Redskins TC: Days 5&6 In Review

The Flex Off from The Cooley Zone


As the offensive line struggles can we count on this guy to step up? (Yahoo Sports)

For better or for worse, Zorn and Campbell are joined at the hip. (Washington Post)

Zorn's progress report on Colt. (ESPN)

Has Thomas already won the #2 WR job? (Real Redskins)

This Brian Orakpo guy might be pretty good. (Redskins Blog)

Zorn has no problem with Twitter. (Redskins Insider)

Some interesting training camp photos. (DC Sports Bog)

The best of Twitter days 5 & 6:

@RickMaese Zorn on ground, demonstrating for QBs how to recover fumble. Bad sign? Does this mean they're planning on doing lots of fumbling this year

@thecooleyzone Just saw a guy with his shirt tucked in his underwear

@hogshaven Jason campbell last man off the field signing autographs

@redskinsblog Finally, Campbell evades, resets, flicks it 60 yards in the air and sees it CAUGHT by Randle El

@dcsportsbog Question in Redskins media room: When Jason Campbell talked about tissue being flushed, could he have meant Kleenex, or just toilet paper?

Cheers and Hail

August 4: Happy Bday Riggo And BJ

Happy birthday John Riggins. What more can I say about my favorite football player of all time? He’s a hall of famer, leads the Redskins in every all-time rushing category and raised hell with the best of them. I can’t believe he’s 60 years old today. I know he could jump on a field right now and get a TD from the 1 yard line or get 3 yards on a 3rd and 2. I will have a beer for you tonight Riggo. Happy 60th Mr. Riggins!

Happy birthday BJ Surhoff. BJ played 8 seasons over 2 separate stints with the Orioles, 1996-2000 and 03-05. He ranks in the top 25 all-time in almost every offensive statistic in the history of the Orioles and was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2007. For his career BJ batted .282 with 2,326 hits and 1,153 RBI’s. I love the way BJ played the game. He was a hardnosed ballplayer who could play any position. He was the #1 overall draft pick in the 1985 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He was also the 1985 ACC Male Athlete of the Year, sandwiched between 1984 winner Michael Jordan, and 1985 winner Len Bias. BJ has been busy in his retirement. He was a spring training instructor for the O’s in 2008 and traveled to China with Cal in to 2007 to instruct children how to play baseball. He’s also the Vice President of Pathfinders for Autism and has spent many years trying to help in the fight against the disorder that his son Mason was diagnosed with. I had the opportunity to meet BJ and have him as one of my coaches at the Ripken Fantasy Camp. He’s a great guy and I think he’d make an awesome hitting coach or manager one day (if he wants to.) Happy 45th Mr. Surhoff… (I won’t drop any more fly balls!)


Happy birthday Ravin Caldwell. Ravin spent 6 of his 7 NFL seasons with the Redskins from 1987-1993. He was a linebacker and special teams standout. Ravin appeared in 79 games, starting 14 and won 2 Super Bowl rings during his tenure. One of the highlights of my many trips to Redskins Park as a youth was watching highlights of the 87’ Super Bowl in the locker room area with Ravin and Reggie Branch. Ravin’s daughter was one of the top ranked women’s high school basketball players last year and will play for Cal this fall. Happy 46th Mr. Caldwell.

Happy birthday Jon Knott. There’s not much to say about Jon, he played a total of 7 games with the O’s in 2007. But, Jon was born in my hometown of Manassas, VA…and that earns him a happy birthday. Jon is still plugging along in the Independent League, making a living playing ball. Happy 31st Mr. Knott.

Cheers and Hail

BigDCoach, He's Got A Lot On His Mind

Twitter has had it's fair share of "fake" accounts. Most of the time they are in good nature and offer up loads of laughs. Normally the fake accounts last until someone complains to Twitter, resulting in the imposter's account being removed. Tony Larussa went as far as to threaten a lawsuit over his fake account. My opinion is if the person squatting on the account is not too vulgar or negative and identifies him or herself as a "fake," then let's enjoy the entertainment.

Which leads me to the fake Wade Phillips. Somebodies doing a pretty comical job with him. Not too over the top and not too many tweets, but LOL when the @bigDcoach does have something to say. As a Redskin fan it's fun to watch the spin that someone is putting on this old country bumpkin. I definitely recommend a follow.

Cheers and Hail

August 3: Happy Birthdays

Happy birthday Don Breaux. Don coached in the NFL for 27 seasons, 17 of those in DC. He has 3 Super Bowl rings from his 2 separate tenures with Washington, Gibbs I and Gibbs II. During Gibbs I he was running backs coach, helping 4 different RB’s reach 1,000+ yards in a season (Riggins, Rogers, Byner and Brooks.) In Gibbs II he was the pseudo offensive coordinator, though Gibbs and Al Saunders called the plays. Don retired from the Skins right before the season last year, citing a heart condition. Don also played 2 seasons in the NFL as a QB with the Broncos and Chargers. Happy 69th Mr. Breaux.



Happy birthday Doug Overton. Doug spent the first 3 seasons of his 11 year career with the Washington Bullets, from 1992-95. His best season came in 94-95’, when he played in all 82 games, averaging 7 points and 3 assist per game. Overall, Doug played in 188 games with the Bullets averaging 6.1PTS. He was traded (along with Don Maclean) for Robert Pack in 1995. In retirement, Doug got into coaching and is now an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets. Happy 40th Mr. Overton.

Happy birthday N.D. Kalu. N.D. played defensive end for 3 seasons with the Redskins from 1998-200. N.D. appeared in 40 games and registered 7.5 sacks and 35 tackles. I was a fan of N.D’s because he wore #72, and reminded me a little of Dexter…well very little actually. N.D. played last season in Houston and has played 11 total seasons in the NFL; he’s currently a free agent. Check out the YouTube below of the Skins 2000 defense. Happy 34th Mr. Kalu.



Cheers and Hail

Redskins TC: Days 3&4 In Review

(photo courtesy of Tanner Cooley, thank you T)

Days 3 and 4 are in the books...and the veterans are at home sleeping in their own beds. WTF? This is training camp, they shouldn't be allowed to go home to their wives or girlfriends! If Cooley's hamstring hurts then Yoder should have to rub it, not Christy! That's what training camps are all about. Anyway, here's a look at the weekend practices:


I'm a believer that Devin Thomas is going to have a break out season, here's more proof. (ESPN)

Collins is safe...Brennan or Daniel...gone? (Real Redskins)

Knock on wood, injuries minor so far. (Redskins Insider)

Witten bloopers and sweet photos from the Cooley's. (The Cooley Zone)

The Redskins improved their punting and kicking problems with Hunter Smith? (Redskins Blog)


The best of Twitter days 3 & 4:

@ThatBoyPhil93 Rain but everyone came out healthy. Only thing that bothered me was the fan yelling make the offense practice longer. No need for that.

@1067thefandc Met Chris and Tanner Cooley's Mom today. Very proud Mom. Tanner and I met too, I'm looking forward to hearing his show on Saturday nights!CR

@RickMaese Defense is 5-6 steps ahead of offense. 2 picks already in 11-on-11. Even 2nd string D pushing around 1st-team offense, esp O-line

@tannercooley Just heard someone say Yoder is the Todd Collins of tight ends

@devinthomas man its hot out there, i definately could have been in a gatorade commercial the way i was downing them...i think my sweat is orange?! lol

@hogshaven Fans are getting a little rowdy. There's a guy wearing a cowboys hat sitting in a CLE browns chair

@SI_PeterKing Just finished a Jason Campbell story for the mag. Headed to Steeler camp for the p.m. practice. Ross Tucker hard at work. The guy toils. (can't wait to see this)

@redskinsblog Campbell completes three straight in drills: Portis, Moss, Cooley. Need more of that from those four.

Cheers and Hail

August 1: Happy Bday Adam Jones

On a daily basis, Fatpickled recognizes the birthdays of the men who have played, and currently play for, my favorite teams. The Redskins, Orioles, Wizards, and Terps.

Happy birthday Adam Jones. What can I say about this stud? Fresh off his first all star appearance, he’s a bonafide superstar in the making. Thru 94 games this season Adam is batting .296 with 17HR’s and 59RBI’s. Those numbers already exceed last year’s rookie season. He has speed and power… he has the potential to be a 30/30 guy. He’s got a gun for an arm, although it may not be as good as Markakis’s (certainly not as accurate.) The trade that brought Adam to the Orioles will go down as one of the most lopsided deals ever, and Macphail should get a monument on Eutaw St. for it. Adam also has the greatest bobblehead ever, and I want/need it! Ok, ok…I heart Adam. Happy 24th (he’s only 24!) Mr. Jones.

Happy birthday Darnerien McCants. Darnerien played in 29 games over 3 seasons with the Redskins from 2002-2004. His best season came in 2003 when he led the Redskins with 6 TD’s to go along with his 27 receptions for 360 yards. After leaving DC, Darnerien played one season with the Eagles and bounced around some training camps. Darnerien was a local guy who grew up in Gambrills, Maryland and his idol growing up was Art Monk. During his time in DC, he may have been more well know for banging Vivica Fox and his art, than for football. McCants is an accomplished artist and musician and you can check out his stuff at his website right here. Happy 32nd Mr. McCants!

Happy birthday Greg Williams. Not the Greg Williams who was the Redskins D coordinator from 2004-07, this would be the Greg Williams who played defensive back for the Skins from 1982-1985. I must admit that even I, who consider myself an expert in Redskins history, do not remember much about Greg. He did appear in 57 games for the Skins, and has a Super Bowl ring from 82’. He must have been a special teams demon with a nose for the football…he recovered 6 fumbles in his career. Happy 50th Mr. Williams.

Cheers and Hail

Redskins Training Camp: Day 2 In Review

(photo from Redskins.com, Ned Dishman)

Day 2 of of training camp is in the books,with the players being blessed by the rain gods. The afternoon practice was rained out...but things should get more exciting today, it's the first practice in pads.

Here's a quick recap of day 2:


A defensive end who left college after his junior year because of a failed drug test is turning heads at Redskins Park. No, it's not 3rd round supplemental draft pick Jeremy Jarmon. It's some guy named J.D. Skoltnisky, and undrafted Free Agent from JMU. I like his name and I like his school, I'll be pulling for this underdog. (WHSV.com)

Charles Robinson has a nice profile of Jason Campbell and how he's ready to move forward from the soap opera offseason. (Yahoo Sports)

Devin Thomas has the opportunity to take the #2 WR spot from Randle EL. (Redskins Insider)

The Cooley's may have another item up for sale on Ebay soon. (The Cooley Zone)

Randle El may lose his spot as the teams #1 punt returner also. (Hogs Haven)

Happy birthday Brian Orakpo. I didn't give him the official Fatpickled birthday salute yesterday, but I'm sure he didn't miss it...considering he signed his new contract worth $20 million. Happy birthday Mr. Orakpo, may we celebrate with many sacks and some turnovers. (ESPN)

The best of Twitter day 2:

@redskinsblog NEWS: Redskins agree to terms with first-round pick Brian Orakpo. (Matt Terl breaking the Orakpo signing late Thur night)

@1067thefandc Jim Zorn was thrilled with Fred Davis' progress, tells me he is really happy with his progress, work ethic and ability to focus on tasks -CR

@RickMaese If Skins wanted to practice indoors, they'd have to rearrange some furniture, I think.

@Ryanohalloran Even if the rain stopped, the Redskins' turf field can't be used - that's where The Danny's radio station has set up shop with a huge tent.

@Dhall23 http://twitpic.com/cbsfw - Overtime! "The more u sweat in peace the less u bleed in war!" (D Hall doing a boxing workout last night)

Cheers and Hail