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Practice Notes: 2019 #SkinsCamp, Day 5

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RICHMOND, Va. -- Redskins.com's Ryan Fowler breaks down the key plays and highlights from Day 5 of training camp at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center on Sunday.

Offense:

-- The pads were back on on Tuesday with both the offense and defense showing flashes throughout the day after a mandatory day-off Monday.

-- During individual drills at the start of practice, Gruden told the offense to expect a physical practice as the "defense is upset," after a Sunday practice that saw multiple touchdowns by the offensive unit. The statement by Gruden ultimately foreshadowed the rest of practice as tempers flared throughout the day.

-- The offense kicked off the day with Case Keenum behind center during the first 11-on-11 session. Keenum worked with multiple units throughout the day, pressing the importance of developing chemistry with the group of young wideouts. Steven Sims Jr. enjoyed another productive session and capped off his day during the two-minute drill catching a deep ball from Keenum in the corner of the end-zone.

-- Throughout camp thus far, offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell has run the 'counter-trey' for Adrian Peterson in 11-on-11 drills. The play allows the running back to view the line with a pulling guard in-front of him, opening up cutback lanes for Peterson to use his patented jump cut move.

-- Bill Callahan's offensive line was ultra-physical during the session, as they hit seemingly everything in sight. Rookie Ross Pierschbacher had one of his best practices thus far showing balance and power in both individual and team drills. Leading the way along the offensive line has continued to be Brandon Scherff, as the two-time pro-bowler takes the term 'don't stop until the whistle is blown' literally. Scherff frequently moves from level-to-level, man-to-man throughout the defense on every play before coaches blow the play dead.

-- Terry McLaurin showed off his ability as both a route-runner and the

-- During Jay Gruden's press conference Sunday morning, he mentioned he is looking for each quarterback to be fluid in "announcing protection changes and audibles at the line of scrimmage." Haskins showed exactly that in one instance during the practice session. Facing a four-man front and a Cover 3 look from the defense, Haskins immediately motioned to receiver Cam Sims by shouting "alert, alert" while pounding his fists on his helmet. Sims keyed the change, took a step towards the line of scrimmage and eventually connection with the first-round rookie on a short reception.

-- As for Keenum, the veteran takes every rep with a meaningful purpose. In early morning route-tree drills with wideouts, Keenum dropped back and moved around the pocket as if there were a swarm of defenders around him, allowing him to spray the ball around the field from different arm angles.

-- After three tough days facing the defense, the Redskins offensive line bounced back with a much-improved session. Rookie Wes Martin showed excellent footwork at times Sunday, stuffing both Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne during team drills. Heralded in college for his elite strength, Martin has shown progression each day of camp working in between reps with offensive line coach Bill Callahan. With left guard a question heading into the upcoming season, having Brandon Scherff opposite him gives the rookie a reliable shoulder to lean on. At Morgan Moses' post-practice press conference Sunday, he mentioned "there's not another guy I'd rather play beside than Brandon [Scherff]."

Quick Hits:

  • Adrian Peterson showed another side of his game by beating linebacker Jon Bostic and catching a touchdown pass during the red zone portion of 7-on-7 drills.
  • Haskins ran multiple read-option plays during team drills. On one occasion, with Derrius Guice by his side, Haskins faked the toss out wide, tucked the ball and sprinted upfield for what would have been an easy first down.
  • Haskins looked looser and more comfortable on the field Sunday. On multiple occasions, the rookie signal-caller sprinted to celebrate with teammates after touchdown passes. He also has a handshake with seemingly every one of his Redskins teammates.

Take a look at the photos from the fourth day of 2019 training camp in Richmond, Va.

Defense:

-- The temperature wasn't the only thing that intensified Sunday, as the session included full pads and heavy contact as the summer sun beat down on Redskins practice.

-- Linebacker Cole Holcomb worked with the starting unit alongside Shaun Dion-Hamilton during some team drills and 7-on-7 sessions. Early in practice, Holcomb broke up a pass intended for Sims with a high hit that jarred the ball loose -- an effort that earned high fives from teammates. But on the next play, Jeremy Spinkle beat Holcomb up the seam and Haskins delivered a well-placed pass for a would-be touchdown. The sequence served as a lesson for the rookie about consistency.

-- Safety Landon Collins enjoyed another productive practice, kicking off 7-on-7 drills with another over-the-top breakup on a pass intended for Vernon Davis near the goal line. The two veterans have been matched up frequently thus far in camp, with Collins and Davis each coming away with 1-on-1 victories.

Quick Hits:

  • Montez Sweat and Ryan Anderson primarily worked with the first unit on defense in 'base' coverage.
  • Rookie linebacker B.J. Blunt received reps with the starting unit at inside linebacker alongside with Marquis Flowers, who has drawn praise for his efforts.

Special Teams:

-- Trey Quinn, Greg Stroman, Byron Marshall, Jimmy Moreland and Shaun Wilson all practice returning kicks.

-- Dustin Hopkins was successful on all six of his field-goal attempts hitting from distances of 33, 40, 42, 44, 45, and 47 yards, respectively.

-- Tress Way was seen launching punts on the back field from his own 10-yard line to the opposite 10 for an 80-yard boot. In his sixth-year in Washington, Way is looking to build off a career year in 2018.

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