Terrence is back on the west coast after his first minicamp, and I had the chance to talk with him for ten minutes regarding his new experience with the Redskins. It was clear from our phone call that these mini-camps were solely to pound the playbook down the players throats. What a novel approach! (versus Jim Zorn who simplified his playbook and of course we know how that worked out). Terrence was another one of those draft picks that was easy to talk to and a player that is easy to root for.
Hogs Haven: The scout sites have you listed as 5'11 - 172 pounds, is that still where you're at? And did you get a chance to talk to Ray Wright about what weight they want you at?
Terrence: No. I didn't get a chance to meet with him. It was all about learning the playbook. We were just worred about the plays and to get a lot more work in.
Hogs Haven: So many WRs struggle with the NFL their first few years, yet you look at DeSean Jackson, who you went to Long Beach Poly High School with, and he flourishes right away. Why do you think that is?
Terrence: I don't know. Adjustment from one style of offense, like the Spread, to a WCO could be one reason. For myself it's about learning the play-book and making adjustments. Sometimes players can get worried about what you have to do. When you're confident about that ... it's less stressful. The West Coast offense we ran at UCLA is very similar to Shanahan's. The terms are a little different but the formations are the same.
Hogs Haven: Do you and DeSean Jackson still stay in touch and has he helped you at all?
Terrence: Oh yea. We talk off and on. He was with me draft day. He just told me to keep working and continue on it. He said to focus on my receiving skills and to go into camp as well-rounded as I can.
Hogs Haven: Did the Redskins visit your Pro Day or when did they first contact you?
Terrence: They called me during the draft...they told me to stay by my phone after the draft, but then I saw my name called in the 7th round.
Of course my next question confirmed that it was Mike Shanahan who called (and not the *cough* someone else *cough*).
Hogs Haven: Any other pros help you workout?
Terrence: Travelle Gaines helped me for my Pro Day.
Hogs Haven: Any Redskins veterans take you under the wing to stay in touch with between camps?
Terrence: Yea. Chris Horton. He's a [fellow] UCLA guy I converse with.
Hogs Haven: Is his toe still bothering him?
Terrence: He's doing a lot better now. There's a lot of competition at that spot. A lot of great players.
All around Terrence seems like a kid with his head on straight. We actually had a great conversation but my recorder crapped out. He talked about a Law class in freedom of speech being his favorite class at UCLA and a little bit about Snoop Dogg. Snoop also went to LB Poly High and some of Terrence's relatives were his classmates. Snoop continues to give back to that community like no other. When I see him at mini-camp I'll see if the free-style applies to all of Long Beach.
Given Terrence's size I wasn't so sure about his his chances of making the 53-man roster, but it says something that the Redskins drafted him versus taking the risk to let him fall into the undrafted market. He has the West Coast offense background, and he has very impressive yardage numbers as a special teamer (though no TDs). Terrence said he could play the Z or slot, but he knew his ST contribution is a huge factor.
We'll definitely have a chance to talk with him again. Two quick pieces I forgot to ask him about...
- Set a school record with 1,878 all-purpose yards (broke Maurice Jones-Drew's 2005 mark of 1,863)
- I couldn't find a better shot of this TD, but it looks ridiculous. There's no replay after the first 10 seconds fyi.
Via ESPN...
Receiving Stats
YEAR
TEAM
REC
YDS
AVG
LNG
TD
FD
FUM
LOST
2006
UCLA
2
29
14.5
16
0
0
0
0
2007
UCLA
17
248
14.6
57
0
0
0
0
2008
UCLA
53
460
8.7
29
1
0
0
0
2009
UCLA
37
455
12.3
51
4
0
0
0
Return Stats
YEAR
TEAM
G
PR
YDS
TD
FC
LNG
KR
YDS
TD
FC
LNG
2006
UCLA
0
11
110
0
3
79
0
0
0
0
0
2007
UCLA
0
53
312
0
22
68
0
0
0
0
0
2008
UCLA
0
34
219
0
11
41
47
1109
0
0
82
2009
UCLA
0
45
302
0
12
47
43
1036
0
0
65