ExtremeSkins recap: Redskins vs. Steelers (PHOTO'S & AUDIO ADDED)

[themurf]

Extremeskins Recap: Behind the scenes at Skins vs Steelers photos and audio courtesy of Brian Murphy ('themurf')

I have a confession to make - I am the luckiest man alive. For two weeks in a row, it has been my “job” to stand on the sidelines during a Redskins preseason game with my camera and take photos. That’s it. Sure, there’s the occasional bumping into a cheerleader or moving because David Patten is about to run you over, but there’s not a better job out there.

When I knew I would be doing this week’s game solo, meaning that I’d have to do a write-up as well as take photos, I thought how much had changed in the last three years. That’s when I got out of the Army. Turns out it was a good decision (seeing as we pretty much went to war right as I was getting out). Then two years ago I got my season tickets. I was just happy to sit in section 449, row 18 each week. And then one year ago I still had my season tickets, but here’s the funny twist - every week I applied for the Washington Post’s Dream Job in hopes of being selected to be a sideline photographer. And now, here I am, actually doing it!

So I arrived at the stadium at 6 p.m. (two hours before kick-off). I got my press credentials and headed up to the press box. I didn’t stay up there last week, and I wasn’t going to be up there this week. I just like to raid whatever info sheets they have handy. So they had a seat reserved with my name on it and a little packet including press sheets, an updated roster and a game program. I said a quick hello to a few media types and headed down to the field.

This week I had a total of three press credentials - one for the press box, one for the Redskins sideline and one for the Steelers sideline. So I pretty much could go wherever I wanted. So for starters, I went over to the Steelers sideline long enough to take some shots of a certain former Hog by the name of Russ Grimm. Seeing him brought back that nostalgic feel of the glory days. I remembered Joe Gibbs wanted to try and bring him here when he came back, and that the Steelers made Grimm their offensive coordinator in order to keep him. I think he’ll be a head coach one day, and that he’ll be a good one. Just my two cents.

Then I headed back to the Redskins sideline. That’s when the fun started. As I walk over to the sideline, Santana Moss is playing catch with Antonio Brown. Well Brown throws him a pass and Moss has a little fun with it, and catches it under his leg one handed. I say to him “Oh sure - you do it when no one has a camera around” and we both laughed. He promptly did it again for me and made sure I got a shot of it. Then, just to prove he’s good, he made a silly one-handed catch while keeping his body in bounds. This guy is stupid talented.

Then, as I was walking down the Redskins sideline, I saw Ryan Clark sitting on the player’s bench. I asked him if he’d be up for a few questions, and he happily invited me over. The highlight of the interview was when I used a question that TheDane submitted and asked him to tell me what went through his mind when the Washington Post erroneously reported that he had been cut. Make sure you check that out once the audio files get uploaded.

Then during the game, I had a chance to talk with FOX sideline reporter Pam Oliver. Moments after Santana Moss made the spinning 40-yard play, I leaned over to her and said “You’re allowed to cheer for them - it’s okay with us” and got a good laugh out of her. I then asked if she had a favorite team, to which she replied she didn’t. She said she grew up in Texas and liked to “old school Cowboys,” but that was back in the day. I told her it was probably better that she not tell anyone else that little bit of information. She was very friendly though and is the best person in the NFL at what she does. Plus, she’s easy on the eyes - if you know what I mean.

The one thing that stood out early in the game was the number of Steelers fan (with their dumb towels). When Patrick threw the interception that they returned for the touchdown, I was embarrassed at the number of their fans in our house. Fortunately, Big Ben produced another dud, and we didn’t have to hear much from their fans the rest of the night.

One sidenote about the interception - I don’t know if you could see it on TV, but after the play was over, Ramsey hustled over to the receiver (I think it was James Thrash, but I’m not sure) and patted him on the back and tried to cheer him up. Patrick knew he made a mistake, but he didn’t dwell on it, and he didn’t want anyone else to either. Just another reason I think Ramsey is going to eventually be the guy running the show when the offense gets it all together.

Oh, and before I forget - I almost got run over again. Last week it almost happened when Ramsey overthrew David Patten on the sideline. I moved, and he knocked over my camera bag (where I had just been standing). This week, it almost happened when Matt Bowen came flying in to take down Jerome Bettis on the sidelines. They both landed at my feet. The one thing that stands out being that close to the action is how hard the hits actually sound. There was definitely a loud thud when Bowen slammed into Bettis and then again when they hit the ground. Unfortunately, Bowen hurt himself on the play and didn’t return to the game. He and Ladell Betts (who got horse-collared) were the only two Redskins I saw get hurt. Bowen’s was easily the more serious of the two.

Let’s fast forward to the end of the game. The players were obviously happy with the victory - as many of them threw their gloves, wristbands or whatever to fans as souvenirs. Several others signed autographs on their way to the locker room. This team is just a happier bunch than the last couple years. Even last week when they lost to Cincinnati, I noticed how many of the players were still goofing with each other and having fun out there before, during and after the game. These guys like each other and they like playing football - there’s no malcontents (see: Coles, Laveranues).

Time for the Joe Gibbs post-game press conference. Now, I had talked to Tarhog and we had two specific questions we wanted to ask:

1. What exactly happened on the interception?

2. How will having free agent Casey Rabach and a healthy Jon Jansen help Clint Portis and the running game this year?

So naturally those were two areas that were brought up before I had a chance to jump in there. So I had to improvise. I ended up throwing Gibbs a softball question and asked him simply “Who stood out tonight?” If you heard the press conference live, I got my question in right around three minutes into it. He specifically mentioned Santana Moss and Shawn Springs, but also said he was pleased in general with the offense and defense.

Finally, I headed into the locker room. Last week, Tarhog and I took too long to get in there and we ended up missing most of the players. But not this week. I ended up talking to Joe Salave’a, Chris Cooley, Jason Campbell and Marcus Washington. For those who voted, I tried to find Sean Taylor, David Patten and Nehemiah Broughton, but no luck this week. That gives us more people to aim for down the road. Salave’a was a very nice guy and was someone I’d definitely want to learn more about. Cooley was nice, but he didn’t really go into any detailed answers – although the highlight of the interview was easily when I asked him about his mullet. He cracked up about that. (Sorry fellas, no cheerleader references from me - I’d like to come back in the future).

Jason Campbell was the most soft-spoken man I’ve ever interviewed. I swear I didn’t think the recorder would even pick his comments up. It was hard to hear his answers to try and come up with follow-up quotes. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders though. And finally, Marcus Washington. I have to tell you - even in the locker room an hour and a half after the game he still had more energy than everyone else did. He was a joy to talk to and he was surprisingly funny too. I’ll let you all listen to the audio, rather than me tell you everything he said. I’ll leave you with this though - as Marcus was finishing getting dressed before the interview started, he began singing a song. I looked over at him and said, “Is that the new Kanye West song?” He stopped, looked up and said “yeah” with a look on his face like this tall, goofy white guy standing in front of him wasn’t supposed to know about Kanye. I couldn’t help but think of the scene in “White Men Can’t Jump” where they tell Woody’s character that he can’t hear Jimmy Hendricks. And that made me happy - almost as happy as the guys were after beating the Steelers.

:helmet: Extremeskins Exclusive Player Interviews

Chris Cooley Post-Game Comments (FAN REQUEST)

Jason Campbell Post-Game Comments

Joe Salavea Post-Game Comments

Marcus Washington Post-Game Comments (FAN REQUEST)

Ryan Clark Pre-Game Comments

:helmet:

[IowaSkin]

Awesome post and perspective, man!

[chow184]

GREAT POST

I'm headin to bed,and I'll get those photographic presents when I wake up

[Ax]

Great job! You tall, goofy white guy.

[Tarhog]

Great job murf

Audio files are up, hopefully will have some photos to share with you shortly!

[DialSux]

Great interviews. TAKE ME WITH YOU NEXT GAME!!! I'll work for free (well, I may whine for a hotdog around halftime...)

[Die Hard]

Murf, awesome. Just awesome. What a brilliant writeup... audio files. The photos will be icing on the cake. Thank you.

[TK]

Outstanding job Brian. The "mullet" question had me :rotflmao:

Hearing Joe Salave’a use the term 'brain fart' - priceless. :laugh:

[ukskinsfan]

These guys like each other and they like playing football - there’s no malcontents

I really noticed this watching the game last night. They have become a TEAM.

btw, Great job Murf

[SkinsForLife260]

Great read!

Thanks man. I see your doing a great job with this task!

[Blondie]

OH MY GOSH Murf!!

This is really a wonderful article.....you did us proud.

Great......and thank you.

Blondie

[Lowghost]

Thank Murf

Great job. :applause:

[TheDane]

Murf... awesome, man. Awesome!

And asking that question of Ryan Clark? :cry: :point2sky

[HapHaszard]

Good Job Murf, ^5

[HoboTrashcan]

Sure, there’s the occasional bumping into a cheerleader ...

Wait, that's a negative?

Very nice recap. And keep asking Gibbs the tough questions.

Can't wait to see the photos.

[airborneskins]

Great job Murph. Thanks for sacrificing for us. :doh: :laugh: Keep up the good work.

[manichispanic]

anyone else find this picture hilarious?

[Blondie]

Just saw the pics. Great pics too!

Thanks!

Blondie

[Tarhog]

This thread is being continuously updated guys....many more photos to come

[TXREDSKINS44]

Great job themurf. Pictures were awesome!

[forbeskin]

Excellent work man! I would be lying if I said I wasn't completely freaking jealous of you! The view from down there must be unbelievable.

[Anne The Fan]

Originally Posted by themurf

This team is just a happier bunch than the last couple years. Even last week when they lost to Cincinnati, I noticed how many of the players were still goofing with each other and having fun out there before, during and after the game. These guys like each other and they like playing football - there’s no malcontents (see: Coles, Laveranues).

I noticed the same thing last night at the game. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s just a different feel about the team than in previous years. The guys look like they’re having a blast out there; they act like they’re really enjoying what they do. The atmosphere just felt … lighter? Less gloomy? Hopeful, maybe?

Great write-up, Brian. This is exactly the type of piece that I was hoping we’d see on Extremeskins as a result of the merger. Thanks for your hard work. (And keep those Shawn Springs photos coming! :cloud9: )

[atloldskin]

How about a few more pictures next time! Great job, thanks.

[@DCGoldPants]

#1. Those White Uni's look so nice.

#2. I just can't dislike the Steelers. I like their coaches, their players, their Russ Grimm. I really wish them the best (as long as we finish alittle better!)

[GrimReefa]

Wow...wow...those are some tremendous photos...