NFL.com: Five Observations From Redskins Camp

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

With immense talent, and attitude to match, Campbell ready to shine
By Thomas George | NFL.com | Senior Columnist

1. Campbell is clicking

With every practice, with every throw, Jason Campbell looks primed for a stellar year.......

2. Familiarity breeds success

Zorn is preaching and insisting that his team focus on its execution and assignments and that each player is mindful of his technique.......

3. Kicking game needs a boost

One of the Redskins’ best camp battles is at a position that oftentimes is already set: At punter......

4. More sacks, picks, please

The Redskins finished with 33 sacks and 14 interceptions last season and those helped the team squeak into the playoffs......

5. Fletcher on a mission

He hears the conversation about middle linebackers. He hears the names bandied about, the big stars, the biggest hitters, the biggest hype........

Link to full article on NFL.com. (http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story;jsessionid=30CB8EA44F5B4AD70A0DF1CBB88718BB? id=09000d5d809c3388&template=with-video&confirm=true)

[jaylen]

Looking at the sack numbers of the really good teams makes me cringe thinking about what we did last season and that was up from the year before. That to me could be the key to our season more than any other factor. We desperately need to get sacks and create more turnovers. If Taylor can continue being the threat he's been Carter could have a huge season.

I feel much better about our DE postion now with Wilson, Jackson and Erasmus as reserves.

[Nomad]

I can't help thinking or hoping that long term, Erasmus might be a much bigger pick up than Taylor.

A part of me also wonders if Durant works out, if Skins might not draft a PK next few years. It seems like a very wise use of a later pick. . .

[shally]

I can't help thinking or hoping that long term, Erasmus might be a much bigger pick up than Taylor.

A part of me also wonders if Durant works out, if Skins might not draft a PK next few years. It seems like a very wise use of a later pick. . .

when you have 9 picks, it makes great sense... if you have 4, maybe not so...

[Redskin4Life]

Looking at the sack numbers of the really good teams makes me cringe thinking about what we did last season and that was up from the year before. That to me could be the key to our season more than any other factor. We desperately need to get sacks and create more turnovers. If Taylor can continue being the threat he's been Carter could have a huge season.

I feel much better about our DE postion now with Wilson, Jackson and Erasmus as reserves.
What surprised me was that despite having low sack totals, we had a comparable number of INTs to the Super Bowl teams. That's pretty impressive since we had NO pass rush last year except for Carter. I'm frothing at the mouth just thinking about how our D will look now that we've got both James and Taylor on the team.

[saratogan]

IF Erasmus James stays healthy, I wonder if they will do more substitutions to keep Taylor very fresh and maybe extend his career a year?

I really hope that Jason Taylor has a great season. That would also help Andre Carter have a great year. I hope Taylor is, at minimum, average against the run.

Did our interception numbers increase due to the fact that teams threw more ofter? Thus, there were many more opportunities to intercept passes.

[firehawk157]

I don't have the stats right in front of me, but I'm pretty sure we were thrown at relatively fewer times, but playing Taylor back in coverage allowed CBs to jump more routes. I don't think in any way somebody could justify that 06's pass defense was better than 07's.

[hockeygoalie29]

I don't have the stats right in front of me, but I'm pretty sure we were thrown at relatively fewer times, but playing Taylor back in coverage allowed CBs to jump more routes. I don't think in any way somebody could justify that 06's pass defense was better than 07's.

Actually it was just the opposite. In 2007 we had 602 passes attempted against our defense, 3rd most in the NFL. In 2006, we had only 486 passes attempted against the defense, 5th least in the NFL!

[BigCountry]

Actually it was just the opposite. In 2007 we had 602 passes attempted against our defense, 3rd most in the NFL. In 2006, we had only 486 passes attempted against the defense, 5th least in the NFL!

Run defense may just have something to do with this.

[Redskin4Life]

Actually it was just the opposite. In 2007 we had 602 passes attempted against our defense, 3rd most in the NFL. In 2006, we had only 486 passes attempted against the defense, 5th least in the NFL!
Wow, I didn't think I could feel any worse about the '06 season until just now.... our secondary sucked that bad despite being thrown at so few a times compared to the rest of the NFL???

[firehawk157]

Wow, I didn't think I could feel any worse about the '06 season until just now.... our secondary sucked that bad despite being thrown at so few a times compared to the rest of the NFL???
What did you want the opposition to do? Stop scoring on just about every pass so they could even out the attempts for us?

[hockeygoalie29]

Run defense may just have something to do with this.

Absolutely. The defense was 9th worst in the league in yards per rush in 2006. Why not run all over us?

Our run defense in 2007 was top notch, giving up 3.7 yards per rush, 3rd best in the NFL. Interestingly, in 2007 we were also 6th best in yards per pass attempt. Not often you find a team that good against the run and the pass...too bad we had no pressure and sucked on 3rd down or it would have been an elite defense.

Wow, I didn't think I could feel any worse about the '06 season until just now.... our secondary sucked that bad despite being thrown at so few a times compared to the rest of the NFL???

What did you want the opposition to do? Stop scoring on just about every pass so they could even out the attempts for us?

No kidding, it becomes obvious when you see that we had the worst yards per pass attempt in the NFL in 2006. It seemed like every completion was 40 yards down field. No need to keep passing when you made it to the endzone on the first try...haha.

[chicago_skinz_fan]

"I am fueled by being the best I can be," Fletcher said. "But I still don’t think I’m respected much in this league. I feel the conversation about middle linebackers should include me. In fact, I feel it should start with me. That is one more thing that fuels me."


HAHA I love it. You go Fletcher!

[chicago_skinz_fan]

Speaking of James, where is he at health wise right now? On pace to start playing Week 1 possibly? Or nowhere near that?

[hockeygoalie29]

Speaking of James, where is he at health wise right now? On pace to start playing Week 1 possibly? Or nowhere near that?

No where near that. He hasn't even been cleared to practice yet.

[Redskin4Life]

Speaking of James, where is he at health wise right now? On pace to start playing Week 1 possibly? Or nowhere near that?
Last I read, he's on pace to start practicing by the end of the preseason and more than likely will miss the first game. Beyond that, I haven't hear/read anything (so maybe we'll see him in the second game).... I'm guessing PUP list for him and we'll see what he's got in Week 8.

[firehawk157]

Last I read, he's on pace to start practicing by the end of the preseason and more than likely will miss the first game. Beyond that, I haven't hear/read anything (so maybe we'll see him in the second game).... I'm guessing PUP list for him and we'll see what he's got in Week 8.
Very limitedly so though. He's a DE in the mold of Carter and Taylor so there's not much of a chance of him making going in for one of those guys and I can't see any way to play him other than an outside rusher. He doesn't have the size to be an interior lineman.

[hockeygoalie29]

Very limitedly so though. He's a DE in the mold of Carter and Taylor so there's not much of a chance of him making going in for one of those guys and I can't see any way to play him other than an outside rusher. He doesn't have the size to be an interior lineman.

He is similar to both Carter and Taylor, but that would make for a nice 3 man rotation at DE if he can get healthy. Rotating the three of them (4 if you count Wilson) would keep them all fresh for the 4th quarter. Plus it would give us insurance against Taylor retiring in a couple years, I like the idea of a Carter/James duo as well.

[hockeygoalie29]

I'm guessing PUP list for him and we'll see what he's got in Week 8.


If we PUP him he can come back starting in week 6, right?

[Redskin4Life]

Guys, go back and look at Erasmus in Wisconsin. He was an all round, every down DE (and did especially well against the run). If he goes back to that form, we may see him in for Taylor or Carter in obvious run downs.

[Redskin4Life]

If we PUP him he can come back starting in week 6, right?
I thought PUP List guys were stuck til Week 8...

Edit: Scratch that, he can come back after 6 games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physically_Unable_to_Perform

So the Browns would be the first game he could play in (Oct 19) while getting a roster spot in the process (DE Jackson or another CB/LB is my guess) since PUP List guys don't count on the 53.

If Jackson struggles or we get healthier at CB or LB, then we can cut our "extra" guy and put James on the roster. If the team is doing well without him, we can "hide" him on the roster til next year. And we don't have to make a decision on putting James away for the season until Week 10 (right before Dallas at home).

[hockeygoalie29]

Guys, go back and look at Erasmus in Wisconsin. He was an all round, every down DE (and did especially well against the run). If he goes back to that form, we may see him in for Taylor or Carter in obvious run downs.

James has a similar build to Carter and Taylor at 6'4" and 260 pounds. Plus the Redskins want him to lose 5-10 pounds to be able to play at his college weight. That would put him on the small side (like Carter and Taylor) and at a disadvantage against bigger tackles in the run game. That doesn't mean he can't play the run, Jason Taylor plays the run very well for his size, it just means James isn't the prototypical run stuffing DE and is more in the mold of a pass rushing end.

[hockeygoalie29]

I thought PUP List guys were stuck til Week 8...

Edit: Scratch that, he can come back after 6 games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physically_Unable_to_Perform

So the Browns would be the first game he could play in (Oct 19) while getting a roster spot in the process (DE Jackson or another CB/LB is my guess) since PUP List guys don't count on the 53.

If Jackson struggles or we get healthier at CB or LB, then we can cut our "extra" guy and put James on the roster. If the team is doing well without him, we can "hide" him on the roster til next year. And we don't have to make a decision on putting James away for the season until Week 10 (right before Dallas at home).

Exactly. I'm guessing we put Jackson on the practice squad where we can activate him if needed and keep an extra CB, safety, LB, or WR based on how the injury situation looks at the end of the preseason (assuming James is on the PUP list).

As for James, I'd like to see him activated mid-season if he is healthy and can contribute. Jason Taylor is getting older and I'd like to get James in to rotate in order to keep Taylor from wearing down as the season goes on. That way we could have a solid 3 man rotation at DE for a possible playoff run.

[Redskin4Life]

Exactly. I'm guessing we put Jackson on the practice squad where we can activate him if needed and keep an extra CB, safety, LB, or WR based on how the injury situation looks at the end of the preseason (assuming James is on the PUP list).

As for James, I'd like to see him activated mid-season if he is healthy and can contribute. Jason Taylor is getting older and I'd like to get James in to rotate in order to keep Taylor from wearing down as the season goes on. That way we could have a solid 3 man rotation at DE for a possible playoff run.
Well, historically, Taylor has more sacks and tackles in the second half of the season... but it would be nice to see an energized DLine in the second half of the season.

[chrisbcbu]

Last i heard James was hoping to be back by our last preseason game.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/02/james-progressing-with-knee-rehab/
James said he will be ready for the start of the regular season and would like to get into an exhibition contest soon. That won't happen until he receives clearance from the medical staff and can join his mates on the main practice field.

Edit: James said he will be ready by the start of regular season. But it is still up to our medical staff.

[colkurtz]

Speaking of James, where is he at health wise right now? On pace to start playing Week 1 possibly? Or nowhere near that?

They are going to bring him back VERY slowly. Better to be cautious then to end his career and potential in a premature arrival. I think you'll see him later in the season....

[HanburgerBum]

Exactly. I'm guessing we put Jackson on the practice squad where we can activate him if needed and keep an extra CB, safety, LB, or WR based on how the injury situation looks at the end of the preseason (assuming James is on the PUP list).

As for James, I'd like to see him activated mid-season if he is healthy and can contribute. Jason Taylor is getting older and I'd like to get James in to rotate in order to keep Taylor from wearing down as the season goes on. That way we could have a solid 3 man rotation at DE for a possible playoff run.


Admittedly it was just one preseason game, but Robert Jackson showed a knack for getting to the QB. If he continues to show that in the preseason, it would be difficult to have Jackson clear waivers in order to be place onto the Practice Squad. Plus, another team can sign him off the PS. So, if there is no room for him on the final 53, the Skins may have to find an exotic injury or illness (like Stan Humphreys' mystery blood disorder) to place him on IR.

[skinsfaninva]

A part of me also wonders if Durant works out, if Skins might not draft a PK next few years. It seems like a very wise use of a later pick. . .


I really liked the pick of Brooks. He will win the "competition".

I also think and wrote in another thread that I think Suisham has this year to prove himself. It is very similar to the Frost situation. Last year Frost didn't really have a competition and was given a year to prove himself and is now out, basically. If Suisham struggles, I see the Skins drafting the #1 kicker in next years draft and Suisham being out.

[colkurtz]

best bit of the Jason Taylor acquisition is that we don't have to rush the recovery of E. James. When he's ready they can bring him in an see if he really has the juice for the NFL.

[RedSkinBrit]

I like our depth in D this year and can see us being a difficult team to score against.Then its up to Jc and the crew to do the rest.

[colkurtz]

I like our depth in D this year and can see us being a difficult team to score against.Then its up to Jc and the crew to do the rest.

I think our offense will be the exciting part of the team this season.

Also the first real pass rush since Mann and Manley!

[FanFromArizona]

best bit of the Jason Taylor acquisition is that we don't have to rush the recovery of E. James. When he's ready they can bring him in an see if he really has the juice for the NFL.

I think he's the insurance/future DE for Jason Taylor when he decides to hang it up.