RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - Thirteen months from now a flood of burgundy and gold will wash over Richmond. But the question of where the Redskins will conduct the team's off-season training remains.
“They almost move an entire football city into Richmond during that three-week period," said Eric Finkbeiner, the Redskins team consultant. "They obviously need two fields side by side so coaches and staff can monitor both sides Defense and offense and special teams.”
Whatever the location, a lot of turf and bricks and mortar will be required for the team.
Tim Lampe, Director of VCU's Seigel Center, coordinates hundreds of concerts, games, meetings and graduations every year.
“You’ve got to find a location that can accommodate dorms, hotels, practice facilities, medical, laundry and meeting rooms that would be the ideal and most beneficial for them. This is massive.”
Lampe said logistically moving an NFL team to Richmond will require a military like undertaking. He has experienced NFL training camps from the inside looking out. He tried out for the Cowboys, Falcons and Patriots.
“It was nice seeing it from the inside out and knowing what goes on in those camps," said Lampe. "I have seen the size of these guys and they do eat. They’re going to need a lot of room.”
Lampe said players training in one location is paramount since any time spent walking, on a bus or in the car would take away from their productivity.
Whether it is at City Stadium, Sportsbackers, U of R, VCU, VUU or any other location -- much planning and building will need to be done.
“There will be a learning curve the first year maybe the second year and as we build infrastructure to help them succeed here. If we’re going to bring the Redskins to town a lot of people are going to have to work together to make it work.”
A task force made up of business leaders, city officials and university brass will be charged with finding a suitable location for the Redskins before they open up their first camp in July of 2013.
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