RICHMOND, Va. -- Taking a look at the Washington Redskins' defensive line after three weeks of training camp. My guess is they'll keep six, though if they really wanted to take a slight risk and keep five they do have versatile players to make it work. Still, six is a better number.
NT Barry Cofield: Made more noise in training camp last summer. He needs Jason Hatcher to come through as an interior rusher to allow him more rest. Cofield has the ability to do more in the pass game, even if just collapsing the pocket. Cofield is a solid nose tackle, though he hasn't become the sort of player coaches predicted a few years ago.
DE Jason Hatcher: Still working his way back into the lineup after starting camp on the physically unable to perform list. It's hard to know where his game is at until we actually see him on the field. When working with the linemen during individual drills, you still see a player regaining his game. In other words, he doesn't look as explosive as the Redskins eventually need him to be. Also wonder how long it will take him to click with pass-rushers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.
DE/NT Chris Baker: Has done a better job playing with leverage, but has been chastised in practice at times for not doing more as a rusher. Baker, as of now, would be the starter at left end. It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hatcher returns to full-time action. Baker is more disciplined in his assignments than last year and understands better what blocks to anticipate. He can play nose, too.
DE Jarvis Jenkins: A pleasant surprise this summer. It's not as if he was awful last year; he did some good things against the run. But he was better at applying pressure or, at the least, collapsing the pocket. The sack versus New England came in part because he had pushed the guard back a couple yards. Not ready to proclaim him a pass-rush demon by any means, but it was his best summer at getting penetration since his rookie year. He's been working with the starters at right end with Hatcher out.
DE Kedric Golston: Has worked at nose as well as end. It's amazing to think that Golston will be entering his ninth season after making the roster as a sixth-round pick in 2006. He still helps on special teams. He still does a solid job as a backup lineman. Has consistently worked with the second team.
DE Stephen Bowen: Continues to rehab on a side field. He said he'd be ready for the season opener, but he's still not running full-go. Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he's not sure yet when he'll return. The question will then become: How much can Bowen help? Will his knees hold up? If his knees are sound, he can still be a good run defender.
NT Chris Neild: He likes the camp he's having, but the numbers might not add up for Neild. He's limited to nose tackle whereas the others offer more versatility. But at least he is a true nose and can play a handful of snaps a game. But it will be tough for him to make the roster, especially if Bowen is healthy.
DE Clifton Geathers: They liked him enough to sign him early in free agency, but it'll be tough for him to earn a spot given the numbers. But he could sneak on if someone gets injured or if Bowen isn't ready at season's start. Geathers offers size at 6-foot-8 and when he plays with good leverage he's a difficult person to move. But he does not always play that way.
DE Doug Worthington: He's another powerful man, but he's not quick and would not be much of a threat in the pass game. He's a run defender who seems to have had a good camp. But, again, the numbers don't add up.
The rest: End Frank Kearse, nose tackle Robert Thomas and end Jake McDonough will have a difficult time making the roster. Kearse has flashed on occasion in rush drills, but really it would take a lot for one of them to make the roster.
