RGIII Has a Few Weapons Around Him

Washington Redskins fans must thank general manager BRUCE ALLEN, assorted team scouts, head coach MIKE SHANAHAN, and others for making sure that quarterback ROBERT GRIFFIN III has some offensive talent to work with . The Redskins are sorely in need of a jump to their offense, because for so long their offense has been as boring and unimaginative as rap music these days. Below is a look at what the Redskins have on offense for Griffin to sort through.

First and foremost is the offensive line. In order for Griffin to get his career off to a good start, injuries can’t bite the offensive line as much as it did last year. Three projected starters—KORY LICHTENSTEIGER, JAMMAL BROWN, and TRENT WILLIAMS—on the offensive line for the 2011 season missed 21 games due to injuries.  Those three players are back and the Redskins need for them to stay healthy seeing as all three of them are Pro Bowl caliber players (especially Brown).

WILL MONTGOMERY who is the odds-on favorite to start at center, is an up and coming player. He is a hard worker, a solid pass blocker, and very helpful in the running game. He likes to keep his feet moving and tries to do anything to help protect his quarterback or open holes for running backs. At right guard is CHRIS CHESTER. He and Montgomery were the only offensive linemen to be in the lineup for every game for the Redskins last year. Chester operates with a mean streak and is a good drive blocker with good leg and body movement. The ‘Skins need him in the lineup. MAURICE HURT filled in for projected starter Lichtensteiger at left guard last year and did a commendable job, but in the present Lichetensteiger is ahead of him (Hurt) in his development and ability level.

Former fourth overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, Williams always seems to be on his way to trying to justify that he got picked that high. And then he gets disciplined for off the field matters (2010) or he gets hurt (2011). From 2012 and beyond, Williams needs to be in the lineup for the Redskins to have a chance at entertaining their fans on offense. Brown may be the best overall player on this line but he has never been active for an entire season in his seven year career.

Backup right tackle TYLER POLUMBUS has some talent and could start for some teams in this league at his position, but he is not going to beat out Brown any time soon. So that means he may be auditioning for other teams as the 2012 season is his contract year. Backup left tackle WILLIE SMITH filled in well for the absent Williams at left tackle, as he showed athleticism and a hunger to improve his game. If this line can stay healthy and it steers clear of underachievement, this could be one of the better offensive lines in the entire league.

The Redskins possess three veteran running backs with different styles, EVAN ROYSTER, ROY HELU, and TIM HIGHTOWER. In limited playing time in 2011 due to a circuitous journey to the active roster, Royster was second on the team in rushing yards with 328. He never scored, but he did average 5.9 yards per carry which was the highest on the team with players who carried the ball 56 or more times. At Penn State and in the NFL, Royster has the tendencies of a workhorse without many frills, but that style is effective for him. They need his physical style and unselfish demeanor in this lineup.

Helu on the other hand has more flash to his game and has more dimensions to his game than just about any back on this roster. He too is an up and coming player and he led the team in yards from scrimmage with 640, but he only scored twice. And lastly, Hightower was third on the team in yards rushing with 321 and just one touchdown. The Redskins ranked 25th in rushing yards and received only 5 scores from their running game last year. That must change for the Redskins to take pressure off of Griffin but they are talented at this position. This unit just needs more production and possible help from its rookies and/or younger players, provided some of them make the team.

The wide receiver position is one of the most talented positions on the team. PIERRE GARCON, a key free agent signee from the Indianapolis Colts, will be one of the main offensive set pieces that will have to perform in order for Griffin to kick start his career. Garcon was an exciting but underused talent in Indy last year due to the truckload of problems they experienced at quarterback. Garcon is a natural No. 1/No. 2 receiver who can run just about any route on the wide receiver tree. The Redskins paid him ($42.5 million for five years) very well to be a near top-shelf receiver and to enliven the Redskins perennially boring offenses. They also signed JOSH MORGAN away from San Francisco for a base salary (on average) of $2.8 million a year. Morgan is not an elite receiver as that is not his lane, but he can help the ‘Skins as a possession receiver and occasional deep threat. SANTANA MOSS is aging and he is nearing the end of his stay in the nation’s capitol. He is a No.2 and/or No. 3 receiver these days but his speed is still there as is his customary body fakes and route running.

Fellow receivers NILES PAUL, BRANDON BANKS, and DARIUS HANKS have the skills to contribute to this offense. Banks can be more than just a return man, but he is too small to be an every down threat on offense. But his speed and excitability is just too hard to ignore. Paul is a very athletic and possible field stretching receiver. He needs experience and faith in his game from head coach Shanahan and his son Kyle (offensive coordinator) as well as new receivers coach IKE HILLIARD . Hanks’ receiving skills weren’t in vogue at Alabama (which had something to do with him going unselected in the 2012 NFL Draft), so he had to work hard at the combine and now in preseason practices to get an opportunity to compete in this league. Hanks can play but he is a project.

At tight end, FRED DAVIS is a Pro Bowl caliber player, and when healthy he can challenge a team’s receivers for supremacy in catches and yards. Davis for years to come can serve as Griffin’s security blanket underneath or not too far from the deep-game area. The Redskins need Davis in the lineup more than they’ll ever know. CHRIS COOLEY used to be hot stuff once upon a time (2005 through 2008), but injuries and the before mentioned Davis have cut into his affairs. Cooley can still be a very effective tight end, but he needs time to become the Chris Cooley he is capable of being. LOGAN PAULSEN is available for the occasional pass thrown his way, but it’s clear that blocking comes first in his game. He is the best blocker of the tight ends in Washington by far, and one of the most underrated blocking tight ends in the league.

By Matthew Robinson