Redskins rookie defensive backs look promising

Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

ASHBURN, Va. — A pass across the middle ricocheted off Washington Redskins undrafted receiver Jason Thompson's hands and rookie safety Bacarri Rambo raced in to pluck the deflection out of the air.

It was the second interception of the Redskins' final practice of their rookie minicamp.

Earlier in practice, fourth-round pick Phillip Thomas made leaping pickoff on the sideline.

And so a talented trio of Redskins ball hawks, including second-round cornerback David Amerson, stole the show Sunday.

Coach Mike Shanahan and his staff hope the turnovers continue come the regular season as Thomas, Rambo and Amerson looked as fast and athletic as advertised.

Just as noteworthy as the plays they made were the mental errors they avoided.

"That was very impressive to see our draft choices out there and to see their size and their quickness and their speed and things we were hoping for," Shanahan said. "Their ball skills were very evident out there the last few days. So it was a good practice."

The NFC East division winners won seven consecutive games after a 3-6 start last season. Shoring up the secondary was among the team's most glaring needs entering the draft last month. The Redskins pass defense ranked 30th in 2012 and was forced to play most of the season without strong safety Brandon Meriweather.

Thomas led the FBS last season with eight interceptions for Fresno State, where he collected 13 picks in three seasons.

Rambo, a sixth-round pick, had 16 interceptions in four years at Georgia, where he started 23 games at free safety and 13 at strong safety.

Amerson established a North Carolina State and ACC record with 13 interceptions in 2011. He got burned often last season when he gambled more frequently, "Just playing to get interceptions," Amerson said. Still, he finished his final season of college football with five interceptions and showed plenty of sticky coverage Sunday.

"Those guys, Phillip and Baccari had a lot of interceptions coming out of college," Amerson said. "Guys are a little more familiar with the defense after four practices and it showed today. It's motivation knowing the coaches have confidence in me. It makes you want to prove them right. I definitely plan on coming in and really trying to make a difference for the Redskins as far as turnovers and big plays. Period."

The Redskins finished with 21 interceptions last season, but middle linebacker London Fletcher led them with five and veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall led the secondary with four.

Shanahan said Thomas and Rambo can play both safety positions, which gives defensive coordinator Jim Haslett plenty of versatility since Thomas and Rambo are each considered strong blitzers. Shanahan noted both scored high in a pre-draft test the team administers to test "mental quickness, dedication, commitment."

Their ball-hawking skills certainly passed the eye test Sunday.

"I'm great at getting the ball when it's in the air," said Rambo. "This system is a lot like I played at Georgia. So it allowed me to play fast and it's just natural when I see the ball, I feel like I can get there and create turnovers."

Little brother off to running start: The small, boxy running back wearing a white jersey No. 38 had the familiar last name of "Morris" on his back. Sure enough, 5-8, 197-pound running back Shawn Morris, who rushed for 1,026 yards and nine touchdowns for Birmingham-Southern last season is the younger brother of 1,613-yard, 2012 sixth-round steal Alfred Morris.

"Same personality — he did a great job," Shanahan said of the younger Morris, who was brought in for a tryout. "I'm not sure if he's going to gain 1,600 yards this year. But hopefully, he's close."

Morris is 21 pounds lighter but a little shiftier than his brother.

"My favorite running back used to be Barry Sanders but my favorite now is Alfred Morris – doing what he did the past year is just crazy and awesome," the younger Morris said. "I'm excited about what he's going to continue to do.

"It just gives you hope considering Alfred was last on the depth chart as a fullback. He stuck it out until he showed some flashes of his talent in the preseason."

His brother went on to rush for 13 touchdowns and break Clinton Portis' single-season rushing record of 1,516 yards.

"My brother gave me some tips, telling me to look (running backs coach) Bobby Turner in the eye," Shawn Morris said. "I didn't make any mental errors and I made the plays I was supposed to. Being smaller, I'm a little more shifty than Alfred. But I definitely get downhill quick. I run a little faster than my brother. ... And we both run with crazy determination."

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Bacarri Rambo made the first interception of practice and Phillip Thomas made the second.