ASHBURN, Va. -- There were a few calls of "Victory Monday" in the Washington Redskins' locker room after the long overdue victory over the NFC East rival New York Giants.
Linebacker London Fletcher and other team captains vetoed that idea in a hurry.
The Redskins didn't have the day off frequently given to NFL players after a win. They reported to the team facility Monday to review film, get some time in the weight room and then head to the field to review "corrections" from Sunday's 28-14 season-opening win.
"There has never been a time in the past," said tight end Chris Cooley, who has been with the team since 2004, "where the players said 'We're going to come in and work; we're not going to take a day off.'Â "
According to the players, there was no grousing -- at least not out loud -- when Fletcher spoke up. Besides, this year's Redskins say they have a new, confident attitude that makes them want to put in the extra hours.
"That's the different mindset that this team has," fullback Darrel Young said. "That's the best thing I've heard all season so far. We don't want Monday off. I know London has a (Super Bowl) ring, but he wants another one. Being behind a leader like that, this is where I want to be."
Redskins Park is a happier place right now, almost distraction-free. It got to be such a drag over the years for a captain like Fletcher -- even after a victory -- to come in and deal with Albert Haynesworth or Clinton Portis or a coach under fire or a retired Bingo-caller being hired to rescue the offense -- or some other bizarre saga.
"Coach (Mike) Shanahan, he and (general manager) Bruce Allen have come in and cleaned out a lot of the negativity that's been around this place, this building, this team, for a number of years," Fletcher said. "It's great to be able to come in and just focus on football and not have to worry about answering questions about this teammate, this distraction, this situation."
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
