PFT: Commanders' receivers to join Donovan McNabb for "hell week"

[cowboyjoe]

Commanders' receivers to join Donovan McNabb for "hell week"
Posted by Michael David Smith on July 18, 2010 12:40 PM ET
The Commanders will open training camp in Ashburn, Virginia, on July 29, but Donovan McNabb and some of his teammates are getting a head start.

Rick Maese of the Washington Post reports that receivers Devin Thomas, Santana Moss and Malcolm Kelly are among the players who have accepted McNabb's invitation to spend this week in Arizona for an intense series of workouts in the desert heat.

"I think it's important for the specialists on the offense to have that chemistry, to have that bond," McNabb said, "where they can trust me and I can trust them."

McNabb calls the workouts -- which he also did with teammates in Philadelphia -- "hell week."

"It's a different mindset," McNabb said. "I prepare guys the way I prepare."

For some players, a week of relaxation might make more sense than a week of hell right before the start of camp, but Thomas is among those expressing excitement at the opportunity to get extra work in.

"Can't nothing but good come out of the situation when you go out and work out with your quarterback before the season starts," Thomas said. "It's a great time to build that chemistry without the coaches being there. You just get a little of that extra bonding time to lead into training camp."

 

[Apollo Creed]

Thomas is solid. Moss is getting old. And Kelly is a waste of time.

McNabb needs to invite Cooley because he's going to be one of his only reliable options this year.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

If McNabb's workouts are so intense, how come he still looks out of shape?

 

[casmith07]

If McNabb's workouts are so intense, how come he still looks out of shape?

It's only a week. Mon-Fri. That's probably all he does the whole off-season.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

It's only a week. Mon-Fri. That's probably all he does the whole off-season.

:laugh2:

 

[AsthmaField]

They aren't going to work out... Donnie just calls it "hell week" because there aren't any Philly cheese steak sandwiches available in AZ.

 

[firehawk350]

Thomas is solid. Moss is getting old. And Kelly is a waste of time.

McNabb needs to invite Cooley because he's going to be one of his only reliable options this year.

Fred Davis looked excellent in the 8-10 games he played. I think he was hurt mostly by Campbell's lack of vision.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Fred Davis looked excellent in the 8-10 games he played. I think he was hurt mostly by Campbell's lack of vision.

:laugh2:This time last year, you were saying that Jason Campbell was awesome.

 

[firehawk350]

:laugh2:This time last year, you were saying that Jason Campbell was awesome.

This time two years ago I was saying that. I was quite off the Campbell bandwagon last offseason. This time last year, you guys were talking about Martellus Bennett as the best #2 TE in the league. This time last year, Mike Jenkins was a bum because and Scandrick may have been better. This time last year, Anthony Spencer was a borderline bust. This time last year, Austin was a realistic option to take over for TO. A lot changes in a year.

 

[chuffly]

I thought hell week for McNabb was going to be the week of Dec 19.

 

[28 Joker]

Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter both had 11.0 sacks last year. Furthermore, both players didn't get a sack in two games against the Cowboys.

However, the Commanders are going to the 3-4, and Dallas' offense has struggled against the 3-4 in the past two years. (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Baltimore, San Diego and Denver) Albert Haynesworth is the key to their defense, and if he plays relentless like he can and gets his head and heart into it, they could be tough to deal with up front for sure.

I think Felix Jones is the absolute key to cracking the 3-4. He didn't play against Pitt, GB, Baltimore, and Denver. He ran very well against S.D., but the coaches didn't give him the ball enough. Jones could have and should have been the difference in that game, imso.

I expect a big time fight against Washington on opening night. They have two good edge rushers, and I'm not sold on Marc Colombo still being the answer at RT. Free or Barron will need some help with protection, imo.

The Cowboys must use Felix Jones in the running and passing game to punish 3-4 fronts.

On defense, the Cowboys Pro Bowl CBs must be ready to ball and dominate. That little, red troll can't be under-estimated and neither can the other two WRs (Thomas and Kelley). Washington will attack the middle linebackers and safeties in coverage with the TE and H-back. Look for them to attack the slot CB, too.

Dallas will counter with serious heat from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Jay Ratliff, and relentless coverage and harassment from Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

I expect another close, low scoring game, but Felix Jones will be the difference in the end.

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

They aren't going to work out... Donnie just calls it "hell week" because there aren't any Philly cheese steak sandwiches available in AZ.

Yeah but there are plenty of burritos and tacos, his waistline says so..

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter both had 11.0 sacks last year. Furthermore, both players didn't get a sack in two games against the Cowboys.

However, the Commanders are going to the 3-4, and Dallas' offense has struggled against the 3-4 in the past two years. (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Baltimore, San Diego and Denver) Albert Haynesworth is the key to their defense, and if he plays relentless like he can and gets his head and heart into it, they could be tough to deal with up front for sure.

I think Felix Jones is the absolute key to cracking the 3-4. He didn't play against Pitt, GB, Baltimore, and Denver. He ran very well against S.D., but the coaches didn't give him the ball enough. Jones could have and should have been the difference in that game, imso.

I expect a big time fight against Washington on opening night. They have two good edge rushers, and I'm not sold on Marc Colombo still being the answer at RT. Free or Barron will need some help with protection, imo.

The Cowboys must use Felix Jones in the running and passing game to punish 3-4 fronts.

On defense, the Cowboys Pro Bowl CBs must be ready to ball and dominate. That little, red troll can't be under-estimated and neither can the other two WRs (Thomas and Kelley). Washington will attack the middle linebackers and safeties in coverage with the TE and H-back. Look for them to attack the slot CB, too.

Dallas will counter with serious heat from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Jay Ratliff, and relentless coverage and harassment from Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

I expect another close, low scoring game, but Felix Jones will be the difference in the end.

Wrong thread.

 

[zrinkill]

This time two years ago I was saying that. I was quite off the Campbell bandwagon last offseason. This time last year, you guys were talking about Martellus Bennett as the best #2 TE in the league. This time last year, Mike Jenkins was a bum because and Scandrick may have been better. This time last year, Anthony Spencer was a borderline bust. This time last year, Austin was a realistic option to take over for TO. A lot changes in a year.

This time last year you said this ....

Haynesworth is FAR better than Ratliff.

:laugh1:

 

[firehawk350]

This time last year you said this ....



:laugh1:

I stick by it. Haynesworth is the better player. Blanche really held him back but even still, his presence allowed Carter to post 11 sacks and Brian Orakpo to post 10.5. The defense was night and day with him in and out. Bad person, dominant football player. KC Joyner in one of his chats (I don't think I can pull it up because it's archived now) said that Haynesworth was essentially unblockable by a single player, moreso than any other player in the league. Don't underestimate Haynesworth because of his off-the-field baggage.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I stick by it. Haynesworth is the better player. Blanche really held him back but even still, his presence allowed Carter to post 11 sacks and Brian Orakpo to post 10.5. The defense was night and day with him in and out. Bad person, dominant football player. KC Joyner in one of his chats (I don't think I can pull it up because it's archived now) said that Haynesworth was essentially unblockable by a single player, moreso than any other player in the league. Don't underestimate Haynesworth because of his off-the-field baggage.

So he kind of rubbed off on them or something?

 

[firehawk350]

Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter both had 11.0 sacks last year. Furthermore, both players didn't get a sack in two games against the Cowboys.

That's true but Blanche didn't have Orakpo blitzing the passer nearly enough during those two games. Carter isn't likely to see the field very much though.

However, the Commanders are going to the 3-4, and Dallas' offense has struggled against the 3-4 in the past two years. (Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Baltimore, San Diego and Denver) Albert Haynesworth is the key to their defense, and if he plays relentless like he can and gets his head and heart into it, they could be tough to deal with up front for sure.

I think Felix Jones is the absolute key to cracking the 3-4. He didn't play against Pitt, GB, Baltimore, and Denver. He ran very well against S.D., but the coaches didn't give him the ball enough. Jones could have and should have been the difference in that game, imso.

That's too small of a sample size to really make judgments on...

I expect a big time fight against Washington on opening night. They have two good edge rushers, and I'm not sold on Marc Colombo still being the answer at RT. Free or Barron will need some help with protection, imo.

I agree. A lot depends on whether or not Haynesworth is going to play. If he does, then you have to put two people on him. If that's the case, then you are looking at blocking Orakpo and whoever's coming off the other edge with a TE or a RB and that, as a Commanders fan, gets me giddy. I wouldn't want to block Ware with a TE or RB.

The Cowboys must use Felix Jones in the running and passing game to punish 3-4 fronts.

We'll see. He'll get the ball on swing passes I think and it'll be up to Rocky and Fletcher to shut those down. If Felix can make them miss, I'll need more alcohol.

On defense, the Cowboys Pro Bowl CBs must be ready to ball and dominate. That little, red troll can't be under-estimated and neither can the other two WRs (Thomas and Kelley). Washington will attack the middle linebackers and safeties in coverage with the TE and H-back. Look for them to attack the slot CB, too.

Dallas will counter with serious heat from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Jay Ratliff, and relentless coverage and harassment from Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

I'm not overly certain Newman is going to be much to worry about this year. He wasn't anything to write home about last year and I see the arrow pointing down for him. Also, with the zone coverages the Cowboys play, I think a lot of pressure will be on the safeties and those are big question marks for you guys. The Skins also have a good pair of tackles in Brown and Williams, but I'm sure Ware will force the coaches to put a TE on the other side to slow Ware down. I'm not too concerned with Williams vs. Spencer though.

I expect another close, low scoring game, but Felix Jones will be the difference in the end.

I think it will be a close game. It could come down to the bounce of the ball or the foot of a kicker.

 

[firehawk350]

So he kind of rubbed off on them or something?

You know more about football then this. I know you do.

 

[Mansta54]

I stick by it. Haynesworth is the better player. Blanche really held him back but even still, his presence allowed Carter to post 11 sacks and Brian Orakpo to post 10.5. The defense was night and day with him in and out. Bad person, dominant football player. KC Joyner in one of his chats (I don't think I can pull it up because it's archived now) said that Haynesworth was essentially unblockable by a single player, moreso than any other player in the league. Don't underestimate Haynesworth because of his off-the-field baggage.

Dude you're on CRACK.... Bounce fool!!!

 

[Bonecrusher#31]

I'm not overly certain Newman is going to be much to worry about this year. He wasn't anything to write home about last year and I see the arrow pointing down for him. Also, with the zone coverages the Cowboys play, I think a lot of pressure will be on the safeties and those are big question marks for you guys. The Skins also have a good pair of tackles in Brown and Williams, but I'm sure Ware will force the coaches to put a TE on the other side to slow Ware down. I'm not too concerned with Williams vs. Spencer though.

Man I wish you were on the skin coaching staff....