****OFFICIAL**** Washington Redskins Offseason Thread (2 Viewers)

[Dexter Manley]

Is it a bad thing that I'm actually excited about these signings? Rock Cartwright is a fumbling machine and has cost us at least one game the last couple years (at KC 2 years ago he fumbles at the 20 and the Chiefs take it 80 yards for a td). Hopefully the signing of Blaylock will be the end of him.

Zach Hilton could develop into a very solid TE2 for us. And the rookie Ecker has a chance to make the squad too.

While I haven't commented on it previously, I was extremely happy with our draft. The closer the draft got, the more apparent it was that we wouldn't be able to trade down. Since trading down wasn't an option, I was ecstatic that the FO took the best defensive player on the board, Landry, instead of Okoye who is more of a project. Landry is a guy who can step in and make an impact right away and he fills a need.

I thought we got excellent value with LB's Sartz and Blades. This gives us depth at LB. I absolutely love Blades. He should make an immediate impact on ST, and could very well be groomed as the eventual successor to Fletcher at mlb. I'm pretty high on him.

Drafting a qb, Jordan Palmer, was definitely a surprise. In retrospect, however, it actually makes a lot of sense because this should be Brunell's last year on the roster and Collins is a below average veteran backup. In the 6th round, why not take a chance on a young qb to develop, who may very well have been the best available player on the board?

Ecker is another guy who has a chance to win a roster spot at TE, and that's really all you can ask for when picking in the 7th round.

Obviously we still have huge needs on the DL, and at least a need for depth on the oline (hopefully Wade can get in done at OG). The FO is going to have to find capable players to fill these needs from the scrap heap. One intriguing FA is DE Courtney Brown. I know we tried to sign him 2 years ago. Does anyone know why Denver let him go? Is he hurt and/or just plain finished?

 

[redman]

Hey Dex,

I agree with you about this draft. It has grown on me with more time to reflect on what they did. I think every guy they drafted has an excellent chance to be on this roster in December.

Blades is a young London Fletcher, and it's perfect that he can serve as an understudy to Fletcher for two years or so before he takes over. Sartz too has grown on me as I can now understand what they see in him. He's a very tall guy, but at the Sam that puts him in a great situation to go up and compete for passes against gargauntuan TE's, which he's athletic enough to do. He's also a good pass rusher. He needs to bulk up and refine his technique, but he's a very solid prospect, especially given where they drafted him.

I think this team intends the starting LB's in two years to be, from Will to Sam, McIntosh, Blades and Sartz, which would be very nice indeed, especially playing in front of Taylor and Landry. That makes for a formidable middle of the defense.

 

[buster c]

this team is DANGEROUSLY THIN on both lines - which is where teams must be strong and deep to contend. I sound like a broken record. For instance, what is Todd Wade tears his knee up in camp and is out for the year. Anyone ID a fill in? Is Ray Brown on speed dial?

I had hoped we'd trade for ex-Terp Kris Jenkins to solidify the DL. That is, until I saw this on PFT:

POSTED 9:58 a.m. EDT; LAST UPDATED 11:34 a.m. EDT, May 9, 2007

JENKINS TIPS THE SCALES AT 384

Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp has lost 49 pounds in the 2007 offseason.

We now know who found it.

A league source tells us that Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins weighed in at last weekend's minicamp at a jaw-dropping (and raising . . . and dropping . . . and raising) 384 pounds.

Jenkins is listed at 335 pounds. So that would put him at 49 pounds over his playing weight.

Before the draft, the veteran run stuffer (and toilet clogger) was on the trading block. And it apparently broke.

The irony here is that Jenkins hates Sapp. As Jenkins once said of Sapp, "He talks too much, he doesn't make sense, he's fat, he's sloppy, he acts like he's the best thing since sliced bread. He's ugly, he stinks, his mouth stinks, his breath stinks, and basically his soul stinks, too."

Who's fat and sloppy now, Kris? Sapp at 285? Or Jenkins at 384 -- a full 99 pounds heavier than No. 99?

 

[Bizkiteer]

Taylor a no show at OTA'sCome on man. Coach let you guys slide this year, and this is how you repay him?

Dem U boyz workout on their own, which is usually a harder workout so coaches don't mind as much.

I sense sarcasm, but this isn't about working out, this is about reps with your teammates and installing new packages and schemes. It pisses me off that Taylor thinks he's above that.

Most times we agree, but not this time. Wasn't our biggest problem (supposedly from the players) was overkill at Redskins park? It's known that the U players that work out in Miami work harder than most of all the organizations and such. Taylor has been here long enough that he can pick up on any minor changes they make when the time comes. As hard as he plays, I can understand that he would need a break and be away. Isn't that what was talked about after the season? If he shows up fat and out of shape...then he was doing anything and you are 100% right. If not, he's got all summer and into camp to learn any changes...it's only OTA. If he wasn't a player from the U and working out down there, I'd have a different point of view. Could be my U bias coming through...

 

[Bizkiteer]

Taylor a no show at OTA's

Come on man. Coach let you guys slide this year, and this is how you repay him?

Dem U boyz workout on their own, which is usually a harder workout so coaches don't mind as much.

I sense sarcasm, but this isn't about working out, this is about reps with your teammates and installing new packages and schemes. It pisses me off that Taylor thinks he's above that.

Monkey see, monkey do...

 

[redman]

Taylor a no show at OTA's

Come on man. Coach let you guys slide this year, and this is how you repay him?

Dem U boyz workout on their own, which is usually a harder workout so coaches don't mind as much.

I sense sarcasm, but this isn't about working out, this is about reps with your teammates and installing new packages and schemes. It pisses me off that Taylor thinks he's above that.

Most times we agree, but not this time. Wasn't our biggest problem (supposedly from the players) was overkill at Redskins park? It's known that the U players that work out in Miami work harder than most of all the organizations and such. Taylor has been here long enough that he can pick up on any minor changes they make when the time comes. As hard as he plays, I can understand that he would need a break and be away. Isn't that what was talked about after the season? If he shows up fat and out of shape...then he was doing anything and you are 100% right. If not, he's got all summer and into camp to learn any changes...it's only OTA. If he wasn't a player from the U and working out down there, I'd have a different point of view. Could be my U bias coming through...

Riddle me this, then. What defensive player on the Redskins committed more mental errors than Sean Taylor? I certainly can't think of one, and he's at the position - FS - which is supposedly the last line of defense. The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

His career path has so far reminded me most of Lavar Arrington's, meaning that he played his best football earlier when he had more deference for needing to learn the NFL game, and then began to depart from that. These aren't things you correct in Miami, they're things you correct in Ashburn with your coaches and teammates.

Besides, if Miami's program is as good or better or a preparatory system for the Redskins' upcoming season, how come Taylor's the only ex-Hurricane not in attendance for OTA's at Redskins Park?

 

[Bizkiteer]

Taylor a no show at OTA's

Come on man. Coach let you guys slide this year, and this is how you repay him?

Dem U boyz workout on their own, which is usually a harder workout so coaches don't mind as much.

I sense sarcasm, but this isn't about working out, this is about reps with your teammates and installing new packages and schemes. It pisses me off that Taylor thinks he's above that.

Most times we agree, but not this time. Wasn't our biggest problem (supposedly from the players) was overkill at Redskins park? It's known that the U players that work out in Miami work harder than most of all the organizations and such. Taylor has been here long enough that he can pick up on any minor changes they make when the time comes. As hard as he plays, I can understand that he would need a break and be away. Isn't that what was talked about after the season? If he shows up fat and out of shape...then he was doing anything and you are 100% right. If not, he's got all summer and into camp to learn any changes...it's only OTA. If he wasn't a player from the U and working out down there, I'd have a different point of view. Could be my U bias coming through...

Riddle me this, then. What defensive player on the Redskins committed more mental errors than Sean Taylor? I certainly can't think of one, and he's at the position - FS - which is supposedly the last line of defense. The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

His career path has so far reminded me most of Lavar Arrington's, meaning that he played his best football earlier when he had more deference for needing to learn the NFL game, and then began to depart from that. These aren't things you correct in Miami, they're things you correct in Ashburn with your coaches and teammates.

Besides, if Miami's program is as good or better or a preparatory system for the Redskins' upcoming season, how come Taylor's the only ex-Hurricane not in attendance for OTA's at Redskins Park?

Redskins | Daniels elects to take time offTue, 8 May 2007 17:24:09 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins DL Phillip Daniels is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Wynn elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:23:29 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins DE Renaldo Wynn is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Springs elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:22:25 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins CB Shawn Springs is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Lloyd elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:21:18 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins WR Brandon Lloyd is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Taylor elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:20:28 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins FS Sean Taylor is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Portis elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:19:07 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Jansen elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:16:00 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins OT Jon Jansen is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

Redskins | Moss elects to take time off

Tue, 8 May 2007 17:15:23 -0700

Joseph White, of The Associated Press, reports Washington Redskins WR Santana Moss is taking advantage of head coach Joe Gibbs' new policy that made offseason workouts voluntary. Mandatory minicamp begins in June.

As for how he played, I think it's a bit of a moot point. I've been on record saying that because he had absolutely nobody playing next to him...he was being asked to do too much. Dunno if you noticed, but Taylor got tired and it was visible during games, you could see it even after he made a tackle. Add that our CB's were playing like crap and his workload became even more. My personal opinion is that you can't judge the Sean Taylor of last year with the year before. Two totally different times...due to his SS and secondary in general. Yeah, he was our last and about our only line of defense back there...I'll give Springs credit , WHEN HE WAS HEALTHY.

As for the other U players....Clinton and Moss. Rocky? Now there is a player that should be at Redskins Park IMO. As you can see, many are taking advantage of not having to participate.

 

[fatness]

The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

I didn't see it that way last year. I saw him trying to guard against both the deep pass and the run, and getting to plays late because he had dual, conflicting responsibilities on plays due to lousy performance by other safeties and the cornerbacks (and the front 7, actually). He was trying to do his job, and cover the deficient play of others, and his performance took a noticeable hit as a result. If he's allowed to just play his position, I think he'll be fine.

 

[redman]

I think you've got bad info, Biz. Check out this article:

At least four players -- defensive ends Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn, linebacker Marcus Washington and running back Clinton Portis -- attended yesterday but did not practice as they recover from offseason surgeries.

According to that article only Springs and Taylor didn't attend. Anyway, that aside, I worry far less about the older veterans than I do the younger guys. If you're right about Lloyd, he should definitely be there too.

 

[fatness]

Part of what I said above about Taylor had to do with a long article I read awhile back analyzing their defensive shortcomings last year. I think it was the article linked in this post Here, but now I can't get to it because I'm not an "Insider".

 

[fatness]

Part of what I said above about Taylor had to do with a long article I read awhile back analyzing their defensive shortcomings last year. I think it was the article linked in this post Here, but now I can't get to it because I'm not an "Insider".

The guy who wrote that article, Tom Friend, did a live chat on the Washington Post site which I just found. There is some interesting information in it about Sean Taylor, and others. link to chat

San Diego: Tom -

I've read your article and listened to you twice on the Riggins show. Another guest on that show, Omar Stoutmire, stated that the safeties met with Steve Jackson separately from the corners last year as well. This seems to cast some doubt on the events that transpired over the last year with the defensive staff as describe in your article. Any thoughts?... Thanks for your time.

Tom Friend: They may have met separately with Jackson last year, and it's true, he did have some power last year. Ryan Clark has complained that Jackson berated him and pulled him in and out of the lineup at times. But, ultimately, it was DeWayne Walker's secondary last year. This year, Jackson was given more power, and that made those separate safety-cornerback meetings dangerous. I'm told that recently Jerry Gray ran a meeting for the entire secondary, a meeting Jackson missed, and then Jackson went into a separate safety meeting later and coached them to do some of the opposite things that Gray was talking about. This staff needs to get on the same page, and I believe they need to let Gray run the full secondary.

Seattle: Hi Tom, do you personally believe that Sean Taylor's play this year has regressed due to the addition of the new safeties coach, as it was presented in your article? Who was the safeties coach the last two years before Jackson came onboard?

Tom Friend: I believe, before last Sunday, Sean Taylor felt like a "robot'' on the field. In fact, that's what he was telling his teammates. Jackson wants him to be aggressive on the run, and to read the receiver instead of the QB. It's had Taylor thinking too much, and he also became very surly. He's a difficult guy to play with, because he doesn't communicate well on the field...But I believe he turned a corner last week and was no longer over-thinking...

Washington, D.C.: You write: "With Archuleta, it doesn't appear they ever gave him a chance.

If not for Prioleau's injury, he would've benched for the season opener."

So in other words, he DID get a chance... and stunk so bad that he got replaced by journeyman special teams guy (Vernon Fox).

Tom Friend: I guess what I'm saying is, they kind of made their decision in preseason...and they all stunk. Including Sean Taylor. When Archuleta got benched, after Dallas, did it get any better in Philly or Tampa? Archuleta was bad, but they all were. He wanted to sign in Chicago, and Williams told his agent that he and Marcus Washington would be blitzing endlessly. Archuleta, over the last five years, has more sacks than any safety in the NFL, or pretty close. And they simply put him in coverage from Day 1. That's coaching.

Alexandria, Va.: So Gregg Williams seemed like he was next in line to be the head coach after Gibbs. What now -- is he going to get fired after this season?

Tom Friend: I don't think Williams will be fired, but I don't think he's ever gonna be head coach here. Just an educated guess. Educated

Rochester, N.Y.: Do you think the loss of Clark has hurt Taylor? And what's up with Duckett?

Tom Friend: Yes, losing Clark hurt Taylor. Taylor is in a zone on the field, doesn't take criticism well. And Clark apparently had chemistry with the kid.

 

[fatness]

I found a cached version of the ESPN article by Tom Friend. Link, this is a really good read.

Williams told people that the offense was almost "high school" that first year. Gibbs, Breaux and Bugel were practically holding caucuses before every play call, continually wasting timeouts, and the defense was forced all year to carry the team. And in all fairness, Williams' group was spectacular. He used about three basic defenses and coverages, blitzed from all angles and asked his players to fly to the ball and play uninhibited. They were the No. 3 defense in the NFL, and a young middle linebacker named Antonio Pierce, an undrafted free agent from Arizona, was the absolute key to the unit. An injury to Michael Barrow forced Williams to move Pierce inside, where he'd never played before, but Pierce was smart, got people lined up, played sideline to sideline and was particularly fierce against the run. It was a pleasant surprise, and with the ball-hawking rookie safety Sean Taylor free to roam the field behind him, it was a physical, championship-type defense.

Williams, who'd been fired the previous year as the Bills' head coach, had a ton of adulation tossed his way, and his swagger at Redskin Park was unmatched. He liked to tell people that he'd only agreed to take the job if Snyder "didn't stick his nose" into personnel matters, and Snyder -- who wanted to win in the worst way -- had agreed. That gave Williams a feeling of invincibility, and considering the egg that the offense laid that year in comparison, he probably deserved to feel that way.

But it was a blind confidence, and when Pierce became a free agent after the 2004 season, and talks began to stall, Williams, according to Redskins sources, claimed Pierce was "replaceable." It was the first hint of arrogance under the new Gibbs regime, a sense that Williams felt it was his system, not the players, that dominated offenses. Cornerback Fred Smoot was also a free agent at the time, and again, Williams felt Smoot was expendable, even though losing a starting linebacker and a starting corner would necessitate an extensive defensive overhaul.

Of course, that made a mess of the draft. Instead of selecting the pass rusher they needed -- Shawne Merriman or Demarcus Ware -- they had to waste their first-round pick on replacing Smoot, and took a shot at Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers. All their other picks basically went to Denver in a trade to get Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell, and so they had to replace Pierce from within. That meant Lemar Marshall, a career outside linebacker and converted DB, had to move inside for 2005, which was an outright risk.

But actually, again, Williams overachieved. Marshall played the pass better than Pierce did, although Williams did have to scheme more to stop the occasional bleeding on defense. He went often to Cover 2 defenses, meaning his safeties would play deeper, and his front seven would have to stop the run themselves. In other words, no "eight men in the box" to stop the run. But Tatum Bell and Tiki Barber exposed that run defense early, and the safeties were told they had to step up and stop the run from Cover 2, until the front seven got their act together.

To be specific, Redskins defenders, particularly in the secondary, have regressed, Taylor being the main culprit. Out of the University of Miami, Taylor was arguably the most-talented cover safety to enter the league in years. His first preseason game, he intercepted two passes, returning one for a score. But he's been tinkered with so much now, Redskins players say he no longer plays on instinct.

A lot of Taylor's woes can be traced a lot to the hiring of Steve Jackson as Redskins safety coach. Jackson came with Williams from Buffalo, where he was a lower-level defensive coach, and Jackson supposedly was hurt when Williams chose DeWayne Walker as his main secondary coach in 2003 and 2004. He wanted the job himself, and when Walker left after the 2005 season, he assumed he'd get it. But Williams' old defensive coordinator in Buffalo, Jerry Gray, had just become available, and Williams hired him. Jackson was ticked.

So Williams threw him a bone, a bone which has literally torn up the secondary. He made Jackson safeties coach and Gray cornerbacks coach and allowed Jackson to run his own meetings. That means that the Redskins' safeties and corners do not meet together, which is practically unheard of.

"Talk to any coach in the league, and ask them, 'Have you ever heard of corners and safeties not meeting together?'" the Redskins player says. "They'd say, 'What are you talking about?' That's crazy. But ever since minicamps, OTAs, training camp, we hadn't met as a secondary. On the field, the corners will start making a call or doing something, and the safeties will be, 'What are you talking about? We didn't go over that.' So now the corners are expecting help in certain situations, and the safeties aren't getting there in time. And people got beat in the secondary.

"Everybody was saying they had to start meeting together. So the last three weeks they have. But 40 percent of the time Steven Jackson's not in the meeting. Because he pouts, because Jerry's running the meeting."

On the field, Jackson's (and presumably Williams') techniques aren't working, either. The innovators of Cover 2, such as Monte Kiffin and Tony Dungy, want their safeties staying deep, 2 yards inside the numbers and staying squared up. They want them reading the quarterback and breaking downhill on everything.

But Jackson began teaching Taylor and Co. not to read the quarterback, but to read the receivers' breaks and releases and react accordingly. He wanted them to be aggressive out of Cover 2, to help on the run, even though Cover 2 is not known to be a run-stopping defense. Williams wants to call it a lot because, ideally, if you can stop the run with a Cover 2, you have the best of both worlds, because it's specifically designed to prevent the deep ball. But Jackson kept exhorting Taylor and his early-season safety mate, Adam Archuleta, to be aggressive playing the run out of the Cover 2, and they began to get beat on the play-action pass repeatedly.

According to the Redskins player, Jackson then began berating his players profanely -- although he tends to go lighter on Taylor -- and they reached bottom in Philadelphia, when Donte' Stallworth beat Taylor deep for an 84-yard touchdown. Witnesses say that at that point, the other defensive coaches became officially peeved at Jackson for making Taylor "play like a robot," and for turning him into a confused, regressing player who now tunes out coaches and teammates.

"And then Steve Jackson began pouting at practice," the player said. "He pouts at practice. He'll stand by himself and won't coach anybody. This last game in Tampa, we had a player at halftime go up to him and say, 'Are you going to just sit there and pout, or are you gonna f------ coach your guys up?'"

Williams, in the meantime, has not backed off of calling the Cover 2, perhaps out of stubbornness. And the rest of the league has clearly caught on.

 

[Dexter Manley]

Jackson is gone now, right?

 

[redman]

Jackson is gone now, right?

Nope.

 

[thayman]

The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

I didn't see it that way last year. I saw him trying to guard against both the deep pass and the run, and getting to plays late because he had dual, conflicting responsibilities on plays due to lousy performance by other safeties and the cornerbacks (and the front 7, actually). He was trying to do his job, and cover the deficient play of others, and his performance took a noticeable hit as a result. If he's allowed to just play his position, I think he'll be fine.

drove me bonkers last year when people would say he was out of position, he was just trying to cover the mistakes of the rest of the D.

 

[redman]

The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

I didn't see it that way last year. I saw him trying to guard against both the deep pass and the run, and getting to plays late because he had dual, conflicting responsibilities on plays due to lousy performance by other safeties and the cornerbacks (and the front 7, actually). He was trying to do his job, and cover the deficient play of others, and his performance took a noticeable hit as a result. If he's allowed to just play his position, I think he'll be fine.

drove me bonkers last year when people would say he was out of position, he was just trying to cover the mistakes of the rest of the D.

Believe me, I'm not pinning all or even most of the responsibility for last year's defensive abortion on him. There were frightening amounts of talent and injury problems at all levels of the defense. I think, however, you're giving Taylor a free ride here. You can argue that he was covering for other people all you want, but that doesn't explain away the multiple times, for example, where he bit and bit hard on play action fakes only to get beat deep, despite having the deep "centerfield" responsibility.

They need to get rid of Steve Jackson, and Taylor needs to get serious about becoming a student of the defense. His position doesn't allow careless play.

 

[fatness]

They do need to get rid of Jackson, yes. And I'm not saying that Taylor was always where he was supposed to be. But this part of what I posted earlier explains much of it, to me at least.

But Jackson began teaching Taylor and Co. not to read the quarterback, but to read the receivers' breaks and releases and react accordingly. He wanted them to be aggressive out of Cover 2, to help on the run, even though Cover 2 is not known to be a run-stopping defense. Williams wants to call it a lot because, ideally, if you can stop the run with a Cover 2, you have the best of both worlds, because it's specifically designed to prevent the deep ball. But Jackson kept exhorting Taylor and his early-season safety mate, Adam Archuleta, to be aggressive playing the run out of the Cover 2, and they began to get beat on the play-action pass repeatedly.

I think Taylor will basically do what he's told on the field, and I blame the bad or conflicting coaching more than I blame him.

 

[fatness]

Santana Moss injures groin

Wide receiver Santana Moss sustained a strained groin injury during practice on Wednesday, so he was held out of Thursday's practice.

"That's always a concern because no matter what their off-season running program is, it's different when they come out here, run a route and burst for a ball," Gibbs said. I spoke with Santana and Brandon [Lloyd] about it. You always worry about your receivers.

"Between OTAs and regular camp, we need to make sure that their running program includes running routes, jerking for a ball and making good, quick cuts."

 

[redman]

Santana Moss injures groin

Wide receiver Santana Moss sustained a strained groin injury during practice on Wednesday, so he was held out of Thursday's practice.

"That's always a concern because no matter what their off-season running program is, it's different when they come out here, run a route and burst for a ball," Gibbs said. I spoke with Santana and Brandon [Lloyd] about it. You always worry about your receivers.

"Between OTAs and regular camp, we need to make sure that their running program includes running routes, jerking for a ball and making good, quick cuts."

The bad news is that groins take time to heal and are only healed with rest, eliminating the possibility of reps for the time being with Campbell. OTOH, it's the offseason with two-and-a-half months before training camp opens, so there's plenty of time to get healthy.

 

[redman]

From the Wash Times blog page:

Portis talking bigBy Ryan O'HalloranMay 11, 2007 I got an interesting e-mail late last night about Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis' upcoming appearance on the BET sports talk show "Ballers." Portis taped an episode that is set to appear Tuesday at 11 p.m. The show is hosted by former NBAer John Salley, former NFLer Hugh Douglas and comedian Guy Torry. A partial transcript was emailed out last night and here is the one quote that jumped off the page. Asked about the Redskins' outlook in 2007, Clinton said ... "I think this year we're going to make a lot of news. We went out and got what we needed. I actually think this will be our year. We're going to be in the NFC championship game. I guarantee that. Whatever that takes, we're going to get there." Translation: Portis is back to being his usual confident and loquacious self. But the NFC title game? Probably shooting a little high, but I like his candor. Portis, who missed half of last season with shoulder and hand injuries, was also asked if the game had passed Joe Gibbs by. Portis said: "Time is knowledge. I think Coach Gibbs is one of the most knowledgeable people you'll ever meet. I think there's a lot of people when you are losing, they are going to point the finger at everybody. Coach, myself, Mr. Snyder and anybody else they can point it at. Once you are winning, Coach Gibbs is a genius. So we just got to win for Coach."

 

[fatness]

From the "Things I Don't Want To Know Any More About" department:

Tight end Todd Yoder was held out with a skin infection but is expected to return on Tuesday.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Santana Moss injures groin

Wide receiver Santana Moss sustained a strained groin injury during practice on Wednesday, so he was held out of Thursday's practice.

"That's always a concern because no matter what their off-season running program is, it's different when they come out here, run a route and burst for a ball," Gibbs said. I spoke with Santana and Brandon [Lloyd] about it. You always worry about your receivers.

"Between OTAs and regular camp, we need to make sure that their running program includes running routes, jerking for a ball and making good, quick cuts."

The bad news is that groins take time to heal and are only healed with rest, eliminating the possibility of reps for the time being with Campbell. OTOH, it's the offseason with two-and-a-half months before training camp opens, so there's plenty of time to get healthy.

This makes me happy, as he(Portis) seemed to be upset with Gibbs last year.

 

[fatness]

A pretty good article by Sally Jenkins: Link

There are a couple of possibilities here. One is that a dust storm on a far planet has disturbed the solar array and disrupted communications. The other is that the Redskins' front office does not command the confidence or respect of two key players on the roster. Everybody knows the importance Gibbs places on these "voluntary" workouts. For Springs and Taylor to pull no-shows is at the least a flouting of his wishes, and maybe even of his authority, and a sure sign of trouble.

It may not be big trouble, and it's perhaps resolvable. It's only May, and a lot of teams have players who do this. But the fact remains that it's disturbing when half of the secondary fails to check in after a 5-11 catastrophe of a season for which they were primary culprits. The silence of Springs and Taylor toward Gibbs, the fact that he doesn't seem to know much about their orientation or position, is indicative of something awry.

Frankly, it's hard not to feel that the current situation, while seemingly minor, is symptomatic of everything that has come before and everything likely to come later. Gibbs will have trouble turning around the team as long as the roster is such an exercise in incoherence, excess and fickleness.

The two truants are presumably unhappy about money and status, especially since the Redskins just drafted yet another glamorous headhunting safety in the first round, LaRon Landry. Of the pair, Taylor is the more worrisome. Springs has at least been in touch with his position coach and promised to show up in June. But Taylor has been completely unreachable -- as usual.

But it's also true that Taylor has reason to be disconnected. Money has infected the Redskins like malaria. The salary structure annually breeds ill will. Two seasons ago, when they were a playoff team, the front office promptly ruined it by throwing $30 million contracts at a handful of newcomers. Taylor watched them refuse a paltry raise of $1.5 million to Ryan Clark, his best friend and a stalwart -- only to give Adam Archuleta $10 million guaranteed, the richest ever for a safety. Now they've drafted yet another expensive safety in Landry, who is likely to cost about $15 million. Think about that. Clark would have cost them just $1.5 million, while Archuleta and Landry between them will cost $25 million.

Again, where is their judgment? And how can Gibbs credibly demand discipline, devotion, and "contact," when the front office shows none? Taylor and Springs have seen the values on which the franchise operated the last couple of years. No wonder they're off in their own orbits.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Have no fear...SEAN TAYLOR is here!

Sean Taylor has joined the Redskins for the second week of OTAs.

Taylor was at Redskins Park on Tuesday morning working out with teammates and attending meetings. He is expected to participate in the team's afternoon practice session.

OTA attendance is not mandatory for players. In years past, however, Redskins coaches have encouraged players to attend.

Taylor did not participate in the first week of OTAs, which began on May 8.

The Redskins' OTA practice sessions run from Tuesday to Thursday into June. They lead up to the Redskins' mini-camp on June 15-17.

Taylor is entering his fourth NFL season as the Redskins' starting safety. The Redskins drafted him in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He is coming off a season in which he earned a Pro Bowl berth as an alternate.

Taylor started 16 games last season and led the defense in tackles with 129 (89 solo). He also logged one interception, three forced fumbles and 17 special teams tackles.

That should make a few people happy now shouldn't it?

 

[Bizkiteer]

More news...in one minute, out the next. Bye bye Mr. Hilton!

-- Redskins Release Four --

Tue May 15, 2007 --from FFMastermind.com

The Washington Redskins' official website reports the Redskins have released TE Zach Hilton, WR Adrian Madise, DT Vaka Manupuna, and DB Jerrell Pippins.

 

[thayman]

Anyone listening to SportsTalk 980 today? My brother just called me and said he heard a bit on the John Riggins Show about how this is going to be Campbell's audition year, and if he sucks it up the Skins would "Back up the Brinks truck" to a franchise level QB that will be a FA next year. He did not hear who, anyone hear anything?????

 

[dgreen]

Anyone listening to SportsTalk 980 today? My brother just called me and said he heard a bit on the John Riggins Show about how this is going to be Campbell's audition year, and if he sucks it up the Skins would "Back up the Brinks truck" to a franchise level QB that will be a FA next year. He did not hear who, anyone hear anything?????

A technicality, but Riggins is on Redskins Radio, not 980.Anyways, Riggo says a lot of off-the-wall things. As far as I know, he has little-to-no insider info. He just says whatever pops into his mind.

 

[redman]

Anyone listening to SportsTalk 980 today? My brother just called me and said he heard a bit on the John Riggins Show about how this is going to be Campbell's audition year, and if he sucks it up the Skins would "Back up the Brinks truck" to a franchise level QB that will be a FA next year. He did not hear who, anyone hear anything?????

A technicality, but Riggins is on Redskins Radio, not 980.Anyways, Riggo says a lot of off-the-wall things. As far as I know, he has little-to-no insider info. He just says whatever pops into his mind.

My first thought too.

 

[thayman]

Anyone listening to SportsTalk 980 today? My brother just called me and said he heard a bit on the John Riggins Show about how this is going to be Campbell's audition year, and if he sucks it up the Skins would "Back up the Brinks truck" to a franchise level QB that will be a FA next year. He did not hear who, anyone hear anything?????

A technicality, but Riggins is on Redskins Radio, not 980.Anyways, Riggo says a lot of off-the-wall things. As far as I know, he has little-to-no insider info. He just says whatever pops into his mind.

My first thought too.

That is what I thought, but living out here in the middle of the Pacific makes it hard for me to get some good Skins info.....thank god for you guys

 

[fatness]

Taylor Joins Redskins For Workouts

Taylor's absence last week prompted some teammates to wonder whether he was unhappy with his contract. Taylor's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return phone calls seeking comment.

"No truth to that at all," Taylor told the team's official Web site, when asked after the workout yesterday if he was upset about his contract. "I have a seven-year contract. I've played three years of that contract and I'm fine." Taylor signed a seven-year, $18 million deal after being selected as the team's top draft choice in 2004. Taylor's deal gives him $7.2 million in guaranteed money, with bonuses that could total an additional $6 million.

"We're doing anything we can to make our team better and also to win games," Taylor said. "Whether it's drafting safeties, linebackers, receivers, whatever. I like that we drafted a safety and I like the draft choices we made this year."

With Taylor now in attendance, the Redskins' defensive coaches can begin working on transitioning Taylor to free safety, a position that will allow him to take a more primary role in pass coverage as rookie Landry is expected to compete for and win the strong safety job during training camp. For his first three years in Washington, assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams did not apply designations to his two safeties but will this season.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Of course, contray to all the premature bashing that goes on at the other cattle hurding site , Sean Taylor is DA MAN!!!!

I'm always amazed how fast people turn on their own players...especially when they call themselves real fans. One minute love em, next bash.

 

[redman]

Of course, contray to all the premature bashing that goes on at the other cattle hurding site , Sean Taylor is DA MAN!!!! I'm always amazed how fast people turn on their own players...especially when they call themselves real fans. One minute love em, next bash.

Taylor does need to improve his communication with coaches, but I'm beginning to think that he is what he is and that will never change. As long as he brings it on Sundays I won't complain.

 

[buster c]

Of course, contray to all the premature bashing that goes on at the other cattle hurding site , Sean Taylor is DA MAN!!!! I'm always amazed how fast people turn on their own players...especially when they call themselves real fans. One minute love em, next bash.

Taylor does need to improve his communication with coaches, but I'm beginning to think that he is what he is and that will never change. As long as he brings it on Sundays I won't complain.

I actually heard a sound bite from Taylor on one of the sports talk stations yesterday - rare for him. I thought I heard him say that he missed last week to attend to his girlfriend's birthday...but can't say for 100% (wife was in the car with me and sometimes her voice pierces my sports talk radio shield)

 

[Bizkiteer]

Of course, contray to all the premature bashing that goes on at the other cattle hurding site , Sean Taylor is DA MAN!!!! I'm always amazed how fast people turn on their own players...especially when they call themselves real fans. One minute love em, next bash.

Taylor does need to improve his communication with coaches, but I'm beginning to think that he is what he is and that will never change. As long as he brings it on Sundays I won't complain.

...but can't say for 100% (wife was in the car with me and sometimes her voice pierces my sports talk radio shield)

LOL, good one!

 

[redman]

Of course, contray to all the premature bashing that goes on at the other cattle hurding site , Sean Taylor is DA MAN!!!! I'm always amazed how fast people turn on their own players...especially when they call themselves real fans. One minute love em, next bash.

Taylor does need to improve his communication with coaches, but I'm beginning to think that he is what he is and that will never change. As long as he brings it on Sundays I won't complain.

...but can't say for 100% (wife was in the car with me and sometimes her voice pierces my sports talk radio shield)

LOL, good one!

 

[redman]

LMAO!

I'd never seen that one before!

 

[thayman]

LMAO!

I'd never seen that one before!

oooff...thats right up there with the Bears Super Bowl Shuffle

 

[Bizkiteer]

Goodness...I couldn't watch all!

 

[nittanylion]

LMAO!

I'd never seen that one before!

...and I wish I hadn't... That's some serious 'Unearthed Arcana' there. Kudos and all on the find, but, to coin a phrase:

"Sometimes dead...

...is better..."

 

[fatness]

LMAO!

I'd never seen that one before!

Dave Butz, rockin' steady.

 

[redman]

More praise for Campbell, this time from Schefter:

CAMPBELL SPECIAL At this time of year, during organized team activities, many players are said to look good. But Washington quarterback Jason Campbell is said to look especially good. After two years in the league as an understudy, and four hours each day this winter and spring in Washington's training facility simply studying, Campbell is said to look like a different quarterback, Redskins officials said this week. Redskins insiders are saying Jason Campbell is showing the potential they saw in him in 2005. One observer even predicted, boldly, that Campbell would go to the Pro Bowl this season. Of course it's a long way from Washington in May to Hawaii in February, but Campbell has demonstrated improved technique, understanding and confidence. And after a week of OTA's, he has been the most talked about player in the Redskins organization. "It's unanimous from everybody," one Redskins official said this week. "You can definitely see it. He's like a totally different quarterback. The receivers have been like, 'Wow.' " Much of the credit belongs to Washington offensive coordinator Al Saunders and quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor, who have poured their energies and time into Campbell's offseason training. But Campbell also has recognized that the Redskins need him to step up in a way that Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell and every other Washington quarterback in recent seasons hasn't. So far he has. But the key will be whether he will continue it in training camp and then into the regular season.

I'm not going to update the Player Profile thread as I think we've about argued him to death. It's now up to him to produce.

 

[fatness]

There's a pretty brutal assessment of the Redskins by a guest blogger on Jason LaCanfora's Redskin blog.

"The Danger of Kool-Aid.....without a GM"

First let me attempt to lend credence to my comments here by saying I am a life-long Skins fan. I have a license plate that says 4OLDDC, my dog is named DG (for #28), I have an autographed #28 jersey hanging in my living room, and I paid $650 to sit 5 rows up on the 50 for the last time we had a home playoff game against the freaking Detroit Lions and will watch every moment of every game this season praying we win.

Now that said, every year around this time for the last 10 years or so I start getting real excited about all the big names and big money the Danny has spent and start thinking, you know, there's a chance if...........and then it never comes to fruition and, by gosh, I'm not gonna do it anymore. Reading a lot of the comments on here recently, I have seen a lot of people who seem to be blogging under the influence and I want to bring us all back to reality a little bit.

We are an old, aging, injury-prone team, that just isn't as talented as almost 20 teams in the league but certainly not anywhere near the top ten! Need evidence? Other than Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Chris Samuels, Chris Cooley, Sean Taylor, and maybe Marcus Washington there isn't a single player on the Redskins team that would take over at least 10 players at that position.

Now let's look at that statement that means that only 6 of our 22 starters are above-average players. I'm a realist, I understand it's simply not possible to have the best players at every position. However, our biggest deficits are at the most important positions.

QB: It's the most important position on any team. While Jason Campbell showed potential and looks like he could be solid, he is young, inexperienced and will need time to develop. That's not his fault, it is the fault of letting Trent Green and Brad Johnson go, it is the fault of playing seasons with Jeff Hostetler and Tony Banks, it is the fault of drafting Patrick Ramsey, it is the fault of bringing and than sticking with number 8 for way to long, and many other front office blunders.

O-line: The Skins' line was actually pretty solid last year and by all accounts will be solid again this year (providing they stay healthy). But, Jansen, Samuels, Thomas, and Raymer have all had injuries and are all getting old. Our best young lineman left via FA and I understand he would have cost a mint this year, but how often do you see teams like the Patriots, Eagles, and Ravens let good young talent ever reach unrestricted free agency? Any good GM would have seen that Dockery had started for us from day 1 of his career and that agile, young, durable, 335- pound linemen don't grow on trees and would have re-signed him before last season to a good extension for a reasonable figure. And let's not forget the utter lack of depth behind our starters for the last 3 years and the still lack of good young lineman being groomed to start one day.

D-line: When you give up 4.5 yards per carry and generate 19 sacks for an entire season, what else can you really say? This unit is old, gets hurt too often, and other than Griffin, doesn't have a single player that would start for any other team in the league. Our biggest addition last year (Carter) is a $35-million dollar, 7.5-sack situational pass rusher at best. Last year a sixth-round draft choice became a starter, and yet we haven't signed or drafted a single player to address the most glaring hole on our team. The only reason Sean Taylor "regressed," as so many people say, is because he had to make 120 tackles! Folks, your safety shouldn't lead the team or be in the top ten in the league for tackles or you have SERIOUS issues up front.

Secondary: There is hope here, Landry and Taylor potentially could be a devastating combo for the next decade. But letting Smoot go originally, letting Ryan Clark go, signing Archuleta, and not drafting or signing any quality corners last season left our secondary very vulnerable. All it took was an injury to Springs to put that unit in shambles. I'm sorry but you don't get a pass from me by saying "well, if Springs hadn't gotten hurt" because when we signed Springs everyone knew he was talented but injury-prone. I like him, and I think he is talented and "super smart" but to count on his health and provide no quality depth behind him is gross mismanagement.

I cannot say it any simpler, we are a below average team and it is time we set our expectations accordingly. I am hoping for an 8-8 or 9-7 season. That actually might get the Skins in the playoffs in a weak NFC, but we are a long way from being a legit contender.

The instability of the organization over the last decade has caught up with us. Through vastly different coaches (Marty Ball to Chuck and Duck Spurrier), and utter failures on the personnel front our roster is sub-par. There are pieces to build around, Taylor and Landry, Portis is still young and his best years are before him, Moss is a franchise WR, Cooley is one of the most talented TE's in the league, and Campbell looks like he could be the real deal. But, the best hope for our future is that the Danny wises up soon and hires a GM to guide our franchise for the long-term and that we all ditch the "this is the year!" mentality that got our beloved Redskins into the sad condition they are in. Recommitting to the draft, building around young talent, and wisely augmenting with FAs that fit your system are the keys to building championship teams, not making big name knee-jerk decisions, ignoring glaring weaknesses because you like the character of your undertalented players, and marginalizing the best way to find good young talent...the draft.

 

[redman]

I saw that blog entry, fatness. It certainly has a lot of truth to it, but I think it chooses to overlook certain things to draw dismal conclusions.

For example, I disagree that the 'Skins have only six players who could be seen as among the top 10 at their position. I would add Randy Thomas and Shawn Springs to that list, and I think Laron Landry is a highly regarded enough prospect that in the proverbial NFL dynasty draft he'd be taken among the top 10 SS's. Betts is certainly in the top 10 among backup RB's, which is really his true role. Jansen if he's healthy would also qualify. The fact is IMHO that, rather than needing more stars, this team needs more dependable role players. We have enough studs on this team. We need more Casey Rabach's, Mike Sellers, Lemar Marshalls, Kedric Golstons, etc.

Second, the belly-aching about the d-line ignores that there were some injury problems. Yes, those injury problems last year may mean that this year and in years to come we will see a (continued?) decline in the skills of guys like Griffin and Salave'a, and we all agree that there needs to be a talent upgrade, but to imply that the line is doomed to repeat forever last year's performance is specious IMHO.

I could go on, but the fact is I don't agree that this team is effectively a bad team incapable of winning with its current personnel. If they stay healthy - the critical factor - I think they're a playoff team if Campbell is able to even replicate his performance last year.

 

[cscmtp]

Our offense can be a top 5-10 team IF (big IF) Campbell continues to progress and the entire team can comfortably grasp Saunders new offense in year two.

BUT, i fear the D is a long way off. I think the best scenario Skins fans can hope for is a team similar to the Chiefs when Saunders was there. A VERY potent offense, a pretty weak defense. Usually in the playoff hunt each year . If nothing else, we should have a lot more high scoring games this year.

 

[thayman]

There's a pretty brutal assessment of the Redskins by a guest blogger on Jason LaCanfora's Redskin blog.

"The Danger of Kool-Aid.....without a GM"

First let me attempt to lend credence to my comments here by saying I am a life-long Skins fan. I have a license plate that says 4OLDDC, my dog is named DG (for #28), I have an autographed #28 jersey hanging in my living room, and I paid $650 to sit 5 rows up on the 50 for the last time we had a home playoff game against the freaking Detroit Lions and will watch every moment of every game this season praying we win.

Now that said, every year around this time for the last 10 years or so I start getting real excited about all the big names and big money the Danny has spent and start thinking, you know, there's a chance if...........and then it never comes to fruition and, by gosh, I'm not gonna do it anymore. Reading a lot of the comments on here recently, I have seen a lot of people who seem to be blogging under the influence and I want to bring us all back to reality a little bit.

We are an old, aging, injury-prone team, that just isn't as talented as almost 20 teams in the league but certainly not anywhere near the top ten! Need evidence? Other than Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Chris Samuels, Chris Cooley, Sean Taylor, and maybe Marcus Washington there isn't a single player on the Redskins team that would take over at least 10 players at that position.

Now let's look at that statement that means that only 6 of our 22 starters are above-average players. I'm a realist, I understand it's simply not possible to have the best players at every position. However, our biggest deficits are at the most important positions.

QB: It's the most important position on any team. While Jason Campbell showed potential and looks like he could be solid, he is young, inexperienced and will need time to develop. That's not his fault, it is the fault of letting Trent Green and Brad Johnson go, it is the fault of playing seasons with Jeff Hostetler and Tony Banks, it is the fault of drafting Patrick Ramsey, it is the fault of bringing and than sticking with number 8 for way to long, and many other front office blunders.

O-line: The Skins' line was actually pretty solid last year and by all accounts will be solid again this year (providing they stay healthy). But, Jansen, Samuels, Thomas, and Raymer have all had injuries and are all getting old. Our best young lineman left via FA and I understand he would have cost a mint this year, but how often do you see teams like the Patriots, Eagles, and Ravens let good young talent ever reach unrestricted free agency? Any good GM would have seen that Dockery had started for us from day 1 of his career and that agile, young, durable, 335- pound linemen don't grow on trees and would have re-signed him before last season to a good extension for a reasonable figure. And let's not forget the utter lack of depth behind our starters for the last 3 years and the still lack of good young lineman being groomed to start one day.

D-line: When you give up 4.5 yards per carry and generate 19 sacks for an entire season, what else can you really say? This unit is old, gets hurt too often, and other than Griffin, doesn't have a single player that would start for any other team in the league. Our biggest addition last year (Carter) is a $35-million dollar, 7.5-sack situational pass rusher at best. Last year a sixth-round draft choice became a starter, and yet we haven't signed or drafted a single player to address the most glaring hole on our team. The only reason Sean Taylor "regressed," as so many people say, is because he had to make 120 tackles! Folks, your safety shouldn't lead the team or be in the top ten in the league for tackles or you have SERIOUS issues up front.

Secondary: There is hope here, Landry and Taylor potentially could be a devastating combo for the next decade. But letting Smoot go originally, letting Ryan Clark go, signing Archuleta, and not drafting or signing any quality corners last season left our secondary very vulnerable. All it took was an injury to Springs to put that unit in shambles. I'm sorry but you don't get a pass from me by saying "well, if Springs hadn't gotten hurt" because when we signed Springs everyone knew he was talented but injury-prone. I like him, and I think he is talented and "super smart" but to count on his health and provide no quality depth behind him is gross mismanagement.

I cannot say it any simpler, we are a below average team and it is time we set our expectations accordingly. I am hoping for an 8-8 or 9-7 season. That actually might get the Skins in the playoffs in a weak NFC, but we are a long way from being a legit contender.

The instability of the organization over the last decade has caught up with us. Through vastly different coaches (Marty Ball to Chuck and Duck Spurrier), and utter failures on the personnel front our roster is sub-par. There are pieces to build around, Taylor and Landry, Portis is still young and his best years are before him, Moss is a franchise WR, Cooley is one of the most talented TE's in the league, and Campbell looks like he could be the real deal. But, the best hope for our future is that the Danny wises up soon and hires a GM to guide our franchise for the long-term and that we all ditch the "this is the year!" mentality that got our beloved Redskins into the sad condition they are in. Recommitting to the draft, building around young talent, and wisely augmenting with FAs that fit your system are the keys to building championship teams, not making big name knee-jerk decisions, ignoring glaring weaknesses because you like the character of your undertalented players, and marginalizing the best way to find good young talent...the draft.

Overall good blog, but I disagree with a few things:not making big name knee-jerk decisions, ignoring glaring weaknesses because you like the character of your undertalented players, and marginalizing the best way to find good young talent...the draft

I think they did that this year, I was impressed with the patience at the draft this year. After the Briggs deal did not happen and we took Landry, I was expecting us to trade draft picks in 08 and 09 to move up this year to take somebody in the early rounds. For the first time in quite a few years I got the impression the team was not just look at THIS year, but looking at later years as well.

Then the remarks on Campbell, I am hard pressed to find another young QB in the leauge that I would take for this year, and the future. Sure you could throw up Brady, Manning, Brees, McNabb etc... as players you would like to take over Campbell, but I would take him over Romo, Young, even Leinart.

For the first time in more than a couple of years I'm excited about the prospects of NEXT year as well. I'm not sitting here thinking "Well if we don't do it this year we are ####ed, because we dealt picks X,Y,and Z to teams A,B,and C.

 

[fatness]

Best quote of the offseason:

After working against weighted bags for more than a month, Todd Wade was upbeat about his daunting transition from career right tackle to left guard.

Then the Washington Redskins began organized team activities, and Wade no longer was blocking bags. Instead, he was trying to stop 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin.

"My stance was low the way it's supposed to be, and I went to get Cornelius. But unlike a bag, he kept moving," Wade said, chuckling.

Washington Times link

 

[Bizkiteer]

Thanks for breaking it down for us Wade!

I thought that was funny when I read it. I think it's interesting that he's played OT all the time and just now is realizing how much different OG is to his old position. Huh, haven't you been playing for awhile now Todd?

 

[Marvelous]

The dirty little secret, concealed by his first Pro Bowl appearance, is that Taylor last year was not as good of a player as the 2004-05 version. Taylor freelanced more than ever, and while that netted him some dramatic plays and hits that landed him on SportsCenter, it wasn't good football, especially on a defense that was looking for someone, anyone to provide leadership and an anchor.

I didn't see it that way last year. I saw him trying to guard against both the deep pass and the run, and getting to plays late because he had dual, conflicting responsibilities on plays due to lousy performance by other safeties and the cornerbacks (and the front 7, actually). He was trying to do his job, and cover the deficient play of others, and his performance took a noticeable hit as a result. If he's allowed to just play his position, I think he'll be fine.

I believe Taylor is still learning the defense and benefited greatly from having Ryan Clark telling him where to go, what to look for, etc. on the field in 2005. Without Clark, Taylor's play slipped. Although Landry is quite talented, he is not expected to be a qb of the defense type of player. Taylor may still be missing Ryan Clark this year.

 

[fatness]

Sean Springs has reported.

LaCanfora's blog

Anyway, sitting out at The Park all morning getting caught up with the players. Had a good chat with Shawn Springs. He got here really early, meeting with the coaches a bit and getting some primers on the changes to the defense. He's back for good now from Arizona and will participate in his first OTA practice Tuesday, he said.

Shawn was in very good spirits and, with Lisa hopefully out there reading this somewhere, I feel the need to report that the man is ripped. He looked pretty huge in the upper body. Says he hit the training room pretty hard out in Arizona.

 

[fatness]

Chris Samuels and his girlfriend run a development company. They just gave away a house in Alabama.

Link

Chris Samuels, a standout at the University of Alabama and now a star with the Washington Redskins, donated the house to Smith after a drawing outside the attractive building on 10th Avenue.

Smith at first thought the name called out was "Linda" instead of "Brenda" until no one answered. Her name then was repeated loud and clear by Monique Cox, Samuels' girlfriend and aide in a foundation bearing his name.............

.......His plans are to build up to 70 houses, along with a community center and an assisted living facility.

Four houses have been completed and Samuels decided to give one of them away to a resident who met all the requirements, including having a job and being willing to assume all property tax payments in the future.