Their ranks perceptibly altered by the first few weeks of free agency, the Washington Redskins got back to work yesterday as the offseason workout program opened, signaling the official start of preparations for the 2005 season. The majority of the 69 Redskins under contract (excluding NFL Europe players) participated, but the absence of departed "core Redskins" like linebacker Antonio Pierce and cornerback Fred Smoot was felt. Pierce and Smoot scored sizeable contracts from the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Their exits, along with that of No. 1 wide receiver Laveranues Coles, led many observers to proclaim Washington's offseason the worst to date of any NFL club.
Without supporting that notion -- yet with somewhat heavy hearts -- Redskins players began the long process of trying to build on last year's 6-10 record. "I'd be telling you a bald-faced lie if I said losing Antonio and losing Fred Smoot is not going to make a big difference in our team," safety Ryan Clark said. "But I'm not saying we're going to go down, because we have guys that can step up and play those positions." One of those players is Lemar Marshall, who appears to be the front-runner to start at Pierce's vacated middle linebacker position. A one-time college defensive back and last year's weakside starter, Marshall is looking to bulk up his 225-pound frame so it can withstand the rigor of a 16-game season at middle linebacker. However, Marshall noted that this defensive system uses its outside linebackers and defensive linemen to absorb blockers, making heft less of an issue in the middle. Thus, Marshall will spend the coming months adding a few more pounds without compromising his quickness. "I really don't worry too much about [my weight]," Marshall said. "Really you worry about building your strength up and just being prepared. But you do want to gain weight a little bit just to make it through the 16-game season." Losing Pierce and Smoot, two cogs in last season's third-ranked defense, will be the backdrop of everything Washington does this offseason. The defense was the club's one reliable element in 2004, and it is unclear whether assistant head coach for defense Gregg Williams and his staff can maintain that excellence. On offense, the calculus is a bit different. Although Coles was a Pro Bowl pick in 2003, he wanted out badly and has been battling a toe injury for nearly two seasons. The Redskins obtained speedy wideout Santana Moss in a straight-up trade for Coles with the New York Jets, shortly after signing former New England Patriots receiver David Patten. Clark pointed to Patten, who was among those working out yesterday, as he argued that the club compensated for its losses by obtaining the right kind of new players. "It was good to see a guy who still wants to come to work," Clark said of 30-year-old Patten. "I think we're bringing in guys who fit in. You can't always bring in the big-name guy or the guy who wants the most money, because he doesn't fit in with your group." Also supporting the theory that Washington will endure was safety Matt Bowen, who cited the defense's ability last year to overcome injuries. Even though LaVar Arrington, Mike Barrow, Phillip Daniels and Bowen himself missed all or major parts of the season, the defense thrived. "Gregg always says, 'There's no stars on our defense.' I think guys really believe that," Bowen said. "I'm not saying I would put my sister in there. ... But when we had guys go down last year, we had guys step up and play really well -- play really well as a team." The workout program, which is voluntary and for which players receive nominal pay, runs through mid-May. Gibbs hasn't released the remainder of the offseason schedule, but the first minicamp is expected to take place April 29-May 1, t he weekend after the draft.
Notes -- The Redskins re-signed linebacker Chris Clemons (who had been tendered as an exclusive-rights player) and wide receiver Gari Scott. Linebacker Maurice Jones was released.
I love this quote from clark. Slamming coles and pubically (sp) supporting the team.
Clark pointed to Patten, who was among those working out yesterday, as he argued that the club compensated for its losses by obtaining the right kind of new players.
"It was good to see a guy who still wants to come to work," Clark said of 30-year-old Patten. "I think we're bringing in guys who fit in. You can't always bring in the big-name guy or the guy who wants the most money, because he doesn't fit in with your group."
"It was good to see a guy who still wants to come to work," Clark said of 30-year-old Patten. "I think we're bringing in guys who fit in. You can't always bring in the big-name guy or the guy who wants the most money, because he doesn't fit in with your group."
"It was good to see a guy who still wants to come to work," Clark said of 30-year-old Patten. "I think we're bringing in guys who fit in. You can't always bring in the big-name guy or the guy who wants the most money, because he doesn't fit in with your group."
i think this team can be better than last year team.sure we lost smoot and pierce but we have guys who can feel there spots easily.i dont feel like the only one one this board who feels smoot was woth the money to keep.let him leave that is fine.i like harris or wilds there and if not lets lets get rolle in the draft.he can damn sure tackle and loves to lay the hit on ya.imagine having arrington,taylor,and rolle just ready to lay into ya.we will have the opposition from all sides.pierece i think was a good player but also thrived under gw system.why cant marshall do that and who knows maybe barrow can come back to.put them two together and it more than makes up for pierce.besides that our defense looks great.i like clark and bowen sharing time too.dont be surprised to see clark starting.i thinke he is going to be a true player.on the other side of the ball i think all we did was get better.who cares if coles left.i sure dont. moss is faster and can use him for punt returns too.patten i think is going to make a big splash for us.he could probally pan out to be the best free agent picked up by the end of the season.so what im getting at is lets sit back and take in all the good things that have happened this offseason.we didnt pick up some over the hill player bc of name.instead our coach gibbs picked up the pieces we needed and there will still be more to come.this could be the first draft in god knows how long we have more than two or three picks and maybe more if gardner is traded.things are looking up and i feel pumped about the season.to all my redskins pals on here we will be in the playoffs this season mark my words.take care.
Maybe Lamar Marshall should talk to Barry Bonds, he could help him put on a few pounds! At 225lbs that is very small for an NFL linebacker, I hope he can hold up.
I agree, but Zack is about 3-4 inches shorter and 5 lbs heavier. I just hope that Lemar will be mentioned in same breath as Zack Thomas at the end of next season and then will have something.
"Gregg always says, 'There's no stars on our defense.' I think guys really believe that, ...I'm not saying I would put my sister in there. ... But when we had guys go down last year, we had guys step up and play really well -- play really well as a team." --Matt Bowen
See this defense is so convinced that anyone can step up and fill anyones shoes that Matt Bowen is trying to fill in for the locquacious Fred Smoot. Yes, Smootie's gone, but slowly Bowen is coming into his own.
yes, but that's the point. Zach Thomas is 3-4 inches smaller. He has better leverage. Football is all about the low man winning the battle. Lemar has to put on at leat 15 pounds to be effective for his height.
doctordrew said "Lemar has to put on at leat 15 pounds to be effective for his height".
I agree. He also has to keep his speed after adding the additional weight.
Unless someone sees something that I have not he is at best an average NFL linebacker. I hope that we have not gotten to the point where we are pinning our hopes on average players stepping up in order for us to be successful. I agree that a team needs roll players, but these should be guys that know there roll and fit in around the stars. Lemar Marshall is nothing more then a roll player.
It shouldn't be hard for him to gain weight...with all of the doctors, and nutritionists getting paid to help them with their workouts....If Mike "Bone Marrow" can get his knee right, that will be a lift for the team too.
