Today under bright skies and on soggy fields the 2018 edition of the Washington Redskins started their official journey towards the season. With new starting quarterback Alex Smith, the team began training camp with energy and passion in front a smaller but eager crowd.
Morning Practice Highlights
-In wide receiver versus defensive back drills, Paul Richardson showed great ability to separate at the line of scrimmage, twice getting the best of Josh Norman. Brian Quick also showed great hands catching a few passes, one deep for a touchdown.
-In the first 11 on 11 drills starters Trent Williams, Morgan Moses, and Preston Smith were held out. Also of note Rob Kelley was the first running back on the field, followed by Derrius Guice and Kapri Bibbs.
-On Derrius Guice’s first carry the left tackle was pushed back by Preston Smith and Guice tried to dance and sidestep to his left, Smith knocked the ball lose. Definitely a teaching moment for the rookie.
-On a play action pass Alex Smith had Paul Richardson wide open on a deep crossing route but Lauvao was pushed back into him and the pass the tipped and intercepted. Coach Gruden praised Richardson for getting open and seems to have found ways to get him the ball already.
-The defensive line looks massive now with the additions of Da’Ron Payne and Tim Settle. With McPhee on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), Ziggy Hood and Phil Taylor have a chance to showcase themselves for that spot. Taylor has the harder road because of Payne and Settle being true nose tackles.
-Linebacker Zach Brown went to the training tent early during 11 on 11 drills. He came out about five minutes later with his left knee taped and his helmet. He did not participate the rest of practice. He has a left quad strain and he is officially listed as day to day.
-The running back position is going to be one to watch. Rob Kelley, Derrius Guice, Kapri Bibbs, and Samaje Perine all had moments of explosiveness and pass catching ability. It maybe possible to keep all of these backs but it is not likely. Barring injury I believe the final running back spot is between Kelley and Bibbs with Guice, Perine, and Chris Thompson as locks.
-After practice a few receivers and running backs wanted to get some extra work with quarterback Alex Smith. Smith happily obliged and that delayed his press conference a few minutes.
