I suppose we're just continuing the theme from yesterday's special teams update. First, from the official site:

Special teams coordinator Danny Smith said he expects no personnel changes among his kick returners this season.

That means Rock Cartwright is slated to return kickoffs and Antwaan Randle El remains the punt return specialist...

"We'll use a number of guys to return kickoffs, because you can't have just one guy doing it," Smith said. "Rock obviously is our guy and he had a great season last year. He will be very, very difficult to beat out, in my opinion. But that's what camps and preseason games are for, so we'll see."

I don't know what to do with these mixed signals, but given the way he played in 2007, I have few issues speculating towards Cartwright to be the kick returner this coming season. I thought he played phenomenally in that role, better than anyone we've had in years. Football Outsiders had us at about the 8th best kick return unit in the league.

Forget what I said about Moss yesterday, as Coach Smith made clear:

"We'll use some other people [during preseason], but I wouldn't take it as a real challenge to Antwaan," Smith said. "We have to use some people, because he won't return all of the punts in preseason."

Speaking of Coach Smith, Matt Terl tracked him down to talk Brooks vs. Frost at The Official Redskins Blog, which I'm now calling TORB of the Mole People!:

All right, let’s talk about that battle, because when you watch some position battles, there’s noise and hitting and popping pads. Is this REALLY that heated?

It is heated in a sense – sometimes it’s more psychological than those other battles, which might make it harder. If it’s physical — and all these guys are physical specimens, so to speak — you can get out there and take out your frustrations on someone, and that sometimes helps....

We’re going to put our numbers on the table – who’s got the hangtime, who’s got the distance, who got the location, is it a plus or a minus. We’re going to put our numbers on the table and then a lot of people will be able to figure out who the best punter is.

Once more, I have to hope that Brooks ultimately wins the numbers game, not because I hate Derrick Frost, but because when teams invest valuable resources into punters a return is expected. Having said that, and I'm surprised by these numbers, FO (I'm consistent) said we were 6th last year on punting. Who knew?

First, though, I'll open with my closing thoughts on TC from yesterday. I'm trying not to pilfer too much from the fine works of Gary Fitzgerald over at the Official Site, but he identified some compelling camp battles that deserve additional discussion. Moving along to...

Third Cornerback: Springs is number one, Fred Smoot is number two. If all goes well this is really just a battle for the temporary 3rd cornerback, as ostensibly Carlos Rogers occupies that spot (or pushes Smoot down into it) when he returns. I will be watching Rogers' rehab and subsequent return more carefully than whether Byron Westbrook can outmaneuver enough people to stay on the roster or whether Leigh Torrence ends up beating out newcomer J.T. Tryon (Note: I've also seen it spelled "Tyron" a non-trivial amount of times elsewhere; why can't we get this guy's name right?). Speaking of him, he represents a huge source of entertainment for the blogging community as heaping-big word thus far is he has a black belt in Fred Smoot style karate smacktalk.

Fifth Wide Receiver: Gary calls Moss, Antwaan Randle-El, and our two draft picks Devin Thomas and Michael Kelly as the locks. I would be extremely disappointed if it hashed out any other way. That leaves a lot of guys (six as of this writing) competing for one final receiver spot, though teams do carry six wide receivers sometimes, don't they? (Gary says prolly not because we'll have too many TEs.) Especially in this kind of offense? Anyways, I love James Thrash but I think with each passing year the likelihood he still has gas in the tank decreases, and he was a beloved man by the former offensive staff, now largely departed. However, a guy like Thrash is unique from, say, Burl Toler (who Gary Fitzgerald likes, and he'd know more about this battle than I would) because I think Toler can be tucked away on the practice squad, but unless we add Thrash to the lineup he's not going to be with the team in any capacity. I'll throw my support for Anthony Mix, perhaps irrationally. We got pretty worked up for no apparent logical reason earlier this offseason simply because Anthony Mix represented the largest receiver we have on a unit that lacked as much both in perception and actuality. Let's not discount his size: 6'5, 235 pounds, making him closer to Chris Cooley's size than he is to Malcolm Kelly's (our 2nd biggest receiver). That also gives him 35 pounds on any cornerback on our team, which should give you a somewhat good indication of how he matches up against cornerbacks in Re: size generally in this NFL. Burt Toler, on the other hand, is the 3rd lightest person listed on the roster, heavier than only Leigh Torrence and Cedrick Holt. Let me repeat, though, that Gary Fitzgerald would know a lot more about this battle than I would, and if he likes Toler than I'd suggest you pay attention to that guy through TC as well.

Finally, Punter: I have no hate for Derrick Frost and feel bad that it's come to this, but my position is that this ain't no jockeying for position. Teams invest resources into punters infrequently, and our team invested substantial -- for a punter at least -- resources into Durant Brooks. You don't draft a punter to give your current guy something to think about; you draft a punter to punt for you come Sunday. Derrick Frost is a decent NFL punter who will likely find a home after this battle plays out, but Brooks is loaded with potential and talent and should have little difficulty earning the spot on this team. If he doesn't, that will reflect poorly on the team's decision  to draft him, duh. If this battle drags on too long, then I'm going to be flustered.

As intriguing as positional battles are every year, the biggest story, in my opinion, will be the new offense. Coach Zorn is the newcomer here and although he has no competition for head coach, yet, he is still measured by the past moving forward. If this offense shows up equal to or better than Gibbs and Saunders offenses of the past few years, all hail Jim Zorn. If we flounder it will be all eyes on him. The word out of training camp this coming week is going to provide much insight on just how near or far this team is from getting the new offense, and that's going to matter towards the W-L department down the road.

Jason Campbell likewise has no (real) competition for his position heading into camp, but he could a year from now, or much sooner. If he can't take the next step this coming season (and this all assumes he doesn't end up watching his idol throw fooballs for us instead) then the team will begin the move in a different direction, as we are now four years into the Jason Campbell experiment. He'll have much latitude this year, from me at least, but by 2009 I'm going to need to see some improvement to remain behind him. Many of you have expressed perfectly reasonable concerns with or committment to JC and I very much look forward to seeing those two camps of fans argue over him this coming season. Whatever position you may inhabit on that issue, let's all hope he develops into a star.

Enough of me, now to the blognets:

First and foremost, a gigantic welcome to Mark Newgent, newest member of the Redskins internet chattering class and lifelong fan. His new blog, DC Redskins Examiner, is going up on the blogroll to the left here shortly and I'm looking forward to visiting his site daily. Kudos to the DC Examiner for diving into this whole "internet" thing. He also linked here, which makes him good people. This blog is comma will be big time and I encourage you to make it a daily stop. Mark Newgent is no joke; assuming his work out of the gate is any indication, he can write.

Big news for me personally is that Ben is back and all makes sense now. He's been all over the potential Brett Favre to Redskins story, more more more:

I bet if you ask Jason Campbell if bringing Brett Favre onto the Redskins would hurt his development as a quarterback Jason would say hail no son. Wouldn't you like to learn a thing or two on the job from your idol before he retires?

That's an interesting take but I think a debatable one. I think Ben would be 100% correct if JC were younger than me but, alas, he turns 27 this December. The time is now for Jason, imo. (Elsewhere, check out Sportz Assassin's take on Favre here, at Fanhouse.)

I thank Lee Gibbons of The Redskin Report for his grace in not embarrassing me.

Greg Trippiedi talks defensive backs at Hog Heaven and notes, among other things:

Reed Doughty

Reed Doughty was the biggest surprise of the season last year. He’s got a reputation as a run stuffing safety, and the numbers certainly suggest that’s his craft: No. 2 among all safeties in yards allowed per rush attempt (3.8). The team probably feels he can be a run stuffing dynamo (thanks, Mel Kiper) for the next ten years for them.

Where Doughty was more surprising was against the pass, where he actually had the numbers of a top no. 2 safety. Doughty ranked 26th in stop rate last year and 29th among safeties last year with 6.6 yards per attempt against the pass.

The training camp battle for Doughty's safety spot will be an interesting one to watch, but something to keep in mind throughout: no matter how it shakes out, Doughty will remain with the team. If he's the backup, if the defensive staff is convinced we have someone better, injury there won't kill the secondary. We know we can trust Reed to come in and play reliably, and that should never be discounted. It was circa 2006 when the defense was in shambles that an injured Pierson Prioleau necessitated the Adam Archuleta disaster, which turned into Troy Vincent into Vernon Fox into serious discussions of putting Shawn Springs at safety (even though we really didn't have the depth at corner to cover such a move). You're not going to win much of anything -- see, for example: 2006 -- unless you have injury insurance, and it's a good problem to have when your very capable starter from last year is being pushed for his position.

Over at Chris Cooley's blog (hat tip: Dan Steinberg), and I'm about a week late to this show, BEARD GROWING CONTEST:

I'm ready for a new adventure...Greatest facial hair of training camp is going to be this years motif. After leaving Wyoming for my summer vacation I came home with quite a start on my new project. It's been a little over two weeks since I've shaved and I'm as proud as I can be! One thing about my little endeavors is that it is much more fun if I can have a partner in crime, or as many participants as possible. So I've decided to start the Chris Cooley Beard Growing Contest.

Check the site for more details, all of which are awesome. I've already told my girlfriend (she said whatever, I suspect she doesn't take me seriously) that I intend to grow a mustache by the end of 2008, making me the only 25 year old in the continental United States with one. I look absolutely hideous without 1970s era facial hair, but with? Even more hideous, and it will be glorious. Pictures will be pending. In the meantime, I encourage all to participate in Cooley's Beard Growing Contest. Tickets can be won.

Speaking of tickets, CptChaosSidekick won the Redskins Rides contest. The good Cpt needs to email me so I can hook him up with those. For those of you who would likewise like to attend, perhaps with CptChaosSidekick, I'm told that more tickets will become available in the near future. Stay tuned, but while you wait you might keep an eye on Riggo's Rag, since free tickets will also be available there at some point. It is the blogosphere's position that no one should have to pay for tickets.

Homer McFanboy has an interview with Washington Times and Redskins 360 writer Ryan O'Halloran, who I read daily. Here's a teaser than I'll force you to go read the entire interview:

5. If you had to pick one Redskins player, who is most likely poised for a breakout season? Why?

Safety LaRon Landry. I got ripped pretty good for this last year but I think Landry is light years ahead of where Sean Taylor was at the same point of their career. Landry is athletically gifted like Taylor but, entering his second season, is already excellent at anticipating plays, making up for a teammates' mistake/blown assignment and sending messages with physical play. He might not make the Pro Bowl this season but he'll turn out to be the defense's best player.

David Elfin is also a Redskins 360 writer, and he has his take on Don Breaux retiring. I'm going to try and get an Ode post to Don up here later this week, as I think he's deserving of much more praise and admiration than he's received, given what he has done for/and thus what he means to Your Washington Redskins.

Finally, Chris Mottram is cool.

I've run out of time. Enjoy Training Camp; I'll be around to keep you updated to the extent that's possible, but don't be shy about posting FanShots or FanPosts. You never have to wait on me to get the word out on a story here at Hogs Haven. What I'm saying is, explore this space, register, comment, etc. This place is so much more entertaining when it isn't me talking to myself.

I'm going golfing. Enjoy all these tags.

As readers are well aware, this space is big, big time on Pete Schmitt. I've already called Pete Schmitt as a lock to make the team, and chose him in our Adopt-A-Redskin program to follow throughout the offseason. However much I appreciated Pete Schmitt then, consider it doubled and then some now, as he very graciously agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. Below you'll find an interview with him where he discusses, among other things, the changing coaching staff, Mike Sellers, the normalcy of a Midwestern accent, delicious Miller Lite, and the very fascinating process he's currently in that can turn a substitute teacher into a Professional Football player overnight. Please enjoy. Side note: I am indebted to Pete Schmitt's agent, John Perla, Jr, for his assistance in setting this up. As far as Hogs Haven is concerned, John is the best agent in the biz.

Hogs Haven: This is actually your second stint with the Redskins, as you spent the 2007 season with the team until a shoulder injury ended with you off the roster. How is the shoulder feeling and will it have any impact on your making the team this season?

Pete Schmitt: The shoulder is back to where I want it to be.  It was very frustrating how everything went down last year, especially with the position I was in heading into training camp '07.  I have regained all my strength back in the shoulder and as far as I'm concerned, it's 100%.  I've been really working both of the shoulders this offseason to try and avoid something like this happening again. 

Hogs Haven: In College you were an All-WIAC tight end but are now being groomed, as a professional player, as a fullback. What's been the hardest part of that transition?

Pete Schmitt: The biggest challenge of the position change for me was getting used to blocking in space.  At the DIII Level, I pretty much lined up in the tight end position every play.  Now in the backfield, there's a lot of distance between you and a linebacker for example.  That took a little adjusting, but it's fun in the same way because you can use some athleticism working in that open space.  Also, I had never taken a handoff before rookie camp last year, so that has taken some getting used to. 

HH: Your first stint with the team was under the Joe Gibbs regime, but you apparently impressed someone within the organization enough to get a second chance months after Coach Gibbs retired and not too long after Jim Zorn was named the Head Coach. There's still some coaching continuity between the two regimes, even on offense, specifically with guys like Joe Bugel and Rennie Simmons. Any idea who went to bat for you the 2nd time around, if anyone? 

PS: Not sure who went to bat for me...haha, but it happened.  I just am thankful that the front office wanted to give me another chance.  It's not very often that an undrafted rookie gets a second opportunity after a coaching staff change, but I was lucky enough to get that break and now I can give it everything I got one more time. 

HH: You spent a decent amount of time under Coach Gibbs in '07 and now are a couple months into the Jim Zorn era, especially with practices gearing up. What is the biggest difference you've noticed between the two coaches and staffs?

PS: They both brought two different styles of football.  Coach Gibbs was guy who wanted to pound the ball as much as he could, where as Coach Zorn, being a quarterback, likes to attack with the passing game, but at the same time, run the ball successfully as well.  They both have/had systems in place that worked very well, and I think that the new system really will be successful.  Also, I feel a lot of guys feel this is a fresh start, especially on offense, and a new opportunity to show the coaches you can play.

HH: Take us through your second re-signing, as this is a process fans aren't that familiar with. What were you doing when you got the call to rejoin the team? Who was on the other end the phone?

PS: This was a pretty different situation.  Initially, I was substitute teaching, and I got a call from my agent saying they were interested in bringing me out for a workout and take another look at me, but I didn't get a date.  Then, while on vacation in Florida in the end of March, I got a call from my agent on a Monday and he told me I had a workout in D.C. on Wednesday.  So, I flew out of Pensacola at 6am on Wednesday, worked out and got a physical around noon, signed with them directly after the workout and flew back to vacation in Florida around 4pm.  Not quite the interruption you would expect on a vacation, but a very welcome one at the least.

HH: It's a difficult enough task for an undrafted rookie free agent to make a squad, but then something horrible happens like an injury. Did you ever question for a second that your professional career was perhaps slipping away? What did you do (besides rehabbing the injury) to make sure that you were still in a position to get that phone call to join the team?

PS: It definitely crossed my mind right when the injury happened.  It was in the second practice on about the 5th day of camp.  I knew right when it happened that something wasn’t right.  I tried to keep playing, hoping it was just a stinger or something, but I couldn’t move my arm.  Once I got the diagnosis, I knew it would be an uphill battle trying to make the team only playing at about 60-70% healthy, but I made the attempt.  I ended up being released with an injury settlement, but didn’t know if I would ever get the call to come back.  Once I felt good enough to really kick up the workouts, I worked out 5 days a week trying to stay as big and as fast as possible.  It ended up being a good thing because I got the chance to play again.

HH: Mike Sellers has been in the league a while and over the past few years has really distinguished himself as one of the better fullbacks in the NFC. Have you had a chance to learn much from him about the position?

PS: Mike is one of the best in the business and there isn’t a better person to learn from.  He’s physical, and athletic and a great competitor.  I just try to watch what he does and emulate the best I can.  I figure that is a good place to start…

HH: Fans like to speculate about how awkward it must be when players are potentially battling one another for position. Both you and Nehemiah Broughton are battling for the same position. Is it awkward at all? How have the two of you gotten along throughout?

PS: It is true that this is a business, and you are fighting against each other, but you just have to make the best of the situation.  In this league, there is always someone trying to take your spot, even the starters’ spots.  All I can do is go out and play and let that take care of the rest.  If you get caught up in worrying about roster numbers and how many spots are there etc…It will just consume you and you won’t play well.  I just go out and have fun.  Football is supposed to be fun and I like to keep it that way. 

HH: Having spent some time with the Redskins, who is your closest teammate on the roster?

PS: I lived with Alex Buzbee all last offseason, so him and I are pretty tight.  I also am good buddies with Matt Sinclair and Tyler Ecker.  Also, pretty much all the guys that I came in with as rookies last year are tight.

HH: Chris Cooley mentioned on his blog some of the good natured rookie hazing that goes on occasionally. Did you manage to avoid that?

PS: Besides the occasional helmet and shoulder pad drop off to the rookies by the vets, it wasn’t all that bad.  They might give you a hard time once in a while, but it’s all in good fun.

HH: If Pete Schmitt wasn't playing football, he would be _____?

PS: In grad school for physical therapy or physician assistant.

HH: You have a serious Wikipedia page; in fact it's longer than current Cowboys starting fullback Deon Anderson. It says here you were an all state punter? Are you going to give recent draft pick Durant Brooks and/or Derrick Frost a run for their money?

PS: HAHA…I don’t think that will be happening any time soon, but I do like to think I can still kick that ball around a little bit.  There wasn’t much technique for me in high school.  I just kicked it as hard as I could and I guess it got me the accolades, but I would look like a fool if I lined up with them.

HH: I've never been to Wisconsin and I've only lived in Washington briefly. Has there been much, if any, of a culture shock between living in Wisc. and the District?

PS: It is definitely a different way of life out here.  Everything is different.  I challenge anyone who lives in the D.C. area to live in Whitewater, WI for a year and hear their responses.  I bet they would have a bit of a culture shock.  I loved it in college and wouldn’t change anything about it, but this area definitely has a different feel.

HH: Do you have a favorite hangout/bar/etc. in Washington? If Pete Schmitt does drink, he drinks_____?

PS: I like to go to Sweetwater in the Ashburn area, and any place down by the water in D.C.  -  Gin and tonic or Miller Lite…depends on the mood. [ED. Note by Skin Patrol: There simply wasn't a better way for Pete to have answered the second half of this question. I was raised by a G and T drinker and am currently in an intimate relationship with Miller Lite. Ergo: He must have a great mind.]

HH: Wisconsin-Whitewater was a pretty good D3 team while you were there (with two National Championship appearances). Do you keep in touch with any of your former teammates? Are any of them in the NFL or can There Be Only One?

PS: Some of my best friends are my teammates in college and I still keep in touch with several guys.  One of my best friends from UWW is Derek Stanley and he was drafted by the Rams last year as a WR. He was the first person drafted in history from our school.

HH: Growing up in Wisconsin, who were your NFL heroes (I can't imagine they were Redskins)? Packers, right?

PS: Huge Packers fan growing up.  Brett Favre is a legend in Wisconsin and he was the real deal when I was growing up, in fact, he is the only Packers quarterback I have ever seen.  I vaguely remember Don Majkowski (spelling?), but for the last 17 years Favre has been the man.  My parents did get me an old Doug Williams #17 jersey when I was a kid and I think that pic is floating around the internet somewhere.  So that is kind of odd that I actually get to wear the real jersey now.

HH: We've already mentioned that you're apparently an All-State punter; are you getting much time on special teams right now, or even trying to?

PS: If I were to make the team, special teams would be where I would see the field.  I am on every team there is and I plan on making plays there in order to earn my keep.

HH: You're no slouch when it comes to Tight End, but the team has a pair of guys, in Cooley and Davis, who know a thing or two about that position as well. Do you see yourself returning to tight end at any point, or getting reps at that position?

PS: That was the plan last year, but I think this year is strictly fullback.  Maybe in the future I would love to do that, but right now,  I have to make plays out of the backfield.

HH: You've probably got better hands than the average fullback seeing as you spent so much time in college catching footballs. Have you had an opportunity to perhaps showcase some of your skills at tight end and translate those into fullback? Everybody loves a fullback who can catch out the backfield.

PS: I feel that is my strength.  I feel I can get out of the backfield and make plays with my hands.  I always took pride in catching the ball and I feel that is an area that I can do very well at.  I think I had 3 catches last preseason, so hopefully I can add to that total next year.

HH: My girlfriend and I recently watched Fargo and were discussing it with this elderly women from Michigan. When my girlfriend asked her if that's how people spoke in Michigan, she got offended as if such a suggestion were crazy, since Fargo was South Dakota. Wisconsin is closer to South Dakota then Michigan is. Have you seen Fargo and, if so, are you sporting the killer accent?

PS: It’s funny because if someone isn’t from the Midwest, I think they sound different.  I probably have the typical “Midwestern accent” but I don’t consider it an accent.  I think it’s the right way to talk…ha

HH: You've got a pretty unique skill set. Have you been given the opportunity to line up outside of the traditional fullback spot on offense?

PS: The west coast offense allows multiple formations and it will be fun to see what is possible once the whole offense is installed.  I did some of that last year and hopefully it can continue this year.

My thanks again to Pete Schmitt for answering our questions and we're really pulling for you this offseason, brother. Hail to Pete Schmitt. Cheers.