Training camp observations: Redskins defense dominates two-minute drill

RICHMOND — The Washington Redskins concluded practice on Saturday like they normally do with a two-minute drill and after two plays the session was almost over.

The first-team began from the 25-yard line and their turn promptly ended when second-year cornerback Dashaun Phillips intercepted Kirk Cousins’ pass. Colt McCoy and the second team took the field and their turn ended just as fast. McCoy’s first pass, intended for wide receiver Rashad Ross, was tipped by cornerback Greg Toler and intercepted by rookie inside linebacker Su’a Cravens.

“I like that – ’turnovers’ – so I could be a negative guy and say, ’Our offense was awful,’ or I can be positive and say, ’Wow, what a defense!’” coach Jay Gruden said. “I chose to be ’What a defense!’… Wasn’t good enough by our offense today, by any stretch. We had some issues in protection today. Defense really got after us. Offensively, don’t like to ever see turnovers, but in practice we like to see our defense get turnovers.

“That’s what we’re trying to preach – getting your hands on the balls and turning the ball over, so I’m happy in that regard. That’s just a matter of how you look at it; is the glass half full? I’m going to be positive. Our defense played well today.”

Rookie quarterback Nate Sudfeld and the third team started the drill near midfield. He completed his first three passes to tight end Logan Paulsen and wide receiver Kendal Thompson. The third one was his best throw, as Sudfeld connected with Thompson, who made a diving catch for what would have likely been a 30-yard reception. The drive stalled near the goalline, though, and they were unable to score.

The first-team offense got another crack at it and Cousins connected with tight end Jordan Reed to end the drill successfully. Cousins squeezed the throw into a small window and Reed made the tough catch with strong safety Duke Ihenacho in tight coverage.

Here are some other observations from Saturday’s session:

** The Redskins took the field looking to shake off some of the sloppiness from their first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday. Gruden did say the team looked “a little sluggish,” whether it was from the heat or most of the backups playing a majority of the game on Thursday. During team drills, there were some blunders, such as an errant snap, in which Gruden bellowed, “It’s too late in camp for this [stuff]!” He did not say “stuff.”

** Toler has impressed throughout camp, so much that at one point Gruden said he was the “forgotten man” of the secondary. Along with the tipped pass in the two-minute drill, he made another strong play earlier in the team drills. In coverage against tight end Vernon Davis, Toler ran stride-for-stride with Davis on a deep route and tipped Colt McCoy’s pass to himself. The play happened on the opposite sideline, but it looked as if he secured the interception on his way to the ground.

** Spencer Long took all of the first-team snaps at center. Gruden said after practice that Kory Lichtensteiger was out with a “sore arm.” Long, who started at left guard all last season after Shawn Lauvao was injured, has been training at both positions since the offseason. He’s mostly taken the backup center reps and is competing with Lauvao for the starting left guard job.

** Other injury updates: Gruden said left tackle Trent Williams is expected to return to practice on Sunday. Williams did not play on Thursday against the Falcons. Williams did participate in some individual drills last Tuesday, but he has not participated in team drills since Aug. 4. Ty Nsekhe, who has been filling in for Williams and is a swing tackle, injured one of his knees in the two-minute drill. He stayed on the ground off to the side while the drill resumed, but eventually walked it off. After practice, he said he was OK. Wide receiver Maurice Harris, who was injured against the Falcons, said he rolled his left knee and will return on Sunday.

Tight end Jordan Reed and wide receiver Jamison Crowder, who did not play last Thursday, also returned to practice and were full participants.