Here is a quick overview of the press conference that Joe Gibbs held at Redskin Park on Thursday:
On Michael Barrow…
… There was a death in his family, may or may not see Barrow at mini-camp. Bubba Tyer thinks he looks good. Gibbs said ‘Barrow feels good about it’.
On other injuries…
Lavar not clear as to when exactly he will return… working him out… rehabbing… gearing more towards regular camp and the regular season…. Hasn’t run on it yet…
Brandon Noble… looks good… expecting him to be fully ready for camp
Chris Cooley has a slight hamstring pull… probably won’t be ready to go this weekend
On how mini-camp will differ from the OTA’s…
Likely won’t be too different at all… don’t want to load the guys up too much. They will work more on specialized situations…. goal-line… 20-yard line in… 2 minute drill etc…
On the value of these workouts…
Have to be in great shape… all teams getting in hard, crisp work… so that they can come back ready to go at training camp because the Redskins will only get 5 days of practice in before the scrimmage with the Ravens… Gibbs feels that they had a great offseason… the team is in very good shape… and his reasons for saying so… limited injuries (Cooley)… probably the best attended offseason Gibbs has been a part of.
The Redskins have decided not to go with two a days at mini-camp because of the way they’ve worked hard… stay with one-a-days… keep the work hard and short.
Gibbs said that he wanted mini-camp late so that the drop off before training camp was short. Some teams do it early but Joe feels it’s better for the young guys especially to do it later.
On quarterbacks so far…
Feel good about QB’s… like the depth… Patrick has had a good offseason… he looks ‘confident and relaxed’ and he’s had a good command of things. Mark’s done extremely well… terrific leader… situation for Jason Campbell where it’s a lot of stuff because of the amount being thrown at him… but he shows definite flashes and that’s what you are looking for.
On running backs…
Gibbs spoke at great length on Ladell and about how impressed he has been with him. Said that basically Betts’ performance had vaulted Gibbs’ impression of him as a third down back, to a guy that can compliment Clinton Portis and get a lot more carries. Gibbs also said that he had a chance to sit down to talk to Ladell not long ago and in a very complimentary fashion remarked that they hadn’t really done so before because of Betts’ low-maintenance workman-like performance for the team.
Gibbs also said that Rock Cartwright has done well.
Feel like Clinton can do whatever. Carry the ball with any style of play…. Changed a bit in the offense too but expected Portis to do very well in 2005.
Gibbs said he had no complaints about Clinton whatsoever… his average was better in Denver… and that the Redskins want to get him up ‘in there’ more. Joe said that they were disappointed he didn’t get 1500 yards… but not in Clinton Portis. Gibbs added that he admires the way Portis plays without the ball.
On the rookies…
Jared Newberry is the only one signed. Said that Carlos Rogers making good progress in practice… said he was smart. Jason Campbell is smart too… Gibbs also said that Campbell can really run as well.
These are just quick summaries of all that was said. Be sure to check out the feed at Redskins.com to catch it all.
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Mark Solway