Four Things We've Learned so Far from Washington Redskins OTAs

The Washington Redskins are enjoying a well-deserved day off after six solid OTA sessions to finish the month of May. Everyone's showing up, nobody's getting seriously hurt and there are a lot of things to be excited about in D.C.

Here, specifically, are four things we've learned thus far from the boys in burgundy.

The Commitment Level Is Sky-High

Not that anything less should be expected from men who are paid hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars to play football, but these are voluntary practices—and yet the Redskins are getting near-full participation.

Mike Shanahan said after Thursday's OTA session, via CSNWashington.com's Mike Standig:

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We've had some good work, guys are working hard, we got some competition -- that's what you look for in these OTA days. We've got 100 percent attendance. If a guy has missed, it's been an excused absence.

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For comparison's sake, an hour up the road, the Baltimore Ravens were reportedly without 19 players Wednesday.

This means, of course, that Washington will be better than Baltimore this season. Wait, it doesn't? Sarcasm aside, it helps to have everyone together. We're often told not to read much into what's happening on the practice field this time a year, but 'Skins fans should at least celebrate the fact that everyone's buying in from the get-go this offseason.

Shanahan says they've "got a lot of people going in the same direction," which certainly seems true. And memories of Albert Haynesworth conditioning tests fade by the hour...

Jammal Brown Is Re-Learning How to Walk (and Doing Yoga)

That's how serious Redskins right tackle Jammal Brown is about regaining his Pro Bowl form. 

Partly because of a bad hip, the former first-round pick has struggled in two seasons in Washington. Word from Rich Campbell of the Washington Times is that Mike Shanahan made it clear his starting job was in jeopardy after the 2011 campaign.

Turns out the hip problems stem from the fact that his feet are crooked when he walks. And so now he's doing yoga and changing the way he walks. From Campbell:

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He spent parts of three mornings each week from January to mid-April performing Bikram ch yoga, holding poses in 105-degree heat. He also has been learning how to stride with his toes pointing straight ahead.

"It feels real awkward," Brown said. "I just catch myself during the day at the house. Any time I try to walk, I try to line my toes up."

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Brown has graded out as one of the worst tackles in the game the last two years, according to Pro Football Focus, so I can't see how anything could hurt at this point.

The Secondary Is Being Shaken Up

Raheem Morris is back in his element, coaching a defensive backfield that needs to improve in 2012. And early word from OTAs is that Morris is shaking things up a little. 

From John Keim of the Washington Examiner:

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Morris wants his players to learn multiple spots in the secondary, so he has DeAngelo Hall and Wilson playing some in the slot. Kevin Barnes said he's playing two-third of the time at corner and the rest of the time at safety.

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Of course, half of the starting secondary from 2011 is gone, and O.J. Atogwe and LaRon Landry have been replaced, tentatively, by Tanard Jackson and Brandon Meriweather. Jackson has yet to participate in OTAs due to injury, but he's expected to return very soon. 

Veterans Cedric Griffin and Madieu Williams were also brought in to add support (Williams has already made at least one terrific play).

Morris has been the most vocal coach at practices thus far. With a slew of veterans to work with, I'm excited to see what he can do with the secondary.

Niles Paul Is Catching on Quickly as a Tight End

Niles Paul has the size and speed to become a stellar NFL receiver, and his move from wideout to tight end could mean a chance to contribute sooner than expected. The 2011 fifth-round pick has removed himself from a crowd at wide receiver and is standing out in OTAs at the tight end position.

From CSNWashington.com's Ben Standig:

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I'm always fascinated when someone wants to make declarations about player X having a breakout practice, especially this early in the process when nobody is wearing pads. My goal is to never be that guy. With that said, one player who did turn some heads was Niles Paul after flashing his deep threat on multiple plays down field, including a scoring pass from Rex Grossman. In the modern NFL, having tight ends that are built and run like wide receivers is becoming the norm so any indication that the second-year player can be that type of option is interesting. Seeing how he handles the blocking side of things when the pads do come out is another and arguably more important matter.

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And from CBS' Grant Paulsen:

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Niles Paul stood out in today's practice, catching two deep balls while being matched up against a safety and a linebacker. His transition to tight end will hinge more on his development as a blocker than as a pass-catcher, but there's no question that a tight end with his 4.5 speed will present problems for defenses.

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As John Keim of the Washington Examiner points out, we're still not positive Paul has the blocking part down. That's probably why he's getting lots of reps in practice. But with Cooley not getting any younger and Fred Davis only one failed drug test away from a season-long suspension, there'll be plenty of opportunities for Paul regardless of how raw he is.

Everyone's trying to adopt the New England Patriots' approach with tight ends now, and the 'Skins might be on to something with Davis and Paul.