Redskins today 10/10/08

By John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer 10/10/08

ASHBURN –
Redskins notes

» Jason Taylor practiced for the first time since having calf surgery Sept. 22, raising hopes that he’ll play against St. Louis on Sunday.
Taylor said it’s realistic to think that he’ll play, but wants to see how the knee responds this morning.

“He looked good,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “We have to make sure his conditioning is up to par. That may mean we have to limit his reps even if we do activate him.”

Taylor underwent surgery to prevent nerve damage in his left calf. He was kicked during the Arizona game and developed compartmental syndrome.

He’s missed the past two games.

“It feels good,” said Taylor, who would play with the stitches still in his calf and a titanium pad protecting it. “I can tell that there was a problem. But it’s better than it was [Wednesday]. ... I’m trying to stay calm and not get my hopes up too high in case something bad happens between now and Sunday.”

» Right tackle Stephon Heyer (shoulder) participated in all of practice for the first time in two weeks, but worked with the second team behind Jon Jansen.

Linebacker Marcus Washington (hamstring), safety Reed Doughty (back) and Cornelius Griffin (shoulder) did not practice. Doughty is unlikely to play Sunday. Cornerback Shawn Springs returned to practice and is expected to play.

» Zorn said he is intrigued by Miami’s Wildcat formation, in which running back Ronnie Brown takes a direct snap from center.

“I’ll study it in the offseason and see if it makes sense,” Zorn said. “It’s worth taking a look at.”

Inside the game » Throwing a TD pass

“I’d rather throw a touchdown pass any day over catching one or running one in. To throw one and make that connection ... the defense ain’t expecting the wide receiver to throw it. I like that more than catching one and running one just because it’s unexpected. It’s exciting.

“And when I watch it again, I see the zip on the ball and how I sold it to the very end. [Eagles safety] Brian Dawkins is about 10 yards off; Chris Cooley is right there and another defender is right in front. You have to see Santana [Moss] and keep Cooley in your vision. You’ve got to keep looking at it. And you’ve still got to sell the run. But you have to have the smarts if they’re not open to throw it away.

“What I’m most proud of on the play is the fact that I put it right there and Chris didn’t have to reach up. Clinton [Portis] throws floaters; I throw darts. He caught it and didn’t have to break a tackle. If it had been high, he would have caught it and then got tackled. But he caught it and turned up and that allowed him to get in.”

— Antwaan Randle El

Outside the Beltway

News and opinions from outside the Washington area

» For all the woes that befell the Rams during their inelegant first quarter of the season, they still can see the top of the standings from their perch deep in the basement. That’s because the NFC West, perhaps the NFL’s weakest division, is very much up for grabs heading into Week 6.

— Bill Coats (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

» [Jim] Haslett inherits a team that ranks 30th in offense and 31st in defense. A team that has been outscored 147-43 this season. A team that has lost 17 of its last 20 games. Haslett inherits a mess. The goal isn’t to transform the Rams into Super Bowl contenders by the end of the season. Haslett’s goal must be to make them competitive. Make them respectable. Make them anything but the laughingstock they have become.

— Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News)

» They have yet to turn the ball over on offense, and there’s no sense that an October Surprise is lurking to derail them. It sounds strange, but this is a team that has a very legitimate chance to earn home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Washington’s next three opponents — the Rams, Browns and Lions — have a combined 1-11 record. If the Redskins don’t falter, they’ll be 7-1 at the midpoint of the season.”

— Michael Silver (Yahoo Sports)

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