Updates From Camp:

From Fanball.com:
Redskins: Arrington close to returning
Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington passed a conditioning test on Tuesday and is close to returning to practice. Arrington is recovering from multiple right knee surgeries, and Tuesday's test involved him running 14 40-yard dashes. "He passed it with flying colors," director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer told the Washington Post. "We're real proud of him. He did great. We're getting close." Arrington could practice on a limited basis starting next week.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis told reporters on Tuesday that he added roughly 20 pounds over the offseason. He was listed at 205 last season but claims to be at 225 right now. "I picked up 20 pounds getting in the weight room," he informed the Washington Post. "Pretty much it was just working [out]. I knew what it was going to take. I knew I needed to pick up weight for the type of offense that we're running. In the two-yard gains, I probably need this weight to turn 'em into four or five."

Arrington? Who is this Arrington of which you speak? I seem to remember signing someone of that name that had amazing (as the 'experts' love to say) upside but he vanished. Could this be the same Arrington? Lavar has maybe one more season in Washington to prove his worth before it's time to start calling for a trade in my opinion. I also remember reading recently that he is involved in a contract dispute for 17 months. How can you dispute your pay when you haven't worked?

Washington Redskins - 5 things from CBS Sportsline

Washington Redskins, National Football League - CBS SportsLine.com

Everything said here I agree with. As such, I provide it to you for your analysis.....

Ramsey's Turn

Clipped from: AP article by Joseph White posted at Washington Times, 8/2/05

Patrick Ramsey opened training camp as the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins, but not necessarily as the quarterback of the future.

Ramsey looked at ease - much more comfortable than last year - as he tossed passes Monday to newcomers Santana Moss and David Patten and the rest of the receivers. Always the optimist, he spoke of making the best of his opportunity, even though his status has been muddled yet again by the team's decision to select a quarterback in the first round of the draft.

Of this year's quarterback threesome - Ramsey, Brunell and Campbell - Ramsey is the only one not hand-picked by Gibbs. In essence, Ramsey has been given the job with a one-year lease, knowing that Brunell's career is on the wane and that Campbell - came to terms with the team late Monday - will probably need a season of grooming.

"Patrick's been up here a while now," Gibbs said. "He's been through some stuff a lot of young guys go through, to be truthful. He's established himself as the lead quarterback, and I would say he needs to take this thing and go with it now. Our opportunities in life - this is one where he's perfectly situated."

If Ramsey succeeds, he'll bring stability to a position in flux more or less since the days of Mark Rypien in the early 1990s.

Physically and mentally, Ramsey is miles ahead of where he was 12 months ago, when he was coming off the foot injury and shaking off two seasons of unorthodox coaching from Steve Spurrier. Just the fact that he gets to go first in the practice drills helps his rhythm and confidence - and affects how he is viewed by teammates.

"Where you stand with the guys is what's different," Ramsey said. "But it's not something I'm going to assume. I want to produce early. ... I want to play well in the preseason and show that I deserve the distinction I have as a starter."

Ramsey's career quarterback rating is a modest 74.4, but he played well at the end of last season, completing at least 64 percent of his passes in five straight games. He has always had a strong arm, but he's worked to improve his touch passes this year. He's excited to have speedsters Moss and Patten, who should help him get the ball downfield more often and improve an offense that ranked 30th last year.

"I see potential," said Patten, who spent the last four years working with one of the game's best, Tom Brady, in New England. "I see the way he's running the huddle. He's just gotten more and more confident. He's really starting to take control of the offense."

"I have an opportunity," Ramsey said. "I need to continue to earn the opportunity. You can't ask for more than that."

I personally have been a fan of P-Ram since the Spurrier days. I was captivated by his perseverance through the fiasco known as Spurrier Pass Protection. Let's hope he can take full advantage of this opportunity.