A Snap-Shot Of Training Camp Competitions

With thousands of fans on hand for Fan Appreciation Day at Redskins Park, I took my up close view to try to capture some things the folks from the hill couldn’t see. Suited up in their full upper-body pads, it was the first day of full-contact practice.  No more slap and hug tackles, break out some ferocity: Wide receiver’s coach Keenan McCardell has his guys practice ball security. One receiver runs with the ball, while the other swats, strips and claws for the ball. Veterans Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth (second group from left) were paired together and really tested each other, both showing good skills at stripping the ball, and keeping it secure. At the other end of the field, running backs were working on catching passes, high and low.  Newly-acquired Tim Hightower shows his ups on this one from John Beck: It looked like a finger-tip grab that only “Clifford Franklin” in The Replacements could get. And in the field of their own, special teams coach...