Redskins Insider - Your daily source for news and commentary on the Washington Redskins, by Jason Reid - April 26, 2009

Juggling Is a Key Part of Minicamp

The Redskins had 114 players here for the start of minicamp, which makes evaluating them all difficult. However, Coach Jim Zorn said he has been pleased with the process, with the Redskins keeping their rookies, draft picks and non-roster players on the field for additional work for about 20 minutes...

By Jason La Canfora | May 2, 2009; 3:00 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (101)

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Skins Could Sign a Veteran Wide Receiver

Over the first two days of minicamp, veteran wide receiver Kelly Washington has made some nice catches and could be a player the Redskins sign at some point. Receiver D.J. Hackett, like Washington a non-roster invitee to camp, also has years of NFL experience. With the Redskins short on veteran...

By Jason La Canfora | May 2, 2009; 2:15 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (20)

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Thomas Says Hamstring Is 'A Little Sore' (Updated)

Wide receiver Devin Thomas said he did not participate in the first session of the second day of minicamp today at Redskins Park because he tweaked his hamstring when he became entangled with safety Reed Doughty yesterday. "It's a little sore, so I just need to get treatment and rest...

By Jason La Canfora | May 2, 2009; 12:23 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (50)

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Thomas Not Participating; McIntosh Returns (Updated)

As the second day of the three-day minicamp began today at Redskins Park, wide receiver Devin Thomas was not taking part in the morning session. We'll get an update from Coach Jim Zorn after the first practice. Last year, a hamstring problem caused Thomas to miss much of training camp...

By Jason La Canfora | May 2, 2009; 10:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (27)

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Glenn Declines to Say Why He Was Suspended

Rookie linebacker Cody Glenn, who lied to reporters about the reason for the three-game suspension he served during his senior season at Nebraska, said he regretted his actions but declined to reveal what prompted the disciplinary action. "I can't really go into specifics. It's something to do with the...

By Jason Reid | May 1, 2009; 7:17 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (52)

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Kelly Recovering from Microfracture Surgery

Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly said he plans to be fully cleared to participate in June's organized team activities and was relieved that his latest knee surgery was not as extensive as first thought. Kelly, who had a history of knee issues in college and as a rookie last year, underwent...

By Jason La Canfora | May 1, 2009; 6:05 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (43)

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Skins Take Swine-Flu Precautions

The team is taking precautions at Redskins Park because of the swine flu, Coach Jim Zorn said. The Redskins have placed anitbacterial gel at stations throughout the main building of the complex and communication about the situation is important, Zorn said. "We addressed it in our staff meetings," he said....

By Jason Reid | May 1, 2009; 3:58 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (44)

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Defense Tweaked with Haynesworth 'No Space Eater'

In the Redskins' recent schemes (under defensive coordinator Greg Blache and his predecessor, Gregg Williams), defensive tackles for the most part have been supposed to occupy blockers in an effort to help linebackers make big plays. Having linemen fill the role of "space eaters" helped Washington to four top-10 finishes...

By Jason Reid | May 1, 2009; 3:22 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (34)

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Portis Finds a Reason to Cancel Minicamp

Running Clinton Portis, who often expresses his disdain for minicamp, training camp and preseason games, was not happy about being on the field in the rain, especially given the threat of swine flu. "With the swine flu going around, this water could have some swine flu in it, then all...

By Jason Reid | May 1, 2009; 1:37 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (116)

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Zorn: Shin Splints Limit Moss; Thrash Out (Updated)

After the first session ended about 30 minutes ago, Jim Zorn spoke with the media and had updates on some injuries. He said that Santana Moss was very limited by shin splints and that James Thrash is out with a neck injury but should be back for the June organized...

By Jason La Canfora | May 1, 2009; 1:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (48)

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Orakpo Starts Out at Linebacker

Brian Orakpo was on the field for the first session of the three-day minicamp and, as expected, did all of his individual work with the linebackers, working as a linebacker with the first-team defense. He had told The Post before he was drafted that he figured to be broken in...

By Jason La Canfora | May 1, 2009; 11:54 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (75)

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Skins Looking at Veteran Offensive Linemen

Obviously, the offensive line, and tackle in particular, is a concern and, to that end, the Skins have brought in Jeremy Bridges, who has been in the league since 2003. He spent that season with Philadelphia, then two years with Arizona before becoming a starter with Carolina in 2006-2007. He...

By Jason La Canfora | May 1, 2009; 10:40 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (66)

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Hackett, Kelly Washington Invited to Minicamp (Updated)

Veteran wide receivers D.J. Hackett and Kelly Washington will take part in the three-day minicamp that begins at 11 a.m. today at Redskins Park. Both are non-roster invitees and Jason Reid reported on Washington's participation about a week ago. Hackett is someone with a lot of experience in West Coast...

By Jason La Canfora | May 1, 2009; 10:23 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (19)

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Haynesworth on Anger, Youth and Football

Jason Reid spent quite a bit of time with Albert Haynesworth's family, friends and former coaches, and Haynesworth, and writes about Haynesworth's journey to the NFL, as well as his struggles with anger management. On the Hartwig and Gurode incidents: "There was nothing I could do but just take responsibility...

By Cindy Boren | May 1, 2009; 7:50 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (33)

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Skins to Have Minicamp Population Explosion

The Redskins, I am told, may have 113 players at their three-day mini-camp that begins today at Redskins Park. That's quite a crowd and a number has some coaches scratching their heads. All veterans will attend (although some who are recovering from injuries will not participate), plus the rookies and...

By Jason La Canfora | April 30, 2009; 3:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (125)

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The QB Question, Favre and Vick

The Brett Favre/Michael Vick email has been coming in at a steady clip the past few days. While anything is possible, neither of these guys makes much sense for the Redskins right now. For starters, one is claiming that he's retired and the other is incarcerated. Even if Favre were...

By Jason La Canfora | April 30, 2009; 1:11 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (65)

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Casserly, Reid Analyze Ahead of Minicamp

There's not a lot on the ol' docket today, which should be fairly quiet ahead of the three-day minicamp that starts tomorrow at Redskins Park (and is NOT open to the public). In addition to the grizzled veterans and draft picks, the team's undrafted free agents will be working out...

By Cindy Boren | April 30, 2009; 9:52 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (121)

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Cody Glenn Says He Lied About The Reason For His Suspension

Updated 7:50 p.m.: Redskins fifth-round pick Cody Glenn was suspended for three games by Nebraska last season, this much we know. Over the weekend I had sources with two other NFL teams say that from the information they had on the player, Glenn was suspended for a ticket-scalping incident. And...

By Jason La Canfora | April 28, 2009; 7:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (625)

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Marcus Mason Is Back With The Skins

The former Skins RB and Georgetown Prep product is back with the Redskins, according to a league source, after being claimed on waivers. Mason spent the past two training camps with Washington and was one of the final cuts in 2008. He was signed to Baltimore's practice squad and then...

By Jason La Canfora | April 28, 2009; 4:32 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (98)

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The Allure Of The QB Position

So the Skins have completed a draft and signed a robust class of 13 free agents and still I get regular emails about quarterbacks. Specifically, I got a bunch of emails about the Skins' reportedly signing former Nebraska QB Joe Ganz. So I finally got my lazy butt to look...

By Jason La Canfora | April 28, 2009; 12:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (162)

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Skins, 13 Undrafted Free Agents Agree to Terms

The Redskins have agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents: Delaware tight end Robert Agnone, Maryland offensive lineman Scott Burley, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, Miami defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, Michigan cornerback Doug Dutch, Washington State tight end Devin Frischknecht, Concordia wide receiver John Halman, UCLA defensive tackle Brigham Harwell,...

By Paul Tenorio | April 27, 2009; 1:02 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (548)

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Orakpo 'Just So Excited, So Ecstatic to Be Here'

Some highlights from Brian Orakpo's just-completed press conference at Redskins Park: Jim Zorn's introduction: "Saturday before the draft I had the chance, this was the second year in a row, flew to, by helicopter, our stadium with our coordinators and was received very boisterously by a large crowd, a large...

By Cindy Boren | April 27, 2009; 12:50 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (50)

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Campbell Puts Offseason Drama Behind Him

Jason Campbell said today he is eager to participate in minicamp this weekend and isn't "interested in looking back at everything that's happened." Campbell commented on his tumultuous offseason, the Redskins' efforts to replace him and the team's draft class in an interview shortly before his golf tournament -- which...

By Jason Reid | April 27, 2009; 12:14 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (118)

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A Redskins' Draft Report Card

The draft is over and the Redskins come away with a defensive end, a cornerback, two linebackers, a tight end and a wide receiver. How well do you think the team did this year in picking Brian Orakpo, Kevin Barnes, Cody Glenn, Robert Henson, Eddie Williams and Marko Mitchell? Mark...

By Cindy Boren | April 27, 2009; 6:06 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (276)

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Skins Sign Chase Daniel, Maryland Lineman

The Skins signed undrafted quarterback Chase Daniel tonight, according to league sources. Daniel, who starred at Missouri, agreed to terms on a two-year deal and will participate in minicamp next weekend. The Redskins have also signed Maryland center/guard Edwin Williams and will announce a full list of free agent signings...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 9:13 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (173)

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A Draft Ends and Analysis Begins

Sometimes drafts come down to two individuals, and then the what-if game kicks in. In 2004, for the Redskins, the debate was whether to take Sean Taylor or Kellen Winslow. In 2005, when the Skins took Carlos Rogers, the push among some fans was for linebacker Shawne Merriman. In 2007...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 7:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (127)

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Skins Wrap Up Draft by Taking a WR

With their 243rd (compensatory) pick, the Skins chose Nevada wide receiver Marko Mitchell. According to a scout who is familiar with Mitchell, he has a big frame but is something of a project. He's a good straight-line runner, but a poor route runner and plays with a stiff lower body....

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 6:59 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (114)

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Skins Take a Tight End

The Redskins used the 221st overall pick in the draft, their next-to-last, on Idaho tight end Eddie Williams....

By Cindy Boren | April 26, 2009; 6:04 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (145)

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Samuels, Kelly To Miss Minicamp

Several players will not be able to take part in the Redskins' three-day minicamp that begins Friday, according to Coach Jim Zorn. Left tackle Chris Samuels is still recovering from triceps surgery but should be ready for June organized team activities, Zorn said. Wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, recovering from another...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 5:31 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (69)

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Skins Take Another LB in 6th Round

With the 186th pick, the Redskins picked up Robert Henson, an outside linebacker from Texas Christian. He is the second straight LB they have selected today, addressing a need for young players on special teams and at linebacker with Marcus Washington and Khary Campbell departing....

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 4:28 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (141)

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Skins Select OLB in 5th Round

With the 158th pick just obtained from Minnesota, the Redskins have drafted Cody Glenn, an outside linebacker from Nebraska. He'll supply depth and special teams help. Glenn was suspended from the team indefinitely and also faced a civil suit while at Nebraska. He spent three years as a tailback for...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 3:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (206)

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Skins Trade 5th-Round Pick to Vikings

The Skins traded back to 158 from 150, getting Minnesota's fifth-round pick. The Skins also get pick the 221st in the seventh round, which was originally theirs. (It had gone to the Vikings as compensation for the Erasmus James "trade" from last year)....

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 2:44 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (104)

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Barnes Happy to Be Staying at Home

Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes, the Redskins' 80th pick overall (third round), just finished a conference call with reporters. He played high school football locally at Old Mill and lives in Glen Burnie, Md. Barnes may have gone higher had a shoulder injury not caused him to miss six games as...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 12:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (147)

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Skins Not Expressing Interest in Leroy Hill

Several readers emailed to ask whether the Redskins would be interested in Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill, since Seattle removed the franchise tag and made him an unrestricted free agent recently. Several teams have contacted him in the last day or two, looking to bring him in. The Redskins have some...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 12:10 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (21)

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Skins Take Barnes, Maryland CB, in Third Round

With the 80th pick overall (and a third-rounder), the Skins take a local kid, who can help them with the mix of guys fighting for a nickel corner spot. Justin Tryon has a ways to go and is very slight, while Fred Smoot is coming off a poor season and...

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (159)

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Skins Trying Like Crazy To Trade Down

Hearing from several execs that the Skins are being very aggressive about moving down in the third round. Stay tuned....

By Jason La Canfora | April 26, 2009; 10:59 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)

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Redskins Insider: April 26, 2009 - May 2, 2009