Woody: "Upshaw upbeat at camp"

[Awesome]

From today's Times-Dispatch:

Upshaw upbeat at camp

He's gleaning knowledge by watching veteran Smith

BY PAUL WOODY

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Jul 30, 2003

ASHBURN - When the Washington Redskins talk about Regan Upshaw, the first thing they mention is his "high motor."

They're not talking about his car, and that's a good thing.

Upshaw gives the Redskins every bit of his effort on every play. He also will give you a different idea on why he is on Washington's roster.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Upshaw was signed to replace Bruce Smith in the starting lineup.

"I don't know about replacing him," Upshaw said. "They brought me here to play. They brought Bruce here to play. Bruce is the man. He's one of the best defensive linemen to ever play the game and from what I've seen out here, he still has it.

"There's no bad blood between us. This is what I've always wanted. I've played with some really good players but never with the best at my position. It's like playing with your childhood idol. I'm out here enthralled, amazed at his skills. I always watched him on film, now I get to watch him in person. He already has stressed some little things that have made a difference in the way I'm thinking. Just think, after a whole year of that, I'm going to get a lot better. Maybe I can steal a few of his moves before he disappears on me."

Smith, 40, is beginning his 19th season in the NFL, and is nearing the end of his career. Yesterday, it was reported that Smith said this definitely is his last season. He felt the need to clarify that.

"I believe what I said was, 'More than likely, this is my final season,'" Smith said. "But who knows? I'm looking forward to playing this season, not looking past this season."

One thing does seem certain. The Redskins prefer that Smith assume the role of pass-rush specialist with Upshaw taking the role as starter.

"I'll go out there and work all they want me to," Upshaw said.

Upshaw, 6-4 and 265 pounds, does not mind work, and the Redskins learned quickly how he approaches his job. He gives a full day's effort for his pay, whether he's in a minicamp, training camp or a regular-season game.

"That's always been my M.O.," Upshaw said, a wide smile breaking across his face. "I come with a package of intensity. That's one of my gifts. I come hard all the time. When I'm playing a game against somebody, he better be prepared to go four quarters. He might get me in the first quarter, the second quarter and the third quarter, but I'm still going to be coming in the fourth quarter right to the last play of the game.

"I want to be the best, and if you're going to be the best, you can't take plays off."

Upshaw, who will be 28 on Aug. 12, left the University of California after his junior season. He was a first-round draft pick, 12th overall, of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

He played with the Oakland Raiders in 2002 but missed most of the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a June minicamp. He was expected to miss the entire year but was back on the field in four months.

A wiser course might have been to miss the entire season, but Upshaw doesn't operate that way. He wasn't 100 percent, but he was able to play, so he played. "It was good for my character," he said. "You learn in adversity that there are a lot of things you overcome. The best thing to do is keep a positive mind and continue to work."

Perhaps only Upshaw would find the positives in a severe knee injury.

Upshaw is beginning his eighth NFL season, and the Redskins are his fourth team. His best season was 1997, when he had 7½ sacks. He has 33½ sacks in his career and is not regarded as a pass-rush specialist.

"I'm definitely a pass rusher," Upshaw said. "The last three years, basically, I've had great years. I just haven't had numbers to go with it.

"But I figure it's just a matter of time before the numbers fall my way. I'm young. I'm a player on the verge."

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Also:

REDSKINS NOTES

Jul 30, 2003

FAMILY FIRST FOR BETTS: Running back Ladell Betts was excused from the first day of training camp because of a family matter.

He was here yesterday, but things did not go as well as he would have liked. Betts ran well, at least until he suffered a sprained left elbow. He is not expected to practice today.

Betts is competing with Trung Canidate, Kenny Watson and Chad Morton for playing time.

Backup middle linebacker Kevin Mitchell suffered severe cramping near the end of yesterday morning's workout. He was taken to Loudoun County Hospital, where he received fluids intravenously and muscle relaxers. He sat out the afternoon practice.

Backup offensive guard Tre Johnson also sat out the afternoon session. He was bothered by a sore Achilles' tendon.

BYE, BE BIG DADDY: The release of defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson caught several players by surprise. Most of the Redskins expected a deal to be made. Defensive end Renaldo Wynn was so sure Wilkinson would be back on the field, he referred to him as "Indispensable" after yesterday morning's practice.

Wynn could not help breaking into a rueful grin when he saw a group of reporters waiting to ask him how an indispensable player would be replaced.

"That's the way I felt," Wynn said. "I'm disappointed we didn't get it done."

BOY TO MAN: Fred Smoot on the difference he sees in himself now, in his third season, compared to his rookie year:

"I'm grown man now. I came into the league as child. I had Darrell Green, I had Deion [sanders], and now I have Champ [bailey]. They taught me all they could teach me and then they unleashed me, and now it's time.

"A lot of guys focus on improving things they are already good at. I try to focus on things I'm not good at."

IRONING OUT THE WRINKLES: Coach Steve Spurrier is not seeking perfection from his offense, yet.

"We're making progress and still making mistakes, which we need to do," Spurrier said. "We need to make mistakes and learn from them and try not to make them anymore."

IT'S FUNDAMENTAL: Training camp is not easy for any player, and it's usually toughest on rookies. But rookie wide receiver Taylor Jacobs has found one aspect of professional football a bit easier than college football. The coaches aren't as hard on players, at least during training camp.

"In college, it's their job to teach you how to run, catch and block," Jacobs said. "If you're here, you should already know how to do those things. The coaches have the attitude where they shouldn't have to tell you how to do something. You should be able to go out there and do it." - Paul Woody

[Awesome]

You gotta like Upshaw's positive attitude when it comes to learning from Bruce.

[@DCGoldPants]

If you see clips of Upshaw even when he's not in the game....he's loud. He gets people pumped up. I think that is much needed.