First Depth Chart Doesn’t Tell Much For the Redskins Plans
The Redskins released their first depth chart for the 2013 season today and there are few big surprises. Now not much stock should be put into this first depth chart, as it is not even a guarantee that this is where Mike Shanahan has these players listed. Also, much can change between now and the start of the season. From last year’s first depth chart, these are the players with in the top two of their position that didn’t make the team to start the season: RB Tim Hightower, TE Chris Cooley, WR Anthony Armstrong, OL Tom Compton, OL Erik Cook, OL Jammal Brown, NT Chris Neild, ILB Bryan Kehl, CB Kevin Barnes. Now Neild, Hightower and Brown were injured, but Hightower and Brown were already dealing with injuries (and Brown was on PUP) yet they were listed as starters.
As for this year:
Offense:
Position: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Quarterback: Robert Griffin III Kirk Cousins Rex Grossman Pat White
RB: Alfred Morris Roy Helu Jr. Evan Royster Keiland Williams, Chris Thompson, Jawan Jamison
WR 1: Pierre Garcon Aldrick Robinson Donte Stallworth Devery Henderson, Skye Dawson and Chip Reeves
WR 2: Josh Morgan Leonard Hankerson Santana Moss Dezmon Briscoe, Lance Lewis, Nick Williams
TE: Fred Davis Logan Paulsen Niles Paul Jordan Reed, Emmanuel Ogbuehi
LT: Trent Williams, Tom Compton Xavier Nixon
LG: Kory Lichtensteiger Josh LeRibeus
C: Will Montgomery Kevin Matthews Tevita Stevens
RG: Chris Chester Adam Gettis Maurice Hurt
RT: Tyler Polumbus Tony Pashos Jeremy Trueblood
Notes:
-Don’t read much into the fact that Santana Moss is listed as the 3rd number two WR. The Redskins don’t list a slot receiver and that is clearly what he is. Morgan and Hankerson are competing for that Z wide receiver position, so it makes sense they are both listed ahead of Moss.
-Despite the fact that Donte Stallworth has barely practiced, and Skye Dawson is a training camp star, it isn’t surprising to see Stallworth listed ahead of Dawson due to his track record.
-Track record is also the reason why Evan Royster is listed ahead of rookies Chris Thompson and Jawan Jamison. Also, the draft status of Thompson and Jamison is probably why the former is listed first despite missing most of camp.
-One real surprise along the offensive line is the fact that Adam Gettis is listed ahead of Maurice Hurt. Granted Hurt is on the PUP list, but last year Jammal Brown was on the PUP list and he was listed as the starting RT. Hurt has more experience than Gettis, and Gettis has been injured some of camp as well (though should be back sooner than Hurt). Maybe this is an indication of a more serious injury for Hurt, or just that Gettis was ahead of Hurt in the spring.
Defense:
Position: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
DE Jarvis Jenkins Chris Baker Dominique Hamilton
NT: Barry Cofield Chris Neild Ron Brace Chigbo Anunoby
DE: Stephen Bowen Kedric Golston Phillip Merling
OLB: Ryan Kerrigan Darryl Tapp Brandon Jenkins Ricky Elmore
ILB: London Fletcher Rodderick Muckelroy William Compton Nick Barnett
ILB: Perry Riley Bryan Kehl Jeremy Kimbrough Marvin Burdette
OLB: Brian Orakpo Rob Jackson Vic So’oto
CB: DeAngelo Hall E.J. Biggers Chase Minnifield Ryan Mouton
SS: Brandon Meriweather Reed Doughty Phillip Thomas Jose Gomes
FS: Bacarri Rambo DeJon Gomes Jordan Pugh
CB: Josh Wilson David Amerson Richard Crawford Jerome Murphy
Notes:
-Despite being suspended DE Jarvis Jenkins and OLB Rob Jackson retain their depth chart spots. While it is expected that Chris Baker, Jenkins back-up will replace him those first four games I don’t think anyone is thinking that Vic So’oto will be the primary back-up to Orakpo for the first four games.
-Don’t read anything into Nick Barnett being listed as a 4th team ILB, once he gets up to speed in a few days he should be the 3rd ILB on this team and the true back-up to both positions.
-Brandon Meriweather retains his starting spot despite the injury concerns. While it looks good on paper, whether he starts this season as the starter I think is up in the air. If he misses most of camp and preseason it could be hard for him to start right away.
-It’s a little interesting that Gomes is ahead of Pugh, given that Pugh seems like the more natural FS of the two.
-Due to injuries to Hall and Wilson, David Amerson has gotten a lot of playing time with the ones, and typically stays with the ones, when Wilson moves the slot. It will be interesting to see if that continues once Hall returns healthy, or if Biggers takes over the 3rd corner role.
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