2009 Washington Redskins, Training Camp Preview

[Taydeezy]

From now until the start of the season, I'm going to make a Training Camp Preview thread for each of the 32 NFL teams. I'll cover projected rosters, biggest question marks, biggest position battle, draft recap, team strengths, and a 2009 projection for each team. Hopefully these threads can start some conversation about each team, and get all of our football juices going.

1st team will be the Washington Redskins...

2009 Projected Starting Lineup

QB- Jason Campbell, Todd Collins
RB- Clinton Portis, Ladell Betts
FB- Mike Sellers
WR- Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El
TE- Chris Cooley, Fred Davis
LT- Chris Samuels, D'Anthony Batiste
LG- Derrick Dockery, Chad Rinehart
C- Casey Rabach, Will Montgomery
RG- Randy Thomas, Jason Fabini
RT- Stephon Heyer, Jason Fabini
WR- Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly

DE- Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn
DT- Cornelius Griffin, Lorenzo Alexander
DT- Albert Haynesworth, Kedric Golston
DE- Andre Carter, Chris Wilson
LB- Brian Orakpo, Robert Thomas
LB- London Fletcher, H.B. Blades
LB- Rocky McIntosh, Khary Campbell
CB- Carlos Rogers, Fred Smoot
SS- Chris Horton, Reed Doughty
FS- LaRon Landry, Kareem Moore
CB- DeAngelo Hall, Justin Tyron

K- Shaun Suisham
P- Hunter Smith
KR- Rock Cartwright
PR- Antwaan Randle El
LS- Ethan Albright

Biggest Question Mark

While many people would like to believe that the QB situation is the biggest question mark in Washington, I believe the WR situation is the biggest question mark. There is no doubt about it, the Redskins have a lot of talent at the WR position, however, they have to find a way to foster that talent. Antwaan Randle El is about ready to be moved out of the starting role, so one of their two second year WRs- Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas- need to make an impact. Last year, the two rookie WRs combined for only 18 catches and 138 yards receiving. Chris Cooley and Santana Moss are factors in the passing game, but after that, the Redskins need someone else to have an impact if they are going to be able to compete in the tough NFC East.

Team Strengths

On offense, the Redskins biggest strength is their running game. The Redskins had the 8th best rushing attack in 2008, and if Portis can stay healthy all season, the Redskins are hoping for that number to improve. Also, the Redskins are looking for more consistency along their Offensive Line, which could open up more holes for the running game. Nonetheless, Portis and Betts are a good 1-2 punch,, and combined for almost 1,700 rushing yards in 2008. However, the Redskins are going to have to get better at rushing the ball into the endzone, as they only scored 12 team rushing TDs in 08.

On defense, the front seven is the Redskins biggest asset, and it only got better with the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo. The Redskins boasted the 4th best defense in terms of yardage in 2008, and were 6th best in the NFL in terms of scoring. However, the Redskins didn't get enough pressure on opposing QBs, which is a big reason why they had a turnover differential of 0. If Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo can help improve the pass rush, the Redskins could push for top defense in 2009.

Biggest Position Battle

As mentioned earlier, the Redskins are looking for one of their 2 young WRs to step up and take a starting job away from Antwaan Randle El. If either Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas can unseat Randle El in the preseason, the Redskins can be much more confident in their passing attack going into the season. Randle El is much more suited for a slot role, and if Thomas or Kelly play well in training camp, they can push Randle El into his better spot.

Draft Recap

1st Round- DE, Brian Orakpo
The Redskins selected one of the best pass rushers in the draft, but are looking at him to be an OLB.
3rd Round- CB, Kevin Barnes
The Redskins are hopeful that Barnes can eventually take over for the departed Shawn Springs.
5th Round- LB, Cody Glenn
Glenn is going to have to make an impact on Special Teams in 2009 if he hopes to make the team as a backup.
6th Round- LB, Robert Henson
Like Glenn, Henson is going to have to do something on Special Teams if he expects to make it onto a deep LB unit.
7th Round- TE, Eddie Williams
With Chris Cooley and Fred Davis ahead of him, Williams is going to struggle to find a place on the Redskins squad.
7th Round- WR, Marko Mitchell
The Redskins have depth at WR, but Mitchell has the size to make it onto the team if he can run better routes.

The Redskins top portion of the draft landed them 2 players that should make impacts their rookie year. After that, the last 4 players that the Redskins drafted are all going to have a tough time just making the team's final roster out of Training Camp unless they can make an impact on Special Teams.

Projected 2009 Finish

7-9, 4th Place in NFC East.

[Taydeezy]

bumpity bump

[Ride the Pine]

Watch out for Colt Brennan. It isn't entirely impossible that he beats out Todd Collins at camp. He'll be getting a ton of playing time in the preseason.

[smartshot10]

Brian Orakpo

[Taydeezy]

well well charlie finally shows up in the forums.

[Taydeezy]

Watch out for Colt Brennan. It isn't entirely impossible that he beats out Todd Collins at camp. He'll be getting a ton of playing time in the preseason.

He wont beat out Collins for the #2 spot. It is almost written stone that you need a quality back up these days in the NFL and Collins pretty much has it on lock. Everybody get all excited when you talk about Brennan but he will be out of the league probably within 4 years.

[Ride the Pine]

Yeah, you have to wonder though: is Collins the same "quality" backup the Cowboys had last year in Brad Johnson. I remember being force-fed how if Romo went down, Johnson would keep them afloat... and we all know what happened there. You just have to wonder if a younger, more enthusiastic (possibly) Brennan would be a better backup. I mean their starter isn't exactly stellar himself, so I don't see why not.

[Taydeezy]

Collins actually played well when Campbell was injured year before last. He is not slowed down by father time like BJ was. I am still not sold on Brennan's throwing style and worried about his size a bit.

[Ride the Pine]

Yeah Collins played well, but that was almost 2 years ago. That same time period before Johnson was asked to step in, he was playing in Minnesota if I remember, and they said at the time he found the fountain of youth himself.