--Defensive end Jason Taylor, who was acquired on Sunday to take over at left end, said he will honor the final two years of his contract. He is due $8 million this season and $8.5 million next year, with a $500,000 roster bonus in each season. Before the trade, Taylor had hinted at perhaps playing just one more season. He turns 34 in September.
The biggest question now is how his 255-pound body will hold up on the left side, where he will face bigger and more aggressive right tackles. "I don't look real big," Taylor said. "And I might not look too tough, but I mix it up, and I'll play the run as well as I can for my size.
--Defensive end Phillip Daniels suffered a season-ending left knee injury on the first play of 7-on-7 drills in training camp. The injury prompted the team to pull the trigger on a deal that brough DE Jason Taylor to the Redskins from the Dolphins. Daniels is expected to undergo surgery Friday, and at 35, Daniels is facing a career-threatening procedure.
--Defensive end Alex Buzbee suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon and is will undergo season-ending surgery.
--The Redskins announced the retirement of Don Breaux because of a heart condition. Breaux was with the Redskins for 17 seasons from 1981-93 and 2004-07 when Joe Gibbs was head coach.
He was expected to have a role with the team in personnel this year following the hiring of Jim Zorn as head coach.
--Second-round receiver Malcolm Kelly had an interesting week July 5-11. He joined a group that visited Liberia on behalf of the medical relief charity, Mercy Ships, from July 5-10. Kelly also brought along his personal trainer, Chip Smith, to work with Liberian athletes.
"I'm honored and humbled to play a small part in this effort to bring both hope and healing to the people of Liberia," said Kelly, who during his college offseasons worked with Mercy Ships, based near his Longview, Texas, home, "As I have come to know the history and spirit of the Liberian people through Mercy Ships, I feel a real connection to the country. I admire the way they are rebuilding their future and I want to do everything I can to help."
The day after the Liberian trip ended, Kelly agreed to a four-year deal that included a $1.655 million signing bonus. The 6-foot-4 Kelly, who caught 111 passes for 1,814 yards (16.3 average) and 19 touchdowns the past two years at Oklahoma, is expected to have a major impact in the red zone for the Redskins because he's six inches taller than incumbent starters Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. Neither one has been able to be very productive in the red zone.
"I'm looking forward to watching Malcolm develop in training camp and preseason," said Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato.
--Colt Brennan had a good week from July 10-16. First, the Redskins cut holdover No. 3 quarterback Sam Hollenbach on July 10, making sixth-rounder Brennan the favorite to assume that role this season. His only competition is Derek Devine, who was cut by Seattle as a rookie free agent in 2007. Then on July 14, Brennan signed a four-year contract that included a $96,800 bonus.
A finalist for the Heisman Trophy last season, Brennan is second in NCAA history in total offense and passing efficiency and third in passing yards. He set 31 NCAA records while starring at Hawaii.
--The Redskins began a run of securing the services of four of their draft picks in just five days on July 10 when third-round guard Chad Rinehart agreed to a four-year deal that included a $611,000 signing bonus.
A Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) All-American at Northern Iowa, the 6-5, 311 Rinehart started 44 of 47 games at left tackle in college. But with left guards Pete Kendall about to turn 35, and right guard Randy Thomas, 32 and coming off a torn triceps, Rinehart will start his Redskins career inside.
"We like Chad's versatility and we're looking forward to seeing him in pads," said Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato.
--New coach Jim Zorn's first two preseason games will both be nationally televised. The Redskins kick off the NFL preseason on NBC in the Hall of Fame Game against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 3. Their home debut six days later against the Buffalo Bills will be shown by the NFL Network.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We just call him 'Mini-Me' for Smoot. He'll get humbled in due time as the pads go on and guys start pounding. I like the confidence, the swagger. I just hope that ... he'll back it up. If not, he'll be humbled a time or two and he'll come back." -- Defensive coordinator Greg Blache on cocky rookie cornerback J.T. Tryon.
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