Reed Doughty seems to be the perfect embodiment of what head coach Mike Shanahan -- and Redskins fans -- hope to see this season.

He's dedicated and embraces competition.

"I think this season is kind of marketed as a new era," Doughty said. "And it really has been a new era, just with the discipline with the team and everybody being accountable, that kind of thing. It gets you excited for the season."

Doughty's dedication is obvious to anyone who watched him at training camp. Along with the other safeties, Doughty regularly stays after practice to continue working on drills after the final whistle has blown.

"Practice is an opportunity, it's not an entitlement," Doughty said. "I try and get as much out of it as I can."

With Kareem Moore sidelined with a knee injury, Doughty could be in line for a starting assignment in Sunday's season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Moore's status is uncertain for the game. He did not practice on Wednesday.

During training camp, Doughty embraced competition with Moore for the free safety job.

"It's always a competition," the 5-year veteran said. "We're all going to try and make each other better and let the plays speak for who gets to be on the field."

Doughty is transitioning to playing free safety after primarily playing strong safety the last three seasons.

"I've been pretty versatile my whole career," he said. "I've played dime, I've played free and strong safety and I've started at both of those positions in the league before. I feel like this [defense] is just allowing both safeties to be more versatile."

Last year, Doughty posted a career-high 93 tackles, two sacks and his first career interception. He recorded the interception in Week 16 against Dallas and on the return he suffered a sprained knee that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

Now Doughty is excited to get ready for the regular season.

"I'm most excited to get back at it," he said. "The games are what we do, and it's what we live for."