Schefter: "Skins NOT shopping Big Al"

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Honestly, i think we WANT to ensure that Detroit takes Okung so Suh or McCoy will fall to us and we have a number of opportunities to trade down. I think this has been what we've been hoping for all along and trading Haynesworth to either team would only help ensure the draft unfolds as we want. Obviously, we wouldnt move Big Al just to make that happen, but it would be an added bonus.

I agree that we are fine with Okung or with out. We draft him or trade down and get another OL.
I disagree about getting rid of Haynesworth as a bonus. There will be a talent void in our D-line if Hayneswrth leaves and we do not properly replace him. Kemoeatu is questionable coming off a major injury. Our other DLineman are not difference makers. We will create a hole.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

I agree that we are fine with Okung or with out. We draft him or trade down and get another OL.
I disagree about getting rid of Haynesworth as a bonus. There will be a talent void in our D-line if Hayneswrth leaves and we do not properly replace him. Kemoeatu is questionable coming off a major injury. Our other DLineman are not difference makers. We will create a hole.

You must not have read my post. Getting rid of Haynesworth is not the bonus. Ensuring Suh or McCoy fell to us, enabling us to trade down out of th e#4 pick is the bonus.

If Haynesworth leaves, we'd definitely have a hole... but i'd argue we have bigger holes all across our offensive line (and potentially at WR) that need to be filled. We've made an investment in acquiring Donovan McNabb. we need to do everything we can to make that investment pay off.

When Shanahan became our HC and Haslett became our DC, we signaled that we would no longer be a defense-first team. That sign was confirmed when we traded for McNabb: Offense will be the strength of this team.

[Defensewins]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

You must not have read my post. Getting rid of Haynesworth is not the bonus. Ensuring Suh or McCoy fell to us, enabling us to trade down out of th e#4 pick is the bonus.

If Haynesworth leaves, we'd definitely have a hole... but i'd argue we have bigger holes all across our offensive line (and potentially at WR) that need to be filled. We've made an investment in acquiring Donovan McNabb. we need to do everything we can to make that investment pay off.

When Shanahan became our HC and Haslett became our DC, we signaled that we would no longer be a defense-first team. That sign was confirmed when we traded for McNabb: Offense will be the strength of this team.

I do not agree with creating a problem to solve another. If we lose Haynesworth and opposing teams gash us for 5 yards a run next year, our season will be over. No playoffs. Stopping the run is rule #1 to any defense.

On your rather large assumption that we have signaled offense over defense is a stretch. You can believe what you want. But nobody at Redskins park has said we are an offensive team first over our defense. Our offense has sucked for a while and it is where we need the most help. Our failure over the last 10 years to address our O-line adequately in the draft did not mean we were a defense first team. We invested several good draft picks on WR's, QB's that did not pan out, rather than picking O-Lineman. There is a long list of offensive players we drafted that have field and/or are no longer on team.