1. It’s easy to see why Donovan McNabb has won over his new teammates. It’s not about his play right now, it’s about his personality. He understands what is expected of him at quarterback and he does a good job of keeping things loose for his teammates. He likes to joke around and he does not seem to get fazed by much. In fact, when asked about a DeSean Jackson quote in the latest issue of the Sporting News saying the Eagles needed a change and how they wouldn’t miss him, McNabb wasn’t bothered. “Is that right? Well it’s so wild when people get to talking when you’re not there. When you’re there everyone loves you. People will go into it deeper than I will. I’m a Redskin, no longer an Eagle. I had 11 great years and I’m moving on with my life. Whoever may say things when I’m gone, more power to him. But it’s not making you look like a bigger man.”
Recommended Stories
2. Terrence Austin is a small dude, at least when I saw him on the field (did not talk to him). He’s listed at 5-foot-11 and 172 pounds, but he looked like someone who needs to hit the weight room to add some bulk. But he still tops Kansas State’s Brandon Banks, who is in camp on a tryout basis. He’s listed at 5-foot-7, 159 pounds. Not sure I’m buying that one either.
3. Fred Davis owns this time of year because of his athleticism. But now that he played as well as he did in the second half of last season, when you see him run by guys now it means just a little bit more. That’s what he was doing today as the linebackers struggled to stay with him. He also beat Reed Doughty with ease on one occasion.
4. After watching Jason Campbell’s windup on his throws, it’s a bit different to see McNabb up close. Much tighter delivery. Some of that could stem from Campbell being 6-foot-5, but it’s noticeable nonetheless.
5. Not sure anyone worked harder during today’s practice than end/linebacker Andre Carter. He could not practice, but he was working off to the side. He pushed a weighted sled; he ran sprints; he stretched and what really nailed him was doing a sideways highstepping over four bags. Had to do that a few times and by the end, strength coach Ray Wright told him he was getting “high and lazy.” Carter was gassed, no doubt.
6. Does it matter now who is running first team? Kareem Moore was working with the No. 1 defense, but this is when you say: “It’s only May.” I will say, they do like him and the main knock has been durability. Moore is a more natural free safety than the others; he can also cover more ground than Doughty or Chris Horton.
7. Among those not practicing: LB Brian Orakpo (ankle) and Santana Moss (knee). Moss had surgery earlier this offseason and Mike Shanahan said he should be ready for the June minicamp (16-18). Devin Thomas (hamstring) sat out as well. Joey Galloway did practice, but can’t say he did anything to stand out.
8. Rocky McIntosh is in camp and Albert Haynesworth is not. In fact, Haynesworth is the only one not here. Yes it’s a tired topic, but it’s also one that won’t go away because guys aren’t too happy that he’s missing.
Here’s what Phillip Daniels had to say (remember, Daniels took shots at Shawn Springs a couple years ago for missing): “We pretty much accept the fact he’s not here. At the same time we’d love to have him here. Every guy on the team would love to see him participating. When you’re a 4-12 team, you don’t have room to negotiate anything. Mike and all the coaches are doing a great job here. When you’re 4-12, you don’t negotiate. Just get here and let’s win some games, man. We can’t go through that again. No one wants to go through that again. I wish he was here. We’ll see what happens.”
9. Trent Williams admitted the speed was greater than he anticipated. It’s hard to judge how well he did; you need to see them in pads to get a fair assessment. But in the few times I saw him he seemed to do a good job against Chris Wilson. Anyway, Williams noticed the speed on his first snap Friday.
“Yeah, when the ball was snapped and everyone was gone and I was still in my stance,” Williams said.
10. I don’t know if Adam Carriker will help the Redskins or not. I do know that based on the size of his guns, he could crush me in a second. Maybe with one knock to the noggin. But he does seem to be the sort of guy who would fit in a 3-4, if only because of his attitude. A D-lineman in this defense must be selfless; Daniels and the others in camp are that way as wel. Anwyay, Carriker did not exactly dominate in St. Louis and some used the word bust to describe the former first-round pick. He knows it.
“Some people thought I played real well unless I was hurt and some people called me a bust,” he said. “It just depended on who you talked to. I’ve got to be honest, my rookie year when people were loving me I didn’t listen. I don’t want to hear if it’s good or bad, so when things went bad I didn’t pay attention to that either.”
He’s going to add 15 pounds, getting him up to 315 — a good size for an end.
Follow me on twitter @John_Keim
