Instead of worrying about when they could return to work, or what secret location they’d have to practice, many Redskins were left with a more enjoyable question: How quickly can they pack?
That, at least, was the concern of defensive end Phillip Daniels after he learned that the lockout had, finally, ended early Monday afternoon. For others the concern centered around their immediate futures. Considering 11 Redskins are unrestricted free agents, that’s a big worry.
But for all involved there was a sense of relief that training camp would start later this week and no games would be missed. The Redskins first day of training camp will be Thursday. However, according to the new labor agreement the first day is for physicals and meetings only. And there will be no full pad work the next two days.
“It’s great to finally have it over with,” Daniels said. “It’s a process that was drawn out way too far. I think if level heads would have prevailed, it would have gotten done a lot sooner. Egos came into play. But I expected this to draw out to the last second and that right before training camp it would come to a conclusion. I’m happy for the fans.”
Redskins player representative Vonnie Holliday said he did not anticipate the lockout taking this long to end. He was one of the most outspoken players at the end of last week, after the owners approved the deal.
But Holliday was thrilled with the deal that was ultimately agreed upon.
“The meat and potatoes of the deal never changed,” he said. “It was the process of how we get there… the testing and all those things which in our business is huge. That’s where the breakdown came and why guys had some serious issues. It was thrown in and the timetable that was supposed to take place was not beneficial to players.
“This is a monumental deal. The game is made by the players. There are so many different storylines coming out this past six months that to me is just empowering to players past, present and future. It’s a good deal for both sides in terms of growing the league but at the same time protecting the players health and welfare and safety. This is a deal both sides can hang their hat on and be happy with the work that was put in and the outcome.”
The end will have an impact on:
FREE AGENTS: The Redskins have 11 unrestricted free agents, including defensive end Kedric Golston. They can start negotiating with teams Tuesday. Golston is optimistic that he’ll return based on pre-lockout conversations with the organization.
“Yeah definitely,” he said. “From everything I heard out of there it’s been positive. That’s all I can go off of is what they tell me. Now with the lockout being over … we’ll see.
“I’m assuming each team has a game plan in place as far as the different levels of free agents and players and what they’ll do. To me I think it will happen relatively quick because GMs want to get their teams assembled and get back to football.”
ROOKIES: The Redskins can start signing their own rookies and undrafted free agents as of Tuesday morning. Aside from linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, the other rookies have yet to meet any of their coaches.
“I’m very anxious,” said third-round pick Leonard Hankerson, who said he plans to fly in from Miami Monday night or Tuesday morning. “I can’t wait to get up there and get to work and finally have a chance to talk to my coaches and meet them. I’m ready to get out there.”
He said he hopes his contract talks don’t take long.
“I hope not and I don’t think so,” he said. “I don’t want to hold out. I’m ready to get up there and get to work.”
PRACTICES: Under Mike Shanahan last summer, the Redskins typically conducted a harder practice in the morning and a walk-through in the afternoon. So the practice limitations shouldn’t impact them too much. Nor should the lack of hitting in practices. They didn’t do full hitting drills last summer.
“I don’t think it will affect us at all,” Daniels said. “We’ll have to see how it goes. It’s a good thing you only practice once because it gives guys a chance to have longer careers. We practiced twice a day when I first came into the league and it was rough so I think this will help guys have longer careers and cut down on injuries.”
Daniels said if players aren’t in football shape when they report, they can use the afternoon to condition.
“For the most part you’ll see what kind of shape guys are in when they get there,” he said. “But you can do that by doing it on your own. Guys can get in shape.”
Oh, and he said he hasn’t yet heard if they’ll all have to pass the conditioning test this summer.
Some other stories of interest: Five questions facing the Redskins; potential free agent targets by the Redskins; what might happen with their own free agents
