The Redskin Report

That was quick…. the very first practice of the year (and only an 80 minute practice) and we’ve already lost a starter for the year.  Worse, it’s not in a position where there is starting quality depth; it’s in our known area of need, the Defensive line with PhilipDaniels going down with an ACL.  That’s bad, folks, as Daniels represented the best DE option that we had in proven players.  Adding insult to injury, Alex Buzbee, special teams ace and one of the few backup DEs, also went down in the afternoon practice; word’s still out at this time what the injury is, but it can’t be good to have two DE out of 7 in our weakest position on the field (at least in theory) go down in the first day of camp.  However, there is a certain DE that’s been actively talked about for the last six months that reportedly has some talent down in Miami; he’d be the epitome of a “rent-a-player” though as he’s saying he’s going to be one-and-done.  That could, of course, change if the Redskins make some kind of serious move towards a Superbowl, and look to have a serious shot next year (everyone wants a ring… the possibility of one could keep Taylor on the team an extra year, perhaps), but Jason Taylor would otherwise be a DE just cashing a paycheck this year.

The three receiver second round is looking like it might have been a very dangerous gamble.  While no single player should ever be considered the difference between a playoff team and a cellar-dweller, the loss of two very good starters (Daniels and the late Sean Taylor) and possibly losing two for significant parts of the season (and face it, with the early schedule, even the first three games count as very significant) with Macintosh and Rogers means that we will have only at most 7 of the 11 players on the field who as recently as October we would have projected as our starters.  While DE Erasmus James may turn out to be our DE savior, his professional history, his injury history, and the fact he may still not be ready to play at the beginning of the season does not bode well.  Minnesota probably just guaranteed that they’ll have our 7th rounder next year, though.  And Miami might have just secured our 3rd.  Both because of one player’s injury.  Makes you think about what Daniels actually means to this team.