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Redskins Look Stronger but Huge QB Question Remains
The 2010-11 Washington Redskins finished with a 6-10 record.
Its quite possible that the 2011-12 Washington Redskins don’t finish any better, but even without an improvement in wins it may end up being the turning point that Redskins fans have long awaited.
This isn’t your Vinny Cerrato Redskins. There are nine guys from 2011 draft alone on this years roster, during the Cerrato reign it would take three drafts to even draft nine guys. Add in Willie Smith, an undrafted free agent, and the team has ten first year players on the roster. There are 25 players on the opening day roster with less than three years of experience in the NFL.
The Redskins actually have some depth, particularly at running back, wide receiver and linebacker. There are still a few soft spots on the roster, defensive tackle is thin beyond Barry Cofield and the interior offensive line positions could use help, but this is a much deeper team than in recent years.
The defense will be better than last year. The players remaining on the roster are more accustom to the 3-4 and Ryan Kerrigan should provide a 2nd pass rusher that the team lacked last year. You’d expect an improved special teams season as Rocca should be better than the awfulness of the 2010 punting carousel and Gano will either improve or find himself on the street quickly.
But despite those improvements, its all going to come down to Rex Grossman at the QB position. This team should be able to run with anyone (assuming Kyle Shanahan doesn’t abandon the run as quickly as he tended to last year in his play calling). There are a billion receivers still on the roster and seeing as the 2010 season opened with Joey Galloway as a starter, its an improved bunch. Even if Chris Cooley can’t go, Fred Davis is a capable tight end and the line should at least be reasonable. But can Grossman deliver?
When evaluating the Redskins QBs in 2011 most analysts seems to forget that the 2010 QB play wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire. Donovan McNabb had more interceptions than touchdown passes last year. Grossman doesn’t have to be Drew Brees to be an upgrade over McNabb’s 2010. But if the Redskins want to be in the playoff hunt this season, Grossman is going to have to play better than he did in his last starting gig way back in 2006. Grossman isn’t going to be an elite QB, but the two most recent QBs to lead the Redskins to the playoffs were Todd Collins and Mark Brunell. You don’t need a superstar to make the playoffs if the other aspects of your team are strong, but you do need someone decent.
So that is all we ask of you Rex Grossman – be decent. If he can deliver that maybe 6-10 can turn into 9-7 and a shot at a playoff spot.
Off Season Champs no More, Redskins shop Smart
Its the NFL free agent season and the Redskins have avoided the headlines.
While our friends up the I-95 have collected big names and garnered praise (and my does it sound awfully familiar), the Redskins have avoided the big names and giant contracts focusing instead on building some depth for a roster that was lacking after years of front office foolishness. All the problems can’t be fixed in one year, but Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan are building an actual NFL roster which should pay dividends in the future
With most of the big moves complete, let’s take a quick run down of the roster (offense today, defense/special teams later):
Quarterback
The three QBs who will break camp with the team are pretty well decided (assuming they decide to keep three QBs). John Beck, Rex Grossman and Kellen Clemens were pretty well assured of a roster spot from the moment they showed up at Redskin Park. Beck and Grossman are battling for the number one job and the team is hoping for a miracle that one suddenly become a decent NFL starter. Only Beck is signed beyond this season and none of the three are making much above the minimum salary, so the Redskins are clearly hedging their bets going forward.
Running Back
The Redskins added Tim Hightower from Arizona in a trade for Vonnie Holliday to compete with Ryan Torain for the starting job. Hightower didn’t cost much (Holliday was likely not in the plans as the team gets younger) and has had some decent years in Arizona. Shanahan has shown the ability to find running backs who can fit into his system so whichever back ends up winning the job will likely put up numbers. Draft picks Roy Helu and Evan Royster, along with holdover Keiland Williams are likely battling for the 3rd running back spot, although it wouldn’t be a complete shocker if one of the young guys wins the job outright.
Fullback
Early reports from camp have Mike Sellers getting a lot of work at tight end, we’ll have to see if that means the team no longer wants to use him as a fullback or if they are just adding versatility to his game remains to be seen. If Sellers is no longer the fullback, Darryl Young would appear to be the favorite for the role although Keiland Williams has also been seeing time as a fullback early in camp.
Wide Receiver
The Redskins added a boat load of receivers in the 1st few days after the lockout ended which raised eyebrows but they were cheap veterans who could easily be cut if they don’t perform in camp. Based on last year’s number you’d expect Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney to start with Anthony Armstrong as the 3rd WR/designated deep threat. Gaffney was acquired in a trade for a guy who was unlikely to make the roster so its not beyond the realm of possibilities that he is cut. Donte Stallworth was signed to a one year deal would appear to be battling with Armstrong for the deep threat role.
It will be interesting to see how many WR’s make the roster. Brandon Banks electrified as a return man last year prior to hurting his knee and would seem to have the inside position for one spot, but the knee continues to be an issue and he could be replaced. The team drafted Leonard Hankerson in the 3rd round so it seems unlikely he’d be cut. Niles Paul is the likely return man if Banks can’t get healthy or has lost a step. Aldrick Robinson is another speedster who will have to earn a role but may be destined for a practice squad spot. Malcolm Kelly is injured again and looks like another wasted Cerrato draft pick.
Tight End
Chris Cooley hasn’t done much of anything to date in camp due to injury that doesn’t sound serious. Fred Davis has looked sharped early in camp and would be the starter if Cooley can’t go. Mike Sellers, Logan Paulsen and undrafted FA Joe Torchia would be battling for the 3rd TE spot. Sellers’ special team play would appear to give him the edge at this point, but the team may decide to go young.
There has been talk among fans about trading Cooley but I suspect the return would be no better than a 4th round pick which would make him more valuable to the Redskins than what they could acquire in a trade.
Offensive Line
There will be at least two new starters this season on the offensive line. Long time center Casey Rabach was cut and will be replaced by Will Montgomery (who started at guard toward the end of last year). Montgomery’s guard spot will be filled with free agent signee Chris Chester who joins the Redskins from Baltimore. Chester wasn’t great in Baltimore but Shanahan expects him to excel in the zone blocking scheme that he runs. With Jammal Brown resigned both starting tackles from last year will return. Shanahan did learn his lesson last year and just today signed Sean Locklear to back-up at tackle (no more Stephen Heyer!). Kory Lichtensteiger returns as a starting guard. Artis Hicks is the veteran among the many players competing for depth spots.
Eagles Load Up…
Stable environment and winning = attractiveness = Philly. memo to owners…Hire coach and keep awhile. Change inept GM’s!!less than a minute ago via web 
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DaveRazzano
Not that the sentiment in that tweet isn’t right… but somehow I don’t think stability and a winning environment were being credited when the Redskins would land the top free agents each year.