Washington's second post-Joe Gibbs era began for the organization with the coach's Jan. 7 retirement or with the Feb. 9 hiring of his replacement, Jim Zorn
But for most of the players, the Zorn era began on March 17 with the start of the voluntary offseason conditioning program at Redskin Park.
"I'm very pleased with how many guys are already here and how many guys will be here, but I'm not disappointed with guys that aren't here," Zorn said. "We have a good line of where the guys are, who they're working with. There's just a handful of those guys. There's not a designated 'you have a free pass to do whatever you want.' There's a constant communication effort to make sure we know what those guys are doing and they know what we're doing. All of these guys are going to be in and out."
Veterans of previous Redskins coaching changes such as Pro Bowl snapper Ethan Albright stressed the continuity of having every projected starter under contract and 11 of 17 assistant coaches returning from a team that made the playoffs last season and in 2005.
The defense, under Greg Blache, who was promoted from line coach, and the special teams, still under Danny Smith's direction, are constants. What's more, Zorn doesn't plan to change the running game half of the offense.
"That's big," center Casey Rabach said of the stability in the running game. "That gives us one step forward. (The running game) will be constant."
Albright, who was also on hand for the changeovers from Marty Schottenheimer to Steve Spurrier and from Spurrier to Gibbs, said this switch has been much smoother.
"There hasn't been a complete changeover," Albright said. "There is some stability, some doing it the way we've been doing it (including in the conditioning program). It's not at all the night and day switch like some teams I've been on. I think it will be a huge help. Instead of rebuilding, we're building on last year's success."
Rabach said the first day of workouts were same old, same old despite the new man in the head coach's office.
"Same as normal, came to get a workout in, go get some breakfast and go home and chase the kids around," Rabach said. "That weirdness factor (of Gibbs being gone) kinda left after a couple of weeks. We're excited to see what the new coach is doing, what this offseason will entail. (Zorn) seems like a good guy. He brings a lot of enthusiasm and a wealth of experience (albeit none as a head coach)."
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Heard on nfl.com, Clinton Portis wants to play defense... I know that it probably wont happen, but do you think we could have a Deion Sanders on our hand...
Clinton Portis is 5'11" though...Fred Smoot is 5'11" and Shawn Springs is 6&
Wow. Vinny is making room for new receivers. I wonder if we are getting ready for a big FA signing like the Boldin rumor or we are getting 2 receivers in the draft?
Espy had a good rapport with Campbell in 2006 preseason but I guess Cerrato and Zorn doesn't like what they see in Espy and Harris as both have been on the IR last season. Hopefully we are right in letting Espy walk and
The Redskins have picked up this guy Andrew Crummey, an offensive lineman from Maryland. Wow, the poor guy. What a name. I'm sure he'll end up being pretty crummy too. Any worse last names you guys can think of? How about Robert Sux ?
Another win for JGR last night. This racing team is seriously on fire. Kyle Busch, like him or not, could be the best driver in NASCAR right now. Denny Hamlin is constantly in the running as well. Tony Stewart struggled last night, but was a contender despite crashing on lap number three.
Right now, I think the o-line is set with all our starters back, Samuels, Kendall, Rabach, Thomas and Jansen however almost all of them went down one time or another last year. Jon Jansen has only started running and blocking on his injured ankle in the mini-camps and OTAs.
I thought this was intersting on how teams have faired in taking the same positon with there first two picks. There were several different examples but only one where a team took 2 wr's with the first 2 picks. I hope it turns out as well for us as it has for this team with there WR's. Here is the article read to find out.
I just wanted to get your thoughts on or CB situation. I know Rogers wont be ready until maybe week 3 or 4, but I think Smoot should be the starter along with springs. i also think we should put J.T. Tryon in the rotation at nickel back. He's a very speedy corner who can tackle and adjust to the ball very well. Rogers in my opinion has been a real pain in the a$$ o
How about an area where the skins faithful can come and talk about our team. An area dedicated to voicing our opinions on the skins and their future. An Area to discuss the current topics like why isn't GW being named our Coach, How do we think we will get under the Salary Cap this year, What are the best draft propects coming out of college.
Kenny Phillips got permission from the New York Giants to wear #21 jersey, not for the remembrance of Tiki Barber, but to honor is fellow fallen Miami Hurricane team member Sean Taylor...
Phillips wants to wear it thru mini camp and on into the year to honor S
