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Junior Galette, Kirk Cousins among Redskins with plenty to prove
cheap NFL Jerseys Every player enters the season with something to prove, whether they’re coming off a good or bad season, an injury (Shawn Lauvao, Kory Lichtensteiger
and Perry Riley Jr.) or are entering a contract year (Chris Baker, DeSean
Jackson and Pierre Garcon).
For an assignment the other day on who has the most to prove on every team, I mentioned linebacker Junior Galette as having the most to prove for the
Washington Redskins. But he’s not alone, and here are a few that stand out:
MOST TO PROVE
Galette: I put Galette at the top of the list, simply because he’s coming off an Achilles injury and did not get the sort of offers he was hoping for in free
agency. So other teams, including the Redskins, had multiple concerns from his
injury to his character. His talent? That will be fine provided the Achilles is
OK -- and all the early accounts suggest he’s on the right path. That would be
good news for Washington.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins: Were the last nine games the start of something or an aberration? Cousins probably has the most at stake; if he plays well again
then he’s in line for $20 million per year. But I didn’t put him above Galette
simply because with the linebacker there are multiple issues, including health.
With Cousins, he must prove he can stay at this level in order to land a huge
contract. That’s not easy, but there are no questions about health or
character.
Cornerback Josh Norman: He spent the past four seasons in Carolina playing with one of the NFL’s best defenses and pass rushes. Can he be that good again
if he’s not in the same situation? The Redskins' defense must improve, but a
healthy Galette and the maturation of Preston Smith will help the pass rush.
Norman was under consideration as defensive player of the year last season. He’s
played well the last season-and-a-half, so you can easily argue last year was
just another step in his ascension and not just a byproduct of everything around
him. But a lot of eyes will be watching just to see.
Running back Matt Jones: He’s now the No. 1 running back with the departure of Alfred Morris. I wrote about Jones and the running backs Tuesday morning,
but, in short, he must show he can be an every-down back for 16 games.
Wholesale NFL Jerseys Safety DeAngelo Hall: He moved to safety midway through last season; that’s not easy. But the Redskins saw enough not to sign another free safety, and they
expect him to play well after an offseason to further transition. But, at 32, he
still has to show he can play at a certain level. His smarts will help a great
deal. For Hall, it’s a matter of continuing to get used to taking different
angles on run plays and being durable. He has the skill.
NEXT LEVEL
Tight end Jordan Reed: He’s coming off a terrific season and being paid accordingly. Now he just has to do it again. Really, I don’t see why he won’t
(barring injury). Reed’s season was a result of his talent, not some fluke. The
health part always is tricky, though he played in 14 games last season. His
offseason training regimen helped him in 2015; he’s doing the same workouts this
offseason.
Defensive end Baker: It’s a contract year, barring an extension being worked out before the season. That always means there’s something to prove. He’s coming
off his best season; a repeat would mean more money.
Receivers Garcon/Jackson: See above. Both turn 30 this year -- Garcon in August and Jackson in December. With good seasons, both can get another good
chunk of change -- likely their last big contract.
INJURY GUYS
Detroit Lions Jerseys Center Lichtensteiger: His pinched nerve cost him a lot of strength, which is never good when you’re already considered undersized. He has to prove he can
still handle the physical demands of the job, especially because he will count
$4.05 million against the cap.
Guard Lauvao: He’s also coming off an injury and multiple surgeries on both feet. Lauvao was playing well before getting hurt, but the Redskins have
alternatives if his play slips: Spencer Long, who also will work at center, and
Arie Kouandjio. The Redskins can absorb Lauvao’s $5 million cap hit, but if he’s
not the clear-cut starter, will they?
Wholesale Detroit Lions Jerseys Linebacker Riley Jr.: He missed the final seven games with a foot injury last season, allowing Mason Foster to show what he could do. But
Foster is being paid like a backup ($1.1 million cap hit) and Riley is not ($5
million cap hit). They liked how Riley played alongside Will Compton; now he
just needs to do it again. If he does, the Redskins have a solid starter and
quality backup in Foster.
