The concept of “core Redskins” is oft-mentioned by Washington coach Joe Gibbs these days. In his second stint with the club, Gibbs is looking to construct a foundation similar to what propelled his teams to three Super Bowls in the 1980s and early 1990s.
James Thrash returned to the club this week, and there’s no doubt the speedy wide receiver, renowned for his relentless, yet humble work ethic, is precisely the type player that appeals to Gibbs.
“That’s the only way I know how to approach it — to give it my all,” Thrash said yesterday at Redskin Park, his first comments since a trade returned him from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2005 fifth-round pick. “I work at everything with all my heart, all my soul, all my strength. Everything else takes care of itself.”
Thrash, 28, spent three seasons with the Eagles, helping them to three straight NFC title game appearances. However, his stay there likely will be remembered for how he fell short of expectations that accompanied his jump from solid contributor in Washington to No.1 receiver in Philadelphia.
In truth, many talent evaluators around the NFL always considered Thrash a stretch as a No.1 target. At Redskin Park, only a few players remain from the period (1997 to 2000) when Thrash transformed himself from an undrafted rookie out of Missouri Southern, but his legacy is unmistakable.
“When I was here my rookie year [2000], Thrash was one of the hardest-working guys on the team — if not the hardest [-working],” offensive tackle Chris Samuels said. “He just always has a great attitude. He’s a great person. Thrash busts his tail every play.”
This week’s trade didn’t surprise Thrash, who figured someone had to go when the Eagles obtained the anti-Thrash, mouthy star Terrell Owens, to lead their receiving corps.
Coming back to Washington was particularly natural because Thrash never really left, keeping his offseason home in Leesburg, Va. In addition, he and former Redskins linebacker Eddie Mason have started a strength and conditioning business that teaches children the right way to train and an unselfish way to live.
“There’s a lot of people who are teaching them how to get faster and stronger, but we’re worried about how they are as a person as well,” Thrash explained.
It remains unclear exactly what Thrash’s role in Washington will be. He will contribute heavily on special teams but might not get many offensive snaps while battling Laveranues Coles, Rod Gardner, Darnerien McCants and Taylor Jacobs in a deep group of receivers.
“That’s something I can’t even concern myself with,” Thrash said. “All I can do is come out and prepare like I know how to prepare, and then when given an opportunity make plays.”
Thrash wasn’t the only Redskin making his first comments about coming or going. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter popped into the team complex and took several questions about his impending departure — likely via a post-June1 release if Washington can’t find a trade partner.
“[Finding out] wasn’t difficult,” Trotter said. “This is business. I’ve been through the worst of it, so this is nothing.”
Of his career, the two-time Pro Bowl pick for Philadelphia added, “I’m not trying to prove nothing. Teams know what I’m capable of. I was 65, 70 percent here last season, and I led the team in tackles. And that’s coming from starting [the season] awful.
“It’s one of those things. You get a high cap number, maybe a team doesn’t think you put up the numbers expected of you. Whatever. Everyone has their reasons. All you can do is keep working hard and trying to get better.”
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