The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

For seven months, Washington fans have anticipated the opening of Joe Gibbs' first training camp in 12 years as coach of the Redskins. Too bad they won't get to see much of it.

The Redskins open training camp next Saturday at their home training base in Ashburn, Va., one of 32 camps that start in the next 10 days. Denver, Chicago, Carolina and St. Louis begin the process Tuesday.

But Washington fans, who have waited for this week since their Hall of Fame coach was re-hired last January, may not get to see much. While most teams encourage their supporters to attend drills, the new/old coach is probably restricting fan access.

"I don't care if you're taking a test or what you're doing," Gibbs says. "If there's things walking around, and people talking, good-looking girls walking up and down the sidelines and everything, then generally what people do is: 'I'd rather look over there than look out here.' So that's a problem, distractions are."

Despite the return of Gibbs and owner Daniel Snyder's annual signing flurry, Washington isn't the favourite in its own division, the NFC East.

That designation goes to Philadelphia, losers of three straight conference title games. The Eagles have added pass rusher Jevon Kearse and Terrell Owens, the standout wide receiver they desperately needed. Still, that guarantees little in this era of parity, especially with potential locker room problems after the departure of cornerback and team leader Troy Vincent to Buffalo and the addition of the tempestuous and moody Owens.

The overall Super Bowl favourite may again be New England, which could equal the mark of the 1992-95 Cowboys with three titles in four years.

If it leads to more wins it's ok by me.

Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs on his likely decision to restrict fan access from his first training camp in 12 years: “I don’t care if you’re taking a test or what you’re doing. If there’s things walking around, and people talking, good-looking girls walking up and down the sidelines and everything, then generally what people do is: ‘I’d rather look over there than look out here.’ So that’s a problem, distractions are.”