Welcome back to The B&G Report! With the final set of OTA’s days away and Mandatory Minicamp less than 2 weeks away, we are inching closer and closer to Training Camp. The social media chatter has calmed down, but Skins fans still have a lot to talk about. The B&G Report asked the readers what questions they’d want to see in an upcoming post. I want to thank all the readers for responding, but only 3 questions would be selected. Today’s questions came from three readers that follow the B&G Report on Twitter. So let’s get to it!
Question #1 comes from @LetsTalkSkins
“How many RB’s do we keep and who do we keep?”
*Well lets start out with who the Redskins keep at running back. Veteran Chris Thompson leads the group as the elder statesman and 3rd down scat back, Thompson was used on 1st & 2nd downs as well though. 2017 4th Round back Samaje Perine also looks to be a roster lock, based on his rookie salary alone. I’ve read a few fans mentioning trading Perine or outright releasing him, on various social media posts. I do understand Perine has ball control issues, but very few Rookie mid round running backs come in resembling a NFL RB their 1st year. Although exceptions to that rule exist. Perine is in no way a lead back, but Guice looks to be the Bell Cow back that Washington has desperately needed for years. Perine will definitely find a different role though, possibly as the Skins Goal Line back. I had his comp during the 2017 Draft, as former Skins running back Gerald Riggs. I know that’s high praise for the second year back, but I still have faith in Perine as a rotational back. The former Oklahoma Sooner has a lot to prove with other prospects breathing down his neck, but I believe he’ll get 2018 as a possible final shot to stick. The previously mentioned Derrius Guice will be the Redskins #1 back. The 2nd round selection was an absolute steal, after previously being projected as a Top 25 Draft prospect. So that’s three backs that are locks to make the team, now the question will be will the Redskins carry 4 RB’s? Coach Gruden has made it known that Robert Kelly looks slimmer/quicker and looked good in OTA’s. After carrying 4 Tight Ends in 2017, that 4th spot will instead go to the RB position in my opinion this season. Gruden has been adamant, that the backup RB’s need to contribute on Special Teams. In no way do I see Kelly in that role, but word is with the kick off return rule adjustments, more players like Kelly could be utlized in coverage units. Let’s be honest though, Kelly doesn’t fit that mold at all and is a better fit at FB. Two other current Redskins RB’s can fill those roles on Special Teams though. ByronMarshall & Kapri Bibbs we’re brought in late during the 2017 season, due to the team’s mounting injuries. The pair also looks to have a legit shot at the 4th RB spot. Personally I really liked what I saw from Bibbs, the Redskins need to strongly consider retaining him. Now for the B&G Report Dark Horse candidate. Many readers know that I previously wrote about one of my favorite small school Draft prospect RB’s back in February. The Redskins just so happened to sign the Grambling back as an UDFA! I’m referring to Martez Carter aka “Mr.Excitement“. Carter is simply dynamic and uses his 5’7 195 lb frame, better than any small school RB that I’ve ever scouted. I truly believe that Carter is the best option at Kick/Punt Returner currently on the roster. Although he’s a long shot, he should be a Practice Squad candidate at worst. Similar to former Skins WR Grant, Kelly is a Gruden favorite so look for him to be the 4th running back.
(Previously mentioned Martez Carter article below)
#2 The next question came from @Eblake981
“Your thoughts on the LG situation re:best player?”
*The recent injury to Arie Kouandijo, clouded the depth at Left Guard for the Redskins. Some had him pegged as the potential starter at LG, but it was not be. UFA Shawn Lauvao was brought back, after an injury riddled career in Washington. As a backup only, I was on board with bringing Lauvao back. The Redskins can’t go into another season with him as the starter though. Personally I believe Arie was the better option at back up guard. I’ve read other Skins fans clamor for second year lineman Tyler Catalina to get a shot at the starting LG position. Personally I don’t see the intrigue in the former Georgia Bulldog. At 6’6 310 Catalina is an imposing figure, but doesn’t display any type of athleticism that the modern day NFL Guards seem to have. Based on film study alone during his time at Georgia and with the Redskins, I came away confused. You ask why confused? I just don’t see how he’s still on an NFL roster! Granted he only played 187 snaps in 2017, those snaps were telling of his ability. He just looks lost and committed too many bone head penalties. Some say he was a rookie and will make those mistakes. I can accept that, but he needs to show something to stick on the 53 man roster and unfortunately athleticism isn’t one of them. This brings me to a player who hasn’t received any kind of hype as a Guard prospect coming out as an UDFA out of Michigan in ’17. That player is Kyle Kalis and at 6’4 310 lb he can really move! The former Wolverines wasn’t given much of an opportunity to compete in 2017. Kalis is this year’s B&G Report Diamond in the Rough, so stay Tuned for more on him in a future post! In the end Lauvao probably starts at LG, based on his knowledge of the system and experience.
(Pre-Draft YouTube Video Below)
#3 The Final question comes from @ian_Cummings_9
“What role do you think Orlando Scandrick wil eventually take? I know they’ve used him both on the inside and in the slot?”
* I wasn’t a big fan of bringing in Orlando Scandrick from the start, but I understand the Redskins thought process. They envisioned Bashaud Breeland moving on in ’18, thus drafting CB Fabian Moreau in 2017 became imperative. I doubt Redskins team brass ever envisioned loosing Kendall Fuller as well though. So finding a veteran corner quickly became a need. I was on board with signing former Giant CB DRC when he visited Redskins Park, but per reports the Skins and DRC were far apart when it came to guaranteed money. In the previous post about the potential impact of second year corner Fabian Moreau, I made note that Scandrick’s financial impact was minimal. ESPN Redskins Insider clarified the details.
Corner Orlando Scandrick received a $1 million signing bonus from Washington, but there’s no other guaranteed money in his two-year contract. He’ll count $2.6 million vs the salary cap in 2018 and $4.25 million in 2019.”
Based on reports, the Redskins currently have Scandrick pencilled in as the #2 corner, opposite Norman and sliding into the slot on 3rd down with Dunbar playing the two. I just don’t see that depth chart lasting long. The former Cowboy corner just can’t stay healthy and is on the wrong side of thirty. I am impressed with his football IQ and game tape, prior to the start of his injury riddled half decade stretch. I think Moreau takes the job by Week #6 at the latest. Dunbar will play the two in base defense and slide into the slot on 3rd down. I think Dunbar could have a lot of success playing the slot and love Moreau’s physicality as the potential #2 corner. In the end if Norman doesn’t have a great year, the aforementioned duo could be the 2019 starters at cornerback. In saying that I expect a corner to be drafted high in 2019. So to wrap up my long winded answer, Scandrick will probably play mostly slot until the inevitable injury strikes and he once again ends up on IR. If a decent younger veteran corner becomes available after the inevitable offseason cuts occur, look for the Skins to move on from Scandrick with next to no CAP hit.
Thanks for checking out another edition of The B&G Report. Stay Tuned for player analysis, OTA News/Updates and much much more! Enjoy the weekend Redskins Nation!
HTTR 🏹🏈
Written By Adam Aniba
*Credit to Redskins.com and 247sports.com for player photos*