» Tight end Chris Cooley, fullback Mike Sellers, defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon and running back Willie Parker had the practice off to rest. Right tackle Jammal Brown attempted to practice, but did not participate in the full-team drills because of his hip.

» Receiver Malcolm Kelly (hamstring) did not practice for the seventh straight day. Kelly did light agility work off to the side. “He’s getting closer, but you can see he’s still not there,” Shanahan said. “We don’t want to set him back to where he’s [out] another two weeks.”

» Shanahan was on San Francisco’s coaching staff when receiver Jerry Rice became a star. Rice is entering the Hall of Fame this weekend. “I’ve never been around a guy that practiced like he did,” Shanahan said. “In the offseason he’d be in there eight hours a day. He’d be relentless. He not only worked out, but he studied film. His goal was to be the best to ever play the game at this position. He never missed one workout and I’d get in at 5 a.m. and Jerry would be in there. He worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever been around.”

Position review » Special teams

KR Terrence Austin
Austin will play receiver, but he’s getting a shot in the NFL because of his return ability. Though he was considered a good one at UCLA, in a combined 77 kick and punt returns, Austin never returned one for a touchdown. He lacks burner speed. Still, he could help. “He has great vision,” Redskins special teams coach Danny Smith said. “He makes quick decisions and he has a good first step.”
 
LS Nick Sundberg
Sundberg, in his first year, has replaced Ethan Albright, who would have been in his 16th. At least for now, that is. If Sundberg doesn’t improve, there’s little doubt Albright, who is still working out to keep sharp, eventually will return. Sundberg has made several bad snaps each day, causing kicker Graham Gano to miss field goals. On Wednesday, he misfired on at least two snaps — both bounced in front of the holder. The fact that both occurred minus a rush is troubling.

P Josh Bidwell
Bidwell has punted well the past two days, displaying the consistency Washington has lacked for several years. However, the key is Bidwell’s durability. He’s 34 and coming off a hip injury that caused him to miss all of 2009. If healthy, the Redskins have a punter with a career 42.8-yard average (and 44.5 in 2008) and someone who can execute a variety of punts, not just sit back and boom. “He’s a powerful guy and he’s a real pro,” Smith said. “He has game. … Some of the young people have leg, but they have no game.”

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