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Redskins Add a Couple of Terps
The Redskins signed a couple of Maryland Terps to the roster yesterday. Undrafted rookies tight end Jason Goode and offensive lineman Andrew Crummey were signed on Thursday according to Redskins.com
Goode participated in mini-camp as a tryout player and the Coaches were impressed with him. Crummey is 6-5, 301 pound offensive lineman who started at Maryland for 3 years.
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Already Battling Through Minor Injuries
It just seems year in and year out this organization is cursed by Injuries. It never ceases to amaze me. 7 starters hit the injured reserve last season with season ending Injuries, including early Injuries to Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, and Carlos Rogers. Rogers and LB Rocky McIntosh are still recovering and did not practice in regular drills in the Redskins first mini-camp. However, there is good indication that both could be ready for training camp, but my bet is, they won’t be going full force.
Now that we have put the first min-camp in the past, the Redskins battle minor Injuries already. QB Jason Campbell has a minor strain in his hamstring, RB Clinton Portis has a strained hip flexor, and WR Antwaan Randle El has minor knee surgery, although the anticipated being ready to role for June 1. The Redskins are coming off a Playoff season in which they were minus 7 starters, including starting QB Jason Campbell, but still surged to a Playoff berth, albeit a early exit. They are looking to build on that success through stability with early most of the coaching staff remaining defensively, a running game that will likely change little, but a brand new Offense installed by HC Jim Zorn, one that at first sight, may fit and situate the Redskins even better.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get into the playoffs early instead of experiencing the anguish and nervousness of a late season run, like last year and like this year’s Washington Capitals? Much of that will depend on a key, critical element — HEALTH.
The Redskins gain back Thomas and Jansen to fortify a very experienced Offensive Line to protect Campbell and open holes in this new WCO. The Redskins Secondary looks solid, if they can stay healthy. With the pass threats and weapons on this new look Offense, particularly with the additions of bigger targets like Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, and Anthony Mix, RB Clinton Portis could be in for a big year, if he can stay healthy. Finally, with the failure of the Front Office to yet again address the needs of pass rush, the little pass rush that is generated will come from Andre Carter, who last year put up double digit sacks. But, the other side is the concern. When was the last time Phillip Daniels made it through a season without at least less than two nagging Injuries? Daniels can be effective. That isn’t his problem. It all rotates around the ability to stay healthy.
So we arise out of mini-camp a bit hobbled. Last year we came out mostly healthy. Is it a sign?
Share hR With OthersFred Davis: Lesson learned
TE Fred Davis was gleeful to be taken in the second round, surprised though at the team that chose him. What Fred 
Davis forgot was that once the draft ended, one becomes a professional footballer with professional responsibilities, like, ummm, attending mini-camp practices. Davis failed to show up at practice on Sunday because he overslept after a night of partying. Davis reportedly understands the gaffe and vows to right the ship. It was HC Jim Zorn’s first mini-camp as the new Washington Redskins head coach.
Zorn met with Davis, who was located by team security personnel, in his office Sunday, and any disciplinary action will be handled internally, the Redskins said. After Washington completed its first of three organized team activities this week at Redskins Park, Zorn said he is confident that Davis wants to succeed in the NFL.
“He doesn’t want to do anything wrong [and] he didn’t start out well. He’s going to come back here now [and] have to face our team as well. There’s enough penalty in just the humility of that. I think he senses that.”
We all make mistakes, all is forgiven, now get to work.
Davis will join TEs Chris Cooley and Todd Yoder in training camp. The selection of Davis caught many analysts and in fact many of us Redskins fans as a surprise for two reasons. First, TE Chris Cooley is one of the NFC’s premier pass catching Tight Ends. Second, the Redskins had significant other needs, such as defensive and offensive lines. But logically the move makes sense since Zorn plans to use different plays of two tight end sets that will ultimately create nightmarish mismatches for defenses with Cooley. Davis was the premier pass catching tight end in the 2008 draft and could be in for a nice season himself in what is developing to be a pro pass Offense.
Davis will likely be put in a corner against the wall for ten minutes for a time out.
Share hR With OthersBriefing the ‘Skins (5/2)
Mini-Camp gets underway today, the first one under new Head Coach Jim Zorn. Zorn will be new to most of the players so not only will he be meeting them, but selling them on him, his system, and his leadership as well.
“When I say something to them about who I am and the kind of person I am, I want them to see that that’s the way it is,” Zorn said. “The beauty of a football team is that a football team is a family, and if my words don’t match up to my actions when it comes to this football team, then this football team is going to be worth nothing when it comes to me. They will not have anything to do with me, so that trust is very important.”
For Zorn and company, this is the first opportunity to begin the wholesale introduction of the Zorn west coast Offense. It will feature quicker passing routes and executions and some tweaks tot he running game. It was also feature a rebuilt offensive weapons depot, featuring from last season, Wide Receivers Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Anthony Mix, James Thrash and tight end Chris Cooley. But, in addition, will be 2008 draftee new comers Wide Receivers Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas, plus tight end Fred Davis.
Everyone is also expected to be on hand except for injured CB Carlos Rogers and injured LB Rocky McIntosh, TE Tyler Ecker, and two new draft picks, S Kareem Moore and QB Colt Brennen.
One good thing — Zorn has had some time to prepare and is ready to roll.
“I just have little outlines,” said Zorn, who turns 55 this month. “I just want to go through some of the basic stuff. I don’t think I’m going to have a lot of time — because we’re on a tight schedule — for me to do a song and dance or anything like that. We’ve got to get going, so I’m going to establish some of the expectations, what we expect in meetings, what tempos we practice at. And I’m going to introduce the Coaches, because a lot of these guys haven’t met the whole coaching staff, either.
Some Other Minor Stuff:
Piersen Prioleau won’t return. He will join former Redskins DEF ASST Coach Gregg Williams in Jacksonville. Here is a nice, feel good article on undrafted rookie Horace Grant and his call from the ‘Skins.
My Questions for Mini-Camp:
1. Just who is Jim Zorn and how will he take command?
2. Has Jason Campbell’s mechanics changed at all yet from working a little with Zorn?
3. Which undrafted rookies start to step out as possible roster shots?
4. How does Derrick Frost feel about now?
5. Ummm, we have a ton of possibilities at the return spots. Do Randle El and Rock Cartwright keep those spots?
6. Finally, after hearing positives on Anthony Mix, does the drafting of Kelly and Thomas change the outlook on Mix’s possibilities here?
Obviously some of these are not pressing questions like, ummm, how will the Redskins take to the West Coast Offense, but they are obvious. Some of these will be intriguing.
Share hR With OthersRedskins Worst Ever Poll Series
Ok, back on track after a bit of a derailment from these Poll Series because of that thing we call, the NFL Draft. Last poll we did was pretty divided. Last poll was the Worst Ever Redskins Free Agent Signing. Here are the results from YOUR vote!
Adam Archuleta … 35%
Deion Sanders … 27%
Jeff George … 17%
Dana Stubblefield … 11%
Other … 5%
Trung Canidate … 4%
Your overall Series winners right now are (remember, we are looking at modern times, mostly 1970 to present when giving options):
Worst Ever Redskins free agent signing: Adam Archuleta
Worst Ever Redskins head coach: Steve Spurrier
Worst Ever Redskins loss: 38-9 loss to Raiders in Superbowl XVIII
Worst Ever Redskins draft bust: Heath Shuler
Moving right along
Now you can go vote for the Worst Ever Redskins Season.
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