ASHBURN, Va. -- The last day to watch Washington Redskins practice might have been the most entertaining, at least when it came to what was being said by players to one another. Or from coaches to players. Or, even, from a player to the team president.
Safety Ryan Clark chided general manager/president Bruce Allen after he -- sort of -- punted a ball back to the field of play. Wasn't the most impressive punt, but it's not like it was supposed to be. "It's a good thing you're better at picking players than punting," Clark said. The funny part: Allen once averaged 42.9 yards per punt for the University of Richmond.
Another time: DeSean Jackson sprinted past corner DeAngelo Hall with a stutter and go, leading to a wide open, easy completion downfield. And that led to a fun exchange as secondary coach Raheem Morris yelled to Hall, "You're the one who wanted to sign him DHall!" Morris then said, "You thought [Jackson] was going to block you? You know [Jackson] doesn't block."
For what it's worth, it's not as if Jackson has routinely beat the starters in camp. Typically his deep receptions have come against third stringers. Hall has done a solid job against him in camp.
Coach Jay Gruden chided the linebackers as they went one-on-one with the backs in a route-running drill, once telling linebacker Adam Hayward, "It's a little different than rushing Hayward! You got to cover someone!" Hayward then was beat by Roy Helu. But Hayward later got off his own zing, saying after Alfred Morris dropped a pass (one of two that were right in his hands), "You ain't got to cover him. He can't catch."
Finally, fullback Stephen Campbell complained that Keenan Robinson was holding the [expletive] out of him. To which Robinson told him, "That's football." He then reminded him that he was a rookie. And outside linebackers coach Brian Baker went back and forth with tackle Trent Williams after the one-on-ones with the pass-rushers. Both were smiling.
A little smack-talking in practice is fun and breaks up the monotony. It's clear the players enjoy competing. There's definitely more needling in camp this summer. Not like it never happened in the past, but it's more now.
As tough as the running backs looked Thursday in pass protection, they handled their business well for the most part in the pass game (which is set up more for them to look good). Darrel Young juked Robinson and cut outside for an open catch. Earlier, Young made a one-handed grab. Lache Seastrunk toasted Jeremy Kimbrough to the outside, getting open by a good five yards.
Though Morris dropped two, he was praised for a good catch against tight coverage by Robinson.
Safety Trenton Robinson broke well on a pass to Andre Roberts to break up the ball.
Linebacker Trent Murphy reacted well after a dropped screen to Jackson. Murphy, on the left side, sprinted over, dove and tried to knock the ball back in-bounds (failed but the effort was there).
Backup tackle Tom Compton showed a strong base on one rush against Murphy, who tried to take him wide and then back inside. Compton's footwork was solid. Compton handled a spin attempt by Gabe Miller, who could not complete the move.
Corner Bashaud Breeland allowed consecutive completions. He had good coverage on the second one, but did not finish the play. Breeland did a solid job with his hands against Aldrick Robinson. But Robinson still got to his depth and still caught the pass from Kirk Cousins.
Linebacker Brian Orakpo and Murphy helped pinch the pocket, forcing Griffin up -- he then fell forward and hit the ground as he threw incomplete.
The Redskins ran some no-huddle offense; the defense was very talkative as the offense did so. In one-on-ones, Orakpo worked against right tackle Tyler Polumbus, who on the one time I could watch them, did a good job when Orakpo shot upfield then tried to work back inside.
Spencer Long has worked at left guard this week while Josh LeRibeus has taken reps at right guard. Long clearly is still learning the position.
Trenton Robinson made another play, this time against Aldrick Robinson. Trenton Robinson broke well on a pass to the sidelines and both players got their hands on the ball. Trenton Robinson was able to knock it free.
Cousins threw passes to receiver Leonard Hankerson after practice. Not sure I get the sense Hankerson is going to return any time soon. It's clear he wants to return, but it's also clear he's not ready.
Zach Hocker missed two of five field goals, including one from 45 yards. Both misses were wide left. Kai Forbath made three of his four attempts, missing from 39 yards.