bubba9497 Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Players Check Out and Head Home By Jason La Canfora Washington Post Staff Writer http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17105-2004Aug19.html Coach Joe Gibbs gave the Washington Redskins a welcome surprise Wednesday night when he allowed the players to check out of their dorms and return home. The team is no longer staying at the National Conference Center, ending that formal part of training camp. Gibbs emphasized to the players that camp itself is ongoing, and he plans to work them hard for the rest of the month, but does not plan to continue two-a-day sessions after this week. "I didn't have an original plan," Gibbs said between laughs when asked about his decision to release the players from the cycle of bus rides from the dorms and curfews. "I go by how I feel. I just felt like it was the right time so I let them go [Wednesday] night. Now we're still in camp, technically, through next week, I told them, but we let them move out and get going and get all the administrative stuff they need to get handled on housing and all of that stuff so that we're in advance of the regular season." Yesterday's sessions -- in the morning and late afternoon -- may have been the final multiple practice day for the team. Gibbs often has praised his players' effort and attitude, although the execution, particularly by the offense, has suffered. Washington has stumbled through its first two preseason games, and the lack of passing or running consistency has caused concern for the coaches. Saturday's game in Miami is a significant test for the team, Gibbs said, and he wants to eliminate turnovers and elementary mistakes. Letting the players leave their dorms had more to do with motivating them than as a reward for the overall performances in the preseason. "I don't think we're close," Gibbs said. "I think there are a lot of things we need to improve upon. What you're looking for is a step up. I felt like last week [saturday's loss to Carolina] we backed up and turned the ball over and things like that. We were going in the wrong direction." Samuels Back Tackle Chris Samuels returned to practice yesterday after missing two practices with a mild concussion, but linebacker LaVar Arrington remained out with a first-degree sprain to his left knee and will not travel with the team to Miami, according to Bubba Tyer, the team's director of sports medicine. Tyer expects Arrington to be back on the field for Monday's practice, and the rest over the weekend is a precaution. The team is not scheduled to practice today before flying to Miami, so yesterday was the last opportunity for players with minor injuries to gauge their ability to play under such conditions. "It's day-to-day; as the days go, so shall I," Arrington said. "It's preseason. I don't want to risk making it worse than it is." The other players not traveling with the team are linebacker Mike Barrow (tendinitis in left knee), tight end Fred Baxter (knee), cornerback Rashad Bauman (hamstring), linebacker Chris Clemons (hamstring), wide receiver Cliff Russell (hamstring) and running back Ladell Betts (hamstring). Wide receiver Darnerien McCants (ankle) will be reevaluated today by the medical staff and could still join the team for the trip to Miami. Brown Makes Impression Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, mentioned cornerback Rufus Brown, an undrafted rookie out of Florida State, as someone who has caught his eye. Injuries had prevented Brown from practicing, but he was back on the field for both sessions yesterday. . . . Nose tackle Brandon Noble continues to wear a large cast on his broken right hand. Tyer said the club-like gadget can be shortened next week, making it a little easier for Noble to utilize his arm. . . . Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Reed Johnson visited Redskins Park yesterday morning to watch his favorite team practice. Johnson flew into Baltimore with his team Wednesday night after playing in Boston, lined up a rental car for the drive to Ashburn and left his hotel around 7 a.m. along with fellow fan Brian Butterfield, the third base coach. "I wasn't going to miss a chance to come to camp," said Johnson, who grew up in California but inherited a love for the Redskins from his father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoCalMike Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I don't want to get TOO happy about this little blurb of news, but something tells me that if Gibbs is letting them go early, then he along with his coaching staff are really hiding something from EVERYONE regarding what this team might be capable of........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BD Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I think it's more likely that he feels little would be gained by keeping them there. It also indicates that the problems as we're seeing them aren't as egregious as once thought - that it's more a matter of execution than of fundamental problems. BD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnacpa Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I think he is also doing this for morale ... with all the injurires and bumps and bruises taking place, it is very easy for players to get down ... but this way they pep up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWB Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I think it's good to get the little things out of the way which is what Gibbs is trying to do. Swoops had a rough beginning with stuff off the field, but got it together in camp. The focus needs to be on the team, and no one knows that better than Gibbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Damn it!! Now those lazy bums are going to go home, wear whatever the hell they want, sleep in, and become lazy nothings!! I hope he at least insists on a dress code concerning what pajamas they are allowed to wear when they go to bed, and what positions they're allowed to use with their wives/girlfriends in bed. Wait a second, I thought this was the NY Giants message board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinker Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Originally posted by bubba9497 Brown Makes Impression Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense, mentioned cornerback Rufus Brown, an undrafted rookie out of Florida State, as someone who has caught his eye. Injuries had prevented Brown from practicing, but he was back on the field for both sessions yesterday. . . . Could the writing be on the wall for Bauman who has mostly been hurt all camp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimster Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Originally posted by thinker Could the writing be on the wall for Bauman who has mostly been hurt all camp? I have wondered that myself - Bauman looked rather mediocre last year, so its possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inmate running the asylum Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 I'm sure Cliff Russell is toast, but Ladell Betts misses still another game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanishomelette Posted August 20, 2004 Share Posted August 20, 2004 Originally posted by inmate running the asylum I'm sure Cliff Russell is toast, but Ladell Betts misses still another game? :doh: I really like Betts, but it's not looking good...Gotta be out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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