safety position

[skinsdad62]

• John Keim, ESPN Staff Writer

ASHBURN, Va. -- Jeron Johnson's signing figured to end speculation as to the starting strong safety. It didn’t. And that’s why the Washington Redskins like where they’re at, finally, at the position.

Let’s be clear: The Redskins must prove during the season that safety has improved. It’s been an issue for too long to simply ditch feelings of doubt so suddenly, especially when they have unproven candidates at strong safety and a free safety in Dashon Goldson who might or might not be done.

Ryan Clark at free andBrandon Meriweather at strong.

Goldson will be the starting free safety -- the coaches like what he adds in terms of experience. Though he did not play well in Tampa Bay, he’s only 30 (turning 31 in September) so their hope is that he has more good play left.

Duke Ihenacho worked with the starters at strong safety the first week of the organized team activities, ahead of the newly signed Johnson. Ihenacho started 14 games for Denver in 2013, but was one of the Broncos’ final cuts before the 2014 season. His coverage skills were knocked, but he’s still a young player with experience. But Ihenacho played in just three games before suffering a season-ending foot fracture.

Johnson has started one game, playing behind elite safeties Earl Thomas andKam Chancellor.

The Redskins also say their depth is better with Trenton Robinson, Phillip Thomas and Akeem Davis. It will also help having consistent and disciplined play at cornerback with Chris Culliver, who did not put safeties in bad spots with his play. And the pass rush, if it improves, would help. Again: Time will tell. But for now the Redskins like what they have.

"We have a very good group of safeties right now. We went from kind of a struggling point for us the last couple of years, I guess, to I think it’s a strong point now," Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "Our safety spot looks a lot brighter now than it did 11 months ago."

this might be true but then again it might not . we have an unproven SS in either duke or johnson , and dashon is 31 and coming off a couple of bad years in tampa . we have improved at cb but dont be surprised if one of our young CBS get switched to FS