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For Redskins’ Royster, A Summer Of Competition Awaits

June 27, 2011 By

The Redskins sixth round draft pick knows he will have to earn a role on the team during training camp

Becoming Penn State’s all time leading rusher shouldn’t be a distinction that’s taken lightly. The school that has produced the likes of Curt Warner, Larry Johnson and Franco Harris certainly knows what a solid NFL running back looks like. One would think that if a player left the school having amassed more rushing yards than each of those runners, he could garner attention from NFL teams.

And yet, Redskins draftee Evan Royster has been overlooked as a runner who can produce at the NFL level. As if amassing 3932 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns and a career 5.7 yards per carry isn’t enough to sway NFL teams. Even with those gaudy statistics, Royster’s name never seemed to bring much excitement inside many NFL circles.

In fact, his name may have elicited more confusion than excitement. NFL teams were likely baffled by Royster’s running style, as he was able to produce big time numbers at Penn State without being particularly fast or explosive. You can even count the man who drafted Royster, Mike Shanahan, as one who had a hard time explaining his draft pick’s college production.

“He’s just a natural runner and when you take a look at him, you don’t see anything that would blow you away,” Shanahan said right after the draft. “All he does is gain yards. He’s one of those guys, very smooth, very elusive. You run it back and forth and all of a sudden you’re saying, ‘How did he gain all those yards?’”

That obviously seemed to be the sentiment that the majority of NFL teams shared, as Royster wasn’t selected until the sixth round of the draft by Washington.

But if Royster doesn’t project as a player who can produce at a high level in the NFL, how will he be able to make the Redskins opening day roster?

Assuming the Redskins do not make a move to add a veteran running back in free agency, Royster will have to contend with Ryan Torain, fellow draftee Roy Helu, and third down specialist Keiland Williams.

And despite the late round stigma, the Fairfax, Virginia native has a number of things going for him that could help his chances of making the roster.

Along with his ability (and willingness) to play special teams, Royster has experience being on the field on third downs, something that will not only make it hard to cut him, but it’d provide stiff competition for the incumbent, Williams.

“I’ve played [all three downs] in college.” Royster said after the Redskins’ players-only workouts. “They kind of turned me into a pass protector [on third down]”

And not only did he produce as a pass protector, he showed he can be effective as a receiver out of the backfield. Royster finished with 562 receiving yards on 61 receptions at Penn State, catching three touchdowns in the process. His skills out of the backfield could set him apart from Helu (who hasn’t excelled in passing situations) and could give him the edge over the aforementioned Williams.

Unfortunately for Royster, he along with all the other NFL rookies are at a disadvantage this offseason because of the lack of true, full speed NFL practices that were taken away because of the lockout.  The rookies have to pick up parts of the offense that are taught to them during the players-held practices. That being said, the little that Royster has been exposed to this offseason hasn’t been too much for him to handle.  It certainly doesn’t hurt that the offense he was in at Penn State appears to bear a small resemblance to what the Redskins run.

“[The offenses] are similar.” Royster said. “It’s just the terminology that’s different. The protections are pretty much the same. There’s a couple things here and there are a little confusing to me at the moment, but that’s why we’re [practicing].”

Perhaps the best news for Royster is that Shanahan is a sage when it comes to unearthing quality late round running backs. So when he selects a back, it’s expected that rusher will produce in his scheme. Shanahan sees something in Royster, and obviously thought highly enough to draft him.

“When you take a look at his production at Penn State, all those yards, he’s just the guy I was hoping would be there and I feel very fortunate,” Shanahan said. “I think we have an excellent back that will come in here and compete for a starting position.”

Competing for a starting position are lofty expectations for a player that appears to have plenty of competition ahead of him this summer.

But Royster is certainly up to the challenge.

“I hope [I can contribute],” Royster said. “If I didn’t think I was capable of contributing, then I wouldn’t be here.”

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Ex-Mountaineer Chris Neild Hopes To Bolster Redskins Run Defense

June 20, 2011 By

When the Redskins made the switch to a 3-4 defense in 2010, defensive coordinator Jim Haslett was aware it would take time to assemble the correct personnel to run his scheme.

What he didn’t foresee was a void at nose tackle. Though there were concerns about Albert Haynesworth’s commitment, the Redskins believed he would end up being an asset anchoring the middle of the defense along with Ma’ake Kemoeatu.

But Haynesworth failed a few conditioning tests in training camp and couldn’t creep out of Mike Shanahan’s doghouse while Kemoeatu never fully recovered from an injured Achilles tendon injury.

Without a nose tackle, Haslett’s defense endured one of the more disappointing defensive seasons in franchise history. They ranked 26th against the run, giving up 4.6 yards per carry largely due to the lack of a presence up front. As the season progressed it became unmistakably clear: the Redskins would need to make serious offseason renovations along the defensive line.

Leading up to the draft, the Redskins were expected to be in the mix for Baylor’s Phil Taylor and a few of the other big, versatile linemen who could upgrade Washington’s front three.

West Virginia defensive lineman Chris Neild wasn’t on anyone’s radar, but as one of the draft’s few true nose tackles, Washington passed on some of the bigger names early, scooping Neild up in the seventh round.

Though he may not admit it, Neild is a true football player in that he knows his role within the defense and will stick to it. At West Virginia he played the same thankless nose tackle position he’ll play in Washington, but his competitive nature and love of the game make mucking it up in the trenches as glamorous to him as hauling in a 40-yard TD pass.

He’s far from a household name, but at the Redskins player-run practices last week in Northern Virginia, Neild indicated he doesn’t mind a low profile position so long as he’s contributing.

“I’m not going to brag on things like hard work and stuff like that,” Neild said. “You know I feel like I just play the game of football and the nose guard position is a position that not a lot of college teams play so I was very lucky to get drafted here.”

Neild might not talk himself up, but that’s what coaches are for.

“I love the way he competes,” Mike Shanahan told the Washington Post in May. “I love how important football is to him, because you can tell. He’s got a mindset when he plays, and you can tell he really enjoys football.”

Mountaineer coaches were consistent in their praise of Neild’s work ethic as well. His stocky frame fits the nose guard position perfectly and at WVU he established a reputation as a space-eating headache for opposing offensive lines.

“Chris is the best player that nobody really knows about except us coaches, and I guarantee you the linebackers that play in our defense,” WVU Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel told the Post. “He creates a lot of plays for those guys with double teams. He’s a really, really good football player.”

Neild’s 6-2, 319-pound frame is perfectly suited to play nose tackle, but as a late round selection it’s uncertain how sizeable a role he’ll be given in Washington.

Yet he made his mark in college despite never putting up big numbers in West Virginia’s 3-3-5 defense. Neild posted 35 tackles and three sacks in 2010, but it was his overall disruptive ability that prompted coaches to name him to the first team all-conference in the Big East for his senior season.

Now Neild will direct his attention to the professional level, hoping to make the same impact he did in college. His NFL journey is already underway having participated in several of the Redskins players-only practices since the draft.

And as expected he’s lined up at nose tackle for the majority of the team’s walkthroughs.

“I’ve been playing just straight up nose guard,” he said. “I’m pretty familiar with the technique. I played it in college so it’s something that I kind of carried over here, but it’s a different playbook so it’s something that I ‘ve got to get used to and a couple different techniques that aren’t familiar to me. But all in all, the last couple days and the last OTAs I really tried to get it down.”

Neild has been soaking up all the information he can during these informal workouts. He admitted the help he’s received from veterans during the practices has drastically reduced his learning curve as he prepares for his first meetings with the coaching staff.

“For rookies it’s kind of like a crash course on getting these plays down,” he said. “It’s especially good for the rookies [to come workout]. Being unfamiliar with a lot of the guys on the team, having to come out here and just get familiar with them, get familiar with the system—whether we play on offense or defense—it’s a time for us to bond a little bit, but also it’s a time to get work done.”

Neild has been especially grateful for Kedric Golston one of the few members of the defensive line who has regularly attended practices.

“Kedric’s been helping me out a whole lot,” he said. “I come here to practice and he teaches me all these techniques. We’re going through some drills and the plays I’m obviously not familiar with so he’s been helping me out a whole lot for these past two practices. [So far] he’s been nothing but a tremendous help to me.”

Without many options at nose tackle, Neild has a prime opportunity to establish himself as a starter. Thus far, he’s shown nothing less than a willingness to contribute immediately, making him a key piece in restoring stability to the Redskins run defense.

“We’re doing a good job out here and I’m really happy with the progress,” he said. “I’m going to try to do my best to make this team and hopefully it all works out, but I’m going to do whatever’s possible and whatever’s necessary to help this team succeed.”

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Redskins Turning Over A New Leaf With Players-Only Practices

June 17, 2011 By

There’s something very different about the Redskins these days. Mike Shanahan isn’t glowering over their shoulders. Dan Snyder isn’t stalking the sidelines. And yet they are still here practicing in Northern Virginia of their own accord, striving to overcome the bitter taste of losing.

Even with the lockout in full effect, Brian Orakpo and other veterans have refused to stand idly by and waste this opportunity for change.

“I’m just hungry, man,” said the third-year linebacker. “I want to win. Obviously the first two seasons I had were horrible. So guys out here are committed [and] they’re trying to get better.”

Rookies and veterans alike have flown in from across the country for these player-run practices, indicating everyone is serious about righting the ship. They want to be prepared for year two under Shanahan and have taken it upon themselves to do so even in these uncertain financial times.

“The guys just want to get better, man and like I said regardless of this lockout, it’s not going to stop the heart and the character we have on this team,” said Orakpo.

Slowly but surely the Redskins have formed a core group of players focused on instilling good habits and the right mentality in the rookies and the timing couldn’t be any better.

Washington drafted 12 players in April and all of them save Jarvis Jenkins have been present for at least one practice since.

“That says a lot man,” said Orakpo. “It says regardless of the lockout, regardless of our circumstances, guys are willing to come out here and work and get better and try to turn this program, this organization, around.

“And that’s what it’s all about: getting new blood, [getting] young, hungry guys on this team so we can do good things.”

Third-round pick Leonard Hankerson is part of the youth movement at receiver and was grateful for the assistance from several of the older wideouts like Anthony Armstrong.

“It’s helping out a whole lot,” he said. “Not being able to have that coach right there on the sidelines seeing what you’re doing and telling you what to do and how to do this and how to do that—being that the other guys are helping us out—it’s very important and very helpful.”

Right away Hankerson saw the value in attending the practices. Not only would they boost his chances of playing a pivotal role in 2011, but they would also bring the team closer together before the start of training camp.

“That’s what it’s all about; that team bond,” he said. “You bond together, you’re going to win together, you’re going to stay together and you’re going to fight together and it’s going to show on the field.”

The fact that the Redskins have voluntarily practiced throughout the offseason speaks volumes about younger players like Hankerson and fellow draftee Ryan Kerrigan. They haven’t signed contracts, but have come to practice so they can learn schemes and technique.

Kerrigan has quickly cemented himself as a high-character, hard-working individual despite having yet to receive any tutelage from defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. While he awaits his first official NFL practice, he admitted the transition to professional football has been a strange one.

“It hasn’t been honestly that hard just because this is all I know,” he said. “This is my rookie year, this is my first time at it so the lockout’s kind of normal to me I guess. But you know, it’s been difficult not having the coaching and not being able to get better that way, but we’re all in the same boat—all of us rookies and all of us players.”

Despite the adverse circumstances, the importance of these sessions is evident to every player. None of the practices have approached the ferocity of an actual game much less a week’s worth of two-a-days, but simply re-entering the flow of the football season is enough to begin the journey towards a rebirth.

“Out first OTA of every year, I feel awkward, I get pissed off because I can’t do what I want to do, I’m not running the way I was last season,” said Chris Cooley. “So it’s nice to have a couple weeks to be out here and play football. I wouldn’t miss this.”

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Herzlich, A Must FA Sign For Skins!

June 7, 2011 By

Written by:  Ed Sheahin follow on twitter @NFLSkins

Imagine you are a 22-year old college athlete in top physical condition and millions of dollars awaits you as a professional athlete.  Then, without warning, you find yourself no longer battling opponents on the playing field you’re fighting for your life against a rare form of bone cancer.

 

This what Boston College linebacker, Mark Herzlich faced in May of 2009 when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a cancer that has a long-term survival rate of less than 10% (estimated).  How does one move forward when you are on top of the world one moment, and in an instant you wonder if you’ll live to see your 25th birthday? 

With amazing courage and internal strength Herzlich released a statement to the media on May 14, 2009 as follows: 

  “Obviously, I was shocked. I had been extremely focused on preparing for my senior season at Boston College and for life beyond that. Now, I must channel all that energy into facing my toughest opponent yet, and that is exactly what I will do. . . . At this point, I do not know what this means for my football future, but I am determined to rid my body of this disease so that I can put that uniform back on. Thank you in advance for your prayers and concern. Together, we will fight this and win”

Stating you will move forward with a positive outlook is half the battle, but mustering the courage within to fight through chemotherapy and the excruciating pain of bone cancer is another.  Like the true battler Herzlich displayed on the football field every Saturday for Boston College, he tackled this life-taking disease head-on and was declared cancer free.  Miraculously, Herlich returned for his senior season in 2010 to start all 13 games and finished third on the team with 65 tackles.

Still, NFL teams were not sold on his recovery and long term prognosis.  Herzlich was not selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.  Although drafted by the UFL Omaha Nighhawks in the 10th round, Herzlich is determined to sign and make an NFL roster once the lockout ends.

Herzlich is starting to return to full strength as he performed well at the NFL combines in February with 29 reps on the bench press.  He recently benched over 400 lbs. during a workout and his body is starting look more like a NFL linebacker.

Ironically, Redskins head coach and Vice President Mike Shanahan said at the NFL combines that he plans to re-shape the Redskins roster to draft and bring in players of character and with strong work habits.  Perhaps he was taking a shot at DL Albert Haynesworth when he made the statement, but I also believe he was sending a message to the entire team.

Painfully watching the Redskins defense struggle to make hard-nosed tackles in games against the New York Giants in the new Meadowlands and against the Philadelphia Eagles at home during a Monday night debacle, it was easy to see this team lacked the heart of a champion. 

Redskins fans must accept the reality that linebacker London Fletcher cannot perform as the team’s defensive leader forever.   There has to be someone hungry and anxious ready to step in as the fearless leader on defense.  Who better would fill that role than a player like Mark Herzlich?  A player who has fought death head-on and is winning?  A player who will fight insurmountable odds and refuse to succumb to the inevitable?  A player with character beyond what any of us can fathom?

Maybe Herzlich will never reach the heights once projected for his career, but isn’t it worth a shot for a Redskins team searching for a new identity and leaders to take them to once familiar territory atop the NFL?  If anything, Herzlich’s appearance at Redskin Park during training camp (no matter how brief) will inspire and rally a team in need of an edge.

I implore those who follow and root for the Washington Redskins to rally and send a message loud and clear to Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen to aggressively pursue Herzlich upon the end of the lockout.  Pass this article on to every Redskins fan you know and hopefully the front office will listen to the voice of its fan base.  We need to look no further for inspiration, character, and leadership beyond a free agent linebacker from Boston College in Mark Herzlich!

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Gibbs & Shanahan: “Victory Loves Preparation”

June 2, 2011 By

Written by Ed Sheahin.

I don’t often turn to quoting movie lines when writing an article,  however, recently while attempting to bond with my 20-year old son, I found myself watching the The Mechanic –a gory movie about the hitman business.

Early in the movie a gun was showcased with an intriguing engraving, “Victory Loves Preparation”.  My immediate thought upon seeing the quote focused on the Joe Gibbs era in Washington.  I guess it is a word association thing, Gibbs and victory.

There was no coach in the NFL who was better prepared than Joe Gibbs during his first run as the Redskins head coach.  Whether it was a game deciding play, a key offensive series, a game plan to contain Lawrence Taylor or pulling the right strings while developing a roster, Gibbs prepared like no other and victory was his reward.

Gibbs was at his best during the strike shortened seasons of 1982 and 1988. Working closely with GM Bobby Beathard, the tandem kept two moves ahead of all the other NFL teams during their 1980′s run –a period of time in which the Redskins should have been crowned “team of the decade”.  The title was ultimately awarded to the San Francisco 49ers.

With current Redskins Head Coach and VP Mike Shanahan and GM/President Bruce Allen facing a similar situation with the NFL continuing to lockout the players, I can’t help but wonder what they have planned for the 2011 season.

One thing I do know, Shanahan has a Gibbs-like work ethic and tends to look well beyond a single game or even a season.  He has a plan to rebuild the Redskins, but in today’s NFL the Shan-a-plan has to be different than the strategies Gibbs/Beathard utilized.

Shanahan and Allen will work as hard as any other NFL coach/GM combo to build a championship team.  Although success may not come in two years as it did for Gibbs/Beathard, they will eventually achieve it so long as they stick to their plan, “Victory loves preparation!”

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