A positional breakdown of the Redskins’ offense after the final cuts:
Quarterbacks
Who’s in: Rex Grossman, John Beck
Who’s out: Donovan McNabb
Better or worse: This is the toughest call. In terms of name recognition and pure talent, the Redskins are worse. McNabb could end up in Canton one day; Beck and Grossman would do well to make it to Hawaii. Once. However, for what the Redskins want from their quarterback, they are better. They have two players who know the system better and, in theory, should operate the offense at a higher level. It also helps that there are no issues between the coaches and either QB. That wasn’t the case last season; agree or not, the Shanahans did not like the way McNabb worked and that eventually strained the QB-coach relationship. But can either of these quarterbacks produce consistently? I know the coaches are convinced they’re much better in this area. Because these QBs should run the offense better, I tend to agree. The bigger question is, by how much? The other question is: What will happen if these QBs get hurt? They only have two on the roster; it’s not unheard of and more teams are doing it. But it’s still a risk.
Running backs
Who’s in: Tim Hightower, Ryan Torain, Roy Helu, Darrel Young
Who’s out: Clinton Portis
Better or worse: Better. Portis was no longer a threat, and hadn’t been for a few years. Still ran hard; still protected well. But his off-season preparation and nagging injuries finally caught up to him. It happens. Hightower appears to be a good fit for this system and runs with more energy than Portis was able to in recent years. Portis is a better pass blocker; Hightower makes some excellent blocks but is not consistent in this area. Maybe Torain will stay healthier as a 7-10 carry back; that will lessen the strain on Hightower as well. Hightower has never carried more than 22 times in a game and, in fact, has just one game with more than 18 carries. Helu provides the speed Washington has lacked. He just needs to improve as a pass blocker. Young brings fresher legs and an ability to make linebackers miss in the flat, without hurdling.
Tight ends
Who’s in: Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen, Mike Sellers
Who’s out: No one
Better or worse: Worse. Yes, it’s the same players but Cooley’s knee is the worry. If he’s healthy, then this group is the same. He remains a trustworthy target. But if he can’t stay healthy, then what will happen? Davis is an inconsistent blocker who got in terrific shape in the offseason. Maybe that will compensate for anything that happens with Cooley. Davis has a tendency to look great early in camp then fade once the season starts, save for the year when he became the primary TE. It is a contract year so maybe that will help. Paulsen is an adequate blocker and Sellers can help, too. But it’ll be hard to keep four tight ends active. Not sure why you’d want to.
Line
Who’s in: Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Jammal Brown, Sean Locklear, Willie Smith, Erik Cook
Who’s out: Casey Rabach, Stephon Heyer, Artis Hicks
Better or worse: Better. Jammal Brown is healthier; still has some issues, but his hip is not one of them. Trent Williams is in his second season; still inconsistent but he knows the system better and that should result in improved play, right? Chester moves well, adding to the athleticism up front. Rabach was done. But the biggest thing is that four of the five will be playing together for a second straight season. That will help. They’ve looked more in sync this summer and did a good job opening backside cuts. However, Will Montgomery, though stronger than Rabach, still gets moved back. He’s better at center than he is at guard, but is he a quality starter? Not sold yet. Chester is much better on the move than plowing ahead or in straight dropbacks. But I do like his footwork. Loved how he got downfield vs. the Colts to block the safety on a long Hightower run. Kory Lichtensteiger is better, but, again, a quality starter? Show us. Teams can still pressure the Redskins through the interior. The big problem is the depth. As of now, they have two players among the three backups who have never taken a snap in an NFL game. Cook got moved back too often vs. backups. Smith is very raw. Locklear did not look great in some games this summer. At least Cook and Smith should improve because they’re so young. My guess is they will still make a move up front.
Receivers
Who’s in: Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney, Anthony Armstrong, Leonard Hankerson, Terrence Austin, Niles Paul, Donte Stallworth, Brandon Banks
Who’s out: Roydell Williams
Better or worse: Better. Hard to argue this one. You lose Williams and pick up Gaffney? If you don’t make another move that automatically makes this unit better. But Austin’s improvement, Hankerson’s potential and Stallworth’s ability to still play add much needed depth. Paul can fill a role as a poor man’s James Thrash. Notice how Paul would sometimes block from the H-back position, taking care of ends on the backside? Thrash used to do that often. Not sure he’s as fast as Thrash, but Paul can develop and help on special teams. Not sure how much Hankerson will help immediately, but not sure that he needs to, given what the others can do. Obviously something could happen Sunday that changes the look of this group. It’s unusual to keep seven receivers let alone eight (though they could also consider Brandon Banks just a returner).
Overall
Better or worse: Better. Mike Shanahan has more of his style of players in the system than a year ago and those who returned know the offense better. That alone will make a difference. And they’re better in almost every area offensively. The problem is, they still lack a lot of legitimate playmakers, which could hurt them in the red zone. Nobody on this offense scares a defense. The scheme is good, though all those bootlegs can help teams move between the 20s. Inside the 20, it’s often as much about talent as it is the scheme. Do they have enough to score touchdowns consistently? One talent evaluator, who watched them play a couple times this summer and broke down their film, said, “They’ll be a fast starting team on good days and if not, then it will be a long day for them trying to score. They won’t score a lot. They can outsmart people in the first quarter.”
