Seahawks at Redskins: 4:30 P.M
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SEAHAWKS AT REDSKINS: 4:30 P.M. SUNDAY, FOX, 980!AM :,/'&$5' :((.(1' FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013 washingtontimes.com/sports/football ANDREW HARNIK/THE WASHINGTON TIMES Redskins quarterback Robert Gri! n III’s rushing ability has been limited the past two games because of a sprained knee ligament, but he still scored on a 10-yard run (above) against Dallas on Sunday night. Fellow rookie Alfred Morris (below) was a workhorse in the NFC East-clinching 28-18 victory, churning out 200 yards and three touchdowns. TIME TRAVELING THE COMPETITION Rookies RG3, Morris hold their Robert Gri! n III (102.4 passer rating and 815 yards rushing) and Albert Morris (1,613 rushing yards) arguably are the best rookie backfi eld in NFL history. A look at other top own against two Browns greats tandems through the years: yperbole can made their debut in the All-America Confer- ⦁ 1946 Browns: QB Otto Graham (league-high run amok ence, a league that competed against the NFL 17 TD passes and 112.1 passer rating), FB Marion when an NFL (before partially merging with it in 1950). Motley (601 rushing yards, 8.2-yard avg.) Hteam wins its Perhaps you’ve heard about the Browns in ⦁ 1956 Colts: QB Johnny Unitas (55.6 percent division for the fi rst time that era. They hardly ever lost. Anyway, in completions and 74 rating, both third in the NFL), in 13 years, especially if their inaugural season, they had a rookie RB Lenny Moore (649 yards rushing, 7.5-yard avg.) much of the heavy lifting quarterback and a rookie running back who ⦁ 2012 Colts: QB Andrew Luck (rookie record is done by two rookies, made just as big an impact as the Washington 4,374 passing yards, seven game-winning drives), one of them a virtual Redskins’ dynamic duo. The QB was Otto RB Vick Ballard (814 rushing yards). unknown before train- Graham; the back was Marion Motley. Both ⦁ 1939 Bears: QB Sid Luckman (91.6 rating, DAN ing camp convened. But went on to the Hall of Fame. 44.4-yard punting avg.), FB Bill Osmanski (league- DALY it’s fair to say what we’re Graham led the AAC that year with 17 leading 699 rushing yards) seeing with Robert Grif- touchdown passes and a ridiculous (for the ⦁ 2008 Ravens: QB Joe Flacco (80.3 rating, fi n III and Alfred Morris time) 112.1 rating. Motley, a 6-foot-1, 232- only 12 interceptions), RB Ray Rice (727 yards is extraordinary, if not unprecedented. In- pound cement mixer of a fullback, rushed for from scrimmage). deed, to fi nd anything like it in pro football 601 yards, fourth in the league, and aver- ⦁ 1976 Seahawks: QB Jim Zorn (2,571 passing history, you’d have to have to set the Way- aged an outrageous 8.2 yards an attempt. yards, 12 TD passes), RB Sherman Smith (921 Back Machine for 1946. ASSOCIATED PRESS yards from scrimmage). That was the year the Cleveland Browns » see DALY | G2 — Compiled by Dan Daly Haslett’s defense unwavering BY RICH CAMPBELL cared only about the fi nal result: Redskins 28, What a sight: a local celebrity going out THE WASHINGTON TIMES Dallas Cowboys 18. Washington’s maligned of his way to praise Jim Haslett, the subject defense, his defense, had survived early- of so much vitriol on talk radio and Twitter A slight smile fi nally brightened Jim Has- season injuries and ineptitude to become during the Redskins’ 3-6 start. Only seven lett’s hardened countenance after midnight NFC East division champions. weeks earlier, coach Mike Shanahan faced Sunday. His wife, Beth, and daughter, Kelsey, A few steps ahead of the Hasletts, a man questions about whether his coaching sta! walked alongside him up the ramp that leads whipped around to greet him. Wale, a nation- would remain intact during the bye week. from the Washington Redskins’ locker room ally known hip-hop artist, D.C. native and But Haslett, as it turned out, helped save out of FedEx Field. Haslett’s defense had just renowned Redskins fan, had to congratulate this charmed season. He and his assistants helped the Redskins complete an historic the defensive coordinator. brainstormed and tinkered to help the Red- turnaround, and the afterglow was in full “Coach Haslett, Wale,” he said, reintroduc- skins overcome injuries to key players. Now e! ect. ing himself. “Great job.” the defense has signifi cant momentum en- Haslett didn’t view it from that perspec- “Oh yeah, the rapper!” Haslett belted out, tering Sunday’s playo! opener against the tive, though. He’s a football player at his core. much to his daughter’s amusement. “Thanks.” Leave the grandiose analysis to others. He They shook hands and hugged. » see REDSKINS | G2 EXPANDED COVERAGE INSIDE: With renewed focus, Trent Williams plays through pain, G2 Ravens roots run deep for Colts’ Pagano, G3; Wilson’s rookie season continues long track record of success, G4 G2 | SPORTS R FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2013 EXPANDED PLAYOFF COVERAGE: WASHINGTONTIMES.COM/SPORTS/FOOTBALL REDSKINS Focused Williams playing through the pain BY STEPHEN WHYNO Rest, only when the Redskins’ season is over, THE WASHINGTON TIMES will help Williams heal. Until then, it’s full-speed ahead even if he can’t go full speed. Trent Williams can’t look back. “He’s not at his best because he’s not at 100 The Washington Redskins left tackle won’t percent, but he’s defi nitely helped the team being watch tape from his rookie season because “it just out there,” o! ensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan wasn’t good.” So much changed from 2010 to now. said. “He believes that no matter how bad he’s “My approach to the game’s changed. My feeling, as long as he’s not going to risk his career knowledge of the game has changed. By looking or anything, he feels he can get out there and at my fi lm from a couple years ago, I’m ashamed compete and help us win.” of it, I’m embarrassed by it,” Williams said. “To Williams called it a matter of “heart.” be a rookie, it was OK. But I try to hold myself “When your body feels pain, you automati- to a higher standard.” cally want to shut down and it’s not an easy thing Getting to that higher standard took time and to play though, especially when you’re playing missteps along the way. Now Williams is not only against people who get paid millions to beat you,” going to the Pro Bowl later this month, but he’s Williams said. arguably the most valuable piece of an o! ense That “heart” has grown stronger since two that includes prolifi c rookies Robert Gri" n III years ago, when Williams had to sit down and and Alfred Morris and game-changing receiver refl ect on how much he needed to focus on Pierre Garcon. football to be successful. As the No. 4 pick in Of 1,024 o! ensive snaps in the regular season, the draft, he conceded his life changed so much Williams played 961. He missed one snap in the it was hard to concentrate. season opener and 62 Sept. 23 with a bone bruise To excel in this job, though, he had no choice in his right knee. but to embrace high expectations, internally and The 24-year-old has played through a deep externally. left thigh bruise since Thanksgiving Day, and ASSOCIATED PRESS “It defi nitely was a lot of pressure. Defi nitely that’s by necessity. Redskins le! tackle Trent Williams was selected to his fi rst Pro Bowl this season, a year a! er having his a lot of pressure. But no, I wouldn’t change any- “I just feel like for me to be a huge asset to this second campaign cut short by a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. thing,” Williams said. “To [whom] much is given, team I have to play hurt and I have to be able to much is expected. I thank God for that position fi nish games,” Williams said. “I take a lot of pride because it helped me learn a lot, and I defi nitely, in it. But I take pride in playing hurt just because “He’s not just a great player, but he’s someone and I’ll go back to the huddle because I know he defi nitely don’t take anything for granted now.” it’s football. You have to be tough to play this that we lean on,” left guard Kory Lichtensteiger better get his butt back in the huddle because Certainly not being a Pro Bowl o! ensive sport. There’s nothing more than playing hurt. said. “I think him being elected captain after the you’ve got to go the next play.” tackle, an honor he made no secret he wanted. There’s nothing more you could prove to say year that he had last year says a lot about what he That’s a departure from a couple of years ago, Upon learning of his fi rst selection, Williams you’re tough enough to be fi t to play this sport.” means to us and how people follow him.” when an injury as painful as this thigh bruise couldn’t stop smiling. There’s little left for Williams to prove to Gri" n said recently that he doesn’t even ask might have landed Williams on season-ending in- But it’s far from mission accomplished. his teammates, who voted him captain the past Williams if he’s OK anymore because “he better jured reserve.