biggest concerns going into the new season:

Pass protection pass protection pass protection.

I have other concerns but this is the one we know has existed and there isn't much of a backup plan for.

1. Samuels MUST stay healthy

2. Punt/Kick coverage

I'm not sure if this topic has been brought up before lately, but I thought that I would start up a thread to discuss some areas of concern.

Something that has troubled me during the preseason is the inability to cover well in punt and kick-off coverages. Look for this to be a serious problem, and one that will no doubtably irritate Danny Smith, and us fans. But, it seemed too often that our special teams were allowing other teams to return a kick-off or punt around the 40 yard line. And most notably was the inability to make a first contact tackle.

Hopefully I'm wrong about this, and maybe what I saw was a faux problem.

Did anyone else see this, and what other areas of concerns do ye haveth?

I wouldn't worry so much about our special teams; at least not yet. They sucked last year in the preseason too. We have alot of back ups, who as you know, compete for a spot by playing special teams. Alot of those guys you saw missing tackles and stuff have been cut and Danny Smith has evaluated everyone enough to get the right guys into the right place. At least thats what happened last year. I don't see why it would be different this year.

Take this with a grain of salt, or read it as coach speak, But here is a good article on Zorn's take of this question:

Zorn on radio - Redskins 360 - Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/redskins/2009/sep/08/zorn-on-radio/)
*On keeping 10 offensive linemen: "We did stay a little bit heavy in our o line choices. We liked Edwin Williams. He's probably the furthest away but he has potential. We like D'Anthony Batiste and he can spell Chris at left tackle if needed. Mike Williams didn't quite have the training camp we needed him to have but he's coming on."

*On offensive line depth: "If we had to wholesale change the line, we might suffer. But if we can spot a guy if a guy gets nicked up, the other veterans will help make that a minimal weakness. We could spot 1-2 guys maybe."
He doesn't sound one hundred percent sold, I think this is an honest description

*On choosing Andre Woodson over Chase Daniel: "I did tell Chase Daniel I was going to sign him as our practice squad guy but I also told him this: My next sentence was that I wanted to reserve the right to look at the list and see who else is out there. I didn't know Andre Woodson was going to be exposed. We had a chance to get him and try to work with him so we chose it."
according to this I would read it like we didn't ask Chase back...

Game wining!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something that has troubled me during the preseason is the inability to cover well in punt and kick-off coverages. Look for this to be a serious problem, and one that will no doubtably irritate Danny Smith, and us fans. But, it seemed too often that our special teams were allowing other teams to return a kick-off or punt around the 40 yard line. And most notably was the inability to make a first contact tackle.

I think most of your issues will be cleared up, we had tons of people playing teams that are no longer on the team. During the preseason they let anyone/everyone try to prove themselves on teams, most of whom arent ever gonna see the field in a real game.

Great thread though, Im gonna go with defensive backs. Gtripp wrote a great article recently that touched on this, so Im really just agreeing. Hopefully Rogers injury is ok, and he can contribute. Smoot is an adequate nickel corner IMO, but if either Rogers/Hall gets hurt, Smoot as a starter would hurt. I also dont think Tryon/Barnes/Westbrook(in that order) are ready to contribute either. Hopefully we can stay healthy, if so I feel like our defense should create lots of problems for our opponents.

Take this with a grain of salt, or read it as coach speak, But here is a good article on Zorn's take of this question:

Zorn on radio - Redskins 360 - Washington Times (http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/redskins/2009/sep/08/zorn-on-radio/)

He doesn't sound one hundred percent sold, I think this is an honest description


according to this I would read it like we didn't ask Chase back...

I heard Larry Weisman or someone, can't say who it was for sure, say that the Redskins were "lukewarm" on Chase. I think the fans were more impressed than the staff and Zorn actually preferred Woodson's size and potential over Daniel. I don't think any tears are being shed over his departure.

I heard Larry Weisman or someone, can't say who it was for sure, say that the Redskins were "lukewarm" on Chase. I think the fans were more impressed than the staff and Zorn actually preferred Woodson's size and potential over Daniel. I don't think any tears are being shed over his departure.

Well, I think you are forgetting about Smoot's ;) He said he was away all weekend. :yeahright

Well, I think you are forgetting about Smoot's ;) He said he was away all weekend. :yeahright

I apologize to SS. I think he understands though. :)

DB. Rogers is not 100% and I'm not convinced on D. Hall, he still makes stupid personal fouls at critical times of the game and gets burned. Smoot had a great camp and let's hope he doesn't revert to playing like last year. I think we'll miss Springs more than we think.

yeah I guess this is my biggest concern as well (besides o line, JC and zorn playcalling).

carlos has just started practicing (right?) and d hall takes risks trying to get picks. he said on his blog/website that he is going to set the nfl record for interceptions this year and he is going to be anticipating and trying to step in front of every ball thrown his way. i like the confidence, just wish he wasnt so hell bent on interceptions at the risk of missing the play on the ball and hoping another defender is in position to make the tackle.

i dont mind gambles as long as they are calculated. sounds like hall is going to gamble every chance he gets regardless of the score, game clock, field position or whether he has help.

seems like we have 2 no. 2 corners and not a true no. 1 corner since springs left. even if springs played sparingly to elongate his career and avoid getting a major injury for a franchise that has shunned him for the past few years.

go skins!!