****OFFICIAL 2009 Off Season Washington Redskins Thread**** (1 Viewer)

[Harjiran]

And no question, the quarterback. No doubt. His game is taking off.

Ladell Betts aside, this is the part that got my attention. I'd like to hear specifically what SS has seen to indicate Campbell's game is "taking off." Maybe he's just blowing smoke. Or maybe Campbell is a little more motivated this offseason.

 

[T Bell]

Interesting stuff from Sherman Smith.

I asked Smith who, after one previous set of organized team activities and a mini-camp, stands out to him offensively.

"The guy that's been standing out to me is Ladell Betts," Smith said of the running back who serves as Clinton Portis's backup. "To me, he's stepped his game up. He's preparing like he's a starter. He's taken a leadership role, which I'm not saying he wasn't a leader before, but I just think he's a very good player. He's jumped out to me.

"Chris Cooley, I mean, he's Chris Cooley. He's a football player. There's a difference between a guy who plays football and a football player. He's a football player. I love him."

"Malcolm," Smith continued, speaking of second-year receiver Malcolm Kelly. "Just seeing Malcolm running around, boy that's better. And no question, the quarterback. No doubt. His game is taking off. And what he went through this offseason, my respect for him, I can't even measure it."

LinkAnd since I mentioned him, what does Sherman Smith actually do? I know he's the OC but he doesn't call plays. What does he actually do?

WOW, man-o-man are we in trouble!!! When the OC mentions a back-up RB when he first thinks of who has impressed him the most, we are in serious trouble. Now, this would be great if the starter is Trung Canidate or Tatum Bell, but CP is a legit featured RB and an impressive back-up is not what is needed. I know it's early, but his feedback does nothing to make me feel better.

 

[fatness]

WOW, man-o-man are we in trouble!!! When the OC mentions a back-up RB when he first thinks of who has impressed him the most, we are in serious trouble. Now, this would be great if the starter is Trung Canidate or Tatum Bell, but CP is a legit featured RB and an impressive back-up is not what is needed. I know it's early, but his feedback does nothing to make me feel better.

It just means that Betts is doing an above-average job right now, which is good. And it's probably a dig at Portis who isn't wild about offseason work. It doesn't mean they'll be splitting time. Remember that one year when all the FF players thought Betts would be splitting time with Portis? They wouldn't believe us Redskin fans that it wasn't going to happen. I still chuckle about that.It actually does seem odd that Smith refers to Campbell as "the QB", but not by name.

 

[Sebowski]

I really think the Redskins are banking on no salary cap next year. Then when they make a ridiculous contract move and it does not work out, there are no other ramifications to the team except that Danny forked over some extra money to a player.

I've heard the "uncapped year" isn't necessarily as free as it sounds. A lot of different rules kick in that probably won't make it a huge spending spree that some have made it out to be.

What it will do is allow anyone to be cut at any time without fear of cap hits or dead money like Buster is worried about.

 

[Bizkiteer]

WOW, man-o-man are we in trouble!!! When the OC mentions a back-up RB when he first thinks of who has impressed him the most, we are in serious trouble. Now, this would be great if the starter is Trung Canidate or Tatum Bell, but CP is a legit featured RB and an impressive back-up is not what is needed. I know it's early, but his feedback does nothing to make me feel better.

It just means that Betts is doing an above-average job right now, which is good. And it's probably a dig at Portis who isn't wild about offseason work. It doesn't mean they'll be splitting time. Remember that one year when all the FF players thought Betts would be splitting time with Portis? They wouldn't believe us Redskin fans that it wasn't going to happen. I still chuckle about that.It actually does seem odd that Smith refers to Campbell as "the QB", but not by name.

Oh, that's not why we are in trouble. I completely understand that CP is the man and they are not sharing carries. That is the reason that the first person that comes to the OC's mind, regarding performance, is a back up who will only do spot duty or come in if CP is hurt is NOT GOOD. It might be a slight at CP, but CP has been there, which can't be said for the "Prima Donna" Landry.My point, we are in trouble when the person making the best impression doesn't matter. It would be the same if they said Trash was looking the best...."Rut Roh Shaggy!!!"

 

[Marvelous]

I really think the Redskins are banking on no salary cap next year. Then when they make a ridiculous contract move and it does not work out, there are no other ramifications to the team except that Danny forked over some extra money to a player.

I've heard the "uncapped year" isn't necessarily as free as it sounds. A lot of different rules kick in that probably won't make it a huge spending spree that some have made it out to be.

That is true, but all the moves that create dead cap space is gone. And the price of giving a big contract to a bust is greatly reduced. Both will benefit the Redskins greatly.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Offensive Coordinators ranked in today's SN. Sherm Smith not in the top 20.

Greg Blache ranked the #6 Defensive Coordinator.

 

[T Bell]

Offensive Coordinators ranked in today's SN. Sherm Smith not in the top 20.

Greg Blache ranked the #6 Defensive Coordinator.

Ranked seven spots ahead of Gregg Williams. Ouch. I don't much know about these rankings but Blache has gotten a lot more out of less with this defense and D-line for his entire stint in Washington.

 

[dgreen]

Offensive Coordinators ranked in today's SN. Sherm Smith not in the top 20.

Greg Blache ranked the #6 Defensive Coordinator.

Expect Washington to harass the QB consistently in '09.

Man, I hope so. It's been a while and is something that can have a cascading affect on the rest of the team.

 

[fatness]

I see a lot of 13-9 games this year.

 

[Dexter Manley]

WOW, man-o-man are we in trouble!!! When the OC mentions a back-up RB when he first thinks of who has impressed him the most, we are in serious trouble. Now, this would be great if the starter is Trung Canidate or Tatum Bell, but CP is a legit featured RB and an impressive back-up is not what is needed. I know it's early, but his feedback does nothing to make me feel better.

It just means that Betts is doing an above-average job right now, which is good. And it's probably a dig at Portis who isn't wild about offseason work. It doesn't mean they'll be splitting time. Remember that one year when all the FF players thought Betts would be splitting time with Portis? They wouldn't believe us Redskin fans that it wasn't going to happen. I still chuckle about that.It actually does seem odd that Smith refers to Campbell as "the QB", but not by name.

Oh, that's not why we are in trouble. I completely understand that CP is the man and they are not sharing carries. That is the reason that the first person that comes to the OC's mind, regarding performance, is a back up who will only do spot duty or come in if CP is hurt is NOT GOOD. It might be a slight at CP, but CP has been there, which can't be said for the "Prima Donna" Landry.My point, we are in trouble when the person making the best impression doesn't matter. It would be the same if they said Trash was looking the best...."Rut Roh Shaggy!!!"

I remember my freshman year in high school when we were doing our preseason workouts for wrestling. A couple weeks in, the coach informed the entire team that I was working the hardest and looking the best out of everyone on the squad. Keep in mind I wrestled the same weight as the only kid on our team who won state the previous year.I didn't even make varsity and we finished 3rd in state that year (we won state the following season).

 

[Dexter Manley]

Here's a nice article on Marko Mitchell. I think this guy could potentially turn into one of the bigger steals in the draft. He has all the physical tools you look for in a wr.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...9060404004.html

Marko Mitchell was a basketball player who discovered football late in high school, coming to the Washington Redskins by way of two junior colleges and the University of Nevada. He was the wide receiver who turned heads by running the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at the NFL combine. He was the prospect gifted with a 6-foot-4 frame that casts a shadow over most cornerbacks.

This Story

Redskins Rookie Has the Tools, But Still Faces an Uphill Climb

Redskins Insider: Zorn Waiting on Thrash

But Mitchell, a seventh-round pick, is still relatively unknown and unproven outside of Redskins Park. He has physical tools -- his size and speed attracted Washington, which graded him highly entering the draft -- but he lacks a football pedigree and is still learning his position.

And because he played in the Western Athletic Conference, a non-Bowl Championship Series conference, there is still the question of how he will adapt to the NFL.

"I really don't know," Mitchell said when asked recently where he would gauge his comfort on the practice field. "But I can really say I progressed from the first day. I'm understanding the offense more, and the guys I'm going against."

The Redskins have two established starting wide receivers in Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. This season, they also will be counting on second-year wide receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas to have a heightened role in Coach Jim Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, which employed a number of three- and four-receiver formations last season.

Mitchell is among a cadre of young receivers on the periphery working to nudge James Thrash, a 12-year NFL veteran, out of the fifth wide receiver spot. Thrash, 34, has not attended the Redskins' organized team activities because of a neck injury. Others competing for the job include Roydell Williams and Trent Shelton.

"In college, you have a freshman or a sophomore or a walk-on," Mitchell said. "But here you have people who started on other NFL teams in front of you. You got to show you can play just the same way as a lot of these guys."

Mitchell did not start playing football until his junior year of high school. The York, Ala., native considered himself a basketball player first, and said he played football "because it was something to keep me occupied until basketball season started."

After playing two years of football, Mitchell drew interest from the University of Alabama. He did not score high enough on his SATs to attend, so he went to Itawamba Community College in Mississippi. He did not play football there because, he said, the school gave away a scholarship it had promised to him.

After one year, he transferred to Mesa Community College in Arizona. The coaches there had never seen Mitchell play. Mitchell had never visited the campus. But it did not take long before he made his mark.

"When I first met him, I figured he was another tall, skinny kid who wants to play receiver," Ron Daugherty, Mesa's wide receivers coach, said in a telephone interview. "I train receivers every Saturday, and I had a group of returning guys and a few fresh faces. And we were working on a Saturday, and he wouldn't drop a pass. It didn't matter where you threw it, the kid caught everything. After that Saturday, I went down and told the coach this kid could be pretty good."

Mitchell transferred to Nevada and played there for three seasons. He stood out because of his speed, size and ability to sprint past or reach over defensive backs. As a junior in 2007, Mitchell emerged as Nevada's top receiver, with 53 catches for 1,129 yards. His 21.3 yards per catch average that year ranked second nationally. As a senior, he was named first-team all-WAC.

But Mitchell's productivity was also a product of Nevada's relatively weak schedule and its unique pistol offense, which relied on a strong running game to set up the play-action pass.

"It was real good for Marko," Scott Baumgartner, the Nevada wide receivers coach, said by phone. "He made some big plays downfield. It gives us big play opportunities downfield off the play-action pass."

Mitchell is still learning the finer points of the wide receiver position: route running, getting in and out of breaks, using proper footwork. And while Mitchell's long strides give him speed to stretch the field, they do not engineer quickness.

"The nuances in terms of leverage and everything you can pick up," Randle El said of learning the receiver position. "But if you've got the ability to catch and run and just make plays when the ball's in the air, you've got your foot in the door. I think he's got his foot in the door. He can run fairly decent routes. He's shown he can make some plays. Now it's a matter of him doing it consistently, every time his name is called."

 

[Sebowski]

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/06...dex_html?page=3

Rinehart is ready to toe the line

Date published: 6/5/2009

BY RICH CAMPBELL

ASHBURN-- When the Washington Redskins drafted offensive lineman Chad Rinehart in the third round in 2008, he reveled in accomplishing his lifelong goal of making it to the NFL.

But there's a fine line in making an NFL roster and actually playing in a game--a sobering reality Rinehart knows too well after a disappointing rookie season

Now, Rinehart believes he is ready to prove his worth to a franchise that badly needs him to contribute on an offensive line riddled with question marks.

"Kind of the whole midseason last year was kind of bitter," Rinehart said yesterday after the Redskins concluded organized team activities for the week. "I don't think the coaches had the confidence in me. There were guys with starting experience that were ahead of me. I feel like this year I'm the next guy to go in."

That has been the case this week, at least. Rinehart has practiced at right guard with the starting unit while Randy Thomas recovers from arthroscopic left knee surgery. Thomas said he expects to be ready when training camp begins on July 30.

It marks a substantial rise on the depth chart for Rinehart, even if it is only June and even if the team won't practice in pads until training camp begins in eight weeks.

Rinehart (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) was inactive for the first 13 games last season. And even when he was active in the final three weeks--when injuries decimated the line--coaches still didn't play him for a single snap.

"Rinehart really wasn't ready to accept the full responsibility of what he's already accepting this time," head coach Jim Zorn said yesterday.

That Rinehart didn't contribute as a rookie wasn't totally surprising. He played left tackle at Northern Iowa, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) school. But third-round draft picks are expected to produce before long, something Rinehart understands. Especially after Washington's decision to release Jon Jansen last week thinned the line's depth, the Redskins need Rinehart to improve.

"I put pressure on myself," he said. "I have higher expectations for myself than the coaches. I'm just trying to go out and meet my expectations."

Washington's coaches seem satisfied with Rinehart' progress, so far. Both Thomas and offensive line coach Joe Bugel noted yesterday that Rinehart is much stronger than he was last year as a result of his offseason workouts.

"He came back here as a different person," Bugel said. "He's more violent and more physical."

Though his blocking techniques remain a work in progress, Rinehart believes he has made significant strides. He says he is committing fewer errors.



"I'm just mentally kind of seeing the whole picture now," he said. "Last year, I thought I had a little too much tunnel vision. I couldn't really pick up the blitzes and movements as well as this year. I'm a lot more calm in there and can do my assignment now without having to think about it."

Evaluating Rinehart's progress is a bit tricky, though, because no regular-season game film of him exists. Any improvement he has made since last preseason isn't documented in game situations for coaches to see.

That makes the upcoming preseason critically important. Those four games will be his best chance yet to prove his worth and dependability.

"The thing that I like is that there are no mental errors," Zorn said. "He's communicating with the tackles and centers. We're way ahead of what we were last year. Yet we still have to put on pads and play games in the preseason."

Love hearing this from Rhinehart. This O-Line has to be the most publicized in the league, and I love it.

 

[Sebowski]

Here's a nice article on Marko Mitchell. I think this guy could potentially turn into one of the bigger steals in the draft. He has all the physical tools you look for in a wr.

Here's an offseason story I'm not get excited about. A lot of guys are tall and fast. A lot of them have also tried playing WR for the Washington Redskins. Get back to me in 6 months.

 

[T Bell]

[url=http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/062009/06052009/471213/ihttp://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/062009/06052009/471213/i

Love hearing this from Rhinehart. This O-Line has to be the most publicized in the league, and I love it.

Agreed that I love hearing this from Rinehart. It's sounding like he came from such a small program that he wasn't really ready for the NFL mentally, and needed a year to simply understand what to do and to adjust . . . all of which was occurring amidst a line and an offense that was itself adjusting to a new offense. Of course, there's no minor leagues to stick him in, so he had to be on the roster, but it sounds like he'd coming along nicely.

 

[Marvelous]

Here's a nice article on Marko Mitchell. I think this guy could potentially turn into one of the bigger steals in the draft. He has all the physical tools you look for in a wr.

Here's an offseason story I'm not get excited about. A lot of guys are tall and fast. A lot of them have also tried playing WR for the Washington Redskins. Get back to me in 6 months.

I saw the article. Everyone sounds good in these fluff pieces. I suspect if he shows much, he could be on the practice squad this year.

 

[T Bell]

Here's a nice article on Marko Mitchell. I think this guy could potentially turn into one of the bigger steals in the draft. He has all the physical tools you look for in a wr.

Here's an offseason story I'm not get excited about. A lot of guys are tall and fast. A lot of them have also tried playing WR for the Washington Redskins. Get back to me in 6 months.

I saw the article. Everyone sounds good in these fluff pieces. I suspect if he shows much, he could be on the practice squad this year.

Thrash isn't returning, and that greatly frees up things for a guy like Mitchell. Thrash was seen as being so valuable on special teams that he was a must-have on the roster. Only Moss, Randle El, Thomas and Kelly (if healthy) have guaranteed spots on that roster. It would be great news for the team if Mitchell could stick on the active roster as a special teamer - they could use one more WR with his size in there.

 

[fatness]

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/06...dex_html?page=3

Washington's coaches seem satisfied with Rinehart' progress, so far. Both Thomas and offensive line coach Joe Bugel noted yesterday that Rinehart is much stronger than he was last year as a result of his offseason workouts.

"He came back here as a different person," Bugel said. "He's more violent and more physical."

Though his blocking techniques remain a work in progress, Rinehart believes he has made significant strides. He says he is committing fewer errors.

Different bolding, to highlight what jumps out at me in what's essentially a fluff piece (as are most articles this time of year). I don't see this as good news.

 

[Sebowski]

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2009/06...dex_html?page=3

Washington's coaches seem satisfied with Rinehart' progress, so far. Both Thomas and offensive line coach Joe Bugel noted yesterday that Rinehart is much stronger than he was last year as a result of his offseason workouts.

"He came back here as a different person," Bugel said. "He's more violent and more physical."

Though his blocking techniques remain a work in progress, Rinehart believes he has made significant strides. He says he is committing fewer errors.

Different bolding, to highlight what jumps out at me in what's essentially a fluff piece (as are most articles this time of year). I don't see this as good news.

But that is where Bugel comes in. I'd rather him have everything but the technique down right now than vice versa.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Check this out! its a leather redskins jacket for $0.01! not sure if its a mistake or what but i just ordered one and it cost me a penny. Use the code below for free shipping.

shipping is free with code 7283

 

[Ripleys]

Check this out! its a leather redskins jacket for $0.01! not sure if its a mistake or what but i just ordered one and it cost me a penny. Use the code below for free shipping.

shipping is free with code 7283

And check out those nice OJ Killin' Simpson gloves on the same page!

 

[fatness]

Check this out! its a leather redskins jacket for $0.01! not sure if its a mistake or what but i just ordered one and it cost me a penny. Use the code below for free shipping.

shipping is free with code 7283

BACKORDERLeaves warehouse in 2 - 3 weeks

The chances of getting a $0.01 clearance item which is backordered is about 2%.

But it's worth a shot.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

Check this out! its a leather redskins jacket for $0.01! not sure if its a mistake or what but i just ordered one and it cost me a penny. Use the code below for free shipping.

shipping is free with code 7283

BACKORDERLeaves warehouse in 2 - 3 weeks

The chances of getting a $0.01 clearance item which is backordered is about 2%.

But it's worth a shot.

yea. im just gonna forget about it. and maybe one day i will be pleasantly surprised!

 

[dgreen]

Head Coach rankings today in SI. Zorn is 23, just behind Kubiak and just ahead of Rex Ryan.

 

[fatness]

We regret to inform you that we are unable to complete your order. The following item(s) are unavailable at this time andhave been cancelled from your order:Item: 63004295Description: Washington Redskins, Multi-Colored, LargeQuantity: 1Price: $ .01Your credit card will not be charged for these item(s).

I tried.

 

[Sebowski]

Zorn says "Let's take the Redskins bowling, take them bowling"

Redskins Talk The Talk As Draft Analysts, General Managers

Posted Jun 9th 2009 3:48PM by Matt Terl (author feed)

When Coach Zorn told me that the bowling captains had drafted their teams, I sort of assumed that it was a quick, perfunctory thing and that not much thought had necessarily gone into the selections. What I failed to reckon with, I think, was the inherent competitiveness of professional football players.

The more guys I talked to about the team selection process, the clearer it became that they had all approached the bowling draft with a remarkable level of focus.

It also became clear that, at this point, it's pretty easy to sound like a post-draft analyst, no matter what you're talking about. Here's Clinton Portis, for example, on how he approached the draft:

"Man, strategizing, you know," he said. "I think my recruiting staff did a great job. We called in a couple favors from some of the PBA Tours, I heard [byron] Westbrook's name was on there. Danny Smith, he was a bowling coach in high school, and then we just took Michael Grant hoping we found a diamond in the rough, and I think he's gonna pan out.

"You just gotta do your research, you know?" Portis continued. "I had Fred Davis down as our top pick, but we weren't able to get the guy -- it was a disadvantage to us not being able to pick offensive players -- but the next best thing we had on the board was Westbrook. We got our guy."

Or Casey Rabach, on selecting players. "I think we should've had a little combine before the draft. It was just pick on the fly, and you couldn't pick your buddy."

Rabach, keep in mind, had kicker Dave Rayner on his squad as the defense/special teams representative. "I figure he's got a lot of time on his hands since he doesn't practice," he explained, "so he must be good at bowling or something."

But it wasn't all just straight draft picks. Oh, no. The captains were wheeling and dealing as well. Take Todd Collins's squad, one of the teams that was rolling the ball well today. Sure, they were led by Collins's 205 point first game, but Jeremy Cain, H.B. Blades, and offensive quality control coach Bill Khayat all contributed mightily.

How'd Collins scout long snapper Cain? "He's my roommate," Collins told me. "But I didn't know that he could bowl. I know that he's big into golf, so I figured that a guy who cares so much about golf must have some kind of fundamentals in bowling."

And Khayat? "I picked him up in a trade. I had picked another coach, and DeAngelo Hall wanted to trade for him. So I said, okay, you can take him and I'll select Bill Khayat."

The coach in question was strength coach Harrison Bernstein, who wound up finishing the day about 15 points lower than Khayat had.

I asked Hall what prompted him to make the trade, and he clarified how things went down. "You know what? I didn't actually trade those two guys. I traded a pick for Harrison. Khayat was still on the board, a lot of guys passed him up."

And why was it so important to get Harrison? "He's a character guy. We tried to go get character guys."

Collins, meanwhile, rolled his 205 -- including five straight strikes at one point -- with a somewhat unique bowling strategy. "The last time I bowled was the last time we had this event, back when Joe Gibbs was the coach two or three years ago," he said. "I haven't mastered the spin, and I'm kind of a simple guy, so I figure it's really quite simple: I just try to throw it slightly off that center arrow, just to one side, and after that it's just luck."

Luck was something that Portis's team -- for all of his top-notch general manager-esque talk -- couldn't seem to overcome. "We averaged over a hundred apiece," he said, after his team finished but before everyone else was complete, "but we didn't get the strikes that we wanted to get, didn't really do what we set out to do. So we just hope that these other teams suck. That's where we're at now."

 

[Sidewinder16]

Rabach, keep in mind, had kicker Dave Rayner on his squad as the defense/special teams representative. "I figure he's got a lot of time on his hands since he doesn't practice," he explained, "so he must be good at bowling or something."

 

[Sidewinder16]

CBS is bringing some sports talk radio competition to the DC area.

CBS Radio plans to take on the Snyder-owned stations in July by switching WJFK (106.7 FM) from its guy-centric talk programs to sports talk, people involved in the change say.

 

[fatness]

In addition to trying to broaden its audience, CBS also might be looking to reduce WJFK's operating costs. Its programming lineup has not been completed, but WJFK likely will retain the Junkies program in the critical morning "drive" hours. CBS has been talking with former Redskin LaVar Arrington and Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise about hosting daily programs.

I'd like to hear a Mike Wise show. I enjoy him when he's on the Sports Reporters.

 

[dgreen]

CBS is bringing some sports talk radio competition to the DC area.

CBS Radio plans to take on the Snyder-owned stations in July by switching WJFK (106.7 FM) from its guy-centric talk programs to sports talk, people involved in the change say.

Interesting.I'm not sure this will help their ratings, though. DC's a city that is dominated by news/political and urban radio. Don and Mike were usually able to finish high. I'm not sure how Mike's show is doing now that Don's retired, though. The Junkies do ok, especially in the Male 25+ category (their target demo).

 

[buster c]

CBS is bringing some sports talk radio competition to the DC area.

CBS Radio plans to take on the Snyder-owned stations in July by switching WJFK (106.7 FM) from its guy-centric talk programs to sports talk, people involved in the change say.

thank GOD! the Czaben/Pollin Sports Reporters show is excellent. Everything else is substandard

 

[fatness]

It would be sweet to see Czaban and Polian jump to the CBS station.

 

[buster c]

Safety Position

fellas, you all know that I know nothing about football in general, and the skins in particular...but I know one thing: ain't no way #37 should start ahead of #48

Safeties in Numbers For the RedskinsBy Zach BermanWashington Post Staff WriterWednesday, June 10, 2009 Position battles are not determined in June during organized team activities -- with their non-contact drills and with the season opener still three months away -- so Washington Redskins safeties coach Steve Jackson resists assessment. Jackson knows no conclusive evidence of the strong-safety competition between Reed Doughty and Chris Horton will result from these two weeks of practice, but the two players are undeniably fighting for one spot. "Both of us are capable of going out there and starting," Horton said. "Who's it going to be?" Said Jackson: "It's not much of a battle right now. We don't have pads on." At this time two years ago, questioning the two safety positions seemed like a waste of time. Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry, both high draft picks, appeared ready to fortify the defensive backfield for a long time. But since Taylor's death from a gunshot wound in November 2007, the Redskins have turned to first Doughty, then Horton, at strong safety. Neither arrived in Washington with any adulation, although both have proved serviceable. "I think we're very similar players," Doughty said. "We're both very intelligent players and we like to fill on the run and our coverage skills are getting better." Jackson has used these sessions to work with them outside of the in-season pressures associated with game-planning. He has been pleased with the progress of Kareem Moore, a sixth-round pick in 2008 who started one game last season. Jackson also mentioned that rookie free agent Lendy Holmes has caught attention early. Holmes played safety, cornerback and wide receiver at Oklahoma. "We've got a lot of young safeties," cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "A lot of safeties trying to make this team. A lot of guys, like Reed [Doughty], we haven't played with in a while. We're just getting used to playing with everybody, bringing everybody together." Landry, a mainstay at free safety, has skipped the OTAs, but his spot in the lineup is not in doubt. Jackson said he saw Landry a couple of weeks ago, but has not communicated with him recently. "We're getting more with him not being here because it gives other guys a chance to get reps, to grow, to play with the [starters] and just to be out here," Jackson said. "I want him to do what's best for him. At this time of year, that's what he has to do." The strong-safety spot remains a mystery. "It's open," said Horton, a seventh-round draft choice in 2008. "I just see it as, coaches are going to make those decisions of who starts and who doesn't." From all indications, Doughty has recovered from the back injury that ended his season last October. He has been the leader among the safeties during OTAs, working with the younger players now that his service time can properly merit the "veteran" label. Doughty said at this point, the re-acclimation process requires only continued repetitions. "The way he moves is much better than probably the last two years," Jackson said. "He just has to go out there relaxed and get back to the flow of things, where he's just playing the game." Horton became an opportunist in Doughty's absence. He started 10 games, recording 76 tackles and three interceptions. What took him minutes to process last year now takes him seconds. Instead of thinking about the defensive packages while on the field, Horton can devote his time to deciphering the offense's plans. "He's a coach's dream," Jackson said. "You tell him to do something, and he gets it done. [If] he makes a mistake, he doesn't make the mistake again, which is more than I can say about the rest of the guys." Jackson said the difference between the two safeties is in their personalities. Horton seldom departs from his calm demeanor; Doughty is more "frenetic, high energy." But Jackson knows the position will be determined once the pads return, and the safeties can hit. "The game's about making plays," Jackson said. "You don't make plays; you don't play. Any guy out there could round out the 11. But if one guy makes plays, the guy's going to be out there." Staff writers Paul Tenorio and Mark Viera contributed to this report.

 

[fatness]

The newness of the offense and Campbell's lack of experience in it led Zorn to refrain from using certain elements. For example, it was clear after some time that having Campbell drop back seven steps from the line of scrimmage (a key element in the West Coast offense) was not working and that he had to use shorter drops. His hope is that this season, with everyone understanding his offense better and more depth on the offensive line and at wide receiver, the offense will be a little more expansive.

"There were a lot of times last year when we couldn't do things we would have liked to do," he said. "When you have your backup center playing right tackle and you're playing the New York Giants, what can you do? It's not fair to him and it's not fair to Jason."

Washington Post blog

 

[fatness]

LaRon Landry's absence from organized team activities had drawn speculation that the third-year safety was unhappy in Washington and might be posturing for a trade, but Landry, who participated in the final OTA today at Redskins Park, said that he had been taking care of "personal issues."

"I was doing a couple personal things," said Landry, who was sporting a new piercing on his lower lip. "And through the missed [practices], all that, I still stayed in shape and I came out today and I got a couple things to catch up with in the playbook, but as far as my physical ability and endurance it's all there."

Post blog

 

[fatness]

More Mike Williams (minor) leg problems, from the Post blog.

The Redskins kept tackle Mike Williams out of practice today after he was diagnosed with a pulled quadriceps muscle earlier in the week."There was no reason to put him out there," Coach Jim Zorn said. "When we get to camp, he will be better and he will be in better shape."The conditioning of Williams, who has not played in three years, is significant since he showed up for OTAs at 370 pounds and he and the have been working on getting him to lose weight.

 

[fatness]

Rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes led defensive backs with four interceptions on the final day of OTAs, winning the defense's daily competition for the first time since he was drafted in April.

Though Barnes had a rough start in the OTAs, the former Maryland star finished strong. He said it took him a while to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level, and get used to how much bigger everyone on the field was.

"At this level, everybody can beat you on every single play," Barnes said, "but everything's starting to slow down for me now."

Post blog

 

[fatness]

DeAngelo Hall

Hall's seven-week orientation to the Redskins last year is paying a dividend this year. Instead of having to grasp a new system, Hall is learning what the other defensive backs do on each snap and getting time covering the slot receiver, a role Springs held.

"He's learning new positions, and we're doing a lot of stuff to give him chances to be around the ball," secondary coach Jerry Gray said. "Right now, he doesn't have to think he's going through the crash course he did last year when it was all catch-up and reaction. I know who he is and what he can do."

 

[fatness]

Fred Smoot beats the rest of the team in blowling

The Redskins canceled organized training activities yesterday, and instead went bowling. Fred Smoot bowled a 212, one of three Redskins to break 200. Which reminded me of something the cornerback told me the other day.

"I'm gonna attempt to go" to the Professional Bowlers Association, Smoot told me, as I started laughing.

"You're laughing," he observed. "See, people did this years ago when I said I was going to go to the NFL, so it don't make me mad. I'm serious. I'm dead serious. I want to cross over to bowling after football."

<_< And the PBA response

The PBA will give Fred Smoot entry into a PBA event and he can see where he stacks up against the best bowlers in the world. We think he might be in for a rude awakening because our pros are to bowling pins what he is to wide receivers.

Smoot would learn a lot about his game and get some tips from the best. We are sure he has a long way to go to get to the pro level but his enthusiasm for the sport can carry him far.

Smoot

 

[buster c]

More Mike Williams (minor) leg problems, from the Post blog.

The Redskins kept tackle Mike Williams out of practice today after he was diagnosed with a pulled quadriceps muscle earlier in the week."There was no reason to put him out there," Coach Jim Zorn said. "When we get to camp, he will be better and he will be in better shape."The conditioning of Williams, who has not played in three years, is significant since he showed up for OTAs at 370 pounds and he and the have been working on getting him to lose weight.

I'd be surprised if this guy will be able to play a single snap this season

 

[buster c]

Rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes led defensive backs with four interceptions on the final day of OTAs, winning the defense's daily competition for the first time since he was drafted in April.

Though Barnes had a rough start in the OTAs, the former Maryland star finished strong. He said it took him a while to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level, and get used to how much bigger everyone on the field was.

"At this level, everybody can beat you on every single play," Barnes said, "but everything's starting to slow down for me now."

Post blog

I reiterate: this guy's a baller. Saw his act at MD and he can play

 

[Marvelous]

Rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes led defensive backs with four interceptions on the final day of OTAs, winning the defense's daily competition for the first time since he was drafted in April.

Though Barnes had a rough start in the OTAs, the former Maryland star finished strong. He said it took him a while to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level, and get used to how much bigger everyone on the field was.

"At this level, everybody can beat you on every single play," Barnes said, "but everything's starting to slow down for me now."

Post blog

I reiterate: this guy's a baller. Saw his act at MD and he can play

I am guessing he is aleady ahead of Justine Tryon. I didn't see a single positive piece on Tryon last year.It still feels like they spend a 3rd round draft pick to replace Leigh Torrance.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes led defensive backs with four interceptions on the final day of OTAs, winning the defense's daily competition for the first time since he was drafted in April.

Though Barnes had a rough start in the OTAs, the former Maryland star finished strong. He said it took him a while to adjust to the speed of the game at the pro level, and get used to how much bigger everyone on the field was.

"At this level, everybody can beat you on every single play," Barnes said, "but everything's starting to slow down for me now."

Post blog

I reiterate: this guy's a baller. Saw his act at MD and he can play

I am guessing he is aleady ahead of Justine Tryon. I didn't see a single positive piece on Tryon last year.It still feels like they spend a 3rd round draft pick to replace Leigh Torrance.

I don't know about that. I read some article on Tryon the other day that says the coaches were very impressed with him lately. The way the article was written, it almost sounded like he had a shot at the nickel job.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Oh and James Thrash was released toady too, per PFT.

 

[Marvelous]

Oh and James Thrash was released toady too, per PFT.

I am surprised Thrash didn't just retire. Maybe he still wants to make a comeback and the Redskins think he cannot do it or it's time to move on. Thrash apparently need surgery to continue playing.

 

[dgreen]

Oh and James Thrash was released toady too, per PFT.

I am surprised Thrash didn't just retire. Maybe he still wants to make a comeback and the Redskins think he cannot do it or it's time to move on. Thrash apparently need surgery to continue playing.

I'm guessing he'll retire. From the WaPo:

Thrash Released by Skins (Updated)

The Redskins have released wide receiver James Thrash, who failed a physical.

"I talked with James and we agreed that this was the best way to proceed," Redskins Coach Jim Zorn said in a statement released by the team. "James can focus on getting healthy and we can move forward. James is a true Redskin and a fan favorite. He was great player, teammate and team leader. Though we had to make this decision, we are confident that James will be involved in some capacity within the Redskins organization."

Thrash came to the Redskins out of Missouri Southern (Joplin!) in 1997. His tenure with the team was interrupted only by a three-season stint in Philadelphia (2001-2003). His NFL totals: 165 games (71 starts), logged 290 receptions, 3,646 yards and 22 touchdowns.

"It has been a great honor to get to know James and his family," owner Daniel M. Snyder said in a statement released by the team. "James is a tremendous person who has been a great ambassador for the Redskins in our community. He has produced nine outstanding seasons for our team. It is our hope that he will continue a long-term relationship with our organization."

Said Vinny Cerrato, executive vice-president of football operations (also in a statement from the team): "James has been a valuable member of our team and a tremendous asset to our organization. He always put the team first and was a great role model in our locker room. We appreciate his contributions to the Redskins organization."

 

[Bizkiteer]

Redskins also signed draft picks Eddie Williams (H-Back) and Cody Glenn (LB) today!

 

[dgreen]

Cutting Thrash = Making room for Vick

 

[Dexter Manley]

Redskins also signed draft picks Eddie Williams (H-Back) and Cody Glenn (LB) today!

:championship:

 

[Ripleys]

Championship was already bagged when we added the most dominant defensive player in the league and then stole Orakpo in the draft.