March 2014 - Washington Football Team Wiretap

Jim Haslett, Washington Agree To Part Ways

Dec 31, 2014 10:57 AM

Washington and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett have mutually agreed to part ways.

Haslett finished his fifth season with Washington in 2014.

During his time, the Washington defense has finished a collective 29th in total yards and 30th in points per game. This season, the banged-up unit ranked 20th in total yards and 29th in points allowed.

 

Earlier this month, former Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, speaking on CBS' pregame show, called Haslett "clueless."

"[Haslett] would take the '85 Bears defense and turn them into a mediocre defense," Fletcher said. "He has no idea what he's doing. He's proven year in and year out that he's not a good defensive coordinator."

Fletcher also accused Haslett of potentially "backstabbing" Gruden.

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Jay Gruden 'Impressed' By Robert Griffin III's Performance

Dec 20, 2014 10:00 PM

Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-24 with a perfromance from Robert Griffin III that left Jay Gruden "impressed."

Griffin finished the game 16-for-23 for 220 yards and one interception.

“I thought he did an outstanding job of managing the football game," said Gruden. "Not only in the passing game, but he did a lot at the line of scrimmage in the running game which is very, very important. So he did an excellent job. But just trying to get him comfortable, trying to get him the opportunity to make good, sound decisions like he did.

“It was great to see Robert compete and play. He went out there, players responded for him, and huge to get a win for him.

“(Keeping his eyes up, scanning the field) that’s what he’s been doing I think. We had a little more success, so it looked like you played better when you win the game. I think he did a great job today of, like I said handling the running game, and then when he was asked to go back to pass, read through progressions, I think he did a good job.”

Gruden had previously benched Griffin multiple times this season.

“I’m impressed with Robert. You have to be impressed with his performance. He made some big throws, stood in there and made a couple runs, and I just think he managed the game extremely well. Getting out of the huddle, no delay-of-game penalties. He competed, man, and that’s what you want to see a quarterback do: be a competer, be a leader. I told him before the game, ‘I don’t care if you go 14 for 100 or 10 for 10 or 1 for 1 man, as long as we get the W.’ And anytime we get a victory, the quarterback always gets a major, major thumbs up, so I’m happy for Robert.”

Chelsea James/Washington Post

Tags: Washington Football Team

Discuss
Robert Griffin III Staying As Silent As Possible Until Season Ends

Dec 17, 2014 1:40 PM

Robert Griffin III said he is staying off Twitter and Facebook until after the season. In fact, he hasn't tweeted or posted anything on Facebook since Thanksgiving. His last action on Twitter was to retweet a picture with a fan to help raise awareness for ALS.

He also went bland in news conferences -- his "focus on San Francisco" before facing the 49ers last month serving as a prime example.

"It just felt like, for me, anything I was saying, whether it was positive or negative, whether it was a positive retweet or anything, was getting twisted and turned against me and against this team," he said. "I feel I can be free up here and talk to you guys, but sometimes things get twisted and turned and it creates a distraction for the team. I didn't want that to happen."

John Kelm/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team

Discuss
Robert Griffin III To Start Week 16

Dec 16, 2014 2:08 PM

Robert Griffin III will start at quarterback for Washington in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'd like to see him improve and hopefully there wont be any debate...this is Robert's team now," said Jay Gruden.

Colt McCoy started for Washington in Week 15 and left the game with a neck injury.

Dianna Marie Russini/NBC Washington

Tags: Washington Football Team

Discuss
Bashaud Breeland, Andre Roberts Exchange Punches At Practice

Dec 11, 2014 7:19 AM

Bashaud Breeland and Andre Roberts exchanged punches during Washington's practice on Wednesday.

Breeland and Roberts were involved in a pass play in which the rookie corner broke up a pass to Roberts. It appeared as they fell to the ground that Roberts accidentally kneed him in the groin. As Breeland stood up, grabbed his groin, walked a few steps and bent over -- Roberts' back was turned at the time.

 

A minute or so later, close to the line of scrimmage, Roberts and Breeland exchanged words. Roberts slammed his helmet to the ground and threw a punch, immediately before Breeland, who hitched up his pants right before the punch, threw one of his own. Breeland then tried to tackle Roberts. Neither player was wearing their helmet.

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team

Discuss
Source: Michigan Reaches Out To Jay Gruden's Reps

Dec 10, 2014 8:10 PM

The future of Jay Gruden with Washington is in a perilous state with a 3-10 record and uncertainty at the quarterback position.

"One source I trust tipped me off to a potential landing spot for Gruden: The University of Michigan," writes RealGM's Jeff Risdon in his Monday column.

"This source, who is intimately familiar with the Wolverines’ rapidly emerging coaching search, informed me on Thursday that initial contact has been made between the parties and that Gruden’s representation was enthusiastically open to the potential. I can’t put a figure on the likelihood of Gruden fleeing to Ann Arbor, and another UM source I trust refused to confirm anything I asked, but it’s an interesting leverage point nonetheless."

Gruden was offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2011 until 2013 when he was hired to become head coach of Washington.

Jeff Risdon/RealGM

Tags: Washington Football Team, NCAA

Discuss
Rams Send Players Acquired For RG3 For Coin Toss

Dec 8, 2014 5:28 PM

Receiver Stedman Bailey, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, defensive tackle Michael Brockers, running back Zac Stacy, left tackle Greg Robinson and linebacker Alec Ogletree represented the St. Louis Rams as coin toss captains in their game on Sunday against Washington.

Those six players are the six on the team's active roster acquired with picks from the team's trade (and subsequent trades with other teams) with Washington in 2012. That, of course, was the trade that netted Washington the No. 2 overall pick, which it used on Robert Griffin III.

The Rams full-time captains are defensive end Chris Long, linebacker James Laurinaitis, punter Johnny Hekker and quarterback Shaun Hill.

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, Washington Football Team

Discuss