PAUL WOODY: Montgomery takes the wrong type of break

Paul Woody The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: July 26, 2008

ASHBURN
Anthony Montgomery lent a hand to the Washington Redskins’ defense and has a broken bone to show for it.
Billy McMullen found a little extra effort late in an intrasquad scrimmage, at the end of an arduous week, and had a touchdown play, sort of, maybe, kind of, to show for it.
The Redskins held an intrasquad scrimmage yesterday after spending the six previous days taking part in two-a-day practices. By the end of yesterday’s session, the wear and tear on the players’ legs was evident.
Things were even worse for Montgomery, a starting defensive tackle. He suffered a broken bone in his right hand. He’ll have surgery tomorrow and is expected to miss 10 days of practice.
He was one of only three defensive starters to take the field yesterday. The others were strong safety Reed Doughty and linebacker Marcus Washington.
The other eight defensive starters were rested because of minor injuries or to give proven, veteran players a rest.
“I don’t think we need to see London Fletcher in a scrimmage,” Doughty said of the team’s middle linebacker and leading tackler in 2007.
McMullen, from Henrico High School and the University of Virginia, does need to be seen in scrimmages, practices and workouts. He’s trying to win a roster spot at wide receiver, one of the team’s most crowded and competitive positions this year.
McMullen might have helped his cause yesterday. Late in the scrimmage, in the two-minute offense, backup quarterback Todd Collins threw a pass down the right side of the field. It looked like a certain interception, with the defensive back positioning himself to make the catch.
But McMullen, 6-4, came to the rescue. He jumped well above the defender, reached out and grabbed the ball.
Then, McMullen pivoted and sprinted through traffic into the end zone.
There was just one problem. There was a flag on the play for an illegal formation.
“I was supposed to be on the ball, but I was off the ball,” McMullen said. “I took my own touchdown away.”
If Redskins coach Jim Zorn realized that, he didn’t mention it.
“What a great snag,” Zorn said. “I’ve been impressed with Billy. He’s competing for a tough spot against the other receivers.
“He showed two things [today]: little veteran experience; and he came up with a big play. He was tired, but I could see him concentrating through it. He wasn’t open, but Todd had to throw it, just hoping. Billy really came up with a big play in that situation. I’m very, very excited for him.”
McMullen was happy with his performance, but he also understands there is a long way to go in this preseason. This is his fifth NFL year, and he is with his third team. He played for Philadelphia and Minnesota before coming to Washington. He did not play in 2007.
“There are still some things I need to work on, but that’s always the case,” McMullen said. “I try to take advantage of every opportunity given to me.”
The Redskins are deep at wide receiver with veterans Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash. They drafted two wideouts in the second round in April, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly.
McMullen should see his opportunities increase, at least for a few days. Thomas and Kelly have been slowed with hamstring problems.
“I’m taking some of their reps, but I was getting opportunities when they were playing,” McMullen said.
“That’s what training camp is for, to highlight every player so the coaches can thoroughly evaluate them. I’m going to keep pushing, keep grinding and see how it works.”
Randle El got good work in yesterday, catching four passes for 52 yards. Quarterback Jason Campbell completed 15 of 22 passes for 122 yards. Campbell ran for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass to tight end/fullback Todd Yoder.
Paul Woody is a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch