ASHBURN, Va. - On the same day the Redskins got back cornerback Darrell Green, team owner Daniel M. Snyder received a package from a zealous fan.
Loudoun County officers decided not to take any chances with a suspicious package addressed to Snyder and sent to Redskins Park, accompanied by a letter, about 2 p.m. yesterday and called the bomb squad.
The letter "was a bit rambling," said Loudoun County Officer Eric Noble said. "A superfan probably, but just a little bit odd in his writing."
Noble said music was heard coming from the package, tipping off the handlers. The package, 24 inches by 15 inches, was taken out into the woods about two hours later and a water detonation device was used as a precaution.
Inside the package were four toy dolls. Noble said he did not know why the man sent the dolls to Snyder, but there are no plans to charge the man although police might interview him. Snyder declined to comment.
Police were familiar with the perpetrator because, Noble said, he sent a letter to Snyder before.
No one was hurt, and it is likely that most fans in attendance did not know of the incident. Redskins executives did not evacuate the park.
Redskins coach Norv Turner said he did not know of the incident before practice, which started around 3:30 p.m. The team practiced on its artificial turf.
The Redskins worked out in full pads in the morning session, which Green practiced in for the first time in 11 days.
Green had been in Texas since the death of his father, Leonard Green Sr., who died of natural causes on July 28. Green missed the scrimmage with the Ravens and Friday's preseason game in Tampa.
Darrell Green said he contemplated retirement during that time, but a talk with his pastor motivated him to return for his 18th season with the Redskins.
"To play the game, that doesn't mean a whole lot to me," Green said. "My dad is my dad, and this is just a job. I didn't want to come back, to be honest. "
Green's retirement would have been a huge emotional loss for the Redskins. Deion Sanders took his starting position, but no one could fill the leadership role Green plays.
Green said he is glad he decided to come back.
"Darrell, I tell you what, I missed him," Turner said. "He was gone a week, and I told him I don't think we will ever let him retire. He is a big part of everything that I've been through here. He is important to us.
"The football, he can miss a week and be fine. But I consider him a very close friend of mine. We've been together the last six years. Everything hasn't been exactly rosey that period of time. But he's stood up every time we were challenged, every time there was a negative situation and been a great leader for us."
Defensive end Bruce Smith was one of the first ones to welcome back Green this morning. Smith lost his father this past off-season.
"I did not get a chance to call him but I talked with him this morning," Smith said. "I told him what he already knows to do, keep God first."
NOTES: Defensive end Kenard Lang returned to the afternoon practice. Lang sprained right knee during Sunday's practice. ... The Redskins moved up practice to 9:15 a.m. Tomorrow's practice will be at 3 p.m.
