ASHBURN, Va. www.2013sanfrancisco49ers.com/Nike-Deion-Sanders-Jersey . -- Pete Carroll says the "field" in FedEx Field is "horrible." Mike Shanahan doesnt go that far, but he agrees the grass isnt always greener at the Washington Redskins stadium. The playing surface was a mess when Seattle Seahawks beat the Redskins on Sunday in the NFC wild card playoffs. There were plenty of bare sports, and dirt was flying with many of the steps taken between the hash marks. Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III and Seattle defensive end Chris Clemons left the game with knee injuries. "It was horrible," Seahawks coach Carroll told 710 ESPN Seattle. "Its a horrible field. Its as bad as a field can get for being dry. Its too bad. It really is. Its too bad. We deserve better. ... It just was worn out. There was a lot of slipping and all that kind of stuff. Its relative. It didnt change the game at all in my opinion because its relative to both sides. We should just expect to see a better field at that time of year." The field has looked scraggly for much of a season that was front-loaded with extra events, including college football games and a Kenny Chesney concert. "Youd like a perfect field, and it wasnt a perfect field, we all know that," Redskins coach Shanahan said. Shanahan said putting down a new sod in midseason might not have worked. He said hes seen new sods in San Francisco and Denver that didnt work out. "If you do sod right, at lot of times its good," Shanahan said. "I really thought the field was OK because I didnt see people slipping during the game. ... Therefore I dont think theres an advantage one way or a disadvantage one way." NFL rules say the home team must certify prior to each game that the playing field meets certain conditions. There is a list of requirements, including an "Impact Hardness Test." Carroll was more diplomatic when he met with reporters later Monday. He said there was a "lot of loose footing" in the game, but he said he didnt know if it contributed to Clemons injury. "Its cool to have the different stadiums have their own uniqueness about it," Carroll said. "But there is a point where I think it makes sense that it should be somewhat standardized that it should be equal for everyone, and obviously safety is at the top of everyones mind in the league." Shanahan said hed be open to the idea of an artificial surface, but that he likes natural grass. "We have that here, but for some reason here its just not working as well," he said. "Anyway, well try to address that for next year." www.2013sanfrancisco49ers.com/Nike-Joe-Montana-Jersey .C. -- Wayne Simmonds sure hasnt given up even though the Philadelphia Flyers wont be in the post-season. www.2013sanfrancisco49ers.com/Nike-Bruce-Miller-Jersey . The Norwegian finished a shot clear of Swedens Karin Sjodin at the Ocean Course in Incheon, with five players tied for third, two shots back. Japans Ai Miyazato, Spains Azahara Munoz and the South Korean trio of So Yeon Ryu, Moon Hyun-Hee and Kim Ha-Neul all shot 66.Last season, Cam Newton showed us all just how unpredictable first year players can be in the NFL. The rookie quarterback struggled throughout the entire preseason before exploding for back-to-back 400-yard games in the first two weeks of the regular season. It was an impressive feat for a player who went undrafted in almost all fantasy formats. This year, there is plenty of talent entering the league through the draft, but circumstances and health cloud even the simplest rookie projections. Trent Richardson, Doug Martin, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will all have solid pro careers, but will they be fantasy contributors right away? Smile and grin at the changes all around and dont let yourself be fooled again, as we look at which rookies you should target this season. Trent Richardson, RB (Browns) - The Browns moved up in the draft to secure Richardson as their franchise back, but a knee scope has raised questions over his durability and workload. The result has been a quick drop in Richardsons average draft position, something saavy fantasy owners will capitalize on. Richardson may lose some snaps on passing downs, but expect the Alabama product to be in the lineup Week 1 and to remain the focal point of Clevelands attack en route to a strong first season. Doug Martin, RB (Buccaneers) - New head coach Greg Schiano isnt making life easy on his rookie tailback. Schiano has continued to make Martin split first team reps with incumbent LeGarrette Blount. Martin is being forced to earn the starting job and by all accounts he is doing just that. Blount is still in position to syphon carries away from Martin early in the year, but the younger back has already begun to stand out. The Buccaneers run-heavy approach will reward the teams lead ball carrier and that will be the player they invested a first round pick in - Martin. Robert Griffin III, QB (Redskins) - Its an exciting time for Redskins fans as Griffin is poised to breathe life into their offence. Griffin was stellar in his preseason debut against the Bills, but came back to earth when he took on the Bears last week. Part of Griffins struggles were due to his poor offensive line play, but thats something the rookie will need to overcome in his first season. Griffin will be asked to throw early and often as the Redskins try to keep pace. If he uses his legs to escape the pocket and move the chains, he will be a low-end QB1. Andrew Luck, QB (Colts) - While Griffin stole much of Lucks thunder in the off-season, the tables have turned once preseason action began. Luck has showcased his skills, both physical and mental, leading the Colts to 38 points on 11 possessions. Analysts are singing Lucks praises, but will it translate to fantasy success in 2012? With the Colts defence likely to come under fire, Luck will need to push the ball down the field. Reggie Wayne is still a solid target, but Austin Collies health is already in doubt. If Luck can learn to use his tight ends and you can live with beginners interceptions, then Luck is a strong QB2 with low-end QB1 upside. Justin Blackmon, WR (Jaguars) - An off-season DUI lead to a strange contract negotiation that kept the Jaguars pass catcher away from training camp early on. However, since his arrival Blackmon has started to show why he was the first receiver off the board. Thanks to some improved play from second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Blackmon caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason game last Friday. Blackmon excels at turning short passes into long gains and that fits well with Gabbert. If your draft is this weekend, get Blackmon on your roster at his current ADP in the eighhth or ninth round. www.2013sanfrancisco49ers.com/Nike-Nnamdi-Asomugha-Jersey. Another week of preseason action may cause the rookie receivers stock to rise. Kendall Wright, WR (Titans) - Wright has looked good in August and thanks to the uncertainty of Kenny Britt, Wright will likely be thrust into the starting lineup in Week 1. If we knew what was happening with Britt then we might have a better idea on how to project Wright this season. With Britt out of the lineup for a likely suspension, Wright will get an opportunity. If Britts knees dont hold up, Wright may be in for extended action all season. Wright has caught four passes for 56 yards, through two preseason games and has a natural ability to create separation. With Jake Locker starting, the Titans offence could be explosive. Wright is a solid fantasy backup to stash on your bench to see how the situation develops in September. David Wilson, RB (Giants) - Wilson finally received first team reps this week with starter Ahmad Bradshaw sidelined with a bruised hand. Wilson has been battling D.J. Ware for playing time, but the Giants are hoping the late first round pick distinguishes himself. Wilsons talent will ultimately win him the backup role. With Brandon Jacobs gone from New York, and Bradshaws name often finding a way onto the injury report, the door could open for Wilson at some point this season. Take him as a depth running back in the later rounds and expect to cash in for at least a few starts during the year. Randy Bullock, K (Texans) - You dont often think about kickers when it comes to rookies, but Bullock has a chance to be the starter in a productive Texans offence. The fifth round pick is currently competing with veteran Shayne Graham and both players are performing well in the preseason. If Bullock can win the job, which the Texans are hoping for, he could end up as a top 10 fantasy kicker. Guessing at kickers is one of the most difficult and unnecessary things to do in fantasy, since scoring tends to vary so much week to week. However, the opportunity in front of Bullock cant be denied. The Texas A&M product, who won the Lou Groza Award as the best kicker in the NCAA last season, could become a fantasy contributor right away at the next level. BEST OF THE REST RB Robert Turbin (Seahawks) looked like he was going to be called on right away when Marshawn Lynch faced a suspension, now the rookie will need to wait for an injury, but he is the clear backup in Seattle... WR Reuben Randle (Giants) was drafted in the second round and thought to be Mario Manninghams replacement as Eli Mannings third wide receiver, although now it appears the team may have to share time with Domenik Hixon and Jerrel Jernigan. An injury to Hakeem Nicks or Victor Cruz could put Randle in the starting lineup later in the year... RB Isaiah Pead (Rams) has all the skills, but Steven Jackson doesnt miss many games in St. Louis, meaning the young back may need to wait his turn... RB Lamar Miller (Dolphins) is turning heads in Miami and could pass second-year back Daniel Thomas on the depth chart behind the usually brittle Reggie Bush... WR Brian Quick (Rams) was thought to be an instant starter in the empty Rams receiving corps, but hes been overtaken by veteran Danny Amendola and Steve Smith for the time being... WR Alshon Jeffery (Bears) is still trailing Devin Hester to be the second option in Chicagos receiving game, but he has shown well in the preseason and could be a beast near the end zone... RB Bernard Pierce (Ravens) is the back up in Baltimore and a Ray Rice injury, while tragic for the Ravens, would make Pierce a hot waiver wire pickup. ' ' '
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