themurf Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 (photo by Brian Murphy) The Washington Redskins made a subtle change to their lineup last week – inserting several younger players into action. Players like cornerback Justin Tryon and safety Kareem Moore, who typically see limited action outside of special teams duty, played far more frequently against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They joined other youngsters, such as linebacker Brian Orakpo, defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon and guard Chad Rinehart, giving the ‘Skins an infusion of youth that many believe is sorely needed. While this youth movement is a step in the right direction for the NFL’s oldest roster, it is also bittersweet for a guy like rookie cornerback Kevin Barnes, who finds himself inactive each Sunday. How tough is it to be stranded on the sidelines while your teammates go into battle each week? “Man, it hurts real bad,” Barnes said. “Especially for the home opener. I realize its part of the process and that you’ve got to earn your keep, but I’ve got to keep myself from breaking down at the beginning of every game. When the national anthem is playing, I get really emotional. I’ve got to keep my composure and realize the coaches know what they’re doing. All I can do is keep working hard in practice and wait for my time.” Playing with some emotions isn’t necessarily a bad thing though, right? “Yeah, but seeing as I’m not playing, there’s no way for me to release it,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep positive because everything is eventually going to work out. I’ve got to keep working at it every day and know that, when I get my chance, I can’t give it back.” What feedback are you getting from the coaching staff? “My biggest thing was learning how to practice and play at this level,” Barnes said. “At college, it’s a little different, as far as the way they do practices and everything. Coach [Greg] Blache told me that I’m practicing very good now. I’m going hard every play and trying to show them that they can trust me when I get out there on the field.” So what do you do during games when you know you’re not going to be active? “Basically, I take mental reps,” he said. “I mean, I’m in every meeting during the week and I know what we’re doing, just like the starters do. So I’m on the sidelines, standing next to Coach [Jerry] Gray most of the time, looking at formations and the plays they’re calling – stuff like that.” How sweet is it going to be when you finally crack the lineup and get out on that field? “Whenever I get out there and whatever spot I get, I promise I’m not giving it back,” Barnes said. Another player relegated to the sidelines each week is rookie receiver Marko Mitchell. With guys like Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly ahead of him on the depth chart, Mitchell is also stuck playing the waiting game. How are you feeling these days, man? Click here for full article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMVSkins Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 We should play all of our young players to get them in game experience (it would only benefit at the pace we're going anyway) if the saying "you practice how play" was true what happend to WR Taylor Jacobs wasn't he a legend in practice and know he's a insuranse salesman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rd421 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Good read again Murf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I hope these two get a chance here. I think especially Mitchell, has a huge upside in potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skins island connection Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I think Marko has the biggest potential, if given the chance and put in the right scenario; i'm putting my chips on him to get things rolling ... Tryon, well, he needs more work; potential, maybe, but his game playing shows there is more work to be done. He could be one of those special teams players that can fill in at times, but not on a continuous basis... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsManNJ Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 I wanna see MM get in there sooner than later. Especially in the RZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21forlyfe Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 This franchise destroys talent.....smh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 I think Marko has the biggest potential, if given the chance and put in the right scenario; i'm putting my chips on him to get things rolling ... The one thing I can say about both Kevin Barnes and Marko Mitchell is that once you talk to them, it's impossible not to root for them. They both seem like really good kids and each seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLongshot Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Barnes is likely to get his opportunity next year when Smoot is gone. It is going to be tougher for Mitchell, who is behind a couple of young players right now, but the best thing he can do is work hard and prove to the coaches that he's better than some of the other options out there. Welcome to being a rookie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rook Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Yep, it's tough being the rook. :helmet: The Rook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Da Truth Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 So activations and deactivations aren't interchangable? If so, sometimes switch byron westbrook for kevin barnes..now barnes was gettin the raw end of the stick during preseason and so was westbrook but they don't have him in coverage during the regular season so far..maybe barnes cant play special teams, idk and switch up deactivations between rock and mitchell IMO..unlike Barnes, Mitchell was actually doing something this preseason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skins island connection Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 The one thing I can say about both Kevin Barnes and Marko Mitchell is that once you talk to them, it's impossible not to root for them. They both seem like really good kids and each seems to have a good head on his shoulders. It's good to see kids that WANT to learn and play, opposed to others who act as if it is ALL about them. Crabtree, though he may be a great player, took a "blessing" by being drafted and made it into this scenario; now that he sees the 9ers winning without him, all of a sudden he wants to be part of it, so he can claim his presence helped. he could also be losing the money game stand-off, which i hope he doesn't do squat! Marko has done nothing but impress everyone who watches him; totally un-selfish, willing to do whatever it takes to help himself AND his team, all he needs is a chance to show his abilities in a game; when he gets put in, you may be watching another Rice or Monk in the making... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskin301 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 We shoud put barnes in he can tackel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardcore Zornography Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Marko has done nothing but impress everyone who watches him; totally un-selfish, willing to do whatever it takes to help himself AND his team, all he needs is a chance to show his abilities in a game; when he gets put in, you may be watching another Rice or Monk in the making... Rice or Monk? Of course that would be amazing, but if any of our Recievers not named Moss or Randle El could produce as much as even a Manningham, Sidney Rice, Harvin, Garcon are doing right now, it would go such a looooong way for this offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyUtah Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 PLEASE just put Mitchell in for at least some redzone packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metskins Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Kevin looked lost at times during the preseason. I went back yesterday and looked at his draft report. It looks like a lot of the tools are there. It's frustrating that we can't seem to get production out of a third round pick (AGAIN) but I know we're not the only ones in this area. Marko is going to get a chance if the dapper dandies in front of him don't start producing. The outcry will get to be too much. We've seen glimpses in the preseason so if this season becomes lost, there going to have to get him out there on the field to show us what he's got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 It's good to see kids that WANT to learn and play, opposed to others who act as if it is ALL about them. Whether or not these players ultimately go on to be established NFL players, the one thing we can say is that character matters to the Washington Redskins. It started when Gibbs was here and continued even through this year's draft. Barnes and Mitchell, as well as Brian Orakpo and even Jeremy Jarmon all seem to be "good eggs." Sure, Cody Glenn and Robert Henson have/had question marks around them, but more times than not, this team leans towards good character guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwills1 Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Barnes will not see playing time this year unless we have injury concerns.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 We talked with Marko Mitchell over the weekend and he loved the idea of it, so here's the official "Free Marko" t-shirt, courtesy of the Homer McFanboy sweatshop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumbo Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 The one thing I can say about both Kevin Barnes and Marko Mitchell is that once you talk to them, it's impossible not to root for them. They both seem like really good kids and each seems to have a good head on his shoulders. Another solid hit, murf, and that's exactly the feeling I get about those two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chachie Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 Free Marko Mitchell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icbmayday Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Good article.........I hope they get a chance to work themselves into the active roster If this does turn into a loosing season we need to let them get some reps and rest these vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted October 10, 2009 Share Posted October 10, 2009 Nice read, thanks Murph. Tryon is keeping Barnes inactive right now. That's a good thing 'cos it shows the competition we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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