Anthony Armstrong took the long, roundabout road to the NFL. Now that he has arrived, he plans to conduct himself according to advice from an unimpeachable source.

"My mother told me that she had three H's for me to live by," Armstrong said last season. "She said, 'Stay humble, stay hungry, and find humor in everything.' I stay humble, because I know I have to get better. I stay hungry, because I know I have a lot to gain, and I know I have a lot to go get."

And his humor comes through in just about everything – not least from looking at the unlikelihood of his situation.

Armstrong has gone from being a roster longshot plucked from the Intense Football League to being a leader on and off the field. He has reportedly stepped up to lead some young receivers at players' off-season workouts.

Last year, Armstrong earned a roster spot coming out of preseason and ended up starting 11 games. He finished with 44 catches for 871 yards and three touchdowns.

Off the field, Armstrong hosts an internet radio show, coaches youth soccer and plays video games with soldiers serving overseas.

Plus, he still finds time to put in extra film study and extra work with anyone who will throw him a football.

When you take the long road to the NFL, nothing is given to you and you quickly learn the value of hard work.

Armstrong will need to continue that ethic. He faces competition from three Redskins draft picks -- Leonard Hankerson, Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson -- and of course the team could explore receiver options in free agency,

"I know that this league can be kind of forgetful in a way," Armstrong said, "because there's a kind of 'What have you done for me lately' thing. So I have to take the negative and improve on that.

"What I did positive, I have to take that and improve on it as well. Wash it off and do it again next time."