It didn't take long for the Redskins to benefit from the brand new indoor practice facility, as thunderstorms drove fans and players for cover at Tuesday's practice.
The practice began like most others, with a team stretch and position-specific drills. The team then came together for one-on-one isolation drills between cornerbacks-receivers, linebackers-running backs/tight ends, and offensive-defensive linemen.
The drills were the most physical that we've seen so far in camp, as players wore pads for the third practice in a row. The physical hits were matched with the verbal exchanges, as unit camaraderie and competition is heating up in the roster.
Rookie running back Alfred Morris showed excellent cutting ability on two plays in full-team drills. In the first, Morris made something out of nothing by catching a ball in the flats, cutting to avoid the linebacker, and managing to get past the line of scrimmage.
On the second play, Morris took the handoff and disappeared into the trenches, re-emerging by cutting back against the grain and racing for daylight.
While Morris may not have break-away speed, he did break through for a 35-yard gain, before being escorted out of bounds by safety Jordan Bernstine.
The menacing storm clouds appeared about midway through practice, turning very quickly into rain drops and thunder.
A bolt of lightning not far from Redskins Park produced the clap of thunder necessary to send fans packing, and forced players to reconvene indoors.
Practice re-started with full-team drills and moved quickly into offensive drives. The first-string offense faced the first-string defense, and Robert Griffin III was unable to move the ball against a fired-up secondary.
On the ensuing Rex Grossman drive, receiver Anthony Armstrong was double-covered deep downfield, but split the safety and corner for a spectacular catch that left all three on the ground.
Two plays later, Grossman hit receiver Terrence Austin for a 10-yard catch and run for the touchdown.
Practice was capped off with a weather-controlled kicking competition, as Graham Gano and Neil Rackers worked back from 38 to 55 yards. Both kickers went five-for-six on the drive, with Gano nailing the long shots from 53 and 55 yards. Rackers was perfect up close, but missed from 53 and made it from 55.
One noticeable difference between the two kickers is the trajectory with which it comes off their foots. While Gano kicks a lower, line-drive kick, Rackers seems to sacrifice some distance for height.
Head coach Mike Shanahan has said that this competition will not play itself out until both kickers perform in preseason action.
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