Mercedes Green

The following is a summary of the 2008 draft picks that have agreed to terms or signed a contract with the Washington Redskins.

• 2^nd round pick WR Malcolm Kelly agreed to terms
• 3^rd round pick OT Chad Rinehart agreed to terms
• 4^th round pick CB Justin “J.T.” Tryon signed (released safety Patrick Ghee)
• 6^th round pick P Durant Brooks agreed to terms
• 6^th round pick QB Colt Brennan agreed to terms
• 6^th round pick S Kareem Moore signed (released CB John Eubanks)
• 7^th round pick DE Rob Jackson signed to contract (released DT J.T. Mapu)
• 7^th round pick S Chris Horton signed to contract 

The only remaining draft picks still to agree to terms or be signed are WR Devin Thomas (1^st pick of draft in 2^nd round) and TE Fred Davis (2^nd pick of draft in 2^nd round).

Mercedes Green

You won’t see Clinton Portis in Miami Beach as much as previous years.  This offseason he’s taking a more mature attitude towards the offseason, putting more time in the weight room and following a proper diet.  This could be a factor into his new contract, which guarantees him in Washington through 2010. 

Clinton’s new contract freed up millions in salary cap space by taking a $9.3 million dollar signing bonus in March, as well as a guaranteed $15.7 million through 2010.  There is much speculation about this deal due to his 4.0 yards per carry average (well below the league’s average), however, a healthy Portis, is a GREAT Portis!  His personality, devotion to his team on and off the field (he’s a great blocker too) speaks volumes above his yardage (reminds me a bit of my favourite player Darrell Green a bit). 

Mercedes Green

The Redskins completed their last OTAs on Thursday, which Clinton Portis and Jason Fabini missed due to personal reasons.  Shawn Springs missed the entire week of OTAs and no one has been in contact with him.  Even though the OTAs are voluntary, Spring’s absent has drawn some strong comments from Daniel Snyder.

“As a veteran, I would expect him to be here,” Daniels said. “We need him to be a leader of that [cornerbacks] group back there. He’s the oldest, so you have to show that leadership. The young guys in the secondary, they need that.

“There might be a reason he’s not here–I’m not sure. But at the same time, if there’s no reason…It’s my 13th year and I’m here. Be here. Be a leader. That’s how it is.”

Zorn’s west coast offense training continues today for 1 week and then summer vacation begins for the players.  One area Zorn is focusing on is making each quarterback sound like Jason Campbell to avoid the false starts from the linemen.

“Everybody sounds a little bit different,” Zorn said. “Our goal is to try to make all the quarterbacks sound like Jason Campbell. So when you have a little different hesitations and voice inflexions, it does affect the players.”

Interesting concept.  Let’s hope all these changes can come together before the season starts.