Each day Redskins Capital Connection is at Training Camp we’re going to be bringing you updated news about what’s happened on and off the field here at the Bon Secours facility, including who is winning the position battles, and what the projected 53 man roster is shaping up to look like for week 1.
Another day, another Redskins Training Camp session in the books. Thankfully today there were no serious injuries, free agent signings, or league suspensions announced, allowing the players to simply concentrate on going out on to the Bon Secours fields and getting to work.
Without further ado, here are our observations from day three.
Training Camp Report: Day 3
- Saturday was the first day that the CBA allowed the team to practice with pads on, and it was evident from the get go that the players were ready and roaring to hear the clash of pad-on-pad.
- Rookie Running Back Matt Jones had a really strong practice today, and clearly revelled in getting the pads on and being able to lay hits into people. He busted out numerous good carries today, including one very impressive run where he ran straight between Ryan Kerrigan and Stephen Paea, shedding both of their tackles (with help from Brandon Scherff and Spencer Long blocking them well), stiff-armed Keenan Robinson, slipped the David Amerson tackle, then shrugged off Dashon Goldson. Yes, you’re reading that right; he shed five tackles on the run. Honestly, it was reminiscent of the famous ‘Beastmode’ run from the playoffs three years ago.
- Matt Jones wasn’t the only one enjoying putting pads on. Strong Safety Duke Ihenacho had a couple of big hits on various players today. All hits were clean and effective, and they also set the tone nicely.
- Speaking of Ihenacho, for three straight days now he has looked clearly like the best option at Strong Safety over Jeron Johnson.
- During 11-on-11 drills, the Running Backs rotated quite a bit, including guys like Chris Thompson running with the first unit, whilst Alfred Morris ran with the thirds. Don’t read too much into that, as this appeared to be something that Running Backs coach Randy Jordan is using to get different guys meaningful reps. For what it’s worth, when Morris was given snaps, regardless of what unit it was with, he looked good.
- Kirk Cousins started nicely during his reps with the 2nd unit today, including a long touchdown to Andre Roberts that had perfect touch on the pass. Unfortunately for Cousins his good start was undone when he fumbled a clean snap and the defense recovered.
- New Redskin Outside Linebacker Junior Galette didn’t practice with the main group today, just as Jay Gruden told the media. Instead, Galette spent much of the afternoon working on his fundamentals with Strength and Conditioning coach Joe Kim.
- Tight End Je’Ron Hamm is impressing during camp so far, and has made numerous flashy plays on each of the first three days. He’s a big man at 6’3, but what stands out most is his vast reach and ability to use his long arms to get up over defenders are pluck the ball out of the air. He’s still probably a longshot to make the final roster, but if he keeps practicing like this he is giving himself one hell of a fighting chance.
- The battle between the first team offense and the first team defense was a nice and even contest throughout both the 7-on-7 and the 11-on-11 drills. The same cannot be said for the second teams, with the second team defense comfortable getting the best of the second team offense.
- The first team units ended the day with a 2 minute drill. Robert Griffin III went 5 for 5 on passes on the drill, with no carries given to a Running Back. He was sacked on third down by Keenan Robinson and Ryan Kerrigan, but was able to convert the 4th down pass to Ryan Grant on the outside nicely. The successful fourth down put the offense in to field goal range, which was apparently sufficient because that was the end of practice for the first units.
- Chris Culliver looks like the real deal at outside Corner Back, and for the first time at camp so far this year was able to not only stay with DeSean Jackson on a deep streak route, but kept his eyes on the ball and broke up the pass, forcing an incompletion. It’s not often that an incompletion gets a loud cheer from the crowd, but Culliver clearly impressed the masses with that strong defensive effort, eliciting loud cheers.
Projected Week 1 Depth Chart
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A couple of changes to the depth chart made necessary by both the injury to Bashaud Breeland as well as the signing of Junior Galette.
Also note that Colt McCoy has jumped Kirk Cousins in the race to be the #2 QB: Cousins has made better throws than McCoy so far in camp, but has also had about 5 turnovers to McCoy’s 1. Advantage: McCoy.
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