ASHBURN, Va. — In the twilight of his career, Washington Redskins defensive tackle Renaldo Wynn has been the subject of some reverse hazing from the team’s rookies.

More than a decade younger than Wynn, the newcomers have teased their mentor about watching him in their pre-high school days. They belong to a different generation.
“Look at the jersey number, not the age number,” Wynn replies.
Maybe that’s not the best retort. Next thing he knows those kids will be suggesting his jersey number — 97 — is indeed his age number.
“You got to believe you’re young, you’re young, you’re young,” Wynn said. “Age is nothing but a number.”
Wynn turns 35 before opening day. The team’s third oldest player behind quarterback Todd Collins (37) and defensive end Phillip Daniels (36), he knows retirement isn’t too far away.
Thinking ahead to his second career, he participated in the NFL’s Broadcast Boot Camp in June. A charismatic player with a gift for gab, Wynn was initially unsure whether broadcasting was for him. He exited with a plan for life after football.
“It’s definitely somet
ving to withstand criticism from TV executives.
“It was ’American Idol’ for me,” he said. “Some of the same competitive juices you feel on the football field you can use in that industry. If you’re not cut for it, if your diction is not precise or you don’t know what you’re talking about, you’re going to be found out quickly.”
Kind of like being on the wrong end of a trap play. Wynn has been blind-sided enough over 12 seasons to know when things aren’t going well, but so far, so good in a training camp where some wondered if he would make the team. Instead, he has quickly shown his return to Washington following a two-year absence may not end in preseason. He’s even working with special teams.
“Renaldo always has energy left,” Daniels said. “That’s what happens when you eat right, live right — do all the right things and you’ll play long. Everybody talks about the age factor, but he loves playing the game.”
Wynn spent five seasons in Washington after five in Jacksonville before playing in New Orleans (2007) and the New York Giants (2008). He started 64 games his first time around with the Redskins, but he returns to add depth to a revamped defense that also includes new faces Albert Haynesworth and pass-rushing rookie Brian Orakpo.
“I want to be a part of it,” Wynn said. “You have to enjoy the moment as you go forward in life.”
NOTES: CB Carlos Rogers (calf), RG Randy Thomas (knee), LTs Mike Williams (groin) and Stephon Heyer (knee), FB Eddie Williams (hamstring), DT Lorenzo Alexander (foot) and DT J.D. Skolnitsky (hamstring) missed practice. ... WRs Santana Moss and Devin Thomas tweaked hamstrings during the morning practice in the rain and sat out the afternoon session.