Points at a premium: Offense well ahead of the defense after 10 days of Redskins camp

‘O’ ahead of ‘D’ after 10 days of Redskins camp

ASHBURN, Va. —Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn took the microphone Saturday and gave an enthusiastic 5-minute speech to thousands who turned out for Fan Appreciation Day.

Nestled near the beginning were two sentences summing up the team on the 10th day of training camp: “We’re especially good right now, I think, on defense. We’re getting better on offense.”

That’s the polite way to say it. When examining the hits and misses of camp so far, it’s clear that one side of the ball is far, far ahead of the other. The defense continued to hold sway in the intrasquad scrimmage that followed, giving linebacker Rocky McIntosh reason to toss a ball from midfield deep into the crowd once the festivities were over.

“They didn’t get too much action from the offense today,” McIntosh said. “Good job to the defense, so I had to go out there and do something for them.”

The offensive players point out that the defense usually gets ahead early in camp because its schemes are less sophisticated. Also, this Redskins defense looks to be very good, with a unit that finished fourth in yards allowed in 2008 bolstered by the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo.

“In our practices, you don’t see a lot of people running free,” Zorn said.

Still, in the second year under Zorn’s offense, quarterback Jason Campbell was no doubt hoping to spent more time completing passes and less time worried about the health and stability of his offensive line and receivers. There have been more sacks, scrambles, throwaways and interceptions that any coach would like. Campbell’s first drive Saturday stalled in the red zone — a familiar sight from last year — and he threw an interception to end another drive.

“I think there’s a comfort zone on offense from the standpoint of knowing more of the offense,” Zorn said. “But probably the thing we need to work on most is our pass protection.”

So, with the first exhibition game looming with a short trip to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, here are the standouts — good and bad — from camp to date:

— ORAKPO: From the day he arrived at camp, the No. 13 overall pick from Texas has been the real deal, fitting in comfortably in his transition from defensive end to linebacker. He already looks and sounds like a veteran, showing no sign of rookie immaturity. He was fooled on a play-action pass during the scrimmage but otherwise had his way rushing the quarterback against backup offensive linemen. He and Haynesworth should be just the tonic for last year’s paltry sack and turnover tallies.

“This guy’s going to be pretty good,” veteran defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. “The first step, the quickness, the explosion.”

— JEREMY JARMON: This Kentucky rookie came from the supplemental draft, making him a bonus 2009 addition to an already stacked defensive line. He arrived well down on the depth chart, but he’s moving up and could challenge veterans Phillip Daniels and Wynn for playing time. Teammates are already envisioning Orakpo and Jarmon on the field at the same time, pressuring opposing quarterbacks in regular season games the way they did during Saturday’s scrimmage.

“That was one of the problems we had in our passing game — because those guys were so quick up the field,” Zorn said.

— COLT BRENNAN: Sure, he’s still the third-string quarterback, but he’s no longer the raw rookie of a year ago and has shown a willingness to be coached and adjust his game. With the quarterback position uncertain for 2010 — Campbell’s entering a contract year — Brennan’s future could get very interesting.

— THE OFFENSIVE LINE: The big disappointment of camp, a mixture of age and youth featuring the downsides of both. Left tackle Chris Samuels, 32, had fluid drained from his knee this week. Right guard Randy Thomas, 33, also has an aching knee. Right tackle was supposed to be a competition between Stephon Heyer and comeback player Mike Williams, but Williams has been inconsistent and has been sidelined with a groin injury. Heyer has a minor knee ailment, and another option at the position — Jeremy Bridges — sprained his right ankle during the scrimmage.

Asked what he hopes to see in the coming days, offensive line coach Joe Bugel said: “Some guys get healthy.”

NOTES: The only touchdown of the regular part of the scrimmage was scored on a scramble by fourth-string QB Chase Daniel. … Several veterans, such as RB Clinton Portis and Haynesworth, did not take part. Players nursing nagging injuries, including WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, also sat out. … K Dave Rayner went 3-for-3 from longer than 55 yards, while incumbent Shaun Suisham was 1-for-3, prompting fans to chant, “We want Rayner!.” … Best sign of the day: “No Vick. Just Soup … Campbell Soup.”