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[htownskinfan]

Team Report

Posted: 2 hours ago

Few players have improved their standing with the coaching staff, particularly Joe Gibbs, as much as Ladell Betts. Gibbs came in last season with the idea that Betts was a third-down back, a misconception he admitted toward the end of the season. This season, Betts could get more opportunities to spell Clinton Portis. The offense doesn't lose a whole lot when Betts is in and Portis is out. Portis is a bigger game-breaking threat and can score any time he touches the ball. Betts is reliable, durable, tough between the tackles, has good hands and can make yards in space.
Playing Betts more could keep Portis fresh, give him a better chance to break big plays and get his per-carry average up in the five-yard range, which is where it needs to be. . . .


Antonio Brown continues to progress at receiver and could make things very interesting when the final cuts are made in the preseason. Brown has exceptional speed, stands a good chance of earning the job as punt returner and could help himself significantly if he becomes a threat to earn a spot in the receiving rotation. The team wants to go deep more often this season, and Brown has the speed to get deep. Even if he catches just a few passes, the defense will have to account for him, which could make things easier for Santana Moss and David Patten.


SCOUTING REPORT: Randy Thomas is a big, strong, steady offensive guard. He gets a good push off the ball on running plays and holds his ground well in pass protection. He is not a great offensive lineman, but he is extremely consistent, smart and patient. He rarely makes mistakes and seldom picks up penalties. His balance and experience enable him to avoid false start penalties. He does a good job of getting his hands inside defensive linemen's shoulders and uses his leverage to control them. He has a large locker room presence and should be a starter and solid contributor to the club for several more years.


OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: The first thing that will be different will be the approach to the running game. The team always will attempt to pound the ball, but this year, the pounding will be done with more "stretch" plays that give Clinton Portis the chance to start wide, then cut back when he sees a hole. . . .


H-back Chris Cooley also figures to be a bigger part of the offense. He had an excellent rookie year and should be able to raise his performance a notch this season. Cooley has good hands, decent speed and a knack for finding the open spots in a defense. More plays will be called for him, and chances are the team's quarterbacks will develop confidence in Cooley when they see how he delivers.


INSIDE DISH: Regardless of how LaVar Arrington's dispute with the team over the bonus he alleges he is due in 2006 works out, the team will have to do something about his 2006 contract. Arrington is scheduled to earn $12 million in 2006. Along with the $10 million Chris Samuels is scheduled to earn, two players will account for almost 25 percent of the team's salary cap space. That can't work, and because Samuels' deal was redone for this season, it seems unlikely the team will ask him to rework his contract again. That leaves Arrington, and negotiations could be frosty if his grievance does not go as he hopes.


WIDE RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: Grade: C. Santana Moss for Laveranues Coles is a wash, but David Patten should provide more speed than Rod Gardner. Moss has to stay healthy and prove he's a consistent No.1 receiver with game-breaking ability. Someone, Taylor Jacobs, James Thrash or a surprise player has to take over the No.3 spot.

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Very quick and true reporting

I saw the same thing and more to come I think

1;37 PM EST
mnike

[mooby]

nice. hopefully the arrington dispute gets settled, i hope he realizes it's the poston's fault, not the redskins fault.

[diehardskin2982]

no matter how many times samuels restructures his money is always a problem on the horizon, why is that?

[skinsguy]

I thought I was right about Antonio Brown trying out with the receiving corps.

[MTK]

I'm not so sure that cap info is correct regarding Samuels.

According to our cap sheets Samuels looks fine in 2006.

We just gave him a new deal, it wouldn't make sense that his cap # in the 2nd year is already unmanageable.

[Redskins_P]

Antonio Brown might be the surprise breakout player for us. Not only on special teams, but possibly in the passing game.

I like the idea of giving Ladell Betts some more reps. He could easily run for 500 yds this season.

[MTK]

Betts definitely needs more work this year to help keep CP fresh, and the change of pace is a nice thing to throw at a defense.

[dirtbag2112]

Offense by committee? lol