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USAToday: Inside Slant

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:56 am
by ANT7088
Club officials envision rookie safety Sean Taylor roaming the deep secondary, leaping for interceptions and stepping up for crunching hits. But for now, Taylor can't get out of his own way.
Less than 24 hours after making some much-needed good news by signing his contract, Taylor put himself back in jeopardy for the start of full-squad training camp by suffering a slight knee sprain in passing camp.

The injury was just the latest in a string of incidents that have called into question Washington's decision to pass up former Miami tight end Kellen Winslow II for his teammate, Taylor, at the No. 5 spot in this spring's draft.

Taylor began his Redskins tenure by firing his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. He then got off to a tepid start in minicamp. One afternoon, he took a shaving-gel pie to the face from LaVar Arrington and began screaming in pain. He missed the next day's workout. And he skipped a day of the rookie symposium and was fined $25,000.

As full-camp started, it was clear that the Redskins' top pick had some growing up to do. Washington's defense, despite the addition of coordinator Gregg Williams, is suspect on the defensive line and needs key contributions from its back seven. If Taylor can't mature quickly, there's a chance he won't be part of the opening lineup.

The rookie, for his part, doesn't believe he's endured a rough offseason.

"Not at all," Taylor said. "It's a transition, and there are bumps and bruises through that transition. It's how you shake those things off. You become a man through the whole situation, an even better man."

Teammates and club officials also didn't sound concerned, noting that none of Taylor's news-making moves were major and that none affected what he might do on the field.

"He has to learn what it means to be a professional in this league," Arrington said. "That takes a little while. I'm still learning. Athletically, there's no doubt about (his potential). It's just a matter of figuring out whether, mentally, he's going to catch up sooner or later."

CAMP CALENDAR: Open—July 31. Fan appreciation day—Aug. 7. Close—Aug. 11.

NOTES, QUOTES

—The Redskins conducted a three-day passing camp to get rookies and skill-position players up to speed for full-squad camp. Linemen on both sides of the ball were excused. The camp technically was part of training camp but players didn't wear pads and media weren't permitted to watch.

"It was a start," QB Mark Brunell said. "It had been a few weeks since we had been out there. Guys were a little rusty. But the attitudes are right. That's what you look for. Expectations are high. Guys have been anticipating this day for a long time. I thought it was a good start for us."

—LB LaVar Arrington shrugged off the postponement of his arbitration hearing. Both he and the Redskins had hoped to resolve in August his charge that Washington removed a $6.5 million roster bonus from the final draft of his contract. But scheduling issues mean the hearing won't occur until Nov. 2.

"Doesn't matter," Arrington said. "I over it. I'm definitely over it. I'm just ready to play."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He can't play the safety blind. I'm sorry. You just can't do it. I kind of got on LaVar about that." — CB Fred Smoot on the prank, a shaving-gel pie to the face, that sidelined S Sean Taylor during minicamp. LB LaVar Arrington had mugged Taylor as a rookie prank, but the rookie began screaming in pain and had to miss a day of practice.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: All eyes are on QBs Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey, who are fighting for the job Ramsey held most of last season. Ramsey's injury and coach Joe Gibbs' move to keep media out of practice kept this battle from becoming much of a topic during the offseason, but it will be the biggest issue over the next few weeks as reporters and fans look for separation.

Gibbs continues to stress that the competition will be even and open. He hopes that making the process transparent will limit second-guessing in the locker room and outside the team.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Sean Taylor might be signed, but he'll still have to fight Ifeanyi Ohalete to start. Taylor opened minicamp on the third string as Ohalete continued to work with the starters, alongside Matt Bowen. The overwhelming expectation is for Taylor to start but he still must show he's ready.

TE Chris Cooley is another rookie with a solid chance of being in the Sept. 12 lineup against Tampa Bay. The Utah State product led all Division I tight ends last season with 62 catches and could be a major weapon Gibbs' offense. He's fighting veterans Brian Kozlowski and Mike Sellers to start at H-back.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The media hadn't watched any practices as of this writing, with passing camp being made off-limits. But there is an overwhelming expectation that RB Clinton Portis, obtained in the Champ Bailey trade this spring, will emerge as a key player once the action goes live. Portis has been somewhat lost in the newspapers amid a busy offseason but should be the focal point of Gibbs' offense the season.

ROOKIE REPORT: Taylor, who suffered a mild right knee sprain on his first day of passing camp, and Cooley will attract the most attention. Ts Mark Wilson and Jim Molinaro will try to absorb Joe Bugel's teaching and earn roster spots, ahead of veterans like Daryl Terrell, Brandon Winey and Kenyatta Jones. Undrafted DB Dennard Wilson out of Maryland suffered a fracture in his lower left leg and is expected to miss the season.

INJURY REPORT: Taylor (knee) wasn't expected to miss much time but his status for the first day of camp was uncertain. NT Brandon Noble (knee) was ready for the start of camp after a long rehabilitation from the 2003 preseason. WR Laveranues Coles (toe) continues to have some discomfort but is basically healthy. CB Walt Harris (knee) continued to receive treatment in hopes that he would be ready for the start of camp.


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