Fabian Washington no longer seeing red
Fabian Washington showed up for Tuesday’s passing camp without one accessory: a red jersey.
The cornerback had worn a red, non-contact jersey since undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason, but he shed the outerwear and appeared to play with little hesitation.
The shoulder is not 100 percent healthy yet, but Washington said he decided to lose the jersey as more of a symbolic gesture.
“That was just something I decided to do because the red jersey doesn’t really protect you,” he said. “They’re still going hard, and I’m still going hard. So I just decided to take it off. At some point, I’m going to have to test out this shoulder, and I decided to do it today.”
Washington, who turned 26 on Tuesday, seems to have established himself as the team’s No. 1 cornerback after turning in a solid season last year while starters Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle battled injuries and a lack of productivity.
But the one area of Washington’s game that he intends to concentrate on is interceptions.
Despite leading the Ravens with a career-high 19 passes defensed, he collected just one interception.
“I’m definitely going to improve on interceptions this year,” Washington said resolutely. “I dropped entirely too many balls last year. If I had just caught half of them, I would’ve been decent. I’ve got a lot more stuff to work on.”
Comments
So Fabian will be ahead of Dominique Foxworth?? Hmmm....
Posted by: John Harris | June 10, 2009 12:00 PM
Oh yea, no doubt about that!! We saw what he's capable of last season and I'm sure he will be hawking in 2009. We have not seen D-Fox do anything for us yet so as of now, Fabian is ahead. I feel good about the secondary this season. Landry is recovering!! Reed is always gonna be there! and I hope Zibby and Haruki develop ASAP so we can see opponent's helmets flying on a weekly basis!!
Posted by: Ali Vali | June 10, 2009 3:41 PM
Absolutely. Foxworth's salary is atrocious, he hasn't proven himself yet. Last year Washington was the starting cornerback for the #2 pass defense in the league. Something tells me that Washington > Foxworth. Rolle > Foxworth as well.
Posted by: Aaron | June 10, 2009 5:49 PM
Fabian seems to be a pretty good cover corner, but it is pretty obvious that he IS NOT a good tackler. Just watch. He seems to shy away from contact.
Posted by: Ron Fisher | June 10, 2009 8:06 PM
“I’m definitely going to improve on interceptions this year” ....
That will be a HUGE bonus! He was a welcome addition last season and any increase in picks is surely welcome this season.
Posted by: Ron P | June 10, 2009 8:37 PM
The starting CB's this year will be Washington and Foxworth. Rolle will be the nickle. They didn't pay Foxworth all that money for him to sit on the bench.
Posted by: Ravensman | June 10, 2009 11:45 PM
Have to agree with Ron, the biggest area for improvement is tackling. But...I suppose a more likely area is interceptions, so we'll take what we can get..
Posted by: Andrew | June 11, 2009 5:56 AM
it's going to be Washington and Foxworth starting and rolle/carr at nickel/backup. I don't care who is "#1" and covering the best WR on sunday as long as they do it well and shut them down. I went to school with foxworth and know he is a team player with alot of skill left to tap.
Posted by: Luis | June 11, 2009 8:24 AM
Surprise surprise Todd Mr Brittle Heap hurt again? This guy had one decent year and is always hurt. Time to move on and get someone who can play. Derrick Mason played with a dislocated shoulder and was still productive and didn't want to be taken out of the game; meanwhile Mr Brittle Heap has a boo boo AGAIN and can't play.
Posted by: John | June 11, 2009 8:34 AM
Hopefully, the Ravens will get some better tacking from a healthy Fabian this year. Last year, he did a great job of imitating a matador. The Ravens need physical play from their corners, too.
Posted by: Henry | June 11, 2009 9:06 AM
Word up , Ron, on Washington's tackling! The guy dives at shoetops in the open field. I remember an int. I know he wanted to return for a TD against Oakland that was dropped. That being said, the cornerback situation is not as dire as I feared it might be going into the season. Good veteran presence, Walker & Washington are a year into the system, Foxworth adds speed; Carr and Rolle add depth.
Posted by: Tucker in Sec. 527 | June 11, 2009 5:48 PM
I'm not sold on other teams rejects. Foxworth, Carr and Washington.
Posted by: Ricky | June 11, 2009 9:13 PM
you know I'm tired of all the Heap bashing. Todd has a lower back problem and played with it. If anyone's ever had this problem it's painful to walk, sit, or stand not to mention play professional football. This guy is a pro-bowl calliber tight end and he's working in a new system. Forget about the past, can't be undone let's see what happens this season. We're on the verge of something great get with the program and get of Heap's back
Posted by: kenny c | June 12, 2009 1:31 PM