****OFFICIAL 2008 Washington Redskins Thread**** (1 Viewer)

[Sebowski]

That is sig material right there.

Jackson looked good on a couple plays, but I saw him get pushed over a lot. Once by a TE I think.

 

[fatness]

We're back on the third page of threads. That will not do.

Did anyone else hear Cynical Steve Czaban and Negative Andy Polian interview Zorn this afternoon? Those guys are in heaven. They LOVE interviewing the guy because Zorn actually does the unthinkable --- he answers questions. When the interview was over and Zorn left Czaban said out loud "God I hope this guy can coach. I really do. Because I'm falling in love with interviewing him."

Zorn didn't say anything terribly new. He praised the team's preparation and readiness for the Colt game, and said he expects to see that every game instead of stumbling and uncertainty and "playing junk ball" as he put it. He wasn't fazed by coaching a game because the coaches all had their lines of responsibility worked out before the game. Imagine that --- a coaching staff with clear lines of responsibility. That's new here. Zorn said Portis will play a little this weekend, probably not the next week, then will play again the following week because he wants to gradually ramp him up for the start of the season so "he's already been hit, he's already gained yardage before our first regular season game."

 

[T Bell]

We're back on the third page of threads. That will not do. Did anyone else hear Cynical Steve Czaban and Negative Andy Polian interview Zorn this afternoon? Those guys are in heaven. They LOVE interviewing the guy because Zorn actually does the unthinkable --- he answers questions. When the interview was over and Zorn left Czaban said out loud "God I hope this guy can coach. I really do. Because I'm falling in love with interviewing him." Zorn didn't say anything terribly new. He praised the team's preparation and readiness for the Colt game, and said he expects to see that every game instead of stumbling and uncertainty and "playing junk ball" as he put it. He wasn't fazed by coaching a game because the coaches all had their lines of responsibility worked out before the game. Imagine that --- a coaching staff with clear lines of responsibility. That's new here. Zorn said Portis will play a little this weekend, probably not the next week, then will play again the following week because he wants to gradually ramp him up for the start of the season so "he's already been hit, he's already gained yardage before our first regular season game."

I don't much care for Czaban or Pollan, but I do love listening to Zorn's interviews. He does give good substantive responses and you actually get useful information out of him. It will be interesting to see whether his patience for humoring the media holds up under the stress of a season. It certainly makes him look competent and confident now, though, which is a good thing.

 

[T Bell]

Link

POSTED August 7, 12:33 AM

Humble Jim in control

Jim Zorn wanted honesty from his coaches. Too often he got deception.

“I had coaches that would try to manipulate,” he said. “I would always say I can handle it. If I’m the lousiest guy you’ve ever seen in your life, put me out of my misery. Tell me. But don’t tell me I’m great and then behind the scenes say you can’t wait to get me out of here.”

Which is why Zorn is brutally honest as a coach. If two high draft picks can’t pass the conditioning test, like Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas, he won’t fudge his thoughts on the matter. He’ll be direct. And if top veteran, such as Shawn Springs, doesn’t contact him during OTAs, he’ll give his true thoughts on the matter.

It’s a philosophy that is wining over players. Several veterans, all speaking anonymously to get their true thoughts, raved about Zorn’s honesty.

“I liked Joe [Gibbs],” one offensive veteran said. “I really like coach Zorn. I want to play as good as I can for a lot of reasons — I want to win. But I want him to succeed so he’s here. I really like him as a coach. I like his offense, I like the way he deals with us. I like the way the schedule is going.”

Each player thought that Zorn’s being an ex-player enabled him to speak with candor. And it allows him to not back down from the bigger names on a team. Zorn has already said, for example, that running back Clinton Portis would not dictate when he leaves the game as much as he did under Gibbs.

“He understands our mentality,” said one defensive player. “It’s all about accountability; sometimes you’ve got to man up.”

Said another defensive player, ‘’Maybe some coaches don’t have that background and they might be into the names of the players and don’t want to anger anybody.

“You’d always like to have a coach that you want to play for. I don’t think there are a lot of guys like that [anymore]. He’s got a chance to be that type of coach.”

 

[fatness]

It’s a philosophy that is wining over players. Several veterans, all speaking anonymously to get their true thoughts, raved about Zorn’s honesty.

“I liked Joe [Gibbs],” one offensive veteran said. “I really like coach Zorn. I want to play as good as I can for a lot of reasons — I want to win. But I want him to succeed so he’s here. I really like him as a coach. I like his offense, I like the way he deals with us. I like the way the schedule is going.”

Each player thought that Zorn’s being an ex-player enabled him to speak with candor. And it allows him to not back down from the bigger names on a team. Zorn has already said, for example, that running back Clinton Portis would not dictate when he leaves the game as much as he did under Gibbs. “He understands our mentality,” said one defensive player. “It’s all about accountability; sometimes you’ve got to man up.” Said another defensive player, ‘’Maybe some coaches don’t have that background and they might be into the names of the players and don’t want to anger anybody.

“You’d always like to have a coach that you want to play for. I don’t think there are a lot of guys like that [anymore]. He’s got a chance to be that type of coach.”

Good stuff, especially coming from the veterans.

 

[T Bell]

Agreed, fatness.I'm liking what I'm hearing regarding Rinehart:

Iowa native Rinehart fits in fine with RedskinsBy JOSEPH WHITE, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 20 minutes ago * Buzz Up * PrintASHBURN, Va. (AP)—Chad Rinehart certainly fits the role of the stereotypical Iowa lineman: Raised in a small town, worked on a corn farm, grew to 300 pounds and played football at a state university.Rinehart, the son of a truck driver and a school teacher, baled hay and detasseled corn before enrolling at Northern Iowa. Of all the Washington Redskins rookies, perhaps none is getting better reviews at training camp than the third-round pick from Boone, Iowa—population 12,000.Rinehart has the intimidating look down pat, having shaved his head and face to leave only the slightest layer of stubble. He’s also one of the last offensive players to leave the field after practice.“He’s a tough dude,” offensive line coach Joe Bugel said. “He’s got good football intelligence, and he’s one rookie that came in and is not intimidated. A lot of those guys get saucer eyes, you line up against Jason Taylor and probably want to get his autograph. He’s really come along in camp.”ADVERTISEMENTCoach Jim Zorn has said that Rinehart will play a vital role for the Redskins this season, a reflection of the concern over the fragile state of the starting offensive line. The “Dirtbags”—Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen—make for a solid five when healthy. But they are all in their 30s, and all but Rabach have had recent injury problems.So the Redskins drafted Rinehart and have made him a multipurpose insurance policy by working him at tackle and guard, a tough assignment for a rookie given the complex blocking assignments of a pro offense. He played both positions in the Hall of Fame game last weekend. On Saturday against Buffalo, he’ll work exclusively at left tackle, his most comfortable position, because of injuries to backups Stephon Heyer and Todd Wade.“He’s caught everybody’s attention,” Zorn said. “And on the o-line, I think it’s hard to break into the crusty group. He’s done a really nice job earning their respect.”Part of earning that respect comes from the extra work Rinehart put in after practices this week. While others walk to the locker room, he remains in the baking sunshine, practicing his stance and his pass-protection footwork by himself.“Practices here are a lot more team-orientated, and you don’t get to work on technique a lot,” said Rinehart, his face soaked in sweat moments after his final solo drill. “I noticed when I wasn’t doing anything (extra), my technique started to falter a little bit, so I just need to keep working on it.”Otherwise, Rinehart said he hasn’t been overwhelmed by the move from college to the NFL. He said it helps, from an Iowa native’s lifestyle perspective, that the Redskins are headquartered in the distant Virginia suburbs of Washington.“I kind of like it out here. It’s a little ways away from the city,” Rinehart said. “It’s not too high-paced.”Ideally, the Redskins hope Rinehart spends the bulk of the regular season cooling his heels on the bench while the starters remain injury-free. When the older players start to give way, whether this year or next year or the year after, Rinehart is expected to help lead the next generation of Dirtbags.“I don’t think the adjustment’s been too great,” Rinehart said. “I’m still playing football. I take the same approach as I did to college. I just go out every day and try to get better.”

BTW, I cringe every time I hear "Dirtbags" because it's so contrived. Buges has the right to call any 'Skins line he coaches "the Hogs" IMHO, so he can do that or not use a nickname at all, but "Dirtbags" sucks.

 

[Swing 51]

Posted at 4:13 PM ET, 08/ 7/2008Portis Set to Play SaturdayClinton Portis is scheduled to make his preseason debut Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills at FedEx Field, Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora report."Oh, yeah, Clinton is going to get out there a little," offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said yesterday after the Redskins' afternoon practice at Redskins Park."He's just going to go out and play a series or two, he may not even play 10 plays. We're going to put the ball in his hands to just see the quickness. He's in great shape, he's ready, so just run behind this line and get some time."Portis, who sat out the Redskins' preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts last week, said he plans to keep it simple against the Bills."I'm not looking to see nothing. I'm looking to see how long they're [going to] leave me out there, to be honest," Portis said. "Is this [going to be] good? For who? For y'all? For the media? For the public? I guess. But what's good for [No.] 26 is rest. Rest is important. Rest is vital."Smith, who played a key role in the success of former Tennessee Titans' Pro Bowl runner Eddie George, said Portis is the type of back he enjoys coaching."You can see he's a special running back," Smith said. "He's got great patience as a runner. He can explode when he sees it, he's got great feet in the hole and he's a good decision maker."

 

[fatness]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

 

[T Bell]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie. Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

 

[pablito]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie. Important stuff.

Although if he tries that "book 'em Danno" stuff with the wrong Danny, it could hurt his chances...

 

[buster c]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

Actually, his brush with LE was as a perp:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...01172347AA36498

On January 28, 2004, Brennan entered the dorm room of a University of Colorado coed uninvited and, according to the coed "exposed himself and fondled her". Brennan, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and trespassing, but a guilty verdict for unlawful sexual contact was vacated by the court for lack of evidence. After the incident, which was caught up in the middle of the time when the Univrsity of Colorado was flooded with other accusations of sex crimes and revelations of wild recruiting parties involving football players, Brennan was almost immediately kicked off the team.

 

[T Bell]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

Actually, his brush with LE was as a perp:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...01172347AA36498

On January 28, 2004, Brennan entered the dorm room of a University of Colorado coed uninvited and, according to the coed "exposed himself and fondled her". Brennan, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and trespassing, but a guilty verdict for unlawful sexual contact was vacated by the court for lack of evidence. After the incident, which was caught up in the middle of the time when the Univrsity of Colorado was flooded with other accusations of sex crimes and revelations of wild recruiting parties involving football players, Brennan was almost immediately kicked off the team.

Who among us hasn't done that once or six times? Who?

 

[Sylira21]

Whose going to the game tomorrow? I know...preseason. But it's supposed to be really nice out, good tailgate weather...anyway, thought it would be fun to see Portis in a preseason game. Kind of like sighting a rare bird in your backyard...

Hope to see Jason Taylor as well, albeit briefly. Then comes Brennan time!!

 

[buster c]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

Actually, his brush with LE was as a perp:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...01172347AA36498

On January 28, 2004, Brennan entered the dorm room of a University of Colorado coed uninvited and, according to the coed "exposed himself and fondled her". Brennan, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and trespassing, but a guilty verdict for unlawful sexual contact was vacated by the court for lack of evidence. After the incident, which was caught up in the middle of the time when the Univrsity of Colorado was flooded with other accusations of sex crimes and revelations of wild recruiting parties involving football players, Brennan was almost immediately kicked off the team.

Who among us hasn't done that once or six times? Who?

well, at least the coeds never complained

 

[T Bell]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

Actually, his brush with LE was as a perp:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...01172347AA36498

On January 28, 2004, Brennan entered the dorm room of a University of Colorado coed uninvited and, according to the coed "exposed himself and fondled her". Brennan, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and trespassing, but a guilty verdict for unlawful sexual contact was vacated by the court for lack of evidence. After the incident, which was caught up in the middle of the time when the Univrsity of Colorado was flooded with other accusations of sex crimes and revelations of wild recruiting parties involving football players, Brennan was almost immediately kicked off the team.

Who among us hasn't done that once or six times? Who?

well, at least the coeds never complained

I just got used to the mace, or else I brought goggles.

 

[T Bell]

Again, I like where this team is heading:

Redskins QB Campbell talks fishin' and footballAugust 7, 2008 2:13 PMPosted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley ASHBURN, Va. -- Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell changes his expression at least once a month. He's the face of the franchise, but you'd never know it by the way he carries himself.Somehow, he's staved off celebrity in a part of the country that worships its football team. In fact, I watched him walk past Joe Theismann on Wednesday without even being noticed by the club's legendary quarterback.Earlier, I spent 45 minutes talking to Campbell about football and his other passion, fishing.In a short time, he and new head coach Jim Zorn have created a special bond. And that's not easy when you're used to coaches leaving all the time. From the start, Zorn reminded Campbell of his former offensive coordinator at Auburn, Al Borges, who ran the "Gulf Coast" offense and helped lead the Tigers to a 13-0 season in 2004."There are a lot of similarities," Campbell said. "They're both very positive and not uptight. Zorn is a mellow guy who treats you like a grown-up."Campbell laughed when asked about a recent team meeting that has become a running joke in training camp. Zorn stood up and talked to the team about the proper dress code on road trips. And he wanted to let them know that he wasn't as out of touch as they might think."I know jeans are popular for you guys," Campbell recalls Zorn saying. "I want people to feel good about what they're wearing, and part of fashion is unique denim."In what must've been a surreal moment for the players, Zorn began naming off certain brands (True Religion, Republic, 7's for All Mankind) and noted that he understood that people would be wearing $250 T-shirts.Then he turned around, pulled down his pants and tightened his belt."But I don't want you to wear saggy jeans," he said to roaring laughter.Campbell characterized it as a breakthrough moment for the new staff. He also echoed what several other players, including tight end Chris Cooley, mentioned: Zorn is upfront about when practices, meals and meetings will be held.It was a common complaint that Joe Gibbs liked to keep everyone guessing."I never asked how things were done with scheduling before," Zorn said. "This is simply how I believe it should be done."Zorn has not tried to change everything about Campbell overnight. He believes in a gradual process. He's heard other coaches tell players to "stand tall in the pocket," but it's something you'll never hear come out of his mouth.Even with 5-foot-11 Seneca Wallace in Seattle, Zorn wanted him to stay low in the pocket. He's asked Campbell to take wider steps to get to the back of his drop and he believes that bending his legs and being more athletic will allow him to be more accurate and have more velocity. In his preseason debut, Campbell appeared to be a willing pupil, completing all five of his passes, one for a touchdown, in a win against the Colts.Campbell could've been insecure about the fact that his season-ending injury allowed backup Todd Collins to lead the Redskins to the playoffs last season. Instead, he stood on the sideline and studied Collins' every move."After everything this team had been through with Sean Taylor's death, I was thrilled to watch us go on that run," Campbell said. "I tried to learn as much as I could."What he learned from Collins is that it's OK to check down several times a game if nothing else is there. Campbell was putting pressure on himself to make plays when he could've been dumping the ball off to running backs."Sometimes it's OK to throw a five-yard pass to [Clinton] Portis and let him run 50 yards," he said.He spent part of his offseason fishing with his parents and girlfriend, a former Miss District of Columbia, in ponds and lakes near his home in Hattiesburg, Miss.The family even accepted an invitation to fish on Brett Favre's farm one afternoon. He said that Favre was "off in the woods working on something," so they never saw him."Brett must not be fishing that lake very much," said Campbell, "because my mom and girlfriend were catching everything. When my girlfriend caught a 5-pound bass, Dad got really serious and started grindin'."For more on Jason Campbell's trip to the Favre family farm, keep reading the NFC East blog.

 

[fatness]

I just learned from Chris Cooley's blog that the players have given Colt Brennan the nickname McGarrett . And they've given Fred Davis the nickname Boozie.

Important stuff.

I love McGarrett.

Actually, his brush with LE was as a perp:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qi...01172347AA36498

On January 28, 2004, Brennan entered the dorm room of a University of Colorado coed uninvited and, according to the coed "exposed himself and fondled her". Brennan, who was intoxicated at the time of the incident, was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and trespassing, but a guilty verdict for unlawful sexual contact was vacated by the court for lack of evidence. After the incident, which was caught up in the middle of the time when the Univrsity of Colorado was flooded with other accusations of sex crimes and revelations of wild recruiting parties involving football players, Brennan was almost immediately kicked off the team.

Who among us hasn't done that once or six times? Who?

Kids these days don't know anything about chloroform how to act.

 

[fatness]

Rock Cartwright has torn rib cartilage.

Pete Schmitt quit. That's it. He split.

 

[fatness]

The New York Jets have made it official — Brett Favre will get the start at quarterback for the team’s next preseason game.The Jets host the Redskins on August 16 at Giants Stadium.

 

[fatness]

LOL. At the 2-minute warning the Redskins are on an 8-minute drive featuring one pass. Marcus Mason is going to be very tired tomorrow.

 

[fatness]

After two games, the trend is hard to miss. Those Washington Redskins quarterbacks are looking pretty sharp under new coach Jim Zorn.

Whether it's Jason Campbell with the starters or Todd Collins with the backups, Washington's quarterbacks are putting up the kinds of numbers they would love to replicate in the regular season. The pair combined to go 15-for-21 in the first half of Saturday night's 17-14 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Campbell played the first quarter and went 7-for-10 for 71 yards -- and two of the incompletions were batted at the line of scrimmage. He led a 12-play drive that was nearly derailed by a pair of 10-yard penalties before Clinton Portis' 1-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal.

CBS SportslineRedskins had 155 yards rushing.

 

[T Bell]

Trying to Put The QB in Coach

By Mike Wise

Sunday, August 10, 2008; D01

After Tom Flores won his first of two Super Bowls with the Raiders, Bart Starr, the former Packers great, approached the coach and said, "I really want to thank you."

"I was a little surprised," Flores said by telephone last night. "I think I said, 'For what?' "

"You finally destroyed the myth," Flores recalled Starr saying.

"What myth?"

"The myth that quarterbacks don't make good coaches."

This story is related on the night Jim Zorn strode purposefully through the FexEd Field tunnel for the first time in his career as coach of Washington's pro football team last night, stopping only to shake the hands of assistants Joe Bugel and Stump Mitchell before his home preseason debut ended with a 17-14 pileup of a victory over Buffalo.

They're 2-0 when it doesn't count. But Jason Campbell looks sharp. And whether there are starters or practice-squad kids out there, they have a knack of hanging in there.

Still, based strictly on the past, Zorn has his work cut out for him. Go ahead. Look long and hard through the annals of the game, and it becomes clear why the newbie is moving on, employing his own methods, finding his Zorn identity, anything to separate him from those who coached before him.

We're not talking about Joe Gibbs; he's obvious. (And besides, Zorn has already demonstrated an unguarded candor -- a truth-telling serum apparently unavailable to any other full-of-subterfuge NFL coach, a distinct difference from his tight-lipped Redskins' predecessor.)

No, it's a positional problem Zorn must overcome. Of the 439 coaches in NFL history, just 25 have been quarterbacks of some notable measure. And many have not been very good. Just one, Flores, has won a Super Bowl, while Sam Wyche got to the big game but never sealed the deal.

Sam Huff, the Hall of Fame linebacker and Redskins radio analyst, took a roll call of great quarterbacks who didn't work out as coaches.

"Bart Starr? Fired," Huff said. "Norm Van Brocklin? Fired. Otto Graham. Fired here. Hall of Famers. Steve Spurrier. It doesn't matter. For some reason they don't work out. They all want their own people, 'Well, look who I drafted.' " Huff paused and, speaking of Zorn, added: "But this guy. . . . I think this guy could break the mold."

Zorn, asked about the issue, said he hadn't "thought about that."

"I just know that for me, I've been around some very sound coaches in Bobby Ross and Mike Holmgren, especially, and they have come from some very sound teams themselves and come from outstanding backgrounds," he said.

"The history of quarterbacks that became coaches?" Zorn asked rhetorically. "I'm not going to think about that too much. That would worry me."

No one has a concrete theory on why everyone from Allie Sherman to Frankie Albert couldn't cut it on the sideline, or why Gary Kubiak and Sean Payton are hanging in there at the moment. Beyond the NFL -- from Ted Williams to Magic Johnson -- former greats throughout history have had lousy patience. Or at least zero tolerance for players not of their ilk.

Van Brocklin once coached Sonny Jurgensen. For about a week.

"They got rid of him before the season began," Jurgensen said. "He started firing people in the front office. He wanted to fire the PR guy, everybody.

"I don't know why quarterbacks aren't better coaches, because I know how smart they are."

Flores believes it has something to do with the ability to take and give instruction.

"I don't really have a theory on why Otto Graham or Bart Starr didn't work out, why I was the only one successful in that way as a former quarterback," he said. "I'm as mystified as you are. Coaches have to lead and quarterbacks are good leaders. But I do know that some weren't as good as teachers as some other coaches. You have to be a teacher to be a coach."

Coincidentally enough, Flores helped make Zorn a teacher. After former Seahawks coach Chuck Knox told Zorn after his playing days that he should try to look outside his former organization for a coaching job, Flores backed up Knox and told Zorn essentially the same thing while he was president and general manager of the Seahawks before Paul Allen owned the team.

"He came in for advice and told me he wanted to get into coaching and I told him I didn't have room for him, so I said, 'You ought to start out at any level and find out whether you like it or not before you get into it,' " Flores said.

Zorn started small, taking his first job coaching quarterbacks at Boise State in 1988, before working his way back to the NFL.

He's clearly got a learning curve to overcome, and the schedule-makers did not do Zorn any favors. His first three games on the road are against NFC East opponents. Washington opens with Ring Night at the Meadowlands against Eli Manning and the Super Bowl champions.

But he seems undaunted and convinced that in time he will adapt to the job. He's a little bit corny, which this franchise needs. When nearly 30,000 fans showed up to watch the Redskins scrimmage in Ashburn, Zorn told the players it would be "a happening."

"I have a great foundation here, I'm keeping it simple and I'm trying not to get ahead of myself," Zorn said. "That part is important. As for other quarterbacks who didn't become great coaches, well, I can't do anything about that. Except not worry about it."

For what it's worth, Huff told Zorn he reminds him of Tom Landry, his former defensive coordinator in New York, who was about decency in Dallas and life. "Just the way he treats people, " Huff said. "He actually told me he appreciated me coming out one day."

Zorn thanked him, mentioning he also played for Landry, before he threw for more than 21,000 yards and 111 touchdowns in Seattle. In 1975, before catching on in 1976 with the Seahawks, Zorn almost became the Cowboys' third-string quarterback, behind Roger Staubach and Clint Longley.

"Isn't that something?" Huff said.

It's good trivia, like the fact that Landry, a Pro Bowl defensive back as a player, also moonlighted at quarterback.

Probably portending his Hall of Fame coaching career, he completed 11 passes in 47 attempts for one touchdown and seven interceptions with the Giants in 1952. Tony Dungy was equally awful as an emergency quarterback in 1977, throwing two interceptions in eight attempts.

But they exuded class, dignity and won titles, something no bona fide NFL quarterback has done as a coach before or after Flores.

So Jim Zorn has a 1-in-25 shot. Not bad, no?

Link

 

[fatness]

I read that article earlier. I like Mike Wise's writing. I like when he's on the Sports Reporters on 980 also, because he and Czaban clearly have some kind of beef going and some of their digs at each other are pretty good. And in "We Hope It's Not Football-Related" injury news:

In a pregame radio interview, Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, said rookie safety Chris Horton has a colon infection.

 

[fatness]

Mix Has Broken Rib

And Tandler's blog about McMullen slowly passing Mix for a roster spot.

 

[Sidewinder16]

From Terl's blog:

Despite being known primarily as a passing coach, Zorn explained that he hadn’t taken many shots downfield because he didn’t need to with the running game working so well. “Oh, I was lying to guys” on the sidelines, he said, “I kept promising that we’d take a shot. I wanted to keep the clock running, and didn’t want to interrupt the running game while they were in rhythm.” Having seen other pass-happy coaches in the league unwilling to make similar concessions, this was great to hear.

I think I may be falling in love.Someone please remind me that 2-0 means less than squat right now.

 

[fatness]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

 

[fatness]

From Terl's blog:

I hadn't seen that blog before, thanks. Nice shot there of the team taking the field.

 

[T Bell]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

. . . and Brian Mitchell now has his finger on the pulse of the team, or is this just him speaking out of his hind end? They're already keeping six WR's and three TE's. There's no way they can keep four HB's, and they won't keep Mason over Rock. I don't think there's a spot for him on this team.

 

[Lowen1]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

. . . and Brian Mitchell now has his finger on the pulse of the team, or is this just him speaking out of his hind end? They're already keeping six WR's and three TE's. There's no way they can keep four HB's, and they won't keep Mason over Rock. I don't think there's a spot for him on this team.

I heard BMitch on Comcast yesterday (sorry, TV so no link). He was saying that the way Mason is playing, makes it more likely the Skins will consider trading Betts. Maybe for a safety was what BMitch was saying. He said that there is no way to stash Mason on the practice squad again this year, he performance has been seen by to many people. Not sure if BMitch actually knows this, or is just talking out loud. But, if we see Mason playing earlier in the game this week, it could be an indication they want to see how he performs against better competition.

 

[T Bell]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

. . . and Brian Mitchell now has his finger on the pulse of the team, or is this just him speaking out of his hind end? They're already keeping six WR's and three TE's. There's no way they can keep four HB's, and they won't keep Mason over Rock. I don't think there's a spot for him on this team.

I heard BMitch on Comcast yesterday (sorry, TV so no link). He was saying that the way Mason is playing, makes it more likely the Skins will consider trading Betts. Maybe for a safety was what BMitch was saying. He said that there is no way to stash Mason on the practice squad again this year, he performance has been seen by to many people. Not sure if BMitch actually knows this, or is just talking out loud. But, if we see Mason playing earlier in the game this week, it could be an indication they want to see how he performs against better competition.

Betts does everything that Mason does, and is better than Mason at all of those things. Rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, you name it. There's no way I'd feel comfortable going into the season with Mason on the roster as a replacement for Betts.On top of that, RB's are just not all that valuable in trade. There are a lot of RB's in the league at Betts' skill level, so who exactly would trade us a good safety for Betts?

 

[Lowen1]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

. . . and Brian Mitchell now has his finger on the pulse of the team, or is this just him speaking out of his hind end? They're already keeping six WR's and three TE's. There's no way they can keep four HB's, and they won't keep Mason over Rock. I don't think there's a spot for him on this team.

I heard BMitch on Comcast yesterday (sorry, TV so no link). He was saying that the way Mason is playing, makes it more likely the Skins will consider trading Betts. Maybe for a safety was what BMitch was saying. He said that there is no way to stash Mason on the practice squad again this year, he performance has been seen by to many people. Not sure if BMitch actually knows this, or is just talking out loud. But, if we see Mason playing earlier in the game this week, it could be an indication they want to see how he performs against better competition.

Betts does everything that Mason does, and is better than Mason at all of those things. Rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, you name it. There's no way I'd feel comfortable going into the season with Mason on the roster as a replacement for Betts.On top of that, RB's are just not all that valuable in trade. There are a lot of RB's in the league at Betts' skill level, so who exactly would trade us a good safety for Betts?

Not sure - I'm just reporting what I heard from BMitch.

 

[T Bell]

This morning on Monday Morning Quarterback, Brian Mitchell said that Marcus Mason's play has just about forced the Redskins to keep him on the roster.

. . . and Brian Mitchell now has his finger on the pulse of the team, or is this just him speaking out of his hind end? They're already keeping six WR's and three TE's. There's no way they can keep four HB's, and they won't keep Mason over Rock. I don't think there's a spot for him on this team.

I heard BMitch on Comcast yesterday (sorry, TV so no link). He was saying that the way Mason is playing, makes it more likely the Skins will consider trading Betts. Maybe for a safety was what BMitch was saying. He said that there is no way to stash Mason on the practice squad again this year, he performance has been seen by to many people. Not sure if BMitch actually knows this, or is just talking out loud. But, if we see Mason playing earlier in the game this week, it could be an indication they want to see how he performs against better competition.

Betts does everything that Mason does, and is better than Mason at all of those things. Rushing, receiving, kickoff returns, you name it. There's no way I'd feel comfortable going into the season with Mason on the roster as a replacement for Betts.On top of that, RB's are just not all that valuable in trade. There are a lot of RB's in the league at Betts' skill level, so who exactly would trade us a good safety for Betts?

Not sure - I'm just reporting what I heard from BMitch.

I'm not criticizing you and I recognize you're reporting BMitch, but I just don't buy what BMitch is selling here, and I don't think he's in a position with regards to the team to have inside information on this anyway.

 

[nittanylion]

Brian Mitchell is just parroting off what Doc Walker started on Saturday Night during the PostGame Show on Sportstalk, er ESPN 980 AM.

Doc was gushing about Mason, and rightly so. There IS something raw about him, that if properly developed, has the potential to be special.

Doc's take on Mason making the squad was that if Mason continued to display his talents, that Rock Cartwright might never recover from whatever minor injury that's ailing him right now; in other words, they'd surreptitiously place Cartwright on Season-ending IR to secure Mason on the active Roster.

Today's answer to 'stashing' players back in the good ol' days...

 

[T Bell]

Brian Mitchell is just parroting off what Doc Walker started on Saturday Night during the PostGame Show on Sportstalk, er ESPN 980 AM.Doc was gushing about Mason, and rightly so. There IS something raw about him, that if properly developed, has the potential to be special.Doc's take on Mason making the squad was that if Mason continued to display his talents that Rock Cartwright might never recover from whatever minor injury that's ailing him right now; in other words, they'd surreptitiously place Cartwright on Season-ending IR to secure Mason on the active Roster.Today's answer to 'stashing' players back in the good ol' days...

That theory sounds bass ackwards. Why would you stash an older, veteran player with little upside in order to keep a younger, potentially good but unproven player on the active roster? Ordinarily, the IR gets used in such a scenario with a guy like Mason suffering an "injury", and by keeping the very useful veteran special teamer Cartwright on the active roster, no?

 

[nittanylion]

You're guess is as good as mine. That was Doc's take on it. Guess that's the best way they can keep them all, and give Mason as much developmental attention as possible?

I really don't pay much attention to how getting on/off IR, PUP, Practice Squad works, but at some point, clearing waivers kicks in here and there...

Mason has the potential to be a more complete RB than Rock, and maybe there's more to be gained in terms of his development by having him around the active squad on a week-to-week basis rather than on IR...

...don't get me wrong; I HIGHLY appreciate Rock's contributions, and have always admired his 'want-to factor' - he's a hard worker, and is a good example of what Gibbs called a 'real Redskin'...but his upside is limited, and with Rock, we (and all NFL Personnel Folks), pretty much know exactly what we have in him.

For what he is, he's probably getting paid more than most Teams would be willing to acquire him for. His greatest value lies with the 'skins, I think. At the same time, they now have a guy on the Roster who can return kicks (Rock's primary asset), is younger and cheaper, and appears to have the potential to be more than just a role player in the future.

I'm just musing...

 

[T Bell]

You're guess is as good as mine. That was Doc's take on it. Guess that's the best way they can keep them all, and give Mason as much developmental attention as possible?I really don't pay much attention to how getting on/off IR, PUP, Practice Squad works, but at some point, clearing waivers kicks in here and there...Mason has the potential to be a more complete RB than Rock, and maybe there's more to be gained in terms of his development by having him around the active squad on a week-to-week basis rather than on IR......don't get me wrong; I HIGHLY appreciate Rock's contributions, and have always admired his 'want-to factor' - he's a hard worker, and is a good example of what Gibbs called a 'real Redskin'...but his upside is limited, and with Rock, we (and all NFL Personnel Folks), pretty much know exactly what we have in him.For what he is, he's probably getting paid more than most Teams would be willing to acquire him for. His greatest value lies with the 'skins, I think. At the same time, they now have a guy on the Roster who can return kicks (Rock's primary asset), is younger and cheaper, and appears to have the potential to be more than just a role player in the future.I'm just musing...

I agree with you that Mason is promising. He's a no-brainer to make the squad if Rock or Betts (or Portis, for that matter) weren't on the roster. I like him. I also agree that Rock's already at his ceiling, but that includes some vitally important if relatively unheralded special teams roles. If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

 

[dgreen]

I wasn't paying too much attention to BMitch during the postgame show, but what I heard was not him saying it was likely to happen. I think he was just saying that trading Betts for a safety might be a way to get Mason on the active roster and get some safety help. I don't think he was actually saying he thought it would happen.

I don't think Mason has looked significantly better than he did last year. He made a bunch of nice runs then, too. He's a nice player. It would be nice if we had a spot for him. But, we don't. There just isn't room. We just have to hope they can get him to the practice squad and have him in case of an injury.

Oh, and anyone else think Portis is starting to grow a mohawk. It looked like it to me during his sideline interview the other night.

 

[dgreen]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

 

[dgreen]

Someone please remind me that 2-0 means less than squat right now.

2-0 does mean less than squat right now. What I need to be reminded of, though, is that the way they've looked so far, especially considering they're still missing some starting pieces, doesn't mean a whole lot. IMO, a big reason Campbell has looked so good is because he has had little-to-no pressure. He was sacked in the HOF game on a play Jansen whiffed on the DE, but has been mostly untouched other than that. So, I have to remind myself that they aren't facing many blitzes (and the ones they do face aren't complicated) and their opponents have been missing players while the Skins have trotted out their full starting OL each game. Campbell probably also hasn't had to read any difficult coverages yet.

 

[PantherPower]

Whatever B.Mitch says, assume he's wrong. Guy is a bitter little BIIIIOOOTTTCH, IMO.

 

[fatness]

Why would you stash an older, veteran player with little upside in order to keep a younger, potentially good but unproven player on the active roster?

What I heard Mitchell say was said this morning around 7:15. He said that if Mason wasn't on the active roster that some other team would snatch him this year.

 

[Marvelous]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

 

[Marvelous]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

 

[dgreen]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

Yes, Rock used to play FB. Oddly enough, I was watching the NFL Replay show of the Skins-Seahawks game from 2003 last night and Rock was playing some FB. He didn't fare too well on some plays. But, he did get into the action carrying the ball that game and ran well.

 

[T Bell]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

Yes, Rock used to play FB. Oddly enough, I was watching the NFL Replay show of the Skins-Seahawks game from 2003 last night and Rock was playing some FB. He didn't fare too well on some plays. But, he did get into the action carrying the ball that game and ran well.

Gibbs tried him at FB during one of the first two seasons, and Rock put on like 15 pounds to fill that role, but he wasn't very good as a lead blocker. He's a HB and special teamer, and he's since dropped back down to his regular playing weight, which is a little too light for the role anyway.

 

[T Bell]

Someone please remind me that 2-0 means less than squat right now.

2-0 does mean less than squat right now. What I need to be reminded of, though, is that the way they've looked so far, especially considering they're still missing some starting pieces, doesn't mean a whole lot. IMO, a big reason Campbell has looked so good is because he has had little-to-no pressure. He was sacked in the HOF game on a play Jansen whiffed on the DE, but has been mostly untouched other than that. So, I have to remind myself that they aren't facing many blitzes (and the ones they do face aren't complicated) and their opponents have been missing players while the Skins have trotted out their full starting OL each game. Campbell probably also hasn't had to read any difficult coverages yet.

The test will be the next-to-last preseason game, when the teams all like to have all of their starters on the field for at least one half, and you'll get to see a little more of the offense, though it will still be against vanilla defenses. I just want to see consistently smooth and confident play by the offense throughout the preseason. That's all we can ask, especially with a new coach and a new system.

 

[Sidewinder16]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

Yes, Rock used to play FB. Oddly enough, I was watching the NFL Replay show of the Skins-Seahawks game from 2003 last night and Rock was playing some FB. He didn't fare too well on some plays. But, he did get into the action carrying the ball that game and ran well.

I recently read someone (JLC?) speculating that 1 FB is a strong possibility (they did it most of last season), with Yoder acting as the backup FB. That would open up a roster spot for RB#4, or WR#6, or DL#10, or OL#10, or whatever.

 

[dgreen]

If they're this high on Mason, then maybe they only keep one FB in Sellers?

I've wondered about that. I keep hearing that they have to keep 2 FBs, giving a roster spot to Nemo. But, with all the talk of 2 TE sets, maybe they can get away with just 1. Also, I'm guessing a guy like Yoder could do just as good a job as Nemo at FB.

Does Rock play any FB? He was a FB when he was originally drafted.Last year, the Redskins only had 1 FB on the roster. But they had to scramble when Sellers was injured. I think they signed Kozlowski to help out. So maybe they can use another TE back there as the backup FB.

Yes, Rock used to play FB. Oddly enough, I was watching the NFL Replay show of the Skins-Seahawks game from 2003 last night and Rock was playing some FB. He didn't fare too well on some plays. But, he did get into the action carrying the ball that game and ran well.

I recently read someone (JLC?) speculating that 1 FB is a strong possibility (they did it most of last season), with Yoder acting as the backup FB. That would open up a roster spot for RB#4, or WR#6, or DL#10, or OL#10, or whatever.

But, Mason would still need to show himself worthy of a ST position to make the roster and he didn't exactly do that Saturday night.

 

[dgreen]

From Matt Terl:

Offensive line coach Joe Bugel is away from the team, in Phoenix with his daughter Holly and the rest of his family. Holly is fighting bone cancer, and the thoughts and prayers of everyone here are with the entire Bugel family.

 

[T Bell]

News & Notes: Thomas Full-Go At Practice

By Gary Fitzgerald

Redskins.com

August 11, 2008

Devin Thomas was full-go in practice on Monday, his first significant on-field action since July 24 when he injured his hamstring.

Thomas said he hopes to play in this Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets.

"It feels good," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting a full week of practice and getting ready for this game. I just have to really push the playbook hard and get with the guys and my coaches

Said head coach Jim Zorn: "Devin did everything [in practice on Monday]. We tried to pull him out of practice, but he kept himself in. He fell on the ground one time to make a catch, and he bounced right up. He seemed to be working right in."

Thomas, the Redskins' top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, has missed both preseason games.

"If everything goes well in practice this week, we could put him in [against the Jets]," Zorn added. "He has to get assignments and route running down. Hopefully he has had a chance to study and listen so that we don't lose a step as he enters back in the groove."

Thomas was selected by the Redskins at No. 34 overall in the second round.

Malcolm Kelly, sidelined for at least two more weeks due to a knee injury, was the Redskins' third pick in the draft, at No. 51 overall in the second round.

Zorn has mentioned several times that Thomas and Kelly face a challenge in being ready for playing time early in the regular season.

Thomas and Kelly have been able to take mental reps and continue to learn the playbook. But nothing can replace actually being on the field.



"I think it'll take some time," Zorn said. "They'll be behind. When you interview them, they're going to say, 'This is easy.' They'll walk around and say, 'I'll get this right away.'

"Once they get out there actually line up, see a guy pressed over them, see what they have to do and how exact they have to be, and adjust to the speed and intensity, they'll see it.

"Now can we get them in and work them in? Yes. Will they get up to speed? Yes. But they missed valuable time."

Have I mentioned recently how much I love Zorn?