Washington Redskins Week 5 Report: Grading Every Position

The Redskins have surprised many by compiling an impressive 3-1 start to begin Mike Shanahan's second season at the helm.

Many factors have contributed to the strong early-season form.  The 3-4 system favored by the new regime has begun to take hold, thanks largely to some smart acquisitions via both free agency and the draft.

On offense, the passing game has so far exceeded expectations.  Rex Grossman has performed well, aided by the play of a productive group of wideouts and tight ends.

Each positional unit has contributed in some way to the positive start.  Here is an assessment of the performances of each group through the first four games.

Offensive Line Grade: D

Remaining very much a work in progress, the offensive line has struggled at times this season to adequately control the line of scrimmage and dictate play for the Redskins' attack.

The front five has struggled in pass protection, particularly on the edges.  Left tackle Trent Williams continues to display poor technique and leverage in his sophomore season.

Right tackle Jammal Brown has been the weakest link in the chain so far.  A natural left tackle, Brown continues to struggle to make the transition to the right side.

Timing and quickness out of his stance have been Brown's biggest problems.  He must improve in these areas before taking on Jason Babin next week.

The interior of the line has performed reasonably well.  New right guard Chris Chester has helped solidify the middle.  The former Baltimore Raven has proven himself to be a mobile blocker in the running game.

Center Will Montgomery and left guard Kory Lichtensteiger have both demonstrated a good understanding of the zone-blocking schemes favored by Shanahan and have displayed good quickness and athleticism, helping them to be very effective in space.

Improved pass protection, especially against edge rushers, is the next crucial step for this developing unit.

Quarterback Grade: C

While Rex Grossman still has a lot to do to convince Redskins fans he will not be a detriment to the team's chances this season, the often mistake-prone journeyman passer has managed to be very productive in the first four games.

Grossman has put up some good numbers and has, for the most part, directed the offense with a reasonable amount of assurance and authority.

The former Chicago Bear deserves some credit for the progress of the passing game.  He has utilised tight end Fred Davis and wideout Santana Moss extremely well.

Grossman has also formed an effective partnership with newly-acquired Jabar Gaffney.  The Redskins have supplied Grossman with a capable group of pass-catchers and so far, he is using them.

Late turnovers against both the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams have blighted Grossman's positive start to the season.

As always, his penchant for errors remains the biggest concern.  Efficiency is the key for Grossman for the rest of the season.

He has the weapons and understanding of the offense to put up points, but he must not fall into bad habits and take the Redskins out of games.

Fullback Grade: F

Fullback is a tough position to grade for the Redskins, as the offense hasn't always made full use of the position.

Former linebacker Darrel Young entered the season as the nominal starter, but veteran Mike Sellers and tight end Chris Cooley have both seen time there.

Young has impressed in brief action, producing some punishing blocks, and Cooley demonstrated some nice potential for the role when used there against the Cowboys.

The problem for the Redskins is that nobody has been able to make a serious enough claim to be the starter. 

Putting Cooley in the backfield reduces his impact in the downfield passing game.  He has the mobility to play the position, but his blocking in space remains a question mark.

The Redskins need to settle on a recognized starter for the overall good of the running game.

Running Backs Grade: D

The running game has impressed at times so far this season but is still too inconsistent. 

Trade pickup Tim Hightower and fourth-round draftee Roy Helu have handled most of the workload.

Hightower remains very much an all-or-nothing type of runner.  He is capable of the sudden break for long yardage, but oftentimes is limited to a short gain, thanks to some unimaginative running.

Hightower possesses the initial speed to take him past the first wave of defenders if the crease or opening is there.  If a hole is not there, he lacks the patience and vision to adapt his run and find the hidden yards on a play.

Hightower has been useful in pass protection, thanks to his smarts and tenacity in identifying and picking up the blitz.

He has also been the Redskins' most effective receiver out of the backfield, an area where all Redskins runners need to improve.

Helu has displayed good quickness and looks to be a promising prospect.  He seems particularly effective as the game wears on.

Ryan Torain returned against the Rams and demonstrated his potent brand of sharp cutting and straight-line speed and power.

When healthy, Torain is the best fit for the starting role.  He crucially combines big-play potential with the ability to move the chains and control the clock.  His poor durability record prevents a higher grade.

The Redskins need a rushing attack capable of taking over and dominating a game.  This trio must work harder to achieve this.

Wide Receivers Grade: B

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the Redskins season so far has been the impressive play of the wide receivers.

Washington entered the season having supplemented last year's starters, Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong, with 30-year old journeymen Jabar Gaffney and Donte Stallworth.

The results have been very positive so far.  Moss is the veteran of the group and has used his speed, smarts and experience to develop a real niche as a dangerous option in the slot.

Armstrong still flashes genuine big-play capability, but he has also developed his skills in intermediate and underneath areas.

Gaffney has perhaps been the most impressive wideout in the Redskins' passing game.  Gaffney has been a crafty route-runner and used deceptive quickness and a wide array of moves to gain positive yards after the catch.

All three of the Redskins main receivers are sure-handed and are running precise routes.  They supply the passing attack with real playmakers.

Increased contributions from Stallworth and third-round rookie Leonard Hankerson would give this fast-developing unit an even higher grade.

Tight Ends Grade: A

Fred Davis is finally living up to his potential this season and is thriving in Kyle Shanahan's offense. 

Davis has emerged as one of the most dangerous pass-catching tight ends in the league.

Kyle Shanahan has designed plays to put Davis in space, and he is also moving him around a lot more at the line of scrimmage.

The result is that Davis has been the biggest downfield threat for the Redskins and is now the kind of player defenses have to account for on every play.

Dependable veteran Chris Cooley has done enough since his return from injury to remind everyone that he is still a valuable target in both the underneath areas and the red zone.

The Redskins are fortunate to have two productive outlets at the tight end position and must continue to find ways of maximizing the talents of both.

Defensive Line Grade: C

New additions Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield have certainly improved the overall play of the front three. 

But the unit can still do more at the point of attack to influence and disrupt the line of scrimmage.

At defensive end, Bowen and incumbent Adam Carriker have held up well, with Carriker continuing to make great strides as a 2-gap lineman.

Bowen has been stout against the run and is a threat as a pass-rusher.  The former Dallas Cowboy needs to get into the opposition backfield on a more regular basis and use his upper-body strength and first-step quickness to consistently pressure the pocket.

Depth is still a concern, although the hard-working and reliable Kedric Golston continues to give maximum effort.

Barry Cofield still appears to be finding his way at the most important position on the defense.  He is managing to make plays straight in front of him, but has so far struggled to shed blocks and effectively slide down the line of scrimmage and be a force laterally.

Cofield is moving the pocket well enough but needs to concentrate on gaining penetration and being more destructive.

Cofield's deputy, seventh-round selection Chris Neild has been a pleasant surprise and has formed a nice rotation with the former New York Giant.

Neild has held up well at the point of attack with good power and decent technique.  Neild is managing to disengage from blockers and make plays in the backfield.

In the Redskins defensive scheme, the linemen are often functionaries charged with creating the space for the linebackers to make the plays.

But great 3-4 defenses have linemen who are still capable playmakers themselves. 

Achieving more penetration and collapsing the pocket more consistently out of the base front is the next step for the line.

Linebackers Grade: A

They may have benefited from more solid play along the front three, but the playmaking ability of the Redskins' linebacking quartet is the main reason for the defensive resurgence.

On the outside, Brian Orakpo and top draft choice Ryan Kerrigan are quickly forming a highly destructive combination.

Orakpo continues to be a threat to any blocking scheme when coming off the edge, and Kerrigan has (so far) exceeded expectations.

The former Purdue standout has a knack for the big play and is quickly adapting to the nuances of the 3-4.  Kerrigan has been stout against the run and offers genuine rush threat, preventing offensive lines from simply sliding their protection over to Orakpo.

On the inside, greybeard London Fletcher continues to excel.  The pint-sized veteran tackling machine has been superb in leading by example so far this season.

Fletcher's ability to diagnose plays and his still impressively-quick reactions are crucial assets at the heart of the Redskins defense.  On this form, another Pro Bowl nod surely beckons for this hugely underrated stalwart.

Next to Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh has survived his first-year struggles in the 3-4 and is once again a valuable contributor on defense.

McIntosh is using his speed and athleticism to compensate for any lingering schematic confusion.  His active, energetic style provides a nice compliment next to the aging Fletcher.

McIntosh, like Orakpo, needs to become more of a force against the run, particularly versus power rushing attacks.  This issue can be rectified the more games this group plays together with the new line.

Depth is a concern, although converted defensive end Rob Jackson continues to develop nicely as a situational pass-rusher.

If they can remain healthy, the starting group of linebackers have the ability to carry the Redskins into the postseason.

Secondary Grade: D

The secondary has given up too many big plays for comfort so far this season. 

Trash-talking corner DeAngelo Hall has been the biggest culprit.

Hall needs to concentrate more on playing to his ability, rather than publicly undermining his coaches and taking cheap shots at the opposition.

Hall is capable of playing much better than he has and must soon start to take a leadership role in the secondary.

Ex-Baltimore Raven Josh Wilson has been a solid pickup.  Wilson has been a dependable presence at the other corner spot opposite Hall.

O.J. Atogwe has yet to fully showcase the ball hawking skills which the deep safety must possess in the Redskins coverage schemes.  Atogwe certainly has the talent, but the performances must now start to follow.

LaRon Landry returned to lineup against the Cowboys and made his customary share of highlight-worthy hits.  Landry has yet to be tested in coverage.

He will need to prove that his issues in this area are behind him, as he will surely face a stern examination of his coverage credentials against the Eagles next Sunday.

Kevin Barnes and Reed Doughty have provided solid depth, and Phillip Buchannon returns to step in on a nickel defense that has been undermined by some reckless blitz calls.

Special Teams Grade: D

Ironically enough, it is the Redskins' return game that has undermined some of the improvement made by the special teams.

The kicking game seems almost reliable for the first time in a long time. 

Graham Gano is certainly more accurate than last season, although that is not much of an achievement.  Punter Sav Rocca has been dependable.

The coverage units continue to be proficient, thanks largely to the efforts of Lorenzo Alexander.  Some turnovers from the coverage units would still be welcome.

Return ace Brandon Banks has been unsure this season and is struggling to adapt to the new kickoff rules.  Banks needs to improve his decision-making and use his return skills to help make Rex Grossman's job easier.

Every area of this Redskins team is showing signs of improvement from last season, and this has naturally been reflected in the performances and record.

Some individual positions such as offensive tackle, kick returner and cornerback need the most work, but the team seems well stocked to mount a serious push for the playoffs.