Tag: Donald Penn

Report: Redskins LT Donald Penn is willing to return to Washington

Penn stepped up for the Redskins admirably in 2019, and he now says that he’d be willing to do it again in 2020.

The Washington Redskins currently don’t have a strong answer at the left tackle position. Assuming that Trent Williams will get his wish and be traded away before the 2020 season begins, Geron Christian Sr. is currently atop the depth chart at the second-most important position on the offense. That’s not likely to stand throughout the summer.

However, the player who Washington leaned on when put in the same position in 2019 is willing to come back and do it all over again. Veteran LT Donald Penn played decently for the Redskins in 2019, and according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, he’s planning to push retirement off for one more year, and he’d be willing to continue his career in Washington.

Of course, there are scenarios in which Penn might not be needed in Washington. For instance, it’s still not COMPLETELY out of the question that Williams and the Redskins reach an agreement, should the trade market and sizeable roster demand leave the seven-time Pro Bowler alone on the dance floor. This is highly unlikely, but I’d be lying if I said it were impossible. Then there are also other signings that could put the Redskins in better positions, like if they were to bring in former New York Jets LT Kelvin Beachum, or Jacksonville Jaguars LT Cedric Ogbuehi. Those are still two feasible options.

But should the Redskins strike out on all three of those things, Penn will likely be around, ready to step up when called upon once again. You’ve got to love him for that.

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3 players the Redskins should let walk in 2020 free agency

The Redskins are unlikely to retain these three players once free agency rolls around, allowing them to find a new team.

As the free agency period in the NFL starts to draw near, we’ve focused a lot on the players that the Washington Redskins need to try and retain, and several more that they need to try and bring in from outside of the team.

Just as important, however, are the decisions that they need to make on current players who are set to become free agents in 2020. While it seems crucial for the Redskins to try and keep players like Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers around, who can Washington allow to walk on to the open market? These top three names might be free to look elsewhere once March 18th rolls around.

Chris Thompson — Running Back
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 08: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins runs with the ball as Kurt Coleman #29 of the New Orleans Saints defends at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Things never really worked out for Thompson in Washington, unfortunately, and it seems that he’s likely missed his window to be a feature back in the Redskins’ offense. When healthy, Thompson was a solid piece for seven years with the Redskins, but he only amassed five total touchdowns in that time, and he often struggled to fight off injuries. missing 46 games over that period.

While he still holds value as a third-down back when he’s on the field, it’s likely that the Redskins will be able to move away from him in 2020, as they have Adrian Peterson and Derrius Guice shouldering much of the load, and a wildcard in Bryce Love will be available as well. Love, who is virtually a younger and more decorated version of Thompson, has a high ceiling that is almost guaranteed to give the Redskins the confidence to let Thompson walk in free agency this year.

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Redskins’ front finishes No. 13 in PFF’s offensive line rankings

Even without Trent Williams, the Redskins offensive line finished in the top half of the league with some make-shift pieces filling holes.

The biggest concern for the Washington Redskins heading into the 2019 season centered around the offensive line.

With a new QB set to be under center, and long-time All-Pro Trent Williams holding out from the team, the Redskins were forced to piece together a make-shift front and hope that it could hold up.

That group did a pretty solid job, considering the circumstances, and they finished in the top half of the NFL’s offensive line rankings, according to Pro Football Focus, coming in at No. 13 out of 32 teams in the league.

The Redskins’ offensive line was operating without its best player all season, as Trent Williams sat out, but the group still managed to finish among the top half of the league in our rankings, led by Brandon Scherff before his season-ending injury. Scherff was a force to be reckoned with in the run game this season. His 76.3 run-blocking grade ranked fifth among all qualifying guards.

Left tackle Donald Penn was signed right before the season, and though he was probably the weakest member of the front-five, he wasn’t a complete liability. Next to him was Ereck Flowers, who did a magnificent job of bucking the ‘bust-narrative’ that has followed him throughout his young NFL career, and he likely earned a spot with the Redskins for several years to come.

The three staples of the line, C Chase Roullier, RG Brandon Scherff, and RT Morgan Moses, were all expectedly solid, and they will remain incumbents at their position for as long as they want the spot. Of course, Scherff is entering free agency with a desire to be paid top dollar this year, so there is a possibility that Washington moves on from the Pro-Bowl guard. However, should Scherff vacate his spot, rookie RG Wes Martin played will in the veteran’s absence this past season, and would step right into the starting spot with ease.

There are few accolades being thrown around the Redskins organization after a 3-13 season, expectedly so. However, we aim to give credit where credit is due, and the offensive line deserves it this year.

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Donald Penn didn’t start vs. Lions due to team discipline

Donald Penn missed a start by coach’s decision.

Donald Penn has been an unexpected bright spot for the Washington Redskins this season on the left edge of the offensive line while the team misses Trent Williams.

Sunday during a win against the Detroit Lions though, Penn wasn’t out there to start the game.

Now we know why.

According to interim head coach Bill Callahan, it was punishment for an unspecified issue, as noted by JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington:

“Bill Callahan told me that Donald Penn didn’t start vs the Lions for a disciplinary issue. That’s why Geron Christian started. Callahan said that everything has been resolved with Penn. The coach declined to tell me what the specific issue was.”

Penn only ended up playing 73 percent of the snaps.

Call it an interesting little detail that got a bit lost in the overwhelming amount of drama surrounding the team right now, ranging from Josh Norman’s usage to the Dwayne Haskins selfie.

If Haskins and the offense are indeed lucky, this will go down as a small blip on the radar and one of the line’s better players won’t miss any more time.

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