On The Field For Practice - Good News and Bad News
Practice today was a relatively light affair, shorts and shells in pleasant weather, and focused mainly on the red zone, which should make people happy. Jason Campbell got a lot of compliments from Jim Zorn for making good reads, which is always reassuring for me to hear on the sidelines, and the team seemed as loose and focused as they have at any point in this bizarre week.
But the real stories of practice came afterward, in the form of some good news and some bad news. Here's a picture to help you guess the good news.
No, Colt Brennan is not going to be playing quarterback (although he is back in the facility and in generally good spirits.)
The good news is that Chad Rinehart will be starting at right guard. Zorn walked to the podium and said "The Rhino!", thus preempting Washington Post reporter Jason Reid, who had been extremely excited to ask if it would be The Thrill (Will Montgomery) or The Rhino.
I say that Rinehart earning the starting job is good news not as a knock on The Thrill, but because -- as Zorn noted -- Montgomery "can play both positions. He is a guy that I've got to have at center and guard. That was part of the conversation as we went along." In the unfortunate event of another injury, having Montgomery available as a the next guy up should prevent the need for some kind of double-switch.
(I also happen to think that The Rhino has looked like he might be a pretty solid guy at guard, but we'll all get answers to that question starting on Sunday.)
And the bad news is that Zorn says that Clinton Portis -- who was on the sidelines for much of practice with a hooded sweatshirt under his jersey -- is "questionable" for Sunday's game with a "couple little spurs that are irritating him" in both ankles.
Of course, Zorn also said that he expects "Clinton to be out there ripping around" on Sunday, so it's not quite as bad as it might seem, but spurs in both ankles is not the word you want to hear about your Pro Bowl running back.
But the real stories of practice came afterward, in the form of some good news and some bad news. Here's a picture to help you guess the good news.
No, Colt Brennan is not going to be playing quarterback (although he is back in the facility and in generally good spirits.)
The good news is that Chad Rinehart will be starting at right guard. Zorn walked to the podium and said "The Rhino!", thus preempting Washington Post reporter Jason Reid, who had been extremely excited to ask if it would be The Thrill (Will Montgomery) or The Rhino.
I say that Rinehart earning the starting job is good news not as a knock on The Thrill, but because -- as Zorn noted -- Montgomery "can play both positions. He is a guy that I've got to have at center and guard. That was part of the conversation as we went along." In the unfortunate event of another injury, having Montgomery available as a the next guy up should prevent the need for some kind of double-switch.
(I also happen to think that The Rhino has looked like he might be a pretty solid guy at guard, but we'll all get answers to that question starting on Sunday.)
And the bad news is that Zorn says that Clinton Portis -- who was on the sidelines for much of practice with a hooded sweatshirt under his jersey -- is "questionable" for Sunday's game with a "couple little spurs that are irritating him" in both ankles.
Of course, Zorn also said that he expects "Clinton to be out there ripping around" on Sunday, so it's not quite as bad as it might seem, but spurs in both ankles is not the word you want to hear about your Pro Bowl running back.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-25-2009 @ 2:48PM
jasonzelbo said...
Awesome blog as always, Matt.
Any chance you can tell us what Clinton's injury history is with these "little spurs?". Like, has he had them before, and if so, did he play on Sunday?
Reply
9-25-2009 @ 3:10PM
Matt Terl said...
This is the first I've heard of them. I'll keep you posted.
9-25-2009 @ 3:10PM
lmiller900 said...
I wonder if his sore ankles has anything to do with those new shoes he was wearing last week?
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9-25-2009 @ 3:19PM
Zach said...
not were going on the 3rd week of the season and Portis is already missing practice and having injuries. I know him missing these practices effects his ability to read the hole and hit it Glad we kept mason and have aldridge now
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9-25-2009 @ 4:27PM
stew4431 said...
Yes!! Campbell made good reads against the scout team!! At least they got one thing right in starting Rinehart...
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9-25-2009 @ 7:25PM
carl.collins14 said...
This may not be the season, but this is the test. Can the Skins beat a team they should beat the way they should be beaten...i.e. The Lions should be beaten badly in this game if this is not a win for the Skins, if they let the Lions hang around, regardless of how that comes out Zorn and company will suffer.
Droped passes, fumbles, poor blocking in the red zone reflect more on the coach. Why? Because that is the bread and butter of football. And if the players can't do it when the time comes, then the coach has the wrong players on the field, or has not motivated the ones he has, or doesn't know where the strength of his team is, and that more than play calling is his greatest job.
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9-25-2009 @ 7:55PM
stone09 said...
Question? What do the last three skins offensive coordinators have in common. Answer: None of them could score any points with Jason Campbell as their starting quarterback. It's been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Jason Campbell is going to get Jim Zorn fired because he can't go through his progressions fast enough, can't find open receivers and has terrible accuracy. The skins had the same scoring problems in 2007 with Gibbs as their head coach and Al Saunders as their offensive coordinator. They were 5-7 and would have surely been eliminated had Campbell not been injured. Lo and behold once Todd Collins replaced Campbell the skins offense suddenly came alive. Campbell has not only shortened Clinton Portis's career but once again will wear out the offensive line because he holds onto the ball too long and the defense because he can't convert third downs and is horrible inside the red zone. I have more respect for a Rex Grossman who may be mediocre quarterback but at least challenges the secondary than I do for Campbell who masks that he's a horrible quarterback by constantly checking the ball down because he can't go through his 2nd and third reads when his primary read isn't there. I'm so tired of the skins receiving corp being blamed for Campbell's deficiencies. Cris Cooley is one of the top tight ends in the game and Santana Moss is probably the most underrated receiver in the NFL along with Steve Smith. Imagine what Jay Cutler could do with the skins receivers instead of what he has in Chicago. Between Campbell and Greg Blache the skins probably won't 8 games. The good news is if the skins hire Shanahan or Holmgren they will at least stand up to Snyder and have the common sense to recognize what they have in Colt Brennan .
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9-25-2009 @ 10:28PM
e-will said...
JC, in his first 7 starts, had 10 TDs, that projects to about 22 Tds in a 16 game system. The is a good number for a first time QB. Then the FO foolishly hires Al Saunders as OC. There was numerous reports that Gibbs and he had "differences" in philosophies. JC had his troubles in his starts, but IT WAS a new system. JC got hurt and TC played well. TC studied, practiced, and played in AS' system for 7 years. I would expect TC to play well, but there were obvious limitations to his game. That was evident in the PO game vs seattle. The whole team also played with passion due to the loss of ST #21, that wasn't merely because of TC. Also don't forget that Gibbs' power running was the reason CP has lost a step. It was that style of running, you can't blame that on JC. Different Systems. What FO in their right minds would subject a 1st rd QB to 3 sysyems in 3 years (as a starter). Despite that JC has increased his Ws, TDs, YPA, COMP %, RTG, AND YPG EVERY YEAR. That is difficult to do. Look at JC this year 69% COMP and 7.43 YPA, both would be career #s. Is JC part of what's wrong with this O? Sure. Not a big part though. Had it not been for 2 dropped TD passes, he would have 3, putting on pace for 24. How about give the guy a real chance; a chance to actually play in a system for more than a year before we write him off.
9-26-2009 @ 1:12AM
HarBrw said...
Spoken like a typical JC hater maybe you missed the preseason but Colt barely made the team !!! Look at JC'S stats he is looking pretty good actually better than most !!! If you don't like our QB why dont you become a Panther Fan and support Jake D. and his many interceptions !!! Better than that become a Cowgirl fan and support the choke artist himself Tony Romo !!!
Take your pick but don't bash JC!!!! We passed the ball more last week and should have had two touchdowns if they had not been dropped I guess that was JC's fault as well ??? If we pass the ball 40 times a game Jc will average 3-4 touchdwon passes a game !!! When JC has a great game this week make sure you sing his praises !!!!
LETJASONPASS
9-27-2009 @ 5:37PM
cmcgath said...
I have been saying that Todd Collins should be quarterback ever since he led the Redskins into the playoffs 2 years ago. I hope the change is made quickly.
9-25-2009 @ 8:37PM
sa02v09j said...
Thanks for the Colt update.
Congrats to Chad. Get well soon Portis. Congrats to Smoot on his wedding.
HTTR
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9-25-2009 @ 10:38PM
nxbutler said...
I have been a skins fan for about twenty years, and I have never been more embarrased to be one. Not because of the players or ownership, but because of our fan base. It is astounding at how little class our fans had last Sunday. We were about as bad as Philly fans (new low). The game does not always go the way you want and being a Redskins fan as long as I have, I have come to believe we get the least amount of lucky breaks in the NFL. Even when they do fall our way, like a fumble recovery on the D's first seires, giving our Offense a short feild, it gets called back for breathing on the QB with bad breath. Still or QB has a solid game and we move the ball, but we fall short on some key plays. For most teams this would be chalked up to any given Sunday and take your L and move on. But No.. Our Defence holds an NFL team to seven points!!! I mean, we play a hell of a Defensive Game. And we win!!Those guys played their ass's off which, is 50% of our team and all our fans can do is boo them. Just F****** dispicable. We are 2-1 with a desent chance to go on a nice winning streak if we can just connect on a few plays. The skins diserve alot more support for a hard fought Deffensive win. Have we already forgot about the majical run after the tragedy of the late/great #21. I know this team can come out and lay a whoop ass on the Lions even despite the fan/media support. When the skins turn it around just remember you where the ass booing them when they won a game. After all is'nt THAT WHY THEY PLAY THE GAME!!!!
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9-26-2009 @ 3:06AM
giancarlogonzalez said...
Jason and the receiver's are gonna have a break out game this Sunday, and Chad will be solid. Maybe Clinton should sit this one, get some rest and come back strong next week...
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9-27-2009 @ 8:50AM
fsaunders said...
"The good news is if the skins hire Shanahan or Holmgren they will at least stand up to Snyder..."
Someone who obviously has no concept of how the Daniel Snyder hiring process works. How do you think we wound up with Zorn as head coach in the first place???
No standing up to Snyder will ever be tolerated.
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9-28-2009 @ 6:47AM
slowhand40us said...
I have been a redskins fan for over 30 years and I am not embarrased by the fans. We have been waiting for a very long time to see our skins to be a winner but see the seem them losing year after year is to much. We was in the red zone 4 or 5 times in the last 2 games and couldn't score a TD and lose against the Lions a game we should have won. It's time for the fans to start booing and instead of saying wait until next year and we see the same losing team.
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