Training Camp Wonders
July 20, 2021
By Noonefromtampa
With training camp starting soon, it’s time to reflect on some of Washington’s famous training camp wonders. These are players who get a tremendous fan following during training camp, but whose popularity doesn’t always translate into success on the field.
The “OG” of Training Camp Wonders
Quarterback Babe Laufenberg was selected in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He became known as “Mr. August” for his come-from-behind victories in the preseason during the first Joe Gibbs era with Washington. He spent time with the team in 1983-85 and 1987. He appeared in zero regular season games for Washington and has been the Dallas Cowboys radio color analyst since the 1990’s.
Do You Remember?
Safety Raphel Cherry was selected in the fifth round of the 1985 NFL Draft. He made the team in 1985 played in all 16 games, starting 6 getting 2 interceptions. Cherry was cut the following year at the end of camp and spent time with the Lions in 1987-88. Sadly, he was arrested and convicted of murdering his wife in 1999 and sentenced to prison. Cherry is eligible for parole in 2029.
Wide receiver James Thrash was an undrafted free agent who had already been released once when Washington signed him during training camp in 1997. He became a fan favorite after returning kickoffs for touchdowns in successive games in the preseason. Thrash ended up having a 12 year NFL career with both the Redskins and the Eagles. He is currently one of the appeals officers for the NFL.
Wide receiver Darnerien McCants was drafted in the fifth round in the 2001 NFL Draft. At 6’3”, McCants was supposed to fulfill the elusive big wide receiver role. He did have career high of six touchdown catches in 2003. However, three coaching regime changes in four years hurt him, and he was released after the 2004 season.
Quarterback Colt Brennan was the originator of the “Cult of Colt”. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Brennan’d claim to fame started with his performance in the preseason Hall of Fame Game against the Indianapolis Colts in which he went 9 for 10 for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He sealed his preseason fame with a come from behind game winning touchdown against the New York Jets. Unfortunately, Brennan aggravated a prior hip injury which ended up requiring surgery, ending him up on the injured reserve list. Sadly, Colt passed away in May from a drug overdose.
Wide receiver Marko Mitchell was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Ar 6’3″, Mitchell was another “big” wide receiver hopeful. He lasted one season, garnering four receptions in 10 game appearances.
Running back Marcus Mason was a 2007 undrafted free agent. He spent 2007 on the practice squad and was released in 2008. Mason was re-signed in 2009 to restock an injury depleted position and had 32 rushing attempts for 127 yards.
Running back Lache Seastrunk was a sixth round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Fans saw him as the speedy pass catching back that Chris Thompson had failed to be. Seastrunk took an 80 yard screen pass from Colt McCoy for a touchdown in the preseason game against Tampa Bay. He failed to make the roster, while Thompson finally had a breakout year in 2015.
Wide receiver Trey Quinn was a seventh round pick in 2018 NFL Draft. As the last pick in the draft, he was crowned “Mr. Irrelevant”, but fans thought he would become the slot receiver if Jamison Crowder departed in free agency in 2019. That scenario was realized but Quinn did not show the same elusiveness in receiving and punt returns as Crowder. He was released when Ron Rivera became the head coach.
2021 Camp Wonder Prediction
Jaret Patterson is the early on favorite to the 2021 fan favorite. The diminutive running back from Buffalo set an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record with eight touchdowns in a single game, which is just the kind of statistic to amp up fan expectations.