RICHMOND, Va. -- As the Washington Redskins take a day off before resuming practices Wednesday, here’s a look at what jumped out during training camp, from the top additions to remaining questions.
Veteran additions
Two stood out, one on each side of the ball.
Receiver Terrelle Pryor impressed throughout camp, showing an ability to run a variety of routes. For a big receiver, he’s able to break in and out quickly and corners must honor his deep speed, so the comeback is a weapon. Pryor constantly works on catching the ball, both during practice and after it.
The other one who stood out was safety D.J. Swearinger. It’s still difficult to gauge how he’ll play considering there’s no live tackling in practices and he played a handful of snaps in the preseason opener. But Swearinger’s impact already has been felt in many ways, starting with his communication skills. He’s direct and loud, which are good traits at the position. Players respect his voice, too. Swearinger is good in the meeting rooms and is the most demonstrative on the sideline when backups are on the field. Other defensive additions remain in wait-and-see mode (though linebacker Zach Brown has been getting more work with the starters), but not Swearinger.
Rookie class
The group as a whole looked good, with the draft picks showing why they were selected in the first place. But in most cases, it’s about what they can do -- or, more accurately, might do -- in the future rather than now. Here’s a look at the entire group and how the rookies have fared.
Second-year jump
The top two picks from 2016 got hurt. Receiver Josh Doctson injured his hamstring and will be out several more days. Safety Su’a Cravens hurt his knee and will undergo surgery. He's expected to return for the season opener.
But three others who were rookies last year took a noticeable step up: ends Matt Ioannidis and Anthony Lanier and corner Kendall Fuller. Ioannidis worked with the first defense in the nickel package in the preseason opener. He’s playing with more strength this season, as is Lanier. They had to get better to help more and they have. Now it’s a matter of how much help they can provide. With Ioannidis, Lanier and Allen, the Redskins actually -- for a change -- have youth to develop along the front.
As for Fuller, he’s worked in the slot, where he had some issues as a rookie. But in the spring and summer he looked good (only to get beat on his first chance in the preseason opener). Now the Redskins have to hope the offseason practices are foreshadowing.
Injuries
The Redskins suffered two bad ones. Linebacker Trent Murphy and running back Keith Marshall were both lost for the season with knee injuries. Murphy provided depth at linebacker and was coming off a nine-sack season. The Redskins, provided Junior Galette stays healthy and Ryan Anderson contributes, should be OK at linebacker. Marshall was someone the coaches were excited to see. They felt he had become stronger and was running with better vision before his injury. He wasn’t going to start, but they had hopes he could help.
The other hard part for Washington is that players such as Doctson and Cravens need as many reps as they can get before the season. Missing decent time with various injuries never helps.
Remaining questions
Has the defense improved enough? Change brings hope for a fan base and the Redskins’ defense has definitely changed. When you have possibly five to seven new starters, plus new position coaches and a new coordinator, it's going to take time. The question will be how long it takes. And if the defense does improve, to what extent? You can see areas that should be improved, but it's hard to prove it until the real games begin.
Will the running game be more consistent? The Redskins’ two drives with the starters in against Baltimore didn’t exactly excite the masses. It’s a preseason game so overreacting is never good. But the Redskins’ run blocking must get better -- and not just by the linemen, though right guard Brandon Scherff struggled against the Ravens. If the run game isn’t more consistent, and the defense only slightly improves, then how much better can the Redskins be?
How will Kirk Cousins handle changes around him? He lost offensive coordinator Sean McVay and veteran wideouts Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson. But Jay Gruden became a head coach because of his play-calling ability and the Redskins did sign Pryor. They have more than enough to field a productive passing attack. It hasn’t helped in camp that Jordan Reed remains on the physically unable to perform list and that Crowder and Doctson both have missed time with hamstring injuries. Both Cousins and coach Jay Gruden appeared more comfortable in their roles this camp. That doesn't guarantee success, of course.
How will corner Bashaud Breeland play? He had an inconsistent camp. When he’s right, he can be very good. But when he’s not he lets too many things get to him. The Redskins do have young depth at corner if he falters, but Breeland has the ability to play well if he maintains his confidence.
How is their offensive line depth? Ty Nsekhe continues to play well as the backup tackle. But after that, it’s all youth. They have rookie center Chase Roullier and guards Kyle Kalis, an undrafted rookie who has moved ahead of veteran Arie Kouandjio, and first-year pro Isaiah Williams. There’s little experience to count on should anything happen to the starting interior players.