Washington Redskins: Positional Grades Through Week 3

The Redskins' play through three weeks is debatable. Some would argue that it's the same old Redskins with a thin coat of polish, while others would make their honest case that the Redskins are a better football team in 2011 and changing for the better.

With the team sitting at 2-1 after a tough loss on Monday night to the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Mike Shanahan will prepare his team for a trip to St. Louis before heading into the Week 5 bye week.

The easier of the two arguments is that the Redskins are playing quality football and a number of different positions are stepping up for the sake of a win.

In order to avoid a personal meltdown of depression, I'm attempting to keep it positive with some positional grades through the Redskins' first three weeks.

Quarterback

I'd consider myself to be one of Rex Grossman's biggest critics, and his performance against Dallas on Monday night doesn't exactly work wonders or help convince me that he's anymore than what I thought he was.

Through three games, the Redskins are 2-1 with their one loss coming by way of the Dallas Cowboys in one of football's most heated rivalries.

Even for a critical fan such as myself, I can live with the 2-1 record at the arm of Grossman.

Statistically, Grossman's five touchdowns are a nice touch, but his five turnovers easily cancel them out.

Although currently completing 59-percent of his passes (a career-high), I wouldn't anticipate Grossman ending the season at such a high percentage.

At his current pace, Grossman is set to toss 25 touchdowns and 16 interceptions—an improved stat line from his Super Bowl season in 2006 when he threw for 23 scores and 20 interceptions.

However, Grossman is also on pace to get sacked 42 times and lose more than ten fumbles.

Although some of us may say that this is the typical Wrecks Grossman, 42 sacks and more than ten fumbles would be career-highs for the nine-year veteran.

For now, because Grossman's knowledge of the system could further improve his play and he has two wins in three games, I'd give the quarterback position a B-.

Backfield

Not counting fullback Darell Young's seven rushing yards in two games, the Redskins' primary backfield of Tim Hightower and rookie Roy Helu have rushed for 300 yards in three games.

And while I won't yet complain about an average of 100 yards per game, I will say that it must improve after the bye week.

Hightower, who was traded for in the offseason, appears to me to be a running back just waiting to explode in Shanahan's system.

Currently, Hightower is averaging just over three yards per carry and his touchdown total (just one right now) is expected to rise with the team's anticipated improvement in the redzone.

Known as a physical down-hill runner with the speed to make one cut and burn, Hightower seems like the perfect fit in Washington. As the offensive line progresses and adjusts accordingly, as will Hightower's production.

The complementary back to Hightower is first-year speedster Roy Helu.

Serving as more of the scat back with the elusiveness desired to shine in the backfield passing game, Helu is also averaging over five yards per carry on just 16 attempts this season.

From the looks of things, Helu's touches should increase as the season moves on and the Redskins are set-up with a young and effective backfield for the future.

Perhaps based more off of potential than actual production at this point, I'd give the Redskins backfield a B+. It doesn't take much to see what Hightower has to offer, given the blocking, and Helu looks very comfortable in just three professional appearances.

Also worth noting is the pass-protection provided by Hightower.

With a couple more blocks like the one he laid on Gerald Sensabaugh in Monday night's loss, Redskins fans may be drawing comparisons between Hightower and former running back Clinton Portis.

Receivers and Tight Ends

Probably one of the most exciting individual positions of the Redskins' season, the receiving crew is off to a great start.

Although the team was forced to begin the season without veteran tight end Chris Cooley being 100 percent healthy, the team has seen a solid effort out of both youngsters and veterans.

Veteran receiver Santana Moss has proven his worth once again. Showing his normal bursts of speed and solid hands, Moss leads the team with 16 receptions in three games.

When the Redskins traded for Jabar Gaffney last summer, I don't think fans really knew what kind of player we were getting in Washington.

Gaffney is a straight-up baller, and his play on the field has paid dividends for the Redskins. Through three games, Gaffney has 13 receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown.

And even when Gaffney isn't catching the ball, it's good to know that there's another guy out there with reliable hands and the ability to get open.

And while the starting wideouts of Moss and Gaffney are impressive, it's tight end Fred Davis that is really stealing the show.

Although no one likes injuries, especially to a fan-favorite such as Cooley, they are a part of football and they do happen.

But what is an unfortunate case for one player can sometimes lead to a very fortunate case for another. Enter, Fred Davis.

Through three games, Davis leads the team in receiving yards with 214 on just 12 catches.

His 17.8 yards-per-catch average is ranked fifth in the NFL amongst players with at least ten receptions.

Davis poses a very threatening matchup for opposing defense because of his immense size and speed. Add in the fact that he can make plays after the catch (74 YAC) and Davis is as close to a humongous wide receiver as you can get.

With this unit's dependability and the fearsome double tight end set of Davis and a healthy Chris Cooley, the Redskins' receiving crew could be one of the best in the NFL.

And don't forget about guys like Donte Stallworth and Anthony Armstrong, as their roles could certainly increase as the season moves on. I'm giving the receivers a solid A grade.

Offensive Line

At this point, I don't think it's hard to argue the fact that the Redskins' offensive line is a bit shaky. 

By all statistical accounts, the line isn't nearly as bad as others around the league, ranking 16th in run-blocking and 15th in pass-protection, according to Football Outsiders. 

But doesn't anyone else get the feeling, just by watching the games, that the offensive line has some upgrading to do before anyone considers the Redskins a legitimate contender?

Second-year left tackle Trent Williams has flashed signs of brilliance, but overall he's still working to prove his draft value.

Although I love Williams' athleticism, speed and newfound commitment this season, we still have to hold out hope that he molds into the left tackle we all dreamed of by the end of this year. 

Re-signing right tackle Jammal Brown is proving to be a solid payoff through three weeks.

Although the Redskins don't run the ball off the right end as often as they do the left, they're still averaging 3.5 yards per carry on Brown's side (Football Outsiders). 

And then there's the middle of the line. Originally thought to be made up of three pedestrian guys, the likes of Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery and Chris Chester seem to be pretty impressive thus far.

According to Football Outsiders, behind the middle of the line ranks second only behind the left end as the primary area of focus for the Redskins' running game.

Running 23 percent of the teams 78 carries up the middle, the backfield is averaging a little over four yards per carry behind the center and guards.

Beyond the run-blocking, the line has already allowed eight sacks.

However, I wouldn't attribute all of those to the five up front. When you have a quarterback with as little mobility as Rex Grossman, sometimes the sacks are inevitable. 

There's no denying that this line can get better as the season goes on, but until we see it, I don't think anyone would argue against some upgrading. For now, I'd give the Redskins offensive line a C+.  

Defense

Even now, with the added personnel and players in their second year with defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, I still like to think back to those Redskins fans last season.

You know the ones. The guys that were practically boycotting the 3-4 scheme and pleading for the team to revert back to the 4-3 system. 

Where are those critics now?

The Redskins currently rank fifth in the NFL in terms of points allowed per game (17.7) and they're allowing just 16 first downs per game, which is also good for fifth in the NFL. 

With new additions like Stephen Bowen, Barry Cofield and Ryan Kerrigan to help solidify the 3-4 scheme, Jim Haslett has the Redskins' defense positioned as one of the fiercest in the league. 

Based on being the aggressor and applying pressure, Haslett's defense ranks tops in the league in third-down defense, and that's a big reason why the Redskins are positioned at 2-1. 

LaRon Landry returned against the Cowboys and let his presence be felt early.

As much as we loved seeing Dirty 30 flying around the field and sticking his nose in every play, it was the fact that he appeared to finish the game uninjured and ready to go to St. Louis next week that's most important. 

Regardless of the proving stats, I like what I see from the Redskins' defense this season.

The guys appear motivated, they're performing and I honestly believe that they'll finish the season as a top-ten defense (barring major injuries). For that, I'll give the Redskins defense an A. 

Special Teams

Graham Gano's kicking power has never been an issue for the second-year man out of Florida State. But when it came down to Gano's accuracy, questions swirled. 

Last summer, Gano reportedly put in tons of work to better his game and perfect his craft and his production through three games this season is decent. 

Gano has been blocked twice, but he has hit six of his nine attempts and he made a crucial 50-yarder in Monday night's game against the Cowboys to make it a 9-9 tie at the half. 

Although I don't believe that Gano is on a long leash, I think he's safe for now. And in my opinion, Gano will only get better with time. 

Before punter Sav Rocca botched the hold in Monday night's game, his season through three games was pretty flawless.

When it comes to Rocca's primary role as a punter, he's one of the league's best. 

Rocca is averaging just over 43 yards per punt and he leads the league with nine punts inside the 20-yard line. 

Fan-favorite return specialist Brandon Banks is off to another fast start in 2011. As a matter of fact, the Cowboys were the only team that appeared to contain Banks so far this season. 

Through three games, Banks ranks second in the league in kickoff return yards with 253, and his average punt return of 14 yards is good for fourth in the NFL. 

Expecting improvement from Gano, consistency from Rocca and at least two touchdowns for Banks before the season ends, I'd say the Redskins' specialists are in pretty good shape. Good enough for a B+.