ASHBURN Stripped down to his black skin-tight shorts on one of the hottest days of the year, Devin Thomas was a lonely figure on the Washington Redskin’s practice field yesterday. He ran sprints around orange cones, pantomimed catching the ball in pass patterns and stretched his nagging hamstring against the goal post. “It’s frustrating not being able to be out there with the guys right now,“ said Thomas, the sweat dripping from his forearms, “so I’m doing everything I can to get back.“

Jim Zorn addresses the media each Monday in an area about the size of a living room. He is given a podium and a Redskins background to create the appearance of a massive auditorium, though his left arm could grab a soda from the Coke machine right next to him.

A debate that has gone on beneath the surface at Redskins Park became public. Running back Clinton Portis and coach Jim Zorn have gone back and forth on whether Portis needs to participate in weekly practices.

a closer look The Washington Redskins will face one of pro football’s more unpredictable teams Sunday. The Baltimore Ravens and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron draw up any number of plays that involve unorthodox formations or receivers throwing the ball. The Redskins, meanwhile, remain mostly conservative with their play-calling, which doesn’t bother first-year coach Jim Zorn.