Washington Redskins Name Five Captains For 2016 Season
Jan 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Washington Redskins helmet and logo before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium. The Redskins defeat the Cowboys 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins players have officially chosen five players to serve as the team captains for the 2016 season.
Ahead of the 2016 NFL season, the Washington Redskins players officially elected captains for their club. They chose five players from across the team, and the players will serve as captains to begin the season.
The players that were chose are all recognizable names, but what exactly makes them qualified to be captains? Here is what you need to know about the quality of all the players chose to captain the 2016 Redskins squad.
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
5. TE Niles Paul
If there is one word that can be used to describe Niles Paul, it is versatility. The veteran has played at the wide receiver position, the tight end position, and he has been a presence on special teams during his NFL career. Whether it is catching passes, making huge blocks, or even returning kicks, Paul has seemingly done it all for the Redskins.
Although he will be just a third string player for the team because of the acquisition of Vernon Davis, he is still going to have a major impact for them. He is a hard worker and a leader and his willingness to do whatever it takes is something that players will look up to.
Also, Paul is coming off of a season lost to injury, so he can use the story of his lost season as motivation for other players. When they see how hard he has worked to come back, they will be determined to work harder everyday themselves to get better.
It helps that Paul has a good sense of humor as well. Shortly after the announcement, he posted this on his Twitter account.
Mood #HTTR pic.twitter.com/IFD74bCtzR
— Niles Paul (@Niles_Paul84) September 6, 2016
Paul was definitely a respectable choice as a team captain. He is a likable guy and it is not too surprising that he made the cut.
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins inside linebacker Will Compton (51) shows emotion against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
4. LB Will Compton
There is nothing like a good underdog story. In 2013, Will Compton went undrafted. As a rookie free agent out of West Virginia, he elected to sign with the Washington Redskins. Since then, he has developed into a very solid player and is a major part of the Redskins defense.
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Compton earned a starting job for the team last season and he did not disappoint. He posted career high numbers in tackles with 51 and passes defended with three. He also recorded a sack. This all came over the course of the season, but he only made nine starts. With a bigger role in his fourth year, there is no telling what he will be able to do.
Further than that, Compton has to have a chip on his shoulder because he was undrafted. All 32 teams passes on him and he probably brings that with him every time he steps onto the field. This is great for the team as it can teach players how to get motivated to play, but even better younger players can relate to him. Other late round picks on undrafted free agents like Anthony Lanier will see what Compton has done and maybe they will try to emulate the pro. Compton is a true professional and he definitely deserves the title of captain.
Nov 29, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins tackle Trent Williams (71) blocks New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the second half at FedEx Field. Washington Redskins won 20 – 14. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
3. LT Trent Williams
The second most important position on offense is the left tackle position. They are in charge of protecting the quarterback’s blind side and very few do that better than Trent Williams does. Williams has been a force for the Redskins ever since they selected him No. 4 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Since that time, he has been as reliable as they come and it makes perfect sense for him to be a captain.
Williams has demonstrated a great work ethic since entering the NFL. He has always put forth his best effort and he has been the most important cog on the offensive line over the past five years. He does his job well and shows everyone else how to do their job well. Everyone in the Redskins front office has to be glad that resources were invested in Williams.
With Williams, you know what you are going to get. A tough, hard-working leader who will make the Redskins a better football team. Having him as a captain will absolutely help their team in the 2016 season.
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins strong safety DeAngelo Hall (23) in action against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
2. DB DeAngelo Hall
This cannot be too much of a surprise. Though DeAngelo Hall was known more for his overconfidence in his younger years, he has become a quality veteran leader for the Redskins team. With a young defense and new members in the secondary, the team needed someone to set the tone for everyone during the season. While Josh Norman will bring intensity, Hall will be able to bring both intensity and perspective.
Hall has been around the league for a long time. The 12 year veteran has seen just about everything during his days. Between his fourth and fifth season, he bounced around to three franchise before landing with the Redskins. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders from the Atlanta Falcons and signed a 7 year, $70 million contract. At the time, it looked like he was going to be one of the best corners in the league and he was acting like it.
However, eight games into his Raiders career he was cut by the team for poor performance. Humbled, he signed with the Redskins and since then has been a quality defensive back for the team.
What Hall will be able to do is help teach and motivate young players while also keeping their ego in check. This will be especially important given the personalities on this Redskins team, namely Norman. Hall should succeed in his new role and the players made a sensible choice with this vote.
Aug 26, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) prepares to pass the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
1. QB Kirk Cousins
This is without a doubt the most notable of the captains for the Redskins. Just a year ago, Kirk Cousins was entering the season as a major question mark. The team was looking to move one from Robert Griffin III, but was Cousins the right answer? Would he fit in Jay Gruden’s offense? Would he be able to develop into a leader after playing second fiddle to Griffin for so long? In short, the answer to all of those has been yes.
Cousins became an absolute sensation last season when he led the Redskins to their first postseason appearance since Griffin’s rookie season. He led the league in completion percentage with a mark just under 70 percent and he built a strong rapport with his receiving corps. Most importantly of all, he had confidence in himself.
In his famed “You like that!” moment, Cousins shouted at a camera after a big win and showed the NFL that he believed in himself. That off-the-field confidence translated directly into on the field confidence and was a major reason that the Redskins made the postseason. Sure, they had an easy schedule, but Cousins still put together one of the best seasons by a quarterback that the Redskins have seen in years.
With all of that said, it is easy to see why the team voted him a captain. Cousins brings a great energy to the team, and he should be the franchise quarterback in Washington. The front office has faith in him, he has faith in himself, and now the team has demonstrated they believe in him. Cousins could be in for a huge season as a result.