Record crowd attends Saturday’s Redskins scrimmage

By Brian Hunsicker

Published: July 26, 2008

ASHBURN – On the field, no logjams were broken; though the Washington Redskins held their first intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, it’s far too early in the preseason to determine a projected starter for each position.
Off the field, logjams were the story of the day.
The Redskins estimated that more than 28,000 fans attended the scrimmage, far beyond the capacity of the team’s training facility. More than two hours before the scrimmage was to begin, fans had already began parking offsite and walking to the facility; a wait of more than 30 minutes on the Loudoun County Parkway – the road that leads to the team’s headquarters – was not uncommon.
The team said in a statement that parking lots were scheduled to open at 11:30 a.m., but cars began lining up before sunrise. The facility’s practice fields were completely surrounded by fans; during a normal open practice, fans are allowed only on the west side of the main practice field.
With Saturday’s weather – temperatures in the low 90s along with a more humid atmosphere – many fans were being treated by the on-site ambulance crews for heat-related illnesses. One worker for Physicians Transport Service, which serviced the scrimmage, said that more than 50 people had been seen by the emergency personnel.
Simply getting to stricken fans was problematic. While the teams were warming up, a woman near the field needed assistance. The paramedics arrived, driving along the stone walkway next to the field. To get to the woman, paramedics had to move a banner and slide the gurney under the burgundy fence that serves as the practice field’s outer perimeter.
Injuries were not much of a problem on the field, which has been the case for much of the team’s training camp. The only injury of significance was defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery’s hand; he broke a bone near the wrist but head coach Jim Zorn said he wasn’t sure how much time Montgomery would miss.
The scrimmage itself was mostly a test for younger players and reserves. Many of the Redskins’ star skill players – like cornerback Shawn Springs, running back Clinton Portis and defensive end Jason Taylor – saw little, if any, time on the field.
“They want to give [opportunities to] guys ... that are trying to make the ballclub, to be able to show what they can do,“ safety Reed Doughty, who did play extensively, said. “I don’t think we need to see what [linebacker] London Fletcher can do.“
Receiver Antwaan Randle El, rookie tight end Fred Davis and reserve running back Marcus Mason each had four catches in the scrimmage; the only receiving touchdown was scored by tight end Todd Yoder, who caught a 10-yard pass from Jason Campbell.
Campbell also scored a rushing touchdown. In an actual game, Campbell likely would have scored; but in a scrimmage – where hitting quarterbacks is greatly frowned upon – he cruised over the goalline easily. That 2-yard run was part of the 30 yards of rushing offense that the team produced on 14 carries.
Campbell finished with 122 yards on 15-of-22 passing. Todd Collins had 52 yards on 8-of-13 completions – with one interception – while Colt Brennan was 4 of 7 for 22 yards and Derek Devine was 2 of 6 for 14 yards.
Randle El was the only player with more than 25 yards receiving.
Defensively, rookie safety Chris Horton recorded five tackles, a team high.
“We’ve been working for the last six days. And our guys are a little tired,“ Zorn said. “We had a great practice [Saturday] morning. I thought this was very good. [But] I want more. I’m demanding, [but] that’s kind of the way it has to be, just from the things I saw out there.“
Zorn addressed the fans that had made it into the facility by 1:10 p.m., 50 minutes before the scrimmage was to begin. The pre-scrimmage also featured the Redskins’ marching band and cheerleaders.