Did Joe Gibbs pay attention to his team last year or to who he was bringing back this season? The one GLARING, OBVIOUS (insert choice of adjective here) need on this team was to bolster the pass rush. And after not addressing the situation in free agency, it was obvious the Redskins would draft some defensive linemen here, wasn't it?
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Slow Day One
With all of the talk about moving up or down, the Redskins decided to stay put and take what many consider to be the "best defensive player in the draft." The problem is, Washington had more pressing needs than at safety. With only 19 sacks last year and only one pick where you will be able to get someone who can contribute right away (the team failed to trade down and get more first day picks), why wouldn't you use the No. 6 pick on an impact defensive lineman?
I hate to disagree with Joe Gibbs, winning three Super Bowls should earn unquestioned loyalty, but the team did have a hole or two that could have been plugged through the draft. The one bright side, no one will want to get caught going over the middle, especially with Sean Taylor roaming in the secondary with Landry. Brian Moorman should be very afraid.
But enough rambling, here's what you need to know about LaRon Landry, the team's only pick on day one.
LaRon Landry - S from LSU
6'0", 215, 4.35 40-yard dash time according to espn.com
74 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 4 break-ups, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick
For a full breakdown about what happened when the Redskins finally went on the clock, check out this article in the Washington Post by Jason La Canfora.
Here's to hoping we actually draft someone we need when the Redskins finally return to action in the fifth round.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Time to trade down
The last night before the draft, I wanted to give my thoughts on what I felt the Redskins should do with the No. 6 pick. But then I picked up today's Washington Post, read Thomas Boswell's article and decided there was no way I could express the sentiment to trade down any better so I urge everyone who hasn't yet to read this.
Whether they trade for Lance Briggs or a couple of extra picks, the Redskins should just avoid picking at No. 6. Here's hoping some old Redskins draft magic reappears tomorrow.
Whether they trade for Lance Briggs or a couple of extra picks, the Redskins should just avoid picking at No. 6. Here's hoping some old Redskins draft magic reappears tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Media run amok
Can we believe anything we read or hear at this point? Today I again heard the Redskins have three possibilities with their only Day One selection and while the options were nothing new - draft a player, trade down or trade up - today's hot rumor was the Redskins will probably have a good opportunity to trade down if certain players start to fall such as Brady Quinn or Joe Thomas, but what can we really believe?
Joe Gibbs went on record today saying that no matter who is available, the team is so stacked that a rookie probably won't crack the starting lineup. I don't know if Joe watched the team last year but there are plenty of players that could probably play better than some of the guys we had bumming around last year.
Here's to hoping that something good comes from all of this smoke and mirrors and that come the seventh pick Saturday, the Redskins will have done something smart with their first round selection for a change.
Joe Gibbs went on record today saying that no matter who is available, the team is so stacked that a rookie probably won't crack the starting lineup. I don't know if Joe watched the team last year but there are plenty of players that could probably play better than some of the guys we had bumming around last year.
Here's to hoping that something good comes from all of this smoke and mirrors and that come the seventh pick Saturday, the Redskins will have done something smart with their first round selection for a change.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
1983: Green, Mann and Bryant
The Redskins' official web site, redskins.com, has been going through and listing some of the best Redskins draft's ever and the latest was 1983.
In the year of the quarterback, the Redskins probably made one of the boldest - and smartest - picks of the draft by selecting Darrell Green. Even with questions about his size raising red flags, Green obviously went on to prove cynics wrong by having one of the best career's of any defensive back in NFL history, and yes I am biased on that opinion.
But along with Green, the Redskins also got one of their most dominant lineman from the 1980s in Charles Mann, and versatile running back Kelvin Bryant, who played an instrumental role in the Skins' run to the 1987 Super Bowl in San Diego.
While a lot of the picks from 1983 had little to no impact, any time you can get a future Hall of Famer and one of the top players at their position in team history, you have to consider it a solid draft. And if the Redskins can learn anything from that draft, it's to trust your gut and not follow the trends of the league.
So when offensive players fly off the board in front of them, the Redskins should remember one thing - the holes that desperately need to be plugged are on defense and either Gaines Adams, Alan Branch or Amobi Okoye should be more than adequate to fill the job. And who knows, one of them could be a future Hall of Famer.
In the year of the quarterback, the Redskins probably made one of the boldest - and smartest - picks of the draft by selecting Darrell Green. Even with questions about his size raising red flags, Green obviously went on to prove cynics wrong by having one of the best career's of any defensive back in NFL history, and yes I am biased on that opinion.
But along with Green, the Redskins also got one of their most dominant lineman from the 1980s in Charles Mann, and versatile running back Kelvin Bryant, who played an instrumental role in the Skins' run to the 1987 Super Bowl in San Diego.
While a lot of the picks from 1983 had little to no impact, any time you can get a future Hall of Famer and one of the top players at their position in team history, you have to consider it a solid draft. And if the Redskins can learn anything from that draft, it's to trust your gut and not follow the trends of the league.
So when offensive players fly off the board in front of them, the Redskins should remember one thing - the holes that desperately need to be plugged are on defense and either Gaines Adams, Alan Branch or Amobi Okoye should be more than adequate to fill the job. And who knows, one of them could be a future Hall of Famer.
Repeating sins of the past
Reading the latest issue of ESPN the Magazine, I came across an article that talks about the rise of JaMarcus Russell and fall of Brady Quinn and I immediately thought of Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf.
Manning was the quarterback with the pedigree and the experience while Leaf was the one with the impressive, single, season and great workouts and I can't help but think that the Oakland Raiders are getting ready to make a mistake - and I can't wait.
If there is one thing we have learned, it's that a quarterback that has the type of success like Manning or Quinn had, they will perform at the next level where one year wonders like Russell, Leaf, and Akili Smith - to name a few - are too much of an unknown to guarantee any success in the league. Obviously Vince Young proved this theory wrong last season with his success in Tennessee, but he was the exception and not the rule.
How does this apply to the Redskins? Well, while doing their "due diligence," Russell was brought in and if the Redskins think they're fooling anybody, then they really need some new brains in the front office. If Washington is planning on making any sort of move for Russell, which they adamantly deny, they need to follow what they are telling the media, that they are not going after him.
I wrote yesterday saying mind games and deception are the name of the game from here on in, but even the slightest hint of a trade at this point needs to be nipped in the bud. There is not enough left even in the future to mortgage for the present and if this team is going to turn things around, they need to start by keeping draft picks, not trading more away. The only type of trade that should be considered is one that allows the Skins to move down and acquire more picks.
The current approach the Skins are taking is not and has never worked, so before they go and do another stupid thing, they need to step back and learn not only from their recent history but the history of first round potential as well.
Manning was the quarterback with the pedigree and the experience while Leaf was the one with the impressive, single, season and great workouts and I can't help but think that the Oakland Raiders are getting ready to make a mistake - and I can't wait.
If there is one thing we have learned, it's that a quarterback that has the type of success like Manning or Quinn had, they will perform at the next level where one year wonders like Russell, Leaf, and Akili Smith - to name a few - are too much of an unknown to guarantee any success in the league. Obviously Vince Young proved this theory wrong last season with his success in Tennessee, but he was the exception and not the rule.
How does this apply to the Redskins? Well, while doing their "due diligence," Russell was brought in and if the Redskins think they're fooling anybody, then they really need some new brains in the front office. If Washington is planning on making any sort of move for Russell, which they adamantly deny, they need to follow what they are telling the media, that they are not going after him.
I wrote yesterday saying mind games and deception are the name of the game from here on in, but even the slightest hint of a trade at this point needs to be nipped in the bud. There is not enough left even in the future to mortgage for the present and if this team is going to turn things around, they need to start by keeping draft picks, not trading more away. The only type of trade that should be considered is one that allows the Skins to move down and acquire more picks.
The current approach the Skins are taking is not and has never worked, so before they go and do another stupid thing, they need to step back and learn not only from their recent history but the history of first round potential as well.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Off my rocker
So apparently my attention span is such that I can't read a calendar. After spending all week thinking the NFL Draft was Saturday, I finally found reality and figured out the players still have another week before they find out their fates.
I would like to blame it on the fact that my wife gave birth recently and my new sleep routine has messed with my brain, but I just can't plain read. So now that I have another week to write my educated guesses on what will transpire, I am going to make sure I use my time wisely. But today, I am going to keep this short so I can get my brain back on track.
I would like to blame it on the fact that my wife gave birth recently and my new sleep routine has messed with my brain, but I just can't plain read. So now that I have another week to write my educated guesses on what will transpire, I am going to make sure I use my time wisely. But today, I am going to keep this short so I can get my brain back on track.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Let the mind games commence
Before I start with today's post, I have to admit that writing a daily blog on your team is a lot harder than it seems. As a writer, I know how long it takes to get thoughts down and between a new baby, going back to work, helping my wife recover from labor and a two-year-old, I have to admit that I have been remiss in my duties. Hopefully I will get things back on track and there will be no more delay to the posting of my thoughts.
Now on to the rant:
As coverage of the draft heats up, I find it amazing how contradictory the media reports are. But that is to be expected considering the draft is probably the biggest crap shoot in all of sports and sometimes even the teams don't know what they're doing until after the fact. However, because this is the case, I think bringing on expert after expert to talk about what a team's real strategy is tiresome. No team in their right mind will divulge what their strategy is with their picks unless they have the No. 1 overall pick and have him signed to a contract before they are on the clock.
But because this information is so subjective, fans - including myself - love to salivate at any mention of a possible scenario that could favor yielding a top prospect after the first two or three picks. I mean, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be completely besides themselves thinking the prospect with the best upside and the most ready to play in the NFL could fall to them at No. 4. If Calvin Johnson slides to the fourth pick you know he won't be on the board for pick No. 5.
Washington fans are hoping the best defensive lineman in the draft, Clemson's Gaines Adams could potentially fall to the Redskins at No. 6. But even if someone snatches him before then, there will still be plenty of defensive potential on the board as most of the team's in front of them will probably focus more on improving their offenses with the first pick.
As stories come out tomorrow and Saturday morning on the different scenarios that may play out, I urge you to approach them with a sense of caution. These stories are written by guys making educated guesses just like the rest of us and even if they have access to the front office, you can guarantee the reporter is not getting any real information that may tip off other team's to draft strategy. So sit back and enjoy your Friday realizing that by Monday morning your team will have a whole slew of new reasons why they should be considered a preseason favorite to win it all.
Now on to the rant:
As coverage of the draft heats up, I find it amazing how contradictory the media reports are. But that is to be expected considering the draft is probably the biggest crap shoot in all of sports and sometimes even the teams don't know what they're doing until after the fact. However, because this is the case, I think bringing on expert after expert to talk about what a team's real strategy is tiresome. No team in their right mind will divulge what their strategy is with their picks unless they have the No. 1 overall pick and have him signed to a contract before they are on the clock.
But because this information is so subjective, fans - including myself - love to salivate at any mention of a possible scenario that could favor yielding a top prospect after the first two or three picks. I mean, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have to be completely besides themselves thinking the prospect with the best upside and the most ready to play in the NFL could fall to them at No. 4. If Calvin Johnson slides to the fourth pick you know he won't be on the board for pick No. 5.
Washington fans are hoping the best defensive lineman in the draft, Clemson's Gaines Adams could potentially fall to the Redskins at No. 6. But even if someone snatches him before then, there will still be plenty of defensive potential on the board as most of the team's in front of them will probably focus more on improving their offenses with the first pick.
As stories come out tomorrow and Saturday morning on the different scenarios that may play out, I urge you to approach them with a sense of caution. These stories are written by guys making educated guesses just like the rest of us and even if they have access to the front office, you can guarantee the reporter is not getting any real information that may tip off other team's to draft strategy. So sit back and enjoy your Friday realizing that by Monday morning your team will have a whole slew of new reasons why they should be considered a preseason favorite to win it all.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Draft weekend Redskins style
Instead of breaking down the rest of the first round, I decided that I wanted to keep things more Redskins-centric. The only problem is that leading up to the draft there is not a whole lot to discuss since Washington only has one pick on Day 1. While it would be nice to trade down a few spots to get more draft picks and find ways to fix multiple holes, I have a feeling the draft is going to be pretty boring to watch on TV.
But to make up for the lack of draft action the Redskins will once again hold their annual draft party at Fed-Ex Field where players and coaches will be in attendance for fans to meet. This may just be a cheap way to buy the fans' satisfaction when draft time rolls around, especially since the team has placed an emphasis on everything but the draft the past couple of year, but if the situation warrants it, I would actually like to check out the party if I can.
If I don't make it however, this is an open plea to the Daniel Snyder and the front office - please, please, please find a way to actually get something out of this draft. We've had to many mediocre drafts in recent history and if this team is ever going to be a constant playoff contender, we will actually need to get some consistent quality out of the draft. And the best way to attack that problem is to actually hold onto and draft players in the first place.
But to make up for the lack of draft action the Redskins will once again hold their annual draft party at Fed-Ex Field where players and coaches will be in attendance for fans to meet. This may just be a cheap way to buy the fans' satisfaction when draft time rolls around, especially since the team has placed an emphasis on everything but the draft the past couple of year, but if the situation warrants it, I would actually like to check out the party if I can.
If I don't make it however, this is an open plea to the Daniel Snyder and the front office - please, please, please find a way to actually get something out of this draft. We've had to many mediocre drafts in recent history and if this team is ever going to be a constant playoff contender, we will actually need to get some consistent quality out of the draft. And the best way to attack that problem is to actually hold onto and draft players in the first place.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Just Another Mock Draft: Picks 1-6
To start off my week-long draft rantings, I have decided to break the draft up, starting with the first 6 picks - this is a Redskins blog after all so I at least have to get to their pick in the first day - in Saturday's selection special. But rather than trying to guess who each team is going to pick, I am going to mention why each team should pick the player listed. Oakland is on the clock:
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Aaron Brooks wasn't the answer. Neither was Art Shell. Or Randy Moss. Or anyone else on Oakland's 2006 squad. But with QB being the most glaring hole and with the Raiders passing on both Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart last year, they have to take Russell don't they? Russell came out early with the knowledge that he would probably end up in Oakland so if he is willing to go there, the Raiders should make him the QB of choice.
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Because you can't draft a new general manager, the Lions should look for a QB that can develop some chemistry with all of those receivers the Lions have used their past first-round picks on so that Detroit can hope to win some games in the next decade. And because Quinn is nothing like Ryan Leaf, Detroit should feel confident that Quinn will be their quarterback later on down the line.
3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Cleveland probably needs a lucky clover more than anything else here in hopes of avoiding the slew of injuries the Browns sustained last year, but Peterson will be a good substitute ... as long as he can - say it with me - stay healthy. With Jamal Lewis only tied to the team for one year, what a perfect opportunity for the Browns to have a grizzled vet teach a young guy the NFL ropes.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Another offensively challenged team, Johnson is the best player in the draft and the Bucs would be lucky to have him fall to him. With Joey Galloway already over the hill in football years and Michael Clayton still trying to figure out what he's doing, the Bucs need some sort of downfield weapon and Johnson is easily the cream of the crop. No matter who ends up quarterbacking the team, they will definitely have an easier time is Johnson is the guy catching the ball.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Unlike the teams ahead of them, the Cardinals arguably only need to upgrade one spot to make a playoff run for this season. The problem is, they need to upgrade the entire offensive line. The place to start is by replacing departed left tackle Leonard Davis and the guy to do it is Thomas. With a solid replacement available here, if the Cardinals want to see Matt Leinart duplicate the success he had at USC, Thomas is the guy they need to start building with.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
With no pass rush and the defense in shambles, the Redskins need to find a way to pressure the quarterback this year and Adams seems to be the guy who can get that task done. With obvious holes in the secondary as well, Adams could help hide some of those problems by getting to the quarterback quickly. That point is especially important since after this pick we won't hear from the Redskins again until Day 2.
1. Oakland Raiders - JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Aaron Brooks wasn't the answer. Neither was Art Shell. Or Randy Moss. Or anyone else on Oakland's 2006 squad. But with QB being the most glaring hole and with the Raiders passing on both Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart last year, they have to take Russell don't they? Russell came out early with the knowledge that he would probably end up in Oakland so if he is willing to go there, the Raiders should make him the QB of choice.
2. Detroit Lions - Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Because you can't draft a new general manager, the Lions should look for a QB that can develop some chemistry with all of those receivers the Lions have used their past first-round picks on so that Detroit can hope to win some games in the next decade. And because Quinn is nothing like Ryan Leaf, Detroit should feel confident that Quinn will be their quarterback later on down the line.
3. Cleveland Browns - Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Cleveland probably needs a lucky clover more than anything else here in hopes of avoiding the slew of injuries the Browns sustained last year, but Peterson will be a good substitute ... as long as he can - say it with me - stay healthy. With Jamal Lewis only tied to the team for one year, what a perfect opportunity for the Browns to have a grizzled vet teach a young guy the NFL ropes.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Another offensively challenged team, Johnson is the best player in the draft and the Bucs would be lucky to have him fall to him. With Joey Galloway already over the hill in football years and Michael Clayton still trying to figure out what he's doing, the Bucs need some sort of downfield weapon and Johnson is easily the cream of the crop. No matter who ends up quarterbacking the team, they will definitely have an easier time is Johnson is the guy catching the ball.
5. Arizona Cardinals - Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Unlike the teams ahead of them, the Cardinals arguably only need to upgrade one spot to make a playoff run for this season. The problem is, they need to upgrade the entire offensive line. The place to start is by replacing departed left tackle Leonard Davis and the guy to do it is Thomas. With a solid replacement available here, if the Cardinals want to see Matt Leinart duplicate the success he had at USC, Thomas is the guy they need to start building with.
6. Washington Redskins - Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
With no pass rush and the defense in shambles, the Redskins need to find a way to pressure the quarterback this year and Adams seems to be the guy who can get that task done. With obvious holes in the secondary as well, Adams could help hide some of those problems by getting to the quarterback quickly. That point is especially important since after this pick we won't hear from the Redskins again until Day 2.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Hello internet
I am a lifelong Redskins fan. Despite the fact that I have only lived on the East Coast for one year, I was born in a family where being a Redskins fan was a family tradition and liking anyone else got you kicked out of the family.
While I am currently working as a sports writer in Southern Maryland, I am not afforded many opportunities to express my views on the Redskins, which is where this blog comes in. I am hoping that I can share my own insights, views and opinions with anyone interested and that people will find my words somewhat insightful.
With the NFL Draft taking place Saturday, I will spend my first week blogging offering my opinions on the draft. So please enjoy and Hail to the Redskins.
While I am currently working as a sports writer in Southern Maryland, I am not afforded many opportunities to express my views on the Redskins, which is where this blog comes in. I am hoping that I can share my own insights, views and opinions with anyone interested and that people will find my words somewhat insightful.
With the NFL Draft taking place Saturday, I will spend my first week blogging offering my opinions on the draft. So please enjoy and Hail to the Redskins.
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