NFL Notes: Daryl Washington, Panthers, Redskins

Daryl Washington

Free agent LB Daryl Washington promised to “shock people” if given another opportunity in the NFL.

“That guy was the young, immature, think-he-know-it-all, don’t-need-the-resources (guy),” Washington told Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “Now, I have the resources in place. Spiritually, I’m in a better place. Mentally, I’m in a better place. Physically, I’m in a better place. It’s a whole transformation of who Daryl Washington is now.

“When I say where I was when I was going through all those things, I didn’t even know it. I didn’t even know I was down-spiraling. And that’s scary. That’s why now (it should be), ‘Oh, how much better is he going to be now? He has a clear head.’ Oh my God, I’m scared for other people to see that. I’m serious. Because it’s going to shock people. ‘He’s been out that long. He won’t be able to do it. He’s going to go back and smoke. He’s going to relapse. Just wait.’ But for me, it’s not the case.”

Washington reiterated that he’s hoping to play for his hometown Cowboys.

“I think that star will be on my helmet real soon and it’s going to be a great moment, man,” Washington said.

Panthers

The Carolina Panthers announced that they’ve hired Ron Turner as a consultant to their coaching staff.

“He’ll work closely with the offense as far as evaluating the things that we’re doing, evaluating our opponents,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “And then he’ll also do some stuff for (defensive coordinator) Steve Wilks, looking at what we’re doing and explaining how people might try to attack our defense.

“He’s got a wealth of knowledge as a guy who coached at the NFL and college level for a number of years.”

Redskins

Redskins new senior VP of player personnel Doug Williams said he wants to keep franchise QB Kirk Cousins in Washington “in the worst way.”

“In the worst way,” Williams said, via NFL.com. “Let’s face this thing, the last two years, Kirk Cousins has had tremendous years. And one thing in this league that’s hard to find is that guy to run the football team and Kirk does a tremendous job doing that. And with the weapons that he has and the offensive line that he has and I think our defense is a little better than what we were last year, quite naturally you want Kirk Cousins as quarterback.”

Williams is hoping Cousins looks at the big picture and recognizes the opportunity he has with the Redskins.

“All I can do is hope and pray that Kirk looks at the big picture and looks at this football team and realizes we do have a pretty solid football team, solid offensive line, he’s got something to work with,” Williams said. “Having said that, [vice president of football administration] Eric Schaffer and [president Bruce Allen] have been on this negotiation for a long time. I think it’s unfair for me to stick my head into it at this time. Now, I’m aware of what’s going on, but as far as my two cents into it and talking to Kirk and what have you, I think I have to step back from that.“