Making the NFL can be a serious uphill battle for a rookie free agent, trailing established veterans and draft picks in the roster pecking order. Trying to make a team that reached the playoffs in two of the past three seasons can seem even less likely for an unproven talent.
But if guard Andrew Crummey and tight end Jason Goode need any inspiration to prove that they can follow the hard road to a paycheck from the Redskins, all they have to do is look around the locker room.
There sit offensive tackle Stephon Heyer, his former University of Maryland teammate, who was in the same position just last year. Not only did Heyer make the Redskins, he wound up starting the entire preseason in place of injured left tackle Chris Samuels and then started five regular-season games and the playoff loss on the right side when veteran Todd Wade faltered in place of the injured Jon Jansen.
"When you know you're not the only one who's been (down) the road, it gives you a little motivation," Goode said.
"If you show you have the ability to play, they're going to put you out there if they need you," Heyer said. "I've let Andrew know the differences between what we did at Maryland and what we do here, what they're looking for. He's got pretty good leverage for a guy that doesn't weigh that much and he can move sideline to sideline pretty good."
Crummey missed most of his senior year after breaking a leg, not once, but twice. The second occurrence prevented him from participating in the scouting combine and other pre-draft workouts. The Redskins signed him in May but held him out of team drills during organized team activities in June.
"If I could take the same route as Stephon, it would be nice," said the 6-foot-5, 301-pound Crummey, like Heyer bypassed in the draft because of questions about his health.
The 6-3, 238-pound Goode was skipped over in the draft after sitting behind 2006 first-round pick Vernon Davis for three years and then splitting time as a senior. He was signed by the Redskins after playing well in the May 2-4 minicamp as tryout candidate.
The Redskins' starting line is set and with Heyer and veterans Jason Fabini and Wade plus third-rounder Chad Rinehart in reserve, Crummey will be in a battle for perhaps one job. Goode faces even steeper odds with Pro Bowl tight end Chris Cooley, veteran blocker Todd Yoder and Fred Davis all but sure to make the team.
Then again, several people probably bet against Crummey just getting this far.
CAMP CALENDAR: The Redskins open training camp on July 20, the day after the players report. Practices close to the public on Aug. 7.
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