Redskins 2014 in RVA: Day 2....

The weather cleared, the sun was bright and the work was no-frills and serious as the Washington Redskins took the field Friday morning for their second full practice at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center. It was only their second appearance on the turf since yesterday's afternoon walk-through was cancelled shortly before severe weather came through the Richmond area.

Attendance was down from last year's second day morning session, a sign that new head coach Jay Gruden's decision to hold full practice in the morning earlier than last year's morning walk-through sessions, and not in the late afternoon may have an effect on overall attendance, but it is too soon to tell how Redskins fans will adjust to this and make their plans to visit accordingly.

Robert Griffin III was on full display during drills and 7-on-7's, showing no ill effects of the knee which captured all the attention in RVA last summer. There is also no knee brace.

Dozens of high school football coaches from across the Commonwealth were in attendance for morning practice, including new Patrick Henry head coach Bryan Davis and assistant Dan McGraw, for the Washington Redskins High School Coaches Clinic, sponsored by the Redskins Charitable Foundation.

Guest speakers discussed areas of improvement coaches can make with their student-athletes in nutrition, conditioning and performance. The main speaker was none other than head coach Jay Gruden's rather famous brother, Jon Gruden, who won a Super Bowl as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 and is now an ESPN NFL analyst, most notably the color commentator on Monday Night Football.

In his usual fiery, upbeat tone, Gruden pronounced Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel as having the quickest release of any quarterback he's ever seen, noted he coached high school football after being fired by Tampa Bay, and discussed the critical importance of earning the effort of your players. He earned a rousing standing ovation for his presentation.

Gruden is an ambassador to high school football across the nation in his travels with ESPN, according to Redskins President Bruce Allen.

See a complete wrap-up of the Coaches Clinic, and full coverage of the Redskins in Richmond in the next edition of the Hanover Herald-Progress!

Gruden Becomes 27th Head Coach in Redskins History.....

Multiple media sources, including NFL Network, report today that Jay Gruden, current offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, a one-time player/coach in the Arena Football League, and brother of former Tampa Bay head coach, and Super Bowl champion Jon Gruden, now an ESPN Analyst on "Monday Night Football", has been hired as Mike Shanahan's replacement to become head coach of the Washington Redskins.

Reports say the decision was finalized last night and Gruden could be introduced as head coach as early as this afternoon.

Gruden guided the Cincinnati offense, with young stars like A.J. Green and Andy Dalton, to three playoff appearances and one AFC North division title in his three seasons in the Queen City.

Speculation now begins on who will comprise his coaching staff.  The bigger question already being asked his how Gruden will get along and utilize franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III.

The relationship between Shanahan and RGIII had always been a backstory during their two-year tenure together in Washington after Griffin was selected with the #2 pick overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.  Adding to the mystery was Griffin's knee injury at the end of his rookie season. The subsequent rehab became the #1 story overshadowing the first-ever Redskins Training Camp in Richmond last summer at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

We won't know for one hundred percent certain how Gruden will affect the day-to-day operations of training camp in RVA, which attracted over 165,000 visits over three and one-half weeks, generating some $10.5 million of economic activity to the region according to a report released Monday by the City of Richmond, until the Redskins prepare to arrive in the Capital City in late July.