What are our greatest remaining needs?

[Winskins]

Getting ready for the 2004 season, what positions do you think that we really need to work on (many say S, DT, DE, and TE; do you agree)?
What do you think is the best way of fulfilling these needs?
Do you see any players on the current roster that could stand up and make a big impression in one of these positions in 2004?

I always love to hear what everyone has to say

[SmootSmack]

I think we need a playmaker at safety (Hello Sean Taylor!), and could use some depth on the defensive line.

I think a rejuvenated Byron Chamberlain will provide the answer for us at the TE spot

[Winskins]

I just looked at the smiley face on my post. Yikes! I don't know what was up with that. I meant to have one of these
party on!

By the way, do you think that Brandon Noble is going to get back from rehab and be the type of player we need on the D-line?

[Pick Sean Taylor or you might end up like this ]

[Redskins8588]

I agree with Smootsmack I think that we need a force in the secondary at safety. The way I see it, I think that with all of the additions at LB, we will see more of LaVar and Washingtion rushing the passer and have fresh LB's to give them a break during the game. Even if we draft Taylor he could rush the QB given the depth we have at the corner position now. Just my thoughts.

[BrudLee]

To make us good for next year - Udezi.

To make us good for the next five years - Sean Taylor.


DE is a much greater immediate need than safety. I hope that the trades we may be working out will allow us to get both Taylor, who's an absolute ballhawk, and someone to provide a pass rush from our D-line.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Winskins

I just looked at the smiley face on my post. Yikes! I don't know what was up with that. I meant to have one of these
party on!

By the way, do you think that Brandon Noble is going to get back from rehab and be the type of player we need on the D-line?

[Pick Sean Taylor or you might end up like this ]

All indications are that Noble is ahead of schedule but honestly I'm a bit skeptical. I can't think of anyone who's come back from an injury like his so quickly. I guess right now he's penciled in as the starter with Griffen at tackle but I'm not sold on Noble being totally healthy and Salave'a and Hailey as the backups

I guess on some occassion Daniels will move inside and Wynn and Upshaw will play ends or the linebackers (LaVar, Washington) will play up on the line

[SKINSnCANES]

Do you think Udezi would make that much of a differnce next year. hes a solid player but he seems liek the type of players that we have. One that doesnt give up the big play but doesnt put up many stats either. I could be wrong about him but I cant see him getting to many sacks at the pro level

[skinsfanthru&thru]

I know this may seem dumb to some people but I see the stand out player this year from the non starters will be either Daniels or if we aquire Taylor, Bowen. I think with out a shadow of a doubt in my mind that we will be better against the run than we have been in years. we may not get as much pressure on the qb from our starting lineman, but with Daniels, Griffin, Noble/Haley/or possibly someone picked up either with our later picks or from the salary cap cut pool, and Wynn ,we will have solid strength against the run as long as the lb's play their assignments correctly this year. Daniels has a decent push off the edge and is stout against the run.
I know a lot of people r down on Bowen from last season mostly about him somehow getting burnt by Keyshawn, but we all know he can lay the wood down and if under a good defensive coach(especially one who's proven he knows what he's doing and has gotten above average production out of previously average DBs) he can perform well in tandem with Taylor.

Even though this position isn't needing nearly as much help as the others listed in the original post, I think the back up to Portis will be very important and I see Betts getting closer to his potential under the tutelage(sp?) or Gibbs and Byner. Portis isn't really the type of back who's gonna be able to handle 30 or so touches a game for the entire season and the offense needs to remain sharp when he's not in the game. I think with Betts combination of size and speed, it makes him a solid backup to portis. He's proven that he can run up the middle as well as catch a pass when needed and turn it into a big play. His injuries last year were bone related and should be healed completely by TC if not already.
I think we might also see (if holdman isn't signed) clifton smith steal the starting mlb spot from Mitchell either during camp or sometime during the year. We've all heard how much Williams loves fast, smart linebackers and lets face it, Mitchell at the ripe age of 33 I believe isn't exactly as fast as he used to be.
I know I kinda diverted from the original question but those r the guys I think r gonna have a good chance at stepping up this year.

[SmootSmack]

I'm excited to see what a healthy Jacobs can do.

But I think the player to really watch out for is Marcus Washington. In light of all the other moves the Redskins made this offseason, the Washington pick up sort of flew under the radar but he can flat out play. I love that move

[Winskins]

Basically, from the perspective of being able to get pressure on the quarterback, I think that we already have the ability to do well. With Phillip Daniels (who twice has gotten 9 sacks in a season), Cornelius Griffin (whose athleticism and power have been noticed, especially when he tallied 5 sacks in his rookie year), Reagan Upshaw (should he perform up to his past), and Brandon Noble (assuming recovery) I think we will already have a great upfront push. In addition, we have two linebackers that are unbelievably fast and strong, both reaching the peaks of their careers and both fresh off of 6 sack seasons (Lavar and Marcus). Then, if we draft Taylor, I think that it will allow us yet another option to bring steady pressure against the QB (hopefully even allow us to witness some Ronny Lott type hits). So, although our defense is not quite complete, I think 'skins fans have very good things to look forward to defensely in the upcoming year, especially with Williams calling the plays.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by Winskins

Basically, from the perspective of being able to get pressure on the quarterback, I think that we already have the ability to do well. With Phillip Daniels (who twice has gotten 9 sacks in a season), Cornelius Griffin (whose athleticism and power have been noticed, especially when he tallied 5 sacks in his rookie year), Reagan Upshaw (should he perform up to his past), and Brandon Noble (assuming recovery) I think we will already have a great upfront push. In addition, we have two linebackers that are unbelievably fast and strong, both reaching the peaks of their careers and both fresh off of 6 sack seasons (Lavar and Marcus). Then, if we draft Taylor, I think that it will allow us yet another option to bring steady pressure against the QB (hopefully even allow us to witness some Ronny Lott type hits). So, although our defense is not quite complete, I think 'skins fans have very good things to look forward to defensely in the upcoming year, especially with Williams calling the plays.

I have no doubt we'll have better pressure on the QB - I just don't see it coming from our line. Looking to an aging player's past accomplishments is what left us getting run over last year. There are too many "if's" to call this line an improvement over last year's, much less a group with the ability to apply pressure without the aid of the LB's.

[JoeGibbsIsBack]

I think TE and D-line are our biggest needs. I like Ohalate and think he's improving so unless some how we wind up with two picks in the top 10, I say take Winslow if they don't trade down. It would fill out the last shaky positition on offense and why not just finish out the most talented offense in the league?

[Daseal]

I feel we have a balanced team pretty much right now. I think our D Line is underpowered but we have the talent on our defense (and staff) to balance this out. I think Williams will bring it hard against the QB all year and as Winskins said, we'll be able to stop the run and I think we'll have much more push.

I honestly expect Wynn to have a VERY good season. I think with someone in the middle he might be able to do better. It's just a guess, but I think he'll stand out this year. People will be worried about Daniels from the other side and Wynn will get the QB. Either way, we need to blitz hard and fast!

[skins009]

I wanted to saw our biggest need on D right now is D-line. But I instead I think we need a playmaker even more. Exactly why i would go with sean Tayler. Plus the guy is gonna be the best safety of all time.

[Jamaican'Skin]

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