…The big topic of the day was easily George Michael’s death. Because of his Redskins show, which he did through last season, a number of players and coaches dealt with him. Coach Jim Zorn even visited Michael at Sibley Hospital Wednesday night. He said Michael was heavily sedated, but could occasionally offer a twitch in response to something. Zorn said he held his hand and prayed and talked about the Giants game, saying, “I told him how embarrassed he was last week. I told him i was glad he didn’t see the game and then I told him about the Cowboys game and what we were going to try to do.”
Recommended Stories
He also talked about how Michael would yell at him occasionally on the show.
“I loved the relationship I had with him here,” Zorn said. “I had a lot of respect for him. And I loved working with him last year on the program and with Sonny. I just sat back and watched. It was like two brothers fighting with each other during the breaks. It was hilarious. He’s one of thse guys that just has a spark of everything he does. He has some great lectures for you. You hate while they’re going on but you love the man after they’re done because he still loves you. …He meant a lot to a lot of this group right here. He had a special relationship with the Redskins.”
Corner Fred Smoot said Michael used to talk to him about dealing with the media.
“When I first got here, he was always on me every week about something else,” Smoot said. “He taught me a lot … to make the media your friend and to put yourself in position to do sutff after football.
Santana Moss said, “When I heard the news, it was sad because the last time we had talked to him, he came in like his old self and toward the end he told us what he was dealing with. I said to myself, ‘That’s the way to handle a situation like that. just be yourself and enjoy life.’ That’s what he said he was doing.”
…On the Redskins injury report: receiver Devin Thomas (ankle) did not practice; defensive end Andre Carter (biceps), defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin (shoulder), corner DeAngelo Hall (knee) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (leg) were limited. Thomas said he’s likely a game-time decision. Zorn is cautiously optimistic that the others will play.
…For the Cowboys, tackle Marc Colombo (ankle) and safety Patrick Watkins (knee) did not practice.
…If Thomas doesn’t play, then Malcolm Kelly will start.
“I’ve seen him play better at the top of his routes,” Zorn said, “where these breaks are coming into play. He’s much more aggressive. He understands the offense better and he’s playing better.”
…Dallas coach Wade Phillips said Shaun Suisham told him before the Redskis-Giants game about the fake field goal that failed vs. New York on Monday night. Zorn isn’t worried what else he might have told him.
“Not at all,” he said. “That’s just how it is. He has to have loyalty. We let him go for gosh sakes; I’d spill the beans. You have to be loyal to that club and a lot of times those things are just little [tidbits]. They don’t necessarily impact games.”
…For what it’s worth, Phillip Daniels’ son, a high school junior, scored 36 points in his basketball game Wednesday night. He scored 26 the previous game. Here’s the thing: he’s being recruited by the elites of college football because he’s a 6-foot-3 receiver.
