The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

cowboykillerzRED wrote:

1niksder wrote:

Red_One43 wrote:Rich Campbell:

We know Robinson has great straight-line speed, and if he can’t run past Bellamy, he won’t make the team. But he has to be sharper both mentally and physically. At this point, there’s nothing Robinson does that WR Brandon Banks or WR Terrence Austin don’t

According to Campbell's observations - it's a dead heat between Banks, Austin, and Robinson after two practices. But - I have to say BB, because right now, he is the better return man.

Of the three he has been the better WR over the last two days, with Austin a not so close second according to those watching,

Is that in regards to BB or Robinson? If you could elaborate or share a link that'd be cool man

SkinsFreak wrote:

Red_One43 wrote:Rich Campbell:

We know Robinson has great straight-line speed, and if he can’t run past Bellamy, he won’t make the team. But he has to be sharper both mentally and physically. At this point, there’s nothing Robinson does that WR Brandon Banks or WR Terrence Austin don’t

According to Campbell's observations - it's a dead heat between Banks, Austin, and Robinson after two practices. But - I have to say BB, because right now, he is the better return man.

But let's not forget that the first 2 days have been without pads and with no hitting and little checking at the line-of-scrimmage. Once they put the pads and start hitting, it may be a different story.

For the record and clarification, I don't dislike Banks. In fact, he's been one of the few bright spots on this team for the past 2 years. I happen to like him a great deal. My initial post in this thread was not meant to bash Banks, but to offer some thoughts regarding Robinson.

Red_One43 quoted Mike Shanahan:

“That’s been our goal all along,” Shanahan said. “Banks has some very good receiver skills. He’s got very good hands, he’s tough, and the more consistent he can be in practice -- it’s been tough because he got hurt -- but we would like to get him more involved.”

Banks tore a ligament in his left knee in 2010 and required surgery. He didn’t miss a game, but struggled to regain his effectiveness. The knee continued to bother Banks off and on last preseason, and during much of the regular season. That kept Shanahan from using him as a receiver. Instead, he made the team as a returns specialist.

Ok, fair enough. But that only adds to my concerns. In Shanahan's own words, Banks lacks consistency and has struggled with his effectiveness because of injury and durability. I just have a difficult time seeing a 5'7, 150 lb wide receiver lining up on offense, even playing in the slot. At that size, durability is a huge concern, and if he's already struggled with injuries, then the coaches have a difficult decision to make. It's not like Banks has the size or strength to get out there and break one-arm tackles and could easily struggle with durability from hits playing in the slot against more physical corners, safeties and LB's. But I do like him, and it's fun to root for the underdog, so to speak.

For me, assuming all or most things are equal, if it's a head-to-head battle between Robinson and Banks for the last WR spot, I may lean towards Robinson. Banks has serious size issues, has had injury and durability issues, has had off-the-field issues and was undrafted. (Shanahan actually used a valuable draft pick on Robinson)

Again, assuming all or most things are equal, if it's a head-to-head battle between Robinson and Armstrong for the last WR spot, again I'm leaning towards Robinson. Armstrong is 29 entering just his 3 year, was a leftover from the Zorn/Ceratto era and had a major sophmore slump for whatever reason. He was also undrafted. (Now, not saying Banks and Armstrong going undrafted should be a deciding factor, but it can be relevant since Robinson was hand-selected by Shanahan.)

I'd also like to add that I'm not out there watching them compete in camp head-to-head. So I could be very wrong about Robinson as he may need more development. Nevertheless... hey, may the best man win. That's all any of us care about, I'm sure. Shanahan likes serious competition and that's what we're gonna get for the next month.

DarthMonk wrote:My biggest concern is durability followed by ball security. We all know he can break open a game.

Red_One43 wrote:Shanny said in another article, that he didn't want Banks making the cuts that receiver make, because he was too valuable as a return man.

“He’s a guy that I’m even afraid to practice as a wide receiver because that knee swells up,” Shanahan said of the 5-foot-7, 151-pound Banks, who last season recorded only two receptions.

So is it his return value or the knee swelling??

Brandon Banks is listed on the Washington Redskins’ roster as a wide receiver, but it appears unlikely that the team will try to take advantage of the second-year Kansas State product’s speed as a pass catcher.

Coach Mike Shanahan said questions about Banks’ durability and his balky knee have prompted the decision to hold the player out of most receiver drills. So it appears Banks would be the last receiver the Redskins turn to in games this season.

“He’s a guy that I’m even afraid to practice as a wide receiver because that knee swells up,” Shanahan said of the 5-foot-7, 151-pound Banks, who last season recorded only two receptions.

Shanahan said he didn’t take Banks into account when considering which receivers the team should carry on its 53-man roster. Instead, Redskins coaches see Banks – who this preseason returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown and ran back a kickoff 58 yards -- as a specialist, one who is too valuable to risk by playing him at multiple positions.

Redskins‏@Redskins

#Redskins WR Brandon Banks makes two big catches in full team drills, one each from Griffin III and Grossman. #skinscamp

Grant Paulsen‏@granthpaulsen

Brandon Banks seems to get open a lot in the 12 to 17 yd area. Good start to his camp. Needs to show well at WR to make squad. #Redskins

Jake Russell‏@_JakeRussell

Brandon Banks has had a good practice so far. Has made a lot of tough catches in traffic. #Redskins #THNTC

Jake Russell‏@_JakeRussell

Banks really wants to prove he's more than just a returner. #Redskins #THNTC

Red_One43 wrote:

Grant Paulsen‏@granthpaulsen

Brandon Banks seems to get open a lot in the 12 to 17 yd area. Good start to his camp. Needs to show well at WR to make squad. #Redskins

DarthMonk wrote:My biggest concern is durability followed by ball security. We all know he can break open a game.

David Elfin‏@davidelfin

Nice day 4 #Redskins WRs, particularly Pierre Garcon, Aldrick Robinson, Anthony Armstrong & rookie FA Samuel Kirkland. Practice resumes Mon.

—In my roster predictions from earlier this month I have Aldrick Robinson making the team as the kick returner/wide receiver and Brandon Banks off. I have to say that if many more practice go like today’s went I might have to change that. Banks was the one who looked like an NFL receiver out there while Robinson looked like he still needs a lot of work. It’s early, I’m not changing my call yet, but it bears watching.

Deadskins wrote:Moss definitely stays. I don't think there's any chance of him getting cut.

3. Pointed out Friday that Aldrick Robinson had a ways to go to earn a roster spot. One of the guys he’s competing with, Brandon Banks, had a terrific day. Robinson might have looked good in the one-on-ones, but it’s the full-team work where receivers need to shine and that’s what Banks did. He caught three passes over the middle, including two in traffic, making a leaping catch on one Rex Grossman ball. The play I liked: corner Cedric Griffin went to jam him, though he used his outside hand (left) to do so and Banks stepped in that direction. It got Griffin off-balance and Banks shot inside for an open grab.

4. Banks did drop one pass (on a crossing route vs. Josh Wilson) and you can never get too excited about one practice. But it was a good day for him. He did one thing they want to see their receivers do and that’s beat press coverage. Banks needs to have this translate into games, not to mention return a couple kicks for long gains.

Diminutive WR Brandon Banks made three catches between the hash marks during team drills. There isn’t full tackling in these drills, so Banks wasn’t at risk of taking a vicious hit, but he will have to be willing and able to catch passes over the middle if he is to make the team.

Banks’ is very shifty getting off the line, which makes it tough for cornerbacks to press him. On one reception, he stepped hard and quickly to the right to fake the cornerback before coming back inside on a slant. He was two steps clear of the DB when he caught the ball.

Banks did drop a pass during positional drills against no defense

Chris Luva Luva wrote:LOL I hope he makes the team just to piss the irrational people off.

Grant Paulsen‏@granthpaulsen

Mike Shanahan: Brandon Banks was banged up last year "he didn't know how to be a pro player." Says he matured and is healthier. #Redskins

—Leonard Hankerson looks like a different player than he did a year ago. Not only is he holding onto the ball better, he looks more fluid as he runs his routes. He was a college kid at this time last year, he’s learning how to be a pro now.

“I feel like a brand new person,” Banks said. “I feel like I’m 100 percent. I feel I got my juice and my quickness back and my little burst.”

Early in camp he’s shown flashes of doing so; it’s tough to jam him at the line. He gets in and out of breaks quickly. But he’s also a tough target at only 5-foot-7. And Terrence Austin, among others, is having a good camp. Austin can help as a returner as well; it’s why they drafted him in the first place. Aldrick Robinson will get looks there, too.

“I always knew I could play receiver,” Banks said. “I did it in college. All I had to do is get healthy.”

Banks is not one for long answers, but in essence he agreed with Shanahan.

“Oh yeah,” he said. “I had a good offseason, did a lot of rehabbing and strengthening on my legs and conditioning. I took care of my body real well. It was my main focus this year. At the end of last year [Shanahan] told me what he needed me to do and I took advantage of it.”

But returning kicks is where he makes his money. He remembers seeing holes on kick returns last year that he missed, in part, he said, because of his inability to cut as well as he wanted. He’s said in the past that he likes to run to his left and teams often pinned him to the left, forcing him to run the other way.

As for receiver, Banks is confident. In practice earlier this week, Banks displayed his quickness off the line against Cedric Griffin. He tried to jam Banks, but Banks took a step outside, causing Griffin to react and get off-balance. Banks easily cut inside for a catch. But he can also be easy for linebackers to re-route (if they get their hands on him).

“I can get open,” he said. “I can get the ball and go the distance, the medium routes, 10-yard routes. Anytime I’m out here when I get the ball in my hands it seems like I can make a play and help them.

“That’s the strength of my game, quickness off the line and just using my speed getting in and out of routes. It’ll create a mismatch for most defenders.”

Randle El and company were treated to another strong practice from second-year receiver Aldrick Robinson, who appears to have made big strides in Year Two.

Robinson has been matched up with each of the three quarterbacks so far, and has become a consistent target to stretch the field and make a tough catch in coverage.

Robinson has also been a regular in the special teams return drills, shagging punts from the JUGGS machines with Brandon Banks, Anthony Armstrong and Terrence Austin.

Robinson had a disastrous performance against the Colts in the preseason last year (two muffed punts), but says he has worked closely with special teams coordinator Danny Smith and is confident heading into preseason action next week.

cowboykillerzRED wrote:Garçon
Moss
Hanktime
Morgan
AAA
_________! This sixth spot is gonna be a tough choice I'm thinking. None of the guys will see much snaps on O. So my gut says the better return man in Banks, since he's shown he CAN play wr.

Any chance we keep more then six?

14. Anthony Armstrong was fielding kickoffs today (after Brandon Banks).

cowboykillerzRED wrote:I don't see us cutting 'Tanna.. he's having a great camp and has those vet moves and vet knowledge that the youngsters don't.

I like the remarks about BBs footwork off the line in particular not getting jammed like some of the others.

cowboykillerzRED wrote:I don't see us cutting 'Tanna.. he's having a great camp and has those vet moves and vet knowledge that the youngsters don't.