Football Friday Film Study: Washington Redskins Training Camp Edition

Football Friday Film Study is a weekly column originated in 2012

The Washington Redskins are now less than a week away from kicking off training camp at their new state-of-the-art facility in Richmond, Virginia. So, for today’s FFFS, we’ll take a look at my top 10 questions heading into camp. Each question will be player specific instead of position, but we’ll tie it all in.

10. What’s the deal with Pat White?

• The Washington Redskins signed Pat White for several reasons. One reason, at least in my mind — they didn’t want the New York Giants to sign him. The Giants’ flirted with him prior to signing with the Redskins and my assumption  is they would have liked to use him to imitate Robert Griffin III in practice. Now, he has the job of imitating Griffin for Griffin and the Washington Redskins’ offense. But he is getting healthy — so I can’t help but wonder what the plan is for Pat White. Mike Shanahan would prefer to carry two quarterbacks, but will probably carry three for insurance purposes. The other RG3 – Rex Grossman III will likely hold that spot down. So here’s my best case scenario – Pat White lights it up in pre-season and becomes valuable enough for the Redskins to seek a trade. It’s a copycat league, teams want guys who can successfully run the option game or at least help practice against it. A trade would help dictate where White goes — which is ideal for the Redskins. White is also willing to play another position, but I’m not sold on that happening.

9. Can Kai Forbath improve on Kickoffs?

• Kai Forbath was a great pickup for the Washington Redskins last season. However, although he was efficient with his field goals, he struggled driving the ball on kickoffs. This may not sound important, but it is indeed a game of inches. Driving kickoffs was a pre-draft concern for Forbath: “Lacks the elite leg power to drive the ball on kickoffs and will not be able to assume this role at the next level” – NFL.com. So, enter John Potter, who recently signed with the team. Potter was drafted in the 7th round of last year’s draft by the Buffalo Bills. In 2011, he was third in the nation among FBS schools in touchback percentage. However, he was unable to keep a roster spot with the Bills his rookie season. He’s naturally a kickoff specialist and could prove himself worthy of a roster spot this pre-season. The only question is, will the Redskins be able to afford (in terms of roster spot) keeping two kickers?

8. Can Jarvis Jenkins return to form? 

• Jarvis Jenkins was a stud in training camp his rookie season. Coming of an ACL tear his rookie season in 2011, he didn’t look as powerful and explosive during last year’s training camp. It wasn’t until towards the end of last season that Jenkins started to come into his own. He’s on track to do big things if he can keep progressing.

7. Where does EJ Biggers fit in? 

• It’s no question that the Redskins largest off-season priority was to fix the secondary. Not only did the team take necessary steps to improve the back-end of their defense, they made the DB positions a lot younger. EJ Biggers is only 26 and he has a lot of ability and potential to be used in rotation with the other corners. It’ll be interesting to see how the team plans to use him.

6. Will London Fletcher continue playing every down?

• I know this may seem a little random. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone ask this question — but I do believe the Redskins may start taking London Fletcher off the field on passing downs (nickel). Fletcher, 38, hasn’t missed a game in his 15 years of playing professional football. He’s used to playing every down. But it’s something that should be considered and will probably happen, if last season was any indication. The Redskins drafted LB Keenan Robinson out of Texas last year to presumably take over London Fletcher’s spot when he’s ready to hang ‘em up. His strength is exactly what London Fletcher’s weakness is at this point in his career — coverage. Keenan Robinson showed good range and instincts prior to having a season ending pectoral injury. He stepped on the field in nickel packages mid-season giving Fletcher some time to rest. Don’t be surprised if this happens even more in 2013.

5.  Can Tyler Polumbus hold down the RT Position?

• Tyler Polumbus was not great last season. He wasn’t horrible… but he was definitely underwhelming. Washington signed Tony Pashos and Jeremy Trueblood this off-season to provide some depth at the position. It’ll be an interesting camp battle. At this point, it’s Polumbus’ job to lose. I am personally high on Tom Compton, a sixth round pick in 2012, but he’s getting most practice reps at left tackle. He did, however, practice at right tackle last year and I think they like him at that spot. It’ll definitely be a position worth keeping an eye on.

4. Is it Hank Time?

• Not much analysis on this since it was our subject in last weeks FFFS, which you can read here.

3. Alfred Morris and who else?

• Mike Shanahan likes a full stable — we all know this. It’s a crowded position with a clear starter in Alfred Morris. He’s the guy the team will lean on most. But one thing I felt was missing from this Shanahan offense last season was a guy who could catch the football out the backfield and make things happen in space. That typical dynamic Shanahan outside zone guy was also missing. Roy Helu Jr has the speed, can make cuts on a dime, catch and has experience pass blocking — which is a big thing in a Shanahan offense. But Washington also drafted Chris Thompson out of FSU with intentions of him fitting that mold, especially if Helu can’t stay healthy. Thomspon has to be healthy himself, and as said, the ability to block is very important.

2. Will Bacarri Rambo start at FS?

• I’ve talked about Bacarri Rambo the entire off-season. I felt he was a guy the Redskins needed to draft and now that he’s with the team — I think he has a good chance to start. Jim Haslett said earlier this off-season a rookie could start at the safety position. And secondary coach Raheem Morris made it clear that Rambo is a free safety and fellow 2013 draft pick Phillip Thomas is a strong safety. The strong safety spot has Brandon Meriweather penciled in for now. But there is a glaring hole at free safety. Rambo has the ability to play the position right away — although it’s a tough transition from college to professional football. But if you’re going to have a guy back there making mistakes, why not let it be a guy who will also make a ton of plays?

1. How is the health of the guy known as RG3, and others?

• The Redskins don’t have a lot of holes. But what they did have in mini camp and OTA’s this off-season was the league’s best “all-rehab” team. Robert Griffin III is Robert Griffin III — at this point I think it’ll be naive for anyone to believe he won’t be ready for week one. However, Fred Davis is a big piece to the offense and could have a breakout season. Rookie TE Jordan Reed is a major question mark when it comes to his health, but when he’s ready, he will add another element to the offense. Pierre Garcon has been cleared by Dr. Andrews, but his foot is still a concern. Adam Carriker will start camp on the PUP list. But the good news is, Brian Orakpo is healthy. There’s quite a few question marks when it comes to the health of some key players. But if the team can get these guys back to form, there’s no question they’ll be a contender again in 2013.

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