Capable of playing both defensive end positions and even some nose tackle, Ziggy Hood has produced quite a bit of attention for himself with his play while in Richmond.
It was a signing that didn't exactly move the needle for the Redskins, but defensive end Ziggy Hood has continued to impress Washington's coaching staff since joning the team.
Check out images of defensive lineman Ziggy Hood during his first few months with the Washington Redskins.
Added to the roster on Feb. 2, Hood has "really showed up" over the course of the Redskins' training camp at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center in Richmond, Va.
"He really caught our eye initially in one-on-one pass-rushing drills," Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said. "He comes from Pittsburgh, ran a lot of two-gap systems back there when he played for the Steelers when he was very effective there, so we weren't really sure how he was with the up-the-field rushes there, but he's been very effective. The ability for him with the size and strength that he has to play all three spots is exciting. Ziggy has definitely showed up. He's been one of the brightest spots in camp."
Hood originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009.
In his five seasons with the Steelers, Hood was as consistent as they come along the defensive line, appearing in all 80 regular season games.
The Missouri product collected three sacks three different times and set a personal best for tackles in 2011 with 42.
After the 2013 season, Hood signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but injuries got the best of him. Released last October, Hood would catch on with the Chicago Bears for two games before being let go yet again.
While it was a tough dose of reality in today's NFL, Hood believes that what he learned while in Pittsburgh can be applied in Washington. That may include some reps at nose tackle.
"The good thing about my first five years at Pittsburgh is that we learned how to stop the run," Hood said. "And really know the two gaps, so playing nose is familiar because I had the chance to play a little bit when I was at Pittsburgh. Not as much [as defensive end], though, but I was kind of familiar with it. There's a few things I still got to pick up, clean up and make sure I get straightened up but other than that I'm doing okay."
Expected to be a part of the team's defensive line rotation in 2016, Gruden is confident Hood can be an impact player for the Redskins.
"What you're looking for in defensive linemen, you obviously want them to be sound in their run game, but you want to see guys show up," Gruden said. "He's disruptive. He's a smart football player who has played a lot of football. Like I said, he just shows up and does a good job."
