German_Force » Royals: RHP Brad

鈥?Washington Redskins rookie Derrius Guice is learning there is plenty to learn about his new professional football life.In the days since selected late in the second round of last month’s NFL draft Will Hernandez Color Rush Jersey , the running back attended the team’s rookie minicamp and the four-day NFLPA’s Rookie Premiere event in California. The latter is designed to help players understand the business and marketing side of their new career.“It was very tiring. A lot of long days,” Guice said. “In the end, a lot of it will pay off. Something all the rookies need going into the NFL.”Guice already went through plenty. Various controversies 鈥?some over maturity concerns for the 20-year-old player, others possibly mere unfounded rumors 鈥?caused a draft slide to the 59th overall spot. That hasn’t kept Guice down nor kept him from maintaining focus.“I’m handling everything, man. I’m just ready to get to the season,” Guice said.Other parts of his football education come from his new teammates, such as quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis. The two veterans are each 34 years old, which means they began their career when Guice was in elementary school.The three were among players and team officials at the Army-Navy Country Club for the annual Redskins Charity Golf Classic on Monday morning. As the former LSU standout finished his session with local reporters, Guice spotted Davis.“How old was I when you got in the league?” the rookie joked.Standing a few steps away, Davis laughed and responded, “Six? Seven?”The tight end might have the timeline wrong 鈥?Davis was selected sixth overall in the 2006 draft when Guice was 10 鈥?but the age-gap point remains. Guice and the other first-year players have already been around the veterans for some informal workouts. Three weeks of Organized Team Activities (OTA) begin Tuesday.“Just getting out there with the vets. It’s always different than just practicing with the rookies Minkah Fitzpatrick Youth Jersey ,” Guice said. “When you’re out there with the guys who are out there like Vernon, who is 34, has been in the league since I was 10. Just getting out there with those guys and seeing how they help their bodies stay clean and young throughout the years. Them training you how to be professional inside and outside the building.”Guice isn’t the only one on the roster learning about Smith. Washington acquired the 13-year veteran in a stunning trade with Kansas City in January.“He’s a very smart guy,” Guice said of Smith, who led the NFL with 104.7 QB-rating last season. “He’s willing to help the rookies. He’s not one of those guys who, if the rookie messes up, is like get him out of there. He’s willing to help you and work with you.”As for the passing part, Guice said, “(Alex) has an arm, yeah.” Vic Beasley had a season to mostly forget last year.

Now that the Atlanta Falcons have put him back full-time at defensive end, he's looking to regain the form that made him the NFL sacks leader two years ago.

Beasley Bradley Chubb Jersey Elite , though, isn't making big promises in the second week of training camp. As much as he wants to get back to the top, he says the best approach is to stay humble, fill his role and let everything else work itself out.

"I know the guys have a lot of faith in me and the coaches do also, so we're just going to go out there and give our best effort and do what we can to get where we want to be," Beasley said Wednesday.

The Falcons had solid results last season under first-year defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel. They improved 17 spots to a No. 9 ranking in points allowed. They were among the top 10 in total yards, yards rushing, red zone percentage and scoring.

But Beasley was a small part of the story. He had just five sacks, 10 1/25 fewer than during his first season under coach Dan Quinn, and he wanted to produce more.

Moving to outside linebacker on 30 percent of the snaps didn't help. Beasley dropped some weight to play the new position and he ran so much in coverage and in defending the run that his energy level sometimes lagged when he lined up at end. He didn't have the same explosiveness coming out of his stance and beating blocks.

"He was always a nickel defensive end," Quinn said. "We played almost 70 percent of our snaps in nickel Authentic Trenton Cannon Jersey , but in the base one, due to injuries, that's why we moved him there. He was there a little bit by necessity, and sometimes that's the best thing to do. For us it was in this case."

Not anymore. Quinn wants to unleash Beasley exclusively at end with Takk McKinley starting on the opposite side after a promising rookie season.

"That's where he's best," Quinn said, "playing defensive end all the time."

Beasley took some pointers Wednesday from former Falcons ends Patrick Kerney and Chuck Smith, who combined for 141 NFL sacks. He got two different perspectives in technique. Kerney played long and rangy. Smith was more compact. Both gave Beasley a few ideas about timing, footwork and hand placement.

Beasley gets daily suggestions from his position coach Bryant Young, the former San Francisco star tackle who finished a 14-year career in 2007 with 89 1/2 sacks.

Young believes Beasley's time at linebacker will benefit him long-term because it's made him better against the run.

"He's a very strong individual, plays with good technique, and I think a lot of times he doesn't get credit for his run game Authentic Vita Vea Jersey , which is really important in this league as well," Young said. "The big, pretty numbers are in the sacks, and we understand that, but it's also important that you stop the run."

Beasley is eager to show what he can do. He played end exclusively throughout his career before last year.

"As a linebacker you normally drop into coverage and you dial up blitzes every now and then, but as a defensive end you're pretty much a straight-ahead guy," Beasley said. "Just get after the quarterback."

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