RT's 5: Returns of Jenkins, Hankerson are like bonus draft picks

Rich Tandler’s five things that may or may not be related to the Washington Redskins and other matters.

5. The Redskins got some great news news when the found out that Jarvis Jenkins is ready to resume football activities seven and a half months after suffering a torn ACL on Aug. 25 in Baltimore. The lockout cancelled the offseason program last year but Jenkins still was on the verge of pushing his way into the starting lineup with just a few weeks in training camp to learn the defense and the nuances of the position. Because he’s healthy this year, he will get the benefit of the full slate of OTA’s and minicamp. Look for him to be a force on the line this year. 

4. The return of Jenkins and of Leonard Hankerson, who contributed little last year and injured his hip to end his season early, essentially gives the Redskins two top-100 draft picks this year. That could help reduce the sting of the picks given up in the trade up for the second pick in the draft. 

3. It will be interesting to see what the Redskins do with Maurice Hurt. He was drafted in the seventh round as an offensive tackle and the plan was to keep him on the practice squad all year to develop. However, the injury to Kory Lichtensteiger made them press Hurt into duty at left guard and he started eight games there. He played pretty well for (important qualifier here) a seventh-round pick who didn’t have an offseason program and was a tackle until the week before he started at guard. In discussing depth on the offensive line most put him back at guard but there is no reason why the 6-3, 318-lb. Hurt can’t move back to his original tackle position and provide depth there and perhaps compete for a starting job down the road. We’ll keep a close eye on where he lines up when OTA’s start next month.

2. Perhaps I’ll get into this in a full article at some point between now and the draft but here’s a quick take on whether or not the Redskins will draft a backup quarterback in addition to taking RG3 with their first pick. I tend to think that they won’t unless there is one sitting there on Saturday who represents such a good value on their board that they can’t pass him up. Mike Shanahan generally likes to keep two quarterbacks on the roster and it would be surprising to see him keep two rookies. So unless a draft pick would make it worthwhile to keep both Rex Grossman and a rookie behind Griffin, I think they will wait a year or two before drafting a backup QB to groom.

1. The spotlight will be on secondary coach Raheem Morris this season. Besides DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson, his secondary is made up of late draft picks, reclamation projects, and other generally unwanted players. It will be up to Morris to piece the unit together and keep opposing passing games in check. Of course, the will need help from the front seven since pass defense starts with getting a good pass rush. But quarterbacks will always get time to throw at some point during the game and the secondary can’t consistently get burned. It’s a big opportunity for Morris to get a defensive coordinator gig next year either in Washington (Jim Haslett is in the last year of his contract) or elsewhere.

Days until: Offseason workouts start, 4; NFL draft, 14; first regular season game 150

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler. 

 

Comments

[Billy Crawford]

Another terrific article, Rich.
Enjoyed your analysis on the career success of QBs who took the reigns beginning with the first game of their rookie season. It significantly altered my perspective on this.

[Justin H]

Hurt is going to stay at guard. We have Willie Smith and just signed James Lee, both tackles.

[Rich Tandler]

I'm well aware that, Justin. But Lee and Smith are not necessarily guaranteed roster spots this year. For that matter, Hurt isn't either. If Hurt can do a better job at tackle than Smith or Lee, that's what he'll be and the other two can fight it out for whatever roster spots remain.

Thanks for your comment.

[A Facebook User]

Good article, Rich.
I am completely on board with Russell Wilson out of Wisconsin. Like you say, if he's there on Saturday, I think he and RGIII have the right mindset to coexist and push each other.