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

[fatness]

I don't think any more can be done. We get way more attention than a 2-5 team should already. Everyone knows what the problem is and everyone knows it will try to be fixed after the season.

The same was true every other season --- they tried to "fix" things. Fixing things involved letting Cerrato and/or Snyder buy expensive bandaids and headlines. That is what has led to the lack of talent and lack of depth currently on the roster.This is going to be a long, painful season, and if anyone should share the misery it should be the owner. The more miserable he feels the more likely he is to change course, look at how better teams deal with teambuilding, and follow suit. He's not going to do that if fans are silent. There is no advantage to the Washington Redskins in fans remaining silent about discontent.

 

[pablito]

Snyder's petulance, arrogance and patheticness are a terrible combination.

And yet if he hires a good GM in the offseason, who then hires a good coach and begins to rebuild the team, Snyder will be at least partly forgiven right away by fans. The only good thing about this terrible season is the national scrutiny on the team, finally. It must be torture on Snyder. And that is a good thing. He'll want to avoid this in the future.

Ahh, yes... pavlovian reinforcement. I hope it takes!

 

[Sebowski]

I don't think any more can be done. We get way more attention than a 2-5 team should already. Everyone knows what the problem is and everyone knows it will try to be fixed after the season.

The same was true every other season --- they tried to "fix" things. Fixing things involved letting Cerrato and/or Snyder buy expensive bandaids and headlines. That is what has led to the lack of talent and lack of depth currently on the roster.This is going to be a long, painful season, and if anyone should share the misery it should be the owner. The more miserable he feels the more likely he is to change course, look at how better teams deal with teambuilding, and follow suit. He's not going to do that if fans are silent. There is no advantage to the Washington Redskins in fans remaining silent about discontent.

I just don't understand all the energy being put in to state the obvious, over, and over, and over, again.Danny Smith might be off the hook in my book

Zorn:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/red.../zorn-on-radio/

"It was a punt return by committee. I had Santana (Moss) in there, I even put DeAngelo (Hall) in there for one punt return. Antwaan's role is going to continue but I'm going to try and get DeAngelo more returns and Santana more returns to give us a chance to have a different pace if you will. Antwaan dropped a punt in the game and that's uncharacteristic of him but I do feel confident in him back there especially when to make a fair catch and when to run."

If it has been Zorn's call on who to put back there he is worse of a coach than I thought. Devin is openly campaigning for the job. Give him a crack at it. Can't be any worse.

 

[TxBuckeye]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in? I don't like having a lame duck QB.

Anyone put behind center from now until the end of the season will be a lame duck QB. Next year's QB will come from the draft or an offseason trade.

Oh good lord PLEASE don't let this be true! How many more draft picks can the skins absolutely waste on QBs??? There are way to many needs to be addressed in the draft. They skins can't afford to waste them on another Campbell.

 

[jenja]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in? I don't like having a lame duck QB.

Anyone put behind center from now until the end of the season will be a lame duck QB. Next year's QB will come from the draft or an offseason trade.

Oh good lord PLEASE don't let this be true! How many more draft picks can the skins absolutely waste on QBs??? There are way to many needs to be addressed in the draft. They skins can't afford to waste them on another Campbell.

I agree, I am praying they do not waste another high draft pick on a QB. We have WAY to many other needs, especially the offensive line. How on earth can they expect any rookie QB to come in here and start with a line like that? We need to sign a vet and rebuild the line then worry about drafting a QB, but knowing Danny that won't be how it pans out.

 

[PantherPower]

actually the skins do DESPERATELY need a franchise QB. Problem is, they also need 5 new offensive lineman. I don't know the list of FA QBs, but I'm praying we can pick a great one that route, and then spend 4 of the first 5 picks on OL help. God this team needs SO much work.

 

[fatness]

"It's going to be difficult," Portis said. "We lost two offensive linemen, we shuffled two offensive linemen, now we lose Chris Cooley. The only mainstay from our opening day roster that's on that line is (center) Casey Rabach and (left guard) Derrick Dockery.

"That's it. Everybody else has been shuffled, moved, changed or injured. So we're going out here playing with two guys who were originally the starters. Levi Jones played, we signed him five days (actually a week) ago. That's just the position we (are) in.

"We got to address and get some depth. We went into the season, and we didn't address that issue and it came back to haunt us. I mean, just as a team, we got to stay together."

Portis

 

[fatness]

Guess we can scratch Bill Cowher off the list of potential candidates to replace forlorn Jim Zorn next season, if not sooner. Cowher, now a CBS studio analyst, is clearly appalled by events at Redskins Park in recent weeks, judging from his comments on Sunday's CBS pregame show. "Three weeks ago when Sherman Lewis was brought in, it began the undermining of Jim Zorn as head coach and offensive coordinator," Cowher said.

"There's enough blame to go around, but let's start at the top with the owner, Dan Snyder, because he thinks you can win the Super Bowl by spending the most money the first day of free agency, and that's never worked," Sharpe said Sunday. "Then you have Vinny Cerrato. He has a situation where he has a radio show. I don't think a player personnel or general manager should talk about the inner workings of what's happening in the organization.

"Maybe Jim Zorn is in over his head, but when you hire the coordinator before you hire the head coach, there's a problem right there. You don't go to a grocery store, put the stuff in the basket and then start making your list."

the ire directed toward the Redskins owner and management from their fans and from the media, both local and national, seems almost unprecedented in recent years, perhaps matched only by the outrage when Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore. While Modell still remains vilified in Ohio, at least he had a very soft landing in Charm City, where he was hailed as a benevolent savior of the region and has been transformed as a beloved Baltimorean.

The same can hardly be said for Snyder and Cerrato, who continue to blame the media, particularly The Washington Post, for the rising backlash directed at them from a clearly agitated fan base after 10 years of major mismanagement. That would almost be laughable, if blaming the messenger wasn't so misguided.

Mike Ditka: "You can't win with a lame duck coach. You cannot blame the coach and the players. . . . It all starts with the owner."

Keyshawn Johnson: "You can't win when you hire the wrong people."

Tom Jackson: Snyder "knows nothing about football. . . . He has no idea. He will eventually get desperate and hire the right person."

Len Shapiro

 

[fatness]

the defense

Statistically, the Redskins' defense looks pretty sound. It boasts the NFL's leading tackler in London Fletcher (more on him in a bit) and is holding opponents to 283.4 yards per game (No. 5 in the NFL) and 17.6 points (No. 6). But the defense probably has benefited the most of any unit from the team's soft schedule.

Where the Redskins' defense perhaps has been most disappointing is in big plays. Though a highly-rated unit a year ago, the Redskins didn't cause turnovers. The team re-signed cornerback DeAngelo Hall and invested heavily in defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth hoping to fix this. But through seven games, they really haven't. Only the lowly Panthers have caused fewer than the Redskins' seven (three interceptions and four fumble recoveries), and not a single team in the league has fewer interceptions.

Though a concern early in the season, the Redskins have improved on third down (currently No. 14 in the league), and they're strong in the red zone, ranked No. 2 in the NFL. A problem at times, though, has been allowing big plays (See: Jackson, DeSean, Eagles vs. Redskins, Oct. 26).

As billed, Haynesworth wreaks havoc, drawing double teams more often than not. Defensive end Andre Carter has benefited. He has just one man to beat and has been doing it regularly. He has 6 1/2 sacks, tied for sixth in the league. His career high is 12 1/2, and the most he has had since joining Washington is 10 1/2. He also has four tackles for a loss and a team-best 14 quarterback hurries. Despite some early concerns, Haynesworth has played the second-most number of downs of any linemen (behind Carter, who rarely misses a down). Haynesworth has three sacks and 10 quarterback hurries. Thanks largely to these two, the Redskins are among the league leaders in sacks. Just four teams have more than Washington's 18 sacks

the Redskins have the talent to be more aggressive and to cause more problems, but their defensive philosophy often has them stopping opponents rather than attacking them.

 

[Marvelous]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in? I don't like having a lame duck QB.

Anyone put behind center from now until the end of the season will be a lame duck QB. Next year's QB will come from the draft or an offseason trade.

But at least Garcia gives us the best chance available to win games, and Booty could be a long term (long shot) answer.

I think it makes the most sense to let the new coach and new GM pick the new starting qb.

 

[Marvelous]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in? I don't like having a lame duck QB.

Anyone put behind center from now until the end of the season will be a lame duck QB. Next year's QB will come from the draft or an offseason trade.

Oh good lord PLEASE don't let this be true! How many more draft picks can the skins absolutely waste on QBs??? There are way to many needs to be addressed in the draft. They skins can't afford to waste them on another Campbell.

The one advantage of having a roster with so many holes, you can draft best player available throughout the draft. If there is a franchise qb, the Redskins have to take him. If not, don't force the issue. Just take the best player available. We all hope it is OLAlso remember, if next year is an upcapped year, the Redskins can sign any of the OL that are free agents. They may not be great, but there will be some available and they will be an upgrade.

 

[buster c]

I've seen airplanes towing banners around sporting events. It certainly isn't an absolute ban.

I haven't seen that in DC in many, many years. Pretty sure I haven't seen it since 9/11.I think fans just showing up to the game but hanging out in the parking lot would be a pretty powerful scene.

a monumentally poor idea. it lines Snyder's pockets with parking revenue. and who in their right mind is compelled to spend Sunday in a Raljon parking lot? there is only one effective way to get Snyder to SELL THE TEAM: stop buying his product.

 

[TankRizzo]

from my source in the NFLPA

truth is, most owners are pricks. (obv) but snyder is treading into dangerous territory. the only thing more powerful than a lame-duck owner is a commish who loves wielding power - especially when it comes to how the public views his "product".roger is watching, i can promise you.hes actually in town today, with de, on cap hill.

 

[fatness]

John Pappas at Warpath Confidential (Rich Tandler also writes there)

“We tried to address the line,” said Cerrato finally. “We added [Derrick] Dockery, we added Mike Williams, and when we were in the draft, there was nobody at [13th pick of the first round], worthy of it. And are you having the results you wanted? No, we don’t want to have sacks.”

Cerrato pointed to Dockery and Williams as examples of how he tried to improve the line. Dockery was brought in to replace Pete Kendall, who the team released during the offseason. Kendall had a bad knee and but for this, would still be playing in Washington. Kendall was at least as good as Dockery in pass protection so there was no net gain in Dockery.

Mike Williams was sitting home at over 450-pounds this time last year. He hadn’t been on the field since 2005, his last year with Buffalo. Cerrato has repeatedly cited Williams as a great find for the team. Yet Williams could not earn the starting job from Stephon Heyer, a tackle who has struggled this year.

But it is understandable Cerrato references these two. He has no-one else to use as a good example of how he addressed the line. Of the backups, only one was on the team a year ago; Chad Rinehart. Rinehart was drafted in the third round in 2008, but has yet to earn any significant playing time, despite the injury to Randy Thomas.

Instead, the Redskins have turned to Will Montgomery, a seventh-round draft pick in 2006 who was not on anyone’s roster when Washington signed him in December, 2008. Then there is D’Anthony Batiste, an undrafted free agent in 2006. Batiste was also sitting home when the Redskins called in December of 2008.

Given the roster, there were concerns during training camp about the state of the offensive line. Cerrato was asked if he thought the depth was acceptable going into the season. “Yea,” he said. “Look at the depth around the league. Nobody has a Pro Bowler to back up a Pro Bowler.”

 

[fatness]

Redskin Fan Cards for people to turn back in.

With instructions on which TV stations to mail them to, and when.

 

[fatness]

Link

Dan Steinberg of the indispensable D.C. Sports Bog put up a post today based on signs he picked out of various garbage cans outside FedEx Field. The signs were brought in by fans who actually watched the Redskins' 27-17 debacle against the Eagles on Monday night, and had their signs taken away and torn up by security for their trouble. Clearly, Snyder didn't want the nation knowing how dysfunctional his franchise is, and taking away signs from fans would hide that fact. After all, when your head coach is stripped of his playcalling duties and replaced by a bingo caller, and your running backs are bickering, and your top free agent spends time calling out the whole team when he's not limping to the sideline, and your quarterback is getting killed because your lackey of a general manager neglected to reinforce the offensive line in the last two drafts that were chock-full of great linemen ... sure. Taking away the signs will fix everything.

Of course, the security goons at FedEx were about as discerning as everyone else Snyder's hired in the last decade -- according to Steinberg, they removed a sign from a woman telling her husband, who is stationed in Afghanistan, that she loves him, and a guy who wasn't allowed to keep the old standard "D-(Fence)" combo.

It's astonishing, really. When you consider all the problems this team has, to throw all your efforts toward blocking the free expression of the people who are still spending their hard-earned money on your colossally inferior football product, you make yourself look to all the world like an insecure, clueless dimwit. Problem is, Mr. Snyder, so many of those other moves of yours have already set the facts in stone.

 

[fatness]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in?

I think that's a pretty useless idea. Neither would result in even one more win unless they can play offensive line.Besides, this roster is playoff-caliber according to Cerrato so let's just roll with who we've got.

 

[jenja]

Redskin Fan Cards for people to turn back in.

With instructions on which TV stations to mail them to, and when.

I am mailing it in. Also am refusing to purchase any Redskins merchandise until the team is run properly. While I will always be a Skins fan, I refuse to line the pockets of this idiot any longer.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

 

[Manster]

No one has anything to say about Garcia or Booty coming in? I don't like having a lame duck QB.

Anyone put behind center from now until the end of the season will be a lame duck QB. Next year's QB will come from the draft or an offseason trade.

Oh good lord PLEASE don't let this be true! How many more draft picks can the skins absolutely waste on QBs??? There are way to many needs to be addressed in the draft. They skins can't afford to waste them on another Campbell.

The one advantage of having a roster with so many holes, you can draft best player available throughout the draft. If there is a franchise qb, the Redskins have to take him. If not, don't force the issue. Just take the best player available. We all hope it is OLAlso remember, if next year is an upcapped year, the Redskins can sign any of the OL that are free agents. They may not be great, but there will be some available and they will be an upgrade.

so whats up with Colt Brennan?

 

[fatness]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Yeah, I'm talking about everything.

"Such as?"

Sacks, no pass protection, many players today said you guys didn't address the line, you knew it was a problem and you didn't address it, people have said it's one of the worst lines in the league. All that.

"Who's people around the league?"

 

[Sebowski]

Redskin Fan Cards for people to turn back in.

With instructions on which TV stations to mail them to, and when.

That is the stupidest waste of paper I have ever seen.

 

[Sebowski]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Yeah, I'm talking about everything.

"Such as?"

Sacks, no pass protection, many players today said you guys didn't address the line, you knew it was a problem and you didn't address it, people have said it's one of the worst lines in the league. All that.

"Who's people around the league?"

Is this guy real? Every day he acts more like a caricature of himself than the day before. come to think of it....so does Zorn.

 

[Sylira21]

so whats up with Colt Brennan?

On IR for the rest of the season. Too bad we didn't keep Chase Daniel around. I bet he would be entertaining. In all honesty, since there is no young QB to try out or develop, there seems little point in bringing someone new in. Might as well play Campbell, I really can't see how Collins is really going to be more apt to win games.

 

[fatness]

Redskin Fan Cards for people to turn back in.

With instructions on which TV stations to mail them to, and when.

That is the stupidest waste of paper I have ever seen.

Yeah, fans should just shut up about being unhappy. Who do they think they are, anyway? They don't run the team, and obviously they can be cut.Get ready to see more things like that. There are 10 weeks and 9 games left to go.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

so whats up with Colt Brennan?

On IR for the rest of the season. Too bad we didn't keep Chase Daniel around. I bet he would be entertaining. In all honesty, since there is no young QB to try out or develop, there seems little point in bringing someone new in. Might as well play Campbell, I really can't see how Collins is really going to be more apt to win games.

:(Brennan isn't the answer. He's a freelancer like Jeff George, without the bad attitude but without the talent too. I don't get the impression that he has the grey matter between the ears to understand a complex NFL offense, but that's just me.

 

[fatness]

In all honesty, since there is no young QB to try out or develop, there seems little point in bringing someone new in. Might as well play Campbell, I really can't see how Collins is really going to be more apt to win games.

I agree. And I'll go a step further and say that it may not be so urgent to draft a rookie QB with our 1st pick next year. It's not like the team will be rebuilt in a season, and the main rebuilding has to be on the offensive line. Good offensive tackles are hard to come by and our first pick probably should be used on one rather than on a QB to get decimated behind a crap line. We've seen quarterbacks ruined before by ####ty lines and ####ty protection schemes. Build the line first, through the draft, and if accidental bargains come up in free agency use them too. That'll help the team more than a post-surgery Sam Bradford. The drafting would have to be done by someone other than Cerrato of course. Which is why to keep the fan dissatisfaction level high --- to pressure Snyder constantly to get rid of him.

 

[fatness]

Thom Loverro, about their differing stories about Zorn being stripped of playcalling.

Steve Largent is a Hall of Fame receiver. He was Jim Zorn's teammate in Seattle, and they remain close friends.

In 1982, Zorn and Largent crossed the line as the players' strike began to fall apart - a decision, it was reported, based on religious principle. Largent cited Matthew 5:36-37, saying "your word is your bond" and "all contracts shall be honored as with God."

In 1989, Largent became the first Seattle player to win the Steve Largent Award for "spirit, dedication and integrity."

In 1994, Largent was elected to Congress from a district in Oklahoma, where he served for eight years.

In 2006, Largent was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

And on Oct. 23, 2009, Vinny Cerrato, the Washington Redskins' executive vice president of football operations, said Largent was, to put it delicately, misrepresenting the truth.

I now will list Cerrato's credentials to establish his credibility.

He starred in the 1994 movie "Kindergarten Ninja," portraying police Sgt. Antonelli.

 

[fatness]

Dan Daly, Washington Times

Dan Snyder continues to battle outside forces - this time the fans - instead of doing what's necessary to help struggling Redskins

It doesn't matter what silly spin the organization wants to put on this. It still comes across as censorship, the stifling of dissent, when some of the signs taken away voice displeasure with the owner and the man who does his bidding, Vinny Cerrato. It's one thing if the sign uses foul language or blocks the view of an entire section; it's another when it merely exercises the fan's First Amendment rights.



This is the price you pay, Dan, when you buy a franchise with a large and passionate following. Your customers are going to have a strong emotional attachment to the team - to the point of wearing pig snouts and painting their faces burgundy and gold. And when things go horribly wrong, as they have this season, these same customers will vent - on message boards, on radio call-in shows and, yes, even on signs they brandish at ballgames. As a businessman, would you want it any other way?

This is a spigot you never want to turn off. This is the key to the league's - and the Redskins' - phenomenal success, this bond that has been built up over the decades between clubs and their fans. Mess with that, suspend the fans' Bill of Rights because they might say something mean about you on a sign and you risk losing them... forever.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

In all honesty, since there is no young QB to try out or develop, there seems little point in bringing someone new in. Might as well play Campbell, I really can't see how Collins is really going to be more apt to win games.

I agree. And I'll go a step further and say that it may not be so urgent to draft a rookie QB with our 1st pick next year. It's not like the team will be rebuilt in a season, and the main rebuilding has to be on the offensive line. Good offensive tackles are hard to come by and our first pick probably should be used on one rather than on a QB to get decimated behind a crap line. We've seen quarterbacks ruined before by ####ty lines and ####ty protection schemes. Build the line first, through the draft, and if accidental bargains come up in free agency use them too. That'll help the team more than a post-surgery Sam Bradford. The drafting would have to be done by someone other than Cerrato of course. Which is why to keep the fan dissatisfaction level high --- to pressure Snyder constantly to get rid of him.

They need a veteran to bridge the gap between this roster and the next one.

 

[dgreen]

I've seen airplanes towing banners around sporting events. It certainly isn't an absolute ban.

I haven't seen that in DC in many, many years. Pretty sure I haven't seen it since 9/11.I think fans just showing up to the game but hanging out in the parking lot would be a pretty powerful scene.

a monumentally poor idea. it lines Snyder's pockets with parking revenue. and who in their right mind is compelled to spend Sunday in a Raljon parking lot? there is only one effective way to get Snyder to SELL THE TEAM: stop buying his product.

The vast majority of the parking revenue is paid along with the tickets. He already has that money. Plus, you can take Metro. You don't have to park there.

 

[TankRizzo]

OK, so it's more or less a foregone conclusion that the offense will be blown up this offseason.

The question I ask you today is; will next year's offense be better or worse than this year's?

 

[Maroney=Sped]

I've seen airplanes towing banners around sporting events. It certainly isn't an absolute ban.

I haven't seen that in DC in many, many years. Pretty sure I haven't seen it since 9/11.I think fans just showing up to the game but hanging out in the parking lot would be a pretty powerful scene.

a monumentally poor idea. it lines Snyder's pockets with parking revenue. and who in their right mind is compelled to spend Sunday in a Raljon parking lot? there is only one effective way to get Snyder to SELL THE TEAM: stop buying his product.

The vast majority of the parking revenue is paid along with the tickets. He already has that money. Plus, you can take Metro. You don't have to park there.

The loss of concessions sales would also be where it hurts. Figure $20-$40 per person, and you get a big number in a hurry.

 

[Sidewinder16]

OK, so it's more or less a foregone conclusion that the offense will be blown up this offseason.The question I ask you today is; will next year's offense be better or worse than this year's?

Production-wise? I could care less, as long as there is a vision for the future and purposeful movements towards making that vision a reality.Right now the roster is just a conglomeration of players that Snyderatto has thrown together and said "Alright, Jim. Make a run at the playoffs."

 

[fatness]

OK, so it's more or less a foregone conclusion that the offense will be blown up this offseason.The question I ask you today is; will next year's offense be better or worse than this year's?

Production-wise? I could care less, as long as there is a vision for the future and purposeful movements towards making that vision a reality."

I feel the same way. I want to see younger, stronger, healthier players with some talent and a chance to develop, working together on a team under a competent coach, with a knowledgeable GM guiding it along year by year with other player additions/subtractions.That's what I want --- a solid base, good direction, and good leaders. I don't care if they start 0-16.

 

[fatness]

Interesting stuff from Michael Wilbon

You know what's a whole lot worse than losing football games? Trying to bully people into silence because they object to your business practices, the product itself, or the way you treat them as consumers.

We appear to be at the point where Snyder and/or others in his charge are angry. They'll show Washington. They'll show anybody who doesn't get in line. They'll charge among the highest prices in the league, bring you into the worst gameday pro football experience in America, overcharge you for it, then tell you to enjoy it -- or damn well act like it. Take on Snyder, and Redskins management will take you out.

Could a club think any less of the people who support it than this censorship suggests? Most businesses live by the motto "The consumer is always right." The Redskins motto apparently is "The consumer will take what we give 'em, because we've got a million suckers on a waiting list."

 

[Sidewinder16]

E-mail I just received from Angie Gray, Washington Redskins, Account Executive Premium Seating:

Thank you for your interest in becoming a season ticket holder. If you sign up for the Club Level for the 2010 season now, you will get the rest of the 2009 season for “free”, including the Dallas game. Only 25% down payment required at the time you select your seats.

They can't give those seats away.ETA: The description of "membership" packages also includes this:

The ticket price will increase 6% per season for 3 year membership and 4% for 6 year membership (pay one season at a time)

Good to know they're already planning on jacking ticket prices even higher in the coming years, despite the fact that they already can't fill those seats.

 

[Sidewinder16]

In all honesty, since there is no young QB to try out or develop, there seems little point in bringing someone new in. Might as well play Campbell, I really can't see how Collins is really going to be more apt to win games.

I agree. And I'll go a step further and say that it may not be so urgent to draft a rookie QB with our 1st pick next year. It's not like the team will be rebuilt in a season, and the main rebuilding has to be on the offensive line. Good offensive tackles are hard to come by and our first pick probably should be used on one rather than on a QB to get decimated behind a crap line. We've seen quarterbacks ruined before by ####ty lines and ####ty protection schemes. Build the line first, through the draft, and if accidental bargains come up in free agency use them too. That'll help the team more than a post-surgery Sam Bradford. The drafting would have to be done by someone other than Cerrato of course. Which is why to keep the fan dissatisfaction level high --- to pressure Snyder constantly to get rid of him.

If a new GM is put in place and the team is rebuilt from the ground up (as many of us agree it should be), then you shouldn't really go wrong with BPA.As far as OTs go, though, Russ Lande ranks the current top 25 collegiate talent in today's Sporting News Today. #3 and #4 are Oklahoma's OTs (Trent Williams and Russell Okung, respectively). Given that we're all but guaranteed a top 5 pick and the hype that will surround the top QBs, there looks to be some quality OL available at the very top of the draft.

 

[DCThunder]

OK, so it's more or less a foregone conclusion that the offense will be blown up this offseason.The question I ask you today is; will next year's offense be better or worse than this year's?

It's not a foregone conclusion is Vinny is still in charge. He thinks he's got a playoff caliber team now, why would he blow that up?BTW, I heard the security guards were trading in their yellow jackets for brown shirts and jackboots.

 

[dgreen]

Given that we're all but guaranteed a top 5 pick...

Actually, I think we're currently 8th. There are some really, really, really bad teams out there. Yes, we're one of them and the remaining schedule doesn't provide much in the way of expected wins. But, I also doubt we'll see TB, KC, STL, DET, TEN, CLE, and OAK win too many more games. We could end up 4-12 and still not get a top 5 pick.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Given that we're all but guaranteed a top 5 pick...

Actually, I think we're currently 8th. There are some really, really, really bad teams out there. Yes, we're one of them and the remaining schedule doesn't provide much in the way of expected wins. But, I also doubt we'll see TB, KC, STL, DET, TEN, CLE, and OAK win too many more games. We could end up 4-12 and still not get a top 5 pick.

Listen, the organization has already stomped out most of the hope this optimist tends to carry around. Don't you start doing the same.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Since I still see the occasional Haynesworth naysayer (not necessarily here, although there may be some), I'd like to present the following.

The '09 team leader in sacks (Andre Carter - 6.5; on pace to set a career high) already has more than the '08 leader had through all 16 games (Carter - 4). The '09 #2 in sacks (Brian Orakpo - 3.5) already has as many as the #2 from '08 (Jason Taylor and Demetric Evans tied w/ 3.5). The team, as a whole, has 18 sacks through 7 games in '09. The '08 team had 24 sacks in 16 games. So, sack production has improved dramatically. If not because of Haynesworth, then why?

Also, if you've managed to sit through all of the games so far, it seems apparent, at least to me, that QBs don't have the time and comfort in the pocket during 4-man rushes this year that they had last year. Last year it felt like opposing QBs could set up camp and grill up some franks and beans before having to worry about getting rid of the ball. This year, not so much. Again, if this improvement is not due to the presence of Haynesworth, then why?

Personally, I'm not sure how anyone can say the '09 pass rush isn't improved over last year or how a significant amount of that improvement can't be attributed to Haynesworth. But I still see/hear complaints about his PT, his injuries, him taking breathers, etc.

 

[dgreen]

Since I still see the occasional Haynesworth naysayer (not necessarily here, although there may be some), I'd like to present the following.The '09 team leader in sacks (Andre Carter - 6.5; on pace to set a career high) already has more than the '08 leader had through all 16 games (Carter - 4). The '09 #2 in sacks (Brian Orakpo - 3.5) already has as many as the #2 from '08 (Jason Taylor and Demetric Evans tied w/ 3.5). The team, as a whole, has 18 sacks through 7 games in '09. The '08 team had 24 sacks in 16 games. So, sack production has improved dramatically. If not because of Haynesworth, then why?Also, if you've managed to sit through all of the games so far, it seems apparent, at least to me, that QBs don't have the time and comfort in the pocket during 4-man rushes this year that they had last year. Last year it felt like opposing QBs could set up camp and grill up some franks and beans before having to worry about getting rid of the ball. This year, not so much. Again, if this improvement is not due to the presence of Haynesworth, then why?Personally, I'm not sure how anyone can say the '09 pass rush isn't improved over last year or how a significant amount of that improvement can't be attributed to Haynesworth. But I still see/hear complaints about his PT, his injuries, him taking breathers, etc.

Czabe was questioning whether Carter's sacks are with Haynesworth on the field or not. You know, cause Haynesworth only plays like 10 plays a game. For some reason, some just don't see the impact he's making. I love just watching him. Even if a play for the other team goes for 10 yards, it's fun watching Haynesworth just shove some guy 7 yards deep.MFN showed the stats for Carter and Vanden Bosch, suggesting that Haynesworth is good to play next to.

 

[NickyHatton]

Given that we're all but guaranteed a top 5 pick...

Actually, I think we're currently 8th. There are some really, really, really bad teams out there. Yes, we're one of them and the remaining schedule doesn't provide much in the way of expected wins. But, I also doubt we'll see TB, KC, STL, DET, TEN, CLE, and OAK win too many more games. We could end up 4-12 and still not get a top 5 pick.

Listen, the organization has already stomped out most of the hope this optimist tends to carry around. Don't you start doing the same.

He has definitely improved the pass rush, but the fact that Blache never blitzes still gives the opposing QB's plenty of time to throw the ball on the plays where our guys aren't winning their one on one matchups. We still have the least amount of INT's in the league. I would like to see a more aggressive defensive philosophy to force a few more mistakes despite the fact that our D isn't the main issue right now.

 

[Marvelous]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Sometimes I think the media does try to make Cerrato look like an idiot. In the Washington Post yesterday, they printed transcript for the whole press conference. Answers like this make Cerrato look clueless.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Sometimes I think the media does try to make Cerrato look like an idiot. In the Washington Post yesterday, they printed transcript for the whole press conference. Answers like this make Cerrato look clueless.

I agree, but it's not like they have to break a sweat to accomplish the task.

 

[Marvelous]

Given that we're all but guaranteed a top 5 pick...

Actually, I think we're currently 8th. There are some really, really, really bad teams out there. Yes, we're one of them and the remaining schedule doesn't provide much in the way of expected wins. But, I also doubt we'll see TB, KC, STL, DET, TEN, CLE, and OAK win too many more games. We could end up 4-12 and still not get a top 5 pick.

That is highly unlikely. A blind squirrel will sometime find an acorn. Most teams will somehow find a way to win a few more games. Of course, the bottom feeder teams will have games amongst themselves, guaranteeing some wins.

 

[Marvelous]

Since I still see the occasional Haynesworth naysayer (not necessarily here, although there may be some), I'd like to present the following.The '09 team leader in sacks (Andre Carter - 6.5; on pace to set a career high) already has more than the '08 leader had through all 16 games (Carter - 4). The '09 #2 in sacks (Brian Orakpo - 3.5) already has as many as the #2 from '08 (Jason Taylor and Demetric Evans tied w/ 3.5). The team, as a whole, has 18 sacks through 7 games in '09. The '08 team had 24 sacks in 16 games. So, sack production has improved dramatically. If not because of Haynesworth, then why?Also, if you've managed to sit through all of the games so far, it seems apparent, at least to me, that QBs don't have the time and comfort in the pocket during 4-man rushes this year that they had last year. Last year it felt like opposing QBs could set up camp and grill up some franks and beans before having to worry about getting rid of the ball. This year, not so much. Again, if this improvement is not due to the presence of Haynesworth, then why?Personally, I'm not sure how anyone can say the '09 pass rush isn't improved over last year or how a significant amount of that improvement can't be attributed to Haynesworth. But I still see/hear complaints about his PT, his injuries, him taking breathers, etc.

Czabe was questioning whether Carter's sacks are with Haynesworth on the field or not. You know, cause Haynesworth only plays like 10 plays a game. For some reason, some just don't see the impact he's making. I love just watching him. Even if a play for the other team goes for 10 yards, it's fun watching Haynesworth just shove some guy 7 yards deep.MFN showed the stats for Carter and Vanden Bosch, suggesting that Haynesworth is good to play next to.

I have questioned how much Haynesworth improves the defense, but he really had a beast of a game on Monday. There is no denying he was a force wreaking havoc. And except for the first series and the one blown coverage, the defense was really dominant against a good offensive team.

 

[nittanylion]

Transcript of Cerrato's PC yesterday:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Sometimes I think the media does try to make Cerrato look like an idiot. In the Washington Post yesterday, they printed transcript for the whole press conference. Answers like this make Cerrato look clueless.

The media doesn't have to go out of it's way. Vinny takes care of that all by himself."Answers like this make Cerrato look clueless" - that 'Answer' is a DIRECT QUOTE from Vinny.

He IS an idiot, and systematically goes about proving just how big of one every time he's engaged in an on-the-record conversation these days.

If I were Snyder, I'd worry less about the fans, and put a gag order on Vinny.

Greg Blache now has someone speaking for him. I'm sure they could find someone on the Management side verbose enough to handle the task, because almost anything would be an improvement.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Sometimes I think the media does try to make Cerrato look like an idiot. In the Washington Post yesterday, they printed transcript for the whole press conference. Answers like this make Cerrato look clueless.

The media doesn't have to go out of it's way. Vinny takes care of that all by himself.

Somewhat amazingly, redskins.com has the video for that PC still up. Watch it. When Vinny gets to this part:

Are you surprised by the lack of production of the backup offensive linemen?

"I think when you look at the -- Are you talking about all the sacks and stuff?"

Yeah, I'm talking about everything.

"Such as?"

Sacks, no pass protection, many players today said you guys didn't address the line, you knew it was a problem and you didn't address it, people have said it's one of the worst lines in the league. All that.

That last bolded part isn't just one reporter answering back. There is a cacophony of voices airing out the laundry list of problems with the current state of the OL. That Vinny directed the PC to a point where people outside the organization had to clue him in to the OL problems is mind-boggling.For crying out loud, just admit that the backups are struggling and not getting the job done and stop trying to blow smoke up everyone's back sides.