Selvish Capers Addresses Speed in Redskins’ Backfield

The Washington Redskins wrapped up another series of player-run, player-only workouts this past week and, while there were not as many team members in attendance as the previous sessions, they worked just as hard. The 11-on-11 drills were well-organized and energetic.

Sportsjourney host Lake Lewis talked offense with Redskins lineman Selvish Capers during his show Wednesday evening at Finnegan's Sports Bar & Grill in Herndon, Va.

Lewis brought up the running backs to Capers during the broadcast and, more specifically, how impressed he was with running back Chad Simpson’s fitness and performance during drills. The o-lineman immediately agreed that Simpson was doing well.

“Yea, he transitioned a lot during the off-season,” Capers said, “Just with his build and his quickness and just healing up from the injury he had last season. He’s come out looking like a monster. He’s going full-go so…”

A great "problem" that Washington has going into training camp is the depth and youth that they have in the backfield. The players still on the team from last year are Ryan Torrain, Keiland Williams, Chad Simpson and James Davis. The players that head coach Mike Shanahan drafted are all very talented as well: Roy Helu from Nebraska and Evan Royster out of Penn State (a particularly agreeable point for Lewis, a Penn State alumnus) are but two of them.

Asked what he thought about the current crop of running backs, Capers admitted that Simpson was part of a big group.

“It’s tough [to have to choose between all of the talent],” Capers said. “I’m just leaving it up to the coaches to decide. It’s not my decision. You can tell [Simpson] worked during the off-season and didn’t play around. He might have played around with his teeth, ‘cause you know now he’s got a little grill now. But you can tell he’d been working hard and doing what you’re supposed to do as a player… especially during this lockout situation.

“It hinders a lot of players from getting a lot of things done.”

Simpson was impressive in his pass-catching out of the backfield during the player workouts and Capers was not surprised in the least.

“He’s always been quick,” the lineman said. “I’ve always thought he had great hands and his speed… his speed is just remarkable. I think Chad should be in ‘The Race’ with Anthony and Brandon.

Armstrong is fast. Note his position
in the photos relative to the lineup...

Already he's up the field...

”Most people familiar with the Redskins know about the running commentary that’s gone over the wires regarding who is faster - wide out Anthony Armstrong or receiver/return specialist Brandon Banks. But there are other teammates that feel they should be included in the list of ‘fastest Redskin.’ Both Simpson and receiver Terrence Austin said as much on Sportsjourney last season.

And out of camera range...

“[Terrence Austin] came out on the show and said it,” Lewis confirmed. “He came out last year and he was like, ‘Hey Lake, how come you didn’t put me in the hat? How come you talk about Brandon and Anthony so much? I should be in there.’”

Obviously, there are different elements of speed that manifest on the field.

“When it comes to agility and things of that sort, I think Terrence might have that,” the o-lineman pointed out.

“Over Brandon??” Lewis was incredulous.

“Over Brandon,” Selvish nodded.

“So Brandon’s getting no love.” Lewis said on a laugh and, after Capers confirmed with a resounding “None,” Lewis couldn’t help what came next:

“I’m gonna tell him,” he warned.

“Hey. It’s a tough world on ‘The Selvish Capers Show’,” the former WV Mountaineer said. “Straight honesty.”

Wrapping up the subject, Lewis summarized: “So Anthony’s the fastest, and Terrence is the quickest then, so to speak.”

“But Chad comes in there because Chad possess both,” according to Selvish.

This doesn't mean that Armstrong is not the fastest Redskin, however. Capers doubts there is any competition at all in the wide out’s straight-ahead speed. Lewis described it as 'blinding.' But, Capers explained why he includes Simpson in the group with Armstrong, Banks; and now Austin.

“It’s just that Chad is that questionable player that you don’t necessarily know because his potential is just so great.”

The upcoming training camp will be exciting considering the offensive weapons that the Redskins have coming in. While discussing Washington's current backfield, Lewis said that rookie running back Evan Royster was impressive. And it’s not just because the latter is a Penn State grad.

“Evan is not necessarily a speed burner,” Lewis commented, “but you can make an argument that he may just be the most complete guy from what he did at Penn State. [Running back] Ryan [Torain] is a sledgehammer… that’s what we know. He just wants to run you over. But if you mix Chad in there, you mix the kid from Nebraska [Roy Helu] in there; once again [running back] James Davis is kind of like your hybrid-type guy… there’s going to be some tough situations in there.

“Then you’re looking at the wide receiver situation as well.”

“That’s a lot of speed, man.” Selvish agreed.

The rookie receiver, Leonard Hankerson looked impressive this past week during the player workouts and, with his height, can’t be ignored as a serious competitor at the wide out position. Niles Paul, from Nebraska will be in the mix as well.

Were it a typical NFL off-season, by now the Redskins would have held strength and conditioning programs, organized team activities (OTAs) and a couple of mini-camps. Of course, because of the lockout, these have not taken place. Lake Lewis encapsulated how a majority of Redskins fans feel at this point in what should be a typical off-season but is not.

“There’s a lot of young talent on this football team right now,” he said, “and I think a lot of fans just can’t wait to see it on the field.”

Hail.

Could the Redskins 2011 Draft Make Up for Lost Millions?

Ryan Kerrigan (left)

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan made a lot of good decisions last season and he made a few that weren’t so good. Some of those not-so-good decisions contributed to a situation in which a player basically received a $31 million gift from the team. While I think if handled differently, those millions might have ended up as the intended paycheck for services rendered, it was the coach’s first year here. Also, he had nothing to do with bringing the player under discussion to Washington. I shall refrain from criticizing the man.

After watching the way Shanahan handled this 2011 NFL Draft, I am even less inclined to judge.

The Redskins' coach did just about what I expected him to do, both in terms of maneuvering trades to get more picks and in the positions he drafted.

By trading back with several teams throughout the event, Shanahan was able to double the amount of players drafted from the original allotment and so add some much-needed depth to the team. When it was all said and done, Shanahan had made deals with six different teams and Washington ended up with the most draft picks it has had since 1985. Well done.

This team must get better on defense to compete (they plummeted to a ranking of 31^st last season). Shanahan addressed that need and others. He focused on both sides of the ball by drafting six defensive players (two backs, four linemen), three wide receivers (one of which is also a return specialist), two running backs, and an offensive lineman.

I give Shanahan & Co. a high passing grade for the event. One of the things I noticed was the emphasis on character drafted into his locker room. Many of the draftees’ scouting reports list intangibles like “hard working” and “team leader.”

Ryan Kerrigan (DE/OLB, Purdue), the Redskins’ first round draft pick, has strengths of “Team leader” and “Intelligent with solid work ethic” listed on WalterFootball.com. Even better is, “Person of high character. Outstanding work ethic on and off the field. Named 2010 team captain. Received team's Pit Bull Award (exemplified and sustained tenacity and intense play) during 2009 spring practices. Named team's MVP in 2009. Three-time Academic All Big Ten” on another website.

This youngster sounds like someone Joe Gibbs would love.

The great thing is that this type of narrative is typical for several of the rookies.  For instance, there is:

Jarvis Jenkins, DL, Clemson (Round 2, 41^st overall) – “Good motor... Disciplined,” “Team captain. Improving as a leader and is learning to trust his coaching more as he matures.”

Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Round 3, 79^th overall) – “Good character” and “Tough kid with good intangibles,”  “Great work ethic. Will pay the price. Matured during career at Miami. One of the most improved players on the team in 2009…” “…continues to improve in 2010 due to hard work.”

Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska (Round 4, 105^th overall) – “High character, respected by teammates,” “Has taken the leadership reigns offensively this past off-season. Hard worker both on and off the field. Active in community service.”

DeJon Gomes, DB, Nebraska (Round 5, 146^th overall) – “Active in the community and charity work,” ”Accountable and well-respected by teammates and coaches. A film rat and puts in the necessary time to be successful.”

Evan Royster, RB, Penn State (Round 6, 177^th overall) – “…not the type that is boisterous or a ‘chest beater’ preferring to let his performance on the field speak volumes for his… ability,” “…tireless work ethic,” “…quiet warrior,”  “Few young players carry themselves off the field like he does, making family and staff proud to be part of his life on the football field and away from the game.”

Maurice Hurt, OL, Florida (Round 7, 217^th overall) –“Respectful to teammates and coaches. Self-motivated and will work to improve as a football player. Passionate about football.”

Markus White, DE, Florida State (Round 7, 224^th overall) – “Earned captain honors for seven games in 2010 and was voted a permanent team captain after the season. Has worked hard to improve as a football player since arriving to the program in 2008. Has very good football character.”

Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia (Round 7, 253^rd overall) – “Developed into the leader and pace setter along the defensive line. Selected as a team captain during senior campaign. Awarded the John Russell award by the coaches during his junior season (2009) for his leadership skills.”

Considering the problem that Shanahan had last season with the afore-referenced defensive lineman, it’s no surprise that he would go out of his way to draft high character guys into his locker room.

The team basically gave a LOT of money to a player that made the most minimal of contributions to the team possible while still getting the check. Perhaps, with the character that these new rookies possess, they will make up for some of the missing effort from last year. Could youth combined with character be that "thing" that could have gotten ten more yards or possibly three more points last season? Could that have been the difference between winning and losing a few of those close games?

There are a lot of great guys wearing the burgundy and gold right now and I am not insinuating that any of them (save one) gave less than all they had last season. But there were off-the-field distractions that could subconsciously affect the hardest of workers. There was the issue of the wear and tear over the years on our guys that must be factored into the equation of wins vs. losses.

I will not predict any sort of record for the coming season at this point and obviously, we don't know how many of the rookies will make the team. I will say, however that the intangibles, youth and talent that some of these young recruits bring to the table, added to the character already in the locker room, could mean that the 2011 Washington Redskins just might end up over .500.  This, my fellow fans, constitutes a winning season.

Hail.