His daily commute — walking to the barn in his backyard — pleased him. So did the fact that he could spend more time with his wife and two daughters. And that he could see his extended family even more.
Working out for nearly two more months at his Michigan home had the desired effect on Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen.
Andwhen he returned here for the first day of organized team activities, Jansen noticed a difference.
“I feel so much more refreshed,” said Jansen, who has a weight room in his barn. “There’s more excitement.”
Jansen was among a handful of veterans who took advantage of coach Joe Gibbs giving them the freedom to work out wherever they wanted.
But not everyone returned: corner Shawn Springs and safety Sean Taylor were no-shows. They had spent the past few months working out away from Redskins Park.
Among the other veterans who had worked out elsewhere were: Jansen, end Phillip Daniels, receiver Santana Moss, running back Clinton Portis, receiver Brandon Lloyd, end Renaldo Wynn and end Demetric Evans. All attended Tuesday’s workout, the first of 14 days of organized team activities spread over six weeks.
Moss said it was good to follow his long-time program for more than three months. In the past, he said, he would start his program in January, then come here in mid-March and have to start another one.
“This helped me to work in an environment that I like to work around,” said Moss, who worked at the University of Miami. “It’s what you grew up in and what you’re accustomed to doing. And when you’re up here and it’s chilly, you can’t run like you can run in Miami.”
Portis, who also trained in Miami, said, “It makes it easier to come back and do this. We had an opportunity to enjoy our offseason and get away from football. [Now] it’s time to start getting back in the mode. It’s time to start getting your mind right.”
As for Daniels, he was among the most vocal players who wanted this freedom, saying he preferred working out in Atlanta. But he changed his tune Tuesday.
“If it wasn’t for the injuries, I would have stayed here,” said Daniels, who had surgery on both ankles and a wrist. “I’ve been beat up a lot these last few years. The injuries slowed me down and took muscle from me because I wasn’t able to work out the way I wanted to. Now I’m getting back to that form.”
Extra points
» Running back Clinton Portis said he’s still limited because of his shoulder. He said he has his range of motion back and said he “doesn’t have a lot” of rehabbing left. He’s uncertain if he’ll be 100 percent before training camp. He also said, “I feel pretty good about how my body looks, so I’m on pace for South Beach. I can walk around with swim trunks on.”
» Phillip Daniels said he was held out of work Tuesday and likely will be limited until the June 15-17 minicamp. He also said he changed his diet and now weighs 277 pounds; 13 pounds under his playing weight last season.
» The Redskins announced the signing of running back Derrick Blaylock yesterday, along with ex-Maryland receiver Danny Melendez and receiver Kyle Brown. Both Melendez and Brown were cut by Kansas City last year. The Redskins placed receiver Steven Harris on injured reserve.
