Posts Tagged ‘training camp’

Redskins Roster Predictions - Offense

Stallworth has a big fan in Shanny

For the first time in years the Redskins have the luxury of depth on their roster as they prepare for the 2013 season. The battle for roster spots will be intense and the Skins will have to let a couple of quality players go when the dust settles. Who will stay and who will go? Here’s a few predictions that I have on the offensive side of the ball.

Rex Grossman will make the team

Grossman didn’t appear in a game all last season (this is a good thing) and is no danger of beating out Kirk Cousins for the backup QB job. However, the Shanahans are comfortable with Grossman and may be his biggest fans. If Shanahan sticks to his plan to not play RG3 all of training camp, I believe he’ll want the security of Grossman on the roster heading into week 1. Of course, the Skins could cut Grossman and bring him back after week 1, so his contract isn’t guaranteed for the entire season. Either way, he’ll be on the team at least for the early part of the season and I believe the Skins will be willing to guarantee his contract at $950,000 and have him on the roster on opening day.

Evan Royster will be cut

Here’s the problem with Royster, his best chance to make the team is as a third down back and special teams player and he’s not good at either. He lacks big-play explosiveness and is a below average receiver and pass blocker. The writing was on the wall for him when the Redskins drafted Chris Thompson and Jawan Jamison. If either of those players play well in preseason and Roy Helu Jr. is healthy, Royster will be looking for a new team.

Donte Stallworth makes the team

This is the long shot of long shots and another player who’s a candidate to be cut before week 1 only to be brought back due to being vested veteran. However, this is another guy who has a big fan in Mike Shanahan. Stallworth played decent for the Skins in 2011 and Shanny wanted to bring him back last season but Stallworth signed with the Patriots. He’ll be competing with Devery Henderson and Dezmon Briscoe for the 6th WR spot…Aldrick Robinson definitely makes the team. I remember how well Stallworth played on special teams in 2011 and I believe that will be the difference. Briscoe didn’t dress for many games last season because he doesn’t play special teams and blew opportunies on offense when he did dress.

I also believe that if healthy Mo Hurt makes this team, his versatility on the O-line will force someone (not sure who) out.

Cheers and Hail

I See Your Jess Atkinson & Raise You One Ali Haji-Sheikh

With the 2012 version of the Washington Redskins set to start training camp Thursday, I thought it would be fitting to revisit a trip I took to Carlisle, PA back in 1988. I made the trip north to PA from NOVA with my childhood friend Chris Hairfield and had the opportunity to watch the defending Super Bowl Champs prepare for the 1988 season. Along the way I scored a Super Bowl XXII poster and secured the autographs of 20+ Redskins. Twenty-four years later I’m certain that I have a one of kind piece of memorabilia here.

Among the autographs that I secured, I scored not 1, not 2…but 3 kickers! Despite the fact the Redskins drafted Chip Lohmiller in the 2nd round of the 88′ NFL draft, they still felt in necessary to bring 2 other horrible kickers to camp. I am 100% CERTAIN that I’m the only person in the world that has both a Jess Atkinson & Ali Haji-Sheikh autograph on the same poster.

I have 2/3′s of the Posse…Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders.

Ed Simmons signed his autograph on the awesome picture of his pancake block.

Wilber Marshall’s signature is upside down. I got Marshall’s autograph several times and he always signed upside down and backwards.

Dave Butz signed, it was his last season.

One of my favorite all-time Skins Neal Olkewicz signed, as did the late Mel Kaufman.

Looking at this poster brings back great memories. Hard to believe we are 6 months away from the 25th anniversary of the Redskins 1987 Super Bowl win and that amazing 2nd quarter against the Denver Broncos. Here’s to more memories, HTTR.

Cheers and Hail

RJ: Preseason Game 4

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

Woke up this morning and headed downstairs to grab breakfast and go to meetings..

After meetings I came back to the room to take a nap. Once I woke up I brought lunch back to my room and watched Troy.. I got to the scene where Hector slayed Patricklus, then Achilles rode up to the Trojan empire by himself and called Hector out to fight him.. “HECTOR!!!! HECTOR!!!!! HECTOR!!!!!” that’s my favorite part of the movie.. In that moment all Achilles can see is victory. In that moment all he’s worried about is the task in front of him. (THAT’S WHERE IM AT TONIGHT)

Got dressed and turned my headphones on. “Lil Wayne ft Bruno Mars- Mirror” Its so fitting for tonights game.

Everything feels so clear. I see victory

I like lookiN out the window as we get pass people, seeing people pumping their fist, yelling, waving, and sometimes flippiN us off.. lol

I had a good game.. Not great, not bad. Just good.. couple tackles, pbu’s, and good special teams performance.

They called a Pass interference on me late in the game which could have cost us the game. I TRULY DON’T BELIEVE IT WAS A P.I. I’ll see it on film tomorrow when I go in to watch it alone. (Im sure it was a bad call).

Our offense later scored which put us back on the field to finish the game, and finish the game we did. On a crucial 3rd down I broke up a Pass forcing them to have to try a desperation hail marry which they didn’t convert.

Now we wait. these next 42 hours are so stressful not knowing if you’ll make the cut from 80 players to 53. There’s alot more than just myself invested in my success. SO WE”LL SEE.. either way Im gonna remain positive. It’s now out of my control, but my attitude is always controlled by me.

The waiting game begins.

Goodnight… #DREAMINabout: “#ARROWS” No matter which way its pointed, I can rotate it to reach my target. ~$HOWTIME

RJ: Training Camp Day 35

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

Woke up this morning to my son digging his little fingers in my face. lol. I Rolled away from him, next thing I know he’s digging his nails in my back. (HatiN on daddy’s sleep time) lol.

I left the house for meetings and walk-thrus. It’s the last walk-thru of the pre season. After walk-thrus I drove to the house to grab my headphones, then came back to the facility to hop in the ice tub. While in the ice tub I took some time to write my little sister a letter. She’s goiN through a change for the better. So I want to make sure I encourage her. I’ll send it out Friday morning.

After I rejuvenated my body I went back home to pack up to leave for the hotel. Under clothes, some lounge clothes for meetings, a fresh outfit for gameday, and of course a Seattle fitted to match. (Squeezed in a couple games of Madden before I left too) lol

Wifey dropped me off at the facility so I could ride the team bus to the hotel, THIS TRAFFIC IS CRAZY! We had to get off the freeway to take a bunch of back roads cuz we were standstill on the freeway. At one point I seriously thought we were gonna be late.

I’ve been bumpiN that “Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars- Mirror” That’s my cut right now. Also that “Drake- Headlines”… The 1st verse of that song gets me goiN. I feel like he wrote it just to inspire me. I appreciate that drizzy.. Good lookiN out.. lol

Meetings went well. Coach gave the traditional last pre season game speech. LettiN people know you’re not just performing for the Redskins, but for the entire league. Because after the game every team cuts down from 80 players to 53. Then its a mad scramble for teams lookiN for players from other teams to mix and match their 53 man roster to their liking. So tomorrow is a a big day, Glad it’s a home game. (Wifey and Dash in the stands to watch me ball).
Came back to the room and turned on that “Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars- Mirror” on repeat.. Had a couple bites of vanilla ice cream w/ a cherry on top and zoned out.

READY FOR 1 FINAL PRE SEASON BATTLE.

Tomorrow truly is $howtime!!

Goodnight… #DREAMINabout: “#ODDS” To me it’s nothiN more than numbers that can’t b divided by 2. I’ve been defying them my entire life ~$HOWTIME

RJ: Training Camp Day 34

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

Woke up this morning feeling good.. Went to meetings and practice in a good mood for some reason.. (= I had a good practice..

Once practice was over we went back to the locker room to shower up and I realized the grim reaper was in the locker room on the prowl.(that’s the guy who comes around and says “can you hand me your playbook”, which means you’re done)
It was sad to see a few of the people I was kew with get let go. I wish them the best of luck with life. (This game can be brutal) Gotta remain confident through it all though.

After I showered up, I drove straight to GameStop and bought the new Madden 2012. Im on the game this year which is pretty cool. As a kid growing up you always dream about being on the game, not having to create yourself. Some people act like its not a big deal to them, but the “simple things” are a big deal TO ME and I enjoy them all.

My boys have been hittiN me up all day sayiN they’ve been using me on the game.. (=

Once I got home I played Madden in the man cave the rest of the night.. (I really like playing video games. Im kind of a nerd when it comes to video games) lol

Oh yeah, lately I’ve been realizing who in my life is true and who aren’t. Sometimes it’s good to step back and re access those around you to make sure EVERYONE around you is really about you. (=

Excited for the game this week.. I really enjoy Fed Ex Field.. That place is gonna be rockiN once the regular season starts. Im proud to be a Redskin.

Goodnight… #DREAMINabout: “#TEETH” If its “to tough” i keep chewiN/grindiN til it becomes as easy as everything else. ~$HOWTIME

RJ: Training Camp Day 33

Reggie Jones is posting his training camp journal on this site, please check back often to follow Reggie on his journey.

Woke up this morning feeliN good.. As I was headed out the room door I noticed Dash sitting up in the bed lookiN dead in my eyes.. lol so I went and gave him a zillion kisses.

On the way to the facility I was bumpiN that Carter 4 album. It’s good. The Carter Albums are always hot! My favorite song on the album so far is “So Special” ft. John Legend

We had a padded practice today. I had a good practice. Once again I’m excited for this weeks game. I’m excited every week, because I love playiN this game.

After practice, I hit the weights, then headed up to meetings. After meetings I got a little extra film in, gotta find the routes I’m GONNA jump no matter what. (Learned that from Darren Sharper in New Orleans)

When I came home and walked through the door Dash’s face lit up. He started smiling and jumping up and down. Highlight of my day.. I love coming home to a HAPPY home.. (=

Tomorrows gonna be a bitter sweet day.. we cut the roster from 90 to 75 or 80. Sad seeiN people go. Many don’t realize, these are peoples jobs, and gettiN let go hurts us just as bad as it would if it were to happen to anybody else in the world. At the end of the day it’s still losing a job, and leaves people heart broken and in a desperate panic to find new employment to provide for themselves and often times their families.

On a lighter note, I was out of milk for my cereal, so I went to the store to grab some. If you’re out shoppiN during the season you may see me riding around in the motor carts. “I don’t wanna waste my leg energy”(That’s my excuse) lol

I told Wifey if she wanted to continue to have a free pass in the Man Cave, she had to watch a scary movie with me..
So I got her to watch #Insidious with me.. SHE WAS SO FREAKED OUT!! LOL .. she’s such a scaredy cat.. lol I love her though.. Now she won’t walk anywhere in the house without me.. lol
{THEME MUSIC PLEASE} “Du Du Du Nuh” SUPER HUSBAND TO THE RESCUE.. lol.. She made us go upstairs and watch Spongebob Square Pants to take her mind off of it.. lol

O yeah, Madden comes out tomorrow.. THE MADDEN 2012 CHAMP IS HERE!! Excited to start up another online dynasty on Xbox. D.Hall and Barnes tried to convince me Ps3 is better. (NO WAY!!) I guess they do a dynasty on ps3 every year too. IM A XBOX GUY, but I’m debating gettiN a ps3 just to dominate their little league.. lol

I’m glad people enjoy reading my journals. I’ve been getting alot of messages and text sayiN they like it. Also there’s been ALOT of traffic to the site from people viewing it. Glad I can provide POSITIVE entertainment through my stories. (=

Goodnight. #DREAMINabout: “#DREAMS” A dream is just a dream til u decide to wake up and live it” ~$HOWTIME