Redskins

Recent history: The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 31-6, on Nov. 18 in Landover, Md. The Redskins lead the series, 80-70-5. QUARTERBACK Eagles: In his first start against the Redskins 5 weeks ago, Nick Foles struggled against the blitz, completing just 8 of 18 passes and throwing two interceptions when they sent five or more rushers. Since then, he has done a good job of moving and sliding in the pocket and has thrown just one pick. Redskins: Robert Griffin III is nursing a knee injury that kept him out of last week's game.

The Redskins and Vikings have one of the higher-scoring rivalries in the NFL these days. In their last three regular-season meetings, the two teams have scored a total of 181 points. The average final score was 34-26, Redskins. So what happened yesterday? What caused 17-10, Redskins? "We've had some high-scoring games against them in the past," Minnesota quarterback Wade Wilson said. "But when you get to the championship game, the defenses always rise to the occasion.

Neshaminy's Anthony Paino was named the outstanding wrestler and Pennsbury's Chuck Connor remained unbeaten in winning the 112-pound crown in last night's championship round of the PIAA District 1 North tournament at Quakertown. Paino, who had been battling problems with his left shoulder for the better part of three seasons, shook off another painful episode to get a technical fall over Upper Merion's Larry Mazzerle in 4 minutes, 22 seconds for the 103- pound title. The Redskins, getting other individual titles from Mike Brown (125 pounds)

What distractions? Most teams would panic if they had to deal with what Downingtown West went through in the last couple of days. Standout forward Chris Harmon suffered an ankle injury during Friday's practice. The senior was unable to play in yesterday's much-anticipated boys' soccer game at Neshaminy. If losing Harmon weren't bad enough, the Whippets almost didn't make it to the game. The team bus driver got lost twice en route to Langhorne, and what should have been a 55-minute drive took them an hour and 35 minutes.

Neshaminy field hockey coach Lisa Pennington knew there was no way her team was going to lose yesterday's big Suburban One League National Conference game with Pennsbury. Even when it went into overtime, Pennington had faith. Although the Redskins' record in overtime games is not good this season - three losses and a tie - they had a couple of things going for them - playing at home for the first time this year, and junior Marlaine Schneider. Schneider backhanded a standing ball into the goal cage 1 minute, 25 seconds into the overtime period as Neshaminy defeated Pennsbury, 1-0. "Chelsea [Rota]

The Washington Redskins left open the door for waived quarterback Mark Rypien to return at a $2 million salary cut. But Rypien slammed the door shut late last night. The Redskins, in turn, today are expected to sign free-agent quarterback John Friesz, from the San Diego Chargers. "Let the Redskins go with Friesz," said Rypien's agent, Ken Staninger. "I think that's what they wanted to do all along. I talked to Mark tonight, and we wish the Redskins the best of luck. " Rypien, who was scheduled to make $3 million in 1994, requested, and was given, his release Wednesday after general manager Charley Casserly asked him to play for $1 million with no incentives.

Two things Neshaminy likes to do best are throw the football and roll out and throw the football. Saturday, at William Tennent, Neshaminy encountered something hazardous to aerial attacks - a brisk, swirling wind that made passing treacherous. Just ask Redskins quarterback David Welsh. He threw four interceptions during a 20-8 loss to the Panthers. "Sure, there was wind, but we didn't throw well," said Redskins coach John Chaump. "We made some poor choices on receivers.

Senior tailback Rob Latronica rushed for 178 yards and senior quarterback James Franklin threw for 178 as Neshaminy shut out host Truman, 28-0, Saturday in Suburban One National play. "We haven't changed our plan from the beginning of the year," said Redskins' coach John Chaump. "We like that balance between the run and pass. " Latronica, a strong 5-foot-6, 160-pounder, needed 184 yards in the game to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the season. That goal looked easily within his reach after he picked up 136 yards on 13 carries in the first half.

Neshaminy senior Diana LaPalombara looks back at the Redskins' softball victory over Pennsbury. www.philly.com/ rallyvideos

Entering Saturday's battle of softball archrivals Neshaminy and Pennsbury, the Redskins were well aware of the historic precedent. Two times in the last three years, the Falcons bested Neshaminy in the first Suburban One National matchup and the Redskins came back to claim the second round. And two years ago, Pennsbury beat Neshaminy three times during the season. At home on a chilly morning, the Redskins bucked recent history by defeating Pennsbury, 6-4, sparked by their stellar senior class.

The Chip Kelly era will be off and running when the Eagles travel to Washington on Monday, Sept. 9 - one day after the bulk of NFL games are played in Week 1 - to face the Redskins in prime time. It doesn't slow down from there. The Eagles host the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 15 and then the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, Sept. 19, at Lincoln Financial Field, when Andy Reid makes his return to Philadelphia nine months after being fired. The opener and the Thursday night game are the only prime-time games on the schedule.

On the softball field, Lauren Quense and Sam Offenback couldn't be a better unit for Neshaminy. Quense is the starting pitcher for the Redskins and hits third in the batting order, and Offenback is the catcher and bats cleanup. As far as tandems go, these two are beyond effective, dominating games defensively as well as offensively. The two kept the routine going Thursday afternoon against Suburban One League National Conference opponent Bensalem, as the Redskins defeated the Owls, 15-2.

LANDOVER, Md. - The right leg of Robert Griffin III buckled into the ground Sunday, unable to pivot with the rest of his body. The star rookie who led the Washington Redskins to their first NFC East title since 1999 already had issues with his knee, but this injury appeared more serious. It forced Griffin to leave the game in the fourth quarter, and the Redskins' hopes disintegrated. The Seattle Seahawks came away with a 24-14 win in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs. "I'm the quarterback of this team - my job is to be out there if I can play," Griffin said.

LANDOVER, Md. - The amazing thing was that more than 84,000 fans jammed into a stadium shaped like a cereal bowl were collectively silent. It had been nearly a minute since Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III dropped to the turf at FedEx Field after his previously injured right knee twisted awkwardly and buckled in the fourth quarter of the Redskins' 24-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC wild-card game Sunday....

LANDOVER, Md. - The right leg of Robert Griffin III buckled into the ground Sunday, unable to pivot with the rest of his body. The star rookie who led the Washington Redskins to their first NFC East title since 1999 already had issues with his knee, but this injury appeared more serious. It forced Griffin to leave the game in the fourth quarter, and the Redskins' hopes disintegrated. The Seattle Seahawks came away with a 24-14 win in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs. "I'm the quarterback of this team - my job is to be out there if I can play," Griffin said.

There's a little bit of bad blood between the Seahawks and Redskins. Before the teams played Nov. 27 in a regular-season game at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, players had to be separated before the coin toss. After the game, Redskins players said it was because they had stomped on the Seahawks logo before leaving the field during warm-ups. On Thursday, fullback Michael Robinson - who was one of the Seahawks who had to be held back last year - indicated to the Seattle Times that it had more to do with something Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall said before the coin toss, with a a child at midfield.

Angelo Coia, 74, a sprinter who teamed with Herb Adderley in one of the most explosive backfields in Philadelphia scholastic football history, died Wednesday. The cause was not immediately known. Like Adderley, Mr. Coia, who ran a 100-yard dash in 9.5 seconds while at Northeast High School, went on to play in the NFL. He spent seven seasons with the Bears, Redskins, and Falcons. Despite their Philadelphia legend, neither Mr. Coia nor Adderley played running back in the pros. While Adderley became a Hall of Fame defensive back with the Packers and Cowboys, Mr. Coia was a wide receiver.