H.B. Blades
 

I live in Florida, so I certainly know about the Blades family. He definitely has the pedigree. We'll see how he works out.

I personally am really annoyed that we haven't even made an effort to acquire D-line help. It's our most pressing need, and we have totally ignored it, both in free agency and the draft. Arghhhh. We better get Kris Jenkins...

Blades' profile:
[URL="http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/blades_hb"]NFL.com - Prospect Profiles[/URL]

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I wouldn't count on Jenkins landing in DC

Re: H.B. Blades
 

the front office obviously thought that there werent any dline prospects worth picking this late. would u rather have 2 linebackers who can contribute in certain packages and on special teams or dlinement that get cut before the season?

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I completely agree with you. Our DE position hasn't been addressed since our playoff run in 2005(save for A. Carter), which if you can remember was one of the downfalls of our defense that year. We gave their QB's way too much time to operate in the pocket.

If A. Carter goes down, what is our pass rush solution looking like? Old and Older aren't going to cut it down the stretch. The deficiency has to be address now, preferrably yesterday.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I completely agree with all people who are upset that we haven't even attempt to address our d-line.. But based on Gibbs's comments, it appears that all coaches are satisfied with our d-line.. They must know something that we don't..

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Big C;304235]the front office obviously thought that there werent any dline prospects worth picking this late. would u rather have 2 linebackers who can contribute in certain packages and on special teams or dlinement that get cut before the season?[/quote]

I wasn't suggesting we should have drafted a D-lineman in the place of either of these two LBs, I was just taking the opportunity to comment on the fact that we STILL haven't added any D-line help. Landry will be a great one, but it wasn't our area of biggest need, which we have done exactly NOTHING to improve.

Remember how Tiki Barber wiped his ass with our D-line week 17 last season? We let him ride off into the sunset in OUR HOUSE. As of right now we have those exact same guys up front. Adding London Fletcher alone is simply not gonna make our run-stop much more effective than it was last year. And it was AWFUL...

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=GMScud;304242]I wasn't suggesting we should have drafted a D-lineman in the place of either of these two LBs, I was just taking the opportunity to comment on the fact that we STILL haven't added any D-line help. Landry will be a great one, but it wasn't our area of biggest need, which we have done exactly NOTHING to improve.

Remember how Tiki Barber wiped his ass with our D-line week 17 last season? We let him ride off into the sunset in OUR HOUSE. As of right now we have those exact same guys up front. Adding London Fletcher alone is simply not gonna make our run-stop much more effective than it was last year. And it was AWFUL...[/QUOTE]

i agree we needed to add some dlinemen, i had hoped we would add a huge DT to clog the middle up. i was at the week 17 game and it was embarassing.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Big C;304243]i agree we needed to add some dlinemen, i had hoped we would add a huge DT to clog the middle up. i was at the week 17 game and it was embarassing.[/quote]

I'm sorry you had to witness that in person. Sheesh that was miserable.

We still could land Kris Jenkins. I hope it happens.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=GridIron26;304241]I completely agree with all people who are upset that we haven't even attempt to address our d-line.. But based on Gibbs's comments, it appears that all coaches are satisfied with our d-line.. They must know something that we don't..[/quote]


d line wasnt healthy last year just waIT SHOULD BE BACK TO 05 FORM

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=Big C;304235]the front office obviously thought that there werent any dline prospects worth picking this late. would u rather have 2 linebackers who can contribute in certain packages and on special teams or dlinement that get cut before the season?[/QUOTE]

Contribute? Rocky couldn't do that last year, do you think either one of these guys barring major injury problems will see the field?

Re: H.B. Blades
 

What pressure did we have in the '05 season. If you remember correctly the Charger game we were up near the end of the game and we let them come back because of the picnic that Brees was having in the pocket during passing plays. Brees would spread some Dijon, then cut his sandwich in triangle fourths, and then decide between his 5th or 6th checked down reciever.

We needed DE's after the '05 season just like we need it now. A. Carter is a start he's not the end of our DE stablility.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

They've needed defensive ends since they lost Marco Coleman! Apparently, no matter who the coach is, Washington just doesn't believe in pressure from the front four. I like Andre Carter more than most of the people on this board, but the team still needs another end and I think they need about 2 defensive tackles who can play. Just horrendous...

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;304248]d line wasnt healthy last year just waIT SHOULD BE BACK TO 05 FORM[/quote]

You made a good point, guess we will find out if they can return to '05 form or not..

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I would have love to have gotten a DE but there were no stud DE in the draft (not even Gaines Adams IMO). We addressed one of our other need in picking LL.

Our secondary will be a lot healthier and faster. Our LBs will be better with Fletcher in the middle and our DL will be healthier. Not to mentions that our rookies got a lot of play time last year so we'll have quality depth in DL.

I think we will be fine.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I know everybody says that the D Line was not healthy last year. However, I don't think Daniels, Griffin, and/or Salave'a are gonna stay healthy this year either. All of them are getting a little long in the tooth and Griffin's had injury problems his whole career. I don't think they're bad players, I just don't think they can stay healthy.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=GMScud;304229]I live in Florida, so I certainly know about the Blades family. He definitely has the pedigree. We'll see how he works out.

I personally am really annoyed that we haven't even made an effort to acquire D-line help. It's our most pressing need, and we have totally ignored it, both in free agency and the draft. Arghhhh. We better get Kris Jenkins...

Blades' profile:
[URL="http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2007/blades_hb"]NFL.com - Prospect Profiles[/URL][/quote]Well, after the Landry pick, theres not much you can do by way of DL. Best case scenario, you get another Golston.

I really wanted Okoye, but I'll be satisfied with the Landry pick assuming two things:

1) In the 2008 draft, we invest AT LEAST two day one picks into the DL, at least one at DT.
2) If Sean Taylor continues to regress as a coverage safety, we stop making excuses, and cut his ass.

Taylor and Landry could be a very dominant safety duo for many years, but if Sean keeps biting on every semblance of play action he sees, no one will even bother to throw in Landry's direction. We need competant safety play next to Landry and if Taylor can alter his game a bit to bring it, wonderful. If he can't, get someone in there who can.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=Big C;304235]the front office obviously thought that there werent any dline prospects worth picking this late. would u rather have 2 linebackers who can contribute in certain packages and on special teams or dlinement that get cut before the season?[/QUOTE]


Plus, Gibbs maintains G. Blache is satisfied with the personel we have on the d-line citing last years additions of Golston & Montgomery, I"m not in agreement, but that's his assessment anyway. It would be difficult at best to find any d/line gems picking that late in the draft, so I guess the LB's were the highest rated players on their board at the time they selected.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Big C;304235]the front office obviously thought that there werent any dline prospects worth picking this late. would u rather have 2 linebackers who can contribute in certain packages and on special teams or dlinement that get cut before the season?[/quote]

Very good point that most fans on this forum lack to understand. What if we draft Dlinemen who are subpar and cant even help? Why not get a defensive player that might actually be helpful in the LR.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=EARTHQUAKE2689;304248]d line wasnt healthy last year just waIT SHOULD BE BACK TO 05 FORM[/quote]
Yeah, 05 FORM + 2 years. Our D-line is old and won't make it through the season healthy.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=offiss;304253]Contribute? Rocky couldn't do that last year, do you think either one of these guys barring major injury problems will see the field?[/QUOTE]

on special teams at the very least i'd assume, which rocky managed to do as well

Re: H.B. Blades
 

If we lose a lot next year, it will be because of poor play from Jason Campbell, and an inability to stop the run or pressure the passer- (Or unexpected injuries and the like.) Honestly, the Grilliams system is excellent at stopping the run if he can clog the box and his LB's and secondary can make open field tackles. The problem with our defense in 04 and 05 was that we had to blitz to get pressure, and if our cornerbacks and safeties missed tackles, we gave up very long runs. I would be more than happy with a defense next year that approaches that level. If it does, the burden will really be shifted back to JC, Saunders and the offense. If you remember our lone JGII playoff year, it was 100% the offense that caused us to lose at Seattle. We forced turnovers, knocked out MVP Alexander, and kept it close. We just could not capitalize when we had possession. With all this talk about DL this and defense that, I would not be surprised to be sunk by the offense next year. I mean, have our players adapted to the Saunders approach, and do we have the type of players that thrive in his system? Saunders, like Williams, has an outstanding track record of recent success. The best we can hope for is a return to form on D, and serious progress on O. If those two things happen, and I will give 50-50 odds on both, we should be a very competitive team next year.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Skinny Tee;304254]What pressure did we have in the '05 season. If you remember correctly the Charger game we were up near the end of the game and we let them come back because of the picnic that Brees was having in the pocket during passing plays. Brees would spread some Dijon, then cut his sandwich in triangle fourths, and then decide between his 5th or 6th checked down reciever.

We needed DE's after the '05 season just like we need it now. A. Carter is a start he's not the end of our DE stablility.[/quote] Too bad no one in our FO / coaches think the D Line is important . What is really amazing is how our div. oppt's draft at least 1 DL-Men just about every year and all 3 of them have good pass rushers . We might have more 30 + year olds on our OL / DL than NY / PH / D combined . Sartz and blades will probably be good players in a year or two ,,, we need DL help now ! Good news we can draft DL in rds 1-2 & 3 next year , now that we have spent 8 draft picks on LB's the past 3 years . Why did they let Pierce go ?

Re: H.B. Blades
 

come on bud the skins FO has a plan but none of us are smart enough to figure it out. You cant go wrong with experince we have enough on our oline/dline. Maybe the skins think we will get some kinda senior citizen discount for the age on our dline.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I can't understand why people are so upset that we didn't take DL players with our late round picks. Late round picks are not going to make an impact 99 out of 100 times. You have to take the best player available and hope you hit on something. On top of that, we took two late round picks for the DL last year. It is very possible that the staff didn't see anybody that late in the draft that they felt would do better than Golston and Montgomery.

2nd or 3rd round, yeah. 6th or 7th round, we already did that.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR;304439]come on bud the skins FO has a plan but none of us are smart enough to figure it out. You cant go wrong with experince we have enough on our oline/dline. Maybe the skins think we will get some kinda senior citizen discount for the age on our dline.[/quote]


The offseason isn't over yet. If they do not get a FA or two on the line, then I agree with you but the fact that they didn't use the 6th and 7th round picks on the line doesn't bother me.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Grim21Reaper;304472]The offseason isn't over yet. If they do not get a FA or two on the line, then I agree with you but the fact that they didn't use the 6th and 7th round picks on the line doesn't bother me.[/quote]

Exactly. There's always the possibility of a trade, or a June 1 cut.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I'm a WVU fan and I love this pick!! He's a beast and could be a new LondonFletcher. I like that he will be L Fs understudy. We lucked out with this guys l'm telling you. So who do we try to bring in Rookie Free Agents?

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;304476]Exactly. There's always the possibility of a trade, or a June 1 cut.[/QUOTE]


At this point, anybody traded obviously didn't fit the bill for their former team. Even moreso post-June 1. Nobody throws out solid D-lineman.

If someone told you that after last year, following the brutal assault from Tiki Barber and the Giants with their running attack in the final game of the season, that we would not have drafted ONE defensive linemen, or signed one via free agency, would you have believed them?

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=CHIEF CHUCKING MY SPEAR;304439]come on bud the skins FO has a plan but none of us are smart enough to figure it out. You cant go wrong with experince we have enough on our oline/dline. Maybe the skins think we will get some kinda senior citizen discount for the age on our dline.[/quote] I think you are on to something . Looks like the Bears are shopping DE A. Brown < on KFFL's website > . It would be nice to have some youth at DL & OL , so we could coach and work these guys into our line up . Lets hope Golston comes in hungry with a shot at some more playing time . I really thought we were going to trade our 08 2nd and grab on the the DE's in the third rd . Lets hope Danials /Griff & Salavae stay healthy this year and Rogers has a break out season !

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Beemnseven;304517]At this point, anybody traded obviously didn't fit the bill for their former team. Even moreso post-June 1. Nobody throws out solid D-lineman.

If someone told you that after last year, following the brutal assault from Tiki Barber and the Giants with their running attack in the final game of the season, that we would not have drafted ONE defensive linemen, or signed one via free agency, would you have believed them?[/quote] YES , because it seems like I have been hoping for them to draft D-Line for the past 16 years !! I like Landry , and both LB's could start in the NFL ,,, I just fear Griff or Carter going down and we are doomed .

Re: H.B. Blades
 

Is H.B. Bennie Blades or Brian Blades' son? I forget.

Anyway, decent pick. As for the D-line yeah it would be nice to get some additional depth at the ends. Carter is solid, but Wynn and Daniels aren't getting any younger. However, on the interior why don't we give Golston and Montgomery a chance to develop? We can't bitch about how we don't build through the draft then throw these two guys we've drafted aside after one year.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=SmootSmack;304555]Is H.B. Bennie Blades or Brian Blades' son? I forget.

Anyway, decent pick. As for the D-line yeah it would be nice to get some additional depth at the ends. Carter is solid, but Wynn and Daniels aren't getting any younger. However, on the interior why don't we give Golston and Montgomery a chance to develop? We can't bitch about how we don't build through the draft then throw these two guys we've drafted aside after one year.[/quote]Golston and Montgomery should both make big jumps. By the end of the year, we should know a lot about what they are going to be for us.

If one can be a No. 2 DT for us and the other a No. 3, that would be the most ideal situation we could have dreamed of when we drafted them. We will have to bring in another No. 1 to replace Griffin next year though.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=budw38;304549]I think you are on to something . Looks like the Bears are shopping DE A. Brown < on KFFL's website > . It would be nice to have some youth at DL & OL , so we could coach and work these guys into our line up . Lets hope Golston comes in hungry with a shot at some more playing time . I really thought we were going to trade our 08 2nd and grab on the the DE's in the third rd . Lets hope Danials /Griff & Salavae stay healthy this year and Rogers has a break out season ![/quote]Wow...Alex Brown would be a great pickup.

But then again, he'd be replacing Carter and that would be a salary cap nightmare.

Yet another reason to have not signed Carter in the first place. Hopefully we get some reasons to have signed him this year.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=GTripp0012;304320]Well, after the Landry pick, theres not much you can do by way of DL. Best case scenario, you get another Golston.

I really wanted Okoye, but I'll be satisfied with the Landry pick assuming two things:

1) In the 2008 draft, we invest AT LEAST two day one picks into the DL, at least one at DT.
2) If Sean Taylor continues to regress as a coverage safety, we stop making excuses, and cut his ass.

Taylor and Landry could be a very dominant safety duo for many years, but if Sean keeps biting on every semblance of play action he sees, no one will even bother to throw in Landry's direction. We need competant safety play next to Landry and if Taylor can alter his game a bit to bring it, wonderful. If he can't, get someone in there who can.[/quote]
Whoa, cut Shawn Taylor? Dude lemme smoke summa that...but for real we had the guy over burdened big time cause the starting WIL couldn't hold his own. We strecthed him too far that caused his "regression" if u want to call it that. I'll hold him hostage before i let him out of a Skins uniform...

Re: H.B. Blades
 

yes you never get any late round picks in the draft to make a difference, manley 5,milot 8,grant 11, coleman 12,simmon 8 round ,schref 10 , big jake FA, charlie brown 8,kaufman fa, terry orr late pick, manusky, How about the bears last year anderson 5 round. You can find them if you have picks or take a chance or especially if you a good from office. damn it seems like every year the Ravens have late rounders playing alot or starting,

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;304555]However, on the interior why don't we give Golston and Montgomery a chance to develop? We can't bitch about how we don't build through the draft then throw these two guys we've drafted aside after one year.[/QUOTE]

I've been skeptical of Golston and Montgomery's potential, and I've also been known to downplay their actual contributions last year.

But people sometimes mistake criticism for thinking a guy should be thrown out the door. Daseal tried to make a similar argument regarding Carlos Rogers. It's as if people who criticize a drafted player for poor performances are automatically saying we should dump them in favor of another high-priced has-been. Nobody's saying that.

I have only questioned the wisdom of those who think Golston or Montgomery are the future #1 and #2 defensive tackles. For the record, I think they'd be fine as #3 rotation guys or depth. My critique was always based upon reactions from fans here at the Warpath who say that we didn't need help along the front four because of Golston and Montgomery.

If either of them magically morph into Warren Sapp, then I will be the happiest guy who was wrong that you ever saw. Those two guys are fine for the role that they currently have, I just don't think they are THE answer.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[quote=Beemnseven;304611] If either of them magically morph into Warren Sapp, then I will be the happiest guy who was wrong that you ever saw. Those two guys are fine for the role that they currently have, I just don't think they are THE answer.[/quote]


There was no answer. Warren Sapp in his prime was not an option this weekend. In fact nothing was close to that most likely.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=wilsowilso;304613]There was no answer. Warren Sapp in his prime was not an option this weekend. In fact nothing was close to that most likely.[/QUOTE]

I don't think you're following.

The post that you replied to wasn't a complaint for not drafting D-linemen. In fact, you may be right -- Landry quite probably was the correct selection. Though I'll be very curious to see what Amobi Okoye does for the Falcons.

I responded to the notion that because people have doubts about Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery doesn't necessarily mean they should be shown the door.

I only used Warren Sapp as an example of the best possible scenario for what Golston or Montgomery could develop into. Not that we passed up the next Warren Sapp at #6.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

[QUOTE=Beemnseven;304619]I don't think you're following.

The post that you replied to wasn't a complaint for not drafting D-linemen. In fact, you may be right -- Landry quite probably was the correct selection. Though I'll be very curious to see what Amobi Okoye does for the Falcons.

I responded to the notion that because people have doubts about Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery doesn't necessarily mean they should be shown the door.

I only used Warren Sapp as an example of the best possible scenario for what Golston or Montgomery could develop into. Not that we passed up the next Warren Sapp at #6.[/QUOTE]

I did not mean in my original post to say "shown the door." I meant thrown aside as if they can never amount to anything because they weren't All Pro studs after one year. If you want to build through the draft you have to accept that it can take several years for players to develop. If we got a couple late round DT/DEs this year they'd be no better than Golston and Montgomery were last year. Then we'd be back to complaining again.

Re: H.B. Blades
 

I had a funny feeling that this would happen. Though I thought that we should have addressed the Dline, the team went another direction (from what I thought they should do). They have done that every year since Gibbs has been back. The one thing that didn't shock me as much as any one else was the fact that they picked up a QB. Gibbs has always had a tendancy to draft one every two years.

The coaches felt that our lack of coverage contributed to our lack of a good pass rush. The coaches also felt that we needed more depth at linebacker. In retrospect we have plenty of dlinemen on the roster, and we were looking thin on linebacker.

While I do not agree with the draft day decisions, I understand their thinking and point of view. Let's just see if they were right come next season.