Position Battles
 

This year looks to be extraordinarily competitive for roster spots at a number of positions. I remember going over the roster last preseason and only identifying a few roster spots that I thought were up for grabs. Now, we seem to be building depth everywhere.

I thought it would be interesting for us to discuss the position groups where there are probably going to be some tough roster decisions this season. To me, the WR, CB, OLB, TE, and S stand out in that regard. As you know, adding to the difficulty in picking a roster is the need for ST players, determining how many to keep at each position, trying to hold on to promising young players who need more time to develop and other issues. It's going to be complicated.

Who would like to step up, pick a position group and have at it?

Re: Position Battles
 

Breeland vs Fuller vs Moreau boundry corner across from Josh Norman is the one Im watching.

I think overall the entire log jam at Safety should be fun to watch

Re: Position Battles
 

Corner (Breeland vs. Fuller vs. Moreau)
Outside Linebacker (Anderson vs. Smith vs. Murphy)
Running Back (Kelly vs. Perine)
Left Guard (Luvavo vs. Anyone)

Re: Position Battles
 

I agree with most of what I've read so far. I also am looking forward to the ILB battle and the RB position should be interesting. I'm not counting Will Compton out as a starter as he's fought his whole football career against the odds. I expect Fat Rob to be better but I think those who expect Perrine to be used in short yardage only may be surprised. He averaged over 6 yds per carry and set the single game record with over 400 yds. He didn't get that much yardage by just trying to punch it in. He can wear down a defense. I definitely like our backfield and between the top 3, I have great expectations.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;1170755]Corner (Breeland vs. Fuller vs. Moreau)
[B]Outside Linebacker (Anderson vs. Smith vs. Murphy)[/B]
Running Back (Kelly vs. Perine)
Left Guard (Luvavo vs. Anyone)[/quote]

Assuming no injuries and a complete recovery by Galette, Kerrigan and Galette should claim the starting roles.

The Skins will no doubt keep Anderson, as a highly drafted rookie. Then, there is the matter of Murphy's four game suspension to start the season. That means that Smith should be on the 53 man roster when the season starts. When it's time for Murphy to come back, the Skins may have a decision to make, namely Smith vs. Murphy.

I think Smith may have a great opportunity to nail down a job in the first four games but he had better play a helluva lot better than he did last season if he hopes to have a job here when the Skins play Game 5.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;1170755]Corner (Breeland vs. Fuller vs. Moreau)
[B]Outside Linebacker (Anderson vs. Smith vs. Murphy)[/B]Running Back (Kelly vs. Perine)
Left Guard (Luvavo vs. Anyone)[/quote]

I hope JG can get in there too!

Re: Position Battles
 

Junior will definitely start.

Re: Position Battles
 

every position is set,other than qb and punting.top 4 wrs are set,5 and 6 and te gonna be curious outcomes.i dont see gillette making the team or deangelo when they come off pup.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=insane4theskinsi;1170762]every position is set,other than qb and punting.top 4 wrs are set,5 and 6 and te gonna be curious outcomes.i dont see gillette making the team or deangelo when they come off pup.[/quote]

You don't see Junior Galette making the team?

Explain

Re: Position Battles
 

All depends on the health and recovery with jg. If it's there it's nothing but a positive...at the very minimum he plays heavy in a speed rush package. Can't have too many guys who can rush the qb. I think Preston smith could be in danger if Anderson and jg look stout

Re: Position Battles
 

Our backfield battle will be interesting to keep an eye on:

-Of course there's Perine and Kelley

-But Gruden said he wasn't counting Matt Jones out... I don't know what he's seeing that we're not...

-I want to see Chris Thompson out there as our 3rd back

-And we tend to forgot about Mack Brown who has shown some flashes!



Our secondary will be exciting too:

-I want to see Swearinger and Cravens at safeties, but Everett has some potential, don't count him out

-Will Will Blackmon stay at FS or move back to CB ? If he does I see him as our nickel CB but could he compete against Moreau and Breeland for his share of snaps on the outside?

-How will late picks Joshua Hosley and Montae Nicholson adapt to the NFL? Could they steal Quinton Dunbar's roster spot ? I like the guy a lot...

Re: Position Battles
 

Junior I expect to start if he is healthy, just right now I can't in good conscious put any faith in him until I see him on the field.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=FrenchSkin;1170767]Our backfield battle will be interesting to keep an eye on:

-Of course there's Perine and Kelley

-But Gruden said he wasn't counting Matt Jones out... I don't know what he's seeing that we're not...

-I want to see Chris Thompson out there as our 3rd back

-And we tend to forgot about Mack Brown who has shown some flashes!



Our secondary will be exciting too:

-I want to see Swearinger and Cravens at safeties, but Everett has some potential, don't count him out

-Will Will Blackmon stay at FS or move back to CB ? If he does I see him as our nickel CB but could he compete against Moreau and Breeland for his share of snaps on the outside?

-How will late picks Joshua Hosley and Montae Nicholson adapt to the NFL? Could they steal Dashaun Phillips' roster spot ? I like the guy a lot...[/quote]

Phillips sucks so I hope anyone can take his position and I don't see why Blackmon would switch back at this point in his career

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;1170769]Phillips sucks so I hope anyone can take his position and I don't see why Blackmon would switch back at this point in his career[/quote]

I meant Quinton Dunbar, I know their names don't sound similar at all but I mix them up all the time...

I could see Blackmon switching back because he went to safety at a time we had nobody there, and now that we have some legit safeties, he could go to his original position, couldn't he ?

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=FrenchSkin;1170770]I meant Quinton Dunbar, I know their names don't sound similar at all but I mix them up all the time...

I could see Blackmon switching back because he went to safety at a time we had nobody there, and now that we have some legit safeties, he could go to his original position, couldn't he ?[/quote]

With CB being the deeper position, I don't see him going back there full time

Re: Position Battles
 

Mack Brown and Keith Marshall could both compete for a job this year, IMO. They both have breakaway ability and Marshall has outstanding speed. I expect the RB competition to be intense and exciting.

Re: Position Battles
 

[url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/05/30/report-matt-jones-on-the-way-out-in-washington/]Report: Matt Jones on the way out in Washington | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Someone may not be competing soon

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=Chico23231;1170774][url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/05/30/report-matt-jones-on-the-way-out-in-washington/]Report: Matt Jones on the way out in Washington | ProFootballTalk[/url]

Someone may not be competing soon[/quote]

Probably a guy that Gruden and McC didn't see eye to eye on.

Re: Position Battles
 

Yea, he's done....

[url]https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2017/05/30/former-starting-rb-matt-jones-absent-from-redskins-park-awaiting-trade-or-release/?utm_term=.9aac16cba305[/url]

Re: Position Battles
 

Memo To: All Redskins RB Candidates

Subject: Fumble

Don't!

(signed) Coach Gruden

Re: Position Battles
 

[url=http://www.espn.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/31444/redskins-optimistic-about-junior-galettes-latest-achilles-recovery]Redskins optimistic about Junior Galette's latest Achilles recovery - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN[/url]

good news about JG...

But check out this lil nugget:

On the inside, Mason Foster and Zach Brown will compete for the starting job opposite Will Compton. During the OTA practice open to the media last week, Foster and Brown took reps with the starters though Foster appeared to be with the starters more and did so first. However, in at least some nickel situations Foster and Brown were on the field and Compton was not.

The real point is that no matter who starts, all three will have a role. There's a chance if Brown beats out Foster that the latter could supplant Compton. Foster can handle the signal-calling as well, but for now Compton has the clear advantage. Brown was a free-agent signing, but for only one season. He was not a hot commodity despite coming off his best season in Buffalo. Still, he'll help this defense: Whatever Brown's role becomes, he offers speed and athleticism that they'll use.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=Chico23231;1170781][url=http://www.espn.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/31444/redskins-optimistic-about-junior-galettes-latest-achilles-recovery]Redskins optimistic about Junior Galette's latest Achilles recovery - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN[/url]

good news about JG...

But check out this lil nugget:

On the inside, Mason Foster and Zach Brown will compete for the starting job opposite Will Compton. During the OTA practice open to the media last week, Foster and Brown took reps with the starters though Foster appeared to be with the starters more and did so first. However, in at least some nickel situations Foster and Brown were on the field and Compton was not.

The real point is that no matter who starts, all three will have a role. There's a chance if Brown beats out Foster that the latter could supplant Compton. Foster can handle the signal-calling as well, but for now Compton has the clear advantage. Brown was a free-agent signing, but for only one season. He was not a hot commodity despite coming off his best season in Buffalo. Still, he'll help this defense: [B]Whatever Brown's role becomes[/B], he offers speed and athleticism that they'll use.[/quote]

Role? Role?! Brown's role will be starting inside linebacker on all three downs. The guy was 2nd in the NFL with 149 tackles! He also had 4 sacks. I wish Keim would stop pussy-footing around in his column. He knows the Skins signed Brown to be a starter.

Also, Brown isn't here to play next to Compton. He's here to play next to Foster. That's because Compton is the slow-ass guy who may see the play but he can't get to the spot to make the tackle. And we don't need Compton to call the plays.

Speaking of the ILB position, I wouldn't be surprised to see Anderson at ILB at some point in the future. I think Anderson may become a pretty good Edge but I also see the tools for him to become a bad-ass ILB. FWIW, Nick Saban thought Anderson's best fit in the pros would be at ILB.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;1170792]Role? Role?! Brown's role will be starting inside linebacker on all three downs. The guy was 2nd in the NFL with 149 tackles! He also had 4 sacks. I wish Keim would stop pussy-footing around in his column. He knows the Skins signed Brown to be a starter.

Also, Brown isn't here to play next to Compton. He's here to play next to Foster. That's because Compton is the slow-ass guy who may see the play but he can't get to the spot to make the tackle. And we don't need Compton to call the plays.

Speaking of the ILB position, I wouldn't be surprised to see Anderson at ILB at some point in the future. I think Anderson may become a pretty good Edge but I also see the tools for him to become a bad-ass ILB. FWIW, Nick Saban thought Anderson's best fit in the pros would be at ILB.[/quote]

Hope you're right. I don't want another year of missed tackles and getting wrecked up the middle.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;1170792]Role? Role?! Brown's role will be starting inside linebacker on all three downs. The guy was 2nd in the NFL with 149 tackles! He also had 4 sacks. I wish Keim would stop pussy-footing around in his column. He knows the Skins signed Brown to be a starter.

Also, Brown isn't here to play next to Compton. He's here to play next to Foster. That's because Compton is the slow-ass guy who may see the play but he can't get to the spot to make the tackle. And we don't need Compton to call the plays.

Speaking of the ILB position, I wouldn't be surprised to see Anderson at ILB at some point in the future. I think Anderson may become a pretty good Edge but I also see the tools for him to become a bad-ass ILB. FWIW, Nick Saban thought Anderson's best fit in the pros would be at ILB.[/quote]

Agree completely. [URL="http://www.nfl.com/videos/washington-redskins/0ap3000000812107/Baldinger-s-breakdown-of-the-Redskins-2016-defensive-deficiencies"]Here's Baldinger's NFL.com film video breakdown of our defense[/URL], and [B][U]Compton[/U][/B] made Baldinger's first highlight by missing Ezekiel Elliott in the open field.

Need better MLB play, and Compton's smart but needs more athleticism to keep playing.

Re: Position Battles
 

Just a matter of time when comes to foster and brown starting at ilb....imo

Re: Position Battles
 

[QUOTE=KI Skins Fan;1170792]Role? Role?! Brown's role will be starting inside linebacker on all three downs. The guy was 2nd in the NFL with 149 tackles! He also had 4 sacks. I wish Keim would stop pussy-footing around in his column. He knows the Skins signed Brown to be a starter.



Also, Brown isn't here to play next to Compton. He's here to play next to Foster. That's because Compton is the slow-ass guy who may see the play but he can't get to the spot to make the tackle. And we don't need Compton to call the plays.



Speaking of the ILB position, I wouldn't be surprised to see Anderson at ILB at some point in the future. I think Anderson may become a pretty good Edge but I also see the tools for him to become a bad-ass ILB. FWIW, Nick Saban thought Anderson's best fit in the pros would be at ILB.[/QUOTE]



Agreed. Brown and Foster. Compton is painfully slow to start or watch. Ughh.

Re: Position Battles
 

Agree that Compton needs to be replaced. To make that happen though somebody else has to step up and call the defensive signals. Right now it's unclear to me who that would be. We still miss London Fletcher at this position.

Re: Position Battles
 

I'm looking forward to seeing how the middle of the D shakes out.....

NT/DL, ILB and safety

I believe we have to get better there for improvement this year.

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=Schneed10;1170761]Junior will definitely start.[/quote]

Please define start?

I have heard on the radio several times that he is leaner and significantly lighter.

Do you see him as one of the OLB in the base 3-4 setting the edge on 1st and 10 or a pass rush type guy on 3rd down.

Realistically, he will have to be a bit of both but I can see his snaps being more of the latter than the former.

Thoughts?

Re: Position Battles
 

[quote=Schneed10;1170834]Agree that Compton needs to be replaced. To make that happen though somebody else has to step up and call the defensive signals. Right now it's unclear to me who that would be. We still miss London Fletcher at this position.[/quote]

Now that we finally can talk defense:

I really hope we get pass this defensive signals calling thing, because as much as Compton seems to be a nice guy, and a smart player with a good vision, he's too slow and a mediocre tackler.

Mason Foster had a great season last year and Zach Brown seems to be a real tackling machine... Can't Foster step up and call these damned signals? He knows the defense...

What am I missing?

I know NFL defenses are complicated, but anyway at ILB you must know all 11 assignations on pretty much every play, so what is so insurmountable that it prevents us from having the best 11 on the field ?