Pulse Check... weakest position?

[riggofan]

So a week into August, I'm curious how you guys are feeling about the team right now. Outside of QB, what do you think looks like our biggest position of weakness?

I'm feeling much better about some of the usual areas of concern. I think the offensive line is going to be much better, same with safety.

[DEHog]

So a week into August, I'm curious how you guys are feeling about the team right now. Outside of QB, what do you think looks like our biggest position of weakness?

I'm feeling much better about some of the usual areas of concern. I think the offensive line is going to be much better, same with safety.

I too feel better about both lines...my concern is up the middle on D. How good will our inside backers and safeties be? I like Robinson, Riley seemed to take a step back last year. Safety is a complete question mark, but they will benefit from the upgrade along the D line. That coupled with the scheme and coaching abilities of the new DC.

[riggofan]

My feelings exactly DEHog on the the inside linebackers. Just not sure about that group.

Cornerback seems like an area of concern now too, yeah?

[DEHog]

My feelings exactly DEHog on the the inside linebackers. Just not sure about that group.

Cornerback seems like an area of concern now too, yeah?

I was excited about our CB's until the injuries...looks like nothing serious. If D.Hall is anywhere close to what he was
I think that group will be much improved.

[SkinsJock]

The defense should be better (how hard will that be) and will help the secondary out by being better able to pressure the QB

The offensive line will be better (again, how hard could that be) if the play calling has more of a commitment to the run game

The O line is going to need time together and does not have the quality depth we need

[riggofan]

The defense should be better and will help the secondary out by better run defense and being better able to pressure the QB

The offensive line will be better if the QB play improves and they have more of a commitment to the run game

The O line is going to need time together and does not have the depth we need

So do you still think the o-line is our weakest position, SJ? Your biggest concern right now?

I like Culliver, but so many other big ??s with the cornerbacks.

[SkinsJock]

I'm encouraged by reports about the O line and how some of these guys have showed up to TC ready to earn a roster spot but I am concerned about how long it takes to build a good O line - yes! to me the O line is an area on concern

I think that the front 7 will help the overall defense a lot

[DarthMonk]

One of the ILB positions (Murph moves?), FS, CB because of injury, O-line because even Trent is never 100% and we have a lot of new (Scherf - possibly out of position - and other rookies) or questionable (Lauvao, Moses, Compton) talent. We are OK at WR and TE.

Jury is out on coaching

Owner ...

Other spots are strengths - DL, OLB, SS, RB, and GM

This is all aside from QB, of course

[Hooligan]

TE is a pretty big question mark. I don't think Reed will last the season, and Paul/Paulsen don't exactly strike fear.

[DarthMonk]

TE is a pretty big question mark. I don't think Reed will last the season, and Paul/Paulsen don't exactly strike fear.

Yeah, just OK there. Paul is a better receiver than blocker, Paulsen the opposite. Reed is excellent but not always healthy.

[fredp45]

I don't agree FS is a concern but SS is a position of strength.

IMO Goldston is more ready than Duke or JJ. Maybe we need a backup FS, but thats less of a concern to me.

Both positions are way better than last year.

[redskins26ru]

corner backs had me most worried

[langleyparkjoe]

corner backs had me most worried

..and against Dez, Odell, J. Matthews, and Cruz (?)

[StorminMormon86]

TE's for me. Reed is too big a question mark as to whether or not he can stay healthy. And Paul and Paulsen...meh.

[OldSchool]

I don't know about the 2015 Redskins because we haven't seen them yet. The defense didn't stop the pass or the run very well. Our pass defense seemed especially weak to me but pointing out one position is hard without a stop watch. Did our DL put enough pressure on the QBs or was it our DBs don't cover that well, without timing the plays its tough to tell whether it is mediocre or worse across the board or a few spots are weak.

On offense the QB is the biggest problem but after that it is the line but I don't know if 1 or 5 offensive lineman that are poor run blockers. We have some decent backs and not enough holes. Hopefully we see some improvement running the ball the year.

[markshark84]

I haven't watched any of the preseason stuff, but I continue to believe our DB situation is the weakest on the team. We upgraded the position, but there are serious questionmarks as to each starter. IF/When we have Culliver, Breeland, and DHall healthy, our CB situation appears solid. We upgraded at DL, but they haven't played together and it will take time for these guys to get used to eachother's game/style.

As far as Offense (outside of QB), you'd have to continue to say that OG is the weakest area. We have some of the best collective WRs and RB in the league. Assuming Reed gets hurt again, TE is a concern. Then again outside of the unmentionable position, we have a very good offense.

[Deadskins]

CB, because of the injuries.

[Irn-Bru]

Safety has me the most concerned. Ryan Clark played hard but was barely more than a stopgap. The Merriweather/Thomas/Robinson rotation wasn't even stopgap. Combined with somewhat weak corner play, it was just a disaster.

We look much improved on paper, but we haven't seen good safety play on this team since Taylor and I'm not getting my hopes up too high. I think Goldson is a bet on the part of McCloughan, so it wouldn't surprise me if his subpar play continues in DC. And just because Ihenacho and Johnson are probably better than Merriweather doesn't necessarily mean they will be solid.

[DarthMonk]

Safety has me the most concerned. Ryan Clark played hard but was barely more than a stopgap. The Merriweather/Thomas/Robinson rotation wasn't even stopgap. Combined with somewhat weak corner play, it was just a disaster.

We look much improved on paper, but we haven't seen good safety play on this team since Taylor and I'm not getting my hopes up too high. I think Goldson is a bet on the part of McCloughan, so it wouldn't surprise me if his subpar play continues in DC. And just because Ihenacho and Johnson are probably better than Merriweather doesn't necessarily mean they will be solid.

Agreed. The unit could prove to be strong but they will certainly have to prove it. Hopefully, they will be supported by strong play from the other 9 guys.

CB is banged up and then there is TE:

Niles Paul - TE - Redskins
Niles Paul underwent an MRI on his shoulder, but it came back negative.
Paul got roughed up in practice, but it's apparently nothing serious. There's a chance he'll be held out of Thursday's preseason opener as a precaution, but it's not a long-term concern.
Source: Redskins on Twitter Aug 11 - 3:54 PM

Jordan Reed - TE - Redskins
Jordan Reed is "day to day" with a hamstring injury.
Here we go again. Coach Jay Gruden described the injury as merely "soreness," but any hamstring issue is notable for a player who has battled as many of them as Reed. He'll presumably miss Thursday's preseason opener against Cleveland. Reed has ample pass-catching talent, but simply can't stay on the field. It's for that fact that Gruden recently called Niles Paul a more complete player.
Related: Niles Paul
Source: Redskins on Twitter Aug 11 - 3:50 PM

[oj]

The cornerback injuries are to be expected, that'll happen. I think they were a pretty solid bunch to begin with, getting dinged is part of the job description.
Where I am concerned is the running backs, I'd like to say that last year wasn't Alfreds fault and this year he will tear some *sh$t* up, but I can't honestly say that. I have a good idea how the defense will do, I have high expectation for the O line, I have a good idea what the QB will do and how the receivers are going to play. I just don't know about Alfred and didn't they trade Helu and that young guy with the sizzle, Seamstrunk? that his name?. The running game is going to be the cornerstone of this team, it has to improve.
And I don't buy into the line about the running game suffering because the QB play has been lackluster, that dog don't hunt.

[PulpExposure]

Safety has me the most concerned. Ryan Clark played hard but was barely more than a stopgap. The Merriweather/Thomas/Robinson rotation wasn't even stopgap. Combined with somewhat weak corner play, it was just a disaster.

We look much improved on paper, but we haven't seen good safety play on this team since Taylor and I'm not getting my hopes up too high. I think Goldson is a bet on the part of McCloughan, so it wouldn't surprise me if his subpar play continues in DC. And just because Ihenacho and Johnson are probably better than Merriweather doesn't necessarily mean they will be solid.

Completely agree. Safety is our worst position imho.

And I don't buy into the line about the running game suffering because the QB play has been lackluster, that dog don't hunt.

Agreed. Adrian Peterson has done ok for himself even though he's had a veritable circus of mediocre QBs to play with.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Seastrunk is a puke now... And as far as I know Helu wasn't resigned and hit the market as a fa and landed on elsewhere, not traded.
That said we are pretty deep behind Alfred, albeit with unproven talent; but talent nonetheless.

[DarthMonk]

I think we have at least 2 RBs on the roster who could be a primary back who goes for 1,600 yards ... if the line, etal., play well. Alf has proven that and I think Matt Jones can do the same.

Seems like a safety can (and for us, has) sabotage/d everything by letting someone behind him or by missing a tackle. We need to know we have 2 sure tacklers back there who are fast and smart enough to not get beat deep. Jury is out.

The run game is certainly a concern but I think we have strong running backs.

[Deadskins]

I think we will see a much improved running game this season over the past couple of years.

[riggofan]

Everybody who said "TIGHT ENDS" may be on to something right now.

Redskins Running out of Healthy Tight Ends

Redskins tight end Jordan Reed is injured again, and the Redskins will also play their Thursday night preseason opener in Cleveland without tight ends Logan Paulsen and Niles Paul.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... ight-ends/

Maybe time to bring C00ley into camp???