BY RICH CAMPBELL
ASHBURN--
Rookie left tackle Trent Williams, the fourth-overall pick in the draft, did not join his Washington Redskins teammates for the start of training camp yesterday because he has not yet signed a contract.Contract talks continued late into the night with hopes that he would be signed by today.
"I think we're very close," coach Mike Shanahan said after practice yesterday afternoon. "I'd be surprised if he's not in here quickly in the near future, knowing their agents, knowing [general manager] Bruce [Allen], how we run this organization. We'll just have to wait and see."
The market value for Williams became a bit clearer yesterday when linebacker Rolando McClain, the eighth overall pick, signed with the Oakland Raiders. His deal is worth $40 million, including $23 million guaranteed, over five years, according to an ESPN report.
McClain was only the third first-rounder to sign. More evidence emerged last night, however, that signings are set to pick up. Philadelphia signed linebacker/defensive end Brandon Graham, the 13th overall pick.
Last season, Redskins first-round pick Brian Orakpo missed the first day of camp while finalizing his contract, and he still made the Pro Bowl.
Without Williams at practice yesterday, second-string left tackle Will Robinson worked with the first team.
WILLIAMS ON RESERVE LIST
Offensive lineman Mike Williams (blood clots) was placed on the non-football injury list yesterday to make room for cornerback Carlos Rogers, who signed his one-year, $1.54 million restricted free-agent tender yesterday and practiced with the team.
Shanahan told reporters after practice that Williams would be "released," but a team spokesman later clarified that Williams is on the NFI list.
"Hopefully in six months, he'll take a physical, and he'll be able to play," Shanahan said. "I had a good conversation with Mike today. He's going to live in the area and try to keep in great shape. He wants to keep on playing football."
WELCOME BACK
Lost among the juicier news yesterday was that Shanahan made his Redskins training camp debut and returned to camp after spending 2009 out of the league. Shanahan didn't make too much of the occasion.
"It's nice," he said. "Any time you're with an organization for as long as I was, and then to come in here after six months of hard work and our coaches, it's really nice to get started. I really enjoyed it."
EXTRA POINTS
Wideout Malcolm Kelly (hamstring) fully participated in practice despite the fact that afternoon thunderstorms soaked the field. He practiced with the second team, alongside receiver Devin Thomas. Joey Galloway worked with the first unit opposite Santana Moss.
Lorenzo Alexander practiced at left outside linebacker with the first string ahead of Andre Carter. Kareem Moore was the first-string free safety, not Reed Doughty or Chris Horton. Ma'ake Kemoeatu was the first-string nose tackle, while Adam Carriker and Kedric Golston played left and right defensive end, respectively.
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall wore the number 2 on his practice jersey as a throwback to the number he wore at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake. He wears No. 23 for games.
Rich Campbell: 540/735-1974
Email: rcampbell@freelancestar.com