Here's Part II of the Depth Chart, pre-Preseason style. Today, I will be covering the Redskins' defense and special teams. Here we go!
(By the way, here's the link to yesterday's coverage of the depth chart, offense-only)
Since the defense is led by ex-Saints coach Jim Haslett, the Redskins will be running a 3-4 defense (three defensive linemen and four linebackers). Originally, the Redskins, under former defensive coordinator Greg Blatche, ran a 4-3 defense.
* = possibly cut to fit the 53-man roster
Left Defensive End:
L DE1: Adam Carriker
L DE2: Philip Daniels
L DE3: Vonnie Holliday
The Redskins brought in both Carriker and Holliday in the offseason. Carriker came from the St. Louis Rams, and was under Haslett while with the Rams last year. He has had some injury-plagued years, but is the healthiest he has ever been coming into training camp. The battle is for the top left DE spot - between Daniels, the veteran Redskin - and Carriker. Holliday is just a veteran who can step in, in case one of the two gets injured.
Nose Tackle:
NT1: Maake Kemoeatu
NT3: Anthony Bryant
And, here we go! Kemoeatu, brought over in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, is finally 100% healthy and ready to go! He'll be the #1 nose tackle, with Haynesworth being the disruptive third-down tackle. The competitive position is the backup NT slot - between traveling veterans Anthony Bryant and Howard Green. I think that Bryant will take the last spot, but I know little about each player.
Right Defensive End:
R DE1: Kedric Golston
R DE2: Jeremy Jarmon
R DE3: *Darrion Scott
Here, we have a pretty much set position, with the veteran Golston taking the starting Right DE spot, and backing him up is youngster Jarmon. Scott may be cut or be a part of the practice squad on opening day.
Left Outside Linebacker:
L OLB1: Brian Orakpo
L OLB2: Chris Wilson
L OLB3: *Curtis Gatewood
Orakpo is the linebacker of the future for the Redskins, so he's entrenched at that spot for years to come. Vet Chris Wilson will take the backup job, and Gatewood is practice squad material.
Left Inside Linebacker:
L ILB1: London Fletcher
L ILB2: H.B. Blades
L ILB3: Perry Riley
I'll be watching what Riley will show during the preseason - I'll expect the back-up left inside linebacker job to be one of the most competitive positions for the Redskins heading into the season. Riley, a rookie, comes from an excellent defensive-run university - Gator Country (a.k.a. University of Florida). He's a great player and will give Blades a run for his money.
Right Inside Linebacker:
R ILB1: Rocky McIntosh
R ILB2: *Chris Draft
R ILB3: *Robert Henson
McIntosh is the starting right inside linebacker, with the battle for the backup be be a hot contest. Draft is the veteran from the Rams and Henson is the amateur. One of these backups may be cut to be at the 53-man roster limit.
Right Outside Linebacker:
R OLB1: Andre Carter
R OLB2: Lorenzo Alexander
R OLB3: *Rob Jackson
Carter, the veteran from San Fran, will move from his normal defensive end position to the position he played w/ the Niners - linebacker - a position he is NOT used to. 'Zo is a versatile player - he played both offensive and defensive lines last season. So, we will see him play a variety of positions - not just linebacker. And Jackson is a emergency linebacker - in case of injury, he'll step up.
Left Cornerback
L CB1: Carlos Rodgers
L CB2: Kevin Barnes
L CB3: Philip Buchanon
Rodgers will man one starting cornerback position. The first-year Maryland alum - Kevin Barnes - will hopefully overtake the vet Philip Buchanon to take the backup role. Since CB is an inexperienced position (Rodgers, Buchanon and DeAngelo Hall are the veteran cornerbacks) - Buchanon is a vital player to the team.
Right Cornerback
R CB1: DeAngelo Hall
R CB2: Justin Tryon
R CB3: Byron Westbrook
Hall, the speedster from Atlanta, will man the other cornerback spot heading into the season. Tryon, if he is impressive during training camp and in the preseason, might, might overtake Hall by season's end. I think Westbrook will just barely make the final 53-man squad as an emergency corner and as a friend of McNabb (Bryron's older brother is Brian Westbrook).
Strong Safely
SS 1: LaRon Landry
SS 2: Kareem Moore
No questions here. Next.
Free Safety
FS 1: Chris Horton
FS 2: Reed Doughty
One of the tightest battles for the defense. I hope Horton will get the job (w/ his performance in '08), but, in the end, Doughty will have the final say.
Kicker
Graham Cano
Punter
Josh Bidwell
Both players will change if they punt/kick poorly in the preseason. These two positions (outside of QB) change the most often in the Redskins organization.
Long Snapper
Nick Sundberg
He replaces fan-favorite and redhead Ethan Albright.
Kick Returner/Punt Returner
Santana Moss/DeAngelo Hall
I doubt this pairing would occur, but these two players are two of the fastest with great hands.
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