Mini Camp is on like Donkey Kong

by Skin Patrol on Jun 15, 2007 10:29 AM EDT in Redskins News

Mini Camp starts today though a full schedule of team hosted events scheduled here. Should be heaping good video posted at the official site periodically through the weekend, if you're into that kind of thing. Mini Camps are closed to the public and there will be no alcohol served here, or anywhere, ever again. Fascism won.

Big story this morning is the non-story faux drama that went down kind of sort of between the Redskins Blogosphere's own Redskins Insider and Redskins.com writer and superguy Gary Fitzgerald. Jason La Canfora requested input from readers on the top 5 story lines heading into mini camps and, to not my surprise, a different piece entirely that happened to include top 5 storylines of training camp appeared at the official site. This prompted much consternation among Redskins Insider readers and the battle carried over to Extreme Skins. The entire fiasco -- which it wasn't -- was cleared up by Jason as nothing, nada, zip, zero drama. Coincedence. As someone who spends a lot of time copying the original works of others both on purpose and through accidental circumstance, I completely understand how something like this could go down. Gary Fitzgerald and Jason La Canfora are both writing on the 'Skins and the top storylines out of training camp are an important and common sports writing theme.

So common, in fact, the Washington Times got in on the business with their own top 5 list. So now we have three top 5 lists of things to focus on at Mini Camp with some presumed overlap. Hogs Haven is happy to present as many of these story lines as possible for your viewing pleasure, compiled here more extensively than anywhere else on the tubenets, as far as I can tell. I am an unoriginal compiler and little else:

Jason Campbell, complements Gary Fitzgerald:

In many respects, the Redskins' 2007 offseason is all about Jason Campbell's development as a starting NFL quarterback. His success will be key to the Redskins this year--and in the long term.

Last season, he started the last seven games and guided the team to a 2-5 finish. He showed enough promise down the stretch to prove to coaches he could be the Redskins' future at quarterback.

This offseason, he has opened eyes with his work ethic and dedication. In on-field action, he has worked on his technique and footwork. His passes in OTA action have been crisp and accurate...

Perhaps it's an overstatement, but the Jason Campbell era could really begin this weekend.

The defense generally, complements Redskins Insider:

Will The Real Redskins D Please Stand Up - you go from a perennial top 10 D to 31st in the league, with nary a sack or turnover, and things had better change ASAP

Rocky McIntosh, complements The Times:

The Redskins tried to replace second-year man Rocky McIntosh even before giving him a shot to start at outside linebacker opposite Marcus Washington. But talks with the Chicago Bears for Lance Briggs went nowhere, and because Warrick Holdman remains unsigned, the job is McIntosh's to lose. He started the final two games of 2006 and played well. This weekend, he gets to work with the starting defense for three straight days.

Unresolved left guard situation, Redskins.com:

Coaches appear committed to veteran Todd Wade, even though he is a career offensive tackle. Wade re-signed with the Redskins this offseason with the understanding that he would play left guard, replacing Derrick Dockery.

Wade's 6-8, 317-pound frame could be a challenge as he works to gain leverage against smaller, bulkier defensive tackles.

Wade will likely get the bulk of reps this mini-camp. If he struggles, then the team has a group of experienced guards to work into the mix.

Mike Pucillo and Ross Tucker, both of whom re-signed with the Redskins this offseason, have played guard and center in their careers.

2006 free agents (remaining), RI:

The Class of 2006 - the final chapter has already been written on Adam Archuleta and TJ Duckett (ouch), but the other big-ticket acquisitions form the go-go offseason of 2006 - Randle El, Lloyd, Carter, Al Saunders - are still around with something to prove. If the Redskins are going to return to something close to glory, they'll need these guys pitching in.

Jason Campbell + WR chemistry, Times:

Quarterback Jason Campbell was thrown into the lineup for the final seven games last season after getting minimal work with the team's starting receivers. Campbell and his cast -- Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd and tight end Chris Cooley -- now have had the offseason to work out the kinks and expand the passing game.

Kickers, Redskins.com

It's somewhat surprising that the Redskins did not bring in strong competition for third-year kicker Shaun Suisham this offseason.

Suisham won a mid-season kicking competition with Nick Novak last December and was solid down the stretch, finishing the year connecting on 8-of-9 field goals.

In Week 16 at St. Louis, he earned praise from Joe Gibbs when he nailed a 52-yard field goal to tie the game with 1:15 left.

Suisham established himself as an NFL kicker with his late-season performance, but he remains a young kicker with not even a full 16 games under his belt.

This offseason, the Redskins brought in another young kicker in Tyler Fredrickson. He is unproven, though, giving Suisham a leg up on his only competition.

Finally, injuries per the Times:

WHO'S NOT PRACTICING
Right guard Randy Thomas (knee surgery), running back Clinton Portis (knee) and receiver Santana Moss (groin) won't be participating this weekend, and defensive ends Phillip Daniels (wrist) and Renaldo Wynn (elbow) will be limited. The biggest concern is Portis. He missed half of last season with shoulder and hand injuries, and running backs can ill afford to have lower-body injuries ... before being hit even once.

That was exhausting.

All are outstanding pieces and Jason still has his official journalism coming up in the Post, which you'll have to check out. Also, you did read that right, Clinton Portis and Santana Moss will not participate this weekend. Will keep you posted.

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