Here is what you need to know on this Monday, May 14, eight days before the Washington Redskins start OTAs.
Three and out
—We have a lull in the offseason preparations this week, at least as far as the media are concerned. We are not going to Redskins Park until a week from Wednesday for the second of the three OTA sessions that week. OTAs are the first time that offense can line up against defense (during Phase 2 it’s offense and defense vs. air). There are three weeks of OTAs and the one on Wednesday of each week is open to the media. The following week is minicamp, which starts on June 12. That can last three days but Jay Gruden usually wraps it up after two. Then it’s six weeks off until training camp starts on July 26.
—I know that getting into a state of panic over the left guard situation is in vogue these days. It was cause for concern before news that Arie Kouandjio is likely to miss the season with a quad injury and it is even more so now. But the reality is that it’s way too early to get in a lather over left guard. Three years ago the Redskins cut Chris Chester after a couple of OTAs. The Falcons picked him up and he started every game for them for two years including a Super Bowl. Shawn Lauvao is serviceable if they can’t find an alternative and Tony Bergstrom is a capable fill in. And Ty Nsekhe is a decent “break glass in case of emergency” option. The offense will not rise or fall because of left guard.
—According to the bookies at M Sports, the Redskins are favored in four of their first 15 games this year. They have them favored to win home games against the Colts (Redskins are -3), Panthers (-1), Cowboys at FedEx (-1), and Giants (-1.5). They are underdogs in the other 11 games for which M Sports established a line. They are getting anywhere from one point (in the season opener at the Cardinals) to eight points (at Jacksonville in Week 15). I’m not sure why they don’t include Week 17 here. Sure, it’s difficult to know who will be in contention and which teams will be playing out the string, but do you really know all that much less about Week 17 than you do about Week 16 or Week 15? Or, for that matter, Week 6?
Stay up to date on the Redskins. Rich Tandler covers the team 365 days a year. Like his Facebook page, Facebook.com/TandlerNBCS and follow him on Twitter @TandlerNBCSand on Instagram @RichTandler.
Tandler on Twitter
Here's a taste of #Redskins rookie camp via @AjayAtayee pic.twitter.com/ObMN7PGWsO
— Rich Tandler (@TandlerNBCS) May 14, 2018
Timeline
Days until:
—Minicamp (6/12) 29
—Training camp starts (7/26) 73
—Preseason opener @ Patriots (8/9) 87
The Redskins last played a game 134 days ago. They will open the 2018 NFL season at the Cardinals in 118 days.
In case you missed it
- Redskins 2017 draft picks who must step up this season
- Derrius Guice has already impressed Jay Gruden
- Redskins rookie camp practice report