Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

They get paid to write... unfortunately the offseason has a lot of down time.

Keim really shines once training camp rolls around. I think most writers this time of year have to dig deep to come up with regular content and more often than not it's just re-hashing the same stuff.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

At least to me the Skins are extremely lucky to have Keim as a beat writer. I think about all the years where we would get tons of baseless speculation and little analysis in regards to what was actually happening on the field. In fact it felt like the only time we would get any analysis would come at the hands of number guys like football outsiders that even at times they did offer good content really wouldn't break down exactly how OT X got the ratings he was assigned.

Keim does what very few reporters do and what more really should do, in that he breaks down and explaind what is happening on the field and combines it with info such as perceptions from scouts and coaching staffs. Not to mention he frequently explains strategies and tendencies of both our coaches and those of upcoming opponents.

[url=http://espn.go.com/blog/washington-redskins/post/_/id/8807/redskins-now-have-more-questions-at-safety]Washington Redskins now have more questions at safety - ESPN[/url]
[QUOTE]Ryan Clark: Still the starter. He was clearly ahead of Jackson when it came to running the show in the secondary at free safety. [B]When Clark was on the field the communication was loud and crisp. [/B][B]You knew he was out there. When Jackson was on the field, he was way too quiet in comparison[/B]. Clark just needs to prove he can still be an effective starter. [/QUOTE]

Honestly its hard to find guys that break down the little things as well as Keim. In the past we would really only be limited to something like this:
[QUOTE]'Clark is an old veteran who played well for the Steelers but now he's old so we don't know if old age will catch up to this old veteran who as we mentioned before is old.'[/QUOTE]

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Regardless of who's in there at safety, we're still going to struggle in that area. Clark can't run, Rambo can't tackle or cover, Merriweather will at least hit someone but it will be a PF. The one guy I'm really looking forward to getting out there is Thomas.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Uh oh!
The Lions are growling.
I'm askeered.....

[url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140710/SPORTS0101/307100061/Calvin-Johnson-Lions-poised-serious-run-Super-Bowl]Calvin Johnson: Lions are poised for serious run at Super Bowl | The Detroit News[/url]

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Alvin Walton;1075475]Uh oh!
The Lions are growling.
I'm askeered.....

[url=http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140710/SPORTS0101/307100061/Calvin-Johnson-Lions-poised-serious-run-Super-Bowl]Calvin Johnson: Lions are poised for serious run at Super Bowl | The Detroit News[/url][/quote]

Darn! I've lost all hope of us getting anywhere with a team like Detroit in the way. :D

The Lions could be good, but they'll be in a tough division. Packers are getting Rodgers back; Bears are getting Cutler back, plus Trestman will be in his second year; and the Vikings will likely have a better passing game with Bridgewater, as well as a better defense. I think the Packers are the best team in the NFC North, mostly because of #12, and we can be sure one of the NFC's wildcard spots will go to San Francisco or Seattle, but who knows.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=skinsfan69;1075464]Regardless of who's in there at safety, we're still going to struggle in that area. Clark can't run, Rambo can't tackle or cover, Merriweather will at least hit someone but it will be a PF. The one guy I'm really looking forward to getting out there is Thomas.[/quote]

I'm not as pessimistic (or perhaps realistic) as you are about our safeties. Yet I do think that safety may be our weakest group overall.

I think most of us were hoping that the Skins would sign a top FA to play FS. I know I was. I was also naive enough to hope that Tanard Jackson could help us. Now, I'm hoping that Thomas turns out to be the player I thought he could be when we drafted him. Next, I'll be hoping that the Skins can make a trade for a safety or pickup a late cut who can help us. Hoping, hoping, hoping. That's all we can do.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Best hope for the secondary is the pass rush helps bail them out more often than not, and that some of the young guys can be improved enough to make a difference. Amerson, Thomas, Rambo, etc. Tough to imagine Breeland making an impact right away but fingers crossed anyway.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=KI Skins Fan;1075513]<snip> Next, I'll be hoping that the Skins can make a trade for a safety or pickup a late cut who can help us. Hoping, hoping, hoping. That's all we can do.[/quote]

With the starters at safety pretty much set, perhaps we should bring back Doughty or Gumbs to compete for backup jobs. They're already familiar with the team and could help on STs. I think we can be sure of Meriweather, Clark, and Thomas making the team, so that leaves two safety spots open, at most. I'd vote to sign Gumbs and have him battle with Rambo for the 4th and final spot, with both making the team only if they're especially impressive.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Mattyk;1075523]Best hope for the secondary is the pass rush helps bail them out more often than not, and that some of the young guys can be improved enough to make a difference. Amerson, Thomas, Rambo, etc. Tough to imagine Breeland making an impact right away but fingers crossed anyway.[/quote]

The Panthers showed that a great pass rush negates the need for an elite secondary

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;1075532]The Panthers showed that a great pass rush negates the need for an elite secondary[/quote]

Giants as well when the Patriots were on the verge of 18-0. It would be nice to have both but I'll take a great pass rush over an elite secondary any day.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[url=http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=washington-redskins&id=8892]NFL Orakpo, Kerrigan impress in coverage - ESPN[/url]


[quote]Brian Orakpo is among the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, says his position coach, and he's working on being a better pass-rusher.
“They are the best covering outside linebackers in this league,” Baker said last month. “I was shocked when I studied film to take the job how good those guys are in coverage.” [/quote]

Cue the "Rak sucks", "We should have let Rak walk", "No way is Rak worth over 10 million a year", and the "Kerrigan is overrated" comments.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=SirLK26;1075565][url=http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=washington-redskins&id=8892]NFL Orakpo, Kerrigan impress in coverage - ESPN[/url]




Cue the "Rak sucks", "We should have let Rak walk", "No way is Rak worth over 10 million a year", and the "Kerrigan is overrated" comments.[/quote]
I hear you.

This time of year every year it seems like we get flooded with feel good stories about the upcoming season. Feels almost like propaganda to get you exicited about the season.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[IMG]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BaljOSqCEAAbUhM.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE][B]Pete Prisco @PriscoCBS[/B]
Trent took the yellow path
[I]3:15 PM - 3 Dec 2013[/I]
[/QUOTE]

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

^^ lol. Took me a minute.

Man, I remember when he was coming out. Lots of folks thought he was a sure thing.

Not so much.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

My buddy is in LA rite now directing an NFL photo shoot for his firm. Alfred Morris is about to take the set. I asked him for a gameworn autographed jersey but said I would settle for a napkin. :)

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Mattyk;1075523]Best hope for the secondary is the pass rush helps bail them out more often than not, and that some of the young guys can be improved enough to make a difference. Amerson, Thomas, Rambo, etc. Tough to imagine Breeland making an impact right away but fingers crossed anyway.[/quote]

I think Breeland could be the 3rd CB by mid-season. I don't have much confidence in Porter or Biggers.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1075570]^^ lol. Took me a minute.

Man, I remember when he was coming out. Lots of folks thought he was a sure thing.

Not so much.[/quote]

I remembered one of my friends who's an SEC apologist referred to the beating he took 'playing in the SEC' as reasons for his problems in the NFL. However in finding this it seems that Richardson's struggles might be related more to his football IQ then previously thought.

However in all fairness if wear and tear is a problem it actually might be more related to the program he was a part of rather then the conference. I've heard on more then one occasion that Saban has a reputation for having very physical practices and it's not too crazy to think that more then a few Alabama players have a little bit more wear and tear then other players when they start their pro careers.

Either way I guess that's preferable to the LSU players in the NFL bust theory which states that many players that come out of LSU are physical freaks with low football IQ's and tend to get lazy once they start getting paid.

Though the NFL is certainly grueling I've noticed that pro coaches seem to be a little more cautious as a whole when it comes to making sure guys are healthy during the season. Regardless Richardson better hope he can make a Mershawn Lynch like turn around because at this rate he's looking to be a huge bust.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Richardson's problem is that he has 0 vison, and played behind a NFL offensive line, problem is in the NFL everyone has a NFL defense, unlike college.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=punch it in;1075579]My buddy is in LA rite now directing an NFL photo shoot for his firm. Alfred Morris is about to take the set. I asked him for a gameworn autographed jersey but said I would settle for a napkin. :)[/quote]

Nice!


[url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000365229/article/jimmy-graham-saints-agree-to-4year-40m-contract]Jimmy Graham, Saints agree to 4-year, $40M contract - NFL.com[/url]

It was a b**** for Graham, but he got a solid deal in the end.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11217021/brian-orakpo-unlikely-reach-extension-washington-redskins-deadline]Brian Orakpo unlikely to reach extension with Washington Redskins by deadline - ESPN[/url]


[quote]"He's a talented player," Gruden said. "I think he can do a little better, we can ask more of him to where he could be more productive."
[/quote]


It seems both coaching and front office are on the same page on the fact that Orakpo simply isn't worth the type of money he's wanting. He's far from elite, but wants elite money. Not going to happen.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[QUOTE=NC_Skins;1075604][url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11217021/brian-orakpo-unlikely-reach-extension-washington-redskins-deadline]Brian Orakpo unlikely to reach extension with Washington Redskins by deadline - ESPN[/url]











It seems both coaching and front office are on the same page on the fact that Orakpo simply isn't worth the type of money he's wanting. He's far from elite, but wants elite money. Not going to happen.[/QUOTE]


Not this year at least.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Someone is going to pay Orakpo a lot of money next year. He may not be elite but he is very good, and very good pass rushers get paid. A lot.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

I thought Marinelli was a very good line coach for the Bucs back in the day. Has done anything of not since then?

[url=http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4729919/rod-marinelli-likes-that-d-has-something-to-prove]Rod Marinelli likes that Dallas Cowboys' D has much to prove - ESPN Dallas[/url]

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1075608]I thought Marinelli was a very good line coach for the Bucs back in the day. Has done anything of not since then?

[url=http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4729919/rod-marinelli-likes-that-d-has-something-to-prove]Rod Marinelli likes that Dallas Cowboys' D has much to prove - ESPN Dallas[/url][/quote]

While on the subject of the Cowboys, I love how their fans are so sure their defense will be better this year than last year. Even though they lost Hatcher, Ware, and Lee, they're totally convinced that somehow Melton, Lawrence, and the supposed "improved D-line depth" will equal a better defense. Sure, sure... countering the loss of their two best pass rushers and the best player on the defense with a DT recovering from ACL surgery, a rookie 2nd round pick, and assorted scrubs equals an improved defense.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1075607]Someone is going to pay Orakpo a lot of money next year. He may not be elite but he is very good, and very good pass rushers get paid. A lot.[/quote]

Let somebody else do it. Good teams don't overpay for "good" talent. They pay for elite talent and let everybody else walk.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=SirLK26;1075611]While on the subject of the Cowboys, I love how their fans are so sure their defense will be better this year than last year. Even though they lost Hatcher, Ware, and Lee, they're totally convinced that somehow Melton, Lawrence, and the supposed "improved D-line depth" will equal a better defense. Sure, sure... countering the loss of their two best pass rushers and the best player on the defense with a DT recovering from ACL surgery, a rookie 2nd round pick, and assorted scrubs equals an improved defense.[/quote]

Well remember, they were ranked dead last:

[url=http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=2&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&conference=ALL&role=OPP&season=2013&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=TOTAL_YARDS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-o=1&d-447263-n=1]NFL Stats: by Team Category[/url]

So let them be hopeful for that 29th ranked D. :oink:

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

That's a reasonable goal for them. :D

I suppose Cowboys fans could point to better health as another reason the defense will improve, but still, if they think that defense will even be mediocre, they need to put the Kool-Aid down.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Kind of off topic but I just read BOYS Will BE BOYS, a book about the Cowboys during the Johnson and Switzer year. I can't believe that they won 3 SB's with the amount of partying these dudes did. A great read, and Charles Haley is seriously sick in the head!

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Before we write Rak off, let's see how he does this year. While I do think this will be his last year here, things may change if he has a 15-17 sack season. If the scheme is more aggressive then maybe he reaches those numbers.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

If Rak gets the same number of rush opportunities that other top pass rushers get, no reason he can't put up some big numbers.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

Cowpukes releasing Kyle Orton per Schefter.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1075613]Let somebody else do it. Good teams don't overpay for "good" talent. They pay for elite talent and let everybody else walk.[/quote]

The Redskins have a habit of letting good talent walk because they're not 'elite'. That's how you end up with guys like Reed Doughty, Josh Wilson, and Rob Jackson as starters.

There's no point in letting well above average, home grown talent walk when you have nothing better(at this point in time) to replace it. Is saving some money really worth downgrading an already terrible defense?

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

And then what do we do with Kerrigan? Let him walk because he's not "elite"? :doh:

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Ruhskins;1075621]Cowpukes releasing Kyle Orton per Schefter.[/quote]

Well, they're still in good shape in the backup QB department with Weeden on board. :D

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Southpaw;1075622]The Redskins have a habit of letting good talent walk because they're not 'elite'. That's how you end up with guys like Reed Doughty, Josh Wilson, and Rob Jackson as starters.

There's no point in letting well above average, home grown talent walk when you have nothing better(at this point in time) to replace it. Is saving some money really worth downgrading an already terrible defense?[/quote]


Give me a break. The reason why we have Wilson, Doughtery and Jackson as starters isn't because we let good players walk, but because we never developed through the draft and pissed away draft picks for somebody else. This team was absolute garbage in terms of talent when Shanny hit the scene and in some ways still is (on defense side)


Most of the "good" players that that we let walk aren't guys who were asking for a boat load of money or to be paid as an elite player. Orakpo is. That's the difference here. We could have had Clark and Pierce for decent deals, but our moronic staff wanted for "flash in the pan." See, those are contracts I have problem dealing out.


[quote=Mattyk;1075623]And then what do we do with Kerrigan? Let him walk because he's not "elite"? :doh:[/quote]

It's not a matter of letting him walk if he isn't elite. It's a matter of letting him walk if he wants too much money. If he's seeking to be paid as an elite player, you go a different direction. You pay good players good salaries, and elite players elite salaries. Nobody is saying not to pay these guys, it's all about not over paying them either.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=SirLK26;1075624]Well, they're still in good shape in the backup QB department with Weeden on board. :D[/quote]



Just putting out a question to all , do you think Jerry Jones would trade with Cleveland for Johnny Manzel ?

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

If you beleive that QB win games, we've already got 5 wins locked up according to Jaws rankings..

“@ESPNNFL: Jaws QB Countdown ranking thus far.
32 M Cassel*
31 R Fitzpatrick*
30 G Smith
29 J Locker*
28 EJ Manuel
27 C Henne*
26 B Hoyer
25 J McCown*”

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[QUOTE=NC_Skins;1075625]Give me a break. The reason why we have Wilson, Doughtery and Jackson as starters isn't because we let good players walk, but because we never developed through the draft and pissed away draft picks for somebody else. This team was absolute garbage in terms of talent when Shanny hit the scene and in some ways still is (on defense side)





Most of the "good" players that that we let walk aren't guys who were asking for a boat load of money or to be paid as an elite player. Orakpo is. That's the difference here. We could have had Clark and Pierce for decent deals, but our moronic staff wanted for "flash in the pan." See, those are contracts I have problem dealing out.









It's not a matter of letting him walk if he isn't elite. It's a matter of letting him walk if he wants too much money. If he's seeking to be paid as an elite player, you go a different direction. You pay good players good salaries, and elite players elite salaries. Nobody is saying not to pay these guys, it's all about not over paying them either.[/QUOTE]


Would tend to agree with this....

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=Paintrain;1075628]If you beleive that QB win games, we've already got 5 wins locked up according to Jaws rankings..

“@ESPNNFL: Jaws QB Countdown ranking thus far.
32 M Cassel*
31 R Fitzpatrick*
30 G Smith
29 J Locker*
28 EJ Manuel
27 C Henne*
26 B Hoyer
25 J McCown*”[/quote]

Not sure what Jaws is thinking. McCown was one the best QB's the the league last year. And we lost to Cassel last year.

Re: All things offseason discussion part II
 

[quote=NC_Skins;1075625]It's not a matter of letting him walk if he isn't elite. It's a matter of letting him walk if he wants too much money. If he's seeking to be paid as an elite player, you go a different direction. You pay good players good salaries, and elite players elite salaries. Nobody is saying not to pay these guys, it's all about not over paying them either.[/quote]

You pay what the market dictates. Like it or not Rak is going to be worthy of a pretty significant deal. The team was willing to at least eat his franchise number of over $11M this year, that's saying something.