Tweet
I'm hopping on the bandwagon here. I also want to remind everyone that the Redskins still have $45 million to hit the cap floor, and we all know how much the Skins like to spend in years past, and with various holes (interior line, nose tackle, linebacker, #2 corner, wide receiver quarterback) this could change.
EDIT: Besides doing a new list, I've also included reserves involved with the grades as well.
Quarterback: John Beck, D
Mike Shanahan really likes Beck, despite his poor body of work. Beck has received most of the reps to date in camp, has shown the confidence you want to see from a quarterback, but has not blown anyone away.
Quarterback Depth: D
Rex Grossman is in another year in this offensive system, dating back to his team with Kyle Shanahan in Houston. Grossman may very well push Beck out as starter, but isn't a much better option. Kellen Clemens is the third quarterback, but he won't challenge for that job. Suck For Luck 2011 can begin.
Runningback: Tim Hightower, B-
Hightower comes over in a trade from the Cardinals, where he scored five touchdowns and averaged 4.8 YPC last year. The Cardinals were in a similar situation- they struggled at quarterback and had next to no threat of a passing game (sans Larry Fitzgerald) and Hightower can work with that. He will also provide a solid set of hands out of the backfield as well. Hightower does have a tendency to fumble the football- five in the past two seasons- and will need to work on keeping the ball secure. If this is a problem early on, Helu or Torain will gain carries.
Runningback Depth: C+
Torain is a solid back, but is already out with a fractured hand. Another injury early in camp is not what he needed, especially with Hightower in tow. Rookie Roy Helu is a one-cut runner, perfect for this system, and he should get a few carries here and there. Shanahan will probably carry four backs, so expect Keiland Williams to be back.
Fullback: Mike Sellers, B+
Sellers is one of the leaders on the Redskins. He is a monster blocker, wants the football in short yardage situations and can catch the occasional pass out of the flat. He is up there in age.
Wide Receiver: Anthony Armstrong, B
Armstrong came from the Extreme Football League last season, and exploded onto the scene with 19.8 YPC and 44 receptions. As of right now, he is the #1 receiver but should really be the #2 on a good team.
Wide Receiver: Santana Moss, B+
Santana Moss had one of his best years to date last season, hauling in over 90 catches. He still has the speed and athleticism that makes him a deep threat, and the toughness to catch balls over the middle. Moss also excels when he is in open space. He will struggle when jammed at the line of scrimmage, but is still one of the better receivers in the league. The only problem is that he doesn't have anyone to throw to him this year.
Tight End: Chris Cooley, A-
Cooley doesn't get nearly as much credit for his ability to block, which has also affected his pass-catching statistics in recent seasons as Cooley has had to stay in to help the offensive line. He's one of the top tight ends in the league.
Wide Receiver Depth: C+
Jabar Gaffney is looking to stick as the slot receiver with the Redskins after a trade with the Broncos. Donte Stallworth is looking for an opportunity to resurrect his career in Washington- he still has his burning speed but with the rookies that Washington drafted, he may be on the outside looking in. Leonard Hankerson was drafted in the third round and is highly thought of. He has great hands, size and speed, but needs to work on his route running. Hankerson is who I think is the third receiver this year. Expect return man Brandon Banks to get on the field a few times for screens or reverses. At tight end, Fred Davis has shown the coaching staff that he is ready for more of a role in the offense. Expect the Redskins to run more two-tight end sets to get him involved more.
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, B+
In his first season in the NFL, Williams started from Day 1, proving his immense talent and athleticism. He needs to improve his work ethic to become more consistent and not rely solely on his talent when he's close to getting beat.
Left Guard: Kory Lichensteiger, C-
One player who Shanahan likes that I don't, Lichensteiger was a revolving door last season as a pass blocker. He's a solid zone blocking guard, who also can play center.
Center: Will Montgomery, C-
Even though Casey Rabach lost a step, he was a leader on the offensive line and knew how to call a game. Montgomery is a career backup getting a chance to start, but I worry about his ability to captain this unit.
Right Guard: Chris Chester, C+
Chester was solid depth for the Ravens, and now will get a chance to start with the Redskins. He has not played in a zone blocking system before, but coming out of college, Chester was known for his athleticism, which is a plus for him with the Redskins. He should fit in well.
Right Tackle: Jammal Brown, B
The Redskins brought back Jammal Brown a year after acquiring him from the Saints for a draft pick. Early reports are that Brown has full range of motion in his hip following labrum surgery last season. Provided he is healthy, this grade could go up to an A, as Brown, before his injury, was a top tackle in the league.
Offensive Line Depth: B
If any linemen go down, the Redskins likely won't skip a beat. They don't have the depth all around that Baltimore, New England or Pittsburgh have, but its a lot better than years past. Artis Hicks is a former starter at both guard and tackle, and the team recently brought in Shane Locklear to backup both tackle positions. Eric Cook has not received positive reviews from training camp, so if Montgomery needs to be replaced in the lineup, expect Lichensteiger to move to center and Hicks to play left guard.
Left End: Adam Carriker, B-
Carriker came on late last season in the 3-4, and proved enough to be penciled in as a starter on the offensive line. Hopefully Carriker can build on his successful 2010 season and hold down his starting spot and avoid injury
Nose Tackle: Barry Cofield, B+
Cofield comes from the rival Giants having never played the 3-4 nose tackle, but has the confidence and willingness to play there. Cofield is always a player I've liked for his work ethic and high motor- he should be a very good fit here in Washington and be a disrupting presence.
Right End: Stephen Bowen, B-
Bowen finally got a chance with the Cowboys because of injuries last season, and he did well to earn a five year contract with the Redskins. Bowen struggles at the point of attack against the run, but is a very good pass-rusher. Expect him to be on the field in passing downs, and rotated around during rushing downs.
Defensive Line Depth: B
2nd round draft pick Jarvis Jenkins is the exact opposite of Bowen- great against the run but is average against the pass. Expect him to get plenty of time in the rotation, and could also get time on the nose. Anthony Bryant is a solid nose tackle as a backup to Cofield. Kedric Golston is back on a one year deal, and will be another solid rotation player for the line.
Outside Linebacker: Brian Orakpo, A+
Orakpo is the Redskins franchise player and now is the face of the franchise, with 19.5 sacks in his first two seasons. He is one of the best pass rushers in the league and can rush standing up or on the line. He's slowly improving in coverage.
Inside Linebacker: Rocky McIntosh, C+
McIntosh is back on a one year deal. He's a solid tackler, and works well in the open field but he is not an ideal fit for the 3-4 defense, as he struggles to be physical against other players. As an inside linebacker in the 3-4, he's got to be physical as he will be taking on interior linemen.
Inside Linebacker: London Fletcher, A
Fletcher's made his second straight Pro Bowl, and showing few signs of slowing down in his mid 30's. Fletcher is the defensive captain, and perhaps the leader of this team.
Outside Linebacker: Ryan Kerrigan, B
Very hard worker, can stop the run and rush the passer and was very productive in a quality conference, earning 2010 Big 10 DPOY honors. Kerrigan is expected to start from the onset and be a huge help in the pass-rushing department and will benefit from Orakpo's presence on the opposite side.
Linebacker Depth: C+
Lorenzo Alexander is one of the leaders on the defense, and has experience playing all over the field as a linebacker, defensive lineman and offensive linemen. He's a key for the rotation is here. Perry Riley showed flashes on special teams last season, but McIntosh was brought back because he is not ready. HB Blades is a solid, tough player, but is a career backup.
Cornerback: DeAngelo Hall, B-
Hall is always a threat to create a turnover and plays with confidence. However, he gets burned quite a bit. The Redskins do ask him to do a lot of man coverage. The one problem with Hall is that he's always been a guy who has relied on his athletic talents to get by. He thrives on competition, wants to be lined up against the #1 receiver but has lapses in concentration and needs to put in more work to improve his technique. Hopefully, another year in the system will help.
Free Safety: OJ Otogwe, B+
One of the few free agent signings before the lockout took hold, Otogwe will perhaps form the best safety duo in the NFL along with LaRon Landry. Otogwe struggles at the point of contact, but he is a ballhawk and will create turnovers.
Strong Safety: LaRon Landry, A+
For the first eight weeks of the season, no one on the Redskins made more plays than Landry, as he was all over the field making stops. An injury cut short his season, and many had him pegged as a DPOY candidate. Landry is very aggressive in the box and is another linebacker on the field. Landry still struggles in pass coverage against receivers, but that weakness balances out with the Otogwe signing/
Cornerback: Josh Wilson, B
Watching Wilson with the Ravens last year, I was impressed with him. Wilson is on the small size, but does a great job at creating turnovers. He is a great athlete but sometimes uses that talent as a crutch for when he gets beat. Overall, great player and he should help with the man coverage that the Redskins want to do.
Secondary Depth: B+
Kevin Barnes has received rave reviews from everyone involved in camp, and some even speculated he could push Wilson for the starting job. Barnes has the size that both Wilson and Hall lack, and should be a great nickel corner this season. Philip Buchanon returns for another year, and will be suspended for four games. Chris Horton, Kareem Moore and Reed Doughty are all veteran players for this team and each have experience starting when various injuries have struck the secondary over the past few seasons.
Special Teams: B
The Redskins have a kicker competition on their hands with Graham Gano dueling Shayne Graham. Graham has an 86% career field goal percentage and could push Gano out. Sav Rocca has come in to handle punting duties, but I would love the see the Redskins invest in both of those positions long-term. Brandon Banks has a future as a return man in the NFL, but has to prove he is healthy following a knee injury and being a shooting victim in the off-season. The Redskins do have one of the best special teams coaches in Danny Smith as well, and the coverage teams always perform well.
Overall, I think the Redskins have a very good defense. They will be on the field quite a bit though. There is talent throughout the team, but they will only go as far as Beck (or Grossman) can carry them- for better or for worse. I am betting that it is for worse this year. As I mentioned before, the motto of this team (at least from a fan perspective) is going to be "Suck for Luck." The team is still going in a positive direction- lets just hope that Daniel Snyder will let Shanahan and Allen finish it.
EDIT: Besides doing a new list, I've also included reserves involved with the grades as well.
Quarterback: John Beck, D
Mike Shanahan really likes Beck, despite his poor body of work. Beck has received most of the reps to date in camp, has shown the confidence you want to see from a quarterback, but has not blown anyone away.
Quarterback Depth: D
Rex Grossman is in another year in this offensive system, dating back to his team with Kyle Shanahan in Houston. Grossman may very well push Beck out as starter, but isn't a much better option. Kellen Clemens is the third quarterback, but he won't challenge for that job. Suck For Luck 2011 can begin.
Runningback: Tim Hightower, B-
Hightower comes over in a trade from the Cardinals, where he scored five touchdowns and averaged 4.8 YPC last year. The Cardinals were in a similar situation- they struggled at quarterback and had next to no threat of a passing game (sans Larry Fitzgerald) and Hightower can work with that. He will also provide a solid set of hands out of the backfield as well. Hightower does have a tendency to fumble the football- five in the past two seasons- and will need to work on keeping the ball secure. If this is a problem early on, Helu or Torain will gain carries.
Runningback Depth: C+
Torain is a solid back, but is already out with a fractured hand. Another injury early in camp is not what he needed, especially with Hightower in tow. Rookie Roy Helu is a one-cut runner, perfect for this system, and he should get a few carries here and there. Shanahan will probably carry four backs, so expect Keiland Williams to be back.
Fullback: Mike Sellers, B+
Sellers is one of the leaders on the Redskins. He is a monster blocker, wants the football in short yardage situations and can catch the occasional pass out of the flat. He is up there in age.
Wide Receiver: Anthony Armstrong, B
Armstrong came from the Extreme Football League last season, and exploded onto the scene with 19.8 YPC and 44 receptions. As of right now, he is the #1 receiver but should really be the #2 on a good team.
Wide Receiver: Santana Moss, B+
Santana Moss had one of his best years to date last season, hauling in over 90 catches. He still has the speed and athleticism that makes him a deep threat, and the toughness to catch balls over the middle. Moss also excels when he is in open space. He will struggle when jammed at the line of scrimmage, but is still one of the better receivers in the league. The only problem is that he doesn't have anyone to throw to him this year.
Tight End: Chris Cooley, A-
Cooley doesn't get nearly as much credit for his ability to block, which has also affected his pass-catching statistics in recent seasons as Cooley has had to stay in to help the offensive line. He's one of the top tight ends in the league.
Wide Receiver Depth: C+
Jabar Gaffney is looking to stick as the slot receiver with the Redskins after a trade with the Broncos. Donte Stallworth is looking for an opportunity to resurrect his career in Washington- he still has his burning speed but with the rookies that Washington drafted, he may be on the outside looking in. Leonard Hankerson was drafted in the third round and is highly thought of. He has great hands, size and speed, but needs to work on his route running. Hankerson is who I think is the third receiver this year. Expect return man Brandon Banks to get on the field a few times for screens or reverses. At tight end, Fred Davis has shown the coaching staff that he is ready for more of a role in the offense. Expect the Redskins to run more two-tight end sets to get him involved more.
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, B+
In his first season in the NFL, Williams started from Day 1, proving his immense talent and athleticism. He needs to improve his work ethic to become more consistent and not rely solely on his talent when he's close to getting beat.
Left Guard: Kory Lichensteiger, C-
One player who Shanahan likes that I don't, Lichensteiger was a revolving door last season as a pass blocker. He's a solid zone blocking guard, who also can play center.
Center: Will Montgomery, C-
Even though Casey Rabach lost a step, he was a leader on the offensive line and knew how to call a game. Montgomery is a career backup getting a chance to start, but I worry about his ability to captain this unit.
Right Guard: Chris Chester, C+
Chester was solid depth for the Ravens, and now will get a chance to start with the Redskins. He has not played in a zone blocking system before, but coming out of college, Chester was known for his athleticism, which is a plus for him with the Redskins. He should fit in well.
Right Tackle: Jammal Brown, B
The Redskins brought back Jammal Brown a year after acquiring him from the Saints for a draft pick. Early reports are that Brown has full range of motion in his hip following labrum surgery last season. Provided he is healthy, this grade could go up to an A, as Brown, before his injury, was a top tackle in the league.
Offensive Line Depth: B
If any linemen go down, the Redskins likely won't skip a beat. They don't have the depth all around that Baltimore, New England or Pittsburgh have, but its a lot better than years past. Artis Hicks is a former starter at both guard and tackle, and the team recently brought in Shane Locklear to backup both tackle positions. Eric Cook has not received positive reviews from training camp, so if Montgomery needs to be replaced in the lineup, expect Lichensteiger to move to center and Hicks to play left guard.
Left End: Adam Carriker, B-
Carriker came on late last season in the 3-4, and proved enough to be penciled in as a starter on the offensive line. Hopefully Carriker can build on his successful 2010 season and hold down his starting spot and avoid injury
Nose Tackle: Barry Cofield, B+
Cofield comes from the rival Giants having never played the 3-4 nose tackle, but has the confidence and willingness to play there. Cofield is always a player I've liked for his work ethic and high motor- he should be a very good fit here in Washington and be a disrupting presence.
Right End: Stephen Bowen, B-
Bowen finally got a chance with the Cowboys because of injuries last season, and he did well to earn a five year contract with the Redskins. Bowen struggles at the point of attack against the run, but is a very good pass-rusher. Expect him to be on the field in passing downs, and rotated around during rushing downs.
Defensive Line Depth: B
2nd round draft pick Jarvis Jenkins is the exact opposite of Bowen- great against the run but is average against the pass. Expect him to get plenty of time in the rotation, and could also get time on the nose. Anthony Bryant is a solid nose tackle as a backup to Cofield. Kedric Golston is back on a one year deal, and will be another solid rotation player for the line.
Outside Linebacker: Brian Orakpo, A+
Orakpo is the Redskins franchise player and now is the face of the franchise, with 19.5 sacks in his first two seasons. He is one of the best pass rushers in the league and can rush standing up or on the line. He's slowly improving in coverage.
Inside Linebacker: Rocky McIntosh, C+
McIntosh is back on a one year deal. He's a solid tackler, and works well in the open field but he is not an ideal fit for the 3-4 defense, as he struggles to be physical against other players. As an inside linebacker in the 3-4, he's got to be physical as he will be taking on interior linemen.
Inside Linebacker: London Fletcher, A
Fletcher's made his second straight Pro Bowl, and showing few signs of slowing down in his mid 30's. Fletcher is the defensive captain, and perhaps the leader of this team.
Outside Linebacker: Ryan Kerrigan, B
Very hard worker, can stop the run and rush the passer and was very productive in a quality conference, earning 2010 Big 10 DPOY honors. Kerrigan is expected to start from the onset and be a huge help in the pass-rushing department and will benefit from Orakpo's presence on the opposite side.
Linebacker Depth: C+
Lorenzo Alexander is one of the leaders on the defense, and has experience playing all over the field as a linebacker, defensive lineman and offensive linemen. He's a key for the rotation is here. Perry Riley showed flashes on special teams last season, but McIntosh was brought back because he is not ready. HB Blades is a solid, tough player, but is a career backup.
Cornerback: DeAngelo Hall, B-
Hall is always a threat to create a turnover and plays with confidence. However, he gets burned quite a bit. The Redskins do ask him to do a lot of man coverage. The one problem with Hall is that he's always been a guy who has relied on his athletic talents to get by. He thrives on competition, wants to be lined up against the #1 receiver but has lapses in concentration and needs to put in more work to improve his technique. Hopefully, another year in the system will help.
Free Safety: OJ Otogwe, B+
One of the few free agent signings before the lockout took hold, Otogwe will perhaps form the best safety duo in the NFL along with LaRon Landry. Otogwe struggles at the point of contact, but he is a ballhawk and will create turnovers.
Strong Safety: LaRon Landry, A+
For the first eight weeks of the season, no one on the Redskins made more plays than Landry, as he was all over the field making stops. An injury cut short his season, and many had him pegged as a DPOY candidate. Landry is very aggressive in the box and is another linebacker on the field. Landry still struggles in pass coverage against receivers, but that weakness balances out with the Otogwe signing/
Cornerback: Josh Wilson, B
Watching Wilson with the Ravens last year, I was impressed with him. Wilson is on the small size, but does a great job at creating turnovers. He is a great athlete but sometimes uses that talent as a crutch for when he gets beat. Overall, great player and he should help with the man coverage that the Redskins want to do.
Secondary Depth: B+
Kevin Barnes has received rave reviews from everyone involved in camp, and some even speculated he could push Wilson for the starting job. Barnes has the size that both Wilson and Hall lack, and should be a great nickel corner this season. Philip Buchanon returns for another year, and will be suspended for four games. Chris Horton, Kareem Moore and Reed Doughty are all veteran players for this team and each have experience starting when various injuries have struck the secondary over the past few seasons.
Special Teams: B
The Redskins have a kicker competition on their hands with Graham Gano dueling Shayne Graham. Graham has an 86% career field goal percentage and could push Gano out. Sav Rocca has come in to handle punting duties, but I would love the see the Redskins invest in both of those positions long-term. Brandon Banks has a future as a return man in the NFL, but has to prove he is healthy following a knee injury and being a shooting victim in the off-season. The Redskins do have one of the best special teams coaches in Danny Smith as well, and the coverage teams always perform well.
Overall, I think the Redskins have a very good defense. They will be on the field quite a bit though. There is talent throughout the team, but they will only go as far as Beck (or Grossman) can carry them- for better or for worse. I am betting that it is for worse this year. As I mentioned before, the motto of this team (at least from a fan perspective) is going to be "Suck for Luck." The team is still going in a positive direction- lets just hope that Daniel Snyder will let Shanahan and Allen finish it.
Comment