Free Agency Priorities

Quarterback

Rex Grossman or John Beck? John Beck or Rex Grossman? That is the question in Washington and, trust me, there’s no right answer, unless the question is, which quarterback gives us the best chance to get the #1 overall pick and Andrew Luck in 2012. Unfortunately, Mike Shanahan seems to be stubborn that these are his guys. Either that or he really wants Andrew Luck (not necessarily a bad idea).

Offensive Tackle 

Jammal Brown was their best offensive lineman down the stretch, after he was healthy. Unfortunately, he’s also a free agent. If they don’t resign him, they’ll need to find another right tackle. 

Guard 

Guard was another huge problem for them. With so many needs, they weren’t able to address this need in full through the draft. Maybe they’ll look at guard through free agency. 

 

Draft Needs 

Quarterback

Mike Shanahan benched Donovan McNabb for Rex Grossman. This angered McNabb who does not want to be back next year, so they will likely trade or release him. This leaves them with Rex Grossman at quarterback. Grossman went 70 for 126 (55.6%) for 840 yards (6.7 YPA), 7 touchdowns, and 4 picks and overall didn’t show himself to be anything more than the bust everyone thought he was before the season, despite facing 2 of the 4 worst pass defenses in the league in his 3 starts (Dallas, Jacksonville). They’ll target a new quarterback in the offseason, likely someone through the draft.

Wide Receiver

Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly were both drafted in the 2^nd in 2008 with hopes that one would step up as a receiving threat opposite Santana Moss. Neither has. In fact, they started Joey Galloway for a bit last year before benching the 38 year old receiver for undrafted rookie Anthony Armstrong. Armstrong was always good for one or two big plays per game, but is not consistent enough to be a starter.

Drafted Leonard Hankerson (#79),  Drafted Niles Paul (#155), Drafted Aldrick Robinson (#178) 

3-4 Defensive End

Albert Haynesworth probably won’t be back next year, barring a miracle recovery of the relationship between him and Coach Mike Shanahan. This team ranked 26^th against the run. Also, no defensive lineman had more than 2.5 sacks and the team as a whole only had 29.

Drafted Jarvis Jenkins (#41) 

Running Back

Ryan Torain might be their lead back of the future, but he’s often injured. Clinton Portis is done and Keiland Williams didn’t stand out in limited action as a starter. Shanahan loves drafting running backs in the mid to late rounds.

Drafted Roy Helu (#105), Evan Royster (#177) 

Nose Tackle

Albert Haynesworth was supposed to be their nose tackle. That didn’t happen.

Drafted Chris Neild (#253) 

Cornerback

They ranked 28^th against the pass. They need a cornerback of the future opposite DeAngelo Hall and maybe some depth. Rumors say they could throw 100+ million at Hall’s former teammate, the recently released (for financial reasons), Nnamdi Asomugha.

Drafted Dejon Gomes (#146), Drafted Brandyn Thompson (#213)

Rush Linebacker

They had only 29 sacks. 2^nd year former first round pick Brian Orakpo is a keeper with 8.5 sacks this year and 11 in 2009 as a rookie. However, soon to be 32 year old Andre Carter seems out of gas opposite him. Carter only had 2.5 sacks, which was tied for 2^nd on the team (just shows how bad their pass rush is).

Drafted Ryan Kerrigan (#16) 

Safety

At the very least, they need a safety for depth purposes. They could use an upgrade across from LaRon Landry.

Signed OJ Atogwe 

Middle Linebacker

Right now it doesn’t look like the soon to be 36-year-old London Fletcher will ever slow down, but eventually he will and they’ll need a replacement for him. 2010 4^th round pick Perry Riley could be a candidate.

Guard

The problems of Washington’s terrible offense line, 43 sacks allowed, start on the inside. Outside, Jammal Brown is good when healthy and Trent Williams is developing, but inside they lack talent.

Drafted Maurice Hurt (#217) 

Center

Casey Rabach could easily be replaced. He was one of the worst starting centers in the league last year. 

 

() FA Rank 

QB Rex Grossman

RB Clinton Portis

WR Santana Moss 

OT Jammal Brown (#28)

Brown missed all of 2009 with an injury and struggled early in 2010 before settling down late in the season. He was one of the best left tackles in the league in 2008 before he got hurt.

OT Stephon Heyer

G Derrick Dockery

G Will Montgomery

RLB Andre Carter

RLB Chris Wilson 

MLB Rocky McIntosh 

MLB HB Blades

CB Carlos Rogers

CB Philip Buchanan 

S Reed Doughty 

Offseason moves:

Signed OJ Atogwe

Cut Clinton Portis

Cut Derrick Dockery

Draft 

 

By Anthony Brown 

The 4-3 Washington Redskins visit the hapless 1-5 Detroit Lions. You figure the Redskins will win this game. After all, they now have Mike Shanahan, a Super Bowl coach; while the Lions have… one win is six tries. 

Don’t fall for that trap. Reputations won’t be on the field Sunday. Talent will be. The talent on the field for the Redskins and the Lions are a near match and that’s why the sports books have made Detroit three-point favorites to win on their home field. Detroit earned it.

Washington’s NFC East rivals Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants have already faced Detroit. Those teams needed 35 and 28 points respectively to beat the Lions and even then had to hold on for the win. Washington has yet to score more than 27 points in any game. The Redskins beat the Lions’ NFC North rivals Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears in low scoring affairs.

Defense and low scoring may be the key to the game. Hold the Lions to under 21 points. Stay close, then maybe the Redskins pull the game out in the end.

Did I mention that the Eagles and Giants beat the Lions when Detroit’s starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford, was out with an injury? Stafford expects to return for the ‘Skins game. He figures to be a tad rusty. The Lions’ performance did not fall off much with Shaun Hill at quarterback. With or without Stafford, this team can score.

Lions rookie Jahvid Best is well named. His 5 touchdowns and 534 yards from scrimmage is the best performance of all NFL rookies. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is a beast.

The media writers will focus on Johnson versus Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall. They will (over)hype Donovan McNabb versus Stafford. The real battle in this game will be the Redskins offensive line versus the Lions defensive front seven, especially Redskins rookie left tackle Trent Williams versus DE Kyle Vanden Bosch and DL Ndamukong Suh. Tell me who wins that contest and I’ll tell you who will win.

The game figures to be highly entertaining between two evenly matched teams. The outcome is not predictable.

Pick-’em.     

Go back to Redskins Fan Spot 

http://redskinshogheaven.com/ 

 

 

By Anthony Brown 

 

When the Redskins lost to the lowly St. Louis Rams, for the second time in the last three contests, they became everybody’s favorite homecoming opponent.  You know that team. You circle the date you play on the calendar and mark it “win.” 

The Redskins are six point underdogs when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday. The homecoming angle everyone speaks of is the return of Donovan McNabb. McNabb will not face Michael Vick, of course. Washington’s defense will. Are they up to the task?

Redskins players hint that a safety, probably LaRon Landry, or a defensive back will spy Michael Vick to force him to throw in an unnatural motion or to throw his timing off, anything except flush him from the pocket. Elusive Vick has a habit of embarrassing defenses that try this.

But the Eagles offensive line is suspect. They have allowed 14 sacks and 27 quarterback hits; both are league highs.  The Eagles early opponents attacked by the blitz. The Redskins try to bring pressure by rushing four of anyone in the front seven in their new 3-4 alignment–the better to collapse the pocket while containing Mr. Vick.

The Eagles were comfortable trading McNabb, to the Redskins no less, for draft picks because Vick and Kevin Kolb provided strength at that position. The Redskins are delighted to have him. There were not enough draft picks or free agents to fix all of Washington’s deficiencies in one year. When there are deficiencies at wide receiver and questions about the offensive line, McNabb is the perfect one-man band-aid.

Questions about the receivers remain, but Washington’s line has held up better than Philadelphia’s. Depth is the issue. Talent falls off if the starters are out for long. Washington’s first round rookie tackle Trent Williams is a game-time decision.

McNabb distributes the ball distributes the ball to tight ends, mostly Chris Cooley, and backs, mostly Mike Sellers, to make up for poor wide receiver play. Joey Galloway has shown speed, but poor hands on deep patterns. The Skins got away from the ground game in the St. Louis game. They would be wise to stick with it against the Eagles, if only to keep Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Macklin, and LeSean McCoy on the bench.

The media focuses on McNabb vs. Vick. The more interesting comparative is Philadelphia’s approach to building a roster. You couldn’t find a more divergent approach to Washington’s. The Snyderskins are renowned–and laughed at–for acquiring big name players in a “win now” approach to winning, without winning titles. So the Redskins tend to have an older team.

The Eagles constantly renew themselves by trading productive players for draft picks, then using those picks on young players. Before McNabb, the Eagles moved or released Duce Staley, Brian Dawkins, Jeremiah Trotter, Troy Vincent and Brian Westbrook before they sopped up salary cap space.  The result is that the Eagles are always in the conversation for the playoffs. They may have the most dynamic offense in the NFC East.

The Redskins have a shot to beat the Eagles. This game will be closer than most expect. Football is played emotionally. The emotion of McNabb’s return may carry the day for Washington.   

http://redskinshogheaven.com/ 

 

 

CB Omar Bolden (Arizona State)

DT Michael Brockers (LSU)

QB Aaron Corp (Richmond)

QB Robert Griffin (Baylor)

QB Andrew Luck (Stanford)

S Kelcie McCray (Arkansas State)

OT Donald Stephenson (Oklahoma)

CB Keith Tandy (West Virginia)

S Phillip Thomas (Syracuse)

RB Robert Turbin (Utah State)

 

 

16. RLB Ryan Kerrigan A-

I had Blaine Gabbert 10^th to Washington and Ryan Kerrigan 16^th to Jacksonville. I got the right players, but not the right teams. I’ll still count that as a win. I had a high grade on Kerrigan and he’s going to work his ass off both on and off the field and I really doubt he busts, but I’m not totally comfortable with him in a 3-4. It’s not as if he didn’t fill a major need, however. Other than Brian Orakpo, no one had more than 2.5 sacks for them last year. That’s pretty bad.

41. NT Jarvis Jenkins C

Jarvis Jenkins fills a need, but it would be very hard for them not to fill a need with this position. They needed almost everything coming into this draft. I think Jenkins was a reach at this point.

79. WR Leonard Hankerson A

Excellent pick. Hankerson fills a major need for them, even compared to their other needs and I think he was a steal by at least a round. I had a borderline first round grade on him. This kid is going to be great and an impact player from the get go.

105. RB Roy Helu C-

Of all their needs, I don’t think running back was a major one. Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams are decent players and it’s not like the running back position is an extremely important position anymore. Helu was also a reach at this point.

146. CB Dejon Homes D

Of all their needs, cornerback was a pretty minor one and I didn’t have Homes in my top 300 so this is a pretty big reach by my book.

155. WR Niles Paul B

Another wide receiver? Well they do need some more depth at the position and with all of their trade downs they had the necessary picks to make a pick like this and Paul fit the range, but they could have done better things with this pick. They needed another defensive lineman, a quarterback, and some offensive line help before they needed a 2^nd wide receiver.

177. RB Evan Royster F

Another running back? I wasn’t thrilled with them taking one the first time and I don’t like this decision either. Royster is an even bigger reach than Helu was at 105.

178. WR Aldrick Robinson C-

A third receiver? What? At least Robinson fits the range somewhat and they did need some depth, but I’m not really a fan of this decision.

213. CB Brandyn Thompson C-

Another cornerback wasn’t really needed and Thompson was a reach at this point as I had him outside my top 300.

217. G Maurice Hurt A-

Finally some offensive line help. Hurt is a minor reach, but they really needed the depth and this is the late rounds.

224. RLB Markus White C

Another rush linebacker? I guess you can never have enough pass rushers, but they did have other needs and White was a bit of a reach at this point.

253. NT Chris Neild A

Neild filled a major need of theirs on the defensive line. Jenkins could play nose tackle as their 2^nd round pick, but he could also move to end if need be, another need of theirs.

Overall:

I like how they were able to trade down so many times and end up with 12 picks, especially trading down in the first round when they weren’t sold on Blaine Gabbert (I don’t blame them). However, how do you have 12 picks and not address the quarterback position at all. Quarterback was their biggest need heading in. I know this was a weak quarterback class, but they didn’t even bring in a developmental quarterback. Rex Grossman is not the long term solution and there’s no guarantee they can get an elite quarterback next year. The Redskins plan on using John Beck as their starter next year…so actually they might be guaranteed to can get an elite quarterback next year. They also had a good amount of picks that were either reaches and/or didn’t fill major needs.

Grade: C-

 

 

And here’s our first WTF signing. The Redskins were set at 2 spots on their 3 man defensive line with Stephen Bowen and Barry Cofield and were expecting Jarvis Jenkins to step up and take the 3^rd starting job. Jenkins was a 2^nd round pick in 2011 and impressed in training camp before tearing his ACL before the season. He probably would have been the starter in 2011 had he not gotten hurt and he was expected to start in 2012 as his recovery went well.

That would leave Adam Carriker as the odd man out. Carriker started at that 3^rd spot in 2011 and was pretty bad, ranking 30^th of 32 eligible 3-4 defensive ends on ProFootballFocus, so it would make sense that he’d be the odd man out. Apparently “odd man out” means “give him 20 million over 4 with 7 million guaranteed” to Daniel Snyder.

Grade: F

 

 

 

 

2010 Record: 6-10

Draft Position: 10

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: Signed OJ Atogwe

Redskins Blogger: Anthony Brown

 

2010 Posts 

Is Washington the Joker for Jacksonville?, Donovan McNabb’s Worst Nightmare, How many more wins for the Redskins this year?, Redskins-Titans Preview, Couples Counseling: Can McNabb-Shanahan be fixed?, Redskins-Lions Preview, Redskins Preview, Packers/Redskins Preview, Redskins/Eagles Preview

 

 

2nd round 3rd round 

 

64. Indianapolis Colts- NT Alameda Ta’amu (Washington)

Chuck Pagano is trying to rebuild the Colts in the model of the Ravens, meaning big and physical, especially on defense. However, they don’t have a defensive player over 310 pounds. They desperately need a big, run stuffing nose tackle. Ta’amu fits the bill at 340 pounds.

65. St. Louis Rams- WR Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers)

The Rams receiving corps is so barren that they could use two picks on wide receivers, especially since Stephen Hill is so raw.

66. Minnesota Vikings- CB Casey Hayward (Vanderbilt)

This is why the Vikings passed on Morris Claiborne in the first round. This is a deep cornerback class and, besides, they run a cover 2 system which doesn’t put as much value on the cornerback position. Casey Hayward is an ideal fit for their system.

67. Cleveland Browns- WR Chris Givens (Wake Forest)

The Browns will have to take a wide receiver at some point. They wanted Kendall Wright at 22, but he didn’t make it there. Chris Givens is a similar player, albeit inferior. However, he’d be a nice compliment to Greg Little.

68. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DT Brandon Thompson (Clemson)

This is a pure value pick as Thompson should have gone in the 2^nd round, but I couldn’t fit him. They could use more depth at defensive tackle even after signing Amobi Okoye, who is only on a one year deal.

69. Washington Redskins- OT Jeff Allen (Georgia)

I’ve said it 3 times before, but of the last 19 teams to take a quarterback in the first round, 15 took an offensive player with their next pick. They have some questions on the offensive line.  Left tackle Trent Williams is one failed drug test away from a season long suspension. Right tackle Jammal Brown hasn’t been the same since a major hip injury. Meanwhile, left guard Kory Lichtensteiger will be coming off a major knee injury next season. Jeff Allen is a versatile offensive lineman who can provide depth at 4 spots on their offensive line. Most likely, he’ll have to step into the starting lineup at some point.

70. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB Josh Norman (Coastal Carolina)

The Jaguars will take a cornerback at some point fairly early in the draft. Their top 3 cornerbacks will all be coming off of injuries in 2012 and all 3 of those players will all be in contract years. The Jaguars love small school kids and they’ve shown interest in Josh Norman.

71. Buffalo Bills- WR Greg Childs (Arkansas)

The Bills were seemingly in on every free agent wide receiver, but came up empty handed. Buddy Nix, who is really open with these types of things, mentioned added a big bodied receiver as a need of his. At 6-3, Childs would fit the ball.

 

72. Miami Dolphins- TE Ladarius Green (Louisiana-Lafayette)

Joe Philbin had Jermichael Finley in Green Bay. Ladarius Green could remind him of him. Anthony Fasano is a solid blocker at tight end, but nothing more. Green and Orson Charles are options here, but they worked out Green so they could take him over Charles, whose off the field issues might scare them away.

73. Miami Dolphins- DE Ronnell Lewis (Oklahoma)

The Dolphins are planning to, in some form, play a 4-3 defense next year, at least a hybrid. Koa Misi was the other rush linebacker opposite Cameron Wake in their 3-4, but he’s too small to be a down lineman in a 4-3. Lewis could be a bookend opposite Wake and would also upgrade Misi in a 3-4 at rush linebacker. Misi’s not too small for that position. He just offers no pass rush.

74. Kansas City Chiefs- QB Brock Osweiler (Arizona State)

I like the fit with the Chiefs and Brock Osweiler at some point. Matt Cassel is the type of guy who can get you into the playoffs, but he’s probably not a guy you can win the Super Bowl with. Brock Osweiler has huge upside, but he’s so raw. He declared a year early and could have been a first rounder in 2013. However, he’ll have all the time he needs in Kansas City behind Cassel and maybe he’ll emerge as a long term, franchise quarterback.

75. Seattle Seahawks- CB Ron Brooks (LSU)

Again, I have no idea what the Seahawks are going to do. However, I wanted to put Ron Brooks, a rising prospect, in the first 3 rounds somewhere and the Seahawks have worked him out. You can never have enough cornerbacks, especially since Walter Thurmond and Marcus Trufant can’t stay healthy.

76. Houston Texans- TE Orson Charles (Georgia)

The Texans love tight ends, but they’ll be moving James Casey full time to fullback and Joel Dreesen, who played more than almost any backup tight end in the league last year, signed in Denver. They could use another tight end behind Owen Daniels to at least compete with Garrett Graham, a 2010 4^th round pick who hasn’t done much yet.

77. New York Jets- S Brandon Taylor (LSU)

As a Patriots fan, I love watching Eric Smith try to cover Rob Gronkowski twice a year. Both LaRon Landry and Jim Leonhard are injury prone so it’s possible Smith could have to start for them again next year if they don’t address the position through the draft. That’s what they do here.

78. San Diego Chargers- RB LaMichael James (Oregon)

They need a backup for Ryan Matthews with Mike Tolbert signing in Carolina. Besides, you know Philip Rivers would like getting another player like Darren Sproles, who he really missed after he signed in New Orleans last offseason.

79. Chicago Bears- DT Billy Winn (Boise State)

More help up front for the Bears on defense. Yes, their offensive line is a need, but don’t try to tell them that. Offensive coordinator Mike Tice is a former offensive line coach and he’ll think he can coach up the guys they already have. Why else would they pass on both Riley Reiff and David DeCastro in the first? Winn adds depth at defensive tackle to replace the departed Anthony Adams and Amobi Okoye.

 

80. Arizona Cardinals- OT Mitchell Schwartz (California)

The Cardinals didn’t address their offensive line in the first round, but they’ll almost have to in the 3^rd round. Adam Snyder and Levi Brown are not very good at right and left tackle respectively and Snyder can also play guard. Schwartz will probably start the season as a 3^rd tackle, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up in the starting lineup before the season is over.

81. Dallas Cowboys- WR TY Hilton (Florida International)

Dez Bryant and Miles Austin both have their share of recurring injury problems and they need a 3^rd receiver anyway with Laurent Robinson signing in Jacksonville. TY Hilton is someone they’ve had a private workout with.

82. Tennessee Titans- DT Mike Martin (Michigan)

I mentioned the 5 positions the Titans would probably be focusing on in the first few rounds earlier. They’ve already added a wide receiver and a linebacker. Here they grab a defensive tackle to go with Jurell Casey and Karl Klug. Martin is someone they worked out privately.

83. Cincinnati Bengals- RB Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati)

Both BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry last season. They need another back in the mix.

84. Atlanta Falcons- C Ben Jones (Georgia)

Jones is a local product the Falcons have shown a lot of interest in. They need one more interior lineman, at least. Harvey Dahl is gone and they never adequately replaced him. Meanwhile, Todd McClure is getting up in age and just on a one year deal. Ben Jones can play center or guard, depending on what they decide to do with Joe Hawley.

85. Detroit Lions- RB Chris Polk (Washington)

They’ve used high picks on running backs 3 of the last 4 years. Kevin Smith went in the 3^rd round in 2008. Jahvid Best went in the 1^st in 2010. Mikel Leshoure was a 2^nd rounder last year. However, none of those guys can stay healthy. They love drafting best available and take Polk here to hopefully ensure they don’t have to use Maurice Morris down the stretch again.

86. Pittsburgh Steelers- NT Akiem Hicks (Regina)

Another young defensive player for the Steelers’ front 7. Casey Hampton will be a 35 year old free agent next offseason and right now he has a torn ACL that could sideline him for the start of the season. Mel Kiper mentioned Akiem Hicks as a potential small school 3^rd round pick (with Josh Norman and Justin Bethel).

 

87. Denver Broncos- RB Robert Turbin (Utah State)

John Fox loves being able to turn to multiple backs. However, with Willis McGahee getting up in age and Knowshon Moreno being unreliable health wise, he doesn’t have the capability to do that right now. He’ll probably find another back sometime in the draft.

88. Philadelphia Eagles- OT Donald Stephenson (Oklahoma)

The Eagles signed Demetress Bell to replace Jason Peters, who tore his Achilles. However, what happens if Bell, who has missed at least half the season with injuries in 3 of his 4 years as a pro, gets hurt? The Eagles will probably spend a pick on an insurance option in the mid rounds.

89. New Orleans Saints- WR Marvin McNutt (Iowa)

After losing Robert Meachem this offseason, there is a need for depth at wide receiver. Devery Henderson will be a first time full time starter next season. McNutt is a 4^th receiver and insurance in case Henderson struggles. That will allow them to keep the injury prone Lance Moore in the slot.

90. Green Bay Packers- CB Dwight Bentley (Louisiana-Lafayette)

Charles Woodson is still a good player, but he’s 36 in October. Someday he’ll either see his abilities decline or he’ll retire. The Packers need to be prepared for that day. Besides, another cornerback certainly couldn’t hurt the 2^nd worst yardage defense of all time.

91. Baltimore Ravens- WR Juron Criner (Arizona)

Anquan Boldin turns 32 in October and could be a cap casualty next offseason. Torrey Smith is a promising young receiver, but they need a Boldin type possession receiver to compliment him. Tandon Doss, their 2011 4^th round pick, is an option, but they’ll probably add another receiver at some point if they value fits.

92. San Francisco 49ers- CB Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech)

Carlos Rogers will be 31 by the start of the season. It’s always possible his strong 2011 season was a fluke. He hadn’t done anything nearly as good before that. They’ll probably add another cornerback through the draft with so few needs. Hosley will fall because of a failed drug test at The Combine, but the 49ers have taken chances on Randy Moss and Perrish Cox this offseason so he could end up with them.

93. Cincinnati Bengals- WR Marvin Jones (California)

The Bengals will be looking for a compliment to AJ Green through the draft after losing both Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson this offseason.

94. New York Giants- G James Brown (Troy)

I’m very surprised the Giants didn’t take an offensive lineman at 32 with so many available. Maybe they’ll take a versatile one like James Brown here at 94.

95. Oakland Raiders- DE Cam Johnson (Virginia)

The Raiders lost Kamerion Wimbley this offseason. Cam Johnson is a different type of player, but he can probably play some of Wimbley’s old snaps as a nickel rusher on 3^rd downs.