It appears that running back Tim Hightower will be rejoining the Washington Redskins this season.

Though they are unconfirmed reports at this time, Hightower did tweet out a picture of himself in a Redskins hat with the line “I’m baaaaaaaack,” and Rotoworld.com published a report saying the running back has re-signed with the team. The terms of the deal are not available at this point.

Hightower will rejoin the Redskins’ backfield that also features second-year back Roy Helu. Hightower was off to a good start in his first year with Redskins last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. In the five games he played, Hightower recorded 84 rushing attempts, 321 yards and one touchdown. He also brought in 10 catches and a receiving touchdown. 

One of Hightower’s biggest contributions to the Redskins is his pass-protection ability. On third downs, Hightower is a reliable blocker who doubles as a receiving threat. This combination has proven effective throughout Hightower’s career, as linebackers must respect his blocking and catching ability.

The Redskins’ backfield now becomes crowded as Hightower will join Roy Helu, Evan Royster and sixth-round pick Alfred Morris. It is unlikely that the Redskins will keep four running backs on the 53-man roster, which leaves either Morris or Royster to be relegated to the practice squad.The other possibility would involve Morris switching to fullback so that Washington could keep the remaining three running backs.

At this point, it appears to be an open competition for the starting job in Washington. Hightower will need to perform well as Roy Helu appears to be the early favorite for the starting role. In either case, Hightower is a worthwhile signing and brings stability and leadership to the running back position. 

Sean Taylor is the second player for the Redskins who had all the talent in the world and gave it up too early. Unlike Lavar Arrington, Sean Taylor did not make the choice to leave football, the choice was made for him. On November 27, 2007 Sean Taylor was killed during a home invasion while trying to protect his family.

Taylor was an impressive player from the moment he was drafted and seemed to improve every year in the league. In 2007 he was in the middle of his greatest season yet with 42 tackles and 5 interceptions through just nine games. At the time, the Redskins had perhaps the most feared tandem of safeties in the NFL (Taylor and Landry).

After Taylor’s tragic death, the Redskins played the Buffalo Bills, and for the first series played with only ten defenders on the field to honor number 21.

Not enough can be said about Sean Taylor and what he meant to the Redskins franchise. He was an emerging star in the NFL, who had turned his personal life around and appeared to have transitioned from prospect to role model.

To this day, Redskins fans wonder what the Washington franchise would look like if Sean Taylor was still alive. 

When Robert Griffin III, better known by the moniker RGIII, the No. 2 pick in this year’s NFL draft, was just four years old, the Washington Redskins drafted Heath Shuler with the No. 3 pick in the 1994 NFL Draft. Even though RGIII was too young to hold a football or contemplate playing in the NFL at that time, what happened next relates to him and the team he is set to join.

The 1994 draft marked the first time since 1961 that the Redskins selected a quarterback in the first round. Though the franchise was only two years removed from winning Super Bowl XXVI, rebuilding mode was in full effect. Joe Gibbs, the Hall of Fame coach who made the Redskins relevant in the 80s by leading them to three Super Bowl championships in 10 years, had retired, and his hand-picked successor, former defensive coordinator Richie Petitbon, had not panned out as a coach, leading the team to its worst record in 30 years during his one season at the helm. Franchise stalwarts Art Monk, Earnest Byner and Charles Mann were gone, relegated to the team’s ring of fame. Questions about the team’s future abounded.

The Shuler pick was supposed to herald a new era in Redskins football. Analysts and sports writers considered Shuler to be as close to a can’t-miss-prospect as possible. At the University of Tennessee he broke all of the school’s relevant passing records and finished second in voting for the 1993 Heisman Trophy. Even though the aging Redskins roster had myriad holes to fill and may have benefited from taking an offensive lineman or defensive stud, general manager Charlie Casserly believed that selecting Shuler so high in the draft would pay off because this young man from Appalachia, who had grown up listening to Redskins games on the radio, supposedly had the talent to sustain the success of the burgundy and gold over the next decade.

So on draft day, the Redskins called Shuler’s name in the first round, and Washington football fans believed their team had found a savior.

But then a curious thing happened. In the seventh round, Casserly and the Redskins selected another quarterback, Gus Frerotte from the University of Tulsa. It was an odd pick considering that the Redskins had already drafted their quarterback of the future; the team had personnel needs at other positions; and the team already had a capable backup quarterback, John Friesz, on the roster (in a somewhat ironic turn Friesz would end-up starting the first game of the 1994 NFL season).

Taking another competent quarterback in the same draft as Shuler was an odd move. It seemed to undermine the idea that Shuler was destined to start for the Redskins. It suggested that he would have to compete for the job with Frerotte, a premise that by its very nature implied Frerotte had a chance to end up as the team’s starter.

Of course taking Frerotte turned out to be a brilliant move, because as football fans know Shuler never came close to living up to his billing. He held out in training camp, inked an eight-year, $19.25 million contract, which at the time was the most lucrative contract ever given to a first year player and made Shuler the highest-paid Redskin in franchise history, and then promptly busted. He wasn’t just bad; he was terrible. He looked slow, lacked top-caliber arm strength and generally seemed confused. The most memorable play from his first pro game occurred when he turned the wrong way on a routine handoff. No one could have guessed it at the time but that play would end up being symbolic of Shuler’s professional career.

Frerotte, on the other hand, excelled for a brief period of time. He made the Pro Bowl in 1996 and looked like a young quarterback on the rise. But in November 1997, he head-butted a stadium wall after scoring a touchdown and to no one’s surprise spiraled into oblivion in the aftermath of what remains football’s most bizarre touchdown celebration of all time.

The 1994 draft and the ensuing quarterback competition that entranced football fans and casual sports page readers in the nation’s capital from 1994 to 95 set the tone for the quarterback controversies that have plagued the Redskins ever since that day. Since 1993 the Redskins have started 18 different quarterbacks, only of two of whom—Frerotte and Brad Johnson—made the Pro Bowl while wearing a Redskins uniform. And that is why the franchise has gone from one of the NFL’s best, a team that sportswriters used to frequently describe as “storied,” to a perennial joke. The lack of a steady hand under center is the primary reason why the Redskins continue to swim in the waters of mediocrity.

I mention the Shuler-Frerotte draft because this year the Redskins went through a similar exercise. As most people know, the Redskins traded two future draft picks to move up to the No. 2 slot so that they could select RGIII. He has been touted as the Redskins’ quarterback of the future and is the most prominent player drafted by the ‘Skins since Shuler.

But once again, the team drafted another quarterback a few rounds later. This year the ‘Skins took Kirk Cousins in the fourth round.

The Cousins pick is inexplicable. The Redskins already have a player, Rex Grossman, who could serve as a competent backup and even start a few games if need be. The roster has so many other holes that could have been filled with that pick. Why Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen chose Cousins, a competent quarterback in his own right, makes no sense. Redskins’ management once again set the stage for a quarterback controversy. If RGIII stumbles out of the gate, it might not be long until the fans at FedEx field start chanting Cousins’ name.

It also strikes me as somewhat unfair for management to undermine RGIII by selecting Cousins. Every job—whether you’re an actuary, a welder or a mid manager—comes with the tacit understanding that if you screw up, you risk getting canned. But imagine for a second that on the day you were hired, your employer had hired someone with your same background to wait in the wings in case you screwed up. Wouldn’t that weigh on your mind? Wouldn’t that distract you?

By all accounts, RGIII is a smart and accomplished young man. But he’s still only 22 years old and in addition to having to face all the pressure that comes with playing quarterback in the NFL, he now will have to worry about getting replaced, should his performance not make par.

Once again the Redskins management has shown a lack of decisiveness, one trait that all great franchises possess. Maybe it won’t matter. Maybe RGIII will play great from day one and never look back. Maybe he’ll stink and get replaced by Cousins, who will go on to have a wonderful NFL career. It’s impossible to predict.

But one thing is certain: The Redskins should not have spent a fourth-round draft pick on a quarterback in the same draft in which they traded up to get a franchise quarterback. It was a colossally foolish move and illustrates that for all intents and purposes the Redskins are still a somewhat dysfunctional organization.

Look for the Redskins to use their six draft picks in rounds three through seven in the same way they spent 12 selections in the 2011 draft.

Eleven of those 12 rookies earned spots on the 53-man roster at various points last season. (Second-rounder Jarvis Jenkins, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason, was the exception.)

Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen said that haul helped cushion the loss of a 2012 second-round pick, which the Redskins traded to St. Louis along with three first-round choices in the Griffin deal. But he and Shanahan intend to continue building through the draft.

That type of mind-set is the mark of a good team, and will ensure a strong foundation and quality depth, said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.

“To me it’s not just about the first round or the second round or the third round,” Mayock said. “It’s about your volume of picks; how many picks do you have and how many can you hit? . . . Tom Brady is a sixth-round pick. It doesn’t necessarily matter where your all-pros come from, which round, but it just matters that you get enough of them to be good.”

The Redskins used free agency to upgrade Griffin’s supporting cast when they signed wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Josh Morgan. They used the franchise tag to retain the services of top tight end Fred Davis. And the team re-signed center Will Montgomery, who had a solid first season as starter in 2011.

But improving the offensive line still ranks high on the Redskins’ to-do list.

With Jammal Brown rehabbing from a hip injury that has hobbled him in each of the last two seasons, right tackle is a big question. This spring the team re-signed left guard Kory Lichtensteiger, who is working his way back from season-ending knee surgery. He is expected to regain full strength by the time training camp rolls around in July. But a lack of interior line depth crippled the Redskins last season, so the team could pursue a guard-backup center as well.

Options at tackle in the third-round range figure to include Oklahoma’s Donald Stephenson, California’s Mitchell Schwartz, Iowa State’s Kelechi Osemele and Jeff Allen of Illinois.

Stephenson, who visited Redskins Park last month, played with Redskins left tackle Trent Williams at Oklahoma in a zone-blocking scheme similar to Washington’s.

“I think I’d fit real well into their organization,” said Stephenson, who at February’s combine clocked a 4.94-second 40-yard dash — the fastest of any lineman. “At Oklahoma, you have to be able to run to fit into the offense, and it’s the same with the Redskins, them running a similar style. . . . I felt pretty good at my visit.”

Another lineman on the Redskins’ radar seems to be Virginia Tech’s Jaymes Brooks, a mid- to late-round prospect who played guard in the Hokies’ zone-blocking scheme but is believed to have the ability also to play center. Brooks and his agent both have had conversations with the Redskins leading up to the draft.

There’s a strong possibility that Washington will take a tight end in the middle to late rounds of the draft, according to people familiar with the team’s deliberations. Management believes that Davis can rebound from his disappointing end to the season — a four-game suspension for failing multiple drug tests — and continue to build on a breakout campaign.

But a gimpy knee limited fellow tight end Chris Cooley to only five games, and he is owed more than $6 million. He faces an uncertain future with the team. Even as Washington switches second-year pro Niles Paul from receiver to tight end, the team could be interested in Clemson’s Dwayne Allen, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ladarius Green and Georgia’s Orson Charles. All are projected to go in the third or fourth rounds, where the Redskins hold three picks.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the team draft a running back, either. The Redskins drafted running backs Roy Helu and Evan Royster in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, last season. But Washington has yet to re-sign the 2011 opening day starter, Tim Hightower, whose season ended with a torn ACL in Week 6.

The team could seek to add another backfield option in the draft’s middle to late rounds, where Shanahan has a track record of success. Robert Turbin of Utah State, Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead and Michigan State’s Edwin Baker rank among the top backs expected to be available.

Former running back Clinton Portis turned in four 1,000 yard seasons during his time in DC.  After his departure, the former Miami Hurricane left a huge vacancy that a young, explosive ball carrier would have to fill.

Enter Roy Helu, Jr. out of Nebraska. 

In his rookie season in the Redskins’ backfield, Helu amassed 640 yards on 151 carries, scoring twice along the way. 

His numbers alone don’t light the stat sheet on fire but when you consider the state of the Redskins’ offensive line last season it’s not hard to see why Helu had trouble maintaining any consistency. 

However, Helu was able to demonstrate on multiple occasions just how talented he is. 

Not only did we see flashes of big-time straight line speed but we also saw Helu lower his shoulder pads and combine power along with being especially nimble. 

It would be shocking if the Redskins don’t address at least two positions on the offensive line this offseason and, hoping that tackle Trent Williams has resolved his issues, the ‘Skins’ line will likely be much improved, enabling Helu to rip off larger chunks of yardage with greater frequency. 

With Robert Griffin III being able to threaten both with the deep ball as well as his legs, there should be a lot more space for Helu to work in as opposing defenses will be keying on RG3. 

This all amounts to more carries and more opportunities to dial in a big play, something that Helu will take full advantage of en route to breaking the 1,000 yard mark in just his second year in the NFL.

The Washington Redskins confirmed Wednesday that the team is looking at Richmond as a possible site for its summer preseason training camp.

The three-week camp would involve more than 150 people, including about 90 players and prospects, as well as coaches, trainers and other support staff, said Eric J. Finkbeiner, a Richmond lawyer acting as local consultant to the Redskins.

A National Football League summer training camp generally has an economic impact of more than $5 million on the surrounding community, said Finkbeiner, former policy director for Gov. Bob McDonnell and currently a lawyer at McGuireWoods and its consulting arm.

“They’re interested in looking at Richmond as an option,” he said. “Whether this year or next year has to be determined. It would be in the near term.”

Redskins Senior Vice President Tony Wylie said, “We’re exploring all of our options.”

The Redskins have been talking to Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration for more than a month and a half about moving the camp from its current location at Redskin Park in Ashburn in Loudoun County.

“I don’t think we’re the only site they’re looking at, but Richmond happens to be one of the locations they’re considering,” said Tammy D. Hawley, press secretary to the mayor.

The team has its camp, training facility and headquarters at Redskin Park, although it reportedly is talking to officials in Washington about moving the training facility to a site in the city near RFK Stadium, the Redskins’ former home field.

The Redskins have considered moving the summer training camp to Richmond before, twice looking at the University of Richmond. Team representatives visited the campus and city in 2001 but returned to their former training site at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., before settling in Ashburn in 2003.

The University of Richmond was contacted by the city this year about the possibility of serving as the site for Redskins preseason training. UR has the athletics complex, lodging and dining facilities to possibly handle a professional training camp.

But the timing — from late July to mid-August — would conflict with training for the Spiders, and facilities might not be sufficient for simultaneous use by a pro team, a college football team and other school fall sports teams.

City and business representatives say the focus has shifted to Virginia Commonwealth University, which does not have a football team or a stadium but has dormitory and sports medicine facilities.

VCU Athletic Director Norwood Teague confirmed Wednesday that the university has been involved in the city’s plan to draw the Redskins. Teague said VCU “has tried to offer some of our facilities that would work. We’re not sure what will work and will not work.”

“That’s a tough time for us because (Redskins) training camp is during the time when all of our athletes come back for fall sports,” he said. “That makes it a bit problematic, but who knows?”

Teague said a combination of city, VCU and UR facilities is conceivable, but such an arrangement would be unusual for an NFL team.

Finkbeiner confirmed that the team has looked at City Stadium, where the University of Richmond Spiders used to play football.

“We’ve looked at a number of different potential venues in the city of Richmond,” he said.

The team is working primarily with the Richmond Department of Community and Economic Development, but state economic development officials are assisting.

“If Richmond were selected for this opportunity, what that would look like logistically is something to be explored,” Hawley said.

Kim Scheeler, president of the Greater Richmond Chamber, attended a meeting Wednesday at the Richmond Marriott Hotel with officials for the Redskins, city and state.

“I think they’re very serious, but it’s fairly preliminary,” Scheeler said.

Sports Backers, operator of Sports Backers Stadium next to The Diamond and sponsor of sporting events around the city, also is involved in the project, but Executive Director Jon R. Lugbill declined to elaborate.

“The only thing I could say is that would be great,” Lugbill said.

Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said last week that he had no doubt he would return to the team next season, and on Monday, the coach expressed appreciation for the support he has received from owner Daniel Snyder throughout the 5-11 season.

Mike Shanahan, head coach of the Washington Redskins speaks to the media at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. Monday. (Photo by Matt McClain For The Washington Post)Shanahan spent much of Monday beginning the review process for the 5-11 season that ended Sunday. He said he has spoken to Snyder and that he and the owner are on the same page regarding the Redskins plans going forward.

“The owner of the football team, you constantly keep him updated on the direction you plan on going with free agency and the draft,” said Shanahan, whom Snyder signed to a five-year, $35 million contract in December of 2010. “He’s been very, very supportive. He wants to do it the right way. He understands it’s not going to happen overnight if you do it the right way, and I appreciate his support.”

The 5-11 Redskins just posted the worst record of Shanahan’s 17 full seasons as a head coach. And Shanahan acknowledged that the losing has had a draining affect on him. But, he said the failures motivate him.

“It always takes a toll on you, all the time you put in. Any time you have a loss, with all the time and effort you put in, it’s like somebody stuck a knife in you,” Shanahan said. “It’s tough to go through a season like that. Thank God I haven’t been through a season like that before. I might not still be in this profession very long. But it’s something that really drives you and motivates you.

Shanahan added, “I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the challenge of putting a great football together here with the Washington Redskins. I know we’re not there yet, but I’m excited with what I do, I’m excited with the players that we’ve got, and I’m excited for the future.”

More Redskins news:

Reid: Give Shanahan the right parts.

Season of woe packed into one game

Grossman says he can cut down on picks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Washington Redskins‘ miserable National Football League season has hardened the resolve of head coach Mike Shanahan to return the once-proud franchise to its winning ways.

The three-time Super Bowl-winning Redskins finished in last place in the NFC East with a 5-11 record, losing 10 of their last 12 games after opening the year with a 3-1 mark.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of putting a great football team together here with the Washington Redskins. I know we’re not there yet,” Shanahan told reporters on Monday.

“But I’m excited with what I do. I’m excited about this football team and the players that we’ve got. And I’m excited for the future.”

Washington was 6-10 a year ago in Shanahan’s first season with the club and the coach admitted he did not expect to see an immediate turnaround for a franchise that has not made the NFL playoffs since the 2007 campaign.

“We’ve got the people that I feel give you the chance to make up something special. And that’s where it starts. It’s not going to happen all in one year or two years,” he said.

“I’m still disappointed we didn’t win 10 or 11 games. I really believe if we would have stayed healthy – that’s not using it as an excuse because we didn’t have a lot of depth – I think we could have gotten there.”

The Redskins lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-10 in their season finale on Sunday, sealing the team’s fourth-consecutive finish in the NFC East basement.

Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, conceded losing was agonizing.

“With all the time that you put in, every time you have a loss, especially with the effort that you put in, it’s like somebody sticks a knife in you. It’s tough to go through a season like that,” he said.

“Thank God I haven’t gone through any like this before. I might not have been in this profession very long. But it’s something that really drives you, motivates you.

“It’s something that I look forward to doing – putting a great football team together and doing it the right way. And sometimes it takes a little bit longer than sometimes expected.”

(Reporting By Steve Ginsburg; Editing by Frank Pingue)

The Washington Redskins’
miserable National Football League season has hardened the
resolve of head coach Mike Shanahan to return , you better be
motivated, because if you’re not motivated, you’re not going to
be in this business for a long time,” Shanahan the once-proud
franchise to its winning ways.

The three-time Super Bowl-winning Redskins finished in last
place in the NFC East with a 5-11 record, losing 10 of their
last 12 games after opening the year with a 3-1 mark.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of putting a great
football team together here with the Washington Redskins. I know
we’re not there yet.

“But I’m excited with what I do. I’m excited about this
football team and the players that we’ve got. And I’m excited
for the future.”

Washington was 6-10 a year ago in Shanahan’s first season
with the club and the coach admitted he did not expect to see an
immediate turnaround for a franchise that has not made the NFL
playoffs since the 2007 campaign.

“We’ve got the people that I feel give you the chance to
make up something special. And that’s where it starts. It’s not
going to happen all in one year or two years,” he said.

“I’m still disappointed we didn’t win 10 or 11 games. I
really believe if we would have stayed healthy – that’s not
using it as an excuse because we didn’t have a lot of depth – I
think we could have gotten there.”

The Redskins lost to the Philadelphia Eagles 34-10 in their
season finale on Sunday, sealing the team’s fourth-consecutive
finish in the NFC East basement.

Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos,
conceded losing was agonizing.

“With all the time that you put in, every time you have a
loss, especially with the effort that you put in, it’s like
somebody sticks a knife in you. It’s tough to go through a
season like that,” he said.

“Thank God I haven’t gone through any like this before. I
might not have been in this profession very long. But it’s
something that really drives you, motivates you.

“It’s something that I look forward to doing – putting a
great football team together and doing it the right way. And
sometimes it takes a little bit longer than sometimes expected.”

PHILADELPHIA – With the clock winding down in the first half, the Washington Redskins’ field-goal unit hurried onto the field only to watch time run out before attempting a short kick.

That about sums up the season for the Redskins.

Michael Vick threw three touchdown passes, including a 62-yarder to DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles beat Washington 34-10 Sunday for their fourth straight win.

While the Eagles (8-8) go home feeling positive about a strong finish, the Redskins (5-11) have fewer bright spots. They finished last in the NFC East for a franchise-worst fourth straight year. It was Mike Shanahan’s worst full season in 18 years as a coach.

“I think the last five, six games we’ve done some good things, run the football against some good teams, not as good as we need, though,” Shanahan said. “We talked about adding a few pieces on offense, we need a few pieces on defense, a good draft, but we made some strides. Our football team is a lot different than a year ago, and that’s a positive.”

The Redskins had one more win last year, but feel they made strides this season.

“Oh yeah, tremendously,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Even though our record’s worse, I feel like our defense is tops in the league. Statistically, we kind of fell off toward the end, but I really feel like we got the core guys we can build off of and really look for a bright future for this team, especially with all the young guys you see this year.”

It’s the first time since 2007 that Philadelphia didn’t qualify for postseason play and just the fourth time in coach Andy Reid’s 13 seasons.

“We have to get better all the way around, starting with me,” Reid said. “This wasn’t good enough.”

One of four NFL games on the final day that had no playoff ramifications, this had the feel of a preseason game. There were thousands of empty seats at the always sold-out Linc, and there was far more interest in the Mummer’s Parade on Broad Street.

The Winter Classic alumni game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers across the street at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday generated more excitement.

Playing without NFC leading rusher LeSean McCoy, the Eagles relied mainly on their passing attack. Vick threw for 335 yards, becoming the second player to have consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing.

Rex Grossman had 256 yards passing, one TD and one interception, and Evan Royster had 113 yards rushing for Washington.

“I’m not sure what my opportunities are going to be,” said Grossman, who will be a free agent. “I hope this is the best opportunity. It’s a very good team. I’m proud of every single teammate that I played with. Everybody worked hard, nobody gave up. We have great character in that locker room. Even though we finished where we finished, I was proud to be a part of this team.”

The Redskins were 3-1 and leading the NFC East when the teams met on Oct. 16. A 20-13 loss to Philadelphia started their six-game losing streak and knocked them out of the playoff picture.

“I think it was encouraging to see how we played in the first half of games this season, but was disappointed that we did not finish some games,” linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said. “We did not always play up to par this season.”

Vick’s 7-yard TD pass to Chad Hall in the second quarter gave Philadelphia a 10-0 lead after Derek Landri blocked Graham Gano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Vick connected with Jackson to make it 20-10 in the fourth quarter. It could’ve been Jackson’s last game with the Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver played the final year of his rookie contract and never got the extension he wanted after holding out in training camp.

A 4-yard TD toss from Vick to Brent Celek made it 27-10.

Roy Helu turned a screen pass into a 47-yard TD to get Washington to 10-7 on the opening drive of the second half.

The Redskins turned the ball over on downs at the Eagles 35 in the final minute of the second quarter. They got the ball back when Brian Orakpo sacked Vick and forced a fumble. Perry Riley recovered at the 17, but the Redskins wasted the field position.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on Santana Moss for taking off his helmet and arguing a non-call for pass interference pushed the ball back, and the clock expired before Gano could attempt a field goal after Jabar Gaffney was tackled at the Eagles 7. Long snapper Nick Sundberg wasn’t on the field as players scurried to the line of scrimmage.

“A little mix-up there relative to communication, coupled with not getting the play,” Shanahan said, explaining that the headsets weren’t working at the time.

NOTES: Grossman finished with 20 interceptions despite not starting three games. … Shanahan’s previous worst season was 6-10 last year and with Denver in 1999. … Orakpo left with a left shoulder injury. He’ll have an MRI on Monday.

Michael Vick threw three touchdown passes, including a 62-yarder to DeSean Jackson, and the Eagles beat Washington 34-10 Sunday for their fourth straight win.

While the Eagles (8-8) go home feeling positive about a strong finish, the Redskins (5-11) have fewer bright spots. They finished last in the NFC East for a franchise-worst fourth straight year. It was Mike Shanahan’s worst full season in 18 years as a coach.

“I think the last five, six games we’ve done some good things, run the football against some good teams, not as good as we need, though,” Shanahan said. “We talked about adding a few pieces on offense, we need a few pieces on defense, a good draft, but we made some strides. Our football team is a lot different than a year ago, and that’s a positive.”

The Redskins had one more win last year, but feel they made strides this season.

“Oh yeah, tremendously,” linebacker Brian Orakpo said. “Even though our record’s worse, I feel like our defense is tops in the league. Statistically, we kind of fell off toward the end, but I really feel like we got the core guys we can build off of and really look for a bright future for this team, especially with all the young guys you see this year.”

It’s the first time since 2007 that Philadelphia didn’t qualify for postseason play and just the fourth time in coach Andy Reid’s 13 seasons.

“We have to get better all the way around, starting with me,” Reid said. “This wasn’t good enough.”

One of four NFL games on the final day that had no playoff ramifications, this had the feel of a preseason game. There were thousands of empty seats at the always sold-out Linc, and there was far more interest in the Mummer’s Parade on Broad Street.

The Winter Classic alumni game between the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers across the street at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday generated more excitement.

Playing without NFC leading rusher LeSean McCoy, the Eagles relied mainly on their passing attack. Vick threw for 335 yards, becoming the second player to have consecutive seasons with 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing.

Rex Grossman had 256 yards passing, one TD and one interception, and Evan Royster had 113 yards rushing for Washington.

“I’m not sure what my opportunities are going to be,” said Grossman, who will be a free agent. “I hope this is the best opportunity. It’s a very good team. I’m proud of every single teammate that I played with. Everybody worked hard, nobody gave up. We have great character in that locker room. Even though we finished where we finished, I was proud to be a part of this team.”

The Redskins were 3-1 and leading the NFC East when the teams met on Oct. 16. A 20-13 loss to Philadelphia started their six-game losing streak and knocked them out of the playoff picture.

“I think it was encouraging to see how we played in the first half of games this season, but was disappointed that we did not finish some games,” linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said. “We did not always play up to par this season.”

Vick’s 7-yard TD pass to Chad Hall in the second quarter gave Philadelphia a 10-0 lead after Derek Landri blocked Graham Gano’s 36-yard field-goal attempt.

Vick connected with Jackson to make it 20-10 in the fourth quarter. It could’ve been Jackson’s last game with the Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver played the final year of his rookie contract and never got the extension he wanted after holding out in training camp.

A 4-yard TD toss from Vick to Brent Celek made it 27-10.

Roy Helu turned a screen pass into a 47-yard TD to get Washington to 10-7 on the opening drive of the second half.

The Redskins turned the ball over on downs at the Eagles 35 in the final minute of the second quarter. They got the ball back when Brian Orakpo sacked Vick and forced a fumble. Perry Riley recovered at the 17, but the Redskins wasted the field position.

An unsportsmanlike penalty on Santana Moss for taking off his helmet and arguing a non-call for pass interference pushed the ball back, and the clock expired before Gano could attempt a field goal after Jabar Gaffney was tackled at the Eagles 7. Long snapper Nick Sundberg wasn’t on the field as players scurried to the line of scrimmage.

“A little mix-up there relative to communication, coupled with not getting the play,” Shanahan said, explaining that the headsets weren’t working at the time.

NOTES: Grossman finished with 20 interceptions despite not starting three games. … Shanahan’s previous worst season was 6-10 last year and with Denver in 1999. … Orakpo left with a left shoulder injury. He’ll have an MRI on Monday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By Daniel Shiferaw

– Redskins Editor

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Dec 26, 2011 – LANDOVER, Md. – Early in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Joe Webb showed the Washington Redskins defense that he possessed the one asset that’s proven to be their kryptonite all season long.

Much like Michael Vick and Cam Newton before him, Webb was able to navigate his way around Redskins defenders using his legs, breaking tackles and using his shiftiness to make others miss in the open field on his way to a nine-yard touchdown run.

It was a score that set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, as Webb accounted for scores on three straight drives in the second half, helping to lift the Vikings to a 33-26 victory over Washington.

The athletic backup for the Vikings once again highlighted one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses on defense: stopping mobile quarterbacks. Signal callers that can hurt you both with their arms and legs are supposed to pose a challenge to any defense. But for whatever reason, the Redskins have had an even tougher time solving them this season.

This season, three of the top five yardage totals allowed have come against the Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers, all of whom have mobile quarterbacks on their rosters. Minnesota and Carolina each put up 33 points against Washington, accounting for two of the four times this season they’ve yielded 30 points or more.

“It’s tough,” said nose tackle Barry Cofield. “It provides a different dynamic with the quarterback carrying the ball. In those situations, you may give up a play or two, but you can’t give up the big play. You got to make tackles when you get the opportunity.”

The problem for the Redskins is that when given the opportunity to make those plays, they’ve floundered. Much like Panthers did in Week 7 with Newton, the Vikings ran the option with Webb in the game, keeping the Redskins defense on its heels.

“I thought [Joe] Webb came in and did some things well with the football,” Mike Shanahan said of Minnesota’s altered attack. “[They ran] the counter options and keeping the ball alive, which wasn’t what they had been doing [with Ponder in the game]. He made some big time plays, made some big time throws and kept us off balance.”

“[The option]‘s something we didn’t prepare for during the week,” linebacker Brian Orakpo added. “Usually when we know what we’re going to face during the week, we prepare for it. [Webb] came in and started optioning the ball, running stuff with the quarterback naked [bootleg].”

Webb’s appearance came after the Redskins knocked out Vikings starter Christian Ponder, as he left with concussion like symptoms. With star running back Adrian Peterson already out of the game due to a knee injury, Ponder’s absence looked to be a boon to the Redskins defense.

But that was far from the case. It was clear the moment Webb came into the game that the Redskins defense was was not ready. Every time they thought he’d throw, he would take off for a big run. Each time they thought they had him contained in the pocket, he’d unload a pass downfield to an open receiver.

“It was kinda overwhelming,” Orakpo admitted, “and we just couldn’t adjust that quickly.”

“He’s a mobile quarterback, definitely,” said rookie linebacker Ryan Kerrigan. “We just didn’t play well. We didn’t execute. We had guys out of our gaps, and that’s why they hit the big plays.”

It’s pretty clear if the Redskins defense is to take that next step, they must be able to have an answer for the league’s dual-threat quarterbacks. Their wins this season have come against the likes of Eli Manning (twice), Kevin Kolb and Sam Bradford. Those aren’t exactly guys that scare you with their legs.

“If you’re gonna have an athlete back there in certain schemes, they’re going to make some plays,” Cofield explained. “So when you have an opportunity to make a play, you can’t falter, and that’s what we did.”

Cofield and the rest of the defense will get their chance to atone for Saturday’s poor performance, as they’ll go against an Eagles team that totaled 422 yards against them in Week 6.

And it’ll be Vick — perhaps the king of all mobile NFL quarterbacks — that they’ll have to do it against.

For more Redskins coverage, please visit Hogs Haven, SB Nation’s Redskins blog. For the perspective from the other side, please check out SB Nation Minnesota and Daily Norseman, SB Nation’s Vikings blog.

Read More: Michael Vick (QB – PHI), Kevin Kolb (QB – ARI), Barry Cofield (NT – WAS), Eli Manning (QB – NYG), Brian Orakpo (LB – WAS), Sam Bradford (QB – STL), Joe Webb (QB – MIN), Christian Ponder (QB – MIN), Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Carolina Panthers

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