Vision Quest: First look at the Position Battles for 2006

As predicted here on May 22nd, June 1st has come and gone with the Redskins standing pat roster wise. In fact both of my first two predictions (no activity June 1, Taylor trial being plead to a misdemeanor). To be fair though those were easy picks. Apparently only the National Media thought we would cut David Patten, since no one at Redskin Park even gave it a second thought. And only DJ Esquire thought he had a case against Taylor and now he is spending his time hitting on under age girls on My Space.

So now we know the team that the Redskins will bring to camp. But what will the final roster shape out to be? There are 53 roster spots up for grabs and 8 practice squad slots open to rookies and some first year players. Considering over 80 players will come into camp and few of the 22 starting positions are under serious challenge the Redskins will be looking for capable backups and special team players. Whether you are an aging veteran looking for a few more years in the league, a young draft pick hungry to earn his first big payday, an undrafted free agent itching to show he belongs in the league, or a castoff from another team looking to find a home you will have to do two things to make the squad: Be a solid backup at a position of need and play special teams. Failure to do both of those puts your NFL career at jeopardy.

The addition of Saunders and his offensive scheme will put additional havoc on roster spots. Last year we kept four TE and H-Backs with versatile players like Cooley and Sellers playing both positions. This year we are implementing the FB position and strictly labeling Cooley a TE. While this might not change game play all that much it most likely will mean we will have to keep 5 players (2 FB & 3 TE) in a position we kept 4 last year. That will put pressure on the other positions where talent runs deep.

When it is all said and done it is my feeling that the Redskins will have the following 53 Roster spots breakdown: 3 QBs, 3 RBs, 2 FBs, 5 WRs, 3 TEs, 9 OL, 9 DL, 7 LB, 9 DB, 1 P, 1 K, 1 LS. This configuration will allow for injury, depth, and the maximum package choices for both offense and defense.

Now for who is going to make up those spots. Since it is early on everyone not projected to be a roster spot will be labeled on the Bubble but I will give you who I think will make the practice squad as well.

Quarterback
Allotted Roster Spaces: 3
Projected Starter: Mark Brunell
Projected Backups: Jason Campbell, Todd Collins
On the Bubble: Casey Bramlet

Probably the least exciting position battle in camp, in terms of roster spots anyways. Brunell is the starter and for the first time in his Redskin career he will come in knowing that he is the man. Jason Campbell will try to assert himself and become the #2 QB. Todd Collins is really a player coach, helping the existing QBs learn Saunder’s offense and manning down the emergency QB role. Bramlet is hoping to impress the coaches enough that he will either be a practice squad player or will be invited back next year to compete for Collins job.

Running Back
Allotted Roster Spaces: 3
Projected Starter: Clinton Portis
Projected Backups: Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright
On the Bubble: Jesse Lumsden, Kerry Carter, Johnathan Combs

If any position will be more boring then QB it will be this one. It is also one of the positions most affected by the implementation of the FB position. Last year we kept 4 RBs, this year we will keep the NFL standard 3. Lucky for the guys that Clinton Portis’ characters do not require roster spots or everyone would be out of a job. Ladell Betts will be the primary backup and playing for a contract next year. Rock Cartwright will continue to be one of the best 3rd RBs in the league and play special teams. Despite the Lums-head following on the message boards, he is in a three way fight with Kerry Carter and Johnathan Combs for the honor to be the last RB cut and hopefully will have a shot at a PS position.

Full Back
Allotted Roster Spaces: 2
Projected Starter: Mike Sellers
Projected Backup: Manuel White
On the Bubble: Nemo Broughton

When asked last year who he liked to run behind the most, Portis always said Mike Sellers. Now Portis will get that chance most of the time. Big Mike had a rebound year in 2006 and won over many of his detractors among the Redskin fan base, including yours truly here. His hard blacking and fortuitous touchdown catches outweighed his knuckle head penalties. Manny White spent a year on Injured Reserve after not adjusting well to the H-back position, but he is a natural full back and could be a good backup. Nehemiah Broughton had a disappointing 2006 campaign and is switching from RB to FB. Nemo and Manny will fight it out for the last roster spot with the loser getting a lot of time off. Edge goes to Manny for now because he has history as a full back.

Wide Receiver
Allotted Roster Spaces: 5
Projected Starters: Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd
Projected Backups: Atwaan Randle El, David Patten, James Thrash
On the Bubble: Taylor Jacobs, Ataveus Cash, Derrick Fenner, Steven Harris, Mike Espy, Jimmy Farris, Ron Johnson, Richard Smith

WR is the most upgraded spot in the off-season. And it should be. We had so many players out for injury at this position last year you would think that Jeff Gilooly was working for our opponents. Despite that Santana Moss put up record numbers and will be the primary target again this year. Brandon Lloyd will play opposite him and should be a big upgrade and keep defenses honest. In the slot and returning kicks will be ARE, ah huge upgrade from Brown last year in both areas. David Patten has fallen but he is not out and will be one of the best 4th WRs in the league. James Thrash should get the final spot because of his solid special teams play and backup ability. Taylor Jacobs, Jimmy Farris, will challenge Thrash for that 5th spot but neither are likely to displace him. Fenner, Harris, Espy, & Smith are more then likely playing for a PS spot. Cash and Johnson are not eligible for PS and would need a major injury or two for a shot at a roster spot.

Tight End
Allotted Roster Spaces: 3
Projected Starter: Chris Cooley
Projected Backups: Christian Fauria, Robert Johnson
On the Bubble: Buck Ortega, Calen Powell

Chris Cooley will move from H-Back to TE with the direct effect of getting him more pro-bowl votes. While he probably will line up more on the line of scrimmage then the backfield he will still shift and go in motion a lot. Christian Fauria was brought in from New England and will see action on running downs and multiple TE sets. Robert Johnson showed promise last year before he got injured and is familiar with the other offensive players. Buck Ortega will be Johnson’s primary challenger for the last roster spot. For now Johnson has the edge in holding on as Ortega could go to the practice squad. Powell is camp fodder and needs to play superbly and hope for injuries even for a chance at PS consideration.

Offensive Line
Allotted Roster Spaces: 9
Projected Starter: Chris Samuels (LT), Derrick Dockery (LG), Casey Rabach (C), Randy Thomas (RG), Jon Jansen (RT)
Projected Backups: Jim Molinaro (T), Keli Lefotu (G/T), Tyson Walters (G/C), Mike Pucillo (G/C)
On the Bubble: Jon Alston, Ikechuku Ndukwe, Jasper Harvey, Jim Jones, Daniel Martz, Jonta Woodard, Chris Pinto

The starting 5 are back. F Randy Thomas can rehab from his broken leg and Jon Jansen can keep his thumbs from being broken this unit could gel into one of the best in the NFL. However, like previous year, depth is an issue. With Ray Brown gone, the Redskins are even thinner in reserve then previous years. Walters and Pucillo are veteran inside linemen with the ability to play both Guard and Center and will give us solid depth on the inside. Lofotu has all the talent in the world and can play both G & T, but is raw and will need seasoning. Jim Molinaro has seat on the bench for two years and will need to show he can be trusted at T to win the final Roster spot. Challenging Molinaro and Lefotu for the final two spots are Alston and Ndukwe. Losers will battle for likely two PS spots (one interior one exterior) with Harvey, Martz, Woodard, and Pinto. Jim Jones looks like camp fodder and I would be wary of letting him near the Gatorade.

Defensive Line
Allotted Roster Spaces: 9
Projected Starter: Andre Carter (RE), Phillip Daniels (LE), Cornellius Griffin (DT), Joe Salave’a (DT)
Projected Backups: Renaldo Wynn (DE), Demetric Evans (DE), Anthony Montgomery (DT), Cedric Killings (DT), Kedric Golston (DT)
On the Bubble: Ryan Boschetti, Nic Clemons, Manaia Brown, Vaka Manupuna, Chris Mineo, Joe Sykes, Karon Riley,

The addition of Carter to the DL, a rejuvenated Daniels, and healthy Griffin and Big Joe should take our defense to new heights and provide pressure on the line for the first time since Mann and Manley. Renaldo Wynn and Demetric Evans will become our 6th man type players subbing in at both end and tackle throughout the game and if there is an injury. Montgomery has a slim chance at challenging Big Joe for a starting spot but it’s unlikely to do so as a rookie and will need a year to mature. Killings and Golston will provide solid depth. Battling them for the final two spots are Boschetti and Clemons. Neither of them did much last year and will have to convince the coaching squad to drop a player they resigned to a multi year deal in the off season (Killings) or gamble on a player they drafted signing onto the PS (Golston). The rest are hoping for a chance at a PS spot or to impress enough that other teams will pick them up.

Line Backer
Allotted Roster Spaces: 7
Projected Starter: Rocky McIntosh (WLB), Lemar Marshall (MLB), Marcus Washington (SLB)
Projected Backups: Chris Clemons (OLB), Khary Campbell (MLB) Spencer Havener (OLB), Chris Simon (MLB)
On the Bubble: Warrick Holdman, Robert McCune, Justin Stall

This will be the toughest position to win a spot at in camp. Only Lemar Marshall, Marcus Washington, and Rocky McIntosh can breathe easy and know they have a roster spot. However Rocky is battling for the starting position at WLB with Holdman and Clemons. Holdman needs to win the spot to keep a roster spot, if not he is cut. Clemons can also win the spot or be a backup because of his special teams play. Spencer Havner is looking to backup Marcus Washington at SAM. Khary Campbell and John Simon will battle for the right to backup Marshall at the mike with the loser battling the losers at WLB along with McCune and Stall for the 7th LB spot.

Defensive Back
Allotted Roster Spaces: 9
Projected Starter: Shawn Springs (CB), Carlos Rogers (CB), Sean Taylor (S), Adam Archueletta (S)
Projected Backups: Kenny Wright (CB), Ade Jimoh (CB), Christian Morton (CB), Pierson Prioleau (S), Reed Doughty (S)
On the Bubble: Dimitri Patterson, Dennard Wilson, Curry Burns, Chijoke Onyenegecha, Chris Hawkins, John Eubanks, Aric Williams

Another competitive spot will be the 9th DB spot. The starting four are all set in Springs, Rogers, Taylor, and Arch and I will argue greatly improved over the starting four to play in the first game last season. Kenny Wright started for Jacksonville at CB last year and will be our nickel back. Pierson Prioleau and Ade Jimoh will play in some passing packages and play teams. Reed Doughty should wrap up the 4th S spot but will be challenged by Dennard Wilson who was injured last year and unable to make the squad. The 9th spot is tentatively held by Christian Morton who played some last year when injuries befell the squad. Dimitri Patterson will be Morton’s main opponent but Patterson has PS eligibility and Morton has the size that GW likes. It is possible that the Redskins will keep 5 safeties and 4 corners if the NFL suspends Taylor for his gun incident. At that point Wilson has to be thrown into the mix for the ninth spot. The rest are playing for PS spots or are camp fodder.

Specialists
Allotted Roster Spaces: 3
Projected Starter: David Lonie (P), John Hall (K), Ethan Albright (LS)
On the Bubble: Derrick Frost (P), Tyler Jones (K)

The safest job in perhaps the entire NFL is Ethan Albright. All he has to do is snap the ball correctly and he will always get a contract the next year. Big Red has not been noticed the last few years and that is a very good thing. Don’t believe me…two words Dan Turk. David Lonie and Derrick Frost will both be battling for the Punter position. It was my opinion last year Frost was the worst punter in football, and so Australian or no, I am going with Lonie, who could also handle kickoffs. John Hall will have a lighter work load and should hold of Tyler Jones, but if he gets injured in camp the Redskin’s patience may run out.

Practice Squad Predictions:

RB Jesse Lumsden: Could be Johnathan Combs, but I saw nothing special there. Lumsden can use a year to mature and possibly make the squad next year.

OL Ikechuku Ndukwe & Jon Alston: they spend one more year on the PS and serve as decent backups for injuries.

TE Buck Ortega: Could be Robert Johnson as well here. Buck spends a year here to get used to the NFL.

DB Dimitri Patterson & Dennard Wilson: With the amount of injuries we had in the Defensive backfield these two guys can be decent backup.

WR Mike Espy: Can return kicks in a pinch as well as using a year to mature and learn the Saunder’s system.

LB Robert McCune: Sure he is 27, but I doubt the Redskins will give up on him and he can come in and play special teams and provide depth in a pinch.

That’s how I see it for now. But with Mini-camp in June, training camp in July and Pre-Season in August there are lots of chances for the bubble boys to climb to the top.


Until next time Hail to the Redskins!!!!