…Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and linebackers coach Lou Spanos both ragged on linebacker Brian Orakpo for his statistics. Eleven sacks; one forced fumble. The message was clear: more is needed.
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So he’s watching film of defensive standouts such as end Dwight Freeney and linebacker James Harrison.
“A lot of guys who know how to get the ball out of quarterback’s hands,” he said. “I like to make secure tackles so I have to work on being a little more relentless as far as getting the ball out.”
…Meanwhile, Santana Moss said his good friend Andre Johnson has raved about offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Johnson played under Shanahan when he was first a receivers coach and then the offensive coordinator in Houston. Moss said he was always amazed at how open Johnson would get, especially with what he was enduring in Washington.
“I used to be out there sometimes wondering, like, help,” Moss said. “I’d get a cover-two shell or something and there was no way out of it. I just had to stay out there and play my part and do what was best for the team and hope somebody else makes a play. [Andre]
just told me they were very creative with some of the things they did offensively to help him find a way to get open and get the ball.”
…Turns out Larry Johnson had a doctor’s appointment, though the team did not seem to know this. I’m also not sure at this point how much Johnson will want to talk before he actually does something on the field.
…Moss on Clinton Portis and Johnson: “Most great teams have two good running backs. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with the position or the situation. I just feel like it’s something that Clinton shouldn’t come in here worrying about his job. He’s a guy that has proven his point to be where he’s at today.”
… The Redskins re-signed restricted free agent linebacker Chris Wilson Thursday. Wilson, entering his fourth season, has six career sacks. He switched from end to linebacker last year and will remain there as the Redskins are expected to switch to a 3-4 front.
…Both Moss and Orakpo raved about the offseason workouts.
“Last year was a mess,” Orakpo said. “I won’t not bash anybody, but it was a mess as far as we go in and we leave. It really wasn’t structured.”
“Everything is better organized,” Moss said. “You have to be on time. That’s the thing you see instant change in. That can take us a long way, too, with everybody being accountable for some of the little things. When it comes down to this game, it’s the little things that’s not seen or not done that really cause you to be in the situation we was in last year. You can play good football and not win games. That’s some of the things I’ve seen around here for a lot of years because some of the little things we let slide away.”
