The Washington Redskins season does not start tomorrow but most of the players who are likely to be starting when the Redskins take on the Giants in the season opener will be starting against the Ravens on Thursday.
The Redskins will start 12 players who were not the starters at their positions for last year’s opener. Here is a look at the changes:
Offense
Starters Sept. 12, 2010 vs. Dallas: QB Donovan McNabb, WR’s Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, TE Chris Cooley, RB Clinton Portis, FB Mike Sellers, OL Trent Williams, Derrick Dockery, Casey Rabach, Artis Hicks, Jammal Brown.
We’re not exactly sure who the quarterback will be but it won’t be Donovan McNabb. For better or for worse, John Beck or Rex Grossman will line up behind center against New York.
Cooley won’t play against the Ravens but he should be back from his knee injury for the Giants game. Moss will start at one wide receiver spot and the other receiver will be Jabar Gaffney.
Both of the running backs will be different. We’ll probably see Tim Hightower (pictured) at halfback and Darrel Young at fullback.
The two tackles will remain the same but the interior line is new with Will Montgomery at center, Kory Lichtensteiger at left guard and Chris Chester at right guard.
Total new starters on offense: 7
Defense
Starters Sept 12, 2010 vs. Dallas: DL Adam Carriker, Maake Kemoeatu, Kedric Golston, LB’s Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher, Rocky McIntosh, Andre Carter, DB’s Carlos Rogers, DeAngelo Hall, Reed Doughty, LaRon Landry
Carriker remains at defensive end and he will line up with nose tackle Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen at end. The only change at linebacker will have Ryan Kerrigan replacing the departed Carter.
Half of the defensive backfield will turn over with Oshiomogho Atogwe taking over for at free safety Doughty (who was starting for the injured Kareem Moore) and Josh Wilson replaced departed free agent Rogers. LaRon Landry may or may not be ready to go for the opener but if he can’t go, Doughty is his likely replacement
Total new starters on defense: 5
Pretty Awesome Take! I was shocked 2 read that we were #1 in NFL in offense & defense!! When is the last time thats has happened????
If u watched the Colts game then you hopefully saw what I saw & that is Trent Williams imo got Destroyed tring to protect Beck in passing situations! I know for a fact one of our red zone apperances ended because Williams got beat bad & Beck took a Huge Hit! That was just 1 of his plays he got beat on....Williams that is. Im sure hoping that from a High 1st rd draft pick that he plays alot better then that! Cause, correct me if I'm wrong but How many Studs is he gonna have to face in the NFC East alone??? Then factor in the other 8 DE's he's gonna face outside of our division???
Not to be all Gloom & Doom, I am Totally Surprised by our RB's & even our WR's!!
The one thing I am forced to remember is our opponent we play Tomorrow night is a team who won the Super Bowl with a QB who managed the Game........Remember Trent Dilfer?? Was he heads & tales better then Grossman??? He was definatley more seasoned then Beck is right now though.
I do Agree with the fact that we finally look like a real team, an awesome mix of draft picks, vets & free agents who arent overpaid Busts!!! (Haynesworthless, Bruce Smith, Adam Archuletta, Jeff George & the list goes on) Anyway I cant remember the last time we had not only 12 draft picks, but also 12 Good draft picks!
It does take a certain amount of Cohesion & trust & talent from our team, Because Luck Favors the Prepared!!! Look at every team who has won anything in ANY Sport & I guarentee u that somewhere in there season they had the ball bounce there way!
I sure hope my optimism in our team doesnt come crashing down tomorrow night!
I'm not ready for my ballon 2 get popped!! lol
Hait 2 the Redskins All Day Every Day!!!
Posted by: Mike | Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 12:21 PM
I agree that Williams needs to get better but I don't think he was terrible all game long. Dwight Freeny has made a lot of good LT's look silly and Williams gave up one big play when he missed a called cut block. NO doubt he must continue to improve but he seems to be playing with more of a mean streak this year so that's something to be glad about.
Posted by: T.J. | Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 11:24 PM