Chat with Chris Mortensen 1/20/10

[MTK]

Chat: Chat with Chris Mortensen - SportsNation - ESPN

mattyk (NY)
Mort, some Skins fans are afraid that Snyder will still be pulling the strings behind the scenes, my take is there's no way Shanahan would have come to DC unless he was 100% sure he would be running the show with Allen, what do you think?

Chris Mortensen (11:50 AM)
Snyder will not be pulling the strings. He did not pull them with Gibbs, other than to say, "What do you need?" That's what he'll do here.

Wayne (Washington)
Do the Redskins take a QB with the 4th overall pick or look to another position like offensive line?

Chris Mortensen (11:24 AM)
I believe if Bradford or Clausen sells themselves well, the Redskins will take a QB. If not, then an O-lineman or a trade back. Probably a QB in first or second round but I do expect Jason Campbell to be around at least one more year.

[GMScud]

Pretty cool Matty. For a second when I saw the thread title I thought you somehow (maybe through a little backchannel networking - Smootsmack) got him to come here and do a chat.

I'm glad Mort can further confirm what we're all hoping. Allen and Shanahan have the keys to Redskins and they aren't being told how to drive. Of the three options Mort mentions for our 1st pick (OL, QB, trade back), I sure hope we can find a trade partner and stockpile a few more early round selections.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

thanks for the infor matty.

gm, i'm with you on wanting to trade back. the problem, as we all know, will be finding a partner. if the NFL can implement a rookie wage scale in 2010, i think our chances of finding a partner go up dramatically, especially if bradford and okung are on the board when we pick.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Chat: Chat with Chris Mortensen - SportsNation - ESPN

mattyk (NY)
Mort, some Skins fans are afraid that Snyder will still be pulling the strings behind the scenes, my take is there's no way Shanahan would have come to DC unless he was 100% sure he would be running the show with Allen, what do you think?

Chris Mortensen (11:50 AM)
Snyder will not be pulling the strings. He did not pull them with Gibbs, other than to say, "What do you need?" That's what he'll do here.

Wayne (Washington)
Do the Redskins take a QB with the 4th overall pick or look to another position like offensive line?

Chris Mortensen (11:24 AM)
I believe if Bradford or Clausen sells themselves well, the Redskins will take a QB. If not, then an O-lineman or a trade back. Probably a QB in first or second round but I do expect Jason Campbell to be around at least one more year.

Pretty much re-affirms what you said huh Matty? Good deal.

[dmek25]

you know that there are people around here, the moment a personal decision goes bad, will be screaming for Snyder to stop meddling?

[tryfuhl]

I understand being cautious but we knew that Gibbs got what he wanted and there's really no reason for this to be any different.

[wilsowilso]

Hey Matty that guy on the chat with Mort has the same Mattyk username as you and also lives in New York.

That's pretty crazy.

[Dirtbag59]

Damn Matty do they know you around there or something? I sware this is the 3rd or 4th time I've seen "MattyK (NY)" get a questioned answered by an Insider. Still I'm not surprised about the part where he insist Shanahan won't have Snyder pulling the strings behind his back.

The part that did grab my attention was that he didn't do it with Gibbs. I mean I personally thought that Snyder had limited involvement under Gibbs II but still felt it was a little more then "what do you need." Either way Vinny's gone, and we currently have football people working on building a team and a culture. Life is good.

[The Goat]

Good to hear in all aspects.

I think the draft is total speculation at this point (obviously).

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Good to hear in all aspects.

I think the draft is total speculation at this point (obviously).

That's what I'm saying! They haven't had all of their games, Pro-day, Senior Day, The Combine, or anything yet right? Remember last year when they said that OT, Tits Maggie, would be the number one, then he comes out a flopping? Yeah, they don't know jack, even after the draft.

[rbanerjee23]

Look right now we should all be unabashedly optimistic...In my mind, Snyder has learned the error of his ways and will only be a casual observer who only occasionally steps in on his team's operation.

Shanahan will revive his offensive genius and the quality of the defensive personnel will remain in the upper echelon of the league. We will be able to get Okung with the first pick and build the solid line in a year or two and become perennial playoff participants...

feels good to dream doesn't it?

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by rbanerjee23

Look right now we should all be unabashedly optimistic...In my mind, Snyder has learned the error of his ways and will only be a casual observer who only occasionally steps in on his team's operation.

Shanahan will revive his offensive genius and the quality of the defensive personnel will remain in the upper echelon of the league. We will be able to get Okung with the first pick and build the solid line in a year or two and become perennial playoff participants...

feels good to dream doesn't it?

I agree. I haven't felt this optimistic about my Skins in years.

My only complaint would be why it took so long for Snyder to figure out he and Vinny weren't getting it right. But nevermind. He knows it now and brighter times are just ahead...

[LandrySlice]

I believe we will be drafting Okung unless we trade back, no chance any QB this year is worth the 4th overall pick... if they were, they would be in consideration for the 1st pick. Just my humble opinion.

[Player_HTTR]

Originally Posted by LandrySlice

I believe we will be drafting Okung unless we trade back, no chance any QB this year is worth the 4th overall pick... if they were, they would be in consideration for the 1st pick. Just my humble opinion.

I think Rams go QB with the talk of Bulger hanging it up. Hopefully saving us from taking a QB at #4. Okung for LT in 2010.

Back to your normally operating thread.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Player_HTTR

I think Rams go QB with the talk of Bulger hanging it up. Hopefully saving us from taking a QB at #4. Okung for LT in 2010.

Back to your normally operating thread.

Yeah, but there are two quarterbacks that could go in the top four -- Bradford and Clausen. Bradford will have to prove that he's completely recovered from the injuries at the combine; otherwise he could fall further. But if you don't want a QB, you have to hope that the Rams, along with Tampa Bay takes both of them...