HapHaszard
August-17th-2006, 03:54 AM
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=18867
At Redskins Park this week, you have to remind yourself that it's August, not March. With all of the comings and goings, it has seemed like free agency all over again.
The Redskins have been busy acquiring players and making trades following Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Redskins have experienced a rash of injuries over the last week, including running back Clinton Portis, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Ade Jimoh and offensive lineman Jim Molinaro.
The six acquisitions the last three days help add depth, especially in the defensive backfield and on the offensive line.
So what had been a relatively quiet Redskins training camp has suddenly become very active.
"This week has been a little unsettled," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "It can happen. So we try to do a good job of making good decisions and bringing players in."
So who are the new guys? Here's a closer look at the newest Redskins:
Jeff Posey (AP Photo)
-- Jeff Posey, LB
The Redskins' defensive coaching staff had its eye on Posey ever since he was released by the Buffalo Bills in early August. Posey played for Gregg Williams, Jerry Gray and Danny Smith when they were all in Buffalo in 2003.
Posey, 6-4 and 241 pounds, is an eight-year veteran who began his career with 49ers, then moved on to Buffalo. He played mostly strong-side linebacker for the Bills. In his career, he has appeared in 123 games with 76 starts. He has recorded 357 tackles, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
On coming to Washington, Posey said: "I knew they ran the same type of scheme I was part of in Buffalo, and I knew the coaches, so I felt I could come in and help this team. You get to blitz a lot. That makes it fun."
Williams and Gray spoke highly of Posey and emphasized his versatility. That's a common theme among all of Williams's players.
"Jeff can put his hand down and be a five-technique lineman, or a defensive end in rush situations," Williams said. "He can be a stand-up linebacker, he can rush inside and he can rush outside. That's what coaches want from a flexible-type player."
Added Gray: "Jeff reminds me a lot of Marcus Washington. He may not make as many plays as Marcus in the passing game, but if we give him a chance to go in and rush a passer, that's where I think he will bring a lot of pressure for us."
-- Mike Rumph, DB
Rumph has had an up-and-down NFL career. A former first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Rumph is in his fifth season out of the University of Miami. He has started 19-of-36 games in his career and has three interceptions.
The last two seasons, the 6-2, 209-pounder has been slowed by foot and forearm injuries. He is confident that the injuries are behind him. He was in the 49ers' training camp last Monday when he learned he had been traded to the Redskins.
"I'm in good shape," Rumph said. "I only missed one day of practice since I came over from the Niners. Everything is coming together real well. I want to get the terminology down, and get in there and make some plays.
"The defense is pretty complex. I've played in some similar defenses and it's not as difficult as I thought it would be coming here. But the terminology is something I have to get down."
Rumph sounds determined to start a new NFL chapter in Washington-starting with this Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets.
"I really want to make a first impression, play well and make a statement," he said. "I came from another team and I just want to start off new. I'm just excited to start over again."
-- Spencer Folau, OL
Beyond the Redskins' starting five on the offensive line, assistant head coach-offense Joe Bugel saw a lot of youth and inexperience. Even the top backup, third-year player Jim Molinaro, has minimal NFL experience.
Bugel turned to Folau, an eight-year NFL veteran who has spent time on the rosters of Baltimore, Miami and New Orleans. He was out of football last season as he recovered from a shoulder injury.
Overall, Folau has appeared in 91 career games with 43 starts.
"We needed a veteran to come in here," Bugel said. "We had him in a meeting [on Tuesday] and he almost filled out a whole notebook. So he obviously takes good notes, writes real fast and is very smart."
Bugel said Folau will initially see time at right tackle, behind starter Jon Jansen.
Spencer Lofau (AP Photo)
"Spencer is a very intelligent football player," Bugel said. "He's started at left tackle and left guard and he can play both sides. The only place he hasn't played is center. He was very impressive in individual drills as far as his work ethic. He has a good punch on pass blocking."
Folau had scheduled a visit with the Green Bay Packers when the Redskins called and quickly signed him after a workout and physical.
"Obviously I'm going to have to catch up on the schemes and study the plays," he said. "The physical part will come after practice. There'll be a lot of running and conditioning, but as far as technique and the skills, I have a lot of that down. That's what I bring to the table."
Of Bugel, Folau said: "Buges loves his veterans and gets on the rookies. He's a very sound technician and focuses a lot on pass blocking. We need that with the number of young guys we have here. Our five starters are set, and they're a pretty solid group. We need to improve [the depth] of the 6-7-8 guys, the guys who back them up and fill in."
-- Antuan Edwards, S
Edwards was playing the NFL waiting game when the Redskins called. As soon as injuries began to pile up, the seven-year veteran figured a team would call on him at some point during training camp.
"I didn't actually talk to a lot of teams," he said. "I knew I would be playing somewhere. It was just a matter of time. I'm here now and I'm ready to go."
Edwards has appeared in 72 games, with 32 starts during his NFL career. The 6-1, 210-pounder spent the first five years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The last two years, he has played for St. Louis and Atlanta. In St. Louis in 2004, he played along-side current Redskins safety Adam Archuleta.
"I bring experience to the table," he said. "I know we have a lot of young guys in the secondary. Hopefully we can get that unit together and we can go out and make plays."
Edwards said he had been working out at home for the last several months, so he was well-conditioned. The challenge ahead is to get into football shape and learn the terminology of the Redskins defense.
"It looks difficult, but I'll pick it up," he said. "You have to get used to the guys calling the plays. It's just a matter of getting used to it all."
-- Julian Battle, CB
How dedicated is Battle to earning a roster spot with the Redskins?
According to Gregg Williams, Battle was at Redskins Park "at the crack of dawn" on Wednesday morning working out for new secondary-cornerbacks coach Jerry Gray. (Mike Rumph attended the session as well.)
Battle is a 6-2, 205-pound cornerback who has played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. A former third-round draft choice by the Chiefs, Battle has mostly served in a backup or nickel cornerback role.
In his career, Battle has appeared in 26 games with one start, totaling 14 tackles and three passes defended. Last year, he ruptured his Achilles tendon and spent the year on injured reserve.
When the Chiefs signed veteran cornerback Ty Law earlier this month, Battle was released.
"I felt like Washington was the best opportunity I had as a free agent," he said. "My expectation is just to learn everything as quickly as I can and go from there. I just want to make plays."
-- A.J. Harris, RB
Harris took a handoff from Jason Campbell and rushed through a hole for yardage. Here was a big, bruising back in the Stephen Davis mold.
The 6-1, 230-pounder first caught the eye of coaches in the team's Rookie Camp last April. He went undrafted and unsigned until this week.
"We really liked him and we were looking for a chance to bring him back," Joe Gibbs said.
Although the Redskins have solid depth at the running back position, Harris has a chance to impress coaches and possibly earn a spot on the practice squad.
At Northern Illinois, Harris appeared in 43 games, rushing for 1,687 yards on 342 carries and 12 touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 197 yards.
click on the link above for the rest of the article
At Redskins Park this week, you have to remind yourself that it's August, not March. With all of the comings and goings, it has seemed like free agency all over again.
The Redskins have been busy acquiring players and making trades following Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Redskins have experienced a rash of injuries over the last week, including running back Clinton Portis, cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Ade Jimoh and offensive lineman Jim Molinaro.
The six acquisitions the last three days help add depth, especially in the defensive backfield and on the offensive line.
So what had been a relatively quiet Redskins training camp has suddenly become very active.
"This week has been a little unsettled," head coach Joe Gibbs said. "It can happen. So we try to do a good job of making good decisions and bringing players in."
So who are the new guys? Here's a closer look at the newest Redskins:
Jeff Posey (AP Photo)
-- Jeff Posey, LB
The Redskins' defensive coaching staff had its eye on Posey ever since he was released by the Buffalo Bills in early August. Posey played for Gregg Williams, Jerry Gray and Danny Smith when they were all in Buffalo in 2003.
Posey, 6-4 and 241 pounds, is an eight-year veteran who began his career with 49ers, then moved on to Buffalo. He played mostly strong-side linebacker for the Bills. In his career, he has appeared in 123 games with 76 starts. He has recorded 357 tackles, 20.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
On coming to Washington, Posey said: "I knew they ran the same type of scheme I was part of in Buffalo, and I knew the coaches, so I felt I could come in and help this team. You get to blitz a lot. That makes it fun."
Williams and Gray spoke highly of Posey and emphasized his versatility. That's a common theme among all of Williams's players.
"Jeff can put his hand down and be a five-technique lineman, or a defensive end in rush situations," Williams said. "He can be a stand-up linebacker, he can rush inside and he can rush outside. That's what coaches want from a flexible-type player."
Added Gray: "Jeff reminds me a lot of Marcus Washington. He may not make as many plays as Marcus in the passing game, but if we give him a chance to go in and rush a passer, that's where I think he will bring a lot of pressure for us."
-- Mike Rumph, DB
Rumph has had an up-and-down NFL career. A former first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, Rumph is in his fifth season out of the University of Miami. He has started 19-of-36 games in his career and has three interceptions.
The last two seasons, the 6-2, 209-pounder has been slowed by foot and forearm injuries. He is confident that the injuries are behind him. He was in the 49ers' training camp last Monday when he learned he had been traded to the Redskins.
"I'm in good shape," Rumph said. "I only missed one day of practice since I came over from the Niners. Everything is coming together real well. I want to get the terminology down, and get in there and make some plays.
"The defense is pretty complex. I've played in some similar defenses and it's not as difficult as I thought it would be coming here. But the terminology is something I have to get down."
Rumph sounds determined to start a new NFL chapter in Washington-starting with this Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets.
"I really want to make a first impression, play well and make a statement," he said. "I came from another team and I just want to start off new. I'm just excited to start over again."
-- Spencer Folau, OL
Beyond the Redskins' starting five on the offensive line, assistant head coach-offense Joe Bugel saw a lot of youth and inexperience. Even the top backup, third-year player Jim Molinaro, has minimal NFL experience.
Bugel turned to Folau, an eight-year NFL veteran who has spent time on the rosters of Baltimore, Miami and New Orleans. He was out of football last season as he recovered from a shoulder injury.
Overall, Folau has appeared in 91 career games with 43 starts.
"We needed a veteran to come in here," Bugel said. "We had him in a meeting [on Tuesday] and he almost filled out a whole notebook. So he obviously takes good notes, writes real fast and is very smart."
Bugel said Folau will initially see time at right tackle, behind starter Jon Jansen.
Spencer Lofau (AP Photo)
"Spencer is a very intelligent football player," Bugel said. "He's started at left tackle and left guard and he can play both sides. The only place he hasn't played is center. He was very impressive in individual drills as far as his work ethic. He has a good punch on pass blocking."
Folau had scheduled a visit with the Green Bay Packers when the Redskins called and quickly signed him after a workout and physical.
"Obviously I'm going to have to catch up on the schemes and study the plays," he said. "The physical part will come after practice. There'll be a lot of running and conditioning, but as far as technique and the skills, I have a lot of that down. That's what I bring to the table."
Of Bugel, Folau said: "Buges loves his veterans and gets on the rookies. He's a very sound technician and focuses a lot on pass blocking. We need that with the number of young guys we have here. Our five starters are set, and they're a pretty solid group. We need to improve [the depth] of the 6-7-8 guys, the guys who back them up and fill in."
-- Antuan Edwards, S
Edwards was playing the NFL waiting game when the Redskins called. As soon as injuries began to pile up, the seven-year veteran figured a team would call on him at some point during training camp.
"I didn't actually talk to a lot of teams," he said. "I knew I would be playing somewhere. It was just a matter of time. I'm here now and I'm ready to go."
Edwards has appeared in 72 games, with 32 starts during his NFL career. The 6-1, 210-pounder spent the first five years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The last two years, he has played for St. Louis and Atlanta. In St. Louis in 2004, he played along-side current Redskins safety Adam Archuleta.
"I bring experience to the table," he said. "I know we have a lot of young guys in the secondary. Hopefully we can get that unit together and we can go out and make plays."
Edwards said he had been working out at home for the last several months, so he was well-conditioned. The challenge ahead is to get into football shape and learn the terminology of the Redskins defense.
"It looks difficult, but I'll pick it up," he said. "You have to get used to the guys calling the plays. It's just a matter of getting used to it all."
-- Julian Battle, CB
How dedicated is Battle to earning a roster spot with the Redskins?
According to Gregg Williams, Battle was at Redskins Park "at the crack of dawn" on Wednesday morning working out for new secondary-cornerbacks coach Jerry Gray. (Mike Rumph attended the session as well.)
Battle is a 6-2, 205-pound cornerback who has played three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. A former third-round draft choice by the Chiefs, Battle has mostly served in a backup or nickel cornerback role.
In his career, Battle has appeared in 26 games with one start, totaling 14 tackles and three passes defended. Last year, he ruptured his Achilles tendon and spent the year on injured reserve.
When the Chiefs signed veteran cornerback Ty Law earlier this month, Battle was released.
"I felt like Washington was the best opportunity I had as a free agent," he said. "My expectation is just to learn everything as quickly as I can and go from there. I just want to make plays."
-- A.J. Harris, RB
Harris took a handoff from Jason Campbell and rushed through a hole for yardage. Here was a big, bruising back in the Stephen Davis mold.
The 6-1, 230-pounder first caught the eye of coaches in the team's Rookie Camp last April. He went undrafted and unsigned until this week.
"We really liked him and we were looking for a chance to bring him back," Joe Gibbs said.
Although the Redskins have solid depth at the running back position, Harris has a chance to impress coaches and possibly earn a spot on the practice squad.
At Northern Illinois, Harris appeared in 43 games, rushing for 1,687 yards on 342 carries and 12 touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 197 yards.
click on the link above for the rest of the article