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Mesko's work on defense lauded

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Don't mess with the power of Zoltan.

That might be the theme when it comes to those recognized with black jerseys as the practice players of the week, those selected by the coaching staff as helping best prepare the team in the days leading up to a victory.

Punter Zoltan Mesko is one of this week's honorees and he earned the jersey for playing defense. The creative coaching staff tapped the 6-foot-4 Mesko as a player who could disrupt passing lanes by waving his hands around and batting down passes.

That was an area the Redskins had previously had some success.

"I was asked to do what my lanky body can do," Mesko cracked.

When asked if the role was outside the norm, Mesko joked he embraces things that are different.

"I like to break the mold," he said with a smile, before joking that the black jersey will keep him warmer than his regular white jersey at practice.

The breakdown of practice players of the week:

Week 14

G Donald Thomas

DE Markell Carter

P Zoltan Mesko

DE Alex Silvestro

S Ross Ventrone

Week 13

DE Alex Silvestro

DE Markell Carter

QB Brian Hoyer

G Donald Thomas

TE Garrett Mills

WR Tiquan Underwood

Week 12

DE Markell Carter

RB Shane Vereen

CB Malcolm Williams

Week 11

LB/DE Jermaine Cunningham

QB Brian Hoyer

LB Mike Rivera

Week 10

OL Donald Thomas

CB Phillip Adams

LB Niko Koutouvides

RB Shane Vereen

TE Garrett Mills

DE Alex Silvestro

DE Markell Carter

Week 6

DE Markell Carter

OL Matt Kopa

CB Antwaun Molden

DE Alex Silvestro

OL Thomas Welch

C/G Ryan Wendell

Week 5

DE Markell Carter

QB Ryan Mallett

TE Garrett Mills

CB Antwaun Molden

OL Ryan Wendell

Week 4

DL Kyle Love

OT Matt Kopa

CB Antwaun Molden

RB Shane Vereen

CB Josh Victorian

Week 2

QB Brian Hoyer

OT Matt Kopa

TE Garrett Mills

CB Antwan Molden

LB Jeff Tarpinian

Week 1

WR Julian Edelman

LB A.J. Edds

OT Matt Kopa

S Ross Ventrone