What are our greatest remaining needs?

Longtimefan · 04-01-2004, 01:03 PM

Regan Upshaw may not be our long term solution coming off the edge, but I think he has a year or so left, and may be able to help that DE position on passing downs.

We knew when we brought him here last year that he was coming off an injury (Same as with Dave Fiore) who didn"t play at all last season. Regan saw limited action for two reasons,first he was not completely healthy, and second he had Bruce Smith complaining to the FO about his playing time which further limited his minutes. Those "SackMaster" DE's that we all wish for are not always there because they are so hard to come by. We haven't had anything off the edge since Dexter Manley, so I'm going to stay pumped about what we do have because I know we can't fix it all in one off-season.

Mymain concern with Upshaw however is not his rushing ability, (or lack thereof) It's those bone-head penalties he braggs about getting. I'm hoping that with better coaching,coupled with a little discipline, he' be a much better performer this year.

Go Skins!!!

SkinsRock · 04-01-2004, 01:40 PM

Obviously, as everyone has stated, our biggest need is the D-line. IMO it has been improved, but not by much...player-wise. But the coaching has been improved immensely (as with the entire team), so I'm content with trusting the coaching staff to motivate these guys, and to be creative with the pass rush...

Jamaican'Skin · 04-01-2004, 09:21 AM

I agree with you 009. We already have a great offense, and defense needs improvement, therefore draft Taylor. It just makes sense.

Jamaican'Skin · 04-01-2004, 09:32 AM

This is true, but none of these D line guys are real long term stars. They might solve the problem for a year or two, but Sean Taylor would solve our Safety problems for much longer. Rome was not built in a day, neither can this 'Skins team. I say take Taylor this year.

MTK · 04-01-2004, 09:57 AM

I'm concerned over the d-line.

Have we really upgraded in any way? I mean seriously, before we signed him did anyone really know of Daniels? He doesn't seem to be much better than what we already have.

As for Griffin, the guy has skills and a lot of potential, but for the most part he's been a disappointment thus far.

As for the holdovers, let's face the facts on Wynn, the guy is an average DE who is never going to rack up the sacks. Seems like every year we're waiting for him to break out, but I think it's time to realize it's not gonna happen. How about Upshaw? He's always been touted as a guy with good pass rushing skills, but he is yet to prove himself worthy of a #1 pick. He like Wynn is average at best.

I like Holsey, the guy has a good motor and is a bit of an overachiever, but still, he's nothing special. Noble is probably not going to be able to contribute much coming off a very serious injury. Even if he was 100%, I see him in the same mold of Holsey and Haley, average guys who are probably best suited as backups.

I don't see anyone right now that can pressure the QB consistently on the line, or anyone that is particularly stout against the run. Williams is going to have to be creative to bring pressure, and that could leave us vulnerable in coverage.

Defensewins · 04-01-2004, 10:01 AM

I am not sure which Brain Noble you guys are talking about, or if you have seen him play before he came to the Redskins?
I hope Brandon Noble becomes the next Dave Butz. But even in his prime (before his injury) he was a good (not great) blue collar run stopper - not flashy, just steady. He is not a strong, disrupter, pocket collapser like Darryl Gardner was two years ago. He has never been (in his career) nor will he become a big pass rush DT. What the Skins need is another strong disrupter DT like Griffen (hopefully Griffin stays healthy).
Given Noble's severe knee injury last year, it is wishful thinking to pencil him into the starting line up. We will be lucky if Noble makes the squad and not on the unable to perform list.
There is a reason the Cowboys choose not re-sign him. He is not a top DT.
I think he is another example of Cerrato/Snyder over paying for an average at best player. Bowens so far has shown to be another.

RedskinRat · 04-01-2004, 02:02 PM

There should be a huge difference in the players this season just through coaching upgrade alone. I'd so for Sean Taylor, he'll be a force for years.

04-01-2004, 10:01 AM	#6
Defensewins Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,767	I am not sure which Brain Noble you guys are talking about, or if you have seen him play before he came to the Redskins? I hope Brandon Noble becomes the next Dave Butz. But even in his prime (before his injury) he was a good (not great) blue collar run stopper - not flashy, just steady. He is not a strong, disrupter, pocket collapser like Darryl Gardner was two years ago. He has never been (in his career) nor will he become a big pass rush DT. What the Skins need is another strong disrupter DT like Griffen (hopefully Griffin stays healthy). Given Noble's severe knee injury last year, it is wishful thinking to pencil him into the starting line up. We will be lucky if Noble makes the squad and not on the unable to perform list. There is a reason the Cowboys choose not re-sign him. He is not a top DT. I think he is another example of Cerrato/Snyder over paying for an average at best player. Bowens so far has shown to be another. Last edited by Defensewins; 04-01-2004 at 10:11 AM.

04-01-2004, 01:03 PM	#1
Longtimefan Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Germantown, Md. Posts: 4,832	Regan Upshaw Regan Upshaw may not be our long term solution coming off the edge, but I think he has a year or so left, and may be able to help that DE position on passing downs. We knew when we brought him here last year that he was coming off an injury (Same as with Dave Fiore) who didn"t play at all last season. Regan saw limited action for two reasons,first he was not completely healthy, and second he had Bruce Smith complaining to the FO about his playing time which further limited his minutes. Those "SackMaster" DE's that we all wish for are not always there because they are so hard to come by. We haven't had anything off the edge since Dexter Manley, so I'm going to stay pumped about what we do have because I know we can't fix it all in one off-season. Mymain concern with Upshaw however is not his rushing ability, (or lack thereof) It's those bone-head penalties he braggs about getting. I'm hoping that with better coaching,coupled with a little discipline, he' be a much better performer this year. Go Skins!!!

04-01-2004, 01:40 PM	#2
SkinsRock Impact Rookie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Crofton, MD Age: 56 Posts: 907	Obviously, as everyone has stated, our biggest need is the D-line. IMO it has been improved, but not by much...player-wise. But the coaching has been improved immensely (as with the entire team), so I'm content with trusting the coaching staff to motivate these guys, and to be creative with the pass rush...

04-01-2004, 09:21 AM	#3
Jamaican'Skin The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Age: 39 Posts: 2,418	I agree with you 009. We already have a great offense, and defense needs improvement, therefore draft Taylor. It just makes sense.

04-01-2004, 09:32 AM	#4
Jamaican'Skin The Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kingston, Jamaica Age: 39 Posts: 2,418	This is true, but none of these D line guys are real long term stars. They might solve the problem for a year or two, but Sean Taylor would solve our Safety problems for much longer. Rome was not built in a day, neither can this 'Skins team. I say take Taylor this year.

04-01-2004, 09:57 AM	#5
MTK Hail Raiser Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 53 Posts: 100,044	I'm concerned over the d-line. Have we really upgraded in any way? I mean seriously, before we signed him did anyone really know of Daniels? He doesn't seem to be much better than what we already have. As for Griffin, the guy has skills and a lot of potential, but for the most part he's been a disappointment thus far. As for the holdovers, let's face the facts on Wynn, the guy is an average DE who is never going to rack up the sacks. Seems like every year we're waiting for him to break out, but I think it's time to realize it's not gonna happen. How about Upshaw? He's always been touted as a guy with good pass rushing skills, but he is yet to prove himself worthy of a #1 pick. He like Wynn is average at best. I like Holsey, the guy has a good motor and is a bit of an overachiever, but still, he's nothing special. Noble is probably not going to be able to contribute much coming off a very serious injury. Even if he was 100%, I see him in the same mold of Holsey and Haley, average guys who are probably best suited as backups. I don't see anyone right now that can pressure the QB consistently on the line, or anyone that is particularly stout against the run. Williams is going to have to be creative to bring pressure, and that could leave us vulnerable in coverage.

04-01-2004, 02:02 PM	#7
RedskinRat Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: I'm in LA, trick! Posts: 8,700	There should be a huge difference in the players this season just through coaching upgrade alone. I'd so for Sean Taylor, he'll be a force for years.

What are our greatest remaining needs?

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