1. The Redskins promoted defensive end Doug Worthington and tight end Rob Myers from the practice squad and released tight end Dominique Byrd. For Myers, it represents the end of a nearly three-year journey to make a roster spot. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2009. He’s been cut by them as well as Philadelphia, New England, Buffalo and Indianapolis.
“It sounds cliché, but it was the best Christmas present,” Myers said of the moment he found out he was promoted. “It was a really cool experience….This is awesome.”
Myers missed all of his senior season at Utah State – his first season there was in 2004, after Chris Cooley had left — with turf toe. So he hasn’t played in a game since 2007.
And for what it’s worth, his college bio listed salsa dancing among his interests. So maybe he has good feet? As for his blocking, who knows? Byrd, we know, could not block. But he was also an out-of-work pass-catching tight end who was asked to block.
Worthington has spent all season on the Redskins practice squad. He, too, hasn’t been on an active roster but has only been cut by two teams in his two seasons.
“It feels good man, it definitely feels good,” he said.
2. Cornerback Josh Wilson was able to practice, two days after feeling “woozy” after a hit vs. New York. Right tackle Jammal Brown (groin) was limited. Running back Roy Helu (toe/knee) participated in individual drills only, but coach Mike Shanahan said he expected him to practice Wednesday.
3. Linebacker London Fletcher first tried to play down what he’s doing at age 36 (leading the NFL in tackles).
“I guess a lot more people get caught up in my age than I do,” he said. “At the end of the day I’ll be judged the same way these 20-something year olds will be judged. They won’t say, ‘Well, for a 36-year-old you’re playing well.’ No, they’re gonna say he’s playing well just like everybody else. That’s the way I look at it.”
But, yes, he later admitted he was proud of what he’s doing at this age.
“When you think about the longevity and the consistency that God has blessed me to do it at, it means a lot,” he said. “I kid and say it doesn’t, but it does mean a lot to me to be able to perform at a level that I perform at and to have done it for so long does say a lot. I don’t take it for granted. I approach each game, each week the same.”
4. The Redskins can’t afford to lose Fletcher. He’s still playing at a high level, but it’s his leadership that also makes it invaluable. Teammates revere him.
5. Nose tackle Barry Cofield said his only goal in a game is to keep blockers off of Fletcher. He and the rest of the linemen have done a good job in this regard. That’s why Cofield is jokingly lobbying for Fletcher to take him to Hawaii should he make the Pro Bowl.
“I’ll take him if I’m able to get there,” Fletcher said.
6. Linebacker Brian Orakpo said he couldn’t care less about whether or not he makes the Pro Bowl. Whether or not he’s deserving is another matter, but after making it in each of his first two seasons he’ll be in the discussion.
“I love that the fans and players and coaches respect the way I play, especially the fans,” he said. “But I want to go to the postseason so bad. I’ve been there done that with the Pro Bowls. I want to play in the postseason so bad.”
7. Helu’s right eye looked a lot better Tuesday than it did after the game. It was still bruised, but not as swollen. Helu said he never looked at himself in the mirror after that game.
“I didn’t want to look,” he said. “My girlfriend asked for a picture so I took it and then I looked at it while I sent it. It looked pretty cool.”
8. Quarterback Rex Grossman on receiver Jabar Gaffney, who is 34 yards from setting a career high: “He’s just a very smart route runner and he understands timing. A lot of our pass concepts are timed up with your drop – one-hitch throws or no-hitch throws. You can always count on him to be in the right spot to where you could throw with a blindfold on because he’s going to be in that area. He’s big. He’s fast. He’s fast enough to run every route. You don’t worry about him on a go route or a post route. You know he’s going to set up the defender and get open. He’s a good player.”
9. And Grossman on Donte Stallworth, who has 11 receptions since re-joining the team five games ago: “As a quarterback, you trust that he’s going to be aggressive when the ball is in the air, especially over the middle. He’s a strong receiver that’s going to snatch it and might do something after he gets it. Sometimes, you have to throw those type of balls – the safety is coming down on it on an in-route and he’s going to come back to the ball and go get it with a lot of strength and determination. So he’s definitely stepped up his game. He’s a great receiver and I’m glad we have him.”
10. Studs and Duds taking a little longer this week because of the Redskins practicing Tuesday. It’ll be up when it’s done, hopefully Wednesday and Thursday morning.
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