Training camp is not for the weak. It’s hot, tiring and somebody’s always blocking your way.
I’m talking about thousands of fans descending upon Redskins Park on Sunday for training camp. Novices always come excited to see their favorite players only to leave three hours later bored, sunburned and wondering why in the world everyone makes a big deal over going.
This is not Camp Carlisle. Not even the Frostburg experiment of the ’90s.
There’s no 5 o’clock club. No Rillo’s for dinner or Gingerbread Man for liquid lunch. No northern climate to escape the D.C. area heat.
Really, there’s nothing to watch — seriously. This is not a game or even a scrimmage. At best, you’ll see seven on seven passing drills. Long completions draw the biggest cheers.
You won’t see big hits unless LaRon Landry forgets and lets one loose. Maybe a fight now and then, but this is simply practice. Real boring stuff.
Mostly, you’ll see stretching (don’t try it at home), hitting pads, weird ball drills and lots of running around four fields, two of which are too far to distinguish Santana Moss from Ryan Boschetti.
Still, get there early if you want to watch practice closer than 10-deep around the ropes. Go to the left side for autographs, the right side to see the end of passing drills. Otherwise, just mill around and pray for rain to end practice early. Oh wait, that’s my gameplan.
Bum you out yet? OK, you’ll see coach Jim Zorn on the field for the first time. Z-man tends to hang around the quarterbacks. He’s not a cusser so you won’t see Zorn chewing people out or grabbing a face mask. You will see him showing passers better mechanics.
Looking for a new face? Watch Fred Davis. The Redskins seemed nuts over taking a tight end with a second round pick given Chris Cooley is a young Pro Bowler, but five minutes watching Davis will make you a believer. He’s big, aggressive and fast. You find room for people like that. Look for a lot of double tight end packages for Davis, who may not win your fantasy league but will undoubtably produce some memorable moments this fall. Hopefully, Davis bought an alarm clock with some of that bonus money.
Of course, you’re watching the quarterbacks. Anyone who wasn’t a lineman in high school watches passers. Then you can contribute your new-found knowledge in the office when the “Jason Campbell or Todd Collins” debate starts by saying, “Well, in training camp I saw …”
Linebackers Rocky McIntosh and H.B. Blades will draw interest. McIntosh looked good last month in offseason camps afterinjured last season. Something tells me this could be a breakout season for him. Blades showed real potential last year.
The real geeks will watch rookie punter Durant Brooks challenge veteran Derrick Frost. Brooks might be the best high boomer since Matt Turk a decade ago, but let’s see if Brooks gets the shanks in the games.
Fan Appreciation Day is July 26. That’s the one day to come for the rookie scrimmage, band and Redskinettes. Otherwise, don’t blame me if you’re yawning 30 minutes into practice. Oh wait, that’s me again.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
