4 Ways to Evaluate a Successful Washington Redskins Training Camp

As Redskins fans, it's typical to get antsy about the team. Feeling cooped and suffering from similar symptoms of cabin fever, we start to make predictions, set lofty expectations and pray to the football gods that the Redskins finally turn the corner.

With Mike Shanahan in his third and most pivotal year as head coach, the Redskins should be ready to make their move. Not to say that they're on the brink of the Super Bowl, but Shanahan should have the Redskins playing meaningful games in late November this season.

Speaking of those lofty expectations amongst Redskins fans, why not think about training camp?

Battles at Wide Receiver

With a dozen or more receivers on the current roster, the battle at the wide receiver position will play a key role in the Redskins' success next season. 

Rookie Robert Griffin III is progressing in camp, but he's far from polished. Like any new guy in the league, Griffin will go through typical growing pains and adjust accordingly. Helping to ease those growing pains will be a decent receiving corps. 

Although it's not a difficult call, I predict the top-four receivers for the Redskins in 2012 to be Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson and Josh Morgan. 

Not only are Garcon and Morgan new to the team, but all of these receivers are new to RG3. 

While in camp, it's crucial that Griffin gets to know his receivers and develops a groove that carries into the regular season. Focusing on timing, tendencies and relationships can work wonders between quarterback and receiver. Especially when the quarterback is a greenhorn. 

New Sheriff in the Secondary

When Raheem Morris was relieved of his duties as head coach in Tampa Bay, Shanahan wasted no time in bringing him on as an assistant coach. Returning to his natural defensive side of the ball, Morris was hired as the Redskins defensive backs coach. 

Starting the upcoming season for Washington will likely be DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson and/or Cedric Griffin. Needless to say, the Redskins don't consider their secondary to be one of their strong suits. 

As soon as Morris became available, he was a hot commodity across the league. He had head coaching experience, he was a successful assistant in the past and, most importantly, players seem to like him (Note: I know all about the Bucs' collapse). All Redskins fans care about is how Morris' style will translate in Washington. 

Hall, Wilson and Cedric Griffin aren't the league's worst bunch of corners. But they also aren't the best. Can Raheem Morris improve production? Can he help change the culture of a single position?

Keeping an eye on Morris and the relationships he builds with his guys this summer isn't a bad idea. 

Cohesiveness Along the Trench

Because of recoveries, fresh faces and Shanahan's style, Redskins fans probably won't know their team's starting offensive line until Week 1. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

Regardless of who gets the most snaps along the front line in training camp, the important focus is determining if the offensive line can work as a unit. 

Last season, the line appeared to work well before losing—what ended up being—a linchpin in the offensive line. This season, the front office has more depth to work with and hopefully the entire group can embrace one other. 

In addition to working effectively as a unit, the line needs to dedicate themselves to working with a mobile quarterback. Although each lineman fits Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme, quarterback Robert Griffin III and his style present something completely new for the guys up front. 

Until the regular season proves me otherwise, I will continue to note that the Redskins' success in 2012 relies very heavily on the center, guards and tackles. 

Take the Keys, Rookie!

And then there's the obvious. 

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Redskins believe to have landed their franchise quarterback. Undoubtedly, RG3 will be the center of attention all summer. 

Beyond learning mechanics or reading a playbook, Griffin should be evaluated from a maturity and relative fit point of view. 

As much as I want to see Griffin recite Kyle Shanahan's playbook in his sleep, I'd much rather see him familiarized with the speed in practice and learning his teammates' tendencies (i.e. Helu likes the ball high; Garcon likes to chase; Hankerson has a certain space he can cover). 

The more comfortable Griffin is going into the season, the less Redskins fans have to worry. Both things can be attained and mastered during the few weeks of training camp.