Alridge had a good night in his first preseason action, though it all came in the fourth quarter and mostly against players who will be cut. Still, he managed 49 yards on nine carries and showed good speed off the edge.

On one nine-yard run around the left end, fullback Eddie Williams did not get much movement on the linebacker, who easily shed the block. However, Alridge was around the end so fast it didn’t matter. Though it’ll be hard to land a roster spot, his speed makes him intriguing (though early camp fumbles did not).

Marcus Mason, 5-9, 215 pounds

Mason continues to run hard and with good patience, especially on sweeps. However, Mason needs to do a better job in pass protection. He allowed a corner to beat him off the edge on a blitz in the second quarter. In the third, he failed to read the linebacker coming and went by him as he started to blitz. By then it was too late and Colt Brennan was drilled.

“I love Marcus Mason,” said special teams coach Danny Smith, “He’s been on three teams. Let’s not name him MVP today. He’s never played in an NFL game. He’s been on three teams. It ain’t all about, ‘He has to make a tackle on special teams.'”

Clinton Portis, 5-11, 221 pounds

Portis did not practice Sunday because of a bruised rib and he’s not expected to play vs. Jacksonville on Thursday. Portis finished the preseason with 11 carries for 34 yards. He carried six times for eight yards vs. New England as running lanes were tough to find.

Quarterback watch

Chase Daniel

The new D.C. favorite will get one last opportunity vs. Jacksonville Thursday. The Redskins love how quickly he’s picked up the offense, though he’s still running a simplistic version, and part of that no doubt comes from all the questions he asks in meetings. Apparently, he’s quite feisty in those sessions and always wanting to know why they’re running certain plays vs. certain looks. If nothing else, he’ll make a good coach one day.

Player of note

Marko Mitchell, WR

Mitchell continues to progress at receiver, having caught two passes for 40 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown grab against the Patriots. And his blocking was much better. But Mitchell also missed a tackle on a punt return, prompting special teams coach Danny Smith to say, “I about killed him.” Smith, though, does like how Mitchell has improved in this area.

Redskins notes

»  Because the Redskins haven’t been able to get their two kickers much work in games, they’re trying to simulate game conditions in practice. Last week, both Shaun Suisham and Dave Rayner made all six of their kicks. Their next kicking competition is Monday.

The pressure, the coaches say, is real.

“Can you imagine if these kicks were for your job in practice?” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “Yeah, it’s very competitive and there are high stakes.”

Friday vs. New England, Suisham missed a 52-yarder (he’s now one for two).

“Obviously it could have helped him if he made that kick,” special teams coach Danny Smith said, “but I don’t believe it kills you, either.”

»  The Redskins released five players Sunday: linebacker Alfred Fincher, receiver Marques Hagans, offensive tackle Devin Clark, corner Michael Grant and defensive lineman Michael Marquardt.

Fincher, who made the team last season, did not fare well on special teams. He struggled to get off blocks. Also, the Redskins drafted two linebackers in the later rounds, Cody Glenn and Robert Henson and also like undrafted Darrell Young.

»  Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (sick), corner Carlos Rogers (calf) and running backs Clinton Portis (ribs) and Marcus Mason (ribs) did not practice. Rogers is uncertain for the Jacksonville game; he has missed two of the first three preseason games.

»  Zorn said he’s not sure if No. 2 quarterback Todd Collins will play Thursday, but he did say that Chase Daniel, competing for the No. 3 spot, will play. Jason Campbell also will play, though it’s uncertain how much time the starters will get.