Yardbarker: Chris Samuels

So you want to be a REAL sports journalist...

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:48:51 -0500

Some have said that bloggers are those who wish to be sports journalists but don't have the talent to be... as in "those who can, play. those who cannot, coach." Well, we here at ECB have never had any aspirations to be real "sports journalists," but we are doing a bit of public service for our readers or fellow bloggers in the blogosphere who believe that sports journalism is the path they want to take.

So you, aspiring sports journalist, can't wait for your trip to the stadium, your all access pass to the field pregame, your access to the press box buffet during the game with one of the best views of the stadium (although I'd put my diet-rific Lean Pocket and frozen grape in-game meal up against any of your press box buffet lunches), and your access to the locker room postgame to try to get that non-cliched, off-the-cuff quote from the player that will make your story one of the most frequently read and cited articles of the entire week.

To quote my inner Lee Corso... "not so fast my friend." For every experience that you get to write home to your parents and boast to your high school friends at your ten-year reunion (making up for the fact that you were the acne-filled, pockmarked editor of your high school paper who went to prom with the head of the A/V Club), you get an experience like those writers covering the Redskins-Rams game yesterday received.

For you see, due to a "minor" water main break in the vicinity of FedEx Field, the showers in the Redskins locker room were off limits yesterday. That's right. Members of the sports media had the luxury of going into the locker room, crowding around Pete Kendall's locker (and other 300+ pound linemen), men who had sweated for five straight hours on a bright sunny day, probably sweated off ten pounds, and breathing in that Odorific air, all in the name of getting that precious byline.

Even Joe Bugel smells like mothballs and sweat after 5 hours baking in the sun, let alone Rabach, Jansen, Samuels, Kendall, et al.

Some may say that they pity the players for the events in Landover. But hey, that's practically assumption of risk when you choose to play in Prince George's County. In fact, they were just being neighborly given how many residents in P.G. are being foreclosed upon. A good Redskins P.R. person could spin it as some sort of "empathy for the locals" event.

Don't forget the true victims here. The sportswriters. Ladies and gentlemen, we at ECB hope that you recover from your traumatic experience soon and have only a short period of convalescence.

[Redskins] Redskins OT Chris Samuels Leaves With A Knee Injury

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:30:37 -0500

Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels exited the game against St. Louis in the second quarter with a knee injury. Samuels protects quarterback Jason...

[Redskins] Redskins OT Chris Samuels Leaves With A Knee Injury

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:30:37 -0500

Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels exited the game against St. Louis in the second quarter with a knee injury. Samuels protects quarterback Jason...

Smoke Signals: 'Chris Samuels is the bread and butter' edition

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:59:43 -0500

It was the hottest game in FedEx Field history and the Redskins offense finally ignited midway through the 4th quarter of their home opener against the New Orleans Saints yesterday. Trailing 24-15 after an afternoon of crisp offense followed by missed opportunities in the red zone, Washington engineered a long

Redskins Smoke Signals: The regroup Edition

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 09:22:13 -0500

I want to address something here quick. Some of the comments we have had regarding the Redskins loss are outstanding comments, ones that needed to be made. Comments that force Redskins fans to look at the fact that the loss was only a 16-7 loss

Ranking the Redskins 1-10

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:41:14 -0500

Here they are, the top 10 Redskins. The ranking list consists of the 22 offensive and defensive starters, four special teams positions (place kicker, punter, snapper, and kick returner) and a relief running back, third wide receiver, rotational defensive lineman, and nickel defensive

Cats Maul the Redskins 47-3

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:03:51 -0500

The Carolina Panthers defeated the Washington Redskins 47-3, on a beautiful Carolina night in Charlotte, at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won by absolute domination on both sides of the ball, never letting up on the Redskins. The futility of Carolina's offense last week against Philadelphia looked to be an aberration compared to [...]

Introducing...All-NFC-E ast-Team

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:57:54 -0500

The NFC East is arguably the most competitive division in all of football. Three of the four teams made the playoffs this season and there is a strong chance that could happen again this season. While Dallas is the favorite, the Giants are the defending Super Bowl champs, the Skins made the playoffs and the Eagles are improved. So take a look at the NFL's best divisions best players...

Washington Redskins Offensive Line Analysis

Sat, 17 May 2008 15:16:29 -0500

This in depth analysis of the offensive line includes the projected starters for the upcoming season, statistics and injuries from the past season, an overview of players on the line and an outlook for the 2008 season.

Draft needs fro Cowboys, Redskins, Giants

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:47:24 -0500

Dallas Cowboys Positions of need RB, WR, CB Needs Analysis: The offseason departure of Julius Jones left a void in the Cowboys' backfield behind starter Marion Barber III. With veteran WR Terry Glenn nearing the end of the line, the Cowboys could use a third wideout to supplement starters Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton. CB Jacques Reeves has shown promise as a nickel corner, but the team still could use some depth at the position. Round 1, Pick 22 (22) (From Browns) Round 1, Pick 28 (28) Round 2, Pick 30 (61) Round 3, Pick 29 (92) Round 4, Pick 27 (126) Round 5, Pick 28 (163) Round 6, Pick 1 (167) (From Dolphins) Round 7, Pick 28 (235) Washington Redskins Positions of need WR, DL, LB, S Needs Analysis: Both Redskins' starting receivers are less than 6-feet tall, so finding a bigger target for young quarterback Jason Campbell should be a main priority. The team also has needs on defense at DE, LB and S. Finding a second pass-rusher to help Andre Carter is vital, and adding an outside linebacker to fill in for the injured Rocky McIntosh also is crucial. McIntosh suffered a devastating knee injury last season and might not be back for the start of the season. Sean Taylor's tragic death left a void the team has yet to fill at safety. Round 1, Pick 21 (21) Round 2, Pick 20 (51) Round 3, Pick 21 (84) Round 3, Pick 33 (96) (Compensatory selection) Round 5, Pick 19 (154) Round 6, Pick 20 (186) Round 7, Pick 21 (228) Round 7, Pick 35 (242) (Compensatory selection) Round 7, Pick 42 (249) (Compensatory selection) New York Giants Positions of need WR, OL, S, LB Needs Analysis: Linebacker is perhaps the greatest area of need for the Giants after they lost both of their starting outside linebackers to free agency, and the defection of S Gibril Wilson to the Raiders created a hole at the safety position, as well. With starting WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer in their 30s and having been plagued by injuries in recent seasons, the Giants need to start developing a future wideout. The starters on the offensive line are solid and established, but the team could use some depth here, as well. Round 1, Pick 31 (31) Round 2, Pick 32 (63) Round 3, Pick 32 (95) Round 4, Pick 31 (130) Round 5, Pick 30 (165) Round 6, Pick 28 (194) (From Packers) Round 6, Pick 32 (198) Round 6, Pick 33 (199) (Compensatory selection)

Highest Paid Offensive Linemen

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:53:22 -0500

It used to be the guys protecting the QB was underpiad but those days have long gone check out these top paid O-linemen

Washington Redskins: God's Team and Completely Insane

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:01:41 -0500

The Redskins think that they are being guided by ghosts. They might be just insane enough to make a long run in the playoffs.

Redskins teammate to honor Taylor by buying GUN!

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:29:05 -0500

Not sure of his logic here. That's all we need a shoot out and another player dead. "was always scared of guns growing up,'' Samuels said. "But this situation has told me I need one. I'd rather be prepared than to be like Sean was, and not have a gun in his house when he really needed it" I'm all for protecting yourself, but to Honor someone like this not sure is appropriate.

Hog Wire: Youth Movement; Cooley Extension; More

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:07:36 -0500

The Washington Redskins finished the 2007 preseason with a 2-2 record. In their preseason finale, the Redskins lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-14 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. In his limited action, which tested the condition of his bruised knee, Jason Campbell led the first-team offense to a touchdown on his only drive of the game. He exited the game after completing 5-of-5 passes for 54 yards, ending with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El. The final game was the last chance for roster hopefuls to impress the coaches as roster cuts loomed, therefore both teams "sat" their projected starters. Youth Movement? The Redskins appear to be fielding a younger team in 2007 than last year, despite the fact that they signed veterans MLB London Fletcher, LB Randall Godfrey, and G Pete Kendall. Many of the older veterans were not re-signed (Troy Vincent, David Patten, Warrick Holdman, Jeff Posey, and John Hall), partly because of their age and partly because of the growth of the younger players on the roster, such as Reed Doughty and Rocky McIntosh, among others. Players new to the Redskins and the NFL include two draft picks, Safety LaRon Landry (the 6th pick overall) and Linebacker H.B. Blades (sixth round), and 3 undrafted rookies (T Stephon Heyer, TE Cody Boyd, and RB Marcus Mason). The Redskins also signed 3 first-year players (DE Lorenzo Alexander, DE Chris Wilson, and CB Leigh Torrence) that made the final rosters... Click the link below for more...

Fifth Quarter: Jacksonville Jaguars

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 20:24:15 -0500

Surrounded by trade rumors, Mark Brunell played in Jacksonville for the first time since joining the Redskins, and on Thursday night he made his case for taking a spot on the final roster. The Jaguars struggled early against the Redskins, but a consistent passing attack and a solid defense by the Jags in the second half led to a blowout-like score of 31–14. The good news for Skins fans is that the first and second string players established a lead of 14–3 near the end of the first half, when the 3rd string defenders began to see the field. Overall, the Redskins looked good, and now fans have only a week and a half to wait for the start of the season. Here are the Fifth Quarter rankings, which are based on a scale of 1 to 5 Quarters: Click the link below for the rest...