NFL: Redskins players cry uncle. Andre Johnson should play
By Jason Marcum
Sep 9, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Bryce Brown (34) carries the ball as Washington Redskins strong safety Bacarri Rambo (24) chases in the second quarter at FedEx Field. The Eagles won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
According to a Philadelphia Eagles player who talked to NFL.com’s Mike Silver, Washington Redskins defenders were “begging” the Eagles to slow down their hurry-up offense in Week 1 when the two teams squared off:
"NFL Media columnist Mike Silver revealed on Thursday’s “NFL Total Access Kickoff” that Washington Redskins players were begging the Eagles to ease up on their “ridiculous” pace in the first half of the season opener."
If this is true, it’s rather embarrassing for the Skins, but given how they’ve played through the first two weeks, looking disinterested and timid, it makes sense they’d be desperate enough to essentially cry “uncle”. They need to change their mentality and do it soon if they want to avoid an 0-3 start to what was predicted to be a promising season.
The Houston Texans were able to escape the Tennessee titans at home last week without a loss, but that will be a much tougher task to do this week on the road at Baltimore if they are without their best receiving threat.
With a crucial AFC matchup against the Super Bowl-champion Ravens on the docket, a win would not only put the Texans at 3-0, but give them a head-to-head win over a team that they could very well be fighting for playoff positioning with at the end of the season. The two sides has split the past two meetings, the most recent being a Texans 43-13 shellacking of Baltimore.
Johnson continues to recover from a concussion suffered late in Sunday’s overtime win over the Titans, and he didn’t practice today. Johnson is reportedly responding well and is expected to play, according to Texans coach Gary Kubiak.
Rashard Mendenhall has been adequate thus far for the Arizona Cardinals while leading the team in rushing. But he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday while he was seen on the sidelines on a workout bike. Mendenhall has reportedly dealt with a knee injury since training camp, but now he may have a toe issue.
With a limited ceiling and a team hoping to get more offensive production at RB, they may look to the more explosive Andre Ellington this week. He got six touches and scored on a pass-route out of the backfield, and was key in the team’s 25-21 win over the Detroit Lions last week.
Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians praised Ellington, suggesting that he’s the type of back that can ‘carry the load’, and he may be putting his money where his mouth is this week if Mendenhall can’t go.
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