ASHBURN, Va. -- Some highlights from the Washington Redskins' open locker room session Tuesday:

• Quarterback Robert Griffin III addressed a number of topics Tuesday, from coach Jay Gruden's comments about the jury still being out at the position (Griffin didn't take it negatively) to the benefits of him having played before the bye week ("We always want to have the best opportunity to win. It was time to get back out there," Griffin said.). We also talked to him about his taking a lot of sacks and his progression in that area. More later.

• Griffin also talked about the difference in turning around a 3-6 record two years ago compared to why they didn't last season. It was simple: Plays weren't made. He credited plays like the deep ball to Santana Moss in double coverage against Philadelphia -- the first win in the seven-game, season-ending stretch of 2012. "I didn't make that play, period, last year," Griffin said. "We had other things going on last year."

• Running back Roy Helu and his wife both cut their hair to donate to charity. Gone are his long locks. Yeah, I'll have more on this later, too.

• Safety Phillip Thomas talked about his return and said the coaches needed to see him healthy and looking like they guy they drafted. He lost weight, too (the weight he had put on while hurt).

• Yes, it was not a rowdy locker room and there were some jokes about keeping the noise down (including one from Gruden). Some of these issues have been going on for a little while.

• When receiver Leonard Hankerson returns, as of now don't look for the Redskins to cut receiver Aldrick Robinson (and probably not Moss, either). They have a surplus on defense with six corners now that Tracy Porter is healthy.

• For what it's worth, former Redskins offensive lineman Maurice Hurt was among 15 or so players who worked out for Washington Tuesday.