Chain Reactions: Washington Redskins Training Camp Heats Up, Stephen Strasburg Criticizes Little League

We're just two days away from the Washington Redskins' first preseason game, and I have to admit, I'm feeling like Bart Scott when he said, "I can't wait!" Does anyone really say that? Now, granted, after the first quarter, I will be bitching about how the preseason is too long and drawn out, but still. It was good to see the Redskins fans back in full force this past weekend, and it also helps when the players and coaches give us bulletin board material to spice up an otherwise boring camp to this point.

This week's Chain Reactions deals with the crazy talk out of Redskins Park this past week, whether the Redskins should be shopping the supplemental draft for a quarterback of the future and rehabbing Stephen Strasburg not being a fan of where Little League baseball is going.

Rex Grosman Pulls a Joe Namath LIght

Outside of Sonny Jurgenson, not many media members are likely to pick the Redskins to win the NFC East. However, that has not tampered the teams unofficial No. 1 quarterback Rex Grossman's expectations on the season. In an interview with CSN Washington's Kelly Johnson Rex went all Joe Namath on everyone. No he didn't say he wanted to kiss her. Instead, he mirrored Namath calling his shot before Super Bowl III's upset over the Baltimore Colts.

"We're just waiting in the wings ready to take over the NFC East. Nobody's talking about us, it's right where we wanna be. You look at us from top to bottom out here, there's a bunch of great players. And we don't need people saying we're the best right now. But when it's all said and done, I really feel like this team's gonna win the [NFC] East."

I think Rex is wrong, but what would the reaction have been if he said, "Well Kelly, I think we will be winning the Andrew Luck sweepstakes?" I'm guessing not good. So leave the negative stuff for the media guys like me. Plus, it was not even close to the craziest quote out of the park this week (see below).

More Evidence Nepotism Rules Needed with Redskins

I know Marty Schottenheimer had his son and brother on the Redskins staff, and Steve Spurrier hired his son as well. This is not new territory for the Redskins. However, is it me, or has Mike Shanahan's son made more headlines than all the previous sons combined? Kyle Shanahan told Sports Illustrated's Peter King he has been a fan of John Beck since seeing him at BYU.

"My first year as a position coach in the league, Houston had me scout all the quarterbacks coming out that year,'' Kyle Shanahan said. "That was the JaMarcus Russellyear, with Brady Quinn, Trent Edwards, Kevin Kolb and Beck. So they asked me who I'd pick if I had the 10th pick in the draft. I told them Beck. They said he's not worth the 10th pick in the draft. I was standing on the table for him. I've never seen a guy play that well in college.''

He's probably just pulling a Shanahan (lying) to build up the guy that might be playing quarterback for him this season, but if he's serious, we are either about to see Kurt Warner Part II or an example of why Kyle is not working an NFL front office.

Redskins Using Supplemental Draft for QB of Future?

Might the Redskins be ready use the supplemental draft to find their quarterback of the future? They are reportedly among the teams set to watch former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor work out this Friday, although we do not even know if Pryor will be eligible for the supplemental draft on August 17.

Washington Examiner Redskins reporter John Keim recently talked to an NFL Executive that had serious concerns about the former Buckeye.

This is what one executive told me about Pryor in June: "He's not a well-liked kid. Very self-absorbed. He doesn't have the leadership you want in a quarterback. I've got more issues with that than his arm."

Also, draft insiders Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay are among those who have suggested Pryor may be better suited at another position, like tight end. If he is eligible for the supplemental draft, those are not exactly ringing endorsements to surrender a future first-, second- or even third-round pick on the guy in the blind auction-style draft. For a franchise not known for its patience, I would say pass.

Strasburg No Fan of Little League World Series?

This is what Stephen Strasburg twitted about the Little League World Series.

 

He is 100 percent right, except he apparently has not watched the last two decades. The "pimping of home runs and curve balls" have been a part of the LLWS as long as Brent Musburger and the awkward one-answer interviews with the participants.

This is exactly why I can't stand watching the event that a certain four-etter network shoves down our throats in August every year. I would rather watch a loop of those annoying tequila commercials with Christopher from Sopranos, or the "Bar Exam" beer commercials, or those annoying female bartenders that should never be tipped in that other beer commercial. OK, you get the point. Keep Little Leaguers off national TV.

Another Step for Strasburg

Strasburg will not have much time for the Little League World Series later this week, as he is set for his second rehab start, this time for Class-A Potomac on Friday. He is expected to throw 50 pitches or three innings. His first rehab outing was just an 1 2/3 inning-outing, with four strikeouts and a surrendered home run for Class-A Harrisburg. The highlight was on the radar gun, which topped out at 98 MPH.

Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty raved about the outing to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

"Anything he does, does not surprise me," McCatty said. "Watching him from Spring Training, if I didn't know what happened to him, I wouldn't have guessed that there was anything wrong with him.

"He feels great. That is the big thing. So he gave up an opposite-field home run to somebody. So what? Guys who throw hard are going to give up home runs."

Hopefully Strasburg can build on the outing and avoid watching the Little League World Series in his free time.