--Cornerback J.T. Tryon is just 5-9, but after being taken in the fourth round of April's draft, the Arizona State product bragged that "it really don't matter" who else the Redskins had at the position because "it's my spot to take."
The Redskins, who gave Tryon a $429,000 signing bonus on June 13, are just fine with that cockiness.
"He's quick, aggressive and confident which is a good thing for a corner," said Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato.
Tryon and returning backup Leigh Torrence will compete for playing time behind veterans Shawn Springs, Fred Smoot and Carlos Rogers (once the latter recovers from reconstructive knee surgery).
--Coach Jim Zorn knows that he and his coaches and players have a long road ahead with the NFL's earliest start of camp (July 20), preseason (Aug. 3) and regular season (Sept. 4).
"I want to relax a little bit with my family because I know what's coming," Zorn said. "I am enthusiastic (about my new job), no question, but I know the seriousness of what I'm about to partake in and I know my coaches do as well."
--Starting quarterback Jason Campbell, heading into his fourth season, had some advices for the rookies as they headed out of Redskin Park for more than five weeks.
"Stay out of trouble, stay in shape and stay in your playbook," Campbell said.
--Zorn said the Redskins came a long way this offseason with the defense and running game fully installed and the passing attack 70 percent finished.
"Last year, it was our second year in (former assistant head coach Al Saunders') offense," Campbell said. "There wasn't much of a learning curve. It was more improving on what we were doing. This year, we were learning new plays so we were learning and improving at the same time."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We've got the car in gear. Let's not put it in neutral. They (can) take a break after a difficult camp, but then they've got to get right back into it. It's not only physical preparation; it's that mental preparation. Our players are going to work out. That's not the problem. It's what happens (in the evenings). They really need to be careful. They're grown men, (but) some of 'em have more maturity than others. I told 'em if they're in one of those sticky situations, take a breath, make sure they breathe out ... and hopefully in that moment they'll be able to think about the decision they're trying to make. I don't expect anybody to be in that situation, but it could happen." -- First-time head coach Jim Zorn on what he told his players before giving them freedom for five-plus weeks.
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