Phil Taylor done for the year

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

Washington Redskins look in-house first to replace Phil Taylor - Washington Redskins Blog- ESPN

good stuff here. IMO, best case scenario would be to move Niles Paul to SF with someone Tomsula has worked with at Nose. Im fairly certain Kyle Shanny was a big Paul fan.

No. Niles is too important for us. We trade him and we have nobody capable of filling the FB role. Jay still calls plays requiring a FB, even though we have nobody listed as FB. Paul is that guy. I get where you're going - trade from a position of strength, and TE is such a position. But Paul is a special teams ace, plays that FB role, and makes for valuable depth at TE. That versatility guarantees he dresses every game day.

The NT spot is important, but we can scrape it together using McGee, Ziggy, or if Mbu or Francis step up then even better.

If we do think of trading, Niles would not be one of the guys I'd think of as a candidate.

[Schneed10]

Not to mention, Niles is our best in-line blocking TE. Crucial to have him play in short yardage and goalline packages, unless we want to see Fat Rob score fewer than 5 rushing TDs this year.

[Chico23231]

True, my hang up is Niles Paul has only played 8 games the last 2 years. While NT isn't a make or break...a better option along the DL within our base, I personally would be ok with moving Paul. Ive heard Sprinkle has really improved and showed promise with his run blocking.

Just an option

[Schneed10]

If it was a very good NT option that would change things, for sure. But if a frog had wings...

Injuries are a fair point. I always struggle with flukiness vs trend. Like Paul's injuries, one was a guy falling on his leg and breaking it in the preseason. Seems fluky and just unlucky. Then there's Doctson - two weak ass soft tissue injuries in two years, not brought on by traumatic contact. I worry about him being just one of those guys who can never go.

Who the hell knows. I'm sure every team in the league has their share of guys with stupid ass nagging soft tissue shit. But I feel like it's been a bad problem for us and nothing is more aggravating.

[MTK]

Look at the Ravens injury bug right now if you want to see what must be an extremely annoyed fan base

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by MTK

Look at the Ravens injury bug right now if you want to see what must be an extremely annoyed fan base

I wont be shedding any tears. They shoulda signed Kap because Mallet is terrible and I don't think Flacco is ready for the season.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Not to mention, Niles is our best in-line blocking TE. Crucial to have him play in short yardage and goalline packages, unless we want to see Fat Rob score fewer than 5 rushing TDs this year.

Looks like they are shopping Carrier and NOT Paul...makes sense per Keim:

The Redskins have talked to teams about their interest in trading for tight end Derek Carrier, according to multiple sources. He's had a strong camp and they like him but they have a surplus at tight end with Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis, Niles Paul and Jeremy Sprinkle. They'll likely keep four at the position

[Schneed10]

Good. Carrier's skill set is already present on the roster in spades - he's a pass catcher and Reed and Davis have that covered for sure.

Not optimistic we'll get anything. Teams know he won't make the roster. If they want him all they have to do is wait till Thursday when he's inevitably released.

But cutting good players is a sign of how far our roster has come. Finally we feel deep enough at most positions. Now we could use a little more superstar power, and then we're really talking.