You can reach Rich Tandler by email at WarpathInsiders@comcast.net

In inverse order, here are my rankings of the Redskins 24 starters, including punter and kicker, based on what they might do in 2006. Their 2005 rankings here (Part 1, Part 2), where applicable, are in parenthesis:

16. DE Phillip Daniels (18)—At age 33, which is the real Daniels? The one who spend most of the 2004 on the injured list or the one who started 16 games last year and racked up eight sacks, four in the key won over Dallas?

15. WR Antwaan Randle El (NR)—We’re going with a 3-WR, one TE and one running back set here. This is looking at Randle El strictly as a receiver, not taking into account his return skills, which will be his major value to the team.

14. CB Shawn Springs (4)—He was great in ’04, good last year. With his 31^st birthday in the rear view mirror, will the decline continue?

13. WR Brandon Lloyd (NR)—In San Francisco, Lloyd displayed a knack for both the spectacular catch and the drop of the easy one. He needs to get rid of the latter tendency so that it doesn’t undo the good of the former.

12. LB Lemar Marshall (24)—He was the lowest-ranked Redskin here last year primarily because he had never taken an NFL snap at middle linebacker at the time. Marshall proved to be a quick study and became a playmaker, leading the team in interceptions.

11. T Jon Jansen (6)—His comeback season was a little bit off from his pre-2004 standards, as he had to deal with a broken thumb on each hand. While his holding calls were down, so was his overall effectiveness.

10. TE Chris Cooley (8)—With the weapons the Redskins added on offense, Cooley could play better this year than last, but catch fewer passes.

9. S Adam Archuleta (NR)—This may be a bit higher ranking than his coverage skills warrant, but his potential to be a force blitzing and run stopping in Gregg Williams’ defense moves him up the list.

Rich Tandler is the author of The Redskins From A to Z, Volume 1: The Games. This unique book has an account of every game the Redskins played from when they moved to Washington in 1937 through the 2001 season. For details and ordering information, go to http://www.RedskinsGames.com

Ranking the Redskins #17-24