Over the course of the team's two days of minicamp practices this week, rookie cornerback Lloyd Carrington had perhaps the play of the week on a one-handed interception.
If rookie college free agents want to stand out, particularly in offseason practices, they need to make spectacular plays that grab their teammates' and coaches' attention.
During the first practice of mandatory veteran minicamp this week, Redskins cornerback Lloyd Carrington did just that with a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone off rookie quarterback Mate Sudfeld.
After completing a full-body extension to grab the ball at the peak of his jump, Carrington came down cleanly with the ball before being mobbed by teammates, fellow college free agent signings and veterans alike, in celebration.
"Oh yeah, it [felt good]," Carrington told ESPN 980 this week. "You know, I just pay it out to hard work, dedication. Come now [I need to be] able to execute the techniques and the fundamentals being taught here by the coaches, and I'm just happy to have my opportunity to go out and show what I can do and help this team win."
Carrington signed with the Redskins on May 9 after a three-year career with the Arizona Sun Devils, totaling 136 career tackles (eight for loss) along with four sacks, three interceptions and two touchdowns in 40 career appearances.
Now in the NFL, Carrington said the on-field work hasn't been too difficult to adjust to, but his biggest transition has come in meetings.
"I was forewarned by my college coach as far as just the hours you will spend in the film room, because…college is a lot different," Carrington said. "But, you know, it's been an easy transition for me because I like to be a student of the game, and then just being surrounded by great players, like you said the Deangelo Halls and Josh Normans, and also the great coaching staff the Redskins have here."
Hall, of course, was one of the best cornerbacks over the last decade and a player Carrington looked up to growing up, while Norman is coming off an All-Pro season.
"Man, so many things," Carrington responded when asked what the two veterans have been teaching him. "A lot of things I would say just outside of football as well. Just being a man, a professional athlete and understanding really how to handle the things that come with holding this type of platform."
Carrington, 23, is one of nine cornerbacks on a roster that also includes Norman, rising star Bashaud Breeland and fellow rookie Jonathan Allen.
While he understands that he's got a difficult road ahead to make the final 53-man roster out of the preseason, Carrington wants to continue to make similar plays like the one that turned heads this week.
That comes with a confidence only the best cornerbacks possess.
"You have to go out there with a certain mentality and you have to play the game with a certain type of swagger," Carrington said. "Just being around those guys, it's the competitive nature you're surrounded by, and every guy on the team is competitive, so when it comes down to it, it's about making plays in big situations. You've got to do whatever helps fuel your fire."
