Offensive line.
Who's back: The entire starting lineup — left tackle Chris Samuels, left guard Derrick Dockery, center Casey Rabach, right guard Randy Thomas and right tackle Jon Jansen — plus reserves Jim Molinaro and Ikechuku Ndukwe.
Who's new: A slew of reserves, including veterans Tyson Walter and Mike Pucillo and seventh-round draft pick Kili Lefotu, have been signed to compete.
Overview: There are no starting jobs available, and only Thomas was unable to start all 18 regular season and playoff games last season. All the starters but Dockery had surgery in the last eight months, but they all will be ready for training camp. The Redskins allowed only 31 sacks last year, but issues remain if one of the starters is lost for an extended period of time.
Key issues: 1. Is the depth any better? Instead of overpaying for veteran help, the Redskins opted to go young in trying to bolster the depth. Molinaro (both tackle spots), Walter (guard) and Pucillo (guard and center) are the front-runners to make the team. The Redskins are looking for players who can back up at two positions.
2. Will Randy Thomas be 100 percent? All indications from Thomas and the training staff are that he will be ready to go on Monday afternoon. Thomas was the Redskins' best offensive lineman before he suffered a broken leg late in the Dec. 18 win over Dallas. Thomas had only one penalty all season.
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Receivers and tight ends.
Who's back: Receivers Santana Moss, David Patten, Taylor Jacobs, James Thrash and Jimmy Farris and tight ends Chrisey, Mike Sellers and Robert Johnson.
Who's new: Brandon Lloyd (trade from San Francisco) and Antwaan Randle El (free agent from Pittsburgh) bolster the receiving corps and veteran tight end Christian Fauria was signed from New England.
Overview: The Moss acquisition last year was a home run — he had 84 catches for 1,483 yards and made his first Pro Bowl. But the four other receivers combined for only 48 catches. That need was addressed with Lloyd and Randle El, who will likely fill the second and third spots. Fauria is replacing Robert Royal at tight end, joining
Key issues: 1. Is Taylor Jacobs still the odd receiver out? Probably. If the Redskins decide to keep Patten, that leaves Moss, Lloyd, Randle El and special teams ace Thrash on the active roster. But Jacobs could survive with a solid camp and if Patten attracts trade interest from a team desperate for a second or third receiver.
2. With the new receivers, what will be
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Defensive line.
Who's back: Starting ends Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels and starting tackles Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a; reserves Ryan Boschetti, Nic Clemons, Demetric Evans, Cedric Killings.
Who's new: End Andre Carter, a former first-round pick with San Francisco, was signed in free agency. Tackles Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery were selected in the draft.
Overview: A big reason why the Redskins' defense has been stout the last two years is solid work from the line. Griffin and Salave'a command double coverage when both are on the field and allow the linebackers to knife through the line. They combined for 66 tackles last season. Wynn and Daniels are team leaders, but they had only 8? sacks last year, with Wynn having only half a sack. Enter Carter (32 sacks in five seasons with San Francisco), whom the Redskins think can help the pass rush with his size (6-4, 265) and quickness. Depth isn't a problem at any of the four spots.
Key issues: 1. What will Carter's impact be? It will be interesting to see where he lines up during the preseason. Technically, he has taken over a starting position from Wynn, but he also can play linebacker if the Redskins show a 3-4 alignment. Look for the coaches to move Carter around the line to give him the best chance to rush the passer.
2. Can Griffin and Salave'a avoid injuries? If so, the Redskins will have one of the top defensive lines in the league. Last year Griffin missed four games and Salave'a two. If they can't stay healthy, opposing teams will double team the defensive ends as they did in 2005, making it tough to get a solid pass rush.
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Linebackers.
Who's back: Starting strong-side linebacker Marcus Washington and middle linebacker Lemar Marshall, part-time weak-side starter Warrick Holdman and reserves Khary Campbell, Chris Clemons and Robert McCune.
Who's new: Second-round draft pick Rocky McIntosh and seventh-round pick Kevin Simon.
Overview: Washington has been a stud since coming from Indianapolis and he was second on the team last year with 93 tackles. Now that LaVar Arrington is in New York, Washington is the unquestioned pulse of the Redskins' defense. Marshall (team-high 98 tackles) thrived in his first season as a starter and as someone trusted by assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams. The Redskins stayed away from an Arrington replacement during free agency and rookie McIntosh is the future at that spot. Clemons and Campbell provide quality depth.
Key issues: 1. Who ultimately starts at weak-side linebacker in the opener against Minnesota? Holdman because McIntosh is a rookie -- and even Carlos Rogers and Sean Taylor didn't start in their first games -- and he missed the June minicamp with a knee injury, and because Clemons is working behind Washington at the strong-side spot. The fact Holdman is back comes as a surprise because he wasn't productive -- he had 15 tackles in his first seven starts last year.
2. Should fans expect more of the same from Marshall? Absolutely. He should be even better this year, now that he has had a year in the starting lineup and a year trying to mesh with what Williams and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey want from him. He had four interceptions last year -- look for that number to improve this year.
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