Babb: Rookie cornerback Washington unable to come to camp
 

Chiefs notebook: Rookie cornerback Washington unable to come to camp

Rookie still can’t join the team

Cornerback Donald Washington, the Chiefs’ fourth-round draft pick, remains unable to join the team until after the June 14 graduation ceremonies at Ohio State University, where Washington played three seasons.

NCAA rules prohibit underclassmen — Washington was a junior in 2008 — from joining NFL teams before their school’s commencement, and Ohio State’s ceremony is later than many schools.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Friday that it leaves Washington, who was the only player missing on the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp, at a disadvantage. While other rookies are adjusting to NFL speed and intensity, Washington is falling behind.

“It’s always been a bit of a juggling issue,” Haley said. “I’ve been on plenty of teams that have had those guys. I’ve been the coach who has had to stay behind on vacation to work with a guy that has come in late. Not the best job, but it usually falls on the lower-rung guys. I’ve been there multiple times. Is it a hurdle? Yeah, it’s a hurdle for sure.”

Haley said coaches have been talking often with Washington about preparation, workouts and things he can do to reduce his learning curve when he finally joins the Chiefs.

Haley proud of team’s weight loss

The Chiefs have lost a combined 338 pounds during offseason workouts, which Haley said is more than twice what he would consider to be a normal amount of weight loss as a team works its way back into playing condition.

“Now, we were out of shape,” he said. “I’m happy about the way, physically, the team is starting to look and shape up.”

Haley said most NFL teams lose about 125-150 pounds a year.

Injury report

Running back Kolby Smith, quarterback Brodie Croyle and defensive linemen Glenn Dorsey and Ron Edwards performed rehab and conditioning work Friday and did not perform team drills.

Isnt that kind of a messed up rule? Hes not graduating anyways, so why should he have to wait until after commencement?

We could have just cut one of our trash offensive linemen and lost 338 pounds without all the sweating and stuff...

Yeah dude. Welcome to the party.

I can't help but think it won't make a difference either way.

:banghead:

But yet if we had a bunch of fat, slow players on the field come September boy you would let Haley and Piolio hear it then.

Ok, so let's just not try, were not even going to build a team. Were not going to win the SB this year so let's not get anyone into shape this year cause it won't matter, it won't carry over into next year or the year after.

Everything is not about just tomorrow or just this season. Think long term.

Vermiel bitched endlessly about it when we drafted players from Oregon as they had a late one aswell.

What does the NCAA rule have to do with the NFL? If he's no longer a part of the NCAA, who cares about them or their rules?

I believe the NCAA and NFL have a contract about what they can and cannot do to preserve the harmony.

I'm glad that we are emphasizing general physical conditioning early in the process. I can't help but think that it will help cut down on our injuries and also on our performance in the 4th quarter.

I always thought the chiefs looked slow and out of shape, especially compared to the elite teams. I'm loving this conditioning routine. Now they might actually look formidable out on the field.
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That's pretty easy.

Because Washington is still a student. Ohio State goes on a quarter system, while most schools are on semesters.

He's not allowed to become a part of the team until he finishes this quarter's classes. And that's the way it should be.

Looking slow can also be because the player isn't coached well enough and is not sure what to do. I agree though, we looked out of shape and that contributed to the players not performing up to their potential. Imo.

Gotta appreciate the kid not withdrawing and actually graduating.