Anthony Montgomery starting?

Montgomery is currently listed as the starter alongside Griffin according to the depth chart on Redskins.com (http://www.redskins.com/team/depthchart.jsp;jsessionid=AKPLGKCPOHKF).

Any thoughts on this?

The way he played in preseason, I'm totally fine with it.

are those things always accurate? i believe Golston is the starter

I read an article on Redskins.com that had Golston starting. I'll try to find it.

They are probably use a heavy rotation like the Bears do with their defensive ends I am fine with it. Like TMC said with the way he played in pre-season.

Breaking Down the Roster (http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=28771)

The starters are Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels at end and Cornelius Griffin and Kedric Golston at tackle.

Anthony Montgomery is the top backup defensive tackle, replacing veteran Joe Salave'a.

I saw him on the field a few times but was not specifically watching him play. When I did see him on the field, I didn't notice anything special. He is supposed to have great talent.

I have heard a lot more about Golston - who has generated a buzz due more to his work ethic than his talent or production. Not saying he hasn't been productive, but the usual Golston line is that he gets the most out of his somewhat limited ability. He seems to be popular and servicable.

Montgomery, on the other hand, I have not really heard much from either the coaches or players. What has been said seems to be along the line of "Great ability and talent, inconsistent performance". Maybe he has stepped it up. I hope so.

Another thing, I had the impression that Golston was viewed as a bit small to play DT, but he is listed at 6' 4", 320 whereas Montgomery is 6'6" 315 (and Griffin is listed 6'3", 311). Seems to me both Golston and Montgomery are plenty big to play the center of the line. Much bigger and they would simply be 350 lb blobs incapable of making a play out of arms reach (e.g. Sam Adams and other "Big Blob" DT's).

They maybe considered small b/c GW clearly wants his LB's to be running free (Otherwise, why the complete revamp of the LB corp for speed). If this is the case, then yes they may be too small.

On the other hand, it may be that GW wants the DT's to penetrate and disrupt leaving the LB's to plug and fill. This seems a bit more high risk as, once the runner clears the line, not sure our LB's equipped to take on guards and centers blocking free.

I will be interested to see how our defensive center holds up. I hope that Montgomery has all the talent that has been attributed to him AND that the light has turned on for him. As I said, the reports I read were that IF the light turns on, not that it HAD turned on.

Based on what JLC said earlier in the year this can only be good. If he has this supposed raw ability then the fact that he has moved up shows that he is getting it. I hope this is a an indication he is starting to come into his own.

Another thing, I had the impression that Golston was viewed as a bit small to play DT, but he is listed at 6' 4", 320 whereas Montgomery is 6'6" 315 (and Griffin is listed 6'3", 311). Seems to me both Golston and Montgomery are plenty big to play the center of the line. Much bigger and they would simply be 350 lb blobs incapable of making a play out of arms reach (e.g. Sam Adams and other "Big Blob" DT's).


I think in today's NFL most DTs are huge because they are supposed to eat two blocks to fre LBs like you said. With that in mind you think of guys like Sam Adams and Siragoosa(sp?) who just gigantic. They make ALL of our DTs look small. Then again guys like Warren Sapp aren't all that huge and they are big names at DT because of their athleticism and ability to make plays in the back field. I guess size only matters compared to skill. A smallish tackle who can't get through blocks and makes plays is simply not all that great.

I dont mind at all. I think if C. Griff is a backup and is put in rotation, he has a lesser chance of being hurt, and will be fresh, a dangerous combination. That bodes well for the d line