Notes, Quotes
--Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth had his road-rage assault trial postponed in Fairfax, Va. to give him time to work on a settlement with the alleged victim. The trial, set for Thursday, is now scheduled for next Tuesday.
Haynesworth is accused of punching a man during a traffic altercation in February.
He also has a July 11 trial date stemming from a misdemeanor charge of sexual abuse. A deal was rejected earlier this month in which Haynesworth would have pleaded guilty to simple assault with the sexual abuse charge being dropped. Attorney A. Scott Bolden said the offer from the prosecutors wasn't accepted because Haynesworth is innocent.
The alleged incident occurred on Feb. 12 when a cocktail waitress accused Haynesworth. Bolden claims the woman fabricated the story and said, "It's about money."
-- Running back Clinton Portis said he would like his next destination to be somewhere he can play against the Redskins. He leaves the team 648 yards shy of John Riggins' franchise rushing record.
"To go to the Giants and get to play the Redskins twice a year after them feeling as if I wasn't capable any more, I think that would be outstanding," Portis told Sirius XM, according to the Washington Post.
Portis also said the Washington media contributed to the difficult season quarterback Donovan McNabb went through, which ended with Rex Grossman as the team's starting quarterback. Portis believes McNabb has plenty left in the tank.
"I don't know the extent of Donovan's situation, but from what I could see and what I could tell, once you get into a position where you're clashing, it feels as if any mistake you make you're gonna be pulled," Portis told the radio station. "It's kind of hard to play like that, and that's really how it was.
"I think with that Washington media being so critical of the team, it's hard to really have that team bond, because the media, shoot, they're picking it apart and tearing it apart and being so critical even when the good times come. I don't think Donovan was ready for that, even coming from Philly. I don't think he understood the position he was coming into. I think Donovan's got a lot left in the tank."
--As talk centers around John Beck being the next starting quarterback for the Redskins, Rex Grossman staked claim to the job with comments to the ESPN 980 Radio.
Said Grossman, "If you ask me, I definitely feel like I'm the starter, but I'm not even signed yet. I'm assuming a lot of things here."
When asked who he believes should be the starter, Grossman grew political. He said, "I'm not going to say John Beck. I'm going to say me if I'm going to pick somebody. I would like this to be answered by the coaches and decided by competition."
--Shanahan raved about John Beck, the only other quarterback on the roster even though Miami's 2007 second-rounder hasn't played since his rookie year.
"You're not going to address everything through the draft," said Shanahan, who didn't take a quarterback or an offensive tackle despite having 12 picks.
"We've got a game plan, a whole of directions we can go (at quarterback). When John Beck did come out, I had him as the top-ranked quarterback. I didn't think it was close so I've got a lot of confidence in John Beck."
Beck ran Washington's scout team last season and Shanahan said, "He hasn't disappointed me," before raving about the 29-year-old's work ethic, ability run the offense and mobility.
--Grossman chimed in on the Donovan McNabb wristband controversy during an appearance on ESPN 980 Radio.
Said Grossman, "Obviously Donovan didn't like it. He didn't want to do it. I'm not sure that was a major issue. I'm not sure that was a big problem between him and the coaching staff."
Asked if McNabb refused to wear a wristband that had the plays on it, he said, "I know he told me he doesn't like to do that. I don't know their discussions or what they asked him to do. If they asked him and he outright refused it, that's an issue. But I don't know any of that first-hand."
--It's back to work for Redskins' players next week. After two days of working together in mid-April, the plans are for three days next week.
Middle linebacker London Fletcher organized the first two workouts, in which around 20 players attended the first day and about 30 the next day.
--Helu, Jr., Gomes and Paul are the first trio of players the Redskins had drafted from the same school since they also drafted three Cornhuskers in 1975: sixth-round offensive tackle Mark Doak; 11th-round defensive back Ardell Johnson and 16th-round guard Dennis Pavelka. None of them played for the team. Shanahan is very high on Helu, Jr. and Paul, who, like Gomes, were scouted by Shemy Schembechler, son of late Michigan coaching legend Bo Schembechler.
"Helu brings something that we haven't had (4.4) speed," said Shanahan, comparing him to a young Clinton Portis. "He's a tough guy, a little bit better than the guys we've had, very physical, one of the better blockers, returns punts, kickoffs, a guy that can help right away on special teams," Shanahan said.
- Shanahan said Royster is a surprising runner.
"He's just a natural runner," Shanahan said. "You don't see anything that would just blow you away. All he does is gain yards. He's one of those guys that's very smooth, very elusive. He was just a guy that I was hoping would be there. He's an excellent back that will come in there and compete for a starting position."
QUOTES TO NOTE
"I'm someone who's going to give you all I've got and my first play is going to look like my last play." -- Redskins first-round draft choice Ryan Kerrigan.
"For someone who's so quiet and really just tries to be the best at what I do, and to be a part of the firestorm every offseason, it's amazing. But I never let that affect what I'm doing. I write goals for myself every season and offseason, and I look to achieve those goals, and they really make you stronger mentally and physically. Things are going to be out there negative, out there about you. Everyone's going to play the hoopla and what-if. But I can only control what I can control. All I can do is make sure I'm ready when the time comes." - QB Donovan McNabb on rumors he refused to wear a wristband with plays on it during the 2010 season.
Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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