Professor

I have done some writing for another site, so I figured I would post it here as well

State of the Team – Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins start to seem like they are progressing and maybe after another off-season can actually make some real progress, then Joe Gibbs retires. I feel sorry for that team. First it appears like they have a no-brainer replacement, then they fire both the OC and DC. Sean Taylor gets murdered the team is bounced from the playoffs. A season no team should have to endure. It has always been 1 step forward and 2 steps back. This team seriously looks as though Vinny and Danny are living a frat dream and have no idea what they are doing.


Coaching Changes

Head Coach Joe Gibbs retires, Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders and Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams were fired and replaced with Sherman Smith and Greg Blache respectively. After being hired briefly as Offensive Coordinator, Jim Zorn was promoted to Head Coach after a tumultuous search resulted in nothing.

2008 Team Needs

Well, last season a big need was to generate a pass rush, they didn’t address it and it cost them again. This season I think we will finally address the need all along the Dline. Especially with the Giants winning the Superbowl as teams always follow the scheme of the SB winning defense. It’s a smart approach

Regardless how it became a need, DB is a need and. Laron Landry is a stud, but he needs some help back there and Taylor will be a difficult player to replace.

Once again WR is an issue in Washington for the same reason as before. They have a few little fast guys with no big guy controlling the defenders to help them get open.

The offensive line is a strong unit but there is almost no depth and most of the line is over 30 years of age, a fact that cannot be overlooked. Any chance to add useful youth and depth here must be taken.


Possible Free Agent Solutions

Usually the Redskins jump into Free Agency and blindly give money where they shouldn’t and overpay players getting ready to check into old folks homes, but not so much this year. They wanted Berrian, but that wouldn’t have helped much. I heard Johnson was in town but he left without a deal and frankly when Antonio Bryant gets signed ahead of DJ Hackett and Bryant Johnson, it makes me question what I don’t know about those two. Their twp biggest signings are Rock Cartwright and Todd Collins, and both re-signings at that not exactly the juggernauts you have come to expect. Another season in the basement looms for a team in constant turmoil.


Possible Draft Solutions:

The Redskins currently hold the Following picks…

21st (1st round)
51st (2nd round)
84th (3rd round)


In addition they have a 4th (115), 5th (148), 6th (179) & 7th (212). This also combined with compensatory picks in the 3rd and two in the 7th.

First off it must be strange to Washington Coaches and management to actually have a full allotment of draft picks. One would have figured that Samie Parker could have been had for a 2nd or that some team wasn’t smart enough to figure out that if they signed Simeon Rice, then they could trade him to the Redskins for a 3rd. Here is what they do with those picks.

With the 1st rounder, the Skins without a doubt go DE. They have needed a pass rusher there for some time. Phillip Merling or Calais Campbell will fill that void nicely. Sweed is tempting, but I don’t see them passing on one of the two ends that will immediately improve that pressureless Dline. Daniels is getting old.

…in the 2nd round Washington gets maybe the best pure cover corner in the draft with USC’s Terrell Thomas, who can put a hit on you but his aggressiveness sometimes gets him in trouble. He is a great value at pick 51 and eventual replacement for 33 year old Shawn Springs

Conclusion:

I really don’t know what to make of them. A team on the rise in 2007 has to start again with a new chemistry for yet another season. Every season apparently brings some kind of change which inevitably brings a storm period for players and coaches to adapt to and overcome. How many times can a team go backward and still make the effort to bounce back?

__________________

gruntbygod

All three of their rivals base their D on pressure, pressure and more pressure. The Skins seem to be the only team that doesnt follow this, altho no one know's what the new reigime will bring. I definatly think they need a DE in the first