Redskins HC Mike Shanahan and OC Kyle Shanahan addressed the media following OTA practice on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Redskins Park.
Quick Hits With Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett:
On his impressions of the three rookie defensive backs selected in the 2013 NFL Draft:
"I like what I see. Obviously, there's a lot of teaching that's involved and a lot of learning, but I think things are starting to click in for all three of them. I think all three of them are going to be good football players… We've kind of worked them in. We worked David [Amerson] in with the ones and Bacarri [Rambo] more than Phillip [Thomas] because Phillip missed a week. I think all three of them are coming along very well."
On if anything about Amerson has surprised him:
"I don't think anything has surprised us. He is very knowledgeable and he understands the game. He is a guy that spends a lot of time in the office, so David hasn't really surprised us with anything. I like what I see with him. I think he's going to be a good player."
On if it will take through preseason before he knows his starters at safety:
"It all depends on what happens with Brandon and we'll see how that plays out."
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--Check out the full Jim Haslett press conference transcript.
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Quick Hits With Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan:
On if it has been tough to coordinate without Robert Griffin III this offseason:
"No, it's not tough to coordinate. I mean you do the same stuff. You work everybody no matter who's in there, doesn't matter what quarterback is in there – we're really working the same plays and everything. You do some plays more with one guy than the others, but you're still working with all of them. The thing that's frustrating is you know your eventually you are going to play with them and you'd like to work with them and practice with them, but you can't do that. So it's part of the injury and you've just got to wait and be patient and get ready when he comes back."
On limiting Griffin III's exposure to injury:
"When you think about last year, we've got to get better at coaching certain things, as I think we did throughout last year, situations on how you can account for the free hitters when you don't have a man for that player and when the only guy who's not accounted for is the middle third safety about 30 yards away. I think we got better at that as the year went. The last game we struggled with that would about Cincinnati, which I think was about Week 4. But as far as that stuff, I think some of the zone read stuff is the least he got hit. It's the scrambles and stuff like that where, when guys aren't blocked and stuff, there's seven guys in coverage who are coming at him from all directions going airborne to hit somebody. Those are the times when I really get worried."
On quarterback Kirk Cousins commanding the huddle:
"Kirk's a very good leader. It comes pretty natural for him. He's very A-type personality. I mean when he's in there, he's about his business and he can push that tempo fast. He calls the plays well. He gets along with everybody, but also he jokes around a lot too. Guys laugh at him. He's always himself. He's not going to change for anybody and I think guys really enjoy being around him."
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--Check out the full Kyle Shanahan press conference transcript.
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Quick Hits With Head Coach Mike Shanahan:
On if he is anxious for quarterback Robert Griffin III to make the final step in his recovery to return:
"I think the one thing you have to understand – with all the number of guys we have got out there that are hurt – you don't know when they will be back, you really don't. And what you do is you have to focus on the guys that are playing. I think if you do that, then you've got a chance when somebody is well to fit them back in and go full speed. You're trying to really concentrate on the guys that are able to practice or able to play. I want all those guys back hopefully healthy. I think, like we talked about yesterday, the majority of them will be back, maybe a couple won't. But, you keep your fingers crossed and you're hoping guys get well, but if not, the game goes on."
On the schedule for the coaching staff over the next six weeks:
"I try to get the coaching staff, get 'em out of here. They've been hitting it hard for a while. And when you go, at the end of the season it really kind of starts your organization with free agency, the draft and all the film that is involved, going through these minicamps. I want them [to] recharge themselves and once we come back on that Monday on the 22nd [July 22], they'll be ready to go. We'll go to Richmond and get started."
On the players' schedule and staying in shape before training camp:
"Well, players have got to keep in shape. We've been working for the last nine weeks and the reason why we've been working the last nine weeks is to get yourself back to football shape. For the players, they have to be very disciplined over the next five weeks to stay in shape. And if they cut out at all what they've been doing then the chances of you doing something special once the season starts are very slim. So the emphasis here for the players over the next five, six weeks is to stay in shape. The people that do have injuries will be getting treatment. Hopefully our players come back to Richmond and are in better shape when they come back than they are right now."
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--Check out the full Mike Shanahan press conference transcript.
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