Washington Redskins Front Office - Step 1: Admit You Have a Problem
by Sugar on Oct 19, 2009 1:25 PM EDT
in Analysis
77 comments
You'd think rock bottom would be a feeling you would just know and recognize. I thought we were there. I was wrong. Being at rock bottom means you can only go UP from here. Losing to the Chiefs was a new low, and with our eyes a little more wide open now, we should all recognize this elevator has a few more floors to hit on its way to "rock bottom."
We have officially concluded the "easy portion of our schedule." Awesome. Has it occurred to anyone yet that we are the "easy portion" of EVERYONE'S schedule? I am betting it has occurred to all of you. We are 2-4 against six teams that had not won a game prior to playing us. I know, I know...throw out the Giants but still, this might be the lowest point in franchise history. How many times has an NFL team played six straight teams without a win? ZERO. NEVER. The Redskins have sponsored more sideline water jug baths than Gatorade this season. And that was before we started playing teams that really know how to stick it to a struggling team like the Redskins.
I sat in my seat and watched every play. The one thing that kept popping through my head: The Chiefs are a really bad team. They made mistakes all over the place. They missed plays on offense and defense. AND THEY SHUT US DOWN. It was a very sobering reminder that we aren't just a player or two away from winning meaningful games in December and January. We are not even a player or two away from beating teams that have no business winning games.
I'm dying to know what the announcers said during the telecast after the 10th or 11th time Cassel threw an out pattern to the sidelines to a receiver that had yet to make his break. I'll tell you what I said from my seat, "Someone on the Chiefs coaching staff figured out a way to beat our corners for guaranteed yards whenever they want it." The worst part of that was that it wasn't even a crazy diagrammed play with various intricacies and complexity. It was a freaking 10-yard turn-around!! The receiver ran to the spot and by the time he turned around, the ball was hitting him in the numbers. And it wasn't just thrown once or twice--it was their primary means of moving the ball. Hell, on one play, the receiver forgot to turn around and Cassel hit him (wide open of course) in the back. Can anyone please tell me I have that wrong? Was there a point later in the game where DeAngelo Hall or Carlos Rogers made an adjustment? It looked to me like they were simply incapable of defending that play. You think Donovan McNabb won't be able to throw that pass--25 times?
Once again, our defense played well enough to be on the winning side. Notice I didn't say the defense played well enough for the Redskins to win. Because they did not. For our defense to play well enough for the Redskins to win, they would have to score points and hold the other team to single digits.
I will not be breaking down our offense in this column. The Chiefs did that for us yesterday. And the Panthers and the Lions and the Buccaneers, too. I will say this though, and this goes against every Clinton Portis-loving bone in my body: How did he not score on that run? It was as if he ran 75 yards like he was running for his life in the open field and then at the end he ran 3 yards like he runs every other carry he gets--straight at the ground. And when the referee spotted the ball at the 10 yard line, leaving us with only 3 chances to get the ball into the end zone, well...we have all seen that movie before.
Back to the issue at hand: we are not built to win it all...we are not built to win much. Key words: we are not built. The sad truth is that these are organizational losses. The offensive line was old and battered at the end of last season. The owner and Vinny decided that our offensive line was in good enough shape to go forward. They were wrong. Our secondary lacked coverage skills. DeAngelo Hall was signed to fix that. They were wrong. Our young wide receivers lacked opportunities to develop on the field and so they kept/re-signed Antwaan Randle El to occupy space we needed to use for that purpose. They were wrong.
A little bit of credit goes to Snyder for opening his wallet to bring guys in the way he does. I will never overlook this or discount it. I don't believe for a second Snyder wouldn't do whatever it took to get a quality player in the door to help the club. But he continues to rely on an average to below-average football mind in Vinny Cerrato to help him identify players and to guide the direction of this team. And he continues to hold on to and cling to players for reasons that escape me. For example, has ANYONE ever seen a team be more loyal to a kick returner than the Skins are to Randle-El? Here's a guy who seems to be out there these days purely based on his ability to not fumble the ball on punts. Yesterday, he fumbled/bobbled/muffed a catch. I grant you this rarely happens, but when he is not giving you ANYTHING else, isn't it time to move on? And not just for a punt here and a punt there to Santana Moss. We need a new punt returner. Don't any coaches/team officials in this organization have the guts to live up to the legacy of guys like Mike Nelms and Brian Mitchell? Punt returners are not just for fair catching and playing it conservatively. They are supposed to be finely tuned, dangerous weapons. We're not even throwing rocks back there.
So Cerrato and Snyder took away Zorn's play-calling status. Big deal. That is not admitting you have a problem. Firing Zorn would not be admitting you have a problem (though if I was Zorn, I would not take much more of this before resigning). Terminating Vinny Cerrato and deciding that the franchise is now going to go in another direction with a proven, credentialed football mind would be both admitting you have a problem and honestly working to correct it.
Only then will we know we have reached rock bottom. And only then can we all be confident that we will indeed go up from there.
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Amen.
Key words: we are not built. The sad truth is that these are organizational losses.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 19, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
these are organizational losses
right on the money
by aFan4Life on Oct 19, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to send a box of burgandy and gold
legos to the Redskins front office and to Snyders home….he just doesn’t get it!
I am boycotting anything Redskins.
by poopo on Oct 19, 2009 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Would it surprise you
I’m dying to know what the announcers said during the telecast after the 10th or 11th time Cassel threw an out pattern to the sidelines
to know they said that D. Hall “seems to be playing 10 yards off the ball on every play. At what point does he give a different look.” Of course, I knew the answer right away. It would be at the point that Greg Blache follows Zorn out the door. Gannon even commented on the fact that Hall is more of a man to man defender. Personally, I think this was true before he came here. Now he’s just a man to air defender.
Also, I have a correction. Saying that “we need a new punt returner” implies that we currently have someone filling that role. I’m not sure WHAT you call whatever the hell Randle Nil is doing out there, but it is definitely not punt RETURNING.
by CJHutch on Oct 19, 2009 1:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now CJ
you know randle el is just trying to decide which sideline he wants to run to in order to get some gatoraid
by skinaholic on Oct 19, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bunch of...
overpaid, freeloading Nancy’s posing as professional athletes and coaches. How do they sleep at night?
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
by Scott E on Oct 19, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
instead of counting sheep
they count their money
by aFan4Life on Oct 19, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
they buy a new bed
probably buy some relaxing music and think of how well they are doing in their mension
by a hay on Oct 19, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fire Zorn Already
Zorn is already a castrated coach after Vinny Cerrato ripped play-calling responsibilities from him. Just fire him already, the good fans of Washington deserve better.
Brad James
by the Bradfather on Oct 19, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The ‘Skins ought to bring back former WR Leslie Shepherd.
He was once known as the team’s resident geologist
and is an expert on matters “rock bottom”.
by Stephen S on Oct 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Zorn quitting
would actually be pretty huge and I kind of wish that would happen though I don’t think that his personality is conducive to that. I don’t have any illusions about the guy and at this point I think it would be pretty fair to say he got thrown in over his head particularly in this organization. My opinion is that it isn’t really his fault on that count. He came here thinking he was going to be an offensive coordinator something he may well have been good at under a solid head coach with a sensible front office. If he walked out and simply said “I gave it an honest shot but my time working with the Redskins has taught me a lot about how you do and don’t run an NFL team. I can’t right a ship that so many forces are pulling in the wrong direction.” I think everyone would have to respect him for that.
Like I said, the dude might be over his head as head coach but you can’t blame him for the personnel struggles. Remember the first half of last season when we had real O-linemen, aged and injury prone as they were? Zorn’s offense wasn’t blowing anyone away but at least it could compete. People will probably laugh at me for saying this but I think Zorn could be a capable O coordinator in a functional franchise. I don’t think it’s possible to keep him here at this point but I will wish the guy the best when he ultimately leaves or is canned.
Just think about our O-Line at the beginning of last year. It was Samuels, Kendall, Rabach, Thomas, Jansen/Heyer. All of them but Heyer were proven veterans who while not the best linemen in the world were tough and knew what they were doing even if they all were fast approaching the end of their careers. Without question these were NFL quality players. Now the only two people we have who belong on an NFL O-line are Dockery and Rabach and Rabach probably doesn’t have much time left either. Losing Samuels and Thomas at this point in their careers was totally predictable. I mean, how much is any offense or coach going to do with an O-line that frankly isn’t NFL caliber?
by SkinsOsTerps on Oct 19, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
preeeeeety much.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 19, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're right
but lots of people don’t under the impact of having a decent (I’m not even talking about good) offensive line. Snyder and VC are among them.
by aFan4Life on Oct 19, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No way
Zorn is coach following the bye week.
by artmonk4ever on Oct 19, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that is right...
The interim coach is screwed. Because he has zero chance of being the longterm coach and nobody packs it in like a team that has ZERO certainty of its future.
by Sugar on Oct 19, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What if we somehow pull a W out of our ass Monday? Does Zorn stick around?
I heard Jerry Gray would be the interim coach b/c Blache doesn’t want the gig.
by pas493 on Oct 19, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is the big question right?
The biggest problem to me is that locker rooms shut down when this kind of nonsense is going on. So our chances of winning are that much less. That said, if we win against the Eagles, Zorn will definitely not quit (if he even would anyway). I guess I’m inclined to think that Zorn is done here regardless though.
by Sugar on Oct 19, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SF 49ers
It depends on the coach…2008 49ers version didn’t shut it down and when players did (see Clinton Portis for Washington) then they were benched…with players who wanted to play…playing football.
I rather see a bunch of no-names trying then some of the players currently going through the motions.
by dr WNC on Oct 19, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Zorn wont quit. He has balls.
If im Zorn i dont resign. I make sure they fire me and i get paid, and then my loyalty and reputation is not tarnished when i go to another team and figure it out there.
by TheOverLordMarshl on Oct 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I gotcha
and I know he wouldn’t do that. I was talking more in terms of the statement it would make to the ownership. You’re right though it would be dumb for him to be a martyr for that cause when he can still get some money and quite possibly go be an offensive coordinator or at least go back to being a QB coach somewhere else.
by SkinsOsTerps on Oct 19, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
Although I would take it a step further and I would not have given play-calling. I would have told Vinny to get out of my way or fire me. I am the Head Coach and we’ll do my way until you have the balls to get rid of me. Zorn agreeing to this makes me think he wants to stay here and I don’t get that. He should want to leave.
We’ll see what happens at the end of the year, but snyder said he will never fire a head coach mid-season again. Think how much lower this could go if the head coach was fired.
by monk81 on Oct 19, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but he could have done it a Man’s way instead of looking like a broken, wimp of a guy. All he really had to do when Snyderrato made the suggestions is simply say NO, this is my team, I will make the decision, I will call the plays period. If you don’t like it, then fire me. That is what many coaches like Tony Dungy would have done. Instead, Zorn let that weasel walk over him and made him look like a doormat.
Mark
DC Pro Sports Report
by DCPSR on Oct 19, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, this is kind of what I was looking at too...
when I suggested he may resign. It’s kind of like when you date a girl and you start doing things that make it obvious this relationship ain’t going anywhere, like not calling for a week or banging her best friend. It would seem Zorn is not the quitting type, but at some point he has to see that Snyder will never want more than an occasional booty call and that’s it.
by Sugar on Oct 19, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a calculated call
that depends on what Zorn sees his future as being. I think Sugar is right that Zorn’s days with the Redskins are numbered and it’s just a matter of when. Does he think it would be best for his future career to be the loyal guy who stuck it out even through impossible circumstances? Or does he follow the view of DCPSR and monk81 expressed in standing up for himself and being the “in control” tough guy coach (think Belichick)? The money is definitely a consideration that weighs towards being the loyal gut but I also think an argument could be made for either in terms of how he wants to look when he’s back on the job market.
by SkinsOsTerps on Oct 19, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not sure Zorn will get another HC or OC job. Maybe a QB coach job, but that does not pay well.
by liger99 on Oct 19, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
HC probably not but I don't think OC is out of the question.
by SkinsOsTerps on Oct 19, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you think that because
of how well he calls plays?
by a hay on Oct 19, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is 56, so I don’t see him getting another chance. If he was in his 40’s, then I could see him getting another shot at even HC being most first time coaches get fired. It took him a long time to get an OC gig and that coupled with his Redskins failure is going to raise too many doubts. The trend at HC and OC has been to go with younger guys without track records and to break that trend with an older guy who has a bad track record would be pretty difficult.
by liger99 on Oct 20, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Terminating Vinny Cerrato and deciding that the franchise is now going to go in another direction with a proven, credentialed football mind would be both admitting you have a problem and honestly working to correct it… And only then can we all be confident that we will indeed go up from there.”
Can we really? Will Snyder actually be a man and recognize his shortcomings and give someone else full personnel control?
The way this man works, with his over-inflated ego and false belief in the supremacy of the few over the power of 53 solid players working together, I don’t see how he will ever be able to restrain himself from meddling. I wouldn’t be surprised if he hires another “yes man” who will enable his reckless spending ways.
The keyboard is mightier.
by breed16 on Oct 19, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
or will Snyder
fire the GM when he argues?
by aFan4Life on Oct 19, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't put bettin money on it.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
by GeoFly on Oct 19, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Step 2
Go away and don’t come back.
I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.
by GeoFly on Oct 19, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chiefs fan here
I’m sorry for you guys. I know what you’re going through now. We’ve had good ownership with the Hunt family, but our former GM (Carl Peterson) put us in the hole we’re in now. Repeated bad drafts and rediculously bad free agent signings combined with 3 years of bad coaching (Herm Edwards) left our once proud franchise the rotting carcass it is now.
Granted we got the win yesterday, but watching that game was like pulling teeth. It’s pretty bad when the network airing it decides to give the fans a glimpse of a real NFL game by having “technical difficulties” and “accidentally” airing 8 minutes of the BAL @ MIN game.
It took KC 10 years too long to fire Carl Peterson and totally purge the dead weight of all those years. KC is just now cleaning house and rebuilding. I really hope you guys get on track with that soon. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. I know it’s aggrovating as all hell to have to sit through this. Good luck to you.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 19, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
why are all of you KC bastards so well mannered?
makes it hard for me to be pissed at you and your team
SpotieOtieDopalicious
by Rekka on Oct 19, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because most of us are emotionally dry and have been sombered by the last few years.
28 losses in 30 games can do that to a fan base.
About the Chiefs: I'd rather be a realist than a pessimist
by Red N Gold Beast on Oct 19, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why be pissed at the Cheifs?
They only sacked us twice. That’s saying something.
They gave up that long ass run that Portis choked at the end of. A decent running back would have punched it in.
They did everything they could to give the game away. We just wrapped up the package a bit nicer for them.
by snowburnt on Oct 19, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It took KC 10 years too long to fire Carl Peterson
Maybe it takes Snyder the rest of this year to see that the problem is Cerrato.
by bigrm18 on Oct 19, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Viva la Revolution
So what’s next Sug?
I want to know what the next step of your revolution is. You seem pretty angry about this game, even bad mouthing some players. Doesn’t exactly go with what you have been preaching the last few weeks of going to games and supporting your team no matter what.
I really don’t mean to write to you in rudeness, I know that the dismal state of this franchise is getting to you, it’s gotten to all of us long time redskins fans. I’m just waiting for the younger generation of fans to come around and except that this team is going no where until Cerrato is thrown out on his ass and Snyder realizes that his meddling ways has ruined the franchise he grew up adoring.
Here’s to getting a top five pick in the draft and screwing that up as well.
by query8779 on Oct 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nowhere in the Revolution does it state we want Cerrato to stay
In fact, I think calling for the front office to be held accountable for the team’s shortcomings is a direct call for Cerrato to be shown the door.
As for being a fan, I was in my seat the whole game, as loud as I could get when the defense was on the field and as quiet in my disbelief as the rest of the fan base as that game moved toward conclusion.
The next step in our Revolution is coming out on Wednesday, and will be a measured letter once again. The whole purpose of our struggle is to get as many people on board and in time present the team with a very united group of fans that they have to deal with. That could take a while, so we have to just keep on keeping on in the meantime. I won’t be going anywhere, as I am sure you won’t be either. Right now we are just setting the table, putting out a message that people can support.
And I was happy to see that I was not alone in wearing an armband, though I only saw a small handful of others this past week. In time, my hope is that will grow.
by Sugar on Oct 19, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
FROM CNNSI:
Sources: Mike Shanahan Turned Down Redskins Coaching Job
The skins are kidding themself if they think they can attract a quality, proven coach. Hiring Zorn proved it and they way he was treated, it probably means a promotion from within. Zorn might be in over his head, but Dan is treating him awful. Fire the guy already.
by les boulez bomber on Oct 19, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
pro football talk article
had some info on that:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/20/shanahan-skins-reports-persist/
“Now, a Redskins source concedes to Thomas George of FanHouse.com that, indeed, Shanahan had been approached and that, yes, he said “no.”
“Shanahan told the franchise there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works,’’ the unnamed Redskins management source told FanHouse. “Several people that Dan Snyder trusts have suggested, if he makes a move, he should turn it over to secondary coach Jerry Gray. That could still happen.”
This doesn’t mean that Shanahan won’t be the Redskins coach in 2010. And one of his terms (in addition to a salary greater than the $7 million he’ll earn from the Broncos by not working) likely will be a request that executive V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato be given his walking papers."
by aFan4Life on Oct 20, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nobody but a fool would take on a new job mid-season
especially a roster as broken as ours
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 20, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what younger fans…we are sub 500 since 1992!
by les boulez bomber on Oct 19, 2009 5:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
knowing vinny…top 5 pick means best center in the draft…every offensive play begins with his hands on the ball…the anchor to the O-line, yada yada
or a better punt returner so we can start every posession in field goal range
by les boulez bomber on Oct 19, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The ones over the last few weeks who aren’t ready to blame Snyder, the ones who feel Campbell is a good player, that Portis is still a prime running back and so on and so on…..
by query8779 on Oct 19, 2009 5:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hahaha, I like your style bomber, isn’t it great to be a redskin fan
Maybe we can get another back up TE for cooley and some more weapons for Campbell who don’t get open and who he won’t throw to
by query8779 on Oct 19, 2009 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Step 1
Step 1 has to be ousting Cerratto. If admittance is worth anything it will be Snyder understanding his right hand man doesn’t have the brains to do his job. Keep Zorn around for the season, the man doesn’t have too much going for him when management is making decisions behind his back. It’s low when everyone is relieved to watch the Ravens for a break .
The young fans are still here. We’re frustrated.
by A-Frankie on Oct 19, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think...
we need to find a new GM right now and make plans for the off-season. By week 15 we need to at least have an idea of 2 people who would should replace Zorn. There really is not a point in firing Zorn now. I think it would be better if the front office came out and said there are not going to fire Zorn, that way the locker room can actually focus on winning games rather than who is going to be coaching them next week.
by Nobetterthenbob on Oct 19, 2009 7:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Key solution to our problems.
Mike Shanahan. A great Coach, and even better, a GM. He wont allow for Cerrato and Snyder to further make bonehead decisions. Until this offseason when he signs, lets just watch Andre carter and Brian Orakpo sack QBs every game and change the channel when the offense takes the field.
Get Oher or Maybin please
by Horcasitas4 on Oct 19, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Completely disagree about Shanahan
He was an ok coach with a great quarterback in John Elway. His last few years, Denver was not competitive. Look at the difference between Denver last year and Denver this year. Yes there are a couple key personnel differences, but its no wholesale change.
In fact, Shanahan’s personnel decisions have not been great either. A lot of people have talked about how he completely disregarded the defensive side of the ball and thought Brian Griese and Jake Plummer would be good quarterbacks.
Also, no coach has ever won a superbowl with two different teams and coaches tend to go downhill in their late 50s. I almost lost it when I heard the report that they had offered him the job. My only hope is that they fire Vinny, hire a new GM and let that individual pick the coach. There is nothing else that I am going to root for this year.
by Boo. on Oct 19, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree Boo
Shanahan is not the Answer, I can’t think of any GM/Coach
A GM
A coach
by dr WNC on Oct 19, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the problem
is that Snyder has no idea how to identify competent people and that goes for GM, HC, players and so on.
He picked Marty because he had the reputation. Then he tried a college coach with a reputation. Then he brought back a legend (with a reputation) who did well considering what he had to work with (I’d take a 10-6 & 9-7 season right now) but I bet he got tired of the Snyderrato antics. Then he hired a no name because that has worked for other people. So now he’s going full circle back to someone with a reputation. What he hasn’t done is learn how to hire a good GM and let the GM take care of the rest.
by aFan4Life on Oct 20, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Snyder is a large part of the problem
He need to understand that teams are created via the draft, the draft allow teams to get young cheap player who form the core of the side, and when there are holes, these holes are fill by hungry FAs
Snyder signed Haynesworth to a fat contract …. he will turn into the next Eddy Curry, he is going to make millions without lifting a finger. He signed Deangelo Hall to a massive contract and Hall is going to make million without ever tackling a WR.
Meanwhile we waste 3 second round draft pick last year for 2 WR and 1 TE, who are of no use to us, because we still have Moss and Cooley. Quite simply if those picks were used in the OL and DL, we would be a much better team, Management has completely stuffed this team up …. we are going to be the doormat of the NFC East for at least 5 years
by a hay on Oct 19, 2009 8:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A different view
from someone who is not standing on the edge of a cliff.
I agree you have Moss and Cooley but after that who do you have? Taking 3 offensive skill players in the second round last year was a good thing to do. However, they have not been able to contribute on the field and why is this?
Is it because they have struggled to learn the playbook?
Is it because Campbell has not learnt to check down to the 2nd and 3rd choice on a play?
Is it the playcalling which does not get them into the game?
As for using those picks on OL – looking at the players drafted after your picks there are no OL players starting for other teams who you could have not picked up with your 3rd round (A Collins Bengals) and 4th round (Nicks – Saints). I have not checked on DL – but if AH played like he did last season there would not be any issues!
So where does this leave the Redskins – well certainly in limbo for this season.
However, the right coach with a fresh start could easy turn your team around – just look at the Falcons and Dolphins two years ago and the Broncos this year – so 2010 could be when it happens for you!
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 5:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
Taking 3 offensive skill players in the second round last year was a good thing to do.
No, it wasn’t. It was putting all your eggs in one basket. Especially the tight end pick, when we already had a young, stud TE, signed to a long term deal.
However, they have not been able to contribute on the field and why is this?
It seems because all three suck, leading us to the 2nd problem: Not only can Snyderrato not manage a team, but it seems they can’t draft well either, especially when it’s not a top 10 pick.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 20, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna say Orakpo
but that was just dumb luck
especially when it’s not a top 10 pick.
SpotieOtieDopalicious
by Rekka on Oct 20, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just trying
to understand if it is a minor issue of the QB just not throwing them the ball or a major issue of disbanding the team and starting again.
Can you name a couple of players you would have drafted in the second round instead so that we can debate what difference they might have made?
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to understand if it is a minor issue of the QB just not throwing them the ball or a major issue of disbanding the team and starting again.
Personally I haven’t seen them getting open, so as far as I can tell they’re just not good. But then again, with a team this bad, it’s hard to evaluate anyone.
Can you name a couple of players you would have drafted in the second round instead so that we can debate what difference they might have made?
As a general principle, I would have drafted linemen, linemen, and then more linemen. I can use hindsight and tell you which good linemen were drafted, but that’s nothing but that: hindsight.
For example, we traded our 2008 first rounder to the Falcons, who then took a good young starting offensive tackle, Sam Baker, with that pick.
According to Footballoutsiders.com, the last two drafts may have been the deepest all-time at offensive line, and especially offensive tackle. You know how many tackles we drafted?
Zero.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 20, 2009 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You did draft
Rinehart in 2008.
But looking at the draft history only 2 OL in the period 2005 to 2009 – but then again how many Trades/FA’s have you picked up on the OL – Thomas, Kendall & Rabach are 3 that I can think off.
Still was the loss to the Chiefs worse than the Eagles losing to the Raiders (I know you have not played the Raiders yet).
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since 1999 we've drafted four OL in the first three rounds
that’s pathetic, that’s terrible management, that’s classic Snyder.
we signed OL free agents, who are now all over 30 and have yet to be replaced by anyone decent.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 20, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot argue
against that.
The Giants fans keep moaning about our backup OL and we have been spending 2nd round picks on trying to fix that problem!
Mind you we did not draft a safety in 2009 and that is coming back to haunt us now with Phillips out injured.
We could always send you an OL for one of your safeties!
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The 3 skill players have not contributed
because the QB have no time to find them, without an OL and a DL, it does not matter if you have Manning, Moss and Johnson, you are not going tot win
by a hay on Oct 20, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, who's the new coach?
It seems inevitable that Zorn is gone, but then who steps in? If I could pick, I’d have to say get Bill Cowher in here immediately. The Skins need the attitude, the swagger, the smash mouth to come back to the DC area, and Cowher can do all that plus keep them disciplined. After I left the DC area in 81, I moved about an hour south of Pittsburgh and saw what Cowher did with that squad. Give him full power and control, and we’d be back in the fray in no time. I just don’t see Shannahan as the answer. Holmgren—maybe. If all else fails, get Russ Grimm to come home. Thoughts?
by Skins fan in Dallas on Oct 20, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it's all window dressing
until Snyder gets his head out of his ass.
The Offensive Line is Snyder's Fault
by smutsboy1 on Oct 20, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
funny posters
and if you included all the free agents busts you could go on for years.
Even one of the better trades, the trade for CP doesn’t look too great right now. I’m not saying CP hasn’t been a good player but I think Champ Bailey was just as good and he’s still playing well, much better than CP is playing.
In Matt Bowen’s article today on the National Fottball Post he said “If Champ Bailey isn’t playing the best football at the cornerback position in the NFL right now, who is? He locked down Vincent Jackson when he was matched up in coverage, and his play allows the Broncos to pressure whenever they want to — because they don’t have to worry about his side of the field.”
CP isn’t having that kind of impact at all. I know a lot of it is the OL problems but even so I’d rather have a shut down CB than a well worn and mediocre RB.
by aFan4Life on Oct 20, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well known
that RB’s wear out faster than any other position and Portis has seen a lot of carries.
If Portis had won you a Superbowl would it have become a good trade?
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe
but we didn’t have the team for a superbowl even back then so that ‘if’ was a very big if. I think the 10-6 & 9-7 records show that Gibbs wasn’t washed up (as some people claimed). The truth is that the roster wasn’t that good and he did well to have winning records in a tough division. Of course if any of these NFC East teams spent a year in the NFC West they’d have a good shot at going 14-2 or 15-1. :P
Because RB’s wear out fast they should be the LAST player you pick up when rebuilding, not the first.
by aFan4Life on Oct 20, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
But if the team management mindset was that we are only a RB from winning it all you can understand the trade.
However, as you rightly point out the mindset was misguided as to the talent of the team.
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
I see your point and if the evaluation was right then it would have been a good trade.
That’s why a lot of us are so disspirited. If the coaching were really the issue the turn around could be fairly quick, as you pointed out in this post. But when the owner & GM are the problem when what do you do? Our only hope is that Snyder likes winning more than employing his buddy and that he realizes that he needs to hire a real GM and stop meddling.
by aFan4Life on Oct 20, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like
your the long lost relation of the Cowboys.
A GM who meddles in player moves, a lame duck coach coupled with a high fan expectation based on the team’s history.
Not a good combination.
by G Fan in England on Oct 20, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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