Rejuvenated DE Buzbee Fights for a Roster Spot

Alex Buzbee's season ended last year on the first day of Washington Redskins training camp when he ruptured his Achilles' tendon and was subsequently placed on the injured reserve list.

Now, the former Georgetown defensive end is on the field trying to earn a spot on a roster that features several new faces on the defensive line.

Buzbee spent most of the past 10 months doing rehabilitation work in the weight room, working to strengthen the calf muscle on his right leg before returning to the field for the first time during minicamp in May.

"That first minicamp it was definitely [tentative], but as the practices kept going on and on it felt more and more comfortable [and] it felt like it was getting stretched out," Buzbee said after an organized team activity yesterday at Redskins Park. "I didn't feel like I was coming off the ball quite as good as I was last year, but even this OTA compared to the last three weeks, the OTA we had three weeks ago, it feels stronger and more explosive. So I think by training camp in July I should be back to where I was."

Buzbee faces competition for a reserve spot on a line that now has veteran Renaldo Wynn, superstar DT Albert Haynesworth, first-round draft pick Brian Orakpo and veteran Phillip Daniels, who was re-signed after missing all of last season with a knee injury he suffered on the first day of training camp.

"Just stay focused and stay healthy pretty much," Buzbee said of his approach. "I think if I focus on those two things, I mean nothing's guaranteed, but I can give myself a good shot to make this team. Just got to do what the coaches ask, keep getting better and improving and I'll give myself a shot."

-- CASE IS CONTINUED: Haynesworth's hearing yesterday in Williamson County (Tenn.) Circuit Court on two misdemeanor traffic charges was continued to July 21. An agreed order was entered prior to yesterday's court date and signed June 4, according to Roberta Faulkner, deputy clerk of the Williamson County Circuit Court. Haynesworth faces charges of reckless driving and having an expired registration stemming from a December car crash in which another driver was seriously injured. Reckless driving carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $500 fine, and Haynesworth's sentence could include an additional 30 days in jail and a $50 fine for the other charge. Haynesworth missed practice yesterday, but is expected to return today, according to Coach Jim Zorn.

-- LANDRY STILL MISSING: LaRon Landry, Cody Glenn and Anthony Montgomery missed practice. Zorn said he still has not spoken to Landry. Rookie LB Glenn "missed a plane," Zorn said. "I don't know where he was, but he's just in remorse that he couldn't be here. He'll get it together. There's no fine. There's zero fine." Montgomery's absence, Zorn said, was excused.

-- Paul Tenorio and Dan Steinberg