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Washington Redskins capsule

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (9-8)

OPEN CAMP: July 28, Richmond, Virginia

LAST YEAR: When QB Kirk Cousins found his groove, Redskins won three consecutive games late in season to clinch NFC East. Cousins threw for 300 yards in all three victories to get Washington to playoffs, where it lost to Green Bay in NFC wild-card round.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: CB Josh Norman, TE Vernon Davis, S David Bruton Jr., rookie WR Josh Doctson, rookie LB Su'a Cravens.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Alfred Morris, DT Terrance Knighton, FS Dashon Goldson, DE Jason Hatcher, QB Robert Griffin III.

CAMP NEEDS: Without another NFL team coming in for joint practices, Redskins' new-look defense must come together with Cousins and Co. as main competition. Integrating Norman and Bruton is job on defensive end, while offense needs to figure out whether Matt Jones can be every-down running back. After shoring up passing game, they may look to get Jones some help.

EXPECTATIONS: On paper, Washington is better than last season, when it surprisingly won NFC East, but this season hinges on remade defense and Cousins' progress. Redskins will face first-place instead of last-place schedule. Cousins will be motivated to prove he deserves long-term deal while playing on franchise tag.

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