NFL Off-Season

The Washington Redskins unveil their new 80th anniversary uniforms. They plan to wear these new nike creations twice this year.

And with the 2nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Washington Redskins select ROBERT GRIFFIN III.

Another non-shocker, RG3 going to Washington. They are already throwing a parade for him. Washington sees what Cam Newton did for the Panthers last year and that is the exact reason why they gave up so much to get him. And like Cam, RG3 can beat you with his arm or his legs. For the sake of DC, let’s hope RG3 is everything he’s cracked up to be. The crowd has been chanting “RG3” since Roger Goodell said Andrew Luck’s name. They could use some quarterback play in the capital.

“The Indianapolis Colts have told Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck that they will take him with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, according to a league source.

The Washington Redskins will take Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick in the draft, according to league sources.”

- ESPN [Also, everyone else in the world.]

The NFL wastes no time. Free agency officially started at 4:00 this afternoon and the moves soon followed. Let’s try to get caught up on the first day happenings.

The Redskins believe that come April 26 they will have their quarterback of the future. That’s great, who’s he going to throw to? The Redskins don’t have any picks left so they are doing what they can with free agents. Which is exactly what the Redskins do every season.

Their first move was to pick up Pierre Garcon. Pierre is a young and fast receiver that was productive at times in Indy. He might be a little over hyped. Pierre had Manning throwing to him and Reggie Wayne lining up on the opposite side of the field. He’s got skill but he was good for bone headed plays too. It often looked like Manning told him to go to a spot and he would hit him and Garcon would wind up nowhere near where the ball landed. I’ve had him on my fantasy team, he’s great for garbage time yards.

Not long after the Garcon news Washington also picked up Josh Morgan. Morgan is also a fast and young receiver. He didn’t make the field for most of last year but he could be a nice big target for RG3. I guess it’s also important to note that Josh Morgan is a DC native. He’s coming home.

Optimism
Nothing is impossible.

/from @abrad45 via @espn_nfceast

“The Washington Redskins are prepared to part with two first-round draft picks, plus other selections in the early and middle rounds, to secure the St. Louis Rams’ No. 2 pick in April’s draft and land Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, according to people with knowledge of the situation.

But Washington faces competition from the Cleveland Browns, who own two first-round picks —the fourth and 22nd overall — in this year’s draft, and Miami, which picks eighth this year.”

- Washington Post

With all the moving parts in the NFL each year, there’s always one thing we can count on: a competitive race in the NFC East.

The Giants will wake up tomorrow two full games ahead of the Eagles, Cowboys and Redskins. But have you seen their schedule? Here it is: at New England, at San Francisco, vs. Philadelphia, at New Orleans, vs. Green Bay, at Dallas, vs. Washington, at New York Jets, vs. Dallas.

There is —- literally (Rob Lowe’s Parks and Recreation voice) —- not one easy game on that schedule.

But you know what? I think the Giants can go 5-4 in this closing stretch, putting them at 10 wins and in a good spot for a playoff spot, if not the division title.

Because if there’s something else we can count on, it’s that Tom Coughlin’s Giants always disappoint when you expect too much, and surprise when you think it’s time to count them out.

This will be one of my favorite storylines for the next two months, and a defining stretch for Eli Manning’s career.

- steven lebron