We’re closing up shop soon on the website and merging with PigskinInsider.com. Probably in the next few days.

It was a great year for us, but a combination of a lousy economy and increased competition plus our own success is forcing us to close. John Pappas is now running Skinscast.com while Rich Tandler joined CSN Washington. We wish them well and proud to have helped them move on to bigger things.

Now Warpath magazine will continue so don’t worry about that. We celebrate our 30th season under some name or another and are grateful the internet didn’t kill us off like so many other papers. You’ll be able to read it on the new website.

So check out PigskinInsider.com for the latest Redskins news plus the New York Giants and Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills.

Thanks again,

The editors

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.

The entire team will be held accountable. A starting position and feature role with the Redskins will need to be earned. Haynesworth will pass his conditioning test. When he does he will join the team on the practice field, albeit with the second unit.

Clinton Portis knows being the featured running back will not come free. In the shadow of the Haynesworth hysteria, Portis has lost fourteen pounds and is eager to prove his doubters wrong. He must prove that it should be him and not Larry Johnson carrying the load. Nothing will come free.

Johnson has trimmed down himself even more so since mini camp broke. Excited to be at “the best training camp” he’s been to; he’s “coming to prove himself”. His strong family ties locally seem to be giving him an added push to want to stay in D.C.

On the practice field Johnson was up and down. The crowd cheered as they admired a superb step back and explode move leading to one of the days few highlights. He struggled as a receiver however, dropping two passes as the offense predictably sputtered out of the gate.

Devin Thomas found himself practicing with the second team. Assumed by most to be the number two receiver, Shanahan once again sends the message. Nothing will come free.

Malcolm Kelly should be worried. Nursing a tender hamstring, Kelly indicated that he was going all out. After witnessing receiving drills, his footwork was out of rhythm and his cuts predictable and slow. If that was his best, Kelly’s days as a Washington Redskin are numbered. Nothing will come free.

Despite Shanahan’s clear message, players were in good spirits, resonating a certain hope we have not been recently accustomed to. According to Clinton Portis the coaching transition “went smoothly.” Several Redskins praised offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Mentioned most by players was Kyle’s “flexibility” and “balanced attack”. His success in Houston certainly made an impression. At the first day of training camp players appeared to be fully buying into the new offensive system. But then again, nothing will come free.

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.

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.

Because of an injury to rising star Art Monk, Garrett was inserted in the starting lineup for Washington’s first playoff game against Detroit.  Through the course of the 1982 season’s playoffs Alvin had fifteen receptions in all, three times as many as he had had in his previous three seasons.

Inducted into the club known as the “Smurf’s” Garrett was a key contributor in Washington’s 27-17 win in Super Bowl XVII.  Down 10-3 late in the first half he hauled in a fade pass from quarterback Joe Theismann tying the score at 10 and giving the Redskins offense some much needed confidence.

In the second half of Super Bowl XVII Garrett came up with a key 44 yard run on a reverse that set up a Mark Moseley field goal that inched the Redskins closer at 17-13 keeping the momentum in their favor.  The Redskins dominated the rest of the game winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl.

The following season the Redskins opened up against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.  Garrett arguably had his best game as a pro gathering in ten receptions for 101 yards.  Unfortunately it was a comment by then sportscaster Howard Cosell that made Alvin Garrett a household name.

Commenting on Garrett’s display of speed and lack of size, Cosell referred to him on air as a “little monkey”.  The comment sparked media attention and controversy over its apparent racial undertones.  Alvin’s fame was short lived though, as he finished the 1983 season with just 25 receptions and one touchdown.  His final game came