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Washington Informer Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell pauses on the way to the practice field to sign a few autographs as the teams gets training camp underway. Photo by Ron Burke
Few activities in the District and surrounding areas generate as much interest and excitement as the start of the Washington Redskins Training Camp, which is held at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. For an eight-day period, the team holds morning practices that are free and open to the public. Those days are Thu., July 30 to Sun., Aug. 2 and Tue., Aug. 4 to Fri., Aug. 7. Fan Appreciation Day is on Sat., August 8.

The practices draw thousands of fans, who stand in line to try and get autographs, take pictures and watch individual and position drills, which include seven on seven and 11 on 11 competitions.

Being up close and personal with the players and coaches allows a bird’s eye view of things that cannot come across on TV.

“Man, I can’t believe the size of some of these guys. Look at [fullback] Mike Sellers,” Herb Boyd, 56, of Southeast said. “He is huge!” Boyd said, as he watched running back drills.

The area between the parking lot and the practice area houses the “fan zone,” where fans can get refreshments, buy souvenirs, visit vendor booths set up by local businesses and see life size figures of several players, including wide receiver Santana Moss, running back Clinton Portis, tight end Chris Cooley and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

The Redskins preseason opens on the road in Baltimore, with a game against the Ravens on Thu., Aug. 13 at M&T Bank Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The team will then host two home games at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Md. against the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sat., Aug 22 at 7:30 p.m., and on Fri., Aug. 28 against the New England Patriots at 8 p.m. The regular season begins on Sun., Sept. 13 where the Redskins will be on the road facing the division rival New York Giants in a 4:15 p.m. contest.

Washington Informer Two Washington Redskins players tackle one another off of the line of scrimmage in training camp drills. Photo by Herb Boyd
Washington Informer Washington Redskins tackle Stephon Heyer (r) watches as two teammates practice drills. Photo by Herb Boyd
Washington Informer Two Washington Redskins coaches (l) watch players practice drills. Photo by Herb Boyd
Washington Informer TWashington Redskins players head off the field after a day of practice during the team’s training camp at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. Photo by Herb Boyd
Last modified on Thursday, 06 August 2009 13:49
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Published in Sports Archives
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