Healthy Springs Bounces Into Training Camp
By Nunyo Demasio
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 28, 2004; Page D07
Cornerback Shawn Springs trotted out of Redskins Park yesterday with his characteristic toothy grin, plus an extra hop in his step. Springs -- who signed a six-year, $30 million contract (including a $10 million signing bonus) in March to be Champ Bailey's replacement -- was simply giddy that he was able to participate in both the team's passing camp sessions.
The cornerback wasn't able to practice until Coach Joe Gibbs's second minicamp in May because of a bone bruise in his knee suffered last season when he was with the Seattle Seahawks. Springs, who has missed nine games because of various injuries over the past three seasons, considered himself at 85 percent during Gibbs's second minicamp.
As training camp approaches, however, Springs says he is in his best physical shape in several seasons.
"I feel pretty good. I feel 100 percent," said Springs, 29. "Nothing hurts. This is the best I've felt in five years. I was just coming back from a bone bruise, and they take time to heal up."
Springs, a Springbrook High graduate, started every game from 1998 to 2000 and made the Pro Bowl in his second season after a career-high seven interceptions. The Redskins said they thoroughly examined his medical records before signing him.
Coles's Big Toe Is Not a Big Problem
When wide receiver Laveranues Coles shifts directions, his right big toe brings pain -- vestiges of a fracture suffered early last season. But overall, Coles's toe isn't a problem, especially when the speedster runs straight routes, an improvement from previous practices when his participation was limited as a precautionary measure.
"It's fine. I mean, of course, I never expect for it to be 100 percent right now," said Coles, who has been fitted with a special shoe to ease the pain. "But we're taking good care of it and it's working out for me right now."
Coles conceded the toe can still be troublesome.
"Just depending on which way I turn," he explained. "If I turn the wrong way, it will get aggravated a little bit." Coles is coming off a season in which he made 82 catches for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns to make his first Pro Bowl.
Coles contemplated having surgery this summer, but decided against it when doctors told him that it would require four months to recover, substantially cutting into this season. . . .
The Redskins have announced changes to their training camp schedule, which is mostly open to the public from July 31 to Aug. 11. Tuesday's practice scheduled for 4:30 p.m. is now closed. An Aug. 4 practice scheduled for 9 a.m. has been canceled, replaced by a 2 p.m. practice that day.
Staff writer Jason La Canfora contributed to this report.
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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