Update [2007-4-24 13:9:41 by Skin Patrol]: Many thanks to the Deuce of Davenport for alerting me to their recent post on this subject. Chimpanzee Rage says:
Draft related briefing later on this afternoon at 4:00PM Eastern. Details per the Official Site:
From the drafts 2000-2005 the Redskins have just 9 players they drafted, by my count, still on their roster...out of the 34 players selected, the fewest amount of total players drafted in the NFL in that period. One of those 9 just resigned with the team through free agency this off season (Fred Smoot). That is, 26% of the players that they can get relatively cheap and that they can teach their own system for several years, actually stay with the team.
And that's a pretty damn good point, one that frustrates me. Driving this more than anything is the overall dearth of picks the Redskins have, though bad scouting is to blame as well:
Since 2000-2005, the Redskins 2nd day picks have numbered 21...the number of players still on their roster is numbered 2. Rock Cartwright ('02) and Nehemiah Broughton ('05)...both 7th round picks. That number, again, is way too low.
Remember though, that Joe Gibbs has only been with the team since 2004, and he's done a much better job. Anthony Montgomery and Kedric Golston (5th and 6th rounders) both saw significant field last year, the latter eventually scooping the starting job from Big Joe Salave'a. Carlos Rogers and Jason Campbell from 2005 are both starters, and although only Broughton remains from the rest of that draft, Manuel White, Jr. suffered injury (can't blame Coach for that) and Robert McCune saw some field. 2004 didn't really have any late round picks (4 overall -- Sean Taylor and Chris Cooley from day one are both stars).
That said in support of Coach Gibbs, I generally agree with Chimpanzee Rage's holistic assesment of our draft, and Deuce of Davenport will find its way to my Blog Roll as a result.
The Redskins will host their pre-draft media briefing on Tuesday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET from Redskins Park.
The briefing will be broadcast LIVE on Redskins.com.
You can reach the actual live feed for the briefing from the link provided above. Big shocker for me is that it provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from Cerrato and Snyder -- I can't remember the last time either of them spoke on Redskins.com. I don't anticipate any earth shattering announcements though I will try and post the cliff notes version or any big news that comes up at Hogs Haven, in case you don't have a chance to listen in.
The briefing will be broadcast LIVE on Redskins.com.
Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder, head coach Joe Gibbs and vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato are expected to be on hand for the briefing.