Asked to assess the development of Redskins cornerbacks after mini-camp, new defensive assistant Jerry Gray had this to say: "We still need to make a lot of progress. But I'll tell you this: My guys are giving me the effort, and they're willing to put in the time. That's what you appreciate."
When the Redskins added Gray to their defensive staff earlier this year, as secondary-cornerbacks coach, they added an experienced NFL figure who has been a blue chip performer at every level as a player.
It's no secret that projected starters for the Redskins at corner in the upcoming season are veteran Shawn Springs and second-year pro Carlos Rogers.
Beyond that, Gray said, there's solid competition with Ade Jimoh, Kenny Wright, Dimitri Patterson and Christian Morton in the fight.
"That's what you want and that's what you at expect at this point--guys who are willing to come in compete," Gray continued. "We're not playing a game this Sunday. Still, what you need to see is a willingness to compete."
Added Gray: "Athletic ability, quickness, technique--that's what it takes to play corner. That's what we keep preaching. If you want examples from other teams, look at players like Champ Bailey, DeAngelo Hall, Deltha O'Neal."
A native of Lubbock, Tex., Gray is in the Texas High School Hall of Fame. In 1983 and 1984, he was an All America pick at safety for the Texas Longhorns. The L.A. Rams drafted him in the first round in 1985 as the 21st overall pick and Gray went on to make four Pro Bowls.
At the 1990 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Gray picked off a pass and raced 51 yards for a touchdown in a game the NFC won 27-21. He had seven tackles and was named player of the game.
Gray, Buffalo's defensive coordinator the past five seasons and a man with 18 years of NFL experience, replaces DeWayne Walker, who returned to the college ranks as UCLA's defensive coordinator.
Besides that, Gray ought to know something about Redskins history, playoff football and RFK Stadium. In his second year in the NFL, he was part of a Los Angeles team that met the Redskins in the playoffs.
In the first round of the playoffs, Los Angeles visited RFK, where Joe Gibbs and the Redskins prevailed 19-7. Gray and Rams cornerback LeRoy Irvin held Art Monk and Gary Clark in check. Monk had five catches for just 34 yards, Clark one catch for eight yards.
"RFK? It was a tough place to play, just like the Oakland Coliseum in some ways," Gray recalled. "You were always playing against a team and a crowd. I always respected the way the Redskins played the game."
With the Bills in 2004, Gray directed a defense that produced 39 turnovers, tops in the entire NFL.
In all likelihood, Gray's special project for 2006 will involve helping to develop Rogers, the Redskins' first-round selection and the ninth overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft.
"What we're trying to emphasize with Carlos and all of our young corners," said Gray, "is that you never know which play will wind up being the key play in a ballgame. The most important play in the game may actually come on the second or third snap. You never know."
Gray is a fabulous addition to this team... and his guidance is going to really pay off with the talent in the defensive backfield...
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
What impresses me the most about this coaching staff is that so many of them have coached at a higher level. Gray was a coordinator, Saunders was a head coach etc.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
yupchagee wrote:What impresses me the most about this coaching staff is that so many of them have coached at a higher level. Gray was a coordinator, Saunders was a head coach etc.
i hear that 100%... its all about gibbs.
he has this weird ability to get the best around him, its what defines the greatest managers, be it business or sports managers.. a great leader gets the best people to surround him. its not just gibbs sayin, "we are going to win and you want to be on board" its somthing else. somthing that cant learned, gibbs has it and not many others do.
its not just gibbs sayin, "we are going to win and you want to be on board" its somthing else. somthing that cant learned, gibbs has it and not many others do.
Not to minimize the incredible influence Gibbs has, but I'm sure that this may also have something to do with his access to Snyder's checkbook.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
And we`re not complaining - reading about what many players are saying during pre-season, a lot are talking about the quality of the coaching and teaching they`re receiving. Hopefully, this will help to develop a Montgomery, Reid Doughty or McCune into a future hardcore Redskin.
...Added Gray: "Athletic ability, quickness, technique--that's what it takes to play corner. That's what we keep preaching. If you want examples from other teams, look at players like Champ Bailey, DeAngelo Hall, Deltha O'Neal."
It's ironic that two out of the three corners he listed could've been Redskins. Seeing how things played out with LA we could've put our money into Champ back in 2003 instead of him. At the end of the day I would rather have Springs and Portis than Bailey and T.Bell. I always included Springs in the deal, considering we got our pair for about the same money as they got theirs. It's a whole new thread to consider all the possibilities if that's how it would've played out. The second corner could've been D.Hall but, that would've meant passing on Taylor. It's tough not to imagine what it would've been like to have Champ and D.Hall as our corners, though.
It all played out for the best. I am excited about Rogers this season. It's time for him to shine, especially with Gray coaching him.
As far as Jimoh, he is an excellent ST player. That's why he is still on the team and probably what will keep him on the team as the fourth corner. I agree that he must be getting better. That will be another competitive position at TC.
Visions of Porti wrote:I'm excited about Kenny Wright and Christian Morton. I couldn't help but hold my breath everytime Jimoh took the field last season...
Me too but he has really improved over the past couple of seasons and especially last year.
In my opinion, though, CB is probably the weakest position on our team (aside from perhaps P and PR/KR). We've got a couple of good starters, and I think that Kenny Wright will do some good work for us, but the position doesn't tend to stand out like, for instance, our safeties, wide receivers, or running backs do. . . .
Visions of Porti wrote:I'm excited about Kenny Wright and Christian Morton. I couldn't help but hold my breath everytime Jimoh took the field last season...
Me too but he has really improved over the past couple of seasons and especially last year.
In my opinion, though, CB is probably the weakest position on our team (aside from perhaps P and PR/KR). We've got a couple of good starters, and I think that Kenny Wright will do some good work for us, but the position doesn't tend to stand out like, for instance, our safeties, wide receivers, or running backs do. . . .
Wright started for Jacksonville last yr, so he should at least be adequate. Out PR/KR looks solid to me. Randle El as PR & Betts as KR. Thrash backing up both. The only question mark I see is Brunell's health.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
Visions of Porti wrote:I'm excited about Kenny Wright and Christian Morton. I couldn't help but hold my breath everytime Jimoh took the field last season...
Me too but he has really improved over the past couple of seasons and especially last year.
In my opinion, though, CB is probably the weakest position on our team (aside from perhaps P and PR/KR). We've got a couple of good starters, and I think that Kenny Wright will do some good work for us, but the position doesn't tend to stand out like, for instance, our safeties, wide receivers, or running backs do. . . .
Wright started for Jacksonville last yr, so he should at least be adequate. Out PR/KR looks solid to me. Randle El as PR & Betts as KR. Thrash backing up both. The only question mark I see is Brunell's health.
Lets try not to turn this into a Mark Brunell thread. The sheer mention of his name in that context will derail any thread.
. . .