After a four-win season and an active offseason, the Washington Redskins are a team to watch coming into training camp this summer. Here are some of the things we're watching:1. Robert Griffin III's development.
Clearly the No. 1 story on this team, as is the quarterback situation the first concern on any franchise. But after a score of injuries and questionable play, the Redskins saw fit to reward him with his fifth-year option, worth north of $16 million. They clearly believe in him and what his future holds.
The major concern surrounding his play has been his seeming impatience for plays to develop downfield, skirt out of the pocket and into a sack or questionable tackle. A nervous trigger finger has also produced a rash of interceptions that killed otherwise promising drives.
Jay Gruden is determined to make Griffin a pocket passer, to keep him mobile inside the pocket rather than outside, to locate receivers before they separate from defensive backs, and to make better decisions on the fly. He's also trying to establish a more solid rush behind him to balance the offense and not have most of the responsibilities fall on him. A second year in this offense should find him more comfortable than he looked in 2014.
2. Trent Williams' health.
Williams has occupied the left tackle position since joining the Redskins in 2010, but has been battling injury for most of that time and has often played hurt. But he's only missed one game in three seasons, so his issues are more the nagging variety than anything serious.
He's coming into a contract year, as well, so his health this season is imperative. Protecting Robert Griffin's blind side, his play has been good, and with rookie Brandon Scherff taking the right tackle position, the Redskins have an opportunity to secure a decent edge rush attack this season.
3. The right linebacker position.
The Redskins placed a lot of hope in Trent Murphy in his rookie campaign of 2014. Murphy was supposed to compliment elite pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan in the opposite field, but last season notched only 2.5 sacks. Something which may have inspired the team to draft Preston Smith, a former Mississippi State Bulldog who excelled against opposing quarterbacks. The competition between Smith and Murphy is one to watch this preseason.
4. The tight end position.
Washington has a mixed bag at tight end. Jordan Reed is their most talented, but is frequently out with little injuries here and there. Logan Paulsen is at his best in the blocking game more so than catching passes. Niles Paul is a good downfield threat coming off his best season (39 receptions), but whose effort noticeably declined when Reed was on the field.
An upgrade at the position wouldn't be a bad idea, particularly in the blocking department. Niles Paul added some weight in the offseason to help him get leverage on blocks, and with the emphasis being placed on the run game, the Redskins will need some more production in this area.
But with Jordan Reed the most talented the team has, the group will rise or fall with him. Time will tell if he becomes a player who learns from his injuries a way to avoid them in the future or if they take their toll. It's a future that is more bright than not, but questions remain.
5. How will Matt Jones be used?
Jones was taken in the third round out of Florida as some depth behind starting tailback Alfred Morris. This is Morris' job, but Jones is an intriguing addition. Essentially a brick wall with a head, he showed his ability to rush through just about any competition in the SEC. But his elusiveness may be his more valuable commodity. He'll get a fair amount of attention in the preseason and may be used on some third-and-short plays on the interior.
He showed his abilities in pass protection while in college, too. That's a trait that could go a long way in helping keep Robert Griffin III on his feet a second or two longer to give him that confidence he needs to build in the pocket.
@MrJamesParks
No comments:
Post a Comment