My Redskins Wish List

[GhettoDogAllStars]

I've said this many times before, but I feel like it should be said again:
In my opinion, patience in the NFL isn't 3 or 5 years. Having patience means waiting 10 years or more.

Imagine a team in dire straits: no depth and all aging veterans -- basically starting from scratch. If an entire roster has to be trashed, then everyone must be drafted or signed through free agency. So, each team has 7 draft picks per year, and it usually takes about 3 years for the average draft pick to mature to starting NFL caliber. That means -- if the drafting is flawless -- in about 3 or 4 years, 14 players could be starting that were drafted. Pickup the other 8 guys through FA, and you have your starting 22 (don't even talk about depth, yet). Of course, you could pick up undrafted guys, and sign people off of practice squads -- but now you're really reaching beyond the realm of reality.

Everyone wants success in a few years, but it just isn't realistic for a team with many needs. You'd have to hit on every draft pick, and they'd all have to develop well, and get along together as a team.

Teams that go from losing to playoff contenders in just a few years, usually have very few problems to correct.

I don't necessarily think we have too many problems to fix in a few years -- we've already begun the improvement process, IMO. With a few guys here and there, and a season with no injuries, we could go all the way.

Like Matty said, "Overall... minimize any changes." We need stability. The coaches should come up with a conservative 5 year plan, and a 10 year plan. They should strive to draft a couple good guys every year (any more is just gravy), and try to build a TEAM. Then they should stick to their plan, regardless of the media or fan opinion. It's hard, and it probably won't happen, but that is what I'd like to see: commitment to a long-term, well defined plan.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

I've said this many times before, but I feel like it should be said again:
In my opinion, patience in the NFL isn't 3 or 5 years. Having patience means waiting 10 years or more.

Imagine a team in dire straits: no depth and all aging veterans -- basically starting from scratch. If an entire roster has to be trashed, then everyone must be drafted or signed through free agency. So, each team has 7 draft picks per year, and it usually takes about 3 years for the average draft pick to mature to starting NFL caliber. That means -- if the drafting is flawless -- in about 3 or 4 years, 14 players could be starting that were drafted. Pickup the other 8 guys through FA, and you have your starting 22 (don't even talk about depth, yet). Of course, you could pick up undrafted guys, and sign people off of practice squads -- but now you're really reaching beyond the realm of reality.

Everyone wants success in a few years, but it just isn't realistic for a team with many needs. You'd have to hit on every draft pick, and they'd all have to develop well, and get along together as a team.

Teams that go from losing to playoff contenders in just a few years, usually have very few problems to correct.

I don't necessarily think we have too many problems to fix in a few years -- we've already begun the improvement process, IMO. With a few guys here and there, and a season with no injuries, we could go all the way.

Like Matty said, "Overall... minimize any changes." We need stability. The coaches should come up with a conservative 5 year plan, and a 10 year plan. They should strive to draft a couple good guys every year (any more is just gravy), and try to build a TEAM. Then they should stick to their plan, regardless of the media or fan opinion. It's hard, and it probably won't happen, but that is what I'd like to see: commitment to a long-term, well defined plan.

What NFL have you been watching? The NFL I watch has the Saints go from 3-13 to 13-3.. The NFL I watch has been a league with new teams at the top almost yearly.. The NFL I watch has had the Ravens, Panthers, Bears, Rams, Pats, Seahawks, etc. go from obscurity to the Super Bowl almost overnight.. A 10 year plan??

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

What NFL have you been watching? The NFL I watch has the Saints go from 3-13 to 13-3.. The NFL I watch has been a league with new teams at the top almost yearly.. The NFL I watch has had the Ravens, Panthers, Bears, Rams, Pats, Seahawks, etc. go from obscurity to the Super Bowl almost overnight.. A 10 year plan??

If you read my post, you'll notice that I said the teams who go from losing to playoff contenders overnight usually only have a few needs.

Also, just because a team turns it around for 1 year, doesn't mean they turned the corner, or are a playoff contender. The Saints, Ravens, Panthers, Bears, and Rams are all good examples of that. Personally, I don't think any of those teams are in much better position than we are. I don't have any aspirations to be like them. After all, we made the playoffs in 2005 -- does that mean we have turned the corner? Absolutely not.

I would rather be like the Pats, Chargers, or Steelers. They have lots of young talent, and they are patient.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

If you read my post, you'll notice that I said the teams who go from losing to playoff contenders overnight usually only have a few needs.

Also, just because a team turns it around for 1 year, doesn't mean they turned the corner, or are a playoff contender. The Saints, Ravens, Panthers, Bears, and Rams are all good examples of that. Personally, I don't think any of those teams are in much better position than we are. I don't have any aspirations to be like them. After all, we made the playoffs in 2005 -- does that mean we have turned the corner? Absolutely not.

I would rather be like the Pats, Chargers, or Steelers. They have lots of young talent, and they are patient.

And none of them took 10 years to be good..

[Cowell]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

And none of them took 10 years to be good..

I think that is a bit of an exaggeration but I think the Chargers are the best example (up until they fired Marty of course). The built through the draft for about 3-4 years and when the big picture was finally revealed it was a 13-3 or 14-2 (I can't remember) Super Bowl contender.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Cowell

I think that is a bit of an exaggeration but I think the Chargers are the best example (up until they fired Marty of course). The built through the draft for about 3-4 years and when the big picture was finally revealed it was a 13-3 or 14-2 (I can't remember) Super Bowl contender.

3-4 years with incremental progress is a far cry from a 10 year plan.. I wish we had shown incremental progress within the past 3-4 years, I'd be all for that..

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

And none of them took 10 years to be good..

I think you're missing my point.

It doesn't have to be 10 years. Don't get stuck on that, because it's not my point. My point is that it should be more than 5. We should have a plan, and it shouldn't be hasty. Sure, it can happen in a few years, but it's not realistic to plan that way, IMO.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

If you read my post, you'll notice that I said the teams who go from losing to playoff contenders overnight usually only have a few needs.

Also, just because a team turns it around for 1 year, doesn't mean they turned the corner, or are a playoff contender. The Saints, Ravens, Panthers, Bears, and Rams are all good examples of that. Personally, I don't think any of those teams are in much better position than we are. I don't have any aspirations to be like them. After all, we made the playoffs in 2005 -- does that mean we have turned the corner? Absolutely not.

I would rather be like the Pats, Chargers, or Steelers. They have lots of young talent, and they are patient.

This should be everyone's sig. Exhibit A: Everyone was all over the Jets last year. They've turned it around. They've got a hot new coach, etc.

And now look at them.