Washington hyped for a healthy season

By Joseph White The Associated Press
Published: August 12, 2008

ASHBURN — After more than three weeks of hitting each other during the same old drills, the Washington Redskins are supposed to be in the dog days of training camp. Not so on Tuesday, when the morning practice was one of the liveliest so far this year.
Cornerback Fred Smoot and guard Randy Thomas were jawing big time. Coach Jim Zorn helped fuel the enthusiasm by having the first-team offense run plays against the first-team defense, a rarity during practice. When the second units took the field, Smoot watched a near-interception by rookie Kareem Moore and rubbed it in the offense’s face by yelling: “This ain’t no bad practice. We’re just good!”
“Too much coffee this morning,” joked defensive coordinator Greg Blache. “I don’t even know what Fred was saying half the time. We need a real translator for that, from the U.N.”
Then there was Marcus Washington, bouncing around like a kid who had overdosed on candy. After a big defensive stop, Washington slapped hands with Smoot and playfully taunted the offense.
It’s as if the ninth-year linebacker has discovered a new level of hyper, which is really saying something for him. This is a fun-loving player who is always full of energy, who makes noises in the hallway at the team hotel from the pre-breakfast hours on game day, and who has been told by coaches in the past to throttle back a bit — because no one can be 100 percent all the time.
Why is this man even happier than usual? Check the medical chart.
“Last time feeling this healthy?” Washington said, pausing with a deep breath as he pondered the question. “Maybe two years ago, when I didn’t have anything really ailing me. It’s always good when you don’t have to go in the shop, as we like to say.”
Washington played the 2006 season with a bad hip and a dodgy elbow — both required surgery after the season. Last year, a hamstring injury kept him out of four games and limited him in others. He wasn’t his usual self, certainly not the player who made the Pro Bowl in 2004 or whose four December sacks helped lead a push to the playoffs in 2005.
“He has had a total healthy offseason. Now he has an opportunity, and you can tell,” Blache said. “He is feeling good right now.”
Washington was able to spend his offseason following a normal training regimen instead of a medical rehabilitation schedule. His personality also meshes well with new coach Zorn, whose infectious upbeat approach is a 180-degree spin from the worst-case-scenario facade of departed icon Joe Gibbs.
“You’ve always said there’s more than one way to skin a cat. Coach Gibbs has his own way, and coach Zorn has his own way,” Washington said. “Coach Zorn definitely has a very positive attitude. I think that trickles down to the team.”
Blache is now in charge of the defense following Gregg Williams’ dismissal, but the change that will most affect Washington on the field is the addition of former NFL defensive player of the year Jason Taylor at defensive end.
On the one hand, Taylor and fellow lineman Andre Carter have the ability to tie up a good share of an offensive line — leaving Washington free to add to his tackle total.
“I hope they forget about me,” Washington said, “and put two or three guys on Andre and Jason.”
On the other hand, Taylor and Carter give the Redskins sufficient firepower to rush the quarterback, which means Washington is no longer slated to line up in a three-point stance as a defensive end in passing situations. On many third downs, he won’t be on the field at all, having been replaced by a defensive back in nickel or dime packages. Don’t look for Washington to improve on his average of about 4½ sacks per year.
“We’ve got some really good defense ends,” Washington said. “I don’t know if they’ll need me to do it at all. But if they need me, I’ll be ready. But if they don’t, I’m fine with that.”