***Official*** 2009 Washington Redskins Thread (1 Viewer)

[jbz]

this season can't end fast enough.

One more game to punish myself with then it's off the excitement of Shanny!

these guys have all quit. nice way to show up with the new boss in town analyzing your performances fellas.

It's hard to tell when someone has quit or not. I don't get the sense that the players aren't trying. They just aren't very good. And the coaches aren't very good. Combine those two things together and I think you just end up with the illusion of quitting.

It's easy to see they quit. The same rag tag group showed a lot more vs the Saints, Raiders, etc. These last 2 weeks vs 'rivals' and having a chance to knock them out of the playoffs and they completely shat the bed on national TV. That plus the little things that look like signs of not giving a crap of what happens. Like Haynesworth speaking his mind and getting sent home, Campbell's nonchalant intentional grounding, the ridiculous fake FG, etc. The team as a whole seems to not care. IMO that means they have quit.

 

[duckhook]

"To make a long story short, there ain't too many guys out there making great plays, so if he had to go off those two games and evaluate this roster and determine what's good money, what's bad money, what's going to go, what's going to stay, it hasn't been a great case made for nobody on this 53-man roster." - DeAnna Hall

Glad to see my VT Hokies actually gave this guy a diploma.

 

[Sebowski]

Anyone going to the Chargers game? I helped put a group together of 185 Skins fans all sitting together. Party bus to the game and back leaving from the local Skins bar. Should be fun.

I must be missing something. Going to a crowded stadium with a bunch of drunks so you can cry together in your beer as your team gets crushed just doesn't sound like my idea of a good time.

The days of crying over losses were gone in week 5 or so with a surprise appearance after the Saints game. It is still great experience to go see your favorite team live. Especially with a large group like this. The Chargers locked into their spot is even better. They have literally nothing to play for. The crowd will be in a great mood, and there is a chance the Chargers hold back and we have a chance to win the game. Also always fun to watch future hall of famers like LT, Gates, Rivers (I'm a big fan). I'll keep my eye on Orakpo and Haynesworth as well. And if we get crushed again it just means a better draft pick at this point. Unrelated question.. How long have you been peeing on parades?

 

[Sebowski]

"To make a long story short, there ain't too many guys out there making great plays, so if he had to go off those two games and evaluate this roster and determine what's good money, what's bad money, what's going to go, what's going to stay, it hasn't been a great case made for nobody on this 53-man roster." - DeAnna Hall

Glad to see my VT Hokies actually gave this guy a diploma.

The whole system is out of whack. College doesn't teach grammar. They expect you to learn it in middle school. The English teachers just worry about what is on their syllabus.

/hijack

 

[Marvelous]

The Redskins might be dotting the i's and crossing the t's, but if the many reports about Snyder's extended pursuit of Shanahan are true, the Redskins are merely hiring the person they want to hire -- and lawyering their way around the requirements of the Rooney Rule.[/quote]

You know, I read this article, and I got the sense that it was "smart" in a minor way but "stupid" in a big way. Here's the bottom line. They are making this big deal out of the fact that minority candidates are being interviewed prior to a vacancy, like that is the fact that is torpedoing the Rooney rule. But in reality, interviewing the candidates early has nothing to do with the team skirting the issue. Rather, it's the fact that they are interviewing candidates without any real chance of those candidates getting the job.

Let's say that the Redskins interviewed Gray the day after Zorn was fired, at 10:00 am. Then, they interview Shannahan at 11:00 am and give him the job. According to this writer, now everything is fine, because they are in compliance? Who is being the persnickety lawyer now? In the above scenario, the Redskins would have violated the spirit of the law just as much as if they had interviewed the candidates early.

The SPIRITof the law is to force teams to interview minority candidates so that eventually, one of those minority candidates will actually be considered for the job. If they are never truly considered, what the heck difference does it make WHEN they were interviewed.

Everyone knows Zorn is dead man walking and that the position is essentially vacant. This article is "smart" in a minor, persnickety, lawyerly way but "stupid" in the bigger since since it doesn't address the core of the issue: which is that if an owner wants to hire a particular non minority (presumably Shannahan in this case), he's going to do it, even if he interviews 5 minority candidates to "put on a good show."

Minorities would be better served by programs that provided them with increased access and opportunities to showcase their coaching talents to owners so that owners will be motivated to hire them based on their very real qualifications -- not on adherence to a "rule" that any owner can always skirt if they really want to. Of course, there are lots of qualified minorities...the real question is "is the Rooney Rule an answer or just window dressing that the NFL can point to do say they are doing something about representation of minorities in the coaching ranks."

M

I think the core issue for Florio is that the Redskins are interviewing people already on staff and they have a vested interest in making/keeping Snyder happy. As you point out, no rulle is going to stop an owner from hiring the man he wants to hire.

 

[Marvelous]

this season can't end fast enough.

One more game to punish myself with then it's off the excitement of Shanny!

these guys have all quit. nice way to show up with the new boss in town analyzing your performances fellas.

It's hard to tell when someone has quit or not. I don't get the sense that the players aren't trying. They just aren't very good. And the coaches aren't very good. Combine those two things together and I think you just end up with the illusion of quitting.

It's easy to see they quit. The same rag tag group showed a lot more vs the Saints, Raiders, etc. These last 2 weeks vs 'rivals' and having a chance to knock them out of the playoffs and they completely shat the bed on national TV. That plus the little things that look like signs of not giving a crap of what happens. Like Haynesworth speaking his mind and getting sent home, Campbell's nonchalant intentional grounding, the ridiculous fake FG, etc. The team as a whole seems to not care. IMO that means they have quit.

I actually thought the defense played a decent game. Not great, but decent.They stuffed 1 3rd and 1 and two 4th and 1's. Romo mades some good plays, extending the play and then finding a receiver. I said there was something wrong with the pass D back in the preseason, and nothing has changed my mind on that. There is something wrong with the coverage in the secondary. Landry is clearly a liabilty in coverage, so having him man to man with Whitten did not look like a winning move.

 

[duckhook]

http://www.thewarpath.net/WarpathRedskinsCap.htm

The major point of bringing this up again is just how much the Redskins need an uncapped year so they can restructure some contracts. I expect they would buy out the contracts of Todd Colins, Randel El, Chris Samuels, Andre Carter and Clinton Portis contracts with a very, very large 1 year salaries and no future years.

Randle El is an excellent example of what the previous contract restructuring methodology did to their future cap, and how they are stuck with a non-producing player. Look at the tab called ReleaseFees and you will see why.

Vinny has really screwed the Redskins over more than people can imagine. Allen has a long haul before he gets rid of the problems Vinny caused.

 

[dgreen]

Do Release Fees get moved to Dead Cap when they are cut? This year, they are paying $18M in dead cap. So far, they are only at $200k for next year. So, there are probably some salaries they could cut, assuming they budget approximately the same amount for Dead Cap each year.

 

[dgreen]

More on the Rooney Rule compliance:

Redskins in compliance with Rooney Rule

As Coach Jim Zorn prepares for the final game of the regular season, the Washington Redskins have already cleared a major hurdle that would enable them to hire a new head coach at any moment. The team has complied with the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior front-office positions, according to John Wooten, president of the group charged with monitoring diversity hiring in the league.

Wooten said Monday that Redskins' secondary coach Jerry Gray told him he has already interviewed for Zorn's job, and that his organizaton, the Fritz Pollard Alliance, is satisfied that the team is considering him as its next head coach.

"They have done what we look for in an interview, therefore they have satisfied the Rooney Rule," Wooten said in a telephone interview. The rule, which was established in 2003, is named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, chairman of the league's diversity committee.

Now that the Fritz Pollard Alliance feels the Redskins have complied with the rule, the Redskins are free to hire a new head coach at any time. The team plays its final game Sunday at San Diego and speculation has grown that Zorn could be fired and former Denver coach Mike Shanahan could be introduced as the next head coach as early as next week.

Wooten said he spoke with Gray personally, and the Redskins' assistant coach said he had a "couple of different interviews" with team owner Daniel Snyder and that "other people were present."

Wooten said Gray was interviewed several weeks ago, when Vinny Cerrato was still the team's executive vice president of football operations. Cerrato was replaced Dec. 17 by newly-hired general manager Bruce Allen. Wooten said "the only thing I'm asking now -- and they may do this, they may not," is for Allen to also interview Gray.

Gray has declined to comment on several occasions, including early Monday morning, after the Redskins' loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He said at that time he'd address reporters Monday afternoon at Redskins Park, but a team spokesman later said Gray would not be made available until Thursday, his regularly scheduled weekly session with reporters.

 

[Marvelous]

Do Release Fees get moved to Dead Cap when they are cut? This year, they are paying $18M in dead cap. So far, they are only at $200k for next year. So, there are probably some salaries they could cut, assuming they budget approximately the same amount for Dead Cap each year.

I am not sure where you got $200k from. According to the chart, the Redskins have 46 players under contract next year and have $111M agaist the 2010 cap. And for most playes, it costs more to cut them than to keep them.So assuming there is a salary cap next year, the only solution is to extend some players to make more cap space.I wrote in the off season that the Redskins were banking on an upcapped year in 2010 to clean up their roster. They extended everyone to the max last off season to get the cap space to sign Haynesworth. THe problems with the Redskins method of salary cap management is:1. They delay the cap hits until it is impossible to keep a player any more. 2. Due to the cap ramificatoins, the front office is inclined to keep a player well past their prime to delay the cap hit.3. The Redskins never let free agents walk away, which would net them additional supplemental draft picks.

 

[dgreen]

Do Release Fees get moved to Dead Cap when they are cut? This year, they are paying $18M in dead cap. So far, they are only at $200k for next year. So, there are probably some salaries they could cut, assuming they budget approximately the same amount for Dead Cap each year.

I am not sure where you got $200k from.

The DeadCap tab only shows $201k in 2010 right now.

 

[fatness]

The DeadCap tab only shows $201k in 2010 right now.

You're right.

Dead Bonus Money on 2010 Cap LB Cody Glenn $135 FB Eddie Williams $45 DE Rob Jackson $21

 

[Marvelous]

Do Release Fees get moved to Dead Cap when they are cut? This year, they are paying $18M in dead cap. So far, they are only at $200k for next year. So, there are probably some salaries they could cut, assuming they budget approximately the same amount for Dead Cap each year.

I am not sure where you got $200k from.

The DeadCap tab only shows $201k in 2010 right now.

Got it. So the Redskins have $111.1M committed to the 2010 salary cap and $0.2M in dead cap space. I don't think they have much room to restructure contracts. In addition, Chris Samuels release fee is nearly $9.5M more than is cap figure. Randy Thomas is $600k. Cutting those two will put the Redskins at $120.4M, although they could conceivably defer some of the cap hit to 2011 if the new CBA rules are silimar to the current ones.Like I said before, the Redskins were clearly banking on an uncapped year when they were extending every contract in sight.

 

[fatness]

Studs

DT Cornelius Griffin.

WR Santana Moss.

LB H.B. Blades.

DE Phillip Daniels.

Duds

LT Levi Jones.

LG Derrick Dockery.

RG Will Montgomery.

RG Mike Williams.

DT Albert Haynesworth.

DT Kedric Golston.

DE/LB Brian Orakpo.

S LaRon Landry.

TEs Mike Sellers/Fred Davis/Todd Yoder.

John Keim

 

[fatness]

Got it. So the Redskins have $111.1M committed to the 2010 salary cap and $0.2M in dead cap space. I don't think they have much room to restructure contracts. In addition, Chris Samuels release fee is nearly $9.5M more than is cap figure. Randy Thomas is $600k. Cutting those two will put the Redskins at $120.4M, although they could conceivably defer some of the cap hit to 2011 if the new CBA rules are silimar to the current ones.Like I said before, the Redskins were clearly banking on an uncapped year when they were extending every contract in sight.

The Redskins' cap situation has looked like this at the end of each of the last several seasons.

 

[fatness]

John Keim and John Pappas write for Warpath Confidential, and I just went there looking for Redskin news. They feature a "Warpath Girl" every so often for eye candy and I'm cool with that. But I think there's a problem.

I'm pretty sure this one is a man.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

John Keim and John Pappas write for Warpath Confidential, and I just went there looking for Redskin news. They feature a "Warpath Girl" every so often for eye candy and I'm cool with that. But I think there's a problem.

I'm pretty sure this one is a man.

I would feel very safe in her arms.

 

[Marvelous]

Got it. So the Redskins have $111.1M committed to the 2010 salary cap and $0.2M in dead cap space. I don't think they have much room to restructure contracts. In addition, Chris Samuels release fee is nearly $9.5M more than is cap figure. Randy Thomas is $600k. Cutting those two will put the Redskins at $120.4M, although they could conceivably defer some of the cap hit to 2011 if the new CBA rules are silimar to the current ones.Like I said before, the Redskins were clearly banking on an uncapped year when they were extending every contract in sight.

The Redskins' cap situation has looked like this at the end of each of the last several seasons.

I am certainly under the impression that the Redskins took it to another level last off season and there is nothing in the chart to make me think otherwise. The fact is they now have a lot of veterancs that will need to be replaced in the near future. Under the current salary cap rules, they will take huge cap hits in the next few years when they leave. I think there may even be a clause where you cannot restructure a contract on consecutive years. There is little cap room left to squeeze out of this roster.I have been one to say the Redskins could always make for cap space, but I think they really are at the limit this time.

 

[Marvelous]

On a side note: In 2002, I sent a resume to the Redskins to be their salary cap guy. They wrote back that they already had someone doing that.

I am unemployed again and I am thinking of sending in my resume.

 

[TankRizzo]

On a side note: In 2002, I sent a resume to the Redskins to be their salary cap guy. They wrote back that they already had someone doing that.I am unemployed again and I am thinking of sending in my resume.

I want to send mine in too. How much weight do you think "countless hours of simulation via Madden and fantasy football" holds? I'll keep my fingers crossed

 

[nittanylion]

John Keim and John Pappas write for Warpath Confidential, and I just went there looking for Redskin news. They feature a "Warpath Girl" every so often for eye candy and I'm cool with that. But I think there's a problem.

I'm pretty sure this one is a man.

I would feel very safe in her arms.

Public Service Announcement from your ol' pal nittany: DON'T waste your time looking through the rest of the Gallery. Pretty it ain't.I blame Vinny.

 

[fatness]

I would feel very safe in her arms.

I'm pretty sure that's Sean Penn in a bad wig.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Just think, next week at this time...Jim Zorn will either have been fired or we will be notified of a press conference coming.

 

[Bizkiteer]

On a side note: In 2002, I sent a resume to the Redskins to be their salary cap guy. They wrote back that they already had someone doing that.I am unemployed again and I am thinking of sending in my resume.

I want to send mine in too. How much weight do you think "countless hours of simulation via Madden and fantasy football" holds? I'll keep my fingers crossed

It got Vinny real far, so you have a legit chance.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

John Keim and John Pappas write for Warpath Confidential, and I just went there looking for Redskin news. They feature a "Warpath Girl" every so often for eye candy and I'm cool with that. But I think there's a problem.

I'm pretty sure this one is a man.

I would feel very safe in her arms.

Public Service Announcement from your ol' pal nittany: DON'T waste your time looking through the rest of the Gallery. Pretty it ain't.I blame Vinny.

Visit My Website

 

[fatness]

» Brian Orakpo will not win rookie defensive player of the year. Nor should he. Orakpo has had an excellent first season, transitioning to linebacker after playing end in college. However, before his four-sack game, he was behind the other top contenders for this award. And in the past six games, those four sacks are the only ones he's recorded, which means he's had no sacks in five games. Sunday, he did not play well, struggling to get off blocks and even missing a couple tackles. Still a terrific draft choice, but not the best defensive rookie.

» The Redskins may need to make a decision at tight end for next season. What if the new coach does not want to use two pass-catching tight ends? That's a real possibility. Good luck making this choice. In six games as the primary tight end this season, Chris Cooley (injured early in the seventh game) averaged 4.5 catches and 11.6 yards per catch. In nine games, Fred Davis has averaged 3.9 catches per game and 11.9 yards per reception. Davis is more athletic, younger and cheaper; Cooley is more proven, not to mention immensely popular.

Unpopular opinions from John Keim. I'm not the only nut seeing the possibility of Cooley being traded.

 

[fatness]

Article on the offseason by Rick Snider

The sneak peak has become a horror show for the Washington Redskins' new GM Bruce Allen. Consecutive home routs by NFC East foes New York and Dallas on prime time TV proves Washington needs a complete teardown over the offseason. Forget tweaking the roster, that there's enough talent to win. This franchise is in shambles.

Coach Jim Zorn will be gone within hours of Sunday's season-finale at San Diego. Mike Shanahan either comes within days or the Redskins face Plan B with a Brian Billick, Russ Grimm or who knows -- Bill Cowher?

Next, expect a 50 percent roster turnover if a new collective bargaining agreement isn't reached by March 1 -- 40 percent if it is.

If there's no CBA, free agency will be weaker while the draft becomes stronger. Free agents Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers and Reed Doughty become restricted. If the Redskins decide they don't want them, then trade for whatever picks possible. No CBA means a 2011 lockout by owners is almost certain and more college underclassmen will commit to this draft, creating better value. Load up on picks and hope Allen and the new coach can spot talent. Right now, the Redskins are missing their third and sixth selections.



The Redskins really need to accept another losing season and reload with young talent. That means releasing several big names if there is no salary cap. Like Clinton Portis says, these guys didn't win games so what's the risk of starting over? Starting over begins with Portis, who had a poor first half before he was injured. Good running backs are the easiest position to find. Replace Santana Moss. They can't use him properly and his best years are behind him. Find a new quarterback. Ironically, Campbell might be the best one available, but if the Redskins can't make peace with him then move on to a rookie.

The Redskins should keep center Casey Rabach and left guard Derrick Dockery and find three offensive linemen. Use one of the top two picks and hopefully get at least one in free agency. Defensively, let linebacker Rocky McIntosh and Rogers enter free agency. Replace end Phillip Daniels. Get safety LaRon Landry to commit to spending the offseason in Ashburn or trade him, too.

Meanwhile, owner Dan Snyder must resist signing Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers. Snyder needs to prove he has changed from offseason headline-grabber to building through a youth movement. Either the Redskins win this offseason or they're losers for years to come.

 

[Sidewinder16]

» Brian Orakpo will not win rookie defensive player of the year. Nor should he.

That may be so, but 'Po is a Pro Bowler.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

How does Fletch get snubbed again!!!!!!!!1

 

[Darryl Talley]

How do you guys see the Skins finishing the season vs SD? Can I count on a good performance from Campbell?

 

[thayman]

How do you guys see the Skins finishing the season vs SD? Can I count on a good performance from Campbell?

I wouldn't. But I wouldn't mind hearing how you have Campbell on your team in the Super Bowl.

 

[TxBuckeye]

How do you guys see the Skins finishing the season vs SD? Can I count on a good performance from Campbell?

I think they manage to stay within 32. Maybe.

 

[Shaolin Hangman]

How does Fletch get snubbed again!!!!!!!!1

How did Haynesworth get snubbed?

 

[dgreen]

How do you guys see the Skins finishing the season vs SD? Can I count on a good performance from Campbell?

SD has the 2nd seed locked up, so they could be playing back-ups in the 2nd half, if not earlier. After some nice games, Campbell's been bad the last two games. As bad as the OL has been, they might even be worse as they have more injuries and will be shuffling in more people.Frankly, it's really hard to predict. I wouldn't be surprised with 175/1/2, but I also wouldn't be surprised with 250/2/1.

 

[dgreen]

» Brian Orakpo will not win rookie defensive player of the year. Nor should he.

That may be so, but 'Po is a Pro Bowler.

The first of many for him.

 

[dgreen]

My updated 2009 offensive projections:

PASSING ATT COMP COMP% YDS Y/A TD INT SCK SCKYDSCAMPBELL 530 339 64.0 3650 6.9 21 13 32 250

I did get a good chuckle out of your Campbell projection of 21 TD's.

Campbell's current stat-line:

ATT COMP COMP%   YDS  Y/A  TD INT SCK SCKYDSCAMPBELL  465  299  64.3  3337  7.2  18  15  41   269

As we've all talked about, obviously the OL is problem #1. I'm actually surprised Campbell comes close to my preseason projection considering the injuries and how bad the OL was this year. My projections were made based on typical injuries, which the Redskins exceeded, and the assumption that the OL would be slightly better than they have been. This has probably been one of the worst OLs I've ever watched.The poor running game and sacks really hurt this team's ability to keep drives alive. Too often, they seemed to be trying to dig themselves out of a hole just to get first downs. 2nd and 11 after a stuffed run or 3rd and 15 after a sack makes things difficult for an already bad offense. Not to mention that the defense had trouble getting off the field. The Redskins just didn't have the ball enough. They are 28th in number of plays run (18th in yards per play).Looks like Campbell will get to 3500 yards and might get to 20 TDs. Of course, he also could fail to get to 3500 and stay at 18 TDs. He's made slight improvements every year. I still say he's an average QB who could produce some nice numbers with a good supporting cast and good coaching. That may not be in DC, though.

 

[dgreen]

» The Redskins may need to make a decision at tight end for next season. What if the new coach does not want to use two pass-catching tight ends? That's a real possibility. Good luck making this choice. In six games as the primary tight end this season, Chris Cooley (injured early in the seventh game) averaged 4.5 catches and 11.6 yards per catch. In nine games, Fred Davis has averaged 3.9 catches per game and 11.9 yards per reception. Davis is more athletic, younger and cheaper; Cooley is more proven, not to mention immensely popular.

Unpopular opinions from John Keim. I'm not the only nut seeing the possibility of Cooley being traded.

I hope the next coaching staff doesn't come in with a "I must install my system and I can't deviate from it" mentality. I'd prefer a front office that says "Cooley and Davis are very talented football players who we can use" and a coaching staff that says "We'll find a way to use them both." Of course, if you can get great value for Cooley, the right move is to trade him. I'm just not sure how much they can get for him, especially coming off an injury.What about Landry? Unfortunately he's starting to show the league some of his deficiencies, but could he bring good value in a trade?

Right now, we don't have a 3rd round pick (Jarmon). Having a 3rd would be great because I think it would really help to start filling holes at OL and RB. The first 2 picks could be used on OL and a 3rd could probably find a good, fast RB to split time with whoever else is here. He could also probably return kicks.

Looks like they'll be picking anywhere from 4th to 8th. 4th would probably guarantee them one of the stud LTs. But, it would also be nice to be able to trade down some to where you can still get a good OL and pick up a 3rd and maybe more.

 

[fatness]

Of course, if you can get great value for Cooley, the right move is to trade him. I'm just not sure how much they can get for him, especially coming off an injury.

That's my point about Cooley. He's talented and wildly popular, but he's one of the few players that could net the Redskins some value in return. If they can get a 2nd round pick for him I'd do it. A 3rd round pick, that would depend on who's available in the 3rd. I'm assuming their first 2 picks will be an o-lineman and (because they have their heads up their asses) a QB. If a good O-lineman is available in the 3rd, that might help the team more than Cooley, since Davis has shown he's a decent starting TE. I can't see giving up on Landry. They just switched him to strong safety 2 games ago and he's got to do some learning there before deciding whether he's poop or not.

 

[Sidewinder16]

O'Halloran with a look at 4-win teams that made the playoffs the next season. Maybe most interesting are the 2 most recent occurances, the '08 Falcons (offseason changes were similar to what the 'Skins have done/are expected to do) and the '07 Bucs (while Allen was GM).

ATLANTA (2008)

Previous year: The Falcons tumbled to the bottom of the NFC South with losing streaks of three, three and six games. Quarterback Michael Vick was suspended for dogfighting, and new coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team with three games remaining to take the Arkansas job.

The turnaround: Atlanta owner Arthur Blank was bold, going with the new general manager/coach/quarterback model. Personnel chief Rich McKay was moved into the team president role, replaced by Thomas Dimitroff. The new general manager hired Mike Smith as head coach and 12 new assistants. The Falcons signed running back Michael Turner (1,699 yards rushing), drafted four players - including quarterback Matt Ryan - who are now starters, and jettisoned veterans DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler. The Falcons went 11-5 to secure a wild-card berth and lost at Arizona in the playoffs.

TAMPA BAY (2007)

Previous year: The Buccaneers started 0-4 and averaged just 13.2 points a game as the offense went through three quarterbacks who attempted at least 100 passes. The offense broke - 31st in yards per play, points and yards per completion.

The turnaround: Tampa Bay went 9-7 to win the NFC South and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the opening round. Feeling the heat, coach Jon Gruden signed 37-year old Jeff Garcia to play quarterback, and he responded with 13 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 94.6 passer rating. By the end of the year, the Buccaneers had 23 players who weren't with the team in 2006, but the key was Garcia and a little luck - defensive end Greg White, a former Arena League player, was signed during camp and contributed 50 tackles and eight sacks.

 

[fatness]

Great comment at PFT after an article of Florio speculating that the Redskins will draft Sam Bradford.

If Shanahan thought that Campbell was the "guy," the Redskins wouldn't have chased Jay Cutler in the offseason, and they wouldn't have been sniffing around Mark Sanchez in the draft.

You're giving Danny & Vinny too much credit.They chased the "new #####" simply because they could.

 

[Marvelous]

» The Redskins may need to make a decision at tight end for next season. What if the new coach does not want to use two pass-catching tight ends? That's a real possibility. Good luck making this choice. In six games as the primary tight end this season, Chris Cooley (injured early in the seventh game) averaged 4.5 catches and 11.6 yards per catch. In nine games, Fred Davis has averaged 3.9 catches per game and 11.9 yards per reception. Davis is more athletic, younger and cheaper; Cooley is more proven, not to mention immensely popular.

Unpopular opinions from John Keim. I'm not the only nut seeing the possibility of Cooley being traded.

I hope the next coaching staff doesn't come in with a "I must install my system and I can't deviate from it" mentality. I'd prefer a front office that says "Cooley and Davis are very talented football players who we can use" and a coaching staff that says "We'll find a way to use them both." Of course, if you can get great value for Cooley, the right move is to trade him. I'm just not sure how much they can get for him, especially coming off an injury.What about Landry? Unfortunately he's starting to show the league some of his deficiencies, but could he bring good value in a trade?

Right now, we don't have a 3rd round pick (Jarmon). Having a 3rd would be great because I think it would really help to start filling holes at OL and RB. The first 2 picks could be used on OL and a 3rd could probably find a good, fast RB to split time with whoever else is here. He could also probably return kicks.

Looks like they'll be picking anywhere from 4th to 8th. 4th would probably guarantee them one of the stud LTs. But, it would also be nice to be able to trade down some to where you can still get a good OL and pick up a 3rd and maybe more.

My big hope with Shanahan is that he blows up the OL and installs the zone blocking scheme he used in Denver. He generally did it without using high picks on OL or on rb. The only OL with a big, current contract and talent right now is Dockery. So really, there is not much left to blow up.

 

[fatness]

Bruce Allen's first moves

 

[Sidewinder16]

Great comment at PFT after an article of Florio speculating that the Redskins will draft Sam Bradford.

If Shanahan thought that Campbell was the "guy," the Redskins wouldn't have chased Jay Cutler in the offseason, and they wouldn't have been sniffing around Mark Sanchez in the draft.

Wait, is Florio suggesting that Shanahan was already in Snyderatto's ear back in the spring prepping for '10? I (want to ) find that a little hard to believe.Also from that link:

As others have pointed out earlier in the year, the Redskins are in position to get excellent information regarding Bradford's shoulder -- his doctor, James Andrews, also works for the Redskins.

Doesn't James Andrews work for like, every NFL team?

 

[fatness]

Wait, is Florio suggesting that Shanahan was already in Snyderatto's ear back in the spring prepping for '10? I (want to ) find that a little hard to believe.

No. He was just mentioning past QB-chasing behavior from the Redskin front office.

 

[dgreen]

Also from that link:

As others have pointed out earlier in the year, the Redskins are in position to get excellent information regarding Bradford's shoulder -- his doctor, James Andrews, also works for the Redskins.

Doesn't James Andrews work for like, every NFL team?

Is he suggesting that Bradford's agent might say that his shoulder is fine when it isn't, but Andrews would tell the Redskins (and not other teams) if that's true or not? Not sure what his affiliation is with most teams, but I'm pretty sure Andrews should be a bit upset that Florio seems to be suggesting that Andrews would violate his doctor-patient confidentiality just because he's on the Redskins payroll.

 

[dgreen]

Coach Jim Zorn said he did not yet know who would start at right guard in Sunday's season finale at San Diego, leaving open the possibility that a 12th different offensive lineman - Paul Fanaika - could play, and even start, against the Chargers.

This has been some season on the OL. It's unimaginable that they'd end up using 12 different guys on the OL. And, it's not like it's all five positions. Docker and Rabach have played every game. But, the other three positions have already used 9 different players and it could be 10 by this Sunday. LT, RG, and RT are just a revolving door. Even worse, they are a revolving door of guys who don't belong anywhere an NFL starting lineup.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Wait, is Florio suggesting that Shanahan was already in Snyderatto's ear back in the spring prepping for '10? I (want to ) find that a little hard to believe.

No. He was just mentioning past QB-chasing behavior from the Redskin front office.

And wrote it very, very poorly. He linked two ideas that have nothing in common with each other.

 

[fatness]

Wait, is Florio suggesting that Shanahan was already in Snyderatto's ear back in the spring prepping for '10? I (want to ) find that a little hard to believe.

No. He was just mentioning past QB-chasing behavior from the Redskin front office.

And wrote it very, very poorly. He linked two ideas that have nothing in common with each other.

I really don't care if he wrote it poorly. I posted it because the fan comment was funny.

 

[Sebowski]

Of course, if you can get great value for Cooley, the right move is to trade him. I'm just not sure how much they can get for him, especially coming off an injury.

That's my point about Cooley. He's talented and wildly popular, but he's one of the few players that could net the Redskins some value in return. If they can get a 2nd round pick for him I'd do it. A 3rd round pick, that would depend on who's available in the 3rd. I'm assuming their first 2 picks will be an o-lineman and (because they have their heads up their asses) a QB. If a good O-lineman is available in the 3rd, that might help the team more than Cooley, since Davis has shown he's a decent starting TE. I can't see giving up on Landry. They just switched him to strong safety 2 games ago and he's got to do some learning there before deciding whether he's poop or not.

If we could get a 2nd for Davis we take it. Trading a Cooley for a 2nd doesn't make any sense. Davis isn't half the player Cooley is. Neither will be traded anyway (nor should they be). They are both affordable and Yoder makes it a good set.

 

[Sebowski]

O'Halloran with a look at 4-win teams that made the playoffs the next season. Maybe most interesting are the 2 most recent occurances, the '08 Falcons (offseason changes were similar to what the 'Skins have done/are expected to do) and the '07 Bucs (while Allen was GM).

ATLANTA (2008)

Previous year: The Falcons tumbled to the bottom of the NFC South with losing streaks of three, three and six games. Quarterback Michael Vick was suspended for dogfighting, and new coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team with three games remaining to take the Arkansas job.

The turnaround: Atlanta owner Arthur Blank was bold, going with the new general manager/coach/quarterback model. Personnel chief Rich McKay was moved into the team president role, replaced by Thomas Dimitroff. The new general manager hired Mike Smith as head coach and 12 new assistants. The Falcons signed running back Michael Turner (1,699 yards rushing), drafted four players - including quarterback Matt Ryan - who are now starters, and jettisoned veterans DeAngelo Hall and Alge Crumpler. The Falcons went 11-5 to secure a wild-card berth and lost at Arizona in the playoffs.

TAMPA BAY (2007)

Previous year: The Buccaneers started 0-4 and averaged just 13.2 points a game as the offense went through three quarterbacks who attempted at least 100 passes. The offense broke - 31st in yards per play, points and yards per completion.

The turnaround: Tampa Bay went 9-7 to win the NFC South and lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the opening round. Feeling the heat, coach Jon Gruden signed 37-year old Jeff Garcia to play quarterback, and he responded with 13 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 94.6 passer rating. By the end of the year, the Buccaneers had 23 players who weren't with the team in 2006, but the key was Garcia and a little luck - defensive end Greg White, a former Arena League player, was signed during camp and contributed 50 tackles and eight sacks.

How did they miss the Dolphins going 1-15 to 11-5 last year?