Redskins Cornerbacks Could See Changing of the Guard in 2009

WASHINGTON—With millions dumped into upgrades for a defense that is already among the league's best, there is no argument that the Redskins don't have the ability to shut down most NFL passing games.

There is no shortage of talent when it comes to the cornerbacks on the Redskins roster. However, it is a matter of displaying that talent on the field. With contracts coming to an end and only so many spots to go around, a battle is looming on the defensive edges in our nation's capital.

With the departure of Shawn Springs to New England, DeAngelo Hall and Fred Smoot have been anointed the starters in the Redskins secondary. Hall and Smoot, with a combined 13 years of NFL experience, will look to return to their elite forms of years past.

Hall, who signed a large deal in the offseason as part of the usual 'Skins offseason spending spree, played well in his seven games as a Redskin last season. Hall has shown the ability to be among the league's best cornerbacks in prior years, but character issues have followed him since his collegiate days at Virginia Tech.

If defensive coordinator Greg Blache and secondary coach Jerry Gray can get Hall and can focus on his playmaking ability, he can prove to be a valuable asset for a defense that ranked in the bottom third of takeaways in 2008. 

Fred Smoot's second tenure in D.C. has been solid, but has left fans clamoring for the Smoot of old. Still very good in coverage, his numbers have waned in the past three years, particularly interceptions and his ability to finish tackles.

With only two INTs in as many years, a return to form would benefit both the Redskins and Smoot, as his future in Washington is a question mark past next season.

A future in Washington is also a question for Carlos Rogers, who has only a year left on his rookie contract. Rogers is another player who at times has shown the ability to be among the league's best cornerbacks, as shown in his two games last year covering Terrell Owens.

However, Rogers has also dropped several interceptions over the course of his career that arguably could have been defensive touchdowns.

Rogers saw his playing time dwindle towards the end of last season, which was the result of injuries and the acquisition of Hall.

Whatever the case, Rogers has been vocal about his ability to be a starter and could be on a mission to prove his worth not only to the Redskins, but front offices league-wide.

Another vocal cornerback (as if they don't have enough) is the Redskins third-round draft pick Kevin Barnes, who wasted no time in letting the current Redskins secondary know he plans to make a case for playing time right out of the gates.

Barnes, who has a flair for the dramatic, will join last year's draft pick Justin Tryon in competing for a spot in the 'Skins dime packages.
 
Whatever corner ensemble Greg Blache rolls out come September, it must have the ability to take advantage of the opportunities the newly-designed pass rush will present to them.

With LaRon Landry and Chris Horton cemented in the defensive backfield, the ability for a Redskins corner to make game-changing plays will be crucial in Washington. If those plays aren't made, fans of the Burgundy and Gold will undoubtedly be talking about a different kind of change.