***OFFICIAL*** Washington Redskins 2011 Off-Season Thread (2 Viewers)

[fatness]

I love how much this pisses you off.

 

[fatness]

Article on Adam Carriker

Nothing much new there, except another mention that the Redskins want him to get up to 315 pounds (from 300).

 

[dgreen]

Article on Adam Carriker

Nothing much new there, except another mention that the Redskins want him to get up to 315 pounds (from 300).

Not sure how he's going to accomplish that with the whole Haynesworth distraction. I mean, I just don't get how any of these guys are going about their daily routine without him in Ashburn. It must be so distracting to them.

 

[buster c]

I love how much this pisses you off.

I think you're the one who gets upset. here's one of your angry quotes:

That's the way he was described prior to and after the Redskins had signed him by people on the Titans staff. Look up your own links and take the stick out of your ###.

that's not too happy, fatty

 

[buster c]

Edwin Williams slims down to compete for Redskins o-line spot

"I did come into this offseason workouts kind of out of shape. The strength and conditioning staff has really helped me," he said. "It's just really refreshing to have guys like that in your corner. I know I shouldn't have been at that weight before. I'm feeling a lot better, eating the right things, things I've never done in my whole life. I come from a traditional black family . We eat fried foods and things like that."

how these guys allow themselves to get out of shape is beyond me

 

[Dexter Manley]

Edwin Williams slims down to compete for Redskins o-line spot

"I did come into this offseason workouts kind of out of shape. The strength and conditioning staff has really helped me," he said. "It's just really refreshing to have guys like that in your corner. I know I shouldn't have been at that weight before. I'm feeling a lot better, eating the right things, things I've never done in my whole life. I come from a traditional black family . We eat fried foods and things like that."

how these guys allow themselves to get out of shape is beyond me

I agree with you wrt skill position players, but it's got to be pretty easy for an olineman to let himself slip out of shape. Most of these guys aren't pictures of health to begin with.

 

[fatness]

Article on Adam Carriker

Nothing much new there, except another mention that the Redskins want him to get up to 315 pounds (from 300).

Not sure how he's going to accomplish that with the whole Haynesworth distraction. I mean, I just don't get how any of these guys are going about their daily routine without him in Ashburn. It must be so distracting to them.

People are quitting their jobs now because they're so distracted. Look at how high the unemployment rate is.

 

[fatness]

Selvish Capers was a TE when he went to college.

Three years later, he's trying to make his NFL career on the offensive line. "Now I'm a big fan of tackles," he joked. But he said he never lost the athleticism that helped him as a tight end. One scouting service described him as West Virginia's second-most athletic player, after Noel Devine. He said he has a 32-inch vertical and can still put down windmill dunks.

When he was at West Virginia, Capers told reporters that "I still watch the tight ends and think to myself, 'I can do that.' " So I asked whether he'd drop that message on Mike Shanahan's desk.

"No, indeed not," he said. "I've got to tell them I'm gonna block first and get that down pat, and then maybe we can discuss [pass catching]."

 

[fatness]

Jim Popp, the only general manager the Alouettes have had since their return to the Canadian Football League in 1996, could be in line for a position in the Washington Redskins’ personnel department, according to a western-based source.

Link

 

[fatness]

And yes.

And you can have this set here, 50 inch, 4 foot screen, for as little as 895.

I finally found a copy of Joe Jacoby's awful TheaterVision commercial. Link

 

[buster c]

And yes.

And you can have this set here, 50 inch, 4 foot screen, for as little as 895.

I finally found a copy of Joe Jacoby's awful TheaterVision commercial. Link

they had to edit-out "super bowl champions" in their intro after losing to the raiders in jan '83. I can recall that adding to my pain from that game

 

[road warrior]

You guys do great work in this thread. Yeah, I'm a Boyz fan.... gotta keep tabs on the competition.

Hope you don't mind me stopping in to read, and occasionally post an opinion. I grew up in DC (in the 70's) and it wasn't easy being me. Then again, I'd never trade that experience for the world. Skin fans are some of the best I've run across.

 

[Marvelous]

Starke was smaller, but I'm not sure the others were. That's probably more a factor of era and age than anything else. Starke was at the end of his career with The Hogs. He was more a player of the 70s than the 80s. Here are the heights and weights of all the 1983 Pro Bowl offensive linemen and the Redskins starting 5 in 1983, according to data at PFR. May was really a tackle playing guard, so his size really stands out at G.Centers:

POS  PLAYER			AGE	TM   HGT   WGTC	Larry McCarren	 32   GNB   6-3   246C	Dwight Stephenson  26   MIA   6-2   255C	Mike Webster	   31   PIT   6-1   255C	Jeff Bostic		25   WAS   6-2   268

Guards:

POS  PLAYER			AGE	TM   HGT   WGTG	John Hannah		32   NEW   6-2   265G	Kent Hill		  26   RAM   6-5   260G	Chris Hinton	   22   BAL   6-4   300G	Bob Kuechenberg	36   MIA   6-2   253G	R.C. Thielemann	28   ATL   6-4   255G	Ed Newman		  32   MIA   6-2   245G	Mark May		   24   WAS   6-6   295G	Russ Grimm		 24   WAS   6-3   273

Tackles:

POS  PLAYER			AGE	TM   HGT   WGTT	Mike Kenn		  27   ATL   6-7   273T	Anthony Munoz	  25   CIN   6-6   278T	Brian Holloway	 24   NEW   6-7   284T	Henry Lawrence	 32   RAI   6-4   272T	Marvin Powell	  28   NYJ   6-5   268T	Jackie Slater	  29   RAM   6-4   277T	Joe Jacoby		 24   WAS   6-7   305T	George Starke	  35   WAS   6-5   260

I think they were a big offensive line for their time. But, they were also athletic. They could beat you in multiple ways.

I am pretty sure back then that 300 lb linemen was a rarity and the Hogs, so Jacoby's size really stuck out. After the success of the hogs, everyone wanted bigger offensive linemen. And per Geroge Starke, it is a mistake if you don't factor in the atleticism.

 

[fatness]

You guys do great work in this thread. Yeah, I'm a Boyz fan.... gotta keep tabs on the competition.Hope you don't mind me stopping in to read, and occasionally post an opinion. I grew up in DC (in the 70's) and it wasn't easy being me. Then again, I'd never trade that experience for the world. Skin fans are some of the best I've run across.

Stop in any time. NFC East football is the best, and has some pretty good fans too.

 

[road warrior]

You guys do great work in this thread. Yeah, I'm a Boyz fan.... gotta keep tabs on the competition.Hope you don't mind me stopping in to read, and occasionally post an opinion. I grew up in DC (in the 70's) and it wasn't easy being me. Then again, I'd never trade that experience for the world. Skin fans are some of the best I've run across.

Stop in any time. NFC East football is the best, and has some pretty good fans too.

Thanks for the welcome. What I didn't mention is that I've lived in NY the last 20 years. Yeah, living with the enemy has been my M.O. First 20 years in DC, last 20 years in NY. It's funny cuz my best friend is a Giants fan.... all we do is talk NFC East. Not only is it the best division ever created, but has the most passionate fans.There are NFC East fans everywhere. Cuz they love their smashmouth football. In fact, we'd rather beat each other (on most occasions) than win a freakin' Superbowl...well, all but the Philly fans. Looking forward to following what Shanahan does with your troops.

 

[Harjiran]

And yes.

And you can have this set here, 50 inch, 4 foot screen, for as little as 895.

I finally found a copy of Joe Jacoby's awful TheaterVision commercial. Link

Thanks for posting this. That commercial was legend in my family for years.

 

[buster c]

You guys do great work in this thread. Yeah, I'm a Boyz fan.... gotta keep tabs on the competition.Hope you don't mind me stopping in to read, and occasionally post an opinion. I grew up in DC (in the 70's) and it wasn't easy being me. Then again, I'd never trade that experience for the world. Skin fans are some of the best I've run across.

Stop in any time. NFC East football is the best, and has some pretty good fans too.

Thanks for the welcome. What I didn't mention is that I've lived in NY the last 20 years. Yeah, living with the enemy has been my M.O. First 20 years in DC, last 20 years in NY. It's funny cuz my best friend is a Giants fan.... all we do is talk NFC East. Not only is it the best division ever created, but has the most passionate fans.There are NFC East fans everywhere. Cuz they love their smashmouth football. In fact, we'd rather beat each other (on most occasions) than win a freakin' Superbowl...well, all but the Philly fans. Looking forward to following what Shanahan does with your troops.

so you grew up in DC, never lived in Dallas, but you're a Cowgirl fan? Where's your hometown loyalty? If you were part of the Turnbull AC's and The Warriors rolled thru your 'hood, you'd probably give them safe passage or join up with their gang, wouldn't you?look, we can't control who comes & goes here - I'm sure I'd be the first to be evicted - but please return to your roots. I think most of us sense that a return to glory may be around the corner. C'mon.

 

[fatness]

Jim Haslett kicking Terry Bradshaw in the (helmetless) head

 

[The Man With No Name]

The 3 veteran running backs watch practice (from last week)

Johnson looks huge compared to Portis and Willie

 

[fatness]

Anthony Armstrong, street free agent.

He's come up just about the hardest way possible, from West Texas A&M through the Arena League and something called the Intense Football League (which he discussed with me shortly after being signed; apparently, it's intense). For the most part, no one took any notice of his arrival.

He worked hard on the practice squad, memorably offered his opinions on chitlins around Thanksgiving, and happily discussed Easy Bake ovens while attending charity events. When he was signed to a futures contract with nine other guys on the same day Mike Shanahan was announced as the new head coach, it didn't really make a ripple. And when he had strong showing in the first mini-camp, no one really thought much of that either.

But something surprising happened between the first and second mini-camps:

When the Redskins decided to release a couple of their wide receivers, one of them was Mitchell ... and neither of them was Armstrong.

 

[fatness]

I think this might have been posted before in this thread. My apologies if it was.

"Just the unknown of where you're coming from, who's blitzing, who's not blitzing. You can just do so many things out of it that you can't do out of a four-man line. Now, if you got great four-man line people, then you play that." He adds, "There's no reason you can't go 3-4, 4-3. I've played in both, coached in both, been successful in both. I think its just the type of players you have. I think the cornerstone of the team on defense is Brian Orakpo. He had 11 sacks last year, rushed 200 some times. In this defense, we'll rush 600-700 times."

Jim Haslett

 

[fatness]

 

[Sebowski]

Phillip Daniels starts a thread on ES

http://extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=323749

Just wanted to drop in and say that I have read a lot of the comments on here and some of the fans on here really do believe everything that they read. Articles tend to leave things out and when you talk general stuff sometimes it comes out a different way. I am not upset with Albert at all but the whole team would love for him to be here with us getting ready to win a championship. When a reporter asks a question, we answer it but sometimes that answer is twisted in so many ways. None of the good stuff you say ever comes out in the article. They chop your words as they see fit and in the best way to sell papers or go public. Albert is a key part of the team and he will be ready to go. Just wanted to clear things up a little for the people who believe everything that writers put out there. Like the old saying goes: Believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see.

 

[Warrior]

Long time viewer, first time poster. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading the updates in this thread. It's a great resource for 'Skins fans

 

[fatness]

Phillip Daniels starts a thread on ES

http://extremeskins.com/showthread.php?t=323749

That's a pretty cool thing to do. He says he'll be posting there again.http://extremeskins.com/showpost.php?p=753...mp;postcount=28

 

[fatness]

Remember those 20-plus players who were at the Redskins'' minicamp last weeked on tryouts? Expect to see at least a handful return to town when the team hosts its first OTA (organized team activity) on Monday. One of the players who participated in that minicamp was Connecticut safety Robbie Vaughn. He spoke with the Hartford Courant and said he expects the Redskins to sign five to eight of the undrafted rookie free agents. Vaughn said Redskins officials relayed that estimate to his agent, Tony Paige. "Could know something today or tomorrow," Vaughn told the Courant, "because they start OTA on Monday so..."

Don't expect any official announcements in the next couple of days, though. The Redskins will likely extend a few offers, but the team hasn't announced any of its offseason signings before they've had a signature on a contract. That probably wouldn't happen until the players actually return to Redskins Park, late Sunday night or Monday morning before the OTAs begin.

link

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday

what is it with all those 30somethings on the Skins? Is the team starting a local AARP chapter?

 

[fatness]

The Redskins have added three undrafted rookies to their roster: wide receivers Brandon Banks and Shay Hodge and cornerback Melvin Stephenson.

The trio apparently was the best of the group of more than 20 undrafted rookies who attended the team's last minicamp on a tryout basis. They were rewarded for their efforts with contracts Monday morning.

Banks, listed at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, comes from Kansas State. He posted a 4.25-second 40-yard dash time and might have to earn his way onto the final roster as a return specialist. Hodge is a Mississippi product and was rated the 25th-best receiver prospect by NFLScout.com prior to last month's draft. Last year he caught 70 passes for 1,135 yards and eight touchdowns; he is Ole Miss' all-time leading receiver..

Stephenson comes from UTEP, where he posted 58 tackles and had two interceptions last season. He returned one interception for a touchdown.

Link

 

[Dexter Manley]

Looks like Orakpo is expected to rush the passer about 3 times as often as he did last season.

Rising

Brian Orakpo, Redskins outside linebacker: I spoke with Orakpo two weeks ago and he was thrilled to be working with new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. He had 11 sacks while playing linebacker and defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

Haslett told a local television station that Orakpo probably rushed the passer 200 times last season. He expects that number to be closer to 600 in 2010. I don't think there's a player on the team who will benefit more from the scheme change than Orakpo. The guy has no business dropping back in coverage. He needs to be hunting quarterbacks at all times.

Forget Albert Haynesworth's whine festival. Orakpo's the best player on this defense. And Haslett will build around him. I think 16 sacks would be a pretty reasonable goal. Doug Free better be watching film as we speak because Orakpo could be his worst nightmare.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/...-stock-watch-21

 

[fatness]

I agree that this new defense sounds like it will benefit Orakpo (and Carter). But Haynesworth was their best defensive player last year. Without him neither Orakpo nor Carter would have had double-digit sacks, and without him this year (if he's gone) they won't either. Nothing against Orakpo, he's very good.

 

[fatness]

This article is about London Fletcher's role in a 3-4 defense. The guy's point is that yeah, the 3-4 can create problems for LB's since they'll be contacted more by offensive linemen, but that he thinks Fletcher's good enough to overcome that. I guess we'll see.

 

[fatness]

This guy thinks the Redskins have a shot at the playoffs this year. I don't agree, but hey, we can dream.

 

[dgreen]

Looks like Orakpo is expected to rush the passer about 3 times as often as he did last season.

Rising

Brian Orakpo, Redskins outside linebacker: I spoke with Orakpo two weeks ago and he was thrilled to be working with new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. He had 11 sacks while playing linebacker and defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

Haslett told a local television station that Orakpo probably rushed the passer 200 times last season. He expects that number to be closer to 600 in 2010. I don't think there's a player on the team who will benefit more from the scheme change than Orakpo. The guy has no business dropping back in coverage. He needs to be hunting quarterbacks at all times.

Forget Albert Haynesworth's whine festival. Orakpo's the best player on this defense. And Haslett will build around him. I think 16 sacks would be a pretty reasonable goal. Doug Free better be watching film as we speak because Orakpo could be his worst nightmare.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/...-stock-watch-21

Profootballfocus.com says he pass rushed 341 times and was in pass coverage 189 times. Convert most of those pass coverage plays into pass rushes and he probably pushes 500 pass rushes. He probably also sat out 100+ plays last year, so there's definitely more opportunities there.

 

[Sebowski]

Long time viewer, first time poster. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading the updates in this thread. It's a great resource for 'Skins fans

 

[Sebowski]

I agree that this new defense sounds like it will benefit Orakpo (and Carter). But Haynesworth was their best defensive player last year. Without him neither Orakpo nor Carter would have had double-digit sacks, and without him this year (if he's gone) they won't either. Nothing against Orakpo, he's very good.

Someone on ES posted some stats on when Carter and Orakpo got their sacks. Apparently Haynesworth was on the field for 35% of them.Also worth noting that we don't have the benefit of playing Oakland this year.

 

[buster c]

I agree that this new defense sounds like it will benefit Orakpo (and Carter). But Haynesworth was their best defensive player last year. Without him neither Orakpo nor Carter would have had double-digit sacks, and without him this year (if he's gone) they won't either. Nothing against Orakpo, he's very good.

my prediction about Fat Albert is that he shows up for the 6/16 mandatory camp in better shape than he was in all of last year, the story of missed volunteer camps slowly dies, and he becomes a dominating 3-4 DE. With RAK playing OLB behind him, teams stop going to that side. if I'm dreaming, don't wake me up

 

[fatness]

my prediction about Fat Albert is that he shows up for the 6/16 mandatory camp in better shape than he was in all of last year, the story of missed volunteer camps slowly dies, and he becomes a dominating 3-4 DE. With RAK playing OLB behind him, teams stop going to that side. if I'm dreaming, don't wake me up

I'd say there's more chance of you being right than wrong on this one.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Hmmm...where there is smoke, there is fire!

 

[thayman]

my prediction about Fat Albert is that he shows up for the 6/16 mandatory camp in better shape than he was in all of last year, the story of missed volunteer camps slowly dies, and he becomes a dominating 3-4 DE. With RAK playing OLB behind him, teams stop going to that side. if I'm dreaming, don't wake me up

I'd say there's more chance of you being right than wrong on this one.

If he shows up at the first mandatory camp in shape no one is going to give 2 ####s where he was for the voluntary ones.

 

[fatness]

Long time viewer, first time poster. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading the updates in this thread. It's a great resource for 'Skins fans

 

[fatness]

The number 2 selling NFL jersey last month was that of Donovan McNabb, the new quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

link

 

[fatness]

Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday

what is it with all those 30somethings on the Skins? Is the team starting a local AARP chapter?

Phillip Daniels had arthroscopic knee surgery several weeks ago, I believe. And I think Holliday had 5 sacks last year, so at a minimum he seems like decent insurance.

 

[thayman]

Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday

what is it with all those 30somethings on the Skins? Is the team starting a local AARP chapter?

From you link I really liked these comments from McNabb"I feel your excitement, and I'm right behind you," McNabb said. "I look forward to being able to extend my contract and hopefully end my career here. And at this particular point, obviously there's some writing in the contract of when you'd be able to do that, but things will happen. Things will happen. And we will take our steps when the time comes and be able to handle that situation.

"You know, obviously can't communicate [about] contracts, but I look forward to getting that done. The team looks forward to getting it done. So your $80 jersey won't go to waste. I will be in Washington. And your son will wear it proudly, and we'll get you one as well."

 

[Sebowski]

Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday

what is it with all those 30somethings on the Skins? Is the team starting a local AARP chapter?

From you link I really liked these comments from McNabb"I feel your excitement, and I'm right behind you," McNabb said. "I look forward to being able to extend my contract and hopefully end my career here. And at this particular point, obviously there's some writing in the contract of when you'd be able to do that, but things will happen. Things will happen. And we will take our steps when the time comes and be able to handle that situation.

"You know, obviously can't communicate [about] contracts, but I look forward to getting that done. The team looks forward to getting it done. So your $80 jersey won't go to waste. I will be in Washington. And your son will wear it proudly, and we'll get you one as well."

I still can't get behind McNabb. It isn't helping that The Network keeps showing the Eagles-Pats Super Bowl. The guy throws a lot of passes into the dirt and sails his share as well.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday

what is it with all those 30somethings on the Skins? Is the team starting a local AARP chapter?

From you link I really liked these comments from McNabb"I feel your excitement, and I'm right behind you," McNabb said. "I look forward to being able to extend my contract and hopefully end my career here. And at this particular point, obviously there's some writing in the contract of when you'd be able to do that, but things will happen. Things will happen. And we will take our steps when the time comes and be able to handle that situation.

"You know, obviously can't communicate [about] contracts, but I look forward to getting that done. The team looks forward to getting it done. So your $80 jersey won't go to waste. I will be in Washington. And your son will wear it proudly, and we'll get you one as well."

someone sent this via Twitter:Hail Victory! Braves on the wAARPath.

 

[Marvelous]

Report and opinion on PFT:

Haynesworth feels "deceived" by Redskins

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 17, 2010 7:32 PM ET

Owner Dan Snyder is disappointed by his defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth, for his part, doesn't feel that he's been treated fairly. According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, those close to Haynesworth say he feels that he's been sold a bill of goods. The word used was "deceived."

Here's how they are selling it:

Haynesworth was promised before signing he could attack the quarterback when he came to Washington. The Redskins even considered trying to bring his old Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn to town. Haynesworth had Snyder's ear.

Now that's all changed. He's being asked to occupy blockers, and he can't go around the coaches to get to Snyder anymore.

To this, we say: grow up. Things in life happen that are bigger than you. Coaches get fired, schemes change.

The Haynesworth camp would be better off not giving his side of the story.

I thought the last line was funny.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Report and opinion on PFT:

Haynesworth feels "deceived" by Redskins

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 17, 2010 7:32 PM ET

Owner Dan Snyder is disappointed by his defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth, for his part, doesn't feel that he's been treated fairly. According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, those close to Haynesworth say he feels that he's been sold a bill of goods. The word used was "deceived."

Here's how they are selling it:

Haynesworth was promised before signing he could attack the quarterback when he came to Washington. The Redskins even considered trying to bring his old Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn to town. Haynesworth had Snyder's ear.

Now that's all changed. He's being asked to occupy blockers, and he can't go around the coaches to get to Snyder anymore.

To this, we say: grow up. Things in life happen that are bigger than you. Coaches get fired, schemes change.

The Haynesworth camp would be better off not giving his side of the story.

I thought the last line was funny.

A similar sentiment from Haynesworth was reported on a little while back (the being "deceived" and sold a bill of goods part). It's just some of the incredible mess that Vinny left behind that needs to be cleaned up somehow. I wonder if this is new info or a rehash of what JLC already knew. But I agree with PFT. If Haynesworth is pouting because of new coaches and no longer being able to buddy up to Snyder then he needs to grow up. And if he's still upset about things Vinny promised him he needs to get over it. Yesterday.

 

[Sebowski]

Report and opinion on PFT:

Haynesworth feels "deceived" by Redskins

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on May 17, 2010 7:32 PM ET

Owner Dan Snyder is disappointed by his defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Haynesworth, for his part, doesn't feel that he's been treated fairly. According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, those close to Haynesworth say he feels that he's been sold a bill of goods. The word used was "deceived."

Here's how they are selling it:

Haynesworth was promised before signing he could attack the quarterback when he came to Washington. The Redskins even considered trying to bring his old Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn to town. Haynesworth had Snyder's ear.

Now that's all changed. He's being asked to occupy blockers, and he can't go around the coaches to get to Snyder anymore.

To this, we say: grow up. Things in life happen that are bigger than you. Coaches get fired, schemes change.

The Haynesworth camp would be better off not giving his side of the story.

I thought the last line was funny.

A similar sentiment from Haynesworth was reported on a little while back (the being "deceived" and sold a bill of goods part). It's just some of the incredible mess that Vinny left behind that needs to be cleaned up somehow. I wonder if this is new info or a rehash of what JLC already knew. But I agree with PFT. If Haynesworth is pouting because of new coaches and no longer being able to buddy up to Snyder then he needs to grow up. And if he's still upset about things Vinny promised him he needs to get over it. Yesterday.

How do anonymous sources with no quotes trump Haynesworth's direct quotes that he has talked to Haslett and is fine with the new defense?

 

[Dexter Manley]

The Haynesworth thing is so overblown, imo.

As long as he shows up to the mandatory minicamps (which he already has said he will) in good shape, everything should be ok.

A seasoned athlete like him knows what he needs to do to get ready.

And I completely understand why he's concerned about his role in the new defense. Being asked to play 0 technique after never having done so in the nfl or college (afaik) is a pretty big deal.

 

[fatness]

Players that were let go at the right time: Shawn Springs

Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs has been cut by the Patriots. And though the reason for the move still isn't completely clear, Springs is willing to rule out two possible causes.

First, he said that a knee injury, which ultimately required arthroscopic surgery in January, had nothing to do with the move. "It's not a knee issue," Springs said, per Christopher L. Gasper and Albert Breer of the Boston Globe.

Springs also denied that he was one of the locker-room malcontents, even though he was a healthy scratch in four straight games last season. "One of the best things about me is my character," Springs said regarding a public exchange with linebacker Adalius Thomas that seemed to make light of coach Bill Belichick's decision to send home four players who showed up late for practice in December. "I don't think that ever came across as me being a bad influence. That wasn't me being a bad guy. That was me being a jokester.''