Redskins trade for Jason Taylor (updated)

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

And that statement, plus the fact that "40 times and bench press aren't that important" is why I'm thankful you're not our GM. While speed is not essential for a LDE, strength certainly is. When a guy is supposed to be an NFL caliber LDE and he posts the WORST bench numbers at the combine, that's a major red flag.

To clarify That Guy's bench #s: Campbell put up 8 reps at 225lbs in Jan 2008, at the combine in April he put up 16 reps at 225lbs (still the worst of all D-linemen).

You make the assumption in Scenario # 2 that Campbell would be able to step in and start for Daniels today. That assumption is dead wrong, whether Campbell eventually turns into a productive player or not (he won't IMO) we would still have to fill Daniels' spot NOW even with Campbell here. And worse, what if Campbell is a bust (good probability).

So now your Scenario #2 looks like this:
D. Thomas, bust and/or still a need at LDE, Fred Davis, 2nd Rounder & 6th rounder.

I'm guessing you don't know much about football. What did Reggie White bench? What did LT bench?

Ask anyone who knows football about the importance of bench. Players don't lay on a bench and lift weights in the NFL - they get on a field and knock heads.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Drift Reality

I'm guessing you don't know much about football. What did Reggie White bench? What did LT bench?

Ask anyone who knows football about the importance of bench. Players don't lay on a bench and lift weights in the NFL - they get on a field and knock heads.

I won't bother to respond to your first statement. Your posts are speaking for themselves.

I don't have Reggie's bench numbers but I trust Mike Golic in that he played in the NFL for several seasons and on the same DL as RW for most. He has mentioned several times that RW was an "unbelievable combination of strength and speed". If I'm not mistaken he was consistently one of the strongest, if not the strongest, on the Eagles & Packers teams he played on. LT while not a strong as White, had ridiculous speed and well above average strength. He played LB not LDE. For LDE strength is extremely important.

No one is implying that you should just get the guys with the strongest bench numbers and plug them in. But if "anyone who knows football" thinks bench is unimportant, why is it done at the combine, with every NFL team in attendance. The NFL folks are pretty busy guys and wouldn't waste their time on a drill/test that is not important.

I've mentioned this before also, C. Campbell's D-Line coach in 2006 is on staff at Redskins Park. If he was available at a reasonable position in the draft (he was) and the Skins didn't take him, that tells me all I need to know.

Prior to the combine I was high on C. Campbell also, his size looks great, sack total looks good, but his combine performance and scouting report negatives sent up huge red flags.