Perry Riley

Start Washington Redskins We will be featuring a different Washington Redskins player each day on this list, staying away from rookies or some second-year players still finding their way. Washington Redskins This will focus primarily on veterans at or near a career crossroads. Washington Redskins Today: linebacker Perry Riley. Why he has something to prove, The Redskins re-signed Riley after a sluggish season in which they weren’t pleased with the production from their inside linebackers. They weren’t big enough factors in either the run or pass game, Washington Redskins and the Redskins were content with letting Riley walk if the price was too high. But at this point last season Riley was coming off a solid year and some wondered if he could become a Pro Bowler. Washington Redskins That felt like a stretch then he’s not a playmaker though it wasn’t wrong to view him as a solid player. Riley still has lapses in coverage, Washington Redskins particularly in zone. He admitted last year that, because he played so much man coverage at LSU, Washington Redskins he took a while to feel comfortable playing zones. But he still has flaws in that area, from a recognition standpoint, that must be corrected. It leads to big enough gaps and that leads to plays. Washington Redskins The Redskins have insurance at inside linebacker, having signed two veteran starters in Darryl Sharpton and Akeem Jordan. But they gave Riley a bigger contract for a reason: He is the likely starter. However, it would not stun me to see someone bump Riley from the spot if he repeats his 2013 performance. He hasn’t been a playmaker at all, with only one forced fumble and one interception in his career. What he must do: Make some plays and be solid in the run game, which is the point of emphasis at this position. Riley does not miss a lot of tackles, so that is a good start. It’s nice that he has recorded 6.5 sacks the past two seasons combined, but if the Redskins do a better job in their four-man rushes, then Riley’s blitzing won’t be needed as much (though it’s a nice curve to throw). The Redskins did a good job in 2012 of moving him around, Washington Redskins letting him rush off the edge on occasion, in their nickel packages. Riley is fast enough to then cause some problems, especially when the offense is fooled. But he has to be more sound in the pass game and be strong against the run. With a possible first-year starter next to him in Keenan Robinson, Riley’s knowledge of the defense will be counted upon. He knows the calls, but Robinson’s position is the one that makes them in games. Riley can help with them however. Washington Redskins When you see the elite linebackers play, they move fast enough to the ball that offensive linemen can’t hold double-teams. Washington Redskins So either the defensive lineman gets a one-on-one or the linebacker gets to the ball. London Fletcher's ability to diagnose plays was vital and it’s why he lasted so long. Riley is not elite, Washington Redskins but he’s now entering his third full season as a starter. He can give the Redskins more consistency, Washington Redskins stemming from stronger recognition. It helps that he will now have Kirk Olivadotti coaching him; he focuses more on techniques and helping players improve than previous coaches. Washington Redskins That will help. Projection: Starter. I wouldn’t be surprised if they made a change at some point the defense ranked 31st in points allowed last season and hasn’t been a strong one for a while, so should anyone feel that safe? though it’s not as if a Pro Bowler is sitting behind Riley. Washington Redskins Or a young hotshot rookie for that matte. If Riley doesn’t get it done this season they can always move on in 2015 and save $2 million on the salary cap. Washington Redskins Riley can help them as he did in 2012, Washington Redskins.

NFL player collusion lawsuit to proceed

Washington Redskins The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Wednesday reportedly overturned a decision by Judge David Doty to dismiss the suit. The case is expected to proceed, Washington Redskins forcing the league to disclose information about how teams were told to treat the uncapped year of 2010. "Our union will always pursue and protect the rights of its players," Washington Redskins the NFLPA said in a statement Friday. "We are pleased that the Eighth Circuit ruled that players have the opportunity to proceed with their claims. Washington Redskins Through discovery and a hearing, we can understand how collusion took place. We have notified the NFL of its obligations to preserve all relevant documents and communications." Washington Redskins The NFLPA lawsuit, which was filed May 23, claims that the NFL imposed a secret salary cap of $123 million in 2010, despite the league agreeing to have no cap that season because of the lockout. The NFL penalized the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints for violating the cap. The league subtracted $35 million in cap space from the Redskins and $10 million from the Cowboys, and redistributed the money among 28 other clubs. The Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints were exempted from receiving their share of the money because of their own cap violations. Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly announced his retirement. He spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Bears. No player played for the team longer than Mannelly. He holds all-time team records with 245 games played and seasons played. During that span, he was a part of four division titles , an NFC championship and played seven playoff games. He is tied for 43rd all-time in the NFL with 245 games played. The Green Bay Packers released injured second-year running back Johnathan Franklin. On Thursday, Franklin announced he would not be playing in 2014 because of a neck injury. Franklin, a second-year player out of UCLA, was drafted by Green Bay in the fourth round in 2013. He played in the first 11 games before seeing his rookie season cut short in Week 12 when he suffered the neck injury on his return of the opening kickoff of the game. Oakland Raiders second-round pick Derek Carr will enter training camp as the team's No. 2 quarterback. Carr leapfrogged Matt McGloin on the depth chart, coach Dennis Allen said as minicamp closed. "I like a lot of the things that I've seen out of Derek. He's still got a long way to go, but I like the direction that he's headed," Allen said, adding that the team is "expediting" Carr's progress. In light of off-the-field troubles involving some San Francisco 49ers players, coach Jim Harbaugh told the team to be careful as it finished its mandatory minicamp on Thursday. "Beware with whom you associate," Harbaugh said. "It's very important to know your surroundings. Friend or foe? There always seem to be a foe. Get in football position. See around corners, under doors, and anticipate. But mainly surround yourselves around good people." Most of the 49ers get a break until July 23 when veterans report to training camp. The Baltimore Ravens signed five players to their 90-man roster and waived three. The Ravens signed linebacker Nicholas DiMarco, cornerback Dominique Franks, cornerback Aaron Ross, linebacker Austin Spitler and wide receiver Mike Willie, and waived linebacker Xavius Boyd, Washington Redskins safety Dexter Moody and cornerback Avery Patterson. Washington Redskins The Indianapolis Colts released safety Corey Lynch from injured reserve with an injury settlement. The Colts placed Lynch on IR on June 13. Washington Redskins The Colts signed him as a free agent in November 2013. Washington Redskins He had six tackles on special teams in five games. He also had two tackles and three special teams stops in two playoff games. Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins playoff history and information

Redskins playoff history
Date	Game	Result
Jan. 14, 2006	NFC Divisional	Seattle 20, Washington 10
Jan. 7, 2006	NFC Wild Card	Washington 17, Tampa Bay 10
Jan. 15, 2000	NFC Divisional	Tampa Bay 14, Washington 13
Jan. 8, 2000	NFC Wild Card	Washington 27, Detroit 13
Jan. 9, 1993	NFC Divisional	San Francisco 20, Washington 13
Jan. 2, 1993	NFC Wild Card	Washington 24, Minnesota 7
Jan. 26, 1992	Super Bowl XXVI	Washington 37, Buffalo 24
Jan. 12, 1992	NFC Championship	Washington 41, Detroit 10
Jan. 4, 1992	NFC Divisional	Washington 24, Atlanta 7
Jan. 12, 1991	NFC Divisional	San Francisco 28, Washington 10
Jan. 5, 1991	NFC Wild Card	Washington 20, Philadelphia 6
Jan. 31, 1988	Super Bowl XXII	Washington 41, Denver 10
Jan. 17, 1988	NFC Championship	Washington 17, Minnesota 10
Jan.10, 1988	NFC Divisional	Washington 21, Chicago 17
Jan. 11, 1987	NFC Championship	N.Y. Giants 17, Washington 0
Jan. 3, 1987	NFC Divisional	Washington 27, Chicago 13
Dec. 28, 1986	NFC Wild Card	Washington 19, L.A. Rams 7
Dec. 30, 1984	NFC Divisional	Chicago 23, Washington 19
Jan. 22, 1984	Super Bowl XVIII	L.A. Raiders 38, Washington 9
Jan. 8, 1984	NFC Championship	Washington 24, San Francisco 21
Jan. 1, 1984	NFC Divisional	Washington 51, L.A. Rams 7
Jan. 30, 1983	Super Bowl XVII	Washington 27, Miami 17
Jan. 22, 1983	NFC Championship	Washington 31, Dallas 17
Jan. 15, 1983	NFC Divisional	Washington 21, Minnesota 7
Jan. 8, 1983	NFC Wild Card	Washington 31, Detroit 7
Dec. 18, 1976	NFC Divisional	Minnesota 35, Washington 20
Dec. 22, 1974	NFC Divisional	L.A. Rams 19, Washington 10
Dec. 22, 1973	NFC Divisional	Minnesota 27, Washington 20
Jan. 14, 1973	Super Bowl VII	Miami 14, Washington 7
Dec. 31, 1972	NFC Championship	Washington 26, Dallas 3
Dec. 24, 1972	NFC Divisional	Washington 16, Green Bay 3
Dec. 26, 1971	NFC Divisional	San Francisco 24, Washington 20
Dec. 16, 1945	NFC Championship	Cleveland 15, Washington 14
Dec. 26, 1943	NFL Championship	Chicago 41, Washington 21
Dec. 19, 1943	Eastern Division	Washington 28, N.Y. Giants 0
Dec. 13, 1942	NFL Championship	Washington 14, Chicago 6
Dec. 8, 1940	NFC Championship	Chicago 73, Washington 0
Dec. 12, 1937	NFL Championship	Washington 28, Chicago 21