The Washington
Redskins 1. David Amerson looks bigger and, indeed, he said he's
added about six or seven pounds of muscle. Amerson does appear to have more
toned arms. That will help when he plays press coverage and in run support.
I'll have more on Amerson later this summer, but know this: He's had a good
spring. Saw him stick with Pierre Garcon in a couple one-on-one
occasions. Also, more importantly, saw him use his eyes better and more
consistently. It was an issue last year. 2. Did see Garcon get him on one crossing
route. Amerson tried to jam him, putting his right hand onto Garcon's outside
shoulder. But Garcon's strength helped him here as he wasn't knocked off stride
and created separation running across the middle. 3. Saw this for the first
time: a receiver doing a spin move at the line to get away from press coverage.
Garcon tried that against Amerson, but it didn't work. Amerson stayed
patient and, partly because he didn't try to jam Garcon, was not fooled by the
move. 4. Garcon dunked a ball after a catch in the end zone. The Redskins had
college officials at practice and one immediately threw a flag. Players can no
longer dunk over the goal posts. 5. The offensive players were convinced
Amerson should have been called for holding on a back-shoulder attempt to tight
end Jordan Reed in the end zone. I was just finishing up an interview
with Amerson after practice when Reed walked past with a smile and asked,
"Did he tell you he held me?" 6. Rookie receiver Ryan Grant had
a few nice grabs Tuesday, mostly on underneath routes against zone coverage.
He's good at driving the defender off and then cutting. Did it a couple times
Tuesday. I don't know when he'll be able to really help because he has to get
stronger and, ultimately, prove he can beat press coverage. 7. One coach I will
enjoy listening and paying attention to this summer: outside linebackers coach
Brian Baker. Yes, I know, I've mentioned him a few times, but after watching
him work with the players I'm even more convinced of his impact. Just a
detailed coach. I'll have more on that later this week. But he is good and
isn't afraid to chastise anyone. Heard him ping rookie Trent Murphy during
a drill Tuesday morning. 8. Murphy was juked out by Reed on one route. He can
ask other veteran linebackers how that feels because that's what happened last
year. Once more, Reed was among the last off the field after working more on
his game. Nothing has changed since last year in that regard. 9. Reed also had
a nice block on Murphy, getting his hands into the rookie's chest and pushing
him to the ground. 10. With linebacker Brian Orakpo out (sickness),
this was a good chance for Murphy to work against veterans. He also went
against left tackle Trent Williams a few times. Murphy's spin move
worked well against Moses, but Williams was able to stop it on the one time I
saw it tried. The coaches like what they've seen from Murphy overall,
especially off the field in terms of work ethic. 11. Rookie running back Lache
Seastrunk, who lost the ball on a handoff in practice, stayed afterward to work
on handoffs with fullback Darrel Young playing the part of the
quarterback. 12. Kedric Golston worked at nose tackle with the first
defensive line. He's done that in previous workouts this spring with Barry Cofield sidelined.
And if he shows it's a spot he can help at during the summer, then it'll be
tough to cut him. Golston adds experience and toughness up front, two qualities
that should be welcomed. Add a little versatility and it makes him even more
valuable, and it also makes it tough for Chris Neild to make the
roster. 13. The quarterbacks worked on slant passes during drills with
receivers. The quarterbacks dropped back, looked down the middle and then
turned toward the receiver running the slant. It's a little thing, but I point
it out for this reason: Robert Griffin III's last interception in 2013
came on a slant route. He eyed the receiver the whole way, who then got a good
break to make the pick. Sometimes you have to eye the receiver off the line
because the pass is coming right away. But in this case it led to the pick. 14.
Wasn't able to spend a lot of time watching rookie right tackle Morgan
Moses, but did see him get beat by second-year Brandon Jenkins to the
outside on one occasion. Moses was too upright and a bit slow with his feet. 15.
Jenkins failed to use the proper technique on an inside run, staying too wide
and creating a gap inside. The coaches, um, reminded him of the mistake. 16.
Said it last week and will continue to point out how much more energy there is
during these practices. Some of that could just be because change brings a new
energy. But some of it is the style of coaches they now have on staff. Raheem
Morris was always vocal under Mike Shanahan, so his ribbing of players and
coaches is nothing new. But things were just more lively Tuesday, with trash
talking and banter. 17. The field goal kickers attempted three kicks apiece
(from 39, 44 and 50 yards) at the narrow goal posts (about half the width of
regular ones). Rookie Zach Hocker made all three attempts -- the ball
jumped off his foot on the 50-yarder. Kai Forbath missed two of three
but on regular goal posts he would have made each attempt. 18. Quarterback Kirk
Cousins had a nice bullet to receiver Aldrick Robinson; the pass
arrived just before safety Bacarri Rambo for a touchdown The end.
