Smoke Signals: Jansenless Edition?

By PennSkinsFan | August 30, 2008

As we reported yesterday, OT Jon Jansen, the longest roster Redskin who missed all of last season with a broken ankle, could see himself in a backup role.  It really is not surprising.  If you go back and review the pre-season games, it isn’t hard to tell that 2nd year OL Stephon Heyer has simply played better than Jansen.

Another non-surprising piece of news is the fact WR Malcolm Kelly will likely be either placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list or injured reserve (IR).  Being placed on the PUP guarantees Kelly would miss the first 6 weeks.  Being placed on IR effectively ends Kelly’s season.  Why is this not surprising.  First, when do the Redskins have any luck with wide receiver draftees (remember Desmond Howard, Michael Westbrook and Rod Gardner?).  Second, there were serious questions may NFL scouts had regarding Kelly’s knees leading up to the draft.  Yet, the Redskins took a gamble, even though receivers like Limas Sweed, Earl Bennett, Early Doucet, and Andre Caldwell were available.

No panic from Jim Zorn, nor should there be.  There should be a little concern, but panic?  Folks, it is pre-season.  I don’t take too much of what happens at pre-season at face value.  Didn’t Steve Spurrier go undefeated in pre-season?

Same article, some injury concerns are addressed.  DE Jason Taylor looks more likely to miss the opener, while S Laron Landry looks to play.  DE Erasmus James and LB Khary Campbell seem ready to roll.

JLC from the Washington Post also tells us that WR Billy McMullen will be on the final 53 man roster.  Deservingly so.  Same goes for LB Alfred Fincher who had a monster game against Jacksonville. That roster is to bet set sometime today.

Zorn is clearly pleased with Fincher, McMullen and James.

In his Friday press conference, Zorn cited Alfred Fincher, Erasmus James and Billy McMullen as preseason standouts and players who may have made their way onto the roster.

“There were also some pretty good performances that looked good from a physical standpoint, but fell down from a mental standpoint,” Zorn said.

Read a little more on the decision to 53.

Congrats goes out to former Redskins QB Mark Rypien who is inducted to the state of Washington’s Sports Hall fo Fame today.

Special thank you shout out to Matt Terl at the Official Redskins Blog.  We appreciate the note!

Riggos’ Rag thinks we stink?  Well, is there any evidence of late that we don’t?  Chris Cooley will tell you he is not happy either.  Jump on over to Rich Tandler’s blog for his 53 decision prediction.

Discuss it in the Redskins Park Fan Forum.  Remember, our Redskins weekly Pick’em contest is accepting entrants until Wednesday night.  Pick the winner weekly of the Redskins game, earn points.  Be the closest to the final score, earn points.  Have the most point at the end of the season and get a Replica NFL jersey of your choice, ON US!  Second place — a free NFL t shirt of your choice. But, you have to JOIN our fan forum to enter.  Once you join, sign up in the Sticky thread.

As always, for you Draftniks out there, track 2009 NFL mock drafts at the Original NFL Mock Draft Database, with 52 mock drafts listed for 2009 already!

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