Ashburn, Va. – This past week’s storylines regarding the Washington Redskins were something from an Academy Award-winning movie. If the team had two feet to stand on, they would have been shot off in a self-inflicted, narcissistic way.
When second year Head Coach Jay Gruden named Kirk Cousins as his starting quarterback for the 2015 season, he all but stoked the fires of controversy. When team management – and make no mistake that it was management – kept previous starter Robert Griffin III on the final roster even after Gruden had relegated him to a backup role, it fanned the flames even brighter.
Regardless of that storyline there are games to be played and other storylines that could develop as the season progresses. The final 53-man roster has been named and things have quieted down… a bit. It’s time to talk about what happens between the lines during the 2015 regular season.
Will the current squad be an improvement over last year’s 4-12 roster?
Will there be team continuity and a sense of togetherness often not found in the Burgundy and Gold?
Washington is not lacking in talent. The running back position should be a strong point with Pro Bowler Alfred Morris the anchor of a very capable — albeit young and inexperienced — group. Fullback Darrel Young is a reliable veteran while rookie Matt Jones(University of Florida) and third-year player Chris Thompson will be counted on to infuse speed and fresh legs in reserve roles. Thompson should get plenty of looks as a third-down specialist because the offense looks to pass more efficiently with Kirk Cousins behind center. Jones has the look of a special talent and it will be interesting to see if he just compliments Morris or possibly even takes carries away from him.
In order for the offense, and more importantly the team, to really be good; the position that must be dominant in every game will have to be the wide receivers.
Wide out DeSean Jackson returns with his big-play abilities and fellow receiver Pierre Garçon has toughness and a workman-like demeanor that will be needed to set the right tone. Second-year man Ryan Grant — along with Jamison Crowder, Andre Roberts and Rashad Ross — round out a receiving corps that has players with unique abilities. If these are maximized, the unit could be a great surprise for the team.
An interesting storyline out of this group will be how long can Roberts hold off the shifty Crowder from pushing him for the starting slot spot?
As with everything, the offensive line will be an intricate piece to the puzzle. If it can create time for Cousins to go through his reads and progressions, both could find themselves having breakout seasons. Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, fresh off his record contract, will be the calming presence for a unit that will playing young second-year tackle Morgan Moses and rookie guard Brandon Scherff on the right side of the line.
New defensive coordinator Joe Barry will make his debut directing the team’s new-look defense. He will have to come out of the gates with aggressiveness as the Redskins open at home against two decent teams in the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams. Hopefully his squad can match them in creating havoc and turnovers.
What can he get out of the defense that former coordinator Jim Haslett could not?
Up front the team brought in Terrance Knighton (Denver Broncos), Stephen Paea (Chicago Bears) and Ricky Jean François (Indianapolis Colts) to give a jolt to a dormant pass rush that opposing teams never feared or game-planned for.
The linebacking corps will be led by Ryan Kerrigan and should be a fun bunch to watch with lots of speed and youth.
The secondary has two hard-hitting safeties in Duke Ihenacho and Dashon Goldson. This has been a porous position for the team so look for marked improvement on the backside.
The cornerback position could be interesting if veteran DeAngelo Hall can return to form after his Achilles injuries and if new No. 1 corner, Chris Culliver (brought in from the San Francisco 49ers), can be a steady presence for young players Bashaud Breeland and David Amerson. Breeland (who will miss this Sunday’s game against Miami due to a one-game suspension for an off-the-field incident before his rookie year) started last year and has the potential to be one of the game’s elite talents. Amerson, who struggled in his second year, looks to rebound and provide quality depth for the unit.
There are grumblings that Gruden could be coaching for his job if the season gets off to a shaky start.
The Redskins must show improvement and kick things off in a way that infuses excitement and commitment. Winning cures all ills and looking good early against two teams with playoff aspirations could work wonders for a young group trying to find their identity.
That will be a storyline to watch from the very beginning.