Redskins meeting Russell, others

Vinny Cerrato, Washington Redskins vice president of football operations, confirmed an ESPN.com report yesterday that LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell will meet with the team’s coaches and front office April 10.

But that doesn’t mean the Redskins necessarily have an interest in picking Russell, considered by many experts as the NFL Draft’s top prospect.

“We have 25 guys coming in to visit during the first three weeks of April,” Cerrato said. “Whoever are considered the top players in this draft, you’ll see all of them coming to visit. We have to cover our bases in case we trade up, trade back or stay.”

The Redskins have the sixth pick overall in the draft, which is April 28-29.

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson also are scheduled to visit Redskin Park even though those positions aren’t areas of need.

“We want to talk to everybody just so we get a chance to know them,” Cerrato said.

The Redskins, according to NFL.com, are traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to work out Ted Ginn Jr., on April 16 and bringing quarterback Jason Campbell along. Because of a leg injury, Ginn won’t work out for teams until April 12.

Teams are limited to 15-minute interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine. During in-person visits to team facilities, players like Russell and Quinn go through extensive chalk talk sessions with the offensive coaching staff and have an on-field workout.

Two years ago, when the Redskins began their evaluation of Auburn product Campbell, the team’s brain trust traveled to Alabama. Campbell said he had private workouts with five teams.

“I did a whole lot of throwing during those months [before the draft],” Campbell said earlier this month.

Quinn has visits scheduled with the Redskins, Cleveland and Tampa Bay. Miami officials will travel to Quinn’s home for a workout.

Russell ran a 4.83-second 40-yard dash at LSU’s Pro Day on March 14 and threw to former teammates Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis.

Interviewing the top draft candidates may become moot in the coming days and weeks, though, as the Redskins wait to hear back from the Chicago Bears about linebacker Lance Briggs.

An NFL source said the Bears coaches and front office are scheduled to meet this weekend to decide whether to trade Briggs and the No. 31 pick overall to the Redskins for the sixth pick.