The tools are there, the familiarity with the NFL game will come. From wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard to Pierre Garçon, Jamison Crowder is trying to learn as much as possible early on in his tenure with the Redskins.
Speed. Quickness. Great hands. Fantastic route runner.
Check out these photos of Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder, the Redskins' 105th-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
All have been used to describe Redskins rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder, and all were displayed on Saturdays over the last few years.
But while he was the Blue Devils' top receiving target -- recording three straight 1,000-yard seasons en route to a career total of 3,641 yards and 23 touchdowns on 283 receptions -- he's now coming to an NFL team that includes Pierre Garçon, who holds the team record for receptions in a single season, and DeSean Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler.
As he competes alongside them and hopes their knowledge of the NFL game wears off on him, Crowder has tried to show early on during his first few weeks as a professional player that he'll put in the work on and off the field.
"I'm a guy that's going to be in the film room and study room learning the offense as quick as possible and come out here and make sure that I'm paying attention to my details," he told reporters at rookie minicamp. "Like I said, on the right cut and the right break and everything when I need to. I just want to show that I'm a competitor and a guy that can pick it up and learn the system quick."
While many envision Crowder as a potential slot receiver in the NFL, the 5-foot-8, 185 pounder says he's comfortable playing at several different positions, regardless of if it's outside or inside.
"Especially when you know what you're doing and you just have that confidence and I have that confidence," he said. "To this point I feel comfortable with the outside and inside."
This time of year can be difficult on rookie players, as there can be immense pressure to show they have the necessary skills to compete against the best players in the world.
While Crowder surely feels the need to perform at his best daily right now, wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard has reminded him of one important part of the game.
"Just going out there and having fun," Crowder said of what he's learned from Hilliard. "Not worrying about making mistakes. It's been a lot of information and a lot of stuff I've picked up on and I've handled it well to this point. Just going out there and playing fast, not thinking too much, just going out there and having fun and play."
A former NFL receiver who's been a wide receivers coach for the last six seasons with different teams in different leagues, Hilliard has also shown Crowder things in the film room he's picked up on over the years from watching players.
"Coach Ike has done a great job in the film room with helping the guys who came in and help pick up on the system and everything. My expectation was to come out here and just play and compete and make sure I pick up on the system as quick as possible."
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