Training Camp Snapshot, Aug. 11
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
August 11, 2004
Here are some of the highlights from Wednesday afternoon's practice:
Play of the Day: After recording two interceptions in Monday night's game, Sean Taylor came through with another interception in Wednesday afternoon's practice. He leaped in front of a pass along the sidelines and caught the ball with his hands before momentum carried him out of bounds. Said Joe Gibbs: "I'll say this, last week Sean practiced good and he played good [in the game Monday night]&What he does is cover a lot of ground and he's also very aggressive. All of those things make for a real good safety."
Player: A lot of the focus in Wednesday's practice was on Kenyatta Jones, who is being given a shot to replace Jon Jansen at right tackle. But just as much focus could be on right tackle Randy Thomas, who must develop cohesion with his new line-mate. Thomas is confident in Jones. "He'll do fine," Thomas said. "We'll just need time and reps together."
Quote: "Let's go, Dirtbags!" -- A fan, yelling out at the new nickname of the offensive linemen as they practiced just a few yards away from him.
Atmosphere: About 90 minutes before practice, a thunderstorm sent fans scurrying for cover at the various tents. The rain stopped a short while later and the crowds returned. The Redskins' low-key, workmanlike approach continued on the last day of open practices. Afterwards, Gibbs signed dozens of autographs for fans while players greeted 30 soldiers from the war in Iraq who are rehabilitating from injuries at Walter Read Army Medical Center.
Notes:
-- Tim Hasselbeck's has garnered praise from Gibbs for his play in practices and in Monday night's game. It only makes him want to work harder. "Obviously when a head coach praises you, it gives you confidence...It was great to get some feedback in how I was doing, and it makes me want to come out tomorrow and play better than I've been playing."
-- Eighteen-year veteran offensive lineman Ray Brown was the popular interview request after practice. Reporters surrounded him on the field as he walked off the practice field. Brown saw limited action during Wednesday's practice, participating in some run plays. The 41-year-old played for the Redskins from 1989-95 and won a Super Bowl in 1991 playing for Gibbs and Joe Bugel.
-- Wednesday's training camp practice was the last open practice for fans and media alike. Training camp continues with closed practices from here on out as the team begins to spend more time working on the playbook.
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