…Running back Ladell Betts (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but is expected to work Thursday. Quarterback Jason Campbell (ankle), corner Byron Westbrook (knee) and punter Hunter Smith (groin) all were limited in practice. Coach Jim Zorn said Monday that Betts hurt his ankle vs. Atlanta, but they did not think it was a big deal. Betts will start in place of running back Clinton Portis (concussion).
…Levi Jones will make his first start at left tackle for Washington Sunday.
“He’ll take it seriously and we’ll take it seriously with him,” Zorn said. “Everything will be exposed as we put him out there on Sunday.”
Um, that’s probably not the best way to put that. The Redskins can’t afford to have another player exposed.
Jones will face Denver’s Elvis Dumervil, who is tied for the league lead with 10 1/2 sacks.
“I’ve been a left tackle in this league for eight years,” Jones said. “I’ve been going against pass rushers the entire time. I know what he brings. It definitely will be a good match.”
…QB Jason Campbell said he’s never had a concussion.
“But I’ve been knocked out for two minutes,” he said. “Mine wasn’t a concussion; it was where you’re seeing stars. My first year starting against the Giants, last game of the year. I was trying to slide. The guy caught me under the chin. Everything was moving. I saw stars, I really did.”
Yep, no concussions there.
…More on Denver corner, and ex-Redskin, Champ Bailey that I couldn’t squeeze into my story:
From Campbell: “One thing he does very well is react to balls in the air. He can turn his body in different ways and make catches and make interceptions so you definitely have to know where he is at all times.” From Zorn: “He’s an excellent corner. One of the things you look for in a good defensive back — and I think DeAngelo Hall is in there, too — is a guy who can cover tight man coverage and Champ can do that. He’s big and he can do it and that makes him even more of a problem because when you throw the ball deep you have to get the ball up and over. When you’re playing tight man coverage, he closes and he can knock balls down.”
…The Redskins hosted 25 men and women from the military Wednesday, Veteran’s Day.
“It’s great that our country honors our veterans,” Zorn said. “There’s a lot of sacrifice. My whole family, on my dad’s and mom’s side, all were in the Korean War. We had a military background in some segments of our family. I had an uncle that died in the Coral Sea [during World War II] and I have his Purple Heart. Those things are special for me. It was fun to have that group out, men and women who have served and fought. … It’s fun to mix and see the joy on our players’ faces and the joy of those veterans. It was a special moment out there.”
…Bailey took a couple good-natured jabs at one of his best friends, Redskins corner Fred Smoot.
Two things: Bailey was told that Smoot said he’d done a good job picking on him this season comparing the teams.
“I have to give him a hard time,” Bailey said. “Every year he’s always talking big stuff and come Week 8, you know how Fred is, he dodges me then.”
Smoot also said he’s a better player in domino’s than Bailey. The two used to play all the time when they were teammates.
“Man, Smoot can’t do anything better than me,” Bailey said.
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