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John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

OTAs another step in Alex Smith's integration with Redskins

The road Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith has traveled to reach this point -- from struggling early in his career to a solid NFL starter now with his third franchise -- has certainly hardened him. He understands the NFL reality; he knows how quickly an NFL life can turn.

And his teammates say the knowledge gained from that understanding can help every Redskins player.

“He’s seen it all,” receiver Jamison Crowder said. “I really like that.”

As the Redskins start their OTA workouts this week, Smith will be front and center. The Redskins traded for him this offseason as they turned away from Kirk Cousins, their starter over the past three seasons. Smith has worked a bit with his new teammates in the early spring workouts. But this will be another step in their progression. On Wednesday, it’ll be the media’s first chance to watch Smith in a Redskins uniform.

The early impressions have been positive, as would be expected. Smith’s arrival is among the handful of changes for Washington, but it's clearly the biggest. The Redskins are optimistic about their offense for a variety of reasons aside from Smith, such as the additions of rookie running back Derrius Guice and speedy receiver Paul Richardson. The latter has impressed teammates in the spring workouts by showing he can do more than just run deep routes.

The Redskins also need a return to good health for most of their offensive line -- notably tackles Trent Williams and Morgan Moses -- and tight end Jordan Reed. All of that won’t be known until much later. This week also will be the first look at a defense the Redskins hope will be much better with the addition of first-round tackle Da'Ron Payne and the return of Jonathan Allen from injury.

Smith will be a big story, but the Redskins know their postseason fate won’t change if the run defense struggles yet again. They ranked last against the run in 2017. And they have finished 24th or worse for three straight seasons.

The Redskins knew Cousins well, having watched him grow from a fourth-round rookie into a quality starter who eventually commanded contract from the Minnesota Vikings that averages out at $28 million a year. Smith arrives as a proven veteran -- a 34-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick who has lived more NFL lives in one career than several players in theirs. He knows how to integrate to a new situation.

“The communication to this point has been really well,” Crowder said. “Not just with myself, but from him [with] all the other receivers, the communication to get on the same page has been easy to understand. I like that from him.”

Cousins worked his way into a leadership role, having to find his own way as a starter first. Smith arrives as a polished veteran, something even the rookies noticed.

“He’s a very smart guy, and he’s willing to help out the rookies,” Guice said. “He’s not one of those guys that, if a rookie messes up, is like, ‘Get him out of there.’ He’s willing to help you, work with you. And he has an arm on him. Yeah.”

Redskins tight end Vernon Davis played seven seasons with Smith in San Francisco. Davis knows what Smith adds, and he knows what others are seeing and will continue to see. The OTA sessions will provide the first real barometer for Smith with his new team.

“To have that presence in Alex, a guy who can come back and who has longevity, a guy who has played his heart out and knows how to be a leader,” Davis said, “that’s a great thing to have. Knowing that he’s with the Washington Redskins, it’s a big plus for us.”

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