Mike Shanahan (left) and Bruce Allen (right) at a Redskins practice in 2012.

There seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel for Redskins fans in late 2009 when then-Redskins general manager Vinny Cerrato resigned. Near the conclusion of that season, Washington hired Bruce Allen, son of former Redskins great George Allen, to take over and help turn the tide. Directly after the season ended, the team hired two-time Super Bowl winner Mike Shanahan as head coach.

The way that Allen and Shanahan work together is slightly different than most other teams’ GM-HC duo. In D.C., Allen makes the football decisions, but Shanahan gives input and has the final say (he is also the vice president of football operations). This design helps the team make decisions in the best interest of the team.

With the new front office in place, Washington would play well for many seasons to come, right? Wrong. They needed a quarterback, and the coach and general manager thought they found theirs when the tandem traded for Donovan McNabb. We all know how that worked out: McNabb was benched for the final three games in 2010 in favor of Rex Grossman and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings after the season.

In 2011, Shanahan and Allen did not draft a quarterback, although there was a plethora of talent (i.e. Andy Dalton, Jake Locker). This led to a quarterback competition between Grossman and John Beck. The latter ended up starting 3 games (0-3) while the former started 13 (5-8).

Despite their rocky first two seasons, there were some positives during that time. The duo had drafted well in 2010 and 2011.

2010 produced products such as Trent Williams in the first round, who is evolving into the best offensive tackle in the game, and Perry Riley in the fourth round, who is now a solid starter at inside linebacker.

Washington’s 2011 draft was also solid. First-round pick Ryan Kerrigan has evolved into a Pro-Bowl outside linebacker. Jarvis Jenkins, Leonard Hankerson, Roy Helu, Jr., Niles Paul, and Evan Royster have all contributed to the team in some way over the last two seasons, all products of this draft class.

The 2012 draft was a different story, and not in a bad way. Allen and Shanahan made the difficult decision to mortgage the future to the rights to draft Baylor QB Robert Griffin III. I’d say that decision has already worked out. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall mentioned that he’d give up first-rounders for the next five years to keep Griffin if the team had to. Alfred Morris was a gem in the sixth round, rushing for a franchise-record 1,613 yards.

Of course, RGIII put up perhaps the greatest seasons ever for a rookie quarterback. However, the lasting impression of his coach after the season was the question as to why he did not pull his quarterback from a game despite being hobbled. People tend to forget that Shanahan is probably one of the 20 best coaches of all-time and he does know what he’s doing. That decision should not stick with Shanahan. He and Bruce Allen expect Griffin back for the start of 2013.

The duo turned its attention to free agency and the upcoming draft after the playoff loss to Seattle. After horrendous secondary play in 2012, the team was looking for defensive backs. Shanahan and Allen found three bright prospects in David Amerson (2nd round), Phillip Thomas (4th round), and Baccari Rambo (6th round).

Shanahan and Allen have done an excellent job growing and developing the team through the draft. Core players such as Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Trent Williams, and Ryan Kerrigan were drafted by the tandem. This is where great teams start – at the core, with an excellent front office, and homegrown talent.

Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan have been tremendous during their three seasons with the team, despite a shaky start. I’m just glad that Dan Snyder has been sitting back and letting Allen and Shanahan do the dirty work.

December 3, 2012; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Joshua Morgan (15) is congratulated by wide receiver Pierre Garcon (88) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants at FedEx Field. Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Washington’s receiver position has been one in serious question over the years. Right now, one could say that the team does not have a “true” number one receiver, but that may not be necessary, as the team’s quarterback can get the ball to anyone.

The only receiver who has been consistent with the team over the years (as in stayed with the team through thick and thin, and has been in D.C. for a long time) is veteran Santana Moss. Moss is expected to make the roster and contribute.

I believe the following receivers will be on the Redskins’ 53-man roster come September. The ‘Skins just signed veterans Donte’ Stallworth and Devery Henderson. However, I believe one of those will not make the roster. The receivers currently on the team who I expect to make the team are below.

Pierre Garcon:  Garcon missed much time due to injury in 2012, but he will make the roster without question and should retain the No. 1 position in 2013. He has all the physical tools to make big plays, as he did when he burst onto the scene in Week 1 last season with an 88-yard touchdown catch from Robert Griffin III.

Joshua Morgan:  Like Garcon, he is also rehabbing from injuries, and will make the roster and should fill the role as the No. 2 receiver opposite Garcon. He has recently been burning defensive backs in practice and has the potential, like Garcon does, to contribute largely this season.

Santana Moss:  The veteran could fill the role as a slot receiver who can contribute in certain situations, such as third downs and in the red zone. He still has some of his speed and will look to continue to establish chemistry with RGIII.

Aldrick Robinson:  Robinson could be the biggest deep threat on the roster right now. Although not a complete lock to make the roster, he flashed in 2012, but I believe he has not reached his full potential. I want to see what will happen when he catches a slant, not when he goes deep – he can catch the pass, break a tackle, and score, just as Mike Wallace did to the Giants last year. It’s as simple as that.

Leonard Hankerson:  Hankerson has huge hands and can also stretch the field. He could fill the role of a third receiver barring injury to any of the top 3 receivers on the team. His third year in D.C. could make or break his career in the city.

Devery Henderson:  Acquiring Henderson provides the Redskins with another deep threat. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash coming out of college, but some of that speed may have been lost with age. However, he, like Moss, still has some of that speed, and can contribute sparingly this year. I believe he will be one of the “on the bubble” players who will make the team.

Oct 30, 2011; Toronto, ON, Canada; Washington Redskins wide receiver Leonard Hankerson (85) and some teammates step onto the filed to start warm up prior to a game against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Luc Leclerc-US PRESSWIRE

Fan’s Depth Chart

1. Pierre Garcon
2. Santana Moss
3. Josh Morgan
4. Leonard Hankerson
5. Anthony Armstrong
6. Dezmon Briscoe
   

   July 27, 2012; Ashburn, VA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Brandon Banks (16) and wide receiver Santana Moss (89) walk to the field during Redskins training camp at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Redskins’ Depth Chart

1. Pierre Garcon
2. Santana Moss
3. Leonard Hankerson
4. Anthony Armstrong
5. Josh Morgan
6. Brandon Banks

As of right now, the competition appears to be a battle for the sixth roster spot. Note that Niles Paul was listed as a receiver on the roster, but as a tight end on the depth chart.

Camp has revealed thus far that Brandon Banks can catch the ball as a receiver, although he is grossly undersized. To put Banks’ dimensions  into perspective, the kick returner only outweighs former NBA Slam Dunk contest champion Spud Webb (133 lbs) by fifteen pounds and is actually the same height as him (5’7″). There have been smaller people in the league before, but Banks will have to deliver significantly on offense and special teams during the preseason. Dezmon Briscoe, however, was seen as a likely candidate to make the team due to Mike Shanahan bringing him in and his “stellar” performance on a subpar Bucaneers team in 2011. This year’s team appears to have more depth at the position which is a better position for the franchise when deciding who stays and who goes. By Friday morning we should know more about Shanahan’s intentions and who could possibly be ready to shine in 2012.

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