Of course, the Saints went through a lot of turmoil this off-season with the bounty scandal that led NFL commissioner  Roger Goodell to lay the hammer on their team. Not only is New Orleans’ head coach – Sean Peyton suspended for the season, but the interim coach – Joe Vitt is suspended for the first 6 games of the season.

Vitt is still uncertain on who will replace him during his time away from the team – “We’re in the process of evaluating this team,” he said. “We’re in the process of making sure we’re putting the right people in the right places and getting the proper number or reps. The time will come for (general manager) Mickey (Loomis) and (owner) Mr. (Tom) Benson to call me in and even ask my opinion on such a move, but that time has not come yet.”

The Saints realize the season is drawing near and on Monday they began preparing for their Week 1 match-up against the Redskins. Brees said in his presser today that it’s appropriate to prepare for the Redskins now, since Coach Vitt will be out of the building in a week and a half.

If you’re wondering how they are preparing for Robert Griffin III, it was made known on Monday when backup quarterback Chase Daniel played RGIII on scout team – even running a few option plays. Coach Vitt says the team started scouting Robert the week after Washington drafted him.

The Saints and Redskins seem to always facilitate great games and this match-up definitely doesn’t lack headline stories.

Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist for www.Rantsports.com. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on Twitter: Follow @Roccoskins

According to the D.C. Sports Bog, Chicago Bears Analyst Jim Miller  Saturday night said the following:

“Kirk Cousins, let’s put it this way,” Miller said. “I hate quarterback controversies, but after how he’s played so far, people are gonna say that.”

After reading that, I blacked out for five minutes in a fit of rage. Once I came back to, I was ready to write.

There is no controversy. There are no doubts after the 31-33 loss to the Bears Saturday night. Kirk Cousins had a good game, I’ll give him that. However, head coach Mike Shanahan has made it pretty clear that Robert Griffin III is the starting quarterback.

Let’s be done with this seed of doubt ok?

I’m amazed at how the tide changes so quickly when we have a game like last night. I’m starting to question analysis of the Robbie Gould field goal that won it for Chicago.   Let’s face it: Anytime you have someone pinned 57 yards back from the goal and you see them bring on their field goal unit, you know it’s a matter of hopes and prayers at that point.  It’s the chance for the kicker to be a hero.  Last night was Robbie’s time, that’s all.

I should also mention the guy has made 6 from beyond the 50-yard line. He’s made the same from 40-49 yards. Last night just shows how much better he’s getting.

Blame the loss on a lucky night for Gould, but don’t question whether or not the Redskins have made the right choices at the QB spot. That doesn’t make sense. We should all expect for Cousins to have good games: He’s a good quarterback. I’ve said this all year.  I’m emphasized the talent this guy has and why he’s a great addition to the Redskins roster.

RG3 is the starting quarterback.  You should want, and appreciate a good backup. Have we become numb to combinations like Rex Grossman/John Beck, and Jason Campbell/Rex Grossman? Think about it.

I think Miller falls in line with everyone else that’s used to laughing at the Redskins. Remember, he who laughs last, laughs best.  There’s a lot of football left to play. To make statements like that just shows what he knows, which is obviously very little about Redskins football. Maybe he sees what he could have been as a QB, but that might be too deep to talk about, and probably not important enough to mention in detail. I’ll chalk this up as a misplaced, or ill-timed opinion.

Ricky Allen is a Washington Redskins Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @UltimateRedskin.

Related:

• Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins Pick Makes Sense, Not “Surprising
• NFL 2012 Draft: Kirk Cousins Should be on Washington Redskins’ list
• Naming RG3 Starting Quarterback Just Makes Sense

Dezmon Briscoe was a last minute addition to the receiver competition after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him after he failed their conditioning test. Briscoe said a lot was going on in his life and he wasn’t too happy with the situation in Tampa. With Raheem Morris’ recommendation – former Bucs’ head coach and current ‘Skins secondary coach, Briscoe was added and didn’t disappoint Saturday against the Bears. Dezmon had a few great catches on quick slant routes, which I personally think he’s unstoppable running.

He also had a great touchdown towards the end of the football game. Briscoe has, in my opinion, the strongest hands on the Redskins’ team and that was evident on that touchdown catch. He’s big and understands how to use his body to his advantage, which forced a crucial 3rd down converting pass interference call and a few good catches. There’s no doubt in my mind that Briscoe will make the 53 man roster.

The competition that’s been on going throughout the summer has been between Brandon Banks and Aldrick Robinson. Early in camp, Brandon Banks looked like the better receiver. But when Aldrick Robinson settled in – he didn’t let his foot off the pedal. Banks’ receiving ability in practice didn’t translate in his opportunities in the 1st pre-season game. However, against the Bears, Banks accomplished what’s essentially helped him make the team for two straight seasons – returning a punt for a touchdown.

Mike Shanahan has previously said Banks would have to make the team by playing receiver, and when asked about Banks Saturday after the game – Shanahan went out of his way to praise Aldrick Robinson. The receiver went off in the 2nd half, catching a few great balls and producing an explosive touchdown.

It may be pre-mature, but I’m almost certain that Briscoe and Robinson will round off the group of ’12 Washington Redskins’ receivers. The only question is, can Brandon Banks still sneak onto the roster purely because of his return ability? It’ll be something to keep an eye on as the cut day nears.

Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist for www.Rantsports.com. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on twitter:  Follow @Roccoskins

What we’ve learned: A field goal is still a heartbreaker…

Kirk Cousins is sharp. Cousins made some laser throws in coverage tonight that were very impressive. He put on a show tonight any coach would have been proud of.  He should be the No.2 backup QB, not No.3. He has a wonderful eye for splitting the defense.  However, I hate his stutter step. He’s done that in both games. He’s gonna trip over his own two feet sooner or later. But for now,  Cousins completed 18 out of 23 for 264 yards. If it works, it works.

Brandon Banks, keep your day job: When you return a 91-yard punt for a TD, you’ve found your calling.

We can get some passes into the endzone: Early in the Fourth quarter Kirk Cousins connected with TE Niles Paul in a  15-play 68-yard drive.  What? An actual pass into the endzone? For a touchdown? You’re kidding me right? Get used to it. Kirk Cousins is fast, knows how to get open, and isn’t afraid to work for it. Three touchdown passes…three. When was the last time you saw that?

Jason Campbell will be a good backup for Chicago. I wish him the best: I’ve always said this about Jason Campbell: If he had a stable offensive scheme, he’d be ok. He proved my point right tonight. He completed 9 out of 15 for 141 yards.

Don’t leave your feet: RB Antwon Bailey within 7 minutes in the fourth tried to take to the air with the ball and fumbled with the Skins down by a touchdown. A lesson was learned there: Don’t take to their trying to look like Walter Payton, just protect the ball and play it smart.

Redskins’ morale is high: Last season, when the Redskins were down more than two touchdowns, you could just feel the team called it a day. Now it seems everyone is playing down to the very last second. It’s different, and I like that. The Redskins scored twice within 3 minutes in the second half…you got to love that.  The loss tonight wasn’t due to a lack of heart.

Ricky Allen is a Washington Redskins blogger with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @UltimateRedskin.

In a recent interview with ProWrestling.net (which apparently went below the radar) RG3 was asked a variety of questions, from his favorite matches to who he’d like to see in the ring. Here’s an excerpt:

“…I was a huge Goldberg fan when he had that long winning streak, which I think was ended by Kevin Nash when he was fighting for the title. I was a huge fan of Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin.  Unfortunately, my two favorite matches were probably the matches that the guys I wanted to win didn’t win. Shawn Michaels vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin where Shawn Michaels lost. Then Goldberg when he was going for the title against Kevin Nash and Kevin Nash put him in that Jacknife powerbomb and pretty much ended his winning streak even though Goldberg came back later and won the title. Those were probably my two favorite matches just because of the buildup and the stories behind them. [Nash] didn’t win fairly . . . He did cheat. That’s the only way you can beat Goldberg, though…”

When it came to who could possibly beat The Undertaker at Wrestlemania and end “the streak”, he said maybe Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

The Rock? I don’t feel he deserves that honor. As of late,  he comes back, promotes a movie, and sells a few T-Shirts. The Rock wouldn’t be able to carry that match. He barely carried his match at Wrestlemania last year against John Cena.

I also disagree with his choice of WCW wrestler. If you’re gonna go WCW, go NWO–the greatest era of WCW history next to the Four Horsemen. Bill Goldberg was oversold to WWE fans and they buried his career. Goldberg should have left wrestling after WCW. He would have left on top.

Ricky Allen is a Washington Redskins Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow him on  Twitter @UltimateRedskin

Webb has a skill-set built to play left tackle, but his footwork has been messy and he lacks that mean streak Mike Tice likes to see. The coaching staff has essentially handed Webb the job on a silver platter and he has simply not proven himself worthy. Therefore, Tice could swap Webb and veteran Chris Williams to give each player ample opportunity to prove themselves against the Redskins’ front 7.

The Washington Redskins must take advantage of this. It’s a great opportunity for Brian Orakpo and company to showcase what many believe is the next great front seven in the league.

Not only does Chicago have a muddled situation at the tackle position, but their interior line is far from settled as well. Chris Spencer and Lance Lewis are the favorites to lock the guard spots, however veteran free agent pickup Chilo Rachal isn’t going down without a fight. Former Redskin’ Edwin Williams is working hard to secure a starting spot on Chicago’s O-line and has experience playing center.

If the Redskins wish to consider their front 7 one of the league’s elite, these are the type of match-ups you must take advantage of. Although it’s only pre-season, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett never wastes an opportunity to dial up blitzes and attack the quarterback. Seize the opportunity. Seize the Day.

Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist for www.Rantsports.com. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on Twitter: Follow @Roccoskins

Apparently, the Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts have decided to market their quarterback’s – Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck by selling rivalry pre-season shirts on their sites. Of course, Andrew Luck went ahead of Griffin during 2012′s NFL draft and the two QB’s have been touted as maybe the best 1 – 2 duo in NFL draft history. If we’re keeping a count of wins/losses, obviously Luck beat Griffin by being selected #1 overall… If you can even consider that a win. However, Griffin did beat Luck by becoming the 77th Heisman trophy winner. So I guess you can say they’re even.

On August 25th, Griffin will make his home debut against the Luck led Indianapolis Colts and to get fans hyped, both teams are now selling Rivalry T-Shirts on their site.

Redskins Screenshot  

Colts Screenshot 

Initial thought is, $35.oo for a T-shirt is pretty expensive. Especially when you consider the fact that you must also pay shipping and handling – for the Redskins, that’s like an extra 50 bucks right there. But if that’s your cup of coffee, so be it. Let’s not forget, it is Pre-Season Memorabilia.

Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck will forever be compared, and each team’s owner has seemed to embrace it. The second pre-season game hasn’t even been played yet, and we’re talking Luck vs RGIII. These teams rarely play each other in the regular season, so I assume both sides wanted to seize an opportunity to add more anticipation to a Luck vs RGIII match-up.

Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist  for www.Rantsports.com. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on Twitter: Follow @Roccoskins

In 2010, the Redskins beat the Bears 17-14.

Bears embarrassed in preseason opener?: The Chicago Bears got beat so bad I lit a candle in their loss against the Denver Broncos Aug. 9 . The Broncos won in a yawn 31-3. Shout “it’s preseason” all you want, but it looks bad on paper doesn’t it?  They’ll be looking for a better debut this week.

Saturday, August 18th: The Return Of Jason?:  Jason Campbell was shipped off to the Oakland Raiders while the Redskins were googly-eyed over Donovan McNabb.  Saturday, he might get a nod to take some snaps just to get some playing time against his old team. Will he arrive and show off on the Redskins? Only game time will tell. He was quoted by ESPN earlier this week as not being bitter, but we’ll see when he looks over at Mike Shanahan on the other side.

No Urlacher: That’s right, Brian Urlacher will not be in the game, so Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will not be facing an actual Bears defense. Sorry, but I think we all know that without Urlacher in the middle linebacker position, the Bears are missing a major piece to their defense. Bears fans should not look for Urlacher to be in any preseason games: He has his sights on being ready for Week 1.

Game not worth the chatter?: Notes can be taken, analysis can be done, but this game is really a non-story for the regular season. The Skins don’t have them on their schedule, so this is a once and done. This is a great game for those campaigning for starting positions to get the work in.

Kirk Cousins at home: The feel-good story of this game is backup QB Kirk Cousins.  The Michigan State QB is a hometown guy,  growing up in the windy city, which is cool to a certain degree. He’s home, just playing for the opposition. I’m sure he’ll be looking to throw a nice TD in front of the hometown crowd.

Redskins still looking for the breakout RB: Tim Hightower didn’t get a chance to play against the Buffalo Bills, so I’m sure he’ll be looking for some time on the field this week. Evan Royster is in good form with Alfred Morris as a supporting cast member. Roy Helu was reported injured this week, making Hightower’s chances for playing quite good.

As per the Washington Post: “Hightower tore the ACL in his left knee last October, had surgery in November and has been limited primarily to individual and one-on-one drills so far this season. But Hightower received the green light to take part in Thursday’s action, and appeared to do well.”

That sums up the Hightower saga. He needs to get playing time this week. Another week of no play makes Royster and Morris look like frontrunners.

Will Brandon Banks redeem his performance?: Let’s face it: Brandon Banks should not have Rex Grossman as his QB if he’s trying to look good at the receiver spot. Last week was something like pathetic. He slipped twice and Grossman, in his typical form, couldn’t get the ball to him. If Banks wants to prove he can catch a ball, he will need to get it from Cousins or RG3. And if he can’t catch those, well, it’s back to drawing board for him.

[--RELATED: Urlacher to sit out game against Redskins--]

[--NFL Rumors: Jason Campbell Not Bitter?--]

Ricky Allen is a Washington Redskins Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @UltimateRedskin

Of course, those that doubted Shanahan obviously don’t know his history with QB’s. He’s tweaked systems for Steve Young, John Elway, Jake Plummer, and Jay Cutler. Why wouldn’t he do the same with Baylor’s living legend, Robert Griffin III?

I’ve attended Redskins’ training camp off and on this summer and it was evident – the Redskins were practicing an offense that’s simply uncharted territory for majority of the league. From naked boots to option reads and pistol formations – there’s only a few that can athletically accomplish those types of plays schematically and Griffin may end up being the best at it. Take away his legs and Griffin has one of the best young arms in the game. Adding his athletic ability maximizes what’s simply been untouched for the most part in the NFL.

On NFL AM, Christopher Cooley confirmed the many changes that made training camp for the Redskins unique - “It’s been an interesting training camp for us because we are implementing some of the things that Robert did very well at Baylor. We’ve been utilizing a bit of the option thinking if we want to go this way, if we don’t.”

I have heard that the coaching staff used training camp as an opportunity to throw a lot of old and new stuff on Robert and the entire offense to see what sticks. Some things will be used in 2012, others may get stashed in the back pocket for next year.

“Our training camp practices probably look a lot more like Baylor’s offense,” Cooley said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that our offense when we start week 1 will run 30 option plays this season. Obviously a quarterback in the NFL shouldn’t take that beating but for us to learn the style that he played in, we need to practice it more than say our 18 or 19 outside zone plays which we are all very comfortable with running.”

Mike Shanahan is doing a great job of tweaking the offense to fit what Griffin does best. In a way, this kind of answers my question on why I didn’t see Robert throw over 30 yards during training camp. They used training camp as a learning experience and now that camp is over, I’m sure they’ll start working the “luxury’s” with deep balls being Griffin’s strength.

Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist for www.Rantsports.com. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on Twitter: Follow @Roccoskins

In the midst of the Donovan McNabb beef vs. the Philadelphia Eagles (and the rest of Philly for that matter), the Redskins saw an opportunity to bring in a veteran quarterback that could lead the team back to better days.  Head coach Mike Shanahan thought the same. With that thought, Campbell was pushed to the side…and out.

With a reign from 2005-2009, his era had came to an end, abruptly.

With Campbell out the way, the Redskins’ hopes were placed on the shoulders of Donovan McNabb.

We all know how this story ends.

So why, why isn’t Jason Campbell out for a small piece of revenge this weekend? He explains his lack of bitterness to ESPN’s Melissa Isaacson :

“The reason I don’t get bitter or anything is that I just trust in God and it wouldn’t do me any good to be bitter,” Campbell. “It would only affect me moving forward, in life and in my career. If you stay harping on the past too long, you won’t be able to move forward…

 

And he did move forward, having a pretty decent tour with the Oakland Raiders. In his defense, he could have thrown close to 4,000 yards if he hadn’t got injured last season. In 2010 he threw for 2,387 yards, with 1,170 last season. Realy his highlight was the game against the Denver Broncos. They beat Denver 23-20 in their house, and that’s all the Raider Nation wanted.

They despise Denver like the Redskins despise the Dallas Cowboys.

So, to go into this game Saturday with no bitterness huh? Maybe Jason Campbell has moved on. It has been two years. Then again, he did have two years on the West Coast to watch the fiasco playing out with Donovan and the Redskins.  Maybe he looked at it as their loss. Maybe he didn’t care at all.  Maybe, just maybe the search for a stable offensive strategy a.k.a. his unicorn is more important to him than vengeance.  We’ll see on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Ricky Allen is a Washington Redskins Blogger with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @UltimateRedskin