OK, because the Redskins didn’t work in full pads and because we had to watch the action from about five miles away (they were on the far field), hard to do a full list of Studs and Duds. So we included them in the notes instead.
Studs: QB Donovan McNabb. Had his best day of camp; he was much more accurate and delivered a couple passes in tight spots. McNabb hit Santana Moss in the left seam for a long gain. Another time he ran a bootleg to the right and threw back to Moss. And perhaps his best throw came when he hit fullback Darrel Young (at least I think it was Young; hard to tell) on a wheel route down the right sideline. The pass fell just over LaRon Landry’s arms. Perfect.
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…LB Andre Carter, working with the starters, had a strong day. He beat right tackle Stephon Heyer a couple times on a rush. Make your own comments and draw your own conclusions. As for Carter, it was one of his better days rushing in a while. Last year, he was quite visible up front; this summer, he had been quiet as he adapts to rushing from a two-point stance. It’s an adjustment.
…RG Artis Hicks had a better day. Looked like he stayed a little lower, though there is a tendency for D-lineman to get into his pads quicker. Hard for him to get his hands as tight as they need to be immediately. Still, there was improvement today.
Dud: WR Terrence Austin struggled, even though he did catch a long ball from McNabb. But he dropped at least two others. Also, I continue to wonder about his ability to block. This offense must have receivers who can block. Austin whiffed on a block attempt of Justin Tryon. Just wasn’t quick enough to get in front of him nor strong enough to bump him off stride. Still like him.
…Funny how good Richard Bartel looked last week when facing off vs. Colt Brennan last week. Bartel is now the forgotten guy with John Beck around. Beck continues to show a little more each practice. He can throw from different angles, which isn’t bad. But it’s his ability to know when to throw that helps. He has a good feel for the rhythm of a play. Don’t know what this will mean, but I’ve seen things I like.
…Don’t know what this means, but noticed today that Adam Carriker gets much lower when he is about to go straight at his man – he’s almost squatting; allows him to get under his pads immediately. When he stunts, or when he’s going to go at an angle, he tends to have his butt higher in the air at the snap.
…LB London Fletcher did not work during the full-team drills. H.B. Blades replaced him and caused a fumble of Chris Cooley. Blades did as the defensive players have been instructed when coming from behind; he punched at the ball. Blades also recovered about 10 yards downfield.
…OK, now to Albert Haynesworth. He indeed worked with the No. 2 defense as a nose guard, though he also moved around. At times he appeared to line up as a tackle in a two-man set. Looked like he also played a snap or two at end. He was classic Albert; at times disruptive in the backfield – he excels at pursuit along the line and he destroyed Kory Lichtensteiger with a swim move to pressure on a bootleg. But he also took some plays off and simply danced in the middle. Another time he dropped into coverage. But the big fella did a good job staying low and exploding (when he wanted). I’ll also say, Edwin Williams, playing guard, did a decent job against him.
…But the offense ran one play in which they allowed Haynesworth to penetrate upfield and then hit the defense with a screen pass on that side to Cooley. It worked big time.
…It wouldn’t be surprising if Haynesworth does not play in Friday’s preseason opener vs. Buffalo. Coach Mike Shanahan said he wants to make sure Haynesworth is in good football shape first.
…Shay Hodge caught a couple passes today. For all you Shay Hodge fans.
…WR Malcolm Kelly could not practice again and only did light jogging before practice. Can’t imagine there’s any way he’ll play Friday vs. Buffalo.
…I like watching Josh Bidwell try to punt inside the 50-yard line. Does it the Australian Football way with his drops; his punts go end over end and you can see how it would bounce back.
…The Redskins say they’re not concerned that Jammal Brown hasn’t practiced since Tuesday. They’d never say it anyway, but it has to be a concern. The hip causing problems is the same one that required surgery.
