***Official*** Washington Redskins 2014 Offseason Thread (1 Viewer)

[fatness]

Chris Cooley: Kory Lichtensteiger will be ‘fantastic’ at center

No, Chris, he won't be "fantastic" if you're measuring him against 31 other NFL centers. We'd settle for "good enough", and even that's not a given.

Cooley does pretty consistently overrate Redskin players, probably because he knows/likes them and played with them. Another example:

“I’m a little bit bummed for Montgomery, because on a lot of people’s boards going into last year, he was a potential Pro Bowl center after the year he had in 2012,” Cooley said Friday on his ESPN 980 program.

“Now Steiger will be fantastic,” Cooley went on. “He’s clearly our lightest offensive lineman, but he’s very light on his feet, and what they ask him to do up-front at center is not as much as they ask him to do at guard. It’s a lot easier to pass-block at center; you can quick-set those nose tackles that are directly in front of you, you don’t have as much two-gap reads that those guys can beat you in the pass game, and you don’t have to go as far as far as some of those reach blocks. So I think he’ll be very good there. I think that’s a nice complement to what they want to do on the offensive line. It’s just, what are we going to get out of the new guard?”

Al Galdi then asked Cooley about Lichtensteiger’s weight; he was listed last season at 284 pounds, a full 20 pounds lighter than Montgomery.

“I would suggest putting on 10, 15 pounds, being 298, 297, somewhere in that area,” Cooley said. “I think that would benefit him to some extent, just because you do at times play across from 6-5, 340. It could be an issue, but he’s played long enough in the league, and it hasn’t been much of an issue.

Um, yeah, it was an issue last year. Lichtensteiger got pushed back a lot by D-linemen.

All that being said I really, really enjoy Cooley on the radio. He clearly knows a lot more than the other guys on air and isn't afraid to explain it.

 

[fatness]

Donald Penn signed with the Raiders. They offered him a chance to win the starting LT spot, something the Redskins couldn't offer.

 

[fatness]

DeSean Jackson's probably available for a 3rd round pick.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

If we could fit his cap number in or restructure, I'd take him for a 3rd (since I want us to draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd anyways). It won't happen, but I'd be happy in an alternate reality where it did.

 

[dehaven123]

DeSean Jackson's probably available for a 3rd round pick.

zero chance that happens imo. no way the cap # works in our streamlined approach to this season's FA.

the way desean jackson strikes me, he'd prolly wanna restructure again anyways.

juice aint worth the squeeze.

 

[dehaven123]

Donald Penn signed with the Raiders. They offered him a chance to win the starting LT spot, something the Redskins couldn't offer.

this one hurts a little.

although tackle is sorta deep this yr in the draft i suppose...

lotsa needs for that sole 2nd rd pick becoming more apparent day by day.

ouch.

 

[fatness]

lotsa needs for that sole 2nd rd pick becoming more apparent day by day.

ouch.

Yeah, so far with our 2nd round pick we need a safety, and ILB, a WR, and a RT.

That's the only reason a 3rd round pick for Jackson doesn't look stupid.

 

[dehaven123]

lotsa needs for that sole 2nd rd pick becoming more apparent day by day.

ouch.

Yeah, so far with our 2nd round pick we need a safety, and ILB, a WR, and a RT.

That's the only reason a 3rd round pick for Jackson doesn't look stupid.

good player, jsut not worth what he thinks he's worth salary wise imo.

 

[Marvelous]

DeSean Jackson's probably available for a 3rd round pick.

DeSean Jackson's contact is just so much higher than WRs of similar ability. He really isn't tradeable since no one will want the contract.

The Eagles are amongst the most frugal of teams, so it is surprising they have such an outlier of a contract to one of their better players.

 

[fatness]

John Keim's article about safeties.

In talks with: Ryan Clark. He visited last week and remains a possibility. He's also drawn interest from Baltimore and the New York Jets. There is no rush on his end to get a contract done so he's content to wait and see if the right offer materializes. Clark would be a short-term solution, but he could help develop some of the young players and be a respected voice in the meeting room

.

That being said, I think they may shy away from Clark since he's one of 3 players running for some office in the NFLPA, and teams generally avoid players having much to do with the NFLPA (though they'll never say that).

Also found this interesting.

But they failed in their quest to land Mike Mitchell, who ended up with Pittsburgh. I don't know how close the money was, but it's clear they're not as aggressive as they once were and, as one agent said, general manager Bruce Allen likes to "slow play" this process.

 

[fatness]

Rich Tandler article

1. A lot of special teams improvement will have to come from within. They signed Adam Hayward and Darryl Sharpton and they both should help and they will bring in a few others who have gotten it done on special teams. But if the kicking units are going to be significantly better this year players like Brandon Jenkins and Bacarri Rambo, who found themselves on the inactive list frequently because they didn’t have much enthusiasm for special teams, will have to step up. You can only bring in so many special teams hired guns.

2. The draft is a factor in Donald Penn negotiations. The Redskins have three other options besides Penn to play right tackle for them this year. They could stick with Tyler Polumbus, they could insert Tom Compton as their starter, or they could use their second- or third-round pick to draft a likely starter. It’s just not worth it for the Redskins to pay Penn at the higher left tackle rate with other, less costly options available.

3. The “deadline” to have a starting 22 together is April 7. That is the day that offseason workouts and if, say, Penn or Ryan Clark is going to come aboard it would be good to have him there for the start of workouts. Jay Gruden and company will begin to teach the new offense and defense and it will help to have all of the key players around by then.

4. The draft is shaping up, sort of. It’s still too early to say where the Redskins will go with their second-round pick, No. 34 overall. It’s likely to be a best-available strategy. But it’s important to keep in mind that needs shape each team’s assessment of who the best available is. It’s hard to see them drafting a quarterback, running back, or tight end, but all other positions are possibilities. However some, like offensive tackle and safety, seem to be more likely than others.

5. The Redskins have a pass rushing coach this year. I didn’t mention this in my post on the team emphasizing the pass rush in their defensive strategy but they hired a coach specifically to improve the pass rush. I talked with Brian Baker a few weeks ago and that’s basically his job description as the outside linebackers coach. He’ll be working mostly with Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan but you can be assured that the former defensive line coach will be handing out some coaching points to Jason Hatcher as well.

 

[fatness]

When you want to know what a team’s priorities are you follow the money. With the Redskins paying Orakpo $11.5 million this year and giving Hatcher a deal with $10.5 million guaranteed and $17 million over the first two years, you see that they are putting their money into the pass rush.

And they may not be done collecting guys who can get after the quarterback. They are still in pursuit of Anthony Spencer, another former Cowboy who had 11 sacks in 2012 but missed most of last year with a knee injury that required microfracture surgery. That injury has him shopping his services for pennies on the dollar compared to what he would get if he was healthy and making him a possibility for the Redskins.

The flip side of the follow the money coin is that if they don’t put many cap dollars into a particular position they don’t value it all that much. All you have to do here is look at the safety position.

http://realredskins.com/2014/03/18/redskins-putting-their-eggs-in-the-pass-rush-basket/

They brought back Brandon Meriweather for around a million dollars for one year. The Redskins are in negotiations to bring back Ryan Clark, who they released in 2006. But things are hung up over what is likely a few hundred thousand dollars. Bet if Clark had four sacks last year instead of one they would have found that extra money no problem

 

[fatness]

Alfred's going to passing camp

Redskins wide receivers Pierre Garcon, Aldrick Robinson, Santana Moss, and new additions Andre Roberts and David Gettis will make the trip. The group also includes tight end Jordan Reed and running backs Alfred Morris, Evan Royster and Chris Thompson.

Wide receiver Josh Morgan, who is a free agent and has yet to re-sign with Washington or catch on with any other team, also will join Griffin & Co.

 

[dehaven123]

Alfred's going to passing camp

Redskins wide receivers Pierre Garcon, Aldrick Robinson, Santana Moss, and new additions Andre Roberts and David Gettis will make the trip. The group also includes tight end Jordan Reed and running backs Alfred Morris, Evan Royster and Chris Thompson.

Wide receiver Josh Morgan, who is a free agent and has yet to re-sign with Washington or catch on with any other team, also will join Griffin & Co.

good stuff there. love this dedication to their craft.

 

[False Start]

Rotoworld blurbs at their finest, Andre Roberts says so, so it is. Do they realize that RG3 threw it 457 and Cousins threw it 155 times to total 612 pass attempts? Thats enough to put the Skins 7th in the NFL in pass attempts, ahead of the Bengals and more than Dalton did. Morris still got it 276 times and ran for 1275 yards with 7th ranked pass happy team. This is why I despise Rotoworld blurbs, so misleading. His touch count projects to tail off, drive by and faulty analysis to say the least. <_<

WR Andre Roberts said one of the reasons he signed with the Redskins was because he expects a pass-centric offense.
Under the Shanahan & Son offense, the Redskins ideally were a run-based team. They ranked 3rd in rushing attempts in 2012 and only sunk to 13th in 2013 because they trailed so much. New coach Jay Gruden allowed Andy Dalton to chuck it 586 times last year, so we know his scheme is going to highlight Robert Griffin III. Morris will remain effective, but his touch count projects to tail off. Roy Helu and Chris Thompson are better in the passing game.

 

[Ted Mullins]

Rotoworld blurbs at their finest, Andre Roberts says so, so it is. Do they realize that RG3 threw it 457 and Cousins threw it 155 times to total 612 pass attempts? Thats enough to put the Skins 7th in the NFL in pass attempts, ahead of the Bengals and more than Dalton did. Morris still got it 276 times and ran for 1275 yards with 7th ranked pass happy team. This is why I despise Rotoworld blurbs, so misleading. His touch count projects to tail off, drive by and faulty analysis to say the least. <_<

WR Andre Roberts said one of the reasons he signed with the Redskins was because he expects a pass-centric offense.
Under the Shanahan & Son offense, the Redskins ideally were a run-based team. They ranked 3rd in rushing attempts in 2012 and only sunk to 13th in 2013 because they trailed so much. New coach Jay Gruden allowed Andy Dalton to chuck it 586 times last year, so we know his scheme is going to highlight Robert Griffin III. Morris will remain effective, but his touch count projects to tail off. Roy Helu and Chris Thompson are better in the passing game.

In all fairness, I see what their blurb is trying to say - it did seem like the Shanahans wanted to be run heavy, but couldn't last year due to being behind so often. In 2012 the offense was very much centered around the run and play action. I do expect Gruden to be more pass oriented than the Shanahans wanted to be, if that makes sense.

Completely agree that pretty much every Rotoworld blurb is strong on bias, it's best to temper your reaction to them and be familiar with who they like/don't like. I think Morris's touches will ultimately come down to whether Gruden goes with a committee like he did with Green-Ellis and Gio this year - if Morris is still the clear lead back he will keep approaching 300 touches. I really haven't seen anything that suggests he can't catch/block and play on 3rd downs, it just seems like he has never really had a chance to do so.

 

[dgreen]

I really haven't seen anything that suggests he can't catch/block and play on 3rd downs, it just seems like he has never really had a chance to do so.

I can remember a few drops in his limited targets. Small sample size so far (only 28 career targets), so maybe not much to it. But, it's definitely telling that he hasn't received the "passing down" snaps.

 

[Ted Mullins]

I really haven't seen anything that suggests he can't catch/block and play on 3rd downs, it just seems like he has never really had a chance to do so.

I can remember a few drops in his limited targets. Small sample size so far (only 28 career targets), so maybe not much to it. But, it's definitely telling that he hasn't received the "passing down" snaps.

Yeah, I don't recall the drops offhand but I would believe it...I am mainly just curious if he can't do it well, or if they have just never let him. Guys like Leveon Bell, Lacy, Joique Bell, all somewhat similar size/body types and got used in the passing game a good bit last year. I have liked Helu but am actually intrigued by Thompson too, kinda small and a long injury history but very explosive. I have not heard really anything about him at all though.

 

[Marvelous]

I really haven't seen anything that suggests he can't catch/block and play on 3rd downs, it just seems like he has never really had a chance to do so.

I can remember a few drops in his limited targets. Small sample size so far (only 28 career targets), so maybe not much to it. But, it's definitely telling that he hasn't received the "passing down" snaps.

Yeah, I don't recall the drops offhand but I would believe it...I am mainly just curious if he can't do it well, or if they have just never let him. Guys like Leveon Bell, Lacy, Joique Bell, all somewhat similar size/body types and got used in the passing game a good bit last year. I have liked Helu but am actually intrigued by Thompson too, kinda small and a long injury history but very explosive. I have not heard really anything about him at all though.

One thing that is clear, RGIII did not check down the RB much at all. Morris got more receptions with Cousins at QB and at the Pro Bowl. RGIII did not check down to Helu much either.

 

[dgreen]

Looks like 3 drops in 28 career targets. Not a horrible % when compared to other RBs who are heavily involved in the passing game (Bush and Vereen, for example). I think I just have memories of those drops and them being in key situations when he could have caught a ball and had tons of space for a big gain. I'm sure he's capable of catching a football on a regular basis. Not sure how well he'd do getting open if someone is focused on him or how well he'd catch the ball when covered fairly tightly.

 

[dehaven123]

Looks like 3 drops in 28 career targets. Not a horrible % when compared to other RBs who are heavily involved in the passing game (Bush and Vereen, for example). I think I just have memories of those drops and them being in key situations when he could have caught a ball and had tons of space for a big gain. I'm sure he's capable of catching a football on a regular basis. Not sure how well he'd do getting open if someone is focused on him or how well he'd catch the ball when covered fairly tightly.

i think its fairly clear gruden is gonna find another back to share carries and offer something different to alf, just like in cincy.

the exploring of a trade for sproles was the writing on he wall to me.

i really like thompson, but i dont think he's it, health aside.

i would not be surprised to to se them add a speedy type back cheap still, tho i dont know who's still out there.

 

[dehaven123]

I really haven't seen anything that suggests he can't catch/block and play on 3rd downs, it just seems like he has never really had a chance to do so.

I can remember a few drops in his limited targets. Small sample size so far (only 28 career targets), so maybe not much to it. But, it's definitely telling that he hasn't received the "passing down" snaps.

Yeah, I don't recall the drops offhand but I would believe it...I am mainly just curious if he can't do it well, or if they have just never let him. Guys like Leveon Bell, Lacy, Joique Bell, all somewhat similar size/body types and got used in the passing game a good bit last year. I have liked Helu but am actually intrigued by Thompson too, kinda small and a long injury history but very explosive. I have not heard really anything about him at all though.

One thing that is clear, RGIII did not check down the RB much at all. Morris got more receptions with Cousins at QB and at the Pro Bowl. RGIII did not check down to Helu much either.

he better learn to do it this yr, if he plans to cut down on the int's.

he forced way too much last yr.

 

[fatness]

Interesting that Morris is going to passing camp and Helu is not. Helu's the one who will have to watch out for his job, since the Redskins are more likely to bring in a 3rd-down type back than someone to complete with Morris.

 

[fatness]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

 

[dehaven123]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

 

[MattFancy]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

 

[RGIII HTTR]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

Right, it was horrible and that is one area we can only improve for sure. Although, we are still in need of a punter. Considering how Rocca did last year, we can only improve there too.

 

[dehaven123]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

Right, it was horrible and that is one area we can only improve for sure. Although, we are still in need of a punter. Considering how Rocca did last year, we can only improve there too.

good point. what a disappointment he was last yr, ugh.

i suppose there is no change we spend a pick on a K, right?

 

[dehaven123]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

god, i hope not. we set the awful bar pretty high for future ####ty ST units.

take that league!

 

[RGIII HTTR]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

Right, it was horrible and that is one area we can only improve for sure. Although, we are still in need of a punter. Considering how Rocca did last year, we can only improve there too.

good point. what a disappointment he was last yr, ugh.

i suppose there is no change we spend a pick on a K, right?

I guess the good news is that most teams can get away with drafting the highest rated Punter or Kicker in the 5th or later rounds normally. Of course, there are the Raiders, who have been one team that doesn't shy away from taking one high (1st or 2nd round).

 

[dgreen]

Chris Cooley: Kory Lichtensteiger will be ‘fantastic’ at center

No, Chris, he won't be "fantastic" if you're measuring him against 31 other NFL centers. We'd settle for "good enough", and even that's not a given.

Brian De la Puente, the Saints C the last few years, is visiting Ashburn.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

Cooley on @ESPNRadio980 on Jordan " I remember playing him when he was w/ the #Eagles & thinking 'please let this guy cover me." Yikes...that surely doesn't sound good at all.

 

[RGIII HTTR]

Chris Cooley: Kory Lichtensteiger will be ‘fantastic’ at center

No, Chris, he won't be "fantastic" if you're measuring him against 31 other NFL centers. We'd settle for "good enough", and even that's not a given.

Brian De la Puente, the Saints C the last few years, is visiting Ashburn.

I think that means Chris Chester is in trouble with Lichtensteiger and the new FA boy playing in the guard spots.

 

[dehaven123]

Cooley on @ESPNRadio980 on Jordan " I remember playing him when he was w/ the #Eagles & thinking 'please let this guy cover me." Yikes...that surely doesn't sound good at all.

not exactly a ringing endorsement.

 

[dehaven123]

Chris Cooley: Kory Lichtensteiger will be ‘fantastic’ at center

No, Chris, he won't be "fantastic" if you're measuring him against 31 other NFL centers. We'd settle for "good enough", and even that's not a given.

Brian De la Puente, the Saints C the last few years, is visiting Ashburn.

I think that means Chris Chester is in trouble with Lichtensteiger and the new FA boy playing in the guard spots.

let's hope so.

 

[fatness]

Cooley on @ESPNRadio980 on Jordan " I remember playing him when he was w/ the #Eagles & thinking 'please let this guy cover me." Yikes...that surely doesn't sound good at all.

not exactly a ringing endorsement.

To be fair, that was after Cooley said Jordan was very good at recognizing run plays quickly, recognizing gaps he had, and anticipating where the RB was going. And after Cooley said Jordan moved quite well physically to get into pass coverage.

Then he got to Jordan not being field-aware and getting "lost in space" in pass coverage assignments in zone schemes. That's when he made the above comment.

 

[fatness]

Akeem Jordan signed.

John Keim's article on ILB's and special teams, which has pretty obviously become a focus this offseason.

really nice to see a concerted effort to bolster the ST, at least the personnel aspect of it.

Agreed. After having one of the worst Special Teams units in the history of football, it's nice seeing them find ways to address it. Hopefully it pays off. Can't get much worse, can it?

They are trying another way of addressing their ####ty special teams.

NFL owners will vote on moving kickoffs to the 40

According to the Competition Committee, this is a rule proposal designed to take player safety into consideration: Moving the kickoff will result in more touchbacks, fewer returns and therefore fewer collisions. The NFL in recent years has identified kickoffs as some of the most dangerous plays in the game of football.

The rule would also be viewed by many as a step toward de-emphasizing special teams. (Washington, which was terrible on special teams last year, was the team that proposed the rule change.)

 

[fatness]

The Redskins have shown interest in an offensive lineman who made multiple starts at multiple interior positions in 2013.

Colts offensive guard/center Mike McGlynn visited the Redskins on Wednesday, a league source told PFT’s Mike Florio.

The 29-year-old McGlynn started 11 games at right guard and three games at center in 2013 for Indianapolis.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/19/redskins-host-colts-offensive-lineman-mike-mcglynn/

 

[fatness]

RG III helped land Andre Roberts

The contract was nice and made a difference, though it wasn’t the only reason Andre Roberts wanted to play in Washington. He liked that they’d let him play inside and outside. He liked that coach Jay Gruden wants to throw the ball.

But he also liked what he heard from Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. Money matters, but so did the tone in Griffin’s voice as well as the message.

“With him having a chip on his shoulder and being a young guy, someone I can grow with,” Roberts said by phone earlier this week, “it was very high on my list and someone I wanted to play with.”

Griffin has talked with several players the Redskins were trying to sign (or did), including defensive lineman Jason Hatcher. Griffin spoke with Roberts before he signed with Washington after four seasons in Arizona. Roberts’ role changed with the Cardinals last season. He’s good in the slot, though he wasn’t always used that way. When he and Larry Fitzgerald were on the same side, Roberts often played to the outside. Nor was he targeted as much, as Michael Floyd became the No. 2 receiver. And the Cardinals used a lot of two-tight end sets designed to help the blocking.

Add it up and it left Roberts anxious to do more. He sensed the same in Griffin after a sub-par second season, one in which Griffin was questioned about his knee and his relationship with the coaches.

 

[fatness]

"@TarikCSN: The #Redskins have $7,025,869 in cap room, per the NFLPA."

 

[Archer]

Very encouraged by what we are hearing about Robert this offseason. Getting all the core offense together, playing without the brace, and very determined to bounce back. Dare we start to get excited about the possibility of great football in 2014 like we saw 2 years ago?

 

[fatness]

1. 
   
   SiriusXM NFL Radio ‏@SiriusXMNFL 34m
   Williams "I told him this, not to put the whole team on his (RG3) shoulder. Let the team work together."
   
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Williams "This is one of the best marriages you can have, with Jay (Gruden) and RG3."
   

Doug Williams ""From a leadership stand point, we could not ask for a better guy (RG3)." #Redskins

 

[fatness]

Very encouraged by what we are hearing about Robert this offseason. Getting all the core offense together, playing without the brace, and very determined to bounce back. Dare we start to get excited about the possibility of great football in 2014 like we saw 2 years ago?

Sure we can. We won 3 games last year. Once we get to 4 this year we'll go wild!

Seriously, Griffin's acting exactly like you'd want a QB and team leader to act. I'm so glad the Shanahans are out of town, because now Griffin can just concentrate on football, improving himself, and improving cohesion with the team.

 

[dehaven123]

Cooley on @ESPNRadio980 on Jordan " I remember playing him when he was w/ the #Eagles & thinking 'please let this guy cover me." Yikes...that surely doesn't sound good at all.

not exactly a ringing endorsement.

To be fair, that was after Cooley said Jordan was very good at recognizing run plays quickly, recognizing gaps he had, and anticipating where the RB was going. And after Cooley said Jordan moved quite well physically to get into pass coverage.

Then he got to Jordan not being field-aware and getting "lost in space" in pass coverage assignments in zone schemes. That's when he made the above comment.

i can appreciate the addtional perspective.

i didn't add to my comment, but i theorized that jordan may be more of an add to assit in the run gm primarily.

as with any player, ill hope they protect him from what he doesn't do as well.

im wondering if this is one of our starting ILBs.

that's the prevailing question to me. if so, the above cooley statement becomes more relevant.

 

[Marvelous]

Cooley on @ESPNRadio980 on Jordan " I remember playing him when he was w/ the #Eagles & thinking 'please let this guy cover me." Yikes...that surely doesn't sound good at all.

not exactly a ringing endorsement.

To be fair, that was after Cooley said Jordan was very good at recognizing run plays quickly, recognizing gaps he had, and anticipating where the RB was going. And after Cooley said Jordan moved quite well physically to get into pass coverage.

Then he got to Jordan not being field-aware and getting "lost in space" in pass coverage assignments in zone schemes. That's when he made the above comment.

i can appreciate the addtional perspective.

i didn't add to my comment, but i theorized that jordan may be more of an add to assit in the run gm primarily.

as with any player, ill hope they protect him from what he doesn't do as well.

im wondering if this is one of our starting ILBs.

that's the prevailing question to me. if so, the above cooley statement becomes more relevant.

Thinking this through, if the Redskins are only in the 3-4 alignment 32% of the time, a good run-defending ILB could be fine for a starter. He would need to come out on nickel and dime packages. And maybe he can play some special teams if he is not playing every defensive down.

Unless the Redskins sign a big name ILB, I assume Riley will now by the signal caller of the defense and play most of the downs.

 

[Marvelous]

"@TarikCSN: The #Redskins have $7,025,869 in cap room, per the NFLPA."

I am fine with the Redskin's approach to free agency. $7M in cap space at this time of year isn't an huge amount. There will be more cuts coming up after the draft and after June 1. So it is good to have some cap space available when more value signings become available.

Note that I haven't heard of most of the players they are signing, and that is a good thing. That is what the scouts and GM are supposed to be doing. I used to think the Snyder and Cerrato would look up on the internet the top free agents available, go after the biggest names in a position of need, and call it a day.

 

[fatness]

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen believes complacency might have had something to do with Washington’s dramatic regression.

Speaking in an interview at The Washington Post on Thursday afternoon, Allen said that in hindsight, he and the team’s other decision-makers should have worked harder to upgrade their roster following the 10-6 campaign. Instead, they worked to retain most of those players in the hope that the group would continue to improve and build on their first division title in 12 years.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2014/03/21/bruce-allen-complacency-hurt-the-redskins/

 

[fatness]

More from Allen's interview.

The Redskins do have three young prospects – 2012 draft picks Josh LeRibeus (guard, third-rounder), Adam Gettis (guard, fifth-rounder) and Tom Compton (tackle, sixth-rounder) – who remain on the roster, but have rarely played.

Allen expects to soon gain a better understanding of their capabilities so the Redskins know where they stand at those positions entering the draft.

“We’re going to find out,” he said. “We’re going to do some things a little bit differently on offense. We’re going to find that out. The great news is when you hire a new coach, you get to have an extra minicamp. We’re going to have that before the draft.”

 

[TxBuckeye]

Allen: Thomas was going to start at safety last year

 

[fatness]

Allen: Thomas was going to start at safety last year

If Thomas hadn't been hurt last year I hope he would have been better than Rambo.