“09.29.2011– ASHBURN, VA – The National Football League announced today that Washington Redskins linebacker Ryan Kerrigan has been named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. He is the first Redskins player to win the award since Chris Horton in September 2008 and the fourth overall to receive the honor (Horton, Fred Smoot in September 2001 and Champ Bailey in October 1999).”
Month? I’m ready to name Kerrigan NFL Defensive Rookie of the YEAR!
Kerrigan was the surprise first-round pick, 16th overall, of the Redskins in the 2011 NFL Draft. With turmoil at the quarterback position, Washington was expected to take Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) with the 10th pick. Instead, GM Bruce Allen traded the pick to Jacksonville for their first and second round pick. Thus, Washington backfilled the trade lost in the McNabb boondogle of 2010. It was the first move in the team’s strategy of acquiring draft picks to restock talent. The Redskins would acquire 12 picks that weekend. They used the picks from Jacksonville to acquire Kerrigan and DE Jarvis Jenkins (Clemson).
Both Jenkins and Kerrigan impressed in preseason. Jenkins injured his ACL and is now in Injured Reserve. Kerrigan just rolls along. The Redskins, finally, look to be on the right path for building a winning roster.
Read the full press announcement here.
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