34-year old Mike Sellers is back for another year of blocking and catching passes in 2010 for the Redskins.  Sellers is a big guy at 6’3″, 260 pounds and he used to be a TE so he’s a good blocker and receiver.  Sellers played in 15 games (7 starts) for the Skins last season and he caught 17 passes for 176 yards (10.4 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He has now played in 145 games (55 starts) in his NFL career in which he carried the ball 46 times for 156 yards (3.4 ypc) with 3 TD carries.  Sellers has also caught 102 passes for 856 yards (8.4 avg) with 18 TD grabs in his career.  Look for Sellers to continue being an asset to the Redskins in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE REDSKINS FBs in 2010:  B

The Redskins have three very experienced and solid RBs at the top of the depth chart heading into training camp.  It appears that 28-year old Clinton Portis would be at the top of the pecking order due to seniority in Washington.  He played in 8 games (all starts) for the Redskins last season in which he carried the ball 124 times for 494 yards (4.0 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Portis also caught 9 passes for 57 yards (6.3 avg) with 1 TD grab last season.  Portis has now played in 108 games (103 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 2,176 times for 9,696 yards (4.5 ypc) with 73 TD runs.  He has also caught 242 passes for 1,963 yards (8.1 avg) with 5 TD grabs in his career.  Portis also has two years of experience playing under head coach Mike Shanahan so he could suddenly excel again due to the zone blocking scheme.

30-year old Larry Johnson is trying to get his career back on the right path.  He played in 14 games (7 starts) for the Bengals & Chiefs last season in which he carried the ball 178 times for 581 yards (3.3 ypc).  He also caught 15 passes for 80 yards (5.3 avg) last year.  Johnson has now played in 82 games (55 starts) in his seven years in the NFL in which he has carried the ball 1,421 times for 6,219 yards (4.4 ypc) with 55 TD runs.  Johnson has also caught 154 passes for 1,373 yards (8.9 avg) with 6 TD grabs in his career.  Johnson hasn’t been the same player he was early in his career lately but that could change in the Redskins’ new offense.

29-year old Willie Parker adds some speed to this unit.  He played in 14 games (3 starts) for the Steelers last season and he carried the ball 98 times for 389 yards (4.0 ypc).  Parker also caught 6 passes for 64 yards (10.7 avg) with 1 TD grab last year.  Parker has now played in 79 games (60 starts) in his six years in the NFL and he has carried the ball 1,253 times for 5,378 yards (4.3 ypc) with 24 TD runs.  Parker also has caught 84 passes for 697 yards (8.3 avg) with 5 TD grabs in his NFL career.  Parker, like Johnson and Portis, has been a featured back in the NFL giving the Redskins tremendous depth at RB.

23-year old Ryan Torain didn’t play at all last season.  He played in 2 games (1 start) in Mike Shanahan’s last year with the Broncos and he carried the ball 15 times for 69 yards (4.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Torain has been brittle in his football career but Coach Shanahan sees something he likes in the kid.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE REDSKINS RBs in 2010:  B

Personally I think that Jason Campbell held back the offense of the Redskins a bit.  With Donovan McNabb now on board I see the Redskins having a solid offense in 2010.  The 33-year old Donovan McNabb played in 14 games for the Eagles last year and he completed 267 of 443 passes (60.3%) for 3,553 yards with 22 TD passes and 10 INTs (92.9 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 37 times for 140 yards (3.8 ypc) with 2 TD carries last year.  McNabb has now played in 148 games in his NFL career and he has completed 2,801 of 4,746 (59%) passes for 32,873 yards with 216 TD passes and 100 INTs (86.5 QB Rating).  McNabb has also carried the ball 573 times for 3,249 yards (5.7 ypc) with 28 TD runs in his career.  McNabb has a 92-49-1 (65.2%) record as a starting QB as he is a winner.  He can still make all of the throws and his legs are still good enough to buy him some time when needed.

29-year old Rex Grossman’s game is throwing the long ball.  He played in 1 game for the Texans last season and he completed 3 of 9 passes (33.3%) for 33 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (33.0 QB Rating).  Grossman also carried the ball 3 times for 9 yards (3.0 ypc) last year.  Grossman has now played in 37 games in his NFL career and he has completed 524 of 971 passes (54%) for 6,197 yards with 33 TD passes and 36 INTs (69.5 QB Rating).  Grossman has also carried the ball 58 times for 89 yards (1.5 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his career.  Despite his sub par numbers passing the ball, Grossman has been a winner in the NFL compiling a 19-12 (61.3%) record as a starting QB.  He has also led a team to the Super Bowl only to fall to Peyton Manning and his Colts.

26-year old Colt Brennan enters camp with a slight edge on 27-year old Richard Bartel for the #3 QB job.  Neither of them has played in a regular season game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE REDSKINS QBs in 2010:  A-

The Redskins wanted to improve at QB this off-season but it just didn’t happen.  They tried to get Mark Sanchez or Jay Cutler in trades but they will be running out Jason Campbell again in 2009.  Campbell is a big, strong QB but he just hasn’t improved despite getting a lot of snaps.  He has a strong enough arm to make all of the throws and he has enough elusiveness to evade the pass rush, but, it just seems that something is missing with him and I can’t put my fingers on it.  Todd Collins is back as Campbell’s caddy and he is a solid backup.  He’s a smart guy with enough arm to get by if pressed into duty.  Colt Brennan will battle undrated rookie Chase Daniel for the #3 job.  Brennan has the leg up here having a whole season under his belt.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  C

26-year old Shaun Suisham came into last season with very little experience but he did a solid job for the Redskins.  Suisham played in all 16 games for the Redskins last year and he made 29 of 35 (82.9%) field goals.  He also made 29 of 30 extra points last year.  Look for him to build on a solid season and the Redskins need him to because they can’t afford to leave points on the field.  Suisham has now played in 27 games in his NFL career and he has connected on 41 of 50 (82%) field goal attempts.  Suisham also has made 51 of 52 extra points (98.1%) in his career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The Redskins added a talented rookie (Fred Davis) to an already good crew of TEs making this a very potent unit.  26-year old Chris Cooley is the main man in the passing game for the Redskins.  He played in all 16 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 66 passes for 786 yards (11.9 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Look for Cooley to have solid numbers again as Jason Campbell always looks for him when he’s in trouble.  Cooley has now played in 64 games in his NFL career and he has caught 231 passes for 2,608 yards (11.3 avg) with 27 TD grabs.

22-year old Fred Davis will be the #2 TE for the Redskins as a rookie.  He is a good receiver which is what the Redskins were looking for.  Davis played in 13 games (all starts) last season for USC and he caught 62 passes for 881 yards (14.2 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Look for Davis to catch 25-30 passes as a rookie in 2008 for the Redskins.  Davis finished his career at USC playing in 48 games (26 starts) in which he caught 117 passes for 1,408 yards (12.0 avg) with 13 TD grabs.

30-year old Todd Yoder is a run blocking TE who helps out on special teams.  Yoder played in 15 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 7 passes for 97 yards (13.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Don’t look for Yoder to get much playing time on offense unless Cooley or Davis get injured.  Yoder has now played in 102 games in his NFL career and he has caught 36 passes for 401 yards (11.1 avg) with 4 TD grabs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B+

The Redskins drafted two big receivers (Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly) last April and they should provide a nice balance with the mighty mites (Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle-El).  Santana Moss is the home run hitter for the Redskins as he is lightning fast and he’s tough for his size.  Moss played in 14 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 61 passes for 808 yards (13.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 13 yards (4.3 ypc) last season.  Moss will likely not have to venture over the middle of the field much with Thomas and Kelly aboard for 2008 which should help him limit the beating he usually has to take.  Moss should have a huge 2008 season as long as he can stay healthy.  Moss has now played in 95 games in his NFL career and he has caught 351 passes for 5,497 yards (15.7 avg) with 37 TD grabs.  Moss has also carried the football 37 times for 219 yards (5.9 ypc) in his career.

28-year old Antwaan Randle El is a unique weapon as he can catch the ball, throw the ball, run the ball and return kicks.  Randle El played in 15 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 51 passes for 728 yards (14.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also carried the ball 4 times for -3 yards (-0.8 ypc) last season.  Look for Randle El to catch less passes in 2008 but for the Redskins to use him more on gadget plays which are usually effective when he is involved.  Randle El has now played in 95 games in his NFL career and he has caught 245 passes for 3,091 yards (12.6 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  Randle El also has carried the football 77 times for 431 yards (5.6 ypc) in his career.  Look for Randle El to throw the ball a few times this season as he’s very effective when doing it.  He has completed 17 of 21 passes (81%) in his NFL career for 235 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 interceptions (152.9 QB Rating).

Rookies Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly will likely be the #3 and #4 WRs for the Redskins this season.  Thomas is 6’2″, 218 pounds but he doesn’t have a lot of playing experience.  He played in 13 games (12 starts) at Michigan State last season and he caught 79 passes for 1,260 yards (15.9 avg) with 8 TD grabs.  Thomas might have a harder learning curve than Kelly because doesn’t have the same amount of experience.  But, he no doubt has big time talent and the Redskins’ offense will benefit from having him on board.  Thomas finished his career at Michigan State having played in 23 games (12 starts) in which he caught 85 passes for 1,350 yards (15.9 avg) with 9 TD grabs.

6’4″, 219 pound Malcolm Kelly is a physical specimen and he should definately help bring toughness to the Redskins’ WR corps.  Kelly played in 14 games (12 starts) at Oklahoma and he caught 49 passes for 821 yards (16.8 avg) with 9 TD grabs.  Look for Kelly to have a good rookie season for the Redskins as I’m betting on him to be the #3 WR in 2008.  Kelly finished his career at Oklahoma playing in 39 games (31 starts) in which he caught 144 passes for 2,285 yards (15.9 avg) with 21 TD grabs.

33-year old James Thrash is still around for the Redskins.  The old vet appears to be slowing down a bit at his advancing age.  Thrash played in 12 games for the Redskins last season and he caught 9 passes for 107 yards (11.9 avg) with 2 TD grabs.  He’s just trying to hang onto his job now and it might be hard to do with all of the talented kids the Redskins have brought in.  Thrash has now played in 149 games in his NFL career and he has caught 281 passes for 3,565 yards (12.7 avg) with 21 TD grabs.  Thrash has also carried the ball 41 times for 362 yards (8.8 ypc) with 2 TD runs in his career.

25-year old Anthony Mix will likely battle Thrash for 1 roster spot.  Mix is a big guy at 6’5″, 235 pounds but he was caught in a numbers game with the Giants.  He played in only 4 games last season (his first in the NFL) for the Giants and he caught 3 passes for 39 yards (13.o avg).

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  C+

Mike Sellers doesn’t get much fanfare but he’s a big part of the offense.  He is a huge guy at 6’3″, 284 pounds and it’s like having an extra guard on the field with him in the game.  Sellers played in 14 games (12 starts) with the Redskins last season and he carried the ball 26 times for 78 yards (3.0 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 17 passes for 117 yards (6.9 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for Sellers to have another good season doing the dirty work for the Redskins’ offense.  Sellers has now played in 115 games (41 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 40 times for 132 yards (3.3 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He has also caught 73 passes for 582 yards (8.0 avg) with 15 TD grabs in his career.

Nehemiah Broughton will likely be the backup at fullback for the Redskins in 2008.  The 5’11″, 255 pound Broughton did not play at all last season.  He has played in 6 games (0 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1 time for 3 yards.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B

The Redskins have a nice corps of running backs set up for the 2008 season.  Clinton Portis is the main running back for the Redskins and he is a really good all around back.  He played in 16 games (all starts) for the Redskins last season and he carried the ball 325 times for 1,262 yards (3.9 ypc) with 11 TD runs.  He also caught 47 passes for 389 yards (8.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Portis should add to his impressive career numbers this season for the Skins.  Portis has now played in 84 games (79 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 1,710 times for 7,715 yards (4.5 ypc) with 63 TD runs.  He also has caught 205 passes for 1,688 yards (8.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs.

Ladell Betts would be a starting running back for most teams in the NFL but not the Redskins.  He’s a very skilled back who can handle a heavy workload if something were to happen to Portis.  Betts played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Redskins last season and he carried the ball 93 times for 335 yards (3.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He also caught 21 passes for 174 yards (8.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Look for Betts to add to his career numbers as he begins to count down the days until he can become a free agent and make the big money.  Betts has now played in 80 games (11 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 659 times for 2,760 yards (4.2 ypc) with 10 TD runs.  He has also caught 126 passes for 1,126 yards (8.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

Rock Cartwright is a talented back but he’s firmly behind Portis and Betts on the depth chart so he doesn’t get much of a chance to show what he can do on offense.  He played in 15 games last season for the Redskins and he carried the ball 2 times for 0 yards (0.0 ypc).  Cartwright has now played in 91 games (3 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 146 times for 647 yards (4.4 ypc) with 6 TD runs.  He has also caught 31 passes for 320 yards (10.3 avg) with 1 TD grab.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  A-

New head coach Jim Zorn really likes Jason Campbell and he expects him to step up this season.  With some big WRs added in the draft the Redskins will likely play more of a power passing game which should suit Campbell’s skill.  Campbell has a strong arm and he’s a good runner.  He played in 13 games (all starts) last season for the Redskins and he completed 250 of 417 passes (60%) for 2,700 yards with 12 TD passes and 11 interceptions (77.6 QB Rating).  He also ran the ball 36 times for 185 yards (5.1 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Look for Campbell to have his best season in the NFL in 2008 with all of the added offensive help.  Campbell has now played in 20 games (all starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 360 of 624 passes (57.7%) for 3,997 yards with 22 TD passes and 17 interceptions (77.3 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 60 times for 292 yards (4.9 ypc) with 1 TD run.

Veteran Todd Collins thought he played well enough last season to garner a nice paycheck in free agency but he was wrong and returned to the Redskins who are happy to have him.  Collins played in 4 games (3 starts) for the Redskins last season and he completed 67 of 105 passes (63,8%) for 888 yards with 5 TD passes and 0 interceptions (106.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 8 times for only 1 yard (0.1 ypc).  Collins will be more than ready to step into the starting job if something happens to Campbell and the offense wouldn’t likely miss a beat.  Collins has now played in 44 games (20 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 369 of 651 passes (56.7%) for 4,335 yards with 22 TD passes and 19 interceptions (76.2 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 82 times for 152 yards (1.9 ypc).

The Redskins drafted Colt Brennan out of Hawaii but he will likely need a couple of years holding a clipboard before he’s ready to step onto the field for the Redskins.  That’s because he will have to learn how to play under the center which he didn’t do much in college.  Still, he has nice long term potential.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  B-