Jay Gruden

Washington Redskins Jay Gruden clearly had more of a game face on than previous pressers. Washington Redskins Yes, you can tell that training camp is here. It's not like he was uptight. Washington Redskins And it's not as if his answers were short. But he was definitely locked in on what he wants to accomplish in camp. Washington Redskins He has a bit of crustiness to him, like when he said, Washington Redskins "Nothing is worse than when you let someone go and they kick your ass later on." A little crustiness is good, but it's also part of his personality. Gruden is a friendly guy and the players seem to like him. That's great if you win. But he's not just here to win friends. "My relationship with all the players, hopefully is a good one and a strong one," he said, "one that I'm the coach, they're the player. Moving forward, I've got their back and we are going to do everything we can to help them." The key part, He's the coach, they're the players. Otherwise, you end up allowing players to run the ship. And that's where a little crustiness can help him. Gruden will rely on others, something we already knew. It's one reason why the Redskins wanted to keep Jim Haslett around, to provide guidance from experienced voices. But Gruden reiterated Wednesday that "every decision I make will have input." Whether this works or not, I don't know. But I think the result is a staff that feels more ownership; same with the players. Now they just have to prove they can win. Gruden was asked if he looked at previous coaches who have struggled in Washington and what he could learn. The problem is, they all struggled for different reasons but in general it's been an organizational issue. Some lacked players; others lacked support; others lacked the ability to do the job. Washington Redskins What Gruden needs to do is get quarterback Robert Griffin III to play at a certain level and make sure the defense improves. Any time to reflect on his journey to reach this spot ended long ago and probably shortly after Gruden accepted the job he made it clear he likes to look forward. His feelings now? "Anticipation. You're excited about the season. You're nervous. you've got butterflies walking out there every day." Do not expect any crazy drills during practices from Gruden. "I don't think there's any special drill I'm going to do that nobody's ever done before. I hope not. It'll be football." Translation, No slip and slides. This is not related to Gruden, Washington Redskins but, Maurice Hurt is in a battle to win a roster spot and he reports out of shape? What are the odds that he somehow wins that roster spot? I did not think he was going to make the roster before camp. His a just went down. Washington Redskins Seriously; how does this happen, Washington Redskins.

Washington Redskins will head to their first training camp workout in Richmond

Washington Redskins After some changes at the top, the Washington Redskins will head to their first training camp workout in Richmond, Va. Washington Redskins on July 24 with plenty to prove. Last year's 3-13 nosedive after a 10-6 record in 2012 led to the dismissal of head coach Mike Shanahan and his son and offensive coordinator Kyle. Washington Redskins Taking their places are Jay Gruden as head coach and Sean McVay as offensive coordinator and they have no prior experience in those respective roles. Washington Redskins Their most conspicuous challenge will be to restore quarterback Robert Griffin III to star status. Heading into camp, Washington Redskins he certainly is the player with the most to prove. Two years ago, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner/second overall pick in the 2012 draft set rookie quarterback records for passer rating and rushing yards and electrified Washington fans while leading the Redskins to a 10-6 record and their first NFC East title in 13 years. Washington Redskins That season ended with a playoff loss to Seattle in which Griffin tore his right ACL and MCL. Griffin missed the entire offseason, but pushed to be on the field for training camp and to start the season opener after being held out of all four preseason games. He wore a brace to protect his knee for all of 2013 and was never the same dynamic performer that he had been in 2012 before being benched for the final three games by Mike Shanahan to supposedly prevent further hits in a lost season in which Washington would finish 3-13. With his knee healthy and the Shanahans gone, Griffin needs to show that he is more like the dazzling performer he was in 2012 than the lackluster player he was in 2013, or his future and that of the Redskins will be in jeopardy. Washington Redskins Here are other key issues Gruden must address in his first NFL training camp as a head coach: London Fletcher retired after starting every game the past seven seasons while making four Pro Bowls, calling the defensive signals and serving as a captain. Washington Redskins Washington signed free agents Akeem Jordan (98 games, 44 starts), Darryl Sharpton (42 games, 19 starts) and Adam Hayward (107 games, 13 starts), but the leading candidate appears to be Keenan Robinson, Washington Redskins a fourth-round pick out of Texas in 2012. Robinson's rookie year ended with a torn pec on Thanksgiving at Dallas and he missed all of 2013 with a similar injury suffered before preseason began. Washington Redskins However, Robinson spent more time working with the starters in minicamp than any of the newcomers. Washington Redskins The Redskins signed veteran Ryan Clark, which should help at free safety. Washington Redskins And Brandon Meriweather can still play, especially at strong safety, Washington Redskins when he's not costing his team 15 yards or getting suspended. But it's slim pickings after that. Bacarri Rambo struggled as a rookie and has a lot to prove. Washington Redskins Phillip Thomas sustained a Lisfranc injury to his left foot during training camp and that cost him a valuable development season. Washington Redskins The Redskins did not draft a safety, Washington Redskins but cornerback Bashaud Breeland, a fourth-round selection, is versatile enough to move to safety, Washington Redskins.