MMA
John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Redskins rookie safety Kyshoen Jarrett intercepts Kirk Cousins

RICHMOND, Va. -- Highlights and observations from Washington Redskins practice Monday:

  • Safety Kyshoen Jarrett continues to look like someone they need to keep around. In some ways he’s where Niles Paul was as a rookie, a guy you like for a variety of reasons and his toughness, so you create ways to keep him around. He intercepted Kirk Cousins, who had slid left and was trying to throw back to the other side of the field -- but without much zip as he was leaning back. Jarrett, in zone coverage, backpedaled, reached up and picked off the pass.

  • Quinton Dunbar's transition to corner continues. He definitely has skills to build upon as a corner, though it will take a while for him to completely adjust. One time vs. Pierre Garcon, Dunbar showed good eyes and decent patience but his feet were real choppy. He's still getting used to turning his hips without getting too upright and losing balance and leverage. Dunbar broke up a pass to receiver Evan Spencer in full-team work.

  • The Redskins have a variety of options on the defensive line. One group they used today: Chris Baker at left end, Terrance Knighton at nose and Stephen Paea at right end.

  • When Brandon Scherff was sidelined with a twisted ankle (he walked off OK after practice and said he was fine), Spencer Long replaced him for the first series but rookie Arie Kouandjio took over the next. For what it's worth, Paea got past Scherff in one-on-one work. The rookie got his hands on him -- they're usually a little wide, then he works them inside. However, Paea's quickness resulted in a successful rush. But Scherff stopped Baker twice in a row, thanks to good hands. Scherff also stayed low when Baker tried to go wide and beat him.

  • The offensive line did a solid job opening some holes in the inside zone game. Both Alfred Morris and Chris Thompson benefited. One reason the Redskins went bigger with the offensive line on the right side: On a short-yardage play, they had Kouandjio and Moses just block forward with Morris following right behind them. The young linemen moved their men forward by a yard and Morris gained the necessary yardage.

  • Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan seemed to have a strong day, making a play in the backfield in one 11-on-11 session and having a successful rush vs. Trent Williams in one-on-one work.

  • Moses did a nice job vs. Trent Murphy in one-on-one work. Long had an aggressive punch vs. Kedric Golston, but Golston still got around him. Long did a nice job on another vs. Ricky Jean Francois. But Francois had an excellent bull rush vs. Kouandjio, who seemed stunned by the move and was driven back.

  • It was tough for the centers in one-on-one work, in part because they seemed to struggle with their initial footing. Nose tackle Jerrell Powe drove rookie center Austin Reiter back so hard it caused him to lose footing and his leg bent. It initially looked like trouble, but there was no damage. Later, Robert Thomas drove Kory Lichtensteiger, who appeared to have footing issues initially only to recover and anchor.

  • Rookie linebacker Preston Smith works hard to stay low, but sometimes he's a bit too outstretched and that leads to balance issues and an unsuccessful rush. It also looks like he's thinking quite a bit on some of his moves, which means they're not coming naturally yet. Saw him try to use a rip move in full-team work, but it was too slow. But because he's getting his hands in the right spot, he was able to set the edge a couple times.

  • Liked how Silas Redd aggressively blocked Baker in full-team work as the lineman came free.

  • Kicker Kai Forbath made all four of his field goals, while Ty Long made three of four.

  • Linebacker Junior Galette worked during individual drills for the first time in pads. He stayed on the field afterward, running sprints, working on hand drills and some pass-rush situations. The man moves well. Galette clearly likes where he's at and often engages with teammates during practice. After watching teammates' successful pass-rush drills, he jumped for a side bump with them.

  • Why the unofficial depth chart doesn't matter now: Cousins was listed as the No. 2 passer, but Colt McCoy took the second-team reps today. They will continue to alternate. Also, Ty Nsekhe was listed as the backup right tackle, but it was Tom Compton taking the second-team work at that spot. Depth charts on Aug. 10 are mostly meaningless.

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