NFL team previews — NFC East
By John Keim
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
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Redskins CB
Deion Sanders
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He showed ’em the money. Now they must show him a trophy. As in the Vince Lombardi
Trophy. As in the Super Bowl. As in nothing else matters.
If not … well, the Redskins don’t want to think about what owner Daniel
Snyder would do if they don’t win the Super Bowl. But they can guess.
They have talent: Washington has 15 former No. 1 picks on its roster. Five of them play
on the defensive line. The Redskins also have four former first overall picks. How deep
are the Redskins? Two of those former No. 1 picks aren’t even starting (QB Jeff
George and WR Irving Fryar).
All totaled, Snyder shelled out approximately $50 million in bonuses this offseason.
Once again, in Washington, the future is now.
For his money, Snyder got a pass-rushing end (Bruce Smith), the game’s top cover
corner (Deion Sanders), a solid safety (Mark Carrier) and two rookies who could be in the
lineup for years (LaVar Arrington and Chris Samuels).
"We have backups that could start on any team," said Smith, who spent his
first 15 years in Buffalo.
The Redskins also hired Ray Rhodes as their defensive coordinator. All he must do is
revive a defense that finished 30th overall last year.
"When they brought Ray in, that caught a few guys’ eyes," Carrier said.
"I knew this team was trying to make a serious run at a championship, and I thought,
‘Man, wouldn’t I like to be part of that.’ "
Don’t expect Redskins head coach Norv Turner to buckle under the pressure. Forget
CBS’ little island show; this man is the ultimate survivor. He has entered the past
two seasons as a lame-duck coach. He keeps returning.
"What I feel the pressure to do is to get them ready to play," Turner said.
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade A |
| While George might have the best arm in the NFL, the Redskins
insist Brad Johnson is the better quarterback, providing the necessary championship
intangibles. So there’s no QB controversy. Period. Johnson spreads the wealth in this
offense, throwing for 4,005 yards, 24 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions in his 1999 Pro
Bowl season. Johnson, who is smart and accurate, should be better this season because
he’s more comfortable in the offense. George is quite a backup, having thrown for
2,816 yards and 23 touchdowns in 10 starts for Minnesota last year. He has thrown 147
career touchdown passes. George might throw harder, but Johnson sets up quicker and
delivers the ball earlier. The Redskins believe third-stringer Todd Husak, a sixth-round
pick from Stanford, can develop into a solid quarterback. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade A |
| Pro Bowler Stephen Davis appears fully recovered from a
high-ankle sprain suffered late last season. He’s running hard, lowering his shoulder
and wants to prove that last year’s 1,405-yard season was no fluke. Pass-catching FB
Larry Centers remains a problem for defenses and a help to the wideouts. Adrian Murrell, a
slashing back with three 1,000-yard seasons and 194 receptions on his résumé, has looked
sharp as Davis’ backup. Skip Hicks is running tougher and could be a threat out of
the backfield as well. FB Mike Sellers is an improved blocker and can double as a tight
end if necessary. Top of
page |
| Receivers |
Grade B+ |
| Michael Westbrook and Albert Connell excelled at making big
plays last season. They each averaged 18.3 yards per catch, one of the best figures in the
league. They still need to eliminate the sloppy routes, but they are dangerous and at
least one, probably Westbrook, should exceed 70 catches. Fryar is in much better shape
than a year ago, when he figured he was retired. Fryar became a top third-down threat late
in the season and should fill that role again. James Thrash looks good every summer, but
will he get a chance? Washington doesn’t always need a fourth receiver, not with
Centers and TE Stephen Alexander. The latter caught 29 passes in ’99, a good sum
considering the talent around him. Even if Alexander doesn’t catch many passes, he
remains a threat because of his ability to run a variety of routes. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade B+ |
| One year ago this group was in shambles. Then Jon Jansen
played well at right tackle. And Keith Sims rediscovered himself at left guard. And Tré
Johnson stayed healthy. And they drafted Samuels. Now the Redskins have the makings of a
strong line for several years. Samuels and Sims provide finesse on the left side; Johnson
and Jansen, in his second season, provide the power. Sims sprained his knee at presstime.
C Cory Raymer has been dependable in the past, starting 35 straight games, but he
partially tore two ligaments in his right knee and will miss at least the first four
regular-season games. Inexperienced Mark Fisher will get the nod at center. If Fisher
isn’t capable of handling the job, backup OG Jay Leeuwenburg will be shifted inside
until Raymer can return. Samuels, the third overall pick this spring, received a good
lesson this summer, facing Smith in practice. Samuels needs work as a run blocker but is a
fundamentally sound pass-blocker. OT Andy Heck provides a veteran insurance policy. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade B+ |
| The linemen say Rhodes’ schemes will allow them to
attack rather than hold the line of scrimmage for the linebackers. DTs Dan Wilkinson and
Dana Stubblefield, who reported in excellent shape, know they’re out of excuses. But
they are excited about having more freedom to line up at different angles. They’ll
also line up over center on occasion. Smith should draw attention away from the middle.
Smith can line up wider in the Redskins’ 4-3 front, making his counter inside moves
even more effective. It’s still uncertain how much he’ll play. Marco Coleman has
moved from right end to left, where he says he’s more comfortable. He’ll also
rush from left tackle in some nickel packages. Speed rusher N.D. Kalu has added bulk. This
is a big year for former first-round pick Kenard Lang. Though he’s an end, his
biggest contribution might come while rushing from the inside. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade B- |
| This unit should benefit from a year’s worth of growing
pains. The Redskins also added a huge talent in Arrington, the second overall pick last
April. When he grasps the defense and gets in shape, Washington has another defensive
weapon. Weak-side LB Shawn Barber, in his second season as a starter, is a playmaker. He
might be Washington’s best linebacker this season. MLB Derek Smith, in his fourth
season as a starter but only his second in the middle, is steady if unspectacular. He is
quick, and he’ll often play closer to the ball on run downs. Strong-side LB Greg
Jones also is steady but will someday lose his job to Arrington, who received a $10.75
million signing bonus. Kevin Mitchell and Eddie Mason add depth. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade A |
| They have speed, brains and talent. They even have a nickel
back who could be headed to the Hall of Fame (Darrell Green). If Sanders remains healthy,
Washington has the game’s best cover corner. On the other side, second-year pro Champ
Bailey is a playmaker. Green will play nickel, though Bailey will cover the slot receiver
in those situations. The addition of Sanders has helped Green remain fresh. Carrier is a
solid pass defender — precisely what Washington needed at free safety — and a
leader. SS Sam Shade excels against the run. S Matt Stevens was opportunistic with six
interceptions last season. But he’s often too eager, leading to big negative plays. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade C |
| Longtime returner Brian Mitchell is gone, but Sanders is one
of the most dangerous punt returners in history. Thrash will handle the kick-return duties
and might return an occasional punt. Brett Conway, who made 22-of-32 field-goal attempts
(3-of-9 from 50 yards and beyond) in ’99, will be the placekicker. Tommy Barnhardt
was expected to be the punter. The kick coverage must improve. Long-snapper Joe Zelenka
has struggled this summer. Top of page |
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