Vision Quest: Roster Wars 2007 Week 2

Ok here we are post-ravens scrimmage. The scrimmage did not unfortunately show the Redskins faithful much when it comes to hat we see in the regular season. Jason Campbell, Santana Moss, & Randle-El were held out of 11 on 11 drills. This is in addition to expected starters Chris Samuels, Clinton Portis, Randy Thomas, Brandon Lloyd all sitting out due to injury.

However the injuries to the starters do give us a glimpse into the depth chart that the Redskins seem to be working with. We saw more action from guys like Stephon Heyer, Marcus Mason, and Burt Toller and they helped themselves with bids to make the practice squad or in Heyer’s case perhaps a roster spot. On the flip side injuries to Mike Espy, Tyler Ecker, and Dallas Sartz could hamper their ability to compete for a roster spot and may end up spending a year on PS, if they are lucky.

So with all that said here is how I see the Roster Wars shaping up after the Ravens game.

Quarterbacks
Projected Roster Petitions: 3
Projected Starter: Jason Campbell
Projected Depth: Mark Brunell, Jason Palmer
On the Bubble: Todd Collins

Analysis: I am still going out on a limb here by predicting the departure of Todd Collins, especially considering reports of early struggles in camp. But he did connect for the Redskins only score against the Ravens and again logically this makes sense. Palmer is younger then Collins and has the better upside. Collins could be signed during the season any time during if needed. The Redskins don’t normally reserve a PS spot for a QB. So it makes sense. But little the Redskins do makes sense so I could easily be wrong.

Running Backs
Projected Roster Petitions: 4
Projected Starter: Clinton Portis
Projected Depth: Ladell Betts, Derrick Blaylock, Rock Cartwright
On the Bubble: Marcus Mason

Analysis: Marcus Mason showed promise in the scrimmage; however promise will only get him on the PS for now. I think this position is set in stone. We have kept four running backs on the roster in each of Gibbs years here; we will do so again this year barring injury.

Fullback
Projected Roster Petitions: 2
Projected Starter: Mike Sellers,
Projected Depth: Pete Schmitt

Analysis: Here is a surprise to some but Schmitt is getting some praise from beat writers in camp. He has been injured and can not show much, but having a young FB in case of Sellers getting injured makes sense. Still not sure the Redskins will keep 6 Rbs right now but perhaps Schmitt can get some time backing up Captain Caveman for a bit.

Tight Ends
Projected Roster Positions: 2
Projected Starter: Chris Cooley
Projected Depth: Todd Yoder
On the Bubble: Tyler Ecker, Brian Bell, Jake Nordin

Analysis: 2 Tes is a little low to keep on the active roster, but seriously look at the scrubs in this group. Cooley and Yoder are miles ahead of the rest of them. Ecker’s injury may reduce him to A PS guy if he can’t get on the field. Pucillo and Sellers can also play TE in goalline situations and in an emergency during a game as well.

Wide Receivers
Projected Roster Positions: 5
Projected Starters: Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle_el
Projected Depth: Brandon Lloyd, James Thrash, Corey Bradford
On the Bubble: Mike Espy, Jason McAddley
Camp Fodder: Ryan Hoag, Carl Berman, Jason Willis, Kyle Brown, Burl Toller

Analysis: Mike Espy’s injury is doing him no favors. Unless he can prove to the coaching staff he is ready for the NFL and deserves to be put in over vets like Bradford and Mcaddley he will be stashed on the PS again. He better get Mr. Miyagi in there to take care of that knee and quick.


Offensive Line
Projected Roster Positions: 9
Projected Starters: Chris Samuels (LT), Todd Wade (LG), Casey Rabach (C), Randy Thomas (RG), Jon Jansen (RT)
Projected Depth: Mike Pucillo, Ross Tucker, Stephon Heyer, Taylor Whitley
On the Bubble: Calvin Armstrong, Will Whiticker, Kili Lefotu, Jason Fabini,

Analysis: Stephon Heyer gets a roster spot here, obviously since he is working with the first team offense in Samuel’s absence. However this is not an absolute; remember last year there was big praise for Jasper Harvey who did not make the squad come opening day. However with Heyer’s rise comes the fall of a couple of veterans. Tucker, Whiticker, Whitley and Fabini may be fighting for the last two roster spots. All vets and all are having sub par camps. Again I pray for no major injury and for Samuels to heal in time, because our depth sucks.

Defensive Line
Projected Roster Positions: 9
Projected Starters: Andre Carter (RE), Cornelius Griffin (DT), Kedric Golston (DT) Phillip Daniels (LE)
Projected Depth: Renaldo Wynn, Joe Salave’a, Anthony Montgomery, Demetic Evans, Alex Buzbee,
On the Bubble: Jamaal Green, Chris Wilson, Ryan Boschetti
Camp Fodder: Bryant Shaw, Justin Hickman, Lorenzo Alexander, Vaki Manapuna

Analysis: The Buz is with Alex Buzbee as he is doing well in camp and could be a nice young depth guy at DE. So much for Montgomery’s ascension to savior of the defensive line, he is pretty much getting owned in camp and it looks as if the front 4 that could not generate a pass rush last year will be the same front 4 next year. God help us all.

Linebacker
Projected Roster Positions: 6
Projected Starters: Rocky McIntosh (WLB), London Fletcher-Baker (MLB), Marcus Washington (SLB)
Projected Depth: Lemar Marshall, Khary Campbell, HB Blades
On the Bubble: Dallas Sartz
Camp fodder: Kevin Jones, Anthony Trucks, Matt Sinclair

Analysis: Dallas Sartz injury is continuing to hurt his chance at making the roster. The Redskins have a history of wasting second day picks on young LBers who don’t make the opening day roster (Newberry, McCune, Simon) in recent years and Sartz better get healthy quick to avoid being another one here.

Corner
Projected Roster Positions: 5
Projected Starters: Sean Springs, Carlos Rogers
Projected Depth: Fred Smoot, David Macklin, Jerametrius Butler
On the Bubble: Ade Jimoh, John Eubanks, Byron Westbrook
Camp Fodder: Leigh Torrance

Analysis: Butler may be hurt but he is still better at covering WRs then Jimoh., Don’t get me long I will be very happy if somehow Jimoh makes the squad. I have a place in my heart for over achieving Special Teams guys like Thrash, Jimoh, and Cartwright. However the Redskins have to look at the future in the corner position. Springs is old and will cost a lot of money next year, they need corners that can actually play corner to be on the roster. Jimoh will need a miracle to make it this year IMO.

Safety
Projected Roster Positions: 5
Projected Starters: Sean Taylor (FS), Laron Landry (SS)
Projected Depth: Omar Stoutmire, Pierson Prioleau, Vernon Fox
On the Bubble: Reed Doughty

Analysis: The team was playing Landry with Taylor a lot during the scrimmage and that probably means he will be starting come the beginning of the season. Also the switch to the dedicated Free and Strong safeties almost ensures this as instead of competing against Pierson Prioleau he is competing against Omar Stoutmire for the start. Don’t worry about the Pman though, he will be around plenty being the first safety off the bench on passing downs. Stout and Fox will compete for the backup SS position and Fox will need to show he is a good Special teams player to stick.

Special Teams
Projected Roster Petitions: 3
Projected Starters: Sean Suisham (K), Derrick Frost (P), Ethan Albright (LS)

Analysis: No change here. What can I say. They all still have a pulse so they all still have roster spots. Enough said.

Practice Squad Projections

1.) Marcus Mason (RB). He is showing promise but not nearly enough to make the roster, this year. Mason is why God (otherwise known as the NFL Brain trust) created the PS in the first place, a young kid without a roster spot who could really develop into a solid NFL player in a couple of years.

2.) Keli Lefotu (G). 2nd day draft pick? Check. Overrated reach on offensive line? Check. Little hope for making the roster? Check. Another year on the PS? Checkamundo.

3.) Tyler Ecker (TE) An injury is hurting him, the need for a practice TE and his draft choice may keep him from being unemployed..

4.) Dallas Sartz (LB) Another 2nd day draft pick? Check. Tweener Line backer without a real position in the NFL? Check. Hurt early in training camp with a nagging injury? Check. To the PS again? Checkamundo, again.

5.) Reed Doughty (S) I could do the whole check thing again, but seriously you get my point…2nd Day Redskins Draft Pick thy role is the PS.

6.) Byron Westbrook (CB) I like the potential of this young guy and I am not ruling him out of the 5th CB spot. IF Butler remains hurt and Jimoh still can’t cover a cripple marsupial the young mane may get a shot at a roster spot.

7.) Jamaal Green (DE) As good a candidate as nay other to spend another year on PS. He is young and knows the defense and could be decent depth in case of injury this year.

8.) Mike Espy (WR) If Mike can’t get on the field, he can’t win a roster spot. His potential and good camp last year will get him another tour on the PS though.

Battles to Watch for in the next Pre- Season game.

The Redskins will play their first preseason game against the Titans this week. Not all battles for roster spots are straight up position battles. Sometimes you have to convince the coaches to keep an extra person at a position by taking away from another. So with that in mind here are some battles to take a look at:

3rd Te or 2nd FB. In many ways Pete Schmitt and Tyler Ecker are battling for the same roster spot though they play different positions. In all of Gibbs years he has kept 4 players between the FB (or H-back when used) and TE spot. With Sellers ability to play TE and Pucillo’s ability to line up at TE in goalline formations the coaching staff may be tempted to keep 2 FBs instead of 3 TEs. If Bell wants a shot here he needs to step it up some over the next week or so as well.

5th WR. This is pretty straight up. Moss, Randle-El, Lloyd, and Thrash are cemented in the top 4 spots. Espy, Bradford, & McAddley are making moves for the 5th spot. Better start making catches guys, this is your chance.

5th S or 7th LB. Another weird positional battle. In my mind Sartz and Fox are battling for the same roster spot. Hurting Sartz is his injury and his age which allows for placement on the PS. Helping Sartz is his draft choice and Fox is not all that good. IF Fox goes Doughty could get into the battle here as well.

3rd QB. As I was writing this article Bramlet was cut. This leaves Palmer as the main backup and competitor for the 3rd QB job with Todd Collins. If Collins has the better camp, he will be the third QB, if Palmer has the better camp he could get it. Palmer could catch on in PS but I doubt it as the redskins have not carried 4 QBs under Gibbs.

5th CB. With injuries abundant in all of the top 4 CBs, the Redskins will probably keep at least 5 CBs.

Special teams studs A few guys can make the grade with their special teams play. Don’t get me wrong we will not keep anyone solely because of their special teams play, they will have to contribute to a roster position. However special team standouts can help break ties or overcome slight deficiencies in their roster skills. Players who will be looking to benefit from this more then others: Khary Campbell, Dallas Sartz, Rock Cartwright, James Thrash, Ade Jimoh, Vernon Fox, & Mike Espy.

That’s it for now guys. Will check in next week and see how we are doing.