QUARTERBACK
While Shanahan and company did a good job of using the draft to add depth to several key positions, they completely ignored the most important position...quarterback. If the Redskins hope to compete at all in the upcoming 2011 season, they must acquire a veteran quarterback to be their starter. Last year's third string QB, John Beck, is (or will be shortly) the only QB on the roster and with all respect to John, he is not the answer.
There are two immediate targets at the quarterback position. The top free agent target should be Matt Moore of the Carolina Panthers who has starting experience and, at 26, is still young and improving. The other top target is Kyle Orton who may vary well be available by trade. Carson Palmer would be another potential trade target, however, the Cincinnati Bengals have stated emphatically that he will not be traded.
Obviously, the team must trade Donovan McNabb as quickly as possible to eliminate distractions. Players are tired of hearing about and dealing with the turmoil surrounding McNabb and Albert Haynesworth. The quicker he is moved the better and the Redskins would be wise to take whatever draft pick they can get for him and move on.
If the Redskins do not make an aggressive move to land a legitimate starting quarterback to lead the team, it will become clear that Shanahan is sandbagging the 2011 season in hopes of landing the #1 pick in the 2012 draft, which will be Stanford QB Andrew Luck.
OFFENSIVE LINE
First and foremost, the Redskins must re-sign their own free agent starting Right Tackle, Jammal Brown. Jamaal came back from injury last year and is a key to holding the offensive line together. If Jammal is allowed leave and sign with another team, it would be a huge blow and could lead to the beginning of a long, long year for the offensive line.
The team also needs to strengthen the inner portion of their line. Center, Casey Rabach, is passed his prime and right guards Will Montgomery and Artis Hicks are backups.
The top targets here is free agent Guard Marshal Yanda of the Baltimore Ravens followed by Davin Joseph of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
WIDE RECEIVER
The annual desperate search for wide receivers continues on in 2011. The top priority is to re-sign Wide Receiver Santana Moss. Santana is really a # 2 wideout, but he has played as the the Redskins' # 1 wideout for several years now. If Moss signs with another team, it could be a disastrous year for the Redskins offense. The Redskins did draft wide receivers Leonard Hankerson and Niles Paul in the draft. Both receivers have potential, but we Redskins fans have a hard time relying on potential. Especially, after both 2008 second round wide receiver picks, Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, both flopped terribly.
There are a number of free agent targets here including Sidney Rice of the Minnesota Vikings, Braylan Edwards of the New York Jets, Chad Ochocinco of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Steve Breaston of the Arizona Cardinals.
DEFENSIVE LINE
One of the weakest areas of the defense in 2011 was the Defensive Line. In order for the defense to continue to improve, the Redskins need to add more depth and more pass rush capability. A popular name that would be a good fit here is Cullen Jenkins of the Green Bay Packers.
Of course, there is still the never ending Albert Haynesworth issue. Mike Shanahan must resolve this issue just as quickly as the McNabb issue. If there is anyone willing to take Haynesworth in a trade, outside of the NFC East, they must take whatever they can get for him, even a bag of donuts. They just need to be rid of him. If they cannot find any trade partners, they must find a way to keep him away from the team.
LINEBACKER
The team added young stud Ryan Kerrigan through the draft to man the outside linebacker position. However, the team still needs to add depth and possibly a starter at the Middle Linebacker position.
Free agent linebacker, Rocky McIntosh, was not a good fit in the 3-4 defense and will most likely be sign with another team. The top targets here are Barrett Ruud of the Tampa Bay Buccanears, Stephen Tulloch of the Tennessee Titans, and Paul Posluszny of the Buffalo Bills.
CORNERBACK
This is probably the most difficult situation to figure out for the team. Carlos Rogers is a solid cover corner, but he has never lived up to expectations and he simply cannot catch the football to create turnovers. In order to keep Carlos, the Redskins would most likely have to overpay for him and he just is not worth it. Especially if the team is going to enter into an official rebuilding mode.
Probably the wisest move here is to allow Carlos to leave, re-sign free agent cornerback Philip Buchanon, and add another veteran free agent to the mix.
Let the frenzy begin!
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JacksGhost
Washington Redskins Hog Blog
