Redskins' Jordan Reed gets more attention that he wants

ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed contributes plenty in the passing game. He is a matchup nightmare for opposing linebackers and defensive backs.

But there is one key aspect of his game that's become an issue this season: penalties. Reed is tied with right tackle Morgan Moses for the team lead with 10 penalties this season and that's even with two games missed (concussion).

Reed committed three penalties in the first half of Washington's 20-14 win over the New York Giants on Sunday -- two holding calls and an offensive pass interference. One of the holds short-circuited a Redskins drive that began at the Giants 26 after an interception. Washington settled for a 51-yard field-goal attempt, which was blocked.

"It's a matter of continuing to coach the fundamentals and (tight ends coach) Wes (Phillips) is doing a great job of that," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "And teaching him where his hands are and where they need to be and how to finish blocks. Those are going to happen from time to time at the tight end position when you're battling."

--Give Washington secondary coach Perry Fewell credit. He hasn't had a full deck of cards with that unit since the second day of training camp when Bashaud Breeland was both suspended one game by the NFL and sustained a knee injury. Within a week Fewell was begging coach Jay Gruden to lend him wide receiver Quinton Dunbar, an undrafted rookie with little chance of making the roster.

Well, Dunbar did make the practice squad. But as a cornerback. That's how impressive he was during camp with long arms on a 6-foot-2 frame. Sunday, he intercepted Eli Manning in the end zone to help the Redskins to a 20-14 win. Add in injuries to Chris Culliver (torn ligaments, right knee), now lost for the season, and DeAngelo Hall (plantar plate tear, right toe), and a disastrous start from former second-round pick David Amerson, and Fewell's group could have fallen apart.

Instead, veteran Will Blackmon was brought in and has provided a stabilizing presence, and young players like Dunbar and Deshazor Everett have held their own. Rookie Kyshoen Jarrett has been a jack-of-all trades bouncing between safety and nickel corner. Somehow, it's all worked.

"(Fewell is) not a big yell-at-you, in-your-face type guy. He's more of a great, fundamental teacher," Gruden said. "And when you have great teachers like that -- (defensive coordinator) Joe Barry does a good job -- it makes the transition from one position to another pretty smooth.

--Special teams continue to give the Redskins big plays even if it hasn't exactly led to wins. On Sunday, Andre Roberts became the latest to deliver a big play with his 99-yard kick return. Earlier this season, Rashad Ross also returned a kickoff for a touchdown. It is only the fourth time in franchise history it has had two or more kick returns for a touchdown in the same season.

"It's good to see some production. We've had two kickoff returns now, a blocked punt for a touchdown and they're doing well," Gruden said. "They're some things we can improve on, but for the most part our kicker (Dustin Hopkins) is doing well, (punter) Tress Way had a good day (Sunday). Special teams is going to be a pivotal part of our game in these close games coming up the next six weeks."

--Tight end Derek Carrier (sprained Achilles tendon, ankle) left Sunday's game against the New York Giants in the first quarter and did not return. He is listed as day-to-day.

--Cornerback Quinton Dunbar (dislocated left index finger) had the bone pop through the skin in Sunday's game against the New York Giants after diving to break up a pass. He saw a hand specialist on Monday, but will not need surgery. Dunbar is listed as day-to-day.

--Running back Chris Thompson (sprained AC joint) has been hard hit by injuries throughout his career. He returned to Sunday's game against the New York Giants, however, despite a shoulder injury. Thompson's nagging back injury is feeling better. He caught a pass for 9 yards and rushed for 7 on two carries.

--Quarterback Kirk Cousins' passer rating is 121.2 during Washington's five-game home winning streak at FedEx Field. Cousins completed 127-of-167 passes for 1,436 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions in the Redskins' five home games.

--Wide receiver DeSean Jackson caught a 63-yard touchdown pass against Carolina on Sunday. That gives him 23 touchdowns of 50 yards or more in his career, which moves him past Joey Galloway for fifth all time since the 1970 merger. Only three players have ever caught more touchdown passes of 60 yards or more than Jackson (19)