Two surprise names were just added to the small list of Redskins who won't practice in this weekend's minicamp: Second-year tight end Tyler Ecker and rookie safety Kareem Moore.
Ecker, who somehow missed all of his rookie year with a hamstring injury, must have been hurt when he heard the Redskins just about handed his his hoped-for backup spot to second-round draft choice Fred Davis.
Neither front office boss Vinny Cerrato nor coach Jim Zorn mentioned anything last weekend about Moore being unable to work this weekend while discussing fellow sixth-rounder Colt Brennan's hip surgery. Missing the only minicamp is not a good way to start a rookie year, especially as a second-day selection fighting just to make the team.
The other absentees this weekend aside from Brennan will be linebacker Rocky McIntosh and cornerback Carlos Rogers. McIntosh, who tore an ACL in December, is supposed to be ready for training camp in July. Rogers, who tore two knee ligaments in October, is scheduled to return a little less than a year after he was injured.
The Jim Zorn got underway in gorgeous, sunny weather. Wearing a burgundy T-shirt and gray pants, Zorn was definitely more hands-on than reserved predecessor Joe Gibbs. Zorn not only ran down the field to congratulate receiver Anthony Mix after a nice catch and loudly corrected a couple of mistakes by his players, the 54-year-old coach even helped drag a ball accuracy net into place for his quarterbacks.
Defensive tackle Kedric Golston was carted off with a twisted right ankle near the end of the morning session. Golston, who supplanted Joe Salave'a as a rookie in 2006, was in turn beaten out by Anthony Montgomery last season. Golston is expected to remain Washington's No. 3 tackle this season.
The news was good on running back Ladell Betts, who was good as his word about practicing today after twisting his ankle during Friday afternoon's practice.
Starting strong safety Reed Doughty just left here in street clothes. Coach Jim Zorn will address the matter after this morning's practice. Let's hope that Doughty's 20-month-old son Micah, who received a kidney transplant in March, hasn't received yet another medical setback.
Second-round draft pick Fred Davis didn't report for the last day of minicamp. The Redskins eventually located the tight end from USC and said he's safe but didn't release any other information at this point.
"He didn't show up to meeting this morning so we started looking for him," coach Jim Zorn said. "There was one of two scenarios. Either there was som real trouble and we needed to find him or he screwed up. I haven't even got to talk to him yet. I know he has been found. I believe it is more in the 'I screwed up' category. I just want to talk to him and make sure he and I are both on the same page. I don't know if he was sick. I don't know if he was out. I don't know what the deal was. It has to be mortifying to him to know he missed practice.
"[I'm] very disappointed, but part of this is life. This will be the first time I get to deal with this situation, too. It was going to come at some point ... it might as well come now. Every practice counts. He just had a setback. Hopefully everybody will learn from the lesson that he having to learm right now about what it's going to take to get to a place on time, to be responsible for whatever it is."
UPDATE: A Redskins spokesman just called to say that the official word on Davis' absence from practice was that the rookie tight end overslept. How that's possible in a dorm room with a roommate, who's on the same schedule, and with team officials rounding up the rookies onto the buses, remains a question.
There's no confirmation about where Davis slept Saturday night/Sunday morning, but he has since met with coach Jim Zorn. The Redskins also confirmed that Davis wasn't involved in any criminal activity.
Like the rest of the rookies, Davis isn't due back at Redskin Park until June 2. He can't be fined since he's not under contract and since he's a second-round draft choice, he won't be cut. Just greatly embarrassed.
His 20-month-old son, Micah, is still in the hospital but is doing better, so safety Reed Doughty is back on the field today after missing the final day of minicamp on Sunday.
The Redskins' rookie pool is $4.544 million, leaving them with about $3 million to spend on veteran free agents and for a reserve fund to replace players who are injured during the season. Executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said he doesn't expect the team to begin negotiations with the agents for any of its 10 draft picks until next month.
The Redskins signed quarterback Derek Devine and safety Patrick Ghee and cut defensive end Alonzo Dotson, quarterback Bret Meyer and safeties Kevin Mitchell and Justin Scott, all of whom signed as rookie free agents last week.
Devine and Ghee were both in training camp with Seattle last year. So, Devine has more experience working with new coach Jim Zorn than does holdover backup Sam Hollenbach or rookie Colt Brennan, the other candidates for the No. 3 quarterback job behind Jason Campbell and Todd Collins.
Devine threw just six passes at Marshall after transferring Mt. San Antonio College, but it's still an interesting signing.
Ryan O'Halloran just stopped by Redskin Park and phoned this in:
Receiver Antwaan Randle El had arthroscopic knee surgery to remove what coach Jim Zorn called a "loose body" of cartilage. The team expects him to be sidelined three to four weeks.
Zorn said he's not concerned about Randle El's availability for training camp which starts in mid-July.
Ryan will be back later with more on this and other news out at the park.
Washington Redskins receiver Antwaan Randle El underwent arthrosporic surgery on his right knee this morning and is expected to be sidelined 3 to 4 weeks.
Coach Jim Zorn announced the procedure after today's organized team activity/practice at Redskin Park. Randle El did not practice yesterday.
"I don't think any surgery is minor but this was something fairly minor," Zorn said. "Sometimes, those things are in there and create irritation and swelling. They gave him an MRI which showed a little piece of cartilage floating in there so they go in, suck it out and get on with it.
"He'll be here for the next set of OTAs. It should be a 3- or 4-week deal. That's the preliminary thought."
A couple of other loose ends from today:
* Defensive tackle Kedric Golston (ankle) missed the OTA and safety Reed Doughty left early to visit his son at the hospital.
* Today's practice focused on red zone. "The defense did a nice job and a few things went our way on offense," Zorn said. "But it was a battle both ways so that was good."
* Linebacker London Fletcher said he has not had the radio transmitter installed into his helmet yet. "I guess it evens the playing field a little bit ... but it will take some getting used to," he said.
* Zorn said he has a training camp schedule in mind and it's similar to what Mike Holmgren ran in Seattle. On one day, two full-squad practices (morning in full pads, afternoon in shorts/shells). On the next day, full-squad practice in the morning, special teams-only practice in the afternoon.
A day after receiver Antwaan Randle El had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, quarterback Jason Campbell suffered a mild pulled left hamstring this morning. And running back Clinton Portis didn't practice with a strained hip flexor. That's three of Washington's starting skill position players out of action. Good thing they're not due on the field again until June 2.
A belated farewell to safety Adam Archuleta, who was let go by the Bears earlier this week.
A little over two years after the Redskins foolishly made Archuleta the highest-paid safety in NFL history, he was found wanting yet again, this time by his mentor. Lovie Smith had been the Rams' defensive coordinator when Archuleta was picked in the first round of the 2001 draft and became an instant starter. Smith traded for his protege last year. If he doesn't think that Archuleta can still play, who will? My guess is no one.
I knew the 2006 Redskins were in big trouble the night Archuleta was destroyed by Tom Brady during a preseason thrashing at New England. I wasn't the only one. And Archuleta didn't win any friends in the locker room as the likely snitch to ESPN about backstabbing at Redskin Park that fall. But don't feel sorry for Archuleta; he has millions to keep him happy.
Speaking of safeties, who would've guessed that Reed Doughty would be the only one who came to camp with Washington in 2006 who would still be on the roster 21 months later?
The Redskins signed former Maryland right guard Andrew Crummey and tight end Jason Goode. Neither player was selected in last month's NFL Draft.
Crummey was a three-year starter for the Terrapins, starting 36 games. He missed Maryland's final five games due to a fractured fibula. Then, he re-injured the leg in the East-West Shrine game in December.
Goode completed his Maryland career with 36 catches for 401 yards and three touchdowns. He participated in last weekend's Redskins minicamp on a tryout. A graduate of Baltimore's Woodlawn High, he can also play H-back. His only four starts came at the end of last season and he made 14 catches in the last five games.
The stuff that lands in your inbox if you cover the Redskins. (see the full release below)
I guess when you have a huge contract, you can celebrate turning 28 (early middle age for a receiver) in style -- even if you're coming off an injury-hampered year and your team just used two of its first three draft picks on players at your position.
ALL-PRO WIDE RECEIVER SANTANA MOSS TO KICK-OFF BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA AT CHIMA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE
Hosted by Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants
With Special Guests Edgerrin James, Chad Johnson and Reggie Wayne
TYSONS CORNER, VA (May 13, 2008) -- Famed, all-pro wide receiver Santana Moss, #89, will kick-off his birthday celebration at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Tysons Corner on May 30, 2008. The party will begin in bar at 8pm with a social mixer, followed by an exclusive dinner in the VIP room at 8:30pm.
The evening, part of a three-day Birthday Extravaganza hosted by wide receiver Sinorice Moss of the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants, #83, will include authentic Brazilian cuisine courtesy of Chima Brazilian Steakhouse. Special guests include running back Edgerrin James, #32; wide receiver Andre Johnson, #80; and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, #87.
Guests will enjoy Chima's authentic Brazilian Churrasco (Brazilian barbeque) served rodizo style, includes 16 kinds of meat, ranging from filet mignon, pork loin, lamb chops, chicken and fish all served by authentic "Gauchos." The Brazilian Gauchos, dressed in traditional attire, roam from table to table with skewers of piping hot, roasted meat, ready to slice off for your dining pleasure. Meals are accompanied by one of the most inclusive salad bars, with a wide range of American and Brazilian favorites -- from salads and oven-fresh breads to soups and deli meats. A full bar provides standard and specialty drinks, with a wine list that is the envy of connoisseurs everywhere.
It's different being a Hall of Famer in an international city than in, say Green Bay.
I just got back from a reception in honor of Hall of Fame inductee-to-be Darrell Green given by Japanese ambassador Ryozo Kato. Green and the ambassador became friendly in 2002 when the Redskins were preparing for their preseason game in Osaka and have stayed in touch since.
As the writer who made Green's case to the Hall of Fame selectors back in February, I was invited to the event, and I brought my 14-year-old daughter, Julie, an admirer of Asian culture and cuisine.
Ambassador Kato, who's leaving shortly Washington after a 6-1/2 year stint to become the commissioner of Japanese baseball, was presented with a miniature Redskins helmet by Green and fellow Hall of Fame inductee-to-be Art Monk.
Green was introduced as Dr. Darrell Green. Did No. 28 receive a doctorate in the land of the rising sun? No. Green said he has honorary doctorates from George Washington, Marymount and St. Paul's (Va.).
Redskins coach Jim Zorn and defensive tackle Kedric Golston (who attends Green's church) were on hand along with former Redskins Dexter Manley and Darryl Pounds.
Rookie tight end Fred Davis, who missed the final day of minicamp 16 days ago when he overslept, apologized to the organization, his teammates and coaches and Redskins fans a few minutes ago at a press conference.
Davis said that after switching rooms the previous night to get his own room, he awoke the next morning and practice had already begun. He reached front office boss Vinny Cerrato and then came in later that day to meet with coach Jim Zorn.
Davis, a second-round pick in last month's draft out of USC, returned to Washington on Monday to begin offseason conditioning. He and the rest of the players aren't due back on the field for OTAs until June 2.
Sorry to inform the female fans who consider Chris Cooley a hunk, but the Redskins' most eligible bachelor is getting married tomorrow. Cooley wrote about the big event and his relationship with Christy, whom he met when she was Redskins cheerleader, in his candid and humorous Yahoo!Sports blog. Here some excerpts:
"As a couple early on we were controversial," Cooley wrote. "Rumors followed everywhere we went. Keeping a secret became hard when there wasn't a secret to start. It turned out a picture of the two of us had been leaked to the Redskins. Christy was fired from cheerleading two weeks after we started dating. Since her big paycheck ($75 a game) had come to an end, at least the sneaking around was over.
As we moved through the season, I fell in love with her. We went through a lot of weird stuff, but it never fazed either of us. Maybe her dad brainwashed me one of the nights I passed out at her house, because no matter what happened, I was crazy about her. More likely it was her mom, since I was usually trying to impress the old man by drinking him under the table."
Sounds like the irreverent Cooley to me. After being together for three years, the couple will get married tomorrow night.
"From the moment Christy said 'yes' the plans began," Cooley wrote. "I have to admit I haven't been the most avid planning participant, but one thing I was put in charge of was the seating. I'll say this: It should at least be an interesting night. I've had calls from numerous wedding guests, most recently Dan Snyder's assistant asking what table they could find their seats. Obviously my easiest seating solution, anywhere you can find a chair. I'm not trying to stick Dan with my drunken uncle, but drawing up all those name tags was way over my head."
Apparently the uncle won't be the only intoxicated one. I'm sure Christy's parents are thrilled that Cooley has invited "nothing short of an Animal House cast of characters." The only promise the groom has made the bride beyond the vows is "to not stuff the cake all over Christy's face. The rest of the reception is free game. It will certainly be a night to remember."
For my part, I hope that marriage doesn't change Cooley, who special teams coach Danny Smith affectionately called "a knucklehead." I prefer to think of Chris as a guy who'll tell you the truth and doesn't have a lot of guile.
Don't be stunned if Dolphins ace defensive end Jason Taylor, on the outs with the new regime in Miami, winds up with the Redskins. Taylor will be 34 in September, but he had 11 sacks last season. His 46 sacks the past four years lead the league.
Taylor is still very much in shape as he showed on "Dancing With The Stars." He has played his entire 11-year career in Miami, but the Dolphins haven't made the playoffs since 2002 and Bill Parcells and Co. are clearly rebuilding a team that was the NFL's worst last season. The Redskins, while not a powerhouse by any means, did reach the playoffs two of the past three years.
What's more, Taylor's agent is Gary Wichard, who is very tight with Redskins front office boss Vinny Cerrato. A Redskins source said that acquiring Taylor to boost the laggard pass rush wasn't out of the question but that there have been no talks so far either internally or with the Dolphins.
Taylor has two years left on his contract, which is worth $16.5 million. Miami could absorb the cap hit incurred by trading Taylor and Redskins owner Dan Snyder's trademark has been to shower newly-acquired players with bonuses.
These are the kinds of things that appear on television when a sports program has to fill two hours a day, five mornings a week and the NFL isn't playing regular season or postseason games: We present to you ... Man vs. Bear.
Redskins punt returner Antwaan Randle El (although ESPN referred to him as a kickoff returner) appeared on "First Take" this morning to help settle the question that has been bantied about in the ESPN bullpen.
Dr. Lynn Rogers appeared from Minnesota with his pal, Ted E. Bear (that's an original name), a 900-pound bruin you wouldn't want to meet up with in an alley.
The question posed: Could Randle El allude the bear in a 100-yard run if Ted was standing at the 50-yard line?
This fiasco started when ESPN's Tim Kurkjian joked about the question. Almost everybody has sided with the kick returner, or so we were told by Jay Crawford.
"I'm getting to the end zone safe," Randle El said. "There's no doubt in my mind I'll out run the bear, out weave the bear. I won't run in a straight line. I can imagine the bear running 30-40 miles an hour and is probably somewhere between 700 and 1,000 pounds. I'm not getting caught by this bear."
Rogers replied: "I have great respect for this man but he is wrong. ... The fastest human ever clocked ran 27 miles an hour. A black bear can run 30 miles an hour, a grizzly bear can run 35 miles an hour. ... They're not big predators. They don't have the body form for a lot of dodging. On four legs, they can do better than a person on two legs."
Rogers said the bear's natural instinct would be to let the runner go, which, really, would make this question moot.
"For the sake of fun here, let's say the bear does try to catch him and he tries to dodge and get around the bear, then he has the dash to the goal-line with the bear able to outmaneuver him with four legs," Rogers said.
Randle El, who has been average (if that) in his two years as the Redskins' punt returner, provided his game plan.
"This might sound insane but at some point you have to attack the bear if you know he's coming after you," he said. "You have to go right at him and then dodge him. ... I know the bear runs 30-40 miles an hour, but Dr. Rogers, that fastest person was not running for his life. I'm running from this bear. The minute I feel like the bear is close to me, I'm zigging and zagging."
Wait, there's more.
"If he's coming toward the bear and the bear is coming toward him, I would not be surprised if Antwaan could dodge him the first time," Rogers said.
Randle El said, "It's a wrap after that."
Rogers hopefully ended this topic by summarizing: "In reality, I can't imagine this ever happening. ... I've never had a bear come after me in 40 years. There's a mis-perception that if you run away from the bear, it will trigger a predatory response."
The Redskins today traded a conditional 2009 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for defensive end Erasmus James.
James was placed on waivers late last week and was set to clear around 4 p.m., but the Redskins made the low-risk move, flipping a pick to Minnesota for the former first-round pick.
James is only 25 years old but has been plagued by injuries since coming out of Wisconsin. He played 15 games as a rookie and posted 28 tackles and four sacks according to league statistics. But James played only eight games the previous two seasons. He tore his ACL in Week 2 of the 2006 season and sustained a similar injury in Week 13 of last season.
At Wisconsin, James played for current Redskins defensive line coach John Palermo.
To make room for James, the Redskins released undrafted free agent Dorrian Smith.
