The 2008 NFL preseason kicks off Sunday with the Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Washington Redskins versus the Indianapolis Colts. For 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? Yesterday, I looked at the offense. If you missed it, you can read it here. Today, I’ll take a closer look at the defense.
As with the offense, the starters are pretty well set. The only real competitions seem to be at defensive tackle and safety. While there are several other positional battles worth watching, I’ll begin with starting positions up for grabs.
Third-year players Anthony Montgomery and Kedric Golston are involved in a “heated” battle for the starting spot opposite veteran stalwart Cornelius Griffin. This is a good competition to watch, but this week, we will only get to see Golston on the field, as Montgomery will sit out due to a broken bone in his hand.
Defensive coordinator Greg Blache said in an interview recently that Golston would have taken the starting spot from Montgomery, if the Redskins had advanced past the Wild Card matchup against the Seattle Seahawks last season.
I heard that Montgomery (“Monty”, as he is called around practice) is one those players who needs to be pushed in practice regularly to stay focused, and Blache believes Golston has been able to do just that thus far in training camp.
Lorenzo Alexander is assured a roster spot, due largely to his versatility, as he is able to play offensive guard as well as defensive tackle. Ryan Boschetti, signed as an undrafted rookie in 2004, has been a reliable backup, and he looks to continue that this season.
Matthias Askew spent training camp with the Redskins in 2007 but was cut before the start of the season. He is working hard not to repeat that this season. Second-year player Zarnell Fitch is a long shot to make it past the first round of roster cuts, but he could end up on the practice squad if he has a good showing in the preseason.
LaRon Landry, entering his second season, was the named the starter at free safety and has no challengers. Look for a strong year from Landry, as he appeared to be very comfortable at the position during the stretch run into the postseason in 2007.
At strong safety, third-year player Reed Doughty played well opposite Landry in 2007, once he settled in as the starting strong safety. He did not play well while filling in for then-injured Sean Taylor at the free safety spot, playing a major role in giving up four touchdowns to the Cowboys’ Terrell Owens in Week 11.
When former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams switched Doughty to strong safety and moved then rookie LaRon Landry to free safety, both excelled and played a major role in leading the Redskins into the postseason.
Newcomer Stuart Schweigert, signed to a free-agent contract from the Oakland Raiders, played at free safety with the Raiders and is widely considered the better overall player, but he is a natural free safety. How will he adjust to the strong-safety position remains to be seen.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Rohit Banerjee 11 months ago
What are your thoughts on carlos rogers...I felt he played pretty well, perhaps not spectacularly last season and honestly believe he has the potential to become a great corner. Even though he was the third cornerback taken in the 2005 draft (after adam jones and antrel rolle) one could make the argument that he has panned out better than both.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
Rogers got his wish to practice more intensely yesterday. It looks like he is really progressing fast in his recovery. I think he'll be able to have playing time by the start of the season.
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Tanner Kluth 11 months ago
I really don't think he's going to be on the PUP list.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
Rogers was playing very well before he got hurt last year, and I thought he was well on his way to being one of the top 10 corners in the league.
Just because he practiced yesterday doesn't mean he'll actually be 100% pre-injury though. He may be able to play the whole year, but he many not really be himself until well into the season. But the fact that they let him practice yesterday is a very good sign.
It will impress me if he can be fully active come opening day. That would be quite a feat for a corner to be back from the type of surgery he had less than a full year from the injury.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
BTW, does anybody use the rating system? I haven't noticed any articles being rated at all, just wondering.
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
I usually don't use it, but Zander just asked Rich Tandler and I to become community leaders for the Skins and he wants us to use it. So maybe we will start.
I can't see Rogers playing particularly well this season. The injury was just too serious. Usually it takes two years to fully recover. I think he'll play, but he won't be as effective as last season. However, I am hoping for the opposite.
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
Cool Jack, exactly what does community leader mean anyway? What do you do?
I agree about Rogers, as I have written many times, it will shock me if he actually returns to pre-injury form this season.
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Jennifer Johnson 11 months ago
If Rogers can increase his workload, and not have any setbacks ie swelling, inflammation or problems with scar tissue, than it is quite possible he can make a play for starting the season as the #3 corner. His experience alone should put him ahead of Torrence and Westbrook. Although Torrence did even things out on Rogers due to his horrific injury. And its good to see T-bone (my nickname) for #29 progress and have a good camp.
I really don't see the rookie Tryon having an impact other than on special teams packages.
With Gregg Williams gone, the secondary can kiss the bend but not break mental attitude, and go back to a more physical, rushing defense.
I would love to see some safety blitzing schemes, mixed in with pressure from the DE'S. Opponents have quite the dilemna: Do we double team Carter at the right or pin two bodies against Taylor on the left end?
It's gonna be a wild ride this season. Here's my prediction. 8-8. We'll win some surprising divisional games starting with Week #1 against the Mighty Giants. And falter a bit against the Eagles, Steelers and Cowboys. I say Zorn wins in his debut against his old Stingy Seahawks.
He'll know the offense better than Holmgren, and he can organize his defensive strategy to combat their game plan.
K cya boys for another round of chattin bout them Skins. Throw it to Cooley damn it!!
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Craig Garrison Sr 11 months ago
Good thoughts Jennifer, I like the way you think.
You re-enforce my points almost to a tee.
Go Skins!
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Jack Anderson 11 months ago
Tryon has been receiving some praise at CB and might see some time. He has the speed to make up for any breakdowns in coverage and knows how to play physical, man corner. I think he'll play more than you think, Jennifer.
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