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 offseason 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.”
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.
“[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 offseason 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.