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(AP photo)

As we’ve previously established, I’ve officially given up on trying to bring any type of breaking news or in-depth training camp breakdowns. Smart Redskins fans have plenty of places to go for that kind of stuff. Instead, I’ll continue to focus on some of the important issues that may otherwise go unreported, like how many days into training camp does offensive tackle Jon Jansen anticipate it will take before he and defensive lineman Kedric Golston start throwing punches at each other yet again, or exactly what does it take to be able to enter the training camp mobile home?

So without further adieu, here’s a quick one-on-one chat between a Homer and a Dirtbag.

First things first, are the milkshakes here?

“They will be. They’re not here yet, but it’s once a week and they’ll be here later this week.”

And the RV?

“The RV is out there and ready to go.”

Is the access list full update with who is allowed in?

“I’ve got a committee and if somebody wants in I take down their name to the committee and we go from there.”

When can we expect Jansen-Golston III, since it’s become a training camp ritual?

“Ahhh … we’ve got to get the pads on and it’s gotta get just a little bit warmer. Maybe a couple more days into camp we’ll all start gettig grumpy and things will start getting good.”

What do you say to the folks who say that the offensive line is an area of concern because of the injuries to you and Randy Thomas?

“I can’t really say it on print or on the radio, but it shouldn’t be a concern. I had a fluke injury last year because somebody fell on me. It wasn’t a wear and tear issue. I’ll be fine this year and moving forward.”

What do you see from the rookie Chad Rinehart?

“I’ll have to wait until we see video from today, and then I’ll let you know once we strap on the pads. This is I call it our helmets and skirts, so once we put our pants on we’ll see what happens.”

Right about then, I thanked Mr. Jansen for his time and let him head off into the building for meetings. But I did stop his partner in crime, center Casey Rabach, long enough to follow up on the RV question.

I see an RV out there. What can you tell me about it?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I love that about you, that you’ll deny everything until the end. Jansen said that there’s a rigorious process that reviews individual applicants. Can you shed any light on that?

“Yeah. You definitely need to be a card-carrying member to enter, and there are very few cards that have been handed out so far. I’m willing to bet there are even fewer given out this year, so we’ll see what happens.”

So if you’re a kicker who happens to currently be in a feud with Rabach and Jansen, it’s probably pretty safe to say you’re not getting in the RV or getting any Michigan milkshakes. And if you’re Kedric Golston, I’d try to get the panel to approve your RV visitation rights now, because in a week or so you very well may find yourself on the business end of a left cross from the feisty veteran lineman. Consider yourself warned.

If you haven’t figured out by now, Ryan O’Halloran of The Washington Times, is one of the best beat writers in town. If you don’t believe me, go check out his latest contribution, a highly-enjoyable feature story on Chris Cooley from earlier this week. If you also haven’t figured out by now, I’m a complete hack. I watch a bunch of sports on TV or play a couple of video games, and suddenly I think I’m qualified to drive NASCAR tracks and rip the local baseball general manager who may or may not be under federal investigation.

To make up for the fact that you, the loyal readers, must put up with my incessant ramblings and mindless drivel on a regular basis, Ryan has graciously agreed to class up the joint by answering the top five questions the Washington Redskins face heading into training camp. Without further adeu, here we go:

1. Jim Zorn is a rookie head coach with roughly two weeks of offensive coordinator experience. What can we reasonably expect from the Z-man in his inaugural season?

Ryan: A major transition for the entire organization. If Zorn had even a season of coordinating experience, he would have had a chance to oversee half of the roster. In Seattle, he was responsible for three of the 53 players. Now he has to oversee a roster, a coaching staff, coach quarterbacks, call plays and deal with the media. That’s a awful hefty load. What I expect to see is an innovative offense that uses all of its weapons (Al Saunders was never allowed to do that). I also expect some games where Zorn acts like a first-year head coach and makes questionable decisions.

2. Like Zorn, Vinny Cerrato find himself in a new situation, now that he’s “the guy” when it comes to the front office. How much involvement did Cerrato have with some of the recent late-round draft picks (Montgomery, Doughty, etc.) and undrafted rookie free agents, and how confident should ‘Skins fans be with Vinny calling the shots?

Ryan: Cerrato’s impact on drafting second-day players is a million dollar question. Gregg Williams’ defensive staff scoured the country along with the team’s scouts during the pre Draft process. One positive for Vinny is that he hasn’t really screwed up a first-round pick. But the decisions by the front office in the draft room has left a lot to be desired. If Snyder/Cerrato really mean they’re turning over a new philosophical leaf, they have to draft better. Redskins fans aren’t going to cut Vinny much slack. I’m sure many were as puzzled as those in the media with the promotion before they actually hired a head coach. The fans should be in show-me-Vinny mode.

3. While the head coach is new, most of the players are not. This is a veteran team that has made the playoffs two out of the last three seasons. Does this team have what it takes to compete in the always competitive NFC East and an improving NFC, or should fans temper their expectations as the team adjusts to the new regime?

Ryan: While hardly any of the players are new, expectations for a team should be lowered anytime there’s a new head coach, two new coordinators and a new passing game. That’s not continuity. That’s transition and basically starting over. And that’s fine — obviously Snyder wasn’t comfortable handing the keys of the his kingdom to Williams. The Redskins might win only six or seven games but their talent could be better than that — the NFC East is that tough. Right now, I’d tab them to finish last in the division.

4. Where do the Redskins have the most depth and where is the biggest area of concern heading into the season?

The most depth: Quarterback because Todd Collins showed last year he has a few bullets left in his 36-year old throwing arm. Running back because Ladell Betts proved to be a solid every-down player when Clinton Portis missed the final half of the 2006 season. Safety: LaRon Landry, Reed Doughty, Stuart Schweigert and Vernon Fox all have NFL starting experience.

The biggest area of concern: Attrition along the offensive and defensive lines. Both sides are aging, don’t have a ton of depth and do have a long injury history. Linebacker: The back-ups are Khary Campbell, H.B. Blades and Matt Sinclair. Cornerback: If Carlos Rogers starts the season on the shelf, the Redskins could be in trouble.

5. If you had to pick one Redskins player, who is most likely poised for a breakout season? Why?

Safety LaRon Landry. I got ripped pretty good for this last year but I think Landry is light years ahead of where Sean Taylor was at the same point of their career. Landry is athletically gifted like Taylor but, entering his second season, is already excellent at anticipating plays, making up for a teammates’ mistake/blown assignment and sending messages with physical play. He might not make the Pro Bowl this season but he’ll turn out to be the defense’s best player.

For more of O’Halloran’s work, check out the Redskins 360 blog.

Dave Elfin, of The Washington Times, poses the question in today’s paper – could the burgundy and gold make a play for future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre?

How about a trade to a team that has gone eight seasons without a Pro Bowl quarterback, has an inexperienced starter who grew up idolizing his fellow Mississippian and has an owner with an expansive checkbook?

Yes, the Washington Redskins. Envisioning Brett in burgundy yet?

Redskins owner Dan Snyder just might be, though NFL sources believe it is highly unlikely to happen.

While it makes for entertaining copy and might sell an extra newspaper or two, I’m sorry to say it just ain’t going to happen. If the ‘Skins weren’t absolutely committed to that “fellow Mississippian,” Jason Campbell, then I could see it. But they’ve basically come out and said, “We’re going to give Jason every chance to be our franchise quarterback.” I mean, Todd “The Tasty Drink” Collins came in last season after Campbell was injured during the Chicago Bears game and closed out the regular season with five-straight wins when anything less would have ended their season, and it’s as if he was never even an option. Campbell is the starter. End of discussion. (Well … unless Peyton Manning or Tom Brady somehow became available).

A couple other quick hits about Favre:

1. It’s his right to want to play as long as he wants, and it’s the team’s right to want to move on. The problem comes if/when the Packers want to move on, but don’t want to release him. No one thinks Favre will be a backup to unproven quarterback-in-waiting Aaron Rodgers. And if he somehow did agree to it, the very first incomplete pass from Rodgers will be met with a chorus of “WE WANT FAVRE!” from the Cheeseheads.

2. With Favre on the cover of the Madden ’09 video game, whoever ends up with Brett will have to know the Madden Curse will be heading into town with him. But here’s a question for you – if Favre stays retired and the curse can’t get him, does that mean it transfers to Tony Romo (a.k.a. – John Madden’s next object of desire)? And speaking of Romo, is he really planning on heading into the season without former gal pal Jessica Simpson? In the immortal words of Weezer, “Say it ain’t so.”

3. If he does stay retired, can we see him reunite with the Farrelly Brothers for a follow-up to “There’s Something About Mary?”

How many players make such a lasting impression on a fan that they can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing the moment this guy arrived on the scene? Not very many.

But there’s no doubt, when it comes to Lorenzo Alexander, the chubby-faced University of California alum, the exact moment when he etched his name into the memories of Redskins fans.

It was Saturday, August 11, and the ‘Skins were in Nashville to take on the Titans in an otherwise irrelevant preseason game. I, on the other hand, was at my buddy Dave’s house, enjoying an ice-cold Stone Mill Pale Ale while catching up with my old roommate. The rookie defensive tackle showed what he’s made of when he lost his helmet, but was still able to chase down Titans quarterback Tim Rattay. He collided with a teammate and ended up needing six stitches, but that one play may have been enough proof to the ‘Skins coaching staff that the former practice squad player was worthy of a roster spot while simultaneously earning him cult status among the rabid Redskins fanbase.

His response? “My mom’s just happy I have all my teeth,” Alexander said.

But that was only the beginning. Once he secured a place on the 53-man roster, Alexander continued his unlikely climb from former undrafted free agent to vital member of a playoff team. While he earned his place as a defensive tackle, the coaching staff saw something in the 6’1″ and 300 lb. defensive lineman. Next thing you know, Alexander is taking snaps in practice as the sixth offensive lineman in the team’s jumbo package.

For the season, Alexander was officially credited with four tackles in the 13 games he played in. But simple stats don’t do the man justice. By the time the season ended, Alexander played defensive tackle, offensive guard, tight end, fullback and special teams for the Redskins, making him a rare triple threat in the modern NFL. A Joe Gibbs team always needs players that are super smart who are willing to fight their guts out. Clearly, Alexander was meant to play for the Hall of Fame coach.

I was able to chat with Alexander after the heart-breaking loss to the Bills, and again after the ‘Skins season ended with a playoff loss to the Seahawks. I asked this guy for an interview less than a week after losing a friend and teammate to senseless violence and again minutes after his team’s season ended, and yet, both times I walked away thinking to myself that he’s a likable, stand-up guy. While others may be willing to make excuses or disappear from the locker room before the media is allowed in, Alexander was always available during both the good and the bad.

During this offseason, when I’ve seen Alexander around Redskins Park, I’ve often joked with him that I need to be his agent because he’s the hardest working man in the NFL, willing and able to play iron man football. He’s always laughs and says he enjoys playing both offense and defense, and that he hopes the team continues to let him go both ways.

And when he’s not at the Park, Lorenzo is still keeping busy. In June, he headed back home to California to host the Lorenzo Alexander ACES Foundation “Hold the Line” Football Camp, a free camp for 200 or so youngsters. It’s fitting Alexander would make time for the next generation of football players, because if we were making a list of players who these young men should model their games after, he’d definitely make the list.