Rookie Redskin Receivers Don't Know About Art Monk

There's a great article by Dan Daly of the Washington Times about Art Monk. The disappointing thing is he mentions that rookie Redskins wide receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly don't know jack about one of the greatest NFL wide receivers to ever play the game.

"Never saw him play," Thomas says. "I know he was a great receiver, but I've only seen him on the NFL Network, making catches and stuff."

The loquacious Kelly gave a lengthier version of the same answer. "No memory at all of him," he says. "I was so young when he was finishing up" - 8 years old, to be exact, when Monk closed out his career with the Eagles in '95.

Wow, that's a bit disappointing in my opinion. I would think, if I was Dan Snyder (I ponder that a lot), I would have put those two dudes, and the other draft picks through a 2 day crash course this offseason on the history of the Redskins....you know, the team that is paying them millions of dollars.

Even I know of the great players of other NFL teams over the last 50 years. Why don't these kids know about them? Don't they realize there are so many players other than Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, and Jerry Rice? Shouldn't a college athlete broaden their knowledge on those that paved the way to their new career? You'd think.

But, I am not surprised, it's been reported that many players on the current Redskins roster do not know who/what The Posse was. And veteran guard Randy Thomas doesn't know the words...not even a couple verses...of Hail to The Redskins. The song that plays after every touchdown at FedEx field. Darn shame to some extent.

Well, I am taking off tomorrow to drive to Canton, Ohio to see Art Monk and some guy named Darrell Green get immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'll get some pics and thoughts and post them up here for those that can't make this long awaited event.

Devin Thomas...Malcolm Kelly...MEET ART MONK!


HAIL!

Redskins to Fans: Sip Your Drink, Don't Guzzle It

Redskins fans, you're on notice. Maybe not the Dead Tree Crew. I've always heard the rumors of the Redskins confiscating your season tickets if you (or anyone using them) get all belligerent during a game. Maybe it really is true...I received the Redskins Fan Code of Conduct (pic below) from the Redskins and their sponsor Diageo (alcohol distributor) along with my season tickets. It's probably just a CYA for the Skins and Diageo...but this part stood out:

• Sip your drink, don't guzzle it. Remember it's about quality, not quantity ($8 Bud Lites?)


• To stay hydrated, always drink water ($4 Dasani) after each alcoholic beverage


• Always eat before you drink ($4.00 hot dog, $8 chicken sandwich)


• Never accept a drink from a stranger (Turn down a free $8.00 Bud Lite??)

If you ask me, those suggestions by the Redskins make more than a friendly atmosphere, they make more money too! All joking aside, some fans (including myself) can get carried away. Shots of Jack in the parking lot make for a really loud crowd...and a team needs that. You know, the whole 12th man thing. There is something about alcohol that makes one louder. And you need that when the Cowboys or any other team faces a 3rd and long at FedEx Field.

Now, being a total jacka**, that's a different story. I've seen some fights between fellow Skins fans...seriously, WTF? And I've even got some bad looks from parents of kids in the stands...but, hey...you're at a football game and the Skins fans are the most passionate of them all. There's going to be some things said that you won't hear at Chuck E Cheese, ok? But, if some dude is plastered and acting a fool the whole game...then that's different. You can do more harm than good when being too drunk and annoying to your fellow fans.

I am all for getting buzzed for the game, maybe a little drunk too, but try to keep it down if you are on your way to being "That Guy"...after all, the Skins could revoke your tix.

PS...there are more and more group shuttles/bus charters in addition to public transportation to get you safely to and from the game...SkinsBus is one in Loudoun.

Cheers

Redskins Season Tickets Arrive

It's that time of year. Training camp is underway and preseason games are just around the corner. The Redskins need to make sure about 900,000 (2 preseason, 8 regular season) tickets get FedEx'd to the fans before they face the Bills on August 9th at FedEx Field.

My FedEx package arrived today, filled with the tickets, a merchandise catalog, a letter, a receipt, and some random third party junk mail...err, "special offers".

I admit, I almost didn't renew my tickets in protest over the way the coach hiring (or "The Process" as Snyder called it) was handled. I was pretty bewildered each day that passed following Joe Gibbs' retirement 2.0. And I was one of many that thought Gregg Williams was the obvious successor...BUT, after seeing the Skins show restraint in the off season, drafting 10 players, and hiring a zany offensive coach willing to air it out...well, I gave in and renewed...after receiving 3 "Final Expiration" notices. So, suffice it to say, I am looking forward to this season...and not looking forward to paying off this new debt on my credit card.







Hail.

$4.00 Weiner Sandwiches?!?!

I'm sure you've heard of the $6.00 Burger, or the $5.00 Footlong, but what about the Washington Redskins $4.00 Hotdog?




The Redskins training camp has concession stands for the thousands of fans that come to each practice. Their menu, ummm...well, is eclectic.



This caught my attention because I went shopping the night before and bought some fresh bratwurst (5 to be exact), for $4.00. Planning to boil them in beer for about 15 minutes, then brown them on the grill with onions, peppers, and all that other stuff. I know for a fact my $4.00 weiners are bigger and better than Snyder's $4.00 weiner. But, I could not just assume...so I tried one. My palate found the following:

Charred and smokey aromas are inviting to the nose, and similar pork, beef, and chicken flavors are enjoyed on the palate. It’s just a touch hot upfront, causing a slight sting, but mellows out, with the mustard, and ketchup flavors dominating. The tannins are medium, acidity is mild to medium. Because of the slight hotness (from 98 degrees), it is a little overbearing on its own, but when paired with a Coors Light, the processed meat is pushed to the background and the hot dog is quite enjoyable. Try it with beer, Doritos, french fries, or onion rings. At around 4 bucks, it is a decent value when there aint much else to choose.

Some other things you can get for $4.00:

• 1 Gallon of Regular Unleaded Gas
• 1 Pack of cigarettes
• 2 40 ounce bottles of Malt Liqour
• 1 6 pack of Charmin toilet paper
• 1 Frozen pizza
• 1 Starbucks Venti Caramel Mochiato

So, there's a little review of the $4.00 Redskin hotdog. Not too shabby, especially in these trying times.

I'll do a review of the food, beer, and liquor selections in the coming weeks when I'm at FedEx Field.

Cheers!

Redskins Training Camp - Friday (Day 6)

The parking lot was completely filled by 8:45...by far the biggest turn out so far. I can imagine what tomorrow's Fan Appreciation Day will be like...been there, done that. Great to go to it if you're a kid....but I feel bad for the parents and others that become a herd screaming for autographs in 90+ degree heat. I personally leave FAD for the younger ones that are up and coming Skins fans.

Redskins Training Camp Fans - View from the 50

Practice was very similar to the previous ones...the players start off in their usual position drills. D-Line in the left far field, LB's and DB's in the middle of the far field, O-Line on the right far field, RB's on the left of the front field, and the QB's and Receivers on the right of the front field.

Just like yesterday, a lot of the players did drills that focused on technique, and where to go (blocking, routes, etc.). Again, a lot of passing...running backs, tight ends, and obviously the wide receivers were catching a lot of passes. Campbell is continuing to look good. Here's some things I noticed from Fridays practice:

• Justin Tryon (#20) looks really good, the guy is smallish but covers well and is quick. Definitely making this squad. He makes the younger receivers look bad, and hangs with the vets when he covers them.

• Anthony Mix (#19) is inconsistent. I was pulling for him due to his past with Jason Campbell, but a lot of passes thrown to him have ended up on the ground. But every now and then he pulls in a great catch. I think he's better in redzone and goal-line drills due to his height, but so is Malcolm Kelly (#12).

• Jason Taylor (#55) was lining up on the right a lot today, with Andre Carter (#99) on the left. They collapse the pocket very quickly and Campbell and Collins seem hurried when those two are bull rushing. I think Greg Blache will be alternating them to throw off offenses. I also saw Taylor leading a little more today, he had a bunch of defensive players bunched up and was telling them what to do.

• Ladell Betts (#46)got dinged up on a running play. The Skins are doing full contact 11 0n 11 drills and the crunching hits are echoing on the field. Betts went up the middle and cut left only to end up at the bottom of a pile of burgundy jerseys. He was slow getting up, and was hesitant about walking for a moment, then the trainers helped him off the field...he remained on the sideline.

• Derek Devine (#2) has looked pretty decent in his QB3 competition with Colt Brennan. It has been said that Jim Zorn brought Devine to the Redskins from Seattle, and Colt Brennan was Vinny Cerrato's pick...will be interesting to see who wins.
  

• Chris Cooley (#47) and Fred Davis (#86) catch everything. A lot of stuff in thrown to them in the middle, so it looks like Zorn purposely wants them matched up against linebackers...which they should have an advantage.

• Demetric Evans (#92) continues to have a good camp. He lined up on the left, and batted a Todd Collins pass to the ground. Great depth guy that can sub for Carter or Taylor. He's got a baby face but the dude is big.
  

• Stephon Heyer (#74) was lining up at LT as Samuels backup and was holding his own. Dude is big.

• Fred Smoot (#27), Shawn Springs (#24), and Carlos Rogers (#22) have all been practicing and look good. Along with Justin Tryon (#20), we could have a solid CB stable heading into the season. Knock on wood.

Random pictures from Washington Redskins Training Camp (Day 6)

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.