Redskins vs. Steelers Preseason Pre-Game Thread

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

I wouldn't say he's a lock, but he's probably the #3 WR at this point. I think its going to come down to Paul, Armstrong, Stallworth, Austin, Robinson and Banks. Banks isn't a lock just because he had a nice return last night. Notice he did nothing on the WR front. Hell, did he even play at the WR spot? That last person is going to have to be able to play the WR spot as well as special teams. Last year we didn't have much of a choice, this year we do. Robinson isn't going to help himself one bit if he continues the mishaps on special teams. Austin on the other hand had a 19 yard punt return so if he does good on ST, then I see him making it over Banks.

Banks is a lock because a team has no use for 6 offensive receivers. He'll come in on offense at times as a wrinkle. As the team's primary returner, he's unchallenged at this point. He's probably the team's best "offensive" player. And Shanny loves him.

Niles Paul is on the wrong side of the bubble at this point, but I think he's got an advantage over Stallworth in his age and special teams contribution. Right now, it's probably:

1) Gaffney
2) Armstrong
3) Moss
4) Austin
5) Hankerson
6) Banks

Stallworth is essentially going to have just one game against first teamers to make his case two weeks from now.

The other thing I'm going to bring up here is that, value wise, can Moss actually bring more to this offense than any of the following players: Gaffney, Armstrong, Austin? I'm wondering if playing TA over him might actually make the offense more potent. I don't know what we have in TA just yet, but Moss looks like the kind of player who will find the void in the zone underneath and be a dependable safety valve, but he can't beat man coverage any more, and he doesn't appear to be able to turn the corner to get the sideline on younger DBs.

I just wonder what Moss' value on this team will be outside of getting the ball against the blitz. He's clearly a more valuable receiver than Hankerson is at this point, but I don't know if that necessarily means he should be playing over him. And I won't like it if Niles Paul gets released because we made the mistake of giving Santana a three year contract.