1. Good news for Stephen Bowen: His wife and two children will join him in Virginia on Tuesday. Bowen, as you probably know, had to leave his wife shortly after the birth of their twins (June 28). They were born premature and one of them died 10 days later. But Stephen III, who is still hospitalized, now weighs 4.5 pounds. He’ll likely need to be hospitalized when they come to Virginia.
“I can’t even put it into words, it’s going to be a good feeling,” Bowen said. “It takes a load off. I’m not worried about him every day. … Some days were good and some days were bad, but now he’s … stabilized.”
The reunion will be good for his wife, too.
“My wife’s a little stressed out,” Bowen said. “She has a lot to do, shipping all our stuff here; buying a house here and trying to sell the house in Dallas. It’s a lot on her plate.”
2. Oshiomogho Atogwe did not practice Tuesday because of his sore hamstring. He said he “felt it a little bit” in the preseason game at Baltimore. Atogwe said they were just being cautious. He hasn’t been ruled out of Thursday’s game vs. Tampa Bay, but it would make sense to rest him and heal up for the Sept. 11 season opener vs. the New York Giants. And, yes, this does bear watching at least early in the season.
3. The Redskins’ defense should be improved, but there are reasons to be cautious about how much and when. The injuries to Atogwe and LaRon Landry are troublesome; but there’s also the matter of Ryan Kerrigan still in learning mode at outside linebacker. There’s also the loss of DE Jarvis Jenkins. It’ll take time for this unit to mesh.
4. The Redskins released nine players today: receiver Malcolm Kelly, defensive backs Dante Barnes and Tyrone Grant; quarterback Ben Chappell, offensive linemen Xavier Fulton and Corey O’Daniel, kicker Clint Stitser, tight end Joe Torchia and linebacker Eric McBride. Jenkins was placed on injured reserve.
5. Still no word on who will start at quarterback Thursday. The Redskins coaches aren’t saying, though it still makes sense if it’s John Beck considering Rex Grossman already has started two preseason games.
6. The lockout will impact who makes the final roster. The young players had less offseason workout time to impress the coaches. They also had less chance to show their improvement, from OTAs and minicamps to training camp. It’s hard to keep too many players on the roster you hope will develop in the next six weeks or so.
7. Strong safety DeJon Gomes said when asked if he’s done enough to make the roster, said, “Honestly no. I don’t think I’ve shown enough. Just the little things, show I know what I’m doing and can do it at a fast speed, lining up the right way. Just the little things that aren’t noticed to the spectator’s eye. Thankfully there’s one more preseason game to go out and perform.”
8. Yes, even a veteran such as Donte Stallworth checks out the numbers at receiver. “I’d be foolish to say that I haven’t,” Stallworth said. “[But] I feel I’ve showed that I can still be effective in this league.” Stallworth is probably nothing like what I expected when camp opened. He had his issues and was involved in an accident that killed a man. But he’s been a good guy to deal with; very respectful and courteous.
9. Wide receiver Brandon Banks looked good in practice Tuesday, coach Mike Shanahan said. His knee did not swell up after practicing Monday, a good sign. Also, defensive end Adam Carriker practiced and will play Thursday. And tight end Chris Cooley was running around testing his left knee. He has said he’ll practice next week.
10. Evan Royster will play more Thursday after sitting out the past two games. My guess still remains practice squad for Royster. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Royster has improved in some areas. “He’s improved at picking up the blitzes. He’s a guy that’s willing and who’s definitely smart enough to know it, but the more looks those rookie backs can get, especially blitz pickups and protections and how fast those stunts will come and how fast those blockers will shoot those gaps, it’s something you really don’t know until you see it. He’s gotten a lot better at it.”
11. Yes, Barry Cofield could play end; no, the Redskins aren’t going to put him there now. Too much too soon. “Right now I think it is,” defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said. But Cofield has played the position before and if Anthony Bryant or even Chris Neild prove they can play nose tackle at a consistent level, then Cofield could be moved around a little more. My thing: Cofield can be an excellent nose and his matchup inside is probably more favorable than it would be further down the line. The Redskins need a dominant nose, or at least a solid one, more than they need another end.
12. There is a definite sense of excitement among the defensive coaching staff about what linebacker Brian Orakpo can accomplish this season. He is showing all-around improvement. You can’t predict a breakout season for a guy who’s made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons, but he can make a big jump in play.
Follow me on Twitter @John_Keim
