Pranger » Name: Malcolm BlackenTitle: Director of Player Development

Experience: 21 yearsBio: Among the Washington Redskins coaches Da’Ron Payne Jersey , no one has more experience as a member of an NFL coaching staff than Director of Player Development Malcolm Blacken does.This year will mark Blacken’s 21st at the NFL level.He has been with the Redskins as Director of Player Development since 2013.Blacken had been with the Redskins twice before, both in a strength and conditioning capacity.Blacken was also the strength and conditioning coach for the Detroit Lions for nine years before returning to Washington for his second stint in 2010.Blacken played college ball at Virginia Tech, where he was a four-year letterman from 1985 through 1988.Fun Fact: Malcolm is known for being an accomplished painter.In addition to majoring in PE at Tech, he also majored in studio art.He’s continued his art career in tandem with his work in the NFL, and his paintings have been featured at the NFLPA’s “Smocks & Jocks” event. FanPulse is back"AFC North - Browns (53%)Wow!Talk about a franchise that has turned things around quickly!Earlier this week, I was looking at the AFC pro bowl roster from last season, then realized that it was actually the Browns roster!Last month I heard a guy on NFL Network say that the Browns roster didn’t have a hole anywhere, then doubled down by saying he didn’t think it was hyperbole to say so.Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Calloway Quinton Dunbar Jersey , David Njoku, Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, Denzel Ward....This team is loaded.Now, can Freddie Kitchens coach?Photo by Jason Miller/Getty ImagesAFC South - Colts (58%)Suddenly I don’t feel so bad about that Redskins Week 2 loss to Indy last year.Turns out that this guy Andrew Luck is pretty good when his shoulder isn’t sore.They couldn’t beat out the Texans for the division title last season, but I’m guessing former Redskins UDFA Zach Pascal puts them over the top in 2019.is the starter when the Redskins travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings this year?It may not rival the return of Bryce Harper to DC with the Phillies, but there’ll definitely be a lot of story lines that week.NFC EastIt may just be me, but I don’t think that any team in the division has gotten better (though the draft may change that).Philly has lost Nick Foles, and — let’s face it — he’s the one that’s been under center in all the big games.Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty ImagesThe Cowboys bring their 2018 roster back largely intact, but they have Demarcus Lawrence threatening to sit out until he has a long-term deal, and they didn’t have any cash for free agency because they need to save up for 2020, when they will have multiple stars and key players hitting free agency all at the same time.Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty ImagesThe Giants?I guess that they’ll be in a battle with Miami for the top draft pick of 2020.As one tweet that I saw recently phrased it: it seems as if Gettleman didn’t like the roster he inherited.Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesI’m guessing that the Giants ‘new direction’ will save the Redskins from finishing in last place in the the NFC East John Riggins Jersey , but this is the least optimistic I’ve been about a Redskins team since Robert Griffin was drafted in 2012.Perhaps the upcoming draft, and the fact that the ‘Skins have 4 picks in the top-100 will hold some magic, but the loss of Alex Smith, and its salary cap implications, really hurt this roster, and it may take another season or two to be playoff-competitive again.I’ll be hoping that the Washington Front Office focuses on building the roster during the draft at the end of the month, and I’ll be saying rosaries that Case Keenum returns to the form that saw him lead the Vikings to the NFC Championship game just 15 months ago.I have to admit, though, I’m more hopeful than optimistic.