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There’s a new sheriff in Washington and he brought a new quarterback in to town to run the show. After a disappointing two-year run with Jim Zorn as head coach, flashy Redskins owner Daniel Snyder jettisoned him in the offseason and hired former Bronco coach Mike Shanahan to run football operations at Redskins Park.
Not long after, Shanahan engineered a trade to acquire perennial Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb from the Eagles for a 2009 second-round pick and either a third- or fourth-round pick in the 2011 draft. In June, the wheeling and dealing continued with the acquisition of former Saints left tackle Jammal Brown, giving the Redskins the potential for two solid starters at offensive tackle in Brown and 2010 first-round pick Trent Williams.
The moves figure to plug the main holes on offense, where the team suffered in 2009 because of poor blocking along the offensive line and a lack of big plays from quarterback Jason Campbell.
Shanahan brings an impressive array of offensive credentials to Washington. In Denver, his teams often featured great performances from running backs taken in the lower rounds of the draft as well as solid passing production, using plenty of roll-outs in his version of the West Coast offense. Despite his advancing age, McNabb remains a reasonably mobile player and figures to fit perfectly into Shanahan’s offensive system, which closely resembles the offense Andy Reid runs in Philadelphia.
At running back, the Redskins feature a trio of aging veteran runners. Incumbent starter Clinton Portis enters training camp as the prohibitive favorite to win the starting job. He struggled in 2009—suffering through an ankle injury and then a concussion that ended his season—finishing with career lows in rushing (494 yards) and touchdowns (only one).
Larry Johnson and Willie Parker were signed during the offseason to compete with Portis for playing time. Despite the presence of three veteran runners, none of them are considered excellent pass receivers, so whoever wins the starting role could see plenty of touches, by default, in 2010.
The Redskins remain interested in signing former Eagle Brian Westbrook, and his presence would likely result in the release of one or both of Johnson and Parker.
While McNabb is a nice fit at quarterback to run Shanahan’s offense, there is a lack of proven playmaking ability at wide receiver. Santana Moss is coming off a down year in 2009, in which he finished with 902 yards and only three touchdowns. His yards per reception has declined in each of the last five years, going from 18.6 in 2004 to 12.9 last season. Further complicating his outlook for 2010 is the offseason knee surgery he had and his name being linked to the Canadian doctor charged with providing athletes with human growth hormone.
Third-year receivers Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly will compete for the starting spot opposite Moss. However, both players have been disappointments thus far in their career.
The Redskins are loaded at tight end with Chris Cooley and Fred Davis manning the position. With Cooley out for nine games with an ankle injury, Davis played surprisingly well last year and is considered the team’s future at the position.
The Redskins offense figures to reach new heights in 2010 with the additions of Shanahan, McNabb, Brown, and Williams. However, the team will need rebound performances from their aging veteran runners and Moss—as well as another player to step up at receiver. Look for the Redskins to struggle on offense during the first few weeks of the year and to improve as the season progresses. Shanahan doesn’t seem to have enough parts in place to turn the Redskins into an offensive juggernaut during his first year in Washington.
McNabb had another solid season in 2009, finishing the year with over 3,500 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in just 14 starts with the Eagles. In Philadelphia, McNabb enjoyed the benefit of perhaps the league’s top young group of offensive skill position players. However, the Redskins offense features a number of aging veterans and yet-unproven youngsters at the skill positions. In addition, the Eagles ran a pass-heavy version of the West Coast offense, whereas Mike Shanahan’s version features far more emphasis on the running game. Simply put, McNabb will be hard pressed to match his production over the last few years during his first year in Washington. He enters the season as a borderline fantasy starter without much upside considering the Redskins offensive issues. There’s no getting around the fact there is a big drop-off in the talent surrounding him in Washington.
New head coach Mike Shanahan’s teams have a history of running the ball successfully, and although Portis wasn’t great last year before being injured, he wasn’t as bad as advertised. He had 494 rushing yards (averaging 4.0 per carry) during the team’s first seven games before suffering a concussion. Portis has earned the reputation of an aging, injury-prone player, but he will be 29 at the beginning of the season and didn’t miss a game through 2007 and 2008. He enters the year motivated to prove he has some gas left in the tank and to justify the large salary owed to him over the balance of his contract. Reports out of Washington indicate that he’s dropped 12 pounds in order to better fit into the team’s new zone blocking scheme. While that will help his cause, Portis will need to show some explosiveness to retain his starting position. Over the last couple of years, he has become more of an inside runner than the slasher he was earlier in his career. Nonetheless, Shanahan will run plenty in 2010, and Portis isn’t getting any fantasy love; so if there’s one Redskins player to gamble on, perhaps he is that guy.
Johnson signed with the Redskins in the offseason after being released by the Chiefs and finishing 2009 backing up Cedric Benson in Cincinnati. He has been promised a chance to start but will enter training camp second on the depth chart behind Clinton Portis. Provided he can supplant Portis, Johnson has the opportunity to have a bounce-back season in 2010. However, he looked old and slow for much of last year and will need to re-dedicate himself in order to earn significant playing time. Monitor the Redskins backfield situation in training camp and draft Johnson accordingly. The most likely scenario has Johnson earning a spot backing up Portis; and if that transpires, Johnson is worth taking a late-round flier on in your fantasy drafts.
Having lost his starting job in Pittsburgh to Rashard Mendenhall, Parker landed with the Redskins as a free agent this offseason. Despite being just 29, he seems to have lost a step and will have a difficult time cracking the Redskins roster. With Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson on board and former Bronco Ryan Torain providing younger legs at the position, Parker may be on the outside looking in on opening day. The Redskins are unlikely to keep more than three running backs on the roster, and the odds of them keeping three aging ones seems remote. Unless Parker can unseat Johnson, or an injury strikes at the position, Parker will likely be in a different uniform or out of the league in 2010. Don’t waste a roster spot on him.
Moss struggled in 2009 but has a chance to have a solid season this year with Donovan McNabb installed as the Redskins new starting quarterback. While Moss figures to get an opportunity to produce in 2010, there are serious questions about whether he will make the most of that opportunity. Was his lack of big plays (three touchdowns, 12.9 yards per reception, one 100-yard game) the result of poor quarterback play? Or is Moss simply slowing at thirty-one years of age? If it’s the latter, expect a fast decline in his play, since smaller wide receivers have more difficulty extending their careers. However, the more likely scenario is that Moss will produce another bounce-back season, continuing his history of following up a poor season with a good one. He figures to benefit from some garbage-time production on a Redskins squad that will need its defense to come up big in order to remain competitive. Draft Moss as a mid-tier WR3, but one who has upside as a WR2, provided he hasn’t lost a step. As is usually the case with Moss, the reward is there, but there’s plenty of risk as well.
It’s nice that Donovan McNabb is in town as Thomas enters his third season in the league, but it’s not so nice that the new Redskins management is loading up on journeyman, retread wide receivers. Despite having a pair of third-year players in Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, the Redskins added Bobby Wade and Joey Galloway as training camp approached—not exactly a sign of confidence in their youngsters. Of the two younger players, Thomas is the one worth taking a flier on, but he’s certainly not worth reaching for. Monitor his production in the preseason and move him up if it’s warranted. As it stands, he’s nothing more than a late-round pick in standard leagues.
Kelly hasn’t done much in two years, and the knock on him is that he doesn’t use his size to his advantage. With new head coach Mike Shanahan on board, Kelly gets a fresh start. But there are valid concerns that his attitude may get in the way of his making the most of the opportunity. At this point, Kelly shapes up as a backup on the outside, unless he can nail down the playbook in the slot as well. Given his prior lack of motivation, that seems improbable. This is likely his last year to pull it together. Kelly isn’t worth drafting in anything other than deep leagues.
Cooley is coming off a season in which he suffered an ankle injury that cost him all but seven games. He is a talented player and, at age twenty-seven, should bounce back. The Redskins have upgraded the talent at quarterback with Donovan McNabb, but Fred Davis is breathing down Cooley’s neck, courtesy of the solid production he had once he was inserted into the starting lineup when Cooley went down. Expect Cooley to retain the job, but Davis is too good not to be utilized. Cooley’s ankle injury from last season is of no concern in 2010 but, given Davis’ production last year, his number of touches is.
Davis stepped into the lineup for an injured Chris Cooley and put up surprisingly solid production as the team’s starting tight end. During the final six games of the season, Davis averaged nearly 10 fantasy points per game, courtesy of 25 receptions for 286 yards and five touchdowns. Davis played too well last year to be relegated to a strict backup role, especially considering the Redskins question marks at wide receiver. While his upside is limited in 2010 unless Cooley gets hurt again, he is a solid prospect in dynasty leagues.
Dave Stringer is a staff writer at FFToday.com, home of the popular Cheatsheet Compiler & Draft Buddy custom cheatsheet and draft tracking software.
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With the first offseason depth chart released by the team, Ryan O’Halloran of CSNWashington has provided us with some initial thoughts of who’s playing where (click HERE for the original article by Ryan O’Halloran). We’ve taken it upon ourselves to drop some of our own comments…
Kelly and Thomas Make Third-Team – If you’ve been following training camp, it’s really not all that surprising. Mike Shanahan has been quoted as saying that Santana Moss was the only proven starter, followed by the wheelchair bandit Joey Galloway, back-up Roydell Williams, and the unknown Anthony Armstrong.
Kelly has been hampered by injuries for a third straight season and Shanahan has no tolerance for shenanigans. Thomas, on the other hand, shows a bit more promise but has been surprisingly outworked by the 38-year-old Galloway. Probably more embarrassing than surprising.
Trent Williams Is The Only Rookie Listed As Starter – This is a good thing…we think. Williams has reportedly been throwing people around in one-on-one drills (sorry Curtis Gatewood) and he has earned his starting spot at left tackle. While the left side of the offensive line seems intact, the right side appears to be causing some uneasiness with the coaching staff.
It should also be noted that rookie linebacker Perry Riley (LSU) is on the second-team as a backup inside linebacker. Riley went somewhat overlooked in the Draft but he tends to have all that it takes to be a solid contributor.
Willie Parker Is Fourth RB Behind Portis, Johnson, and Torain – We don’t want to say that we told you so, but it was an early prediction that Willie Parker wouldn’t even make the team. With that being said, it’s no surprise that Parker is coming in on Ryan Torain’s coat tails.
Clinton Portis is the obvious starter going into this season, and we love the decision by coach Shanahan (read our Portis article HERE). Larry Johnson is the only real bruiser on the team and his second-team role was expected. The real ‘battle’, if you will, was amongst the veteran (and former speedster) Willie Parker and the young Ryan Torain.
Although the gap between Parker and Torain may not be that big, Torain’s main edge over the 30-year-old Parker is that he can contribute on special teams. It should also be mentioned that Shanahan is familiar with Torain from his first days with Denver.
This is the right move…just in case Shanahan gave a crap about our opinion.
Starting Defensive Line Of Carriker, Kemoeatu, and Golston – Yes! But before we mention the H-word, let us congratulate the three guys listed above who have worked their tales off to make the first-team. Kemoeatu is coming off of a torn Achilles, Carriker is looking for a revival, and Golston has been a workhorse from the beginning.
And now for the Haynesworth mention. That’s right, he’s on the second-team.
Although we have yet to even play a preseason game, it is nice to see that Albert Haynesworth isn’t getting anything easy. Haynesworth will be forced to work for a starting spot and he could play nose tackle OR defensive end.
Andre Carter Looks To Have Edge On Lorenzo Alexander – Another positional battle that ends with another expected result. Despite an outstanding camp for Alexander thus far, Andre Carter seems to present too much athleticism to pass up as the starter at left outside linebacker.
Alexander, like Golston, is a workhorse that will continue to receive playing time regardless of whether they’re on the first- or fifth-team. Unfortunately for Alexander, Andre Carter is a mutant.
Kareem Moore Ahead Of Reed Doughty At Free Safety – We don’t want to say it again, but we knew this would happen. Doughty may be a fan favorite because of a strong work ethic, but Kareem Moore is the clear favorite in this battle.
The Washington Redskins have the opportunity to pose a pretty threatening safety assault with the combination of LaRon Landry (now playing closer to the line), Chris “The Predator” Horton, and Kareem Moore.
First-Team Return Men Are Thomas (KO) and Buchanon (PR) – And this is where Devin Thomas becomes more valuable than fellow 2008 Draft pick Malcolm Kelly. While Kelly has the potential of a lengthy redzone target, Thomas can contribute immediately as a consistent special teams player.
And though you may have forgotten that the team signed Phillip Buchanon, the cornerback has no choice but to be an upgrade from Antwann Randle-El last season.
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It’s that time of year, where football fans are frequently reading up on training camp, and their teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
One of the Redskins main weaknesses is the WR position. The Redskins have only one proven WR on the team that has played for the past couple seasons regularly. Santana Moss has been rather inconsistent in his past seasons, and this year faces a possible suspension in light of his HGH connection with Dr. Galea.
Devin Thomas has shown flashes of ability, but nothing to warrant a starting job, and Malcolm Kelly has squandered all of his opportunities. Roydell Williams and Joey Galloway are proven vets, but who knows what they have left in the tank.
As the season approaches, teams are finishing up their acquisitions and looking for the final pieces to polish their team going into the preseason.
Rumors say the Redskins are very interested in the Chargers’ disgruntled receiver Vincent Jackson, who posted 1,167 yards receiving, 68 receptions, and 9 TD’s. Pairing Jackson with McNabb would be lethal, considering how well McNabb played with T.O.However, Chargers’ GM A.J Smith has continued to shoot down reports of a possible trade of Jackson, but as the season approaches you never know if he would be willing to change his mind.
As the Redskins realize how thin they are at the position, one must be sure that owner Dan Snyder would be willing to send some draft picks, and write up a nice contract for Jackson.
In the event that Jackson wouldn’t be able to join the ‘Skins, Plaxico Burress is finishing up his jail sentence and will be looking for work soon enough. If you believe commissioner Goodell won’t suspend Burress further after his jail sentence, he could land with the Redskins.
Many must be thinking, “not another distracting player,” but looking at how Shanahan has been walking Haynesworth on a leash, he should also be able to take care of Burress. The former first-round pick posted 1025 yards receiving on 70 receptions, including 12 TD’s in his last full season with the Giants. His ability to stretch the field with his length and height would give Cooley, Davis, and Moss more room to create plays.
These two players are the only proven players that could be on the market, and if not Burress or Jackson, the 2011 draft is one of the deeper WR drafts in recent years. The high profiled receivers out of college include A.J Green, Julio Jones, Jonathan Baldwin, Michael Floyd, DeVier Posey, Terrence Toliver, and Austin Pettis.
Although they seem like long shots, a good WR would do wonders for the Redskins.
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I’m going to try something new (again)—occasional, recurring short-form posts about the Washington Redskins, NFL and maybe even, you know, life.
Almost like a—what do they call it—blog?
Have at thee.
Mike Shanahan – after one wild ride of an offseason and a quick first week of training camp, one thing is clear. SI.com balloon-head Peter King was right (I hate when that happens): Mike Shanahan doesn’t care what you think .
Malcolm Kelly – the man has all the talent in the world. He’s big, runs like a gazelle, has Lynn Swann hands and seems like a decent enough fellow. He probably could have been great. But three years into his NFL career (as Doc Walker likes to say) he has yet to bust a grape. Hamstring, knee, big toe … heart … whatever. Know what I think? It’s over.
Colt Brennan – speaking of over, a moment of silence for the Cult of Colt . Have to admit there were a couple of moments early on I said, “hmm.”
Like this one:
It would have been a great, great story had this likable young guy turned out to be The One. It’s a damn shame Hollywood and real life can’t close deals like this more often.
Brett Favre – as of this morning, The Man from Kiln continues to hold the Minnesota Vikings hostage. Imagine you’re the Vegas bookie charged with setting the line on the Vikings Super Bowl odds. You hate Brett Favre. You seriously hate him.
Imagine. One player being the difference between an NFL team being considered a serious championship contender, and just another team with some nice parts hoping to catch a wave. They should have a name for that .
Albert Haynesworth – Big Old Fat Guy Takes The Haynesworth Test
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Life – Solar Tsunami to Strike Earth
So what do you grab, your SPF 15 million or a surfboard? Just a little reminder to go outside tonight and look up. If you see rippling green or red curtains of light, don’t be alarmed. No doubt it’s just the universe unfolding as it should .
Onward and upward my friends.
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Mike Shanahan is in total control.
Coach Shanahan has made a loud-and-clear statement with his handling of Albert Haynesworth. It’s Mike’s way, or the highway.
The Jim Zorn days of letting players run this team are ancient history. Mike Shanahan does not care about massive contracts or reputations. He wants every player to bow to his authority, and those who don’t will suffer the consequences.
One of the major deficiencies of the Redskins of 2009 was discipline. From training camp on through to the end of the season, the team struggled with a lack of structure.
No more.
Mike Shanahan has put his plan into place, and everyone in the organization knows that he is first in command.
Outside of Donovan McNabb, no player has complete job security.
From the very beginning, Mike Shanahan has touted the benefits of competition at every position. Chris Cooley will compete with Fred Davis. Clinton Portis will compete with Larry Johnson. Devin Thomas will compete with Joey Galloway. And on and on.
Players are driven to play their best by looking over their shoulders and realizing that they can’t let up or the next guy will take their place. Shanahan is a master of motivational psychology and he knows how to squeeze every ounce of ability out of the players.
Colt Brennan found out the hard way about how tenuous job security can be under Mike Shanahan’s regime. Evidently, Shanahan wasn’t impressed with Brennan’s potential and unceremoniously released him after trading for Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback John Beck.
Shanahan didn’t care about Brennan’s cult status among some Washington fans. The head coach wants the highest quality players available to compete for each and every position.
The wide receiver position is wide open.
Devin Thomas has had a good camp so far, but he has his hands full competing with Joey Galloway and Roydell Williams. Thomas seems to be extremely motivated by the competition, and he has impressed Shanahan with his work ethic.
Still, nothing is guaranteed for Thomas or for his draft classmate Malcolm Kelly. In fact, with the injury struggles that Kelly has had, it wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up being cut before the start of the season.
The wide receiver position is obviously the biggest deficiency on the offense. In the unlikely event that San Diego gives up on Vincent Jackson and decides to make a deal, Mike Shanahan could be interested.
LaRon Landry should improve dramatically in Jim Haslett’s 3-4 defense.
Landry was toasted more times in pass coverage last year than any Redskins fan cares to remember. He looked confused and out of position, and he had a total breakdown in fundamentals.
This year, Jim Haslett will play Landry less in pass coverage and more in run support. From what has been seen from Landry so far in training camp, he is being encouraged to be much more aggressive this year.
He should also see a lot more blitzing opportunities. With his added bulk this year (some reports have him at 240 pounds), he will be almost like an extra linebacker.
Landry has all of the physical tools to be a consistent playmaker. And now, he may be playing in the perfect scheme for his skill set.
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