Schweigert happy to be free of the Raiders

The Associated Press

Published: July 30, 2008

ASHBURN — Stuart Schweigert is reprogramming the way he reacts on the football field.

The free safety was signed as a free agent by the Washington Redskins this offseason. So far in training camp, he’s still trying to get used to the relative freedom offered in the Redskins’ defensive system.

“Something I’ve had to kind of unteach myself is go out there and not be a robot,” Schweigert said. “Go out there and be a football player.”

In his previous stint with the Oakland Raiders, Schweigert’s actions were dictated every play.

“You’re in between the hashes, on this play you’re here, we don’t want you doing this,” Schweigert says of Oakland’s approach.

With the Redskins, Schweigert doesn’t feel nearly as restricted. Now, he says, the message is: “If you feel you can make a play and you’ve studied and you have a pretty good idea of what’s going to happen, go out and make a play.”

Before Washington traded for defensive end Jason Taylor on the opening day of training camp, Schweigert was the Redskins’ biggest

offseason pickup. Schweigert started 42 games in four years with Oakland, but lost the starting free safety role late last season. The Raiders released him in May, and he was signed as a free agent by the Redskins in June.

Schweigert is clearly glad to be a part of a new team. Not only did he lose his spot on the depth chart at the end of last season, but over the last two seasons in Oakland, the Raiders had a grand total of six wins. Oakland was 4-12 last season, while the Redskins were 9-7 and earned a playoff spot.

“It’s huge,” Schweigert said. “It’s a fresh start for me. It’s definitely an opportunity for me to come here and help a team win some games. That’s essentially why I came here, to win some games.”

Schweigert isn’t assured of returning to a starting role with the Redskins. LaRon Landry and Reed Doughty are on the top of the depth chart at the two safety positions.

“That’s so far ahead right now it’s not even a thought,” Schweigert said.

Schweigert isn’t even sure if he’s competing for a spot at free safety or strong safety.

“I don’t know what the situation is,” Schweigert said. “With our defense, really, it allows both safeties to play both positions.”

Doughty, who has been working at strong safety, said he doesn’t worry about any competition.

“I never even worry about that. Stuart’s a good friend of mine. Since he came, we hit it off, we hang out,” Doughty said. “You just want the best person to play.”

Although Schweigert is still getting used to what Doughty termed the “restricted freedom” of the Redskins’ defense, Doughty is sure his new safety mate has the concepts down.

“He’s known the system since Day 1,” Doughty said. “It’s just a matter of being comfortable.”

When Schweigert is on the field, he’s trying to make the big play. He had a school-record 17 career interceptions at Purdue, breaking Rod Woodson’s mark. In 63 games with Oakland, he had four interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

“I try to be around the ball as much as I can,” Schweigert said.

“That’s when you’re going to create plays. If you’re not around the ball, there’s no way you’re going to have opportunities for fumble recoveries, for forced fumbles, for interceptions.”

NOTES: Tuesday marked the first day of training camp that all practices were closed to fans, although Chris Cooley invited 25 young patients from Washington’s Children’s National Medical Center and Hospital for Sick Children to watch the morning session. After practice, players autographed footballs for the children, and Cooley presented each child with a gift bag filled with Redskins memorabilia, handheld game systems and other items. ... LB H.B. Blades had surgery Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus in his knee and is expected to be out four weeks. ... RB Eric Shelton has had numbness in his hands and legs, Washington coach Jim Zorn said. Shelton was not on the field Monday or Tuesday. “We’re taking precautions because we just want to make sure we know exactly what’s happened,” Zorn said. ... OL Jason Fabini left the morning practice early due to illness and did not return for the afternoon session. Zorn expected him to return today. ... CB Carlos Rogers took part in 11-on-11 drills for the first time this training camp. Rogers is recovering from offseason knee surgery. ... DT Zarnell Fitch was waived and DT Babatunde Oshinowo was signed Tuesday.