David Holloway has 10 days to make the Redskins.
The former Maryland linebacker joined Washington on Tuesday after more than a year with Arizona. He’s on the bubble again, probably the seventh linebacker on a team likely to keep six.
But, the next two preseason games are all about reserves proving their worth. Starters will play extensively against Carolina on Saturday, but coaches will spend the second half looking for big plays from long shots like Holloway.
Holloway is on the clock as 27 players will be released by Aug. 30. Yet, there’s no fear of coming in at the last minute, trying to learn a new language like a traveler heading to Europe for a week.
“My being here and getting an opportunity, the impression I make, I believe something will come of this,” Holloway said.
The bloodline is one of success. Holloway’s father Brian was a three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle with New England. His grandfather was a U.S. Army colonel who flew combat missions over Vietnam. Holloway’s maternal grandfather was Johnny “Pie” McKenzie, who was an NHL All-Star skating alongside Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito in Boston.
Failure is not an option for the clan. Becoming the third generation in the pros doesn’t haunt Holloway, though.
“It’s a family where you have goals and as long as you push yourself in a positive direction it’s good,” Holloway said. “Sports was never forced on me. I was given a gift and just went with it.”
Holloway’s teammates don’t remember his father, though older coaches often do. Holloway remembers being in football and hockey locker rooms with his family. He chose football over hockey at an early age, seeing glimpses of the lifestyle that are now his own.
“There are little moments that are ‘Wow,’” he said.
Holloway started 34 games at Maryland, both inside and outside before spending his senior year in the middle. Undersized at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, proving he could take a pounding gave Holloway a chance despite going undrafted. He spent last season on Arizona’s practice squad before being promoted for the final game.
After moving inside this season after working outside last year, the Cardinals cut him on Aug. 13 for a newly signed veteran. Holloway soon chose Washington over Tennessee, partly for his ties to the area after playing in College Park. Indeed, former Terps teammates Jason Goode, Stephon Heyer and Andrew Crumey are in the Redskins locker room.
“They brought me because they saw something so I just need to show a little more of that,” he said. “Once you’ve been in [the NFL], even on the practice squad, you get the routine down. You understand how the pros prepare themselves every week. Compared to college, it’s a huge difference.”
Holloway needs a big special teams play or some quality hits on defense against Carolina and Jacksonville to stay. The practice squad is an option, too.
The clock is ticking.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
