Brennan, confident DB among Day 2 selections for Skins

By Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora

ASHBURN

After focusing on receivers on the NFL draft's first day, the Washington Redskins addressed other needs Sunday, selecting Northern Iowa offensive lineman Chad Rinehart and Arizona State cornerback/kick returner Justin Tryon with their highest second-day picks.

Washington also drafted Hawaii's record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan with one of their last picks in the two-day process.

The Redskins, who have age and injury concerns along the offensive line, sought to add a versatile lineman who could challenge for time at guard next season and eventually start at tackle. And, with cornerback Carlos Rogers recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, the Redskins were eager to add depth to the secondary.

The Redskins took punter Durant Brooks of Georgia Tech in the sixth round, although they re-signed Derrick Frost in March.

The team had only three safeties entering the draft; they ended up taking Kareem Moore of Nicholls State with the 180th pick.

Washington used the 186th pick on Brennan. The Redskins are committed to Jason Campbell as the starting quarterback and Todd Collins as the backup, so Brennan will compete for the No. 3 job.

With the 242nd pick, the Redskins selected defensive end Rob Jackson of Kansas State. And they added another safety with their final pick, taking Chris Horton of UCLA. The Redskins drafted no interior defensive linemen and no linebackers.

"We were able to fulfill a lot of the things that we went into the draft looking for," said Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations.

Although Rinehart started at tackle in 37 of 40 games at for Northern Iowa, he said he is ready to move to guard.

"I went down to the Senior Bowl and played guard for the first time. By the end of the week, I felt comfortable playing it," he said. "At the same time, I played tackle in college, so I feel like I'm pretty versatile."

Considered Arizona State's best cover corner, Tryon started all 26 games during his two seasons in school.

"I bring wisdom to the game, I bring heart to the game, I was made for this," he said. "I was made to play football. I was made to be in this game like this. I bring love to the game and passion to the game. This is what I do.

"I bring explosion (as a kick returner). My first five steps (are) so explosive, I'm going to get you to the 50 (on kickoff returns). Any time I catch a ball, I'm going to get you to the 50."

With the draft drawing to a close and the team still seeking a young quarterback, it selected Brennan, whom Washington scouted at his pro-day workout.

"He's been a 70-percent passer," Zorn said. "Whatever level and whatever type of defense you're going against, to throw 70-plus percent, there's some accuracy there."

In three seasons at Hawaii, Brennan set 21 NCAA records. He passed for 14,193 yards with 131 touchdowns while completing 70.4 percent of his passes. Still recovering from hip surgery April 7, Brennan is not expected to participate in this weekend's minicamp.

"I just can't wait to get out there and let their doctors and their staff get me through the rehab process and get me ready for training camp," he said.

Brooks, who won the Ray Guy Award as college football's top punter last season, is expected to compete with Frost.

"I think the Redskins made an awesome choice," Brooks said.

Note: The Redskins have agreed to terms with 13 undrafted free agents, including four offensive linemen, two defensive lineman and two linebackers. The team is expected to announce the signings today.