RICHMOND, Va. -- The Washington Redskins practiced in shells Friday, a switch from the previous day when coach Jay Gruden said they'd work in full pads. Still, some things stood out and here they are:
Jarvis Jenkins is having an excellent training camp and that was evident again Friday. He's winning battles in the one-on-one's with defensive linemen -- often with a shuffle and then more of a burst. Also saw him defeat left tackle Tom Compton on a run to the right. Compton could only get a hand on him and was too outstretched; Jenkins was a couple yards in the backfield. Later, Jenkins drove left guard Shawn Lauvao into the backfield.
Corner David Amerson played the ball well on a pass to tight end Jordan Reed. Griffin lofted a pass down the left side to Reed, who had turned it upfield. But Amerson, trailing on the play, read the tight end well and knocked the ball away.
On the next play after the offense shifted, Amerson yelled for an adjustment in coverage. He ended up on DeSean Jackson and while the throw went to the other side, Amerson had done his job. Secondary coach Raheem Morris shouted praise at him for his communication.
An underrated part of Andre Roberts' game is his ability to catch tough passes. I know I've written about this once or twice, but it was evident on film last season how he did when it came to contested catches, whether on the sideline or over the middle. Saw it again Friday when he made a nice grab of a touch pass down the middle from Griffin. You'll hear the word trust an awful lot when it comes to Roberts. It's what the quarterbacks have a lot of in him.
Oh, Lache Seastrunk. This is not what you do: hold the ball aloft after catching it in a one-on-one drill against the linebackers. First, it was a one-on-one drill against Jeremy Kimbrough. Second, you're still in the field of play. Third, do I need a third? Yes, he was admonished for doing this.
Roy Helu drew a chorus of “oooooo” after he planted his foot to the outside and cut back inside Akeem Jordan. Now, just know this: Jordan would never, ever be in coverage for the Redskins unless he's the fifth inside linebacker and the other four were hurt. But it was a nice cut.
Ryan Grant got open against Chase Minnifield, who also is having a good camp. I like how Grant creates a little extra separation at the top of his routes. Still wonder about his strength, but he gets open against backups.
In a one-on-one drill, safety Ryan Clark got fooled by Reed. The tight end made stutter stepped and made it appear as if he would then take off downfield. Clark turned to run; Reed cut inside and was wide open.
Tom Compton worked with the starters at left tackle; Maurice Hurt then took over Compton's spot as the No. 2 right tackle. Hurt still has a ways to go; he's looked fine at times, but he gave up pressure to Rob Jackson on a wide rush and then to Gabe Miller. In full-team work, Miller drove Hurt back.
Few defensive backs are more aggressive with their hands than Minnifield. Got called for holding against Lee Doss. Minnifield later tried to jam DeSean Jackson in the slot. Got his hands on him, but that's a tough task and Jackson got inside him and caught a pass from Griffin.
Rookie Morgan Moses did a good job slowing Trent Murphy on an outside rush. Used his feet and therefore his length became a better advantage. When Murphy beats Moses, it's typically not to the outside.
Aldrick Robinson had a good day Friday, with two deep catches. Robinson remains an inconsistent receiver with excellent speed. He wasn't open on one deep ball, however, and Bacarri Rambo intercepted the Kirk Cousins' pass. Rambo had good position; it might have been the first time I've seen him intercept the ball.
I continue to be impressed with Kory Lichtensteiger at center. Looked good in the one-on-ones against Barry Cofield.
Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins ran the no-huddle, two-minute offense well by throwing with good anticipation on the out routes. But the offense made a mistake late in the drive. With 10 seconds left in the period, after spiking the ball, Cousins threw to the right side in front of the end zone to receiver Ryan Grant. But he was stopped short and they couldn't run another play.