News & Notes: Redskins Training Camp Eve

By: Ben Raby
ASHBURN, VA.-The Redskins are officially the first NFL team to open training camp in 2008, as players checked in this afternoon at Redskin Park in Northern Virginia.

The Redskins will hold their first two-a-day tomorrow morning at 8:30, with a second practice to follow in the afternoon. Coach Jim Zorn said today that morning practices will typically last between 2:15-2:30, while afternoon sessions will be more in the 1:40 range. All morning practices through July 28 are free and open to thepublic.

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The 'Skins are the first team to open training camp thanks to an early start to their pre-season schedule. The Redskins will play five pre-season games, one more than most teams. That's because Washington will take the field in the annual Hall-of-Fame Game in just two weeks, on Aug. 3 against the Colts from Canton, Ohio.

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"Not really," Zorn said when asked if he's looking forward to an extra pre-season game. "The thing I appreciate more about a fifth pre-season game is that it's a special [HOF] game, it's the only game going on at that time and it honors a tremendous history of hall of famers. So that's what I'm excited about."

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Linebacker London Fletcher, entering his second season in Washington, isn't thrilled about the lengthy training camp and pre-season, but says it's just the cards the 'Skins have been dealt.

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"No sense complaining about it," Fletcher said. "We've got five weeks of camp, five pre-season games and you have to make the most of it. If you go about it and complain about why you're at work, I think you miss a great opportunity to get better. I look at us as getting a head start on everybody else and being able to improve ourselves."

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The extra week of camp plus the fifth pre-season game at least gives Coach Zorn some extra time to work on the his West Coast offense he's brining with him from Seattle. Zorn worked in a West Coast system as the Seahawks quarterback's coach (2001-07) under Mike Holmgren.

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"The innovations I have brought will be some things from Seattle," Zorn said. "But any differences in the offense will be subtle. Hopefully you'll see the tempo go fast because I like to go fast."

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And that suits wide-receiver Antwaan Randle-El just fine.

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"I wouldn't expect more flash or trick plays," Randle-El said, "but without trying to toot our horns or put any kind of big expectations [on us] I think we'll really get a chance to get the balls in our hands a little more often. I think it's something we've always wanted to do, but we should be able to do it a little more this year."