Editorial: Why the Redskins aren't an Elite Team

[PennSkinsFan]

Thanks to theWarpath.net members for providing us some arguments.

Why the Redskins Aren’t an Elite Team | DC Pro Sports Report -- Sports news, stats and analysis from the capital of the free world

We’ve said it time and time again here at DC Pro Sports Report, a little over 5 years now, the Redskins are getting beat by better teams where it counts, at the front lines. The Giants protected Eli Manning all day and opened holes later in the game for Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. They essentially wore down the Redskins defensive front, because they are better,, they are superior. At the end of this article, we provide some comments form some members at our partner site, theWarpath.net.

[irish]

For whatever reason, the Skins FO does not seem to place value on drafting (with early round picks) and developing their own line talent. They have continued to try to plug holes with older free agents and its just not working. Maybe someday they will recognize that teams are built from the inside out.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by irish

For whatever reason, the Skins FO does not seem to place value on drafting (with early round picks) and developing their own line talent. They have continued to try to plug holes with older free agents and its just not working. Maybe someday they will recognize that teams are built from the inside out.

I have to agree with you irish. Games are won and lost in the trenches. They always have been, they always will be. What good is it to have a strong armed QB who does'nt have time to throw? What good is it to have good wide receivers who only get thrown to once or twice a game because the QB is running for his life? What good is a great RB with no holes to run through? We have some good DB's. How good would they be if we actually had a pass rush? How many INT's would we get? Why draft skill positions when they can't do their job because the lines suck? We have dealt with "patchwork" lines long enough. The FO made a mistake in overestimating our lines as did the coaches. It is time to address this issue. The next draft will tell alot about this organization. Are we going to go for the sparklely, shiny toys, or are we going after the engines that drive this MF? We might want to check on a new receivers coach while we're at it.

[IowaSkinsFan]

This is the easiest question ever:

Becaues we can't protect the passer and therefore can't throw downfield and we can't generate a passrush either from our front four or from blitzing, thus allowing other teams to stay on the field as long as they need to put up points.

[dmek25]

while it would have been nice to resign Dockery, the money was too outrageous. we need line help on both sides of the ball

[bertoskins2]

hello vinny, can you please read and comprehend this.

[TheSmurfs22]

It is going to take us a few seasons to learn from the mistakes of our past, specifically in overspending for Free Agents and passing up on draft choices.

Also, we just aren't consistent enough and teams the are contenders and are considered "elite teams" are consistent.

[SmootSmack]

When are we going to stop acting like our Super Bowl teams of the 80s and early 90s was built on spending high draft picks on linemen (offensive and defensive). It wasn't. It was on developing consistency and unity over several years (which was significantly easier to do in those days). But the core players in the trenches did not primarily consist of high draft picks by the Redskins

Dexter Manley (5th round)
Charles Mann (3rd round)
Dave Butz (1st round-Cardinals; joined Redskins in 2nd season)
Darryl Grant (9th round)
Marcus Koch (2nd round)
Jumpy Geathers (2nd round-Saints; joined Redskins in 7th season)
Tim Johnsons (6th round-Steelers; joined Redskins in 4th season)
Fred Stokes (12th round-Rams; Joined Redskins in 3rd season)
Bobby Wilson (1st round; bust for all intents and purposes)

Russ Grimm (3rd round)
Mark May (1st round)
George Starke (11th round)
Jeff Bostic (undrafted)
Joe Jacoby (undrafted)
Jim Lachey (1st round-Chargers; joined Redskins in 5th season)
Raleigh McKenzie (11th round)
R.C. Thielemann (2nd round-Falcons; joined Redskins in 8th season)
Mark Schlereth (10th round)
Ed Simmons (6th round)

[PennSkinsFan]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

When are we going to stop acting like our Super Bowl teams of the 80s and early 90s was built on spending high draft picks on linemen (offensive and defensive). It wasn't. It was on developing consistency and unity over several years (which was significantly easier to do in those days). But the core players in the trenches did not primarily consist of high draft picks by the Redskins

Dexter Manley (5th round)
Charles Mann (3rd round)
Dave Butz (1st round-Cardinals; joined Redskins in 2nd season)
Darryl Grant (9th round)
Marcus Koch (2nd round)
Jumpy Geathers (2nd round-Saints; joined Redskins in 7th season)
Tim Johnsons (6th round-Steelers; joined Redskins in 4th season)
Fred Stokes (12th round-Rams; Joined Redskins in 3rd season)
Bobby Wilson (1st round; bust for all intents and purposes)

Russ Grimm (3rd round)
Mark May (1st round)
George Starke (11th round)
Jeff Bostic (undrafted)
Joe Jacoby (undrafted)
Jim Lachey (1st round-Chargers; joined Redskins in 5th season)
Raleigh McKenzie (11th round)
R.C. Thielemann (2nd round-Falcons; joined Redskins in 8th season)
Mark Schlereth (10th round)
Ed Simmons (6th round)

I think the point of the matter is, this is the new NFL and teams that have spent wisely on the offensive and defensive lines are winning football teams. Now more than ever, the NFL draft is more important. We have tried the free agent approach. Maybe Vinny and his talent scouting is the problem. The 80s NFL is long gone. The draft is more important now than ever. But, the one thing that remains a staple is you win in the trenches, period. if you get dominated in the trenches you lose. For 8 years we have lacked in both Lines. We are an average team, have been average, and we will not take that leap top the NFL elite until the Lines are given some kind of importance by this front office. Ignoring the Lines simply haven't worked. Patching the Lines with aging veterans hasn't worked. Building a Line in one mode, to run the ball, without emphasis on pass protection, hasn't worked. I advocate early draft picks on the Line because this is the new NFL and that is where some of the best talent lies. For example, Chris Samuels. Then again, we would become the new Detroit Lions and take more receivers.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

When are we going to stop acting like our Super Bowl teams of the 80s and early 90s was built on spending high draft picks on linemen (offensive and defensive). It wasn't. It was on developing consistency and unity over several years (which was significantly easier to do in those days). But the core players in the trenches did not primarily consist of high draft picks by the Redskins

Dexter Manley (5th round)
Charles Mann (3rd round)
Dave Butz (1st round-Cardinals; joined Redskins in 2nd season)
Darryl Grant (9th round)
Marcus Koch (2nd round)
Jumpy Geathers (2nd round-Saints; joined Redskins in 7th season)
Tim Johnsons (6th round-Steelers; joined Redskins in 4th season)
Fred Stokes (12th round-Rams; Joined Redskins in 3rd season)
Bobby Wilson (1st round; bust for all intents and purposes)

Russ Grimm (3rd round)
Mark May (1st round)
George Starke (11th round)
Jeff Bostic (undrafted)
Joe Jacoby (undrafted)
Jim Lachey (1st round-Chargers; joined Redskins in 5th season)
Raleigh McKenzie (11th round)
R.C. Thielemann (2nd round-Falcons; joined Redskins in 8th season)
Mark Schlereth (10th round)
Ed Simmons (6th round)

I have to say this is pretty good analysis. Still, what this tells me then is that the Redskins used to have better scouting than they do today because they were able to find talented players in the mid and late rounds of the draft...

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Drift Reality

I have to say this is pretty good analysis. Still, what this tells me then is that the Redskins used to have better scouting than they do today because they were able to find talented players in the mid and late rounds of the draft...

SS also argues frequently that it's not like we don't have any talent on the defensive lines. Anthony Montgomery is like having a young Kris Jenkins (playing out of scheme and everything!), Kedric Golston is like having a young Corneilius Griffin, Corneilius Griffin is like having an old (and still largely effective) Corneilius Griffin. Andre Carter would start at DE for every team in the NFL. Demetric Evans would for most. A healthy Jason Taylor -- as bad as he is against the run -- would still start for most teams at DE. Even though a lot of our talent on the DL is aging, it's certainly there.

A line of Griffin/Alexander, Montgomery, Evans, and Jason Taylor isn't going to defend the run for long, so we've got to get Golston and Carter healthy fast.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

SS also argues frequently that it's not like we don't have any talent on the defensive lines. Anthony Montgomery is like having a young Kris Jenkins (playing out of scheme and everything!), Kedric Golston is like having a young Corneilius Griffin, Corneilius Griffin is like having an old (and still largely effective) Corneilius Griffin. Andre Carter would start at DE for every team in the NFL. Demetric Evans would for most. A healthy Jason Taylor -- as bad as he is against the run -- would still start for most teams at DE. Even though a lot of our talent on the DL is aging, it's certainly there.

A line of Griffin/Alexander, Montgomery, Evans, and Jason Taylor isn't going to defend the run for long, so we've got to get Golston and Carter healthy fast.

I agree. I think we do have some talented players on the defensive line however I don't think we have one player who is really a flat out beast like a Tuck at DE or a guy like Rogers in the middle.

[A10sROCK]

Drafting for the OL or DL is unglamorous; yet essential to the long-term success of the team.

The Redskins have had a long-term aversion of over 10 years to using premium draft picks for the trenches - as stated so well in this editorial. Our team's overall record over these years has reflected that neglect.

A good OL makes every QB and RB look better. A good DL makes every DB and turnover % look better.

I hope that Vinny/Zorn will bite the bullet this off season and draft for the trenches. We won't regret it, although the payoff doesn't happen overnight. Some modest FA acquisitions in both areas will also add to this philosophy change.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Drift Reality

I agree. I think we do have some talented players on the defensive line however I don't think we have one player who is really a flat out beast like a Tuck at DE or a guy like Rogers in the middle.

I'm just finishing watching the Giants game right now. I think Montgomery is going to be a hall of famer.

He's not a complete player yet (he's not great in space), but I think he IS an every down player.

[tryfuhl]

Good article, nice to see the shoutout to here

just a few errors I caught, not trolling, just know as a writer I like to minimize these

"Why do the Redskins struggled in games they shouldn’t and get beat bad by elite teams? "

should be struggle

"When do other fans start to sya that about us?"

say

"Your right. Exactly right. "

You're

"Could it be we have inferior lines that stop the rest form execution?"

from

"Do teams get convert third and longs on us because we only rush 4 and they can apply absolutely no pressure?"

Do teams convert*

not trying to nitpick, just some ones that stood out.. let me know if you prefer another avenue to receive these type of things (or if you don't care/would rather not)

anyways, great article and loved the last line

"Isn’t there such a thing as front office malpractice?"