Notes from Training Camp: Secondly, the Secondary

Of all the question marks leading into the 2012 season, the status of the secondary is second only to the status of the offensive line in my books. Last year they spent more time getting burned than college freshman on spring break. I am extremely excited by the additional Raheem Morris as defensive backs coach and hope he can help turn the one weak link in our otherwise beastly powerful defense into and asset rather than the liability they have been of late. 

Reed Doughty, a seven year veteran originally drafted by Washington in 2006, will likely remain a back-up safety. While he isn't a guaranteed stop, he is a reliable back-up and has maintained strong performance levels over the last two seasons. 

Kevin Barnes is coming into his fourth season as a Redskins and building off a decent year last year during which he recorded 26 tackles and 2 INTs. In a season where we really need a star to rise among the secondary, it would be nice to see this Maryland native finally come into his own, but he'll have to challenge incumbents Hall and Wilson if there is any hope for that.

He did lose a potential INT in camp on Friday, immediately dropping to the ground for some penalty push-ups, a la D Hall. Speaking of D Hall, I'm not speaking of him until his performance catches up with his mouth.

Madieu Williams, also a Maryland native (by way of Sierra Leone), joined the Redskins this off-season after stints in Cincinnati, Minnesota and San Fran. If he can stay healthy, he should prove a formidable force and a positive addition. But for a secondary perennially plagued by injuries, that if is an important one. 

Continuing the spotlight on our local talent, Josh Wilson is the third member of our secondary to hail from neighboring Maryland and attend the University of Maryland. In his second season with Washington, he needs to find a new strength within and rise above his 62 tackle total from 2011.

Free safety Tanard Jackson (yet another Maryland native) has been activated off the PUP list and will compete for a spot if he stays healthy (do I sense a theme here?). Likewise, veteran Brandon Meriweather will be vying for time on the field alongside promising rookie Richard Crawford and veterans Cedric Griffin, DeJon Gomes, Brandyn Thompson, David Jones and a host of other DB's. With a lot of competition at an important position, especially given the talent of our NFC East opponent WR's, I'm going to put my trust in Raheem and hope for the best.

UPDATE: According to D Hall at a presser today, even the secondary themselves jokes about being "a bunch of misfits." I'm glad someone thinks it's funny...