This post cannot promise to answer that question as it's really a who knows, but Redskins 360 did the math on at least one recent snapshot in time relevant to the above inquiry. He explains:

A question posed on a recent Redskins message board wondered what Seattle ran offensively against the Redskins in the teams' January playoff game, won by the Seahawks 35-14. This is obviously asked to start predicting what kind of formations Jim Zorn will use as the Redskins' coach.

He did the actual math, provided below, but let's quickly point out that a) Jim Zorn wasn't calling the plays in that game and b) I am sure his overall offensive philosophy is subject to change given varying circumstances, including his own and opponent's personnel, down and distance, scoreboard, etc. Redskins 360 counts:

54 total snaps of which the breakdown is as follows:

14 WR and 1RB set (~26%)

10 3WR and 2RB sets (~18%)

17 3WR and 1 RB sets (~31%)

8 2WR and 2 RB sets (~15%)

4 1WR and 2RB sets (~7%)

1 5WR set (~2%)

As I stated above, this is a tiny snapshot -- one game -- of a different team's offensive sets, with different players, under a particular set of circumstances. As Ryan O'Halloran points out, the presence of at least one great TE in Cooley plus another high potential guy in Fred Davis would alter the above substantially, since 3WR and 2RB sets, for instance, wouldn't provide any space for a TE (unless Cooley or Davis is lined up wide). Only the 1WR 2RB set provides for dual TEs, and the article notes that Seattle fell on that only after they managed a solid lead.

But I don't want to wait for a solid lead to see my potent two TE, Cooley and Davis and Moss and Portis and Sellers set, I want to run it noooooooooooow.

Here's the problem for the other poor bastard... Davis and Cooley and Sellers and Portis together makes for a fearsome running group that cannot be ignored. Cooley and Davis in that set, though, along with Moss, also makes for a fearsome passing group that cannot be ignored (pretty good pass protection, too, ignoring whatever nonsense [hat tip to Fanhouse] Mike Lombardi is talking about Clinton Portis in pass protection -- name me a RB that's better). And so that guy gets to make a business decision about who and how he's going to deal with a multi-threat formation.

Then again... With both Kelly and Thomas on the team now, I kind of like a 4 WR set, which would've been hazardous when it was just Moss and ARE and then James Thrash + whoever? Brandon Lloyd?

Do I know that Kelly and Thomas are necessarily better than Thrash and Lloyd? Not really. I know they're taller at least. And when it comes to WR combos, I'll take the unknown duo with potential over the known meh group. (Note: I like James Thrash.)

And while we're on the subject of our newest Redskin WRs, and Mike Lombardi, he makes an inadvertent point about the future of another Redskin:

Zorn will try change the "Redskin Joe Gibbs" offense into his version of the west coast offense. That will be a slight challenge and there will be some adjustment time for the players as well as the coaches. Some of the assets he has on offense, like Santana Moss and Clinton Portis are not best highlighted in the west coast offense. Moss is an explosive player, who is best running over routes and deep comebacks, not slants and snags. When the Jets ran the west coast with Paul Hackett, Moss was the change of pace wide receiver he was used for specific routes as Laveranues Coles was the number one wide receiver.

I don't want to give too much credence to all this; I think Santana Moss is at least capable of exceeding in whatever system he plays under, since he can be and has been a special kind of player. There is no offensive system that is not,at least on occasion, better off with a guy who can outrun the entire opponent's secondary with unrivaled adjustment-to-the-ball-while-it-is-in-the-air. I think Moss is fine, will have a place in this offense.

What about Antwaan Randle El, though? He's very nearly the same build as Santana Moss, is a great YAC guy with good speed. Whatever criticisms can be leveled towards Moss relating to his place in a WC system apply equally to ARE. I hate to say this because ARE is a special kind of player in his own right, but, isn't he just a Moss-lite? They aren't indistinguishable, but share a skill set and Moss is simply the more productive WR over the course of their careers. I wouldn't want Moss returning punts necessarily, or throwing WR passes, but if I had to choose just one starting WR I'd take Santana over Antwaan. Am I wrong about that?

And if it's the case that Moss (and by comparison ARE) have skill sets and size disadvantages that don't lend themselves to the West Coast offense, is it possible that Randle El may not finish the year at the #2 WR?

That's the new poll question, enjoy.

Psssst: I voted for 3rd WR behind either Kelly or Thomas but not both.

Usually when I find a nice YouTube gem I just post it on fanshots and then promote to the front page so as not to put you all to sleep with my extended commentary on why a video is entertaining, usually using erudite descriptives such as "awesome" and "really" and "I mean, seriously." But I mean, seriously, please enjoy this really awesome video of Chris Samuels seducing the world all smooth-like:

He appears shirtless, strike one ladies, and then proceeds to introduce himself with a booming voice that would inspire the faithless:

Chris Samuels: Chris Samuels, number sixty, University of Alabama, Roooooll Tide.

At this point, I've converted to the University of Alabama.  (Naw, not really.)

On his boat, which is in Washington, D.C.: "It's actually in Virginia Beach." Silly question may get the inquirer smited later.

Does the team know where you're at, Chris: "No they don't. They might not want to pay me if I get hurt." Laughter follows: they'll pay you, because your contract is approaching 100% guaranteed money with each passing year. Hah hah hah hah!

The entire video is populated with Super Nintendo era music and Chris Samuels just being ridiculously cool. I might kill someone to have a voice as deep as his. I'm convinced he has magical powers like Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile. (Magical powers Magical powere Magical powers!)

It's not clear from the video that, while tubing, Samuels is actually moving fast but I guess that's why 300 pound linemen go their entire lives without tubing; it's not as fun if you're pulling the boat. (Admittedly, later in the video he does get some speed.)

Video is close to being unmatchable in sheer grace and wonder and then... Mike Sellers shows up tenderly hugging a tube next to Samuels, immediately graduating it to youtubery Hall of Fame status. Fade out: Mike Sellers, stranded in the water, cackling like a crazy person. Well played, Boating Life Magazine. Your move, Marine Engine Digest.

Some nasal guy, might be me, talked Redskins football with the guys over at... FootballGuys. That's being added to the sidebar, and here are some testimonials to convince you that these people are legit (and thus I'm legit by association! See what I did there?)

There are all kinds of fantasy football updates that pop into my computer or onto my blackberry. Most I simply delete. But not the Footballguys newsletter. When it shows up, I sit down and read. And learn

Adam Schefter
Analyst, NFL Network

See? It's no joke. I'm told The Audible (a FootballGuys podcast) is the most popular football show on iTunes. And if you go here, you'll see:

May 30 2008
2008 Volume#123a - Interview with Will Allensworth from Hogs Haven. (#472)
In This Episode: Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom interview Will Allensworth from Hogshaven.com Topics Include: how is Erasmus James going to fit in, will this be the true breakout year for Jason Campbell, can Colt Brennan be the QB of the future, a discussion about the new weapons in the passing game, plus more!

Link to the actual podcast here.

In it you can find insightful comments from yours truly, such as: The 2008 draft reflects a philosophical shift in draft philosophy.

Huh. A philosophical shift in philosophy, yea? Are there other kinds, Will? I'm not s-m-r-t.

If you're interested in the Football Guys, you can explore their site linked above (and going on the blogroll shortly) or watch them here in this familiar draft profile of current Redskin Kerry Brown:

The two gentlemen on the other side of the interview are the ones above talking about and with Kerry Brown.

Anyways... I thought the questions were much better than the answers and was incredibly flattered to be included in a serious, legitimate podcast. If you're really starved for football podcasts, find their archives here.

Let me have it in the comments; you always do.

As readers are well aware, this space is big, big time on Pete Schmitt. I've already called Pete Schmitt as a lock to make the team, and chose him in our Adopt-A-Redskin program to follow throughout the offseason. However much I appreciated Pete Schmitt then, consider it doubled and then some now, as he very graciously agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of my questions. Below you'll find an interview with him where he discusses, among other things, the changing coaching staff, Mike Sellers, the normalcy of a Midwestern accent, delicious Miller Lite, and the very fascinating process he's currently in that can turn a substitute teacher into a Professional Football player overnight. Please enjoy. Side note: I am indebted to Pete Schmitt's agent, John Perla, Jr, for his assistance in setting this up. As far as Hogs Haven is concerned, John is the best agent in the biz.

Hogs Haven: This is actually your second stint with the Redskins, as you spent the 2007 season with the team until a shoulder injury ended with you off the roster. How is the shoulder feeling and will it have any impact on your making the team this season?

Pete Schmitt: The shoulder is back to where I want it to be.  It was very frustrating how everything went down last year, especially with the position I was in heading into training camp '07.  I have regained all my strength back in the shoulder and as far as I'm concerned, it's 100%.  I've been really working both of the shoulders this offseason to try and avoid something like this happening again. 

Hogs Haven: In College you were an All-WIAC tight end but are now being groomed, as a professional player, as a fullback. What's been the hardest part of that transition?

Pete Schmitt: The biggest challenge of the position change for me was getting used to blocking in space.  At the DIII Level, I pretty much lined up in the tight end position every play.  Now in the backfield, there's a lot of distance between you and a linebacker for example.  That took a little adjusting, but it's fun in the same way because you can use some athleticism working in that open space.  Also, I had never taken a handoff before rookie camp last year, so that has taken some getting used to. 

HH: Your first stint with the team was under the Joe Gibbs regime, but you apparently impressed someone within the organization enough to get a second chance months after Coach Gibbs retired and not too long after Jim Zorn was named the Head Coach. There's still some coaching continuity between the two regimes, even on offense, specifically with guys like Joe Bugel and Rennie Simmons. Any idea who went to bat for you the 2nd time around, if anyone? 

PS: Not sure who went to bat for me...haha, but it happened.  I just am thankful that the front office wanted to give me another chance.  It's not very often that an undrafted rookie gets a second opportunity after a coaching staff change, but I was lucky enough to get that break and now I can give it everything I got one more time. 

HH: You spent a decent amount of time under Coach Gibbs in '07 and now are a couple months into the Jim Zorn era, especially with practices gearing up. What is the biggest difference you've noticed between the two coaches and staffs?

PS: They both brought two different styles of football.  Coach Gibbs was guy who wanted to pound the ball as much as he could, where as Coach Zorn, being a quarterback, likes to attack with the passing game, but at the same time, run the ball successfully as well.  They both have/had systems in place that worked very well, and I think that the new system really will be successful.  Also, I feel a lot of guys feel this is a fresh start, especially on offense, and a new opportunity to show the coaches you can play.

HH: Take us through your second re-signing, as this is a process fans aren't that familiar with. What were you doing when you got the call to rejoin the team? Who was on the other end the phone?

PS: This was a pretty different situation.  Initially, I was substitute teaching, and I got a call from my agent saying they were interested in bringing me out for a workout and take another look at me, but I didn't get a date.  Then, while on vacation in Florida in the end of March, I got a call from my agent on a Monday and he told me I had a workout in D.C. on Wednesday.  So, I flew out of Pensacola at 6am on Wednesday, worked out and got a physical around noon, signed with them directly after the workout and flew back to vacation in Florida around 4pm.  Not quite the interruption you would expect on a vacation, but a very welcome one at the least.

HH: It's a difficult enough task for an undrafted rookie free agent to make a squad, but then something horrible happens like an injury. Did you ever question for a second that your professional career was perhaps slipping away? What did you do (besides rehabbing the injury) to make sure that you were still in a position to get that phone call to join the team?

PS: It definitely crossed my mind right when the injury happened.  It was in the second practice on about the 5th day of camp.  I knew right when it happened that something wasn’t right.  I tried to keep playing, hoping it was just a stinger or something, but I couldn’t move my arm.  Once I got the diagnosis, I knew it would be an uphill battle trying to make the team only playing at about 60-70% healthy, but I made the attempt.  I ended up being released with an injury settlement, but didn’t know if I would ever get the call to come back.  Once I felt good enough to really kick up the workouts, I worked out 5 days a week trying to stay as big and as fast as possible.  It ended up being a good thing because I got the chance to play again.

HH: Mike Sellers has been in the league a while and over the past few years has really distinguished himself as one of the better fullbacks in the NFC. Have you had a chance to learn much from him about the position?

PS: Mike is one of the best in the business and there isn’t a better person to learn from.  He’s physical, and athletic and a great competitor.  I just try to watch what he does and emulate the best I can.  I figure that is a good place to start…

HH: Fans like to speculate about how awkward it must be when players are potentially battling one another for position. Both you and Nehemiah Broughton are battling for the same position. Is it awkward at all? How have the two of you gotten along throughout?

PS: It is true that this is a business, and you are fighting against each other, but you just have to make the best of the situation.  In this league, there is always someone trying to take your spot, even the starters’ spots.  All I can do is go out and play and let that take care of the rest.  If you get caught up in worrying about roster numbers and how many spots are there etc…It will just consume you and you won’t play well.  I just go out and have fun.  Football is supposed to be fun and I like to keep it that way. 

HH: Having spent some time with the Redskins, who is your closest teammate on the roster?

PS: I lived with Alex Buzbee all last offseason, so him and I are pretty tight.  I also am good buddies with Matt Sinclair and Tyler Ecker.  Also, pretty much all the guys that I came in with as rookies last year are tight.

HH: Chris Cooley mentioned on his blog some of the good natured rookie hazing that goes on occasionally. Did you manage to avoid that?

PS: Besides the occasional helmet and shoulder pad drop off to the rookies by the vets, it wasn’t all that bad.  They might give you a hard time once in a while, but it’s all in good fun.

HH: If Pete Schmitt wasn't playing football, he would be _____?

PS: In grad school for physical therapy or physician assistant.

HH: You have a serious Wikipedia page; in fact it's longer than current Cowboys starting fullback Deon Anderson. It says here you were an all state punter? Are you going to give recent draft pick Durant Brooks and/or Derrick Frost a run for their money?

PS: HAHA…I don’t think that will be happening any time soon, but I do like to think I can still kick that ball around a little bit.  There wasn’t much technique for me in high school.  I just kicked it as hard as I could and I guess it got me the accolades, but I would look like a fool if I lined up with them.

HH: I've never been to Wisconsin and I've only lived in Washington briefly. Has there been much, if any, of a culture shock between living in Wisc. and the District?

PS: It is definitely a different way of life out here.  Everything is different.  I challenge anyone who lives in the D.C. area to live in Whitewater, WI for a year and hear their responses.  I bet they would have a bit of a culture shock.  I loved it in college and wouldn’t change anything about it, but this area definitely has a different feel.

HH: Do you have a favorite hangout/bar/etc. in Washington? If Pete Schmitt does drink, he drinks_____?

PS: I like to go to Sweetwater in the Ashburn area, and any place down by the water in D.C.  -  Gin and tonic or Miller Lite…depends on the mood. [ED. Note by Skin Patrol: There simply wasn't a better way for Pete to have answered the second half of this question. I was raised by a G and T drinker and am currently in an intimate relationship with Miller Lite. Ergo: He must have a great mind.]

HH: Wisconsin-Whitewater was a pretty good D3 team while you were there (with two National Championship appearances). Do you keep in touch with any of your former teammates? Are any of them in the NFL or can There Be Only One?

PS: Some of my best friends are my teammates in college and I still keep in touch with several guys.  One of my best friends from UWW is Derek Stanley and he was drafted by the Rams last year as a WR. He was the first person drafted in history from our school.

HH: Growing up in Wisconsin, who were your NFL heroes (I can't imagine they were Redskins)? Packers, right?

PS: Huge Packers fan growing up.  Brett Favre is a legend in Wisconsin and he was the real deal when I was growing up, in fact, he is the only Packers quarterback I have ever seen.  I vaguely remember Don Majkowski (spelling?), but for the last 17 years Favre has been the man.  My parents did get me an old Doug Williams #17 jersey when I was a kid and I think that pic is floating around the internet somewhere.  So that is kind of odd that I actually get to wear the real jersey now.

HH: We've already mentioned that you're apparently an All-State punter; are you getting much time on special teams right now, or even trying to?

PS: If I were to make the team, special teams would be where I would see the field.  I am on every team there is and I plan on making plays there in order to earn my keep.

HH: You're no slouch when it comes to Tight End, but the team has a pair of guys, in Cooley and Davis, who know a thing or two about that position as well. Do you see yourself returning to tight end at any point, or getting reps at that position?

PS: That was the plan last year, but I think this year is strictly fullback.  Maybe in the future I would love to do that, but right now,  I have to make plays out of the backfield.

HH: You've probably got better hands than the average fullback seeing as you spent so much time in college catching footballs. Have you had an opportunity to perhaps showcase some of your skills at tight end and translate those into fullback? Everybody loves a fullback who can catch out the backfield.

PS: I feel that is my strength.  I feel I can get out of the backfield and make plays with my hands.  I always took pride in catching the ball and I feel that is an area that I can do very well at.  I think I had 3 catches last preseason, so hopefully I can add to that total next year.

HH: My girlfriend and I recently watched Fargo and were discussing it with this elderly women from Michigan. When my girlfriend asked her if that's how people spoke in Michigan, she got offended as if such a suggestion were crazy, since Fargo was South Dakota. Wisconsin is closer to South Dakota then Michigan is. Have you seen Fargo and, if so, are you sporting the killer accent?

PS: It’s funny because if someone isn’t from the Midwest, I think they sound different.  I probably have the typical “Midwestern accent” but I don’t consider it an accent.  I think it’s the right way to talk…ha

HH: You've got a pretty unique skill set. Have you been given the opportunity to line up outside of the traditional fullback spot on offense?

PS: The west coast offense allows multiple formations and it will be fun to see what is possible once the whole offense is installed.  I did some of that last year and hopefully it can continue this year.

My thanks again to Pete Schmitt for answering our questions and we're really pulling for you this offseason, brother. Hail to Pete Schmitt. Cheers.

I don't know how newsworthy this is as I recall reading something to this effect a while ago, but just to remind, per a Mike Sellers Q&A:

Q: Does it help that the terminology of the running game is the same as last year?
A: "Well, that's pretty much half the offense right there. For us, it makes it easier. It makes it less of a learning curve. All we have to learn is the passing part of the offense. It's just a matter of getting the pass routes down. It's why everybody is moving forward so fast."

He goes farther, I'll emphasize:

Q: Is there enough of a smash-mouth element to this offense?
A: "Like I just said, we still have the same running game from last year. It's exactly the same. Nothing has changed, so I'll still be doing the same [blocking] that I'm normally doing. It's just the passing game that's different."

The story also says Mike Sellers is listing 284 pounds this season (at 6'3). Pro Bowler Mack Strong, by comparison, lists 253. (Pete Schmitt is 252, he's got room to grow.) I'm not saying that our DEs need to be larger, but Mike Sellers is at least bigger than any of ours, and he's carrying substantial weight over any linebacker who dares stand between Clinton Portis and the 2nd level of the opposing defense. Mike Sellers is large, in charge, and will eat up would-be tacklers alive.