What's our greatest need now?
 

I still think we have a glaring need at OLB.
We need to pick up an ex-starter.....what other areas need shoring up before we start the season...and, who could become available at those spots?
any spot urgent enough to consider trading for?

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I'm also concerned about OLB. Also, I'm not sure we've got any decent backup FBs behind Sellers. I'm also not sure we have a backup C who's worth a crap. And there's the ever-present question marks about the DE spots, despite the James acquisition.

But I wouldn't make trades to fill these holes.

Phillip Daniels is old and can't rush the passer much, but I like him against the run and we could do worse. I think Carter has the other spot locked down and solid. When we need to generate the pass rush on 3rd down, Blache will likely continue to rotate Daniels down to DT and let Wilson or Washington get after the QB on that side. That worked well for us last year. And who knows, maybe James performs a miracle and gets in the mix on that side as well.

I had concerns about CB, but the Tryon pick seems to address that. He's got good cover skills and is physical enough to be a decent nickel until we get Rogers back.

Rinehart gave us some young depth at G and T, so combining with Heyer, no moves needed there. In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.

A backup FB would be nice, but at some point you have to figure that going 2-deep at every spot on the field is a luxury you just can't afford. Good thing Sellers is tough as nails.

So that leaves OLB, where I have by far the most concern. Washington has proven brittle lately, and Rocky is obviously coming back from major injury. Behind them, I'm not sure we've got squat diddily. MAYBE you can rotate Blades around, but I prefer him in the middle as he's not so much suited for coverage of the better TEs. We definitely lack a guy like Randall Godfrey, he was very valuable for us last year when McIntosh went down. Of all the things we could do, OLB is the spot I'd be most interested in improving.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I agree. OLB and CB are currently two of our weaker spots. If Carlos comes back early and Springs stays healthy, we're fine. However, that's asking a lot.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Schneed10;450552]I'm also concerned about OLB. Also, I'm not sure we've got any decent backup FBs behind Sellers. I'm also not sure we have a backup C who's worth a crap. And there's the ever-present question marks about the DE spots, despite the James acquisition.

Rinehart gave us some young depth at G and T, so combining with Heyer, no moves needed there. In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.
[/quote]

our backup center is jon jansen if we really need one. and we have a backup FB. pete schmitt - he was with us last year adn they like him. broughton is listed as a FB as well, and we've had him for 3 years, but i doubt they consider him a blocker.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

Backup fullback.

Seriously, if we lose Sellers, we're in trouble in the backfield. :D


OK, maybe that's not our GREATEST need...

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I worry about DT depth too.
Golston is ok...but I dont even know who #4 is
What happens if a starter or 2 gets injured?
We need a 3 man rotation.
I think we need some help here

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=skinsnut;450560]I worry about DT depth too.
Golston is ok...but I dont even know who #4 is
What happens if a starter or 2 gets injured?
We need a 3 man rotation.
I think we need some help here[/quote]

Yeah but at DT you can rotate Daniels down, he's big enough and strong enough to make that work. Evans has rotated down to DT before too and done alright.

I'm thinking Boschetti may not make the team, but I'd bet that if a Griffin got injured, they could always call on Boschetti to fill in.

We're not talking about world-beaters here, but I think we've got the flexibility to get by should injuries set in.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

Anywhere on our defensive front 7 is in need of depth.
Let's go into camp and see who can win a job. If no one steps up in training camp, we can pickup a veteren that gets cut in minicamp.

Unfortunately we can't have all former first rounders starting on defense(We tried last year!). We have to let some unknown guys earn their paychecks.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;450563]Yeah but at DT you can rotate Daniels down, he's big enough and strong enough to make that work. Evans has rotated down to DT before too and done alright.

I'm thinking Boschetti may not make the team, but I'd bet that if a Griffin got injured, they could always call on Boschetti to fill in.

We're not talking about world-beaters here, but I think we've got the flexibility to get by should injuries set in.[/QUOTE]

Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

DE & C
CB gets second IMO simply because of the history of injuries to those guys & that Tryon is a rookie + torrence & eubanks might never be solid pros.
If all those guys can stay healthy though & Rogers returns to form, it's a solid unit.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;450568]Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?[/quote]

Ooh, that's a cool thought. I never even thought of that idea.

He's certainly quick getting off the line, so the agility would seem to be there. I wonder if he's fast enough to cover TEs.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;450568]Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?[/quote]I think he's got the physical set to play SLB only, sort of like Matthias Kiwanuka for the Giants, but that's also HB Blades' best position, it's hard to see Wilson playing SLB ahead of Blades.

I wouldn't put it past Blache to try 4 DEs on passing downs: Carter and James at the ends, Daniels inside, and Chris Wilson as a rush linebacker. But that's not really playing linebacker.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

And yes, I agree with those who are saying LB and CB. We are dangerously thin at both those positions.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

What about Safety?
I know we've got a ton of young guys...including our 2 starters...typically depth includes a prior starter thats got NFL smarts.
I worry about if one of our starters goes down...a rookie for both backup spots seems risky to me....especially since our corners beyond our 3 starters are also very inexperienced....and yes....I was a preiloux fan...I could just never spell his name

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

We are okay at LB because the middle is arguably the most important spot and Fletcher has never missed a game. Blades is a good fourth LB if any of our guys go down and Campell is solid enough to start a game or 2. Gatewood and Sinclair (whom I do not like) will fill the 6th spot. Hopefully Gatewood. CB is our most pressing need! On paper we look okay with Springs there, but you have to expect he'll miss at least 2 or 3 games and Rogers has a very serious injury, so I do not think he will be himself at all this season. Torrence, Smoot and Tyron cannot hold up against Dallas or NY. We should get a veteran camp casualty who could play nickle. Second most glarring need is center and we should sign Jeremy Newberry to be the backup. He a great year last year, but is in his 11th or 12th year, so could be had for the vet min. He could even be better than Rabach. I also have to say that I am a little nervous about Rhinehart, whom a lot of scouts thought was overatted and overdrafted by us. I read that he was overmatched at the senior bowl. Granted he played tackle, but that is not a good sign. I think we should have drafted Carl Nicks instead. Hopefully Buges made the decision on this because I trust his imput and that would reassure me. Let's hope Springs stays healthy and Buges can work wonders with Rhinehart.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[QUOTE=skinsnut;450579]What about Safety?
I know we've got a ton of young guys...including our 2 starters...typically depth includes a prior starter thats got NFL smarts.
I worry about if one of our starters goes down...a rookie for both backup spots seems risky to me....especially since our corners beyond our 3 starters are also very inexperienced....and yes....I was a preiloux fan...I could just never spell his name[/QUOTE]

The Skins just signed one....with NFL game experience at that.

The Redskins have signed second-year safety Justin Hamilton, the team announced on Friday
Hamilton, 6-3 and 222 pounds, played the 2006 season with the Cleveland Browns, totaling 15 tackles (13 solo) during his rookie season.

Hopefully that takes care of the Safety concern!
[url=http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=36061]Redskins Sign DB Hamilton[/url]

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I am surprised there hasn't been more talk about a DE. Sure Carter has one side locked down, but the other side is Daniels and he just doesn't cut it. We need to generate more pressure on the QB, especially (as many have pointed out) because our CB's could use some help.
I am not sure if the FO is thinking James is the answer at DE, I thought he was still "hurt", but I am not positive on that. I'd take James over Daniels anyway.

I certainly agree with general concensus that LB needs some work.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[QUOTE=Schneed10;450552]In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.[/QUOTE]

I don't have a link but I read somewhere (I think it was Scout.com) that Jansen has been taking reps at center this year.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[QUOTE=Ghost;450618]I don't have a link but I read somewhere (I think it was Scout.com) that Jansen has been taking reps at center this year.[/QUOTE]

Washington Times

[url]http://www.thewarpath.net/447033-post20.html[/url]

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I think our biggest weakness, assuming McIntosh is ready opening day is DT. We got a total of 3 sacks from that position.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

Evidently I haven't been paying close enough attention to our roster because I thought R. Godfrey was still w/ us. Where'd he go? W/ his absence I def think LB is a concern - I'm a huge M. Washington fan but he seems to need a few games to heal up during the season, and then if McIntosh is recovering/ailing we're talking about possibly two starters out. We probably need more depth for the season.

I've not be so worried about CB since Smooty rejoined and Springs began his own workout regimen. Nobody mentions Torrence as a quality backup but damn w/ his speed/agility a little quality coaching should go a long way - I'd like to expect a solid season from him.

D-line is a constant concern, would not have guessed we only got 3 sacks among DTs last season, but our guys haven't been brittle just sort of mediocre (not counting AC).

So that leaves o-line and OLB as top concerns for me. The o-line always looks solid this time of year (you know, on paper) and then shit starts to happen. Pardon the cynicism.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

its still DE, and we could use a young stud at DT still for when griffin's done.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us [I]right now[/I]. I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Schneed10;450642]See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us [I]right now[/I]. I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.[/quote]Someone on the DL is going to have to have a career year to keep us competitive there (I'm looking at you Griffin). However, you are correct, there is little that can be done to improve the DL anymore right now. We have good depth, lets let the players go out at play there, and make sure to address it next offseason (finally).

We definately can make strides in the depth department at LB.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=GTripp0012;450646][B]Someone on the DL is going to have to have a career year to keep us competitive there[/B] (I'm looking at you Griffin). However, you are correct, there is little that can be done to improve the DL anymore right now. We have good depth, lets let the players go out at play there, and make sure to address it next offseason (finally).

We definately can make strides in the depth department at LB.[/quote]

I'm just curious as to why you think that?

My thinking is if they just repeat last year, we'll be fine. You could argue that last year was a career year (or close) for Andre Carter. But other than him, nobody really played out of their shoes, so to speak. And we ranked 8th in defense and were very stout against the run.

Certainly if Griffin dominates like he did in 2004, we'll be beast. If Montgomery continues his ascension and goes from quality starter to upper echelon DT, then we'll be beast. But all we need is a repeat of last year. We need Carter to keep up the 10+ sack pace, we need Wilson/Washington/Daniels/James/Evans/whoever to combine for 10 sacks again on the other side. And we need Griffin, Monty, and Golston to play like they did last year. If all that happens, I don't see why we can't be a top 10 D again.

If the line plays like it did last season, they won't be the reason if our D drops off.

It's just hard for me to ask much more from the D line position than what we got last year. I see them as pulling their weight. Other positions and units are the ones that need to step up in order for us to go from pretty good playoff team to championship contender. Namely the offensive line (love our chances with the guys all healthy) the wide receivers (who the hell knows) and the LBs (do we have enough of them).

And needless to say, QB.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Schneed10;450642][B]See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us [I]right now[/I].[/B] I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.[/quote]

I agree, we're solid enough up front to get by for now.

The key is the continued development of guys like Monty and Golston at DT. And hopefully guys like Wilson, Evans, and even Buzbee at DE can play important roles as backups.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I would like for us to somehow get some "studs" on the O-line and D-line. Up-front is where it all starts. I know that Rome wasn't built in a day, but we need to get guys that are not just "servicable", but the best at their position. Solid lines make everyone else better. -See Redskins teams in the 80's. You can't deny the results.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Schneed10;450647]I'm just curious as to why you think that?

My thinking is if they just repeat last year, we'll be fine. [B]You could argue that last year was a career year (or close) for Andre Carter.[/B] But other than him, nobody really played out of their shoes, so to speak. And we ranked 8th in defense and were very stout against the run.

Certainly if Griffin dominates like he did in 2004, we'll be beast. If Montgomery continues his ascension and goes from quality starter to upper echelon DT, then we'll be beast. But all we need is a repeat of last year. [B]We need Carter to keep up the 10+ sack pace,[/B] we need Wilson/Washington/Daniels/James/Evans/whoever to combine for 10 sacks again on the other side. And we need Griffin, Monty, and Golston to play like they did last year. If all that happens, I don't see why we can't be a top 10 D again.

If the line plays like it did last season, they won't be the reason if our D drops off.

It's just hard for me to ask much more from the D line position than what we got last year. I see them as pulling their weight. Other positions and units are the ones that need to step up in order for us to go from pretty good playoff team to championship contender. Namely the offensive line (love our chances with the guys all healthy) the wide receivers (who the hell knows) and the LBs (do we have enough of them).

And needless to say, QB.[/quote]Actually, I do argue that it was a career year for Andre Carter.

And that is my entire argument.

It's not really fair to go to Carter in training camp and go, "[I]Great season guy! Better than anyone could have expected out of you based on your prior career. Now, if you don't mind, you are going to have to do that again this year -- improve on it in fact, or we are going to blame you for the regression of the entire defensive line. Good luck![/I]"

You do say yourself, that we need to rely on Carter for another 10+ sacks to sustain production. And I mean, he's proven it's certainly possible.

What if 10+ is unreasonable for Carter? Then someone else is going to have to have a career year to pick up the slack, or the production is going to fall off. That's all I'm really asserting here.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I do still agree that our depth on the DL is fine, and that we need more depth at LB. LB is the greater need right now.

But I assert that we can reasonably expect the DL to decline, unless Montgomery breaks out, or Griffin has another career year.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

AC could have easily had 15 sacks last year. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to expect another 10 sack season from him. He's in the prime of his career.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

washington and fletcher are both stud LBs. daniels and the #2 DT are not, and the depth there really isn't capable of starting.

at LB rocky might be healthy, blades showed something, and last minute LBs (like godfrey) are fairly easy to find. stud DEs are never easy to get, and if we get injured there, there's no fix, and no average level replacement sitting on a couch waiting to be called.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

I don't see a whole lot of downgrade from Daniels to Evans at DE. Whenever Evans gets an opportunity in a game he plays his guts out - definitely not as strong as Daniels but maybe a hair quicker - he seems to be in pursuit of the qb on a fair number of downs.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;450655]AC could have easily had 15 sacks last year. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to expect another 10 sack season from him. He's in the prime of his career.[/quote]

Yeah I'm with Matty here. I've seen enough from Andre Carter to think that 10 sacks from him is normal now.

He finished 2006 with a bang, picked right up where he left off last year and never tailed off. This after being forced into a LB role in SF, one he was never really suited for, and having to relearn the DE position.

And once GW got the hell out of his way and allowed the DEs to get after the QB, that's when you saw the real Andre Carter come out.

Looking at Andre Carter's historical production isn't completely fair to him. His history includes a lot of misuse by coaches. When coaches use him right (allow him to rush the QB), he makes big plays. I don't see any reason to believe Blache will change that, and I think we can put another 10+ sack season in the bank because of it.

Dude's one of the more underrated DEs in the league.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[quote=Schneed10;450661]Yeah I'm with Matty here. I've seen enough from Andre Carter to think that 10 sacks from him is normal now.

He finished 2006 with a bang, picked right up where he left off last year and never tailed off. This after being forced into a LB role in SF, one he was never really suited for, and having to relearn the DE position.

And once GW got the hell out of his way and allowed the DEs to get after the QB, that's when you saw the real Andre Carter come out.

Looking at Andre Carter's historical production isn't completely fair to him. His history includes a lot of misuse by coaches. When coaches use him right (allow him to rush the QB), he makes big plays. I don't see any reason to believe Blache will change that, and I think we can put another 10+ sack season in the bank because of it.

Dude's one of the more underrated DEs in the league.[/quote]

he had a 12 sack season as a DE in SF, so i don't think historical production is against him at all. he sucked as an LB (too slow), but he's fine as a DE and he magically figured out how to stop the run last season, which is great for us.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him get 10-15 sacks. he stepped up as a real #1 DE last year.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

AC has his problems against the huge, athletic tackles, but who doesn't? He's definitely become a key cog in the D. At the beginning of 07 he was in the backfield a lot. After teams saw how quickly he was beating some LTs I think they really stepped up their game plan for him.

The James signing really could be just enough to create some healthy competition at DE in camp. I like Evans, but I've thought for a couple years that his job was on the line. He's been lucky that they haven't brought in any vets or high draft picks, plus his versatility has helped him. We'll see if James can push for that spot. Maybe if James beat out Evans at DE (which btw, I have no idea how healed EJ will be by camp), they would cut Boschetti since Evans & Daniels can play DT?

I do like that in this offseason the signings have been more about competition at camp, rather than fa guys that are pegged as starters.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

You guys are probably overrating Carter's pass rushing ability, and setting yourselves up to be disappointed. I think you could list the guys in the NFL who are consistent 10+ sack guys year in and year out on one hand.

Is he underrated leaguewide? Perhaps. He's been a very good value signing for us thus far.

But 10+ a year the norm? When did he become Strahan, Kampman, or even Patrick Kerney?!

I would think the norm for him would be in the 7-8 range -- above average for a defensive end. Even then, I hope I'm not just giving him the benefit of the doubt simply because he wears the B&G.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

He was pretty good against the run last year though, which was a wonderful surprise.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;450675]You guys are probably overrating Carter's pass rushing ability, and setting yourselves up to be disappointed. I think you could list the guys in the NFL who are consistent 10+ sack guys year in and year out on one hand.

Is he underrated leaguewide? Perhaps. He's been a very good value signing for us thus far.

But 10+ a year the norm? When did he become Strahan, Kampman, or even Patrick Kerney?!

I would think the norm for him would be in the 7-8 range -- above average for a defensive end. Even then, I hope I'm not just giving him the benefit of the doubt simply because he wears the B&G.[/QUOTE]

Thats true what your saying. But really now after that hes best year at DE with the 9ers, he had to switch to LB and he didn't fit a 3-4.

He comes back to us as DE ,fit the 4-3 and bam 10 sacks 4 FF. He could probably get 8 sacks this year but hes better than what people should think,and if he can't than awell. Will just pick up a Peppers type player than.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

Common guys we dont need a backup full back, Im not even sure we will use Sellers as much. We are runing a west coast offence now, we will probably use a lot of singleback sets. As much as I hate to say it I dont think Sellers will get much PT this year. As far as OLB goes I'm not that concerned because we still have our core from last year that did well and Blades has a year under his belt. I am concerned about the age on our O-line and the center position but CR has proven to be durable. Honestly Im most concerned about our QB postion i know its cleche but hey we have proven players all over the field except at QB.

Re: What's our greatest need now?
 

Our greatest need will be 11+ wins in the regular season and 3-4 in the post season!:)

As far as the Andre Carter arguments are going, I will go on the record saying Carter (if he stays healthy through all 16 games) ends up with 10+ sacks. I can say this after looking at the schedule and realizing we don't face any real good scrambling QB's (maybe McNabb but he has dropped off some lately). We also don't have to face the Colts or Pats or any other team that just has a sick o-line or a QB that can get the ball out no matter what.

With good health on the d-line, AC could have a Pro Bowl year.

As far as I'm concerned, we can fix the LB problem pretty much last minute. There is god depth that will be released when people start cutting down their rosters.

Our greatest need is for JC to get good in the red zone and in the clutch.