Homer McFanboy's Take:
http://www.homermcfanboy.com/2010/12/22/10-redskins-to-build-around/
10. London Fletcher, middle linebacker – The one graybeard to crack the list is here simply because he’s a heart and soul kind of guy...
9. DeAngelo Hall, cornerback – With seven seasons under his belt, it’s hard to believe Hall is just 27 — especially when you factor in all of the ups and downs he had earlier in his career during his time in Atlanta and Oakland. But Hall, at his best, is a game changer (just ask Jay Cutler)...
8. Ryan Torain, running back – Torain is a 24-year-old who absolutely looks like a legitimate NFL feature back whenever he’s given the ball. But he’s also a guy who history shows has trouble staying healthy for more than two or three games in a row...
7. Chris Cooley, tight end – This might be surprising considering my professed love for all thing Fred Davis, but the truth is that Cooley is the face of the franchise...
6. Jammal Brown, right tackle – I fully admit that Brown’s career in Washington got off to a rocky start. The 29-year-old came to town via a trade with New Orleans and was clearly less than 100 percent at the beginning of the 2010 season. But what’s stood out to me as the season has gone along is that slowly but surely Brown is returning back to his Pro Bowl level of play. Brown has been dealing with an injury to his left hip since before the 2009 season, which is only compounded by Washington’s desire to move him to right tackle.
“When I was at left tackle I was pressing off with my right hip, so I was able to play the whole year with a torn labrum,” Brown said. “But when I got here they moved me to right tackle and I’m putting all that weight on my left hip. That’s what was making me hurt a little bit more … But everything’s good now.”
5. Carlos Rogers, cornerback – Look, I know Rogers can’t catch a football to save his life. Hell, even Rogers knows it. But the 29-year-old is the best lockdown cornerback the Redskins have and he’s also someone who can excel playing on the outside or at nickel...
4. Brandon Banks, kick returner – Not since Brian Mitchell has Washington had such a dynamic returner in the special teams game....
3. Trent Williams, left tackle – Try to name another NFL fanbase that’s as tortured as 'Skins fans. Go ahead. I dare you. It can’t be done. And Williams is the perfect example...
2. Brian Orakpo, outside linebacker – Orakpo is such a beast that opposing players can’t keep their hands off of him. Seriously, at least once a game you can pause the game and easily see the 24-year-old getting molested by an offensive lineman doing everything short of stealing his wallet in hopes of keeping the Texas Longhorn away from their quarterback....
1. LaRon Landry, strong safety – Last season folks were down on Landry because, there were times when he looked completely lost on the football field. But it turns out all that the only thing missing from the equation was a defensive coordinator willing and able to use the 26-year-old correctly...
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Very interesting point about the Brown injury. Seemingly another example of Redskins coaches misusing personnel. Why not let Trent Williams wet his feet at RT for awhile, and put Brown where he's healthiest? Seems crazy to me...