The Redskins Blog

Redskins Park From A Fresh Set of Eyes

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Today is the first day off of the 2011 Redskins training camp, and it allows players to get rested physically and prepare mentally for the increase in intensity this week.

If there was an ice cream flavor to describe the first few days, it would be vanilla.  No hot fudge or anything; just plain, slightly-melted vanilla ice cream.

The coaching staff seemed to anticipate that players would show up more out of shape than usual, and head coach Mike Shanahan is going to gradually increase the workload, aiming for players to be healthy and ready for Week 1 of the regular season.

Certainly the theme of camp so far has been the addition of some unfamiliar faces, along with the subtraction veteran leaders.  Chemistry is key and the coaching staff is hoping to channel their “mad scientist” as they concoct this roster.

This storyline has also allowed us to focus in on the thoughts and observations of the newest Redskins to call the Park home.

Rookies Ryan Kerrigan (OLB), Evan Royster (RB), and Niles Paul (WR) as they adjust to their first pro training camp:

finally gettin to bed… wakin up early to pack some stuff for camp… very excited to get this ball rollin #HTTR—
Evan Royster (@EvanRoyster22) July 28, 2011

Great fan turnout at camp today! Thanks to everyone that cheered us on throughout this morning #bestfansintheleague—
Ryan Kerrigan (@RyanKerrigan94) July 30, 2011

Laying down going over my playbook! I feel like I'm in school again—
Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul) July 31, 2011

Make no mistake: this is possibly the toughest offseason for a rookie to come in and make an impression with a team.  Not to say that rookies will all get cut, but I don’t think most teams are preparing for their rookies to be impact players in Week 1.

At this point it’s too early to tell what the Redskins expect from their Dynamic Dozen, but the next few weeks should be very telling.

The good news it that rookie nose tackle Chris Neild has already taken note of the most important aspect of the Ashburn facilities–the tradition:

..the ultimate goal yfrog.com/h0wcbyrj—
Chris Neild (@TruckNeild) July 31, 2011