Out at Redskins Park, the team looked relaxed.
While I could not hear exactly what offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was saying to the group of Washington Redskins players surrounding him today during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), I don’t think it was anything terrible. The players looked too enthusiastic and too relaxed.
This being the last of the voluntary OTAs might have had something to do with it.
Santana Moss beat cornerback Kevin Barnes on a long pass from Rex Grossman during 11 on 11 drills. It was no surprise when, as Moss caught the pass, there were a few whoops from the players… not only those involved in the play, but a few on the sidelines as well. And they became a little more animated before and after each play.
The comfortable atmosphere was obvious from the beginning of the practice today.
Don’t misunderstand me. The term ‘comfortable’ should not be misconstrued to indicate that there was any lack of effort on the part of the players. Make no mistake…. they were working hard. It’s just that from what I could see, there was a lot of camaraderie being exhibited, a lot of encouragement being passed around and a general feeling of goodwill being shown.
There were a few conspicuous absences from Redskins Park however. From the defensive side of the ball, missing were safety LaRon Landry and linebacker Rocky McIntosh. Landry has actually not been there for some time (3 weeks according to the Washington Post). McIntosh is somewhat of a question mark because he has not yet signed his tender. Neither linebacker Andre Carter nor defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday was there. I was told Holliday is in Atlanta attending the “A Benefit for Brain Cancer” event. This event means a lot to the former Tar Heel. According to the benefit information, Holliday lost his sister-in-law to brain cancer last year.
Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth was also absent.
The only offensive player that I knew to be absent was running back Clinton Portis.
Speaking of running backs, Kyle Shanahan worked with them in the early part of the day. Larry Johnson looked very fast. If he was not running “all out” because they were just doing drills, then fans have a lot to be excited about. Anyone who thinks that this running back doesn’t have “it” anymore is going to be pleasantly surprised this season, providing he is still in the burgundy & gold.
Full back Mike Sellers was getting quite a few reps during drills, both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield. He looked good, catching most of what I saw thrown his way. Because the big man has been with the team for quite a while (he signed as a free agent in 1998), I asked him how he felt about the new system head being installed and how it compared to past offensive systems here in Washington.
“I love it,” Sellers said. “Gibbs’ is a totally different system than what we’re running around here now. It was more old-style offense. This is a new style that coach Shanahan brings and everybody gets a chance to touch the ball. It’s not just predicated on one person. The running game is a lot different; the protections are a lot different… it’s nice. It’s a nice change.”
I mentioned the amount of reps that the Pro Bowler was getting today and Sellers said, “I’m loving it. You know, we’ve got a coach that’s not scared to use a fullback.”
Special teams coach Danny Smith had his two kickers, Graham Gano and Justin Medlock practicing today. Both had some reps and were kicking field goals from 30-35 yards out.
I had thought early on in practice that the defensive squad looked a bit more polished than the offense during formation drills. But as the day wore on, I changed my mind. I saw Devin Thomas and Fred Davis run some nice looking routes and then later, during 11 on 11 drills, some nice catches were made by all of the receivers practicing.
By the same token, there were a couple of interceptions made. Lots of cheering and jeering by the team when this happened. As I said, everyone appeared very relaxed.
Towards the end of the OTAs, the team worked on punt returns. Wide receivers Brandon Banks and Bobby Wade returned a few, as well as cornerback Phillip Buchanon.
After practice, I caught up with defensive end Phillip Daniels, who looked great during drills.
The former Bulldog missed the entire 2008 season due to a torn knee ligament and rebounded in 2009 to start all 16 games. Asked about how he was feeling since his recent knee scope, he said ‘great.’ We also talked about his teammate, defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.
Haynesworth has not been in Ashburn since the first day of OTAs. One of the biggest concerns that Daniels had with this is the matter of the time it will take for the missing man to catch up with the rest of the team. Daniels commented that Haynesworth is a smart man and he can learn the plays ( I wonder if he has a copy of the play book with him). The bigger issue is being in football shape. The rest of the team has not only been doing strength and conditioning, but they’ve been doing seven-on-seven and eleven-on-eleven drills. They have been together on the field using their bodies the way they will be using them during training camp and after the season begins.
Daniels said he (himself) knows the new system well, having been here since the beginning of organized workouts.
“I know it,” the defensive end said. “I know it like the back of my hand. Being out here made a big difference… not only working with Ray in conditioning and work outs, but being out here and getting into football shape. That’s the thing that [Albert’s] going to have to catch up on… a lot of stuff.”
The first mandatory camp begins next Wednesday, June 16th. Haynesworth is expected to be present.
Recently signed wide out Mike Furrey also talked to reporters today.
When asked what he thought he brings to the team and what his role might be, he said, “Obviously… it’s always good to have guys around that have played the game. With me, they know what they’re going to get. You watch the past seven years and what I’ve done and how I’ve played the game and how I’ve stayed in the league… it speaks for itself. It’s what I pride myself on. I’m just looking for an opportunity.”
Asked if he was surprised when he got the call to come to Washington, Furrey said he was. He had actually been at a movie and after it ended, he found several messages and texts from his agent to call right away.
What movie did he see?
“It was awful,” Furrey grimaced. “I don’t even want to remember it.”
