Training Camp Getaway
 

This may not be a topic everyone cannot relate to from a comparison standpoint because I don't know how many of you have had the opportunity to visit Redskin Park for Training Camp. I would actually like for everyone to weigh-in and express your views as to whether or not you think getting away to an unfamiliar environment has advantages over remaining local and dealing with the many distractions that present themselves primarily the result of being so closely surrounded by the local fan base.

During Shanahan's Press Conference he took a moment to speak about his preference, based on his response to a reporters question I think it's safe to say if he had his way, he would choose to get away. He touched on how getting away had played an important role in his success.

Personally, through the years I've had the pleasure of visiting Training Camp in both Carlisle Pa. as well as Frostburg Md. The experience was memorable in both places but my fondest memories are of Carlisle because we spent so much time there. I like Shanahan, have always felt that for that period of time called Training Camp teams need as few distractions as possible. Getting away from the friendly confines of Redskin Park in Ashburn Va. absent much of the local media, family and friends to a place where they can properly train, condition, bond and focus as a unit is extremely important and instrumental as well to the coming together of a team.

I don't know if it was the the players, the coaches, or the point in time, but to me the approach to the seasons following Training Camp in Ashburn as compared to the other two places where Camp has been conducted has been so dissimilar.

Discuss the pros and cons of how you feel about Training Camp being conducted locally, or in a more distant location.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

I never had the pleasure of going to any of those places but to hear former players talk about it, it was a great bonding experience. I think to do it the way it used to be done is a good idea. I think it helps to build a feeling of "Team". Any time you can do that it's a positive.

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In building the NEW team culture, it is important to break with the past.......
Back to Carlisle!!

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Whatever Shanny thinks is best is cool by me...frankly I would like it to be at Carlisle because at least it gives the appearance of being a little further from Danny's control

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ship it out I guess.. I don't want to see vets getting to go home, etc

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[quote=tryfuhl;652726]ship it out I guess.. I don't want to see vets getting to go home, etc[/quote]

The point you make is the very same one Doc Walker made in a Comcast interview, and partially contributed to me starting this thread to see what others thought about it. It was Doc's contention that the type distractions of which you speak have proven to be contrary to what training camp is supposed to be about.

Someone also mentioned the point of which rbanejee23 spoke in reference to the watchful eye of Daniel Snyder. I did not see him in Carlisle though he only had one season there after he purchased the team, neither did I see him in Frostburg Md. Not saying he wasn't there at all, he just was not there the times we went. Many believe his lack of presence in either place is the reason why the Training Camp situation is what it is now. He prefers it that way because it's convenient for him, not so for the team.

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Whatever we've been doing over the last 10 years -- let's do something different.

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I think going away to camp is the best. There are fewer distractions, players can eat and drink football, and the team can bond.

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Having to go to camp not only takes you away from media distractions and redskins park, but it also takes you away from your family, etc.

In my opinion, this is an additional pressure that is removed from a DAD so he can focus on just one thing....becoming a better football team.

I think doing away with training camp was Spurrier's idea...you all know how lazy he was.
I think putting training camp in town is no different that mid season practices at home...they wake up at home, they practice and come home to their family.

Training camp is more like military...aint no kids, aint no women....just the guys.
I like camp being isolated myself.
Think of all our superbowl teams...all went away for camp.

I'd be interested in knowing the records of the teams that went away to camp vs those that didn't.

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^ i agree with you, they need less distrctions, i really liked how cincy ran their camps during hard knocks this year, staying in a empty complex and waking everyone up with a megaphone at 545 in the morning...awesome

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Go back to Carlisle , and let Riggins keep the kegs of beer cold in the old tool shed , the players who have the best practice's get to enjoy a cold one at the end of the day :)

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I was just discussing this with a friend the other day, and we came to the unanimous decision we are all for going away for camp. It eliminates distractions and brings the teams together as a unit. I think the value of going away as individuals and coming back a team is understated today. I have been fortunate enough to make it Carlisle twice when i was in middle school. It was awesome, got henry ellard's autograph, reggie brooks, etc. And hey we were better then. If Shanny can make this change I will sing his praises.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=Hog1;652684]In building the NEW team culture, it is important to break with the past.......
Back to Carlisle!![/quote]

I'd LOVE that, because I live near Carlisle!


My wife wants to take me to Fan Day in Ashburn this year anyways, but I'd be there all the time if back in Carlisle.

I've never been to any training camp events yet. This must change.

It's been in Shanny's mind at least.

[URL="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/will-shanahan-take-the-redskin.html"]Redskins Insider - Will Shanahan take the Redskins back to Carlisle?[/URL]

[url=http://www.wgal.com/video/22187675/index.html]VIDEO: Redskins Training Camp Returning To Carlisle? - Video - WGAL The Susquehanna Valley[/url]

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

It was kind of interesting that Shanahan said he wants training camp away because unless I'm mistaken the Broncos held training camp in Englewood, just 20 minutes from Denver while Shanahan was coach there

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=skinsnut;652806]Having to go to camp not only takes you away from media distractions and redskins park, but it also takes you away from your family, etc.

In my opinion, this is an additional pressure that is removed from a DAD so he can focus on just one thing....becoming a better football team.

I think doing away with training camp was Spurrier's idea...you all know how lazy he was.
I think putting training camp in town is no different that mid season practices at home...they wake up at home, they practice and come home to their family.

Training camp is more like military...aint no kids, aint no women....just the guys.
I like camp being isolated myself.
Think of all our superbowl teams...all went away for camp.

I'd be interested in knowing the records of the teams that went away to camp vs those that didn't.[/quote]



The idea to have training camp here in the DC area was Danny Boy's. That idea came at the same time he decided to charge admission to fans who wanted to attend training camp.

That new "revenue stream" lasted only one year because having practices open to the public for an admission fee also allowed rival scouts to go to Skins' practices to see what they were doing.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=SmootSmack;653314]It was kind of interesting that Shanahan said he wants training camp away because unless I'm mistaken the Broncos held training camp in Englewood, just 20 minutes from Denver while Shanahan was coach there[/quote]

I was trying to find something on their history of Training Camp locations. What we don't know is just what facilities in the area were available and/or suitable to the needs necessary to conduct Training Camp.

Many area Redskins fans have from time to time expressed the desire for change after the year we were charged $10.00 to park our vehicles, and another $10.00 to enter the facility. Some thought it was more about the money than about the fans enjoying the experience. More than 3,000 fans were on hand for the first day of Training Camp that year, and at $20.00 per. that's like $60,000 a day, leaving many to wonder what those proceeds went towards even though we know we're not entitled to an explanation.

Speaking about getting away, the Dallas Cowboys are on record as being the team that conducted Training Camp the farthest from their home playing field. They conducted Camp in Oxnard, Cal. more than 1,500 miles from home.

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[quote=Hog1;652684]In building the NEW team culture, it is important to break with the past.......
Back to Carlisle!![/quote]
Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?

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[quote=firstdown;653335]Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?[/quote]

It is indeed firstdown, and the intriguing part of it is, it' a glorious link, one contrary to what we've witnessed for the past decade.

Our new GM Bruce Allen has an affinity for Carlisle, it being the birthplace of his history of association with the Redskins. When I get things up and running, I have some pictures of Bruce Allen playing catch with Billy Kilmer before practice when he was a young teen-ager. It's my wish to be able to up-load them to the site.

I guess we don't know if this talk about moving Training Camp is going to amount to anything, maybe it will (if not this year) then sometime in the near future it will become a topic of more discussion.

I appreciate everyone weighing-in, some interesting viewpoints have been expressed.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=firstdown;653335]Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?[/quote]

It was a part of the past that included winning.

While we need to move this franchise forward, there are also some traditions that need to return.

Progress doesn't always mean trying all new things. Carlisle could be a positive step to return to our winning ways, as well as a strong offensive line and having the coaching done by coaches, not the ownership and his lackies.

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I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.

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[quote=Lotus;653357]I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.[/quote]

That's true, many think there are various alternatives that does not necessarily include Carlisle, just someplace other than Ashburn Va. that have the proper facilities.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=Longtimefan;653362]That's true, many think there are various alternatives that does not necessarily include Carlisle, just someplace other than Ashburn Va. that have the proper facilities.[/quote]


I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.

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[quote=sportscurmudgeon;653384]I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.[/quote]

Not only that, but I would have to think that DC would work to accomodate, and entice the team to return. I must be quite a boon for the college and the town?

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[quote=Lotus;653357]I'm not lobbying for this, but we could also go away to camp in a new place, rather than in Carlisle.[/quote]
Yeah it doesn't have to be Carlisle by any means.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;653384]I have a vague recollection that the Skins left Carlisle - - Dickinson College - - because the facilities in terms of meeting rooms with modern amenities and the housing facilities were "sub-standard". I never stayed in any of the housing units so I don't know if that is the case and I would have to think that whatever meeting rooms might have existed in the 1990s have undergone some kind of change since then.


So, I don't know if Carlisle is a viable option in 2010, but I do think that a training camp away from Ashburn Va is a good idea.[/quote]

Interesting you mention that because in 2000 the last year we were there a very good friend of mine had a Son that played football for Dickinson College. He would always talk about how much the school loved to host the Redskins in the summer. They had made an extra effort to make things as hospitable as possible. The players and coaches all loved it there and the town of Carlisle was so overwhelmed at the thought of the Redskins being there every year. They were good for business, and the people there had a love for the Redskins that's not easy to explain

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=Longtimefan;653458]Interesting you mention that because in 2000 the last year we were there a very good friend of mine had a Son that played football for Dickinson College. He would always talk about how much the school loved to host the Redskins in the summer. They had made an extra effort to make things as hospitable as possible. The players and coaches all loved it there and the town of Carlisle was so overwhelmed at the thought of the Redskins being there every year. They were good for business, and the people there had a love for the Redskins that's not easy to explain[/quote]

1994 was the last year the Skins held training camp in Carlisle. After that it was 5 years in Frostburg then from 2000 to present Ashburn.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=RedskinMike;653496]1994 was the last year the Skins held training camp in Carlisle. After that it was 5 years in Frostburg then from 2000 to present Ashburn.[/quote]
We went back for 2001 and 2002.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=tryfuhl;653505]We went back for 2001 and 2002.[/quote]

You sir are correct.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

Living just 5 miles from Carlisle I maybe a little biased but I say BRING EM BACK. Marty said it best when he said that football players 'needed to smell each others feet'.

As for Dickinson college being sub-standard ( and I don't believe it is) that would be fine by me. Part of the point of it is pulling these guys out of their luxurious homes to train is so they can develop some grit. Remember the difference between how Rocky and Klubber Lang trained prior to their 1st match in Rocky III. I liken the Redskins training in Redskins park to Rocky's pretty-boy training style that got his ass whooped!

And in response to the person who said it was not Spurrier who wanted them back at redskins park - I was living here then and it was his doing. We did not have golf courses that could compete with Avenel - and you see where that got us. It's less distractions for everyone!!

Looking forward to having a beer with anyone who would like to join me once they bring them back!

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

In the days of Jurgensen and Kilmer, training camp was always held away from the DC area. This means that they were able to build some kind of camaraderie where they could go into the season with more unity. I'm guessing this is an element that has been missing over the last few seasons.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=81forHOF;653520]Living just 5 miles from Carlisle I maybe a little biased but I say BRING EM BACK. Marty said it best when he said that football players 'needed to smell each others feet'.

[B]As for Dickinson college being sub-standard ( and I don't believe it is) that would be fine by me.[/B] Part of the point of it is pulling these guys out of their luxurious homes to train is so they can develop some grit. Remember the difference between how Rocky and Klubber Lang trained prior to their 1st match in Rocky III. I liken the Redskins training in Redskins park to Rocky's pretty-boy training style that got his ass whooped!

And in response to the person who said it was not Spurrier who wanted them back at redskins park - I was living here then and it was his doing. We did not have golf courses that could compete with Avenel - and you see where that got us. It's less distractions for everyone!!

Looking forward to having a beer with anyone who would like to join me once they bring them back![/quote]

I'm down for a beer, here's hoping they bring em back.

Dickinson College is one of my clients and I would say that their football field is nicer then Fed-Ex.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=RedskinMike;653496]1994 was the last year the Skins held training camp in Carlisle. After that it was 5 years in Frostburg then from 2000 to present Ashburn.[/quote]

The last year in Carlisle was the year Marty Schottenheimer was coach. I still have my Redskins straw hat my wife bought for me while we were there. I said 2000, but it was 2001.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

I don't know how much I can trust this rumor quite honestly..but I did hear that Allen spoke with Dickinson college officials yesterday

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[quote=firstdown;653335]Well isn't Carlisle part of the past?[/quote]
reason has no place here.....its a fan-atic site

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

The pro soccer club I support as well as my own football team use to make training camps most times outside of the city.
From my own experience of two training camps I took part in (one as player, one as coach) that took place in other countries even, it helps a lot.
You have no distraction from outside and can be fully focus on the practice. You share a lot more time with your team and will be bond together even more. Andandand. Being away rocks.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=SmootSmack;653581]I don't know how much I can trust this rumor quite honestly..but I did hear that Allen spoke with Dickinson college officials yesterday[/quote]

I guess we could consider that at least a start, if indeed it is their intention to move the process forward. Continue to keep us updated about what you're hearing.

Re: Training Camp Getaway
 

[quote=SmootSmack;653581]I don't know how much I can trust this rumor quite honestly..but I did hear that Allen spoke with Dickinson college officials yesterday[/quote]

Please let it happen!


(yes I'm lobbying for the Skins to move from 3 hours away to 30 minutes from my house at least once a year, you guys can have them the rest of the season).

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[quote=SmootSmack;653581]I don't know how much I can trust this rumor quite honestly..but I did hear that Allen spoke with Dickinson college officials yesterday[/quote]

That would be great if they went back to Carlisle! Lots of childhood memories for me in that place.

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Dickinson College just had their field redone and it looks pretty sweet.

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The idea once again is off life support, and could be gaining a little traction for consideration. The distractions will be fewer, the focus will be more intense with fewer source rumors circulating on a daily basis. Being away from Redskin Park may have taken some of the wind from the sails of what turned out to be a feeding frenzy this past off-season.

[url=http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Redskins_Bruce_Allen_Facilities_Camp_188729.jsp]Redskins Open to Moving Training Camp[/url]