Redskins Training Camp - Thursday (Day 5)

I swung by training camp on the way to work. So far, I've gone Sunday, Tues, and Thurs. The largest crowd was today by far. I guess not many wanted to come out in Sunday's heat, or Tuesday's storm.

As usual the defense was on the far field, the O-line was out there too in their usual corner with Buges, the offense was on the front stage for the fans to Ooh and Ahh over, and the kickers....ahh, screw the kickers...they were somewhere I am sure.

The first part of practice is all drills. Mostly about formations and where to go for any particular play and working on technique. For a first time head coach it seems Zorn has this really organized...surprisingly organized.

Defense
So, the defense, the veterans really get it easy...I saw Jason Taylor and Andre Carter taking it easier than the others...still working, just not as much. A couple drills involved chasing each other around a big hoop and then hitting a bunch of dummies while running and dive tackling the last one. Demetric Evans was getting a lot of work, and he seems to have a lot more swagger than years past. Overall, the D-Line seems to have good camaraderie and the size and speed of Carter/Taylor makes you envision Tony Romo's head crammed up his a** for a safety come September 28th.

Redskins Defense

O-Line
The O-Line looked like they were getting mostly technique work...slow motion footwork and hand placement drills conducted by Buges. Like the D-Line, the vets didn't work as much and I noticed Jon Jansen, Casey Rabach, and Randy Thomas taking a knee in the shade of the trees. Probably thinking about Jansen's RV.

Jansen, Rabach, Thomas loungin'

Offense
The offense skill positions were another story. Zorn & Co. worked the hell out of them...they were moving from one drill to another with constant rotations of players. Jason Campbell looked rusty on Sunday, but improved Tuesday, and by today he was slinging the ball accurately with zip. Cooley continues to have a good camp as usual, and Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El have looked better than last years camp. The thing that stands out the most are the Rookies...Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis all have very good hands. They're also very fast....or quick is a better way to describe it, and they use smart moves to get open in space. There is a ton of passing going on in this training camp....more than Gibbs 2.0 and even more than Spurrier's camps. And get this...the running game has opened up too...I have seen a lot of runs for decent gains this camp...courtesy of Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Mike Sellers, and Rock Cartwright. And...they all have been catching passes out of the backfield too!

11 on 11 drills

Good luck defending this offense...it's looking really good only 5 days into camp.

Hit of the Day: London Fletcher knocked the shit out of Ladell Betts...but Betts held onto the ball.

Catch of the Day: As I mentioned, there were a lot of them...some nice corner end zone catches by Devin Thomas, Randel El, Moss...all looking good. Sellers has been catching a lot too...and Fred Davis has continues to impress.

Pass of the Day: Jason Campbell on 11-11 drills threaded the ball to Chris Cooley in traffic and in stride...Cooley cut the second he caught the ball and ran up the middle of the field for what would have been a long gain if it were a game

Jim Zorn's Z-Shades

I plan on getting to Friday's practice a little earlier to get a better spot and more details.

Redskins Injury Bug Bites Devin Thomas

Wow, I just left practice towards the end, looked like it was winding down. Turns out that Rookie WR Devin Thomas hurt his hammy according to this AP report and Redskins Insider. Hopefully he is ok, and it's just a minor tweak.

Devin Thomas has looked relly good so far in camp. I haven't seen him drop as pass at any of the practices I've gone to, and his burst/acceleration is impressive. The guy can cut quickly too, often gaining separation from the CB.

Thomas was the Redskins first pick in the 2008 NFL draft. He has seen a lot of reps during training camp and has rotated with the first string offense through camp.

Hope everything is going to be ok for #11.

Washington Redskins - Media Hogs - Dan S. vs. Dan S.

The burgundy steel curtain draped over Ashburn has booted another dude just trying to share his perspective on all things Redskins. The Washington Post's Dan Steinberg got a cease and desist letter from the Redskins law firm Pay, Us, & Moore LLP. I am sure you've seen Dan's work, he gives you the Redskins fix that you need along with a twist. Often very amusing, and all in fun types of commentary on Redskins happenings and other DC sports stuff. But, this time, the Redskins were having none of it! There has been an ongoing battle between the Washington Post and Redskins for years. This latest skirmish is just another awkward standoff between the growing Washington Redskins Media Empire and the local beat reporters in DC. Imagine having to report to work every day to try to do your job, but the operators of the location prevent you from doing so as you wish. Sucks!

Well, I feel for Dan Steinberg, his stuff is great and his best is when he puts his own twist on the random happenings at Redskins Park. I just started this little blog and am wondering if/when I will get a letter in the mail from Pay, Us, & Moore LLP. But, to my defense, I shell out crazy cash for season tickets and $8 beers...so take it easy on me Snyder.

Phillip Daniels Injury

I stopped by Redskins Park Sunday (start of camp) to see the Zorn era kick off. Unfortunately, Phillip Daniels blew his knee out right in front of me that day. I was only about 15 yards away but I was using my binocs to get a perspective of details. With my binocs I could see Daniels lay on the ground in pain as trainers delicately maneuvered his left knee as if it was a ball of dough. I then saw Dan Snyder walk up to investigate, he placed his hand on his forehead as if he was shocked, upset, and also thinking what to do next...all in one motion. He turned around, took a few steps, then turned back to Daniels and observed. Then, Cornelius Griffin walked up to Daniels as he remained on the ground...peeked his head over the kneeling trainers...and quietly turned around and approached Andre Carter. I'll never forget the look on Griffin's face as his lips mouthed "It's his knee". Andre continued towards Daniels, kneeled down and said something to him, then allowed the trainers to continue their work. The Cart then arrived. I have never seen a huge athletic person have so much trouble getting off the ground...then need the assistance of two men (half his size) to help him walk 3 feet to The Cart.

A fan to my left asked his friend, "How bad do you think it is? Out for the preseason?", his friend replied, "Career ending". After seeing what I saw through my binocs I agreed with the later.

It was really bizarre, the first Offense vs. Defense drill of Redskins Training Camp 2008, and a starting defensive end goes down for the season and possibly his career. The play itself was almost in slow motion. There was a little bit of intensity as they walked up for the fist play of 7 on 7 drills, but they were really just trying to make sure they were all going in the right place for the play...no contact, just a fast paced rehearsal.

But, the show must go on, and it did. Not just the expedited trade for Jason Taylor, but within seconds of Daniels falling to the ground and Jason Campbell frantically waiving his arms to the trainers, the entire Redskins team and staff walked around Daniels as he lay on the ground, put the ball on the ground about 20 yards down field, and continued the drill. The team is a machine, and the best machines don't skip a beat when a piece breaks.

Hat's off to Daniels, I really hope he gets better soon, and sticks around no matter the outcome. The 2008 Redskins training camp started out with a horrible injury to a starter, but the way the team conducted itself...players, coaches, and front office...should be a positive note in how this team now operates as a whole.