An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Okay – The mega hype Super Bowl thread got me thinking about reality. In the past, we cut guys who really weren’t going to be doing anything in the league and would be lucky to find back-up spots somewhere else (Eric Cook, Anthony Armstrong, etc.). Going into this year, however, I thought the bottom of our roster has guys who would be solid back-ups for other teams and that we may actually have some quality competition for depth positions.

So, as a break from the hype, I wanted to see what the roster looked like and take an early crack at who our bubble guys are likely to be in a couple months – what positions and spots are really up for grabs. Some are obvious – Who starts at RT? Who are the safeties? Some not so, who is the 4th WR? Do we keep five or six WR’s? How many D-Line do we keep and who makes the cut?

With that in mind, my very, very early look at the final 53. To me, it looks like we have some interesting camp battles shaping up and that we will likely be cutting a few guys who could start somewhere else. [NOTE: Rocca, Sundberg & Kobra Kai are not listed but considered locks][Current roster info from: [url]http://www.redskins.com/team/players.html][/url]

Going to break it into Offense, Defense and Camp Battles.
The guys in [B]bold[/B] are my locks. The guys in [I]italics[/I] are guys fighting for jobs. Everyone else is camp fodder until proven otherwise.

Names are listed with positions and years of experience (which is off by a year for everyone but this year's draft class and UFA's).

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[U][B]OFFENSE[/B][/U]

[B][U]O-LINE (8 or 9?)[/U][/B]
[B]Williams, Trent OT 3
Lichtensteiger, Kory G/C 4
Montgomery, Will C/G 7
Chester, Chris G 7
Gettis, Adam G R
LeRibeus, Josh G R [/B]
[I]Hurt, Maurice G 2
Compton, Tom T R
Polumbus, Tyler OT 4
Nixon, Xavier OL R
Pashos, Tony T 9 [/I]
Trueblood, Jeremy T 7
Ashworth, Jacolby OL R
Stevens, Tevita OL R
Wilborn, Kyle OL R

I think the Hurt, Compton, Polumbus, Nixon and Pashos are fighting for two spots with Hurt and Compton the favorites with Polumbus a close third but in a battle with Pashos and Nixon for the last spot if they keep nine. Nixon ends up on the practice squad.

[B][U]RB (4 or 5?)[/U][/B]
[B]Young, Darrel FB 3
Morris, Alfred RB R [/B]
[I]Thompson, Chris RB R
Helu, Jr., Roy RB 2
Jamison, Jawan RB R
Davis, Tristan RB 1[/I]
Royster, Evan RB 2
Williams, Keiland RB 3
Kettani, Eric FB 1
Boyce, Dorson FB 1

I think the only locks for the final roster are Morris and Young. Behind him, I think they keep two. Royster and Williams are likely gone – similar backs who get yards but aren’t anything special. Helu, Thompson and Davis are the speed guys. I think Helu (if he stays healthy) and Thompson make it with Jamison & Davis to the PS. Jamison is first up if Helu has issues. Doubt they keep a second FB behind Young.

[B][U]TE (3 or 4)[/U][/B]
[B]Davis, Fred TE 5
Paulsen, Logan TE 3
Reed, Jordan TE R[/B]
[I]Paul, Niles TE 2 [/I]
Peterson, Deangelo TE R
Ogbuehi, Emmanuel TE R

Paul only makes it this year if he gets a special team’s slot. He is a beast out there and may be the new “One Man Gang”.

[B][U]WR (5 or 6)[/U][/B]
[B]Garçon, Pierre WR 5
Morgan, Joshua WR 5
Moss, Santana WR 12
Hankerson, Leonard WR 2
Robinson, Aldrick WR 1[/B]
Briscoe, Dezmon WR 1
Dawson, Skye WR R
Reeves, Chip WR R
Williams, Nick WR R
Thompson, Jason WR R

Right now, I see us keeping the same top five as last year with Briscoe gone b/c the 6th WR slot will be needed for some other position. The question will be if one of the UFA’s can impress enough to bump Hankerson or Robinson. I doubt it and think any UFA who impresses goes to the PS.

[B][U]QB (2 or 3?)[/U][/B]
[B]Griffin III, Robert QB R
Cousins, Kirk QB R[/B]
[I]Grossman, Rex QB 10[/I]
White, Pat QB 1

Only question here is whether they keep Grossman on the 53 man roster. I doubt it.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[B][U]DEFENSE[/U][/B]

[B][U]DL (6 or 7?)[/U][/B]
[B]Carriker, Adam DE 6
Bowen, Stephen DE 7
Jenkins, Jarvis DE 2
Cofield, Barry NT 7[/B]
[I]Baker, Chris NT 1
Neild, Chris NT 2
Merling, Phillip DE 5
Worthington, Doug DE 1
Golston, Kedric DE 7 [/I]
Brace, Ron DT 4
Anunoby, Chigbo DL R
Hamilton, Dominique DT R

Here I see a battle for the back-up NT position with the early favorite being Baker. I think Neild loses out on the final cut (I don’t think he is eligible for PS but gets picked up by someone. He is one of those guys I think could eventually start in this league for someone). I think Golston finally hits the bricks and is replaced by Merling with Worthington fighting [EDIT:Golston] for the spots. I think whoever gets the final cut is on someone’s roster by mid-season.

[B][U]LB (7 or 8)[/U][/B]
[B]Orakpo, Brian OLB 4
Kerrigan, Ryan OLB 2
Riley, Perry ILB 3
Robinson, Keenan ILB R
Fletcher, London ILB 15
Jackson, Rob OLB 4
Jenkins, Brandon OLB R[/B]
[I]Kehl, Bryan ILB 5
Tapp, Darryl OLB 7[/I]
Burdette, Marvin LB R
Compton, William LB R
Elmore, Ricky LB 1
Kimbrough, Jeremy LB R
Muckelroy, Roddrick LB 3
So'oto, Vic LB 2

Lots of depth here both in starters and in rotation. I guess the question is does Kehl make the final 53. Not sure if he plays special teams. I also recall Burdette making an impact last year in preseason (but I could be wrong about that). Does one of the UFA’s impress enough to stick as a final ILB? Doubt it. I think the top seven are set and Kehl is kept if a spot opens for him. Otherwise, its PS time for everyone else.

[B][U]CB (4)[/U][/B]
[B]Hall, DeAngelo CB 9
Wilson, Josh CB 6
Amerson, David CB R[/B]
[I]Biggers, E.J. CB 4
Crawford, Richard CB R
Minnifield, Chase CB R [/I]
Holland, Devin DB R
Murphy, Jerome CB 2

The top three are set. Even if he doesn’t start, Amerson is on the roster and plays as 3rd corner with Wilson or Hall sliding into the slot. Crawford, Biggers and Minnifield (if healthy) compete for that 4th spot. Again, I think the losers here could end up on someone else’s roster.

[B][U]S (4)[/U][/B]
[B]Meriweather, Brandon S 6
Rambo, Bacarri SS R
Thomas, Phillip SS R[/B]
[I]Pugh, Jordan S 3
Doughty, Reed S 7
Bernstine, Jordan S R[/I]
Gomes, DeJon S 2

Again, I see the top three set. I think Gomes is gone. Is this the end for Doughty? I have heard they like Pugh. Is Bernstine going to recover from injury and make it? Ultimately I think Pugh makes the cut, Doughty is gone (and promptly signed by another team), with Bernstine to the PS.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

SO …. Here is how I see the camp battles shaping up:

Hurt, Compton, Polumbus, Nixon and Pashos (5) fighting for two or three spots.

Helu, Thompson, Jamison and Davis (4) fighting for two or three spots.

Baker & Neild fighting for the back-up NT slot.
Merling, [EDIT: Golston], and Worthington fighting for the final DE slot. All five fighting for seventh DL spot.

[EDIT: Tapp v. Jenkins for one spot.]

Biggers, Crawford and Minnifield fighting for one spot.

Pugh, Doughty and Bernstine fighting for one spot.

Paul, Kehl, and Grossman fighting for the 53 roster spot (and possibly Crawford if he loses out in the CB battle – although I think his return skills give him a big boost in that fight).

If you take the low number of all my positional estimates you get 44 players; the high end put is it at 50. Therefore, even keeping the max at every position, we are going to be cutting some quality players who, I think, will be on somebody’s roster and may even get regular playing time during the year.

Outside of the DB positions and the RT spot, the roster is pretty set at the top with quality players across the board – many of them young. Been a long time since that was true.

Maybe Kerrakpo is on to something ….

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Grossman will be on the roster. They like him in the film room and they wouldn't let him go until RG3 was completely healthy. Plus, I've heard rumblings (possible from SS -- can't recall) that once Kyle ascends to Mike's job, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that grossman transitions to the QB coach.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

^^ I think you are right. When I made the initial statement about Grossman, I hadn't crunched the numbers and thought it was a lot tighter in terms of bodies needed than it ended up being. Barring something unexpected, I imagine Rex has a spot waiting for him on the final roster.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=mbedner3420;1008138]Grossman will be on the roster. They like him in the film room and they wouldn't let him go until RG3 was completely healthy. Plus, I've heard rumblings (possible from SS -- can't recall) that once Kyle ascends to Mike's job, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that grossman transitions to the QB coach.[/quote]

Wasn't me that said that. Believe HTTR24-7 once hinted that he could see it happening

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Also Tapp will be an OLB here

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

I'm just going to throw in here that the Redskins have signed Titans C Kevin Matthews

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=SmootSmack;1008145]I'm just going to throw in here that the Redskins have signed Titans C Kevin Matthews[/quote]

His dad was his OL coach for the Titans and they didn't tender him. It strikes me as a "coaching favor" given that we have a ton of bodies at the position and he couldn't get an offer from his Dad's team.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=SmootSmack;1008144]Also Tapp will be an OLB here[/quote]

Right. I remember that. Quite a logjam at OLB. Can't see him displacing Rak, Kerrigan or Jackson. Depending on what Jenkins shows, I am betting he is either final roster or IR, doubt he would survive PS. I guess it breaks down to Tapp v. Jenkins for the final OLB spot and Golston is in the mix for one of the final DL spots.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

they'll keep 9 dbs, so biggers and crawford make it at CB.

jackson might still play safety for us this year too.


i don't think hankerson is safe.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=That Guy;1008157]they'll keep 9 dbs, so biggers and crawford make it at CB.

[B]jackson might still play safety for us this year too.[/B]


i don't think hankerson is safe.[/quote]

This was going to be my comment. I think Tanard may be starting for us on week 1.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you today, your Washington Redskins 2013 final 53 man roster!

QB (3) : Robert Griffen III, Kirk Cousins, Pat White

RB (3) : Alfred Morris, Roy Helu Jr., Chris Thompson

FB (1) : Darrel Young

WR (5) : Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson, Santana Moss, Josh Morgan, Aldrick Robinson

TE (4) : Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen, Jordan Reed, Niles Paul

OT (5) : Trent Williams, Tom Compton, Tyler Polumbus, Jeremy Trueblood, Xavier Nixon

OG (3) : Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester, Adam Gettis

C (2) : Will Montgomery, Josh LeRibeus

26

DE (4) : Jarvis Jenkins, Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston

NT (2) : Barry Cofield, Chris Nield

OLB (4) : Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Rob Jackson, Brandon Jenkins

ILB (4) : London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Keenan Robinson, Bryan Kehl

CB (5) : Deangelo Hall, Josh Wilson, David Amerson, Chase Minnifield, Richard Crawford

FS (2) : Bacarri Rambo, Tanard Jackson

SS (3) : Phillip Thomas, Brandon Meriweather, Reed Doughty

24

K - Kai Forbath

P - Sav Rocca

LS - Nick Sundberg

H - (Sav Rocca)

KR - (Chris Thompson)

PR - (Chris Thompson)

Practice Squad up to 8 players - You guys pick them

2013 Most Valuable Player - RGIII

2013 Defensive Player of the Year - Brian Orakpo

2013 Coach of the Year - Mike Shanahan

2013, 2014, 2015 Super Bowl Champions - Washington Redskins :cool-smil

Oh shit not this again

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Lotus;1008167]People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.[/quote]

Blasphemy! Rambo, Thomas, and Amerson will be pro bowl, first team, hall of fame locks after this season!

In all seriousness, I wouldn't doubt if all of them are starting before seasons end. I definitely think they all three make the 53 man roster.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[url=http://www.redskins.com/team/roster.html]Redskins.com | Players[/url]

[QUOTE=Lotus;1008167]People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.[/QUOTE]

Yep

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=KERRAKPO9198;1008170]Blasphemy! Rambo, Thomas, and Amerson will be pro bowl, first team, hall of fame locks after this season!

In all seriousness, I wouldn't doubt if all of them are starting before seasons end. I definitely think they all three make the 53 man roster.[/quote]

I'm going to have to agree. I suspect all will make the team purely for the fact that either they would be poached from the practice squad immediatet or none would clear wavers purely based on their projected upside...

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=KERRAKPO9198;1008164]Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you today, your Washington Redskins 2013 final 53 man roster!

QB (3) : Robert Griffen III, Kirk Cousins, Pat White

RB (3) : Alfred Morris, [COLOR=red]Roy Helu Jr., Chris Thompson[/COLOR]

FB (1) : Darrel Young

WR (5) : Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson, Santana Moss, Josh Morgan, Aldrick Robinson

TE (4) : Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen, Jordan Reed, Niles Paul

OT (5) : Trent Williams, Tom Compton, Tyler Polumbus, Jeremy Trueblood, Xavier Nixon

OG (3) : Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester, Adam Gettis

C (2) : Will Montgomery, Josh LeRibeus

26

DE (4) : Jarvis Jenkins, Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston

NT (2) : Barry Cofield, Chris Nield

OLB (4) : Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Rob Jackson, Brandon Jenkins

ILB (4) : London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Keenan Robinson, Bryan Kehl

CB (5) : Deangelo Hall, Josh Wilson, David Amerson, Chase Minnifield, Richard Crawford

FS (2) : Bacarri Rambo, Tanard Jackson

SS (3) : Phillip Thomas, Brandon Meriweather, Reed Doughty

24

K - Kai Forbath

P - Sav Rocca

LS - Nick Sundberg

H - (Sav Rocca)

KR - (Chris Thompson)

PR - (Chris Thompson)

Practice Squad up to 8 players - You guys pick them

2013 Most Valuable Player - RGIII

2013 Defensive Player of the Year - Brian Orakpo

2013 Coach of the Year - Mike Shanahan

2013, 2014, 2015 Super Bowl Champions - Washington Redskins :cool-smil[/quote]

I think Helu is more on the hot seat than Royster. Royster is more similar RB to Morris than Helu or Thompson are, if Morris gets hurt i would want to have Royster taking those carries.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=mbedner3420;1008138]Grossman will be on the roster. They like him in the film room and they wouldn't let him go until RG3 was completely healthy. [B]Plus, I've heard rumblings (possible from SS -- can't recall) that once Kyle ascends to Mike's job, [/B]it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that grossman transitions to the QB coach.[/quote]

Let's not get ahead of ourselves but that's another thread for another day.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=redskins5044;1008184]I think Helu is more on the hot seat than Royster. Royster is more similar RB to Morris than Helu or Thompson are, if Morris gets hurt i would want to have Royster taking those carries.[/quote]

I think they're both on the hot seat equally.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

I think only a spot are two are open for the starters. I still think Polumbus keeps the RT job.

I also think Phillip Thomas walks in and becomes the starter at SS over Merriweather.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Just doing some quick math Joe, if you take all the high numbers you have for each position, add the three ST guys, you are only over the 53 man roster by 1. I seriously doubt we keep 5 RB's. So that makes 53 with all of the high position numbers you estimated.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Wouldn't we keep a total of four tackles or would we keep 3Ts and one swing player as a reserve?

I still think if healthy Pashos is the best we have for this year. Health is a big deciding factor though.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Royster showed that he can catch the ball from out of the backfield last year. He had a TD grab against Seattle in the wildcard game. Helu was hurt all season and showed he was somewhat durable in 2011. But I'm thinking the the rookie running backs the Redskins drafted both could possibly win spots on the team. Knowing Mike Shanahan, he's not going to release both Helu and Royster. He is going to trade them to a team that can give us something in return.

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Let's not forget some guys may get jobs based on cap numbers.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

I am not sure why people hate on Polumbus or think less of him. Sure, he can be classified as the weakest link on our starting offensive line but that was a pretty damn good lineup we had last year.

Polumbus is the best right tackle we have otherwise we would have seen those other guys finish out the season after Polumbus got hurt and we certainly wouldn't have resigned him. He's a big mother fcker who has made big plays for us last year and the scary thing is he can only get better!


On the offensive side the competition is really for backup roles (buh-bye Rosyer/Helu/Banks?). The real interesting battles are for the starting DB and LB positions. Who the hell is gonna play FS/SS/CB? Only Josh Wilson is assured a starting spot. At LB it would be unwise to keep Rob Jackson on the sideline so how do you get him on the field?

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Lotus;1008167]People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.[/quote]

We could also have one-year wonders like Chris Horton (I think that's his name, former safety).

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1008266]We could also have one-year wonders like Chris Horton (I think that's his name, former safety).[/quote]

True dat.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1008266]We could also have one-year wonders like Chris Horton (I think that's his name, former safety).[/quote]

That's how I feel about Phillip Thomas. They look very similar. Sure he looked good against air and future practice squaders. That's why I'm very intrigued to see how they do in training camp.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Lotus;1008167]People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.[/quote]

I think they are roster locks b/c of the unproven safety talent we have on the roster. Outside of Meriweather, none have been a regular NFL starter and BM hasn't even played a full season for us (and has been cut by two teams).
[T. Jackson doesn't count as he may not even play this year and won't be available for reinstatement until [I]after[/I] preseason (August 31st). Even if reinstated [I]and[/I] allowed to rejoin the team by MS, I highly doubt he walks in off the street and starts a Monday night game on eight days practice.]

I agree about the unlikelihood of any of them starting. Given the status of our DB's, however, I think their making the roster is all but assured and requires only that they don't piss themselves when they walk on the field.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

i also think all 3 dbs are roster locks unless they just totally wet the bed. starters - maybe, maybe not. I can see BM and one of the rookies starting, and then amerson as the #3 or #4 during week 1. a lock? not really.

if i had to bet, i'd think chase might be out of football, but we'll see.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

It would be a pretty big surprise to me if one of our rookie DB picks didn't make the team.

Although they might not start right away I think they'll all be in the mix early and often.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Mattyk;1008391]It would be a pretty big surprise to me if one of our rookie DB picks didn't make the team.

Although they might not start right away I think they'll all be in the mix early and often.[/quote]

I agree. To me, they're all upgrades over Madieu Williams, Jordan Pugh and DJ Johnson and Jerome Murphy (well they were CBs), so thats 3 available spots and we drafted 3 DBs so I see them all making it.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

The battle between rookie safeties who may or may not play the same position will definitely be a strong one. Phillip Thomas has the whole "playmaker fs who is a huge fan of ST" thing going for him, and Bacarri Rambo has the whole "I have a badass last name" thing going for him. I hope there's no clear winner in this battle, and that they're both excellent players.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=Lotus;1008167]People keep listing our 3 draftee DB's (Amerson, Thomas, and Rambo) as starting or as roster locks. However, history says that, chances are, at least one doesn't make the team and we will be lucky to have just one of them start right away. As a group we need to put down the rookie DB koolaid.

And, mind you, I am happy that we drafted all three and hope that all three succeed.[/quote]

I'm with you, but if they do start its because of injuries. Lord knows Brandon Meriweather couldn't stay healthy for a whole game. I can honestly see the two Rookie Safeties starting because of injuries.

I just hope people remember that Rookies will make mistakes and get beat and sometimes they will do something outstanding and shock us.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

[quote=mooby;1008438]The battle between rookie safeties who may or may not play the same position will definitely be a strong one. Phillip Thomas has the whole "playmaker fs who is a huge fan of ST" thing going for him, and Bacarri Rambo has the whole "I have a badass last name" thing going for him. I hope there's no clear winner in this battle, and that they're both excellent players.[/quote]

Rambo also supposedly led the college league in INT's either last year or the year before. Which is a huge plus.

Re: An early look at potential camp battles.
 

Are people forgetting about Jordan Bernstine?