jets worked all week at practice to establish some semblance of "rhythm" on offense, which has been an elusive concept throughout the preseason. With second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez under center, and the celebrity glare of HBO's "Hard Knocks" intensifying the challenge, many of the players acknowledged wanting—no, needing—to unearth some consistency against the Washington Redskins on Friday night.

"But with each incomplete pass and every stalled drive, the Jets fell woefully short of that goal at New Meadowlands Stadium. For the brash, self-professed Super Bowl contenders, it was another uninspired effort. To date, Mr. Sanchez & Co. are a work in progress at best, something close to a disaster at worst."

~Scott Cacciola, The Wall Street Journal

Hitting the bench gets new meaning for Woods, Redskins and Clemens

"People in Nashville still double over with laughter when discussing how Haynesworth became a $100 million player in Washington. His two great seasons with the Titans came when he had a contract on the line, his temper tantrums were epic and his offseason training sessions were spent mostly in the drive-through lane."

~Tom Weir, USA TODAY

Redskins' Clinton Portis sprains ankle vs. New York Jets....

"Clinton Portis, the Redskins' top running back, saw limited action in Friday's 16-11 win over the New York Jets and returns to Washington with an ankle sprain. It's indicative of an offensive unit that has hobbled its way through the preseason schedule, revealing as many problems as it has strengths."

~Rick Maese. The Washington Post

Redskins Knock Off Jets 16-11 in Preseason Dress Rehearsal

"It’s less of a rehearsal if the starting quarterback can’t play. And it’s not much of a test of the running game with the fullback out. Yet either of those circumstances could come to pass (or run) during the regular season. Teams lose front-line players to injury and need to know what the backups can do.

"'It wasn’t a perfect game, by no means,' Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said. 'But it was a start.'"

~Larry Weisman, Redskins.com

Offense's TD Not Enough in Loss to 'Skins

'"We did some good things rushing the ball,' [head coach Rex] Ryan said of the LaDainian Tomlinson/Shonn Greene-fired ground game rolled to 161 yards at 5.0 per carry. 'That's a positive — that's who we are. But the big part of losing the game, and you've got to give the Redskins credit, is four turnovers. That was a stat that jumps out. We've got to do a better job in the red zone. We just have to start punching things in.'"

~Randy Lange, www.newyorkjets.com