Healthy at last, Jordan Reed to have big impact

RICHMOND, Va. -- Entering his third NFL season, Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is yet to appear in a full 16-game campaign. 

He missed four of the first five games of 2014 with a left hamstring pull and a Week 12 contest with a right hamstring injury, before appearing in the team's final five games.

But he was all smiles as he reported for the first day of training camp on Thursday, saying he feels "great."

"I'm excited, man," he said. "My goal is to play all 16 games and help this team out."

He says his experience away from the field has taught him how to avoid injury in the future.

"What I learned these first two years is it's going to take a lot of maintenance and getting a lot of treatment, staying after and taking care of my body, listening to my body and focusing on playing my game," he said. "I feel like I can give a lot to the team if I'm out there every week. I can make some mismatch problems."

Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said as much when he spoke with reporters as camp opened. But he also showed concern for his injury history, and for what remains for to him to improve at his position.

"He's a big part of our offense when he's healthy," Gruden said. "We just gotta try and do a good job of making him healthy. He's gotta do a good job of maintaining his strength and point of attack blocking and all that, so he can be a well-rounded tight end. But as far as a pass-catching tight end, he's up there with the tops in the league. We just have to keep him healthy."

Pass catching has been Reed's strength during his short career. As a rookie, he made his mark on third-down plays, snagging an average of 11.1 yards per reception, compiling 45 catches for 499 yards and all three of his career touchdowns.

While his receiving ability and power remains largely unquestioned, Gruden added again that the issue that remains is for the Redskins to expand his skillset. That means improving his blocking. 

"He's a great weapon for us," Gruden said. "Keep him healthy. He's gotta continue to get better as a blocker, number one. But, as far as the passing game's concerned, he's a threat. No doubt. He can run the option routes, the choice routes on the inside. He can line up on the outside and create mismatch problems for safeties or linebackers."

Logan Paulsen is their best blocking tight end and Niles Paul put on 15 pounds in the offseason to prepare him for the task, as well. That extra blocking will serve to assist what Gruden and others have promised will be a more power-heavy run game behind Alfred Morris.

A new scheme coaches hope will give Robert Griffin III more time and confidence to establish himself in the pocket.

But first comes health. So much of the Redskins' offensive gameplan this season rests on Jordan Reed's ability to stay healthy. He's rehabbed his knee and hamstring all this offseason.

"I feel 100 percent," he said. "I'm ready to go."