Rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland is on a mission. He wants to make offenses reconsider throwing the ball anywhere near him.
But, at a position with perhaps the hardest transition, he knows that he needs to rely on some of the Redskins' veterans to help get him past a steep learning curve.
"It's been tough, but I've been competing every day," Breeland said. "It's nice to be working out here with the guys and the vets teaching me how to be a pro. It's a pretty good experience."
Standing at 5-foot-11, the former Clemson Tiger loves to play the game with a physical style similar to three-time Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall.
Constantly on Hall's map, Breeland has played understudy while he learns how to get himself ready both mentally and physically to be an elite cornerback.
"He is a very, very smart player," Breeland said of Hall. "He knows the game very well, and he's showing me how to be patient in my technique. He shows me how to study film and plays. He's guiding me through this process."
Being alone on an island isn't a concern for Breeland. In fact, he relishes the opportunity to challenge wide receivers.
"I like to press," he explained. "I like the man-to-man competition. I like to be physical and get in on the tackles. I think that's one of the best aspects of my game is the physicality."
Throughout training camp, Breeland has been on a crash course of sorts as he lines up against the likes of Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson and Santana Moss.
The trio has served reminder that you can't take plays off.
"They help me a lot, because you have to come in and compete and they can expose you," Breeland said. "They also teach you while competing against you at the same time."
While continuing to compete, Breeland wants to work on some of his weaknesses over the next few weeks so that when the regular season starts, he can jump right in without hesitation.
"I'm trying to work on my weaknesses," he said. "Off coverage and awareness. I want to be able to react quicker to certain scenarios of the game. That's what I'm working on as of now."
Five W's And One H
What is the story behind your Twitter handle (@Saluteme17)?
"I started that my sophomore year of college. My number was 17. I wanted to be that player where you get respect after you make a big play. It used to be @IShutDown17, but there's a big difference. I want to be that player where people say, 'Wow, you better watch out for No. 17. You better salute me. You better give me respect.'"
Who is your role model?"DeAngelo Hall. Also, EJ Biggers, Brandon Meriweather and Ryan Clark as well. I would say our veteran group in the secondary all have their times where they put their hands on me and teach me different things. They all have different teaching methods."
How has been a father changed your life?"When I had my daughter, I had her before my junior year of college. It made me want to focus. I'm not really out here playing for myself anymore. I'm out here playing for my daughter as well."
Where is the best place to eat around Clemson?
"I would say Mack's Diner. They have good pizza, hot dogs, burgers -- anything you want."
When does it hit you that you're going to be the receiver?"When I'm on his hip. If I'm on his hip and there's no separation between us, that's when I know I got him. He can't go anywhere. If I'm at the line and I still have my hands on him, I know he ain't going anywhere."
Why do you wear No. 26?"They gave me this when I got here. I was 17 when I was in high school, little league, college. When I got here, they gave me 26 and I ran with it."
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