1. Defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth (ankle) is questionable for Sunday’s game vs. Houston. Coach Mike Shanahan declined to say how much Haynesworth did during practice. Questionable means there’s a 50-50 chance a guy will play. However, the Redskins look silly when listing players such as quarterback Donovan McNabb (ankle) as questionable as they have two weeks in a row – even though there’s no doubt he’ll play.
So what this means for Haynesworth is anyone’s guess. Got the feeling it’s always going to be something with this one?
2. Also free safety Kareem Moore (knee) is listed as doubtful, but Shanahan already ruled him out. Not sure why he’s then listed as doubtful. Running back Clinton Portis (wrist) and linebacker Perry Riley (foot) also are questionable. Portis is playing; Riley might not even be active if he is healthy.
3. For Houston, corner Antwuan Molden (ankle) and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye (ankle) are questionable.
4. Have to say, there’s always something, uh, new at Redskins Park even after being out there for 15 years. Missed the clapping line for the players last Friday because I was out of town at a wedding. Heard about it, of course, but it’s different seeing it live. It resurfaced today with employees in burgundy Beat Houston T-shirts on the balcony shouting to players as they entered the facility. Gotta say, it’s a bit silly. One employee termed it Ashburn High. Guess if you win you can do whatever you want.
5. Not surprised that Vonnie Holliday was elected as the Redskins player rep. I’ve only spoken to him a couple times since he joined the Redskins, but he’s as professional as they come.
6. Receiver Devin Thomas said he did talk with position coach Keenan McCardell and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan about his role. He knows it won’t change for Sunday. “It won’t happen overnight, just because I had a good return,” he said. “It’s exhausting but I’ve been through it. I have to keep my demeanor right and fight through it.”
7. One thing was evident in the NFL Network video in which Shanahan was mic’d up is that he likes to be heavily involved in calling plays. That’s not exactly hard to miss. He suggested plays several times to his son, Kyle, the offensive coordinator.
“That’s the nature of the game,” Mike Shanahan said. “That’s what you do. You communicate during a game, talk about play situations.
“I’m still involved. That’s what you do as a head coach, you’re involved in offense, defense and special teams. That’s how you stay in this job, trying to keep on top of all these things.”
8. Shanahan said he can usually tell how good a player is going to be after watching him for three or four days of practice. And he could tell in the first couple days that Trent Williams was a good one.
“You could see the quickness and speed and the intelligence,” he said. “He’s going to be very special.”
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