The Red Snapper Has A New Number
Long snapper Ethan Albright hasn't missed a game in 10 years and hasn't blown a snap in his NFL career. So when I noticed that he's no longer wearing No, 71 this season - he's donning 67 now - I did a double take. Having spendt my adult life essentially around pro athletes of one type or another, and observing all their quirks and superstitions, this one stunned me.
Todd Wade, who was around last season but came in late as a reserve guy but has first dibs to win the starting left guard spot, is now wearing 71. So I confronted Albright about this business yesterday. He dubbed the matter a "private barter transaction," and said that the number 71 was significant to Wade, so he parted with it with little fanfare. Wade will owe him a little somethin' somethin' but no cash changed hands.
"We're talking about linemen here," Ethan (nicknamed the red snapper as any red-haired long snapper naturally would be. "You're not going to see $40,000 changing hands over a number with us. That's not how we roll."
Okay, I made up the last sentence in that quote. Ethan never said, "That's not how we roll." But damn, he should have, right?
Anyway, Ethan was making light of the fiasco between Clinton Portis and Ifeanyi Ohalete (how many of you thought I would actually spell that name correctly?) three years back, when Portis entered into a complex contract with the DB for use of No. 26 that included 40-Gs, beer, use of a penthouse and all kinds of weird stuff. Then like a week letter Ohalete was cut, Dolla Bill didn't want to pay him and it took the American justice system to sort it all out.
Ethan said it was no sweat to switch numbers. He's worn 67 in the past and puts no stock in the import of the digits on the back of the jersey.
"As long as they're still giving me a number, I'm happy," he said.
By Jason La Canfora |
June 16, 2007; 6:00 AM ET
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Posted by: | June 16, 2007 6:30 AM
Jasno,
With a name like "Ifeanyi Ohalete" how would any of us even know whether you'd spelled it correctly? Wait, I'll look it up in my Funk and Wagnalls.
Has anyone even seen Oha lately?
Posted by: KK | June 16, 2007 7:02 AM
Jason,
Just read your article on the defense. Wow! No one can score a touchdown on us and at least seven guys will go to the Pro Bowl. Can that be? It always looks great in June.
Posted by: KK | June 16, 2007 8:04 AM
Man you all need to market what ever you and Jason are smoking or mainlining. Stop drinking the Deadskin's Kool Aidor you will never pass your company's urinalysis.
The Deadskin players cant drink becuase they will pop positive. and although the team uses Native American symbolism the courts will not believe it as part of some religious ceremony like peyote. Can you say 4-12. I can and you all should be checking out Mel Kiper's draft projections for next year. Playoffs never again under the current owner and coaching staff. Hey Jason why haven't you reported that Coach Gibbs wears Depends. How can player respect a coach who smells like your youngest, Jason! Embarassing huh!
Posted by: vaherder | June 16, 2007 8:14 AM
I don't like that GG was calling the new defense "more agressive". It was always touted that the old defense was "more agressive". If a defense wansn't "more agressive", no one would be using it! Does this mean that GG is saying he is not the defensive genius we were all told he was?
Hail!
Posted by: 4skins | June 16, 2007 8:20 AM
vaherder,
Can't you do better than that? You used to be much more original when you trolled the Marc Fisher blog.
"Deadskins"? Intelligent people stopped using that in 2003. And "Kool Aid"? Isn't that some sort of allusion to Jonestown? That was 1978, before your parents were born.
Look, this blog deserves better trolls than the Fisher blog. Try to raise your game.
Posted by: KK | June 16, 2007 8:50 AM
OR VAG HURTING. Cause that is what you sound like punk. Its nice to come to this site get updates and see LEGIT discussion about my Skins. Even some scrapes on difference o' opinion. But is your life so pathetic that you come to elicit a response by just being a prick? Well done and mission accomplished your an ass on an island without a point...
Posted by: Is it Va herder? | June 16, 2007 9:11 AM
So the question is, how many people's Ethan Albright 71 jersey are now in the Throwback Columb? .... Actually, I am trying to think of the last time I even saw a Skins OL jersey for sail. Maybe when Samules was in the Pro-bowl.
Posted by: 35332 | June 16, 2007 9:29 AM
JLC,
What is the deal with the Rock v Blaylock situation for the no 3 RB spot? I am a longtime Rock fan, from when he was a FB on the roster, and always thought he could thrive if given more handoffs, and I know he is solid on Specialteams. Is Blaylock giving him a "run for his money", sorry I had to do it? What are the odds that both these dudes make the roster, how often does Gibbs go into a game with 4 runers?
Posted by: 35332 | June 16, 2007 9:36 AM
"Cartwright and Blaylock, a six-year veteran who signed with the Redskins in May, could end up competing for a roster spot as the team's third running back."
Nothin' against Blaylock, but how many think it's a good idea to replace a "core Redskin"?
Rock is a rock on special teams and has always surprised everyone with his ability to get it done at running back whenever he's been given the chance. And by all accounts, a clubhouse leader.
I'm just sayin'...
Posted by: Redskin Willie | June 16, 2007 10:08 AM
Redskin Willie--
This is professional football, not a college fraternity. Even "core Redskins" should compete for their jobs. If Blaylock is better than Rock, then the 'Skins should replace Rock. And, it may be that both of them are on the team.
Posted by: KK | June 16, 2007 10:37 AM
KK,
Totally agree that the best player should have the job, regardless. My point is that some players have value to the team beyond what they bring to the field on Sunday. The "chemistry" we hear so much about and understand so little.
Posted by: Redskin Willie | June 16, 2007 10:50 AM
Blog needs a jump start
Posted by: sputterspittleclunk! | June 16, 2007 10:58 AM
what do you suggest, sputter? got a topic?
how about "simplifying" the defense?
Posted by: Redskin Willie | June 16, 2007 11:00 AM
Janso,
I freaking love this blog. Thanks for all of the updates.
Posted by: Ricky Bobby | June 16, 2007 11:02 AM
Willie,
I agree that a player's value is more than what we see on the field. I think Coach Gibbs understands that even better than either of us, and it will count for a lot in Rock's case. And, who knows? Blaylock may have a strong off-field value, himself.
Posted by: KK | June 16, 2007 12:11 PM
+++Actually, I am trying to think of the last time I even saw a Skins OL jersey for sail. Maybe when Samules was in the Pro-bowl.+++
Check the America's Cup, dufus. Couple of boats are using Redskin Jerseys as Gibbs, er jibs.
Posted by: Corkczar | June 16, 2007 1:01 PM
KK,
Point made and taken, Blaylock may very well be a character guy in the Gibb's mold. I think it will be an interesting battle to watch.
Posted by: Redskin Willie | June 16, 2007 9:43 PM
I am SO last!
Posted by: | June 18, 2007 2:33 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Oh yeah 1st!