***OFFICIAL*** Washington Redskins 2011 Off-Season Thread (1 Viewer)

[Captain Placeholder]

I doubt Lavar's teammates would say that. He's a guy who fellow players all loved. Find one player who has said something bad about him.

Arrington never played up to his contract $$ level, wanted to do things his way instead of the coaches' way, and finally got his ### set on the bench for it when there was some structure in the front office. If that's not cancerous on a football team then I don't know what is.Citing Lavar Arrington and Jim Rome as credible sources to make a point about Portis, or to make any point at all, is pretty weak.

You are not serious are you? CP has been running his mouth all off-season and you are defending him? I'm a 'Canes fan to boot and I can't stand by him and his attempt to anything and everything to get released.As for Lavar, it was the IDIOT coaches (other than Schotty) who didn't play him right. He was a pursuit get in the backfield and cause havoc type of LB'er, but instead our B&G idiots coaches made him a coverage LB that NEVER used his true talents. Only Schotty used Lavar the way he should have been used and this is coming from a guy who didn't like Schotty at all.

Lavar was this franchise and the way he was treated in the end was sad. So many of his haters act like they know what happened, but clearly they/you know nothing at all about him or what happened.

The Lavar romanticism makes me puke. It's revisionist history.Lavar was a tremendous physical talent but he couldn't play within any scheme that required him to stick to specific assignments. He roamed. Granted, he was good at roaming, but having a player doing that greatly limits a defense, especially against talented and well-run offenses that can scheme against that (and along those lines please also remember how weak the NFC East was in the early 00's when evaluating what Lavar was doing).

Schotty built his defense around Lavar roaming - meaning all 10 other guys had to absolutely stick to their assignments and the defensive scheme was built around essentially funneling plays to Lavar - and Lavar had his best season. What you need to remember, however, is that that that followed Schotty's necessary roster purge after the excesses of the 2000 season and was one of the weakest defenses in terms of overall talent in the last decade, so it made sense to do that. As the defense overall got better over the ensuing seasons, Lavar's overall impact diminished as he couldn't adjust.

By the time that the defense became excellent with other guys who could make plays, such as Cornelius Griffin and Sean Taylor in 2004, Lavar couldn't adapt into a different role. He lashed out at coaches who demanded he did, showing that he was an undisciplined prima donna who was more interested in himself than in playing for a superior team defense.

And Snyder didn't screw Lavar. Lavar's agent let him down.

The team didn't injure Lavar. Lavar insisted he come back and play in that SF game - against Bubba Tyer's recommendations - when he wasn't healed and sure enough he reinjured the knee after less than four quarters of play. But of course, Lavar decided to ignore that he insisted upon playing and instead lashed out at the team.

Lavar was an electrifying physical talent who certainly was apparent when he was on the field, and he had a personality to match, but don't confuse that with being a great professional player in what is the ultimate team sport. He was ultimately a one-trick pony. That's not the sign of a great player.

 

[IDrinkyourMilkshake]

Sounds like the Skins might be going back to the throwbacks this year.

 

[Sidewinder16]

From today's Sporting News Today:

Cardinal's free-agent MLB Karlos Dansby says he has four teams on his wish list: The Giants, Chargers, Dolphins and Redskins.

Dansby goes on to comment specifically on the Giants and playing in a big market, but having excelled in a 3-4 defense makes him something to keep an eye on. He's one of the better FA LBs, though, so he'll probably be overpriced.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Shanahan talks with Kelly on how he'll be used (from Jason Reid):

Kelly encouraged by conversation with Shanahan

While at Redskins Park last week, wide receiver Malcolm Kelly had his first conversation with Coach Mike Shanahan. And from Kelly's perspective, it couldn't have gone better.

"One of the first things he said was they're really going to put me in a lot of situations where I'll be isolated. A lot of one-on-one situations where I can take advantage of my size," Kelly said Monday in a phone interview. "Man, that's what I've been waiting to hear."

After earning the No. 1 flanker job in the preseason, Kelly fell out of favor with the coaching staff because of his route running. Fellow second-year wideout Devin Thomas replaced Kelly in the starting lineup, and Kelly's role in the offense decreased as the season progressed.

But with Thomas sidelined because of an injury in the Redskins' final game at San Diego, Kelly had a career-high five receptions for 109 yards during the Chargers' 23-20 victory. Included among Kelly's receptions was Washington's longest play from scrimmage last season - an 84-yard catch-and-run on a seam route.

So the season ended on a high note for Kelly, whom the previous coaching staff did not utilize as much in the red zone as many Redskins observers expected. Listed at 6 feet 4, 227 pounds, Kelly is the biggest wideout on the roster. Kelly often has displayed impressive leaping ability in practice and is considered to have the best hands on the team, but rarely was he targeted on jump-ball plays in the end zone.

That could change under Shanahan and his son, Kyle, the Redskins' new offensive coordinator. Kyle ran the Houston Texans' offense the last two seasons and played a role in the success of Texans star wideout Andre Johnson (6-3, 225), whom Kelly has studied closely.

"We're talking, and Coach Shanahan asked me if I had seen any film on how his son ran that offense down there," Kelly said. "I told him that as it just so happens, I have all of Andre Johnson's cut-ups [video of only Johnson in action] from this past season. I just watched Andre Johnson to watch how he would work during the season.



"He told me he wants to put me on those types of situations where I can take advantage of my size. And then he just started talking about my hands. He said, 'We're going to find ways to get you the ball.' He told me he's going to find ways to show specifically what I can do.

"That was something I haven't even heard before in my two years here. And it was coming from a guy who I know has went out and won championships, and a guy who has had playmakers at every position. That's one thing that he knows how to do - he finds ways to get his playmakers the ball. Looking at our talent level, he said he's going to be able to use all the young guys. It was real encouraging."

 

[Captain Placeholder]

Shanahan talks with Kelly on how he'll be used (from Jason Reid):

*snip*

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Shanahan talks with Kelly on how he'll be used (from Jason Reid):

*snip*

Kelly talked too much. I wish he could stay quiet because now defenses are going to key on him.

 

[dgreen]

Shanahan talks with Kelly on how he'll be used (from Jason Reid):

*snip*

I think the previous coaching staff was pretty bad by NFL standards. Exhibit A:

"That was something I haven't even heard before in my two years here."

I mean, Shanahan isn't exactly breaking new ground here with what he's apparently telling Kelly.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Redskins Interested in Leonard Little????

Leonard Little has yet to make his decision about returning or retiring from the NFL.

But if he decides to play another season, he may have more than just the Rams wanting his services.

As the new defensive coordinator in Washington, Jim Haslett has let it be known that he believes Little is still good for 10+ sacks a season--provided he stays healthy and is used appropriately.

The situation is similiar with the Rams--who have made it clear to Little they would like him back if intends to play in 2010.

Little missed three games due to injury last year, but still led the Rams with 6.5 sacks. It's that ability that should keep him effective on pass rush downs.

With 87.5 career sacks, the idea of 100 sacks is an achievable goal--but Little has shared that he wouldn't return to chase after any statistical goals, playing the game was about winning and having fun.

What's not so clear is if Little would have more fun in another city or if the wear and tear of twelve seasons has been enough and he's ready to walk away.

as you remember, he went DUI and killed someone the other day.

 

[dgreen]

Redskins Interested in Leonard Little????

Leonard Little has yet to make his decision about returning or retiring from the NFL.

But if he decides to play another season, he may have more than just the Rams wanting his services.

As the new defensive coordinator in Washington, Jim Haslett has let it be known that he believes Little is still good for 10+ sacks a season--provided he stays healthy and is used appropriately.

The situation is similiar with the Rams--who have made it clear to Little they would like him back if intends to play in 2010.

Little missed three games due to injury last year, but still led the Rams with 6.5 sacks. It's that ability that should keep him effective on pass rush downs.

With 87.5 career sacks, the idea of 100 sacks is an achievable goal--but Little has shared that he wouldn't return to chase after any statistical goals, playing the game was about winning and having fun.

What's not so clear is if Little would have more fun in another city or if the wear and tear of twelve seasons has been enough and he's ready to walk away.

as you remember, he went DUI and killed someone the other day.

The other day?

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Redskins Interested in Leonard Little????

Leonard Little has yet to make his decision about returning or retiring from the NFL.

But if he decides to play another season, he may have more than just the Rams wanting his services.

As the new defensive coordinator in Washington, Jim Haslett has let it be known that he believes Little is still good for 10+ sacks a season--provided he stays healthy and is used appropriately.

The situation is similiar with the Rams--who have made it clear to Little they would like him back if intends to play in 2010.

Little missed three games due to injury last year, but still led the Rams with 6.5 sacks. It's that ability that should keep him effective on pass rush downs.

With 87.5 career sacks, the idea of 100 sacks is an achievable goal--but Little has shared that he wouldn't return to chase after any statistical goals, playing the game was about winning and having fun.

What's not so clear is if Little would have more fun in another city or if the wear and tear of twelve seasons has been enough and he's ready to walk away.

as you remember, he went DUI and killed someone the other day.

The other day?

don't matter if it's yesterday or the last decade. and besides, he got caught again for DUI (or DWI) a few years later. And he got less punishment than Michael Vick and Donte Stallworth did.

 

[Captain Placeholder]

Redskins Interested in Leonard Little????

Leonard Little has yet to make his decision about returning or retiring from the NFL.

But if he decides to play another season, he may have more than just the Rams wanting his services.

As the new defensive coordinator in Washington, Jim Haslett has let it be known that he believes Little is still good for 10+ sacks a season--provided he stays healthy and is used appropriately.

The situation is similiar with the Rams--who have made it clear to Little they would like him back if intends to play in 2010.

Little missed three games due to injury last year, but still led the Rams with 6.5 sacks. It's that ability that should keep him effective on pass rush downs.

With 87.5 career sacks, the idea of 100 sacks is an achievable goal--but Little has shared that he wouldn't return to chase after any statistical goals, playing the game was about winning and having fun.

What's not so clear is if Little would have more fun in another city or if the wear and tear of twelve seasons has been enough and he's ready to walk away.

as you remember, he went DUI and killed someone the other day.

The other day?

don't matter if it's yesterday or the last decade. and besides, he got caught again for DUI (or DWI) a few years later. And he got less punishment than Michael Vick and Donte Stallworth did.

I agree. I don't want him for that very reason. No way.

 

[thayman]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_...?urn=nfl,220013

Saw this on Yahoo, man I love Darrell Green.

 

[fatness]

Redskins Interested in Leonard Little????

As the new defensive coordinator in Washington, Jim Haslett has let it be known that he believes Little is still good for 10+ sacks a season--provided he stays healthy and is used appropriately.

Tampering.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Sporting News Today

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has told embattled QB Jason Campbell that he will be back in Washington in ’10, but that might not preclude the team from using a high draft pick on another quarterback.

“The plan is that I’m going to be here,” Campbell told ESPN on Thursday. “(Shanahan) told me that he liked how I’d handled everything over the past couple of years and the whole conversation was real positive.”

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

 

[dgreen]

Sporting News Today

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has told embattled QB Jason Campbell that he will be back in Washington in ’10, but that might not preclude the team from using a high draft pick on another quarterback.

“The plan is that I’m going to be here,” Campbell told ESPN on Thursday. “(Shanahan) told me that he liked how I’d handled everything over the past couple of years and the whole conversation was real positive.”

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Hopefully "high draft pick" doesn't mean the first round. Hopefully this is Shanahan and Campbell playing a pre-draft game with the rest of the league to lead everyone to believe they want a QB.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Sporting News Today

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has told embattled QB Jason Campbell that he will be back in Washington in ’10, but that might not preclude the team from using a high draft pick on another quarterback.

“The plan is that I’m going to be here,” Campbell told ESPN on Thursday. “(Shanahan) told me that he liked how I’d handled everything over the past couple of years and the whole conversation was real positive.”

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Hopefully "high draft pick" doesn't mean the first round. Hopefully this is Shanahan and Campbell playing a pre-draft game with the rest of the league to lead everyone to believe they want a QB.

I'm starting to think that only half of that first sentence was actually part of the conversation between Shanahan and Campbell. It seems to me that everything after the comma is speculation on behalf of the reporter.It looks like the quotes and general gist of this piece was taken from Matt Mosely's piece on Campbell from yesterday. There is nothing in Mosley's article that suggests that Shanahan said anything directly to Campbell regarding their draft plans. In fact the end of Mosley's article says this:

Campbell didn't feel like it was his place to inquire about Shanahan's approach to the draft. He said he trusts the coach's experience in that department and will be prepared for whatever happens.

"I have to do whatever it takes to help us win," said Campbell. "All that other stuff will take care of itself. I'm certainly not going to be out campaigning for them to take other positions. They know how to do this stuff."

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Sporting News Today

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has told embattled QB Jason Campbell that he will be back in Washington in ’10, but that might not preclude the team from using a high draft pick on another quarterback.

“The plan is that I’m going to be here,” Campbell told ESPN on Thursday. “(Shanahan) told me that he liked how I’d handled everything over the past couple of years and the whole conversation was real positive.”

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Hopefully "high draft pick" doesn't mean the first round. Hopefully this is Shanahan and Campbell playing a pre-draft game with the rest of the league to lead everyone to believe they want a QB.

it's fine and all that. still, shanahan doesn't have a great track record on the draft so I'd view anything draft-related with skepticism.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Would like to see the Skins add O.J. Atogwe he is a free Safety and would put Toast back at SS

 

[fatness]

Sporting News Today

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Worth repeating.

 

[Marvelous]

Anyone have any clue on whether the Redskins will go wild at the start of free agency?

 

[Captain Placeholder]

Anyone have any clue on whether the Redskins will go wild at the start of free agency?

If they did I'd figure OL and maybe LB or CB would be their targets.

 

[Sidewinder16]

Anyone have any clue on whether the Redskins will go wild at the start of free agency?

If they did I'd figure OL and maybe LB or CB would be their targets.

Yeah, I can see them taking some big shots on a couple specific positions. The problem with this, though, is that there may not be that many (good) FAs at these positions to throw a lot of money at. CB will probably have a couple decent options (it's looking like Leigh Bodden and Dunta Robinson will both be hitting the open market, although I don't think either should be paid like a top 5 CB), but OL will most likely be thin and Karlos Dansby is the biggest LB FA and there's still a chance he could re-sign with Arizona.If Dansby does make it to FA I could see the 'Skins being in the running for him. With a probable switch to the 3-4, signing him would make a lot of sense, at least to me. Otherwise, I'd personally like to see them target some "second tier" FAs with modest contracts that can be tried out without being on the hook for a lot of money should they not pan out with the team.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

Anyone have any clue on whether the Redskins will go wild at the start of free agency?

If they did I'd figure OL and maybe LB or CB would be their targets.

Yeah, I can see them taking some big shots on a couple specific positions. The problem with this, though, is that there may not be that many (good) FAs at these positions to throw a lot of money at. CB will probably have a couple decent options (it's looking like Leigh Bodden and Dunta Robinson will both be hitting the open market, although I don't think either should be paid like a top 5 CB), but OL will most likely be thin and Karlos Dansby is the biggest LB FA and there's still a chance he could re-sign with Arizona.If Dansby does make it to FA I could see the 'Skins being in the running for him. With a probable switch to the 3-4, signing him would make a lot of sense, at least to me. Otherwise, I'd personally like to see them target some "second tier" FAs with modest contracts that can be tried out without being on the hook for a lot of money should they not pan out with the team.

It would probably take $30M guaranteed to sign Dansby.Link to Dansby story

 

[Captain Placeholder]

Anyone have any clue on whether the Redskins will go wild at the start of free agency?

If they did I'd figure OL and maybe LB or CB would be their targets.

Yeah, I can see them taking some big shots on a couple specific positions. The problem with this, though, is that there may not be that many (good) FAs at these positions to throw a lot of money at. CB will probably have a couple decent options (it's looking like Leigh Bodden and Dunta Robinson will both be hitting the open market, although I don't think either should be paid like a top 5 CB), but OL will most likely be thin and Karlos Dansby is the biggest LB FA and there's still a chance he could re-sign with Arizona.If Dansby does make it to FA I could see the 'Skins being in the running for him. With a probable switch to the 3-4, signing him would make a lot of sense, at least to me. Otherwise, I'd personally like to see them target some "second tier" FAs with modest contracts that can be tried out without being on the hook for a lot of money should they not pan out with the team.

This isn't a static situation though. Veterans will get cut by teams. Joey Porter, for example, was let go by the Dolphins, and he's been in a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense. These may not be "premium" FA's the way that Haynesworth was, and it's probably not suitable for obtaining a starting caliber CB, but for a team trying to transition to new schemes and reload with young talent, these may be bridge players who can help for a year or two. That's absolutely going to be necessary IMHO on the o-line for example.

 

[fatness]

Oh no.

 

[fatness]

And in off-the-field news:

Byron Westbrook arrested for drunk driving.

Creditor Asks Court to Remove Dan Snyder from Six Flags

"Six Flags is clearly and obviously being used and abused by Mr. Snyder and Red Zone to further the economics of Mr. Snyder, certain members of the [six Flags] board of directors and management, Johnny Rockets, **** Clark Productions and Red Zone entities at the expense of all Six Flags stakeholders.

"Members of the management team have exacerbated the situation by emulating Mr. Snyder's behavior in recklessly pursuing their own self interests. Certain advisors and agents to the company have participated in these shenanigans for their own benefit. The board of directors has not stopped this behavior and has repeatedly violated their fiduciary obligation. We are hopeful that the court will recognize what is going on and put a stop to this immediately, if not sooner."

And the State of Kentucky says Six Flags doesn't own their rides.

 

[Sidewinder16]

While reading this WaPo article on the 'Skins draft plans, the following sentence jumped out at me:

Shanahan hasn't spoken with local reporters since he was introduced as coach last month, and in a recent interview, Allen gave no indication as to how the Redskins might be leaning.

I, for one, am going to miss the willingness that Zorn had to talk to the press. With Shanahan, the press (especially the local press, from what I understand of his reputation in Denver), and by extension, the fans, won't be getting anything relevant (read: worth hearing) whenever Skeletor does decide to grace them with his presence. If you thought Extremeskins was crazy before, just wait for the conjecture and that will inevitably fly around during the Shanahan era.I'm not necessarily making a judgment about whether that will ultimately be good or bad, just that 'Skins fans are rabid enough already when it comes to being regularly fed with the latest news about what's going on with the team, and the beat reporters have enjoyed two years of never wanting for something to pass on to us.

The times, they are a-changin'.

 

[MikeApf]

Link to recent interview with Clinton Portis:

http://blog.redskins.com/2010/02/23/clinto...-the-good-kind/

In this interview, he answers critics who say that he was given extra leeway to miss practice and quite frankly just didn't work that hard. In some ways, he does say, yes, I could have practiced more, but he also comes off as a guy who feels like everyone is picking on him. I have the feeling that he really could get in shape and be serviceable, but I don't really think his character is great for a team trying to rebuild itself into a hard working winner. Bottom line: if he COULD have practiced more, as he admits to, then it's really telling that he just decided not to. Two telling things he says about this: 1.) "What kind of leeway did I get. The only thing I didn't do was practice." Huh? The ONLY thing you didn't do was practice? I guess it's just not that important to practice. 2.) He said that despite not practicing, he never got on the field unprepared. I disagree with this. At the very least he was out of shape and that means he wasn't sufficiently prepared.

My guess is that they bring Portis back, that he's better than last year, but that he'll also be a part of a RBBC. This won't be bad from an actual RB productivity status but I don't like his attitude and would rather see him elsewhere.

M

 

[buster c]

Link to recent interview with Clinton Portis:

http://blog.redskins.com/2010/02/23/clinto...-the-good-kind/

In this interview, he answers critics who say that he was given extra leeway to miss practice and quite frankly just didn't work that hard. In some ways, he does say, yes, I could have practiced more, but he also comes off as a guy who feels like everyone is picking on him. I have the feeling that he really could get in shape and be serviceable, but I don't really think his character is great for a team trying to rebuild itself into a hard working winner. Bottom line: if he COULD have practiced more, as he admits to, then it's really telling that he just decided not to. Two telling things he says about this: 1.) "What kind of leeway did I get. The only thing I didn't do was practice." Huh? The ONLY thing you didn't do was practice? I guess it's just not that important to practice. 2.) He said that despite not practicing, he never got on the field unprepared. I disagree with this. At the very least he was out of shape and that means he wasn't sufficiently prepared.

My guess is that they bring Portis back, that he's better than last year, but that he'll also be a part of a RBBC. This won't be bad from an actual RB productivity status but I don't like his attitude and would rather see him elsewhere.

M

the only cure for this form of cancer is amputation

 

[buster c]

Sporting News Today

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Worth repeating.

somehow both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger - BOTH SACKED 50 TIMES - managed to throw the ball downfield

 

[fatness]

somehow both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger - BOTH SACKED 50 TIMES - managed to throw the ball downfield

Gosh darn it buster, you're right. The Redskins can just sign one of the many free agent pro-bowl-caliber QB's who are available. Or better yet --- you'll love this one --- we'll just trade Portis for Rodgers.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Sporting News Today

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Worth repeating.

somehow both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger - BOTH SACKED 50 TIMES - managed to throw the ball downfield

Lol. Both those guys are notorious for holding on to the ball way too long. The Packers even had a players only meeting this season where the oline was reportedly yelling at Rodgers about this. I can't recall a single game last season where JC actually had time to hold the ball too long.

Also, Big Ben and Rodgers are exceptional at scrambling and buying time in the pocket. JC is very good on designed rollout plays (which the previous coaching staff inexplicably rarely ran), but he's pretty subpar at scrambling and buying time in the pocket.

Put Campbell on the Steelers or Packers last year, and he doesn't come close to getting sacked 50 times. (Of course Green Bay wouldn't have made the playoffs either .)

 

[buster c]

somehow both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger - BOTH SACKED 50 TIMES - managed to throw the ball downfield

Gosh darn it buster, you're right. The Redskins can just sign one of the many free agent pro-bowl-caliber QB's who are available. Or better yet --- you'll love this one --- we'll just trade Portis for Rodgers.

what's your point that is "worth repeating" then? because to me, it looked like you were apologizing for JC by saying he took a lot of sacks. I missed the part about the FA QB class.

 

[dgreen]

Sporting News Today

Campbell played behind perhaps the NFL’s worst offensive line in ’09 but was nonetheless often criticized for not throwing downfield. He was sacked 43 times, thirdmost in the NFL, but completed a career-high 64.5 percent of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Worth repeating.

somehow both Aaron Rodgers and Ben Rothlisberger - BOTH SACKED 50 TIMES - managed to throw the ball downfield

Sacks don't always tell the whole story. Are Ben and Aaron better than Campbell? Of course. But, I don't think you'll find many people who will say that those guys were under as much, or more, pressure than Jason Campbell.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

JC to the Bills? For Whitner and a pick. Could this happen?

 

[Sammy Traveller]

JC to the Bills? For Whitner and a pick. Could this happen?

Link?

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

JC to the Bills? For Whitner and a pick. Could this happen?

Link?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsi...s.html#commentsMy BlackBerry buzzed often Wednesday night while I was having dinner here in Indianapolis with Jason La Canfora, who apparently used to do something for The Post. It's hard getting face time with the television star these days, so I was glad my boy could squeeze me into his busy schedule before the scouting combine got underway.

Between sharing a few laughs, we both were busy checking out rumors about a potential Redskins trade that supposedly would send Jason Campbell, a restricted free agent, to the Buffalo Bills for safety Donte Whitner and a draft pick. The Campbell-Whitner talk has been out there a while and really got rolling on a Buffalo Bills message board recently.

People familiar with the situation told me they did not envision the Redskins completing a deal with Buffalo involving Campbell. At some point during the combine, Campbell's agent, Joel Segal, is expected to speak with Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen about a contract extension for Campbell.

Whether the Redskins are willing to commit money to Campbell beyond the 2010 season - or for the upcoming season, for that matter - remains to be seen. It would be surprising, however, if the team decided not to tender Campbell a contract, league sources said.

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation. Last season, Campbell had a salary of a little more than $2.857 million.

Although multiple team sources have said they believe the Redskins plan to bring back Campbell, I would not be surprised if he is not with the team next season. Allen and Coach Mike Shanahan have a lot of work ahead of them as they try to rebuild the Redskins into a championship-caliber team, and they could determine that trading Campbell soon makes the most sense for their long-term goals.

If the Redskins use the No. 4 overall pick on a quarterback like Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, then Campbell's time in Washington likely would come to an end after the season, if not sooner. But if Allen and Shanahan have concerns about Bradford's shoulder or Clausen's leadership skills, and if they determine that a franchise-caliber quarterback is not available in next month's draft, then perhaps Campbell sticks around for a little bit longer.

 

[dgreen]

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation.

Nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd for Campbell. So I assume someone is suggesting Whitner and a 3rd? Then, Washington would take Bradford and hopefully use their 2nd and Buffalo's 3rd on OL?

 

[Sammy Traveller]

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation.

Nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd for Campbell. So I assume someone is suggesting Whitner and a 3rd? Then, Washington would take Bradford and hopefully use their 2nd and Buffalo's 3rd on OL?

i hope this doesn't come through and we keep Campbell. otherwise, that would be throwing Bradford to the wolves in his first season.

 

[buster c]

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation.

Nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd for Campbell. So I assume someone is suggesting Whitner and a 3rd? Then, Washington would take Bradford and hopefully use their 2nd and Buffalo's 3rd on OL?

i hope this doesn't come through and we keep Campbell. otherwise, that would be throwing Bradford to the wolves in his first season.

I'd like to see it happen. Campbell is not the future. But I'm not sold on Bradford or Claussen, either. The plan should be to make this trade, then draft linemen (OT at #4, etc). Grab a developmental QB (guy from C. Mich?) and sit him behind Collins in 2010.Preemptive response to the board's Collins haters found on the Redskin Insider comment section at the WaPo. Couldn't have said it better myself:

Maybe I just think at some point the excuses have to stop and you are what you've accomplished. IMO those excuses stopped when TC went on his streak and got us in the playoffs.

Posted by: zjfr2 | February 25, 2010 1:58 PM | Report abuse

*****************************************************************

Collins had been in that same system for like ten years. It therefore was not a suprise that he was comfortable in the system when he got the chance to play. When Saunders left and Collins and Campbell both had to learn a new system under Zorn, Collins looked very ordinary.

Posted by: sonny2 | February 25, 2010 3:51 PM

===============

ordinary? Like when he briefly came in the Giants game for 4 plays, towards the end of the Half, and exceeded JC's complete yardage output up until then. What was it? 2 for 4, 57 yards...47 to Moss.. and the last pass was an easy TD that hit Sleepy Davis in the hands and he dropped it.

Everyone watching that game saw a completely different team when TC took over for those few plays.. The read and release speed was far faster than JC and it showed. The DBs had no time to close a gap..

And how many of us were pissed when the Second half started and JC was back at QB. I am sure his teammates probably were... OLine had to go back to holding their blocks longer. Even the commentators were surprised he came back for the second half.. Collinsworth for one, who rightly criticized JC all night. Posted by: SkinsneedaGM | February 25, 2010 4:12 PM

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation.

Nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd for Campbell. So I assume someone is suggesting Whitner and a 3rd? Then, Washington would take Bradford and hopefully use their 2nd and Buffalo's 3rd on OL?

i hope this doesn't come through and we keep Campbell. otherwise, that would be throwing Bradford to the wolves in his first season.

I'd like to see it happen. Campbell is not the future. But I'm not sold on Bradford or Claussen, either. The plan should be to make this trade, then draft linemen (OT at #4, etc). Grab a developmental QB (guy from C. Mich?) and sit him behind Collins in 2010.Preemptive response to the board's Collins haters found on the Redskin Insider comment section at the WaPo. Couldn't have said it better myself:

Maybe I just think at some point the excuses have to stop and you are what you've accomplished. IMO those excuses stopped when TC went on his streak and got us in the playoffs.

Posted by: zjfr2 | February 25, 2010 1:58 PM | Report abuse

*****************************************************************

Collins had been in that same system for like ten years. It therefore was not a suprise that he was comfortable in the system when he got the chance to play. When Saunders left and Collins and Campbell both had to learn a new system under Zorn, Collins looked very ordinary.

Posted by: sonny2 | February 25, 2010 3:51 PM

===============

ordinary? Like when he briefly came in the Giants game for 4 plays, towards the end of the Half, and exceeded JC's complete yardage output up until then. What was it? 2 for 4, 57 yards...47 to Moss.. and the last pass was an easy TD that hit Sleepy Davis in the hands and he dropped it.

Everyone watching that game saw a completely different team when TC took over for those few plays.. The read and release speed was far faster than JC and it showed. The DBs had no time to close a gap..

And how many of us were pissed when the Second half started and JC was back at QB. I am sure his teammates probably were... OLine had to go back to holding their blocks longer. Even the commentators were surprised he came back for the second half.. Collinsworth for one, who rightly criticized JC all night. Posted by: SkinsneedaGM | February 25, 2010 4:12 PM

I really want the CMU kid as well. With Shanny we dont need a qb year 1. Just run everytime.

 

[fatness]

I'd like to see it happen. Campbell is not the future. But I'm not sold on Bradford or Claussen, either. The plan should be to make this trade, then draft linemen (OT at #4, etc). Grab a developmental QB (guy from C. Mich?) and sit him behind Collins in 2010.

I thank god every day that you're not in the Redskins' personnel office. You're right about drafting an O-lineman but that's like saying a car should have wheels. The rest of your roster would be made up of "good character" geriatrics, 4th stringers, and guys off the street.

 

[buster c]

I'd like to see it happen. Campbell is not the future. But I'm not sold on Bradford or Claussen, either. The plan should be to make this trade, then draft linemen (OT at #4, etc). Grab a developmental QB (guy from C. Mich?) and sit him behind Collins in 2010.

I thank god every day that you're not in the Redskins' personnel office. You're right about drafting an O-lineman but that's like saying a car should have wheels. The rest of your roster would be made up of "good character" geriatrics, 4th stringers, and guys off the street.

fatso please. go back to last year's offseason thread. you will see that in addition to making you look bad , I was pretty much accurate with everything I posted . fools like you were predicting playoffs. seers like me were predicting Spurrier Year II redux. you want the truth? you can't handle the truth!

 

[Marvelous]

The Redskins would have to tender Campbell to receive draft compensation if he signed elsewhere. Campbell's minimum tender amount would be $3.14 million, according to a league source. If the Redskins increased the offer to $3.268 million, they would receive first- and third-round compensation.

Nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd for Campbell. So I assume someone is suggesting Whitner and a 3rd? Then, Washington would take Bradford and hopefully use their 2nd and Buffalo's 3rd on OL?

I know the OL has been neglected for years, but the Redskins do need players at other postions too. Plus a 3rd round pick is no guarantee to be a starting OL (see Rienhart). Although there has been little information coming out, I expect the Redskins to sign a couple of OL in free agency. I have not looked at who is available, but there rates to be at least a tackle better than Levi Jones and a guard better than Mike Williams. They also need to fit into Shanahans offensive system. I am assuming he will install the zone blocking scheme.

The draft will probably be best player available at every pick. But OL will get rates higher than in previous regimes.

 

[TxBuckeye]

I saw Kiper's mock draft on ESPN yesterday had the skins taking Clausen. I really hope that's not the case, but how does that fit in with the JC trade rumor?

 

[duckhook]

Campbell for Whittier and a 3rd? I'd do it immediately.

Heck, like someone else said, I'd throw Collins back there for part of the year if the QB needs time to develop. He just as good as Campbell, although Todd might retire before playing behind this OL. But it would give McCoy or LaFevors a few games to sit and learn.

 

[fatness]

Shanahan says RB Portis will stay with Redskins

Dispelling speculation that the running back may get released, new Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said Friday that Portis will return to the team this season.

“He’s our running back,” Shanahan told me and co-host Gil Brandt during a Friday appearance on Sirius NFL Radio at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Good. See if he's recovered from injury, see if he'll train and work hard, and keep him if the answers are positive.

 

[fatness]

Shanahan has scheduled three minicamps, two of which (April 16-18 and May 7-9) will occur on weekends. (The final minicamp is scheduled for June 16-18.) Offseason life was far easier under former coach Jim Zorn.

Of course, the Redskins are coming off consecutive last-place finishes in the NFC East, so it seems the time is right for everyone to increase their efforts.

Shanahan did not single out players, preferring to speak generally about the level of dedication he expects. And participation in the offseason conditioning program is optional.

But from listening to Shanahan, I got the sense that players are either all in or headed out of the organization.

Jason Reid

 

[fatness]

Former coach Jim Zorn wanted to cut Brennan before the 2009 season, people familiar with the situation said. In a phone interview last month after he joined the Baltimore Ravens as quarterbacks coach, Zorn declined to discuss personnel and situations that occurred during his two seasons with Washington.

But Zorn expected Brennan to challenge Todd Collins for the backup job in the 2009 preseason, and that didn't happen because Brennan struggled. Also, some in the organization grew frustrated with Brennan because of what they perceived to be his cockiness despite never having accomplished anything in the NFL, team sources said.

J. Reid

 

[buster c]

nose tackle

Steelers sign Hampton: 3yrs, $21m ($11m guaranteed)

Every offseason I am subjected to seeing smart and successful franchises doing things like this, while we do the complete opposite (Fatness Albert, 7 yrs, $100m ($41m guaranteed)).

It would be nice to see some solid FA's signed to reasonable deals. I'm bracing myself for a Julius Peppers "make it rain" extravaganza