3BLACK E3 DAILY 08-11-06 MD SU E3 BLACK

The Washington Post x S Friday, August 11, 2006 E3 Professional Football

REDSKINS NOTEBOOK NOTEBOOK Lefotu Remains Hospitalized, Is ‘Doing Much Better’ Roethlisberger, By Howard Bryant Tyer said that heat was ruled out missed a week with viral meningi- Culpepper Are Washington Post Staff Writer as a factor. He and some members tis. Now that Patten is back and Ja- of the Redskins’ medical team were cobs finds himself on the shelf Given Go-Ahead Washington Redskins rookie of- with Lefotu on Wednesday night again, his chances of cracking the fensive lineman Kili Lefotu was and said he was partially conscious, top four spots at wide receiver have Associated Press moved from Loudoun County Hos- but yesterday was alert and lucid. diminished. pital to Virginia Hospital Center in “It seems as though he’s stabi- “I think for anyone who’s not an Ben Roethlisberger will start the Arlington yesterday, a day after he lized,” Coach Joe Gibbs said, add- established starter, it’s real impor- Pittsburgh Steelers’ exhibition was found unconscious in his room ing that he had not yet spoken to Le- tant to be somebody who gets game at Arizona tomorrow, two at the National Conference Center fotu, a seventh-round draft pick through all the practices and looks months to the day from the serious in Leesburg. from Arizona. good,” Gibbs said. “You can’t fault motorcycle accident that left him Lefotu, 22, spent Wednesday him for training. He’s one of the with a broken jaw, nose and other night in the hospital undergoing a Jimoh Sidelined hardest working guys here, it’s just facial injuries. battery of tests, but Redskins Direc- that he’s had injuries and you just Roethlisberger has been lobby- tor of Sports Medicine Bubba Tyer Reserve cornerback Ade Jimoh don’t know why that happens.” ing Coach Bill Cowher since camp is still referring to Lefotu’s condi- did not practice yesterday and likely opened on July 28 to allow him to tion as an undisclosed illness. Lefo- will miss the exhibition opener Sun- Quick Recovery? play, but Cowher had not con- tu will be hospitalized at least over- day night in Cincinnati with a firmed until yesterday that the night. bruised sternum. Backup offensive lineman Jim quarterback would start. According to Tyer, Lefotu did not Jimoh was hit in the chest Tues- BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST Molinaro thinks he can return fast- Roethlisberger will play only a feel well before Wednesday’s prac- day by running back Rock Cart- Redskins rookie offensive lineman Kili Lefotu, left, took part in drills with er than the 3 to 4 weeks Gibbs said series or two before Cowher inserts tice and asked the security staff at wright. For the bulk of camp, Jimoh Jasper Harvey (56), Karon Riley (75) and Jon Alston earlier this week. he would be out. Molinaro un- Charlie Batch. Most of the playing the dormitory to call 911. Lefotu has been third on the depth chart derwent arthroscopic left knee sur- time is expected to go to the quar- was alone in his room because his behind starters Shawn Springs and Another Setback the season with a knee injury the gery on Wednesday after tearing terbacks competing for the No. 3 roommate, defensive tackle Manaia Carlos Rogers. Cornerback Kenny week before Thanksgiving and the lateral meniscus tendon. job, free agent Shane Boyd and Brown, had been released Wednes- Wright, signed from Jacksonville as Wide receiver Taylor Jacobs did James Thrash was slowed with vari- “I should be back way sooner fifth-round draft pick Omar Jacobs. day morning. When paramedics ar- a free agent, is next on the depth not practice for the second straight ous leg injuries, Jacobs, 25, was pre- than that,” Molinaro said, adding K DOLPHINS: Daunte Culpepper has rived, Tyer said, Lefotu was in and chart. day after suffering a right groin in- sented with a prime opportunity to that he would be ready for the Sept. received medical clearance to take out of consciousness but at no point “The cartilage from the ribs that jury. The injury is another obstacle showcase his abilities, but caught 11 11. opener against Minnesota. a hit — or dish one out. was his breathing impaired. connects to the sternum has a little for Jacobs, who is fighting for a spot passes for 100 yards on the season. “There wasn’t that much swelling, The Dolphins plan to play their “He’s doing much better today. separation,” Tyer said, adding that on the depth chart at a position the In the offseason, Jacobs fell fur- and I’m only using crutches because new, surgically repaired quarter- He feels good. He’s talking. His fian- the injury is similar to one suffered Redskins bolstered in the offseason. ther on the depth chart when the they told me I had to. I tore the in- back in tomorrow’s exhibition cee came out to be with him,” Tyer by former Redskins cornerback Injuries have played a large role, team acquired side of the tendon, and I guess if opener against Jacksonville, Coach said. “I went down to see him Fred Smoot, but less severe. “He is but Jacobs is clearly in a struggle in and Brandon Lloyd. Jacobs ap- there was a place to tear it, that was Nick Saban said. Culpepper will be [Thursday]. He called me by going a miss a few days and this a crowded field of receivers. Last peared to have another chance to it. I feel pretty good about coming exposed to contact for the first name.” weekend,” he said. year, when David Patten was lost for impress coaches when Patten back fast.” time since a knee injury ended his 2005 season with the Minnesota Vikings last October. Also, Miami starting guard Seth McKinney underwent surgery to repair a neck disk and is expected Redskins’ Young QB Coach Has Come of Age to be sidelined two to three months. REDSKINS, From E1 K TITANS: Rookie running back LenDale White got into a brawl but when players break off into po- with a teammate at Tennessee’s sitional meetings to dissect Saun- training camp. ders’s 700-page playbook and The rookie from Southern Cal study film, it is Lazor who is en- started clashing with the defense trusted with the task of making on a running play. He was walking sure the quarterbacks are ready to back toward the huddle when he execute the complex system. was bumped. “He’s a young guy who hasn’t White walked back, and safety been around for a while, yet he’s Donnie Nickey pushed back at the my quarterback coach, which is rookie with his helmet. A recording kind of surreal,” said Brunell, who by a television cameraman picked could not resist the chance to have up linebacker Keith Bulluck yelling a little fun at Lazor’s expense. “I’m that White had spit in Nickey’s two years older than him, so it’s face. hard for him. I can’t take it when A few plays later, White couldn’t he yells at me. It really bothers me. catch an outlet pass from Matt “No, that’s all in jest. I’ve got a Mauck when hit by rookie Cortland lot of respect for him. He is a hard, Finnegan. hardworking coach. He spends the Nickey ran upfield and shoved time, he’s very thorough and I just White in the back. White elbowed think he keeps us in our meeting safety Vincent Fuller amid more too long. Other than that he’s a pushing and shoving. Nickey threw great guy. He’s got a bright future at least one punch before a group of and he’s going to be in coaching players were separated. for a long time.” K BRONCOS: Denver will be without Brunell will turn 36 next month Courtney Brown for the entire ex- and Lazor just turned 34 in June, hibition season after the defensive meaning he’s eight months young- end underwent arthroscopic sur- er than Collins. While Lazor un- gery on his troublesome left knee. derstands the peculiarities of this K CHIEFS: Kansas City, riddled by situation, he also is a stickler for nagging injuries in the backfield, preparation and homework. He di- agreed to terms of a two-year con- gested the voluminous playbook tract with former Michigan State and quickly became an expert on quarterback Jeff Smoker. the offense, able to answer the in- K COWBOYS: Coach Bill Parcells evitable questions his quarter- said “there would be a pretty good backs would ask. Lazor, a quarter- chance” that Tony Romo will start back at Cornell from 1991 to ’93, at quarterback in the preseason spent nights immersed in his stud- opener against Seattle. ies, sometimes heading to the The move has nothing to do with back yard to walk through plays by starter Drew Bledsoe and every- himself to commit footwork and thing to do with evaluating Romo. timing to muscle memory. K PANTHERS: Safety Mike Minter “It really isn’t an issue,” Lazor will be away from the team indefi- said of his age. “There may have nitely after the death of his mother been some humorous comments yesterday. Minter left the team’s early on, but we do a lot of work training camp Tuesday night when and the humor tends to slide away BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST his mother suddenly became ill at pretty quickly. We’ve been work- Redskins quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor feigns a rush on Casey Bramlet as Todd Collins watches. “It really isn’t an issue,” Lazor, 34, said of his age. her home in Oklahoma. The cause ing at it for a long time now, so of her death was not available. that’s kind of passed at this point.” falo in 2001 and 2002 before join- quarterbacks coach, he surely coach. It’s a great relief to know Campbell is Lazor’s biggest priori- K EXHIBITION GAMES: Playing his For Lazor, the job is a dream ing the Falcons for a season. When would have gotten one (the Red- that very important position is be- ty, and their futures seem inexora- first game in nearly two years, Kel- come true and he has no in- quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave skins set coaching payroll records ing coached the way you’d want it bly linked. They spent countless len Winslow Jr. made two catches tentions of failing. left the Redskins for Atlanta short- again this offseason), but Saun- to be coached.” hours alone together this off- in visiting Cleveland’s 20-7 pre- “Sometimes when you’ve been ly after last season ended, and ders saw the same potential in La- The most important relation- season walking through every nu- season loss to the Philadelphia Ea- waiting to do something for a within days of Saunders’s arrival, zor that Gibbs did, and has men- ship for Lazor, however, is likely to ance of the playbook, each know- gles. Donovan McNabb looked while, and feel like you finally get Gibbs wasted little time naming tored him. be with second-year quarterback ing there is so much work still sharp for the second straight game, your opportunity, you want to Lazor to the position. “I think Bill is one of the really , seeing that Bru- ahead. and Jeff Garcia connected with make sure you do it exactly right,” “It’s been a real good start,” true up-and-coming young stars of nell is a veteran and Collins has “He’s cool to be around,” Camp- Darnerien McCants on a 32-yard he said. “I feel like I’ve been pre- Gibbs said. “The biggest thing up the five years of experience in Saun- bell said. “He’s a young guy like touchdown pass for the Eagles. . . . paring for this job for a long time, here is the players have to respect among coaches,” Saunders said. ders’s offense. But Campbell, for me, and he’s learning all the time Indianapolis opened its presea- and I want to make sure I do my you, and in general what they re- “He’s a very bright guy, he learns whom the Redskins traded three from Coach Gibbs and Coach son with a successful onside kick due diligence.” spect is if you know more than quickly and he’s an excellent draft picks — including a first- Saunders. He’s great to work with, by Adam Vinatieri, and Peyton After graduating from Cornell, they do.” teacher. I’m not worried about the rounder — in order to select him and I think he’s going to have a big Manning quickly made the most of Lazor served as an assistant coach Saunders had no previous quarterbacks knowing what to do with the 25th overall pick in 2005, future around here. If you coach his brief appearance by throwing a and recruiting coordinator for his knowledge of Lazor, and was during practice or a game as an of- is the future, and the sooner he for a while around the guys we touchdown pass to Ben Utecht in alma mater, then was offensive co- granted almost total autonomy on fensive coordinator, and Joe would masters this offense, the better have here, you’re definitely going the Colts’ 19-17 loss to the host St. ordinator at the University of Buf- offense. Had he wanted a proven feel this way, too, as the head that investment will pay off. to take something away from it.” Louis Rams.

Training Camp Tracker By Melanie Ho COUNTDOWN SUMMER STORY LINES | ATHLETE’S FOOT FRESH FACE QUOTABLE INJURY REPORT TO KICKOFF On the field, cleats are the way to go.” REED DOUGHTY, Safety “He’s down Day-to-Day the usual footwear, but Quarterback Casey For Doughty, college life meant more than CB Ade Jimoh (sternum, will miss 31 after practice, as the Bramlet said he usually just partying. A safety who was drafted 173rd to 325 Sunday’s game) Days until the Redskins make their way wears flip-flops just overall (sixth round) by the Redskins in 2006, pounds now. LB Kevin Simon (abdominal strain) Redskins play the to the team bus, there is a because they’re more Doughty not only balanced football and WR Taylor Jacobs (right groin strain) Vikings in the pretty even mix between comfortable and that the academics, but married life as well. Doughty, He’s got his DL Anthony Montgomery Monday night flip-flops and running socks-and-sandals who got married in 2002, was home having dinner with his wife while balance and (hamstring) season opener at shoes. It’s all pretty combo is one he doesn’t his classmates were living it up. DL Nic Clemons (knee) Flip-Flops vs. Running Shoes he’s not on FedEx Field. standard, except for the get. “With anything it’s just discipline, you have to focus on the task at RB Jesse Lumsden (hip flexor) unfortunate few who elect to combine socks “I don’t understand it either, you’ll have to hand,” Doughty said. “Whether it was school or my marriage, whether the ground. CB Curry Burns (hamstring) with sandals, becoming prime examples of ask them,” Bramlet said, laughing. it was football, that’s what I focused on while I was in the moment.” Dock was DB Aric Williams (undisclosed) TODAY’S fashion roadkill. Chris Pino, for one, blames that And then there’s Chris Cooley, making a In addition to finishing his senior year at Northern Colorado with always a big Indefinite SCHEDULE habit on his California heritage. Even though fashion statement all his own. He wears Ugg 159 total tackles, 4 and 3 forced and recovered OL Kili Lefotu (undetermined defensive lineman Ryan Boschetti said he wears slippers when he leaves the training facility. , Doughty finished with a 4.0 GPA as a sport and exercise jolly guy. ailment) Practice is closed to flip-flops to give his feet a rest, Boschetti also “For the last three weeks, I’ve had one pair science major. He was also the school’s first three-time academic He’s the real T (knee surgery, out the public. came to the defense of those wearing tube socks of Ugg slippers that I’ve worn like every day,” all-American. 3-4 weeks) and sandals. Cooley said. “You know what else? The Moving up to the NFL been a learning experience for Doughty — deal now.” “A lot of the time you need to keep cuts and Sharper Image foam-bottom slippers, I wear particularly adjusting to the humidity. NEXT UP bruises covered, that’s why sometimes you see them a lot, too. I’ll wear slippers out [in “Coach tells us not to worry about the heat and I believe him Assistant head coach guys wearing socks or leg warmers,” Boschetti public]. I’ll wear them with jeans out. I don’t when I’m out here, but it’s still an adjustment coming from Colorado,” Joe Bugel, on Exhibition Game said. “You just need to do whatever you can to care.” Doughty said. “My wind is fine, but it’s getting accustomed to not offensive lineman 8 p.m., Sunday

Derrick Dockery’s

stay healthy. Wearing stylish Nikes might not be Send that memo to Vogue. being able to cool off.” weight loss at Cincinnati 3BLACK E3