Second Mini-Camp Starts This Weekend!
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
April 28, 2004
With all of the hoopla of the NFL Draft now in the past, it's time for Redskins coaches to get a look at their bounty of players in action. The team's post-draft mini-camp starts this weekend, April 30-May 2, and it'll be the first chance for team officials to get a look at drafted players Sean Taylor, Chrisey, Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro in Redskins uniforms.
For the rookies, a group that includes 10 undrafted rookie free agents, it'll be their first look at the playbook. If the last mini-camp is any indication, they'll have a quick learning curve.
Note: the mini-camp is closed to the public. But you can follow the action here on Redskins.com.
Sean Taylor is expected to play free safety for the Redskins--shifting Matt Bowen to strong safety. (Getty Images)
Taylor, of course, will be the primary storyline of mini-camp. The Redskins' first-round draft pick (fifth overall) out of the University of Miami (Fla.) is expected to play free safety, moving Matt Bowen to strong safety.
"He's a prototypical free safety," said assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams. "He's a ball hawk at free safety&But he has to come in here with that same passion and mindset that he had as a Miami Hurricane. He has to transfer that to being a Washington Redskin and have that same type of impact at the pro level."
Some of the other storylines this weekend:
The Redskins' third-year quarterback is coming off foot surgery and is expected to test his right foot in scrimmages for the first time. Last mini-camp, Ramsey participated in passing drills only.
"I think by [this] mini-camp, I'll be ready to go," he said. "We'll be able to evaluate my foot better and more of the offense will be installed. I'll just have to play catch up here and there."
Ramsey is expected to compete for the starting QB job with veteran Mark Brunell, acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade last March.
Shawn Springs. Acquired in free agency in March, Springs did not participate in the first mini-camp so that foot and knee injuries from the 2003 season could fully heal. Springs will join Fred Smoot as the Redskins' new cornerback tandem.
In addition, free agent pickups Walt Harris and Ralph Brown will participate in their first mini-camp practices, joining holdovers Rashad Bauman and Ade Jimoh to form a cornerback rotation with solid depth.
With Champ Bailey being traded to Denver in the Clinton Portis deal, Springs knows there'll be a lot of eyes on him this season.
"I'm going to bring the same type of attitude and confidence to my game that Champ had," Springs said. "Freddy and I will make a great tandem. I know we have to prove it on the field, but we'll get it done."
Marcus Washington & Michael Barrow. This mini-camp will be the first time on the field for the Redskins' new trio of linebackers: LaVar Arrington, Michael Barrow and Marcus Washington.
Washington did not participate in the first mini-camp in order to fully recover from a mild lower back injury. Barrow signed with the Redskins last Friday.
Washington, signed last March as a free agent from Indianapolis, is regarded as an ascending player. He is expected to play strong-side, shifting Arrington to the weak-side where he can use his speed more to disrupt plays. Barrow will play the middle.
"Marcus is a talent--he's not somebody where offenses can say we're going to run right at him," Arrington said. "They're going to have their hands full with Marcus on that side."
Gibbs on Chris
Chris
The Redskins released Byron Chamberlain and acquired 10-year veteran Brian Kozlowski in early April to join Mike Sellers in helping to solidify the H-back position in Joe Gibbs' offense. Walter Rasby and Robert Royal are expected to serve as more traditional blocking tight ends.
"If I had to pick the perfect scenario to come in and play in this offense, for Coach Gibbs, this would be it,"
Said Gibbs: "H-back is probably the most challenging position next to quarterback because you're playing in the backfield, along the line of scrimmage, and at times you're going to split out. If you get the right person there, it gives you a lot of flexibility. And we think Chris is one of those guys. He fits into our scheme."
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