Top 10 Washington Redskins Training Camp Storylines

Training Camp for the Washington Redskins begins in just ten days. In what should be a camp full of headlines, we’ll narrow this list down to ten that will be key heading into the season.

10. Kai Forbath vs Zach Hocker

Many people believe Kai Forbath’s job is safe because he’s proven to be fairly efficient with field goals. However, he isn’t great when it comes to kickoffs. I also think he’s a bit overrated in terms of field goal kicking. So in comes seventh-round pick Zach Hocker, who is touted as a strong legged kicker. He has plenty of drive for kickoffs. Not to mention, he has a big leg for long field goals — plus he’s accurate. If you ask me, Hocker has more upside than Forbath. But we’re talking about kickers here, so… moving on…

9. Kickoff/Punt Returner

The Redskins have struggled to find a consistent punt and kick returner for years. Last season was a complete failure and they can’t afford to continue having issues on returns. Field position is a key to winning football games and Washington has to get better at that. This year the team has plenty options at both kick and punt returner, including: Andre Roberts, Santana Moss, Chris Thompson and Richard Crawford — to name a few. I suspect that it’s Andre Roberts’ job to lose for both kick and punt returns. However, Chris Thompson would add that needed speed dimension if he’s able to truly grasp the concept of punt returning. This is something worth keeping an eye on during pre-season.

8. WRs (Beyond the big three)

It’s no secret that DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Andre Roberts are Washington’s version of the “big three” at the receiver position. But new Head Coach Jay Gruden loves spread concepts — so I’m sure you could see a ton of three to four receiver sets. Although, that fourth guy could often times be TE Jordan Reed… As of today, the Redskins are carrying 13 receivers into camp. So we’re talking about ten guys basically fighting for maybe three spots. Of the receivers battling, I believe Aldrick Robinson, Santana Moss, Ryan Grant, Cody Hoffman and Leonard Hankerson are the top guys. The team really does need some size at the position with a group full of sub-6 footers. Only Leonard Hankerson and Cody Hoffman provide that needed big body component that’s missing. Hoffman went undrafted for a reason — he’s not a great athlete. But what he does do is catch the football and use his 6ft 4 frame very well… unlike the 6ft 2 Leonard Hankerson (who hasn’t been able to stay healthy either). Ryan Grant is a guy coaches have raved about this off-season. With DJax in the fold, I see no reason for Aldrick Robinson, who I consider limited.

7. Secondary

The Washington Redskins secondary was completely horrible last season. There’s no other way to slice it. This year, they have a true savvy vet in Ryan Clark to lead the group. However, that doesn’t mean he’s going to give you high level play. What it does mean is Brandon Meriweather will be able to move to his more natural in-the-box safety position. David Amerson will step up this season and start opposite DeAngelo Hall. But the true competition will come in at slot corner. Tracy Porter and Richard Crawford appear to be the most natural fit for that position. However, no one truly knows how good Crawford will be coming off his season-ending injury. Not to mention, Porter has proven to be an inconsistent player. I do think the Redskins have themselves something in rookie Bashuad Breeland. But he isn’t a natural slot DB. It’s important to have quality depth at cornerback and Washington doesn’t have many proven commodities. I am interested in seeing the 6ft 3 rookie corner out of Hampton – Courtney Bridget. But again, this position is full of question marks.

6. Inside Linebacker

Perry Riley and Keenan Robinson appear to be the leaders of the pack at ILB. Washington signed several guys to compete at the position this off-season including, Darryl Sharpton and Akeem Jordan. However, none of the linebackers have more potential (including Perry Riley) than Keenan Robinson. The issue with Keenan is he’s been unable to stay healthy. He has the needed range to play well in coverage. He needs to work on his upfield game. But he has a ton of athleticism to sniff out the ball. This will be worth monitoring this pre-season.

5. Pass Rush

In order for the Redskins to have any success on the back-end of their defense, the pass rush has to improve. The addition of Jason Hatcher should help. However, the team needs more from their rush linebackers. Brian Orakpo has to improve and be the dominant pass rusher he thinks he is… Ryan Kerrigan has been solid and will continue being solid. But he has to create more havoc also next season. The elephant in the room is second-round draft pick Trent Murphy. He’s a big guy who I believe should work towards being a down-linemen. It doesn’t matter how the Redskins generate pass rush, but they need more of it in 2014.

4. Alfred Morris in Power Run Based O

Morris is one of those players that if you really like him, he’s overrated… If you don’t like him, he’s underrated. He’s proven to be a good running back in this league. But let’s be real, he had success in Mike Shanahan’s run system. Morris has a lot to prove this season. Although, it has been said that Jay Gruden will continue using zone concepts — he’s a guy who uses power o in the run and pass game. Morris has to get better creating things behind the line and he must learn to catch the football. He also needs to work on the fumbling issues. This will be a telling season for Morris. He’ll either force Washington’s hand to pay him or give them a reason to move on in the future.

3. Jim Haslett

Haslett is in a category of his own. Washington’s defense has not been good with Haslett at helm. His track record in no way suggests that the defense will improve. So Jay Gruden has to hope he didn’t make a mistake by allowing an old friend to stay and coach that side of the ball. Haslett claims the chains Mike Shanahan wrapped around him have been removed. So now he’s able to have more input in what the defense does schematically. The biggest change could be upfront on the defensive line where the team will play more one-gap, attack brand of football. Haslett simply has to do his job better in 2014.

2. Offensive Line Shakeup

The Washington Redskins made several moves this off-season that could impact the offensive line. They’ve added some young players who could immediately step up and help the team. However, it isn’t clear how soon these young players will step into the starting lineup. So far it appears that Trent Williams, Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester and Tyler Polumbus will be the team’s week one starters. Washington has to face a potentially dominant duo in JD Clowney and JJ Watt week one when they play the Houston Texans. They’d have to be very confident in a guy like rookie RT Morgan Moses in order to potentially let him start early this season. Fellow rookie guard Spencer Long is a guy who could sneak up and push Chris Chester for a spot. But either way, the offensive line has to protect Robert Griffin III in 2014. Washington’s key to success will be a dominant offense and keeping that QB upright will be important.

1. Robert Griffin III

The Washington Redskins will prosper or fail on the back of QB Robert Griffin III. It doesn’t matter how many pieces they add around him — he has to be a much better quarterback this season. He has a ton of “toys,” now it’s about him being an equal distributor of the football. He also has to be smarter when scrambling. Jay Gruden is giving Griffin the ability to call audibles, which could be great — if done correctly. Griffin has to get better with post-snap reads and going through progressions. There’s no doubt he has all the tools to be an elite quarterback. But before anyone crowns the guy, he needs to resurface as a premier player in this league.

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