****OFFICIAL**** 2008 Washington Redskins Off Season Thread! (1 Viewer)

[fatness]

He backs Gibbs, he backs Zorn, he backs his teammates, he adds a crapload of fun to the locker room (and the front office on occasion). That would be valuable even in a backup special teams player. He's their best player (along with perhaps Landry, either now or in a year or 2). He's the inspirational glue of the whole team. Imagine them the last several years without him.

 

[dgreen]

He backs Gibbs, he backs Zorn, he backs his teammates, he adds a crapload of fun to the locker room (and the front office on occasion). That would be valuable even in a backup special teams player. He's their best player (along with perhaps Landry, either now or in a year or 2). He's the inspirational glue of the whole team. Imagine them the last several years without him.

But, but, but...Betts is soooo much better than Portis. We clearly saw that in 2006!

 

[Dexter Manley]

He backs Gibbs, he backs Zorn, he backs his teammates, he adds a crapload of fun to the locker room (and the front office on occasion). That would be valuable even in a backup special teams player. He's their best player (along with perhaps Landry, either now or in a year or 2). He's the inspirational glue of the whole team. Imagine them the last several years without him.

But, but, but...Betts is soooo much better than Portis. We clearly saw that in 2006!

My sig pretty much entails how I feel about Portis......

 

[fatness]

Training Camp

Redskins coach Jim Zorn just told me that training camp will begin on Sunday, July 20 at Redskins Park. The first full-pads practice will be on Tuesday, July 22.

 

[fatness]

Todd Yoder is writing Chris Cooley's blog while Cooley is honeymooning. Link

The mixing of good music with liquid courage brings out the dancer in all of us.

You have to love the guy willing to try to do the worm, or the moon walk, maybe the running man. The dance moves themselves are priceless; Thriller, the Robot, break dancing backspin, the shopping cart, the sprinkler, the lawn mover, M.C. Hammer slide, and the list goes on and on. My personal favorite, which I performed at the wedding after the J.D. kicked in, "the motorcycle pickup". It's an advanced move which requires two people. The first person, aka the rider, must start up his hog and cruise it around the dance floor looking for that special someone, aka the pickup person, who hopefully is a hot lady looking to jump on and cruise around with you. All these moves are classics in the annuls of dance history. But don't overlook that occasional slow dance for that chance to snuggle up tight. For me the night ended great with my beautiful wife extremely impressed by my powers of dance.

As we moved through the season I fell in love with her. We went through a lot of weird stuff, but it never fazed either of us. Maybe her dad brainwashed me one of the nights I passed out at her house, because no matter what happened, I was crazy about her. More likely it was her mom, since I was usually trying to impress the old man by drinking him under the table.

 

[buster c]

Good article on Clinton Portis

Four seasons and a revolving door of runningbacks later, Denver is still lacking a top-flight back. NFL fans and analysts alike said he was just another product of the Bronco’s assembly line, and that he would struggle mightily in Washington. 4,616 yards, 34 touchdowns, 1 single season franchise rushing record, and 2 playoff trips later, Clinton Portis has laid to rest any blasphemous notion that he is another product of Denver’s system. Now as he closes in on NFL rushing milestones it is is time to give Portis his due, he’s earned it.

His 63 rushing touchdowns are 14 shy of tying the great Tony Dorsett, who sits at the 20th spot in that category all-time. Three out of his six NFL seasons Portis has rushed for over 1500 yards, if he does it for the fourth time in 2008 he will break into the top 30 of all-time rushers. Throw in his 4.5 career yard per carry, and the fact that he is only 26 and still has much left in the tank, it isn’t far fetched to envision Portis donning the yellow jacket 10 years from now as he is immortalized in Canton, Ohio. Yet, his greatest attribute can’t be measured, there is no statistical category for it. It is something that reveals itself in adverse situations, it can’t be manufactured by ESPN ( looking at you Reggie Bush).

It is the tenacity and fearlessness Portis displays every Sunday in the arena. It, is walking into his first position meeting as a freshman at Miami, and boldly asking the incumbent backs who wants to be his fullback. Then he proceeds to set Miami’s freshman rushing record. When he took his first ever carry as a Redskin for a 64 yards touchdown, we saw it. In late 2005 and 2007 when Joe Gibbs needed him to carry the load to make the playoffs, he did so despite the grueling fashion in which the yards came. It is on display for everyone to see when he attacks oncoming blitzers like a kamikaze. Ask Brian Urlacher, Ray Lewis, or any other defender who they would least like to see on a blitz-pickup, and Portis will be the unanimous choice. More often than not, it is Portis who looks like the linebacker as he puts men much bigger than himself on their backs. That attitude is infectious and his teammates most definitely feed off of it. There are only a handful of backs who you can say are the heart and soul of a team and Portis one of them.

I love watching this guy play. When does the season start?

Thanks for posting. That was a great read. I am so glad this guy is a Redskin. I would do that trade over again in a heartbeat.

I am in the tank for Portis. Never have said a bad word about him; never thought Betts could carry his jock. His "warriorness" is on a par with what Kobe Bryant displays in the NBA as far as will to win is concerned.did we pay too much for him? yes. but we pay too much for everyone.

 

[fatness]

From JLC's blog:

Defensive back Shawn Springs and LaRon Landry, who have not been participating in most of the team's offseason programs, are not present for the first of eight OTA sessions. Springs trains in Arizona, and did not take part in most of last year's offseason programs, while Landry, a second-year safety, has drawn some raised eyebrows around Redskins Park with his absence this spring.Starting wide receiver Santana Moss, who spent the weekend at various birthday parties and charity events in his name, was excused from practice with the flu.New defensive end Erasmus James has been working with trainers on an individual basis, but not taking part in team drills.

Skins Sign Stuart SchweigertSkins signed the free agent safety, who spent the past four seasons with Oakland. Adds much needed depth and experience to the safety position. The Raiders took him in the third round back in 2004. In 63 career games he has four interceptions.The Redskins also released LB Rian Wallace.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Updates (I believe) to JLC's most recent blog post:

I asked Zorn if RB Clinton Portis will still be able to pull himself out of games as he did with Joe Gibbs and he quickly shot down any possibility of that. "I don't think that's something that's going to happen here," Zorn said. "That's not the way our offense is designed. I don't think that will be the way that we function on the football field."

Zorn said any decision on whether to start CB Carlos Rogers on the PUP list would not be made until during training camp. LB Rocky McIntosh, also coming back from major knee surgery, is making strides but is not taking part in full drills during OTAs.

Zorn said offensive coordinator Sherman Smith will be in the pressbox during games offering suggestions to him from there

 

[fatness]

DAvid Elfin

Left guard Pete Kendall did turn up for practice and drew praise from coach Jim Zorn for running wind sprints after practice a month before his 35th birthday. However, cornerback Shawn Springs and safety LaRon Landry remained AWOL.

While Zorn and defensive coordinator Greg Blache said that they hadn't heard from the missing defensive backs, teammates said they had heard from them and that each had missed his flight.

Running back Clinton Portis was back on the field after missing some time last month with a hip flexor. However, receiver Antwaan Randle El remained out after having a knee scoped on May 5. Safety Vernon Fox was also still sidelined after having a knee scoped a week earlier

 

[Sidewinder16]

Jason Reid has a piece on Erasmus James. A short blurb:

"Coming in as a first-rounder there's a lot of pressure on you," he said. "A lot of guys think because you're a first-rounder, you're going to come in and start. . . . And that's the worst thing to come in as, especially as a rookie with people like that, because you can't get any help. It's kind of like you fend for yourself. It's nice to be around older guys who are not out there to say, 'Hey, there's this new guy coming in.' It's not like that at all. You can learn from these guys. I'm real excited about that."

The 6-foot-4 James, at the request of the Vikings' coaching staff, played at about 275 pounds, he said. The Redskins would prefer that James keep his weight between 255 and 260 pounds. "I played [at] about 255, 260 in college," James said. "I'm excited to get back down to that weight because I think that's where I'm best at."

Reid's story makes it sound like James didn't get a whole lot of guidance/support from his teammates or his coaches. The Redskins have some great teachers as coaches like Blache and Bugel, and now Zorn. This acquisition is looking more and more like it could pay off handsomely before too long.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Landry and Moss back on the field.

After missing the first organized team activity Monday, LaRon Landry is at Redskins Park and is on the field practicing right now. Shawn Springs, who was the team's other no-show Monday, still is absent. He had told associates weeks ago that he intended to report for the first day of training camp but not likely before that. He skipped most of the optional workouts last year, working out in Arizona on his own.

And Jason says that Santana Moss has kicked the flu's backside and is on the field.

 

[fatness]

That's very good news that Moss and Landry are there now. Springs's absence is expected.

LOL at Moss's "flu". 2 days of birthday celebrations will do that to ya.

 

[T Bell]

LOL at Moss's "flu". 2 days of birthday celebrations will do that to ya.

My exact thoughts.

 

[fatness]

Riggins was talking about similar happenings back when he played, except guys weren't excused then and had to practice hung over or drunk. I forget the name of the guy he was talking about, it was a lineman, and every time he lined up and went into his stance he fell over. So they finally excused him and named some "rule" after him. I keep thinking the name was Mendenhall or something similar.

 

[T Bell]

Riggins was talking about similar happenings back when he played, except guys weren't excused then and had to practice hung over or drunk. I forget the name of the guy he was talking about, it was a lineman, and every time he lined up and went into his stance he fell over. So they finally excused him and named some "rule" after him. I keep thinking the name was Mendenhall or something similar.

I'm not familiar with the story, but Matt Mendenhall was a DT during the first few years of Gibbs I.

 

[fatness]

Santana Moss owned up to being hung over. JLC's blog

Santana Moss was as up front as can be about his "flu" that caused him to miss Monday's session. His "sickness" was indeed a product of a weekend of birthday celebrating he said, but his teammates haven't given him a hard time about it because it was to be expected

"All they did is laugh because they knew it was going to happen like that," Moss said. "I told them you think you're still young and you can still hold up, but they all know what time it was. Have to chalk it up and be ready the next day."

 

[Sidewinder16]

A couple blurbs from a WaPo article today:

Moss said he felt much better yesterday and was hoping to show off his form to Zorn, but the duo failed to connect on a pattern late in practice. Zorn, a former star quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, threw a pass to Moss as he lined up against trash-talking cornerback Fred Smoot, but the play was incomplete.

"I told him my bad for not coming through for him," Moss said of Zorn. "We had a little miscommunication."

Zorn said he was hoping to get the better of Smoot. "Smoot was the guy that I wanted," Zorn said. "We've got a little competition going and he's got me 1-0 right now."

This is the "players coach" image I'm a little worried about. It's great that Zorn can mix it up with the players like this, i.e. be real chummy on the field, I just worry that it will result in a lack of respect for Zorn's authority. I hope he can be both the "teammate" and the coach.

The transition to another new offense has been a constant topic of conversation, but those on the defense say that the switch to Blache has been smooth. Blache is continuing much of what former defensive leader Gregg Williams established, but with fewer personnel packages and less overall volume.

It's natural for the defense to be ahead of the offense at this point -- Zorn just began to install the offensive playbook last month, for instance -- and players say they are excited about the opportunity to attack opponents.

"As a defense we're just continuing off what we did last year," veteran end Phillip Daniels said. "There's nothing new, we've still got the same plans but we cut back on a lot so we can play faster. And that's what it takes to be a physical defense and play fast on the field. So I'm impressed with how much the guys knew from last year coming back in here. We didn't really have to correct much, we just go line up and play."

Didn't they simplify the D going in to last season after the disappointing '06 season?

 

[T Bell]

A couple blurbs from a WaPo article today:

Moss said he felt much better yesterday and was hoping to show off his form to Zorn, but the duo failed to connect on a pattern late in practice. Zorn, a former star quarterback with the Seattle Seahawks, threw a pass to Moss as he lined up against trash-talking cornerback Fred Smoot, but the play was incomplete.

"I told him my bad for not coming through for him," Moss said of Zorn. "We had a little miscommunication."

Zorn said he was hoping to get the better of Smoot. "Smoot was the guy that I wanted," Zorn said. "We've got a little competition going and he's got me 1-0 right now."

This is the "players coach" image I'm a little worried about. It's great that Zorn can mix it up with the players like this, i.e. be real chummy on the field, I just worry that it will result in a lack of respect for Zorn's authority. I hope he can be both the "teammate" and the coach.

The transition to another new offense has been a constant topic of conversation, but those on the defense say that the switch to Blache has been smooth. Blache is continuing much of what former defensive leader Gregg Williams established, but with fewer personnel packages and less overall volume.

It's natural for the defense to be ahead of the offense at this point -- Zorn just began to install the offensive playbook last month, for instance -- and players say they are excited about the opportunity to attack opponents.

"As a defense we're just continuing off what we did last year," veteran end Phillip Daniels said. "There's nothing new, we've still got the same plans but we cut back on a lot so we can play faster. And that's what it takes to be a physical defense and play fast on the field. So I'm impressed with how much the guys knew from last year coming back in here. We didn't really have to correct much, we just go line up and play."

Didn't they simplify the D going in to last season after the disappointing '06 season?

Not really. IIRC Williams added more cover-2 to his defense. That sort of thing was pretty normal for him as he essentially is always tinkering with his defense. Blache's approach is probably a good one in that regard.

 

[fatness]

JLC's blog

Tackle Jon Jansen is officially the No. 2 center on the depth chart, O Line Coach Joe Bugel said. Jansen and Bugel discussed the situation and given all the depth at tackle and the lack of a proven player to back-up stalwart center Casey Rabach, Jansen is working with the centers in some drills.

Jansen, who would be one of the taller centers around, is working on snapping the ball, something he did occasionally at Michigan many moons ago. The Redskins opted not to draft a backup guard in the draft, but did take one offensive lineman to bolster the aging group - Chad Rinehart. After drafting Rinehart Coach Jim Zorn and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said he would be working at center with the Redskins, but Bugel said that Rinehart is working primarily at guard for now and is not snapping the ball.

"Jon has been a back-up center in college and we have him working at back-up center," Bugel said. "We always want to get the five best guys on the field, so if Rabach got hurt who do you plug in? Right now I'd have to say Jon Jansen."

The only other guys at center are 2008 un-drafted free agent Andrew Crummey, a Maryland product who was injured at the combine and Justin Geisinger, who was on the practice squad last year.

The Redskins have Stephon Heyer and Todd Wade at tackle, who could spell Jansen should Jon need to get move inside for a time with Rabach out. The Redskins have begun to develop a young lineman or two, but Lorenzo Alexander is working primarily with the defensive linemen now, and if it's me I'm finding a veteran who has snapped the ball in this league before the start of camp.

When a frequently-injured 6'6" veteran tackle is your backup center, your offensive line lacks depth.

 

[Bizkiteer]

JLC's blog

Tackle Jon Jansen is officially the No. 2 center on the depth chart, O Line Coach Joe Bugel said. Jansen and Bugel discussed the situation and given all the depth at tackle and the lack of a proven player to back-up stalwart center Casey Rabach, Jansen is working with the centers in some drills.

Jansen, who would be one of the taller centers around, is working on snapping the ball, something he did occasionally at Michigan many moons ago. The Redskins opted not to draft a backup guard in the draft, but did take one offensive lineman to bolster the aging group - Chad Rinehart. After drafting Rinehart Coach Jim Zorn and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said he would be working at center with the Redskins, but Bugel said that Rinehart is working primarily at guard for now and is not snapping the ball.

"Jon has been a back-up center in college and we have him working at back-up center," Bugel said. "We always want to get the five best guys on the field, so if Rabach got hurt who do you plug in? Right now I'd have to say Jon Jansen."

The only other guys at center are 2008 un-drafted free agent Andrew Crummey, a Maryland product who was injured at the combine and Justin Geisinger, who was on the practice squad last year.

The Redskins have Stephon Heyer and Todd Wade at tackle, who could spell Jansen should Jon need to get move inside for a time with Rabach out. The Redskins have begun to develop a young lineman or two, but Lorenzo Alexander is working primarily with the defensive linemen now, and if it's me I'm finding a veteran who has snapped the ball in this league before the start of camp.

When a frequently-injured 6'6" veteran tackle is your backup center, your offensive line lacks depth.

LOL, that would be called hitting the nail on the head my man!

 

[Lowen1]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction.

I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time.

I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive.

Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

 

[fatness]

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben.

When did this happen? I listen to 980 on the ride home and Polian and Czaban are on opposite Riggins, who's on 730 which is owned by the Redskins.Well ####, you're right> Link

Red Zebra Broadcasting has entered into an agreement with Clear Channel Communications to buy three Washington radio stations -- WTEM (Sportstalk 980), WTNT (570 AM) and WWRC (1260 AM).

Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, is the primary investor in Red Zebra.

 

[T Bell]

JLC's blog

Tackle Jon Jansen is officially the No. 2 center on the depth chart, O Line Coach Joe Bugel said. Jansen and Bugel discussed the situation and given all the depth at tackle and the lack of a proven player to back-up stalwart center Casey Rabach, Jansen is working with the centers in some drills.

Jansen, who would be one of the taller centers around, is working on snapping the ball, something he did occasionally at Michigan many moons ago. The Redskins opted not to draft a backup guard in the draft, but did take one offensive lineman to bolster the aging group - Chad Rinehart. After drafting Rinehart Coach Jim Zorn and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said he would be working at center with the Redskins, but Bugel said that Rinehart is working primarily at guard for now and is not snapping the ball.

"Jon has been a back-up center in college and we have him working at back-up center," Bugel said. "We always want to get the five best guys on the field, so if Rabach got hurt who do you plug in? Right now I'd have to say Jon Jansen."

The only other guys at center are 2008 un-drafted free agent Andrew Crummey, a Maryland product who was injured at the combine and Justin Geisinger, who was on the practice squad last year.

The Redskins have Stephon Heyer and Todd Wade at tackle, who could spell Jansen should Jon need to get move inside for a time with Rabach out. The Redskins have begun to develop a young lineman or two, but Lorenzo Alexander is working primarily with the defensive linemen now, and if it's me I'm finding a veteran who has snapped the ball in this league before the start of camp.

When a frequently-injured 6'6" veteran tackle is your backup center, your offensive line lacks depth.

LOL, that would be called hitting the nail on the head my man!

Lacking depth at center <> lacking depth on offensive line. I actually think this line is finally pretty deep for the first time in a while. Between Fabini, Heyer, Alexander, and Rinehart (Crummy, BTW, may be a good developmental prospect at center who we lucked into as a UDFA because of a broken leg) there's some good backup talent. The only guy other than Rabach I'd really fear losing is Samuels, but that's true of virtually every LT in the league.

 

[T Bell]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction. I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time. I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive. Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction. I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time. I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive. Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

There is still plenty of AM dial left for everyone else...I think he'd be okay in that regard.The thought of Brian Mitchell and Czabe being worried about their jobs is nice though...if it were to happen, how fun would it be to be the fly on the wall in that meeting.

 

[T Bell]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction.

I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time.

I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive.

Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

There is still plenty of AM dial left for everyone else...I think he'd be okay in that regard.The thought of Brian Mitchell and Czabe being worried about their jobs is nice though...if it were to happen, how fun would it be to be the fly on the wall in that meeting.

Snyder might even let them go personally.

 

[DCThunder]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction.

I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time.

I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive.

Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

There is still plenty of AM dial left for everyone else...I think he'd be okay in that regard.The thought of Brian Mitchell and Czabe being worried about their jobs is nice though...if it were to happen, how fun would it be to be the fly on the wall in that meeting.

Snyder might even let them go personally.

I don't know if any of you read dcrtv.com, a radio and television blog about the DC area. They've been talking about the Red Zebra purchase of WTEM for a while. They say that Snyder's contract with ESPN Radio requires him to have the ESPN syndicated stuff on his most high profile station, which would now be 980. Therefore, look to have Mike and Mike and Cowheard on most of the day and then depending on what happens, Riggo in the afternoon, maybe with Andy P. There's also talk on dcrtv of taking the Sports Reporters to WJFK in place of what's left of Don & Mike, since Don retired from radio.Yesterday was also the day that John Feinstein does a guest spot with Andy and Czabe, and Feinstein said HE'D be the first guy to get whacked by Snyder. So as they say in the TV biz, stay toooooned....

 

[T Bell]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction.

I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time.

I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive.

Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

There is still plenty of AM dial left for everyone else...I think he'd be okay in that regard.The thought of Brian Mitchell and Czabe being worried about their jobs is nice though...if it were to happen, how fun would it be to be the fly on the wall in that meeting.

Snyder might even let them go personally.

I don't know if any of you read dcrtv.com, a radio and television blog about the DC area. They've been talking about the Red Zebra purchase of WTEM for a while. They say that Snyder's contract with ESPN Radio requires him to have the ESPN syndicated stuff on his most high profile station, which would now be 980. Therefore, look to have Mike and Mike and Cowheard on most of the day and then depending on what happens, Riggo in the afternoon, maybe with Andy P. There's also talk on dcrtv of taking the Sports Reporters to WJFK in place of what's left of Don & Mike, since Don retired from radio.Yesterday was also the day that John Feinstein does a guest spot with Andy and Czabe, and Feinstein said HE'D be the first guy to get whacked by Snyder. So as they say in the TV biz, stay toooooned....

I've always admired Feinstein and I think he's a great interview. Always stimulating stuff from an intelligent guy. Why would he be in danger?

 

[DCThunder]

Not truly Redskins related, but in a way it is...

Since Snyder has purchased Sportstalk 980, I sense RIP Steve Czaben. The way Czabe bashed Snyder can't go over very well with the new boss. Czabe was one of the few (the guests also) to criticize Snyder and the way he ran the team. Andy Polie did a little bashing, but pulled back when Czabe went on his rants. Czabe doesn't have a mute button or off switch, and I just see Snyder moving in another direction.

I hope not, because I like the Sports Reporters during the drive home from work. I can only stand a few minutes of Riggins Radio at a time.

I also think we'll see RIP Brian Mitchell, again he didn't pull any punches when it came to talking about the Skins. John Thompson and Doc Walker are probably safe, because while they criticize, the are a little more constructive.

Oh well, I guess no more independent sports talk in DC - at least when it comes to the Skins. But at least we'll be able to tune into the games all over town, instead of just the pockets where xxx radio is available.

I wonder whether he's going to run into any anti-trust problems given his blanketing of the region with stations that cover his team.

There is still plenty of AM dial left for everyone else...I think he'd be okay in that regard.The thought of Brian Mitchell and Czabe being worried about their jobs is nice though...if it were to happen, how fun would it be to be the fly on the wall in that meeting.

Snyder might even let them go personally.

I don't know if any of you read dcrtv.com, a radio and television blog about the DC area. They've been talking about the Red Zebra purchase of WTEM for a while. They say that Snyder's contract with ESPN Radio requires him to have the ESPN syndicated stuff on his most high profile station, which would now be 980. Therefore, look to have Mike and Mike and Cowheard on most of the day and then depending on what happens, Riggo in the afternoon, maybe with Andy P. There's also talk on dcrtv of taking the Sports Reporters to WJFK in place of what's left of Don & Mike, since Don retired from radio.Yesterday was also the day that John Feinstein does a guest spot with Andy and Czabe, and Feinstein said HE'D be the first guy to get whacked by Snyder. So as they say in the TV biz, stay toooooned....

I've always admired Feinstein and I think he's a great interview. Always stimulating stuff from an intelligent guy. Why would he be in danger?

Because he has slammed and trashed Snyder both on the air on various stations and in print any number of times. And he is a great interview and knowledgeable about a number of topics and sports. He was talking about Kevin White last night and it was very informative and entertaining. BTW, he thinks Charlie Weiss is a "despicable human being".

 

[fatness]

Did any one listen to Riggins's show this afternoon? It was the funniest episode of sports broadcasting I've ever heard. Non-stop, over-the-top homerism from Riggins, Sheehan, and the other guy. It was ####### hilarious.

"How were the Redskins able to pry The Genius Zorn away from Seattle?"

"It's been obvious for the last several years that Vinnie is a genius. But now he rates about 9.99 on the scale of t0."

"If it wasn't for 5 or 6 plays, the Redskins would have won at least 9 Super Bowls in the last 10 years."

"It's clear the players have bought into Zorn's offense and a powerhouse has been created. There's talk around the league comparing them to the 49'ers dynasty."

"THIS JUST IN FROM REDSKIN.COM! THERE ARE T-SHIRTS STILL AVAIALBLE! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???"

"I have to apologize for what I said about Fred Davis and Santana Moss missing practices. Those guys are pros, I was wrong to speak negatively about them. I don't know what got into me."

"I'm hearing more rumblings about 16-0."

(supposed fan e-mail): "Riggo, what's with being a hater, man? !6-0 my ###. 19-0 BABY!!!! Get on the bandwagon!"

Funniest damn sports show I've ever heard. Thumbing their noses at Snyder the whole time.

 

[fatness]

Sports Talk Radio Gets Intermediated

Years from now, when the book about the decline of America's most successful professional sports leagues gets written, the chapter about how team owners finally went too far will focus on the decision by the likes of Redskins boss Dan Snyder to assure themselves of friendly news coverage by buying up the news media.

Snyder advanced this particular ball considerably in 2006, when he bought three little radio stations on the outskirts of Washington and declared them "Redskins Radio." The venture has been pretty much a flop--the stations' signals are too weak for most fans to hear them at home or in the car. So now Mr. Moneybags has bought three more stations, including Washington's longstanding, dominant sports station, Sports Talk 980 (WTEM).

When WTEM and the two other stations Snyder picked up this week from Clear Channel--both political talkers, one left and one right--come under the boss's control July 1, the two big losers will be Washington sports fans and the other Washington sports team owners.

On local sports blogs, much of the agita over Snyder's latest monopolistic maneuver has focused on the potential (or even likely) loss of some of WTEM's better program hosts, including harsh critics of the Skins such as former players Doc Walker and Brian Mitchell, as well as radio guys Steve Czaban and Andy Pollin.

Sports fans who enjoy the kind of no-holds-barred banter that enliven the sports conversation in many other cities are in for a big surprise. Anyone who believes Snyder will grant his radio talkers the independence they need to criticize the team should read Farhi's news story quoting Bruce Gilbert, chief executive of Snyder's radio operations, saying that his company will encourage, "within reason," a freewheeling exchange of opinions. "Within reason." Yikes.

In fact, a smart owner allows just enough criticism on his own media so as to make certain fans have no reason to suspect the boss of censorship.

And if the critical talk show hosts happen to be replaced by boosters such as Redskins Radio's Larry Michael and John Riggins, well, maybe some folks won't notice.

 

[fatness]

The big question surrounding this week's purchase, though, is what will happen to D.C.'s original sports talk station Monday through Saturday.

Whether you like the station's entire lineup or not, WTEM presents a group of hosts who have built reputations by delivering objective and sometimes provocative analysis.

What will Snyder do if Steve Czaban or Andy Pollin call out Jim Zorn if the first-year coach looks as in-over-his-head as he did during his introductory press conference?

Czaban was already let go from Comcast SportsNet's postgame TV show for being too critical, and Snyder has no monetary control of that station.

Since Red Zebra began competing with 980, the perception — fair or not — is that Snyder's stations only carry the owner's message while the competition offers a more balanced approach. Larry Michael's softball interviews and constant brown-nosing do little to dissuade that argument.

Link

 

[dgreen]

The sports radio scene in DC has largely sucked for a while now. I'm not going to get too worked up if it starts to suck even more. My guess is someone would hire Andy and Steve if WTEM cans them and we'll eventually have the same sports radio we do now, just on different stations. I could see 107.7 airing Andy and Steve (they already have Kornheiser and Nats games - and I think Caps games).

 

[fatness]

Running back Clinton Portis was excused from the Washington Redskins' practice yesterday to attend to other matters, while tackle Jason Fabini had to leave Redskins Park before practice for a family issue. Zorn said that he expected Fabini will be back Monday but said that Portis may need some time away next week.

Neither situation was "serious," according to Zorn. Portis has drawn rave reviews for being more diligent about participating in offseason work at Redskins Park than in previous years and Zorn said the former Pro Bowl back notified him days ago of his need to leave early yesterday. Portis received his normal treatment from the training staff and attended meetings before leaving.

"What he did -- to his benefit and to our benefit -- is he came in and got his treatment," Zorn said. "He came in and listened to all the installation [of the offense] and he got his workout in, and then he had to leave. So he went over and above what I thought he was going to do."

Zorn said Fabini was "mortified" that he had to leave early, but definitely will be back for Monday morning's session.

JLC's blog

 

[Ripleys]

Here is a pretty cool video someone at Extremeskins put together to get ya pumped for this year...

http://vimeo.com/1134027

 

[Bizkiteer]

Here is a pretty cool video someone at Extremeskins put together to get ya pumped for this year...

http://vimeo.com/1134027

Nice, thanks for sharing!

 

[Ripleys]

this one is all Portis!

http://vimeo.com/658555

 

[fatness]

Here is a pretty cool video someone at Extremeskins put together to get ya pumped for this year...

http://vimeo.com/1134027

I seldom pay any attention to stuff like that. But that was good. Good song choice, and I forgot all about all those little moves Portis makes getting through the line and beyond. Thanks.

 

[Fear The Turtle]

Pardon the hijack. We're putting together a local FBG auction league. Star attractions: J. Pasquino and roadkill's $500 auction system. Balt/Wash auction leaguers

 

[fatness]

Today's Washington Post article on Portis --- another good read.

There was a time when Clinton Portis would spend a good portion of the offseason in Miami's South Beach, relishing the spoils of his profession. The Redskins running back still enjoys his weekends as much as anyone, flashing that devilish smile when the topic of partying is raised, but his more regular attendance at Washington's offseason workout program has been a departure from years past.

Portis, entering his seventh NFL season and fifth with the Redskins, is taking a more mature and healthy approach to his preparation, he says, at the behest of team owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, the vice president of football operations. Snyder and Cerrato provided another apparent impetus in the form of a lucrative new contract for Portis -- despite his injury and conditioning issues the past two years -- essentially guaranteeing his contract through 2010, a rarity in a league of non-guaranteed contracts.

Portis has been a mainstay of the offseason workout program since March, keeping to a proper diet and working out in the weight room like never before after spending much of the last two seasons trying to overcome injuries and a tendency to become winded. Some days he has trained with linemen, pushing a sled weighed down by teammates, and he is looking more chiseled. He had been at Redskins Park essentially every working day before last Thursday, when Coach Jim Zorn excused him indefinitely. Zorn said he had no problems with Portis leaving to attend what Zorn said was "a celebration" and has praised Portis's work ethic.

"It wasn't [the new contract], it's just he simple fact that I'm now six years in," said Portis, who still has a distaste for practice in general. "How many good years do I got left? This is a golden opportunity, why let it slip away? They asked me to be here; I might as well be here. And I'm here, so I might as well work and take advantage of the opportunity.

"I feel much better. As much as I didn't want to be here [in the offseason], to go out there and be able to run downfield 100 yards and jog back and turn around and run 100 yards again [without being fatigued], it feels great."

"I just take this job very seriously. It's almost like, you play a kid's game for a king's ransom. And if you don't take it serious enough, eventually one day you're going to say, 'Oh, I could have done this, I could have done that.' "

 

[fatness]

News about Rocky McIntosh

LB Rocky McIntosh, recovering from knee surgery, was working with the first-team defense in the walk-through portion of practice and continues to do more work. Zorn remains enthused about his progress; though McIntosh is not cleared for contact drills yet it continues to appear that he is on target for a return during training camp.

 

[fatness]

Washington Times article about how Landry might move back to strong safety.

LaRon Landry might be able to move back to strong safety after all.

The Washington Redskins signed former Oakland Raiders free safety Stuart Schweigert to a one-year deal yesterday. The 26-year-old Schweigert, who will receive a bonus if he makes the team according to a team source, started 42 games for the Raiders over four seasons.

His arrival could allow Landry to return to his original position. Landry, the Redskins' first-round pick last season, moved from strong to free safety after Sean Taylor's injury and remained at the position following Taylor's death in November.

"He's a pure free safety," defensive coordinator Greg Blache said of the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Schweigert. "He's a guy that had a reputation coming out of [Purdue] as a ballhawk. He's got a chance to come in and compete."

 

[fatness]

Also about Landry

Penalties in two of the last three games had forced safeties coach Steve Jackson to try something different. He didn't want Landry to slow down, just to be smarter about where he pummeled a quarterback or receiver. Jackson put one piece of tape across the neck area and another in the waist region.

For 20 minutes that afternoon, Landry practiced blitzing and hitting the dummy between the strips. Sometimes even the most gifted NFL players need to drill through a fundamental.

Peter Lockley/The Washington Times Redskins safety LaRon Landry had two interceptions in the Redskins' wild card playoff loss at Seattle.

"It was comical, but really it was important to tell LaRon that penalties like that can hurt the football team but to also tell him to not change what he was doing and to keep the intimidation factor," safety Reed Doughty said.

Landry didn't have another late hit the rest of the season.

 

[T Bell]

Also about Landry

Penalties in two of the last three games had forced safeties coach Steve Jackson to try something different. He didn't want Landry to slow down, just to be smarter about where he pummeled a quarterback or receiver. Jackson put one piece of tape across the neck area and another in the waist region.

For 20 minutes that afternoon, Landry practiced blitzing and hitting the dummy between the strips. Sometimes even the most gifted NFL players need to drill through a fundamental.

Peter Lockley/The Washington Times Redskins safety LaRon Landry had two interceptions in the Redskins' wild card playoff loss at Seattle.

"It was comical, but really it was important to tell LaRon that penalties like that can hurt the football team but to also tell him to not change what he was doing and to keep the intimidation factor," safety Reed Doughty said.

Landry didn't have another late hit the rest of the season.

That's a cool anecdote.

 

[nittanylion]

Well, while everyone else seems to think Springs is in Arizona or somesuchplace that is NOT Redskins Park, and the only member of the Redskins Family to have communicated with him recently is apparently Fred Smoot, friends and acquaintances of mine both saw and communicated with him earlier this week.

...at the gym I work out at in Rockville, MD.

Springs was there Boxing. The Boxing Trainer there is a friend of mine, and via someone on the 'skins Training Staff who also trains with him, has become a Training Consultant with the Redskins. He frequents Redskins Park 2-3 times a week, and Boxing has become an integral part of OTA Training, both organized and unorganized...

Well, they walked into the Gym and peeked into the Boxing Room, and there Springs was. We've all met him before, and it wasn't much more than a nod and a 'what's up' but there he was. They went into their own workout routines, and didn't see when he left.

I don't think this means he's any closer to coming into OTA's, but he's in the area (or at least he was that day)...just lettin' ya'll know.

 

[fatness]

Iron Shawn Springs?

 

[fatness]

That's a cool anecdote.

And some good coaching too.

 

[T Bell]

Well, while everyone else seems to think Springs is in Arizona or somesuchplace that is NOT Redskins Park, and the only member of the Redskins Family to have communicated with him recently is apparently Fred Smoot, friends and acquaintances of mine both saw and communicated with him earlier this week....at the gym I work out at in Rockville, MD.Springs was there Boxing. The Boxing Trainer there is a friend of mine, and via someone on the 'skins Training Staff who also trains with him, has become a Training Consultant with the Redskins. He frequents Redskins Park 2-3 times a week, and Boxing has become an integral part of OTA Training, both organized and unorganized...Well, they walked into the Gym and peeked into the Boxing Room, and there Springs was. We've all met him before, and it wasn't much more than a nod and a 'what's up' but there he was. They went into their own workout routines, and didn't see when he left.I don't think this means he's any closer to coming into OTA's, but he's in the area (or at least he was that day)...just lettin' ya'll know.

I don't worry about Springs. He's a veteran who has never shown up out of shape, and in fact I suspect that the injuries over the course of his career have led him to build his own workout regimen, which all information suggests is both a tough one and one that he sticks to religously.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Well, while everyone else seems to think Springs is in Arizona or somesuchplace that is NOT Redskins Park, and the only member of the Redskins Family to have communicated with him recently is apparently Fred Smoot, friends and acquaintances of mine both saw and communicated with him earlier this week....at the gym I work out at in Rockville, MD.Springs was there Boxing. The Boxing Trainer there is a friend of mine, and via someone on the 'skins Training Staff who also trains with him, has become a Training Consultant with the Redskins. He frequents Redskins Park 2-3 times a week, and Boxing has become an integral part of OTA Training, both organized and unorganized...Well, they walked into the Gym and peeked into the Boxing Room, and there Springs was. We've all met him before, and it wasn't much more than a nod and a 'what's up' but there he was. They went into their own workout routines, and didn't see when he left.I don't think this means he's any closer to coming into OTA's, but he's in the area (or at least he was that day)...just lettin' ya'll know.

I don't worry about Springs. He's a veteran who has never shown up out of shape, and in fact I suspect that the injuries over the course of his career have led him to build his own workout regimen, which all information suggests is both a tough one and one that he sticks to religously.

Also, they're not installing a new defensive scheme so he's not falling behind the learning curve or anything like that.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Well, while everyone else seems to think Springs is in Arizona or somesuchplace that is NOT Redskins Park, and the only member of the Redskins Family to have communicated with him recently is apparently Fred Smoot, friends and acquaintances of mine both saw and communicated with him earlier this week....at the gym I work out at in Rockville, MD.Springs was there Boxing. The Boxing Trainer there is a friend of mine, and via someone on the 'skins Training Staff who also trains with him, has become a Training Consultant with the Redskins. He frequents Redskins Park 2-3 times a week, and Boxing has become an integral part of OTA Training, both organized and unorganized...Well, they walked into the Gym and peeked into the Boxing Room, and there Springs was. We've all met him before, and it wasn't much more than a nod and a 'what's up' but there he was. They went into their own workout routines, and didn't see when he left.I don't think this means he's any closer to coming into OTA's, but he's in the area (or at least he was that day)...just lettin' ya'll know.

Unless the movie "The Island" was based on a true story, this sheds new light on it for me. It's one thing to be working out with your own trainer across the country or the infamous Miami, but to be right in the area and not participate? I don't care if we are installing a new defensive system or not...he's a player and gets paid like the others. If he's a teammate and one of the guys, he should be there. I'll cut slack for guys that far away, but to be in the area is silly for him to not be there. Just imagine if they all did that, oh how the chemistry would be so peachy keen...