They can probe, poke and test the players they have scouted for months. But for the Redskins, while the scouting combine that starts Wednesday is important, they first need to determine something else: which players from last year’s roster factor into their future.
Recommended Stories
With a new general manager in Bruce Allen, a new coach in Mike Shanahan and only three returning coaches, the Redskins remain focused more on players they already have.
Washington has not had this sort of turnover entering the draft season since Marty Schottenheimer arrived in 2001. Since then the front office philosophy had remained relatively the same.
“Our coaches are trying to evaluate the current Redskins and then we’ll spend some time on free agency and the draft prospects,” Allen said. “We’re evaluating our team and looking to augment them in ways that we can help us be successful.”
But the combine will help that evaluation. The Redskins can get a better feel for the players they might be able to draft and compare how they might fit on the roster as opposed to others already under contract — or those who are free agents. The coaches are watching tape from 2008 and 2009 to get a better feel for the current Redskins.
“Let’s see who is fitting in and who has the potential to help us win,” Allen said.
After the combine, they’ll hold more positional meetings.
The Redskins also brought the scouts in earlier this offseason for training sessions on different things they might be looking for compared to previous years.
The other new part could be the defense, if the Redskins shift to a 3-4 scheme as expected. Allen would only say, “We’re going to run the Redskins’ defense.” But a shift in philosophy would require them to look for players who fit a different defense.
They’re also changing offenses. Though Shanahan runs a variation of the West Coast offense, it’s not the same as the one run by former coach Jim Zorn. Not to mention there are numerous holes along the offensive line and questions at running back and quarterback.
The top players all are expected to attend, though several quarterbacks will not throw at the combine, saving that for their individual workouts next month.
But they will undergo physicals and be interviewed. For the Redskins, they say this is only part of the process and not the end.
“We won’t get a final grade on a person’s character based on a 15-minute interview,” Allen said. “This is an introduction and we’ll follow up this spring with more in-depth interviews.”
Allen said the staff has talked to quarterback Jason Campbell, who has told numerous people that he expects to return. Campbell has been around Redskins Park often. As for running back Clinton Portis, Allen said, “Every player is getting the same scrutiny.” But he did not say whether or not Portis would return.
The Redskins begin their offseason workouts on March 15.
“It’s a fun time,” Allen said. “We have a lot of work to do.”
