C M Y K E10 DAILY 08-01-07 MD SU E10 CMYK E10 Wednesday, August 1, 2007 S The Washington Post Professional Football MIKE WISE Making Pieces Fit For Peace of Mind here aren’t many more top priorities this preseason for the Washington T Redskins’ offensive line than keeping Jason Campbell upright. One job. That’s it. So whatever cutting-and-pasting Joe Bugel has to do in the wake of Chris Samuels’s injured right knee should be done with the utmost concern for the health and well-being of the 25-year-old starting quarterback. Buges knows this, of course. The man who fed and watered the original Hogs — who was in charge of a line last season that represented a sliver of light amid a nasty storm — now has to find a way to achieve that goal. Samuels going down is the first sign of real adversity of training camp, and while it shouldn’t send the congregation into a panic, it’s enough to create a serious domino effect at the position. Bugel and his boss, Joe Gibbs, have a real dilemma now that Samuels most likely will miss anywhere between three and six weeks (for now, the projected return is a month). Do they gamble at left tackle on a young buck like undrafted Maryland rookie Stephon Heyer, an affable, strapping lad who goes 6 feet 6, 325 pounds — and who, by the way, at 1:30 p.m. yesterday went from Pluto on the depth chart to getting most of the repetitions with the first-team offense? Heyer was so pumped afterward, he actually referred to Jon Jansen and Casey Rabach as “legends.” His promotion, which may not last until tomorrow but also might hold up until Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens in a scrimmage — in which hitting the quarterback is not allowed — is also a sign that neither Jason Fabini, who has started 114 games in his NFL career, nor Taylor Whitley has the complete confidence of the staff at this minute. In fact, you almost wonder if they’re not purposely using Heyer to kick Fabini in the “be-hind” a little. And that brings the Redskins to the next question: How long do they go with the Todd Wade experiment? He’s played his entire career at left tackle and now he’s being converted to an offensive guard. Bugel comes from the Woody Hayes school, in which you’re either a football player or you’re not — specialization be damned. He told his linemen yesterday he would shuffle them around like a “deck of cards.” He told them the story about Joe Jacoby tripping on the carpet at Giants Stadium in the 1980s and wrenching his knee, how Buges turned to Russ Grimm and PHOTOS BY JOHN MCDONNELL — THE WASHINGTON POST said, “Grimmy, you’re starting at left tackle.” First-round draft choice LaRon Landry (30) makes his training camp practice debut after signing his contract, here squaring off in a drill against defensive end Jamaal Green. The punchline was the man lining up against Grimm: “Lawrence Taylor. He shut him out REDSKINS NOTEBOOK that week,” Bugel said, proudly. But it’s not that easy. Wade, in his new job, has to get lower to the ground, learn more about leverage than he ever knew. He isn’t just Tendinitis in His Right Knee learning technique; he’s learning to react without thinking. “It’s a muscle memory, more than I thought it would be,” Wade said. “More Again Keeps Portis on the Sideline in pass [protection]. I’m used to kicking out fast, have my feet moving quick. Now I got to By Howard Bryant million that will guarantee him $17.5 million. Lan- slow it all down.” Washington Post Staff Writer dry, 22, the sixth overall pick in the draft out of Lou- Wade will do whatever they ask of him, but isiana State, missed six practices as the contract said for now he’s committed to learning to play Washington Redskins running back Clinton Por- was finalized by his agent, Joel Segal. the guard position. tis did not practice yesterday because of tendinitis “The whole time I was ready to play football,” Asked if he might move Wade back if in his right knee, the same injury that kept him out Landry said. “I was going through numbers and Campbell’s safety becomes a concern, Bugel of the three-day minicamp six weeks ago. talking with my agent. I was trying to speed up said: “We haven’t made that decision. Before I Coach Joe Gibbs did not provide a timetable for the process the whole time, but I did follow my would push Wade out there, I’d probably put Portis, meaning Portis could practice today or the agent’s advice.” Fabini out there.” He said how Heyer and the team might be more cautious. Gibbs did add that Landry was the highest-rated prospect on the rest perform against Baltimore will have much Portis is considered day-to-day by the medical staff. Redskins’ draft board, and his arrival gives the sec- to do with his thinking on the matter. The Redskins will hold two practices today and one ondary its full complement of safeties. Landry is The only blessing in disguise surrounding each tomorrow and Friday before Saturday’s scrim- considered, at least for the time being, behind Pier- Samuels’s injury is the Redskins now find out mage at Baltimore. son Prioleau on the depth chart, but as a top 10 pick how much depth they have at the position, With Pro Bowl left tackle Chris Samuels likely is expected to quickly be a starter. whether any of these guys can perform at the out for the preseason, the injury to Portis raised an Safety Sean Taylor and cornerback Carlos Rogers level Samuels, their only legitimate Pro Bowler, unwelcome red flag for the Redskins. Portis missed — top 10 picks — made their first NFL start within Jansen, Rabach, Randy Thomas and Derrick the second half of last season with after breaking five games. Dockery, now in Buffalo, did a year ago. his right hand last November at Philadelphia. He “I’m not here to compete with my teammates. But the reality is, the cohesion and spent the offseason rehabilitating from shoulder We’re here to work together,” Landry said. “I just continuity that Bugel hopes to build among one and hand surgeries only to develop tendinitis in his want to get out there and help the team. I’m my own of the team’s only strengths last season will not right knee during his offseason workout program. person and I’m ready to help my team in the best matter one iota if Campbell’s blind side goes Portis, 25, was unavailable to comment. It is un- way.” unprotected. If Ray Lewis, James Farrior or clear what exactly caused the flare-up, but Portis ag- Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams some youngster on the bubble who needs to gravated the knee during drills at Monday’s morn- said the toughest thing for Landry would be condi- make an impression tees off on the kid once ing practice. He limped after catching a swing pass tioning. Landry said yesterday that, even though he preseason games begin — and he goes down in over right tackle, but practiced Monday evening. worked out with the team when he was still un- a heap — all the experiments go out the Yesterday, Portis left Redskins Park with a sizable signed during the June minicamp, he feels he is be- window with perhaps the season. wrap over the knee. hind after missing the equivalent of a week of prac- Landry, at last in uniform: “I’m not here to compete While it might be the first genuine Gibbs said the Redskins would be cautious over tices. with my teammates. We’re here to work together. I just conundrum of the season — going with Heyer, the next few days, but the team can ill afford a re- “He took his playbook with him. He wasn’t that want to get out there and help the team.” Fabini and maybe Whitley instead of moving peat of last year, when Portis was injured in the first far behind at all. We’ve had six or seven practices Wade to his natural position in the preseason preseason game and was not healthy all season. worth of installs and he hit right in,” safeties coach between Taylor, the free safety, and Landry, at — they have to ask themselves one question: Steve Jackson said. “He took a lot more reps than strong, two young players considered to be the fu- Is it more important to keep the continuity of His Deal Signed, Landry Takes Part he was supposed to and he did well. It’s rare that a ture at both positions. During drills yesterday, Lan- the offensive line intact until Samuels returns guy can come in on his first day and take as many dry and Taylor were paired together, even when or is it more important to keep Jason Campbell LaRon Landry practiced for the first time since reps as he did. He wanted more.” second-team linemen and linebackers were on the standing? It’s a no-brainer, which is why Wade signing a five-year deal worth a maximum $41.5 It is clear that the Redskins want to create a bond field. may end up there after all. Training Camp Tracker By Katie Carrera COUNTDOWN SUMMER STORY LINES | NOT SECURE AT SAFETY FRESH FACE INJURY REPORT QUOTABLE TO KICKOFF Logic says Vernon you’ve got to be The transition from playing T Chris Samuels has a “It just feels like Fox sits in the fourth able to produce and Division III college football grade two sprain of his 39 safety spot on the make some plays,” at Salisbury to the right medial collateral part of my skin.