Warpath Confidential

• Shanahan learns nothing comes easy

  By Drew Hall
  Warpath Confidential Historian

  The clouds parted and the rain ceased just as new head coach Mike Shanahan emerged from team meetings and walked onto the field for the first day of Redskins training camp.
  With each step his posture brought with it a sense of duty and overriding theme to how Shanahan will make is mark in Washington.

  Nothing will come free.

  News quickly spread about Albert Haynesworth failing his conditioning test. Maybe Big Al was held to a different standard than others…maybe not. Regardless of personal opinion, one thing is clear. Albert Haynesworth will be held accountable.

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• YouTube: Snider and Pappas on camp opening

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• Haynesworth demoted to backup

  What does skipping the offseason workouts and minicamp get Albert Haynesworth? A date with the second string.

  Big deal.

  Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said the defensive tackle reported to camp on Wednesday looking in good shape (he’s supposedly lost 30-plus pounds) and in good spirits. Guess Albert decided to suck it up after not getting traded. He still has to pass a conditioning test before cleared for practice when Shanahan makes him work with backups.

  It’s a light reprimand and about all Shanahan can do to Haynesworth. In camp, who cares about first/second team. Come the preseason games, Haynesworth will be with the starters.

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• Remembering Alvin Garrett

  By Drew Hall

  Warpath Historian

  Headed into the playoffs of the 1982 NFL strike-shortened season, Alvin Garrett had totaled just six career receptions in three seasons.  Ironically, three of his six career receptions came against the Washington Redskins, the team he was now playing for.

  Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the ninth round in 1979, Garrett was let go but picked up by the New York Giants for the 1980 season.  Garrett saw most of his action as a punt returner.  At a mere 5 foot 7 inches and 180 pounds (likely exaggerated), he was thought to be too small to play his listed position of Wide Receiver.

  When he arrived with the Redskins late during the 1981 season, Alvin fit right in.  The Redskins were known as a conglomerate of castoffs that seldom looked to the draft to build their team.  He had gone almost two years without a reception until the last game of the 1982 season, a 28-0 Redskins thumping of the St. Louis Cardinals.

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• Burgundy Revolution: ‘We’re not dead’

  By Mark Newgent

  Warpath Confidential Editor

  The Burgundy Revolution began as a few scattered protests, then it got organized, and staged boycotts.  A hodgepodge movement transformed into a tidal wave of fan ire toward Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato for a decade of mediocrity and mismanagement, culminating into an embarrassing 4-12 season in 2009.

  Cerrato is gone, and Snyder hired a real general manager in Bruce Allen and proven head coach in Mike Shanahan. The duo has revamped the roster by adding a Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb, and bolstered the offensive line.

  So we ask, on the eve of training camp, is the Burgundy Revolution over?

  According to of one of the revolution’s main agitators, who wishes to be identified by his Twitter handle, @BoycottSnyder, the answer is no.

  “We’re not dead.  We’re just resting for a while. I’m sure we’ll be back, in some form, when the season starts up,” he said.  “Unfortunately ,this team has built a losing tradition for itself in recent history. That won’t just go away now that we have a new coach. There will be stumbles, and we’ll be there to keep Snyder honest.”

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• New Skinscast Episode – Training Camp Preview

  

  With training camp set to begin Thursday, Skinscast returns for a fifth season.  There is a lot to talk about as camp opens with new coaches, a new offense, new defense, and new players.   The Redskins did a lot this offseason, but was it enough to turn the team around? 

  - Is the new offensive line improved enough to create running lanes and give quarterback Donovan McNabb time to throw?
  - How much difference can McNabb make, and does he has enough talent at wideout to succeed?
  - Will the running back trio of Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker be effective, and could we still see Brian Westbrook in Washington?
  - What can we expect from the new 3-4 defensive front?
  - Who will be playing free safety opening day?
  - How solid is the cornerback group?

  The writers also talk about what to expect from the return of Albert Haynesworth, and when we can expect to see a new contract for McNabb.  And everyone gives their prediction on the season record.

  With so much going on, we could not possibly fit it all in within one hour.  So we didn’t. 

  Enjoy!

  Click HERE to listen to the new show.

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• Former Redskins LB Terry Crews now movie star

  

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• How the 5 O’Clock Club began

  By Drew Hall

  The tradition of the Five O’Clock Club is one that runs deep in Redskins lore.  Popularized by Riggo and the Hogs as an exclusive player’s-only fraternity, the Five O’Clock Club’s origin stems from a most unlikely place.

  During the mid 1950s, the New York Giants trained in Vermont.  As the largest market in the NFL, the Giants were key in expanding professional football’s popularity and growth.

  The Maras, owners of the Giants, made sure that they, along with head coach Jimmy Lee Howell and all assistant coaches, were easily accessible to sports writers and media.  The NFL still trailed boxing and baseball in popularity so any mention in a newspaper had to be taken advantage of.

  The Five O’Clock Club, as we now know it, occurred after practices often in famed sports trainer Doc Sweeney’s dorm room.  It was a time to tell stories, throw back drinks and smoke cigars.  In attendance was none other than offensive coordinator of the Giants – Vince Lombardi.  Along with Lombardi was New York’s defensive coordinator, none other than future nemesis of the Washington Redskins, Tom Landry.

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• Poll: What will you watch at training camp?

  
  

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• Redskins training camp dates for fans

  Thursday          July 29             4 p.m. Practice

  Friday              July 30             8:30 a.m. Practice

  Saturday           July 31             8:30 a.m. Practice

  Sunday             August 1           8:30 a.m. Practice

  Monday           August 2           8:30 a.m. Practice

  Tuesday           August 3           8:30 a.m. Practice

  Wednesday      August 4           8:30 a.m. Practice

  Thursday          August 5           8:30 a.m. Practice

  Saturday           August 7           Fan Appreciation Day at Noon

  Tuesday           August 10         8:30 a.m. Practice

  Wednesday      August 11         8:30 a.m. Practice

  Sunday             August 15         Practice (TBD)

  Monday           August 16         8:30 a.m. Practice

  Wednesday      August 18         8:30 a.m. Practice

  Thursday          August 19         Practice (TBD) – Camp Breaks

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