Redskins Warpath – August 2019

Welcome to old school known as training camp.

Oh, the pads won’t be popping like days gone by, but

there are several position battles; including the big

daddy of them all – quarterback.

Normally, there are no starting jobs open once

teams reach the summer. That’s all decided in the

spring camps. At most there are a few jobs on special

teams at the end of the 53-man roster open.

Indeed, only a few openings overall this summer,

but a few positions could easily switch starters.

QQUARTERBACK –Is it Case Keenum or Dwayne

Haskins with Colt McCoy as a wild card? The two

were pretty even coming out of minicamp, leaving

coach Jay Gruden to declare the job would be decided

by late preseason. Most likely, the third preseason

game starter gets the September nod since the fourth

game is a throwaway.

Keenum has the experience over the rookie and

the Redskins can’t offer an early learning curve for

Haskins when facing four 2018 playoff teams in the

first five weeks. But, Haskins is clearly the future and

looked solid in the spring.

It would take an injury to Keenum or Haskins for

McCoy to have a chance for the job after missing

spring camps recovering from a broken leg suffered

last season.

Most likely, Keenum starts the season and Haskins

finishes it.

RECEIVERS –Let’s pick three as the first wave.

Paul Richardson is downtown. Josh Doctson finds the

outside and Trey Quinn gets the middle. Sounds easy,

but it’s really anything other than that.

Third-rounder Terry McLaurin will get some time,

especially if Ohio State teammate Haskins is pitching.

Cam Sims looked strong throughout offseason

camps. Great hands and size. He’s going to get a lot

of snaps. Sixth-rounder Kelvin Harmon will see some

time.

Overall, the unit has a lot of depth and no clear

star. Chances are the unit changes by midseason and

Sims emerges as the top playmaker.

LEFT GUARD –Ereck Flowers gets the opening

camp nod as the veteran, but there’s no way Wes

Martin shouldn’t be the starter. Flowers looked bad

in offseason camps. No lateral movement. The de-

fense danced by him, especially when forced to sub

at left tackle. Flowers’ shortcomings can be partly

hidden at guard, but it won’t be long before fans are

wishing for the glory days of Sean Lauvao. Martin is

a fourth-rounder who on looks appears solid. If

Martin’s not starting in September, he will come Oc-

tober.

CENTER –Chase Roullier is the starter, but don’t

be surprised if fifth-rounder Ross Pierschbacher plays

if the Redskins need to move Roullier to guard.

RUNNING BACK –Derrius Guice is supposed to

start, but Adrian Peterson didn’t get that memo.

They’ll have to pry the ball from A.P.’s hands. Chris

4 Warpath AUGUST 6, 2019

Training Camp Offers Plenty of Jobs

By Rick Snider

RUNNING OPTIMISM

The possibility of more running

plays in 2019 gives hope

to younger backs.

USA TODAY Sports/SCOTT TAETSCH