In other non-Robert Griffin III’s knee news, it is officially the off-season for the Washington Redskins. In the next week(s) we’ll go position-by-position, evaluating each player’s 2012 season, projecting their future and concluding if the position is an area of need. In film study, we’re able to go back and pinpoint the “weak-links” and players that have potential to improve in the future.
Last week we released our first installment of evaluations on the 2012-2013 Washington Redskins: Wide Receiver Evaluations . Then followed up with a piece asking - Should the Redskins target a WR in Free Agency?
This week, we’re going straight to Washington’s weakest positional group - Defensive Backs.
Here’s the the league’s upcoming important dates (for non-post season teams) in the moth of January:
| January 15 | – | Deadline for underclassmen to petition for special eligibility for the 2013 NFL Draft. |
| January 19 | – | East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida. |
| January 24-25 | – | Regional Combine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii |
| January 26 | – | Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama. |
Evaluations post-film study (ordered by talent level):
- DeAngelo Hall H/W (5-10, 193) D.O.B (11/19/83): DeAngelo Hall is, well, DeAngelo Hall. You know what you’re getting from him. However, if this evaluation was being installed prior to the 2012 season, Josh Wilson’s name would be first. Hall didn’t have a great season, but he had solid production and really stepped up his game towards the end of the season. DeAngelo didn’t bite on routes as often as he would in the past. Early in the season, I thought he struggled playing over the slot. But when moved on the outside, he had solid production against receivers like Hakeem Nicks and Dez Bryant. He did miss a lot of tackles, but as weird as it may sound – DeAngelo has improved as a tackler over the years. Hall is 29 years old and still can be a solid contributor. But the Redskins can’t continue going forward depending on him as their top defensive back. He’ll likely restructure his contract to stay with the team. However, if the Redskins hope to improve their secondary, they need to find someone else to match-up with the talented receivers in the NFC East. Grade: C + | Upgrade needed? Yes
- Josh Wilson H/W (5-9, 188) D.O.B (3/11/85): Wilson had a disappointing season. Some of it was attributed to poor safety play. But the rest was on him. Wilson bit on several routes – allowing receivers to get behind him. Wilson is an easy mismatch because of his size. But size can be offset by the ability to be physical and Wilson did not prove he could be that. He’s still a player that can contribute to this defense in the future, but much like DeAngelo Hall, these are guys the Redskins can’t continue to bank on as the team’s top defensive back. He’ll be 28 in March – the Redskins have to get younger at this position. Grade: C | Upgrade needed? Yes
- Reed Doughty H/W (6-1, 206) D.O.B (11/4/82): Doughty had the game of his life against the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. During the season, he had his ups and downs, but he really stepped up his game towards the end of the season. “Free and Strong” safeties do not really exist anymore. You have safeties that play up towards the line and coverage guys. Free and strong doesn’t necessarily discriminate anymore, in the sense of playing on one side of the field. Reed Doughty played on both sides of the field and proved why the Redskins continue to keep him on the football team. He has great football smarts and can be relied on, when needed. He’s not a starting caliber safety though, so the Redskins will hope to get a healthy Brandon Meriweather back to take over that role. Although, it’s uncertain if even Meriweather will be counted on as a legit starter going in to the 2013 season. Grade: C | Upgrade needed? Yes
- Cedric Griffin H/W (6-0, 195) D.O.B (11/11/82): Cedric Griffin surpassed expectations, because when the Redskins signed him, everyone looked back at his production in Minnesota and figured he’d be horrible. While he wasn’t great, Griffin’s physicality and length came in handy late in the season. Griffin played a significant role in Washington’s nickel package before getting suspended the last four games of the season. Griffin will be an unrestricted free agent and the Redskins have to decide if he’s worth retaining. He did enough to justify the move, but he’s also 30 years old. Again, the Redskins must get younger at this position. Grade C – | Upgrade needed? Yes
- Richard Crawford H/W (5-11, 188) D.O.B (8/1/90): Richard Crawford is the youngest player on the football team and at times he looked that way. Early in the season, Washington attempted to use Crawford in slot and he struggled. Due to that, he was consistently on the inactive list until the Redskins were smart enough to make him the team’s primary punt returner. Not only did Crawford excel as a punt returner, but he proved late in the season that he’s a better outside corner than inside. He’s a guy with a lot of potential. Grade C – | Upgrade needed? No – player with upside
- DeJon Gomes H/W (6-0, 201) D.O.B (11/17/89): Gomes made a few significant plays in both the secondary and special teams. However, he’s an inconsistent player and has been injury prone. Gomes is a reserve at best, and I’m not sure if he’s flashed enough potential to prove he has an upside. Grade: D – | Upgrade needed? Yes
Physically Unable to do Anything List:
- Madieu Williams was clearly the weak-link in Washington’s secondary. He was rarely in position to make plays on the football. Corners will be blamed for a lot of mishaps in the secondary, but poor play by the safeties was Washington’s main issue in 2012.
