Closing comments on minicamp
 

Here's my final take on minicamp:

[url="http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=606"]http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=606[/url]

Thanks for everybody's kind comments. I tried to represent you guys well. I wish I could have got more questions in, but they've really cut down the time allotted for player interviews after practice, leaving the group interviews as the primary opportunity to get answers. But even then, you really only get one or two questions in, due to the number of reporters. I hope you enjoy the audio files. I'll try to get more pics up later this week.

[QUOTE=joecrisp]Here's my final take on minicamp:

[url="http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=606"]http://thewarpath.net/showthread.php?t=606[/url]

Thanks for everybody's kind comments. I tried to represent you guys well. I wish I could have got more questions in, but they've really cut down the time allotted for player interviews after practice, leaving the group interviews as the primary opportunity to get answers. But even then, you really only get one or two questions in, due to the number of reporters. I hope you enjoy the audio files. I'll try to get more pics up later this week.[/QUOTE]

Your presence and insight behind the seen's as a real objective observer with your talent evaluation is much more informative as well as entertaining than a few extra interview's which every new's media will have any way, great job as usual. :headbange

P.S. Do you really feel that we will take winslow if he goes with someone other than poston?

[QUOTE=offiss]Your presence and insight behind the seen's as a real objective observer with your talent evaluation is much more informative as well as entertaining than a few extra interview's which every new's media will have any way, great job as usual. :headbange

P.S. Do you really feel that we will take winslow if he goes with someone other than poston?[/QUOTE]
Wow, offiss, I really appreciate that.

Yes, the general consensus among the media seemed to be that Winslow is the more likely pick, depending on his choice of agent. After watching practice, I came away with the feeling that the H-back is going to be a critical part of this offense, and while the coaches like the size of the guys they have there right now, Mike Sellers was the only one that looked reliable. Given the Bryan Johnson trade talk, it would make sense that Gibbs would want Winslow in there, with Sellers as the backup. But Sellers has looked very good...

I think we all need to give Joe Crisp a huge round of applause for the outstanding minicamp reports. He's provided us with some rare insight into what goes on in minicamp and with the pictures and audio clips he's brought us all to Redskins Park.

The kind of reports he's been able to provide for us are rare coming from a fan site!

Stay tuned for more outstanding camp reports once training camp gets going!

Once again, thanks Joe! Great job!

Great Report Joe! Two Things I would like to comment on. First of all, Clinton Portis is offically crazy. Did he really wanna box Ohellete for #26, I know alot of you think that sounds rediculous, but I think thats awsome ( In a friendly way ). Oh well, looks like Portis will get another number, or Iffy is gonna be gone if we get Sean Taylor. Second of all, if we base our draft pick on whoever Winslow selects as an agent, I will be pretty dissapointed to say the least. I want either of those two guys, but I just think thats a dumb way to go about it.

Fantastic again, Joe. This is the best report on the minicamp I have read [I]anywhere[/I], and it is both a beautiful piece of writing and a super informative piece of sports journalism. We are very lucky to have you here.

I agree that the H-back is crucial to Gibbs, and if Winslow is coachable (and they say he is when he's not strutting the Miami strut ;)) he could really make this offense go. But there was a post (I can't remember who's) that also suggested the agent issue is real. That would be too bad; it's not the best way to pick talent. Still, if he might be a hold out, that would not fly with Gibbs. And I'm sure Williams is salivating for Taylor, given the aggerssive style D.

Joe, did you get to talk to Williams? He seems like a serious force, and a great match to Gibbs. He certainly has fired up Lavar!

Finally, it's so evident why Gibbs is the great winner he is. As you put it Joe, his spirit lifts those of everyone around him. They want to win because of the respect, love, determination and pride the see eminating from Gibbs. Like all great champions, he lifts those around him.

I am so psyched. I can barley wait for the next minicamp, much less the season!!!!

Crisp, excellent job taking us "inside Redskins park". What's great about it is that you obviously know and love football so you're not treating this like a job where you just punch in and punch out. Your enthusiasm definitely shines through.

By the way, I wore #26 in a rec league football team I played on in 7th grade....so you just let Portis and Iffy know they're lucky I'm not around to fight them both for the number :boxing: And um, if they ask who I am just tell them my user name is CowboysUK (whatever happened to him?)

Did you get to talk to Blache or Coy Gibbs at all? Or from your basic observations what role did they seem to play? Was Blache running the defense? Did Coy do any actual coaching?

Hey, you misspelled 'Temperamental' and it totally spoiled the whole article for me.

Joe, this stuff has been excellent, I'm more excited after reading this than I was before and I was pretty hopped up on the Happy Trail already.

Keep up the great work!

Thank you Joe. Your minicamp posts are better than anything in the Post or other national news media.

Was there anyone -- other than Hasselbeck -- whose performance was particularly disappointing?

[QUOTE=smootsmack]Crisp, excellent job taking us "inside Redskins park". What's great about it is that you obviously know and love football so you're not treating this like a job where you just punch in and punch out. Your enthusiasm definitely shines through.

By the way, I wore #26 in a rec league football team I played on in 7th grade....so you just let Portis and Iffy know they're lucky I'm not around to fight them both for the number :boxing: And um, if they ask who I am just tell them my user name is CowboysUK (whatever happened to him?)

Did you get to talk to Blache or Coy Gibbs at all? Or from your basic observations what role did they seem to play? Was Blache running the defense? Did Coy do any actual coaching?[/QUOTE]Thanks so much, smooty.

I didn't get to talk to Blache or Coy. It was difficult to get a read on the defensive activities, as the defense practiced on a separate field behind the field which reporters had access to, where the offense practiced. That, in addition to the fact that the nature of minicamp limits what the defense can do, is why so much of the coverage has centered on the offense.

I will say though, that Gregg Williams is unquestionably the alpha male on the defensive staff, and he has a confident, authoritative style which is very indicative of his status as the defensive boss. Blache's role is certainly subordinate to Williams', both in official title (Williams is Asst. Head Coach - Defense, and Blache is Defensive coordinator/Defensive line) and in the representation to the media of their roles.

The full-throttle, attacking defensive style displayed during minicamp has been attributed almost exclusively to Williams by both the defensive players and Coach Gibbs. It was blitz, blitz, blitz, and the defensive players loved it.

Coy is an offensive quality control assistant, and that role is primarily a observational job, where he basically watches the practices and videos, takes notes, and helps the coaches compile videos and statistical information. It's essentially the entry-level job for an aspiring NFL coach. It will give Coy the opportunity to learn how an NFL coaching staff works, and his input would be very limited at best, especially considering the decades upon decades of experience present on that coaching roster. He will be learning from the best, that's for sure, and great coaches are borne of great coaches. He's a young guy-- only 32-- so he's just beginning the very long journey of a professional coach.

That was awesome. Thanks Joe.

[QUOTE=JWsleep]Fantastic again, Joe. This is the best report on the minicamp I have read [i]anywhere[/i], and it is both a beautiful piece of writing and a super informative piece of sports journalism. We are very lucky to have you here.

I agree that the H-back is crucial to Gibbs, and if Winslow is coachable (and they say he is when he's not strutting the Miami strut ;)) he could really make this offense go. But there was a post (I can't remember who's) that also suggested the agent issue is real. That would be too bad; it's not the best way to pick talent. Still, if he might be a hold out, that would not fly with Gibbs. And I'm sure Williams is salivating for Taylor, given the aggerssive style D.

Joe, did you get to talk to Williams? He seems like a serious force, and a great match to Gibbs. He certainly has fired up Lavar!

Finally, it's so evident why Gibbs is the great winner he is. As you put it Joe, his spirit lifts those of everyone around him. They want to win because of the respect, love, determination and pride the see eminating from Gibbs. Like all great champions, he lifts those around him.

I am so psyched. I can barley wait for the next minicamp, much less the season!!!![/QUOTE]First, let me say that I'm extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to do these reports, and it has been the experience of a lifetime for me, having identified the Redskins with myself since I was a young child. I can't express enough how grateful I am to Matt for providing me a forum for my life's passion, and to you all for how warmly you have received my work. Thank you, Warpathers, for making this such a wonderful and hospitable online community for "the best bloody fans in the world!"

You sure hit the nail right on the head, JW, regarding the complimentary characterisitics of Gibbs and Williams. These two are like Yin and Yang, and that harmony just seems to permeate the entire team. It's amazing how quickly that effect has spread throughout the club, indicating what a powerful force these two coaches exert upon the people around them. It's inspiration, in the purest sense of the word.

I did get to ask Williams a question during his Saturday press conference (regarding the possibility of using the 3-4 scheme), and more so than the answer he gave me, I was impressed with the way he answered it. There is no hesitation in his answers. He is sure and confident and unwavering. The same can be said of Bugel. Gibbs has picked his lieutenants wisely.

Good job Joe.

Great Job. Thanks so much.
Really enjoyed reading every word of it.

you rock, Joe. It's going to be nice to finally be able to get some day to day updates, from camp. Living in Chicago, I HATE not getting daily updates.

Joe thanks for all of your great work. We really appreciate it.

Outstanding job Joe. We all really appreciate it. I haven't seen a thing in the papers out here in Az about the Skins and the official Skins site doesn't come close to what you've given us!!!! Keep up the great work!! When's the next mini-camp??? Will you be there for that one too?

:httr:

I had been searching for who was involved in the fights. After all the searching, all I had to do was read Joe's article. Great work on the play by play of the fight!

Seriously, I think everybody here has the utmost appreciation for what you. Your hard work and good guy nature seem to really put the cherry on top of your great writing.

Howdy Warpathers. This is my first post to this board. Initially, let me say: Boy am I glad I found this place!! Although this is my first post, I have been reading the board for awhile and found it to contain intelligent, thoughtful comments. Thanks to Matty, Smoot and the other regulars for providing interesting debate on a variety of subjects.

More relevant to this string: Thanks JoeC for giving some great insight into the practices and the player evaluations. My addiction is temporarily sated.

One question, I was reading that several members of the O-Line were out and that the back-ups seemed to be a bit overwhelmed with no one really stepping up. What was your take on their performance?

Thanks.

Much Thanks JoeCrisp! Aplause! Applause!
 

Here in the Southeast corner of VA, we don't get the daily TV and sports page feeds that the D.C. area does. Unless you read the washpost, of course! I really appreciate the write-up. If there is any more you think about later, go ahead and post it! Great read, and great assessment! I wanted to know more about the D line push and whether they were dominating the line or not. Of course, the down side is our O-line may not have been ready for spring-ball!

Do you have any more on T. Jacobs, or P. Ram?
Did you find out the release date of one A. Jimoh?
Was there any inside scoop on the "Why" behind the Trotter move?
What was the general consensus for our #5th pick in Rd. 1#?
Was LilDannySnyder there? And was cousinvinnie's nose attached at the (read posterior) to LDS?
Was Sonny smoking a big one at the 50 yd. line with LDS?
Was it really wall to wall T.V. cameras?
Was HOF Coach Gibbs really trying to play DB? Awesome baby!
Was Bugel yelling at the Hogs?
Who seemed to be running the D in the Defensive Huddle?
Did HOF Coach Gibbs throw out the Red flag at any time for a Referee replay?
Were there a lot of ref's flags?
Were there as many motion penalties on the O as to what we are used to?
Where can the rest of us get "Press passes"?

Welcome to the board, JoeRedskin!

I actually got goose bumps reading that JoeC. Outstanding job. I am most encouraged by the Taylor Jacobs news. Considering he is doing so well, what do you think his chances of winning the number 3 role are over McCants? Do you think we have enough or even too many WR's, or do you think we should keep them all?

Crisp are you going to cover this event this weekend?

[url]http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12622[/url]

Because if so, I have a few, um..."questions" you can ask for me

[QUOTE=raleighskinsfan]I actually got goose bumps reading that JoeC. Outstanding job. I am most encouraged by the Taylor Jacobs news. Considering he is doing so well, what do you think his chances of winning the number 3 role are over McCants? Do you think we have enough or even too many WR's, or do you think we should keep them all?[/QUOTE]
I appreciate that, Raleigh.

At this point, I would say Jacobs' chances of winning the #3 job are excellent, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him eventually supplant Gardner as the #2 option by mid-season.

Of course, there are a lot of variables that play into the equation-- not the least of which are Jacobs' health and Gardner's status as a trade option. Also, as others have pointed out, many players sparkle in the preseason, only to be exposed as fool's gold when the true test of the regular season is applied.

However, when you consider the skills and talent that Jacobs brings to the table, he looks considerably more refined than Gardner or McCants, both of whom bring a physical presence, but seem to forget the importance of technical precision from time to time. In addition to his speed, quickness, athleticism and reliable hands, Jacobs runs his routes with the accuracy that coaches and quarterbacks love, avoiding false steps and getting quickly in and out of his breaks.

Another characterisitic that makes Jacobs appealing is the way he goes after the ball-- he doesn't wait for it, he attacks it. That's something that, despite his superior size, Gardner hasn't learned to do on a consistent basis.

It looks like a lot of people around the league think the trade for James Thrash is a sure sign that Gardner is on the way out. I don't think so. Thrash was primarily a special teams acquisition, and he'd be a #4 wideout on this roster. I think the real threat to Gardner is McCants-- his re-signing makes Gardner expendable; they were virtually interchangeable before, now they may be in a literal sense as well. Gardner's base salaries over the next two years are manageable ($1,006,200 in 2004, and $1,446,800 in '05), so he would be a decent trade target for a team looking to obtain a big #2 wideout.

The problem is, there's such a wealth of wide receivers in this year's draft class, that it's hard to imagine anyone giving up more than a low 3rd rounder for an inconsistent receiver like Gardner. At this point, a low 3rd may be all the Skins are looking for.

Right now, the trio of Coles, Jacobs and McCants looks to be the most likely combo to attempt a revival of "The Posse". If Gardner isn't traded by the draft, he'll have a real fight on his hands to keep his job as the #2 wideout. Cloman and Thrash are the kind of #4 and #5 wideouts that Gibbs loves to have around as special teams standouts who can fill in capably for the top 3 wideouts when called upon.

It all depends on how many wideouts Gibbs chooses to keep. Given his reliance upon tight ends and H-backs, and the need for depth at those positions, it's hard to imagine him keeping more than 5 wideouts on the active roster.

[QUOTE=smootsmack]Crisp are you going to cover this event this weekend?

[url="http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12622"]http://www.redskins.com/story.asp?ContentID=12622[/url]

Because if so, I have a few, um..."questions" you can ask for me[/QUOTE]
:lol: I wish, Smooty, I wish! Naaaw... I married in December, and duty calls on the homefront.

I'm resting up for the Draft Day party and the May minicamp. The First Ladies of Football will have to wait for another day!

Great job JoeC! I really like reading your stuff. The work you did last year during training camp was exceptional.

Also, being new et all (to posting, been lurking for years), I'd like to thank MattyK and the mods for their contributions and work. This is definitely a great board.. good, intelligent information (my own posts excluded, of course) and almost better than anything else, no trolls!

Try finding good information on guitar boards... thousand's of trolls! Sheesh.

Thanks again!

[QUOTE=JoeRedskin]Howdy Warpathers. This is my first post to this board. Initially, let me say: Boy am I glad I found this place!! Although this is my first post, I have been reading the board for awhile and found it to contain intelligent, thoughtful comments. Thanks to Matty, Smoot and the other regulars for providing interesting debate on a variety of subjects.

More relevant to this string: Thanks JoeC for giving some great insight into the practices and the player evaluations. My addiction is temporarily sated.

One question, I was reading that several members of the O-Line were out and that the back-ups seemed to be a bit overwhelmed with no one really stepping up. What was your take on their performance?

Thanks.[/QUOTE]
Welcome, JoeRedskin, and I'm glad I could help. Look for more from the post-draft minicamp in May.

I'll also be at the Draft Day party at FedEx, hopefully. I hope to see lots of Warpathers there, so be sure to get your invitations here: [url="http://www.redskins.com/tcamp.asp"]http://www.redskins.com/tcamp.asp[/url]

As far as the O-line goes, it was a really fierce battle out there. There were a number of guys sitting out (Samuels, Moore, Dockery), so the backups were forced to pickup the slack, amid a torrent of blitzes fired upon them by the defense, commanded by Gregg Williams. Those were definitely some adverse conditions for those guys to have to work under, and I think they did okay, considering. Tim Hasselbeck wasn't really helping them-- fumbling the snap on three occasions, and holding the ball way too long on others.

Let's just say the defense looked great, while the offense-- aside from receivers Jacobs, Cloman and Swayne, and H-back Sellers-- looked a little rusty and out-of-sync.

[QUOTE=joecrisp]:lol: I wish, Smooty, I wish! Naaaw... I married in December, and duty calls on the homefront.

I'm resting up for the Draft Day party and the May minicamp. The First Ladies of Football will have to wait for another day![/QUOTE]

The First Ladies of Football make a trip to a bar in my hometown every summer (the owner runs one of the bars on club level and is tight with the team - I believe Joe Gibbs is his godfather!). I'll be sure and post the date, so any Warpath members looking for a day at the beach will be able to "support the team"! ;)

[QUOTE=Dave Butz Baby!]Great job JoeC! I really like reading your stuff. The work you did last year during training camp was exceptional.

Also, being new et all (to posting, been lurking for years), I'd like to thank MattyK and the mods for their contributions and work. This is definitely a great board.. good, intelligent information (my own posts excluded, of course) and almost better than anything else, no trolls!

Try finding good information on guitar boards... thousand's of trolls! Sheesh.

Thanks again![/QUOTE]
Thanks, DBB, for finally chiming in! I appreciate your kind comments. I wish you had started posting sooner-- you've had some hilarious posts the past couple of days. We can always use another Warpather with a good sense of humor on this board. But-- like any good Warpather-- you temper your comical takes with good, solid facts; that's why our motto is "Redskins Discussion for the Knowledgeable Fan". Guys like you keep it real. Thanks for hanging out with us!

JC I think your on the money with the WR situation I never viewed thrash as more than a solid #4 or 5 reciever and a good special's guy, I can't see him supplanting gardner, but he does add depth, which I think is going to allow MCcant's to move into the #3 spot, and jacob's to the #2, gardner is going to be on a real short leash this year, and I don't think he will pass the test, if he remain's with the team.