The Youth Report is a weekly content article that evaluates the play and performance of the Redskins rookies and sophomores, with trends of players going up, down, or simply staying neutral, and a few little bits of personal/opinion/comment.  You may not always agree with our assessment of players, so feel free to comment right here on the Blog.

The Rookie Report

CB Kevin Barnes :   Due to an injury to young CB Justin Tryon, Kevin Barnes got an opportunity to see some game action.  He also received the praises from the coaching staff on a job well done.  Barnes did fairly well in coverage, and given the way this season is headed, if I were the Redskins, I would want to see more of Barnes on the field.  Barnes stays NEUTRAL.

Stats:  Tackles: 1  Assts:  1  Sacks: 0  FF: 0   FR: 0   PD: 0
Season:  Tackles: 1  Assts:  1,  Sacks: 0  FF: 0   FR: 0   PD: 0

OL Paul Fanaika:   Fanaika was just signed last week.  Fanaika was inactive for the game.  He is NEUTRAL.

LB Robert Henson: There for awhile it looked as if Henson would be activated to play on special teams.  He was not active again.   Henson stays NEUTRAL.

S Lendy Holmes:  Holmes was not listed as inactive, nor did I really see anything from him.  Stays NEUTRAL.

DE Jeremy Jarmon: Jarmon was likely set to start seeing an upgrade in playing time as the Redskins see Jarmon as part of their future on the Line.    Jarmon played well, knocking down a pass attempt from Donovan McNabb.  Unfortunately for Jarmon and the Redskins, Jarmon became the latest addition to the Redskins growing and booming injured reserve list, tearing his ACL and effectively ending his season.  Sucks for him and us, I was looking forward to seeing Jarmon on the field more as this horrific season progressed toward the end.  With his landing on the IR, we give NO RATING.

Stats:  Tackles: 1  Assts:  1  Sacks: 0  FF: 0   FR: 0   PD: 1
Season:  Tackles: 6  Assists:  2,  Sacks: 0  FF: 1   FR: 0   PD: 1  Tck/Loss:  0

WR Marko Mitchell:   I really have no idea what to type here anymore.  Devin Thomas has decided to play a role in the offense, Malcolm Kelly is still absent.  So where is Marko Mitchell?  Anyone watch the Ravens/Steelers game?  How many times did each team go for the TD pass in the corner of the end zone.  That’s what you do with tall receivers, yet the Redskins fail to take those opportunities despite a 6′4″ Kelly and 6′4 Mitchell.  Mind boggling.  I have to think there is more to this than just Vinny Cerrato’s embarrassment of selecting Kelly in the 2nd round.  Does Mitchell not know routes?  Does he perform poor in practice?  What’s the deal, dammit!  As pathetic and inept as this offense is, should we not be looking at what Mitchell can possibly bring next season?  Mitchell wasn’t inactive, but he wasn’t on the field much either.  As for now, he stays NEUTRAL.

STATS:   Receptions:  0,  Yards:  0, Avg:  0.0,  TDs:  0
Season:   Receptions:  2,  Yards:  22, Avg:  11.0,  TDs:  0

LB/DE Brian Orakpo: What is most enticing about Brian Orakpo,besides hsi sack production, is the 100% effort you get week in and week out, in a season that is easy to give up on.  Orakpo is growing as a player every week.  This week he added 3 tackles and a pass deflection.  He applies some pressure to McNabb but did not add to his sack total.  I just really hope that when a new coaching staff arrives, Orakpo is moved to defensive end where he belongs.  He can be a dominant DE in this game and for this franchise for years to come.   Orakpo should be a top consideration for Defensive Rookie of the Year.  There may be a ton of change to the Redskins roster, ton of roster turnover, and even possibly a roster rebuild, which we here hope for, but regardless, Brian Orakpo will become the biggest building piece of the Redskins defense.  He is more than legit, he is damn good and a great draft pick.  Orakpo stays UP.

STATS:  Tkls:  3, Assts:  0  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  0   PD:  1
Season:  Tkls:  27, Assts:  10   Sacks:  7, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  0   PD:  2, Tck/Loss:  3

OL Edwin Williams: Williams made his first career start this week on one of the most battered offensive lines in the NFL.  I thought he did OK.  Zorn gave him an uninspired OK as well, but with a healthy Mike Williams this week, Edwin will likely be replaced with Mike and therefore, Edwin did nothing to make himself stand out.  As an undrafted rookie, I really did not expect much.  Part of Williams problem to is that he was playing besides another undrafted rookie from two years ago, Stephon Heyer, who looks sorely lost, overwhelmed, and over matched.  Not good for another aspiring rookie beside you.  You can find gems in the undrafted rookies pool, especially among offensive line.  Williams may be one in the long run.  But, for the Redskins to think Edwin Williams was going to excel besides Stephon Heyer is ludicrous.  Heyer can’t even do his own job, let alone help out a rookie.  Williams is DOWNGRADED from UP to NEUTRAL.

The Sophomore Report

TE Fred Davis:   Fred Davis had another 4 receptions for 43 yards including a 29 yarder.  Davis also added his 2nd TD reception of the season.  He continues to show his new ability to get open.  He continues to impress with getting yards after the catch.  Davis is quickly become a solid safety valve for Jason Campbell, and that is a good thing, because Campbell needs all the safety valves he can get behind that Line.  I have no problem with the way Davis is playing,  in fact, given his production earlier in the season and last year, well, I am down right tickled.    BUT, can we talk cease the silly talk.  Trading Chris Cooley would be just plain dumb and stupid.  He is a pro bowl tight end, one of the best in the NFL.  Since Davis appears to be picking it up, wouldn’t the offense be much better with a pro bowler and a solid second TE?  Redskins fans get pretty funny at times.  A player comes in and make a few decent plays, then trade your only consistent pro bowler.  Whoever the new coaching staff is, Cooley should be the center of the offense and the new coach should be pleased with his lineup of tight ends.  If you are one of those that think the Redskins should trade Cooley, you don’t deserve to criticize Vinny Cerrato anymore.  Davis stays UP.

STATS:   Receptions:  4,  Yards:  43, Avg:  10.8,  TDs:  0
Season:   Receptions:  27,  Yards:  266, Avg:  9.9,  TDs:  2

RB Quinton Gathner:  I like Gathner.  I like his shifty, speed style running, quite refreshing actually.  He also gets open for the pass.  I certainly am not ready to exalt Gathner as the next starting running back in DC, but he should most certainly be getting an extended look for a depth position next year.  When we talk about the team looking more exciting, more rejuvenated, and an offense that is moving the ball a bit more consistently, Ganther is factored into that discussion.  Gathner had 5 rushes for 32 yards, over 6 yards per carry.   He is quick and has the moves to shake and fake defenders.  I hope we see more of Gathner in the coming weeks.    Gathner goes to UP.

STATS:   Rushes:  5,  Yards:  32, Avg:  6.4,  TDs:  0  Fmb:  0    Receiving:   Rec:  1,  Yds:  -4, Avg:  -4.0,  TDs:  0

Season:   Rushes:  11,  Yards:  42, Avg:  3.8,  TDs:  0  Fmb:  0    Receiving:   Rec:  2,  Yds:  14, Avg:  7.00,  TDs:  0

S Chris Horton: Chris Horton has followed suit with most of the Redskins roster.  He suffered an injury that ended his season.  Copy cat!  Horton has NO RATING.

Season:  Tkl:  28  Asts:  9  Sks:  0  FF:  1  FR:  0  Picks:   0  PD:  3

WR Malcolm Kelly: OK, we are not entering Week 13.  Kelly’s production was absolutely horrendous last year.  Thsi season is no different.  In 12 full weeks, Kelly has managed 12 catches.  That’s good for 1 catch a game.  Last week , Kelly had 2 catches for 50 yards.  Other than that, he was invisable.  While side kick Devin Thomas heats up and proves he can be a integral part of the Redskins offense, Kelly remains mediocre at best.  Was there a spark last week?  Will that sprak catch fire?  No excuses Malcolm, no excuses.   Kelly remains DOWN.

STATS:   Receptions: 2,  Yards: 50,  Avg: 25.0,  TDs:  0

Season: Receptions: 12,  Yards: 181,  Avg: 15.1,  TDs:  0

S Kareem Moore: Moore is one of those guys that is benefiting from the youth playing more.  Moore is far from starter material in my eye.  But he is learning and growing each week.  At times, many times, he looks even better than Laron Landry, but with the way Landry has played this year, is that really that difficult?  Moore has subbed in well and tackles well.  Put it this way, Landry has one year left on his rookie deal.  He repeats 2009 performance in 2010, and he will be gone.  An opportunity could be present for Moore if he continues to look more comfortable in coverage packages.     Moore remains NEUTRAL.

STATS: Tkls:  2,  Assts:  1,  PD:  1,  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Inter:  0

Season:  Tkls:  10, Assts:  2   Sacks:  0, FF:  1, FR:  0,  Inter:  0   PD:  1

OG Chad Rinehart: Rinehart was lost for the season to a broken fibula.  Rinehart has NO RATING.

WR Devin Thomas: I am liking what I m seeing from Devin Thomas.  Thomas is starting the process of stepping up into an effective receiver role.  Not only is he starting to get open, but is becoming a new found weapon on the Redskins offense.  Thomas has been getting the yards after the catch that has been lacking from this offense.  In an offense that is extremely hard to watch, Thomas is giving a reason to pay attention and open your eyes to the TV set.   His increasing role and production is perfect timing as the Redskins begin the long look to next season.  In goes further.  Thomas has also taken over kick return duties from Rock Cartwright, while Cartwright handles full time running back duties.  Thomas has produced well, very well.  Is there a new debate on who should return kicks in 2010?  For the second consecutive week, Thomas stays UP.

STATS:   Rec: 4,  Yards:  46,  Avg: 11.5,  TDs:  0    KR Stats:   Att: 4  Yds:  94  AVG:  23.5
Season:   Rec: 16,  Yards:  187,  Avg:  11.7,  TDs:  1 —      KR Stats:  Att: 7  Yds:  171  AVG:  24.4

CB Justin Tryon: Justin Tryon to me is turning into a nice cornerback.  His 4th quarter interception gave the Redskins the opportunity to put the game away, but the weird playing calling trio decided to go conservative and play for the field goal instead of the win.  Tryon gave the Redskins the opportunity to put the Eagles out, but Zorn/Lewis/Smith decided to waste the turnover.  He has developed well and I personally would rather see him take over for Carlos Rogers and Fred Smoot.  Tryon has become a pretty sure tackler this season and has not done bad in coverage.  If anything, I think Tryon has made a statement to at least get some serious attention and consideration next season for the nickel spot in the secondary.   Last week, Tryon added 2 tackles.   Tryon stays NEUTRAL.

STATS: Tackles:  3,  Assts:  0,  Pass Defl:  1,  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  1

Season: Tackles:  14,  Assts:  4,  Pass Defl:  0,  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  0

CB Byron Westbrook: Westrbook played in the secondary some this week.  I personally like Westbrook as a special teams specialist, but keep him out of the secondary please.   Westbrook stays Neutral.

STATS:  Tackles:  2,  Assts:  0,  Pass Defl:  0,  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  0

Season:  Tackles:  7,  Assts:  0,  PD:  0,  Sacks:  0, FF:  0, FR:  0,  Int:  0

Youngster of the Week:    WR Devin Thomas