Looks Like Someone Has a Sixpack of the Mondays: Seastrunk Thoughts

1. When we drafted Lache Seastrunk, my first thought was of Robert Griffin III smiling and pumping his fist. The first inclination would be for some people to think that RG3 had something to do with the pick. My thought was, "Of course he had something to do with it." I can't imagine that the front office didn't ask a former teammate some questions about a draft prospect that he played with in the hopes they get the most complete picture of the prospect. If Griffin thought for one second that Seastrunk was a player that the Redskins should AVOID, he would have made that clear. Odds are that Griffin spoke in support of his former teammate. Given the position that Seastrunk was taken at, and the way the Redskins moved back prior to making the pick, I would say that the front office made a solid value pick there. If it made RG3 happy, even better, but it did not strike me as a forced pick to cater to anyone. In short, I love the pick. I wanted either Seastrunk or De'Anthony Thomas out of this draft, and even though I may have leaned toward the Oregon product before the draft began, the truth is that we probably got the player that can do more for us sooner. (De'Anthony Thomas is the kind of player that Hogs Haven readers seemed to either love or hate leading up to the draft. I would have welcomed his addition, but I am also kind of glad that we didn't draft someone that so many fans were against before any teams even went on the clock. Thankfully, a lot of people were able to redirect their angst toward Trent Murphy. I was really afraid that certain people would not be able to find someone to hate!)

2. I have been critical of Dan Snyder at times because of the way that he favors certain players--we all have for that matter. I hang that on Snyder--not Griffin. As the quarterback of the Washington Redskins, Griffin almost certainly feels a responsibility for all things related to the team. We have done a pretty good job of laying that on him. He garners no sympathy of course, as his bank account balances out most of what comes with his job. If the owner asks you who you like as a coaching candidate, or what your thoughts are on running backs you have played with, I am not sure why on earth you would choose not to answer. Finally, on the point of strong front offices and sound ownership roles, it falls on the folks in charge to protect players from themselves sometimes. Griffin is entitled to his opinion on everything, but Bruce Allen and Dan Snyder need to make sure that decisions are never made with individuals in mind ahead of the team. That is their job.

3. I am pretty sure that Griffin's biggest desire is to get back to winning. Logically, he would be a fool to suggest the Redskins bring in anyone that would impede the team's chances of winning. None of this is to suggest that Lache Seastrunk is the player that will change us from playoff contender into Super Bowl favorite. History suggests he will have a fight on his hands just to make the roster. On the other hand, recent history also suggests that sixth-round running backs can come into Washington and be productive (ALF!!!).

4. Nobody is sleeping on Alfred Morris, either. Robert Griffin has had a front row seat the last two years watching Morris work. He knows what #46 is all about. There are very few rookies that could enter the league and unseat a player who has performed the way Morris has his first two years in the league. It says here that Lache Seastrunk is not one of those rookies.

5. You want personal growth? I am not even ready to suggest that Seastrunk will be able to come in and take time away from Roy Helu. (This is personal growth because I am the kind of fan that falls in love with draft picks and pencils them in for the Hall of Fame.)  I think Helu has a chance to be a big factor in Jay Gruden's offense if he can stay healthy. Then again, Helu and Seastrunk are not the same exact kind of player. Either way, Seastrunk is an interesting addition to a backfield that all of a sudden looking crowded.

6. Even if you don't think Seastrunk is the kind of player that can come into the league and make a contribution on Sundays, he adds significant value to our roster this summer. You figure Morris and Helu are likely to make the cut, but Evan Royster and Chris Thompson have to look at the Seastrunk selection and assume that they are going to have a fight on their hands. If he does nothing more than bring out the best competition at such a crucial position as running back, Seastrunk will have been a good selection. If the coaching regime was left intact, you might rightfully assume that guys like Royster and Thompson would have the inside lane, but Jay Gruden is likely to view all of them through fresh eyes. This makes this competition even more enticing to watch in camp. Finally, as I said in a previous post, Seastrunk is the kind of running back we are all likely to fall in love with during the first and fourth preseason games, when he gets 20 or more carries against third- and fourth-stringers.