The feeling was different and a bit new. The Washington Redskins returned to work knowing they can build off a winning season, something they could not say the past two offseasons. And linebacker Ryan Kerrigan said that makes a difference.
“We’re actually hungrier than you are when you come off of a losing season because you got a taste of success,” Kerrigan told reporters via conference call Monday, “but now we know that we have the ability and we have the team that can get back to the point we were at and take it even further than that. Hopefully we can have a good rest of the offseason and build toward the regular season.”
The Redskins did not have perfect attendance at their first voluntary workout, but Kerrigan said it was good to have a weight room full of teammates again. He’s spent the offseason working out at Redskins Park along with eight or nine other players.
But Monday was the first day of official offseason workouts.
“Having all 90 here -- well, having mostly everybody back -- it makes it a lot more fun,” Kerrigan said, “especially to see some of the guys that were injured all of last season and to have them back in the mix, back with the group, just getting to spend time with them was good. Guys came back looking in good shape so that’s a good start to the offseason.”
Kerrigan specifically mentioned linebacker Adam Hayward, who is coming off a torn ACL, and Trent Murphy. The latter will be working more with the defensive line as he converts to end this season.
The Redskins return a different team coming off a 9-7 record and NFC East title. They no longer have running back Alfred Morris, quarterback Robert Griffin III, fullback Darrel Young, end Jason Hatcher or nose tackle Terrance Knighton among others. But they retained the players they hoped to, even if it was just for backup duty. It’s the third year of Jay Gruden’s offense and it’ll be the second year under defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s system.
“That’s what makes this year something to look forward to as well because we have got a lot of continuity,” Kerrigan said, “especially on the offensive line. On the offensive side of the ball in general, we’re returning most of the same players that we had last year, so I imagine the offensive unit will just continue to improve.
“The same thing goes for us because we’re returning most of the same starters we had from last year. Obviously you’re going to miss a guy like Jason Hatcher, Terrance Knighton, guys like that, but at the same time we have got the guys that are going to fill in for those guys like Ziggy Hood, Trent Murphy, guys like that. We’ve got some continuity and I think that’ll be a big thing for us.”
