Ryan Torain: Charged Up to be a Redskin
Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:40 pm
Ryan Torain: Charged Up to be a Redskin
Hey Pitchfork Nation. Last time we talked, I was on my way to DC for minicamp with the Redskins. It was a whirlwind of a trip but I took care of business. The Redskins coaches and staff were impressed . . . . so impressed that I could not get out the door without them asking me to return. Before leaving DC on Sunday, the organization offered me a two-year contract. Things feel pretty good right now.
It was a challenging first day—getting back into the swing of things—but the coaches, specifically running backs coach Bobby Turner, were very supportive.
After it was over, I wasn’t sure if they were going to wait until the draft to decide whether to offer me a contract. But before I could get on the bus to head back to the airport, we received an offer… and it was pretty easy to say “yes”. It’s a staff that I’m comfortable with and a city that is intriguing.
This weekend, I spent some time back on ASU campus at the Spring Football Game and track meet. It was great seeing a bunch of friends, teammates, and coaches. Now I’m heading back to DC…for offseason workouts…where I’ll be lifting, studying the new playbook, running drills, and so on…
I’ll be back in AZ in a couple weeks before I head out to DC for good.
While I’m away, check out my answers to some more specific questions the folks at Fanster.com asked me regarding this past minicamp:
When you stepped on the field at mini camp, did it make all the rehab worth it?
Absolutely. It was a long road. It has been going on for a year now. I’ve been watching games, watching film, and getting my mind right. Then obviously there has been the physical rehab over the last few months with Triple Threat Performance. It was a challenging but fun few days in Washington. And it obviously turned out pretty good.
How exactly does a mini camp work, what is a typical day like, and what is the worst part?
It’s pretty much two-a-days. Everything gets started around 6:30am. In the morning, we spend some time in the training room, eat, and then sit through meetings for a few hours. Our running backs coach Bobby Turner likes for all the running backs to sit together, so I spent a lot of time with Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker. The toughest part is getting through the meetings. It is all good and important stuff that we talk about, but after my time away, I just wanted to get out on the football field. The practice days ended around 5pm.
Are you motivated or intimidated by the fact that guys like Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker are above you on the Redskins depth chart?
I’m charged up! I’m just ready to learn from the coaches and the other backs. It will be fun to compare my skills to guys like Clinton and Willie. I mean, these guys are elite backs. Each guy has different skills and different styles but there is so much to learn from them. During the minicamp, each of them were a great help to me. We took care of each other. While this is a business and we are fighting for spots, we are a team. We are there to help each other.
For me, I feel like I’m versatile back that can run between the tackles, bounce it outside, or catch the ball out of the backfield. In reality, you have to be a complete back to play in this league—and I know I’ve got the complete package. I’m definitely going to do everything I can to not lose out on this huge opportunity.
Mike Shanahan once said he thought you were “one of the most gifted running backs I’ve ever been around for a long time.” What does it mean to be playing for a coach with that much belief in you and can you get back to that level after the injuries?
You know, that means a lot to me that Coach Shanahan would say that, but I’ve got a lot to prove. I really just don’t want to let Coach down. I want to show everyone that he didn’t make a mistake in drafting me and didn’t make a mistake in giving me a second chance with the Redskins. He has put his trust in me, so I’m most certainly going to put my trust in him.
As for my injuries, I feel good and I’m working hard to keep my body right. That’s all I can do.
You will not only be playing for Mike Shanahan but with Donovan McNabb as your quarterback. What can a younger player like yourself learn from a veteran like McNabb?
TEAM LEADERSHIP, which is absolutely huge. It’s one thing to do the right thing when no one is looking. It’s another thing to handle yourself in the right way as a player when teammates look up to you. Donovan has “IT.” Donovan and I had the chance to interact pretty early in minicamp. During the first day, I dropped a pass that he threw to me. I made sure to let him know that it wouldn’t happen again. I told him, “make sure you keep throwing me the ball; trust me, I’ll catch it.”
How difficult is it to learn a new playbook and terminology?
It really is a challenge. It’s like a different language. Even though I played in Coach Shanahan’s system a couple years ago, this offensive playbook was designed by both Coach and his son Kyle Shanahan, so it’s a bit different. Many of the plays are the same but the words are different. I guess Anthony Alridge (who played for Coach Shanahan in Denver a couple years ago) and I are a little bit ahead of the game when it comes to the playbook. Even with it being a challenge, a major part of my job is to study the playbook. I’ll be doing a lot of studying during minicamps and OTAs.