Camp observations
1 Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III wasn’t sharp in his training camp debut. His day just serves as a reminder that, yes, it will take some time for him to excel. There’s nothing wrong with that. Griffin’s first pass, a bootleg to his right, appeared to slip out of his hand and landed nearly 10 yards in front of him. He was off on numerous other throws, especially moving to his left. On one pass, he had Josh Morgan wide open over the middle, but he threw it at his feet. And the few times he had to tuck and run on a bootleg, the defense had him covered. It could be, in part, because they’ve run against the same plays since the spring.
2 But every so often you did see how Griffin’s athleticism can help. Facing a Ryan Kerrigan pass rush, Griffin, standing in the pocket, was able to adjust because of his feet as Kerrigan came at him and swing a pass to fullback Darrel Young that turned into a long gain. Griffin also made a good throw to the outside, enabling Morgan to make a leaping catch. Griffin gave him a chance to make a play.
3 Tight end Niles Paul lacks the size of the other tight ends, but the Redskins will compensate by often using him in motion or having him block a backside end. He doesn’t need to drive defenders out; he just needs to compete and use his feet to obstruct them. However, Paul did a good job standing up and then inching back linebacker Chris Wilson on one block. But Paul did drop one pass thrown to him; it was a little behind him but catchable.
4 Second-year cornerback Brandyn Thompson used excellent technique in one coverage vs. receiver Pierre Garcon. Thompson jammed him at the line, turned and ran with him and read Garcon’s eyes to gauge the arrival of the ball. He turned at the right time, too. Not that it mattered: Griffin’s pass was farther inside. But Thompson’s coverage was solid.
Notes
» Redskins right tackle Jammal Brown, hoping to prove he can stay healthy this season, got off to a troubling start in training camp. Brown injured his hip while running gassers Wednesday and was placed on the physically unable to perform list Thursday. Brown can come off the list at any time before the season starts. Once it begins, the earliest he could come off is Week 6. Brown has missed five games combined the past two seasons, including four last season with hip and groin injuries. For Brown, this was a bad sign. He spent all offseason taking yoga and Pilates classes to loosen the tissue in his hip and increase his flexibility. Brown was optimistic in the spring about how much it had helped. “It’s hard for him,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s in excellent shape so he’s got a setback. … You knew it was sore. You knew it could happen at any time. You’re hoping it’s a little flare up and nothing major and he’ll be back.” Tyler Polumbus took over for Brown with the first team. He and Maurice Hurt will be the main challengers to replace Brown if he can’t play.
» The Redskins also placed safety Tanard Jackson (calf) and running back Tristan Davis (knee) on the PUP list. Shanahan said Jackson might be able to practice Sunday or Monday.
» Meanwhile, running back Tim Hightower (knee), receiver Leonard Hankerson (hip), guard Kory Lichtensteiger (knee) and tight end Chris Cooley (knee) all participated in the entire practice. Hightower was a little more limited but took snaps in the full-team drills. On one run, Hightower appeared to limp at the end, but he later said his knee was fine.
Player of Note
CB Chase Minnifield
The undrafted free agent suffered a torn ACL in his knee, the same one that underwent microfracture surgery in January, and was placed on injured reserve. The Redskins had released him earlier in the week, and when no team claimed him off waivers, they placed him on IR. Minnifield hurt his knee on the last day of minicamp. He had been projected as a second- or third-round selection in the recent draft, but concern over his knee caused him to drop. He had looked good in spring workouts.
