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

[fatness]

Rookie tight end Fred Davis, who missed the final practice of minicamp today, has met with Redskins personnel, according to someone familiar with the situation. Davis spoke with Coach Jim Zorn, but we don't have any details about their conversation right now. We're still working to find out exactly what happened, but it appears Davis had a late night Saturday.

Same source, updated.I'd say Fred Davis's contract negotiations took a negative turn for Fred before they even started.

 

[fatness]

Portis and Landry challenge each other to a race

t was just a simple play: A screen pass to running back Clinton Portis. But when Portis reversed field to try to beat the defense and starting safety LaRon Landry had an angle on him and ran him down, the friendly jawing started.

The trash talk continued into the locker room and soon bets were placed. So the two stars headed back outside for a 40-yard race to end the speculation."We just was in the locker room and betting on it," Portis said. "I didn't want him to think ..... you know, I was running sideways and he ran me down and 'ooohhh,' you know what I'm saying. Don't think you got it, bro."

The two jogged down to a practice field, and with teammates gathered on a hill to watch and Zorn still being interviewed up near the main building, the race was on. Portis jumped to an early lead, but Landry had a late kick and seemed to win in a photo finish, much to the delight of the crowd of players.

"Oh, LaRon won, LaRon won," cornerback Fred Smoot shouted. "You know the defensive backfield, we knew we were going to win, that's why I put out my money there. Clinton got the burst, but [Landry is] a defensive back and we used to chasing people. He had to go get him and that's what he did." As he walked inside, Smoot summed up best what must have been in the back of everybody's mind as they watched the race. "And we ain't got no pulled hamstrings neither," he shouted.

As Portis started to address the media, Landry headed over to make sure everyone knew whom he thought was the victor. "About the 25-yard line I came straight up looking at the sky cause I knew I was gonna win, you still down trucking. Come on, man," Landry said to Portis, who doubled over in laughter. "If he want to feel like he won, he can feel like he won," Portis said. "We gonna keep running until it's just hands down [that] I won it."

Zorn said he didn't see the race. "They had to prove something," Zorn said. "In fact after that [screen] play, Clinton came into the huddle, he wasn't supposed to be in on that play and he said, 'What's the play?' He wanted something, something that he could show his stuff again. But he had to get out ..... the play wasn't going to him anyway." Portis joked that he hoped the sprint would count as an organized training activity, but Zorn laughed and said that wouldn't fly. "Nope," Zorn said. "He was on his own, that was strictly voluntary."

Zorn also said he wasn't surprised Landry won. "Landry's fast," Zorn said. "I wasn't surprised because of what I saw out [on the practice field]. I saw the acceleration. They'll race again. I bet it's not over."

 

[fatness]

On the final day of the Washington Redskins' minicamp, Jim Zorn was confronted with the first challenge of his nascent head coaching career when former Southern Cal tight end Fred Davis, the team's second selection in last weekend's NFL draft, did not report to practice yesterday and had to be located by team security personnel. Davis overslept and was not involved in any legal trouble, said Zack Bolno, Washington's executive director of communications.

Zorn, who is in his first year as a head coach after spending the past seven seasons as the Seattle Seahawks' quarterbacks coach, had a lengthy meeting in his office with Davis in the afternoon, according to Bolno. When asked if Davis would be disciplined, Bolno said the matter would be handled internally. Attempts to contact Davis were unsuccessful.

In his press conference after practice, Zorn said he hoped Davis learned a lesson and that the team's other rookies also took something away from the incident.

"If it is [oversleeping], he's got to be mortified," Zorn said. "But that's a young guy, let's set the alarm. You can call for a wake up call, whatever. And some of these guys are young enough, I'm serious, to not even understand that. He thought maybe somebody else was going to wake him up, I don't know. But he'll learn, he'll learn real quick."

 

[dgreen]

Portis and Landry challenge each other to a race

t was just a simple play: A screen pass to running back Clinton Portis. But when Portis reversed field to try to beat the defense and starting safety LaRon Landry had an angle on him and ran him down, the friendly jawing started.

The trash talk continued into the locker room and soon bets were placed. So the two stars headed back outside for a 40-yard race to end the speculation."We just was in the locker room and betting on it," Portis said. "I didn't want him to think ..... you know, I was running sideways and he ran me down and 'ooohhh,' you know what I'm saying. Don't think you got it, bro."

The two jogged down to a practice field, and with teammates gathered on a hill to watch and Zorn still being interviewed up near the main building, the race was on. Portis jumped to an early lead, but Landry had a late kick and seemed to win in a photo finish, much to the delight of the crowd of players.

"Oh, LaRon won, LaRon won," cornerback Fred Smoot shouted. "You know the defensive backfield, we knew we were going to win, that's why I put out my money there. Clinton got the burst, but [Landry is] a defensive back and we used to chasing people. He had to go get him and that's what he did." As he walked inside, Smoot summed up best what must have been in the back of everybody's mind as they watched the race. "And we ain't got no pulled hamstrings neither," he shouted.

As Portis started to address the media, Landry headed over to make sure everyone knew whom he thought was the victor. "About the 25-yard line I came straight up looking at the sky cause I knew I was gonna win, you still down trucking. Come on, man," Landry said to Portis, who doubled over in laughter. "If he want to feel like he won, he can feel like he won," Portis said. "We gonna keep running until it's just hands down [that] I won it."

Zorn said he didn't see the race. "They had to prove something," Zorn said. "In fact after that [screen] play, Clinton came into the huddle, he wasn't supposed to be in on that play and he said, 'What's the play?' He wanted something, something that he could show his stuff again. But he had to get out ..... the play wasn't going to him anyway." Portis joked that he hoped the sprint would count as an organized training activity, but Zorn laughed and said that wouldn't fly. "Nope," Zorn said. "He was on his own, that was strictly voluntary."

Zorn also said he wasn't surprised Landry won. "Landry's fast," Zorn said. "I wasn't surprised because of what I saw out [on the practice field]. I saw the acceleration. They'll race again. I bet it's not over."

Good stuff.I'm really looking forward to season 2 of Landry. He really started to come on strong late last season playing Taylor's role. If he can give them the same presence in deep CF as Taylor was, that can really free Blache up to do some stuff.

And, I love hearing "Portis" and "screen" in the same sentence.

 

[redman]

If he can give them the same presence in deep CF as Taylor was, that can really free Blache up to do some stuff.

Carte Blache? Sorry.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Portis and Landry challenge each other to a race

t was just a simple play: A screen pass to running back Clinton Portis. But when Portis reversed field to try to beat the defense and starting safety LaRon Landry had an angle on him and ran him down, the friendly jawing started.

The trash talk continued into the locker room and soon bets were placed. So the two stars headed back outside for a 40-yard race to end the speculation."We just was in the locker room and betting on it," Portis said. "I didn't want him to think ..... you know, I was running sideways and he ran me down and 'ooohhh,' you know what I'm saying. Don't think you got it, bro."

The two jogged down to a practice field, and with teammates gathered on a hill to watch and Zorn still being interviewed up near the main building, the race was on. Portis jumped to an early lead, but Landry had a late kick and seemed to win in a photo finish, much to the delight of the crowd of players.

"Oh, LaRon won, LaRon won," cornerback Fred Smoot shouted. "You know the defensive backfield, we knew we were going to win, that's why I put out my money there. Clinton got the burst, but [Landry is] a defensive back and we used to chasing people. He had to go get him and that's what he did." As he walked inside, Smoot summed up best what must have been in the back of everybody's mind as they watched the race. "And we ain't got no pulled hamstrings neither," he shouted.

As Portis started to address the media, Landry headed over to make sure everyone knew whom he thought was the victor. "About the 25-yard line I came straight up looking at the sky cause I knew I was gonna win, you still down trucking. Come on, man," Landry said to Portis, who doubled over in laughter. "If he want to feel like he won, he can feel like he won," Portis said. "We gonna keep running until it's just hands down [that] I won it."

Zorn said he didn't see the race. "They had to prove something," Zorn said. "In fact after that [screen] play, Clinton came into the huddle, he wasn't supposed to be in on that play and he said, 'What's the play?' He wanted something, something that he could show his stuff again. But he had to get out ..... the play wasn't going to him anyway." Portis joked that he hoped the sprint would count as an organized training activity, but Zorn laughed and said that wouldn't fly. "Nope," Zorn said. "He was on his own, that was strictly voluntary."

Zorn also said he wasn't surprised Landry won. "Landry's fast," Zorn said. "I wasn't surprised because of what I saw out [on the practice field]. I saw the acceleration. They'll race again. I bet it's not over."

Good stuff.I'm really looking forward to season 2 of Landry. He really started to come on strong late last season playing Taylor's role. If he can give them the same presence in deep CF as Taylor was, that can really free Blache up to do some stuff.

And, I love hearing "Portis" and "screen" in the same sentence.

I'm also loving that all the reports from this weekend are still strongly suggesting that this is a tight locker room. The camaraderie still seems just as strong as it was towards the end of last season.

If nothing else, Zorn gets a big for not messing with that.

 

[fatness]

I'm also loving that all the reports from this weekend are still strongly suggesting that this is a tight locker room. The camaraderie still seems just as strong as it was towards the end of last season.If nothing else, Zorn gets a big for not messing with that.

I noticed that, too. To some extent, maybe a large one, Zorn may be learning from his players and assistants.

 

[fatness]

Davis spoke with Coach Jim Zorn on Sunday and apologized for behaving unprofessionally, and the Redskins said the matter would be handled internally. After the Redskins completed their first OTA on Monday at Redskins Park, Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, said that Davis got the message.

"The biggest thing is, as long as they learn from their mistakes, that's the biggest thing," Cerrato said. "The kid felt awful. Jim got a chance to talk to him and Jim's handling it internally. I've talked to his agents and the kid feels horrible, which he should. "Anytime you miss anything, to me it's important. Especially when you're here to ... he's making his first impression. Do what's right. He made a mistake. Now, he's got to fight back from the mistake."

A day after he was excused from the final practice of minicamp to be with his ailing son, starting safety Reed Doughty rejoined the Redskins for the start of OTAs. Doughty’s son, Micah, is battling a viral infection that occurred after he underwent a recent kidney transplant.

“He’s doing okay, but it’s still a process,” said Doughty, who updated the team on Micah’s condition before practice. “He’s still in the hospital. He’s got a virus that a lot of kids get, but it’s a little more wearing on him with the transplant. His fever came down. That’s a big thing.”

LinkAnd from the comments there:

According to John Clayton:

Then there was second-round pick Fred Davis. He couldn't sleep Saturday night because his roommate wouldn't shut up. So he went to the desk of the hotel and asked for a different room. He slept until 11 a.m., and the team couldn't find him because he wasn't in the right room. Zorn wants his players alert -- but Fred, tell the roommate to shut up and don't forget the wakeup call.

 

[redman]

Jeez, who did Fred have as his roommate?

 

[DCThunder]

Davis spoke with Coach Jim Zorn on Sunday and apologized for behaving unprofessionally, and the Redskins said the matter would be handled internally. After the Redskins completed their first OTA on Monday at Redskins Park, Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, said that Davis got the message.

"The biggest thing is, as long as they learn from their mistakes, that's the biggest thing," Cerrato said. "The kid felt awful. Jim got a chance to talk to him and Jim's handling it internally. I've talked to his agents and the kid feels horrible, which he should. "Anytime you miss anything, to me it's important. Especially when you're here to ... he's making his first impression. Do what's right. He made a mistake. Now, he's got to fight back from the mistake."

A day after he was excused from the final practice of minicamp to be with his ailing son, starting safety Reed Doughty rejoined the Redskins for the start of OTAs. Doughty’s son, Micah, is battling a viral infection that occurred after he underwent a recent kidney transplant.

“He’s doing okay, but it’s still a process,” said Doughty, who updated the team on Micah’s condition before practice. “He’s still in the hospital. He’s got a virus that a lot of kids get, but it’s a little more wearing on him with the transplant. His fever came down. That’s a big thing.”

LinkAnd from the comments there:

According to John Clayton:

Then there was second-round pick Fred Davis. He couldn't sleep Saturday night because his roommate wouldn't shut up. So he went to the desk of the hotel and asked for a different room. He slept until 11 a.m., and the team couldn't find him because he wasn't in the right room. Zorn wants his players alert -- but Fred, tell the roommate to shut up and don't forget the wakeup call.

Well at least he wasn't out partying at Love and Park with Gilbert and DeShawn and Soulja Boy. Did he go down to the front desk in his brand-new Redskins jammies that Danny gave him. And didn't the roommate know where he was? Sheesh....

 

[dgreen]

Jeez, who did Fred have as his roommate?

Good question. I'm assuming his roommate is a teammate. I don't know how Clayton can report that story and not say who his roommate is or that you asked who the roommate is and they wouldn't tell you.

 

[Sebowski]

I don't know how anyone on the same floor as Smoot can sleep.

 

[fatness]

According to John Clayton:Then there was second-round pick Fred Davis. He couldn't sleep Saturday night because his roommate wouldn't shut up.

Jeez, who did Fred have as his roommate?

Zorn.

 

[Swing 51]

Posted at 11:53 AM ET, 05/5/2008This 'n' ThatHere's an item from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette you'll be interested in. Some of this we knew last season:Clark honors TaylorRyan Clark wanted to switch jersey numbers this season, to wear No. 21 in honor of his murdered friend and former teammate, Sean Taylor.The NFL said no, so Clark must stick with his No. 25 in games, but he has worn No. 21 in minicamp practices this weekend and will continue to do so throughout the 2008 season to honor Taylor."I tried to change my number this year, but the NFL wouldn't let me," said Clark, who overcame the loss of his spleen and gall bladder last season to return to the No. 1 spot at free safety this weekend."They kind of gave me the run-around about it -- if you do change a number after having it so long and there are jerseys made, you have to buy the other ones. I tried to do that, but they never really got back with me. It is a veteran rule, about having a number for so long. When you go to another team, it's a little different."So I'll just wear it in practice."Clark, who joined the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, played two seasons in Washington with Taylor. They both joined the Redskins in 2004 and became starters that season. Clark, as a free agent from the Giants, was the strong safety and Taylor, the Redskins first-round draft pick, was the free safety.The two hit it off."I was a little bit older and I was the first guy he really played with," Clark said. "We became kind of close. He came to my house, met my parents. I met his fiance. Actually, his fiance and my wife are still really good friends."Taylor was shot during a robbery in his Florida home Nov. 26, 2007, and died the next day. Clark took it hard."I did but his daughter's doing well, his fiance's doing well, so, how can I not be OK, you know what I mean? I just generally cared about him. To this day, I still think he was the best defensive back I ever played with, that I ever saw in person."Clark was twice denied the opportunity to wear the No. 21. Complications from his sickle cell trait in the high altitude in Denver in October caused him to lose his spleen and end his season. A month later, all NFL players wore a No. 21 sticker on their helmets to honor Taylor."When everybody got the opportunity to wear the No. 21 on their helmet, I didn't," Clark said. "So it's kind of just my little tribute right now because I didn't get the opportunity."Posted by Cindy Boren

 

[Swing 51]

WashPost blog:

Randle El Has SurgeryJReid has been trying to send this for about 45 minutes....Computer gods are angry today, my friends....Starting wide receiver Antwaan Randle El underwent arthroscopic knee surgery yesterday and is expected to return for the Washington Redskins' second session of organized team activities that start in June, Coach Jim Zorn said.Randle El, who sat out the start of OTAs on Monday because of his knee injury, had what Zorn described as a "fairly minor" procedure to remove floating cartilage in his knee. If there are no complications from the surgery, Randle El should be fully recovered in a few weeks, Zorn said.The last of this week's three OTAs, which are closed to the public, is scheduled today at Redskins Park. The OTAs, of which there are 11 scheduled, resume June 2. Randle El could take part in the final eight."He'll be here for the next set of OTAs," said Zorn, who did not mention Randle El's upcoming surgery in his daily meeting with reporters Monday."This should be a three- to four-week deal, I think. I haven't heard any report. This is just what the preliminary thoughts were when they went it."During last weekend's minicamp, Randle El expressed his excitement about "the freedom" he felt in the West Coast offense Zorn is installing. "There are just a lot of options," Randle El said. "You run to get open and the quarterback plays off of you. The passing game, the offense, is up tempo. He [Zorn] wants to get in and out of the huddle, get to the ball and get moving."Zorn could not point to a specific play in minicamp, or during the team's voluntary workout program that began in March, in which Randle El's knee injury occurred. "Sometimes those things are just in there and then they create irritation," Zorn said. "They [the team medical staff] noticed some swelling. They gave him an MRI that showed that there was just a little piece of cartilage floating in there. They go in there, suck it out and then get on with it."In 15 games last season, Randle El, the Redskins' No. 2 receiver behind Santana Moss, had 51 receptions for 728 yards (a 14.3-yard average) and one touchdown. In his first season with the team in 2006, Randle El played in 16 games and had 32 catches for 351 yards (an 11.0-yard average) and scored three touchdowns.Also the Redskins' primary punt returner, Randle El had a 6.1-yard average on 34 returns last season. He did not score a touchdown."I think everybody is pretty excited about Jim's offense and what he wants to do," Randle El said during minicamp. "We definitely feel like we have the right people to get it done, we just have to have everyone healthy and ready to go."By Cindy Boren | May 6, 2008; 1:51 PM ET

 

[dgreen]

The Race.

Thread about The Race.

 

[southeastjerome]

Jeez, who did Fred have as his roommate?

Justin Tryon would be my guess. Fellow Pac-10 rookie and every report I've read on him has mentioned he likes to talk. His (and I paraphrase) "if I return kicks we'll start on at least the 50 yard line every time" kills me. Seriously though, this is annoying, not the type of stuff you want to happen right away. Heck, its impossible to imagine anyone missing their 3rd day of work with their first serious job. I guess he's still young and is probably used to being babied.

 

[fatness]

Adam Archuleta got cut by the Bears.

 

[dgreen]

Adam Archuleta got cut by the Bears.

I guess he wasn't cutting it on punt coverage for them either.

 

[redman]

Adam Archuleta got cut by the Bears.

I guess he wasn't cutting it on punt coverage for them either.

I'm sure he'll find some way to console himself.

 

[fatness]

Adam Archuleta got cut by the Bears.

It would be ironic if the press didn't cover this.

 

[Sebowski]

http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2...other-news.html

Chris Cooley on Fred Davis :

"Yeah he did, he missed the third practice, he, I guess, forgot the alarm clock that morning, so we decided to buy him a Flava Flav clock that he can wear around his neck for all of training camp. Should be a lot of fun, I think he'll look really good with it, hopefully it will get him up on time."

Also talks about how he is trying to convince his hot wife to let him posts lingerie pics of her on his blog.

 

[redman]

http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/2...other-news.html

Chris Cooley on Fred Davis :

"Yeah he did, he missed the third practice, he, I guess, forgot the alarm clock that morning, so we decided to buy him a Flava Flav clock that he can wear around his neck for all of training camp. Should be a lot of fun, I think he'll look really good with it, hopefully it will get him up on time."

Also talks about how he is trying to convince his hot wife to let him posts lingerie pics of her on his blog.

Awesome!

 

[fatness]

Fred Davis = Flava Flavis

 

[Sidewinder16]

Cooley makes guest posts at Shutdown Corner over at Yahoo, as well. He has an awesome post detailing the drug testing policy, specifically the process for urine collection from a players POV.

ETA: Includes a couple funny (and SFW) pics.

 

[Sidewinder16]

This was good to hear:

The Redskins had 100 percent attendance on the first day of OTAs under Zorn.

This was not:

Quarterback Jason Campbell has what the team described as a minor hamstring injury.

"He just felt it grab, it didn't pull all the way," Coach Jim Zorn said yesterday after the last of the team's three organized team activities at Redskins Park. "He was feeling his hamstrings all along, and I think it's because I have him" bending his knees more to stay at one level while dropping back.

Obviously, Zorn was not pleased that Campbell was injured, but "just the fact that different things are happening to his body ..... for me it's good," Zorn said. "He'll regroup. He's not a chronic hamstring-puller in my mind. He's going to be fine." ...

Running back Clinton Portis (minor hip injury) sat out practice. Zorn theorized that the injury could have occurred when Portis and safety LaRon Landry raced against each other Sunday.

I hope this isn't the beginning of this year's cycle of injuries to key players.

 

[redman]

Cooley makes guest posts at Shutdown Corner over at Yahoo, as well. He has an awesome post detailing the drug testing policy, specifically the process for urine collection from a players POV.

ETA: Includes a couple funny (and SFW) pics.

New sig.

 

[buster c]

Adam Archuleta got cut by the Bears.

I guess he wasn't cutting it on punt coverage for them either.

I'm sure he'll find some way to console himself.

this is also good for anyone who needs to freshen up on their Vietnamese

 

[fatness]

Cooley makes guest posts at Shutdown Corner over at Yahoo, as well. He has an awesome post detailing the drug testing policy, specifically the process for urine collection from a players POV.

Rock Cartwright was thrown into the same situation as me: "I was standing in the middle of the bathroom in the New York, New York casino in Las Vegas, and the dude says, ‘Just do it in front of the urinal.' Forget the stall, I was standing ### out in front of a urinal with some guy peeping around my shoulder."

 

[redman]

Rock Cartwright was thrown into the same situation as me: "I was standing in the middle of the bathroom in the New York, New York casino in Las Vegas, and the dude says, ‘Just do it in front of the urinal.' Forget the stall, I was standing ### out in front of a urinal with some guy peeping around my shoulder."

I wonder if it was the short urinal.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Some good stuff from a Q&A with Sherman Smith on redskins.com:

Q: What is the new Redskins' offense going to look like?

A: "You'll see the versatility. Everyone can get the football. There are ways you can get the ball to Santana [Moss], Antwaan [Randle El] and Chris Cooley. You can get all your weapons involved in the game. It will be hard, I believe, to take one guy out of the game because you can go with so many personnel groupings and get everyone involved."

Q: Will Clinton Portis have the same role?

A: "The thing we told the guys when we got together on Friday is this: people are going to say we were a sound team at the end of the season. We were sound in what we did. They are going to say that we were disciplined. They are going to say that we were physical and that they could run the football and protect the quarterback. We are going to run the football. We have to be able to run the football in order to throw it. We are going to protect the quarterback. That means we will be able to throw the football. Clinton's role, as a runner, as a receiver--he will be a pronounced guy in our offense, as everyone should know that he should be."

Q: What are your impressions of Jason Campbell early on?

A: "I am really impressed with Jason. I was in Tennessee with Vince Young for two years and Vince came out as a third pick. With Jason, he is just very mature. You can tell he has been studying. He takes a great deal of pride--he wants to be a championship quarterback. He wants to lead his team to the championship. He is on top of it. I am just impressed with the guy thoroughly. He understands what it takes to prepare, to win and he is doing it right now. He is going to be a great quarterback."

Q: How do you handle the competition at wide receiver?

A: "It handles itself. You have some veterans that aren't going to step back because we drafted two guys in the second round. They are going to step up. They are going to step up and say, 'It is good to have these guys here to give me a [rest], but I'm not conceding anything.' And that's good. Competition makes everyone get better. Antwaan, Santana, James [Thrash]--all those guys, they are going to get better because of the young guys. We will be a better team because of the competition."

Q: The Redskins are coming off a playoff season. Should the players have the same belief and expectation heading into 2008?

A: "They should expect to be a playoff team. There is no doubt about it. [We aren't] coming in here and saying we are rebuilding. We hope to get in the playoffs. It is an expectation that every guy has. We are not stepping back. We expect to be better than we were last year. We are going to do some things that were done last year, just better. We should be better."

 

[fatness]

Bram Weinstein's blog about Zorn's minicamp intensity.

here's the impression I got from talking to some folks in Ashburn, this guy's practices are going to be a little rougher then first expected. In turn, Antwaan Randle-El suffers a knee injury and has surgery, Clinton Portis is sitting out a practice with a hip injury (not a surprise considering his disdain for practicing especially this time of year) and Jason Campbell did so many reps in a new crouched position he slightly pulled his hamstring. The last is obviously the most disconcerting. If the quarterback is uncomfortable (obviously since he pulled a major muscle) to what length does that affect his overall mechanics. Campbell is a tall guy, they can't make him shorter so maybe they need to work with him as he is instead of trying to change how he does it.. But I defer to Zorn on this one and assume it's just a minor setback in what will be the hopeful growth of Campbell, but that news was troublesome to say the least.

Zorn's practices were desribed to me as vigorous, so we'll see how that plays and what the carryover effect is cpme June and into camp.

 

[buster c]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?i...ce=NFLHeadlines

Death penalty off the table for suspects in killing of Redskins' Taylor

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ESPN.com news services

The four men who are charged with the first-degree murder and armed burglary of former Redskins star Sean Taylor won't face the death penalty, according to multiple media reports.

Prosecutors in the case have waived the death penalty for Jason Scott Mitchell, Eric Rivera Jr., Venjah Hunte and Charles Wardlow, the Fort Myers News Press and the Naples Daily News reported Sunday night.

All four men, if convicted, face life in prison.

Hunte's lawyer Michael Hornung said he learned of the decision by prosecutors late Friday.

"They would have had to show it was premeditated," Hornung said. "I believe that it's appropriate that they waive the death penalty."

The current theory of the crime, that Rivera was the alleged shooter, likely prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty since Rivera was a minor at the time of the shooting.

"The fact that the prosecution won't seek the death penalty has been a foregone conclusion," Taylor family spokesman Richard Sharpstein told the Fort Myers News Press. "The family is still supporting the prosecutors and looking for justice to be done."

Taylor, an All-Pro safety, was shot during a botched robbery attempt at his Miami home in November. He died a day later from wounds suffered during the break-in.

The trial for all four defendants is scheduled to begin Aug. 25.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[Ripleys]

great, tax payers can pay to keep these POS alive for the next 60-80 years for killing a man in his own house. Wonderful.

 

[redman]

great, tax payers can pay to keep these POS alive for the next 60-80 years for killing a man in his own house. Wonderful.

Put all of them in a cage with an assortment of knives and blunt objects, and tell them that the last man standing will be allowed to spend the rest of his life in prison.

 

[fatness]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?i...ce=NFLHeadlines

"They would have had to show it was premeditated," Hornung said. "I believe that it's appropriate that they waive the death penalty."

The current theory of the crime, that Rivera was the alleged shooter, likely prevented prosecutors from seeking the death penalty since Rivera was a minor at the time of the shooting.

"The fact that the prosecution won't seek the death penalty has been a foregone conclusion," Taylor family spokesman Richard Sharpstein told the Fort Myers News Press. "The family is still supporting the prosecutors and looking for justice to be done."

I'm perfectly fine with this. Despite the fact that I'll be angry 20 years from now about Taylor being killed, I think he deserves more dignity than to become a tool used by others to support or oppose the death penalty.

 

[buster c]

not really sure how I feel about this. Seems like they got the killer red-handed, so a technicallity (premeditation) spares him his life.

on the other hand, I'm not completely sold on mankind's ability to play God, so despite the cost to the tax payer, prison may be an inevitable societal cost. but if I were in charge - no TV, no weight room, no Michael Vick playing football in Levinworth, etc. Maybe something along the lines of Auschwitz-lite

 

[fatness]

On a lighter note, the practice fields at Redskin Park are supposedly under a couple feet of water right now. Good argument for drafting those taller receivers. Vinnie knows what he's doing.

 

[Bizkiteer]

not really sure how I feel about this. Seems like they got the killer red-handed, so a technicallity (premeditation) spares him his life. on the other hand, I'm not completely sold on mankind's ability to play God, so despite the cost to the tax payer, prison may be an inevitable societal cost. but if I were in charge - no TV, no weight room, no Michael Vick playing football in Levinworth, etc.

Your post was GREAT until the last line. I left it out, but I though it was tasteless...even if it was meant for humor. What happened then is pure evil and not funny in any context.I too have mixed feelings about it. I think the death penalty is supposed to be good or justified, if it can be carried out the right way. The double standards in our justice system make it too hard to support as many minorities get harsher penalties than others. Media also is very powerful in giving more focus to certain crimes of certain people, while making a 5 second segway into a commercial on other certain folks. Everyone knows this to be true, unless you've been living in the dark or a cave in the past.Ok, now back to regular scheduled FF talk...

 

[fatness]

Rich Tandler

The Washington Redskins' roster is about 96% complete.

Of the 53 players who will be on the team's opening-day roster, all but one or two of them currently are with the team.

Don't look for post-June 1 cuts to add that depth at cornerback or along the lines.

 

[buster c]

not really sure how I feel about this. Seems like they got the killer red-handed, so a technicallity (premeditation) spares him his life. on the other hand, I'm not completely sold on mankind's ability to play God, so despite the cost to the tax payer, prison may be an inevitable societal cost. but if I were in charge - no TV, no weight room, no Michael Vick playing football in Levinworth, etc.

Your post was GREAT until the last line. I left it out, but I though it was tasteless...even if it was meant for humor. What happened then is pure evil and not funny in any context.I too have mixed feelings about it. I think the death penalty is supposed to be good or justified, if it can be carried out the right way. The double standards in our justice system make it too hard to support as many minorities get harsher penalties than others. Media also is very powerful in giving more focus to certain crimes of certain people, while making a 5 second segway into a commercial on other certain folks. Everyone knows this to be true, unless you've been living in the dark or a cave in the past.Ok, now back to regular scheduled FF talk...

Dude - sorry. Apologies to all, if offended. interesting thought - is there a context in which that can be humorous? I think it depends on who is involved...and in the case of a public message board, it's not the context. I guess I was saying that MY prison system is harsh, but not death & torture.how 'bout that Colt Brennan ?

 

[fatness]

Five Players Who Could Breakout In 08

LaRon Landry

Anthony Montgomery

Demetric Evans

Rocky McIntosh

Stephon Heyer

 

[fatness]

Five Players Who Could Decline In 08

Corneilius Griffin

Pete Kendall

Shawn Springs

London Fletcher

Andre Carter

 

[fatness]

MVN

Redskins chief honcho Vinny Cerrato said that wide receiver Anthony Mix needs to lose about 15 pounds to boost his speed. Cerrato made the statement on Redskins Radio broadcast on Comcast Sports Network yesterday.

Mix is listed on the Redskins roster at 6-5, 235 pounds, but Cerrato said Mix reported to mini-camp at 245 pounds.

 

[redman]

Five Players Who Could Play Pinochle in 2008 . . .

Seriously, is there any more obvious approach to a May fluff article than that?

 

[Bizkiteer]

not really sure how I feel about this. Seems like they got the killer red-handed, so a technicallity (premeditation) spares him his life. on the other hand, I'm not completely sold on mankind's ability to play God, so despite the cost to the tax payer, prison may be an inevitable societal cost. but if I were in charge - no TV, no weight room, no Michael Vick playing football in Levinworth, etc.

Your post was GREAT until the last line. I left it out, but I though it was tasteless...even if it was meant for humor. What happened then is pure evil and not funny in any context.I too have mixed feelings about it. I think the death penalty is supposed to be good or justified, if it can be carried out the right way. The double standards in our justice system make it too hard to support as many minorities get harsher penalties than others. Media also is very powerful in giving more focus to certain crimes of certain people, while making a 5 second segway into a commercial on other certain folks. Everyone knows this to be true, unless you've been living in the dark or a cave in the past.Ok, now back to regular scheduled FF talk...

Dude - sorry. Apologies to all, if offended. interesting thought - is there a context in which that can be humorous? I think it depends on who is involved...and in the case of a public message board, it's not the context. I guess I was saying that MY prison system is harsh, but not death & torture.how 'bout that Colt Brennan ?

No problem BC...if I thought there was real meaning behind it then it would have been a far different response by me. I suspected that you meant no harm, just pointing out that certain topics should never be used lightly.If makes anyone feel better, my mother saw a pimped out h2 the other day that had Reskins logo and such on it. It was coming from Redskins park. She thought it had to be "one of the new guys since they were there to practice." I then informed here that ALL the players had to participate in mini-camp. Mom's what are you gonna do, but love them...huh?

 

[Sidewinder16]

Five Players Who Could Play Pinochle in 2008 . . .Seriously, is there any more obvious approach to a May fluff article than that?

Breaking news!!!Old guys might get worse! Young guys might get better!You heard it here first!

 

[fatness]

Seriously, is there any more obvious approach to a May fluff article than that?

There's actually stuff right now that's even worse. God I hate the time between the draft and training camp. Even Cooley's blog entry sucks, it's a blog entry about blogging, with a video about blogging.

 

[Sidewinder16]

LaCanfora has some info on Cerrato's hirings and firings in the FO this off season.

I thought the relationship between Riddick and Williams was particularly interesting.

 

[redman]

LaCanfora has some info on Cerrato's hirings and firings in the FO this off season.

I thought the relationship between Riddick and Williams was particularly interesting.

The more I read about Gibbs' second tenure the more disgusted I am at how disorganized and ill-conceived a lot of the management was, even as I admire how he unified and strengthened what had been a very week and demoralized and fragmented squad.