The newest members of the Washington Redskins: By the numbers
By Jonathan Eig
The Draftees
James Smith-Williams – 72
A pass rushing defensive end wearing 72? Can you say DEXTER?
Kamren Curl – 31
A late-round safety? You know who I always liked? Clarence Vaughn. That’s who.
Khaleke Hudson – 47
Oh, if only Khaleke Hudson were a tight end. Hard to find a linebacker who wore 47 for the Skins. But since I believe Hudson will be playing a hybrid LB/S role on the back end, I’m pairing him up with Greg Williams. Williams was a lot smaller, but he did play on a Super Bowl-winning Redskins team. Here’s hoping Hudson will one day say the same.
Keith Ismael – 60
The obvious offensive lineman to emulate here is Chris Samuels. But since Ismael plays the interior, I think a career like that of John Wilbur, starting guard on Washington’s first Super Bowl team, would be pretty darn good. Dick Stanfel was more accomplished, but Wilbur was a bit of a California hippie. I like that. He and Diron Talbot are the only two players George Allen brought over from the Rams who actually had hair.
Antonio Gandy-Golden – 10
Giving receivers numbers in the teens was out of fashion for several decades. So, again, not working with much in the way of history. He isn’t on anybody’s list of all-time Redskins, but the numbers Jabar Gaffney put up in 2011 (68-947-5) would look pretty good on Gandy-Golden.
Saahdiq Charles – 77
In a perfect world, Saahdiq Charles will be playing left tackle for the Redskins for the next decade. But given his arm length, I’m still thinking he might see time at guard. And if he does, the stalwart Randy Thomas (the second best guy we ever took from the Jets) would be a good model. For those of you who prefer more of a local flare, I could go with Tre Johnson.
Antonio Gibson – 24
You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but if Antonio Gibson really lines up in the backfield and catches passes, then I’m dreaming of a shorter Kelvin Bryant.
Chase Young – 99
If Chase Young plays like the best 99s the Skins have had, he’ll be a disappointment. However, if he plays like Andre Carter and Marco Coleman put together, I’m OK with that.
And while we’re talking numbers, Caleb Brantley is giving up 99 and taking 96. I suppose Cornelius Griffin and Barry Cofield were pretty good defensive tackles, but they both came from the Giants, so I don’t know if Brantley gets any of that karma. On the other hand, Caleb Wilson switching to 45 is a genius move. What tight end wouldn’t want to be wearing the jersey of Mike Sellers?
dark. Next. Five players who might not make the Redskins roster
We’ll leave the untold story of all the Calebs switching numbers for another day.