Thanks for your questions for today's Tweetbag, let's dive right in:
It doesn't look like Paul is going anywhere. On the night Reed was drafted, Shanahan spoke of carrying four tight ends. Since he rarely talks roster numbers he likely was sending a message to Paul that they were not looking to replace him. Paul's primary value is on special teams and with Lorenzo Alexander gone they aren't about to cut another special teams stalwart. Anything Paul can contribute on offense is gravy.
I'll say the safe bet is for Tyler Polumbus to be the starter when the season starts. It's hard to bench they guy after he started 15 games for one of the better offenses in the league. But he's far from a lock. Tom Compton will be given an opportunity and I wouldn't rule him out. Jeremy Trueblood has started a lot of games at tackle as has Tony Pashos so they are both in the mix.
Actually, I wrote a post about that yesterday. When I asked about it last year I didn't get the impression that they are all that enthusiastic about the no huddle. I will follow up with Mike Shanahan when OTA's start and ask Kyle when he is available during minicamp. I wouldn't anticipate much of an answer as they are quite secretive about such strategic matters but I will pass along what I do get.
The player they would like to replace London is. That's Keenan Robinson but it remains to be seen if he can get it done. His season-ending injury came at a time when he was just starting to get some regular snaps on defense. Perhaps an undrafted player like Marvin Burdette, who, like Fletcher, is an undersized tackling machine, can claim the job. If they can't develop someone they can hit the free agent market. Fortunately, that is not a high-dollar position and they should be able to find someone for a relatively reasonable contract if necessary.
These to are related so we'll take them together. Briscoe faces pressure to make the team from two fronts. One is a player like Lewis, who seemed to be a pretty good prospect in camp a year ago before he got injured and some other receivers who can also return kicks like Skye Dawson. Briscoe also faces pressure because, as noted in the response to first question here, the Redskins are likely to carry four tight ends. That other roster spot has to come from somewhere and if Jordan Reed proves to be versatile enough to play some slot receiver then a sixth receiver--meaning Briscoe--might not have a roster spot.
The basic rule of thumb on the practice squad is that if a player has never been on the game day active roster (the 46) and hasn't been on a PS for more than two years he is eligible. That rules out Pat White and Chris Neild. Doug Worthington, Jordan Bernstine, Deangelo Peterson, Eric Kettani, and Chase Minnifield are eligible.
I do not put Doughty in the category those of fighting for a job; like Paul, I think his special teams prowess gets him a spot unless he falls flat on his face and he's not going to do that. Will they carry a fifth safety along with Doughty, Brandon Meriweather, Bacarri Rambo, and Phillip Thomas? If they are going to, it's Gomes, Pugh, and, if healthy, Jordan Bernstine going for that one last job. My full defensive roster prediction can be found here.
Brandon Meriweather and Reed Doughty. That's just venturing a guess that Meriweather will be healthy enough and Rambo and Thomas aren't quite ready to start.
Thanks again for your questions, feel free to hit me up any time on Twitter @Rich_TandlerCSN