Case Keenum faced reporters Sunday wearing a spikeball shirt and bragged about his pingpong prowess. Despite having just been officially named the Washington Redskins' starting quarterback, this was just another day for the eight-year NFL veteran. Keenum has been here, done that.
There's very little that's new for Keenum when it comes to the NFL. He's been a starter and a backup, on teams both good and bad. He's been cut, picked up and traded. This is his sixth team in eight seasons, among them the Vikings.
All of that experience — positive and negative — was valuable for Keenum as he competed for the No. 1 job with banged-up Colt McCoy and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins. Coach Jay Gruden made it official Sunday, announcing Keenum as the Week 1 starter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I'm excited, I really am," Keenum said. "I don't take it lightly. The opportunity, the position I'm in … I've been there before, and I know it's a tough job and there's only 32 of them. I'm very honored. … I'm excited to continue to earn the right to be the leader for this team, to be the quarterback of this team.
"I always draw on past experiences. That's what makes us who we are. We learn from those things. I've learned from what I've done well in the past, and I learned a lot more from what I've not done well. That goes with everything. … How you prepare. How you practice. How you treat people. How you come into the building after a bad day. … Every little thing I do has been something I've done in the past and learned from, whether it was me or somebody else."
The news shouldn't come as a shock. McCoy hasn't practiced in nearly two weeks as he continues to heal from the broken leg that ended his 2018 season. Gruden acknowledged the team rushed him back too soon and he may not be available for a couple of weeks into the season. Haskins has shown flashes of brilliance, but he is still a rookie getting a grasp of the NFL.
Etc.
• Miami released veteran safety T.J. McDonald, who started 14 games last season but fell behind Reshad Jones and Bobby McCain on the depth chart.
• Oakland placed running back Doug Martin on injured reserve and signed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Corey Liuget.
