Week One Defensive Starters

Like I said in my last post, trying to name the Redskins day one starters before the draft or free agency is over is hard, but because of the lack of cap room and lack of high draft picks we can assume most of the week one starters are already on the team.  This week I will list the week one defensive starters.

Left Defensive End (LE) - Adam Carricker - Our defensive took a big hit when Carricker pulled his triceps in the first game last season.  He is very good against the run and is a better than average pass rusher.  I think he will come back to his performance in 2011.

Nose Tackle (NT) - Barry Cofeild - Cofeild is one of our most consistant starters the last two years.  He had played defensive tackle the first five years of his career and last year was his second year as a nose tackle.  You could tell that during the last half of last season he was finally feeling comfortable with the new position.  I believe he will have a break out year next year.

Right Defensive End RE) - Stephen Bowen - Bowen is a more then serviceable defensive end.  He is really good against the run and has a decent passrush and can occupy blockers so others can get to the quarterback.  

Left Outside Linebacker (LOLB) - Ryan Kerrigan - I feel this year will be Kerrigans break out year.  No one in the league put more pressure on the quarterback last year than Kerrigan. He will get quicker off the snap and develop a counter move and will be unstoppable.  And with Orakpo on the other side he won't face many double teams.

Middle Linebacker (MLB) - London Fletcher - Mr. Ironman.  Never missed a game in his career.  He is getting old but his football knowledge more than makes up for it.  He will have another solid year before he retires.

Middle Linebacker (MLB) - Perry Riley - Riley had a good year last year.  He needs to get better at shedding blocks outside the tackle box and get better in coverage.  He made great strides last year and I believe he will continue to do so.  He will be our starter for years to come in the middle.

Right Outside Linebacker (ROLB) - Brian Orakpo - I pray that he can stay healthy all year.  He is an amazing talent but needs to stay on the field.  I think he can surpass 15 sacks this year and will drastically improve our defense.

Corner Back (CB) - DeAngelo Hall - Hall took a lot of heat last year for poor play.  But if it wasn't for his steller game against the Cowboys we wouldn't have made the playoffs.  I think that he has rededicated himself and with more help at the safety position I think he will have a decent year.

Corner Back (CB) - Josh Wilson - Like Hall, Wilson took a lot of heat as well.  He was burned a lot last year but as fans we do not know who's fault it was, his or the safeties.  My bet is the safeties.  I think he bounces back and has a decent year.

Free Safety (FS) - Phillip Thomas - The first and only rookie that I predict we will draft and start.  Thomas is a ball hawk.  He led the NCAA in interceptions last year and displays great ability to play the safety position.  And to top it all off he is a life long Redskins fan.

Strong Safety (SS) - Brandon Merriweather - We didn't get to see much from Merriweather, but the half of a game he played last year before injury he was all over the place.  If healthy I believe he can contribute a lot to our defense.  He is very aggressive and really good against the run.  Hopefully he just stays healthy.

Week One Offensive Starters

Trying to name the Redskins day one starters before the draft or free agency is over is hard, but because of the lack of cap room and lack of high draft picks we can assume most of the week one starters are already on the team.  This week I will list the week one offensive starters.  And next week I will list the week one defensive starters.

Quarter Back (QB) – RGIII – If not for his injury, this would be a now brainer.  But I still think that week one he will be ready to go and start the game. 

Half Back (HB) –Alford Morris – Definitely a no brainer, second in the league in rushing last year and has more rushing yards in one season that any other Redskin. 

Full Back (FB) – Darrell Young – Becoming one of the best blocking full backs in the league.  Considering he didn’t even start playing full back until he came to the NFL that is pretty impressive.

Wide Receiver (WR) – Pierre Garcon – When Garcon was healthy last year, we won games.  When he was injured we lost.  He is a game changer and will be out there week one catching passes from RGII.

Wide Receiver (WR) – Joshua Morgan – Morgan was a very dependable receiver last year and I don’t think any of the young guys take his spot yet.  He is reliable with good hands and size.  Depending on how the young guys play during the season he could loss his starting position but I think he will start week one.

Tight End (TE) – Fred Davis – Fred Davis is one of the most talented tight ends in the league.  And if he can stay healthy he will show the rest of the league what us Redskin fans already know.

Left Tackel (LT) – Trent Williams – Another no brainer, he is arguably the most athletically gifted tackle in the league and with another year under his belt he will be even better than last year.

Left Guard (LG) – Kory Lichtensteiger – Just signed a five year deal with us.  I thought that with his back up Leribeus being a third round pick and playing well when asked to last year that they would let Lichtensteiger walk.  But apparently the coaches know something I don’t and I don’t think you resign a guy to a contract like that unless he is going to be the starter.

Center (C) – Will Montgomery – Had his best year as a pro last year.  He is big and strong and athletic for his size.  I think he can possibly make a pro bowl with another big year.

Right Guard (RG) – Chris Chester – After a disappointing first year in Washington he played a lot better last year.  He was one of our most consistent linemen all last year.  He may face some competition from Leribeus but I think he beats him out and starts week one.

Right Tackle (RT) – Tyler Polumbus – As much as it pains me to say this, but I think he will be our week one starter.  He is a more than serviceable back up but not a good starting option.  Unfortuneatly I think he is our best option and if he starts week one than our whole offensive line will be the same from last year, which helps with continuity.  Let me know who you think should be the starting right tackle above.

2014 Redskin Pro Bowlers

This is a list of Redskins that I think will make the Pro Bowl next year:

Robert Griffin III (QB) - He made the Pro Bowl last year but could not participate because of his knee injury.  Next year he will not only be voted in to the Pro Bowl but he will be voted the starter (the best QB in the NFC) and actually play in the game.  I don't think he will have a sophomore slump like most second year QBs do.

Alfred Morris (HB) - He was second in the league in rushing last year and somehow didn't get invited to the Pro Bowl.  But he will make it in his second year.  A lot of commentators say that you earn your first Pro Bowl appearance the year before you go.  He will follow up a solid rookie season with a great sophomore season again surpassing 1600 yards.

Pierre Garcon (WR) - He was healthy for only half of the season and still lead the team in receiving   He has all the talent in the world and if he can stay healthy this year he will double his statistics.  If he does that he becomes a top 10 receiver in the league, but I think with another year of chemistry with RGIII he will more than double his production from last year and will easily make the Pro Bowl.

Trent Williams (LT) - Last year he made his first Pro Bowl of his career.  Unfortunately he did not get to play in the game because he was assaulted the Friday before at a night club.  But he will get the opportunity to play next year.  Last year he was dominating at times, and is one of the most athletic left tackles in the league.  He will dominate his opponents again this year and make his second Pro Bowl.

Brian Orakpo (OLB) - Last year he only played in one in a half games before he was injured and because of that our defense struggled mightily.  He is a game changer, he has already made the Pro Bowl twice in his four year career.  He will finally take the next step and become a super star in this league.  I can see him getting close to 20 sacks next year and drastically helping our defense and easily making his third Pro Bowl.

Ryan Kerrigan (OLB) - Mr. Ironman for the Redskins hasn't missed a single play on defense in his two year career due to injury or fatigue.  The only time he was taken out of the game was during a blow out of the Eagles last year.  He made his first Pro Bowl last year and with Orakpo back and demanding double teams, Kerrigan will find more one on one situations and will get to the QB more often.  While he is not the pass rushing talent that Orakpo is he is better against the run and more durable.  I can see him getting around 12 or 13 sacks next year and making his second Pro Bowl.

Other Possibilities:  London Fletcher, Fred Davis, Will Montgomery, Perry Riley, and DeAngelo Hall.