Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

[B]Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 06/20/2007[/B]

[B]Bubble Guys[/B]

[FONT=Times New Roman,times,serif] Going off the top of my head here, and I am sure you guys will make me look like an idiot in a matter of minutes (no big accomplishment, there), but which guys on the roster last year face the toughest task sticking around? Of course, it is horribly early in the game to be predicting anything like this, but, hell, this is a blog and it's the middle of June with nothing else going on, so why not, right?


With the overload at CB, could this be Ade Jimoh's last stand? I say he still makes it as the 5th guy over Butler, based on his special teams play. They really love him there.


Reed Doughty, for all he's been through, will be a real fight to stick around. Vernon Fox will be tested, too. If other younger guys show they can bring it on special teams, then Vernon might be in trouble.
Joe Salave'a needs to stay healthy and get back into form. But that's hardly certain and could see him on the outside looking in. Given the lack of upgrades at D Line, I think Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels make it, but they too need to be in full health.


I still think Todd Collins is a few weeks from getting his chance to find a place where he might actually play, at least as a backup. If such a place exists. I keep hearing the Skins won't keep Brunell and Collins, and Coach Joe seems pretty satisfied with Mark's recovery from the shoulder surgery.


A lot of people are thinking Rock Cartwright might be on the hotseat with Derrick Blaylock here now, but I don't see it. They carried four tailbacks last season when there were some health concerns with Clinton, and I figure they do it again. The love Rock's work on teams and to me Blaylock fills that depth RB spot that Duckett filled last year (sorry for bringing that name up round here).


Mike Espy might give a real push to show he belongs (looked good this offseason). I think they still keep Thrash for his size and teams ability and to be that possession guy in the slot or over the middle when need be, and can't see him getting cut, but you never know for sure.


Okay, who I am forgetting (and remember we're talking about guys who actually got on the field last year, not just practice squad guys)?
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Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

This is why preseason games are actually important. These things have a way of working themselves out on the field. Someone gets hurt or diminished skills become glaring. I agree with Greg Williams that we will cut people who end up getting serious field time for other teams.

I think this staff is in the mood to take chances with some younger guys. At least to a greater extent than they have in the past. Just a feeling. They keep talking about how great the free-agent class is, etc. Maybe a diversion or a motivational tool but maybe it's real.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

You basically said it all for us.. As for WR situation, I really hope we keep all of our WRs and not sign McCardell even though he may have good size and everything but I think we are well with our WRs now..

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

I like our WR situtation and cant wait to see Espy agian in pre season. I think Salave'a should be good, injuries wernt the only thing that caused his problems last year his mom also died. I really think he will return to 2005 form

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

[quote=mlmpetert;320062]I like our WR situtation and cant wait to see Espy agian in pre season. I think Salave'a should be good, injuries wernt the only thing that caused his problems last year his mom also died. I really think he will return to 2005 form[/quote]

I am hoping the entire defense returns to 05 form! But, I do think Salavea could be the odd man out in this picture if Golston and Montgomery continue to improve.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

[quote=jbcjr14;320063]I am hoping the entire defense returns to 05 form! But, I do think Salavea could be the odd man out in this picture if Golston and Montgomery continue to improve.[/quote]

Boschetti was re-signed too, though he's been inactive most of his career.
I thought before the draft that Joe S. & D. Evans were the 2 guys most likely to be cut, but all of these guys were on the roster last year & we didn't draft anybody to challenge them. We brought in some undrafted fa's & they're the only guys that can take a spot it looks like. Otherwise, one of these guys might get cut if they decide to keep an extra wr, lb, or such. My point is it looks like on paper Joe S. has more competition from other positions for his roster spot.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

So what happened with Evans playing a lot more DE? I thought he has played well when he's had the chance.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

Ade will stay, he's big on teams so I agree with JLC that he could stick over Butler due to that reason.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

I can see that, but honestly, if Butler can stay healthy, he was a very promising young corner and you can never have enough depth.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;320081]I can see that, but honestly, if Butler can stay healthy, he was a very promising young corner and you can never have enough depth.[/quote]

I agree but he's also facing a serious log jam at corner behind Springs, Smoot, Rogers, and Macklin. I just don't see how he can break through that coupled with Jimoh's ability on teams.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

Life's tough when you're going up against a special teams DEMON.

Hopefully they can sort it out during preseason and training camp. I remember last year that the second our second and third stringers came out last year, we got DESTROYED. Hopefully, we'll see some actual competition.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

You gotta root for the Ade, he's a Skins draftee & has put some effort into making the team every year. I would love to see him vault up the depth chart.

Butler might be a hard decision for the coaches if he's reasonably healthy. They may be tempted to evaluate him based on the hope that he's still recovering & will gain form as the season goes. With all that competition, Macklin is no shoe-in either & he only signed a 1 yr. deal.

I don't know about Evans, he seems a serviceable depth guy, but looked a lot better in 04. I would rather see Hickman or another rookie unknown take his spot & provide a speed rush off the bench.

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

very good article. but i see Joey S. staying. hopefully the depth will keep him fresh, and injury free. and i see Ade making it. at least i hope. i think he has done what the skins have ask of him

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

I think you tell Ade, Macklin, and Butler that they're competing for two jobs and see who plays the best all around in camp and preseason

Re: Redskins Insider: Bubble Guys
 

Everybody loves Ade until he lines up at corner -- then we get all white-knuckled and take a big swig of whichever alcoholic beverage we can find.

And I don't really know anything about Macklin, but even with the injury history, Butler seems to be a notch above him.