|
|
||
Brown tries to tackle new scheme with new team Date published: 7/30/2010
ASHBURN-- With first-round draft pick Trent Williams still locked in contract talks, only one tackle in the Redskins' new set of bookends took the practice field yesterday at Redskins Park.Oft-injured former Pro Bowler Jammal Brown made it through his first workout with the Redskins without any major problems, anchoring the right tackle spot for the day. "It's all right," Brown said. "I'm still trying to learn things--cadence and things like that. And I'm still trying to get back into football shape." Brown, whom the New Orleans Saints traded to the Redskins for a conditional 2011 pick, spent the 2009 season on the Saints' injury reserve list after needing surgery for a sports hernia and a hip injury. Brown was coming off of his second Pro Bowl season protecting Drew Brees' blind side. Not only does Brown have to shake off the rust of a year without football, he must master the zone blocking scheme used by Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. "It's still football," Brown said. "I wouldn't say it's hard to adjust to the scheme; there are just certain things that you have to learn to do." Brown did say that one important thing about zone blocking is having a good connection with his guard. That guard yesterday was Artis Hicks, another new face on the Redskins' offensive line. Hicks joined the team in March as an unrestricted free agent and, along with Brown and Williams, has enhanced an offensive line that was inadequate last season. "I'm excited about the new guys," said former Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels. "Trent Williams was a great move for a young lineman, and the two veterans are huge for this line." Samuels is still with the team as a coaching intern, and he thinks that Brown will start the Redskins' first game. "He was a Pro Bowler at one time, and I watched him and was impressed," Samuels said. "He's one of those guys that you can plug in right away, and you know he'll hold it down." Brown will replace Stephon Heyer, a third-year undrafted player from Maryland. Heyer hopes to push Brown for the starting right tackle spot but will offer the newcomer any support he can. "It's a challenge to me," Heyer said. "Ever since I stepped in this league, I had a chip on my shoulder so I know I have to keep grinding. But anything he asks me, I'm here for him. I think he's a veteran, and he knows what's going on around here." Carden Hedelt: 540/374-5440
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
|
|
|||||||||||||
