Washington Redskins Release First Depth Chart of Training Camp

With the first offseason depth chart released by the team, Ryan O’Halloran of CSNWashington has provided us with some initial thoughts of who’s playing where (click HERE for the original article by Ryan O’Halloran). We’ve taken it upon ourselves to drop some of our own comments…

Kelly and Thomas Make Third-Team – If you’ve been following training camp, it’s really not all that surprising. Mike Shanahan has been quoted as saying that Santana Moss was the only proven starter, followed by the wheelchair bandit Joey Galloway, back-up Roydell Williams, and the unknown Anthony Armstrong.

Kelly has been hampered by injuries for a third straight season and Shanahan has no tolerance for shenanigans. Thomas, on the other hand, shows a bit more promise but has been surprisingly outworked by the 38-year-old Galloway. Probably more embarrassing than surprising.

Trent Williams Is The Only Rookie Listed As Starter – This is a good thing…we think. Williams has reportedly been throwing people around in one-on-one drills (sorry Curtis Gatewood) and he has earned his starting spot at left tackle. While the left side of the offensive line seems intact, the right side appears to be causing some uneasiness with the coaching staff.

It should also be noted that rookie linebacker Perry Riley (LSU) is on the second-team as a backup inside linebacker. Riley went somewhat overlooked in the Draft but he tends to have all that it takes to be a solid contributor.

Willie Parker Is Fourth RB Behind Portis, Johnson, and Torain – We don’t want to say that we told you so, but it was an early prediction that Willie Parker wouldn’t even make the team. With that being said, it’s no surprise that Parker is coming in on Ryan Torain’s coat tails.

Clinton Portis is the obvious starter going into this season, and we love the decision by coach Shanahan (read our Portis article HERE). Larry Johnson is the only real bruiser on the team and his second-team role was expected. The real ‘battle’, if you will, was amongst the veteran (and former speedster) Willie Parker and the young Ryan Torain.

Although the gap between Parker and Torain may not be that big, Torain’s main edge over the 30-year-old Parker is that he can contribute on special teams. It should also be mentioned that Shanahan is familiar with Torain from his first days with Denver.

This is the right move…just in case Shanahan gave a crap about our opinion.

Starting Defensive Line Of Carriker, Kemoeatu, and Golston – Yes! But before we mention the H-word, let us congratulate the three guys listed above who have worked their tales off to make the first-team. Kemoeatu is coming off of a torn Achilles, Carriker is looking for a revival, and Golston has been a workhorse from the beginning.

And now for the Haynesworth mention. That’s right, he’s on the second-team.

Although we have yet to even play a preseason game, it is nice to see that Albert Haynesworth isn’t getting anything easy. Haynesworth will be forced to work for a starting spot and he could play nose tackle OR defensive end.

Andre Carter Looks To Have Edge On Lorenzo Alexander – Another positional battle that ends with another expected result. Despite an outstanding camp for Alexander thus far, Andre Carter seems to present too much athleticism to pass up as the starter at left outside linebacker.

Alexander, like Golston, is a workhorse that will continue to receive playing time regardless of whether they’re on the first- or fifth-team. Unfortunately for Alexander, Andre Carter is a mutant. 

Kareem Moore Ahead Of Reed Doughty At Free Safety – We don’t want to say it again, but we knew this would happen. Doughty may be a fan favorite because of a strong work ethic, but Kareem Moore is the clear favorite in this battle.

The Washington Redskins have the opportunity to pose a pretty threatening safety assault with the combination of LaRon Landry (now playing closer to the line), Chris “The Predator” Horton, and Kareem Moore.

First-Team Return Men Are Thomas (KO) and Buchanon (PR) – And this is where Devin Thomas becomes more valuable than fellow 2008 Draft pick Malcolm Kelly. While Kelly has the potential of a lengthy redzone target, Thomas can contribute immediately as a consistent special teams player.

And though you may have forgotten that the team signed Phillip Buchanon, the cornerback has no choice but to be an upgrade from Antwann Randle-El last season.