Last week, Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams had an obscure analogy for a question regarding the performance of former Alabama wide receiver Cam Sims.
"I think what has happened is the free agent kid from Alabama threw a hand grenade in this thing," Williams said. "I think Sims has had a tremendous camp."
"I don't even know what that means to be honest," said Sims, who must have missed Williams' clarification. "I don't know, so I can't explain it! I hope it's a good thing and I'm going to continue doing the same thing."
That would serve both Sims and the Redskins well. The 6-foot-5 outside target returned to practice this week after nursing a thigh injury that prevented him from playing against the Broncos last Friday.
"Just getting back out there and going with my guys and stuff like that, it just feels great to be back out there," Sims said.
Still, in the Redskins' first two preseason games, Sims has impressed. Against the Patriots, he caught two passes for 74 yards and followed that up with three catches for 57 yards against the Jets at FedExField. Arguably his most impressive grab came against New York, when he secured the football between two defenders in the end zone, a play that was terminated thanks to a penalty at the line of scrimmage.
His performances, along with a strong training camp where he made more catches in traffic, have boosted his stock and separated him from the other young undrafted receivers.
"Cam from Day 1 kind of come in and made plays, I feel like," quarterback Alex Smith said. "I mean physically, he's a very gifted guy. He's made the most opportunities when he's been out there. Certainly, I think is a guy who I know in the quarterback room we feel comfortable about giving 50-50 balls to, giving him a chance to go make plays, and more often than not he's made us look good. You know, got a little sidetracked here and [Cam is] a little banged up, but nice to get him hopefully back out there because I think he's got a bright future."
Check out these photos of the Redskins' preparing for their Preseason Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, at the Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, for Sims. The Redskins will get a final look at him this Thursday against the Ravens in the final preseason game, and then the coaching staff will make decisions about shaving down the roster.
Head coach Jay Gruden noted on Tuesday that roster decisions aren't set in stone prior to Thursday, that players will still be evaluated, especially as it relates to special teams.
"A lot more," Sims said of what he wants to accomplish in Baltimore. "Just keep doing what I've been doing. Make more plays and make bigger plays.
"The only thing I can do is leave it all out on the field and hope for the best."
