Injuries and poor coaching decisions in 2013 ended the coaching tenure of Mike Shanahan in Washington, leaving first year head coach Jay Gruden with enough cap space to make moves in free agency, but no high draft pick. The Redskins have their work cut out for them as they try to regain ground.Jay Gruden inherited a team with a franchise QB still recovering from two serious knee injuries, no 1st round draft pick and a defense that was 30th in scoring. But if there is one coach who proved he has the ability to bring a struggling QBs to a high level, it’s Gruden. Despite their poor defensive performance in 2013, retaining DC Jim Haslett may prove to work out well, as Haslett reportedly struggled under the micromanaging of Shanahan.
Robert Griffin III may be healthier than he was during his abbreviated 2013 campaign, but he only time will tell if he can return to the game-breaking dynamic player he was when he won Rookie of the Year in 2012. The receiving corps lost Josh Morgan to Chicago and TE Fred Davis to a suspension, but the ultimate coup for Washington came with the signing of Pro Bowl receiver/kick-returner Desean Jackson from division rival Philadelphia. Jackson and RB Alfred Morris may be the two best skill position players in the entire division.
The defense lost LB London Fletcher to retirement but signed former Steelers Safety Ryan Clark, along with CB Tracy Porter.
The Redskins report to training camp in Richmond, Virginia on July 24.
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