Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins could definitely use some help in the WR department ... but Joe Theismann is warning his former team -- STAY AWAY FROM ANTONIO BROWN!!!

"I don't care who you need. I don't care what you need ... the answer would not come up 'Antonio Brown,'" Theismann told TMZ Sports.

"You can give me multiple choice on anyone you want, the one that would not come up would be 'Antonio Brown.'"

For his part, AB has said that he's done with the NFL ... and has re-enrolled in online classes at Central Michigan to kill the time.

Theismann says Brown does "unbelievable" things on the field ... but it's just not worth the baggage that comes with it.

"I wouldn't want to be on a team with him," Theismann tells us. "A lot of questions that I would be asked during the course of the week would be about him. It becomes a distraction to be perfectly honest with you."

"There's so much that's going on around his life that it just makes it really tough to say 'I just want to go to work every day and worry about myself.'"

We also ask Theismann about Washington's chances at making the playoffs ... and he is extremely optimistic.

Hey ... someone's gotta be.

Donald Penn's got a new home in the NFL ... and now he's trying to get rid of his old home in L.A. ... 'cause the Washington Redskins lineman is selling his $5.2 million mansion!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 36-year-old Pro Bowl tackle is parting ways with his 8-bedroom, 11-bath Encino pad ... which comes with a private home theater and a freakin' walk-in shoe closet!!

If that ain't enough, the 11,000-square foot place also has a game room, private gym and a sauna ... as well as 2 private guest suites.

Oh, yeah ... AND it's got a pool!!

Penn was an undrafted free agent out of Utah State ... but grinded his way to a 13-year career with the Vikings and Raiders ... and made more than $60 MILLION along the way.

So, why did he have a home in L.A.? Penn was born and raised in SoCal ... and was a star standout at St. Bernard HS.

Sorry, Cowboys and Eagles ... those Super Bowl dreams you have AIN'T HAPPENING this year -- so says Joe Theismann, who tells TMZ Sports the Redskins are taking the NFC East!!!

"I just like the Redskins," the legendary QB says ... "Nobody's giving us any credit. Nobody's giving us any props whatsoever."

Of course, Joe is biased ... the guy spent the entirety of his great 12-year NFL career playing in D.C. -- but he says there's a method to his wild prediction.

Theismann tells us he thinks every team in the division has holes ... and the door is open for the 'Skins to grab the crown, partly because everyone is picking them to finish last.

"They have them winning three games, they have them finishing last in the division. And, it's fine to be under the radar."

Joe also opened up to us about his thoughts on 'Skins rookie QB Dwayne Haskins, who's struggled so far to begin the preseason.

Theismann tells us Dwayne has some issues with his footwork ... and thinks the 22-year-old will benefit from spending the year behind Case Keenum and learning the system.

But, Joe says next season ... watch out for the guy then!!!

"I knew the bull wouldn't hit him. He avoids contact."

That's Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden savagely roasting his star cornerback, Josh Norman, for his bull-jumping incident in Spain ... and yeah, BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURN!!!

Of course, Norman famously leaped over a bull after the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona on July 11 ... and the video was intense.

Norman's since gloated about it all, saying he's now considered a hero in Spain ... claiming locals call him "El Saltador" because he's "The Jumper!"

Well, Gruden was asked about the whole ordeal at his press conference Wednesday ... and he said he wasn't worried one bit about his CB -- blasting the guy's tackling ability!!!

The room erupted with groans and laughs ... so Jay followed up the joke with, "Just kidding, Josh, just kidding!"

HILARIOUS!!!

Jay went on to say, "Obviously, we wouldn't recommend that for our players, and we want them to keep out of harm's way, but Josh is a unique man and a unique person ... I applaud Josh and his way he lives his life."

For the record, Norman has piled up over 60 tackles in each of his 3 years in Washington.

Alex Smith just took a HUGE step toward returning to the NFL ... the Redskins QB had his gnarly leg brace removed for the first time since he snapped his shin 8 months ago.

Washington's signal-caller was hurt badly when J.J. Watt twisted his leg on Nov. 18 last season ... and he required multiple surgeries and a massive brace just to get the injury stabilized.

In fact, when Smith first showed off the contraption keeping his leg together -- some wondered if the guy would ever play football again.

But, Smith's wife said Monday that Alex had the brace removed ... and is now inching closer to making a return to the football field.

"The last 8 months have been nothing short of crazy," Elizabeth Smith said ... "Although it’s not over, today is a big milestone."

"We are shedding the weight Alex has been carrying (literally and figuratively). It’s one step closer to the goal. The resilience, determination and mental fortitude of this man is unmatched."

Washington Redskins superstar Josh Norman jumped OVER a bull after the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain -- and the video is CRAZY!!!

31-year-old Josh -- who's in the middle of a 5-year, $75 MILLION contract -- was in the bullfighting arena following the run where he came face-to-face with one of the bulls.

Josh decided the only way out was to JUMP ... so he took a running start and pounced -- just as the animal began to charge!

If ya watch the clip ... you can see the bull actually made an effort to stick his horns in Josh's legs -- and if you listen closely, you can hear Dan Snyder screaming all the way from D.C.

Oh, and if that weren't terrifying enough for Redskins fans ... Norman jumped over the bull AGAIN just a few seconds later!!

Good news for everyone, Norman made it out of the horrifying event just fine ... and even said afterward, "It was fun. It was fun, man. It was worth it. It was really worth it."

Norman is ridiculously lucky to get out uninjured -- people get gored at the event every year. In fact 2 Americans were hospitalized with injuries in the 2019 run.

Washington Redskins legend Mark Rypien -- a former Super Bowl MVP -- was arrested for domestic violence in Washington on Sunday after an incident with his wife. 

Cops responded to an intersection in Spokane -- where 56-year-old Rypien and his wife had gotten into an altercation. When cops arrived, the ex-QB was standing by his vehicle. His wife was lying in the grass nearby. 

Officers spoke with both Mark and his wife for about 45 minutes, according to KHQ ... and although his wife was evaluated by paramedics, she did not require further medical attention. 

Rypien -- who played for the Washington Redskins from 1988 to 1993 -- was placed in handcuffs and taken to a nearby station where he was booked for 4th-degree domestic violence. 

He's due in court Monday morning. 

Rypien was the MVP of Super Bowl XXVI -- and played in the league until 2002. 

Vernon Davis traded his helmet for an apron and tongs -- working the grill at a busy chicken restaurant -- and it was all to raise a whole bunch of money for charity.

The Washington Redskins star tight end hit up Nando's in College Park, Maryland over the weekend ... where he manned the grill and served up spicy PERi-PERi chicken to hungry fans.

We're told Nando's donated 100% of sales -- every cent earned throughout the day -- to Vernon's charity ... the Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts.

The organization's goal ... "promote art education and art appreciation among youth from disadvantaged backgrounds" by hooking up deserving students and organizations with scholarships and grants.

Davis wasn't just walking around shakin' hands ... he was literally cooking AND serving the food.

Oh, and a few Redskins cheerleaders were in the house.

Chicken, charity and cheerleaders!!

More bad news for Reuben Foster ... the Washington Redskins LB was carted off the field Monday after suffering a scary injury during his first practice ever with the team.

Reporters on the scene say the ex-Alabama star -- who the 'Skins just picked up a few months ago after the 49ers cut him -- injured his left leg during an on-field play.

Foster reportedly was pushed to the ground ... and was in clear and obvious pain afterward -- punching the grass and screaming out loud.

Trainers put Foster's leg in a cast and carted him off the field ... and it's unclear right now how severe the injury is -- but things don't look good.

It's another piece of bad news for Foster -- who's dealt with multiple issues the past two years including two separate domestic violence incidents as well as a marijuana arrest.

Foster appeared to have all his troubles behind him after signing with the Redskins back in November -- the NFL said he would NOT be suspended after his most recent domestic violence arrest -- and he looked poised to be a starter for Washington this season.

The Bears and Redskins don't play until week 3 this season ... but the matchup is already in Dwayne Haskins' head -- 'cause he says he's legit concerned about being hit by Khalil Mack!!!

The Washington rookie QB was out at LAX Wednesday night ... when he was asked which player in the NFL he is the most worried about.

Without hesitation, the draft's No. 15 overall pick said, "Khalil Mack is somebody I would not want to be touched by!"

Bad news for Dwayne? That's probably going to happen ... and it's probably going to happen VERY early in his career.

The 'Skins and Bears are set for a Sept. 23 matchup at FedEx Field ... and with the Redskins already hoping Dwayne begins the season as the starter -- Mack's likely going to be gunnin' for him.

Hope the pads are strapped on tight!!!

Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson is off the hook in his assault case -- prosecutors have dropped the criminal charges against him ... despite video showing the NFL player KOing a guy.

As we previously reported, Nicholson was arrested in Virginia back in December for assault and battery, and public drunkenness after video showed the 23-year-old beating the hell out of a guy in the middle of the street around 2 AM.

You can see Nicholson throw a solid left which connects -- and the other man goes limp as he collapses to the ground.

But Tuesday, Nicholson appeared in court -- where prosecutors dropped the assault charge, according to court records.

Nicholson's attorney told the Washington Post prosecutors had "insufficient evidence."

Unclear why they would reach that conclusion with the evidence at hand -- it's possible he reached a settlement with the victim, who then refused to cooperate with prosecutors. We just don't know yet.

How is Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder celebrating after drafting his new franchise quarterback?

IT'S YACHT TIME, BABY!!!

The 54-year-old billionaire set sail on his mega-ship, the "Lady S." -- a $180 million yacht with the world's first floating IMAX theater.

(It was originally reported that the yacht is only worth $100 mil, but we're told it's actually valued at $180 mil).

Snyder was spotted aboard the boat in Portofino, Italy ... where he was sipping on beer and checking out his awesome pool and hot tub.

Oh, and he was still repping Washington all the way down to his toes ... check out the Redskins socks.

There's more on the ship ... he's got a helipad, 4 VIP suites and an incredible dining area, where Synder was already entertaining friends.

Snyder is having one heck of an off-season -- most experts think he got a STEAL by drafting Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins with the 15th pick.

After he was selected, Haskins warned the league that he's got a HUGE chip on his shoulder and plans to take it out on all the teams that passed on him.

If he makes good on his promise, maybe he'll make it to the yacht!

Kyler Murray's too darn short to play quarterback in the NFL and he chose the wrong sport ... so says Joe Theismann.

"From my perspective, I think he's going to be challenged in the NFL," the Redskins legend tells TMZ Sports ... "I think he should've taken baseball. That would have been my suggestion to him."

Of course, Kyler's height has been a HUGE talking point ever since the Heisman Trophy winner decided to forgo a baseball career with the Oakland A's to enter this month's NFL draft.

The Oklahoma QB measured in at 5-10, 207 pounds at February's combine ... and count Theismann in as one of the doubters who says that's way too small for an NFL QB.

And why? Joe tells us he's worried Kyler won't be able to throw over taller defensive linemen ... saying, "It's the mechanics of playing the quarterback position."

Theismann also says he's concerned Kyler won't have as good of an O-line as he had at OU ... and thinks that could have devastating results on his style of play.

But, don't get it twisted ... Theismann tells us he's actually rooting for the QB to succeed at the next level -- and thinks he's "a wonderful athlete."

Clinton Portis ain't just shutting the door on Landon Collins' wishes to wear Sean Taylor's old No. 21 jersey with the Redskins ... he's BOLTING it down, saying, "f**k no" he can't wear it!!

"F**k no," the ex-Washington running back says ... "I don’t ever want to see nobody else in it."

Of course, Landon just inked a MONSTER 6-year, $84 MILLION contract with the 'Skins ... and since he grew up idolizing Taylor -- some suggested he should wear the late safety's jersey number.

But, that would rub at least one of Sean's old best friends the wrong way ... 'cause Portis says he's FIRMLY against that idea.

"21, that’s sacred. Why even play with people? Why even spark people’s memories? Retire that jersey," Portis told The Athletic.

"For an organization that don’t retire jerseys or don’t officially retire jerseys, you put that motherf**ker in the rafters, you retire it, and you make sure everybody knows, this is irreplaceable."

Portis and Taylor used to be best friends ... playing together both in college at Miami and in Washington.

In fact, when Sean tragically died in 2007 ... Portis says the Redskins asked him to wear the No. 21 jersey to honor the DB -- but he didn't even feel comfortable doing that back then.

"There was no way in hell I would put that pressure on myself or play with fans to believe that we have a chance of seeing 21 in this jersey again."

Good news for Collins? Sean also wore No. 36 with the 'Skins early in his career ... and seems Portis would be fine with LC honoring Sean by going that route.

But, 21? Portis says that's sacred.

Did you know ... Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once made the guy who killed Osama Bin Laden his special Thanksgiving VIP guest???

It's true ... and when we spoke with Navy SEAL legend Rob O'Neill -- he told us what it was like spending Turkey Day with one of the most powerful guys in the NFL.

We were in D.C. talking with O'Neill about his favorite NFL team -- the Washington Redskins -- when he dropped the Jerry Jones fun fact ... so after the clip, we called him up on the phone to get the full story.

It all went down in 2014 when Rob was living in Dallas ... some of the Redskins honchos wanted to do something nice for him so they put him in touch with the Cowboys in hopes of getting him VIP access to the Thanksgiving Day game.

The Cowboys not only hooked it up -- but Jerry personally invited the American hero into his private owner's suite for the full Thanksgiving turkey spread!!

Jones also took Rob down on the field with a full access pass. Least he could do, right?!

Rob says he's still a hardcore Washington fan -- but he's got a soft spot for the Cowboys.

Anyway, salute this man.

#RESPECT

Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen ain't delusional about the future of his badly injured QB, Alex Smith ... telling TMZ Sports his fingers are crossed but they're not ruling out drafting a QB.

"Alex is getting better everyday and we're gonna keep our fingers crossed on how he's doing," Allen told us on Capitol Hill.

"We're going to listen to the doctors. Whatever the doctors tell us, that's what we'll do."

Of course, Smith's right leg was snapped in half in a game against the Texans on Nov. 18 ... with the QB breaking both his fibula and tibia to the point where bone poked through the skin.

After undergoing multiple major surgeries, the 34-year-old finally reappeared in public last month wearing a complex stabilizing brace around the injury.

We asked Allen if the team would be looking at drafting Kyler Murray. He smirked and told us, "I'm looking forward to meeting him at the combine along with 31 other teams."

We pushed to try and get info on the Washington draft strategy -- but Allen just smiled and told us, "We'll go with somebody, I promise you. We're gonna draft really good football players for the Redskins this year."

There's more ... Allen also told us the team is in talks with Adrian Peterson to bring back the RB for another season.