10 in 10: The Countdown to Redskins Training Camp
After one of the most consequential Redskins offseasons of the last two decades, The Fan's Craig Hoffman asked the ten biggest questions about the 2019 Washington Redskins. Take a look back at each storyline before training camp gets underway.
The Redskins seriously considered moving on from defensive coordinator Greg Manusky after the 2018 season. Instead, they reinforced the staff underneath him with two former NFL defensive coordinators. Rob Ryan and Ray Horton both have had a mixed bag as DCs, but are well regarded as position coaches and bring decades upon decades of combined experience in multiple schemes.
The dynamic at middle linebacker changed dramatically on the third snap of OTAs when Reuben Foster tore his ACL. And after the release of Mason Foster, Jay Gruden faces a tough decision on his starting pairing come Week 1.
Montae Nicholson might be the biggest wild card of the Redskins season. He was spectacular as a rookie, but injuries and an arrest last December left his NFL future in doubt. If Nicholson can return to form, the ceiling of the Redskins defense skyrockets.
The Redskins need more creativity in play calling. While Jay Gruden is still planning to call plays, O’Connell now is in a position to be more forceful during the week and devise some sequences that can work starting with a pass. If he can put them in better positions to succeed more often, his impact could elevate an offense that was stuck in neutral (and at times even reverse) last season.
The Redskins wide receivers are one of the weakest groups on the team and one of the weakest corps in the league. They lack the dynamic ability and any kind of track record of success. However, that doesn’t mean this group doesn’t have potential. In fact, it finally feels like the receiver room is heading in the right direction.
This is the highest-profile position battle on our list because there is a fight at both outside and inside corner. If everyone can get through camp healthy, Ray Horton’s first cut down day in Washington is going to be a stressful one.
The Redskins second-round pick was THE buzz of the offseason last year. He looked like a revelation right until the moment he tore his ACL in New England during the first preseason game. If Guice can stay healthy in Year 2, he’s got the potential to be special out of the backfield.
Brandon Scherff is in the "best guard in football" conversation, and in the modern NFL, that’s typically enough to get the highest contract for your position if you’re the next guy up. However, an initial report from 106.7 The Fan contributor Erin Hawksworth said the contract negotiations haven’t gone well and the Redskins came in low.
Can Dwayne Haskins prove he's NFL ready in three weeks? If not, who emerges amongst the two veterans, Case Keenum or Colt McCoy? It’s where all eyes will be during practices all camp long.
The Redskins and their star left tackle are engaged in a high stakes game of chicken. And if Williams' holdout extends beyond training camp, the Redskins look to be in deep trouble.
