OTA's day 8

[Caliskinsfan]

A little more on Niles Paul. Encouraging tidbits.

Niles Paul stands out in spring workouts espn.go.com Readability

Excerpt

John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer

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ASHBURN, Va. -- In the past , the Washington Redskins needed tight end Jordan Reed to serve as a solid option in the passing game since no one else behind him was able to do the same. Niles Paul provided a lift when Reed was hurt last year, but his size prevented him from being a more all-around tight end.

Paul took care of that problem this offseason, adding weight and now is at or over 250 pounds. According to last season’s roster, it’s only a 10-pound increase but it looks to be a little more. Or, perhaps, it’s all muscle and it just stands out more.

Regardless, Paul is a different player and that’s been obvious throughout the spring. I’m not a big fan of spring mirages; some players jump out during these workouts only to fade into obscurity once camp begins and then get cut before the season.

But Paul already had a role and he’s taken little steps each of the past three offseasons. Three years ago he focused on improving his hands after some early drops and he went through an entire camp with just one drop. Last year he worked hard on his blocking and his technique. This year he’s doing more of the same.

“I was always a willing blocker,” Paul said. “I was 230 going against guys 260, 270. I wanted to level out the playing field a little bit and it showed up on film out here.”

And when you talk to coaches, it’s clear that he’s been one of the most impressive players this spring. My guess: They'd put him on a list of the top three offensively this spring. They love his footwork in the blocking game. It can help him overcome a lack of size against bigger defenders. They say his hands are better as a blocker, too. (I’ve heard that before, but it’s been steady progress).

What they like is that despite the weight gain, they say Paul hasn’t lost his speed. That could be, but I want to see more. (There were some times I wondered if he wasn’t gaining as much separation; the coaches say that hasn’t been an issue.)

 

[skinsdad62]

A little more on Niles Paul. Encouraging tidbits.

Niles Paul stands out in spring workouts espn.go.com Readability

Excerpt

John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer

• 0 Shares
• Print
• Comment

ASHBURN, Va. -- In the past , the Washington Redskins needed tight end Jordan Reed to serve as a solid option in the passing game since no one else behind him was able to do the same. Niles Paul provided a lift when Reed was hurt last year, but his size prevented him from being a more all-around tight end.

Paul took care of that problem this offseason, adding weight and now is at or over 250 pounds. According to last season’s roster, it’s only a 10-pound increase but it looks to be a little more. Or, perhaps, it’s all muscle and it just stands out more.

Regardless, Paul is a different player and that’s been obvious throughout the spring. I’m not a big fan of spring mirages; some players jump out during these workouts only to fade into obscurity once camp begins and then get cut before the season.

But Paul already had a role and he’s taken little steps each of the past three offseasons. Three years ago he focused on improving his hands after some early drops and he went through an entire camp with just one drop. Last year he worked hard on his blocking and his technique. This year he’s doing more of the same.

“I was always a willing blocker,” Paul said. “I was 230 going against guys 260, 270. I wanted to level out the playing field a little bit and it showed up on film out here.”

And when you talk to coaches, it’s clear that he’s been one of the most impressive players this spring. My guess: They'd put him on a list of the top three offensively this spring. They love his footwork in the blocking game. It can help him overcome a lack of size against bigger defenders. They say his hands are better as a blocker, too. (I’ve heard that before, but it’s been steady progress).

What they like is that despite the weight gain, they say Paul hasn’t lost his speed. That could be, but I want to see more. (There were some times I wondered if he wasn’t gaining as much separation; the coaches say that hasn’t been an issue.)

hopefully that can translate to the field as far as blocking

 

[skinsdad62]

- A few highlights and observations on the Washington Redskins' offense during the open organized team activities session this week:

• Colt McCoy hasn't had a good spring, at least when we've watched. Too many interceptions; seems like two in each open availability session. McCoy, too, will hold the ball a little too long a laRobert Griffin III. But both players are capable of extending plays -- and have always done so. McCoy had one pass batted away and another intercepted by linebacker Ja'Gared Davis, who simply stepped in front of the receiver and would have taken the ball a long way in a real game. Davis nearly picked him off again later in the workout. McCoy and Cousins have alternated with the second unit all spring but when we've been in attendance, Cousins has played better.
  
  
• The Redskins worked on back shoulder passes in the end zone Tuesday. The trick is for the receiver to not stop until the ball is on them. Otherwise, it's easy to defend. Receiver Tony Jones learned that lesson and drew a rebuke from coach Jay Gruden on one such play. "Don't stop! Let the ball stop you! You stop, I stop!" Gruden shouted. For what it's worth, the quarterbacks did a nice job overall on this throw.
  
  
• The play of the day: A little gimmickry off a field goal attempt when kicker Kai Forbath took a pitch from holder Tress Way and threw down the field to ...Spencer Long for a score. Who else? Long was actually sort of covered on the play (a defender was close enough) so it was a nice grab on the lineman's part.
  
  
• I still like watching second-year receiver Ryan Grant. He does such a good job with his routes, with good body lean to sucker a defender on the fake. When it works, it creates several yards of separation. He'll use any part of his body to sell a fake -- head, shoulders (knees and toes, knees and toes), etc. He used a shoulder fake to cause a defensive back to lean the wrong way; alas, Kirk Cousins missed him with a high pass. Later, Grant fooled David Amersonwith a cut, creating five yards of separation (more on Amerson and Grant in a post later on the defense). Grant needs to do this because he's not explosive or big. But there is a spot for him.
  
  
• Tom Compton is working at left tackle with Trent Williams sidelined; he had some issues vs. Trent Murphy in protection that, if it were a real game, would have hurt the Redskins. Compton also worked at right guard with the second unit, something I've wondered in the past if he could do. I still don't know because these are non-contact situations. But the Redskins really need to see what Compton can do and if he can help at more than just tackle. If Morgan Moses is healthy this summer, then the Redskins have three tackles (Williams, Brandon Scherff). Compton must show more; he did not fare well at tackle.
  
  
• I've written this before, but it jumped out again: Rookie Matt Jones has excellent cutting ability for a guy his size. It's damn near impossible to get a good reading on running backs in these non-contact drills, so do not go overboard (but some will regardless). But I like Jones' ability to swerve through a narrow opening (can't always just run over people) with good cuts. It's something to watch this summer.
  
  
• Undrafted free-agent running back Trey Williams has excellent feet, and is able to make quick cuts. I saw this as a pass-catcher out of the backfield when he made Jackson Jeffcoat miss with one fake. But as we saw last summer withLache Seastrunk, it takes a lot more than a good cut to make a roster.
  
  
• Wrote about Josh LeRibeus at center last week, so I won't go into much detail. But I'll say this again: He moves well. I've seen him each of the past two open sessions do a good job of getting to the linebackers. The Redskins like his athleticism and if he shows he can play center, then it gives them even more options.
  
  
• Watched left tackle Willie Smith for a few plays Tuesday and their one-time undrafted player looked fine in protection. Liked his base and footwork on one rush vs. Trevardo Williams. Smith always had some athleticism, but the first time around here his fundamentals were inconsistent.
  
  
• C-ROADS , this is why compton could be in trouble and why we signed 2 tackles

good breakdown here

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Stymietee]

[QUOTE="Caliskinsfan, post: 6750893, member: 6312"[/QUOTE]

One of the big things that I remain consistent on is team identity. If that was the question right now, J. Gruden would be hard pressed to give a reasonable coherent answer as to what it is. Maybe SM's edit that this team will get bigger, stronger and more athletic signals a return to the historical NFC East style that made the division the most feared in football. My biggest fear is that Gruden's philosophy (whatever that is) is permanently based on his experiences in the Arena league and as an assistant on the Cincinnati Bengals.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

There is the possibility that Jay was simply trying out different things to see what the O could do.

Also it was his first year as a HC, there is a learning curve, hopefully we will see growth from all parties.

 

[Stymietee]

There is the possibility that Jay was simply trying out different things to see what the O could do.

Also it was his first year as a HC, there is a learning curve, hopefully we will see growth from all parties.

All real possibilities, hopefully you're right and that learning curve is not too steep.

 

[skinsdad62]

All real possibilities, hopefully you're right and that learning curve is not too steep.

well , it will be exposed early if it isnt . the problem could very well be gruden but i am more apt to give him a pass in year one /2 . but you have to see something too

 

[Caliskinsfan]

K....this was not a picture I thought I'd ever run into...