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Jay Gruden answered a few questions following today's open OTA practice. The Redskins were inside the practice bubble today due to the recent rain. Gruden talked about Alex Smith, injuries, and more.
LIVE: #Redskins head coach Jay Gruden at the podium. #HTTR https://t.co/mdFfCMpXF1
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) May 23, 2018
Alex Smith:
Gruden on Smith: “I’m Very pleased with his quick progression learning.” #Redskins
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 23, 2018
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden says Alex Smith has "great command of the huddle" and just getting used to players around him. Gruden not concerned about O-Line ..Trent is fine.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621) May 23, 2018
Tyler Catalina injury:
Gruden described the injury to Catalina as a tweak. He says he has no worries about the OL long term.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 23, 2018
Offensive line:
: Is Jay Gruden concerned about OL injuries?
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) May 23, 2018
“No. Not at all.” #Redskins pic.twitter.com/7xPXHFX5ez
Gruden isnt concerned about offensive line. Says guys need to get healthy and rehab. Camp is when things start to matter.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 23, 2018
Orlando Scandrick starting CB?:
“Yeah, we’re trying him out there. Without a doubt, he’s got experience there. He’s got experience at nickel. You see him at nickel. Having him here is a great benefit, not just for our defense but for Jamison [Crowder] and all out slot receivers working against a nickel with great experience. He brings great experience to the defensive back room, but he also helps the offense in the way he sees things and communicates with us, maybe things we can do better as far as attacking certain coverages.”
Quinton Dunbar:
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden likes Quinton Dunbar because he's done a much better job "studying the game" and they love Scandrick's versatility.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621) May 23, 2018
Josh Norman/Dancing with the Stars:
#Redskins coach Jay Gruden thinks Josh Norman was ripped off on Dancing With The Stars. pic.twitter.com/UkqpLjTbvn
— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) May 23, 2018
Gruden says he was impressed with Josh Norman on Dancing with the Stars. Also impressed that he flew back on a redeye to be back for OTAs. Gruden adds, "I think he should have won, he got ripped off."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 23, 2018
Gruden on Dancing w the Stars: “I watched every episode and more I watched the more impressed I was. I thought he should have won, thought he got ripped off.” Impressed with the work ethic by Norman. #Redskins
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 23, 2018
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden on Josh Norman not winning Dancing With The Stars. .."I thought he should have won the dang thing. I thought he got ripped off." Joked he should have thrown his red flag to challenge decision.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621) May 23, 2018
Gruden said he would have been voted off immediately. “I’ve got no rhythm.” #Redskins
— George Wallace (@GWallaceWTOP) May 23, 2018
Zach Brown:
Per Gruden, Zach Brown is not here because he’s moving into the area. He’s fine.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 23, 2018
Gruden on what linebackers play while Zach Brown deals with moving: "depth chart is in flux"
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 23, 2018
Robert Davis:
Robert Davis hurt his toe yesterday on the turf. Small tweak. Largely fine. Gruden hates that they’re inside, but the outdoor fields don’t drain well enough.
— Craig Hoffman (@CraigHoffman) May 23, 2018
New rules for kickoffs and lowering the helmet:
“Yeah, our special teams coach went up there with a couple other special teams coaches and they talked about possible rule changes. I don’t know what’s been officially set yet, so we’ve kind of talked about it and tinkered around with it at rookie OTAs – what the rule might possibly be – but I’ll wait and see what the official wording is of the rule. We’ll adjust. And the lowering of the helmet, I don’t know which ones they decided to go with, so we’ll see. I know there’s been a lot of talk about bull rushes and they’re trying to obviously protect the players, but we’ve just got to be careful.”
More kick returns?:
"I don’t know. That’s a good question. I think without the guys getting a running start, number one, it could be. I think it’s just something… I have to see it before I can really make any judgments on it. Until I actually see it, I think the type of player on kickoff might change a little bit. You might need more speed obviously if you’re going to start from a standing start, but I don’t know. The same with kickoff returns. You’ve got to get back there. I think you’ll see less… There won’t be any offensive linemen out there. Sometimes you’ll have an offensive lineman to help the wedge, but I think for the most part, you’re going to see more speed guys. But I’ve got to wait and see how that impacts. The good thing about our kickoff team, I think having Hop [Dustin Hopkins] here, our kicker, he can do a lot of different things. He can high-hop, I mean, he can kick it high, he can pin you in a corner, he can kick it out of the end zone, so either way, we’ll be good.”
Josh Doctson:
Gruden says Josh Doctson looks great and more comfortable. Coach also said 'he's been available'
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 23, 2018
“Josh has done great, man. He’s been available for us and he’s just getting that work with Alex, but he’s done a good job. He looks good. He looks more comfortable as far as his stems and routes and understanding out breaking the huddle, just like that, knowing what to do. He’s really never had a problem with that, but he just looks more comfortable. He’s got a good feel. Paul [Richardson Jr.] has done an excellent job. You could see his speed out there today. Obviously Jamison had another big day today. He’s been outstanding. Rob Davis, until his injury yesterday, had a big-time day. Mo Harris has stepped up still. He’s lining up all over the place, doing a great job. We got some young guys stepping up. So it’s fun to watch these guys compete. We’ve got a lot of good guys to choose from.”
Jonathan Allen:
Gruden says #Redskins are limiting Jonathan Allen's reps, goal is to have him full go for training camp. Gruden adds Allen looks great
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 23, 2018
#Redskins HC Jay Gruden says Jonathan Allen was a bit limited today but has looked good in Phase 2 before OTA'S & is 100% but they are still ramping him up.
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621) May 23, 2018
Running backs:
"I’ll tell you what, just today in general, you could see the competition. You could see Rob Kelley step up. Samaje Perine’s had a couple big days. Byron Marshall, I mean, he had a couple great routes today. He’s running the ball between the tackles. [Kapri] Bibbs had some big runs yesterday. Obviously, Derrius Guice has come in here and fueled the fire a little bit. He’s done an excellent job picking up what we’re trying to do, and Chris Thompson is standing back here with a hat on backwards watching. I feel really good about where our running backs are right now. Competition’s great, and it’s going to continue to be so. I think that position will be one of strength this year.”