ASHBURN, Va. -- Highlights from the Washington Redskins' open locker room session Thursday:
OK, really it's highlights from post-practice because I also talked to defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and coach Jay Gruden. Haslett said the Redskins actually rushed the quarterback better last week but that quarterback Carson Palmer got out of some tough situations. The problem this week is that the Redskins face a mobile quarterback in Jake Locker, who is athletic and has good speed.
Haslett said they might be giving rookie corner Bashaud Breeland too much information, leaving him unable to sometimes play as freely as necessary. I'll write a little on this later, but Haslett was referring to the third-and-13 when Breeland allowed a comeback -- because they had hammered home a different route combination all week.
There's a sense that end Stephen Bowen will be able to return sooner rather than later, both Haslett and Gruden said. They want to see more as the week progresses, but they feel good about where he's at. Receiver Leonard Hankerson, though, will take a little more time, Gruden said.
Haslett called linebacker Will Compton a "reliable player." Haslett said Compton didn't make many mistakes, especially once he calmed down after some early nerves. There's a chance Compton could start again Sunday.
I'll have more on the run game Friday (after watching almost all of Alfred Morris' carries thus far), but suffice it to say everyone agrees on this: It's not one thing that's hurting them. One of the areas on the list: communication.
Gruden said rookie tackle Morgan Moses is pushing right tackle Tyler Polumbus, but he's not there yet. "He needs more time," Gruden said. "He's still cooking in the oven."