http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/foo ... _blog.htmlTrent Williams misses players’ workout again
By Mike Jones
One of the most noticeable absentees from the Washington Redskins’ player-led workouts has been second-year left tackle Trent Williams.
Drafted fourth overall out of Oklahoma last year, Williams joins benched quarterback Donovan McNabb, free-agent-to-be wide receiver Santana Moss and right tackle Jammal Brown (also a free agent) as the only offensive starters who haven’t attended any of the seven offseason practices.
Defensive end Adam Carriker, whose wife gave birth to a child during the offseason, cornerback Carlos Rogers (a free agent), rehabbing strong safety LaRon Landry and newly acquired free safety O.J. Atogwe are the only defensive starters who have not attended the workouts.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Williams said that he has been training with roughly a dozen players in his hometown of Houston. He said he considered attending this week’s workouts, but decided not to go because he was in a wedding last weekend, which would have interfered with travel plans.
“I kind of had my hands tied,” Williams said. “But I figure as long as I’m getting work in and am making sure I’m ready. I’ve been trimming down a little bit, focusing on total body strength, and I started back [doing squats] this offseason, which I hadn’t done since my sophomore year, to get my explosiveness in my legs back. I feel great.”
Redskins attending the workouts say the sessions have helped them shake off the rust and refresh their memory and feel for the playbook.
Williams doesn’t believe he will suffer significantly from passing on the chance to run through plays with his teammates.
“When the lockout’s lifted I’m pretty sure everybody’s going to be rusty,” he said. “I can’t be no rustier than what I was as a rookie last year. I didn’t know any of the playbook then. So I’ll automatically be further along.”
Linebacker London Fletcher and quarterback John Beck -- the players who have assumed leadership roles during the three weeks of group offseason workouts – said they aren’t allowing themselves to worry about no-shows.
“I understand guys have different things going on,” Fletcher said. “We’d love to have everybody here, but that’s not the situation. You just hope and trust that guys are doing the things they need to, to get ready for the season.”
When asked about Williams’ absence, Beck said, “It’d be nice to have as many guys as we could out here, but I’m happy with the guys that are coming out and I feel like we’ve gotten a lot accomplished.”
Tight end Chris Cooley also said he is only concerned about the players in attendance.
“Everyone’s happy with who’s showed up and what we’ve had here,” Cooley said. “Everyone’s been contacted, emailed, texted, called. We set up the opportunity for guys to show up and do what they want to do, and whoever makes it, makes it.”
One player happy for the opportunity to take all the snaps at left tackle is second-year player Selvish Capers, who spent all of last year on the practice squad. Rather than rotating with Williams or watching most of the plays, Capers has gotten extensive work, and describes the opportunity as a big plus.
“Everything helps. It’s good to be out here, getting reps, especially against Orakpo and Rob Jackson and Kerrigan. I’m starting to get a feel. Everything’s rolling,” Capers said. “It’s very important. It’s like a refresher course. Just being out here helps my memory of the plays coming together, so it’s very beneficial.”
By Mike Jones | 02:53 PM ET, 06/15/2011
Not a good sign in my view. The word on Trent Williams in college was that he was a physical talent with the feet of a HOF caliber LT but the work ethic of a J.A.G. (Just A Guy). He showed flashes in his first year, but was nagged with constant injuries. Shanahan challenged him to work harder at year end. This is a critical offseason for him. And, he's shown some signs that he's not as committed as he should be. Specifically this quote from ESPN 980:
Trent Williams said:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -workouts/“I thought this was a quarterbacks and receivers thing,” Williams told ESPN 980 on Wednesday. “I haven’t talked to anybody on the O-line.”
He offered a different excuse for not being there in May. “I was in a wedding,” Williams said.
Everyone knows these player workouts are not a "QB and receivers thing." And, why haven't you talked to "anybody on the O-Line?" Chris Cooley says everyone has been called, emailed, and texted. I want Trent Williams to become the caliber of player that he can. He has the skills to do it. But, I've seen this movie before. Hoping for a different ending.
