Washington Redskins: Top Five OTA Topics

Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) begin this week for the Washington Redskins. While it’s voluntary for the players, this is an important time in the off-season. In my opinion, it’s the most important part of the off-season. This is when the foundation of your football team is built. This is where the attitude and character of the team begins to form.

Below we’ll take a look at five key topics during Washington’s OTA period:
1. It’s Kirk Cousins’ party… Now what?

As everyone knows, this is Kirk Cousins’ first off-season as the sure-fire Washington Redskins starting QB. The biggest aspect of Cousins’ game that should benefit from now being “the guy” is his confidence level. In all honesty, I don’t think you’ll see a QB who will take his game from a physical standpoint to another level this off-season. However, a boost in confidence could be enough to solve some of the various question marks (flaws) the fifth year QB has that prevents some from crowning him.

2. Matt Jones has nothing to lose until pre-season:

The starting RB gig is Matt Jones’ job to lose, although there’s really no one to lose it to. He’s going to look good in shorts this off-season, but that’s not at all the issue at hand. Matt Jones has to stay healthy and protect the ball in pre-season. Until then, there’s really no point in dissecting him throughout the off-season. It’s hard to gauge RBs in practice. Unless, of course, he gets banged up or fumbles when the team gets into contact drills. For the record, I think Matt Jones can be very good — one of the few every down backs in the league.

3. Stephen Paea could ease concerns depending on where the team uses him:

Paea, in my opinion, played well when he was on-the-field last season. I saw him use his hands very well and generate pass rush. In my opinion, he has some of the best hands on the Washington Redskins’ defensive front. He’s also probably the strongest lineman Washington has. Having said that, he should be the team’s one technique (Washington’s version of a nose tackle) this year. Typically the nose tackle plays zero technique (over the center) but Washington uses more of an attacking scheme. Not to mention, Paea has played one tech before (albeit in a 4-3). Of course, he has to prove that he can stay healthy. But if Washington uses him that way, it should ease the concerns about them not really having a true nose tackle.

4. How will Su’a Cravens be used?:

Su’a Cravens may be the most interesting player on the Washington Redskins now. I think when it’s all said and done, he will mostly play linebacker. But everyone will be paying close attention to where the Redskins use him. He is not the next Deone Buchannon, but he could be a Troy Polamalu — which isn’t too shabby either.

5. Bashaud Breeland will work his way to being the Redskins’ best overall DB:

Breeland is low key p’d-off right now… And that’s a good thing. It’s not that he’s unhappy about the addition of Josh Norman, among others. He just wants to be seen as a premier corner in this league. His attitude this off-season may be just the thing to push him over that hump. He’s on the cusp. In my opinion, Breeland is one of the best tackling corners I’ve seen since Antone Winfield. His next step to gaining national respect is becoming more of a playmaker. That’s what made people respect Josh Norman and that’s what it takes to go from “good” to “elite.” If there’s an award for “Dog of the off-season,” I guarantee it will be Breeland and Junior Gallette battling for it.

Bonus thought:

The most ideal situation for the Redskins would be for Spencer Long to win the battle at center and for Arie Kouandjio to step-up at Left Guard. The Washington Redskins needs to start solidifying their offensive line for the future and it all begins in OTA’s.