1. Watched Albert Haynesworth hit the blocking sled Saturday. One reason he’s so effective is that he uses his entire body when exploding into the sled. Not all players do. He has a lot more natural strength than most, but it helps that his lower body is so involved.
2. Anthony Bryant, meanwhile, didn’t seem to be consistent with his hands and lunged too much when hitting the sled. Didn’t seem to use his whole body, at least not like Haynesworth or even Phillip Daniels.
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3. The Redskins say Haynesworth is the No. 2 nose, but I can’t imagine he’ll play that spot all the time. On first and second down it makes sense to have Maake Kemoeatu as the nose and Haynesworth at right end (with Adam Carriker or Daniels on the other side). Kemoeatu will not get in the backfield, but he can anchor the middle.
4. Because I grew up in Cleveland – save the remarks – and my family still lives there, I pay attention to the Browns. They have a talented nose guard in Shaun Rogers; he could make plays in the backfield and, when motivated, is a Pro Bowl player. However, when he was hurt last year the Browns’ run defense actually improved. Why? Because the guy who replaced him, Ahtyba Rubin, simply tried to hold his ground and occupy blockers rather than make plays. With Rogers, teams would allow him to shoot a gap, create a big opening and then hit the other gap.
5. Doesn’t mean that will happen in Washington with Haynesworth. But, heck, you saw teams adopt that strategy with him on the field last year. That’s why the Redskins will move him around so much; keep the offense from doing that all the time. And my guess is the Redskins will provide so many looks with their linebackers that if offenses are so focused on Haynesworth, then they’ll lose sight of where the real pressure is coming from.
6. The D-line, by the way, also do a drill in which they chop over bags on the ground, then sprint a couple steps from behind a ballcarrier and punch the ball away.
7. Jeremy Jarmon was too high even while chopping his feet in this drill. It was an issue with him Saturday. D-line coach Jacob Burney let him know, too.
8. Trent Williams is doing a terrific job, but like other rookies he has a tendency to tip off where he’s going to block. He admits it and knows he has to correct it; guessing it’s hard not to look a certain way when you know you’re facing Brian Orakpo.
9. Artis Hicks talked the other day about having long arms for a guard. It can be an issue when you’re facing defenders who get into your body quicker. At tackle, long arms are terrific; at guard, it can be a little bit of an obstacle.
10. Poor Lendy Holmes. Had terrific coverage and made a good read on a pass to Shay Hodge at the goal-line Saturday. He broke in front of Hodge, went to intercept the ball – and watched it bounce off his fingertips and into Hodge’s arms for a touchdown.
11. Is it time to be worried about Donovan McNabb? Doubt it, though one Eagles insider said he typically looked better in camp with Philadelphia. The thing to keep in mind, though – as anyone who has watched him knows; and has been pointed out to me by the insider and even an Eagle fan via email — is that McNabb’s best trait is keeping plays alive after they break down. In practices, there is less improvisation; in games, there will be plenty.
12. Studs and Duds from Saturday.
13. Teammates reaction to Haynesworth’s return.
14. Good for Colt Brennan for getting picked up by Oakland. Always liked him, though always thought his opinion of his game did not always match reality. Worse ways to be, I suppose. Great to be confident, but I didn’t always think he realized exactly how far he had to go to become a quality backup. But he was a pleasure to talk to; loved his insight and he broke down plays as well as anyone. In his future, he’ll be a terrific analyst.
