2014 Washington Redskins Preview
Entering his first season as a NFL head coach, Jay Gruden takes over a Redskins team that finished the 2013 season with a record of 3-13. The biggest issue facing Gruden is the continued development of Quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Under the offense of former head coach Mike Shanahan, Griffin was given free rein to run during his rookie season of 2012, and led the Redskins to the playoffs. That free rein led to Griffin tearing his ACL in the Divisional Playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks. The injury caused Griffin to miss all of the 2013, offseason and preseason.
Griffin struggled in his return from injury. The quarterback that won the Heisman Trophy at Baylor and led the Redskins to the playoffs was no more. Griffin was a step slower, hesitant to run, and susceptible to injury as he missed the last three games of the 2013 season. As a result of his poor sophomore season there are many questions about his health and ability to lead the Redskins back to playoffs.
Gruden has made it clear since taking the job that Griffin will be a pocket passer. The offense will use less of the zone read scheme that Griffin ran so well in 2012. Throughout the preseason Griffin struggled in the offense, completing 13 passes in 20 attempts for 141 yards with zero touchdowns and four interceptions in three games.
Griffin’s back up Kirk Cousins, also entering his third season, flourished during the preseason. Cousins finished up the preseason, completing 35 passes in 54 attempts for 370 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
The question of a quarterback controversy for the 2014 season is a possibility. Griffin controls his own destiny entering the season. He has to prove not only to his doubters but to Gruden that he is worthy of starting for the Redskins and leading them to the playoffs. If Griffin fails to do this, Gruden will face a public uproar to start Cousins.
The weapons available to the Quarterback in Gruden’s offense are laden with explosiveness and talent. At the Wide Receiver positions the Redskins have a nice mix of size and speed. Newly acquired DeSean Jackson can turn a game around with one play, with his speed and deep ball catching skills.
At the other receiver position, Pierre Garcon should benefit greatly from Jackson’s arrival. Defenses will no longer be able to double team Garcon in underneath coverage. Andre Roberts, a free agent signing from the Arizona Cardinals, and rookie Ryan Grant, from Tulane, provide another challenge for opposing defenses.
Tight End Jordan Reed enters his second season, after providing a boost to the offense last season, with his quickness and excellent hands. Reed, a third round pick from the University of Florida, uses his size and maneuverability to consistently beat defenders in the receiving game.
Along with all the weapons through the air add into the offensive mix the second leading rusher in the NFL last season, Alfred Morris. Morris is a power back with finesse. He has the ability to carry the Redskins on his back. The offensive line, which provides the running lanes for Morris is led by Pro Bowl Tackle Trent Williams. The line appears to be healthy and more experienced than last season.
With all the weapons available to Gruden in the offense playbook, it is no wonder that so much pressure is on Robert Griffin entering the 2014 season.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett returns for his fifth season with the Redskins. As one of the few holdovers from the Shanahan staff, Haslett’s defense struggled at times last season finishing 17th in the NFL in total defense. Haslett’s unit has historically been solid against the run.
The Redskins’ defense is faced with the challenge of replacing linebacker London Fletcher who retired after last season. Fletcher will be replaced by Keenan Robison a third year player that the Redskins drafted in the fourth round in 2012.
The team used its first draft pick to select Outside Linebacker Trent Murphy out of Stanford in the second round. Murphy who is a pass rush specialist will compete alongside already established veterans Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.
The addition of free agent Jason Hatcher from the Dallas Cowboys helps Haslett solidify an already strong defensive line. Hatcher, a pro bowler last season, brings both power and speed to the defensive end position.
In the secondary the biggest question marks exist. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall led the team last season with four interceptions. Hall is entering his eleventh season and has struggled at times during the preseason in man to man coverage. Safety Brandon Meriweather will miss the first two games of the season for an illegal hit on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith. Both Hall and Meriweather have to come up big this season if the defense wants to keep the offense in the game.
The Redskins entering the 2014 season seems like déjà vu. The season will mark the sixth time in fourteen years that a new head coach steps onto the sidelines. The road to the Super bowl is always open to all teams come week one of the regular season. The Redskins have many obstacles facing them, two of those obstacles exist in the Quarterback position and the secondary.
