Gruden pointed to improved team chemistry as one accomplished mission. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
As the Washington Redskins packed up the moving trucks to flee training camp in Richmond, Va., first-year head coach Jay Gruden kept it positive, with one wink-grin suggestion for the locals.
“There’s not one complaint other than the roads were a little bumpy on the way over here. We got to fix the roads in Richmond, holy cow,” Gruden said. “I got a stiff neck riding in the car. Other than that, man, it was an awesome experience and something these guys really did (enjoy).”
Gruden and team president and general manager Bruce Allen pointed to improved team chemistry as one accomplished mission.
“I never want a media circus or anything like that,” Gruden said. “I don’t know what happened last year, I wasn’t here. I think it was pretty smooth. I think everybody’s on the same page as far as what we’re talking about, what we’re doing on the field. There’s no hidden agendas I don’t think. Hopefully that remains consistent throughout the season, not just in training camp. So moving forward, hopefully we can stay in that train of thought and mentality.”
Allen said Gruden brought the energy and “focus on today” mantra that made for a smoother ride in camp. Last year, head coach Mike Shanahan spent much of his time with the media discussing Robert Griffin III’s recovery from knee surgery and the handling of his January 2013 injury in a playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
This summer, Gruden was able to maximize the novelty of a new regime.
“I think Jay did an excellent job — him and his staff — of building that camaraderie,” Allen said. “We had spirited practices. There’s good competition on this football team right now and the work with the Patriots and the work that we got against ourselves hopefully is going to propel us this season. I don’t think there’s any doubt that we got better at camp. The key is to make sure we keep getting better when we get back up to Redskins Park.”
Up next for Gruden’s charges is a Monday night date with the Cleveland Browns.
“We haven’t looked at Cleveland yet. But, it’ll be an exciting event, Monday Night Football here,” Gruden said. “Of course my brother (ESPN announcer Jon Gruden) is coming so that’ll be fun, and Johnny Football. But really I want to make it more about our guys — how we perform, how we come out under the lights and the excitement, and show them what we can do.”
Gruden said among changes for the team this week will be eliminating nighttime meetings, sessions Allen described as “intense” given the position group powwows are a staple of Gruden’s daily improvement plan.
NOTES: Tight end Jordan Reed (illness) will return to practice Thursday, Gruden said, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (ankle) is expected to play Monday. … Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and wide receiver Santana Moss did not work out Tuesday, but Gruden said they received planned veteran off days. … A determination on the playing time plan for Washington’s starters will be made this weekend, Gruden said. … Keeping three quarterbacks, including Colt McCoy and Kirk Cousins behind Robert Griffin III, is an option the team is contemplating. Cincinnati kept only two quarterbacks on the active roster and one on the practice squad.
