Today—Saturday, July 26—was the Redskins' Fan Appreciation Day in Ashburn, Virginia.
The event featured a performance by the marching band and some of the cheerleaders. The above photograph is my view of the practice field. There were 28,000 fans attending, breaking the 2004 record of 25,000.
By the way, this was my first time at the Redskins' Training Camp.
All the usual stars came out to warm up, and everyone of course screamed out names. Clinton Portis has a certain aura about him, even when he stands still.
The crowd really went crazy when Jason Taylor came out. He put his hand up in the air and got an even bigger roar. Fortunately for me, Taylor came out right near me. So did Portis, Betts, Randle El, and Cartwright.
There were a few women behind me screaming, "Marcus!" out loud. It wasn't to linebacker Marcus Washington, but instead to second-year running back Marcus Mason.
Oh, and Mike Sellers is massive. I would hate to try to tackle him.
Jason Campbell looks really tall. I guess I forget he is six-foot-five. Colt Brennan is really short for a quarterback.
Rookie receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were both sidelined with hamstring injuries, but they also stood briefly very close to where I was. Thomas had a towel over his head. I must say, he looks shorter than six-foot-two.
Rookie punter Durant Brooks can really kick the ball—farther than Derrick Frost can; that's for sure.
In the scrimmage, quite a few players didn't participate. Safety LaRon Landry has a minor hamstring injury. Portis, as one would expect, didn't play. Receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El played briefly. Jason Taylor didn't play a down, either.
In the end, this makes sense. The veterans know how to play. They need not risk injury.
Frankly, Colt Brennan's release is really weird. It is a combination of a sidearm throw and a push. The ball flies really low to the ground when he throws, so I'm afraid many of his passes will be batted down.
Both he and Derek Devine were unimpressive.
I was, however, very impressed with Jason Campbell. I was a little far from the end zone the offense was moving towards, but he definitely got the job done. There was one overthrown ball I remember. He completed fifteen of twenty-two passes for 122 yards. Not bad.
Todd Collins had a great throw. Billy McMullen caught it and ran a good distance for a touchdown.
Strangely enough, there were very few run plays called. I suppose this is because the passing offense is what really needs to develop.
It was a fun day. I was in the shade, so the heat didn't get to me.
Coach Zorn ended the scrimmage at three o'clock instead of the scheduled 3:30. Instead of staying for autographs, I booked it to the car and successfully avoided traffic.
I wish I had stayed back to get photographs of players up close, but oh well.
8 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Yeah it was a good day altogether. The offense didn't particularly impress me as they seemed content to throw countless check downs, but JC made some good throws and looked sharp. Brennan was very unimpressive. I agree with you all the way. I was hoping for more out of Mason, but preseason is where we'll see him play well.
The defense looked strong as usual and they did a quality job forcing those checkdowns. Stephon Heyer is going to be star for a long time btw. He is a beast on the line and really looked good.
Did you stay for autographs afterwards? I scored CP's, HB Blades, Rabach's, and a few others. Almost got Cooley's and Taylor's.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
For the most part, I couldn't tell how many yards were gained on each play. I was on the opposite side of the endzone, and I was rather upset that Zorn didn't have the offense drive in both directions.
Where were you sitting?
I didn't stay for autographs. I got to my car really quickly and avoided almost all the traffic. It was a debate between that and autographs, and I chose the former.
Redskins.com has a play-by-play recap of one of the drives. Byron Westbrook, who is a second-year veteran, looked to have a WHOLE lot of tackles. I think he has a bright future at cornerback.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
One could say the reason the defense outperformed was not only because the offense is still in development, but because the defense knew Zorn would call a lot more passing plays than he would in a real game.
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Yeah the scrimmage really wasn't how the team will look at all. There wasn't a whole lot of intensity. Btw I just wrote an article too tried not to copy you or anything, I just used my own observations helped along by redskins.com. It was difficult to follow because there were so many people. I was at midfield.
Yeah I like Westbrook, but there are so many player ahead of him at CB: Springs, Smoot, Rogers, Tryon, and Torrence (who's having a great camp). Also Holt had a pick today too, so it will be tough for Westbrook to make the team.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
Is Tryon doing well for his first year? I haven't kept tabs on individual performances?
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Dave Gandee 11 months ago
What is the matter with you ! I thought Colt looked great. It's weird how people can't stop with the kindergarden haterd.
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Kirk Knapp 11 months ago
Good for you Dave! Sure do not understand why people always want to get on Colt. He is a competitor and a good person. Not to mention he can hit a receiver. Keep up the positives on Colt.
Thanks
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
All I said was that he was unimpressive. Geez chill out it's all opinion. I didn't say Colt Brennan played about as bad as Heath Shuler's grandmother or something.
Btw Tanner, I have mixed stuff on Tryon. I think he will pan out to be a solid CB. He's fast enough to make up for some occasional breakdowns which is key if we intend to play some of that physical man defense we played in the stretch run last year.
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