This might generate some discussion.
We’ve reached the midpoint of the season for the Washington Redskins. It has largely been a successful opening of the season for the Skins. A 5-3 record, despite playing 7 of 8 games against legitimate playoff contenders. As we head to the 2nd half, let’s look back and grade the Redskins to date. We’re going to limit the players graded to the main contributors thus far. So if you’re looking for a grade on Aki Jones, you might be let down. One other note is the grades are based on potential. An ‘A’ grade for Mike Sellers doesn’t mean he’s better than Clinton Portis, it just means he’s exceeding expectations.
Offense
Mark Brunell: The most surprising player of the season. Brunell has been nothing short of great this year. Even the most stubborn Ramsey supporter has been turned to the ways of the cagey veteran. Thumbs up Mark. Grade: A
Clinton Portis: Oddly enough, the home run threat from Denver has turned into a consistent Gibbs style mucker. His running has been average to date, but his blocking skills make him indispensable. Grade: B
Ladell Betts: His runs have been decreasing as the season has worn on. When he does run, he does well. His blocking needs work, but one of the best backup runners around. Grade: C+
Mike Sellers: The big fullback/tight end/h-back has become a touchdown machine. Last years personal foul bonanza seems to be left in the past. Grade: A
Santana Moss: Besides Brunell’s resurgence, Moss has been the biggest element of the offense’s return to respectability. He’s done more than anyone could have ever expected, and makes this offense go. Grade: A+
David Patten: Mr. Invisible. Signed to provide a complement to Moss, he’s done very little this season. Maybe that long pass interference penalty he drew against Philly will be the start of something. Grade: D
Chris
ey: The steal of 2004 draft. He has become the safety blanket for the offense. The fumbles of late have become troublesome, but ey shows all signs of being a core Redskin for a long time. Grade: B
Chris Samuels: At times he looks like a world beater, then the next game he plays like a revolving door. He’s better than he was during the Spurrier years, but if Joe Bugel can get him to play more consistent, he may finally live up to the hype that’s always surrounded him. Grade: C+
Jon Jansen: He’s come back from last years devastating injury as good as ever. He gets beat the odd play, but he is one the better right tackles around. Having Jansen protect Brunell’s back side is probably an unsung reason for Brunell’s improved play. Grade: B+
Interior Line: (Randy Thomas, Casey Raubach, Derrick Dockery) These guys are all graded together since it’s really hard to tell who’s supposed to be blocking who. Thomas is the most consistent guy on the line. You rarely hear his name during a broadcast. Raubach has been a big improvement over the Friedman/Raymer combo of 2004. Dockery continues to improve, it’s hard to say where he’ll end up, but the talk of yanking him from the line is slowly ending. Run block wise, they rank out as average. Grade: B-
Defensive Line: The DL rotates in and out so much that it’s hard to single them out and give individual grades. Cornelius Griffin is the star of the group. The Redskins need him to get healthy for this unit to have success. The rest of the guys are all very workmanlike, they are going to show up on the stats sheets much. They just play their gaps and let the linebackers make plays. Grade: C
Marcus Washington: The lone pro bowler on the 3rd ranked defense of last year. His play this year hasn’t fallen off at all. He’s on pace to have nearly identical stats as last year. Grade: B+
Lemar Marshall: The biggest question mark heading into the season was Marshall. His play has been great. Despite what commentators and writers would leave you to believe he’s been better than Antonio Pierce was last year. He’s great in coverage, as the Redskins are one of the best teams in the league at shutting down tight ends. Grade: B+
Lavar Arrington: Finally replaced Warrick Holdman to regain his starting position. Last week was the 1st game since the opening two games of the season that the run defense looked great. It’s too soon to grade him, but the potential is there for him to finish the year as the best linebacker on the corps. Grade: Inc.
Shawn Springs: His level of importance to the defense wasn’t really noticed until he got hurt and missed sometime. With Griffin, he’s probably the most important piece to the defense. His numbers haven’t been up to last year’s performance, but he’s the best CB on the roster. Grade: B-
Walt Harris: For some odd reason he’s all of the sudden forgot how to tackle. Early in the season he was a pleasant surprise combining good coverage games with some nice open field tackles. Of late he’s been a huge liability when asked to make tackles. Might be time to start Carlos Rogers. Grade: D
Sean Taylor: He is still in development phase. He has all the physical tools to be the best safety in league history. Rarely do you see teams throw deep on the Redskins with Taylor patrolling down the field. He still misses tackles when trying to hit a kill shot. It’ll come for Taylor, and I expect a better second half. Grade: B-
Ryan Clark: A hugely underrated guy on the field. He does just about everything right and gets the most of his abilities. From a guy who the Washington Post reported as being cut last year, to a real valuable piece of the puzzle. It’s not hard to root for him. Grade: B+
Derrick Frost: The numbers say he’s an average punter. But watching him, he seems to shank punts every week. Thus far the bounces have gone our way, hopefully it continues. Grade: C-
John Hall: Injured most of the year. He hasn’t missed a kick yet, and last week his kickoffs were deep and strong. Grade: Inc
