Roydell Williams - Photo T.S. Threlkeld
The Redskins have a depth chart on their website right now and they appear to actually pay attention to it. [For DC Pro Sports Reports initial thoughts on the depth chart, read this.] I know the Redskins actually pay attention to this depth chart because they updated it soon after the 42-17 dismantling of the horrendous Buffalo Bills in Washington’s first preseason contest of 2010. For example, Ryan Torain, who was listed as 3rd on the team’s running back depth chart and led the team with 17 carries and 62 yards in the team’s win over Buffalo, was demoted to 4th string and Willie Parker, who didn’t even play against Buffalo, was promoted to 3rd string. Meanwhile, WR Roydell Williams, who had been playing with the second team, is nowhere to be found on the new depth chart, having dropped below 4th-string and players like Shay Hodge and Terrence Austin. What Shay Hodge, who didn’t even catch a pass against Buffalo, has done to be ahead of Roydell Williams on the depth chart, is a mystery.
Of course, there is always the possibility, as the title of this article asserts, that this depth chart means [almost] nothing. In almost all cases the starter on the depth chart is very likely to be the starter in week one, barring injury. After that, though, the picture is muddled. Torain moved down the depth chart — and Parker up — precisely because Parker did not play against Buffalo and Torain did. Head Coach Mike Shanahan wants to have a look at all his running backs, but he wants to give each of them enough carries in a game, so he’s decided to spell them from week to week. Torain and Keiland Williams are likely to play much less on Saturday against Baltimore, as carries are given to Larry Johnson [2nd-string] and Parker, both of whom sat out the first preseason game.
Anthony Armstrong in the middle - Photo T.S. Threlkeld
Both Anthony Armstrong and Bobby Wade are listed as second string at wide receiver, ahead of 3rd-stringer Devin Thomas. Nevertheless, you won’t find any Redskins observers who believe a healthy Devin Thomas will be behind Wade or Armstrong when week 1 rolls around. Head Coach Mike Shanahan has been generous in praising Thomas, who is reportedly much higher in his coaches’ esteem than he is on the depth chart. Trust me, the esteem of your coaches matters a lot more right now than a preseason depth chart.
On defense, Albert Haynesworth is listed as second string nose tackle, when in fact much of the time he will be playing defensive end in the team’s 3-4 defense. Haynesworth skipped the team’s mandatory and non-mandatory work in the offseason and came to training camp so out of shape that he failed in several attempts to pass a relatively benign conditioning test. He played with the second team against Buffalo, but that won’t last. Haynesworth’s most likely position on first and second down will be defensive end opposite Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston or Phillip Daniels. Maake Kemoeatu [1st string nose tackle] will most likely play in the middle on first and second down and other non-passing situations.
At WLB, Andre Carter is listed as the starter — and that might very well be the case on opening day. However, Carter is currently locked in a ferocious battle with new WLB Lorenzo Alexander, who has quickly become a favorite of the coaching staff. Since Lorenzo excels in run defense, but does not have the outside speed Carter has, it would surprise no one if Alexander plays a lot on first down and other running situations, while Carter is used more as a pass rusher. The depth chart, in other words, could mean very little in the case of the WLB position.
On place where the depth chart might actually mean something is cornerback. Justin Tryon, much-hyped by ESPN and Football Outsiders earlier in the summer, has been passed by former Maryland Terrapin Kevin Barnes and, possibly, the surprisingly effective Ramzee Robinson, who was claimed off waivers in June from the Cleveland Browns. Tryon’s 4th string status is, from all reports, genuinely reflective of his place on the team right now. Of course, with three preaseason games left he has plenty of time to make the team, so don’t be surprised if he moves up the depth chart in the next month.
Only the Redskins coaches know exactly what their depth chart means right now, but one thing we can say for certain is that after the starters, it has almost nothing to do with which players will eventually make the team. Pay more attention to the games and less attention to the depth chart.
DISCUSS THIS WITH OTHER FANS IN REDSKINS PARK!
Possibly Related Posts:
- Who will have more yards, Chris Cooley or Fred Davis?
- Smoke Signals: McNabb wants to stay
- Redskins poll: Greatest area of concern
- Westbrook signs with 49ers
- Excercise your right: Vote on Westbrook
Original Story:
http://dcprosportsreport.com/2010/08/...
