Armstrong is making strong bid for roster
ASHBURN – A reminder cuts across his right wrist in the form of a scar. That’s all Anthony Armstrong needs to keep him humble. Without that scar, maybe things would have turned out differently.
But the scar is real, and it took him down a circuitous path to the NFL.
“I took a detour,” he said. “Robert Frost said there are two roads that [diverged], and I took the road less traveled. My road was the one to the side of the ones less traveled.”
Less traveled, indeed. Armstrong not only comes from a school few have heard of — Division II West Texas A&M — he played in a league almost no one has heard of — the Intense Football League (now the Indoor Football League).
More of the same followed: a short stint on an Arena Football League practice squad before being promoted; a spot on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in 2008; another spot on the Redskins’ practice squad last fall.
And he’s convinced this route started because, in his senior year, he injured his right wrist and needed surgery after the season. He couldn’t attend any workouts for NFL scouts and wound up playing flag football that spring to help get ready.
“I had to see if I could play ball still,” he said.
So when he looked good this spring … and he looked good early in training camp … and when he opened the first two preseason games with a team-high six catches … he remained calm.
“I’ve been in situations where I’ve gotten too excited and gotten high on myself and got my bubble shot down,” the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder said. “I make sure I humble myself immediately.”
That attitude could help him earn a spot on the Redskins’ roster this fall. It’s hard to find another receiver, outside of Santana Moss, who has stood out like Armstrong, whether in practice or games. Armstrong is benefiting from the Redskins’ lack of depth at receiver, providing him with more opportunities. At 27 this could be his last chance.
He’s coming off a four-catch, 82-yard game vs. Baltimore — and he was open deep on another route on which he was overthrown. Three of his catches, incidentally, came against the Ravens’ starters.
“He’s fast as hell,” Moss said. “He runs great routes. He’s coming into his own now. He’s a talent to be recognized, and he’s showing that every time he steps on the field.”
Against the Ravens, Armstrong showcased his skills. He showed speed, running past the corner on a deep post for a 45-yard gain. He showed moves, fooling one corner on an out-and-up that was overthrown. He showed hands, spinning and reaching behind him for a 12-yard grab. And he showed footwork, conning another corner into thinking he was going outside and then darting inside on a post for an 18-yard gain.
“He has a quick twitch to get in and out of breaks,” Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “He has the hands. He has everything it takes to be a receiver. You wonder when a guy who has never had a career catch in the regular season [and six in the preseason], what’s the deal? We wanted to get him under the lights, and he hasn’t flinched at all. You can tell we’ve got a good player.”
One who is anxious to remain.
“I’ve come from the bottom of the barrel,” Armstrong said. “It made me refocus and saying, ‘I’m not gonna get cut.’ I refuse to get cut from a team again.”
