Gameday Grades of the Washington Redskins Roster Cuts
The roster cuts have been completed and are finalized. Looking back over the past week I have seen article after article about the cuts and how they affect the team.
If you've been keeping up with me since I became a featured columnist you know about my analysis of the past two Redskins preseason games and my section called the "Gameday Grades."
The following is a "Gameday Grade" of the final roster cuts the Washington Redskins have made.
As usual, feedback and comments are always welcomed.
P.S. Beat Dallas!
Quarterback: B+
1 of 19
Redskins Starter: Donovan McNabb. Enough said.
For Redskins fans who remember the last time someone was paid a lot of money to wear #8 it did not work out quite as well as planned. This time I believe things will be different.
Rex Grossman is the key factor that brings the Gameday Grade for quarterbacks up to a B+.
Grossman is a very sound and capable quarterback that can bring to the table Super Bowl experience if/when starter Donovan McNabb gets injured.
Washington finally has deep talent at the QB position, something that has been lacking for years.
For all the Jason Campbell haters of the Nation's Capital I offer only this and I'll be done. Jason Campbell is a sound quarterback like Rex Grossman. Not an overwhelming power under center but constant enough to keep you close in games.
Running Back: B
2 of 19
Willie Parker just did not do enough. So see you later the only player with a Super Bowl ring.
Returning to the Redskins, with no surprise, is Clinton Portis. He is getting a little older but, as I mentioned in a previous article, Portis is not very far away from joining the 10,000 yard club.
What does that equal?
That means Clinton Portis, whether you like him or not, has talent.
Second string running back is talented Penn State standout Larry Johnson. This is the same Larry Johnson that was once on a Chiefs team that, along with Priest Holmes, combined to be one of the most lethal two back system in the NFL. A few years removed from dominance but still effective.
Third string rookie Keiland Williams is an off-season standout that impressed the front office enough to keep him over someone with a Super Bowl ring. We will see how that works out for him and them.
Fullback: A
3 of 19
The fullback position has developed over the years, much like tight end, to be a versatile position.
Mike Sellers has been one of the most consistent fullbacks in the NFL for much of his 10 year career.
He can block.
He can catch.
He can run the ball.
What more can you ask for in a back?
Darrel Young is the young prospect with some great moments playing linebacker for Villanova but has been moved to fullback/running back mixture by the Redskins.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Wide Receiver: C
4 of 19
To put it frankly I feel the Wide Receiver position for the Redskins is not very good. If they had these receivers six or more years ago the two first string receivers would be in their prime and fantastic.
As of now, all I can see is an undersized Redskins receiving corps that is only getting older.
Santana Moss has always been too small, in my eyes, to be a #1 receiver. If we could throw the cards in the air and rebuild the team I would have Moss as the #2 constant deep threat that his speed qualifies him for without question.
Journeyman Joey Galloway is 38 years old and was once one of the fastest possession receivers in the NFL. Amassing stats of nearly 11,000 yards receiving for his career does not come easy but you have to wonder at his age is the much left in the tank? If not, maybe he could be the next great NFL head coach seeing how he is older than Super Bowl winning coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Anthony Armstrong and Roydell Williams had wonderful preseasons and certainly earned their right to be on the team.
Devin Thomas is the head scratcher in all this. He is the prospect the Redskins drafted along with Malcolm Kelly to be the future wide outs for the team and now he ranked last on the team's depth chart. Worry not though good folks because Thomas has shown glimpses of becoming a great kick returner which an important position the Redskins have been weak in for years.
Tight End: A
5 of 19
Lets sit down and name the top 5 Tight Ends in the league right now shall we?
Think hard.
Now look me in the eye and tell me you did not include Chris Cooley.
That's what I thought.
Prospect Fred Davis is going to be great and the Redskins could have two of the best Tight Ends for years to come if they can lock them up with long term deals.
Rookie Logan Paulsen showed amazing play during preseason. He can really block well. His receiving capability is still yet to be demonstrated in its full potential.
Offensive Tackle: B+
6 of 19
It is quite apparent the Redskins like how the Oklahoma Sooners build their offensive tackles. Both starters, Trent Williams and Jammal Brown, are a product of that great collegiate system.
Backup Stephon Heyer is a good enough tackle to play both sides and has started quite a few games for the Redskins in his three year career.
Offensive Guard: C+
7 of 19
Derrick Dockery is one of those players that is usually underrated and is, while not a stand out, a solid choice.
Artis Hicks is a career long backup whose best year came when he played for the Vikings all 16 games but only started 3.
Will Montgomery is a hometown kid growing up in Centreville, Va. He has played in 29 games in 4 years for the Carolina Panthers, New York Jets and Washington Redskins. A great backup choice.
Center: B
8 of 19
Casey Rabach has been the Redskin's starter for a few years now and has really grown into a very consistent center. He is making better line adjustments and is reading blitzes very well as of late.
Backup Kory Lichtensteiger was last on a depth chart for an entire season while playing for the Denver Broncos, Coach Mike Shanahan's old team, in 2008.
The center position is a very controversial one. Some feel it is not very important, others think that it ranks up there with quarterback in importance.
However you think about it the Redskins have decent talent at the center position. They are nowhere near as solid as the Indianapolis Colts or Baltimore Ravens but they are solid enough.
Defensive End: C
9 of 19
Defensive ends need to be some of the most athletic big men in the NFL.
The Washington Redskins are lacking standout talent.
First team lineman, according to Redskins.com, are Adam Carriker and Kedric Golston.
Golston is about as average a talent for defensive end as they come with good lateral mobility.
Adam Carriker is coming off a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire 2009 season with the St. Louis Rams. He has great size and started 25-of-31 games he has played in but has only registered two sacks.
Philip Daniels is the "oldy but goody" choice that the Redskins can always turn to for average ability that will play smart and not make too many mistakes.
Vonnie Holiday is a crafty veteran that has left his best years behind him in Green Bay but still has a year or two left in the tank for a good backup option. He is a very smart lineman.
Jeremy Jarmon is a prospect who saw his rookie season cut short with a knee injury. It will take more years of analysis to accurately gauge how outstanding he could actually be.
The fact that this position is so weak and the Redskins did not pursue Julius Peppers is still leaving me going, "huh?"
Nose Tackle: B
10 of 19
This could be a higher grade if Albert Haynesworth would should complete commitment to the team.
Not showing up to off-season workouts and not coming to half-time meetings to go over adjustments for the second half will not leave a good taste in fans mouths that are seeing their $100 million dollar man acting like a rogue that gets special treatment.
For now, the starter Ma'ake Kemouatu is a solid option. He is not a "whoa! Did you see that guy?" kind of nose tackle but he is good enough and smart enough to plug the holes and do his job for a quarter of the cost of the second string player on the depth chart.
Anthony Bryant is HUGE! He is only 6'3" tall but weighs 376lbs. He can fill any hole by just stepping in it but needs to find a more long term home. He has been a professional football player for three years and has been with six different clubs.
Outside Linebacker: A
11 of 19
Between the talents of Brian Orakpo and Andre Carter, above, the Washington Redskins starters are able to stack up against the best in the nation.
Throw in Lorenzo Alexander, who had a magnificent preseason, and Chris Wilson the Redskins outside linebacking corps offers talent, youth and depth.
Hopefully that was short and sweet enough for you. Thanks for reading this far by the way. I assure you that you are in the home stretch.
Inside Linebacker: A+
12 of 19
Ok, I'm a linebacker loving fan but you have to admit, along with any sports writer, that the Redskins talent level at all their linebacker positions is deep.
Here is my London Fletcher speech...He's great.
Rocky McIntosh is developing well under his excellent tutor, London Fletcher. He is turning into a well rounded linebacker and is fighting off some injury problems but looks to hit this season strong.
H.B. Blades, aside from having a really cool name, is solid and healthy. He has played in all 48 games he has been available for during his career. Oh and he is also a stand out player blocking/tackling on special teams.
Perry Riley is an LSU stand out that was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2008. He is a rookie this season and we will be watching to see if his college dominance continues into his pro career.
Cornerback: B
13 of 19
The best cornerback on the team was gained at the Raiders lose. DeAngelo Hall is regaining his shut-you-down style that he had while being a two time Pro Bowl player with the Atlanta Falcons.
Carlos Rogers has never been a "great" cornerback but is what I would consider to be a "good" nickel back. You can certainly do worse than having Carlos Rogers on your team.
Philip Buchanon was a speedy nickel back with the Houston Texans. He was also a decent kick returner at one point but those years have passed him by. He is now in an appropriate position as the team's third cornerback but using him as a punt returner is risky. We will see if he can be effective.
I can only relate to Kevin Barnes as a player for Maryland in college due to his limited play as a pro. He started two years for Maryland and had a reputation for hitting extremely hard getting 85 tackles and two forced fumbles in only 20 games.
Byron Westbrook is the brother of former NFC East hero Brian Westbrook. He will be mainly featured on special teams this season like last season when he played 15 games and got 15 tackles.
Safety: A
14 of 19
The Washington Redskins have four safeties.
LaRon Landy. Yeah, he's good.
Reed Doughty. Yeah, he's underrated.
Chris Horton. Yeah, he hits hard.
Kareem Moore. Yeah, he hits hard too.
All of them are young enough to become great. They all hit hard and any team would like to have any one of them. Therefore, that deserves a good grade.
Kicker: B+
15 of 19
The Redskins finally have a kicker that shows consistency and accuracy. When you are looking for a kicker that is pretty much all you can ask for.
The only thing that could be a question is his leg strength but he has been named the team's kick-off man and he nailed a 50+ yard field goal during the Arizona game.
Punter: C+
16 of 19
I am sorry but I was not impressed by Josh Bidwell during the preseason.
He lacks in leg strength and the ability to pin the ball deep.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt with accuracy because he usually kept it between the lines but he will need to get the ball deeper and see if the "coffin corner" is something he can hit to get a better grade from me.
His ability to hold a snap for Graham Gano is good though.
Return Game: B
17 of 19
Devin Thomas showed glimpses of greatness during his stint as a kick returner this preseason that even had Redskin's great Sonny Jurgenson commenting on him.
Philip Buchanon's best years are behind him in the speed category but what he has lost in speed he may have gained in awareness and being able to pick his holes.
Bottom line, if the punt return game averages more than 3.0 yards per return, it is a victory. If the kick return department takes one or two to the house, then it is a complete success.
Long Snapper: C
18 of 19
Nick Sundberg is the team's designated long snapper.
Based on preseason play he did very well getting the ball where it needed to be and providing enough support to allow the punter or kicker to get the ball in the air. He is also very durable. He played 52 straight games for the California Golden Bears in college where he was a true freshman when he won the position.
The Washington Redskins Team and Coaching Staff: B+
19 of 19
The coaching staff really brings this rating up because I was half tempted to rate them a B. It would be really hard to rank both Shanahans and Jim Haslett together less than an A. Any team would love to have the current Redskins coaching staff.
The obvious weaknesses are holding the back which is wide receiver, guard and defensive end. Other than that the Redskins have a wonderful team this year and once those three problem areas are attended to next year or by a good trade this season they will be a formidable team in the NFC once again.
Thank you for this marathon read and I hope you've enjoyed it.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
