The 2008 NFL preseason kicks off on Sunday with the Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Washington Redskins and the Indianapolis Colts.
For the Redskins' fans, there aren’t many competitions for starting positions to watch. Punter, defensive tackle, and surprisingly, wide receiver may even be up for grabs. So what should we be watching for? Let's take a closer look and find out.
I’ll start with the offense.
The starters are all set, right? Maybe not. Rookie wideout Malcolm Kelly has been impressive during training camp and could challenge Antwaan Randle El for the spot opposite Santana Moss.
Kelly has looked polished and focused. Catching most everything thrown in his direction and seemingly learning the offense quickly, he could be on his way to bucking the trend of rookie receivers not contributing much in their rookie campaigns.
Fellow second-round pick WR Devin Thomas has shown flashes of the skills that had him listed as the top wideout in the 2008 draft, but he has looked confused at times, and with a hamstring injury sidelining him for a significant portion of training camp, he is not likely to crack the starting lineup by opening day.
So the backups are the ones to watch. Veteran wideout and special-teams ace James Thrash has had yet another strong camp, and figures to have an inside track on one of the backup spots.
Thomas is likely to get a spot on the opening-day roster by default, which leaves one or two openings for another wideout to make the active roster. Fifth-year man Billy McMullen has earned praise throughout camp for making plays at every given opportunity, and he could be on his way to finally earning some playing time.
Holdover Anthony Mix has also looked sharp in camp, and having proven himself on special teams last season, after being signed away from the NY Giants practice squad, he stands a good chance of making the roster this year.
Watch these guys closely on special teams, as that may well be the key for earning a roster spot. Rookie Horace Gant has also looked good in camp. Perhaps a practice-squad spot will open for him.
The backups along the offensive line are another key for the Redskins in 2008. Rookies Chad Rinehart and Andrew Crummey have been notables during camp. Both have shown themselves to be aggressive (Rinehart earning a reputation for taking his man to the ground and keeping him there) and will get plenty of playing time this week.
While Rinehart has looked much more polished than Crummey, both of these players could push veterans Jason Fabini and Todd Wade for the primary backup roles. These four are to be watched closely.
While Jason Campbell has easily been the best quarterback in camp so far, the No. 2 and No. 3 spots could be something to watch.
It’s not likely there will be any surprises here, but veteran Todd Collins has not looked comfortable in camp and has not thrown the ball particularly well. He is likely going to be the No. 2 quarterback heading into the regular season, but a strong showing from rookie Colt Brennan would be nice to see.
14 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Don't forget about James Thrash. He has solid hands and is a great special teamer. Great article though. The breakdown is very informative.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
According to Zorn, Todd Collins plays against the first team defense more than any other quarterback, but he plays with the SECOND team offensive line. That may explain his poor performance.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
Did you take that photo at camp on Fan Appreciation Day? I remember Thomas was wearing a towel over his head that day.
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Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago
Jack, Thrash was mentioned and looks to again to anchor our air assault on our special teams unit. Knowing the West Coast offensive schemes Zorn is looking to utilize, there really aren't enough wideouts for this brand of football.
Worries me bout the hamstring problems with Thomas, Mix and now Kelly. This is valuable camp time they are missing. Just my opinion here, but Randle El should move to the slot #3 receiver and Kelly should take over the #2 position. He's a rookie, but he seems to be picking up the new system quicker than Thomas. We will use Thomas on special teams, so his value isn't necessarily predicated on catching 8-10 balls for 100 yds plus.
Honestly we might have to rely on Kelly being the #1 if Moss doesn't step up and catch the freakin ball. He can't outleap anybody, but he's a great deep ball threat. Ask the Cowgirls bout those skills.
This unit is young and inexperienced, but hungry. Preseason too long, so let's get to September 4th ready to stomp the Mighty Giants.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
Moss had heel and hamstring injuries all season, and he was really healthy until after Campbell went down. He showed he is still a great receiver at the end of last season.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
The issue with Kelly going to the number 1 spot is that the coaches don't have him even studying that position, Zorn has said several times that they are isolating what they expect Kelly and Thomas to try and learn so as to get as much as they can from the rookies as early as possible. I also heard that Kelly's injury was more minor knee sprain than the hamstring and that Zorn expected him to be back to practice "this week", and hopefully be able to get some time on Sunday. That would be good. He is on the fast track and he needs to stay there.
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Moss is a great receiver, but he struggles with consistency. He and Campbell are finally developing some chemistry or so reports have said.
Randle El has to play #2 because he caught 50+ passes for the first time in his career as a #2 last season. Campbell likes him and he runs routes well.
I don't know if there will really be a set lineup of receiver though. I think there will be different packages at points in the game. Being a starter doesn't mean you'll see 90% of the snaps. But tell me what you guys think.
skinstalk.com
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Brandon Duff 11 months ago
I agree. The Redskins have been pretty good at utilizing the talents of their players in the best possible ways. I would expect to see plenty of different packages as well as formations as soon as the offense performs in sync and up to speed of Jim Zorn's preferred pace. Now with added height and athletes with increased vertical range we have several different "Jump Ball" options that we lacked in the red zone before. That in addition to the speed receivers who can slip underneath coverage as well as stretch the field makes our passing threat that much more dangerous this season. The next 5 weeks will show us who will fit best in this new offense, and where and when...
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Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago
Campbell likes Todd Yoder too, but I don't think he will see more touches than Cooley. I don't care who gets the ball more as long as the team finds a way to put points on the board. The more we score TD's in the red zone, and not settle for field goals, the higher percentage of us coming out of any game the winner.
With three divsional road games to start the season, we definitely need to find the right mix of guys who are smart and play physical. Stop the excuses and push back their opponents instead of letting them dictate play.
My prediction is 8-8 this year. We have the talent to succeed, but I think we're gonna need a season to mature, and develop in the Zorn system.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
Jennifer, only 8-8? I won't be surprised if that's the case, but I also won't be surprised if it's more like 10-6 or 11-5. Why? The defense, and the running game. Think about it, the division games will be close, they always are, but with if this offensive line is healthy, this offense will be very capable. And if J.Taylor and/or Erasmus James gets it going on defense, this could be the best defense in football this year. Rocky McIntosh will also need to be healthy and stay that way, but I'll get into that in Part 2.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
You all are making great points and I agree with most. As I wrote, I won't be surprised if Kelly ends up starting opposite Moss, Randle El would go to the slot, where I think he fits best anyway. He also says he likes working from there more. The receiver issue is going to be a big for Zorn, as Jennifer noted, this offense can't have too many, but the roster limits are going to be an issue for him to really make the decisions. I won't be surprised if they end up putting 2 on the practice squad as insurance in case the actives don't pan out the way they expect. And I expect a big year out of Moss, and I will be shocked if Thrash doesn't make the roster.
And yeah, Collins has been going up against the first team defense with the second string O-Line, but he simply has not thrown the ball well, and he seriously looks confused half the time.
And yeah Tanner, that was from FADay, they were standing right in front of me. At the end of the scrimmage, they came back to my side and Kelly was on his over to where I was standing with my son, and Thomas pointed him further up from me and we didn't get their autographs, I was very disappointed. It would have been nice to get both of them.
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
I was lucky enough to score Portis' autograph and Chief Zee's :)
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
Very cool Jack, my son ended up with Portis and Shawn Springs on Friday, Andrew Crummey, Coach Zorn, Coach Hixon, Antwaan Randle El and James Thrash on Saturday, I couldn't believe it. It was very cool and we had a great time.
BTW to everyone, I know this personally, Coach Zorn is very much the guy he seems to be from a distance and in interviews, he was very personable and very genuine talking to him while he was signing what seemed like hundreds of autographs right where we were standing.
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Oh yeah he's fantastic. Classy guy just like some other guy we used to have ;)
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