The Washington Redskins acquired offensive tackle Jammal Brown in a trade with New Orleans in June.  Sending a conditional third or fourth round pick in the 2011 draft to the Saints, the Redskins got in return player who was drafted 13^th overall in 2005, and who is a two-time Pro Bowler.  

In New Orleans, Brown was entrusted with protecting Drew Brees’ blind-side, a very important assignment.  Brown flourished in that role until injury sidelined him in 2009.  Now here in Washington, he is being asked to play on the less demanding right side.  

Brown spent most of last year on injured reserve due to a sports hernia and a hip injury.  Back after the year off, Brown is working to get acclimated to football again while trying to learn a new position. 

If healthy, Brown is considered to be a major upgrade for Washington at the right tackle position, and a key piece to the overall revamp of the squad. We caught with Brown to see how he is coming along. 

How is training camp so far? 

Training camp is good. The toughest thing for me is getting used to that snap count. They do it a little different here so I’ve just got to get used to that. 

How is your conditioning and overall health? 

The hip feels good.  You know, you can always get in better football shape, but everything is going good for me right now.  I feel good practicing.  During the plays, I’m going one-hundred percent. 

Is the switch to right tackle a big adjustment for you? 

Usually, something like that wouldn’t be for me because I played right in college and then moved to the left and had success and now I’m going back to right. Just sitting out a whole year and then coming back in at a new position…so I’ve got two things to get used to.  I’ve got to get used to playing football again, and I’ve got to get used to playing a different position. 

Do you feel like [New Orleans] kind of looked past you a little bit and did not appreciate how much talent you still have? 

No. It’s just a business. They’ve got good players there and we just parted ways.  That’s how the business goes. 

But after what happened, do you sort of come here with an “I’ve got a chip on my shoulder” mentality? 

I’ve got a chip on my shoulder when I get on the football field.  [Otherwise] I don’t have to prove nothing to nobody, I’ve got to prove it to myself, do good for myself.  It’s just how the business goes.  I guess they thought that my hip injury was worse than what it really was.  I recovered quick from it and I’m able to go.  I guess they got a little nervous with the injury, but I’m a hundred percent. 

What do you think about the new playbook and coaching staff? 

The playbook is cool and the coaching staff is first class.  I just have to get used to how they do things here on offensive line, in a new position, and you know, different footwork playing the right side now.  But you know it’s coming along good. 

With your experience on the left side, are you able to help [rookie Trent Williams]? 

Definitely.  We talk about it, different things.  I tell him key things to do and what not.  But I think I need to be asking him some questions about the right side since he played a lot of that in college, because I’m trying to focus on getting this right tackle down.

Tags: jammal brown, training camp, wasington redskins

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