Training Camp Preview
What’s up Redskins Nation?! I’ve been slacking on the posts in recent months, my apologies. After writing about the free agent moves and the big Alex Smith acquisition, it was nice to relax and finally enjoy a drama free offseason. There was no more Kirk Cousins cha-cha-cha, no ‘All in for Week 1’, etc. With that said, training camp is in full swing and the 2018 season is here. The roster feels more complete this year and Gruden has mentioned this is the most talented group he’s had in his 5 seasons as head coach. The biggest storyline fans should worry about as we enter the dog days of August is overall team health. A recent article in Pro Football Focus had the Redskins pegged as the most injured team in 2017. Any time you have over 20 key players (mostly starters) end the season on IR, it is hard to win games in the NFL. The belief around Redskins Park is that this is a playoff roster when fully healthy. With the new additions and re-signings, I really don’t see many areas of true weakness. On that note, here are five key players I’ll keep my eye on during training camp and preseason.
Derrius Guice — He may be the most hyped draft pick we’ve had since RG3. He’s fully embraced the DC community and seems like an instant fan favorite. It also helps he’s a legit number 1 running back who can take our offense to another level. The Redskins haven’t had a game breaking running back in over a decade (think back to Portis in his prime). From what I’ve read and seen, he’ll be the starting running back week 1 and can be a true difference maker in 2018.
Alex Smith — Everyone knows QB is the most important position in sports. This marks Smith’s 3rd NFL team, but he brings a winning background and strong leadership. Probably the best thing is that there isn’t a dark franchise tag cloud following our QB around this year. Early indications are that Smith has fit seamlessly, and it seems he’s picked up Grudens offense without issue. I think we’ll see more read option wrinkles and his ability to improvise (more on that later) when plays break down. His athleticism has always been underrated and I think you’ll see Gruden with more creative play designs.
Jordan Reed — Is he fully healthy?? Early signs point to yes. Reed is the biggest X factor on this team. If he can be available for 12ish games (or more), it would be absolutely crucial to this team’s success. When healthy, you can argue he’s a top 3 tight end (behind Gronk and Kelce) that presents match up nightmares across the board. You saw how much Smith went to Kelce in key spots for the Chiefs last year, and I envision a similar rapport with Reed. He just has to stay on the damn field. If he has another #puff year, I can easily see the organization moving on from him next year.
Jonathan Allen — His rookie campaign was cut short after week 5, just when you felt like he was beginning to establish himself as a dominant presence along the interior of the D Line. The run defense suffered greatly after he landed on IR. In a division with Elliot and Barkley, we need Allen to be that force in the middle to push the pocket and keep running lanes to a minimum. Also his presence should give Kerrigan and Smith more 1 on 1 opportunities from the outside.
Preston Smith — Speaking of Preston Smith, he’s another defensive starter I will have my eye on. Will he finally put a consistent campaign together? Throughout his 3 years in DC, he’s shown flashes of brilliance, and also has disappeared for games at a time. He’s in the last year of his rookie deal, and if he wants to get paid like an elite pass rusher, he’ll need to put together a strong (and CONSISTENT) 2018. Kerrigan has logged double digit sacks the past 4 years — if Smith can match that on the left side, this defense will take a step forward.
I also have a couple sleepers that aren’t on many radars, but think they can become stars by the end of 2018.
Monte Nicholson — He showed flashes of his range and athleticism last year. His problem (much like at MSU) was availability. He has the look of a Pro Bowl free safety. If he can stay healthy for 12–14 games, he could be on his way to putting together an all pro type season.
Quinton Dunbar — I think part of the reason our front office was able to stomach losing a guy like Fuller in the Alex Smith trade, was because of the depth at corner. Dunbar will be in line to start this season, and has been impressive in his spot duty up until now. An undrafted WR out of college that made the transition in the middle of training camp 2 years ago has made great strides. He’s a physical corner with great length, and competes his ass off. Him taking D Hall’s old number could foreshadows he’s in store for a breakout 2018.
I’ve been able to take in a couple of training camp sessions so far, and here are few things that stood out:
· Paul Richardson can flat out fly
· The offense seems to have installed traditional option packages, new waggles, bootlegs, etc.
· Redskins ran Oklahoma drills to start one of the practice sessions
· Jordan Reed has been on the field for every practice session (Redskins nation collectively knocks on wood)
· Callahan coaches the hell out of the O-Line unit — it’s fun to watch
· The six players projected in the D Line rotation this year are all massive
· Dunbar should start opposite Norman — he’s been impressive
· Alex Smith seems to be going above and beyond to build rapport with the receiving group
· Hopkins should have some sort of competition
· Doctson looks primed for a bigger role in the offense (assuming his latest injury doesn’t linger)
· Gruden seems relaxed and confident — he’s gone with the backwards hat look a lot in camp
Personally, if healthy, this is a 9–10 win team. However, you saw what a couple key injuries did to this team last year, and it snowballed from there. The other issue is that the NFC on paper is probably the strongest it has ever been. NFL seasons never play out according to plan — who saw teams like the Rams, Jaguars, and Titans going to the playoffs last year. Any given Sunday right?? In the meantime, let’s enjoy training camp and pray that there are no serious injuries when preseason ramps up.
Cheers & Hail,
Kevin — Your Fellow Die Hard Fan
