Washington Redskins Who've Turned Heads in Offseason Workouts
There's a real battle brewing for the right to replace Brian Orakpo at one edge of the Washington Redskins' 3-4 defense. Both Trent Murphy and rookie Preston Smith are making the most of their opportunities to turn some heads during OTAs.
Sticking with defense, cornerback Bashaud Breeland already seems primed to prove his more than solid rookie season was no fluke. The ultra-aggressive cornerback is approaching OTAs with typical tenacity and instincts for the the ball.
On the other side, head coach Jay Gruden knows how important it is to finally find the right formula up front. That's why he'll be happy about what he's seeing from Spencer Long. The 2014 third-rounder is displaying the kind of power and versatility every team needs in the trenches.
Let's find out exactly how key members of Washington's roster are impressing coaches and onlookers at OTAs.
Bashaud Breeland, CB
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When Breeland went from fourth-round pick to fill-in starter last season, few would have predicted he'd become the jewel of an otherwise dire secondary. But Breeland seized his chance with gusto and showed a real flair for roughing up receivers and getting his hands on the ball.
He broke up 14 passes as a rookie while intercepting two more. He also forced a pair of fumbles as part of a 66-tackle campaign.
Having initially set the bar high for Year 2, Breeland is already impressing coaches this offseason. ESPN.com reporter John Keim noted how the knack for being around the ball is still intact:
"Bashaud Breeland, as long as he maintains his focus off the field, should continue to be a player worth watching in the secondary. He made a terrific break on the ball during the open OTA session Wednesday, intercepting quarterback Robert Griffin III at the goal-line (not the best decision to throw the ball, but best you learn that on June 3).
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Keim also described how Breeland has lost none of the aggressive swagger he showed as a defiant first-year cover man. Breeland does offer a certain spiky edge all NFL defenses love to foster.
More important though, his natural ball skills could really flourish under the tutelage of new secondary coach Perry Fewell. Both he and first-year coordinator Joe Barry tend to rely on a lot of zone concepts.
In their scheme, corners are often put in positions where they can read a quarterback's eyes and jump on errant throws. Fewell and Barry have roots in the famed Tampa 2 system, a version of Cover 2 that lets cornerbacks press at the line but keep their eyes in the backfield.
Given Breeland's blend of attributes, it's a scheme he should thrive in. His impressive early start to the offseason bodes well for one of the potential rising stars of Washington's defense.
Preston Smith, OLB
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From an athletic perspective, Preston Smith is always going to turn heads. His 6'5", 271-pound frame, coupled with astonishing arm length and tremendous range make this year's second-round pick something of a physical marvel.
But while he appeared raw at rookie minicamp, Smith is beginning to show there's more to his game than just passing the eye test. He's already worked his way up to competing on the first-team defense, according to CSN Washington reporter JP Finlay: "From May to June, Smith has seen an increase in reps with the first-team defense. Now it seems like Smith is splitting time with Trevardo Williams."
In a modern NFL era defined by hybrid, multiple-front defenses, Smith's versatility should always help him stand out. This is a player who comes to the Redskins after spending his collegiate career disrupting offensive lines and chasing quarterbacks from a variety of positions.
The former Mississippi State ace is being asked to master playing in space on the edge. But Barry and his defensive staff won't overlook Smith's talent for splitting gaps along the interior.
Yet despite the extended work with the first team, the ex-Bulldogs stalwart still seems destined for a vital sub-package role as a rookie. Using a host of personnel from various fronts is going to be a cornerstone of Barry's plan for 2015, per Finlay: "We’re going to give you a bunch of different looks when we are in our base group and when we are in our sub groups."
The more Smith impresses, the more plans Washington's staff will concoct to turn him loose.
Spencer Long, G
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There's been plenty of welcome change along an offensive line that surrendered 58 sacks in 2014. But of all the changes, it's Spencer Long's ascension to the starting lineup that is drawing rave reviews from Gruden.
Long has been given the first chance to fill the void created by the long-overdue release of veteran Chris Chester. It's a task he's taking to well, according to his head coach, per CSN Washington writer Rich Tandler: “He’s a big man. He’s tough and he’s smart.”
Long needs to be all those things and more to bring some stability to a position that's been the bane of an already feeble group during the last four seasons. Specifically, he needs to utilize his ample 6'5", 311-pound frame in a scheme dedicated more to dominating one-on-one matchups at close quarters.
The Redskins are adding more than a few power concepts to their blocking schemes for this season. New line coach Bill Callahan has been hired to implement the kind of hat-on-hat strength in the trenches Gruden and new general manager Scot McCloughan both favor.
It's a shift in philosophy that demands bigger road-graders with nastier dispositions. Gruden certainly feels as though Long will be right at home in the tweaked system, per Finlay: “Spencer is a very powerful man and very good for the power running game, the gap-style blocking, but he also has some great movement skills."
It's easy to be wary about the fact that Long couldn't supplant Chester a year ago. The failure to do so hardly spoke volumes for the rookie.
But Gruden and his staff have shown considerable faith in the former Nebraska behemoth. Clearly they see genuine potential to make the grade as a starter, a real leap of faith since Long appeared in only five games last season.
Their guess had better be right considering Long could be paired with fifth overall pick Brandon Scherff on the right side of the revamped line. Essentially, the Redskins may open the new season with two rookies holding down the fort on the right.
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Trent Murphy, OLB
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Every pro defense wants a healthy rotation at its key positions, as well as multiple weapons for its sub-package fronts. But the moment Washington used a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft to select Preston Smith, the franchise also sent a subtle message to Trent Murphy.
Drafted at the same stage last year, Murphy failed to shine after arriving as the most prolific quarterback hunter in college football. The former Stanford man registered a mere 2.5 sacks as a rookie, despite starting eight games after Orakpo suffered yet another costly injury.
The pressure is now on for Murphy. Smith's presence means he has to improve, and fast. Fortunately, he certainly appears to have gotten the message.
After only brief action at OTAs, Murphy already has Gruden anticipating big things, according to CSN Washington reporter Tarik El-Bashir:
"He’s bigger. He’s stronger. He’s rushing the passer extremely well [and] he’s getting off the ball very well right now. I think I’m expecting him to make the biggest jump from first year to second year on our football team because not only is he bigger but he knows the position.
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Getting bigger will help Murphy since it's the direction the whole defense is taking on McCloughan's watch. The new GM has already built a mammoth line and will also count on new faces forming a bulkier, more punishing secondary.
But even in a more hybrid version of the 3-4 scheme Washington has operated since 2010, the linebackers remain the key. It's still imperative for those on the edge to manufacture plenty of big plays.
Murphy knows all about handling that responsibility. It's what he did so well for the Cardinal, another team running a multiple-front 3-4 system.
Murphy's just too smart and naturally flexible to stay quiet for long. ESPN.com Redskins analyst John Keim applauded his work rate this offseason, evidence of a real commitment to get better.
More significantly though, Keim also described how Murphy's versatility is being maximized during OTAS: "I've seen him stand up, rush with his hand in the dirt and play over the middle and rush. What I also like is that it appears he might rush well on stunts and set up teammates by taking out a blocker or two."
If Murphy makes the leap Gruden anticipates, the Redskins will boast one of the more formidable front sevens in football. His partnership with Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan will strike fear into opposing passers.
Meanwhile, the potential sub-package ploys available for a group comprised of Murphy, Kerrigan, Smith and possibly Trevardo Williams or Jackson Jeffcoat will cause havoc for blocking schemes.
Murphy's progress and hopefully accelerated development is one of the more pivotal storylines to track during the remainder of Washington's offseason.
Logan Paulsen, TE
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The tight end spot is one that continues to frustrate every time Jordan Reed is sidelined with an injury. Yet despite the absence of the most athletically dynamic player at the position, there is some cause for optimism.
At the moment, it's being provided by Logan Paulsen. He's taking his chance during OTAs to remind coaches that he still possesses a niche skill no other player at his position has mastered.
Specifically, Paulsen has been turning heads thanks to his ability to turn defenders as a blocker. Gruden has highlighted how this talent remains a vital part of what the Redskins want to do on offense in 2015.
In particular, the coach emphasized how important Paulsen can be in the new ground schemes, per Stephen Czarda of the team's official site: "People always say, ‘Hey, you guys have got to run the ball, run the ball,’ but you have got to have a tight end that can block, not only at the point of attack but the backside and Logan right now is our best blocker. It’s good to have him for sure."
It's worth noting just how important the ability to block is to Paulsen's continued knack for staying on the roster. He competes at a position where fellow incumbent Niles Paul is a converted wide receiver, while Reed is a wideout trapped in a tight end's body.
So Paulsen's 6'5", 261-pound frame becomes more than useful—it's potentially invaluable. Yet it's also important not to go overboard about his blocking skills.
As Gruden notes, he is the "best blocker" at the position. But he's really the best of a poor bunch when it comes to that skill.
Paulsen still misses plenty of assignments out on the edge. He'll be under a different kind of pressure this season. The new techniques in the running game will force him to show he can neutralize defenders one-on-one. Not many tight ends manage that consistently.
Still, Paulsen has carved out a niche for himself, and a team switching to more power concepts shouldn't wave goodbye to its only competent blocker at the position. It'll be fascinating to watch how Paulsen performs once the pads go back on.
The five players currently turning heads at Washington's OTAs are a reminder of the new personality being cultivated at Redskins Park this offseason. This is now a more physical team on both sides of the ball.
Coaches want the big men to thrive, and so far that's exactly what's happening.
All statistics and player information via NFL.com.
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