Robert Griffin has lots of reasons to be happy heading into the 2014 season. Chicago Bulls Shirts . 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. Fake Bulls Jerseys . Wiggins, who had been seen as a contender for a podium finish in Paris, was one of about 20 riders caught near the back of the peloton with 38 kilometres to go in the 218-km flat stage from Le Mans to Chateauroux. Wholesale Bulls Jerseys .S. President Barack Obama saluted the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks at the White House on Monday -- a rare moment for a president hungry to see more victorious teams from his hometown. https://www.cheapbulls.com/ . -- When Steve Blake checked in at the scorers table with 5:25 remaining in the third quarter, Stephen Curry shook his head and shouted across the court, asking Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson not to take him out.BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia spent the first month of the season just one home run shy of 100 in his career. Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. "I was pretty excited to hit a home run. Its been a while," said Pedroia, who had gone 160 at-bats without one. The skid ended when the Red Sox truly needed it, clinging to a 2-1 lead on a night when both clubs were failing to drive in runs. Pedroia drove an 0-2 pitch out to left field in the sixth inning for his second career grand slam and first homer since Sept. 17. "Honestly, I was just trying to drive one run in," Pedroia said. "As a team, weve been scuffling a little bit with guys on." The grand slam put Boston up 6-1 and the cushion was plenty for Clay Buchholz (2-2), who shut down the team with the top record in the American League. Buchholz pitched 6 1-3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. He walked three and got himself out of several jams as the As left five on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against Buchholz. "We hit some balls hard. We hit a lot of balls hard, actually -- right at people and then didnt get some hits when we did have some guys on base," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. John Jaso scored Oaklands only run, coming in on a wild pitch after leading off the third with a triple. Boston was having its own struggles with runners on before Pedroia came through in the sixth off of reliever Ryan Cook. Xander Bogaerts and A.J. Pierzynski started the sixth with back-to-back singles off Dan Otero, who began the inning. Otero struck out Will Middlebrooks, then walked Bradley to load the bases with one out. Cook relieved Otero and got Pedroia down 0-2, before he cleared the bases with a shot that just cleared the Green Monster. As manager Bob Melvin challenged whether thhe ball cleared the yellow line before a fan touched it and lost the appeal. Custom Chicago Bulls Jerseys. The milestone homer put him in elite Red Sox company as only the second player in franchise history with 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. Pedroia, who stole his 121st career base in the first inning, joins Carl Yastrzemski (452 home runs, 168 steals). "They told me that after the game. Thats crazy," Pedroia said. "I guess Im getting old. But just having your name anywhere said with his is an accomplishment." Boston hadnt scored since getting a pair of runs in the second inning off starter Dan Straily (1-2). Grady Sizemore led off with a double and scored on Pierzynskis single with one out. Jackie Bradley Jr. added a two-out double to drive in Pierzynski and Boston led 2-0. Straily pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked three. "I felt like every single time, every batter I was behind 2-0. Thats just not the way to pitch," Straily said. "Its just a frustrating day." Bradley ended a potential rally for the As in the eighth with a leaping catch at the centre field wall, then hitting Pedroia with a strong relay throw. Pedroia threw to Mike Napoli as Josh Donaldson scrambled to get back after rounding second before seeing Bradley make the catch. Notes: The series continues Saturday afternoon with Boston LHP Jon Lester (2-4) scheduled to face Oakland lefty Tommy Milone (0-2). .. Oakland played its first game in May after tying the franchise record for wins in April at 18-9. ... Buchholz allowed 12 runs on 20 hits over 6 2-3 innings in his first two starts at Fenway Park this season. ... Boston rookie SS Xander Bogaerts has reached safely in 14 straight games. ... Boston C A.J. Pierzynski was played his 1,700th career game behind the plate. ... Pedroia could catch Yastrzemskis steal total of 168, but Yazs 452 homers are probably out of reach for Bostons pesky second baseman. 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