Washington Redskins Draft: Youth Movement Continues To Be Served
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 4:00 PM EDT
in Draft
63 comments
Another draft in the books. The endless debate on how teams did this past weekend begins. The Skins simply had little to work with in this draft, an altogether too common occurrence in recent years. In the second tour of duty for Joe Gibbs, a re-emphasis on the draft--or at least a more serious focus on the kinds of players you bring into town--was seemingly established. This is not to say the Redskins are a team that will rely solely on the draft. They continue to prove that they believe in aggressive free agency activity. But Dan Snyder's word that they would not trade next year's #1 was upheld. And finally, a top pick was used to draft a highly touted defensive lineman. I have been a broken record since the end of Round 2 in last year's draft. Mostly for my own sanity's sake, I agreed to be okay with drafting 2 WR's and a TE all in the 2nd round of one draft as long as in the next draft, they used their highest pick(s) on linemen. Offensive, defensive, don't care. I thought that since it takes receivers longer to adjust to the pros than linemen (especially defensive linemen), why not get at least one or two pass catchers into the program and learning and then bring some OL/DL studs into the fold.
This draft will be judged by the performance of Brian Orakpo on the field. But before we get there, let's celebrate the refreshing nature of identifying an impact defensive lineman, and then when the chance to actually select him fell into our lap, we did not overthink it or get cute.
KevinE thinks we did a B- in this draft. I have a hard time giving the Skins anything worse than that. To me, Cody Glenn, Robert Henson and Eddie Williams are exactly the kinds of players you have to take in the late rounds because everything you read and watch about them suggests they love playing football. They better. Because they won't be getting any mega-deal to sign. They won't be on the cover of any video games. And they won't be on the tips of anyone's tongues in debates leading up to the regular season. But their contribution could be significant. And since Vinny drafted 'em, Vinny ain't cutting them. So they will get a chance.
Let's say Vinny learned his lesson last season and won't keep every single guy he drafted this weekend. For argument's sake, we'll cut Marko Mitchell just because he was the last guy picked. Then let's take a look at the list of current Redskins who were born in 1983 or later (rough cutoff date plucked that keeps the list at or around 25/26 years old).
Lorenzo Alexander, DT
Anthony Alridge, RB
H.B. Blades, LB
Colt Brennan, QB
Alex Buzbee, DE
Devin Clark, OL
Fred Davis, TE
Dominique Dorsey, RB
Alfred Fincher, LB
Kedric Golston, DT
Michael Grant, S
DeAngelo Hall, CB
Stephon Heyer, OL
Chris Horton, S
Rob Jackson, DE
Malcolm Kelly, WR
LaRon Landry, S
Anthony Montgomery, DT
Will Montgomery, OL
Kareem Moore, S
Rueben Riley, OL
Chad Rinehart, OL
Devin Thomas, WR
Justin Tryon, CB
Chris Wilson, Rocky McIntosh, Chris Cooley and Dave Rayner would be guys that just missed being on this list (1982) but we will include them anyway. If you add in Orakpo, Barnes, Glenn, Henson, and Williams, and--again, for argument's sake--knock out Alridge, Dorsey, Grant, and Riley, we have a total of 27 players on the Redskins roster all in that 25/26/27 age range. That is over half of the opening day roster. And the overwhelming majority of these players were drafted here in Washington. Looking up and down the list, there is a healthy mix of first-class talent, starters that make strong contributions, role players, and guys we still don't know anything about.
I feel like this is an area that the Skins have been lambasted for in recent years. This list includes young offensive and defensive linemen, a young group of receivers/tight ends, role players in the secondary and special teams, and now a stud defensive end that should start right away. We just might be on to something here. This is a promising core group of players.
They say you can't grade a draft for 3 years. I will refrain from getting too high or low based on our picks this past weekend, but it seems to me that guys we have been drafting in the last few years are sticking around. Last week I mentioned that it was possible Vinny is learning on the job. The movement to make this team younger each year seems to be paying off. The next step is getting these young bucks on the field. Rinehart, Thomas, Davis, Kelly, Heyer...we have to see what they can do on the field this year. It is coming time for this list to have a higher percentage of starters on it.
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Respect.
Another good post. I agree 100%.
by SSBlitz on Apr 27, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
It’s a start…we can still get younger and add talent at the same time.
ARMY STRONG
by JustinU804 on Apr 27, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you take down your other post?
Good idea. It had two-too many semen references.
by SSBlitz on Apr 27, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Mel Kiper post is coming back
If you know another way to do a Mel Kiper/NFL Draft coverage post with less than 2 semen references, I am all ears.
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've seen "There's Something About Mary"....
…and thus I know that nothing else but semen can explain his hair.
by Raybin on Apr 27, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The problem is that there’s only four starters on this list (if you count Golston/Montgomery as 1 starter)
Lorenzo Alexander, DT
Anthony Alridge, RB
H.B. Blades, LB
Colt Brennan, QB
Alex Buzbee, DE
Devin Clark, OL
Fred Davis, TE
Dominique Dorsey, RB
Alfred Fincher, LB
Kedric Golston, DT
Michael Grant, S
DeAngelo Hall, CB
Stephon Heyer, OL
Chris Horton, S
Rob Jackson, DE
Malcolm Kelly, WR
LaRon Landry, S
Anthony Montgomery, DT
Will Montgomery, OL
Kareem Moore, S
Rueben Riley, OL
Chad Rinehart, OL
Devin Thomas, WR
Justin Tryon, CB
we’ve added youthful depth, but our starters and a vast majority of our key players are much closer to 30 than they are to 20.
I think we still have a ways to go before we can say the youth movement has been served.
by smutsboy1 on Apr 27, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Whatever youth that is on our team, we end up overriding by signing a free agent to assume that player’s spot…thus our youth stays where it always has…on the bench. The homerun picks stay, but most of those are still from the Gibbs era (Carlos, Laron, etc).
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, BUT...
Rinehart, Thomas, Kelly, Davis, Heyer, are guys who we hope are capable as starters. That would bring the total to 9(ish). Ultimately, you and KevinE are right—-we need to play them and not usurp them with free agents. But there is some promise.
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The inauspicious start to the careers of the first four picks from ’08 really hurt this entire project.
by smutsboy1 on Apr 27, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of youth...
…I have a question for you ’Skins fans.
See, I’m a Raiders fan, but when I heard you’d signed Chase Daniel, I figured I’d come over and ask something that occurred to me.
I enjoyed watching the college careers of both Colt Brennan and Daniel. My question is this…in the light of all the Cutler/Sanchez talk that was swirling around your team.. Do you think any of them can seriously push Campbell for the starting job? I just wonder because obviously Brennan carries the “system QB” label and Daniel is looked at as too small.
Is it an open QB competition in Washington? Or is the organization committed to Campbell?
by Raybin on Apr 27, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Committed to Campbell.
For this year, anyways. It’s his responsibility to step up and keep it though.
by SSBlitz on Apr 27, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one thing about your situation...
…is that the Raiders are deeply committed to JaMarcus Russell, but if he doens’t step up, we’re in big trouble. You guys seem to have some other options.
by Raybin on Apr 27, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep...Campbell
But if he’s not getting the job done by week 8, a change is possible. Zorn said Colt is going to get A TON of action pre-season…so how he does there will say a lot. Colt has worked a ton this off-season and Zorn said his accuracy and arm-strength has gotten a lot better.
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If there's one guy...
…I always thought could shake the “system” anchor, it was Brennan. Hope he does, wherever it might be; he seemed like a solid kid.
by Raybin on Apr 27, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Campbell is the unquestioned starter
Today.
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agree but not really
I agree with you about all of these points. But I’m getting tired of this. This has been said the last 3 seasons. Hell, I’ve been saying it for a while.
I think the point is that the glaring positions of need are never addressed. For two years now, we have a had a glaring need in the offensive line. And for two years, we haven’t improved this need through the draft. Ozzie Newsome once said that they never let a draft go by without drafting a offensive lineman. Seems like a pretty smart dude. Plus, they always have guys stepping up in their offensive line. They ran some crazy shit on the o-line last year.
by monk81 on Apr 27, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great post
I think if we can just make it one more year letting Bugel patch together an ok o-line out of spare parts like an underfunded cuban doctor, we can go all in drafting for the o-line next year much like we did for the defense this year. The observation on this clandestine youth movement is pretty keen, thanks for highlighting that.
Please Snyderrato, no more tight ends… or QBs… nobody could do well in the NFC East having 0.5 seconds to drop back and pass before our leaky creaky protection broke down because of age and infirmity. PS Why are we signing gross Chase Daniel? Collins is starting to get up there, and Brennan’s a terrific future backup
by Abstract Capital on Apr 27, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chase Daniel cost nothing!!!
He is cheaper than Collins. But this is a double edged sword…. Do you keep two backups that have never thrown a NFL pass?
by brettpedigo on Apr 27, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
also
Cody was not a good pick. There were better LBs at this spot and he is a total gamble on their part. But we’ll wait and see what he does. A TE? I’m a bit confused by this but I’m guessing this had to do with their draft board.
by monk81 on Apr 27, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cody Glenn
Sorry but that pick (5th round) should have gone to Duke Robinson. He was a great value there. Certainly a BPA over Shmody…
Curry, Orakpo, or the top 4 OLs... or back.
by VA_Skin on Apr 27, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next year
QB Jason Campbell
WR James Thrash
TE Todd Yoder
P Hunter Smith
OG Randy Thomas
OT Stephon Heyer
CB Carlos Rodgers
LB Rocky McIntosh UFA
Those are the notabler players in contract year so while i agree we go Offense line next years draft we could have a needs at corner. So lets hope Kevin Barnes is a star and we better extend rockys contract.
by ST21 on Apr 27, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Since i know that Snyderatto will try to make a splash in FA
Notable QB’s
Eli Manning
Ben Rothlesberger
Phillip Rivers
Notable Offensive Lineman
Logan Mankins
Chris Snee
Marcus McNiel
I hope they would address that position in the draft but you never know with our Front Office
Cornerbacks
Fabian Washington
Thats all the young productive guys so we probably need to resign carlos or hope Kevin Barnes can produce
OLB
Sean Merriman
DJ williams
so like i said they should definently resign rocky
by ST21 on Apr 27, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Most teams
I’m sure most if not all teams could have a list of players like this in their mid 20’s…the difference being their teams starts their players.
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We only have one team in DC KevinE
And this is the first time that we have had a list like this in a long time I think. With players that actually might crack the lineup and see some daylight on the field. Can it better? It has to if we are going to overtake the Cowgirls, Iggles, and G-boys. For right now, I am relishing the positive.
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Building the team from within, as it is the system with special players and a significant amount of “just-a-guy” to play positions.
Ryan Clark-Just a guy on the Giants and Skins, now a player with Pittsburgh.
Justin Hartwig-Just a guy on the Titans and Panthers, now a player with Pittsburg
Willie C-Just a guy on the Steelers for a couple of years before becoming the Starter.
Pittsburgh builds from within, and through good FA pickups….using a system which turns “just-a-guy” players into superbowl champions.
Starts with a group of young players, which will become CORE Redskins.
by dr WNC on Apr 27, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is the right mentality, but you forget who you're dealing with...
Snyderrato. Gibbs defined what a “core Redskin” was and I’ve written many articles how we’ve let those young guys walk (Antonio Pierce, Ryan Clark, etc). Guys that we develop who are good, if someone comes up in free agency that is better/flashier, we pick him up. It’s the wrong message and players have been vocal about. Demetric Evans even came out and said it.
“You see how they operate in free agency, and I’m not the kind of guy they value. Guys like me, Ryan Clark, Antonio Pierce, guys who start at the bottom and work their way up, they don’t keep those guys around. So, I never, never thought I would be coming back to Washington.”
So what makes you so optimal now??? If it’s wishful thinking, then OK…..
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn, never saw that Demetric Evans quote.
So true. And I was so disappointed to see him go.
by smutsboy1 on Apr 27, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wishful yes
Demetric Evans is no Pierce or Clark.
Hopeful that it is changing with THEIR guys, the Hortons, Thomas, Kelly, Rocky M, Blades…etc basically Sugar’s young list!
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A major point
Is that it was Gregg Williams (not Snyderatto) that let Pierce walk…Gregg’s ego was rather high then and he thought he could place anyone in his system and make it work. At the same time tho, it was chaos as we all suspected….
“I’m not an owner, I can’t speak for [Snyder], but in football on an everyday basis, you need normal,” he said. “It was never normal. There is no consistency. It’s still going on.”
He laughed.
“For four years they had stability with Joe Gibbs. Now it’s back to the hoopla,” he said. “I loved the players over there. I had a lot of respect for Gregg Williams. A lot of people I know still have connections over there. I like them. But the front office, I have little to say anything good about.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/31/AR2008013103478.html
by KevinE on Apr 28, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But current players speak highly of the owner
Hunter the punter was said to have selected the Redskins over others because of the organization;
The organization is spoke of highly too.
Springs spoke highly of the organization
Pierce and the Post…suspect.
It’s all relative, it is yet to be seen. The past I agree is as described is it changing? only time will tell and a Superbowl win!
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sugar...
Someone is seriously spiking your kool-aid with crack. You on the same crazy pills as Vinny? It’ll be interesting to see how many of our picks make the team this year. Got any guesses?
The fact the Skins continually trade away their picks is proof they don’t build the core. You need your top 2 picks to build that core…which has been a problem as we all know.
You think positively based on what can be….though I am hopeful, I have to speak on what the past is b/c it’s all we have…and it’s not good. Orakpo hopefully is the next coming of the Messiah. Horton and Landry blitzing! Can’t wait.
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan's learning
He would not trade the 2010 #1 this year
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
100% chance Skins use it for a QB next year, right?
by KevinE on Apr 28, 2009 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would not trade the 2010 #1 this year
this fact needs to remain true for longer than a couple weeks before we starting giving Dan Snyder credit.
I won’t give him credit for holding on to picks until we go into the ’10 draft with our #1, 2 and 3 (or more).
by smutsboy1 on Apr 28, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im not saying they should sign those players in fact i would rather they dont i was just saying that if they dont resign their own players those are the best in FA
by ST21 on Apr 27, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the problem with the redskins is that they dont value good players with small names what i mean by that is you can be a great player but if you havent been to pro bowls then they dont want you, ex. ryan clark, antonio pierce
by ST21 on Apr 27, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
KevinE...
You present yourself as a realist. Please…you are a pessimist. I am an admitted optimist. What’s the point in being a fan if you can’t be optimistic? You say the “past is all we have and it isn’t good”…yet there is plenty of good even in our recent past that offers hope.
You are of course entitled to your opinion, but don’t sell pessimism as realism.
by Ken Meringolo on Apr 27, 2009 10:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
A decade of 8-8 mediocrity
doesn’t exactly inspire confidence…
Curry, Orakpo, or the top 4 OLs... or back.
by VA_Skin on Apr 27, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I am a pessimist...
Then why would I spend all day at Fedex Saturday, and why would I pay $$ to go to 11 redskins games last year?
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nobody ever called you a pessimist we just said that its no fun going 8-8
by ST21 on Apr 28, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In 3 comments up from this one
Sugar explicitly called me a pessimist.
by KevinE on Apr 28, 2009 7:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is what it is..
Realist with pessimistic tendicies…and nothing to do but go to NFL Sunday games.
Does it all really matter, in that most just want to see enough of a change to get the Redskins to being a top team every year instead of a medicore team. It’s tough to see this occuring looking at the past, some will project to future and hope.
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im not a pessimist i go in every season expecting the redskins to make a legitimate playoff run but if you think signing guys like deon sanders, bruce smith, adam archaleta and jason taylor jeramiah trotter, jessie armstead, be my guest the list goes on and on they let good players like antonio pierce and ryan clark go i once again expect the redskins to make the playoffs but they have proven with many decisions that their front office moves are very questionable that being said i think they have had i great offseason and a great draft considering that they went in with only 5 picks
by ST21 on Apr 27, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of optimism
I just watched Vinny’s take on Redskins Nation of why he took each player. The TE/FB he drafted, Eddie Williams, is coming off ACL injury (4 months into rehab now) and at best will be ready by training camp…so Mike Sellers still needs to be resigned.
Sugar…are you somehow related to the Cerrato family? speak up!
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 11:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wait, we took ANOTHER injured player, in addition to the Maryland guy this year, and M. Kelly last year?
argh.
by smutsboy1 on Apr 27, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep...
That’s Vinny’s idea of “value”
http://www.postfallspress.com/articles/2008/11/19/sports/sports03.txt
by KevinE on Apr 27, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
malcolm kelly = lots of value in Snyderrato land.
by smutsboy1 on Apr 28, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm looking forward to minicamp this weekend...
we’ll get some answers
by KevinE on Apr 28, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mike Sellers is signed
Under Contract and making FB money.
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We now have 2 of the Top 10 college QBs of the last 5 years
on our roster. I don’t know if either ever sees the field for the Skins but both provide significant pressure behind JC to get his business together and to start to figure out that in the WC, you have to actually let go of the ball before the rusher gets to 5 Mississippi and crosses the line of scrimmage.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 28, 2009 12:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
optimism doesn't spell realism either
The problem is that every offseason, all we see are holes to plug up. You can’t really say that they addressed even half of them with any confidence. As opposed to your comment, I’ll use actual examples instead if just dropping random thoughts. We had a need at DE, DT, OLB. ILB, CB, LOT, LOG. C, ROG. ROT, RB, K. In the draft and free agency, we shored up DT, LOG, DE. Thats it. Barnes has to prove he’s healthy )Although I like the gamble). The other LB are way too risky. Once again, the facts never lie.
by monk81 on Apr 28, 2009 6:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And this is differnt how from the other 32 teams
Other than maybe the top 3 or 4 teams, how many other teams can make a list just as detailed and show the team did not address the needs in the draft. This is fan fodder, first to state that needs existed in all of those positions shows a fantasy mentality where a big flashy name must fill every spot.
LOT-I’ll take Samules over 60 of the other 64 starting tackles
C-Rabach is as good as they come and is int he top 50%— And a FA C was signed doesn’t that count or since he was not drafted in the 7 rounds he does not count? (historically speaking that would mean the Hogs, never would have been)
ROG-Thomas is still the starter and Clark is what not a good enough backup or Rinehart???
RB-How many does the team need, Portis is fine but old I assuem, Betts is nothing, and Alridge is a name which most forget the Redskins signed this year.
K-Was his performance the holder or his skills? Should have drafted Mr. Irrelavent then…
Facts are sometimes what you make them and less about reality…check out the various dying news papers they’ve been doing it for years and now what is occuring…
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RB
Not completed in the “draft” or FA but waiver pickups, assume that accounts for RB
Does Alridge and Mason work for RB additions?
12 positions out of 22 were NEEDED
3-by FA and Draft
1-by Waivers
others as above, seems like the areas of concern are being addressed, in a methodical method.
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love facts
Facts, charts, graphs and stats are an engineers dream and an operations guy life line…
by dr WNC on Apr 28, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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