Questions RE: the Redskins. Let me intro as well.

Schlereth · Post by **Schlereth** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:26 pm

Hello Redskins fans.

I'm new to your board, actually I just registered today. I'm not a Redskins fan, but I came here to talk about the Redskins. I was attracted by your Football 101 forum and was impressed by the types of responses I saw. You don't have to worry about me causing problems - I understand message board etiquette.

I was hoping you all could give me some insight on the Redskins.
- Your roster is stacked with running backs, especially "big" backs that run well in power formations. How many running backs do you expect to make the roster? How many H-backs? Do you think Gibbs will use a fullback (Broughton) or do you think he is in the running for a RB slot? And finally, who do you think is "ahead" at this time? Who do you think will be cut?
- What do you expect from Chris Cool

ey this year? Personally, I think he will become an important part of your offense, and will surprise people with the numbers he puts up. I drafted him for my fantasy football team and people think I'm nuts.

Since I know people will ask, I am an Eagles fan. If my user name causes confusion, I will change it, but I chose it to honor one of my favorite football players and a local hero of sorts. I don't know if this post is in the correct forum, so feel free to move it.

Thank you. Toby the Eagles fan.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:34 pm

Welcome, Shlereth - insightful Q's. How did you become an Eagles fan away from the lower 48? Especially since Mark Shlereth was a Redskin! :-)

As far as RB's, the question mark will be Rock or Nemo as our 3rd back. Both have looked impressive in the preseason. I'm curious how that will pan out.

I too think Cool

ey will have a big season. It was nice to see him pull in a TD last week vs. the Steelers.

I didn't get to all your questions but, again - welcome. Thanks for playing nice, especially for an Eagles fan :-)

)

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:44 pm

Redskins1974 wrote:Welcome, Shlereth - insightful Q's. How did you become an Eagles fan away from the lower 48? Especially since Mark Shlereth was a Redskin!

And a Bronco.

Welcome to the board Toby.

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:46 pm

Welcome to the Board! Portis and Betts will be #1 and #2 respectively, and then I think Nemo will win out over Rock! Although I like Rock better catching out of the backfield, I dont think they can let a blocker and short yard runner the caliber of Nemo slip away. I too think Cool

ey will have a great year. He is exactly what Gibbs needs out of an H-Back. I think Manuel White will be cut, but resigned to the Practice squad. He is a good receiver out of the backfield, but has struggled at the H-Back position.

hkHog · Post by **hkHog** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 3:57 pm

Hey man, welcome aboard, even if you are an Eagles fan. :wink:

I honestly think that four backs will make the roster; Portis, Betts, Rock, and Nemo. Betts has been fantastic in every game and Rock and Nemo have just played too well in the preseason. We need Nemo for short yardage because he is just a wrecking ball but it's going to be hard to let Rock go just in case of injury.

All the guys have looked good catching the ball out of the backfield and I saw Cartwright even lined up as a WR in one of the games so he has some versatility (not many people know this but even though Cartwright is a little guy he had the best 40 time AND bench press of all RBs at the combine when he came out). I think he'll make it but he'll probably be inactive for quite a few games unless there is an injury or some other problem.

A couple of times we have used two backs in the backfield with Manuel White lined up as a FB so maybe Nemo may do this in the regular season but he has pretty much exclusively played RB in the preseason.

Actually, it's a little hard to guess at these things just because our backs are asked to do a lot of different things. Sellers and White will probably be the guys who would most likely line up in a FB position.

Those guys are both really H-backs though. I think that White is going to be put on the practice squad, he is having to learn the position from scratch. Cool

ey and Sellers will be the H-backs.

So sorry if this is a bit rambling but I see four RBs and two H-backs making the final cut.

Other than Portis and our QB, Cool

ey is THE most important part of our offense. He has hardly been used in the preseason and this shows me that Gibbs has lots of plays drawn up for him and he doesn't want to show his hand. What's more, Cool

ey and Ramsey have a great connection. He will put up big numbers and he is the guy who will be setting the stage on all the Gibbs misdirection plays. Also, I firmly believe that Gibbs has so much confidence in Cool

ey that that is one of the reasons he decided that he could do without big recievers. Also, look out for Robert Royal in red zone situations. Last year he only really played in the last six weeks of the season and he scored four TDs in the last five games. he only had eight catches for the year but four TDs! He is another big red zone target but he is a true TE in Gibbs' system and therefore he is not nearly as important than the H-backs.

Schlereth · Post by **Schlereth** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:04 pm

Thank you for your responses so far. They have mostly confirmed what I believe to be true.

As is usually the case - I have my own motives behind my questions. If either White or Cartwright were to be cut, I believe they would be heavily pursued by the Eagles. Especially Cartwright. The Eagles are looking for a bigger back for the #3 spot on the depth chart. Primarily, they are interested in pass-blocking skills, special teams contributions, and success running in 2 tight end formations. This is my impression anyways.

I find the Joe Gibbs offense very interesting, partially because it is so different from the offense the Eagles run. The difference is becoming more blurred however, I've heard Musgrave plans on integrating some WCO principles, and Reid has started to use H-backs as well. LJ Smith was used similar to an H-back at times last year, and our new #2 TE (Spach) was used like an H-back in college at Fresno State.

I started watching football when I was about 13, in 1990, during Randall Cunningham's days. Like alot of Falcons/Vick fans today, I became an Eagles fan mostly because I liked watching Randall Cunningham. But I've always believed in loyalty as a fan, and have stuck with the Eagles since that time although it hasn't been fun most of the time.

Schlereth visited my junior high school (Hanshew, which he attended) in 1989. During the assembly, one of the kids asked if he had ever been hit by Ronnie Lott (he probably didn't know alot about football). Schlereth replied that he had not, but that he had laid some good hits on Lott himself.

hkHog · Post by **hkHog** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:07 pm

Yeah, I think Cartwright would be good in your system.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:41 pm

Welcome Schlereth.

I think people have pretty much answered your questions, so I won't beat a dead horse, although I do want to add that Nemo will definitely make the squad so if anyone is cut, it will be Rock, but I hope they both make it.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 4:46 pm

Welcome Schlereth

welch · Post by **welch** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 5:56 pm

Welcome Schlereth

As JansenFan (often called "JF" to save the typing) said, most of your questions have been answered.

Anyone named "Schlereth" should be treated royally, I always think. Anyone who appreciates Mark Schlereth has good judgement. I remember that he:

- was a star on the SB 26 team in the '91 seasopn

- played most of '92 with a broken bone in his leg...an inspiration to the entire team

- Often spoke around Washington about his difficulties with a learning disability. I think he was/is dyslexic. He went to schools to show kids that they could overcome problems like his...I'm proof that you don't need to give up, he would say.

Great player and great person.

[My opinion is that the Redskins would like to keep White to let him learn the H-back position, but that Sellers is -- now -- a stronger blocker and a wildly good special teams player.

I don't know if the numbers will let them keep him, or how they could stash him for development.

On the Trainining Camp section, you will find our guesses about the Final 53.]

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Aug 31, 2005 11:35 pm

JansenFan wrote:Welcome Schlereth.

I think people have pretty much answered your questions, so I won't beat a dead horse.

Well, that's good, Tonto. Keeps your image in line with the whole "noble savage" thing.

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 9:07 am

Wow, I don't think I've ever met such a polite Eagles fan. Must be because you don't actually live in Pennsylvania. :wink:

Welcome to the site!

ps. you're not Andy Reid in disguise, just trying to get our opinions before you start making roster changes, are you?

DaveSkin · Post by **DaveSkin** » Thu Sep 01, 2005 12:43 pm

I personally believe Broughton and Cartwright will both make the roster. Broughton because of his skill now and major long term potential and Cartwright because he has demonstrated how solid a player he is. Also Joe Gibbs really likes Rock and has singled him out as a true Redskins style player. I think we'll have one less WR because of this - probably Dyson.

He was out of football for all of last year - chances are he will not get picked up by someone else if we cut him Saturday. If Taylor Jacobs takes longer to come back than we would like or another WR gets injured, Dyson will likely still be available.