Skeletor The Invincible Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20030502-3154068.htm Ohalete, Barker battling for jobs Jody Foldesy THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published May 2, 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Punter Bryan Barker and safety Ifeanyi Ohalete are among the Washington Redskins whose jobs could be on the line as a highly anticipated three-day minicamp opens today. Barker, coming off his worst season, and Ohalete, whom the Redskins have sought to replace, can make important arguments for the club to hold off signing any veterans before training camp. Team officials will be scrutinizing those players and getting their first look at how 13 new veterans, three draft picks and 12 undrafted rookies mesh with the holdovers in five scheduled practices that are mandatory for players and closed to the public. "This weekend is the beginning of our 2003 season," coach Steve Spurrier said yesterday. "We're excited to see what kind of team we have. Obviously, a lot of work has to be done before we play the real season, but we're real excited." Tight end and backup outside linebacker are among the other spots that could get a veteran addition if current Redskins struggle. But personnel director Vinny Cerrato has estimated "95 percent" of the final roster is in-house, and clearly many roster spots have been determined by the cash and draft picks the club spent to fill them. Among the highest-profile newcomers are wide receiver Laveranues Coles (seven years, $35 million, plus a first-round pick), guard Randy Thomas (seven years, $28 million), wide receiver Taylor Jacobs (drafted in the second round) and running back Trung Canidate (traded for a fourth-round pick). "We're confident that [those players are] going to be on our team and be major contributors to what we do this year," Spurrier said. "There's probably not as many openings as a lot of teams would have and certainly not as many as we had last year. So it's a matter of learning what to do and learning to play smarter and just becoming a better team." And for some, such as Barker and Ohalete, it's a matter of proving themselves. The Redskins still have plenty of time to add free agents, and a new group of available players will enter the market after June 1. Barker and Ohalete, however, said they aren't feeling pressure. "I don't think [this is] different from any other year that I've played in the league," Barker said. "When you play professional football, we always have to believe there are hundreds of guys out there trying to take your job. You have to prepare for each season like you're in for a battle." Last season ended prematurely but fittingly for Barker, who compiled the NFL's worst net average (30.0 yards) before suffering an open nasal fracture Thanksgiving Day at Dallas. He was cleared to work out in January and is eager to re-establish the form he has displayed through most of his career. "I would like to think I'm the punter that I've been for the previous 13 years with the exception of a few punts last year," Barker said. "What I had done up to that point is something I'm going to try to build on this year." Young punters Brent Bartholomew and Mike Barr will be among eight players auditioning this weekend, though they are competing for a spot in training camp, not for Barker's job per se. But the club could turn to a veteran like Tom Tupa if Barker struggles. Ohalete, a 2001 undrafted rookie, won Sam Shade's strong safety job midway through last season, but the team remained interested in upgrading. It passed on Ohio State's Mike Doss in the draft last weekend when Jacobs was available, and Ohalete now has a chance to bolster his stock. David Terrell and Andre Lott also are vying for his job. "You've always got to prove yourself every year," Ohalete said. "I guess last year was a start, but they didn't see enough of what they wanted to see. All I can do is go into this camp, show what I can do again, and hopefully that makes their decision where they don't have to go out and find somebody." Most scrutinized among the returning players will be second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey, considered the X-factor as expectations for this team rise. Ramsey, the unquestioned starter ahead of newly signed Rob Johnson, estimates he has gone through 15 or 16 three-hour sessions with coaches to prepare for this weekend. "I think I've prepared myself as well as I could have prepared myself," Ramsey said. "I want to be as successful as I possibly can be, but time will tell how all that works out. I am excited to get out there on the field." Notes — Unsigned veteran linebacker Eddie Mason will not participate and is making contingency plans for his future. If several young players disappoint, the Redskins could re-sign Mason, a key part of special teams in recent years. His shoulder, which underwent offseason surgery, isn't 100 percent but could be for training camp. ... Wide receiver Cliff Russell is ready for full practices after tearing his knee in last year's training camp. Guard Tre Johnson (hamstring) and defensive end Greg Scott (ankle) could be limited. Defensive tackle Del Cowsette, who is healing from wrist surgery, will be limited. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who tore his knee Thanksgiving Day, won't do much. ... The Redskins hired Julia Payne, a former press secretary for President Bill Clinton, as vice president of communications. [Copyright © 2003 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ********************************* The Redskins hired Julia Payne, a former press secretary for President Bill Clinton, as vice president of communications. Interesting... "Mr. Snyder has NOT been spending late night hours with Ms. Dickenson alone in his office, their relationship is purely professional!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepRyder Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Tre Johnson and Scott already are hurt? :-) If one of us pulls a hamstring or hurts an ankle in December are we still hurt in May? :-) Come on fellas we havent even been to practice yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuckinIA Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Originally posted by JeepRyder Tre Johnson and Scott already are hurt? :-) If one of us pulls a hamstring or hurts an ankle in December are we still hurt in May? :-) Come on fellas we havent even been to practice yet. Dude. I pulled a hammy in March reaching for toilet paper and I am still sitting on this damn toilet:doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brave Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 I wonder if Tre has his own whirlpool. The guy spends as much time there as on the field. He's lovable, but damn ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luca Brasi Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 "Most scrutinized among the returning players will be second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey, considered the X-factor as expectations for this team rise. Ramsey, the unquestioned starter ahead of newly signed Rob Johnson, estimates he has gone through 15 or 16 three-hour sessions with coaches to prepare for this weekend. "I think I've prepared myself as well as I could have prepared myself," Ramsey said. "I want to be as successful as I possibly can be, but time will tell how all that works out. I am excited to get out there on the field." This is my favorite part of the article. I was hoping that he'd been hitting the books. I think we could look like an incredibly more prepared offense when compared to last year. Ramsey was thrown to the wolves in his first season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCS:BraveCaringSoul Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 THE GOOD: "The Redskins hired Julia Payne, a former press secretary for President Bill Clinton, as vice president of communications." Worked for BigBill- bet she gives great 'Lewinsky'! Danny boy's always thinking of ways to get the press on his side...heh heh heh. THE BAD: "Wide receiver Cliff Russell is ready for full practices after tearing his knee in last year's training camp." If this kid gets back his sub 4.3 speed he will be one bad@ss mutha as our third or 4th wideout. AND THE UGLY: "Guard Tre Johnson (hamstring) and defensive end Greg Scott (ankle) could be limited. Defensive tackle Del Cowsette, who is healing from wrist surgery, will be limited. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who tore his knee Thanksgiving Day, won't do much." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Why do we need her? Is she going to do the Spin if the unexpected happens? Hey get the injuries out of the way now but the Tre Hammstring hopefully isnt going to be around the entire season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Why do we need her? Is she going to do the Spin if the unexpected happens? Hey Snyder likes cigars you know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 there were doubts when Trotter would be ready to step back on the field full-time, that's why I thought it was key to resign Kevin Mitchell in the offseason. He is 32 and doesn't have the range that Trotter does, but he is a solid player that adds size at 255 and a knowledge of the defense that another veteran free agent or draft pick would not have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor The Invincible Posted May 2, 2003 Author Share Posted May 2, 2003 Mitchell has always been solid if not spectacular with us here, and I'm glad to have him back. He seemed to have more impact when he was on the field than Trotter did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awesome Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 Originally posted by Skins56 I think we could look like an incredibly more prepared offense when compared to last year. Hope so b/c we looked like an incredibly unprepared offense most of the time last year. what I want to see les of are stupid false starts and timeouts when we can't get the right play in. In my opinion, that blame lies on the shoulders of Spurrier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted May 2, 2003 Share Posted May 2, 2003 very true mp16... hopefully with spurrier giving some of the responsibility to hue jackson, he'll have more time to be detail oriented IN ALL THREE AREAS OF THE GAME. hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.