One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Who's the one guy that would cause major problems if he goes down with injury for an extended period of time in '09?

I'm going with Samuels, and until we see one of the young guys step up, Moss a close 2nd.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I agree with Samuels on offense, although I don't think we are in a great position to sustain injury anywhere on the line. On defense I'm going with AH.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Without question...the one player that we absolutely could not win consistently without is...London Fletcher. I know there are some more obvious picks, but this guy makes everything happen on the defensive side of the ball and with so many questions on offense, I think we will be depending a lot on our potentially elite defense to pull out some wins.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Fletcher for me too. He's the glue on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, if he goes down, it stretches an already thin LB corps even thinner.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I'm going to cheat. Tie between Laron Landry and Chris Samuels.

I would say Moss is in there, but I really think the other WRs (Thomas, Kelly, Roydell) are going to step up to at least make our WR corps adequate.

On Samuels, he consistently protects Campbell from the pass rush, without him Campbell will be under constant pressure and Zorn, like last year, will make the offense much more conservative. We'd be hog-tied.

Landry should not be forgotten, he is the most important player on the defense. Fletcher is very important as the QB of the D, but Landry's range is what allows us to free up Horton/Moore. Without Landry we're left to play a cover 2 with both safeties back, and our LBs don't have the speed to cover the middle of the field. We'd be very vulnerable. Furthermore, if we're to have success this year, we need Hall and Rogers to come up with picks. If they don't have their angel (Landry's nickname, per Blache) behind them, they will have to be more conservative.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

It has to be Chris Samuels. I think the rest of the line will be effective and all the players are fairly interchangeable. But Samuels has no equal, or even close to equal replacement.

If you break it down by team units:
Offense - Samuels

Defense - Tough call, because everyone is used depending on the situation, but I think I would go with Carlos, I know he doesn't get picks, but he does come as close to a shutdown corner as we have now, and can pretty effectively stop a passing attack. (Remember the Dallas game where after SS went out, he was a mad man and just shut down TO - awesome)

ST- a big limb here, since he's not even the starter yet, but Aldridge/Dorsey. I think one of these guys will be our PR and we will be anticipating actual forward progress on every punt. A close second is Hunter, cuz who knows where the next punter would come from.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Portis. Was third in total touches in the NFL last season. During the first half of the 2008 season, Portis failed to touch the ball 20+ times in a game only once, Pittsburgh (Loss). And the team was 6-3 at the bye. Averaged over 4 ypc and was a solid contributor to Campbell's impressive first half of 2008 (243 atts with only 2 INT's through week 9).

It was after the bye when Portis was a little dinged up that there was some fluttering in the offense and Campbells INT's increased.

Guy is a proven leader on the field, can put a team on his back when called upon, and is a great asset for Campbell.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Overall: Samuels

Offense: Samuels
Defense: Fletcher
Special teams: Hunter Smith

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

The top three we cannot afford to lose are Samuels, Samuels followed by Samuels.

To me, there isn't even a close second. The next group I could see would be Fletcher as a wayy distant second with Moss,Portis, Rogers as the next most important group.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I've got a busy day and won't be able to spend much time on Warpath today so I'll light the fuse. Jason Campbell is the one player we cannot afford to lose in '09.

Zorn has spent most of his time and focus this offseason towards getting the offense to be more productive and a majority of that time was spent with Campbell. Campbell is far and away our best option at QB for the '09 season. If we had to go an extended period of time with either Collins, who is a career backup who has played in less than 10 games over the past 10 years for a reason or Brennan who, despite the hopes and dreams of some fans dazzled by 3 preseason games is no better than a backup that is far from ready for primetime, then we're in for a very long and difficult season.

We have depth, although not Pro Bowlers, at virtually every other position, but other than Philly with Kevin Kolb, we probably have the weakest, least experienced backup QB in the division and would be in serious trouble if we had to go an extended period of time with one of them playing.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I usually catch NFL guru Chris Landry on sports radio coming home from work and being in a Redskins area people always calling in askings Skins questions. The one constant issue Landry always has is the Redskins is overall depth on both lines and linebacker, especially O-line. It doesnt take a guru to see that, but it validates the Skins biggest concern, age and injury along the o-line. I would say any injury along the o-line would be horrible especially Sameuls. Thomas or Raubach would be bad as well. I really am amazed the FO didnt make the the O-line more of a priority this off season. Dockery is big replacing Kendall. But Kendall was not the biggest issue last year at line, the RT position was bad and inconsistent play at center were bigger issues.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Offense: Campbell. He goes down who do we go to, Collins then Brennan/Daniels. At least we'd have a top 5 pick in the 2010 draft.

Defense: Fletcher, Haynesworth a close second. Fletcher is the QB on D. Haynesworth's presence will allow for Carter, Griff, Orakpo, etc. to face more 1-1s and collapsing the pocket helps the secondary. He's gone and we're back to last year, minimal pressure, minimal turn-overs.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Ethan Albright...without him we have no long snapper.

If not him I would have to say Chris Samuels as well

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Chris Samuels....end of discussion.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=cpayne5;567818]Fletcher for me too. He's the glue on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, if he goes down, it stretches an already thin LB corps even thinner.[/quote]

I don't think there would be a big drop off if Blades is needed. I think he's more than ready

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Slingin Sammy 33;567832]Offense: Campbell. He goes down who do we go to, Collins then Brennan/Daniels. At least we'd have a top 5 pick in the 2010 draft.

Defense: Fletcher, Haynesworth a close second. Fletcher is the QB on D. Haynesworth's presence will allow for Carter, Griff, Orakpo, etc. to face more 1-1s and collapsing the pocket helps the secondary. He's gone and we're back to last year, minimal pressure, minimal turn-overs.[/quote]

I was thinking about Haynesworth, but since he has never played a full 16 game season, I think you can't count him as a can't lose guy.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Man what a horrible thread. Can yo usay "jinx". This like talking about DUI's while you are drinking at a bar, not a good idea.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=mredskins;567841]Man what a horrible thread. Can yo usay "jinx". This like talking about DUI's while you are drinking at a bar, not a good idea.[/quote]
As long as none of our guys are on the Madden cover we're OK.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I go with Portis. I dont think the Skins have any other threats on offense and the backup RBs dont scare anybody.

I will be shocked if Samuels can get thru the season injury free.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=mredskins;567841]Man what a horrible thread. Can yo usay "jinx". This like talking about DUI's while you are drinking at a bar, not a good idea.[/quote]

as JoeRedskin might say --"Karma be d*****! Let the discussions begin!

for historical purposes only - [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/26789-is-anyone-else-enjoying-eagles-implosion.html"]JR's karmatic influence[/URL]

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I agree that Samuels would be a big loss, but how is no one saying Santana Moss?

Without Moss, what do we have as a receiving threat? Randel El?? Thomas?? Kelly?? I guess Thomas would fill that role? Yikes!

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

The Redskins best weapon is Clinton Portis. Without him, the Skins are a less than average team. Samuels, Moss, Campbell, Fletcher, Landry and Haynesworth are very important but Portis is the face of the Redskins.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I don't really think there's much of an argument, it's got to be Chris Samuels. We don't even know if there is a guy who can play RT on the Skins, much less LT.

I would have to say 2nd is London Fletcher, but HB Blades is a capable backup. I'm not saying they don't drop off A LOT with Fletcher gone, but this team is better prepared to deal with losing Fletcher than Samuels.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Samuels is the stand out in this area. we saw what happened when he was hurt last year. They've taken steps to improve depth, but we don't know how Bridges, Williams & Heyer will pan out even at RT, much less LT.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Clinton Portis, if he goes down its over.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Hail to the Redskins;567846]I agree that Samuels would be a big loss, but how is no one saying Santana Moss?

Without Moss, what do we have as a receiving threat? Randel El?? Thomas?? Kelly?? I guess Thomas would fill that role? Yikes![/quote]

Guess you missed my post, the one that started the thread.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Last year, it was easy: Samuels.

This year, I want to say Haynesworth, but truth is, he's probably not the number one guy. The number one guy almost has to be an offensive player.

So with that in mind, I think it's a toss up between Campbell, Portis, Samuels, and Dockery. We can't lose any of them. If I had to pick one, I'd go with Dock.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I'm not hating on Blades but Fletcher to me would be a pretty big loss. What gets overlooked is how he is almost like a coach out there getting everyone where they need to be and in the right calls.

Losing Portis would suck but I don't think it would spell doom for the season, Betts has proven he can step in and carry the load full time.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Losing Campbell would ironically really set things up for fan unrest, assuming Collins remains #2 this year. Will be something to watch in camp to see if Colt can unseat him as backup.

If Collins were to come in & start to show his age & decline, fans will be calling for Colt. Obvious reasons aside, given the chain reaction it would create, losing Campbell would be huge. I still say Samuels though.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I wouldnt say AH because we didnt have him last yr.
I would go with Fletcher as the defense goes but now having AH would make it easier on a young MLB by keeping him clean of blockers.but as a leader of the D it would be a loss in that regard.
IF CP went down week 1 we would be in big trouble.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

I'll be on record as saying that losing either Rogers or Hall would be devastating. I have lost faith in Fred Smoot.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Clinton Portis.

He is the only thing that gives our offense respect. We barely get off pass plays now with him as a legitmate threat. If he went down we wouldn't be able to move the ball at all and defenses would have an easier time stopping our attack.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;567845]as JoeRedskin might say --"Karma be d*****! Let the discussions begin!

for historical purposes only - [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/redskins-locker-room/26789-is-anyone-else-enjoying-eagles-implosion.html"]JR's karmatic influence[/URL][/quote]

OMG. JoeRedskin, please predict that the entire Redskins team will be badly injured! :)

In all fairness, I too was enjoying the Iggles temporary demise at that time.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Casey Rabach.

What does the fact that he is an actual NFL starter say about the backup plan at center? It would be very very very ugly.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Mattyk72;567872]I'm not hating on Blades but Fletcher to me would be a pretty big loss. What gets overlooked is how he is almost like a coach out there getting everyone where they need to be and in the right calls.

Losing Portis would suck but I don't think it would spell doom for the season, Betts has proven he can step in and carry the load full time.[/quote]

I don't worry so much about Blades moving up to a starting role at MLB, I'd worry more so about someone like Robert Henson for example suddenly having to fill Blades' role and play major backup minutes at all linebacker positions.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Beemn, we're on the same page. My vote is for Rogers with Hall a close 2nd. If we lose one of those guys, our CBs will be hurting.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

Nobody else thinking Landry? He's the one guy whose absence would dramatically alter the defensive scheme.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Daseal;567912]Beemn, we're on the same page. My vote is for Rogers with Hall a close 2nd. If we lose one of those guys, our CBs will be hurting.[/quote]

That said, we don't know what we have in Barnes, he could end up beating Smoot for the nickel spot and we may not have much to worry about if he had to spot start a few games.

That's purely speculative, but it could happen.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Schneed10;567914]Nobody else thinking Landry? He's the one guy whose absence would dramatically alter the defensive scheme.[/quote]

It's because the D is already pretty good. I looked at the offense because last year it was middle of the pack at best, if it were to get worse, they wouldn't be able to win games (look at the end of last season). I don't think there's anyone on the roster who could fill in for Landry,but he's almost gameplanned out of having a huge impact on the game other than taking away the deep ball which is frustrating for me, but that's the gameplan as of right now.

Re: One player the Skins cannot afford to lose to injury in '09
 

[quote=Lotus;567822]Overall: Samuels

Offense: Samuels
Defense: Fletcher
Special teams: Hunter Smith[/quote]

Hunter Smith is actually a really good choice. If he gets hurt, we're screwed. I mean I know we didn't have him last year like we didn't have AH. But if Haynesworth gets hurt we still have Griff, Golston, and Montgomery.