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The Redskins held the first day of their rookie mini-camp and had their 8 drafted rookies, 13 of their UDFA signings, and 48 tryout players. Camp continues for the next two days, but today was the only day open to the media. Head Coach Jay Gruden answered questions about the rookies, Arie Kouandjio's injury, and more.
LIVE: #Redskins head coach Jay Gruden at the podium after day 1 of rookie minicamp. #HTTR https://t.co/NNRmV5blKT
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
Information:
#Redskins coach Jay Gruden talking about day 1 of rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/8owQntgQHY
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) May 11, 2018
Jay Gruden answers questions at the podium following rookie minicamp. Says the weekend is a good chance to see how they process and learn information thrown at them quickly.
— Jake Kring-Schreifels (@jakeks19) May 11, 2018
Who's coming to camp?:
: Jay Gruden on what he’s hoping to see over rookie minicamp #Redskins pic.twitter.com/9xZuLvvhd6
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 11, 2018
Gruden: “We need to see which guys we’re going to bring to camp. I like what I saw from a lot of guys.” #Redskins pic.twitter.com/dub4kuoIbC
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 11, 2018
Wide Receivers in camp:
“I think that’s an important process these next two days - see how they learn ‘cause we’re throwing quite a few plays at them, number one. And then, get a chance to see how they run around and catch the ball. Then we do some one-one-one drills against defensive backs, see if they can separate. For the most part, we just need to see which guys we are going to bring to camp – which we have a pretty good idea – but we’re hoping that some of these tryout guys might sneak in the mix also. But I like what I saw from a lot of different guys. Tomorrow will be a good test for us to see how they improve in their performance. “
First round picks:
“I think it’s very important. You know, it’s a critical process as far as building football teams. Your first rounders are critical in that process. We expect a lot of things from Josh Doctson and obviously Jonathan Allen coming back from injury. But Daron Payne, throwing him in there with Jonathan will be a big plus for both those guys. They’ve played together. They know each other. They both have a similar skill set and I think they will be productive side-by-side. Obviously, keeping them healthy, we can never predict that. Josh had an unfortunate Achilles deal and then obviously Jonathan’sfoot last year. Knock on wood, hopefully we get all three of those guys healthy and they will be major contributors. “
Derrius Guice:
: Asked how Derrius Guice (@DhaSickest) looked today, Jay Gruden joked, “Nobody tackled him, so that’s a good thing.” Gruden adds: Guice is “a ball of energy” and was “first in the meeting w/ his playook open” pic.twitter.com/FVKQGUzarc
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 11, 2018
“He looked fine. Nobody tackled him, so that was a good thing [laughter]. He’s just a ball of energy. He’s really excited to be here. He’s willing to learn. He’s first in the meeting, got his playbook open and just soaking in all the knowledge. We sent him in here a little bit early to get with Chad [Englehart] and our strength staff to get him a couple good days of weightlifting and try to get on par with the rest of the guys so when we start OTAs he’ll have his feet under him. A lot of these guys who have been – these draft picks – they’ve been traveling around so much, we don’t want to overload them out there and have them pull something. So, we got them some good individual work, sent Daron [Payne], Shaun Dion Hamilton, and obviously Derrius in the weight room to get the with the strength staff.”
Fish Smithson:
“I think it’s a chance for him to just get some more reps and go through the process again. These young guys who get an opportunity to go through this, it’s not a punishment for them, it’s actually an opportunity for them to get on the field, listen to the coverages again and go through it and perform and separate themselves from the rest of the guys. Fish showed up, and obviously [Ondre] Pipkins did a great job today. All those guys that were invited to come back to the rookie minicamp all looked well.”
Quin Blanding:
#Redskins head coach Jay Gruden says the team was glad S Quin Blanding was still available in free agency. Said he "has a great chance to stick around."
— Stephen Czarda (@SCzardaRedskins) May 11, 2018
Gruden says Blanding is a guy they had a draftable grade on. They liked him, but were done with S in the draft after Apke.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 11, 2018
Arie Kouandjio injury:
Jay Gruden said they’re still waiting to hear about Arie Kouandjio. Getting a second opinion on his quad. As stated earlier the fear is that it’s torn.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
Asked when Arie Kouandjio is getting the second opinion, Jay Gruden said hopefully right now #Redskins
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 11, 2018
Shawn Lauvao;
Gruden says #Redskins getting 2nd opinion on torn quad for Arie Kouandjio. Lauvao was signed before the Arie injury.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 11, 2018
Competition:
Gruden says this time of year is about getting guys who can push in training camp where there’s real competition. “Competition is king.”
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 11, 2018
Punt returns:
Gruden also reiterated the importance of having Greg Stroman and Trey Quinn available to return punts behind Jamison Crowder. Gruden also said the belief is that Crowder will remain primary returner.
— Stephen Czarda (@SCzardaRedskins) May 11, 2018
Observations from mini-camp:
First day on the job. #HTTR
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
: https://t.co/YJtGp4Nmxi pic.twitter.com/EkFpQT8DcK
Tryout roster for #Redskins rookie minicamp pic.twitter.com/19UdJmz0zm
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) May 11, 2018
Welcome to the League, rookies. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/7xT4KrNkfo
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
Geron Christian:
Couple things jumped out: 3rd round pick Geron Christian has some long arms; looks like he could move pretty well. but hard to tell with OL until in pads during camp.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
"It feels real good to be back on the field.”
— Stephen Czarda (@SCzardaRedskins) May 11, 2018
Expected to give the #Redskins more depth at tackle, @geron_christian gets first taste of the NFL at rookie minicamp.
: https://t.co/FFv01xtlzM pic.twitter.com/9Ccr6FWYn7
Rookie OT Geron Christian said he was surprised the #Redskins drafted him in the 3rd Rd -- but *not* because Trent Williams + Morgan Moses are here.
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 11, 2018
"I talked to a lot of teams, but the Redskins weren’t one of them.”
Geron Christian told me he's not worried about being the only #Redskins' draft pick still unsigned. He's hoping it'll get done soon tho.
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 11, 2018
"It’s all going to work out. I’m just worried about getting on the field.”
Trey Quinn:
WR Trey Quinn had some good moments. Has maybe the strongest handshake on the team, FWIW. Got open a couple times with good stems. Created space. But one time tryout DB JaCorey Shepherd read him well and defended the pass.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
Trey Quinn put a couple of DBs on the ground with his route running. Great ability to stop and cut. He did drop on wide open over the middle. 2/3
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) May 11, 2018
Troy Apke:
S Troy 'Apke can cover a lot of ground. His main role this season will be on special teams, but if he develops he could give Washington another S with range. if Montae Nicholson stays healthy, they'll have a starter with range.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
Apke didn’t look natural in coverage, but it usually didn’t matter because of his makeup speed. Christian is huge but he does need both upper- and lower-body strength. 3/3
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) May 11, 2018
Tim Settle:
DL Tim Settle often went first in drills. Had good size, too. In the 1-1 work, will have to adjust to rushing vs. NFL OL - how to use hands, etc; how to stay low. Right now, his best work will come vs. the run. And they'd be thrilled with that.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
From high school to college to the pros, @tim_settle & @iam_gsiii are excited to continue their football journey. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/4qk8QPQxRk
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 12, 2018
Derrius Guice:
Three notes from rookie camp: Guice is a hustler, first in line for every drill, Gruden said he was first one with playbook open in the meeting room and a ball of fire. If he’s at all productive he will be a big-time fan favorite. 1/3
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) May 11, 2018
Derrius Guice after his first day of Redskins rookie mini-camp. He was a popular guy. pic.twitter.com/hu2EaU76yv
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 11, 2018
For Derrius Guice, rookie minicamp already feels like a dream come true. https://t.co/eX5m98O9R6 pic.twitter.com/HZFcKxevAN
— Jake Kring-Schreifels (@jakeks19) May 11, 2018
2️⃣9️⃣ pic.twitter.com/V1iRE6BD5I
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
Arie Kouandjio:
The hard part for Arie Kouandjio: He took a different approach to working out this offseason, per advice from his agent Andy Ross. AK worked more lower body to help anchor better. Lots of mental work.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
By all accounts he looked better this spring in terms of his body. The Redskins were still wondering how he'd fare athletically inside, but he did show up looking better. If the news is bad, Real tough break for him to not see the work pay off
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018
Da'Ron Payne:
"I'm just ready to get after it."#Redskins DL Daron Payne feeling good after his first day of rookie minicamp. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/KWIRkh8ZTC
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
Jim Tomsula seems so happy to work w Daron Payne. Notice Jay Gruden and Greg Manusky watching their 1st rd pick pic.twitter.com/zRDb97GyyX
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 11, 2018
9️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8L08MjBgFc
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 11, 2018
Defensive lineman Daron Payne not only played next to Jonathan Allen at Alabama, he also has a similar build to his once again teammate. But Payne look even thicker than Allen. That’s what Washington needs in the middle of its defense.
— John Keim (@john_keim) May 11, 2018