Under a sweltering sun the Washington Redskins had their second day of practice. A warm day saw a few players taking extra water breaks and led to a more intense day. Here are some notable events from the morning session.

– The word of the day is, DEFENSE! The defensive unit was more fired up and more aggressive after the offense was looking quite strong yesterday. The defensive line plugged running lanes, outside linebackers closed the pocket, and the secondary was flying around the field knocking down passes and pushing receivers around.

-Alex Smith had his first rough day. After looking smooth and under control yesterday, today was a different story. Smith threw an interception and had another three or four that could have been. Smith did have a couple of good, tough throws under pressure, but it definitely was a step back from his performance yesterday.

-DJ Swearinger was the performer of the day. He was physical from one on one drills to full 11 on 11. Swearinger had an interception, close to having another with a few more breakups. His being vocal is vital to the defense as he is the tone setter for the squad.

-The defensive line was as advertised today. They plugged up holes well, kept the offensive line occupied for the linebackers, and flowed well on zone plays. Da’Ron Payne works well with Jonathan Allen as the Alabama Crimson Tide connection seems to be working.

-Some notable lineups from the Redskins today. On offense with the ones, rookie Geron Christian Sr. started at left tackle, John Kling started at right tackle in full drills. The team is being cautious working Trent Williams and Morgan Moses back in. Today Byron Marshall was the first running back out followed by Guice, Bibbs, then Kelley.  On defense with the first team linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons took Zach Brown’s spot, defensive lineman Anthony Lanier was in Stacy McGee’s spot, and Orlando Scandrick started opposite of Josh Norman at corner.

Injury updates

Running back Rob Kelley left practice with heat related issues and linebacker Ryan Anderson had back spasms. Both are listed as day to day. Zach Brown participated in a limited capacity in drills but no full squad work. Jordan Reed did some warm up drills with the team but no 11 on 11 work. Reed was working on a side field.

Nose Tackle Da’Ron Payne went down during one of the 11 on 11 sessions. It was a outside zone play from the offense and Payne was stacking up the play when it appeared he got his ankle rolled up on. He stayed down for a few seconds then was helped off by teammates. He was stretched out by the training staff and stood and watched the remainder of practice. No updates were given.

Press Conference Notables

Jay Gruden

– On team atmosphere: “This is the first day of training camp. I do sense, you know, a bit of confidence level in these guys and feel good about where they are mentally and physically.”

-On Preston Smith: “In think he needs to be a dominant edge setter really, to go along with Ryan Kerrigan. It’s time for him to step up, he’s got all the tools in the world and he’s proven he can be an excellent pass rusher, he’s very good against the run and he’s long, tough, and strong-motor…..I expect great things from Preston and I know he does of himself. It’s a big year for him.”

-On the running back group: “Yeah I think, that’s a great benefit that we have here. We have different styles of backs… They’re all great kids, they all work extremely hard but at the end of the day it’s going to be about the who protects the football, the guy who can protect the quarterback.”

Josh Norman

-On the new helmet rule: ” Really I don’t, other than just leading with the crown of your head which is, I think is basic in the rules of the game that you learn since pee-wee and stuff… But being that this is now a rule where you can’t lead with the crown of your head just got to play better but in the heat of the moment that split second, you’re just trying to get the guy down.”

-On the 2018 defense: “ Aw man, we young and they’re physical. I mean, upfront man, we got a (defensive) line now that can compete with any team in this National Football League. You’ve got those two studs right there in the middle (Jonathan Allen and Da’Ron Payne) that went to Alabama. Aw man, Roll Tide!”

-On his focus during camp: ” You know- the little things. I think the little things in everything that you do become big successful plays…. Being in place is the first part but finishing the ball should be something that is already established and ingrained in you.”