RICHMOND — Unlike the regular season, when the Washington Redskins develop a game plan for their opponent early in the week, the preparations for Thursday’s preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons won’t begin until at least Tuesday.
Coach Jay Gruden and his staff favor a more simple approach so that they can get a strong evaluation of second- and third-team players, which can be difficult to do during training camp practices.
Still, there was a heightened energy from players during Sunday’s practice as the first preseason game approaches, especially from the rookies and those battling for roster spots.
“It’s exciting,” said rookie defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis, who was selected in the fifth round. “There’s a little bit of nerves there, but truthfully I’m just excited to get out there and showcase what we’ve been working on. This is going to be great, my first time suiting up and playing professional ball for real. I can’t wait to get out there. You grow up thinking about it and now it’s just time to do it.”
The biggest emphasis in the preseason is limiting the mental mistakes, which can be challenging for rookies learning a new system and transitioning to the speed of the professional game.
“That’s a huge part of it when you’re young,” Ioannidis said. “How quickly you pick up the playbook, how coachable you are and I think those are two things that will take you a long way.”
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Other players, such as outside linebacker Lynden Trail, have been through this process before and are looking to improve a second time around. Signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, Trail was waived last September with an injury settlement. A month later, he signed to the Redskins’ practice squad, was released and then brought back in November.
After spending those two stints on the practice squad, Trail is looking to make a better impression in the preseason. After Junior Galette tore his right Achilles tendon there’s a big opportunity for Trail, who is competing with Houston Bates and Willie Jefferson for a roster spot as a backup outside linebacker.
Trail is conscious not to put pressure on himself to do too much, which he said was something he failed to do last season when he signed with the Texans.
“For the most part, I’m just trying to show up on special teams first and foremost and then when it’s time to get my number called, go in on defense and just do my job and a little bit more than that,” Trail said. “This time around, I’m just going to try and keep it simple. I felt like last year I did too much. Coming from college I was used to making all the plays. You’ve got to trust the guys around you and trust they’ll do their job at the end of the day.”
The most significant game for the starters is the third week of the preseason, which serves as a final dress rehearsal before the regular season.
That said, veteran starters such as defensive end Chris Baker and wide receiver Pierre Garcon still appreciate the reps, although they are limited for starters in the first two games.
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“Without a question, people are getting anxious to really get out there and show the coaches what you can do,” Baker said. “You just want to go out there and get better and take advantage of as many reps as you get. You want to be able to look good and be able to communicate all the different calls you’re going to have throughout the season so they’re important reps for us, too.”
Garcon, who’s entering his ninth season, said often times the preseason is “very vanilla,” but that it’s the best opportunity to get back into the physical mindset that’s mostly absent in organized team activities and training camp.
“It’s easy to maximize the reps, because you just stick to your jobs and keys whether it’s a running play or passing play,” Garcon said. “You’ve just got to do your job regardless, because they don’t know what we’re calling. We’re out here playing football, can’t get bored of doing the little things right.”
RICHMOND — Trent Williams worked his usual slow walk Sunday afternoon at Redskins training camp. Even when he has felt well, Williams moves at a tortoise pace, hiding his all-pro level athleticism.
Sunday’s casual stroll was part tradition, part soreness induced. The Redskins’ left tackle participated in individual drills but not teamwide work because of a sore knee. Williams had missed the prior two practices.
“[Trent] did a little bit more today,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. ” We’ll gradually progress him until he’s ready to roll, which is very, very close.”
Wide receiver Jamison Crowder was moving at a faster speed, though he was doing so alongside a trainer. The second-year wide receiver jogged the length of the end zone, testing his sore hamstring. He did not practice.
“He’s going to be close to Atlanta [on Thursday],” Gruden said. “And if not Atlanta, maybe the following week. But, he’s not far away.”
Rookie wide receiver Reggie Diggs, who played at Richmond, left practice because of a sore knee which was bothering him prior.
• Anthony Gulizia can be reached at agulizia@washingtontimes.com.
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