"We didn't have a lot of guys last year and we didn't miss a beat," Williams said, alluding to players such as linebacker LaVar Arrington, Mike Barrow and Matt Bowen, who finished the season on injured reserve. "The fact that all those others guys are getting healthy, we feel good about that."
Williams's intense style reminds Rogers of his college defensive coordinator, Gene Chizik. So Rogers hasn't been flustered by Williams's harangues. "I'm used to it, a coach that gets in your face and curses at you," Rogers said. "He's just trying to make the better side of you come out. He's a nice guy. He's not just a mean guy you see on the field."
Joe Gibbs collars assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams following the Redskins' win over Detroit.
(Jonathan Newton -- The Washington Post)
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When Rogers visited Redskins Park before the draft, Williams first asked the cornerback if he could withstand the tough love.
Williams said yesterday: "I believe that it's my job during the week of practice to provide as many distractions as possible so on Sunday it's routine. They almost like getting out there in the huddle and not being able to hear me.
"How do we get a chance to recognize how you handle stress? So part of the stress is handling me at practice. Today I ratcheted it up a little bit more on these young guys because we have to find out about them."
Rogers is behind Walter Harris, a nickel back last season, on the depth chart, and Williams's coaching history shows that his rookie defensive backs rarely start.
"If the best man is Carlos," Williams said, "then he'll" start.
Rogers said: "When my time comes, my time comes. I'm not pushing anything. I'm just trying to have fun and learn as much as I can."
Safety Sean Taylor bucked that trend last season, starting 13 games after coming off the bench in the first two. Taylor has disappointed the Redskins by being one of only three players to miss voluntary practices. Although Williams expressed frustration at Taylor's absence, the coach was effusive about his 6-3, 230-pound safety.
"I'm a Sean Taylor fan. I love the kid," Williams said. "He's such a joy to watch practice. He comes every day. There's not a down day. He's the best athlete I've ever coached, and there's been an awful lot of good athletes."
The Redskins didn't draft a pass-rushing defensive end despite losing out to the Denver Broncos last month for Courtney Brown, the injury-prone defensive end and top pick of the 2000 draft. One of Washington's goals during the offseason was landing a pass-rush specialist. But Williams hopes the strong cornerback play -- including Rogers -- once again helps out.
"We're always looking for those kind of players," Williams said of pass-rush specialists. "But people that have them don't let them go."
