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#HailMail: 2016 NFL Owners Meetings

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Redskins.com's Andrew Walker answers YOUR questions submitted on Twitter about this week's NFL Owners Meetings and the Redskins' offseason so far.*


@Red21Skin on Twitter asks: "Predictions for approach to RB position? Roll w/Jones/Thompson/Rookie? Add a vet like Blount? Re-sign Thomas?"

The Redskins have a nice problem to have at the running back position this offseason. They have an up-and-comer who by all accounts will be handed the starting job in Matt Jones. And then they have Chris Thompson, who, when healthy, is a dangerous weapon on third down both running and catching the ball.

Beyond that, you're absolutely right – the Redskins would like to find a solid third running back to start the regular season.

As you mentioned, Washington could draft a running back again. Maybe Scot McCloughan takes a chance on a late-round talent to come in and see what he can do to earn a spot on the roster, much like Alfred Morris did as a sixth-round pick in 2012 (though these types of scenarios – from bottom to top of the depth chart as a rookie in just a matter of weeks – are very rare).

Then, the Redskins could still hit the free agent market for that third back. LaGarrette Blount is a guy with some mileage on him who is coming off a season-ending injury. Not sure he'd fit into the plans.

Pierre Thomas, meanwhile, is a player who got rave reviews when he came on to the Redskins for their stretch run of the 2015 season. Head coach Jay Gruden said Wednesday Thomas could possibly be signed back – and he'd welcome that.

"He did such a good job when he came in last year on short notice," Gruden said. "It'd be nice to have him from the beginning of OTAs and training camp. So he's definitely on our board. We're keeping a close eye on him."

But here are two options many aren't considering: Silas Redd Jr. and Mack Brown.

Redd Jr. was looking like he could possibly push Thompson for that third-down spot last offseason before suffering a torn ACL and MCL in the preseason opener. He's been working hard to get back to full strength and see if he can, once again, earn a spot in the rotation.

Brown, meanwhile, played in all four of the Redskins' preseason games last year as an undrafted rookie out of Florida, collecting 81 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Though he wasn't kept on the team's final regular-season roster, Brown was on the Redskins' practice squad for a majority of the season.

So Washington certainly has viable options at the running back position. It'll be interesting to see this one pan out.


@Sandnsaline on Twitter asks: "who do you see starting center game 1."

As the Redskins' roster stands right now, I see three viable candidates to get the start at center Week 1, in this order: Kory Lichtensteiger, Josh LeRibeus and Spencer Long.

Take a look back at the top images of the Washington Redskins' offensive linemen from the 2015 season.

Lichtensteiger was putting together a solid year in the middle of the Redskins' offensive line last season before suffering a neck injury and missing the rest of the regular season. Placed on the short-term Injured-Reserve list with a designation to return, Lichtensteiger was able to recover in time to play in Washington's Wild Card Round playoff matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

LeRibeus, meanwhile, was drafted by the Redskins as a natural guard in 2012, but new offensive line coach Bill Callahan last offseason had LeRibeus begin focusing on the center position as an emergency option. Callahan's thought process paid off when Lichtensteiger went down, as LeRibeus filled in admirably, starting 11 games and making marked improvements down the stretch to help lead his team to the NFC East title.

Long, a 2014 draft pick out of Nebraska, is also a natural guard. But when LeRibeus shifted over, it was Long that was beginning to take on those backup center duties, even when Long was thrust into the starting left guard position last season when Shawn Lauvao went down with a season-ending injury early in the year. Long could push Lauvao for the starting job in 2016, but you can imagine he'll get plenty of work at center, too, so that the Redskins are ready for anything.

Let's also not forget about Austin Reiter, whom the Redskins picked in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of South Florida. Reiter spent most of last season on Washington's practice squad, and you can bet he'll be a much improved product under Callahan's tutelage.


@AWalkerRedskins When is training camp? Always look forward to the Redskins coming to Richmond. — Sonya_C (@gacaterhsd) March 22, 2016

@gacaterhsd on Twitter asks: "When is training camp? Always look forward to the Redskins coming to Richmond."

First of all, we always look forward to our annual trip to Richmond, as well. The Redskins in 2016 will be spending their fourth season (can you believe it?) at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Facility, and I know there's already lots of plans in the works for even better fan experiences this time around.

Now, as for the actual training camp dates for this year, we'll have to hold off a while. The Redskins did not formally announce their training camp schedule until last June 15, and did not start camp until July 30.

So, for now, I'd use these dates as general guidelines until the team formally announces the real dates a couple months down the road.


*Have Redskins-related questions? Be sure to submit them to @Redskins on Twitter and the Redskins' Facebook by using the hashtag #HailMail. Your questions could also be featured on the daily CSN Mid-Atlantic show, "Redskins Nation."
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