During a recent visit to Lincolnshire I was pleased to see the local chaffinches seemed to be doing well. They were feeding in gardens and their characteristic song was ringing out from every hedgerow. (The song is a series of short notes ending in a twisty trill, often described as hebrewshebrews.) Their presence may seem unremarkable, but these birds, and their greenfinch cousins, have been suffering from a disease which has significantly reduced their numbers..The Redskins went on to win the NFC East, but they ranked 30th against the pass for the season. They surely need a better effort this year from the back end of the defense if they to repeat as champs, and much of that hope hinges on Meriweather. If his knee isn ready, the starting tandem on opening day will likely be promisingbutraw sixthround draft pick Bacarri Rambo and veteran backup Reed Doughty, who has gamely filled in many times over the years but is more valuable on special teams..

A popular preseason pick