WP: JLC: Fred Davis Speaks

[bubba9497]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/


Click link for entire article



Fred Davis Speaks

(This is gonna read like a news story again. trying to get out of Ashburn before traffic gets too gnarly. rocco recovering from strep and Chloe getting sick, too. Rumors that Davis was at DC club H20 made the rounds inside Redskins Park and on the interne, but the kid has denied them to everyone, including team officials, and the Redskins front office is taking him at his word.)

Redskins rookie tight end Fred Davis apologized to teammates and the team's front office yesterday for missing one of Washington's mandatory mini camp practices earlier this month. Davis, a second round pick out of USC, says he missed the final session of mini camp on May 4 because he merely overslept.

There were questions about Davis's maturity and off-field habits surrounding him entering the draft - he was suspended for a bowl game in 2005 while at USC - but Davis says he has learned from the past and aims to make others forget about what he called a "minor mistake" from mini camp.

"I just wanted to let everybody know that I'm apologetic about what happened," Davis said in his first public remarks since the incident. "I want them to know that when I come here I'm going to work hard and try to make as much progress as I can on the field and off."

The Redskins were not aware of Davis's whereabouts as the team took the field on the morning of May 4. Several members of the organization have said privately that there were rampant rumors that Davis was partying in downtown Washington Saturday night, but he has denied those allegations to team officials, sources said, and reiterated again yesterday that he did not leave the Ashburn area on the night he went missing.

"I didn't even go out," Davis said, adding that he got his own room around 8 pm because he sought a place to stay on his own without a team-assigned roommate. "I was at the hotel the whole night. Just being on my own, it was probably a mistake on my part."

Rookie coach Jim Zorn did not have a curfew or bedchecks in place during mini camp, and Davis missed calls from team officials on his cell phone before finally waking up and calling vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato while practice was ongoing (the session began at 9:30 that morning and players were to report to Redskins Park around 7:30). Zorn addressed the issue with Davis that afternoon before he flew home

Davis's representatives also investigated the matter, and, like the Redskins, are taking him at his word, said Melvin Bratton, a former personnel executive with the Redskins and the vice president of DeBartolo sports, which represents Davis.

"I know how this would look with Fred, because I've been in the position of Vinny Cerrato," said Bratton, who has counseled Davis on his misstep and spoke to him again Monday night. "And you don't want a guy who you think is going to be a problem, and that's a signal you're sending to the team and the city, and I've explained that to him and he knows that he's got to go out and prove what kind of person and player he is."

NOTES: Starting receiver Antwaan Randle El, who had minor arthroscopic knee surgery early this month, said his recovery is going well and he hopes to begin running shortly ...

My first time out at the Park in the while, and I keep hearing that the Redskins tried to hire the president of the Brandon Lloyd fan club - initials DS - to join their machine and help get the word out via his blog skills.

[Rdskn4Lyf21]

If that guy is lying....

[turbodiesel#44]

Originally Posted by bubba9497

My first time out at the Park in the while, and I keep hearing that the Redskins tried to hire the president of the Brandon Lloyd fan club - initials DS - to join their machine and help get the word out via his blog skills.

That quip throws me. Snyder was president of the BL fan club?

I believe Davis, but the team should throw some minor punishment or fine at him anyway. In addition to the team mate hazing. Just on principal, and as an example. It would be one thing if a vet slept in by accident, but your 3rd day as a rookie?

[Buford]

random thought: When do 2nd round picks usually get all signed? These guys shouldn't be a problem, right?

[SkinsNoles21]

The Fred Davis story is barely news...

remember all the grumblings about ST missing the rookie meeting thing. It was news that was nothing ... so is this.

[33]

My first time out at the Park in the while, and I keep hearing that the Redskins tried to hire the president of the Brandon Lloyd fan club - initials DS - to join their machine and help get the word out via his blog skills.

Is that a joke about Steinberg?

I can't imagine what sort of sidekick he would be to Larry Michael.

[Blackest Eyes]

Brandon Lloyd fanclub? what the crap.

[33]

Originally Posted by turbodiesel#44

That quip throws me. Snyder was president of the BL fan club?

He's talking about Dan Steinberg of Washington Post D.C. Sports Bog fame.

[abu69]

nevermind, someone beat me to it

[AdmiralWaugh]

I've heard the team wants to hire a full-time blogger and talked to Steinberg and others. Someone to do every day what ES staff has been doing at games for the past few years.

[turbodiesel#44]

Originally Posted by 33

He's talking about Dan Steinberg of Washington Post D.C. Sports Bog fame.

Aha. I forgot to take my smart pill this morning. TY.

[cphil006]

Brandon Lloyd Fan Club?

[Audible_Red40]

Originally Posted by turbodiesel#44

That quip throws me. Snyder was president of the BL fan club?

I believe Davis, but the team should throw some minor punishment or fine at him anyway. In addition to the team mate hazing. Just on principal, and as an example. It would be one thing if a vet slept in by accident, but your 3rd day as a rookie?

Not being under contract will put an end to this thought.

He still has to "make the team", which maybe 1 strike against him is enough?!?

[michael_33]

Like I need more reasons to wish we had gone with Calais Campbell....

Truth or not,this guy is starting to piss me off...!

He better have Shockey skills or Calais Campbell better be a major bust,or I'm going to be pretty upset with the decision to pass on a 6'8" 275 lb (early projected 2008 top 10 pick) for a TE that not only has Maturity PAC MAN issues,has a fan favorite ahead of him on the roster in Cooley,but we could have really gave our D-Line a major boost with the drafting of Campbell!

OUR whole draft was Perfect!There is not one pick we made that I would change....

Except this guy over Calais Campbell!

And it could be catastrophic to our defense and lockerroom all in one!

[Yusuf06]

Originally Posted by turbodiesel#44

That quip throws me. Snyder was president of the BL fan club?

I believe Davis, but the team should throw some minor punishment or fine at him anyway. In addition to the team mate hazing. Just on principal, and as an example. It would be one thing if a vet slept in by accident, but your 3rd day as a rookie?

What would be better would be to use this as an excuse to re-instate the curfews and bed checks. It needs to be done anyway and it would really give the vets the opportunity to give him the business...and I'm sure they needed an excuse to do that right?

In any event, I think the lack of curfews and bed checks is a mistake at this point in the game. Start out tight and loosen up a bit over time is always the best way to go.