Grade the Redskins Draft!

[BigHairedAristocrat]

As much as I would like to, I can’t give this draft anything higher than a D. Not because I think we made bad selections, but because of the implications of those picks: Snyder is setting Zorn up to fail.

We had the #4 defense last year, an anemic offense, and we did nothing to upgrade our offense until 7th round. Even then, we did nothing to upgrade our offensive line. The minute we failed to land Sanchez, our focus should have been upgrading our offensive line – either to protect Campbell in 2009 and the rookie quarterback we select in the first round in 2010 – Make no mistake, by spending our first 4 picks on defensive players, Snyder sent Zorn a clear message: “I’m not giving you a thing to help you improve this year. I’m hanging you and Campbell out to dry because I have every intention of hiring a new offensive minded coach next year and letting him select his own QB and offensive players to suit his system. While the majority of fans will applaud me for finally drafting a defensive end in the first round, what I’m really doing is setting you up to fail so fans will be on my side when I decide to fire you after a dismal offensive performance in the 2009 season.”

So, for that reason, I give the draft a D – because it means we’re starting over again in 2010. Some thoughts about the picks:

1. Brian Orakpo DE, Texas
He was the best player on the board at 13 and fills a dire need. Next to Haynesworth, he could have double-digit sacks in his first season. The Skins would be stupid to have Orakpo play LB on 1st and 2nd downs and move inside on 3rd as the Redskins told Orkapo they would do prior to the draft. To my knowledge, scouts unanimously say he is purely a pass rusher and sucks in coverage. Now he has a great work ethic so perhaps over time he could learn to fill such a role, but certainly not in his rookie season. If we’re smart, we’ll line him up at LDE and keep him there all season. Orakpo also has some versatility and could be used in a 3-4 defense, in case we somehow land Cowher in 2010. While I think Orakpo was a nice pick, several teams called wanting to move up to 13, and we could have easily dropped down some, picked up additional picks, and came away from the draft with several players with starting potential.

3. Kevin Barnes CB, Maryland
If he hadn’t gotten injured last year, he very well could have been drafted in the first half of the 2nd round, at the latest. Evidently he’s completely healed from his injury and I really, really like this pick – probably my favorite of the whole draft. I think he’s our #4 corner on opening day, #3 corner by the end of the season, and he gives us leverage in negotiating with Carlos in the offseason.

5. Cody Glenn LB, Nebraska
I like this pick more than some of you. Glenn is a special teams beast and I’m confident he’ll make the team. You can’t really ask for much more in the 5th round.

6. Robert Henson LB, TCU
Wasted pick. I’d be surprised if he makes the practice squad. I would have much rather seen us take a center or guard here.

7. Eddie Williams FB, Idaho
The only reason I think we signed him is to have some leverage in negotiating with Sellars, who’s decided he doesn’t like the contract he signed two years ago. He’s struggled with injuries and wont be able to participate in camp, so I don’t think he gives the skins any leverage at all. Wasted pick.

7. Marko Mitchell WR,Nevada
The dudes very fast and I like the pick. Obviously, his chances of making the roster are slim, but given Thrash’s days are numbered and Kelly may never be healthy, he’s got a better shot than do most 7th rounders.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

As much as I would like to, I can’t give this draft anything higher than a D. Not because I think we made bad selections, but because of the implications of those picks: Snyder is setting Zorn up to fail.

We had the #4 defense last year, an anemic offense, and we did nothing to upgrade our offense until 7th round. Even then, we did nothing to upgrade our offensive line. The minute we failed to land Sanchez, our focus should have been upgrading our offensive line – either to protect Campbell in 2009 and the rookie quarterback we select in the first round in 2010 – Make no mistake, by spending our first 4 picks on defensive players, Snyder sent Zorn a clear message: “I’m not giving you a thing to help you improve this year. I’m hanging you and Campbell out to dry because I have every intention of hiring a new offensive minded coach next year and letting him select his own QB and offensive players to suit his system. While the majority of fans will applaud me for finally drafting a defensive end in the first round, what I’m really doing is setting you up to fail so fans will be on my side when I decide to fire you after a dismal offensive performance in the 2009 season.”

Yes, I'm sure that's Danny's exact plan moving forward. Let's intentionally tank an entire draft for the sole purpose of running the coach and QB out of town. Please. That's ludicrous. And since when did Snyder care if the fans are on his side or not?

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Yes, I'm sure that's Danny's exact plan moving forward. Let's intentionally tank an entire draft for the sole purpose of running the coach and QB out of town. Please. That's ludicrous. And since when did Snyder care if the fans are on his side or not?

Yes. It's an insidious super-secret plan by the Stonecutters to get rid of Zorn and replace him with Steve Guttenberg.

C'mon. If Snyder was that down on Zorn, he would have fired him before the draft. Serioulsy, you think Snyder cares? He fired Marty after one season, you think he'd wait on Zorn? Please.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Yes. It's an insidious super-secret plan by the Stonecutters to get rid of Zorn and replace him with Steve Guttenberg.

C'mon. If Snyder was that down on Zorn, he would have fired him before the draft. Serioulsy, you think Snyder cares? He fired Marty after one season, you think he'd wait on Zorn? Please.

Exactly. If he wasn't sold on Zorn he would have immediately cut the cord. Snyder may be prone to some blunders, but he knows a west-coast system takes time to become productive.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Yes, I'm sure that's Danny's exact plan moving forward. Let's intentionally tank an entire draft for the sole purpose of running the coach and QB out of town. Please. That's ludicrous. And since when did Snyder care if the fans are on his side or not?

You completely missed the point - Danny didnt tank the draft - he significantly improved the strongest area of our team - the defense. Whomever takes over as our HC next year will have one heck of a defense.

As far as when does Snyder care about the fans? the only reason Jim Fassel isnt our Head Coach right now is fan reaction. Snyders #1 priority is packing the stadium with fans - he obviously feared that wouldnt happen with Fassel as our HC.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

You completely missed the point - Danny didnt tank the draft - he significantly improved the strongest area of our team - the defense. Whomever takes over as our HC next year will have one heck of a defense.

You did a horrible job trying to illustrate your point then. Just awful.

"“I’m not giving you a thing to help you improve this year. I’m hanging you and Campbell out to dry because I have every intention of hiring a new offensive minded coach next year and letting him select his own QB and offensive players to suit his system. While the majority of fans will applaud me for finally drafting a defensive end in the first round, what I’m really doing is setting you up to fail so fans will be on my side when I decide to fire you after a dismal offensive performance in the 2009 season.”

As far as when does Snyder care about the fans? the only reason Jim Fassel isnt our Head Coach right now is fan reaction. Snyders #1 priority is packing the stadium with fans - he obviously feared that wouldnt happen with Fassel as our HC.

Not true, but to each their own I suppose

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

You completely missed the point - Danny didnt tank the draft - he significantly improved the strongest area of our team - the defense. Whomever takes over as our HC next year will have one heck of a defense.

As far as when does Snyder care about the fans? the only reason Jim Fassel isnt our Head Coach right now is fan reaction. Snyders #1 priority is packing the stadium with fans - he obviously feared that wouldnt happen with Fassel as our HC.

The stadium would remain packed. Message board posters do not even come close to making up a fan majority, hell I'd venture to say that plenty of fans don't know much about Fassell. There's been enough to keep fans out of the seats, say oh, losing a lot, and the seats stay sold. And for those that don't attend, they've always got Craigslist and StubHub, which was shown plenty last year and in an exaggerated fashion on one prime time game.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

You completely missed the point - Danny didnt tank the draft - he significantly improved the strongest area of our team - the defense. Whomever takes over as our HC next year will have one heck of a defense.

As far as when does Snyder care about the fans? the only reason Jim Fassel isnt our Head Coach right now is fan reaction. Snyders #1 priority is packing the stadium with fans - he obviously feared that wouldnt happen with Fassel as our HC.

That Fassel thing is just flat out wrong.

And if Snyder's #1 priority is packing the stadium with fans, why wouldn't he have taken more steps in the draft to improve the offense? You say "barring a miracle," 2009 will be the last season for Zorn and Campbell. You also say that Danny's direction in this draft is basically his concession that the offense and Zorn have no chance for success.

Okay then. So let me ask you, how does Danny shrugging his shoulders at offensive improvement do anything to fill the seats?? How does another frustrating below average offensive year, another coaching change, and another quarterback change to do anything to fill the seats?? Paintrain is right- you're contradicting yourself.

We were 8-8 last year in the league's toughest division. We significantly improved the defense this offseason to where if the offense has an exact repeat of last year, we should still win one or two more games. It's hard to imagine the offense going backwards in year two. 9 or 10 wins this year isn't going to get Zorn fired. And if the offense improves, given the defense, this team could win 11 or 12.

Making a very good defense appreciably better and allowing the offensive system to stick and improve in year two will fill the seats. It's the organization's constant flux and erratic behavior that annoy the fan base and threaten Danny's stadium filling agenda.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

As much as I would like to, I can’t give this draft anything higher than a D. Not because I think we made bad selections, but because of the implications of those picks: Snyder is setting Zorn up to fail.

We had the #4 defense last year, an anemic offense, and we did nothing to upgrade our offense until 7th round. Even then, we did nothing to upgrade our offensive line. The minute we failed to land Sanchez, our focus should have been upgrading our offensive line – either to protect Campbell in 2009 and the rookie quarterback we select in the first round in 2010 – Make no mistake, by spending our first 4 picks on defensive players, Snyder sent Zorn a clear message: “I’m not giving you a thing to help you improve this year. I’m hanging you and Campbell out to dry because I have every intention of hiring a new offensive minded coach next year and letting him select his own QB and offensive players to suit his system. While the majority of fans will applaud me for finally drafting a defensive end in the first round, what I’m really doing is setting you up to fail so fans will be on my side when I decide to fire you after a dismal offensive performance in the 2009 season.”

So, for that reason, I give the draft a D – because it means we’re starting over again in 2010. Some thoughts about the picks:

1. Brian Orakpo DE, Texas
He was the best player on the board at 13 and fills a dire need. Next to Haynesworth, he could have double-digit sacks in his first season. The Skins would be stupid to have Orakpo play LB on 1st and 2nd downs and move inside on 3rd as the Redskins told Orkapo they would do prior to the draft. To my knowledge, scouts unanimously say he is purely a pass rusher and sucks in coverage. Now he has a great work ethic so perhaps over time he could learn to fill such a role, but certainly not in his rookie season. If we’re smart, we’ll line him up at LDE and keep him there all season. Orakpo also has some versatility and could be used in a 3-4 defense, in case we somehow land Cowher in 2010. While I think Orakpo was a nice pick, several teams called wanting to move up to 13, and we could have easily dropped down some, picked up additional picks, and came away from the draft with several players with starting potential.

3. Kevin Barnes CB, Maryland
If he hadn’t gotten injured last year, he very well could have been drafted in the first half of the 2nd round, at the latest. Evidently he’s completely healed from his injury and I really, really like this pick – probably my favorite of the whole draft. I think he’s our #4 corner on opening day, #3 corner by the end of the season, and he gives us leverage in negotiating with Carlos in the offseason.

5. Cody Glenn LB, Nebraska
I like this pick more than some of you. Glenn is a special teams beast and I’m confident he’ll make the team. You can’t really ask for much more in the 5th round.

6. Robert Henson LB, TCU
Wasted pick. I’d be surprised if he makes the practice squad. I would have much rather seen us take a center or guard here.

7. Eddie Williams FB, Idaho
The only reason I think we signed him is to have some leverage in negotiating with Sellars, who’s decided he doesn’t like the contract he signed two years ago. He’s struggled with injuries and wont be able to participate in camp, so I don’t think he gives the skins any leverage at all. Wasted pick.

7. Marko Mitchell WR,Nevada
The dudes very fast and I like the pick. Obviously, his chances of making the roster are slim, but given Thrash’s days are numbered and Kelly may never be healthy, he’s got a better shot than do most 7th rounders.

Man BHA, have an agenda much? I gave you props last week for bringing solid content but you contradict yourself too much man. How can you praise 4 picks and yet still give the draft a 'D'?

Even your assessment of Orapko is rife with errors. Scouts were far from 'unanimous' that Orapko is merely a pure pass rusher, most said his best position would be a 4-3 end. I didn't hear many/any reports that he 'sucked in coverage' because he wasn't asked to do that at Texas so what where they basing the reports on? There weren't 'several teams that called trying to get to #13', hell we were on the clock for 90 seconds, how many calls could come in? The word was IF Moreno was on the clock there could have been teams interested but it didn't happen.

Your notion of Snyder-sabotage is just silly. Here's the thing with Snyder, if he TRULY wants something he's going to get/do it, outside opinions be damned. If he TRULY wanted Cutler he would have given our 1st, 3rd and our 1st, 2nd, 3rd of next year. If he TRULY wanted Sanchez he would have given up our 2010 #1. If he TRULY wanted Shanahan to be coaching this team now, he would have fired Zorn and hired Shanahan immediately after he was let go. He wants a winner and while he's willing to do almost anything to do it, but tanking a draft in hopes that the team will suck so he can 'be justified' in firing the coach is ridiculous.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Your notion of Snyder-sabotage is just silly. Here's the thing with Snyder, if he TRULY wants something he's going to get/do it, outside opinions be damned. If he TRULY wanted Cutler he would have given our 1st, 3rd and our 1st, 2nd, 3rd of next year. If he TRULY wanted Sanchez he would have given up our 2010 #1. If he TRULY wanted Shanahan to be coaching this team now, he would have fired Zorn and hired Shanahan immediately after he was let go. He wants a winner and while he's willing to do almost anything to do it, but tanking a draft in hopes that the team will suck so he can 'be justified' in firing the coach is ridiculous.

Agreed, but some people just LOVE conspiracy theories.