5 Biggest Takeaways from the Washington Redskins' OTAs

It's easy to sell a bright future to NFL players in late May. There's something about putting the helmet on again with the sun shining that brings out the optimism, even in teams that have had little reason to believe for years.

The Washington Redskins are no exception. Despite winning just seven games in two seasons, optimism abounds at Redskins Park.

Players are embracing new schemes on both sides of the ball. Defensive linemen can't wait to pad their statistics in a system dedicated more to attacking than reacting.

On offense, even Washington's three-time 1,000-yard running back isn't letting a change of scheme and the arrival of immediate competition dampen his enthusiasm.

Find out why the Redskins are so buoyant after OTAs.

Alfred Morris Not Afraid of New Scheme

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How Alfred Morris will fare in a scheme far removed from the one that's made him a star seemed like a pressing question this offseason. That he is coming off his worst year as a pro (1,074 yards and eight touchdowns) only added to the pressure surrounding him.

When your coach scraps the zone blocking you thrive behind, it sends a clear message. When your general manager uses a third-round pick to add a physical, workhorse runner to compete alongside you, it sends an clearer message.

The message to Morris is the current regime isn't completely happy with him, despite a trio of 1,000-yard seasons. Head coach Jay Gruden wants a power scheme up front. Bigger offensive linemen and the arrival of coach Bill Callahan will put that into practice.

Meanwhile, new GM Scot McCloughan has an historical preference for smashmouth-style runners, such as Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch. Drafting 231-pound former Florida battering ram Matt Jones answers that.

With a lot of eyes on how Morris will respond to the changes around him, the star of Mike Shanahan's zone-based system has been quick to welcome what's new. He has stated that not only won't a power scheme slow him down, but it can even help him flourish, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post.

Mike Jones notes how Morris claims to "prefer power running over outside zones." The star running back is particularly excited by the change of mindset:

"

I just do. It’s just a knockout, drag-out style of play. I don’t shy away from contact. I’m not necessarily looking for it, but I don’t shy away from it. So it’s just right up my alley. But I thoroughly enjoy it. I don’t know why. I just do. I guess mentally, I’m just different from most backs.

"

As for Matt Jones' arrival, Morris is making all the right noises: “Competition only makes us better. I always say that.”

Of course, it's easy to welcome a rival for your job before the real action begins. Morris may sing a different tune if Jones takes more than just a few carries away from him this season.

That's not guaranteed to happen, but it wouldn't be a major shock. Gruden didn't show much confidence in the Morris-led running game in 2014. Jones does seem a more natural fit for a north-south scheme.

Yet it's also too early to count out a player who arrived as a sixth-round pick and potential fullback but turned out to be an elite ground hog.

What the OTAs have at least revealed is Morris has the kind of attitude any coach would want. While it's easy to follow the party line this time of year, it's better than hearing Morris criticize coaching decisions and take Jones' arrival as an affront.

If he takes to the new style of ground game with typical gusto, the Redskins will have a running game among the NFL's best, one capable of driving the offense and protecting suspect quarterbacks.

DeSean Jackson's Absence a Typical Red Flag for a Redskins' Offseason

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We go from a player doing everything fans and coaches love to see to one doing the opposite. It wouldn't be a Redskins' offseason without some negativity around the team, and DeSean Jackson has given the naysayers plenty of ammunition.

His decision to skip the start of OTAs needn't sound major alarm bells. But still, it's hard to argue it wouldn't be better if all of the senior stars were present.

The pads may not be on and the work is formative, but there is real value in getting the team together as early as possible. ESPN.com's Jason Reid spelled out how that value trumps necessity, especially for rebuilding teams:

"

Officially, players are not required to participate in OTAs. That's clear under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Unofficially, the sessions are considered as mandatory as wearing helmets in games.

Show me a coach who fails to stress the importance of the team-building workouts and I'll show you one who won't be on the job long.

"

Not showing up doesn't preclude Jackson from having another standout season. His talent as perhaps the most lethal deep threat in football won't evaporate just because he chooses a seat on the hardwood of a basketball court over running across practice-field grass.

But in terms of a message sent, Jackson's doesn't look too good—not when one of the features of this offseason has been selling a culture change at Redskins Park.

The sales pitch reads like this: It isn't the same Washington. With McCloughan on board, the franchise is determined to build steadily, develop the right foundation and avoid controversy.

Even if Jackson's absence qualifies as a mild annoyance, it's already served to plant a red flag on Washington's brave new world.

Jordan Reed Still Can't Be Counted on

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Reed is talented enough to become the most dynamic weapon in Washington's offense, provided he can stay healthy and blah, blah, blah. You've heard and read it all before by now because the book on Reed is becoming a fairly dull story.

The player who's already missed 12 games and made just six starts in two seasons couldn't even make it through the first day of OTAs. Instead, the fragile pass-catcher had to leave the practice field with soreness in his knee, according to NFL.com's Dan Hanzus.

Even though NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport stressed the subsequent tests on Reed's knee were merely "precautionary," the injury was a timely reminder he's a player the Redskins cannot rely on.

That's a great shame given what he brings to the offense—namely a roving, ultra-athletic matchup nightmare who can beat coverage in a variety of ways. But the more injuries mount, the closer the Redskins get to giving up on the tight end who broke down after his first catch last season.

Reed is a potential breakout player heading into this season, just like he was on the eve of last season. But OTAs have reminded Gruden and his staff not to plan around Reed, because potential is all he may ever show.

Defense Ready to Binge on Takeaways

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington will measure defensive improvement by the number of turnovers the unit creates this season. Since the arrival of new coordinator Joe Barry, forcing more takeaways has been the emphasis.

Both ESPN.com's John Keim and Mike Jones of the Washington Post detailed how coaches were vocal during practice sessions and stressed to players the need to attack the ball on every play.

Jones stated how "get the ball!" was Barry's favorite and most often heard battle cry during OTAs. Keim called the current emphasis on takeaways "huge."

Gruden made it clear just how important that's going to be in 2015, per Real Redskins blogger Rich Tandler: "We were awful at getting turnovers last year. It’s no coach’s fault or anything like that, we just have got to do a better job of preaching getting the ball back."

It makes sense Gruden would emphasize takeaways. It's one way to justify the decision to hire Barry over more high-profile names such as Wade Phillips and Vic Fangio—a decision that still irks many.

But Barry does at least have his roots in the famed Tampa 2 scheme, a style of defense predicated on swarming opportunism. Speaking of swarming, that's just how Washington's D-line will operate on Barry's watch.

Gruden described exactly what his new coordinator has planned for the front, per Tandler: "We want to let our defensive line go and let them get up the field—[Jason] Hatcher, you know—get the handcuffs off of them a little bit, let them get up the field. Not that they had them [handcuffs] on last year, but the frame of mind is to be a more aggressive-style defense and let them play."

Moving from the two-gap caution of a more traditional 3-4 to the one-gap attacking akin to all modern, hybrid schemes will suit Jason Hatcher. The player who made a Pro Bowl as a 3-technique pass-rusher with the Dallas Cowboys didn't take to last season's scheme.

But he is more than mildly excited about the playmaking possibilities in Barry's defense, per Mike Jones of the Washington Post:

"

You’re expected to make more plays in this system. You can kind of get up in the backfield and make a lot of tackles, as long as you’re in your gap and do what you’re supposed to do. It’ll be fun. That’s about it. Just attack. You aren’t holding up blocks no more and letting linebackers run.

"

A more attack-minded line is why McCloughan brought defensive tackles Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean Francois into the fold during free agency. The former has also joined Hatcher in expressing his excitement regarding the potential of the revamped front, per CSN Washington, setting himself the lofty goal of attacking like Houston Texans' behemoth J.J. Watt.

More pressure up front is the necessary catalyst for more turnovers. Swarming to the ball produces fumbles, while a consistently strong pass rush causes wayward throws that defensive backs can feast on.

It's hardly rocket science, but now the Redskins have more of the players they need to make an attacking, big-play defense work.

Trevardo Williams and Duke Ihenacho Pleasantly Surprise Coaches

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If you're looking for some big surprises from OTAs, how about Trevardo Williams and Duke Ihenacho? The pair rate as pleasant surprises after working well with the starting units.

Outside linebacker Williams came to Washington late last season. He already boasted some experience as an edge-rusher in a 3-4, having previously played the role for the Houston Texans.

But his experience was limited after he never emerged from preseason with a roster spot. He appeared in three games for the Redskins last season and collected a sack during the win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.

He parlayed those efforts into working with the starters at OTAs, according to ESPN.com's John Keim. Williams filled in for star man Ryan Kerrigan, who's busy recovering from knee surgery.

Keim also noted how Ihenacho began as the starting strong safety ahead of Jeron Johnson, who arrived during free agency. Keim stated Ihenacho "reacted fast to the run."

Ihenacho's early exposure to the starting units is interesting. As Keim stated, he has "more starting experience" than the former Seattle Seahawks backup.

Both players have exceptional value on special teams, but it will be physicality and smarts on defense that decide who starts. This season's unit will be bigger and tougher, and safeties set the tone for any blue-collar defense.

Johnson's versatility to play both positions, as well as his value in football's third phase, could make him more useful as a swing player and feature of the sub-package coverage.

At the very least, even if Williams and Ihenacho don't figure much as starters, the Redskins now have two quality depth players the coaches trust. Given how much a paper-thin roster has left this team short in recent seasons, quality backups at every position are a must.

Events during OTAs showed Washington's coaches and decision-makers are creating a more physical team on both sides of the ball. That emphasis is most obvious in the running game and at every level of the defense.

How well that emphasis translates to competitive action naturally remains to be seen. But this team is already looking like it will be less of an easy mark than during the last two seasons.