An injury to the top cornerback, the lack of a proven backup along the offensive line and a kicking situation that’s perilous at best.
The Redskins might have plugged a potential hole by trading for running back T.J. Duckett on Wednesday.
But other holes remain.
If Clinton Portis’ shoulder becomes a season-long issue, Duckett could provide a good insurance policy. However, there are other prominent issues still alive:
» Shawn Springs’ injury. This is worse than Portis’ injury. At least at running back, they already had depth with Ladell Betts. Now they have more. But Springs’ versatility — he can cover from any spot on the field, play safety in certain packages and weakside linebacker in others — is crucial to Washington’s defense. Though Carlos Rogers is talented, he needs to prove he can play at a high level for 16 games. And backup Kenny Wright has played to mixed reviews.
Also, Springs’ latest injury is related to his groin problems from the end of last season. Will that continue to plague him? At 31, it becomes harder to shake certain injuries.
And does anyone yet feel comfortable with anyone other than Springs covering, say, Terrell Owens in Week 2?
“I bet Shawn comes back pretty fast and pretty strong, because he was in such good condition,” Redskins assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams said.
Atleast defensive end Phillip Daniels, out with a back injury, has a quality backup in Renaldo Wynn. Plus, others can play there, too: Demetric Evans and linebacker Marcus Washington, in passing situations.
» Offensive line depth. Assistant head coach/offense Joe Bugel is optimistic about Jasper Harvey and Ikechuku Ndukwe, but one is a rookie and the other has never played. One veteran said one day the young guys look good and the next? Like a certain type of fertilizer. Tyson Walter is better as a backup guard in a long-term situation. Mike Pucillo is an adequate backup center. And Spencer Folau didn’t play last season. There’s no long-term backup solution at tackle.
» Kicking units. Derrick Frost is inconsistent and David Lonie is inconsistent and inexperienced. John Hall is proven, though still merely average. But can he stay healthy? It’s hard to believe a team with Super Bowl aspirations will enter the season in such a situation.
» Backup quarterback. Todd Collins is experienced, but most of that experience has been on the sidelines. Jason Campbell is talented, but inexperienced. If anything happens to Mark Brunell, the Redskins’ postseason hopes could be derailed.
