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Number 1: Who is practicing today?
If you're headed into camp today, the first thing you should look through your binoculars for is whether or not certain players are in action. WR Pierre Garcon, DL Doug Worthington, and S Philip Thomas have all been nursing hamstring injuries. RT Tyler Polumbus (personal) and S Akeem Davis (child's birth) both missed yesterday's practice. Then, of course, there are the three PUP reserves, DL Stephen Bowen, DL Jason Hatcher, and WR Leonard Hankerson who still seem to be a couple weeks away
The Redskins are scheduled to be in full pads today, and the weather forecast calls for damp/rainy conditions. Not the best combination. With that considered, and the fact that Fan Appreciation Day is coming up tomorrow, I have the feeling that the coaching staff will feel compelled to give its ailing players another day to heal.
Number 2: Less yellow!
The zebras showed up for the first time yesterday, and they definitely made their presence felt. Not only did they explain that illegal contact penalties were a point of emphasis in the 2014 season but they showed that it was by repeatedly flagging Redskins DB's for it. Coach Jay Gruden said it best regarding the referees' flag-fest saying, "I"m an offensive guy but, holy cow, we can't have a flag on every play." He went on to say that the penalties were his "number one concern" from yesterday's practice. Whether or not the officials are back on the practice field today, the coaching staff will undoubtedly clean up their issues on both sides of the ball in preparation for their scrimmage with the New England Patriots on Monday.
***Random Fact***- Did you know the Redskins were not flagged for defensive offsides even once last year?
Number 3: Happy Birthday, Richard Crawford!
The young CB turns 24 today. Crawford is getting back into the swing of things after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee in the pre-season of last year. Reports say that Crawford has recovered well, even practicing without a knee brace or sleeve. He is second in line for PR duties behind Andre Roberts. However, yesterday was not his best of days. He was beat by Ryan Grant and Rashad Lawrence on back to back plays. Crawford is believed to be competing with rookie Bashaud Breeland for the 5th and final CB spot on the final 53-man roster. However, I feel that it's more Crawford vs. Biggers for the 5th CB spot. Fourth round CB's like Breeland are rarely left off the team. So, Crawford has his work cutout for him in beating out a veteran, utility CB if he wants to make this team.