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1niksder wrote:Chris Baker is aiming for a spot in defensive line rotation

The Washington Redskins’ entire front seven returns for a second consecutive season, but players are battling for spots in the defensive line rotation. Making a strong case for himself is third-year nose tackle Chris Baker.

A late-preseason addition last season, Baker spent all of last season on Washington’s practice squad. The team finally activated him on Dec. 7, but hours later, Baker tore a quad, had to have surgery and went on injured reserve. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan revealed Wednesday that Baker suffered the injury trying to dunk a basketball prior to one of the team’s indoor practices at a nearby gym.

Baker described the development as crushing. But it served as motivation as well.

“It fueled me a lot,” Baker said

In addition to working out twice a day with Redskins strength coach Ray Wright, Baker said he changed his diet as well. As a result, the 6-foot-2 former Hampton University standout dropped his weight from 335 pounds to 323.

Chris Baker has had a strong camp and could very well make the team as the #Redskins' back-up NT. Can play DE in 3-4 as well.

Red_One43 wrote:Early notes from John Keim. Stay tuned for practice report later this evening.

3. Left tackle Trent Williams has been the most impressive player in training camp, winning the great majority if his one-on-one battles with linebacker Brian Orakpo. No one else has come close to beating Williams in these drills.

“Just a competitor, man,” Williams said. “One on one, mano a mano, all eyes on you and it’s just you and him. You don’t worry about nothing else but that particular snap and rep. I compete and I hate losing.”

Sometimes he punctuates his wins by shoving the player to the ground (not Orakpo; this is reserved for lesser types).

Williams said he does this when, “I feel like I got a point to prove.”

Have said it before, but Williams is in terrific shape.

“I’m trying to be the best,” he said. “Not just better… I want to be dominant.”

1niksder wrote:Redskins practice report (8/2) By Rich Campbell

1niksder wrote:Redskins practice report (8/2) By Rich Campbell

Since QB Robert Griffin III is being kept away from reporters as though we have the plague or something, we’re left to talk to the defenders who intercept him in order to glean insight on his mistakes and learning points.

Quarterback Robert Griffin III rotated with Kirk Cousins and Rex Grossman, as the coaching staff tried out different combinations of players in the first, second and third team offenses and defenses.

The Redskins found a pair of quarterbacks with mobility this April, as Cousins showed his ability to tuck the ball and run when the pocket collapses. Linebacker Keenan Robinson flushed him out during red zone drills, and Cousins won the foot race to the sidelines for a modest gain.

Irn-Bru wrote:Anyone else notice that Jarvis Jenkins' name isn't coming up? Neither good nor bad. I'm not sure what to make of that. I guess maybe he's still easing back into things.

Red_One43 wrote:

Irn-Bru wrote:Anyone else notice that Jarvis Jenkins' name isn't coming up? Neither good nor bad. I'm not sure what to make of that. I guess maybe he's still easing back into things.

I have noticed it and it has been mentioned in a few reports that they haven't seen the power that he showed last year at this time. They say it takes a full year to fully heal (almost there) and then it takes awhile to get the confidence back. For a running back, it takes the full season to get the confidence back. Not sure what the estimates are for a D lineman.

Two Year RB Injury Rule

http://www.footballdocs.com/RB_injury_rule.html

This article on Jenkins doesn't say much:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/foo ... _blog.html

Irn-Bru wrote:I suppose the fact that we aren't hearing bad things about him is a good sign at this point. Players seems to have a hesitation when asked about him, but basically affirm that he hit the ground running, so to speak.

''It takes time just to get comfortable, get confident (enough) to be able to play full-speed on it,'' said defensive end Adam Carriker, who missed the 2009 season with a shoulder injury. ''He's getting there, but he missed almost a year of football.''

13. Haven’t seen Jarvis Jenkins be as active in this camp as he was a year ago. He flashed big time in the one-on-ones as a rookie, but he hasn’t done so this summer. He did beat LeRibeus in the full-team work to the inside on one play; good penetration. Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said in the spring that it would take Jenkins a while and he’s right. Not that Jenkins has looked bad, but he hasn’t jumped out like he did a year ago. Not yet at least. Oops; found one time where he was able to move Tyler Polumbus back and apply pressure, leading to a Robert Griffin III throwaway.

Play of the day

From the offense’s own 12, Dorson Boyce, who is the only available fullback with Darrel Young still sidelined with a hamstring strain, caught a little swing pass out of the backfield and headed upfield. Lorenzo Alexander went to make the stop and he and Boyce had a loud collision of helmets that drew an “Oooooh!” from the crowd.

Boyce won the battle. Alexander ended up on the ground and Boyce was off to the raced for 88 yards and a touchdown.

To be fair to Alexander, he may have made the stop under normal circumstance but the rules are not to bring a runner to the ground. Still, it was quite a play.

What does it mean? He’s a rookie. Griffin does not do anything that can’t be corrected with experience. He looks better than Donovan McNabb did two years ago, though McNabb shined in some two-minute situations when he’d pick the defense apart down the field. I haven’t seen Griffin do that, but I remember how many times I dinged McNabb for a poor practice. It was quite often. With Griffin it’s about inconsistencies and learning curves.

The best player in camp today just might’ve been Leonard Hankerson. “Hanktime” continues to get open and make big catches. He looks nothing like he did last year. Hankerson appears well on his way to earning a key role in this offense as Kyle Shanahan moves him around and gets the same positive results regardless of where he lines up. Hankerson’s top competitor probably would be Josh Morgan, who is sidelined with injury.

Baker got under Cook’s pads, pancaked him and then stood over him to taunt him. It was domination.

Baker has flashed against the Redskins’ reserves. It's time to see him against better competition.

Red_One43 wrote:Rich Campbell 8/3 Practice Report

Baker got under Cook’s pads, pancaked him and then stood over him to taunt him. It was domination.

Baker has flashed against the Redskins’ reserves. It's time to see him against better competition.