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For Lloyd, No Speed Limit On Football Field
Everybody saw just how Santana Moss stunned the Cowboys last year on Week 2 at Texas Stadium.
When Moss snared that 70-yard TD pass from Mark Brunell with 2:35 left on Monday Night Football, he shocked the Dallas secondary and helped the Redskins end a four-game skid versus their rivals.
Six days later, another speedy wide receiver exposed gaps in the Dallas secondary as well: Brandon Lloyd.
In 2005, Lloyd, the 6-0, 192-pound fourth-year player out of Illinois, had his best season in the NFL. Lloyd led the 49ers in receptions (48), receiving yards (733) and touchdowns (5).
What Redskins fans need to recall is this: Lloyd had his best game against the Cowboys on Week 3, putting up single-game career-highs in receiving yards (142) and touchdowns (2).
His 89-yard TD grab rattled Dallas in a game in which San Francisco gave the Cowboys fits before falling 34-31.
On that particular play, Lloyd slanted past Dallas corner Anthony Henry, grabbed a picture-perfect throw from quarterback Tim Rattay and outraced Terence Newman to the end zone.
For emphasis: He outraced Terence Newman to the end zone. Anybody who can do that bears watching.
You can bet that that one sequence versus Dallas last Sept. 25 in San Francisco is a major reason why Lloyd is now a Redskin.
When they traded for Lloyd back on March 11, the Redskins acquired a young wide receiver known for making dynamic plays. The spectacular catch is in his arsenal. Entering 2006, Lloyd had 29 career starts and 13 career TDs.
A high school teammate of Ladell Betts in Blue Springs, Missouri, Lloyd was drafted out of Illinois in the fourth round (124th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft by San Francisco. He finished his collegiate career second all-time at Illinois in receiving yardage (2,583) and career touchdown receptions (21).
Brandon Lloyd
In joining the Redskins, Lloyd becomes another potential weapon for Al Saunders in the team's offensive schemes for 2006.
Said Lloyd: "With the receivers we have here, we can do a pretty good rendition of 'the greatest show on turf.' I think we can bring that back to life."
"We're excited to have Brandon here. We think he'll add something to our program," said head coach Joe Gibbs. "He's a gifted receiver."
There are issues, of course, about how to spread the ball around amongst the likes of Moss, Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, David Patten, James Thrash and others.
But for now it's a fact that, in Lloyd, the Redskins have added a young player who can cause the Cowboys all sorts of headaches.
Redskins Add to Secondary, Sign CB Wright
The Redskins added to their defensive backfield on Monday, signing free agent cornerback Kenny Wright, the team has announced.
It is expected that Wright will provide depth and veteran experience in the secondary, particularly in nickel and dime packages.
Wright is entering his eighth NFL season. The 6-1, 207-pounder has played in 110 games with 47 starts during stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kenny Wright
In his NFL career, Wright has tallied 344 tackles (259 solo), six interceptions and three sacks.
Wright spent the 2005 season with the Jaguars, starting all 16 games at right cornerback. He finished the year with 78 tackles (50 solo), six pass deflections and two interceptions.
Wright began his NFL career as a fourth-round draft choice (120th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1999 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in Minnesota before being signed off of waivers by Houston in 2002. After three seasons with the Texans, he joined Jacksonville last year as an unrestricted free agent.
Wright spent his college days playing at Northwestern State, where he earned honorable mention All-Southland Conference honors twice. He was a three-year letterman after transferring from Arkansas.
Wright is a native of Ruston, La., where he attended Ruston High School.
Evans: 'Glad to Be Back' In the Fold
At about the midway point of last season, Demetric Evans started to come on for the Redskins in the rotation at defensive end and tackle. He earned a start on Week 9 in the 17-10 win over Philadelphia at FedExField.
By the time the playoffs rolled around, the 6-3, 300-pound, fifth-year player out of Georgia was playing his best ball of the season.
Evans produced two tackles and a sack of Chris Simms in the Redskins' 17-10 wild card win at Tampa Bay.
He followed that up with a five-tackle game subbing for the injured Renaldo Wynn in the season-ending 20-10 setback at Seattle.
Overall, Evans showed flashes of strong play in his second season with the Redskins. Having been a key contributor in two playoff games no doubt will help his confidence heading into 2006.
An unrestricted free agent, Evans, who totaled 32 tackles and three sacks last year in the regular season, visited several other NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, before signing with the Redskins on Monday.
"It was kind of a no-brainer," Evans said. "I wanted to go out, shop a little bit to see what value was out there for me. I'm glad to be back and I'm ready to get started to work."
Evans said he didn't see himself fitting in with the 49ers' defensive scheme because they run a 3-4 defense. He was intrigued by playing for the Saints, though.
"It was an opportunity to go back and help build the city back up and help the team get better," he said. "But at the same time, coming back to Washington felt more comfortable to me. Knowing the coaching staff and the teammates--that's something you can't put a price on."
Evans and veteran cornerback Kenny Wright, also signed Monday, are examples of players who figure to be solid reserves for the Redskins of 2006. Both players come with NFL credentials and have shown the ability to produce.
In 2005, Wright started all 16 games at right cornerback for Jacksonville, a playoff team. He's an eight-year NFL veteran who can earn playing time in nickel and dime packages for the Redskins.
Wright is a native of Ruston, La., and if that sounds familiar, it should. That's the hometown of Patrick Ramsey as well. The Redskins will see Ramsey and the New York Jets in their pre-season home opener.
Demetric Evans
In their off-season moves since March 12, the Redskins have made a splash with front-line players such as Antwaan Randle El, Brandon Lloyd, Adam Archuleta and others.
At this point, there doesn't seem to be much doubt as to many of the starting jobs but building up depth--such as along the offensive line--becomes the focus.
One way to look at it is to say that so far it's been an offseason in which the Redskins have lost Louisianans Ramsey, Ryan Clark and Robert Royal.
But in terms of key reserve talent they've re-signed Evans and brought in Wright, two more natives of the Bayou State.
Evans rejoins a group at defensive that includes Wynn, Phillip Daniels and newcomer Andre Carter. He has outstanding players in front of him, but if Evans can play the way he did in the playoffs, he should be a key contributor once again.
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