Alex Smith at OTAs: ‘There has to be a sense of urgency’

ASHBURN — On just one play, the Redskins’ two major offseason acquisitions showed why they were brought in.

After dropping back to pass, quarterback Alex Smith threw deep — hitting receiver Paul Richardson for a pretty 45-yard-or-so completion. Using his elite speed, Richardson had blown by rookie cornerback Greg Stroman.

Off to the side, safety D.J. Swearinger talked trash.

“I want you to try that on a top dog,” Swearinger yelled to Richardson, who left the Seattle Seahawks to sign a five-year, $40 million deal with Washington in March.

Smith and Richardson will have to prove on game days they can be the Redskins’ next iconic quarterback-receiver tandem, but Wednesday’s practice was a glimpse of what the pairing could be capable of in the fall.

The Redskins had their second day of OTAs on Wednesday, with all but 10 of the team’s 90-man roster in uniform. The workouts are voluntary, but coaches and executives routinely consider attendance an indicator of a player’s commitment to the team.

Smith, on his third team in six years after being traded from the Kansas City Chiefs in March, said the workouts are also an opportunity to get to know teammates, put in the work and lead by example.

“Leadership isn’t just giving speeches and being loud and talking a lot,” Smith said, later adding, “It’s really just being yourself. I know guys respect work ethic and they respect the guys that are invested and committed, and for me, it’s really just doing that, right? Putting in the time, being myself, getting to know these guys.”

So far, so good.

Coach Jay Gruden raved about Smith’s “great” command in the huddle, and he was pleased with the signal-caller’s ability to quickly pick up the offense. Smith, of course, replaces Kirk Cousins, who departed for the Minnesota Vikings after his contract expired.

Smith represents a fresh start at the position for the Redskins, but he will be expected to produce immediately. The 33-year-old is coming off a career season and the Redskins — 7-9 and out of the playoffs last year — gave him a four-year, $71 million extension to sign.

Swearinger said he thinks Smith will help the Redskins take a step forward.

“He brings a game manager, definitely brings less turnovers for sure,” Swearinger said. “Only having five interceptions last year is something as a defender I love because I know I’m not going to be on the field the majority of the game because he’s going to manage the game. He’s a smart quarterback. He’s a leader. You can tell that seeing how he leads the guys and throws the ball around. He’s going to help us win for sure.”

Smith should be comfortable in Gruden’s West Coast offense after playing in a similar scheme under Andy Reid — “they’re all Latin-based languages,” Smith said — but there will be a learning curve.

Swearinger was ecstatic after cornerback Quinton Dunbar broke up a deep pass to Richardson. “Top dog!” he said.

“I don’t think you can rely on the fact that, ’Oh, it’s the first year here,’” Smith said. “Nobody cares. It’s not like in the fall, you guys are going to be like, ’Ah, well, this is the first year here. We’ll give him a break.’ It just doesn’t work that way. … We’ve got to go. There has to be a sense of urgency.”