USAToday: Inside Slant

Washington Football Game Day discussions for 2003, 2004, and 2005
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USAToday: Inside Slant

Post by ANT7088 »

If this is the Redskins under Joe Gibbs, the team might have some problems living up to the burgeoning expectations.
Washington got off to a "rough" start at training camp under the legendary coach - -"rough," because that's the word he used virtually every day to describe the performance on the field.

Some players certainly have stood out — notably linebacker Marcus Washington on defense and wide receiver James Thrash on offense — but generally speaking the players continue to adjust to Gibbs' offense and Gregg Williams' defense.

Most notable among the mediocre performances were those by quarterbacks Mark Brunell and Patrick Ramsey, who are vying to start the regular-season opener against Tampa Bay. Brunell seemed to throw away every other ball. Ramsey flashed his deep arm from time to time but overall didn't take advantage of Brunell's lousy play.

"The games, that's what it all comes down to," Brunell said one afternoon. "You know, we have so many practices. There's good ones, there's bad ones. But it's the games where you really have to shine."

Washington's performance on defense raises hopes for Williams' aggressive scheme. With none of the Redskins' D-linemen putting a scare into anyone, the club needs Washington to provide a pass-rushing complement to Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington. The team has been ecstatic with Washington's daily intensity.

"We think he might be even better than we did when we signed him," linebackers coach Dale Lindsey said. "Some of the things he's doing right now, we're hoping that's not just an aberration, that it's really going to happen every day."

Gibbs acknowledged that more emphasis will be put on winning in this preseason than in the final ones of his first stint as coach, when a veteran Redskins squad knew full well its potential. But he knows the play must improve if this team is to pick up a few exhibition wins.

"We're continuing to work along," Gibbs said. "Kind of rough — that's the best way I describe it. I've been describing it that way every day, but that's how it feels. We'll see here. We'll try and start polishing things up."

CAMP CALENDAR: Final public practice on Aug. 11.

NOTES, QUOTES

—CB Shawn Springs sometimes is criticized for not wanting to win badly enough. He argues that he maintains a silent intensity and that, in any case, his perspective on life changed considerably several years ago when he visited Ethiopia with a University of Washington professor.

"It was a life-changing experience," Springs said. "That's one of the reasons why my attitude is where it is. You go over there and you realize that you take so much stuff for granted. People are dying over there."

—WR James Thrash once again is getting attention for being the hardest-working Redskin. The club is thrilled to have back Thrash, who was somewhat of a disappointment in three years trying to be Philadelphia's No. 1 receiver. His work ethic sets the bar for teammates. He credits it to his mother, Lois, who worked two jobs while he was growing up.

"I never saw her once complain when she came home, (say) 'Oh, I'm tired,'" Thrash said. "That's something I try to do when I come out here, and I even try to share it with some guys — no matter how hard it gets, never complain. Because when you start saying that stuff, then you start feeling tired."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "At that point I figured it was the culmination of everything I was going to do in football. Now we get a chance to drag it out of there and melt it down." — Coach Joe Gibbs, who returns to Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame Game after having his bust put up there in 1996.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Mark Brunell vs. Patrick Ramsey for starting QB — Neither passer played well through a week of practices but Brunell was particularly disappointing. The veteran, who signed a seven-year, $43 million contract this offseason, was seen frequently scrambling and throwing balls away. Ramsey caught observers' eyes with a couple of throws but also was erratic.

Gibbs revealed that Brunell would start the Hall of Fame Game against Denver while Ramsey will go first against Carolina on Aug. 14. The two will rotate from there with a decision being made late in the preseason. Brunell, despite his poor start, remains the odds-on starter.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: C Lennie Friedman is getting the bulk of first-string snaps ahead of Cory Raymer. H-back Mike Sellers lined up first string before banging up his knee. The position remains in flux. Brian Kozlowski appears No. 2 and rookie Chris Cooley No. 3. WR James Thrash has enjoyed a solid camp and looks to be the No. 3 receiver, ahead of Darnerien McCants. S Andre Lott has lined up with the starters while rookie Sean Taylor goes with the second string. Former Ifeanyi Ohalete has dropped all the way to the third unit.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LB Marcus Washington — The Redskins have been thrilled with Washington's intensity and activity during practice, and his versatility is expected to be a real asset this season. Washington will play across from Pro Bowl LB LaVar Arrington and provide Gregg Williams with extensive pass-rush options. Coaches say Washington makes quick corrections during practice, has a non-stop motor and flashes outstanding athleticism.

ROOKIE REPORT: First-round S Sean Taylor started to make a few plays by week's end but continued to get attention mostly for running contract saga. Third-round H-back Chris Cooley might not be ready for prime-time, though he could climb the depth chart quickly with good performances in the preseason. Fifth-round T Mark Wilson is lining up second-string on the right side, while sixth-round T Jim Molinaro is No. 2 on the left.

INJURY REPORT: NT Brandon Noble suffered a broken hand and missed several days of practice. He expects to play with a cast on. His rehabilitation from a blown knee in the 2003 preseason continues to go well. ... LB Mike Barrow was diagnosed with tendinitis in his knee and might be nagged for awhile. ... RB Clinton Portis suffered a slight groin strain but was set to play his old team. ... DE Phillip Daniels missed most of the first week of camp with a strained abdomen and coach Joe Gibbs started to grow pessimistic about a quick return. ... LB LaVar Arrington missed a day of practice after being leg-whipped. ... G Randy Thomas is resting his sore knee a bit more than expected but isn't viewed as being seriously injured. ... RB Ladell Betts continues to draw scrutiny for his toughness, missing much of the week with a hamstrings train. ... Oft-injured WRs Taylor Jacobs (abdomen) and Cliff Russell (hamstring) were back on the shelf.


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Last edited by ANT7088 on Mon Aug 09, 2004 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by JansenFan »

I asked Taylor Jacobs how the abdominal muscle strain was going on Saturday and he said he expected to be back soon, as he was starting to feel better already. We shall see.
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