With a flurry of roster cuts and additions ahead of the regular season opener, we know that Redskins fans have plenty of questions. Redskins Insiders Tarik El-Bashir and Rich Tandler answer them in this week’s Q A presented by Wendy’s.
do you think Inhenacho will take the long term starting job from Merriweather?
— theNFLguy (@theNFLguy)
I wouldn’t rule out that possibility. Brandon Meriweather, for a second straight season, has put the Redskins in a difficult spot after yet another suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit. When he’s been healthy and available, Meriweather has been relatively effective. But now you’ve got to wonder if he’ll be able to play fast and loose ... if he’s hesitating and thinking twice before each hit. He’s also one more illegal hit away from an even longer ban. So it’s potentially a big problem. As for Duke Ihenacho, it’s too early to know if he’ll be able to seize the starting strong safety position. Remember, he’s in a new system with new teammates and it’s going to take some time before he gets comfortable. That said, he’s only 25 and started 17 games, including the Super Bowl,White Christian Louboutin, for the Broncos last season. If he’s able to recapture that form, I would say he's got a decent shot.
--TEB
what's likely to happen when comes off the PUP list?
— Adam (@HailToOldDC)
That’s a good question that really doesn’t have an answer right now. The good thing is that it doesn’t have to be answered for a while. The rules of the PUP list dictate that he has to wait a minimum of six weeks before practicing. He can then practice for three weeks before the team has to make a decision to either activate him or leave him on the PUP list, shutting him down for the year. They can wait until Week 9 to start him practicing, which would trigger the three week window from there. So they could wait until Week 12 to activate him. So they will be able to see what the health and effectiveness of their roster looks like starting Week 6 and decide what to do with Hankerson from there. He could replace an injured receiver or he could be added as a seventh receiver with a player at another spot being put on IR or waived.
--RT
any word on Seastrunk? Did someone claim him, or is he a possibility for the other practice squad opening?
— Tony Piacente (@TonyPiacente)
The Redskins did not sign Seastrunk to the practice squad, which is now filled to its maximum of 10 players. And, to my knowledge, he had not been picked up anywhere else as of Tuesday morning, either. Seastrunk had a few of explosive plays in the preseason. But the Redskins didn’t think he was ready to handle the other important responsibilities required of NFL running backs and, more specifically, what's required to thrive in Gruden's system. And by completely severing ties with him, it’s clear they had reservations that he ever would be ready. Gruden did, however, say Monday that he thinks Seastrunk will eventually get an opportunity elsewhere. I also suspect he will. He's too fast not to get a second shot.
--TEB
Duke's could be "long term" answer for WASH. If he performs well when do you offer extension?
— shadows (@UnlistedUser1)
There is no need for the Redskins to rush to offer Ihenacho an extension. When they claimed the safety from the Broncos, they also claimed his $570,000 contract that expires after this season. At that point Ihenacho will have three years in the league, making him a restricted free agent. The Redskins will be able to retain his rights with a tender offer just north of $1 million for one year. That number could go up if he breaks out and has a stellar season. But the Redskins will control his rights via restricted free agency. They can then evaluate in 2015 and decide what they want to do the next year.
--RT
Any reports of Duke Ihenacho starting this weekend?
— Shafeeq! (@Jay_Since_78)
It’s too early to know if Ihenacho will be ready to start. That’s a lot to of ask of a player who just showed up at Redskins Park on Monday morning. My best guess is this: He will play about a fourth of the snaps on defense in Houston and a decent amount on special teams. I do, however,True Religion Womens, think he’ll be ready to start against the Jaguars.
--TEB
do you guys think Santana Moss will lose reps from Ryan Grant ? Has he lost a step?
— Alex Valenzuela (@a_valenzuela12)
A few weeks ago when I asked Jay Gruden about the wide receiver depth chart, he said that Grant and Aldrick Robinson were in a tight competition for the first receiver off the bench spot. Moss’ name did not come up. Although Moss hasn’t played poorly since then, Grant and Robinson have done nothing to make me think that either of them should drop on the depth chart. So, the short answer is yes, Grant will take reps from Moss. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Moss, who doesn’t play on special teams, is inactive on game days if all of the receivers are healthy. As to the last question,True Religion Jeans Men, certainly he is not as fast as he was in 2005, when he set the team record for receiving yards in a season. But if practice and the preseason indicate anything, he’s fast enough to get the job done when needed.
--RT
you got a corporate sponsor for your mailbag??
— Sebastian Mankowski (@Sebmono)
Well, I didn’t personally close the deal. Our fantastic sales team did all the work. But we’re glad to be sponsored. Now go buy a large fries and a Frosty. Hahaha.
--TEB
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