ASHBURN, Va. -- Highlights and observations from the Washington Redskins' offense during organized team activities (OTAs) open to the media:
There’s been an emphasis on working with players' hands during individual work this spring. The running backs, for example, worked on hand placement in protection and how to get out of a losing situation. They would stand across from another back (posing as a defender) who had their hands on the inside of them, with the back having his hands on the outside of the defender. The back must then get his hands inside the defender’s chest (it’s all about getting them under the defender’s arms and shooting back inside).
These practices, with no hitting or tackling, are designed for players with quickness to shine. But it still caught my eye how quick Chris Thompson turned the corner on one run. Quickness, of course, is his strength. Not sure what to expect from him this season. Running backs are the hardest to judge before the games begin.
Jay Gruden said it, but it was noticeable beforehand: Tight end Niles Paul is bigger. Not sure yet how much more he weighs than last year, but he has definitely added size. The Redskins need more from the tight ends in the blocking game this season. Paul has always been a willing blocker, but his size has limited him in the past. Jordan Reed did not progress as a blocker last year, leaving Logan Paulsen as the one consistent blocker. If Paul’s added size helps him win more battles, that will have been a wise decision on his part.
Along those same lines, Jamison Crowder stood out on one play in particular. The rookie receiver had a sharp cut on a post -- very sharp -- and made a leaping catch as a safety approached. Now, maybe the safety levels him; maybe he doesn’t. But what impressed me is how Crowder feels the impending defender and how quickly he can land on the ground and cut. That ability might have saved him in this case. Just something to watch in games.
Kirk Cousins had a strong day working with the backups. Not sure anyone on offense shows more enthusiasm during these sessions than Cousins. After one 5-yard touchdown throw to Thompson, he ran over to the back pounded his helmet and shouted, “Touchdown!” After a deep ball to receiver DeSean Jackson that would have resulted in a long touchdown, Cousins sprinted downfield and the two celebrated with a side bump. I know some will read into this because they love to read into anything with the quarterbacks -- “Oh, no, is that a shot at Griffin!” Relax. It’s a comment on Cousins, period. If you’re a Redskins fan you should want him to do well; it’ll push Griffin and if the starter fails you can have a strong backup option.
Colt McCoy has been about what you would think. He's gotten rid of the ball faster this spring. He's thrown a few picks. I haven't seen a lot downfield from him.
Cousins executed a perfect sprint rollout in the red zone, hitting Andre Roberts in the right flat for a score. Nice route; nice ball. He also threw a nice ball off a rub play involving Roberts and Jackson, lofting a perfect pass to Roberts on the outside.
Rookie receiver Evan Spencer did not get a lot of separation on some underneath routes, but he knows how to use his body and be physical. It allowed him to grab a pass from McCoy on a slant route against corner Justin Rogers.
Rookie running back Matt Jones is a big fella who seems to want contact. Again, can’t judge backs fully until the pads are on but Jones isn’t slowing down at all or trying to avoid defenders. He caught a ball inside the 5-yard line in which he would have scored despite a defensive back in his way. Jones did mess up one time (not quite sure what he did) and caught an earful from running backs coach Randy Jordan: “No! No! No! Don’t ever do that!”
Here’s my look at Robert Griffin III’s day. I’ll also have more on the offensive line in a later post.
