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Other NFC Rookies

Michael Phillips

October 23, 2008 1:37 PM

As we continue our look at how the Redskins rookies are faring this season, here’s a glimpse into the rookies for the other NFC teams. This info was provided by the NFL—read it here.

We’ll do the AFC rookies tomorrow. Coach Jim Zorn is conducting practice in Ashburn, we’ll have the injury report and word from defensive coordinator Greg Blache before the day ends.

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Redskins rookies: Fred Davis

Michael Phillips

October 23, 2008 11:28 AM

One of the things we’ll analyze as the season nears its midway point is the team’s rookies. It was a big draft class, and how they develop will tell us a lot about where the Redskins are headed in the future.

I talked with tight end Fred Davis about this exact topic yesterday in Ashburn. He finally got in the rotation with some passes thrown to him on Sunday, including a near-touchdown where Jason Campbell just mis-threw the ball.

If that was his highlight, the lowlight was probably a double reverse that the defense sniffed out and shut him down on. Reverses against a zone defense aren’t a good idea, and this one was no exception. Davis told me that play is in the playbook for him, and that he’s excited to get in the swing of things.

He likened the NFL to college, in that the rookies (or freshmen) have to pay their dues before they see action in the game. It remains to be seen whether Davis can provide a consistent presence on every down, but coach Jim Zorn clearly likes him enough to start getting him involved in plays, especially with the team waiting on rookie receiver Malcolm Kelly to get healthy enough to play.

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Clinton Portis and various milestones

Michael Phillips

October 23, 2008 7:48 AM

This morning’s article was about two of the blockers who have helped Clinton Portis achieve big things this season. And for the casual NFL viewer, it’s definitely worthwhile to watch for Mike Sellers and Chris Cooley within the context of Sunday’s game at Detroit.

If Portis breaks a big run to the outside, notice how the offensive line is holding the defensive line back, and the Cooley will be on the side keeping the defenders from chasing horizontally. It’s great teamwork, and Lions coach Rod Marinelli complemented the line for working together as one unit in the film he saw.

Back to Portis, because here at the blog we just can’t write enough about him…

He’s the first person to be nominated four times for the FedEx ground player of the week award that the NFL gives out each week. He’s won once, fan voting is underway at NFL.com.

Also this Sunday he will attempt to become only the second player in NFL history to run for 120 or more yards in five consecutive games twice in his career. Still with me? Portis also achieved the feat in his last four games with the Broncos then his first with the Redskins in 2003-04. The only other player to pull that off is an infamous USC grad whose name is also a juice product. Give up? It’s O.J. Simpson.

Everybody will be back to work today in Ashburn. We’ll have the news when it happens.

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BREAKING NEWS: Lorenzo Williams out for the season

Darryl Slater

October 22, 2008 7:54 PM

UPDATED: Junior Dorian Porch, the starting rover, will double as the backup free safety now that Williams is out.

Posted in • College Sports • Virginia Tech • Read and post comments | (0) Total comments

Division III football

Vic Dorr

October 22, 2008 5:55 PM

Scanning the state’s Division III football programs

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Post-practice Redskins injury report (and violas!)

Michael Phillips

October 22, 2008 3:33 PM

News on Malcolm Kelly is up on the main site - looks like he’s going to miss the season, and they’ll decide by the end of the week.

Quarterback Jason Campbell is back at full strength after injuring his groin during Sunday’s game. Also on groin watch is cornerback Fred Smoot, who is still hurting but will play Sunday.

Running back Clinton Portis is also feeling sore, but again maintains that he will play Sunday. The Redskins have the league’s last bye week (in the 10th week of the season), which may be playing a role in all these bruises.

Coach Jim Zorn said that Jason Taylor must be making progress, because he is wearing a smaller bandage today.

Plenty of questions today about Zorn’s modified West Coast offense, a topic we’ve addressed here. No doubt the coach is embracing what he’s got, and what he has is one of the league’s most prolific runners in Portis.

Also, Zorn revealed to the Post’s Dan Steinberg that he once taught himself to play the viola (left-handed), and when the Seattle Symphony found out, they asked him to play. He did, of course, and got a standing ovation. The fun never ends.

Practice continues tomorrow and Friday before the team leaves for Detroit. We’ll have more for you starting tomorrow morning, and of course in the pages of the Times-Dispatch.

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Lions: Clinton Portis is no chump

Michael Phillips

October 22, 2008 1:31 PM

The 0-6 Lions will try to win one in front of a home crowd this week. Here’s what they had to say to the Washington media:

—Defensive tackle Cory Redding said the team has to “break the snowball up” so the losing momentum doesn’t build.

“We’ve got to keep fighting,“ he said. “Obviously its tough. Obviously we couldn’t predict we’d be in this situation at the beginning of the season, but sometimes things don’t work out that way, and its all about how you handle adversity.“

—Redding added that he’s been wowed by the offensive line watching them in practice. “Clinton Portis is no chump,“ Redding said. “The offensive line comes at you well together, and they have a strong blocking fullback (Mike Sellers).“

—Coach Rod Marinelli was in Tampa Bay in 2005, and helped lead a defense that shut down Portis. He said there were no secrets, though.

“Executing is important,“ he said. “Being in the right position and gang tackling him. That’s about it.“

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Jason Taylor does his best Curt Shilling

Michael Phillips

October 22, 2008 12:58 PM

Redskins defender Jason Taylor is still recovering from having surgery a month ago. His calf was bleeding during Sunday’s game, and he finished with a bloody sock.

Unlike the Red Sox pitcher whose sock ended up in the Hall of Fame, Taylor’s was shown to some teammates, then disposed of.

“I threw it away,“ he said. “Schilling had a good game.“

Taylor and the defensive line are still trying to find a way to record sacks regularly, but he said that once the line gets going, they’re going to start coming in larger numbers.

To update a couple other injuries, Fred Smoot said his groin is feeling better and he will play Sunday, and Clinton Portis declined to disclose his multitude of injuries in the interest of not giving his opponents a target.

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Redskins sign new practice squad player

Michael Phillips

October 22, 2008 11:39 AM

Direct from the ‘Skins PR department:

“The Washington Redskins announced today that they have signed guard Isaiah Ross to their practice squad. He will fill the spot vacated by Andrew Crummey, who was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals’ active roster. Ross will wear No. 72.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Ross has spent one week on both New Orleans’ and Minnesota’s practice squads this season. He went to training camp with the Saints after playing the last two springs in the Arena Football League. He was waived by New Orleans on Aug. 29.“

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Good morning from Ashburn

Michael Phillips

October 22, 2008 11:01 AM

Big day ahead as the Washington Redskins prepare for their Sunday game in Detroit against the winless Lions.

Today is the team’s first day of practice since Sunday, so we’ll get a good feel for what the injury situation is. We’ll also hear from Jason Campbell and Clinton Portis during their weekly media time, as well as several other Redskins and of course coach Jim Zorn.

In addition we’ll also get word from Lions coach Rod Marinelli and defensive tackle Cory Redding. Stay tuned.

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