Thomas Godoj Thread » fell hard and bruised his ribs during Monda

Robert Griffin has lots of reasons to be happy heading into the 2014 season. Hes free from his at best prickly relationship with Mike Shanahan and his offensive coordinator son, his new coach is both quarterback friendly and player friendly, and hes now two years removed from his major knee injury - generally when most players recovering from that type of injury start to fully look themselves again. Lets start with the coaching change. Despite what player and (former) coach said on record, its clear the two werent made for each other and both suffered – along with the rest of the team – because of it last year. While Griffin actually threw for more yards last year than his impressive rookie campaign despite playing two less games, his rushing and scoring totals were both down. Some of that was because the former second overall still wasnt fully recovered from his brutal knee injury a year ago, but that doesnt fully account for the team dropping seven games in the win department and four spots in total offence. Taking over for Shanahan is Jay Gruden, who put up similar offensive numbers with a less-talented quarterback as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati last season. If nothing else, the switch to Gruden will lead to a less contentious workplace in Washington. “Weve had a lot of time to work together and get to know each other, Gruden told the Sporting News of Griffin at training camp. “I think were both happy with how were communicating, and what were implementing is not something hes totally unfamiliar with — the things were doing are things hes comfortable with and complement his strengths. Gruden has also been quick to dismiss Griffin of any wrongdoing in the new-school quarterbacks perceived feud with the old-school Shanahan. “A guy with as much success as hes had, as early as he is in this young stage of his life, some guys are like, Eh, I dont need your coaching, I dont need this, I wanna do it my way. Hes not that way at all. He wants to be coached, he wants to learn the game, he wants to study,” Gruden told NFL.com Still, a little flattery for new-school guys never hurts either. "I think the total package you look for in a quarterback, if youre going to create a player on Xbox, a quarterback, I think itd look like (Griffin)," Gruden continued to NFL.com. With the favourable coach taken care of, Griffins left only to worry about his health. And theres reason to believe that shouldnt be much of a concern this season. “Its unbelievable,” former teammate and now analyst Chris Cooley said of Griffins health on ESPN Radio during OTAs this spring. “Hes another person right now. I was like, ‘youre running unbelievably well. It was silly to watch.” “He looks more comfortable, because he doesnt have to worry about that brace,” teammate and second favourite target Santana Moss echoed to the Washington Post. “I think the brace was the big discomfort last year. All of that combined with a winnable division leads to a good share of optimism in Washington. A happy Robert Griffin should equal a happy Redskins fan base. Notes Another fallout from Shanahans dismissal came in the front office. President and GM Bruce Allen goes from being a cap specialist to making personnel decisions. This is the first time in his career Allen will have final say on the roster and football operations, but with an owner like Dan Snyder, theres sure to be some meddling and “coming over the top.” The Redskins said goodbye to longtime linebacker London Fletcher after the 16-year veteran, who spent the last seven years of his career in Washington, decided to retire. The 39-year-old was the heart and soul of Washingtons defence, and leaves a hole in the teams strong linebacking corps. Hes not the next Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham, but hes in the group up for discussion. The third-round pick only played nine games last year after a concussion prematurely ended his season, but showed a lot of promise. Reed will look to build off his 45 catches and 499 receiving yards from last year. Already with one of the leagues top possession receivers in Pierre Garcon, the Redskins added a burner to use alongside him – and also replace the aging Santana Moss – in Philadelphia Eagles castoff DeSean Jackson. If Jacksons head is in the game, he can help the Redskins receiving corps become one of the best in the league. Griffin smiles again. Jackson was far from the only free agent brought in to Washington this off-season. The Redskins had one of the biggest hauls in the league highlighted by defensive tackle Jason Hatcher, who should be a big upgrade along Washingtons defensive line, and defensive backs Tracy Porter and Ryan Clark, who will look to help the teams struggling secondary. Still without a first round pick after the Griffin trade, the Redskins nevertheless pulled off a decent draft. Their first pick was linebacker Trent Murphy in the second round, who will help the somewhat depleted linebacking corps. They also added offensive tackle Morgan Moses, a steal in the third round, and fringe Heisman candidate Lache Seastrunk, a running back from Griffins alma mater Baylor. Discount Baseball Jerseys .Y. -- Kristen Gillman rallied to win the U. Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Online . The result was a game-winning, power-play goal. Chiasson snapped a third-period tie and lifted the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory on Monday night. http://www.cheapmlbjerseysusa.com/. -- The Oakland Athletics and free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a US$2 million, one-year contract, bolstering their depleted starting rotation. Cheap MLB Jerseys Free Shipping . A top pitching prospect, one who the ball club is pinning some of its future hopes, takes the spot of a veteran who once was viewed as a future ace but who, to this point, hasnt realized his potential and may never. Stitched Nike MLB Jerseys . On Sunday, head coach Patrick Roy said the teams leading scorer will skate at Mondays morning practice and the club will make a decision on his status for Game 6 at that point.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Michael Choice singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Texas Rangers rallied to beat the Oakland Athletics 5-4 on Tuesday night. Josh Wilson doubled to drive in the tying run just ahead of Choice, who began his career with the As. Alexi Ogando (1-1) recorded one out in the eighth to pick up the win. Joakim Soria pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Luke Gregerson (0-1) took the loss after blowing his third save opportunity. He gave up two runs on three hits. Gregerson appeared to have pitched out of trouble when he threw out pinch hitter Mitch Moreland at the plate on a safety squeeze by Leonys Martin for the second out. Martin stole second and scored when Wilson, who cost the Rangers two runs with a fielding error in the fourth, doubled. Donnie Murphy had two hits and drove in a run for the Rangers, who won their seventh in eight games. Coco Crisp, Yoenis Cespedes, Josh Donaldson and Eric Sogard drove in runs for the As, who lost their second straight for the first time this season. Josh Reddick had two hits. As starter Tommy Milone allowed three runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out one. Nick Martinez was recalled from Double-A to make the start for the Rangers. He lasted five innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out one. Three of Milones walks came in the first inning, when the Rangers took a 2-0 lead. Murphy singled home one run and Robinson Chirinos walked with the bases loaded. The As answered in their half of the first. Jed Lowrie doubled and scored when Donaldson singled. Cespedes hit a double, allowing Donaldson to score. The Rangers regained the lead in the thirrd.dddddddddddd Alex Rios walked and went to third on Prince Fielders single. Kevin Kouzmanoff hit into a double play, with Rios scoring. Kouzmanoff left the game after the top of the fourth with tightness in his back. Luis Sardinas entered the game at second base, with Josh Wilson moving to third. With one out in the fourth, John Jaso singled and Reddick reached base when Wilson mishandled his grounder. Sogard hit a sacrifice fly and Crisp followed with his double. Rangers relief pitcher Pedro Figueroa left the game with an apparent back injury after hitting Reddick with a pitch with two outs in the eighth. Ogando replaced him. NOTES: As OF Coco Crisp, who fell hard and bruised his ribs during Monday nights game, had X-Rays taken that were negative. ... As LHP Eric OFlaherty (Tommy John surgery) threw all his pitches at full distance during a bullpen session, encouraging As manager Bob Melvin to ask if he was available for an inning. . The As rejected the Oakland-Alameda County Authoritys 10-year lease proposal. ... RHP Sonny Gray (3-0, 1.80) pitches for the As in Wednesdays matinee game and will make his first start against the Rangers. He is currently 6-0 over his last eight starts dating to last year. ... LHP Martin Perez (3-0, 1.86) will take the mound for the Rangers. He has not allowed a run over his past 17 innings. He will be making his sixth start against the As, his most against any team. ... RHP Colby Lewis (1-1, 4.22) is set to start Fridays game in Seattle but the rest of the weekend rotation is in a state of flux, with LHP Robbie Ross, LHP Matt Harrison, currently on the DL with a back problem, and RHP Yu Darvish all in the mix. ' ' '