JimmiJo Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 ES Coverage - Training Camp 2014 7/25/14 Greetings and welcome to Extremeskins coverage of the 2014 Washington Redskins Training Camp. My name is JimmiJo and I am joined by my partner; Spaceman Spiff. Together we will spend a few days telling you about the goings-on at camp. Practice starts in a few moments. I drove since 5AM to be here. I have to pee. So I will be brief. We are set to go out and observe camp. I will tweet updates @Skinscast so please follow. Feel free to post questions. Stand by... Morning Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/extremeskins/ JimmiJo You could not have picked a better day to attend camp. The weather was absolutely perfect for the morning session. Yesterday’s downpours washed away the humidity and heat, leaving the practice fields sun-washed and pleasant. The fields were still wet to start the day, but I suspect they were watered prior to practice. There was good fan turnout today, though with this being my first day in Richmond I wouldn’t hazard a guess at how many. One thing I did note is that the fans are much quieter here than when camp was in Ashburn. Could be the early-morning start. Could be a different crowd. I like the layout here – more intimate than Ashburn and if you are thinking about coming down you should. There are two primary fields (as opposed to four in Ashburn) and the majority of work is done on the field closer to the crowd. Vendors ring the crowd and as long as you have a few bucks in your pocket you will never go hungry. In advance of coming today I read the reports from yesterday’s practice. Based on what was said to be a poor showing by the offense yesterday, today showed a much sharper unit. Not perfect, but better. Robert Griffin III summed it up nicely when he said the defense took the offense’s bike yesterday and the offense came out to get it back. And on a few occasions they did. But the defense got theirs in and of course, with the ability to sack or tackle it is tough to say how good the offense is during practice. After reading the reports on Griffin yesterday I was anxious to get a look at him. My friend John Keim yesterday said he had a rough practice but was better in the quarterback-receiver drills. I thought today was the reverse a bit. I noted during the early practice his accuracy to the receivers seemed a little off. He was throwing high with guys having to really extend on a few routes. He cleaned it up somewhat during the team practice, though at least once he forced the receiver high on a bubble screen, which cost the receiver the ability to explode upfield. The receivers looked sharp and yes, DeSean Jackson is as fast as you’ve heard. Griffin talked about adjusting to his speed after practice saying that with Jackson you have to throw it farther because he gets so far downfield so fast. But he also said that Jackson we shouldn’t expect Jackson to go deep every play – that he will be used on short routes as well. Pierre Garcon made probably the most catches of note, especially early in team practice. Andre Roberts showed a few times why they got him free agency; making nice catches and showing his own good speed. The tight ends fared well, as did the running backs. Again, the inability of the defense to tackle skews perception. But I’ve watched enough practices to know when guys are doing something. Logan Paulsen definitely made some plays, more so that Jordan Reed. Alfred Morris caught a few and had some nice runs. As did Roy Helu, Evan Royster, Chris Thompson and others. The defense had their moments, as you will see from the notes below. The standout for me, and player of the day on both sides of the ball, was Trent Murphy. If first impressions mean anything, the Redskins got their money’s worth drafting him. The kid didn’t do everything perfectly. But he did a lot of things well. If there is early buzz in camp, it is for Murphy. I got a chance to speak with him after practice and can tell you he is a bright guy with a lot of enthusiasm. Look for him to make the most noise the soonest of the rookies. Notes · Early receiver-defensive back drills · Garcon tried to double-move David Amerson, but he was having none of it; staying with Garcon and preventing the completion · Jackson caught a nice deep out on Peyton Thompson · Nick Williams was able to get the inside on Bryant Sheppard on a crossing pattern to make the catch · Jerry Rice Jr. extended himself on the sideline to make a nice catch · Rashad Lawrence make a highlight-worthy one-handed grab on a comeback to beat Tracy Porter · Team practice · They ran some reverses using the wide receivers; one of whom is very fast · Griffin hit Garcon on a pretty deep out · Griffin showed development in his reads, sidearming a ball to Garcon who was probably Griffin’s third option · Griffin on a quarterback keeper trucked 15 yards upfield then slid with emphasis. This solicited big applause from the crowd, with one close by exclaiming; “He’s learning” · Chris Thompson with some nifty running on the edge – nice wheels · Aldrick Robinson was running a deep slant with a cornerback on the inside. He was poised to make the catch when the safety closed in setting Robinson up to get smacked. Robinson exhibited a case of alligator arms for the incomplete · Cornerback Courtney Bridget Jr. should-have, could-have intercepted a pass from Griffin. Instead he did a nice job to break up the pass · Griffin hit Paulsen on a crossing route that was Griffin’s second read for a nice gain · Kirk Cousins hit Cody Hoffman on a nice seam route · Cousins hit Lawrence on a crossing pattern with Richard Crawford draped all over Lawrence · It seemed as if a few folks forgot the no-contact rule on a Morris run left. He powered thru, leaving three bodies in his wake, defenders and blockers · Trent Murphy absolutely demolished a run play with inside penetration for a 2-yard loss · Very next play, Trent Williams let Murphy attack, bounced him outside and the run play went up his vacated lane for a big gain…welcome to the league rook · Bashaud Breeland almost picked Cousins but had to settle for the break-up · Play of the Day (offense AND defense) – Colt McCoy threw a deep corner route to receiver Rashad Ross who had gotten a yard on the defender. Ross made the catch and was poised to take it to the house but cornerback Peyton Thompson was able to close on Ross and punch the ball out · Ryan Kerrigan left Paulsen standing still with a quick outside move for what would have been a big sack · Griffin sprinted right on a bootleg but the defense read it all the way, covering the tight end, who had sprinted right both high and low. Chris Baker had the angle on Griffin and ran him out of bounds for a loss, with 325-pound Baker high-stepping it out at making the play · Trent Murphy with another great run stop on the edge · And a few plays later, there was Murphy blowing up a check-down Overheard “Who’s that with the booty shorts on?” – Lady in the crowd asking about Chris Baker “You are running out of time!” – Linebacker to the offense, pre-snap “Next play! Next Play! Hurry up and get in the huddle!” Head coach Jay Gruden Spiff went to upload photos and they should be along anytime now. Me? I'm off to lunch. Back in a bit... It's a wrap... Afternoon session is finished. A literal walk-thru so nothing football-wise to report. Spoke to Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo about Trent Murphy. Both say he is a smart player who can add value right away. Orakpo added that while it is the same defensive scheme, they have added wrinkles to get all he, Kerrigan and Murphy in the game at the same time to add pressure. So that's it for today. Been a long one for me. I will be here tomorrow for practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelgreenie Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 If you guys are taking requests...... -ILBs How does Keenan Robinson look? Who are the second team/3rd team ILBs? How do they look? Movement, change of direction, getting off blocks, tackling (are they tackling in practice?) do they wrap tackle or dive/lunge tackle? -SAFs Who are the 2nd/3rd team backs at Free and SS? -DL Who are the 2nd/3rd team NT? -OLB How does Murphy look compared to Jackson and Jenkins? Rush style, rush moves, strength, hand use, speed How are they using Murph? Any snaps at ILB? WR-How is Cody Hoffman looking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonez3 Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 When can we expect Spencer Long to declare his role? Guard position seems wide open, I wouldn't be surprised if a 2nd rounder was starting by week 1, if healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulSkin Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Boring question, I know, but I'm curious how the fields and the areas around them look after the torrential downpours yesterday. Does it seem like the drainage situation has improved? Also curious to hear about the punters and kickers (if they're out there doing much of anything). I read both punters were pretty inconsistent yesterday. I know it was wet, hopefully that's why. I just want a punter who isn't shanking punts at the worst possible times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmiJo Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWFLSkins Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 updated Thanks so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HapHaszard Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Good stuff John, always nice to read a pro's work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I have to pee. T.M.I. Nice job knocking the dust off the keyboard there. You've set the bar the other guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Tomb Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 So glad this is back! Thanks... I really missed it last year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmiJo Posted July 26, 2014 Author Share Posted July 26, 2014 Thanks guys for the kind words. Won't lie and say this isn't work - but it is an opportunity to pull back the curtain a bit for our fellow fans, which is worth all the effort. It is Extremeskins' 10th season having this access and it remains something special. Take advantage by posting questions and comments and we'll do our best to get you the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rskin72 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Thanks for the insights and time involved to do this. How does Lache Seastrunk look? Any early feeling of if Royster and/or Helu are in trouble? Who is getting first team rb reps behind Alfred? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walker77 Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Did the lottery drawing take place yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma There Goes That Man Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Did the lottery drawing take place yet? Not sure. They were supposed to send emails to the winners today, I haven't received one yet so maybe I just didn't get in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CooleyRox Posted July 27, 2014 Share Posted July 27, 2014 Boring question, I know, but I'm curious how the fields and the areas around them look after the torrential downpours yesterday. Does it seem like the drainage situation has improved? The drainage situation has improved a LOT since last year. They put in drains and gravel on the side of the facility closest to the building and raised the VIP area quite a bit. That's probably the biggest change I've noticed since last year. Last year we were in mud up to our ankles many times but so far this year it gets muddy while it's raining but dries out relatively quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogNose Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Not sure. They were supposed to send emails to the winners today, I haven't received one yet so maybe I just didn't get in I received mine ...found it in the spam folder. Check the spam. I didn't get in to any of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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