This 'n' That

It's the day after minicamp, the first day of OTAs and we'll have a wrapup and news of the day later...I want to answer quickly a question that came up over the weekend and promptly got lost in the drama surrounding Fred "Without a Trace" Davis. Someone asked why Zorn opted not to have a second minicamp (which is something first-year coaches are allowed to do). Because the Redskins have an extra preseason game, they'll go camp earlier than usual, probably by the third weekend of July.
Here's an item from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette you'll be interested in. Some of this we knew last season:

Clark honors Taylor

Ryan Clark wanted to switch jersey numbers this season, to wear No. 21 in honor of his murdered friend and former teammate, Sean Taylor.

The NFL said no, so Clark must stick with his No. 25 in games, but he has worn No. 21 in minicamp practices this weekend and will continue to do so throughout the 2008 season to honor Taylor.

"I tried to change my number this year, but the NFL wouldn't let me," said Clark, who overcame the loss of his spleen and gall bladder last season to return to the No. 1 spot at free safety this weekend.

"They kind of gave me the run-around about it -- if you do change a number after having it so long and there are jerseys made, you have to buy the other ones. I tried to do that, but they never really got back with me. It is a veteran rule, about having a number for so long. When you go to another team, it's a little different.

"So I'll just wear it in practice."

Clark, who joined the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, played two seasons in Washington with Taylor. They both joined the Redskins in 2004 and became starters that season. Clark, as a free agent from the Giants, was the strong safety and Taylor, the Redskins first-round draft pick, was the free safety.

The two hit it off.

"I was a little bit older and I was the first guy he really played with," Clark said. "We became kind of close. He came to my house, met my parents. I met his fiance. Actually, his fiance and my wife are still really good friends."

Taylor was shot during a robbery in his Florida home Nov. 26, 2007, and died the next day. Clark took it hard.

"I did but his daughter's doing well, his fiance's doing well, so, how can I not be OK, you know what I mean? I just generally cared about him. To this day, I still think he was the best defensive back I ever played with, that I ever saw in person."

Clark was twice denied the opportunity to wear the No. 21. Complications from his sickle cell trait in the high altitude in Denver in October caused him to lose his spleen and end his season. A month later, all NFL players wore a No. 21 sticker on their helmets to honor Taylor.

"When everybody got the opportunity to wear the No. 21 on their helmet, I didn't," Clark said. "So it's kind of just my little tribute right now because I didn't get the opportunity."

By Cindy Boren | May 5, 2008; 11:53 AM ET | Category: Jason La Canfora
Previous: In Portis v. Landry, Take Landry | Next: P-Ten's Take on Minicamp

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I forgot -- We'll top 190,000 posts today unless you guys can't manage to put up 73 comments.
72, now that I've posted this one.

Posted by: Cindy | May 5, 2008 12:04 PM

I miss J.La

Posted by: supermassive | May 5, 2008 12:04 PM

Clark, sounds like a good guy.

Posted by: unregistered | May 5, 2008 12:05 PM

4TH! One day I'll get it...

Posted by: brownwood26 | May 5, 2008 12:14 PM

Real good guy. Wish we had kept him around

Posted by: JBR | May 5, 2008 12:15 PM

Here is my gratuitous post in the quest for the current goal de jour. I would like to add that I believe the NFL should do something to HELP Ryan Clark honor Sean, rather than hinder him. Goodell has his priorities all screwed up.

Posted by: Mr. Gratuitous | May 5, 2008 12:15 PM

Stupid league. I can see why they don't want players switching numbers on a whim, but come on....

Posted by: Alberto | May 5, 2008 12:16 PM

RE: why doesn't the league allow switching numbers.

NFL Exec: "why so you want to switch numbers?"

NFL Player: "my homie ron ace was shot in a drive by on 32nd street. so i'd thought it'll be cool if i wore 32 to honor him."

play this scenario out, or something like it 500 times and there's your answer regarding number switching.

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:27 PM

No Fun League strikes again!

Posted by: chris larrY | May 5, 2008 12:27 PM

I forgot -- We'll top 190,000 posts today unless you guys can't manage to put up 73 comments.
72, now that I've posted this one.

Posted by: Cindy | May 5, 2008 12:04 PM

Somehow, it just seems wrong to put something like this as the first post. Don't you know the rules up here yet? Is this your first day?

If you can't post "first!," then you're on the wrong blog. Or, wait your turn in second place to put up this meaningful substantive challenge to extend our blogathalon.

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:27 PM

The fact that they would make him buy the extra jerseys is ridiculous. I went to school at Pitt and still have friends in the area and can tell you that his changing numbers wouldn't screw up jersey sales (how many Clark jerseys do you think are in Heinz field each week?!).

If Kobe can do it, why not Clark...and his is for a touching and legitimate reason (not knocking Kobe's desire to change).

I guess it's not just all about the money, it's ONLY about the money. Thanks Goodell. Keep up the "good" work.

Posted by: Craig | May 5, 2008 12:29 PM

Good point....

FIRST????!!!!

Wow; this isn't as easy as it looks. You guys are pros.

Posted by: Cindy | May 5, 2008 12:29 PM

i hate new post

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:30 PM

Fred "Without a Trace" Davis can not be a good sign. I over slept!

UGH!!!

Posted by: Fred "Without a Trace" Davis | May 5, 2008 12:31 PM

I have met Clark twice and both times he took time to talk and sign autographs.

He seems like a real stand up dude.

Was upset when he was let go, he was a player. (besides getting ran over by LT in OT in '05)

The NFL needs to stop being so difficult with players changing their numbers. I mean seriously, how many Clark jerseys were made?

NFL, let him change if he feels like it.

On another note - do the Redskins ever issue the #21 again?

I hope #21 is 'retired' or never worn by another Redskin.

BONG!

Posted by: BigMurf08 | May 5, 2008 12:31 PM

Only 67 more posts to go, Cindy.

Nothing else to say; except for the following:

Dan Snyder made a great hire in Jim Zorn. Listened to him fielding questions (see redskins.com,) at the end of mini, and the man is impressive; seems to be a consummate professional and is obviously a keen student of human nature, and a great teacher at once; Jason Campbell stands to benefit a great deal.

I *heart* Jim Zorn.

My healing thoughts also go out to Dan Snyder's wife, Tanya, who is battling breast cancer.

Get well, Tanya!

Posted by: Chia Pet | May 5, 2008 12:32 PM

I miss J.La

Posted by: supermassive | May 5, 2008 12:04 PM

Not even a tiny a little bit.

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:33 PM

Easy on Fred Davis, ya' all!

Remember, he's just a kid.

Posted by: Chia Pet | May 5, 2008 12:35 PM

I hope #21 is 'retired' or never worn by another Redskin.

BONG!

Posted by: BigMurf08 | May 5, 2008 12:31 PM

What if Laron Landry goes to three Pro Bowls and then says, "I'd like to switch numbers to honor Sean. He taught me everything that's been important to me."?

Never say never.

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:37 PM

"Letterman goofs on Patriots

President Bush welcomed the Giants to the White House this week in recognition of their Super Bowl upset of New England, "The Patriots weren't there," David Letterman said in his Friday monologue, "but they videotaped it."

-- Canton Repository
"

Posted by: 4th | May 5, 2008 12:38 PM

My healing thoughts also go out to Dan Snyder's wife, Tanya, who is battling breast cancer.

Get well, Tanya!

Posted by: Chia Pet | May 5, 2008 12:32 PM

CP is the first poster who's shown sympathy for the Snyders today. I join you in these thoughts, CP.

Posted by: talent evaluator | May 5, 2008 12:40 PM

As my brother CL would say. F the league!!!!

Posted by: jm220 | May 5, 2008 12:41 PM

I wish we had never let this guy leave, he's a true Redskin

Posted by: G | May 5, 2008 12:42 PM

Fred "Without a Trace" Davis...

*wamp wamp*

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:43 PM

Speedy recovery and long life to Mrs. Snyder.....There is RL and FB...i like to keep them seperate...

My thoughts are with the Snyders!

Posted by: chris larrY | May 5, 2008 12:43 PM

Eh....

Didn't Sean Taylor hinself change numbers once Smoot rolled out???????

And I am sure, Taylor had alot of #36s in circulation at the time.....

Posted by: 4th | May 5, 2008 12:44 PM

whats a time zone?

Posted by: Fred Davis | May 5, 2008 12:44 PM

For those who missed it, Daniel Snyder announced Saturday night that his wife, Tanya, is battling breast cancer and has undergone treatment at the Mayo Clinic. This can be a tough crowd, but I know everyone "up here" wishes her a speedy return to health.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/04/AR2008050402238.html

Posted by: Cindy | May 5, 2008 12:46 PM

"So, thats what this switch is for. when i flick it up, at quarter till six, it makes a nice and fancy noise."

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:47 PM

I hope Mrs. Synder speedy and full recovery.

Posted by: jm220 | May 5, 2008 12:47 PM

Very nicely put, Chris LaRrY. Agreed.

Posted by: Cindy | May 5, 2008 12:49 PM

Prediction for the end of the week:

Clinton Portis will give Fred Davis an alarm clock mounted on a chain to hang around his neck, therefore earning Davis the dubious new nickname, "Flavor Fred", and dooming him to endless reality show appearances on VH1 after a brief stint in the NFL.

Posted by: FlimFlam | May 5, 2008 12:49 PM

Easy on Fred Davis, ya' all!
Remember, he's just a kid.
Posted by: Chia Pet | May 5, 2008 12:35 PM

Dude, if wants to be a kid he shouldn't have entered the NFL Draft. 22 or 23 does not equal 'kid'.............

Posted by: 4th | May 5, 2008 12:55 PM

Wishing Mrs. Synder a speedy and full recovery from the Curzon household!!

And prayers....

Posted by: Curzon417 | May 5, 2008 12:57 PM

best wishes to the Snyders.

also... *beep beep*

-Nate in the PDX

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:57 PM

beepins

Posted by: | May 5, 2008 12:59 PM

Zorn made what I believe to be a revealing comment regarding Davis' "screw up."

He said something to the effect that Fred Davis is still a kid, and that kids do mess up, and as a rookie, how "mortified" Fred Davis must be feeling.

Got empathy?

Posted by: Chia Pet | May 5, 2008 1:00 PM

Redcoat, I will be at the June get-together.

Posted by: Mark in 21132 | May 5, 2008 1:00 PM

I promise, Coach - I won't ever do it again.

Posted by: Fred Davis | May 5, 2008 1:10 PM

This guy is pure class. I really wish we kept him. It has been noted that Taylor struggled with Ryan Clark gone and now we can see how close they really were. Good luck Clark and have a great season

Posted by: Vobiwan | May 5, 2008 2:00 PM

The Criminal Jones is allowed to reenter the NFL and Ryan Clark cannot honor his friend due to NFL rules. WHAT RULES!?! Goodell and his Right Hand Morons are so misguided. What a joke they are.

Posted by: mjwies 11, Washington, D.C. | May 5, 2008 2:07 PM

This 'n' That

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