How much have we improved player personnel?

[calia]

Originally Posted by dbrown

I don't think there's any question that the Redskins have improved personnel on offense. Let alone having Cousins another year experience in the system. I think the big question mark is on the defense side of the ball. Every year we always hear that they improved the defense and every year they look terrible. I feel like I'm encouraged, but want to see the proof on the field.

I agree with this. I would guess that we will see only modest improvement -- (1) adding Norman and Breeland with another year of experience ought to make for a much better CB situation, (2) safety is still a work in progress, although Cravens and a healthy Ihenacho are encouraging steps in the right direction, (3) our ILB situation is basically the same (which is not encouraging), unless Spaight can have an impact (please), (4) our OLB situation ought to be better with Gallette in the fold, and (5) the DL has perhaps taken a step back without replacements for Hatcher (who was moderately effective; not sure Murphy is ready to step into those shoes) and Knighton (who was just OK). So better in the CB and OLB positions but likely worse at DL and uncertain as to the other positions. Not expecting big improvement.

[30gut]

Pro Football Focus predicts Redskins will have same record as Cowboys - Hogs Haven

7. Washington (9-7)

In 2015, Washington somewhat overachieved, considering their roster. While they added CB Josh Norman from Carolina, which should be a big help to their defensive backfield, they also lost talent on defense. Terrance Knighton was one of their best run-defenders, and Jason Hatcher was one of their best pass-rushers, and neither remain on the roster. On offense, Alfred Morris was their highest-graded running back, and he was also lost over the offseason (signed with Dallas). Others in the division improved at more positions, which will make it difficult for Washington to repeat as NFC East champs.

[DYoungJelly]

Hatcher was going to get cut. Missed games the last two years because he is injured and old. He is another year older and is likely to be more injured and miss more games.

Alf and Knighton signed what amounts to very modest one year prove it deals:

Terrance Knighton Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap
Alfred Morris Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap

McLovin didn't want these guys on the roster. There was plenty of room to sign these guys for more than they got elsewhere.

We didn't LOSE them, McLovin DIDN'T WANT THEM.

I don't disagree with the 9-7 prediction because of the much tougher schedule but it's not going to be attributable to not have three players the GM didn't want.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

Hatcher was going to get cut. Missed games the last two years because he is injured and old. He is another year older and is likely to be more injured and miss more games.

Alf and Knighton signed what amounts to very modest one year prove it deals:

Terrance Knighton Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap
Alfred Morris Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap

McLovin didn't want these guys on the roster. There was plenty of room to sign these guys for more than they got elsewhere.

We didn't LOSE them, McLovin DIDN'T WANT THEM.

I don't disagree with the 9-7 prediction because of the much tougher schedule but it's not going to be attributable to not have three players the GM didn't want.

Everything I wanted to say about that article but I was to lazy to write. Poor reporting.

[KI Skins Fan]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

Hatcher was going to get cut. Missed games the last two years because he is injured and old. He is another year older and is likely to be more injured and miss more games.

Alf and Knighton signed what amounts to very modest one year prove it deals:

Terrance Knighton Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap
Alfred Morris Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap

McLovin didn't want these guys on the roster. There was plenty of room to sign these guys for more than they got elsewhere.

We didn't LOSE them, McLovin DIDN'T WANT THEM.

I don't disagree with the 9-7 prediction because of the much tougher schedule but it's not going to be attributable to not have three players the GM didn't want.

The PFF debate rages on. I'll simply agree with you that the numbers don't happen in a vacuum. The numbers are the numbers but the author failed to put those numbers in context for his readers.

If the players in question had produced outstanding numbers, then there would be a stronger case for re-signing them. The Skins are building a younger team they hope will compete for years, so it makes no sense for the Skins to keep older, more expensive players unless they can produce at a high level in comparison to the entire league. It doesn't mean much that Hatcher and Morris surpassed their under-performing teammates at their respective positions.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

Hatcher was going to get cut. Missed games the last two years because he is injured and old. He is another year older and is likely to be more injured and miss more games.

Alf and Knighton signed what amounts to very modest one year prove it deals:

Terrance Knighton Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap
Alfred Morris Contract Details, Salary Cap Charges, Bonus Money | Over The Cap

McLovin didn't want these guys on the roster. There was plenty of room to sign these guys for more than they got elsewhere.

We didn't LOSE them, McLovin DIDN'T WANT THEM.

I don't disagree with the 9-7 prediction because of the much tougher schedule but it's not going to be attributable to not have three players the GM didn't want.

Gruden didn't want Morris either. That was obvious when he got here and it was more obvious last year.

[Schneed10]

The problem with PFF's analytics is that they use them to conclude on what teams are losing when a player leaves. It's not wrong to say Alfred Morris and Jason Hatcher had value for us, it's just incomplete, because you have to consider what their replacements will do once they move into the starting lineup. Their analytics can't tell you that.

I personally don't see us losing anything by going from Morris to Jones. If Jones fumbles at the same rate he did last year, then problem. Otherwise, as he's drilling on it hard, no problem.

The DL I do have questions about, but our run defense sucked even with Knighton and Hatcher in there. PFF has no basis to conclude that rotating in Golston, Reyes, Ionnidis and Paea will be the same, worse, or better.

[RedskinJake]

I wouldn't be surprised to see us at 8-8 this year. That doesn't mean we went backwards. This is a tough schedule with a roster that isn't yet complete. If they play well down the stretch and end up better than .500 I think we could win a playoff game or two.. You never know how it's going to go, teams that are graded high now might struggle and the schedule might not be as tough as it looks today. It also could be ridiculously tough if a few teams get a spark. That's why they play the games. Be careful to manage your expectations. Be excited but be aware that 8-8 might be an improvement.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by RedskinJake

I wouldn't be surprised to see us at 8-8 this year. That doesn't mean we went backwards. This is a tough schedule with a roster that isn't yet complete. If they play well down the stretch and end up better than .500 I think we could win a playoff game or two.. You never know how it's going to go, teams that are graded high now might struggle and the schedule might not be as tough as it looks today. It also could be ridiculously tough if a few teams get a spark. That's why they play the games. Be careful to manage your expectations. Be excited but be aware that 8-8 might be an improvement.

Agree 100%.

That being said . . .

The year the Giants beat the Pats in the Superbowl they finished the regular season 9-7.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

The problem with PFF's analytics is that they use them to conclude on what teams are losing when a player leaves. It's not wrong to say Alfred Morris and Jason Hatcher had value for us, it's just incomplete, because you have to consider what their replacements will do once they move into the starting lineup. Their analytics can't tell you that.

I personally don't see us losing anything by going from Morris to Jones. If Jones fumbles at the same rate he did last year, then problem. Otherwise, as he's drilling on it hard, no problem.

The DL I do have questions about, but our run defense sucked even with Knighton and Hatcher in there. PFF has no basis to conclude that rotating in Golston, Reyes, Ionnidis and Paea will be the same, worse, or better.

Spot on, on all three points.

[Evilgrin]

9-7 would be an improvement, they have a nutty schedule.

[DYoungJelly]

PFF: Redskins have the 12th worst roster in the NFL - Hogs Haven

Just saw this and literally laughed out loud.

ACCORDING TO PFF, we had the 27th ranked roster in 2015, finished 9-7 and won the division.

I know some of us on here, including NFL GMs posing as Warpath participants, put more stock into PFF's evaluations than others.

I've been scanning through old posts looking for 30gut's demands to give Gruden a contract extension without any luck.

Please post the link to the old post if ya got it.

[mredskins]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

PFF: Redskins have the 12th worst roster in the NFL - Hogs Haven

Just saw this and literally laughed out loud.

ACCORDING TO PFF, we had the 27th ranked roster in 2015, finished 9-7 and won the division.

I know some of us on here, including NFL GMs posing as Warpath participants, put more stock into PFF's evaluations than others.

I've been scanning through old posts looking for 30gut's demands to give Gruden a contract extension without any luck.

Please post the link to the old post if ya got it.

The Eagles are number 5? Lol! I pissed my pants on that one.

[Skinzman]

Originally Posted by mredskins

The Eagles are number 5? Lol! I pissed my pants on that one.

I almost choked when I read the article and they were listed at 5. Please tell me this is some kind of a joke. The Eagles are the worst team in the division and are listed as a top 2 or 3 team in the NFC (given 1-4 has to contain at least a couple of AFC teams). I have never been a fan of PFF, but they have lost their damn minds if they consider the Eagles the 5th most talented team in the NFL.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by mredskins

The Eagles are number 5? Lol! I pissed my pants on that one.

The only way they can possibly come up with that is if they are failing to properly weight the importance of each position. The Eagles are deep in certain spots - Guard comes to mind, they just went out and shopped in free agency and now their line is pretty deep.

But if the best you can muster is Sam Bradford as your starting QB then how good are you, really?

They have depth in spots but it's negated by weaknesses at key positions like QB, CB and WR. They're poor at all three. And at LT they're relying on an aging Jason Peters who seems to be getting injured more and more often.

PFF so often misses the forest for the trees. They do all these calculations but get so knee deep in their numbers that they forget to perform any common sense gut checks. Clowns.