Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
The beard winner revealed
Jeff, the beard winner, came out for practice today. He was nice enough to pose with the ladies and provide quite the interview with Christy. Hope it you had fun. Thanks!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
Fan Appreciation Day
The beard winner has been chosen and notified. Thanks for participating and see his pic here.
I want to say thank you to all the fans who read this blog as well as
everyone coming out to practice. I think the first week has gone great for
the Redskins all around. I would definitely like to invite everyone to
come to fan day tomorrow. We are going to have a live scrimmage and it
should be pretty bad ass. I think the first teams are going to take at
least 20 plays, so fans should get a really good look at what's going on.
When practice ends the entire team will make their way over to the fans to
sign autographs and bullshit with everyone. I have tried to stop every day
at least for 5 or 10 minutes to take some time to sign for people and have
made some autograph observations. Because of this I created a little list
to increase the chances of anyone seeking an autograph. The list is not in
any order, just a couple of my thoughts from signing thousands of things.
Keep in mind I am pretty much giving you the players prospective on this,
whether you like some of the suggestions or not, there pretty much the
facts.
Top ten best suggestions for getting autographs.
1. Wear the players jersey that you want to have signed. I am much more
likely to sign a 47 jersey than anyone else.
2. Be under 12 years old. Yea I know this one's tough, but players would
rather sign auto's for little kids. I know this tip has been utilized by
many weird old man "or" woman, but it is very effective. Also, if you are
a little kid I know how exciting meeting players can be, but screaming
please, please, please, pretty much turns off most guys from stopping.
3. Know something about the player who's autograph you want. If someone tells
me congrats on the wedding or asks how my dogs are doing I will take an
extra second usually to not only sign, but talk.
4. Try to take a position close to the locker room. The further you are
away from the locker room the fewer signatures you will acquire. Every
players ultimate goal is to make it inside, so the closer you stand to that
goal the more players you will come across.
5. If you don't get someones autograph try not to make that player feel
bad that he didn't take enough time to sign everything. So many times I
get "Oh come on," or "It's only one more." If I get boos for not signing
it just makes me want to go inside. When I'm signing I have to pick and
choose where I go and it's impossible to sign for everyone. I really would
like to sign everyone's stuff but I just can't.
6. If you don't have a jersey have something good to sign. Napkins and
sneakers are bad autograph items, balls and posters are much better. The
easier and quicker I can write my name factors largely into my decision to
sign.
7. Stand out from other fans. Not everyone wants to do this, but if there
is a way to become more visible to players you become a much more likely
candidate. Redskins outfits, crazy hats, nudity, anything different makes
a difference. Oh yea, the nudity will probably be a bad choice because
your signing time will be cut down by security. I mean, if there was one
specific player someone could wait till that time, but your probably not
gonna make it long after that.
8. Try really hard to make your way to the front of the line. I pretty
much only sign things right at the fence. If you don't make it to the
front of the line try really hard not to lean all over everyone in front of
you. There's kids and women that really have a bad time if you're a leaner
and players will see problems and move on, thus ruining the chances of
everyone that did make it to the front.
9. Advice and criticism = bad. I know everyone sees something they could
fix or do better, but right when practice ends no players want a part in
that. Even our coaches are going to wait until the evening film to place
their judgement and trust me, we get enough. Great fans just support the
players and coaches get paid to coach the players. It should be left at
that, but in the event someone tells me how I should beat man coverage I
will politely move on.
10. Buy an autograph at the store. I know this isn't as much fun, but
it's a guarantee. The autographs at the store also look much more
professional and come with proof of signatures. Then you could go back to
step nine and say you met the player while still collecting a signature.
I want to say thank you to all the fans who read this blog as well as
everyone coming out to practice. I think the first week has gone great for
the Redskins all around. I would definitely like to invite everyone to
come to fan day tomorrow. We are going to have a live scrimmage and it
should be pretty bad ass. I think the first teams are going to take at
least 20 plays, so fans should get a really good look at what's going on.
When practice ends the entire team will make their way over to the fans to
sign autographs and bullshit with everyone. I have tried to stop every day
at least for 5 or 10 minutes to take some time to sign for people and have
made some autograph observations. Because of this I created a little list
to increase the chances of anyone seeking an autograph. The list is not in
any order, just a couple of my thoughts from signing thousands of things.
Keep in mind I am pretty much giving you the players prospective on this,
whether you like some of the suggestions or not, there pretty much the
facts.
Top ten best suggestions for getting autographs.
1. Wear the players jersey that you want to have signed. I am much more
likely to sign a 47 jersey than anyone else.
2. Be under 12 years old. Yea I know this one's tough, but players would
rather sign auto's for little kids. I know this tip has been utilized by
many weird old man "or" woman, but it is very effective. Also, if you are
a little kid I know how exciting meeting players can be, but screaming
please, please, please, pretty much turns off most guys from stopping.
3. Know something about the player who's autograph you want. If someone tells
me congrats on the wedding or asks how my dogs are doing I will take an
extra second usually to not only sign, but talk.
4. Try to take a position close to the locker room. The further you are
away from the locker room the fewer signatures you will acquire. Every
players ultimate goal is to make it inside, so the closer you stand to that
goal the more players you will come across.
5. If you don't get someones autograph try not to make that player feel
bad that he didn't take enough time to sign everything. So many times I
get "Oh come on," or "It's only one more." If I get boos for not signing
it just makes me want to go inside. When I'm signing I have to pick and
choose where I go and it's impossible to sign for everyone. I really would
like to sign everyone's stuff but I just can't.
6. If you don't have a jersey have something good to sign. Napkins and
sneakers are bad autograph items, balls and posters are much better. The
easier and quicker I can write my name factors largely into my decision to
sign.
7. Stand out from other fans. Not everyone wants to do this, but if there
is a way to become more visible to players you become a much more likely
candidate. Redskins outfits, crazy hats, nudity, anything different makes
a difference. Oh yea, the nudity will probably be a bad choice because
your signing time will be cut down by security. I mean, if there was one
specific player someone could wait till that time, but your probably not
gonna make it long after that.
8. Try really hard to make your way to the front of the line. I pretty
much only sign things right at the fence. If you don't make it to the
front of the line try really hard not to lean all over everyone in front of
you. There's kids and women that really have a bad time if you're a leaner
and players will see problems and move on, thus ruining the chances of
everyone that did make it to the front.
9. Advice and criticism = bad. I know everyone sees something they could
fix or do better, but right when practice ends no players want a part in
that. Even our coaches are going to wait until the evening film to place
their judgement and trust me, we get enough. Great fans just support the
players and coaches get paid to coach the players. It should be left at
that, but in the event someone tells me how I should beat man coverage I
will politely move on.
10. Buy an autograph at the store. I know this isn't as much fun, but
it's a guarantee. The autographs at the store also look much more
professional and come with proof of signatures. Then you could go back to
step nine and say you met the player while still collecting a signature.
Picture Update
Today was one young fans 7th birthday. Happy Birthday Carson!
Also here are pictures from training camp this morning. Theme for today was Cooley fans. Enjoy.
Beard contest phase 1 ends Friday
Everyone who wants to be included in the beard contest please make sure to get your beard pictures in by July 25th before noon. We will be posting the winner of the training camp passes tomorrow along with how to claim your prize. Remember, this phase was for the overall best beard, not the most growth. ZZTop could be a winner here.Phase 2 is for the preseason tickets and parking to the Bills game. That winner will be chosen on overall growth since the contest started. More details on that later. Thanks and good luck!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Picture Update + 2 really entertaining videos
Thanks Dan. If you want to get the full video check it out here.
Chris also did an interview on NFL Network which was one of the best I have ever seen from Chris. I love team cam, NFL network, and now Rich Eisen too who claims to read the blog, so Rich please comment if you read.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Cooley Zone: It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt
It's only three days into the season and I have one sore ass body. If five different NFL camps have proven anything to me, it's that there is no way to fully prepare my body to take the beatings of football. I've tried working out twice a day, working out in altitude, racing my dog up and down the driveway, I've even tried sitting on my ass. Whether its preseason rest or work I've felt like dog [excrement] within the first week, progressively getting worse year after year. I think that’s what makes training camp so dreaded by all of us going through it.Read the rest on Shudown Corner and please tell us what you think.
Also, we are going to give away 3 pairs (6) of tickets to the Redskins Rides car show on August 10 to the first 3 people to guess what my first car was. There will be no hints and I will check back tonight for the winners. Good luck.
Update: Training camp photos from today.
UPDATE!!!
The answer was a Chevy Corsica.
Congrats to our winners Benji, Sean, and PeterG. (Brillo doesn't count because he is out of range and Beandip, well she doesn't need the tickets) Could the three winners please email me on how to claim their prize. tanner@chriscooley47.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My Top 10 training camp moments
After posting on KSK it got me thinking about some of the better moments from training camp over the years. I guess it hasn’t been all that bad so here are my top 10 training camp moments.
10. 2004 – 2007 I have never missed one practice. (Can someone find out if that is some kind of record?)
8. 2007 – I decide that the dorms aren’t for me and I sneak home every night for 2 weeks.
7. 2005 – I get my first case of jock itch.
6. 2007 – Jon Janson brings his RV to Redskins Park in which we drink beers after every practice.
5. Warren “Rennie” Simmons is caught jogging close to nude in Ravens stadium prior to stadium afterwards pronouncing “Sorry guys, that’s my bag.” (my bag = my bad to everyone but Rennie)
4. 2004 - LaVar bombards me with grapes as I botch Hail to the Redskins in rookie hazing. Unfortunately there will be no mandatory singing for the young guys this year. Zorn Rule: No Hazing
3. 2006 – Brunell and I bring a bottle of Fauria’s nutrients (vitamins) to huddle.
2. In 2005 we played the Pittsburg Steelers. Before the game Joe Gibbs states “They got Russ Grimm over there. He believes in a lot of the same things we do. It’s going to be tough, smart, and physical.” Luckily I scored a touchdown, we win, and Joe Gibbs his happy.
1. And my all time best moment of training camp came in 2004 – One week before season begins Joe Gibbs names a slow white rookie the starting H back.
Also, here are the pictures from this morning's practice
10. 2004 – 2007 I have never missed one practice. (Can someone find out if that is some kind of record?)
9. 2006 – Short shorts and long hair really come alive.
8. 2007 – I decide that the dorms aren’t for me and I sneak home every night for 2 weeks.
7. 2005 – I get my first case of jock itch.
6. 2007 – Jon Janson brings his RV to Redskins Park in which we drink beers after every practice.
Casey Rabach: "It's kind of just an oasis away from camp....We watch movies, BS,listen to music, nap. You know, whatever." I asked what the nicest amenity was. "Air conditioning and plumbing," he said, calling the bathroom "damn nice....And the generator's nice, and the refrigerator's nice. Yeah, pretty much the whole damn thing's pretty nice."Rabach said regulars include Ethan Albright and Mark Brunell, and that Randy Thomas occasionally stops by. The same Randy Thomas who told me he had never been inside. Bizarre. Also, they've been ordering food from local restaurants, and Jansen gets shipments of donuts and other treats from Michigan. You can watch Lindsay Czarniak's take here, which is what turned me on to this story in the first place. Although "turned me on" may be inappropriate, given the circumstances.
5. Warren “Rennie” Simmons is caught jogging close to nude in Ravens stadium prior to stadium afterwards pronouncing “Sorry guys, that’s my bag.” (my bag = my bad to everyone but Rennie)
4. 2004 - LaVar bombards me with grapes as I botch Hail to the Redskins in rookie hazing. Unfortunately there will be no mandatory singing for the young guys this year. Zorn Rule: No Hazing
3. 2006 – Brunell and I bring a bottle of Fauria’s nutrients (vitamins) to huddle.
It seems that Cooley, quarterback Mark Brunell and tight end Christian Fauria were having lunch after a recent training camp practice. Fauria, especially tired after the hot workout, expressed his fatigue by saying: "I need some more nutrients. "Nutrients? What kind of football player would utter a sentence like that? Cooley and Brunell couldn't help but laugh. "We made fun of him at the dinner table," Cooley said. The next day, during another of coach Joe Gibbs' hard-nosed practices, Cooley walked into the huddle and feigned exhaustion. Right on cue, Brunell produced a bottle of vitamins, wrapped in athletic tape and labeled with the word "nutrients" written in permanent marker. "He pops out about three of them in his hand," Cooley said. "He said, 'Here, I've got some 'nutrients' for you, bro.' So we both took some 'nutrients."' Needless to say, there was laughter all around, all at Fauria's expense.
2. In 2005 we played the Pittsburg Steelers. Before the game Joe Gibbs states “They got Russ Grimm over there. He believes in a lot of the same things we do. It’s going to be tough, smart, and physical.” Luckily I scored a touchdown, we win, and Joe Gibbs his happy.1. And my all time best moment of training camp came in 2004 – One week before season begins Joe Gibbs names a slow white rookie the starting H back.
Also, here are the pictures from this morning's practice
Welcome Mr. Taylor, now you and LaRon can hit people for $ together.
Chris decided there would be no update today because I think he went to bed around 9:45. So I decided to give you a few things for you to check out while we wait for tomorrow's practice.
First I am very excited that the Skins got Jason Taylor. Not quite as excited as the female Redskins fans but more excited than the other NFC east QB's.
I also wanted to give you guys something exciting since it has been so long since we have seen real football. So this was one of the best I could find of LaRon Landry.
First I am very excited that the Skins got Jason Taylor. Not quite as excited as the female Redskins fans but more excited than the other NFC east QB's.
I also wanted to give you guys something exciting since it has been so long since we have seen real football. So this was one of the best I could find of LaRon Landry.
