While an NFL training camp showcases a player’s talent differently than a regular season game does, it’s certainly entertaining and informative. Coaches (and attending fans) can see the talent and potential of the players. This obviously helps them assess — and then make decisions about — who will remain on the roster. Any guy who makes an NFL roster is a good football player and all are important to their team. But there are some who are integral to the success of their franchise.
Being down in Richmond at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center provides a great opportunity to see the players working with and against each other. Lake Lewis and I were doing so yesterday and while there, we decided to list the top-10 most important players in 2013 for this Redskins team.
It was difficult. So, difficult, in fact, that there are a few slots where just one guy could not be plugged in and left at that. Football is a team game, which is why one guy alone cannot be THE most important player on the team — except perhaps for quarterback Robert Griffin, III. But there are some guys whose presence on the field will make a huge impact and that was the basis for our selections.
Note: We found our lists were similar but did disagree on a few slots. In a couple instances, we had to agree to disagree.
CHESEBROUGH |
LEWIS |
| 10. Kai Forbath – His accurate kicks could save a lot of games and boost the special teams… especially with the loss of Lorenzo Alexander and ST coach, Danny Smith. Sometimes three points is all a team needs to get the “W” and Forbath only missed one field goal out of 18 attempts in 2012. The other day in practice, the former Bruin made kicks of 53 and 58 yards. The two kicks were dead-center through the uprights. | 10. Kai Forbath/Kirk Cousins – Forbath came on the scene last year to give the Redskins their most consistent kicker in recent memory. He will be counted on to add points for a potent offense. |
| 9. Barry Cofield – The push up the middle wasn’t as strong as it should have been last year. With a healthy secondary, Cofield can do what he does best and that’s push people around and collapse pockets. That will leave Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo to get after the opposing QBs. | 9. David Amerson/Bacarri Rambo/Phillip Thomas – This is an instance where more than one player had to be listed. The team desperately needs one of them to step up and start. If they can get that from two of their rookies, than that would be a slam dunk of a draft. |
| 8. London Fletcher – If he can maintain his amazing health, he will be a stabilizing influence on the rookies and second-year guys both on the field and in the locker room. | 8. Ryan Kerrigan – With Brian Orakpo back, look for Kerrigan to wreak havoc on opposing QB’s and also provide solid coverage against the bigger tight ends in the league |
| 7. Brian Orakpo – if he returns to his Pro Bowl form, it will take the pressure off of Ryan Kerrigan. Who knows what the two of them can do as bookends? It will also give the front three the time to do their thing and enable the secondary as ball hawks. | 7. Fred Davis – Coming off of an Achilles injury, this will be a make-or-break season for Davis. When healthy, he possesses the tools very few in his position have to catch-and-run. |
| 6. Fred Davis – a matchup nightmare for defenses if he’s healthy, Davis excels at making yards-after-catch. Additionally, adding him to the guys who stepped in last season (Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul), and you’ve got serious depth at the position. | 6. Trent Williams – Williams has blossomed into the dominate Pro Bowl left tackle that the team envisioned when they drafted him in the first round. His sole job is to keep Robert Griffin clean and lead the way for Alfred Morris. |
| 5. Phillip Thomas/Bacarri Rambo – strength in the secondary is what was missing last season. Ball hawks and disrupters to receivers will help the defensive line as well. One of the rookies needs to step up this season. | 5. London Fletcher – The old man in the middle has been playing every day for his entire career but the end is coming rather quickly. His presence and leadership will keep a young team grounded in their pursuit of the ultimate goal. |
| 4. Pierre Garçon – The Redskins lost only one game in which this wide out played. Given that statistic, if he stays healthy and last year was any indication, the Redskins could go 13-3. | 4. Pierre Garçon – See Game 1 vs. New Orleans to start the season last year to see the impact this receiver had on a young Griffin and the offense. With him in the line-up the team was 8-2 without him they were 0-4. His big play capabilities can’t be duplicated. Look for a healthy garcon to catch 90+ balls this year. |
| 3. Alfred Morris – Morris running well will take the pressure off of Griffin. When his O-line gives him a 3-inch crease, he turns it into a 15-yard gain. Until defenses can consistently find out a way to combat the Redskins’ scheme, Morris and Griffin on the field together will send opposing linebackers and secondary’s into mental overload. | 3. Brian Orakpo – For everyone that says he is one dimensional, recall that without him on the field last year, the defense took a step backwards. The emergence of Rob Jackson in his place softened the blow but there was not an adequate pass rush. At full strength, teams need to game-planned for him. This should open up more opportunities for others. |
| 2. Trent Williams – protecting Griffin is going to be vital, no matter whom his weapons are. Making holes for the running backs and keeping RGIII safe in the pocket is paramount. This will open up the offense. | 2. Alfred Morris – A diamond in the rough last year, Morris’ abilities made first defenders miss and the seconds suffer for trying to come in for the tackle. He has the ability to add to his game. If he ever becomes an every-down back he could be amongst the league’s elite for years to come. |
| 1. Robert Griffin, III – Anyone with a brain knows what this young man means to the Washington Redskins. Backup QB, Kirk Cousins is talented but has neither Griffin’s speed nor his football acuity. RGIII is a natural leader and a smart football player. He learned a lot last season about protecting himself and it will show this year. There won’t be any sophomore slump for this young superstar. | 1. Robert Griffin, III – Coming off of a serious leg injury, the team’s hopes ride on his every step. If he is 100% healthy, there is no stopping this offense or the team as a whole. Not many players can match his athletic ability and sheer will to succeed. Last season he orchestrated the third-highest offense and didn’t even play every game. When on the field, the sky’s the limit for this team. |
This young team has a lot of talent now and most of the players come from winning programs. The culture has made a 180 turn-around… losing is just not an option anymore.
Hail.