First minicamp report is up!
 

Here's the first installment of comments and pics from minicamp:

[url="http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=587"]http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=587[/url]

[url="http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=588"]http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=588[/url]

I've got great news for the Warpath as well: we've received the thumbs-up from the Redskins' media relations department, Fred Smoot and Rod Gardner to do some chat sessions on a year-round basis. Stay tuned for further details!

That's great about Smoot and Gardner. I hope to hear from Doc Walker and Charles Mann soon about doing chats as well. Unfortunately with them, they sometimes make promises they can't keep. Not intentionally, they're just so busy all the time and they have no media relations director hovering over them telling them they have to make time. But I'll keep you all posted

Crisp, you're scouting report of Swayne is very interesting because it sounds almost identical to what they were saying about Jacobs when he was drafted.

Great job Crisp !

Awesome work Joe!

Good Article, Joe. How did the safties look? I just wonder because of the fact that the tight ends didnt look so great. Maybe thats why we are hearing so much about KWII. Its still early, obviously, but how would you compare the safties vs the tight ends? In addition, who is that last guy in the pictures? I dont reconize him, but have a feeling that I should lol.

Audio clips are up, enjoy! Nice work Joe!

[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=593[/url]

[QUOTE=Gmanc711]Good Article, Joe. How did the safties look? I just wonder because of the fact that the tight ends didnt look so great. Maybe thats why we are hearing so much about KWII. Its still early, obviously, but how would you compare the safties vs the tight ends? In addition, who is that last guy in the pictures? I dont reconize him, but have a feeling that I should lol.[/QUOTE]
I didn't see the safeties making too many plays out there. Bowen remains a mild practice field terror, as his overaggressiveness nearly led to a couple of scuffles yesterday, and he appeared anxious to deliver some blows today, though he resisted the temptation-- barely. Remember, these guys aren't wearing pads-- just helmets, jerseys and shorts.

In terms of making plays defensively, though, there weren't that many to be seen in terms interceptions or anything like that. The defense is at little bit of a disadvantage in this practice scenario, though.

Williams' propensity to blitz is every bit as real as advertised. He likes to bring them from every angle. Speed is his credo, and he's looking for any way possible to get to the QB in under 3 seconds. It sounds like he will look for anyone within or without the organization to bring him the speed and aggressiveness he's looking for. He'll try any combination of players at different positions and different looks. No holds barred with this one...

joecrisp, how did Taylor Jacobs look to you? The Washington Times is speculating that Gibbs was impressed with his performance, though the coach didn't actually name anyone:


Only two days into minicamp, a handful of players have already made an impression on the new coaching staff.
****"To be truthful, we've probably changed our minds about some guys already," Gibbs said.
****Gibbs didn't reveal any specific names, but he well might have been referring to second-year wide receiver Taylor Jacobs. Jacobs, who rarely played during an injury-filled rookie season, has looked solid the last two days.
****"You see a guy and you say, 'Good gosh, who's that?'*" Gibbs said. "A flash catches the ball, and you say, 'Where'd he come from?' Then you find out in some cases he was hurt and didn't play a lot last year, came onto the team as a rookie."

Jacobs has looked very sharp, indeed. I was raving about him last year during training camp, and he's continuing where he left off before the abdominal injury that pretty much ruined his rookie season. He's very quick, runs excellent routes, has soft hands, great concentration-- and once the ball is in his hands, he has the elusiveness and ankle-breaking change-of-direction that you might see from some the shiftier runningbacks. He's a very exciting player to watch, and I'm sure that's who Gibbs was referring to with those comments. I think he has a very solid shot at being the #3 guy. He has everything you look for in a quick wideout. He could be a very dangerous threat out of the slot.

I'll ask Gibbs about him today, and see if we can get a direct answer regarding his thoughts on Jacobs.

I can hear the "what about McCants" questions coming already. I don't recall seeing him do anything yesterday. I was impressed by how much work Cloman and Swayne got, though. The coaches really seem to be testing these guys out, and I think they're pleased with the results as well. Swayne is very similar to Jacobs. I'm surprised his career has been so quiet to this point. Maybe he's a different player when the pads are on, I don't know. The wide receiver competition at training camp is going to be fun to watch.

Seems like Cloman could replace McCants and fill the same kind of role, hopefully Jacobs could develop into the real deal for us this year.

You know, that Gibb's description could be of Cliff Russell too.

[QUOTE=Carnage]You know, that Gibb's description could be of Cliff Russell too.[/QUOTE]
Possibly, but if I had to put money on it I'd go with Jacobs.

Excellent job Joe!

[QUOTE=joecrisp]I've got great news for the Warpath as well: we've received the thumbs-up from the Redskins' media relations department, Fred Smoot and Rod Gardner to do some chat sessions on a year-round basis. Stay tuned for further details![/QUOTE]

Which I guess ends all Gardner trade rumors.

Fantastic stuff, Joe. Loved the pics as well, especially Ramsey flashing the grin, and Lavar. LA is just a seriously large dude. Could you imagine him bearing down on you for a hit? It must haunt Aikman's nightmares!

Joe: Could you guage how the rest of the o-line looked? What was it like seeing Bugel interact with his new hogs? And did you get to speak to Bugs at all? He just seems like a great guy all around, and a true throw-back football mind. :oink:

Keep it up, and man am I jealous of you! Thanks for going and representing the warpath.

Very informative report, Joe. It's a real blessing as a fan to read your reports. Excellent job.

Great job, Joe. It already feels like August......

Does anyone know if Ife is going to give CP his number? If the Skins end up drafting Sean Taylor 26 is going to become a pretty popular number. If we get Taylor then Ife is expendable and I assume CP would get the number then.

Did you get the impression that McCants will remain a Skin this year? Im surprised there hasnt been more interest in him already.

Hey SkinsnCanes, Welcome to the Warpath!

Thanks!! :) Ive been looking for a good message board to join. I spend a few hours a day reading football news and didnt feel like joining a message board where no one knew what they were talking about. This board actually has meaningful discussions, not people ranting about how their team should trade their 2nd round pick to get Vick or something stupid like that.

Question, how does the rating system work (practice squad, rookie, moderator...etc). The moderator part is self explanitory, but I was wondering what the differences were with the others, thanks.

This board is without question the most intelligent Redskins board around. I'll let Matty, our administrator, explain how the ratings system works

But as a practice squad member, just keep in mind that you'll be carrying my bags during training camp and we'll be duct taping you to the goal post :laughing-

Good to have you! As a Canes guy maybe you have some inside info on Taylor and Winslow, things like attitude, what the rumors are down in Miami as to where they'll be drafted?

Carry your bags at training camp huh, lol. I doubt if I get to see any training camps but I only missed about five Skins home games during my four year stint at college in Miami so i'll probably see you guys at games.

Every Miami player has an attitude, but its not a bad thing like an FSU attitude thats just mad becuase he was arrested. No body likes to lose but Miami hardly ever does lose. The players have an attiude that they are the best and want to prove it. People think Winslow has an attitude, and he does, because he spoke against the team during a press conference after a lose becuase we had a stupid Gator at quarterback. Winslow and Taylor have the same attitude as Portis, Sapp, Lewis, Reed, Shockey...etc. I think you guys get the point. They are cocky and back it up. I think under a coach like Gibbs they would both become one of the teams biggest motivators right away.

Joe Crisp!
 

Great pics Joe! I only wish the names were somewhere on the screen! I couldn't figure out who the 2nd guy was, until I saw #21. Even then I wasn't sure, mostly seeing them with their helmets. Arrington is a beast! I agree about Aikman and his nightmares! Any more reports you have, or individual assessments about particular players are always welcome. By the way, what publication do you work for, or is it strictly independant freelance?
Like everyone else, I am looking forward to training camp pics. How will you post then, from a scanner or photo shop attached to your laptop during the weeks at camp, or do we wait until you get home after camp?

I dought they're talking about Russell, I hear he was dropping balls as usual..haha who knows..