Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn
On the roster limit of 80 players:
“Well I think it affects the team in two areas:
number one is with the quarterbacks. We have four quarterbacks but I
like to bring five QBs to camp, not just because of the competition
but also because we do service a lot of the drill work that goes on
with the offensive side, so with four quarterbacks they have to
service more. Their arms get more tired and if anybody went down with
a really sore arm and had to rest a couple days that would put extra
pressure on the rest of the group. The other reason it’s difficult
with just 80 guys is because it limits our tight end position. We have
four guys and nobody can get injured because it just puts extra stress
on the rest of the group. We would also like to be able to evaluate
more than just a couple guys. The roster limit is just something we
have to deal with.”
On working out the quarterbacks:
“My goal is to make sure that they’re warm and
that they take care of their arms once they get in, so I’m always
asking them questions about their arms. Two-a-days really take a toll.
Once we get into game planning and stuff like that there is never a
lingering problem because there is only one practice a day. Having two
practices a day puts a lot of strain on a QB.”
On Jason Taylor:
“He is going to major on our left side. The thing
that has impressed me the most about him is his ability to jump right
in. We were going to bring him in slow, but he’s taking his reps. He’s
enjoying it. I think he’s picking it up very quickly. He’s trying to
get himself mentally up to speed with all of the new terminology and
concepts. He’s a real pro and he’s going at it hard.”
On tempo being a daily mantra:
“When the play starts, I don’t want to see people
watching. Sometimes guys either hesitate or don’t quite get what
they’re supposed to do or where they’re supposed to go, but I just
want them to do something. I want them to move, hit something, do
something. Those are the things that I’m trying to instill. We are
still learning and improving.”
On recovering after their first day in pads:
“There is stiffness. I think everybody was tired
today in some way because we actually had two padded practices
yesterday if you think about it. They were going to be sore today
anyway but especially because we added an extra padded practice
yesterday afternoon. It should be a nice break this afternoon with a
special teams practice. I thought they came through it fine. I don’t
think there was anything that I saw that was negative or in question.”
Redskins Tight End Chris Cooley
On how well the team is picking up the new
offense:
“I am very impressed with how we have picked up
the offense. We have put in quite a bit in the first week. The
offense is pretty easy to pick up and we have a basic understanding,
but we still have more work to do. It will be a consistent offense.
It involves a lot of short catches, and there are a lot of guys on the
team that can make plays after them. Based on our personnel, it is an
outstanding offense.”
On how Jason Campbell is picking up the
offense:
“Jason is picking it up well. He is an
outstanding leader and a smart guy. His mind works so fast and he
reads plays very quickly. We all have a lot of confidence in him, and
I have been very impressed with the way he has been able to pick up
three offenses during his time with the Redskins.”
Redskins Offensive Tackle Justin Geisinger
On putting the pressure on defensive tackle
Ryan Boschetti to catch the punt:
“I had to put the pressure on Boschetti on the
defense at the end. I had to come through big. It is good.”
On if there would have been repercussions from
his teammates if he had dropped the punt:
“I don’t want to know what would have happened. I
probably would have gotten ripped in the locker room for the rest of
camp. I don’t have to worry about that now.”
On if he would have practiced catching punts
if he knew he had to today:
“Oh yeah, I played a little tight end in high
school, back several years ago. I have some kind of hands I guess.”
Redskins Punter Durant Brooks
On how the other kickers are treating him:
“No rookie hazing, which is really good. It has
really helped me out. Shaun [Suisham], Ethan [Albright] and Derrick
[Frost] we have become friends and give each other advice.”
On what it is like for punters to be separated
from the rest of the team:
“You get stereotyped for it, but I am a little
different. All through high school I played both offense and
defense. I have gotten to were I like to do everything. I don’t like
to get off by myself. I am always trying to do team stuff to earn
respect. Kickers already get less respect because they are kickers,
so I try to earn mine.”
On whether he expected to be taken in the
draft:
“There was talk about it. There were certain
rounds that I could go in, but I didn’t have high expectations because
it is so rare for a kicker or punter to really get drafted. I didn’t
want to get my hopes up to high, but I was hoping.”
Redskins Fullback Mike Sellers
On special teams practice:
“It’s nice because we were rushed earlier in
practice when we did special teams drills. This gives us a chance to
go back and work on stuff that we might have messed up on earlier and
we can concentrate on certain things a little more. I think it’s going
to benefit us in the long run.”
On having to practice while other players have
the afternoon off:
“I’m happy to be playing football. I got in
playing special teams, so that’s always something I’m going to be
doing. It’s not a chore for me; I enjoy it. The other guys get to rest
and they deserve it. It is what it is.”