Trent Williams 

Williams signed his contract early this morning and then practiced with the team.  He said he did not sleep at all last night.  Williams looked good in practice, but said he hopes to catch a few Zs before the afternoon session. 

William’s contract is reportedly worth $60 million, with $36.5 million guaranteed. 

“Don’t call me Dez” 

Unlike other first round rookies, Williams will have no problems carry veteran players’ pads. 

“I understand everybody’s a rookie one day,” said Williams.  “You’ve got to pay your rookie dues.  It could be a lot worse than just carrying shoulder pads, so I’m happy with that.” 

Haynesworth 

Albert Haynesworth failed the conditioning test again today and did not practice.  Following practice, Redskins strength & conditioning coach Ray Wright spoke about the test. 

Wright described the test as two 300-yard shuttle drills, where the player performs six 25-yard sprints per shuttle.  The player must complete the first set within 70 seconds, and the second set within 73 seconds with a three and one-half minute break in between. 

It looks like Haynesworth did well enough on his first two shuttles Thursday, but because of the restroom break in-between, he had to start again. 

There is mixed information on the difficulty of the test.  Some players are saying it is a difficult test that gets harder every day as your legs need time to recover.  Shanahan however, said many players can “do it in their sleep.”  One reporter who stays in good shape tried it and failed. 

Football 

Today was a much better day for the offense.  Maybe it was the weather.  Maybe the inclusion of first round draft pick Trent Williams.  Maybe the early start.  Whatever the case, the offense was worlds better than yesterday, and better than the defense in general. 

Quarterbacks in order of play: 

Donovan McNabb – McNabb was on point today, completing short and medium passes with velocity and accuracy.  He had a few deep balls dropped, but twice at least the receiver was to blame.  

Rex Grossman – Grossman got hot for a time today, completing passes to Santana Moss, Fred Davis, Clinton Portis, and a couple to Devin Thomas.  

Richard Bartel – Bartel showed off a pretty impressive arm and good accuracy.  Colt Brennan said after that even though he and Bartel are roommates, and despite the fact that Brennan likes Bartel, Bartel is annoying him by how well he is playing. 

Colt Brennan – Brennan did not hurt himself today, playing fairly well with good accuracy, but he is getting fewer snaps so far this camp and Bartel looks sharp. 

Those standing out 

Larry Johnson – The guy has a motor and runs hard.  He looks like he is bringing enthusiasm to the job.

Trent Williams – He handled the first day on the job pretty.  Having to go up against Brian Orakpo every day has got to be difficult for a rookie.  But for the most part Williams played well. 

Andre Carter – Carter was moving at a quicker pace today.  He was getting around the edge with speed and deliberation.

Lorenzo Alexander – Alexander is another high-motor guy who has been playing well so far in camp.  It is as if guys like he and Carter are playing at a faster speed. 

Those standing down 

Anthony Armstrong – Armstrong received praise in some circles during the offseason.  But he is not having a good camp so far.  Yesterday Armstrong had his share of drops as did others.  Today he continued the trend.

Stephon Heyer – Heyer looks like the same guy who came in as a undrafted free agent in 2007.  But he hasn’t gotten any better.  He was a great story when he made the team out of Maryland unsigned and had to start, but he has not looked like he is evolving as a player so far. 

Highlights 

-          Early in practice, Fred Davis finds himself pushed back two yards at the snap by Lorenzo Alexander. Davis may be the best running tight end on the team, but he also has to rank near the bottom in blocking.
-          McNabb dropped back seven steps early on, and threw a picture perfect bomb down the middle to a wide open Santana Moss, who could not catch up to the overthrown ball.
-          McNabb dropped back seven steps early on, and threw a picture perfect bomb down the middle to an open Anthony Armstrong, who dropped it going into the end zone.
-          Andre Carter showed good burst today, meeting Larry Johnson two yards deep in the backfield on one play, and being generally disruptive in the backfield at other times.
-          McNabb made a beautiful throw to Fred Davis off of play action.  Davis would score on the play.
-          McNabb hit Chris Cooley on a comeback seam route, with Cooley showing soft hands to reach up and reel in the ball.
-          Rex Grossman hit Santana Moss on a well thrown deep out.
-          Grossman hit Devin Thomas on back-to-back plays, one a very nice deep out.
-          Richard Bartel connected with Bobby Wade on a deep crossing pattern that was magnificent.
-          Colt Brennan hooked up with Shay Hodge on a deep seam route. 

Play of the day 

Donovan McNabb on a boot leg right was running out of room as the defenders closed in.  McNabb waited until he had sucked them all in, then floated a teardrop pass over the line of defenders and into the arms of Terrence Austin, who turned on the jets and got downfield into the end zone.

Quote of the Day

“For running backs, the grim reaper is always coming to get you.” – Larry Johnson

Tags: albert haynesworth, mike shanahan, ray wright, training camp notes, trent williams, washington redskins

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