We will get our first look at Robert Griffin III at the helm of the Redskins’ first-team offense on Monday as the team opens up its first organized team activity (OTA) to the media.
If all of the veteran players report to the voluntary session the rookie quarterback, drafted second overall by the Redskins last month, will the throwing to new receivers Pierre Garçon and Joshua Morgan as well as longtime wideout Santana Moss. Griffin developing a rapport with his top receivers will be one of the key story lines between now and the start of the regular season on Sept. 9 in New Orleans.
One receiver who is expected to play a big role in 2012, Leonard Hankerson, will not be participating as he recovers from hip surgery. It is hoped that he will be ready to take part in some OTA’s and in minicamp in June.
Other potential starters who are likely to be spectators are guard Kory Lichtensteiger and running back Tim Hightower; both of them are still rehabbing knee injuries.
Safety is the most unsettled area on the team and it will be interesting to see who lines up there with the first team. Last year’s starters LaRon Landry and O. J. Atogwe are gone and veterans Tanard Jackson, Brandon Meriweather, and Madieu Williams were brought in to compete with holdovers Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes and rookie Jordan Bernstine for jobs and playing time. Word is that Jackson and Meriweather will line up with the first team initially but a lot could happen between now and the start of the season.
This will be the first of 10 OTA’s the Redskins will hold between now and June 7. They will have a three-day minicamp the week of June 11 before taking off until training camp starts. The camp schedule has yet to be announced but it should start around July 25.
As noted above, the OTA’s are voluntary for all players. The minicamp is mandatory. Players will wear helmets but not other padding and contact is not permitted.
As this next phase of OTAs gets underway, I was under the impression that when Keenan Robinson signed his contract, we had to release someone to stay at the 90-man roster limit. Is that correct, and if so, do you know who was let go? I assume it was one of the undrafted free agent signees, and that the same will be true when Griffin, LeRibeus and Cousins ink their contracts. Can you shed any light?
Posted by: David Crocker | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 04:57 PM
Yes, someone had to be released as I had the roster an 90 + the unsigned picks. But have not been able to find out who, no announcement from the team. Will find out tomorrow.
Posted by: Rich Tandler | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 06:09 PM
OK, I wasn't thinking right. Unsigned draft picks now count towards the 90-man roster so it is no necessary to release another player when a draft pick signs. Only when it is a free agent signing, like Hightower last week, does another player have to be cut.
Posted by: Rich Tandler | Monday, May 21, 2012 at 08:51 PM