Jay Gruden Redskins Presser: The running game will go through Derrius Guice

Jay Gruden talked to the media after the Redskins first practice following Saturday’s roster cutdown. He explained the Josh Doctson and Samaje Perine cuts, why the team picked up former Eagles RB Wendell Smallwood and DT Treyvon Hester, and gave injury updates. The running game will run through Derrius Guice with Adrian Peterson backing him up. And he has no more expectations for Trent Williams who continues to hold out.

Jordan Reed:

Fabian Moreau:

Cole Holcomb/Shaun Dion Hamilton:

Josh Doctson:

Terry McLaurin:

Wide Receivers:

Wendell Smallwood:

Treyvon Hester:

High number of draft picks from the last couple of years still on the team:

”I think we’ve drafted well the last couple of years. These guys have been pretty productive. It’s a matter of growing your people in your system, which is good. These guys, you want to develop them and keep them here, so that they get better under your tutelage, you hope. We’ve got some pretty good skill guys here. The draft we had this year, the rookies we feel like they can come in and help us right away, which is good. Doesn’t happen very often, we’re going to have to ask about five or six of those guys to contribute early and contribute a lot. Feel good about the draft, where we’re at and the players that we’ve added over the last few years, the youth, the experience they’re gaining and the way they’re getting better.”

Offensive Line:

”I think so, we’re getting there and I feel good about it. We’ve got to be ready, that’s a great pass rush. They’ve given us major problems the last few times we’ve played. We’ve lost four straight to them without a doubt. I think Fletcher Cox has about 10 sacks in those four games. Brandon Graham has played very well. Vinny Curry was with them a couple years ago, not last year, but he’s been very good. Obviously, the rest are very good. They added Malik Jackson who is another good pass rusher. We have to stay balanced, no matter who is in there at offensive line, but we feel good about the guys who will take the field on Sunday.”

Samaje Perine:

Derrius Guice:

Steven Sims Jr.:

“You always have to count the fact that when the lights turn on, how people sometimes excel and some people decel at little bit, so to speak. Steven [Sims Jr] was definitely one guy that the game’s not too big for. He showed his explosion in the return game, the ability to run after the catch he’s shown out here in practice and even in the games sometimes. I just think that he does something with the ball in his hands that not many people can do, very explosive. [We have to] figure out ways to get him the ball somehow. Just get him acclimated to the offense. He’s still learning, he’s a rookie, but he’s doing a good job. I just think that when the ball is in his hand, good things happen.”

Trent Williams:

Mindset going into this season:

”We have our lineup set the way we want them, with one exception. We have a great group of guys here that are ready to work. I feel really good about our defensive additions, really. [Montez] Sweat, Landon Collins, obviously [Jon] Bostic. Defensively, I think we have a chance to be special, really. So we’re very encouraged by them. Obviously, our kicking game is intact with Tress [Way], Hop [Dustin Hopkins] and [Nate] Sundberg and the rest of the guys. Offensively, we just have to find a way to mesh, find a way to hit some big plays, protect the football and do some things. Might be a little different here or there. If we have to win 17-13, we’ll win 17-13 with a great defense. Just getting Case [Keenum] comfortable, getting the receivers around him comfortable, finding out the status of Jordan [Reed] obviously is going to be important to us.”

Preparing for the Eagles:

“We’ve had periods of course throughout camps getting ready for this game. They are a little bit different in their base defense than we are. Sometimes you want to work against the 4-3. In sub, it’s been very similar so we got some good work against our defense, which some of the things carry over to what they do defensively. Got a lot of good work both preparing for Philadelphia. Again, to prepare for Brandon Graham and Malik Jackson and those are guys is a little bit difficult and obviously the rest of the group. We feel good about our preparation so far. We still have ways to go. We still have a great day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and a walk-through on Saturday and we’ll be ready to roll.”

Getting young players involved early in the season:

”It’s a big thing, especially on offense. We’ve got to get everybody some touches, somehow. Obviously, we want to stay balanced, but get the ball to some of our key players that are very good with the ball in their hands is going to be critical for us. Defensively, they’ve just got to rally and play together and communicate – that’s the biggest thing. Philadelphia does a good job on offense giving you different sets and personnel groups and motions and all that stuff so communication is going to critical. Got to know where Zach Ertz is at all times and they added DeSean Jackson the deep threat. Obviously, Alshon [Jeffery] is still a great player. Communication is going be huge for the young guys, but with Landon [Collins] running the show in the secondary and [Jon] Bostic running the show at the linebacker we feel good about it.”

Case Keenum:

“He struggled a little at Denver. I think they were 6-10 at the end of the day, but Minnesota, you look at his whole body of work and the way he is as far as a competitor is concerned, you want a guy who can come in here and compete. At the time, we didn’t have [Dwayne] Haskins and also Colt [McCoy] was coming back from an injury. So to get a veteran guy that has started and played was important. Case [Keenum] is a tough guy that can move the chains and make all the throws, so we are fortunate to get him.”

Keenum’s decision-making:

”It’s been good. But when it’s all live on Sunday afternoon at Philly, in the noise, we’ll get a better taste. But he’s a veteran guy, he does a great job protecting the ball. He can move in the pocket efficiently and effectively. We’re counting on him to make good decisions, that’s what’s he here for, so we have no other reason to believe otherwise.”