The free agent signees were finally allowed to practice on Thursday at Redskins Park, but it didn’t go without a hitch.
As the final stages of the CBA agreement were being put into place, Rex Grossman, Barry Cofield and the rest of the Redskins offseason acquisitions waited on the sidelines in uniform to get the go ahead to begin practicing with their teammates.
The CBA was not approved until the afternoon session was about 45 minutes underway, but once the 11-on-11s started, Tim Hightower led the charge with a dash off the left side, netting big yards.
With the new players fully on board, it was one of the more spirited sessions of camp. Here are some observations:
-Grossman was his usual erratic self, forcing some throws and displaying the high-risk, high-reward tendencies he showed us last year.
On one hand he connected several times with Terrence Austin over the middle and threw a dart to Fred Davis in the seam. However, he also threw an out route right to Chris Horton who had cut right underneath the receiver. Horton dropped the ball, but it wasn’t a smart decision by Grossman.
-Malcolm Kelly didn’t practice today because of what Shanahan said was an issue with his groin or hamstring. Kelly cannot afford to miss much after injuries have derailed the first chapter of his short playing career.
The Redskins want Kelly to succeed. He has the size, hands and frame to be a much-needed red zone threat and possession receiver, but so far durability has been his downfall. He must participate in every preseason game if he wants an opportunity to make the final roster.
-Ryan Torain broke his hand in Wednesday’s practice Shanahan said he’ll miss a week to ten days. Like Kelly, durability is the primary reason Torain’s future with the team could be in doubt.
The difference is that Torain, when healthy, was a very productive back last season. However, that hasn’t stopped Washington from adding three running backs to the roster after a lack of depth at the position hurt them the past two seasons.
-Hightower and Roy Helu both ran the ball well in spots today. The offensive line appears to be more organized thus far and they have given the backs more holes than in last year’s training camp.
-Kevin Barnes was beaten in coverage several times and struggled to stop the run. There were several points where he was pulled off the field and talked to by a member of the coaching staff.
It’s not a good time for Barnes to be looking lost. This is his third season and with Phillip Buchanon missing the first four weeks of the season due to suspension, Barnes has the opportunity for more playing time. He won’t if he’s beaten out for a roster spot by Byron Westbrook and Brandyn Thompson.
-Chris Cooley left the field without talking to reporters. There have been murmurs that he isn’t 100 percent at the moment and Shanahan mentioned there has been fluid in his knee and he will “monitor him day-by-day.”
-Watched most of the one-on-one drills between the offensive and defensive lines. Will Montgomery seemed to have trouble holding up at the line of scrimmage. He’ll be closely evaluated in the first preseason game I’m sure. Erik Cook and Kory Lichtensteiger are the other options at center although the Redskins did sign center/guard Donovan Raiola on Thursday. He has one game of NFL experience.
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