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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Second Gibbs era begins for Skins


Washington Redskins quarterbacks Mark Brunell (8) and Patrick Ramsey look on during an April minicamp. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Joseph White Associated Press

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Redskins took the field Monday for what was called “passing camp,” a designation the NFL says is really the start of regular training camp.

“This is when it happens,” said Patrick Ramsey, who is battling newly acquired veteran Mark Brunell for the starting quarterback job. “There’s been no competition up to this point, really. Today is when it all starts.”

The camp consists of three days of practices and meetings involving everyone except linemen. Participation is officially deemed voluntary, although anyone absent had better have an airtight excuse ready for Joe Gibbs and the new coaching staff.

Players said the practices had the intensity of a full training camp.

But despite the league designation and the players’ sentiments, the players didn’t wear pads. The practice was closed to the media and public. Players went home afterward, instead of retreating to the lock-down, dorm-like life of regular training camp.

That’s the typical training camp regimen that will kick in Saturday when the team holds its first full-pads, mandatory, open-to-the-public practices as Gibbs returns after a 12-year absence.

For the players, though, practice is practice. For them, the nonstop grind of the 2004 season began Monday morning.

“You can’t help but have in mind that camp has started,” running back Clinton Portis said. “I was out there running around.”

If Monday was indeed counted as the first day of camp, then first-round draft pick Sean Taylor officially became a holdout. His agent arrived unexpectedly in the afternoon, intent on completing contract negotiations for the safety chosen fifth overall.

“We’re within striking distance,” said agent Jeff Moorad, whose client remained at home in Miami. “I wouldn’t call it close, but I would call it within sight.”

Late in the day, the Redskins signed third-round pick Chris Cooley, a tight end from Utah State, leaving Taylor as their only unsigned draft pick.