ASHBURN, Va. (AP) - One of the biggest changes at Washington Redskins practices is the presence of new defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
His energy is inescapable.
If Barry, who replaced Jim Haslett in January, isn’t playing quarterback for linebackers during positional drills, he’s exhorting players before and after every snap of 11-on-11 work.
“That’s kind of my personality,” said the 44-year-old Barry, who had been San Diego’s linebackers coach the past three seasons after a two-year run as Detroit’s coordinator. “I’m very hands-on. I’m very enthusiastic. That’s the way I coach, but I’m kinda that way in the hallways during the day at work.
“That’s just who I am.”
The Redskins allowed the fourth-most points in 2014 and the third-most in 2013 while compiling a 7-25 record.
New general manager Scot McCloughan signed nose tackle linemen Terrance Knighton, end Stephen Paea, cornerback Chris Culliver, and safeties Dashon Goldson and Jeron Johnson to improve the defense, but Barry will also have an impact as he showed on the field during Wednesday’s organized team activities practice.
“He brings a lot of excitement; he’s super passionate about the game,” said reserve end Kedric Golston. “He has a vision of what he wants the defense to look like. We used to react, then attack. Now we’re attacking.”
There’s only so much attacking that can happen during the non-contact OTAs, but Barry, clad in a gray sweatshirt and black shorts, said he wants his players “to be physical with our effort.”
Second-year coach Jay Gruden, who worked with Barry in Tampa Bay from 2002-06, and McCloughan were willing to give Barry a second chance as a coordinator even though his defenses surrendered the NFL’s most points each season as the Lions went 7-25 in 2007-08.
Barry acknowledged he was concerned if he would ever get another shot at running a defense, but added, “I learned from that. I became a better coach walking out of that situation.”
Notes: Receiver DeSean Jackson was unapologetic about missing last week’s voluntary OTAs, saying he had personal business to handle. Gruden said that Jackson hasn’t missed a beat this week. . Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams didn’t practice because of a torn ligament in his left ankle that bothered him late last season. Williams, who has lost 20 pounds in hopes of avoiding surgery, might not be back in the lineup until training camp in late July. Tom Compton, who finished last year at right tackle, is filling in for Williams. The right side of the line is new with top draft choice Brandon Scherff at tackle and 2014 rookie Spencer Long at guard replacing Chris Chester, who was cut on May 27. . Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who took part in individual drills last week, had the day off as he continues to recover from last October’s pair of torn left Achilles. … Reserve inside linebacker Will Compton didn’t practice because of a sore groin.
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