Rookies Surprising Pair Of Aces

The Washington Redskins selected cornerback Fabian Moreau in the third round last spring.

- Ben Standig

Safety Montae Nicholson came one round later. Who knew their future would come quickly this fall?

At those slots, thinking both could and perhaps should offer help as rookies was no stretch. Realistically, both choices were about the future for the always evolving-roster. Developing situations early in the current campaign forced both to grow up quickly.

Nicholson was arguably the most controversial of Washington’s 10 selections. While some projections didn’t view the Michigan State product as a draft-worthy prospect, the Redskins took him with their second fourth-round pick. Nicholson couldn’t quiet doubters initially. He recovered from a pectoral injury that kept him sidelined early in training camp.

Once the 6-feet-2 safety joined the fray, it didn’t take long to stand out. When Su’a Cravens suffered a knee injury during the preseason, additional opportunity arrived. When Cravens began discussing retirement ahead of Week 1, the replacement plan was unsettled. Around the time the Redskins ended Cravens’ season with a procedural move, Nicholson began showing he was worthy of more work.

In the 27-10 home win over Oakland in Week 3, Nicholson and strong safety D.J. Swearinger played the role of aggressive traffic cops. That they were simply effective was welcomed considering the long history of brutal Redskins safety play.