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Will Fairfax

Redskins Training Camp Battles to Watch

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There will be a number of positions up for grabs as the Redskins open up training camp in 12 days. With free agent additions and subtractions, draft picks, and the continued development of young players the training camp battles will be intense. Below are the training camp battles to watch when the Redskins open training camp in Richmond Virginia.

1) Third Down/Backup Running Back: Alfred Morris is the unquestioned starter after racking up 2,888 yards and 20 touchdowns in two years in Washington. He was the steal of the 2012 draft and came out of nowhere to seize the starting running back position in Washington, but who is behind him? Roy Helu is the favorite to be the backup running back because he did it last year and he excels at blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield. Evan Royster, Chris Thompson and Lache Seastrunk should all be in the mix as well. Of that group Seastrunk should give Helu the biggest run for his money. He’s reminds me of Darren Sproles and brings a similar type of electrifying ability. He must improve his pass blocking and prove that he can catch the ball out of the backfield. He rarely caught the ball at Baylor so he will have to prove in training camp that he can be a reliable option in the passing came for Robert Griffin III.

Prediction: Roy Helu’s experience as a third down back gives him the edge as Lache Seastrunk and others gain more experience. Seastrunk should contribute down the road, but has a lot to learn.


2) Right Guard: Chris Chester and third-round draft pick Spencer Long will be fighting to see who will be the starting right guard in 2014. Chester had a solid 2012, but took a big step back last season. He will have to improve or Long will take his job. Long is the long-term solution, but will have to learn what it takes to be an NFL offensive lineman. The Redskins also have Josh LeRibeus who played well against the Seahawks in the 2012 playoffs after Kory Lichtensteiger went down with an injury. LeRibeus came to training camp last year out of shape and basically lost a year with the Redskins. He is in better shape this year, but his performance last year left the Redskins with a sour taste in the their mouth.

Prediction: Chris Chester holds onto the job because of his experience, but expect Long to start in 2015 at the latest. If Long wins this battle then Chester could easily be cut which would save the Redskins $3 million.


3) Right Tackle: Tyler Polumbus is one of the most criticized players on the Redskins roster. Despite what people say he doesn’t suck and was ranked as the 15th best right tackle by Bleacher Report. That is not great, but it is also not terrible. He isn’t the strongest offensive lineman, but at 6’8” he has the length to help him in pass protection. The Redskins saw a borderline first round talent drop into the third round when they selected Morgan Moses. Moses has already admitted that he won’t be able to get away with the same things that he got away with in college. In college he was bigger and stronger than everyone so he could bully defensive lineman, but he won’t get away with that this season when he will have to face defensive lineman just as big and strong as him. Moses has a lot to learn including improving his technique and learning to stay lower which can be hard for a 6’6” man. Former sixth-round pick Tom Compton will also be thrown in the mix, but will more than likely be fighting for one of the backup jobs.

Prediction: Tyler Polumbus keeps his job because he is more experienced and prepared to play this season than Morgan Moses. With more experience and overall improvement in his game Moses should start for the Redskins down the road and possibly as early as 2015.


4) Wide Receiver Depth: DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts are the clear top receivers on the Redskins depth chart. Behind them is a cluster of players including Leonard Hankerson (who is recovering from a torn ACL), Santana Moss, Ryan Grant (2014 fifth-round draft pick), and Aldrick Robinson. You can also throw in Nick Williams, Cody Hoffman, and Lee Doss, but they are more long shots to make the roster. Moss should make the roster because he can help mentor the young receivers and should have another few years of production in him. Grant isn’t the fastest player and isn’t a great athlete, but he has some of the best hands of anyone coming out of the 2014 draft and should develop into a solid short to medium passing option for RG3. Hankerson has had a disappointing start to his Redskins career with two of his three seasons being cut short by injury. Aldrick Robinson must prove that he is more than a deep threat.

Prediction: The Redskins keep Moss, Robinson, Grant, and Hoffman. Hoffman is a long shot, but he plays special teams and at 6’4” is the tallest receiver on the roster. Hankerson starts the season on the PUP list.


5) Backup Outside Linebacker: Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan will be the starters against the Texans baring injury. Both are former first-round picks and both have the potential to be stars in this league. Behind them are Rob Jackson, Brandon Jenkins and rookie second-round pick Trent Murphy. Jackson filled in for Orakpo in 2012 and did a solid job. He is pretty good in coverage and made the key interception against the Cowboys in 2012 when he dropped back in coverage fooling Tony Romo and made the interception to seal the NFC East title for the Redskins. Jenkins is more of a project for the Redskins and saw no playing time as a rookie last season. Murphy is similar to Kerrigan in his relentlessness to chase the ball carrier or quarterback. Murphy will give you everything he has on every play and should develop into a solid player.

Prediction: Trent Murphy will step in should Orakpo or Kerrigan suffer an injury in 2014 or if either needs a breather. His motor, relentless attitude, and desire to improve will win him the job. Murphy will be moved all around the Redskins front seven especially in obvious passing situations. He has the good fortune of playing behind Orakpo and Kerrigan and learning from them.


6) Inside Linebacker- Perry Riley will be one of the Redskins starters in the 3-4, but they will be searching for another starter. Keenan Robinson, Darryl Sharpton and Akeem Jordan will all be fighting for the starting job. Riley has been groomed by the retired and potential future Hall of Famer London Fletcher to take over as the leader of the Redskins defense. Riley’s experience as a starter should take some pressure off whoever wins the other starting spot.

Prediction: Keenan Robinson who is coming off back-to-back torn pectoral muscle injuries will win the starting job. There are definitely questions as to whether he can stay healthy, but he has already been lining up with the starters in OTAs and mini camp. He is one of the Redskins best linebackers in coverage and should develop into a solid starter if he can stay healthy.


7) Third Cornerback: DeAngelo Hall and David Amerson are the starters, but there is a big opening behind them. The Redskins picked up Tracy Porter in free agency who will always be known for picking off Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl to help the Saints seal a Super Bowl XLIV victory. The Redskins also have E.J. Biggers, Richard Crawford, Chase Minnifield, and Bashaud Breeland. There is no clear favorite among this group so the battle should be intense.

Prediction: Richard Crawford would likely win the job if he was 100 percent healthy, but it will be hard for him to win the job coming off a torn ACL. Tracy Porter wins the job because of his experience, but don’t be surprised if rookie fourth-round draft pick Bashaud Breeland takes over before too long. Breeland could have been a potential first-round draft pick had he stayed in school another season, but he came out to support his 11-month-old daughter.


8) Special Teams: The Redskins had a terrible 2013 season, but this was their weakest unit last season. Usually special teams don’t lose you games, but this unit was so putrid last season that they were the sole reason for several losses. Kai Forbath and Zach Hocker will battle it out to see who is the Redskins kicker. Forbath has experience on his side, but Hocker has a stronger leg, which would help the Redskins on kickoffs (which Forbath struggled with in 2013). Robert Malone and Blake Clingan will battle it out to be the Redskins punter. Chris Thompson, Cody Hoffman, Richard Crawford, Andre Roberts, and Lache Seastrunk should all be battling it out for both returning positions.

Prediction- Kai Forbath has the weaker leg, but is the better and more experienced kicker and wins the starting job. Robert Malone wins the starting punting job. Andre Roberts who was upset and not being a starting wide receiver will be the starting punt returner. Lache Seastrunk will be the starting kickoff return man. Since there are technically two kickoff return men Chris Thompson will get the other slot (if he makes the roster).

Edited by Will Fairfax

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I agree with a lot of your analysis. I think Seastrunk will fill in the #3 behind Helu but be more explosive and dynamic. Don't sleep on Evan Royster though. I think he'll be #4

 

I'd love to see Spencer Long and Morgan Moses in action but I doubt it happens quickly. Long probably has the better shot right now to start early based on Chester's poor performance but I can we both starting by the end of the season.

 

I think the Skins are going to go with D-Jax, Garcon, Roberts, Grant, Hankerson, and Hoffman. One of the other guys may make the practice squad or Hoffman might get downgraded to it.

 

Rob Jackson will get more action off the bench but if Orakpo or Kerrigan goes down it will Murphy's spot to lose.

 

No idea about ILB other than Perry Riley.

 

Bashaud Breeland will be playing in the slot by Week 5 or 6. Book it.

 

Rob Bironas for Skins kicker 2014

Edited by Chernobyl426

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