****OFFICIAL**** 2008 Washington Redskins Off Season Thread! (1 Viewer)

[fatness]

I realize I'm supposed to be old and bitter and cynical and all that stuff, but I love stuff like this. I truly love it.

"Obviously everyone in the locker room would've loved to have Coach back," Portis said. "Maybe we didn't do the things that he set out to accomplish, but at the same time people became men and learned that from coach Gibbs. That will last a lifetime."

 

[Sidewinder16]

I'm not sure there's a passing game in the NFL today that ISN'T based on timing and throwing to a spot. They all want to throw the ball before the receiver turns their head or gets to a spot.

Saunders' offense may have been an extreme, but I always understood the WCO to be based upon a strict set of routes, run to a specific point on the field at a specific time, such that the QB could go through his progressions and look for example, first to the X WR seven yards off the line of scrimmage, then to the TE crossing at 10 yards, then to the Y WR running an out route at 15 yards, then check down to the FB coming off a blocking assignment and running a swing route as a safety valve. Each guy has to be at a specific, assigned spot at a specific time such that the QB knows where he will be when he comes to him on his progressions. I believe the most significant difference between Saunders' offense and the WCO, aside from terminology, are the routes that they favor, Saunders' routes being more vertical, and the WCO using more crossing patterns that cut through multiple zones.

That all makes sense, but do we still have any real knowledge about how close Zorn's passing game will resemble a WCO (or at least a Holmgren-style WCO) and/or what impact Sherman Smith's presence makes on the passing game?Aren't those player quotes the first real "insider" look at what Zorn has really brought to the 'Skins?

 

[fatness]

Don't forget about Mike Espy either, who seemed poised to make the squad as a WR until he was injured late in camp last year.

Espy just got released.I'm fine with Anthony Mix on special teams. But to put him forth as a real #2 or #3 receiving option at this point is just blind faith, or good drugs. And that seems to be what Cerrato is hinting at.

 

[Sidewinder16]

I realize I'm supposed to be old and bitter and cynical and all that stuff, but I love stuff like this. I truly love it.

"Obviously everyone in the locker room would've loved to have Coach back," Portis said. "Maybe we didn't do the things that he set out to accomplish, but at the same time people became men and learned that from coach Gibbs. That will last a lifetime."

IMO, that as much as anything else is why Gibbs belongs in the HOF. He knows how to bring individuals together and make them play as a team; how to make them play for each other. He turns boys into men and then sends them out on a football field. It leaves a lasting impact on the league and on the game.

 

[redman]

I'm not sure there's a passing game in the NFL today that ISN'T based on timing and throwing to a spot. They all want to throw the ball before the receiver turns their head or gets to a spot.

Saunders' offense may have been an extreme, but I always understood the WCO to be based upon a strict set of routes, run to a specific point on the field at a specific time, such that the QB could go through his progressions and look for example, first to the X WR seven yards off the line of scrimmage, then to the TE crossing at 10 yards, then to the Y WR running an out route at 15 yards, then check down to the FB coming off a blocking assignment and running a swing route as a safety valve. Each guy has to be at a specific, assigned spot at a specific time such that the QB knows where he will be when he comes to him on his progressions.

I believe the most significant difference between Saunders' offense and the WCO, aside from terminology, are the routes that they favor, Saunders' routes being more vertical, and the WCO using more crossing patterns that cut through multiple zones.

That all makes sense, but do we still have any real knowledge about how close Zorn's passing game will resemble a WCO (or at least a Holmgren-style WCO) and/or what impact Sherman Smith's presence makes on the passing game?Aren't those player quotes the first real "insider" look at what Zorn has really brought to the 'Skins?

Zorn's passing game is the WCO. It's straight out of Holmgren's playbook, which his shared by Reid, Gruden, Mooch (when he coached) and others, and that comes straight from Bill Walsh. The running game is the more power oriented version you saw in Seattle, which represents Holmgren's late career revamping of that aspect of the playbook when he had Alexander running behind Jones and Hutch. Prior to that, the WCO running game was more of a finesse system stemming from Walsh, that used somewhat smaller and more agile linemen (who tended to be better pass blockers anyway) and had them pulling and trapping a lot, and utlized a lead-blocking FB.

 

[fatness]

And I love this stuff, too.

On the absence of late safety Sean Taylor, whose locker netx to that of Portis remains encased in plexiglas:"Sean's not here. You can talk to him, but he won't respond. You come to work with a different attitude. You don't have a day to waste. You come in every day and make the most of it."

 

[fatness]

I found myself rooting for the Giants, too. How could you not root for them? NFC East team, complete and total hopeless underdogs up against the Death Star ---- I rooted my ### off for them.

We'll beat them twice this season.

 

[dgreen]

It was somewhat easy to root for the Giants since they are the NFC East rival that I hate the least. Here's my ranking:

Dallas

Philly

Giants

 

[Sidewinder16]

Zorn's passing game is the WCO. It's straight out of Holmgren's playbook, which his shared by Reid, Gruden, Mooch (when he coached) and others, and that comes straight from Bill Walsh.

Then, going back to fatness's original questions, how do we reconcile Cooley's comments (see below) with what Zorn is installing? They don't appear to mesh, at least not to my unfamiliar-with-watching-the-WCO eye.Cooleys comments:

"It's going to give me a lot of options," Cooley said. "Say you're running an 'in route,' instead of just continuing to run 15 yards and run in to the middle of the field, I can stop if I feel there's a hole in the middle of the field. I can look for zones, and that's something that's one of my better assets as a football player, finding an open spot or a soft spot and giving the quarterback a target."

That doesn't sound like "timing and throwing to a spot" to me.

 

[dgreen]

Zorn's passing game is the WCO. It's straight out of Holmgren's playbook, which his shared by Reid, Gruden, Mooch (when he coached) and others, and that comes straight from Bill Walsh.

Then, going back to fatness's original questions, how do we reconcile Cooley's comments (see below) with what Zorn is installing? They don't appear to mesh, at least not to my unfamiliar-with-watching-the-WCO eye.Cooleys comments:

"It's going to give me a lot of options," Cooley said. "Say you're running an 'in route,' instead of just continuing to run 15 yards and run in to the middle of the field, I can stop if I feel there's a hole in the middle of the field. I can look for zones, and that's something that's one of my better assets as a football player, finding an open spot or a soft spot and giving the quarterback a target."

That doesn't sound like "timing and throwing to a spot" to me.

Cooley's just describing an option route. Cooley and Campbell will have to read the coverage and Cooley will have an option of running an in, out, or hook based on the coverage. There can still be a timing aspect. If the coverage leads Cooley to option for the in, then Campbell will also need to read that have the ball out before Cooley makes his cut.I avoid option routes in Madden because I like to know where the receiver is going.

 

[fatness]

I avoid option routes in Madden because I like to know where the receiver is going.

Good stuff here.

 

[fatness]

What local stations are the Junkies on, and at what times? Jason Campbell is going to be on their show Friday.

Friday, March 21 :

Jason Campbell

Washington Redskins starting quarterback Jason Campbell will join us in studio. We'll talk about his relationship with his new head coach Jim Zorn and his girlfriend who won Miss District of Columbia USA 2007.

Link

 

[redman]

Zorn's passing game is the WCO. It's straight out of Holmgren's playbook, which his shared by Reid, Gruden, Mooch (when he coached) and others, and that comes straight from Bill Walsh.

Then, going back to fatness's original questions, how do we reconcile Cooley's comments (see below) with what Zorn is installing? They don't appear to mesh, at least not to my unfamiliar-with-watching-the-WCO eye.Cooleys comments:

"It's going to give me a lot of options," Cooley said. "Say you're running an 'in route,' instead of just continuing to run 15 yards and run in to the middle of the field, I can stop if I feel there's a hole in the middle of the field. I can look for zones, and that's something that's one of my better assets as a football player, finding an open spot or a soft spot and giving the quarterback a target."

That doesn't sound like "timing and throwing to a spot" to me.

Cooley's just describing an option route. Cooley and Campbell will have to read the coverage and Cooley will have an option of running an in, out, or hook based on the coverage. There can still be a timing aspect. If the coverage leads Cooley to option for the in, then Campbell will also need to read that have the ball out before Cooley makes his cut.I avoid option routes in Madden because I like to know where the receiver is going.

I think the difference comes down to when adjustments like this are made. To my understanding, in Saunders' offense the QB and WR's make sight adjustments based upon reads of the defense before the snap of the ball (hopefully they are on the same page, but they're supposed to be studying the same things and therefore making the same adjustments); in the WCO, it would appear that the receivers have some discretion after the ball is snapped to adjust their routes, at least on occasion, to adapt to the coverages.

 

[dgreen]

What local stations are the Junkies on, and at what times? Jason Campbell is going to be on their show Friday.

Friday, March 21 :

Jason Campbell

Washington Redskins starting quarterback Jason Campbell will join us in studio. We'll talk about his relationship with his new head coach Jim Zorn and his girlfriend who won Miss District of Columbia USA 2007.

Link

Morning show on 106.7.This morning, one of them said he has a source who is at Redskins Park a lot and the general feeling around the park is that Zorn is in over his head.

 

[redman]

What local stations are the Junkies on, and at what times? Jason Campbell is going to be on their show Friday.

Friday, March 21 :

Jason Campbell

Washington Redskins starting quarterback Jason Campbell will join us in studio. We'll talk about his relationship with his new head coach Jim Zorn and his girlfriend who won Miss District of Columbia USA 2007.

Link

Morning show on 106.7.This morning, one of them said he has a source who is at Redskins Park a lot and the general feeling around the park is that Zorn is in over his head.

I'm such a big fan of "sources at Redskins Park", especially as told via rabble rousing local radio personalities.

 

[fatness]

This morning, one of them said he has a source who is at Redskins Park a lot and the general feeling around the park is that Zorn is in over his head.

I would expect him to be in over his head right now. Most people moving upward in responsibility face that. The question is how he adjusts ---- does he grow into the responsibilities or just flounder?

 

[DCThunder]

This morning, one of them said he has a source who is at Redskins Park a lot and the general feeling around the park is that Zorn is in over his head.

I would expect him to be in over his head right now. Most people moving upward in responsibility face that. The question is how he adjusts ---- does he grow into the responsibilities or just flounder?

Hey, the OBC was "in over his head" and look where he took us. The ole "chuck & duck" offense is the talk of the league after the 3 consecutive Super Bowl wins.

 

[redman]

This morning, one of them said he has a source who is at Redskins Park a lot and the general feeling around the park is that Zorn is in over his head.

I would expect him to be in over his head right now. Most people moving upward in responsibility face that. The question is how he adjusts ---- does he grow into the responsibilities or just flounder?

Hey, the OBC was "in over his head" and look where he took us. The ole "chuck & duck" offense is the talk of the league after the 3 consecutive Super Bowl wins.

Andy Reid, who is the most recent (I think???) example of a position coach who was hired as a head coach, and who skipped being a coordinator, went 5-11 in his first season. I'm hoping for better than what the 1998 Eagles did, but the point about giving Zorn time to adjust is valid.

 

[fatness]

Joe Gibbs was over his head at the beginning, and started off 0-5. He learned and adjusted.

Hey, the OBC was "in over his head" and look where he took us. The ole "chuck & duck" offense is the talk of the league after the 3 consecutive Super Bowl wins.

Quite true. But Spurrier never had any desire to learn, or to put in long hours of hard work. He just wanted to dream stuff up, try it out, and go play golf. He bailed on the job because to do better meant more effort would be required on his part, and he wasn't willing to make the effort. I don't get the sense that Zorn will bail.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Elfin posts some Zorn quotes on the WT blog:

Coach Jim Zorn just came into the media room for a chat with the handful of reporters working the daily grind at Redskin Park. Here are some excerpts of the conversation.

On losing free agent receiver D.J. Hackett, with whom he worked in Seattle, to Carolina yesterday.

"I'm excited for D.J. because I know him and I think he's a good receiver. He's off and running now. He's got himself an opportunity. He used this opportunity to look at all the situations [Hackett also visited Tampa Bay and returning to Seattle was an option] and he took the one that was best for him."

On bringing in any more free agents for a visit:

"If something comes up, we'll run it down, but there isn't anything that I'm hot after."

On drafting a big receiver early:

"I don't know if I want to say big is the prerequisite. It can't be a 5-8 guy. It's something that has to definitely be considered depending on who that guy or that group is, who's available. There are a lot of receivers out there."

On 6-5 receiver Anthony Mix, who hardly played after signing in November:

"I just got to meet Anthony Mix. He's a big receiver. He's going to get every opportunity. I don't know these guys yet. This is the early part of workouts. I get to put a face to a name and see how they work, see what I have to work with."

On the players who have yet to report for workouts:

"There's not a designated 'you have a free pass to do whatever you want.' There's a constant communication effort to make sure we know what those guys are doing and they know what we're doing. All of these guys are going to be in and out."

On preparing for the draft as a head coach as opposed to as a position coach:

"I can't know 330 players. I know who the upper crust is. The whole idea for a head coach is to go over it, go over it and get to know one more guy each time. You start familiarizing yourself with that list at each position so you can develop a depth as you go."

On the Redskins' offensive personnel fitting his quick-hitting, West Coast scheme:

"Probably the key areas are tight end -- what type of tight end are you going to have? Are you going to have more than two or three receivers at any time so your wide receiver group is important. To be diversified in that group. If we're going to be a two-back run team what's our fullback going to be like? Our fullback at times can look like a tight end [which fits incumbent Mike Sellers]. We have a little bit of flexibility there. Even [Pro Bowl tight end] Chris Cooley can be in the backfield. He's not going to be our lead blocker like our fullback would be, but you can create a little deception that way."

On installing the playbook:

"We're very close for what we want to do this offseason. Then it's just a matter of extending it out to training camp. The nuts and bolts, how we want to call plays, are all there. We're making sure that the pictures we put up on our Powerpoint match exactly what we want to communicate. The play selection, that's what I'm having to [decide how much to install]."

 

[fatness]

Unit Analysis and an Eye Towards the Draft: Defensive Backs

Who’s Returning?

The Redskin secondary is the only unit that will be suffering any turnover this offseason, and certainly not by design. Shawn Springs and LaRon Landry will return to the secondary. As mentioned in the prospectus series, no one should be surprised if Landry is the Redskins’ best defensive player for each and every one of the next 10 years. If I had to pick one player on the defense that has the best chance of making the pro bowl, it’s Landry. Springs on the other hand, the Redskins are just hoping to squeeze a few games out of him. If he can stay healthy the whole season, certainly the team will benefit. Fred Smoot will return as the second corner, and Carlos Rogers should be back in the fold by October. Reed Doughty will develop further if he starts at Safety. No one else is guaranteed a roster spot at this point.

Who’s leaving?

Pierson Prioleau and Omar Stoutmire due to free agency, and the late Sean Taylor. Vernon Fox and Leigh Torrance are in the mix, but are not locks to make the team.

Who can the team add?

The team has been talking about trading for Falcons’ CB DeAngelo Hall, but right now they are far from the frontrunner. Draft wise, cornerback will be a focal point early. In the first round, the team will take a look at Tennesssee State’s Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, South Florida’s Mike Jenkins, or Troy’s Leodis McKelvin if they fall. One potential benefit of taking a CB in the first round is the potential to take a player of need away from the Dallas Cowboys who pick right after the Redskins. In the second round, Indiana’s Tracy Porter, Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers, or Arizona’s Antoine Cason are all possibilities.

If the Washington Redskins decide to look towards improving the safety position in the third round, they will likely target Notre Dame’s Tom Zbikowski, or Tennessee’s Jonathon Heffney. Sleeper mid-round prospects at safety include Arizona State’s Josh Barrett, and Arkansas State’s Tyrell Johnson.

Unit Prospectus

Potentially, this could be a very tough year for the corners, especially if Springs misses time. Having Smoot should help, and Carlos Rogers could come back from his knee injury faster and more explosive than ever before, but that’s being very optimistic. However, the key to the whole group is Landry. The Redskins should be able to continue what they started last year by way of preventing long passing plays, because Landry should be everywhere in 2008.

 

[fatness]

Unit Analysis and an Eye Towards the Draft: Defensive Line

Who’s Returning?

Everyone. Corneilius Griffin and Anthony Montgomery are once again expected to start on the interior, and Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter will likely start at the ends. Demetric Evans should push Daniels, and take a lot of his playing time. The Redskins will rotate Kedric Golston in with the the others, and Daniels will see some time at DT replacing Montgomery in strictly pass rushing downs. Ryan Boschetti re-upped the other day, and provides depth only in case of injury. Chris Wilson should become a more effective situational pass rusher this year, and might be able to give Andre Carter a breather on long drives.

Who’s leaving?

Well, I guess Lorenzo Alexander is leaving…for the offensive side of the football, but even then, since he will be active on a weekly basis next season, it wouldn’t shock me to see him play some DT if the team is in an injury bind.

Who can the team add?

The Redskins just picked up Defensive Tackle Matthias Askew off the trash heap; Askew was with the team last preseason. With the price tag coming down on guys like Rod Colman, Ian Scott, and Darrion Scott (no relation), the Redskins may sniff around them. Ian Scott played for Greg Blache in Chicago.

The Redskins would be overjoyed to land either LSU’s Glenn Dorsey or USC’s Sedrick Ellis, but neither really projects to be around by the time the Redskins will select. The team may sniff around North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer, but are more likely to be enamored with Clemson DE Phillip Merling, or Miami (Fl) DE Calais Campbell in the first round. If Campbell or Balmer drops to the second, the Redskins should pounce, but the real gem of the draft in the second round is Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws. Any draft where the Redskins could land Laws AND another top prospect in the first round would have to be considered a great success. There is too much uncertainty after the top picks in the draft to warrent serious consideration in the 3rd rounds or later, so the Redskins would be wise to address all their defensive line needs sooner rather than later.

Unit Prospectus

This is an aging unit who is capable of producing average results–neither of which fits with the Redskins’ defensive mantra. The team will likely invest a lot of resources in the draft here over the next few years to overhaul the unit. If they choose not to extend either Montgomery or Golston, expect an entire overhaul by 2010. For 2008, this unit should be the weakest of all the units on the defense, but that should change (for better or for worse) in the near future.

 

[fatness]

Old news: Brunell Benched, Replaced by Denise Richards

 

[Dexter Manley]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

 

[redman]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

I would assume you're referring to some of our young players, but we're in a weird spot there. Two of the otherwise most viable candidates for such a maneuver, McIntosh and Rogers, are both coming off of severe injuries such that the team must be leery of doing this now. We already extended Cooley a year ago. It's too early for Landry. That basically leaves Golston and Monty as candidates, but I'm not sure how good the team thinks that they are, and anyway they're only two years into their cap-friendly rookie contracts. The point is that I'm not sure that anyone on the roster is presently a good candidate for such an extension.

 

[Dexter Manley]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

I would assume you're referring to some of our young players, but we're in a weird spot there. Two of the otherwise most viable candidates for such a maneuver, McIntosh and Rogers, are both coming off of severe injuries such that the team must be leery of doing this now. We already extended Cooley a year ago. It's too early for Landry. That basically leaves Golston and Monty as candidates, but I'm not sure how good the team thinks that they are, and anyway they're only two years into their cap-friendly rookie contracts. The point is that I'm not sure that anyone on the roster is presently a good candidate for such an extension.

No, I'm referring to anyone on the roster. For example, when we resign Frost or sign another punter, put an $8 million bonus in his contract if he throws 60 td's this season, so we have that extra $8 million in cap space next year.

 

[redman]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

I would assume you're referring to some of our young players, but we're in a weird spot there. Two of the otherwise most viable candidates for such a maneuver, McIntosh and Rogers, are both coming off of severe injuries such that the team must be leery of doing this now. We already extended Cooley a year ago. It's too early for Landry. That basically leaves Golston and Monty as candidates, but I'm not sure how good the team thinks that they are, and anyway they're only two years into their cap-friendly rookie contracts. The point is that I'm not sure that anyone on the roster is presently a good candidate for such an extension.

No, I'm referring to anyone on the roster. For example, when we resign Frost or sign another punter, put an $8 million bonus in his contract if he throws 60 td's this season, so we have that extra $8 million in cap space next year.

I don't believe that's how it works. Frost is a horrible example anyway as he's not at a position that will command much more than 1 year for the minimum.

 

[Marvelous]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

I would assume you're referring to some of our young players, but we're in a weird spot there. Two of the otherwise most viable candidates for such a maneuver, McIntosh and Rogers, are both coming off of severe injuries such that the team must be leery of doing this now. We already extended Cooley a year ago. It's too early for Landry. That basically leaves Golston and Monty as candidates, but I'm not sure how good the team thinks that they are, and anyway they're only two years into their cap-friendly rookie contracts. The point is that I'm not sure that anyone on the roster is presently a good candidate for such an extension.

No, I'm referring to anyone on the roster. For example, when we resign Frost or sign another punter, put an $8 million bonus in his contract if he throws 60 td's this season, so we have that extra $8 million in cap space next year.

Unless the incentive is already in the contract, you have to re-negotiate the contract to add it in. Sounds simple enough, except any agent is going to use it as an opportunity to ask for more money, or and extension. So I doubt they will open up a lot of contracts just to add in these incentives.The are lots of ways to eat up the cap space. Suppose a player like Montgomery is having a good season. They can extend him during the season. If it includes a high salary or a roster type bonus, it counts against the current year cap. If he gets a signing bonus, it is prorated.

 

[redman]

If we don't sign any free agents, we're going to add $7 - 8 milliion dollars in unreachable bonuses to the contract of one or more players, so we have that extra cap room next year, right?

I would assume you're referring to some of our young players, but we're in a weird spot there. Two of the otherwise most viable candidates for such a maneuver, McIntosh and Rogers, are both coming off of severe injuries such that the team must be leery of doing this now. We already extended Cooley a year ago. It's too early for Landry. That basically leaves Golston and Monty as candidates, but I'm not sure how good the team thinks that they are, and anyway they're only two years into their cap-friendly rookie contracts. The point is that I'm not sure that anyone on the roster is presently a good candidate for such an extension.

No, I'm referring to anyone on the roster. For example, when we resign Frost or sign another punter, put an $8 million bonus in his contract if he throws 60 td's this season, so we have that extra $8 million in cap space next year.

Unless the incentive is already in the contract, you have to re-negotiate the contract to add it in. Sounds simple enough, except any agent is going to use it as an opportunity to ask for more money, or and extension. So I doubt they will open up a lot of contracts just to add in these incentives.The are lots of ways to eat up the cap space. Suppose a player like Montgomery is having a good season. They can extend him during the season. If it includes a high salary or a roster type bonus, it counts against the current year cap. If he gets a signing bonus, it is prorated.

 

[fatness]

Bram Weinstein's blog

Vinny Cerrato joined us for an interview that will air tomorrow on Comcast and re-air when I fill in for the Riggo crew next week..

Among the topics: DJ Hackett, who Cerrato said the team offered much less then the 2 million he received as part of his 3.5 million dollar two year deal with Carolina.. The Redskins wanted Hackett to prove durability and if so, prepared to pay him following this year a salary more commensurate with that of a full time producer.. Hackett chose to go with the better deal..

It's a strange shift from the Skins off-seasons of the past where if the Redskins wanted a player, they spent in picks and salary to ensure it got done.. I asked Vinny about this philosophy and he said the team isn't holding onto it's 8 mil in cap space for a big splash move for say a Chad Johnson, but that the team is determined not to overpay any longer and hurt their locker room chemsitry..

Cerrato went to Chris Long's workout at UVA yesterday and said it wasn't overly impressive, however he expects that the defensive end very easily could be the top overall pick in the draft, describing that selection as almost a "no brainer."

As for the Skins draft position, asked how he feels about their spot at 21, Cerrato said that "if we don't pick there, we're more likely to move down then up."

 

[fatness]

Rich Tandler's blog

Mike Espy and Seven Harris were waived by the Redskins on Monday. The team's unfiltered announcement of the move on its website gave no reason for the cuts.

At least part of the reason could be that the injury but bit both of them last year. Both Espy and Harris spent 2007 on injured reserve. Harris suffered a knee injury during minicamp last year and Espy had surgery after blowing out a knee ligament during the preseason. Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh are given all the time they need to recover from knee surgery. Players on the fringes of the fringe are not given that luxury.

In addition to being damaged goods, Espy and Harris were victims of the numbers game. Before the moves there were nine receivers on the roster (Espy, Harris, Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, James Thrash, Anthony Mix, Billy McMullen, Maurice Mann, and Burt Toler) and the Redskins have a standing offer for unrestricted free agent Reche Caldwell on the table. In addition, the Redskins are likely to add a wide receiver in the upcoming NFL draft. Counting Caldwell, that would make 11. That makes it tough for everyone to get sufficient reps in the OTA's and in training camp. They probably will keep only five, six at the most, so there is little sense in keeping around so many WR's.

Having an excess of players at one position keeps you from having enough at another. There were only five defensive tackles on the roster, for example, and there are two of those in the game at a time as well. To avoid wearing out their DT's in camp, more of those were needed.

How the hell did we end up with Billy McMullen? Isn't he the Roberto Duran of receivers?

 

[fatness]

Unit Analysis and an Eye Towards the Draft: Linebackers

As far as veteran help goes, the name on the market most likely to find his way back to Washington is, in fact, Lemar Marshall. The difference is that this time around, the 31 1/2 year old Marshall would be the 5th linebacker behind Blades, and mainly a teams contributor…a far cry from 2006 when he was the teams starting Middle Linebacker. Another familiar name that might be desperate for a job next year is Jeremiah Trotter, who also would be the 5th LB on this team, and also started at MLB for the Redskins in the past (’02-’03). Neither would get any more than a one year deal.

The team will probably address LB on the second day of the draft. South Florida’s Ben Moffit, Illinois’ J Leman, Georgia Tech’s Phillip Wheeler, LSU’s Ali Highsmith, and Miami (Fl)’s Tavaris Gooden are names the team may choose to look at adding. The team has selected multiple LBs in the draft’s later rounds over the last few years.

 

[fatness]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

 

[Sidewinder16]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

This is good to hear.Albert seems to widely be considered the top OG in the draft, and just about every mock I've seen has him getting selected in the neighborhood of the 'Skins first pick. To hear that he's versatile enough to play T and G is encouraging. Depth across the OL was a big problem last year, but probably more so at OG. I would be pretty pleased if he ended up the being the first round pick.

 

[redman]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

This is good to hear.Albert seems to widely be considered the top OG in the draft, and just about every mock I've seen has him getting selected in the neighborhood of the 'Skins first pick. To hear that he's versatile enough to play T and G is encouraging. Depth across the OL was a big problem last year, but probably more so at OG. I would be pretty pleased if he ended up the being the first round pick.

Agreed. And I'd be even happier if he was our first round pick . . . after we traded down five spots and got ourselves another draft pick.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

This is good to hear.Albert seems to widely be considered the top OG in the draft, and just about every mock I've seen has him getting selected in the neighborhood of the 'Skins first pick. To hear that he's versatile enough to play T and G is encouraging. Depth across the OL was a big problem last year, but probably more so at OG. I would be pretty pleased if he ended up the being the first round pick.

Agreed. And I'd be even happier if he was our first round pick . . . after we traded down five spots and got ourselves another draft pick.

The way it seems most mocks are going, I don't think he'll be there 5 spots down.

 

[dgreen]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

This is good to hear.Albert seems to widely be considered the top OG in the draft, and just about every mock I've seen has him getting selected in the neighborhood of the 'Skins first pick. To hear that he's versatile enough to play T and G is encouraging. Depth across the OL was a big problem last year, but probably more so at OG. I would be pretty pleased if he ended up the being the first round pick.

Agreed. And I'd be even happier if he was our first round pick . . . after we traded down five spots and got ourselves another draft pick.

And then package a couple picks for Chad Johnson!!!

 

[Sidewinder16]

Branden Albert

ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. rates him as the No. 1 offensive guard in the draft. However, he also started two games at left tackle last season when Eugene Monroe was injured, and did well.

Albert (6-foot-7, 315 pounds), who left school as a junior, only performed position drills yesterday. He spent nearly all his time with Redskins offensive line coach Joe Bugel. Albert said he and Bugel formed a bond at the combine. The Redskins pick 21st in the draft, two spots ahead of where Kiper slotted Albert to go to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I think a lot of people like the versatility," Albert said. "I can play both [guard and tackle]. If somebody goes down, I can replace another guy. So I think that's helping my stock out."

This is good to hear.Albert seems to widely be considered the top OG in the draft, and just about every mock I've seen has him getting selected in the neighborhood of the 'Skins first pick. To hear that he's versatile enough to play T and G is encouraging. Depth across the OL was a big problem last year, but probably more so at OG. I would be pretty pleased if he ended up the being the first round pick.

Agreed. And I'd be even happier if he was our first round pick . . . after we traded down five spots and got ourselves another draft pick.

The way it seems most mocks are going, I don't think he'll be there 5 spots down.

To add a bit more to this thought (copied from the Pro Day thread):

Big Braden Albert also got allot of attention from the scouts. Joe Bugel of the Redskins personally worked him through his drills and seemed very impressed with how he handled himself. Also saw B. Albert talking to the Steelers guy and the Jags guy in private so it looks like he'll definitely go somewhere in the late first round.

Steelers and Jags are 2 and 5 picks after us, respectively. While trading down and picking up extra picks is nice, I don't see that it's a good idea from this spot, in this draft. We're right around where the OL and DL talent starts to take a dropoff from the top tier guys, so staying put would be better, IMO.

 

[Swing 51]

Wash Post:

Posted at 5:47 PM ET, 03/20/2008Redskins Sign FrostJReid phones with this quick updateerrick Frost has signed a one-year deal with the Redskins.Posted by Cindy Boren

 

[fatness]

In theory I'd love to see them move down a bit and get another pick in the first 3 rounds. 5 picks in the first 3 rounds would be awesome. In theory.But in reality, if they can get Branden Albert in the first round and Tawes in the second round, I'd be happier than a pig in ####. And they'd still have 2 picks in round 3 (assuming they do get that compensatory pick for losing Dockery).

If Campbell or Balmer drops to the second, the Redskins should pounce, but the real gem of the draft in the second round is Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws.

 

[fatness]

A rather different offseason to say the least.

Redskins radical offseason freaks me out

Admit it. You expected Lance Briggs and Chad Johnson to be on the roster by now, didn’t you?

Only for the Washington Redskins could you describe an offseason where the team focused on re-signing its own players and invited only one free agent to consider a value-based contract as “radical.”

Good sense and sensibility does not a championship make, but Daniel Snyder has proven that overspending doesn’t bring titles either. My only complaint about Joe Gibbs is that he early on seemed to buy in too much to Snyder’s approach to roster-building.

Still, the Redskins post Gibbs II are better off than when Gibbs returned in 2004. Our brightest prospects are the team’s draft choices: Chris Cooley, Jason Campbell, Rocky McIntosh, Carlos Rogers, Anthony Montgomery, Reed Doughty, Chris Samuels (pre-Gibbs), Jon Jansen (pre-Gibbs). Throw in a few intelligent trades (Portis, Moss) and free agent signings (Shawn Springs, Fletcher Baker) and you have a roster with possibilities. Apparently, Snyder agrees, going by the moves he hasn’t made.

Skins’ shunning of free agents goes against their nature

The Washington Redskins have slammed the "Closed" sign down in front of the bank teller window. They've shut down the ATM. The capologists and other bean counters in Ashburn can take the rest of the week off.

The Redskins are done looking for free agents.

From Redskins.com:

"If something comes up [in free agency], we'll run it down," head coach Jim Zorn said on Tuesday. "There isn't anyone that I'm hot after. There's nothing on the hot list."

No hot list? After zero signings of any other team's free agents? After having only one visit, that from wide receiver D. J. Hackett, and offering him a lowball deal?

That seems to go against nature. It's like a dog is standing by the side of the road as car after car drives by. The dog only chases one of them and even then it makes only a few, halfhearted steps in the direction of a slightly damaged sedan. The gleaming sports cars and loaded Hummers that used to set off furious chases pass by without so much as a bark.

 

[fatness]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

 

[southeastjerome]

In theory I'd love to see them move down a bit and get another pick in the first 3 rounds. 5 picks in the first 3 rounds would be awesome. In theory.But in reality, if they can get Branden Albert in the first round and Tawes in the second round, I'd be happier than a pig in ####. And they'd still have 2 picks in round 3 (assuming they do get that compensatory pick for losing Dockery).

If Campbell or Balmer drops to the second, the Redskins should pounce, but the real gem of the draft in the second round is Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws.

I would love to see them add some big bodies on the DL and OL with smoe early picks. I think the rest will take care of itself.

 

[redman]

In theory I'd love to see them move down a bit and get another pick in the first 3 rounds. 5 picks in the first 3 rounds would be awesome. In theory.But in reality, if they can get Branden Albert in the first round and Tawes in the second round, I'd be happier than a pig in ####. And they'd still have 2 picks in round 3 (assuming they do get that compensatory pick for losing Dockery).

If Campbell or Balmer drops to the second, the Redskins should pounce, but the real gem of the draft in the second round is Notre Dame DT Trevor Laws.

I would love to see them add some big bodies on the DL and OL with smoe early picks. I think the rest will take care of itself.

100% in agreement.

 

[fatness]

JLC's blog

........so some skepticism about the Redskins' supposed new approach wasn't surprising. But Cerrato also told many agents he wasn't interested in their clients, and that wasn't for public consumption. In fairness to the Redskins, the market wasn't considered deep, compared to previous seasons, because many of the top potential free agents signed new deals with their teams or couldn't test the water because they were designated with franchise tags.

To be sure, there were talented players available, though few had been productive starters for many seasons. After a season in which the Redskins qualified for the playoffs and many first- and second-year players made major contributions down the stretch in the regular season, Cerrato, new head coach Jim Zorn and their staffs determined Washington did not need four or five new starters. The Redskins want to get younger on the offensive and defensive lines, improve their depth at corner and safety and add a pass-rushing end.

That seems like a whole lot to accomplish in one draft even with having many picks (the Redskins have all their selections except one in the fourth round and are expected to get two more compensation picks), but the Redskins feel good about their roster. If the Redskins are right about quarterback Jason Campbell - and they believe they are - they expect to be a playoff team for the next six to 10 years.

As for failing to sign a big wide receiver to help Campbell as he learns Zorn's version of the West Coast offense, the Redskins will be a player in the bidding for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, a team source said, if Cincinnati decides to trade the disgruntled star. That's unlikely to happen because of the salary-cap ramifications for the Bengals, but the Redskins have room to maneuver (about $8 million) and still would prefer to acquire a bigger target for Campbell.

Were there free agents who could have helped the Redskins? Probably. But the Redskins just didn't believe the guys available were worth the cost. If they make the playoffs next season, no one will remember that they sat on the sideline during this time. Now, if they don't make the playoffs ...

 

[fatness]

Unit Analysis and an Eye Towards the Draft: Offensive Backs

Who can the team add?

To replace Brunell, the team will look towards the draft. Second day Quarterback prospects include Tennessee’s Erik Ainge, San Diego’s Josh Johnson, Oregon’s Dennis Dixon, and Tulsa’s Paul Smith.

The team may look to add another RB or a backup FB in the late rounds. NW Missouri State’s Xavier Omon can potentially fill either position.

Unit Prospectus

The skill of the offensive backs will in general determine the skill of the entire offense. Though a compentant offensive line is a necessary component for achieving success, a great combination of passers and runners will propel the offense to the next level. Jason Campbell will continue to improve with experience, and a different philosophy on offense should really help out Clinton Portis this season. It’s Betts’ butt that’s on the line this year as the Redskins curiously opted to not prorate his 2 million dollar roster bonus this year, a move that would have saved the team 1.7 million dollars, despite the fact that the team saved more than 30 million dollars this offseason in prorated salary.

 

[fatness]

Podcast of Jason Campbell on the Junkies show (I haven't listened yet).

Summary of interview posted on a message board:

They were asking him some tough questions...like "What was the sentiment in the locker room after Gibbs called the 2 timeouts in the Buffalo game?" They also asked about what it was like watching Todd Collins lead the team to the postseason, and about the playcalling situation of Gibbs v. Saunders.

He basically gave politically correct answers as best he could... No one was pointing fingers after the Buffalo game, as it came at a time when the team was emotionally drained. He said he thought that Todd played well and was happy for him, but never felt that it wasn't still "his" team. He also said mentioned that Gibbs weighed in with playcalling a lot more in the red zone - which he described as "conservative." I think most people here know that's what went on though.

 

[dgreen]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

 

[redman]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

In my view, he and Mix essentially fill all the roles that James Thrash did, and they're younger and better as WR's.