Redskins 2008 53 Man Roster - Prediction

The Washington Redskins kick off the regular season in about 4 weeks. The guys on the fringe have a lot of time left to get noticed, so this can change, especially if there is an injury. Here is my prediction of the 53 man roster when the Washington Redskins walk into the Meadowlands on September 4th and give the NY Giants a beat down.

Quarterback

Campbell, Jason
Collins, Todd
Brennan, Colt

Running Back

Portis, Clinton
Betts, Ladell
Cartwright, Rock

Fullback
Sellers, Mike

Wide Receiver

Moss, Santana
Randle El, Antwaan
Thrash, James
Thomas, Devin
Kelly, Malcolm
McMullen, Billy

Tight End
Cooley, Chris
Davis, Fred
Yoder, Todd

Offensive Line
Rabach, Casey

Samuels, Chris
Jansen, Jon
Thomas, Randy
Kendall, Pete
Heyer, Stephon
Fabini, Jason
Wade, Todd
Rinehart, Chad

Defensive Tackle
Griffin, Cornelius
Golston, Kedric
Montgomery, Anthony
Alexander, Lorenzo
Boschetti, Ryan
Defensive End

Taylor, Jason

Carter, Andre
Evans, Demetric
Wilson, Chris
James, Erasmus (PUP List)

Linebackers
Fletcher, London
Washington, Marcus
McIntosh, Rocky
Blades, H.B.
Campbell, Khary
Sinclair, Matt

Safety

Landry, LaRon

Doughty, Reed

Fox, Vernon

Horton, Chris

Moore, Kareem
Corner Back
Springs, Shawn
Smoot, Fred

Rogers, Carlos
Torrence, Leigh
Tryon, Justin

Kicker
Suisham, Shaun

Punter
Brooks, Durant
Long Snapper
Albright, Ethan

Jim Zorn may decide to keep two fullbacks, and if that is the case you may see Nehemiah Broughton take a roster spot from an aging offensive lineman. Either Fabini or Wade could be out since most teams usually only carry eight linemen. But, I think Broughton will end up on the practice squad if he is still eligible for it.

The safety position really scares me. Who would have thought that this time last year when the late great Sean Taylor was teaming up with LaRon Landry to form one of the greatest tandems ever seen? If Landry gets dinged up from his wild man play then you're looking at a pretty big step down. Blache has indicated they will keep five safeties, and including the two rookies Moore and Horton, that's all they have.

The defensive end position looks good. Jason Taylor and Andre Carter are getting a ton of rest this training camp and should be ready to roll come September 4th. Demetric Evans will rotate in on some downs, while Chris Wilson is strictly a back up pass rusher. Erasmus James is still hurt, so he will be on the PUP list until October and will not count against the roster until then.

A lot of people love Marcus Mason and he has looked good so far this camp. But you have to be real here. You have three very capable running backs on the roster ahead of him. Having four running backs is a luxury and that one extra spot could be used at a position with more need, like the defensive line or linebacker. Mason will likely end up on the practice squad again.

Well, that's my take. There is plenty of time for people to play well, play poor, and get hurt. So it will be interesting to see how this looks in four weeks. But, I would not mind heading into the regular season with the roster above....pretty solid in my opinion.

Hail.

Washington Redskins Cut Adam Archuleta 2.0

Phew...that was quick. Adam Archuleta, err, Stuart Schweigert was cut yesterday afternoon by the Washington Redskins.

I saw this news come across the wire about 6:30 pm yesterday...and didn't think much of it until today. Then I realized how close the Redskins were to Archuleta Redux. No, not the huge contract, but the possibility of a malcontent.

You see, the Washington Redskins have put themselves in a bind in the past. They sign a guy to a huge contract, it doesn't work out, then the player gets unhappy. The only problem is that crazy huge contract makes it almost impossible to part ways the moment things go sour.

Not in this case. Stuart Schweigert was a decent safety in Oakland and he had a decent shot at making the Redskins roster even though the Skins drafted Kareem Moore and Chris Horton late in the 2008 draft. Enter Sunday...Chris Horton had a great game (for a rookie) and Schweigert didn't show up. If you factor in the practices the writing is on the wall. After two weeks of training camp Horton improved (and impressed) and Schweigert didn't. Two men enter, one man leave.

You see, the Redskins are learning. No huge bonuses being thrown around, no draft picks wasted, and most importantly no time wasted at another players expense. Another player as in, Moore and/or Horton. Those guys will only benefit from the departure of Schweigert. Go back to 2006, when Archuleta was on the Skins roster. That was also the year Pierson Prioleau blew out his knee and the year we drafted Reed Doughty. You can't help but imagine how much more Doughty would have learned/improved had Archuleta been released the moment the Skins realized he wouldn't fit in. Or, the long shots Antuan Edwards, Ben Emanuel, or Mike Rumph...maybe they "could have" had just that much more attention from coaches to make a difference.

Maybe Kareem Moore and Chris Horton make the team in 2008, maybe they don't. But, by the Redskins releasing Stuart Schweigert they will have a better chance not only making the team, but to learn more in the coming weeks. That's how you grow your team through the draft.

Hail.

James Thrash is 3rd Redskins WR, Others fight for 6th spot

Redskins Insider reported Washington Redskins veteran wide receiver James Thrash has the third wide receiver spot locked down. This isn't surprising since rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly are both injured, but what is clear is that it appears likely Thrash will make this squad.

There was some speculation earlier in the year that a youth movement may be underway in the Redskins receiving corps. But it looks like the special teams stud, Thrash, will remain and may even contribute to the offense while Thomas and Kelly heal and try to catch up on what they missed.

The following will definitely make the team:

Santana Moss
Antwaan Randle El
James Thrash
Devin Thomas
Malcolm Kelly

These dudes are on the bubble, with likely one spot left on the roster:

Anthony Mix
Billy McMullen
Horace Grant
Burl Toler
Maurice Mann

My bet is on McMullen. I was a fan of Mix, but a lot of drops early in training camp followed by an injury may have given McMullen an advantage.

The other dudes are too raw in my opinion, but you never know.

Besides, does the 6th wide receiver really matter? Sure depth is good, but Campbell already has many options when he drops back (Moss, Randle El, Cooley, Davis, Portis, Sellers).

Redskins Training Camp - Friday (Day 6)

The parking lot was completely filled by 8:45...by far the biggest turn out so far. I can imagine what tomorrow's Fan Appreciation Day will be like...been there, done that. Great to go to it if you're a kid....but I feel bad for the parents and others that become a herd screaming for autographs in 90+ degree heat. I personally leave FAD for the younger ones that are up and coming Skins fans.

Redskins Training Camp Fans - View from the 50

Practice was very similar to the previous ones...the players start off in their usual position drills. D-Line in the left far field, LB's and DB's in the middle of the far field, O-Line on the right far field, RB's on the left of the front field, and the QB's and Receivers on the right of the front field.

Just like yesterday, a lot of the players did drills that focused on technique, and where to go (blocking, routes, etc.). Again, a lot of passing...running backs, tight ends, and obviously the wide receivers were catching a lot of passes. Campbell is continuing to look good. Here's some things I noticed from Fridays practice:

• Justin Tryon (#20) looks really good, the guy is smallish but covers well and is quick. Definitely making this squad. He makes the younger receivers look bad, and hangs with the vets when he covers them.

• Anthony Mix (#19) is inconsistent. I was pulling for him due to his past with Jason Campbell, but a lot of passes thrown to him have ended up on the ground. But every now and then he pulls in a great catch. I think he's better in redzone and goal-line drills due to his height, but so is Malcolm Kelly (#12).

• Jason Taylor (#55) was lining up on the right a lot today, with Andre Carter (#99) on the left. They collapse the pocket very quickly and Campbell and Collins seem hurried when those two are bull rushing. I think Greg Blache will be alternating them to throw off offenses. I also saw Taylor leading a little more today, he had a bunch of defensive players bunched up and was telling them what to do.

• Ladell Betts (#46)got dinged up on a running play. The Skins are doing full contact 11 0n 11 drills and the crunching hits are echoing on the field. Betts went up the middle and cut left only to end up at the bottom of a pile of burgundy jerseys. He was slow getting up, and was hesitant about walking for a moment, then the trainers helped him off the field...he remained on the sideline.

• Derek Devine (#2) has looked pretty decent in his QB3 competition with Colt Brennan. It has been said that Jim Zorn brought Devine to the Redskins from Seattle, and Colt Brennan was Vinny Cerrato's pick...will be interesting to see who wins.
  

• Chris Cooley (#47) and Fred Davis (#86) catch everything. A lot of stuff in thrown to them in the middle, so it looks like Zorn purposely wants them matched up against linebackers...which they should have an advantage.

• Demetric Evans (#92) continues to have a good camp. He lined up on the left, and batted a Todd Collins pass to the ground. Great depth guy that can sub for Carter or Taylor. He's got a baby face but the dude is big.
  

• Stephon Heyer (#74) was lining up at LT as Samuels backup and was holding his own. Dude is big.

• Fred Smoot (#27), Shawn Springs (#24), and Carlos Rogers (#22) have all been practicing and look good. Along with Justin Tryon (#20), we could have a solid CB stable heading into the season. Knock on wood.

Random pictures from Washington Redskins Training Camp (Day 6)

Redskins Training Camp - Thursday (Day 5)

I swung by training camp on the way to work. So far, I've gone Sunday, Tues, and Thurs. The largest crowd was today by far. I guess not many wanted to come out in Sunday's heat, or Tuesday's storm.

As usual the defense was on the far field, the O-line was out there too in their usual corner with Buges, the offense was on the front stage for the fans to Ooh and Ahh over, and the kickers....ahh, screw the kickers...they were somewhere I am sure.

The first part of practice is all drills. Mostly about formations and where to go for any particular play and working on technique. For a first time head coach it seems Zorn has this really organized...surprisingly organized.

Defense
So, the defense, the veterans really get it easy...I saw Jason Taylor and Andre Carter taking it easier than the others...still working, just not as much. A couple drills involved chasing each other around a big hoop and then hitting a bunch of dummies while running and dive tackling the last one. Demetric Evans was getting a lot of work, and he seems to have a lot more swagger than years past. Overall, the D-Line seems to have good camaraderie and the size and speed of Carter/Taylor makes you envision Tony Romo's head crammed up his a** for a safety come September 28th.

Redskins Defense

O-Line
The O-Line looked like they were getting mostly technique work...slow motion footwork and hand placement drills conducted by Buges. Like the D-Line, the vets didn't work as much and I noticed Jon Jansen, Casey Rabach, and Randy Thomas taking a knee in the shade of the trees. Probably thinking about Jansen's RV.

Jansen, Rabach, Thomas loungin'

Offense
The offense skill positions were another story. Zorn & Co. worked the hell out of them...they were moving from one drill to another with constant rotations of players. Jason Campbell looked rusty on Sunday, but improved Tuesday, and by today he was slinging the ball accurately with zip. Cooley continues to have a good camp as usual, and Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El have looked better than last years camp. The thing that stands out the most are the Rookies...Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, and Fred Davis all have very good hands. They're also very fast....or quick is a better way to describe it, and they use smart moves to get open in space. There is a ton of passing going on in this training camp....more than Gibbs 2.0 and even more than Spurrier's camps. And get this...the running game has opened up too...I have seen a lot of runs for decent gains this camp...courtesy of Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts, Mike Sellers, and Rock Cartwright. And...they all have been catching passes out of the backfield too!

11 on 11 drills

Good luck defending this offense...it's looking really good only 5 days into camp.

Hit of the Day: London Fletcher knocked the shit out of Ladell Betts...but Betts held onto the ball.

Catch of the Day: As I mentioned, there were a lot of them...some nice corner end zone catches by Devin Thomas, Randel El, Moss...all looking good. Sellers has been catching a lot too...and Fred Davis has continues to impress.

Pass of the Day: Jason Campbell on 11-11 drills threaded the ball to Chris Cooley in traffic and in stride...Cooley cut the second he caught the ball and ran up the middle of the field for what would have been a long gain if it were a game

Jim Zorn's Z-Shades

I plan on getting to Friday's practice a little earlier to get a better spot and more details.

Redskins Injury Bug Bites Devin Thomas

Wow, I just left practice towards the end, looked like it was winding down. Turns out that Rookie WR Devin Thomas hurt his hammy according to this AP report and Redskins Insider. Hopefully he is ok, and it's just a minor tweak.

Devin Thomas has looked relly good so far in camp. I haven't seen him drop as pass at any of the practices I've gone to, and his burst/acceleration is impressive. The guy can cut quickly too, often gaining separation from the CB.

Thomas was the Redskins first pick in the 2008 NFL draft. He has seen a lot of reps during training camp and has rotated with the first string offense through camp.

Hope everything is going to be ok for #11.

Phillip Daniels Injury

I stopped by Redskins Park Sunday (start of camp) to see the Zorn era kick off. Unfortunately, Phillip Daniels blew his knee out right in front of me that day. I was only about 15 yards away but I was using my binocs to get a perspective of details. With my binocs I could see Daniels lay on the ground in pain as trainers delicately maneuvered his left knee as if it was a ball of dough. I then saw Dan Snyder walk up to investigate, he placed his hand on his forehead as if he was shocked, upset, and also thinking what to do next...all in one motion. He turned around, took a few steps, then turned back to Daniels and observed. Then, Cornelius Griffin walked up to Daniels as he remained on the ground...peeked his head over the kneeling trainers...and quietly turned around and approached Andre Carter. I'll never forget the look on Griffin's face as his lips mouthed "It's his knee". Andre continued towards Daniels, kneeled down and said something to him, then allowed the trainers to continue their work. The Cart then arrived. I have never seen a huge athletic person have so much trouble getting off the ground...then need the assistance of two men (half his size) to help him walk 3 feet to The Cart.

A fan to my left asked his friend, "How bad do you think it is? Out for the preseason?", his friend replied, "Career ending". After seeing what I saw through my binocs I agreed with the later.

It was really bizarre, the first Offense vs. Defense drill of Redskins Training Camp 2008, and a starting defensive end goes down for the season and possibly his career. The play itself was almost in slow motion. There was a little bit of intensity as they walked up for the fist play of 7 on 7 drills, but they were really just trying to make sure they were all going in the right place for the play...no contact, just a fast paced rehearsal.

But, the show must go on, and it did. Not just the expedited trade for Jason Taylor, but within seconds of Daniels falling to the ground and Jason Campbell frantically waiving his arms to the trainers, the entire Redskins team and staff walked around Daniels as he lay on the ground, put the ball on the ground about 20 yards down field, and continued the drill. The team is a machine, and the best machines don't skip a beat when a piece breaks.

Hat's off to Daniels, I really hope he gets better soon, and sticks around no matter the outcome. The 2008 Redskins training camp started out with a horrible injury to a starter, but the way the team conducted itself...players, coaches, and front office...should be a positive note in how this team now operates as a whole.