Samuels Draws Hard Line After Poor Year

[CarMike]

Opponents Find Tackle in Pro Bowl Form

By Nunyo Demasio
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 16, 2004; Page D01

Chris Samuels wrapped a beige towel around his waist in the Washington Redskins' locker room, walked through an entrance adjoining his stall and plopped into a hot tub. The 6-foot-5 left tackle is blessed with the uncanny metabolism that leaves a muscular physique -- Herculean calves plus beefy arms -- despite a ravenous appetite. During the offseason, the fifth-year veteran scrutinized his diet for the first time in his NFL career, and shed a dozen pounds to trim to 302.

That is one of several steps Samuels took following perhaps his worst NFL season, which coincided with a loss of confidence unusual for a two-time Pro Bowler.

Since Joe Gibbs was hired as coach in January, Samuels has developed a better weightlifting regimen and studied film significantly more than in the past. He has erased bad blocking habits by embracing the techniques of his new position coach, Joe Bugel, widely considered one of the best assistant coaches in NFL history. And he appears rejuvenated in Gibbs's run-dominated offense.

"From the very first day we came here in January," Bugel said yesterday, "I haven't not seen him in this facility working out."

After yesterday's practice, Samuels remained with a small group of players to run wind sprints in the whipping rain. He trudged off the field with his shirt off, sweat mixed with rain, holding his helmet in his right hand. Bugel says that Samuels has a chip on his shoulder. Samuels disagrees: "It's more like a boulder."

Samuels, 27, was named a third alternate to the Pro Bowl in February. It was a drop for a player who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2002 and 2003 as one of the league's best tackles. Now, Samuels -- the third player selected in the 2000 draft -- has taken the outlook of an unproven rookie to gain redemption and the respect he believes has dissipated.

"Guys were beating me that aren't supposed to beat me," Samuels said yesterday, sitting in the hot tub. "In my first two years I was shutting down Pro Bowl guys. And then all of a sudden, guys were getting by me that really hadn't made a name for themselves. They were actually making a name off me.

READ MORE

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Sep15.html

[Redskinmayhem]

I'm really impressed with how well he shut down rice. Of course he had help on a few plays but none the less he shut down rice. Good job CS!

[PennSkinsFan]

Where are all the Trade Samuels posters? Geesh, they disappeared as quuickly as our famous 'Gatorskins'

[CarMike]

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

Where are all the Trade Samuels posters? Geesh, they disappeared as quuickly as our famous 'Gatorskins'

Great minds PSF...

Boy, do I feel sorry for you.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Originally Posted by PennSkinsFan

Where are all the Trade Samuels posters? Geesh, they disappeared as quuickly as our famous 'Gatorskins'

I have no idea why people were advocating trading him anyway.
You don't just trade 27 year old PRO BOWL left tackles.
All of this crap about Brandon Winey being just as good or better
than Samuels......please!!!

[Skins57]

Didn't Chris drop to like 280 a few years ago, when he first started to play bad? Maybe not but I thought he dropped wieght a few years ago

[Avg Joe]

*Saving my "I told you so's" til later on in the season*

[CarMike]

So, is everyone now happy we didn't trade him to Miami? I sure as hell am...

[RedskinRyan]

Originally Posted by Redskinmayhem

I'm really impressed with how well he shut down rice. Of course he had help on a few plays but none the less he shut down rice. Good job CS!

doesnt matter how we get the job done, as long as we protect the qb. samuels did a superb job, kenyatta jones did a great job, its what we needed to do. i'll bet mark brunell is really thankful(aside from the hits he got from ellis wyms).

[Spence]

I wrote it all offseason: With Spurrier and his amateur offense gone, expect a dominating year from Chris Samuels.

[Jon Creveling]

OK,, as much as I have B/Moaned about Chris he does look like a new man! What I do respect out of Chris is that I've never ever saw him offer an excuse for his own play in the press! Bugel in combo with a run heavy game plan will no doubt help him recover his career. I noticed the very alert fumble recovery near the goalline in preseason, I liked that, that shows his head is back in the game! Outstanding Job last week vs Rice!!! Nothing short of outstanding when you consider just how good Rice is! But there was one play he released Rice to Morton of all people! Yikes!!! Here's to Chris busting heads vs the Giants!!!

[Redskinmayhem]

I'll eat my words I thought Winey could handle Chris' spot. I guess that's why Buges is the man and I am not

[garedskin]

Class guy.He had been injured last season and was in a system doomed for failure.I figured Bugel would get him back on track,as with the rest of the O-line.

[NamVet4]

I'm not as intuitive as other posters, or as stats minded by any form! I had my doubts bout Chris Samuels, but believed, as did many, that last year’s failure was a combination of player and system. The first game of the season I pegged a lot on Chris Samuels and his ability to stop one of the best DE's in the league - and I was not disappointed. Why? Because I have faith in Coach Bugel - he knows when one of his players needs help on and off the field. I look forward to all the games as Coach Bugel adjusts his schemes to insure that each player is supported in his efforts.

[whistleandthumb]

It was funny to hear Collinsworth-less talk this past Sunday about how untalented our OL was. He went on and on and on about how surprising it was that our OL was making blocks against TB. What a dope. We have one of the best OL's in the league, and our play last year was horrible ONLY because of the coaching. Now that we have a coach who at least understands the concept of blocking, their god-given talents are coming out again.

Samuels = Dirtbag #1 (Jansen would be #1, but since he's out, I'll give Samuels that position). It should be a BIG year for him.