Redskins.com counts down to the start of Redskins Training Camp Built by The Home Depot. Here are five new Redskins to keep an eye on as training camp unfolds:
-- ADAM ARCHULETA, S
Assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams had his eye on Adam Archuleta the last five years, and this offseason he got his man. The Redskins signed Archuleta in March to replace Ryan Clark at strong safety.
One of the key questions of training camp: How well will Archuleta and emerging star Sean Taylor work together on the field? It's no secret that Clark and Taylor were close friends.
Said Taylor: "I don't think it will be a problem, because once somebody comes into our meeting rooms, we kind of become one. This offseason, we've been meeting together, conversing together, working on plays together. That's what it's all about."
Archuleta says coming to Washington has "breathed new life" into his career. He admitted earlier this offseason that his adjustment to a new team was more challenging than he expected.
"It has been a learning curve," he said. It takes a little bit of time, but the football aspect and being an athlete and competitor will start to kick in [during training camp]."
-- ANDRE CARTER, DE
The Redskins' offseason included several high-profile acquisitions, but none may be more important than the addition of Carter. He is expected to give the Redskins a legitimate pass-rushing threat from the defensive line.
First thing fans will notice about Carter is his size. He is 6-4 and 265 pounds, and Renaldo Wynn recently described his frame as "freakish." Second thing fans will notice about Carter is his high energy. He has a motor that's always running.
Carter played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers last year, and he never felt comfortable in that role. He returns to his more natural defensive end spot with the Redskins.
"That's the position I have been playing since I was in the 10th grade and started playing football," Carter said. "So for me, it's great being back in the trenches because that's where it all started for me."
-- BRANDON LLOYD, WR
Brandon Lloyd is ready for his close-up. The 6-0, 192-pounder has a new contract and a new lease on life, joining the Redskins this offseason after three seasons with the 49ers. He is an upbeat personality and seemingly always has a smile on his face.
Lloyd has gazelle-like speed and is quick and smooth getting off the line of scrimmage. He joins speedsters Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and David Patten in forming a dynamic wide receivers corps.
Watch for Lloyd to impress with some acrobatic catches during training camp.
"With the receivers we have here, we can do a pretty good rendition of 'The Greatest Show on Turf,'" Lloyd said, referring to the St. Louis Rams' high-scoring offense in 1999-2002. "I think we can bring that back to life."
Lloyd also has some fight in him. During an interview at the June 16-18 mini-camp, he took on critics who suggested that, while in San Francisco, he shined at making acrobatic catches but struggled with basic plays.
"I don't miss anything basic," he retorted.
-- JESSE LUMSDEN, RB
The Redskins quietly signed Lumsden, a first-year player, last January. Across the Internet, word spread of the signing. By the start of off-season workouts in late March, there was surprising buzz for a player who had never taken a NFL snap.
Lumsden didn't even play his college ball in this country. He's a product of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. In one game, he rushed for 344 yards on 24 carries. He once broke through for a touchdown run of 108 yards (on a 110-yard field).
Lumsden spent the 2005 preseason with the Seattle Seahawks, but was released.
The Redskins' running back corps is crowded, with the likes of Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright. The 6-2, 219-pounder ran a 4.43 40-yard-dash in his tryout with the Redskins, so he has the talent and drive to compete for a roster spot.
"This is a great opportunity for me here with the Redskins," he said. "I'll do whatever it takes: study all the film, work out, whatever."
-- ANTWAAN RANDLE EL, WR
Fresh off a Super Bowl championship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Antwaan Randle El begins a new chapter in the NFL.
Randle El's skills will remind Redskins fans of Brian Mitchell. In training camp, look for the versatile Randle El to return punts, line up at wide receiver, run reverses, and maybe even throw some passes. He was a college quarterback at Indiana University and tossed a memorable 43-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL.
New Redskins associate head coach-offense Al Saunders may use Randle El in the role of Dante Hall, the multi-purpose performer for the Kansas City Chiefs. Saunders coached the offense in Kansas City the last five years.
"You go back to the opportunity to be in an offense with Coach Saunders, who put up incredible numbers with the Chiefs," Randle El said. "If we get an offense like that, which we really feel that we can, and you have a defense playing the way that Washington does, we have a good chance."
