Rarely does a team lose an important player in the first training camp practice and replace him with an even better player by the end of the day.

But that’s what the Washington Redskins did yesterday when they first lost Phillip Daniels in the morning, then acquired Jason Taylor late in the afternoon.

Daniels, who tore his left ACL in a passing drill less than 90 minutes into the first practice of the summer, was a solid player who played at a high level and never lacked for effort.

Taylor is one of the premier pass rushers in the league.

The Redskins became a better team because of Daniels’ misfortune. Now, his career might be over. He’s 35, has suffered a major knee injury that requires an entire off-season, and usually a full season following the injury, to return to form.

But the Redskins prospects for the 2008 season became a bit brighter with the acquisition of Taylor.

Before Phillip Daniels is forgotten in the rush of excitement surrounding the arrival of the runner-up in this year’s Dancing with the Stars contest, a few things should be said about Daniels.

He is one of the standup players in the NFL. Through good times and bad, he stood at his locker after games and during the week and answered every question that came his way. He was optimistic while being realistic. He never lost his composure and always showed respect for reporters who were trying to do their jobs.

His value to his team should not be measured in just statistics. He was a team guy. When the Chicago Bears asked him to play tackle, he played tackle without complaint. When the Redskins signed Andre Carter to play right defensive end, Daniels moved to the left side without complaint. He played hard. He played hurt. No matter how dire the situation looked, he never lost hope.

In the off-season, he tried to build camaraderie by taking teammates on an annual fishing trip. Taylor has a reputation for playing hard, but it will take some doing to provide what Daniels gave to the Redskins.