ASHBURN, Va. -- Some highlights and nuggets from the Washington Redskins' offense during Tuesday's minicamp:
Receiver Andre Roberts made a difficult diving catch going across the middle. He laid out for the ball; just a nice grab. The Redskins really need him to be more of a factor this season.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins worked with the No. 2 offense during the 11-on-11; We was picked off but it was not his fault. Cousins threw an excellent ball to receiver Colin Lockett about 20 yards down the right side -- I mean, he really stepped into the pass. But the ball skidded off Lockett's hands and into corner Tajh Hasson's hands. Lockett should have made the catch.
Cousins later threw over the middle to receiver Ryan Grant, who made a tough grab in traffic. But Jamison Crowder dropped a Cousins pass. Again, another strong throw and Crowder did a nice job finding the soft spot in the zone. Crowder is cognizant of where the defenders are and excels at quick spins and getting yards after the catch. But this time he tried to do so without the ball -- it fell to the ground. "You've got to squeeze that thing!" Jay Gruden shouted.
And Cousins was intercepted on a pass during the two-minute drill. Not sure what happened, but this is what I saw: The receiver (Rashad Ross) sprinting down the right sideline, but Cousins throwing as if he expected him to run a hitch. No idea who was at fault on the play, but they definitely did not read it the same. Hasson was there again for an easy pick.
Grant made two tough catches in traffic -- once, linebacker Ja'Gared Davis bumped into him -- and an over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone. Did see Bashaud Breeland get him with some physical play. He did run one route while in the back of a bunch formation; makes it harder for a defensive back to get their hands on him.
Some running back nuggets: Saw Matt Jones hesitate on one run to the right side. He needed to hit the hole harder, but he saw a defender flash and it caused him to hesitate. Jones cuts well, but in a game he would have needed to hit this hole harder. Backup Silas Redd made a terrific cut on one run, causing running backs coach Randy Jordan to shout, "Whooo-wee" and quarterback Robert Griffin III said to Redd, "Flashback." As in flashback to college. Redd suffered a minor ankle sprain and might not practice Wednesday.
The first-unit offensive line remained the same with Tom Compton working at left tackle for Trent Williams. Compton also worked at right guard with the second unit. Compton annoyed (to put it mildly) linebacker Keenan Robinson on one run around the left side: "You going to hold the whole time!" Robinson said at the end of the play. He was not amused. But that was that. Compton allowed inside pressure to linebacker Trent Murphy on one pass that may or may not have resulted in a sack of Griffin.
Takoby Cofield worked at left tackle with the second unit and Willie Smith worked there with the third. Josh LeRibeus continued to work at center with the second group and looks comfortable. Set a good base on the times I watched him Tuesday. But it's so hard to know where he's really at in his development. I'm getting tired of saying this, but we really do need to see them in pads.
Watched a little of undrafted tight end Davin Mahina -- and by little, I mean just a few plays. His blocking was OK, but it could use a little tightening up; looked like his base was a little narrow on one block, allowing linebacker Dyshawn Davis to get him upright.
