The official 2008 draft discussion thread

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

On the offensive line, you have to figure Jon Jansen will be in the mix this season. Like it or not, that's how it's going down. I would also have to think Stephon Heyer, only a second year player, will be better on some mechanics, strength, and maybe add some bulk. Even if he's marginally better, and no on this board would argue that kid more than held his own last year, he's a very solid back up.

Chris Samuels - Let's face it, no one is going to beat him out anytime soon. He's going to play until the wheels fall off. So I don't care how good your left tackle is coming out of the draft, that's just not a position we're looking to make any immediate changes.

Casey Rabach - Again, a very solid player that is possibly the glue to the entire offensive line. He's, and I say only 30 years old right now, and has a lot of years left at that position.

Randy Thomas - What else do we need to say here. Our best all around offensive lineman.

Peter Kendall - Here's a position where the Skins maybe looking to replace a starter, but this year isn't that year.

So from I can see, at best the Skins need to add some depth here and not look for any immediate starters or impact players. You never want to say never, but I just can't imagine the offensive line getting crippled with injuries the way they did last year. No way, no how.

Now there's optimism, and there's optimism, but this... this is a whole nuther level. Seriously though, we don't have a backup guard to my knowledge unless you think Alexander is coming through (you better not mention Fabini or I will find you). And w/ Kendell's arthritic knees and RTs struggle to stay healthy... at the very least we need a very high quality guard (if not starting caliber). I guess I can give Heyer the benefit of the doubt for when JJ goes down, but at least give me a a guard. Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Now there's optimism, and there's optimism, but this... this is a whole nuther level. Seriously though, we don't have a backup guard to my knowledge unless you think Alexander is coming through (you better not mention Fabini or I will find you). And w/ Kendell's arthritic knees and RTs struggle to stay healthy... at the very least we need a very high quality guard (if not starting caliber). I guess I can give Heyer the benefit of the doubt for when JJ goes down, but at least give me a a guard. Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No, Fabini did okay for a back up last year. Don't forget our entire right side of the offensive line went down last year. At one point, I believe only Chris Samuels was the only starter playing in his regular position.

The lineman that went high today's draft figure to start for those teams. We don't have starter need, but we do have depth need. And for the most part, I feel as though our depth is solid. Could be better, but it aint the worse in the league either.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

No, Fabini did okay for a back up last year. Don't forget our entire right side of the offensive line went down last year. At one point, I believe only Chris Samuels was the only starter playing in his regular position.

The lineman that went high today's draft figure to start for those teams. We don't have starter need, but we do have depth need. And for the most part, I feel as though our depth is solid. Could be better, but it aint the worse in the league either.

Alright. I know you have about a million posts here and I have 45 but Fabini? Did ok? Fabini made us the most predictable offense in the NFL for half the season because he couldn't have blocked me at DT.

Most running plays went something like this... "Portis/Betts line up in the backfield and take the hand-off to the left but oh, looks like they we're caught from behind or stopped at the LOS when the right side collapsed for Washington." And then Fabini would rub his belly hair and shake his head while looking up at the bleachers. I think I saw Fabini at a truck stop earlier this year even, I'm sure it's his job in the off-season.

[RedskinPete]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Alright. I know you have about a million posts here and I have 45 but Fabini? Did ok? Fabini made us the most predictable offense in the NFL for half the season because he couldn't have blocked me at DT.

Most running plays went something like this... "Portis/Betts line up in the backfield and take the hand-off to the left but oh, looks like they we're caught from behind or stopped at the LOS when the right side collapsed for Washington." And then Fabini would rub his belly hair and shake his head while looking up at the bleachers. I think I saw Fabini at a truck stop earlier this year even, I'm sure it's his job in the off-season.

Both lines are a big question mark!!!!

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Alright. I know you have about a million posts here and I have 45 but Fabini? Did ok? Fabini made us the most predictable offense in the NFL for half the season because he couldn't have blocked me at DT.

Most running plays went something like this... "Portis/Betts line up in the backfield and take the hand-off to the left but oh, looks like they we're caught from behind or stopped at the LOS when the right side collapsed for Washington." And then Fabini would rub his belly hair and shake his head while looking up at the bleachers. I think I saw Fabini at a truck stop earlier this year even, I'm sure it's his job in the off-season.

Okay, the post thing was funny. Maybe parking lot posts should count, that's another discussion though

Look I'm not trying to make Fabini a Pro-Bowler here. But I think people around here expect back ups to play like All Pro material. There's a reason why they're riding the pine. Back-ups need to be good back-ups. And depending on who we draft tomorrow, and we could unearth a gem, Fabini might not even make the team. Let's just see how tomorrow shakes out first.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Now there's optimism, and there's optimism, but this... this is a whole nuther level. Seriously though, we don't have a backup guard to my knowledge unless you think Alexander is coming through (you better not mention Fabini or I will find you). And w/ Kendell's arthritic knees and RTs struggle to stay healthy... at the very least we need a very high quality guard (if not starting caliber). I guess I can give Heyer the benefit of the doubt for when JJ goes down, but at least give me a a guard. Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They're still having rounds 3-7 tomorrow right? There are still June 1 cuts and trades that could be made right? I'm sure we will hit our needs at G and on defense tomorrow.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

They're still having rounds 3-7 tomorrow right? There are still June 1 cuts and trades that could be made right? I'm sure we will hit our needs at G and on defense tomorrow.

WE get 3 picks 7th round, but come on, how many 7th rounders actually make the team other than practice squad? Last years late rounders are no longer Skins anymore, think it will be any different this year? In my mind we really only have one pick tomorrow in the 4th round and the rest will be cut or just practice squad fodder. We might fulfill our G needs with late picks, but nothing more. The duo WR picks and the surprising TE pickup might be an indication, as others here have speculated of some impending cuts and/or trades with some vets on the squad to deal with our needs.

[RedskinPete]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

WE get 3 picks 7th round, but come on, how many 7th rounders actually make the team other than practice squad? Last years late rounders are no longer Skins anymore, think it will be any different this year? In my mind we really only have one pick tomorrow in the 4th round and the rest will be cut or just practice squad fodder. We might fulfill our G needs with late picks, but nothing more. The duo WR picks and the surprising TE pickup might be an indication, as others here have speculated of some impending cuts and/or trades with some vets on the squad to deal with our needs.

Don't we have a late 3rd and a early 4th? Still hitting one starter would be great for us! We shot the hole draft on a TE and two WR's with a D line and O line in need of help along with a 3rd QB also needed a S ,CB with maybe a LB as well! Alot to fill with a 3,4,6 and three 7ths left!

[The Goat]

Whew! It's like "what the hell happened." First off, I'm very surprised none of you commented on the reaction of Malcolm Kelly when his name was announced. I thought his look was pure disappointment - I could be wrong but holy hell that was the most forced smile I've ever seen. Secondly, lots of us figure Zorn is unhappy w/ our crop of WRs, and that is not totally a surprise. But take a minute to think about what has cost us most in passing production (aside from injuries) and I think many of us have pointed to the dropped passes. So w/ the very first pick we take a guy that the analysts say has had a hard time catching the ball! Seriously?!

All I can figure is what several have already said: a trade of our current lineup seems highly likely. I just can't figure out who or why. If it's Cooley I'm gonna shit myself.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Whew! It's like "what the hell happened." First off, I'm very surprised none of you commented on the reaction of Malcolm Kelly when his name was announced. I thought his look was pure disappointment - I could be wrong but holy hell that was the most forced smile I've ever seen. Secondly, lots of us figure Zorn is unhappy w/ our crop of WRs, and that is not totally a surprise. But take a minute to think about what has cost us most in passing production (aside from injuries) and I think many of us have pointed to the dropped passes. So w/ the very first pick we take a guy that the analysts say has had a hard time catching the ball! Seriously?!

All I can figure is what several have already said: a trade of our current lineup seems highly likely. I just can't figure out who or why. If it's Cooley I'm gonna shit myself.

Cooley aint going no where. Believe that. You don't trade an up and coming Pro-Bowler for a rookie. You'll see them both on the field together, quite a bit.

I can't really speak to Malcolm's forced smile - didn't see it. But the kid's coming to a playoff team with a lot of weapons on offense, a hard hitting defense, and a franchise with a rich, rich tradition.

Unless he was on some weed at the time, he has to be happy about that.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Cooley aint going no where. Believe that. You don't trade an up and coming Pro-Bowler for a rookie. You'll see them both on the field together, quite a bit.

I can't really speak to Malcolm's forced smile - didn't see it. But the kid's coming to a playoff team with a lot of weapons on offense, a hard hitting defense, and a franchise with a rich, rich tradition.

Unless he was on some weed at the time, he has to be happy about that.

I'm sure it was more of a disappointment as to where in the draft he was taken, not what team he went to.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Cooley aint going no where. Believe that. You don't trade an up and coming Pro-Bowler for a rookie. You'll see them both on the field together, quite a bit.

I can't really speak to Malcolm's forced smile - didn't see it. But the kid's coming to a playoff team with a lot of weapons on offense, a hard hitting defense, and a franchise with a rich, rich tradition.

Unless he was on some weed at the time, he has to be happy about that.

I didn't see the forced smile, but if he was disappointed it was probably because he was originally a 1st round projection and he fell off because of poor 40 times and acting like a baby about it.

As 12th said, he should be overjoyed to come to Washington and have an opportunity to play with Campbell, Portis, Cooley & our OL (healthy) and have a chance to start immediately for an offense-minded head coach.

I'm not thrilled with Kelly, but I haven't watched hours of film on him either. We could've taken Sweed, so hopefully the coaches and FO did their homework on him. But I don't think an argument can be made that he wasn't a value at # 51.

[Dirtbag59]

Rabach seemed to have problems with injuries last year and the team passed up the chance to take Mike Pollack. If Steve Justice falls to that comp pick tomorrowed I'll be stoked for about 2 minutes then the Skins will draft Josh Johnson in which case I'll shrug my shoulders. Johnson isn't a bad pick, but they better take a bunch of lineman next year.

As I said before the matchup problems they'll be able to create with this recieving squad is immense, but if history is any indication our O-Line won't hold up and on top of that they have a poor track record of developing 4th and 6th round picks when it comes to offensive line.

[itvnetop]

Most teams that run a two TE set usually have one that's a better catcher and one that's a better blocker. Cooley's definitely the better route-runner, but BFD can catch just as well (he was our leading receiver in our pro-style offense last season). Both of these guys can also block, but now Cooley's going to be able to shift around instead of staying in to help the edge. Oh yeah, Davis can also stretch the field.

Absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.

[jsarno]

I was just reading on sporting news about how Mix will be involved in the offense...how is this going to be the case now with two new WR's?
Don't get me wrong, I actually like the idea. If one fails, the other can be lifted to stardom...This could be our new Monk / Clark connection except they were both drafted in the same draft.