State of The Washington Redskins Address: A Look Back At The 2010 Season
Another football season has come and gone in Washington and the Redskins have more questions than answers going into the off-season. What is going to happen to front office darlings Donovan McNabb and Albert Haynesworth? Who is the future franchise quarterback? How does the front office fix the defense?
This was a season of ups and downs in for the Redskins. Santana Moss had a career season, DeAngelo Hall had 4 interceptions against Chicago, and an overtime victory over Jacksonville. However these good points were overshadowed by a 31st ranked defense, the botched PAT at the end of the Tampa Bay game, and the second game against Philadelphia.
Coming up is a more in-depth look at the Washington Redskins position by position
The Offense: Breakdown
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The 2010 Washington Redskins had another off year on offense. With Jim Zorn shown the door and Dan Snyder bringing in the offensive minded Mike Shanahan it was supposed to be different. While the offense improved in some areas, pretty much overall the offense was the same as last year under Zorn.
Overall the major statistics show there was some improvement but very minimal. The offense’s 2010 yards per game 336 ranking 18th compared to 313 yards per game ranking 22nd overall. Even points per game was boost but not by much. They averaged 19 points per game (25th) for 2010 and 16.6 points per game (26th). This season the Redskins only mustered 1 game of 30+ points compared to 2 games from last season.
The only big jump in ranking for the Redskins was in the passing yards per game. Last season Washington only averaged 218 pass yards per game (16th) where they averaged 244 pass yards per game this season (8th). Even with an All-Pro quarterback at the helm, the offense couldn’t score more passing touchdowns. In both 2009 and 2010 the offense had 21 receiving touchdowns.
Sadly this is a team that is noted as a rush first, pass second franchise. Throughout the team’s history was built around a top flight running back and an offensive line. Boy how have things changed in Washington. Last season they averaged 94 yards per game (27th) while they averaged 91 yards per game (30th) this season. The offense rushing touchdown rate did improve by 1, with 9 rushing touchdowns this compared to the 8 touchdowns scored last year. While at the running back position, health has been an issue, the offensive line had both major injuries and lack of continuity against them.
Let’s compare these statistics to the same statistics for the Houston Texans who Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in 2009. Houston had 383 yards per game (4th) and 24.2 points per game (10th). While the Redskins don’t have a Matt Schaub or Andre Johnson there should have been a little bit more improvement from last year’s dismal showing on offense.
Quarterbacks: Roster
2 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Donovan McNabb 12 Syracuse Starter; 13 games
Rex Grossman 9 Florida Starter; 3 games
John Beck 4 Brigham Young
Quarterbacks: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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Last season started on a great high for the ‘Skins with the addition of Donovan McNabb to the team. He had led the division rival Philadelphia Eagles to the playoffs numerous times and to the Super Bowl once. Like most of his time in Philadelphia, McNabb lacked many offensive threats which the Redskins also lack.
McNabb started all but the final three games posting 3,377 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. This was the first season that Donovan had more interceptions then touchdowns in his career. The final three games were started by Rex Grossman and he posted modest numbers of 884 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in going 1-2.
A decision needs to be made about McNabb’s future in Washington. With all of the issues he still seems to be the best option at quarterback but for how much longer. He’ll start his 13th season in 2011. His career statistics have slowly dropped over the past couple years but he is still a good team leader. More than likely he’ll be let go, just on the issues between him and Mike Shanahan.
John Beck is an interesting case for sure at the third quarterback spot. After being drafted in the second round in 2007, he started 4 games his rookie year for a 1 win Miami Dolphins team. He hasn’t seen the field since is on his third different team. The other issue is he will be 30 years old going into next season with limited NFL experience. He could be the future at the position but not long term.
With Grossman’s contract up at the end of the season do they hold onto the 9 year veteran who is turnover prone or let him walk? I’d re-sign Grossman but to a short term contract. I don’t see him as the future based on his past performance but his play for Washington has been just good enough to keep him for at least one more season.
This is a position that needs upgraded by young talent that is NFL ready or could use some grooming behind a good veteran quarterback. Getting a solid quarterback in the draft should be a priority.
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Running Backs: Roster
4 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Clinton Portis 9 Miami FL Injured Reserve; Starter
Chad Simpson 3 Morgan State Injured Reserve
Andre Brown 2 North Carolina St
James Davis 2 Clemson
Ryan Torain 2 Arizona St Starter
Keiland Williams R LSU
Mike Sellers 10 Walla Walla CC Starter
Darrel Young 2 Villanova
Shawnbrey McNeal R SMU Practice Squad
Wide Receiver: Roster
5 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Anthony Armstrong 2 West Texas A&M Starter
Terrence Austin R UCLA
Brandon Banks R Kansas St
Santana Moss 10 Miami FL Starter
Roydell Williams 4 Tulane
Mike Furrey 8 Northern Iowa Injured Reserve
Malcolm Kelly 3 Oklahoma Injured Reserve
Taurus Johnson 2 South Florida Practice Squad
Maurice Price 3 Charleston Southern Practice Squad
Running Backs: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The Redskins started the season with three veteran running backs that if in their prime are quality players in Portis, Willie Parker, and Larry Johnson. Parker and Johnson were cut early on. In hindsight that probably wasn’t the best move by the front office.
The Redskins have quite a youth movement at the running back position but sadly it was not by design. It has been another injury plagued season at in the backfield for Washington. Other than Clinton Portis, only Chad Simpson has more than 2 years of professional experience. And both of them are on the injured reserve. Most of the running backs on the roster are unrestricted free agents signed because of injuries to the stars.
Other than Portis this is a roster of unrestricted free agents already on their second or third different team. Torain was drafted by Denver in 2008 and signed with Washington before the season. Keiland Williams signed as an undrafted rookie free agent and Andre Brown, James Davis, and Chad Simpson signed mid-season.
Ryan Torain has been a great surprise for Washington but also missed time due to a hamstring injury. He is the leading rusher for the season with 742 yards through in just a partial season. Is Torain the future at the position in Washington? With missing time for injury already and going into his third season I don’t think Torain can withstand the entire season as the feature back.
Keiland Williams has become a good option out of the backfield. With 39 receptions he leads running backs in that category and 4th overall. It’s great having options out of the backfield. Neither Torain nor Mike Sellers have many receptions and the only other good receiver is Clinton Portis.
Portis is the only running back drafted in the early rounds of the NFL draft and is most likely out of Washington after a stellar career. The Redskins could get away with Torain and Williams but they should upgrade this position early in the draft if possible.
Wide Receivers: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The Redskins came into the season with the hope that their 2008 draft class of Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas would rise to expectations of their lofty draft positions. Besides Santana Moss there are no big threats for Washington on the outside unless either player didn’t step up. Neither did as Thomas was waived beginning of October and Kelly’s been on the injured reserves list all season.
It took awhile for Santana Moss to break out this season he leads the team in receptions (93) and yards (1115). Moss had a career high in receptions this season and second high yardage mark. He is the number one option at the wide receiver position. But besides Chris Cooley at the tight end position, there is no one with more than 70 receptions on the year.
The big surprise has to be Anthony Armstrong who signed with the Redskins last season on the practice squad. Since making the main roster to start the season, he has taken over the second starting wide receiver position behind Moss and has 44 receptions, 871 yards, and 3 touchdowns on the season.
Behind Armstrong the receiver depth just isn’t there. No other receiver on the roster has more than 12 receptions and that isn’t a good statistic. Terrence Austin should get a chance to stay with the team after being drafted last year in the seventh round. But that doesn’t mean much as the ‘Skins have drafted receivers the past 3 years and so far none have panned out.
Signing a good receiver to pull some heat off of Moss would be a plus. That is if Santana returns to Washington since he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. If Santana walks leaving the Redskins with a depth chart of Malcolm Kelly & Anthony Armstrong at the wide receiver position, they better get an upgrade either through the draft or via free agency.
Tight End: Roster
8 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Chris Cooley 7 Utah St Starter
Fred Davis 3 USC
Logan Paulsen R UCLA
Tight Ends: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The tight end situation in Washington remained the same from the start of the season to the end. Cooley is a primary target in Washington behind Santana Moss. With 77 receptions only Moss has more. Fred Davis is next on the list if he can ever get on the field. With only 21 receptions, that is nowhere near what Davis should have. He’s a prototypical tight end at 6’4”, 255lbs and proved last year to be a great fill-in for Cooley. Logan Paulsen, the rookie out of UCLA has seen more playing time over the past couple weeks finally getting into the statistics with 2 receptions and 1 touchdown. He mostly finds the field in blocking situations which is good since the Redskins other tight ends are both primarily receivers.
There is no need to fix what isn’t broken. However getting Davis on the field more should be a priority going into next season. Even if it means flexing either Cooley or Davis out like wide receivers it gets our best receivers on the field.
Offensive Line: Roster
10 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Casey Rabach 9 Wisconsin Center
Erik Cook R New Mexico Center/Guard
Will Montgomery 5 Virginia Tech Center/Guard
Derrick Dockery 8 Texas Guard
Kory Lichtensteiger 3 Bowling Green Guard
Artis Hicks 9 Memphis Guard/Tackle
Mike Williams 7 Texas Guard/Tackle
Jammal Brown 6 Oklahoma Tackle
Stephon Heyer 4 Maryland Tackle
Trent Williams R Oklahoma Tackle
Clint Oldenburg 2 Colorado St Tackle
Selvish Capers R West Virginia Tackle; Practice Squad
Offensive Line: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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This was not a stellar year for again for the Washington Redskins offensive line. They again gave up 46 sacks on the season and had the quarterback take 108 hits though a lot of this is due to a lack of mobility at the position. They also couldn’t get 1500 yards and only 9 touchdowns on the ground. A lot of this is due to injury and play calling but they also gave up 80+ tackles for loss.
By using a win percentage added and expected points added statistics the offensive line didn’t compare well with the rest of the league as well. The Redskins line finished 32nd in WPA with a -1.99 and 30th in EPA with -29.5 behind only Carolina (-52.0) and Chicago (-46.2). Most of this bad performance was on passing plays with -1.88 Passing-WPA and -42.7 Passing –EPA. They actually have a 13.1 Rush-EPA yet the Redskins threw the ball more.
The front office also went out and tried acquiring other linemen in an attempt to fix the problem from last year. So they drafted Trent Williams in the 1st round and Selvish Capers in the 7th round. Williams was tasked with replacing one of the best offensive lineman the Redskins have ever had in Chris Samuels missed a couple games early in the season. They traded for Jammal Brown from the Saints and signed Artis Hicks and Kory Lichtensteiger as a free agent.
Injuries and poor play plagued the front line all season. Over the season the Redskins had seven different combinations of starting offensive lineman. Casey Rabach was the only steady force on the line at center playing all 16 games. Since replacing Derrick Dockery for the St. Louis game, Lichtensteiger has been a steady force at one of the guards. The other guard position has been split between Hicks and Will Montgomery. Depending on the injury situation, the primary tackles have been Brown and Williams. On occasion last year’s starter Stephon Heyer has started as well.
Given sometime this offensive line could gel and be a decent force. Rabach should be back and truly be a steady force at the center position. Lichtenstieger and Montgomery look to be the guards. This is the only offensive line position that could see some improvement in the off-season. Williams and Brown are both solidly in place at the tackle positions so don’t see anything done at this time. Only issue is Brown will be a free agent this off-season so he should be re-signed unless the Redskins want to look like total idiots with trading for him for just this season.
The Defense: Breakdown
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Going into the season most people would probably have said the defense was the strength of this Washington Redskins team. They finished in the top 10 in total defense for the 2009 season under Greg Blache as defensive coordinator. How things changed in Washington with the appearance of Mike Shanahan.
The defense fell to rock bottom this season under new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. He switched a decent 4-3 defense that could only get better to a horrible 3-4 defense that needs to improve. All of the major defensive statistics worsened with the switch to the 3-4 defense while most of this is due to wrong personnel in the wrong scheme and injuries to key players.
Both the pass and rush defense fell drastically under Haslett. In 2009 the Redskins gave up 207yd/game (8th) through the air to 262yd/game (31st). They also gave up more touchdowns through the air, 23 TD for 2010 compared to 19 for 2009. The only improvement was they ended up with more interceptions 14 to 11. However if DeAngelo Hall’s 4 interception game against Chicago is removed, then there really isn’t much improvement.
In 2009, the passing defense was the strength while the rushing defense was mediocre. They ranked 16th giving up 112 rush yards per game in 2009. This season it got worse dropping to 25th overall giving up 128 rush yards per game. While the big run stopping threat missed portions of both seasons, the 2010 season was not a good year for Albert Haynesworth. The defense even gave up more touchdowns on the ground.
Overall what was the strength last season was definitely not in 2010.
Defensive Line: Roster
13 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Adam Carricker 4 Nebraska Defensive End; Starter
Jeremy Jarmon 2 Kentucky Defensive End;
Darrion Scott 5 Ohio St Defensive End
Vonnie Holliday 13 North Carolina Defensive Line; Starter
Joe Joseph R Miami Defensive Line
Albert Haynesworth 9 Tennessee Defensive Tackle
Anthony Bryant 4 Alabama Nose Tackle; Starter
Phillip Daniels 15 Georgia Defensive End; Injured Reserve
Kedric Golston 5 Georgia Defensive End; Injured Reserve
Ma’ake Kemoeatu 9 Utah Nose Tackle; Injured Reserve
Defensive Line: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The defensive line for the Redskins has been in the news since the beginning of the season and not for being an outstanding unit. Albert Haynesworth and Mike Shanahan have disagreed all season starting with preseason workouts and all the way through to Haynesworth’s suspension that ended his season.
On paper the defensive line to start the season looked like a good unit if the coaching staff could get Haynesworth to perform. The unit has good veteran presence compared to other positions on this squad. However the top defensive linemen have fallen near the end of the season with Phillip Daniels, Kedric Golston, and Ma’ake Kemoeatu on injured reserve. Haynesworth has missed multiple games this season with injury, personal problems, and suspensions.
However what was a strength last season in a 4-3 scheme, it was not this season as a 3-4 scheme. In a 3-4 scheme, the defensive line is really there to gobble up blocks to free up the linebackers. Most of the players are suited better for the 4-3 scheme. The drop in the defensive statistics is proof of that.
When as a team, the Redskins only have 37 tackles for a loss, led by a safety and cornerback, that’s not good. Adam Carricker led the defensive line with 4 TFL. The entire team also lacks at getting pressure on the quarterback except linebacker Brian Orakpo. The defense has only 29 sacks with Orakpo leading the way. Defensive linemen have only put up 9 sacks, led by Vonnie Holliday and Haynesworth with 2.5 sacks a piece.
In the off-season something needs to be done to improve the front line. More than likely Haynesworth and Daniels will be out of Washington. I wouldn’t be surprised if Holliday is also let go in an attempt to get younger. Carricker, Golston , and Kemoeatu fit the 3-4 scheme but behind them there just isn’t much depth in Washington. But there can be a major improvement over these three. Jeremy Jarmon could turn into a decent defensive end but needs some polishing. Depth at the defensive line positions would be good for late round draft picks or through free agency to build depth.
Linebacker: Roster
15 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Lorenzo Alexander 4 California Starter; Outside LB
H.B. Blades 4 Pittsburgh Inside LB
Andre Carter 10 California Outside LB
London Fletcher 13 John Carroll Starter; Inside LB
Rob Jackson 3 Kansas St
Rocky McIntosh 5 Miami FL Starter; Inside LB
Brian Orakpo 2 Texas Starter; Outside LB
Perry Riley R LSU Inside LB
Chris Wilson 4 Northwood Outside Linebacker
Robert Henson 2 TCU Injured Reserve
Linebacker: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The linebacker core for Washington was rather underrated this season. Having switched from the 4-3 defense to the 3-4 defense did not really hamper the starting unit. Again the linebackers led the team in tackles and had the leading sacker.
Brian Orakpo has proven he can convert from the defensive line at Texas to the linebacker position in the pros. He led the team in sacks for the second straight season. He is the best pass rusher the Redskins. He fits in well with the 3-4 scheme at the outside linebacker position.
At the other outside linebacker position Lorenzo Alexander took over for Andre Carter who last season had 11 sacks from the linebacking position. He finished the season with 57 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Primarily a back-up last season he broke into starting line-up near the beginning of season. However with only 1.5 sacks that isn’t what is really desired at the outside linebacker position.
At the inside linebacker position Rocky McIntosh and London Fletcher hold down the starting jobs. Both players finished leading the team in tackles again this season with over 100 tackles. Fletcher again proved he is an elite linebacker. Downside is that 2010 was his 13th season and great things don’t always last forever.
McIntosh can be the next London Fletcher. He has been the second leading tackler the past two seasons behind Fletcher and is going into his 6th season. But behind these two players there isn’t much depth with HB Blades and Perry Riley.
HB Blades and Andre Carter were the primary back-ups for the Redskins. Carter lost his starting position to Lorenzo Alexander this season after he finished near the top in tackles and tied with Orakpo for sacks in 2009. Blades has been a decent back-up and has some potential to possibly step in as a starter soon.
Quality depth at the linebacker spots is really the only issue. If the Redskins want to become an elite 3-4 defense then they need to continue building around the linebackers. Orakpo and Fletcher are the elite players but McIntosh isn’t far behind and closing in. Depending on the collective bargaining agreement, McIntosh might become an unrestricted free agent. The Redskins better try to resign him if he does. Another pass rushing outside linebacker would be a good addition as well.
Defensive Backfield: Roster
17 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Kevin Barnes 2 Maryland Cornerback
Phillip Buchanon 9 Miami Cornerback
Carlos Roger 6 Auburn Cornerback; Starter
DeAngelo Hall 7 Virginia Tech Cornerback; Starter
Reggie Jones 2 Portland St. Cornerback
Byron Westbrook 2 Salisbury U Cornerback
Reed Doughty 5 Northern Colorado Safety
Victor Harris 2 Virginia Tech Safety
Sha’reff Rashad 2 Central Florida Safety
Chris Horton 3 UCLA Injured Reserve; Safety
LaRon Landry 4 LSU Injured Reserve; Safety
Kareem Moore 3 Nicholls St Injured Reserve; Safety
Anderson Russell R Ohio St Injured Reserve; Safety
Defensive Backfield: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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This was clearly the strength of the Washington Redskins’ defense in 2009. Sadly that strength became their weakness in 2010. Some of this was due to key injuries. The Redskins place four safeties on injured reserve this season including starters Kareem Moore and LaRon Landry. Landry missed seven games with an Achilles tendon injury while Moore missed 4 games with a knee injury. Also Chris Horton (ankle) and Anderson Russell (knee) missed significant time as well.
While the safety positions were decimated by injuries the cornerbacks couldn’t continue 2009’s success. While DeAngelo Hall will be headed to the Pro Bowl, his team leading 6 interceptions game within a month span early in the season. Believe or not, Hall deserved the Pro Bowl bid by posting career highs in tackles and pass defenses. But this shows a lack of front line help when a cornerback in Hall is the third leading tackler.
The other starting cornerback, Carlos Rogers, couldn’t regain his previous form and missed some game to a calf injury. Even with missing 4 games, he still improved on his statistics from 2009 by making 54 tackles, 2 interception and 12 pass defenses.
Phillip Buchanon was the only other bright spot at the cornerback position. The nickel corner posted a team high in pass defenses with 18 and posted 49 tackles and 2 interceptions on the season.
Still the Redskins’ cornerbacks had issues covering receivers in many situations. Both Hall and Rogers are not really shutdown defenders but if in cover 2 schemes they can hold their own. However both Carlos Rogers and Phillip Buchanon become unrestricted free agents this off-season leaving the Redskins possibly in big trouble going into next season.
Going into the season LaRon Landry and Kareem Moore were pegged as the starters at the safety positions. Even with missing a combined 11 games this season they finished 5th (Landry) and 6th (Moore) on the team with total tackles. Landry was on track for a pro bowl season if not derailed by the Achilles tendon injury.
With the games missed by the starters, Reed Doughty stepped in again for the Redskins. Doughty again finished the season with 90+ tackles at safety position. He also forced two fumbles and had two pass defenses on the season. This was another good season for Doughty who is a unrestricted free agent this off-season.
At the cornerback position the Redskins need to improve and get some help behind Hall if they let both Rogers and Buchanon walk. I can see one of these two players returning but not both. If up to me I’d re-sign Buchanon and let Rogers walk. Rogers hasn’t been able to retain his form season to season. His best season was his 2nd one in Washington and hasn’t improved or returned to that career season.
Depth at the safety position was brought to the front this season. Other than Landry and Moore, Doughty was the only quality player at the position. With Doughty becoming a free agent they either need to re-sign him or need to build up the depth at the safety positions. Victor Harris gives the ‘Skins flexibility as he was a cornerback at Virginia Tech.
Special Teams: Roster
19 of 21Name Years Pro College Info
Graham Gano 2 Florida St Kicker
Sam Paulescu 4 Oregon St Punter
Josh Bidwell 12 Oregon Injured Reserve; Punter
Special Teams: 2010 Statistics and Off-Season Concerns
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The special teams for the Washington Redskins was a mixed bag of good and bad on the season. While the kickers themselves were almost downright atrocious, the returners and coverage team attempted to make up the difference.
Graham Gano did not have a stellar season as the kicker for the Redskins. His field goal percentage on the season was horrible at 69% and he only registered 9 touchbacks on the season. He was saved on kickoffs by his coverage team as they only gave up an average of 19 yards per kick-off return. Officially Gano didn’t miss a PAT this season but all Redskins fans know about the botched extra point at the end of the Tampa Bay game.
The punter spot was interesting dilemma this season for the Redskins. Through the season four different players punted for the Redskins. Josh Bidwell started the season as the Redskins punter before being placed on injured reserve. Hunter Smith returned to the Redskins to take over for Bidwell but was unceremoniously dumped after the botched PAT during the Tampa Bay game. Paulescu finished the season as the Redskins punter. However none of these players were outstanding as combined the averaged 40.2 yards per punt with a net average of 33.7 both ranking them 31st in the league.
Graham Gano should not be back as the place kicker for the Redskins. With an offense that seems to end up attempting more field goals, they need an accurate kicker with a decent leg. Gano is neither of these. As well the Redskins need to find a punter as well.
Conclusion
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This was not the season most probably expected for the Washington Redskins. They constantly played to their opponents this season posting wins over three playoff teams in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Green Bay. But with those wins they had some disappointing losses to below .500 teams in St. Louis, Houston, Detroit, Minnesota, and Dallas. If the team that showed up for the big wins was present every game the Redskins could have been a lot better and possibly made a run for a playoff position.
The offense needs more threats for whoever is the quarterback next season. Santana Moss is a free agent and should be resigned if the Redskins want to stay respectable. Without him Cooley becomes the primary threat and someone else will need to step up. Drafting a possession receiver would be nice addition to this team. Offensive line and quarterback also still need addressing as well.
On the defense the only position that does not need much help is the safeties. With players returning from injuries they should be back to good form at those positions. If the Redskins stick with the 3-4 scheme they need a dominant nose tackle either by free agency or the draft. Linebacker and cornerback depth need addressed also.
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