Redskins: Five takeaways from the first depth chart release
By Ian Cummings
No. 5 – Experience is important right now
Experience is important. It’s why Colt McCoy, the journeyman who’s started six games in the past four years, and hasn’t ever latched on as a starter, is ahead of both Case Keenum and Dwayne Haskins. It’s why Adrian Peterson, despite his age, is currently the top back over Chris Thompson and Derrius Guice.
I mean, even Ereck Flowers is starting over Wes Martin at left guard, a position he’s never played, after moving from a position he was already bad at. If that doesn’t scream “loaded dice”, I don’t know what does.
The Redskins put an emphasis on experience with this depth chart release. And it makes sense. Having a solid foundation in a system, or even in the NFL, compared to rookies, is bound to give one a certain advantage. McCoy has been in the Redskins system for four years now, compared to no years for both Keenum and Haskins. It makes sense that he has a better hold on concepts and such.
That said, it won’t last. As the more talented rookies and young players start to gain their footing and make more steps forward, the depth chart should take a more accurate shape. The experience of certain players is useful for helping to ease the rookies into action, but by definition, it won’t keep the veterans on top for long.