Predict your 53 man roster for your 2012 Washington Redskins

[SonnyandSam]

I don't get the "love" for Rackers. Gano was more accurate than Rackers the last two years, has longer kickoffs, longer hang time and more touchbacks. Rackers is old and on the decline. Gano is getting better each year. You can't hold the five blocks against Gano. Every single block was the fault of the line; not Gano.

[Win4us]

Dumb question here but can 2nd year players be put on the practice squad?

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Dumb question here but can 2nd year players be put on the practice squad?

Not a dumb question at all bro' given the multitude of different league rules.

Unless anythings changed in the new CBA, players could be on a practice squad upto three years, provided they'd not had a years experience, which I think is 6 games or more; on an active roster, or been IR'd/ PUP. There's probably more in's and out's, but that's the bare bones as I recall.

Hail.

[Win4us]

Not a dumb question at all bro' given the multitude of different league rules.

Unless anythings changed in the new CBA, players could be on a practice squad upto three years, provided they'd not had a years experience, which I think is 6 games or more; on an active roster, or been IR'd/ PUP. There's probably more in's and out's, but that's the bare bones as I recall.

Hail.

Right on, good info to know.

Was mainly curious for guys like Hurt, Polumbus and Smith being practice squad material or not. Interesting o-line competition for sure, gotta love it.

[zCommander]

Who's our punter?

Rex Grossman.

How is that for my prediction.

[Timmy Smith]

I don't get the "love" for Rackers. Gano was more accurate than Rackers the last two years, has longer kickoffs, longer hang time and more touchbacks. Rackers is old and on the decline. Gano is getting better each year. You can't hold the five blocks against Gano. Every single block was the fault of the line; not Gano.

There's love for Rackers because that's not true. Neil Rackers made 90% of his FGs in 2010 and 84% in 2011. Gano made 69% of FGs in 2010 and kicked at 76% last season.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2300/neil-rackers

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/12460/graham-gano

[DC9]

Wow... nobody has Doug Worthington making the 53 yet. Hmmm... almost time to open up the old bet book....

---------- Post added April-29th-2012 at 05:07 PM ----------

There's love for Rackers because that's not true. Neil Rackers made 90% of his FGs in 2010 and 84% in 2011. Gano made 69% of FGs in 2010 and kicked at 76% last season.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2300/neil-rackers

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/12460/graham-gano

And Graham was one of the most accurate ever and got smoked by Gano. Rackers may win the job, but if you take the blocks away (not count them as makes or misses) Gano was one of the better young kickers in the league. I'd like to give him one more year. Veterans aren't going anywhere.

[Pick6]

I think Kirk Cousins will be on the PS his first year and we only carry 2 QB on the active roster. I don't think Hightower is back and Morris will make the 53 roster.

[Jericho]

I think Kirk Cousins will be on the PS his first year and we only carry 2 QB on the active roster. I don't think Hightower is back and Morris will make the 53 roster.

Cousins will almost certainly be claimed if he's waived

[NeckBone]

Cousins will almost certainly be claimed if he's waived

this

[terpfan]

QB (3): R. Griffin III, R. Grossman, K. Cousins

- This one would seem pretty set at the moment. Cousins is too valuable to drop but he likely won't be counted on as the primary backup unless he really shines in camp.

HB (3): R. Helu, E. Royster, A. Morris

- Still wouldn't be shocked to see Hightower brought back, but at the moment these are the three I see us keeping. All young, all capable 3rd down backs. Morris' value would be in short yardage.

FB (1): D. Young

- No real competition for young on the roster at the moment.

WR (5): P. Garcon, L. Hankerson, J. Morgan, S. Moss, T. Austin

- I can't see Brandon Banks sticking around for another year unless he can prove his worth outside of just returning kicks. Moss and/or Austin are capable in this role if neither of the 3rd round kick returning DBs sticks. And I know Austin is far from a lock but I'm still a fan. I'm ready for Armstrong to be gone. And keep an eye on the often forgotten Aldrick Robinson...

TE (4): F. Davis, C. Cooley, L. Paulsen, N. Paul

- Despite Paul switching to tight end (apparently) I would be surprised if that might the end for Paulsen. We will probably want to have at least one blocking TE on the roster, and Cooley and Davis certainly aren't that. For that matter, Cooley himself is far from safe.

OT (4): T. Williams, J. Brown, J. Lee, W. Smith

- I like the rookie Compton but I think he might be a bit of a project we try to stash on the practice squad. James Lee is getting slept on a little bit. I think he's a solid backup who could push Brown for playing time. Polumbus will compete for a spot too - we have a lot of competition here.

OG (4): K. Lichensteiger, C. Chester, J. LeRibeus, A. Gettis

- Maurice Hurt showed a little bit of promise last year but he's far from a lock over the two rookies. All depends on how they play.

C (1): W. Montgomery

- I've never been too impressed by Erik Cook. Lichtensteiger and Chester can both play center if something happens to Monty.

Total: 25 Offense

DE (5): S. Bowen, A. Carriker, J. Jenkins, D. Scott, K. Golston

- The first three are locks. Scott is solid and I expect him to stick around. Doug Worthington and maybe an undrafted rookie or two will battle Golston for the last spot.

NT (2): B. Cofield, C. Nield

- Neild had an impressive rookie year and has to be look at as the favorite to backup Cofield. Only other NT on the roster at the moment in journeyman Chris Baker.

OLB (4): B. Orakpo, R. Kerrigan, R. Jackson, M. White

- I really like what I saw from White in his rookie season. Chris Wilson's return is intriguing but he barely played last season and will need to prove he still has it.

ILB (5): L. Fletcher, P. Riley, L. Alexander, B. Kehl, K. Robinson

- Alexander will probably most play special teams where he excels. I expected Kehl to be the primary backup while Robinson learns behind Fletch and maybe plays on special teams and in some nickel situations.

CB (5): D. Hall, J. Wilson , K. Barnes, C. Griffin, B. Thompson

- This will be one of the more interesting position battles to watch. After Hall and Wilson, nobody is guaranteed a spot. And hell, even Hall with his big contract isn't completely safe.

S (4): T. Jackson, B. Meriweather, D. Gomes, M. Williams

- I like what I'm reading about the rookie Bernstine, but he's probably a practice squad guy to start.

Total: 25 Defense

K (1): G. Gano

- I think Gano has a slight edge over Rackers to start, but this might come down to preseason performance.

P (1): S. Rocca

- Only punter in camp. Earned that with his play last year.

LS (1): N. Sundberg

- Was much improved last year after a shaky rookie campaign.

Total: 3 Special Teams

[Backpack3r]

Can Rackers kick the ball hard enough to have consistently touchbacks on kickoffs like Gano? That should also be a consideration.

Uhh yes considering they moved the ball to the 35 and anyone can kick it through the end zone

[AlvinWaltonIsMyBoy]

I always thought Rackers was a good kicker, no? I think Graham is toast.

[Jericho]

I always thought Rackers was a good kicker, no? I think Graham is toast.

Generally, yes. Like most young kickers, Rackers sucked at the beginning of his career. His first two season he posted kicking percentages of 57.1 % and 60.7 %. Since then, his yearly FG % has moved anywhere from 70% to 95.2%. His career rate is at 80 %. The number one rule on kickers is to know they are not consistent from year to year on FG conversions. But Rackers' FG percentage has been reasonably strong the last 4 seasons (albeit kicking in relatively easy conditions in Houston and Arizona - warm weather/domed stadiums).

The two biggest negatives on Rackers are that he'll be 36 before next season and poor kickoff distance.

I don't know what kind of contract Rackers got, but the general feeling was there was little interest around the league. Given Rackers' shortcomings, I'd favor Gano in any match-up. But its far from certain.

[Pick6]

Cousins will almost certainly be claimed if he's waived

Oh yeah, I forgot about that part.

[Reaper 21]

Qb

Rg3

Rex

Cousins

Rb

Helu

Royster

Morris

Fb

Young

Wr

Garçon

Hankerson

Moss

Morgan

Gaffney

Robinson

Te

Davis

Paul

Hickson(Denver 2nd rd pick) might not be Hickson can't remeber

Lt

Trent

Smith

Lg

Lich

LeRebreus

C

Monty

Gettis

Rg

Chester

Hurt

Rt

Polumbus

Compton

Le

Carriker

Jenkins

Re

Bowen

Golston

Nt

Cofield

Neil's

Olb

Kerrigan

Wilson

White

Orakpo

Alexander

ILB

Fletcher

Riley

Robinson

Cb

Wilson

Hall

Griffin

Westbrook

Thompson

Minnifield

Fs

Jackson

Barnes

Ss

Gomes

Bernstein

K

Gano

P

Rocca

[skinny21]

Dc9 - good call on Worthington... I love the competition we're going to have this year.

Terpfan - good list. Best one so far. I'm guessing they keep Banks, unless Robinson proves himself; both as a Wr and a return man.

Jericho - great breakdown of Gano vs. Graham.

Back to the competition the FO has brought in - I'm extremely pumped to see this play out.

4 spots on the o-line are open, 2 TE spots (or 3 if keep 4), multiple Wr and corner spots... It goes on almost across the board. This will be the season the team really takes shape. I can honestly say that I feel really comfortable with our depth and most of our starters. I used to be really worried about injuries. Not anymore. Heck, even if Griffin goes down (as bad as I'll feel for him) I'll be happy to watch Cousins get his chance to play (I would rather not see Grossman play at all). It feels like a tryout year.

This is going to be a fun year to watch... and it's just going to get better.

[DCchillin89]

Griffin/Grossman/Cousins

If Griffin misses any time, we go with Cousins

Helu/Royster/Morris

Roy and Evan are used in a rotation ala the Philly game. Morris for 3rd down/pass pro/goal line. Essentially THT's role

Young/Cooley

Young as the primary FB. Cooley used like an H back/goal line. Let him go next year. Similar to what we did with Sellars.

Davis/Paul/Paulsen

I believe we'll see a lot of different sets using all three of our TE's and H back. Fred's obviously the number 1

Garcon/Hankerson/Morgan/Moss/Austin

Austin stays on because of special teams value

Williams/Lee

Lichtensteiger/LeReibus/Gettis

Montgomery

Chester/Hurt

Brown/Smith

Offense: 26

Bowen/Golston

Coefield/Neild

Emergence of Jarvis Jenkins and re-sign of Carriker allows us to keep only 2 NTs

Jenkins/Carriker

Orakpo/White

Fletcher/Robinson

Riley/Kehl/Alexander

Kerrigan/Wilson

Hall/Wilson/Griffin/Torrence/Thompson

Merriweather/Gomes

Jackson/Williams

Defense: 24

Gano

Rocca

Sundberg

Practice Squad:

Compton

Minnifield

Lewis

Bernstein

[Koolblue13]

Year three and we have a solid team, full of young talented hungry players who've been captains of their college teams and without character concerns, with depth at every position.

Hey NFL, we're back!

[bulldog]

Disagree. Brandon Banks won't be on the opening day roster.

This year the Redskins will be carrying a #3 quarterback and will most likely carry an extra OL based upon the 3 draft picks and the younger players they have coming back from last season.

That eliminates the 'free' roster spot(s) that the team used to employ a return specialist that didn't have a regular position on offense or defense.

And let's be honest. Banks has been less effective as time has gone on. Those first 8-10 games his rookie season he took the league by surprise, but he has been hurt and then marginalized by the coverage schemes.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

QB:

RGIII/Grossman/Cousins

RB:

Helu/Royster/Morris

FB:

Young

WR:

Garcon

Hankerson

Morgan

Moss

Armstrong

Robinson

TE:

Davis/Cooley/Paul

T: Williams/Smith/Brown/Compton

G:Lich/Chester/LeRibeus/Gettis/Hurt

C:Montgomery

Total: 26

DE: Jenkins, Carriker, Bowen, Golston, Worthington

DT: Cofield/Nield

OLB: Orakpo, Kerrigan, White, Jackson

ILB: Fletcher, Riley, Robinson, Kehl

CB: Wilson, Hall, Griffin, Barnes, Thompson

FS: Jackson/Williams

SS: Meriweather/Gomes

24:

K: Gano

P: Rocca

LS: Sundberg

3

[bulldog]

Meriweather won't make the final roster. Showed poor judgment and has had too much baggage in his past to believe this is an isolated incident.

If the Redskins release Moss or Cooley (more likely Moss at this point) the cap room will be there to allow the team to jettison Meriweather which they will do.

With Trent Williams and Fred Davis on probation now and facing a one year ban if they screw up again, Shanahan needs to get any bad apples off the roster.

After promising the Redskins his troubles were behind him, Meriweather evidently is still in free fall.

Besides, the NFL is going to suspend him for the first 4 games of the season in any event. We need guys that can play 16 games.

Remember Buchanon last year? He missed the first quarter of the season and was never able to catch up and ended up ineffective then off the roster.

[benskins26]

^ I like this one. I'll second.

[skinny21]

Does Barnes play ST? If not, I have to wonder if he makes the cut. If Griffin takes the third corner spot, then I think Westbrook or Torrence make it over Barnes due to teams play.

[bulldog]

Westbrook is a free agent and has not been in talks with the Redskins about returning to the team. I think Washington has definitely moved on after trying to develop him the past 4 seasons.

Westbrook like Barnes simply hasn't improved enough to be a legitimate backup corner in the NFL that the team could count on in spread formations or as a spot-starter if Wilson or Hall misses time.