The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Hey guys, don't forget to check out Joe Crisp's [url="http://www.thewarpath.net/forumdisplay.php?f=37"]minicamp coverage[/url]. He's got audio clips from Gibbs, Portis, Moss, Campbell, Ramsey, Springs, Thomas and Jansen, plus some pictures from day 1 of minicamp!

Stay tuned all weekend for his exclusive coverage straight from Redskins Park!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Sorry for the delay, everyone. I ran into some major technical difficulties last night, and couldn't get my files posted until verrrrry early this morning.

While you waited, I hope you took the opportunity to check out the coverage by [URL=http://www.extremeskins.com/forums/showthread.php?&threadid=104363]Extremeskins[/URL] and [URL=http://www.thehogs.net/Flash/]theHogs.net[/URL] . Both of these sites have representatives at minicamp this year, and I've enjoyed working with them.

Let's all thank the Washington Redskins media relations staff for welcoming the fan websites and providing all of us with the same access afforded to the other traditional media outlets! Now Redskins news truly is "unfiltered".

I'll be posting today's coverage much earlier today, hopefully, so be sure to check back often this evening as the files go up on the site.

Thanks so much for everyone's support! I'll do my best to bring you a full picture of what's happening at Redskins Park.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=joecrisp]Sorry for the delay, everyone. I ran into some major technical difficulties last night, and couldn't get my files posted until verrrrry early this morning.

While you waited, I hope you took the opportunity to check out the coverage by [url="http://www.extremeskins.com/forums/showthread.php?&threadid=104363"]Extremeskins[/url] and [url="http://www.thehogs.net/Flash/"]theHogs.net[/url] . Both of these sites have representatives at minicamp this year, and I've enjoyed working with them.

Let's all thank the Washington Redskins media relations staff for welcoming the fan websites and providing all of us with the same access afforded to the other traditional media outlets! Now Redskins news truly is "unfiltered".

I'll be posting today's coverage much earlier today, hopefully, so be sure to check back often this evening as the files go up on the site.

Thanks so much for everyone's support! I'll do my best to bring you a full picture of what's happening at Redskins Park.[/QUOTE]

You da man, Joe!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Yeah fine work, Joe. I wish I was in the posistion to contribute somehow.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Very good stuff as always, Joe. Its nice to finally hear the guys talk about things. Did anyone in perticular catch your eye in training camp?

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Joe, it's been said many times but it does bear repeating: You're a class guy providing a much needed offseason fix. Thanks for all you do.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Thanks so much Joe, I'm enjoying all your mini-camp coverage............... :thumb:

especially the Jansen press conference...........

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Thanks Joe. Money well spent!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=Gmanc711]Very good stuff as always, Joe. Its nice to finally hear the guys talk about things. Did anyone in perticular catch your eye in training camp?[/QUOTE]


Thanks again everyone! You guys are awesome.

... and yes, Gmanc711, if there's one guy that's caught everyone's eyes at minicamp thus far, it's definitely Robert McCune. You'll see why soon.... all I can say is... WOW. :eek:

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Hey Joe, it's been a blast so far. :)

Did you hear that Springs was staying in the same place the 3 of us are? The guy at the desk told us about it when we checked in Thursday night.


Oops. Gotta get back to it.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=TeeKaiFourTwoOne]Hey Joe, it's been a blast so far. :)

Did you hear that Springs was staying in the same place the 3 of us are? The guy at the desk told us about it when we checked in Thursday night.


Oops. Gotta get back to it.[/QUOTE]

Wow, are you serious??? :eek: I guess this would be one of the closest hotels to Redskins Park. That would be sweet if we ran into him. He's a very cool character. Let me know if you see him walking around.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Joe, I'm just wondering, since you've been at minicamp and training camp the past few years now, what kind of overall vibe are you picking up on this year compared to years in the past?

Seems to me the "team" atmosphere is really shining through this year as pointed out by Coach Gibbs with the phenomenal off-season attendance mark... is that the same feeling you're getting as well?

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Hey guys, don't forget to check out minicamp coverage over at [url="http://extremeskins.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=24"]Extremeskins[/url], they've done an outstanding job covering minicamp as well! Definitely worth checking out!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72]Joe, I'm just wondering, since you've been at minicamp and training camp the past few years now, what kind of overall vibe are you picking up on this year compared to years in the past?

Seems to me the "team" atmosphere is really shining through this year as pointed out by Coach Gibbs with the phenomenal off-season attendance mark... is that the same feeling you're getting as well?[/QUOTE]

There's definitely a different vibe this year. There's an overriding sense of genuine, resolute confidence in the team that exudes from the players. The consistent and repetitive expression of solidarity from all levels of the organization certainly gives any observer the impression that this is a team with one vision, one soul and one goal: restore the Redskins to glory. You can truly sense the bold spirit and temerity of this coaching staff in the positive demeanor of the players.

Last year, there was certainly excitement surrounding Gibbs's return, but there was also an undertow of anxiety and doubt that lurked beneath the surface. This year, it's almost the opposite: for all the outward appearances of tumult and chaos that have characterized the Redskins' offseason, there's this inner peace and stoic resolve that indicates this team will forge ahead undaunted-- and perhaps stronger than many would expect. Maybe this offseason's well-documented battles with the media are the perfect example of this underdog-like, "us against the world" mentality that seems to have hardened the will of this organization.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Excellent work Joe! I think it's important to recognize that Crisp is basically a pioneer. By showing that a fan site could have a legitimate, professional presence on site it has now opened the door for other fan sites to gain access.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=joecrisp]There's definitely a different vibe this year. There's an overriding sense of genuine, resolute confidence in the team that exudes from the players. The consistent and repetitive expression of solidarity from all levels of the organization certainly gives any observer the impression that this is a team with one vision, one soul and one goal: restore the Redskins to glory. You can truly sense the bold spirit and temerity of this coaching staff in the positive demeanor of the players.

Last year, there was certainly excitement surrounding Gibbs's return, but there was also an undertow of anxiety and doubt that lurked beneath the surface. This year, it's almost the opposite: for all the outward appearances of tumult and chaos that have characterized the Redskins' offseason, there's this inner peace and stoic resolve that indicates this team will forge ahead undaunted-- and perhaps stronger than many would expect. Maybe this offseason's well-documented battles with the media are the perfect example of this underdog-like, "us against the world" mentality that seems to have hardened the will of this organization.[/QUOTE]

I couldn't be happier hearing this.

There has been such a "the game has passed Gibbs by" vibe (primarily a media driven creation) out there that you worry the players are going to buy into it. I'm glad that rather than complain or resign themselves to mediocrity, these guys want to show everyone how wrong they are about their team, their coach, and themselves.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

I'm hotlinking that thing and bragging about you guys on my site if any weird urls are grabbing it.
[url]http://www.boastingrights.com/sutra10267.html#10267[/url]

I can remove it if needed.

Great work Joe!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Joe, you are one of the people that make this site the best skins site on the web. As always, a completely professional job, combined with a fan's passion and curiosity. (And SOOOOO much better than the washington post's skins coverage.)

THANKS!!!!

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Joe,

How does Jansen look? Who do you see as the "sleeper player?"

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

I know a lot of people say that we shouldn't get hyped up about McCune just because he's big and fast, but I think he's going to be a stud because he has amazing speed, is strong as any linebacker on our roster, is an EXTREMELY hard worker, fell considerably in the draft just because of his age, and has good instincts.

Joe, what can you say about McCune?

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]Joe,

How does Jansen look? Who do you see as the "sleeper player?"[/QUOTE]

Jansen looks perfectly healthy, he's moving well, and he's very upbeat. He's anxious to get started with training camp and start hitting people, so apparently the achilles is doing fine.

Sleeper players-- there could be a number of them, but if I were to pick out one in particular, it's probably McCune, which leads me to your next question. The guy is an unbelievable physical specimen-- he's on a whole other level physically than any of the other linebackers who were out there. He's got quick feet, good change of direction, and a super burst, and from what Gregg Williams has said about him, he's a pretty sharp fellow, too. I'm excited to see what he can do in live conditions. I'd imagine he packs a pretty nasty wallop when he makes contact with somebody.

Of course, with some of the early hype that's building around McCune already (yes, I know, I'm guilty of propagating this hype myself), maybe you can't call him a true sleeper. That tag might be more appropriate for someone like Antonio Brown, a guy most people would assume is relegated to strictly returning punts and kicks, but whom Gibbs spoke quite highly of today-- saying he's been impressive as a receiver in practice, catching as many deep passes as anyone else, and proving that he's much more than just a "speed guy"-- he's a football player. So maybe that's an indication that Gibbs is starting to get excited about this year's prospects for the deep, speed-oriented passing game. It sounds like Antonio might be getting some solid work in training camp and the preseason as a receiver, and not just as a return man. So that's something to look for in August that could have an impact in September.

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

Hey Joe, what players out there have disappointed you (for lack of a better term)? Anyone stand out that seem to be a step behind the rest?

Also, how do Harris and Wilds look? And how's the hotel?

Re: The Warpath's Minicamp Coverage
 

[QUOTE=TAFKAS]Hey Joe, what players out there have disappointed you (for lack of a better term)? Anyone stand out that seem to be a step behind the rest?

Also, how do Harris and Wilds look? And how's the hotel?[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't really say there's anyone that's been disappointing. It's hard to get a real sense of how anyone is performing at this point in relation to anyone else, since we don't get to watch the 9-on-9s or full-squad stuff. We don't really have the context to evaluate anyone until training camp, when we can see the units working together in full practice situations.

That being said, all I can really tell you about Harris and Wilds is that they both look good in positional drills. They both probably got a lot of work during the full-squad stuff this weekend, since Rogers was out the last two days with a minor leg injury. During positional drills, Harris was working in tandem with Springs. The coaches said they've been impressed with Wilds and Jimoh at cornerback so far, and that they're feeling comfortable with the depth at that position.

The hotel here has been great. Apparently, it's good enough for Shawn Springs, whose car is parked outside. I was a little surprised he was staying here, since this isn't exactly a four-star hotel. But as far as I go, the Warpath donations have definitely made my accomodations pleasantly comfortable this weekend, and I truly appreciate everyone's generosity.