Rogers making a recovery
Carlos Rogers hasn’t failed any tests since he returned to practice. He’s looked as sharp as any corner. He’s bounced off the ground whenever he’s been knocked down, an important sign for someone coming off knee surgery. And he hasn’t missed a practice.
The biggest test comes Saturday against the Jets. Rogers will play in his first game this preseason and continues to be on pace for the season opener, as he — and not the coaches or trainers — predicted long ago.
“This is more than just an exhibition game to me,” said Rogers, who is returning from two torn ligaments. “I need to test my leg and see where it’s at once I get hit on it.”
Linebacker Rocky McIntosh also will play, marking his first action this preseason after knee surgery last December. Running back Clinton Portis will have the night off.
Other things to look for Saturday:
THE BRETT FAVRE SHOW: The Jets have averaged just under 10,000 fans a day at practice since Favre’s arrival, more than twice their regular attendance. Four times the normal amount of media now covers the team.
One guy who isn’t thrilled with Favre’s arrival is ex-Redskin receiver Laveranues Coles, a Chad Pennington fan. Apparently, one observer said at a recent practice a fan shouted to Coles, “Pennington couldn’t have made that throw!” Coles responded with an expletive followed by a pronoun.
MORE PUNTING: Durant Brooks will get a second chance to win the job over Derrick Frost. He’ll be asked to do more directional punting. Brooks has been inconsistent in camp and is by no means a lock.
BACKUP LINEMEN: One veteran singled tackle Devin Clark out as a young guy who has played well. The Redskins could use a solid backup at that spot; Todd Wade is hurt and could be — should be, one team source says — in danger of making the team. Stephon Heyer looked terrible in the first outing and also is hurt. Also, backup center Justin Geisinger has been driven back in one-on-one drills during practice, but has looked good in games.
Skins: No thanks to ‘Hard Knocks’
When Joe Gibbs returned to the NFL in 2004, HBO called and asked if the Redskins would want to be featured on “Hard Knocks.” They said no; HBO hasn’t called back since. If they did, the answer wouldn’t change.
“I would rather not,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said about any desire to do the show. “There’s just so much that is revealed. It’s wonderful to see it, but these guys just want to get their work done.”
A Redskins source said the only way they’d agree to do it is if the coach gave his blessing. Most of the players agree with Zorn. They’ll gladly let Dallas have the air time this summer while they work under the radar. Receiver Antwaan Randle El called it too big a distraction. Even Fred Smoot agreed.
“The only thing I dislike about it is that you’re in camp to put on a show more than to become a team,” Smoot said. “We’re hoping that ‘Hard Knocks’ really comes back to bit them in the [rear] in the long run.”
Corner Carlos Rogers said, “I wouldn’t mind; I watched it [Wednesday] and it seemed just like guys having fun. They’re already talking Super Bowl. It seems like they’re crowning them. It motivates you, but that’s life in the NFL. They’re America’s Team so they’re gonna crown them anyway.”
Nats, Crow need to come to agreement
Aaron Crow doesn’t have any strong options. The Nationals don’t have much of a choice, not if they want to build through the farm system.
So when the deadline comes today for signing Crow, the two sides would be wise to come to an agreement.
Crow, the ninth overall pick — and second pitcher, does have a new option: independent baseball. He signed with a team in Fort Worth, meaning he can’t return to college.
The ninth pick is slotted to make $2.15 million, but Crow and his agent have said they won’t sign for that amount.
But independent ball rarely works. It delays his time toward free agency and if he gets hurt, it could be devastating.
But the Nats might have to follow the trend of the three top-eight picks who have signed — all received more than the slotted amount.
The Nats described him as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. If that’s the case, they won’t let him get away.
COLUMN INCHES
Opinions from around the nation on the hottest topics in sports:
» Kobe Bryant is bigger in China than the Great Wall. This 24/7, camera-clicking, name-chanting worship of Bryant by the local masses at the Olympics might be the strangest foreign love affair with a U.S. pop icon since the French decided Jerry Lewis was a comic genius. Sure, the man can hoop. But he’s not exactly the finest example of American virtue.
— Mark Kiszla on the popularity of basketball star Kobe Bryant in China. (Denver Post)
» If Pennington beats the Jets, GM Mike Tannenbaum will have some explaining to do about how, in the euphoria of trading for Brett Favre, he couldn’t trade Pennington and get him out of the AFC East. … How many teams cut their starting quarterback in training camp, then step aside to let him sign with a team in the division?
— Gary Myers writes that the Jets could regret cutting, and not trading, Chad Pennington. (New York Daily News)
» Half a world away, this is where the loss starts feeling like a sucker punch. Watching the U.S. men’s basketball team, which may be the best of its kind since the original Dream Team, the reality of what every Seattle NBA fan is going to miss next season materializes. The loss feels more personal than ever.
— Steve Kelley on the reality of the NBA no longer being in Seattle. (Seattle Times)
» Although Burress may have a legitimate injury, there is talk among players the best move in contract stalemates going forward may be to report but sit out practice with some sort of an injury. The benefit for the player is he can continue to make his point without risking injury (or further injury as the case may be) or getting fined.
— Ex-NFL player Ross Tucker on the way Plaxico Burress has handled his demand for a new contract. (CNNSI.com)
JUST ASKING
1. Spain is relying on the brothers Gasol to handle the United States inside. Seriously? There’s a reason why Pau Gasol is dubbed Pau Gasoft. Can Spain handle the athleticism of the United States?
2. Can we get the mercy rule on the Nats and just end their season now? Anyone think they’ll sniff .500 within the next two years?
3. Will Mo Williams finally be the sidekick Cleveland needs for LeBron James?
ON THE RECORD
“The things I can’t understand, is when I’m driving up to the (parking lot) gate and punching in my punch code and somebody says (expletive) to me. … I don’t understand that.”
— Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers about the fan reaction to him replacing Brett Favre.
