Redskins head coach Jim Zorn wants one of his highly-touted second-year WRs, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, to become a starter outside, moving veteran Antwaan Randle El to the slot position. Thomas and Kelly combined for just 18 catches in disappointing rookie seasons that began with them failing the conditioning test that opened training camp. Thomas might have the inside track this year since he’s faster, played more last year and was able to practice the entire offseason while Kelly wasn’t on the field until June as he recovered from a second knee surgery in five months.
The Redskins have bolstered their defense with signings and high draft picks, including the free agent acquisition of middle linebacker London Fletcher and the selection of Miami product Rocky McIntosh, both of whom enter this season slated as starters. The linebacker corps could be a major strength, but also somewhat of a question mark, with injuries and inexperience placing the group in a “worth keeping an eye on” category…especially the strong side linebacker position. If the season opened today the starters would be: Rocky McIntosh, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo, a unit that could be explosive and one of the strengths of a defense that finished ranked fourth in the NFL last season
Last year Todd Collins struggled in the preseason as he learned Jim Zorn’s hybrid West Coast offense. But like Jason Campbell and Colt Brennan, Collins has had a year in the system and entering the second year of a three-year deal valued at $9 million, will look to remain entrenched as the insurance policy should Campbell go down. If Brennan were to beat Collins out for the job, however, it’d be difficult to see the Redskins keeping a third-string quarterback with a $3 million per year price tag.
Rookie quarterback Chase Daniel “raised eyebrows” during some of the final Redskins OTAs and has a shot at earning the Redskings number three quarterback position. Daniel is currently fourth in line behind Jason Campbell, Colt Brennan and Todd Collins, but was apparently impressive and could convince the team to release Collins if he plays well in training camp.
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