- The Washington Times - Friday, November 11, 2016

Early on in his Washington Redskin career, rookie linebacker Su’a Cravens has been primarily used as a pass rusher, but with each game and each play, Cravens commanded more and more playing time.

Cravens is capable of contributing in multiple facets of a defense. Cravens has been an effective pass rusher, already with one sack in six games. He’s proven he is capable within the pass defense, already with an interception on the year.

And that makes Cravens a valuable piece, and, if needed, Cravens has the capability to play multiple positions.

“We have different packages, we have different ways [to get Cravens on the field],” Redskins’ defensive coordinator Joe Barry said. “Absolutely, it’s always a good thing when you’ve got a number of productive players that you can get on the field at the same time.”

Cravens’ growth was initially stunted with a concussion that kept him out for two games. That’s valuable time for a young player.

“You know, that concussion was a little bit of a setback for him,” Barry said. “You’ve heard me stand up here before — with any player, but especially with young players, especially guys that are as young as 21 years old like he is, he needs to play. He needs to practice. He needs every single rep. So it was a little bit of a setback.”

But the time away from the game allowed Cravens to focus on the mental aspect of football. Cravens said that, while he wasn’t directly on the field during those two weeks, that time provided him time to learn how to improve his game off of the field.

“Just because you’re not on the field doesn’t mean you’re no longer a football player,” Cravens said. “I mean, I know it doesn’t define me, but a part of being a professional is being one on and off the field, and I’m learning that.”

Cravens has learned a lot in his young career. Drafted with the Redskins’ second-round pick in this year’s draft out of USC, Cravens has brought a bit of intensity and speed to the defense. Cravens has often referred to the importance of playing physical on defense.

Cravens’ locker is situated right beside fellow linebacker Mason Foster, who, as a Washington alum, is in a bit of an ongoing bicker with Cravens. Washington, ranked No. 4 in college football, is set to take on Cravens’ USC this weekend. Cravens makes sure to take the time during his interview to back his Trojans, but at the cost of playfully dodging a ball of tape thrown at him by Foster.

Cravens smiles. It’s a moment away from the field where Cravens can enjoy himself. But once the helmet is on his head, his pencil is at the ready in the film room or the headphones start beating in his ears in the weight room, it’s game time.

“He loves football,” Barry said. “He loves working at it. He loves practicing. I’m very excited about him. I think he’s got an incredibly bright future just because he’s a really good football player, but he’s a football player that likes football, he likes to work at it. He wants to get better. He’s going to force himself to get better.”

Cravens himself has grown a bit more comfortable on the field with each growing game. He understands that he will, naturally, be prone to more mistakes due to his inexperience. But with his full understanding of his role, he’ll make up for those mistakes in other ways.

“Obviously, I’m a rookie and I’m going to make my mistakes, but I think I make plays when I have the opportunity to,” Cravens said. “I know my playbook, so I think I’m getting a little more comfortable out there with a lot more on my plate.”

To judge the importance of Cravens’ versatility, you need to look no further than the Redskins’ current secondary situation. With safeties DeAngelo Hall and David Bruton Jr. already on the injured reserve list, and both Will Blackmon (thumb) and Duke Ihenacho (concussion) dealing with injuries (though both are just questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings), Cravens may be relied on to play a bit at the safety position.

“You know, we always could throw Su’a in multiple places,” Barry said of the possibility of Cravens at safety. “So I think that’s a potential, absolutely.”

For a young playmaker to already be relied on in such a manner, Cravens already plays an important role on the team.

• Tommy Chalk can be reached at tchalk@washingtontimes.com.

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