Live Q&As

Hello, everyone. I see a lot of questions already. I'll try to get to as many as possible. The first preseason game is Friday against the Steelers. I'm sure we'll know a lot more after that game. But let's start here...

In short, yes, I think the team is likely at least year away. Probably more. I think they've built this roster knowing that it'd probably take a year or two to see it running on all cylinders. They've rebuilt the defense, and you'll see six -- maybe seven -- new starters. The biggest question mark for me is still the quarterback position. I think coaches are hoping Beck shows that he's not a one-year stopgap solution. But the jury will be out on that one... If Beck isn't the solution, then we're talking about a team that could be a couple of years away...

Any concerns on the o-line, to me, are very valid. The line wasn't particularly good last year, and there's only one new face on the starting five -- Chris Chester. Will Montgomery will slide over and play center, which will probably be an upgrade. Coaches have a lot of confidence in Lichtensteiger -- more than a lot of fans do. Yeah, they appear to have upgraded two starting spots, but depth is always a question on the line. 

Artis Hicks is better as a reserve. Sean Locklear was a starter who will likely be a reserve. So that's two guys who started a season ago and will now be coming off the bench. That's a bit of depth, but not sure they're deep enough or that it's high-quality yet.

Interesting. I'm not a psycho-analysis, so I'm mostly posting this to see what others think. I'll tell you that Beck is very thorough in interviews. He was asked last week about changing his number to 12. His answer took us back to his childhood and Ty Detmer and how he had to switch numbers as a young quarterback and Terry Bradshaw's name popped up, yada, yada. I'm not sure I'd read into that that he's too confident or too insecure. He's definitely eager to impress - perhaps on the field and off it.

I think the Redskins are open to a change. Otherwise, Shayne Graham wouldn't even be here. It's still probably Gano's job to lose. The kicking competition really begins Friday. Today marked the first day we saw any real kicks in practice. Gano was 3-of-4, missing 40-plus yarder that went wide left. Graham was 2-of-4, missing to the right both times. Graham will need to look a lot better in game situations than he did today in practice to unseat Gano.

If I was betting, my money would be on Hankerson. Not only was he the higher draft pick, but he's a bigger body and offers the Redskins something they don't otherwise have at the receiver position. (Gaffney is also 6-2, though.) I think they need someone like Hankerson.  He's been hit or miss in camp. His hands -- which can wrap around a watermelon probably -- are suspect still. That's not to say Paul can't make it. His best shot might be impressing coaches as a kick returner and edging out someone like Brandon Banks for a roster spot.

If Jarvis Jenkins isn't starting Week 1, I think he'll be starting pretty early in the season. He looks good. He's getting work on both the left and right side. Haslett likes rotating D-linemen and Jenkins will get a lot of work even if he doesn't start.

Kerrigan was working with the starters today during team drills. The team will expect him to start right away.

Helu is an interesting one. He's certainly looked impressive in camp. I'd like to see him in live action and he's a guy I'll definitely be keeping an eye on him in Friday's preseason game. 

Well, if he isn't able to return to the practice field soon, I'd suspect his days might be numbered. He seems like a good candidate for an injury settlement. Coaches see the same thing in him now that they did when he was drafted: potential. At some point, he has to show that he can realize it. And he hasn't done that yet. If his time hasn't run out here, you gotta think that it will very soon.

I'm not sure Shanahan will be judged based on wins and losses this season. They've changed so many things in the personnel department that I think in January we judge him by looking at the foundation. What pieces has he put in place that will be part of the long-term solution? They can't enter next offseason and expect to make this many changes. Regardless of wins and losses, by next offseason, the team should be aiming to upgrade a few specific positions. This offseason -- and last offseason, too, for that matter -- was about addressing plethora needs. That said, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect more wins. Shanahan has now had two offseasons to specifically pluck players who will fit in his system. They should be better than last year. I just don't think it's the end of the world if it's another 6-win season, especially considering the quarterback position.

I think we'll see more roster turnover. The team is about $10-11 million below the salary cap right now, so they have some flexibility. As camp continues and we see some actual preseason games, Shanahan will continue to assess his needs. There are a ton of free agents out there still.

This Friday is Steelers-Redskins. Whenever I'm trying to get hyped up for a Friday, I Google Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert and "Friday." You're welcome.

I think your Kool-Aid is spiked.

I kid. It's not out of the question, I suppose. I need some proof that Beck or Grossman is the answer at QB -- even if it's temporary. I haven't seen that evidence yet.

Zero part of me thinks Shanahan would tank a season. Ninety-nine percent effort at practice is unreasonable to him, so there's no way he's giving away any games.

I think they really, sincerely believe Beck could be the answer. And if not, I really believe they're confident in Grossman can run the offense competently. 

I will be curious to see what the team does if Beck and Grossman botch the preseason games, which is a very real possibility.

It's reasonable to expect both to improve. I look at the defensive front seven and think they're improved everywhere (though we still have an ILB spot up for grabs). Cofield and Bowen should be big upgrades. Even a guy like Carriker says he feels much more comfortable in the defense. If the defense struggles, I don't think anyone can use personnel as an excuse.

As for the running game, too often last year the team fell behind in games and had to abandon the run. That's a big reason we saw so few carries and yards. Plus, injuries forced them to go with Keiland Williams and James Davis. That's some bad luck. If they stay healthy, Torain + Hightower feels better than Portis. 

If it's Greco Roman, I'm taking Trent in a heartbeat. If it's freestyle, though, I gotta go with the silverback. And if it's WWE, I think it's a double disqualification cuz Vinny Cerrato jumps in and tries to trade Trent for bag of M&Ms.

Cincy has given zero indication they're even interested in even listening to trade offers. What a bizarre situation that is...

If Torain is healthy, I think he'll have the job in Week 1. Will he be healthy? No one knows the answer to that one. That guy has a frequent visitor punch card to the local hospital... it's too bad.

Kareem Moore and Anthony Armstrong also impressed last year. 

Good question. Hard to say before we've seen any games. I think Helu is a good candidate. The guy has moves, and I can definitely see him breaking loose in a preseason game. Among the receivers, I think Aldrick Robinson has been under the radar. He could surprise fans, especially if he returns a kick or something. I expect Fred Davis to do well, though I'm not sure that'd qualify as a surprise.

A lot of quarterback questions...

We haven't polled the offensive players, so there's not a definitive answer here. We have heard from a few guys in the lockerroom, though, who expect Grossman to win the quarterback competition. I think it means a lot that Grossman knows the system as well as he does. Outside the coaching staff, I'm not sure anyone knows it better. That said, there are probably some guys in the lockerroom who think Beck might win. I know this: either quarterback will earn a ton of confidence from his teammates by performing in game situations.  

It's my understanding that even if Palmer wanted to come back, the Bengals would retain his rights. I could be wrong, though...

What if their quarterback is worse?

It's early, and I think this early in camp it's normal for the defense to be a step ahead of the offense. In 1-on-1 drills, the D certainly appears to have the advantage. But I try not reading too much into that so early. 

Shanahan will be with this team at least through 2012, I'd think. Dan Snyder has given him the keys and is letting Shanahan make the moves he feels he needs to make. I think he has at least two more seasons to post some results.

That's it from me. Thanks for all the great questions. Chat soon...