1st, and sadly only this early in the AM, at least JLa is up!

From the past post

************************************

I was watching the Sportcenter Special @ 8 oclokc last night where they discussed in depth the draft and teams.

If we take Alan Branch, I will shoot myself... well, that is to say if we pick him at 6.

He had 25 TACKLES last year!! 25!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okoye had 55.

So for all those Alan Branch fans, only if we move down to 31 with the Briggs trade. Otherwise, we need DE or the young Okoye....

But as my name suggests, at 6 take L2

Posted by: #6DoubleEL | April 20, 2007 06:09 AM

I know someone will argue against my position above, saying that Branch eats blockers and that his stats are not as important.... well if that is so then take a 6th rounder like Golston to take up space. 1st and 2nd round picks need to make impacts, not just eat space.

I think at this point there are 3 scenarios that would be considered as the FO F-ing up the draft.

#1 has to be trading up for CJ (very unlikely)

#2 trading up for Russell (very unlikley)

#3 drafting Alan Branch

Enuf said. You can retort all you would like Branch supporters, but coming into the combine out of shape, getting winded after 15 plays (reported on same sportscenter show), lack of production on a killer defensive team; there is just only one reason... LAZY - He will be a get paid and not give a F... player.

Posted by: #6NOTBRANCH | April 20, 2007 07:08 AM

JLa,

Tailgating at a Doodlebops concert! Wow, that's hardcore.

WTF with the Doodlebops, anyways. You once busted my chops about Birkner and your taking your kids to freakin Doodlebops concert????

Funny story about Artois, my inlaws took a trip to England and were very diappointed that Budweiser was so expensive there. They were "those" Americans. The ones who go to England and eat McDonald's.

Anyway, they tried Stella and loved it. When they came home they were so disappointed that they weren't ever going to be able to have it again. I think I burst their bubble when I told them they could get it at Big B Liquors in Bryans Road (their hometown). They were so proud of themselves for trying something exotic. It was cute.

Sad about my man LA. Was a beast.

Question: Do you think it would be appropriate to frame his jersey and hang it up with my others (Champ, Williams) in my bar?

JLC I was wondering when you was going to tell the story. I am still laughing at that one.

I think Lavar just needs to hang it up. His body keeps breaking down. It's time to listen to it.

Ok, PD2/LL2/NTB, I'll jump. Branch didn't have any interceptions either. If your sixth rounder could take up space, Chris Henry of the Titans wouldn't have been able to run for 175 yards against us last year. Go look at the tape; Golston and Montgomery were manhandled one-on-one during the 4th quarter, leaving Marshall and Holdman to fight off blocks and make plays, which they routinely didn't.
As for the combine, I didn't see it; the only thing I can quote from it is the raw numbers:
Branch 326 lbs., 5.07 40 yd., 33 reps @225lbs.
Okoye 305 lbs., 5.07 40 yd., 27 reps @225lbs.

Okoye is a very good player, but he was the best player on their D by a long margin. Every team Michigan played had to put two OL on him every play; even in the USC game, all of Booty's plays in the second half (after they gave up on the run) were rollouts away from Branch's side.
I'm not sayin' he's the guy, just trying to save you from killing yourself if they take him.

Lavar.... this is why you become a student of the game, that when your physical tools start to diminish, your brain gets you to the right spot on the field and your leadership is something a team is willing to place a bet on.
I was not in favor of seeing him go to NYG; I felt that even with a damaged wheel, other teams had to game plan with him in mind. To steal from BASF, He didn't make Warrick Holdman a football player, but he made Warrick Holdman a better sack of potatoes.

JM;

Breaking down from HGH???????

I not sayin', I'm just sayin.

LL would have the biggest impact on the team. crappy teams with crappy defenses need safeties. they always lead crappy defenses in tackles. having a tandem of two young safeties is ridiculous. how long did we try that with bailey and smoot at cb? like 2-3 seasons before we trade one of the top five nfl defensive players for a top ten running back. If they draft LL they will have the best dime unit in football

Achilles injuries are not really associated with taking the juice.

July-August sounds about right for LaVar.

IF he's ready and willing by then, he and Poston will be able to watch the whole league for things like... say, OLB injuries during training camp, especially on contending type teams... and be a phone call away.

If I know LaVar, the fire has not diminished, though the body may have let him down.

Cload;

LOL about Holdman, and very true about the brains.

Now, about Branch. True that peeps were manhandled. I wanted the replay 3 days ago on NFL network. (It was Travis Henry ;))Did the OL get out and block our LB's? I felt like I saw Henry jocking our pourous LB's. This year with the Tackling Machine at MLB, with Marshall moving to weak, our Run D should be better. And from what I saw, they did break down in the end of the game. Griff was hurt for that game.

But the 3 or 4 dt rotation should be able to eat blockers, and instead we should use the #6 pick for someone who has more impact.

But the main point is you DO NOT pick a player at #6 who is just a big guy. We could get Kris Jenkins or Ian Scott for that.

You have to find impact players at #6, and Branch is described as a beast, but a run stuffer/OT distractor is never worth a #6.

So if we really like him, he should be avail after 15 or so, so trade down and pick up extra picks.

About your arguement that Okoye being the only player on his team that was any good, does that speak more to his skill than detract from it? Branch among other good players means he benefits from them, but only getting 25 tackles. Okoye rackin up the numbers while he was most likely Double teamed since, as you say, he was their only good player.

You jumped, but I just dont think your heart was in the arguement.

JM;

No they do not. But his other injuries do. And if he is pressing to get back, or over working the tendons, they can snap.

But the body breaking down overall could easily be attributed to the juice. Barry Bonds?

Does anyone think there is too much emphasis on how well these draft picks perform at the combines? Can we really look down on a guy who only runs a 4.45/40 versus another player at the same position who runs a 4.35/40? I mean sure, you do need to show athleticism and all, but you don't have to be the fastest or strongest player in the draft in order to be an elite player. It also takes technique and football smarts. This guy Branch might have only made 25 tackles last year, but I wouldn't doubt if the opposing teams ran away from him 9 out of every 10 plays. I haven't seen tape on him, but I imagine he did what he was supposed to do in that he plugged the line and forced the running back to change direction before the line of scrimmage.

Sorry for rambling, but I think the combines and these "freak" stats are extremely overrated...

#6DoubleEL no question the other injuries do. In this day and time it is really hard to tell who is taking and who is not taking. I do wish Lavar all the best.

Maybe I don't remember correctly, (I'm getting older everyday) but didn't we give up a couple of #1(s) for a run stopper named Butz?

Skinz;

I agree the numbers of a combine do not play out. But coming in out of shape says something about you.

And Dwayne Jarrett is a projected mid - to late 1st rounder based upon his 40 time. But WR's with not-so-good 40 times are productive in the NFL. Adn whoever picks up Jarrett will look at him as the 3rd best WR in the draft, but that is based upon times and not skill. He is a TD machine and catches anything thrown his way. Kind of like what we saw in Cooley.

Also the 40 times do not represent route breaks, or running with the ball in your hand with pads on. One CB last year had a 4.5 40. But someone pointed out that when he runs with the ball and pads on, it is still a 4.5, versus a 4.3 guy who runs 4.6 with pads and a ball.

Jason, I broke my pinky toe back in High School, I was doing a cheer barefooted in my bedroom and kicked a chair. It hurt like hell. I feel your pain.

For some reason I could not access the blog last night but it seems no one else had trouble doing so.

Disenchanted;

Back when there were 12 rounds. I actually do not know what we gave up for Butz, and I dont remember if he was that highly touted etc... I dont think Branch is a Dave Butz.

Skinz, the difference between 4.35 and 4.45 in the 40 is a mile. That said, I see your point about the combine being overrated.

I would like to think that any scout worth his salt would use the combine as only 1 factor in evaluating a player. Physical tools are important but being a "Football Player" is huge.

The Doodlebops. Dear God.
On another matter, I need a little guidance. The big interoffice debate of yesterday is whether a person should go to his sister's baby shower in order to hit on the attendees. The person denied, of course, that that was his motive, but we're nothing if not savvy people.
We suggested he go full out -- borrow a child, get a puppy from the shelter and stop by the ATM for a big wad of cash. Oh, and, since he doesn't have a car, rent a Diddy-mobile.
What's the vote of Insider Nation?

#6DoubleEL--

I don't think you should frame LaVar's jersey. Maybe if he'd stayed healthy, he could have been a player. He made a few good plays, but he was never a team player in a team game. He was out of position more often than he was in position. He doesn't deserve to be next to the men you mentioned -- Champ, Williams. Sorry.

I also have to say the he's not a Redskin. He started out well, but the team went all-in for him and then he came back and peed all over the team and Coach Gibbs in the press. This because of a screw-up by an incompetent agent. If you frame his jersey, it should be his Penn State jersey or his Giants jersey, not his Redskins jersey.

Lisa,

I had some trouble last night as well but eventually got on and lurked.

Cyn - Hitting on guests at a baby shower is tough to pull off, but if it's your sister's shower, odds are you know a lot of the guests and have already hit on most of them. His motives could be pure in this matter.

If he is going to work his mojo, however, your suggestions are all fantastic. Maybe he should pick up an outfit at Express Men to wear as well.

Wedding shower is an easy answer, baby shower is a little more difficult. I suppose the Wedding Crashers "target-rich environment" attitude conveys though.
But wouldn't it be easier to offer tutoring outside the sex ed class at the local high school?

It is not fair to evaluate players on statistics alone. cload put it best when he said "Branch didn't have any interceptions either." And furthermore, combine numbers are overblown. They should be supplemental data, not defining.

I am a Michigan alum, and watch Michigan football religiously. Alan Branch was a man amongst boys in the trenches. Anyone who looks to his stats alone is completely ignoring the fact that he is a game changer. Opponents averaged 43 yards per game on the ground at less than 2 yards per carry OVER the entire season (including the OSU game and USC bowl game which were a little disastrous to the overall stats).

Why did Alan Branch not have a lot of tackles? Because he had multiple blockers, and they didn't run up the middle. Don't doubt his talent because he doesn't have the statistics. It's not as simple as "I know someone will argue against my position above, saying that Branch eats blockers and that his stats are not as important.... well if that is so then take a 6th rounder like Golston to take up space." It's not just eating space. It's being able to make plays... a 300 pound planter on our D-line ain't gonna accomplish diddly-squat.

And furthermore, how is changing the offensive gameplan of a team "not making an impact"?

Now if you want a REAL reason to doubt him, peep this rumor that's going around:

"Apr 19th (8:27 PM) - There is a rumor spreading around regarding defensive tackle Alan Branch. According to Dan Pompei on Cold Pizza this morning, Branch's draft stock is slipping because he has stress fractures in his leg and teams are taking him off their boards completely because they are unsure if he can hold up through a whole season."

http://www.draftheadquarters.com/page/page/4269113.htm

Cindy, I'm thinking most of the single women at a baby shower may be looking for marriage and babies in the near future so if the person you are talking about is on that path, go for it.

Great tip, Etrod. He usually cleans up pretty well, so I didn't think of that. I'll issue a little reminder.
Lisa, I had a little trouble last night, too, with the blog. But I had to morph into a total chick and watch "Grey's Anatomy," so I figured I'd check this morning before I smacked Loseable Type to the back of the head. It does seem to be fine now.
Lots of randoms today before I trot out for a run....
How 'bout that Alec Baldwin rant? While I'm pretty sure I provoked a few rants that would have made my mom look bad, there was never anything like this--she never called me a pig. (I think. I'd have remembered that, right?) This really isn't a surprise, given that he rants all over New York and has for years. Still, he's great on "30 Rock" and elsewhere. They won't fire him, will they? And I don't have to stop watching, do I?
If you get a chance, check out the excerpt from Sally Jenkins' new book in SI. Given your love for the game, I think you'll enjoy it. "The Team That Invented Football."

"I am a Michigan alum, and watch Michigan football religiously. Alan Branch was a man amongst boys in the trenches."

Posted by: Bucktown Skins Fan | April 20, 2007 09:12 AM

Bucktown,

My Ohio State friends tell me that if there's any man on a Michigan team, he would automatically be "a man among boys." I think they're exaggerating, but that's what they say.

The 'Skins could use Branch. He'd be an upgrade.

"I was doing a cheer barefooted in my bedroom and kicked a chair."

Lisa somehow I don't think that one is going to make him feel any better. Unless he was doing a cheer when he was reading the bed time story. lol

P.S. We told this guy that it's only a matter of time before he's crashing funerals like Chazz.
Oh, and, if Alex Rodriguez is reading this, YOU ARE NOT OFF THE HOOK. IT'S APRIL!!!!!!

I understand the National Father Initiative is rethinking their choices from yesterday.

Cindy - Will the sister's husband/significant other be at the shower? The brother could always use the husband/other as a decoy. "Sure, Bob, I'll come over and hang out with you, mabye drink a few beers, be a "nice" guy and keep you company while your wife is having her shower."

jm220, I guess Jason breaking a toe while reading a bedtime story is pretty lame...still have not figured out how he did it.

As for me, why did I not have shoes on? And I kicked a wooden chair....I was singing our fight song...right at "we never stagger...we never fall" part..when I kicked and fell.

I am a big Lavar fan and wish him luck. If he could have stayed healthy he would have been one of the best. He played at his best when he was used right. Thats the one thing I will give Marty and Kurt Schottenheimer they got the best out of Lavar.

you don't play NFL football in shorts and and a tee shirt. Teams that get caught up in the hype don't fair to well in the draft.

The best players are driven, play like they have something to prove. that is often something you can't measure at the combine. Now if you get somebody who has the drive and great physical talent well...

allow me to site a few examples

LT ( the original )
LT (the present)
randy white
reggie White
barry sanders
John Elway
Jonathon ogdon

All these guys have two things in Common, first they were labeled can't miss propects and second they didn't miss because they maxed thier physical gifts with a huge drive to make themselves and teams better.

Not sure if any other dudes will be there. I think the guy's plan is to be the catnip.
And, really, who doesn't like catnip?

KK, I disagree wholeheartedly. Lavar Arrington was the face and heart of a failing franchise for a few years. Ask anybody on the team, and I guarantee they would say he was a great teammate. Why do you think Antonio Pierce fought like hell to get him on the Giants? Ask any fan in that time period and I CAN tell you for a fact that he was the small bit of constant hope on a dismally poor franchise.

Gibbs came and took that spot as the ray of hope, and rightfully so. They decided that Lavar was not in their future plans. He suffered for this franchise for years and got little respect from a new regime.

And that little screwup was a 6 million dollar screwup, I believe. It was his agent's fault, definitely, but for the Skins to wipe their hands of it and not try to work out an agreement is a little disrespectful to one of their team leaders and supposed franchise players.

No one should tarnish his rep as a Skin. No disrespect meant, but he deserves the respect that he earned while he was here. It may have ended poorly, but that was far from his fault alone. He is and always will be a Skin to me...

HAIL!

From what I could see of the Titans game, the DTs left gaps open, and Henry would disappear into a hole, then pop out 8 yards downfield dragging a skin behind him, and fall forward for the 10-15 yard gain. I didn't break down the film like Jaworski, but to me that meant that the LBs were being blocked and couldn't get a clean hit on Henry. It could mean that they were out of position, but particularly on the last two drives there were 11 men in the box, so it was more them pushing us around than anything else.
Okoye was facing 250 lb. college linemen in a second-tier conference; you may not like Big Ten football, but the linemen are much bigger and generally more talented.
I'll say this ... Branch was instrumental in making USC -- for my money the best college team money can buy -- give up on the run in the Rose Bowl.

Now, I was told I could blog at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven; I told Bill that if Sandra is going to listen to her headphones while she's filing then I should be able to blog while I'm collating...

I understand your point Bucktown. I still cant get over the fact he came into the combine out of shape. Whether it is an injury, or just the fact that he did not think enough to stay in shape, both spell bad news.

We have seen so many DT that were supposed to be great, Ryan Sims comes to mind, playing along players like Julius Peppers, but ended up as busts. Teams can run away from him in college since the ends wont be as good. But what about in the NFL? They will run at him eventually, and will he be able to make the play? Maybe that was part of Primtimes prob here in DC, people started to throw at him after so many years of staying away. He showed that he was not all that great, anymore.

Maybe Branch makes Carter better by taking Double teams, and gives room to LFB to make tackles, but I still say not at 6.

It's tough to believe that LaVar isn't finished. In the right system, he was a terrific player. In a system that doesn't take into account the fact that he might make the big play or get beat badly, he can look horrible.
Which strikes at the heart of a big Redskins issue, particularly on defense. Is the scheme more important or are the players? Shouldn't, ideally, a scheme be tweaked to mask/highlight players' deficiences/strengths? You don't just throw guys out there and say, "My scheme works. It's the guys who can't execute."

Ok did some research. Butz was the 5th player picked in the draft by the Cards. We gave 2 future #1's and a 2 for him. Course that was GA. He didn't like rookies anyway.

The team, our beloved team, screwed LaVar out of millions of bucks in a bonus which he was promised and was subsequently omitted from his contract.

The team didn't attempt to make it right, they guffawed at his agent's ineptitude and rejoiced over pulling a fast one. And LaVar was made to look the fool for not reading the contract, and for having an idiot agent, etc.

(Let me know if I'm getting any of this wrong.)

This conduct was reprehensible on the part of the team! Intentional or not, they broke a promise to the face of the franchise, and they did nothing to remedy it.

What should have been a happy situation -- the team's BIGGEST star getting a new contract -- instead became a protracted fight, a cloud of negativity around the team. Thanks, front office.

I like big Butz.

Cload;

Mr. Lumbergh told me to talk to payroll and then payroll told me to talk to Mr. Lumbergh and I still haven't received my paycheck and he took my stapler and he never brought it back and then they moved my desk to storage room B and there was garbage on it...

And I said, I don't care if they lay me off either, because I told, I told Bill that if they move my desk one more time, then, then I'm, I'm quitting, I'm going to quit. And, and I told Don too, because they've moved my desk four times already this year, and I used to be over by the window, and I could see the squirrels, and they were merry, but then, they switched from the Swingline to the Boston stapler, but I kept my Swingline stapler because it didn't bind up as much, and I kept the staples for the Swingline stapler and it's not okay because if they take my stapler then I'll set the building on fire...

Cindy, that's why I don't see Grilliams as a Genius. He doesn't maximize his players abilities, his players maximize his defense's potential. When he lost key players his defense tanked and he couldn't make the adjustments.

Is the scheme more important or are the players? Shouldn't, ideally, a scheme be tweaked to mask/highlight players' deficiences/strengths? You don't just throw guys out there and say, "My scheme works. It's the guys who can't execute."

Cyn Cyty that is the reason double G should have been shown the door. Reaching under my desk and picking up the hammer. Smack to the back of his damn head.

jm220,

I think you smacked J-la's toe with the hammer and he's making up the bedtime story thing to cover for you poor aim.

There it is! We haven't seen that in weeks. I was beginning to wonder if jm's hammer-swinging arm was out of shape. Thank goodness, that looked like mid-season form.

But seriously, jm, I know you hope like the rest of us that Grilliams overcomes his own considerable shortcomings, wraps up in a big ACE bandage to minimize those man-boobs and gets this D back to '04/'05 form!

I agree, Etrod. I do think that Gregg Williams is a brilliant defensive coach. But it seems to me that coaching isn't just having a brilliant scheme. It's adjusting, constantly adjusting: to your players, to the other team, to game situations...You'd think he'd get the defense right again this year, particularly with London Fletcher here.

Bucktown--

The 'Skins gave LaVar a huge second contract, and they gave it to him before they had to. The owner saw him, like you, as the face of the 'Skins. They went all-in for him. Suffered for the franchise? The way the 'Skins treated him was hardly "suffering."

And when LaVar's agent screwed up, the 'Skins split the difference, giving him $3 million that was not in the contract. LaVar's agent was suspended because of his incompetence, and LaVar still went on complaining about the 'Skins.

Nate -- I don't know what, if anything, you got wrong -- but having NO insight to the details, I could just as easily spin it as the Skins looking at the "revised" contract provisions and thinking that the Postons/Lavar were dropping the $6M in order to get the deal done, and that was the basis of the agreement.
"Oops, we forgot to add the $6M back in" is where you get your lawyers to talk to the agent's lawyers, not the team's.

Now -- let's say that the team prepares the contract and they "forgot" the $6M, but the final negotiation had included it, then that goes on the skins. But is that really what happened? I doubt the arbitrator would've made the same decision if that were the case.

When LaVar's agent screwed up? The Skins' front office committed the original sin, THEY (intentionally or not) omitted a bonus that was part of the handshake agreement. Everything that followed stemmed from that omission!

Yes, the agent should have caught the omission before signing, but I can't stress enough that the team caused this and did nothing to rectify the situation.

A prime example of not adjusting would be the playoff loss to Seattle.

They put everything into stopping Shaun Alexander and then when he went down, they kept on playing the run and let Hasselbeck pick them apart.

Oye.

Etrod - It also didn't help that our offense was a no show against Seattle...

cindy

you can't flip flop to fit the players you need to have players who fit your scheme.Double G has proven over and over that his defense's more often than not are something that most ofenses would rather not face.The first 2 years we had a very good collection of parts meaning the players had confidence in the scheme and each other and played with that collective confidence because they feed off each other. but we still lacked the impact player to put us from a real good to great.

last year it fell apart,I won't rehash, but in general we had a bad collection of guys and because of the factors injuries/personell etc etc the confidence in each other, the swagger all good teams have was gone, replaced by false confidence ( all that coach/ player speak bout yeah we still believe in other,and the coaches) yeah right.

Oh and we are still looking for the impact player that makes everybody better ( the confidence (real)part)

KK, I'm your employer, and we have a good relationship. I value you as an employee. I offer to give you a 6 million dollar bonus in your new contract, which in effect, secures you for my company until retirement.

In the course of creating the contracts, I leave that 6 million dollar bonus, that we agreed to, out of the legalese. Your lawyer/rep doesn't catch it, but tells you everything looks good, and you sign.

I agreed to the 6 million, but didn't put it in the contract, and now I'm supposed to be happy and content when you offer me 3 million? That makes zero sense. None.

No one is letting Carl Poston (I think it was Poston) off the hook here. He screwed up royally. But the Skins didn't make it right. They profited off of their own mistake and Poston's mistake and Lavar got screwed. Period.

Cindy, I have no advice for the baby shower guy, but I would guess that Lisa is right on. At weddings, at least some of the single ladies are 'vulnerable' because they get love on the brain.

I would think that baby showers evoke a different version of the same vulnerability. He should bring a nice clean hankie in case some poor childless waif needs a shoulder to cry on, that sort of thing. Especially if it's a larger group in a setting such as a larger house with a few breakout rooms available. You know what I'm sayin.'

And he needs to bring a preposterously cute gift befitting the doting uncle, devoted brother, and spendthrift single guy. Like a four-foot-tall teddy bear, a painting he did himself, or a pony.

And the sister angle is huge. If this dude's been paying attention over the years -- and I would guess he has -- he already has pegged some of the sister's friends as 'possibilities' and can act accordingly.

Party on, dude.

PDLLNTB (your name uses a character set my keyboard doesn't support), if Branch came into the combine out of shape, how did he match Okoye's 40 time AND outbench him? Does that mean he would've really been able to bench 45 @225? If so, I'll take him at 92% because he still benches Portis (@220 or so) a half dozen more times.

If you want snarky commentary on workout numbers, note that Okoye ran a 4.8 something at his pro day workout. Impressive? Yes. But -- he didn't lift that day. So let's assume he decided to get that 40 time down; a month of diet and speed work, and he shaves an incredible .2 off the 40 time, but at the expense of muscle mass -- and is down at the Jarvis Moss/Gaines Adams 15 @225 lame-a$$ bench numbers.

But both of them use swingline staplers...

Etrod LMAO! No I didn't hit JLC toe. When he told me the story I thought it was the steps again. lol

Cyn Cyty I don't have any faith in double G putting the team before his ego.

Nate--

LaVar and his agent claimed there was a handshake $6 million bonus. To my knowledge the 'Skins have never conceded this point.

But, in any event, the 'Skins did split the difference. They put $3 million in, which they didn't have to do. They met the man half-way. And he, after they did, continued to trash them.

And LaVar has never acknowledged that he and his incompetent agent were two boneheads for not reading a contract before signing it. These are two truly dim bulbs.

It's funny and interesting to read the differing opinions on guys we could be selecting in the draft. I wonder if Snyder, Ceratto, Gibbs and Williams are in the same boat or are right in line with each other. One more week to speculate and one more week for me at least to hope these Briggs talks don;t come back into play.

#6DL - I got 2 signed Skins jerseys. Portis and Lavar. Got Portis up but refused to have Lavar while he was with the Gmen. He was a great player for us from 2000-2003.

At least JLC didn't have his pinky toe severed by a street sweeper like Kramers one girlfriend that Seinfeld heckled at her office.

I'm picturing Jim Brown's throbbing toe from I'm gonna get you sucka.

Bucktown--

The 'Skins split the difference with the man. They weren't required to. You keep ignoring that. They did try to accomodate the man.

With "verbal agreements" there are always the possibility of misunderstandings. Only the people in the room know what was said, and even they may have heard things differently or remembered them differently. That's why, particularly with $6 million, you put it in writing. And then you read what is written, before signing, not after. Not just your agent, but you personally. Don't they teach anything at Penn State U?

If the concert was at FedEx, you couldn't start tailgating until 8:30 (lots only open up fours hours early)

Agree to disagree.

Sorry CLoad;
Agree to disagree;

I will never want a kid who only gave his 92%. No way, no how.

Also, 40 times mean nothing for Dlineman.

Branch: He ran his two 40s in 5.07 and 5.08 and also recorded a 27½-inch vertical jump, 8-foot-11 long jump and 33 bench presses. At Michigan's Pro Day, he had a 4.79 short shuttle and 7.56 three-cone drill

Okoye:40-yard dash, posting a time of 5.07, and didn't do the short shuttle. He did do 29 bench presses and worked out again at Louisville's Pro Day, running under 5.00 in the 40 and recording a 4.44 short shuttle

My vague recollection is that the $6M was initially supposed to be transferred from the original contract over to the renegotiated contract, and the center of the dispute was that dropping that requirement was part of the negotiation. If that's not the case, wouldn't Poston be able to provide some evidence? After all, he got F-ed by the union as a result, didn't he?

Lavar was the the public face, but not the on field face of the skins. that was his biggest short comming, I have posted before he could lead the team on the field because the other 10 guys couldn't trust him to be were he was supposed to be. sometimes he delivered the the big hit and I know that fired everyone up and more often that that he would go for the big hit and miss ( I can still TO running a reverse when he was with SF, lavar had a free shot in the back field goes for the knockout misses TO reverses field 55yds TD stupid endzone dance thankyou. A nice wrap up and its a five yard loss, urlacher makes it dawkins makes it john lynch makes it see what i mean.. and I don't even have to mention how 3rd 5's where the back in flat was his man and he would half commit to blitz before awakening to the fact that the guy who just past him was his I'm watching on tv i can see it.

Its more that than getting on jacked up, its about being in the right place and making the plays especially in the clutch....sean T is in the same place right now, We need a little less Lavar and more Ed Reed

I'm not ignoring that fact. I'm saying that the final number is irrelevant if they agreed to a different number in negotiations. Lavar and Poston both claimed that was the agreement, and the Skins (to my knowledge) did not deny it. Of course they would never admit it. That would be an admission of wrong doing. Do you think he got 3mil as compensation just for showing up to arbitration? No. It was a compromise for the Skins screwup, and his agent's screwup. The bottom line here is that he got screwed through no fault of his own other than trusting his team to follow through on the terms discussed, and his agent to do his job competently.

Legally, the Skins were in the right... of course. No one is arguing that. The fact is though Lavar had a right to be pissed.

Penn State U? First of all, PSU is a good institution, but I went to a better one... Michigan. I learned a lot of great things there.

But my family taught me to always mean what I say, and follow through on my promises. It's called being a decent human being. If that doesn't translate to your business ethics, then I feel sorry for those that meet you in a board room, and hope to never do business with you.

That is unless I am offering you half of what I originally promised you for your services. At least I know you will be happy about that "accommodation."

Levar has had three or four consecutive injuries to one of his wheels. It may be best for him to sit out until september or so and spend this year auditioning for next year. His body needs the rest.----------------------------------------------------------- Dude, be a daddy first and foremost. forget all the crap of being the man. You have a daughter, so you have to do tea parties. forget the macho, and be a father to your kids. Your job is to make sure they are happy and secure.

Not to beat a dead horse...

NFL players are always saying "Football, it's a business". So, Lavar should have acted like a professional and conceded that a contract is a contract. Whether it included the "agreed upon" $6M or not, it's still binding and part of the "business."

Ouch!

Wait... No one was a bigger LaVar fan when he was with the Skins than me, HOWEVER, he threw anyone and everyone under the bus when he left. Chose to go to a div. rival so "he could meet the Redskins twice a year". Held on to his play book and gave it to the Giants. I feel the same about LaVar as I do the "fans" that bash EVERYTHING the Skins do. (the fans that post their names as "usetobeskins fan" or "disenchantedfan") See ya - wouldn't want to be ya!

What makes true Skins fans/players are the ones that stick with you through thick and thin. I know that other Skins greats have left and even went to rivals, the diffence is they didn't bash the organization and at some point return to the Skins, Monk,Mitchell, even freaking Babe didn't bash the Skins and he works for the Cowboys. Sorry you got injuried Lavar, you WERE a great Redskin, but the way you left, without class and integrity, as far as I am concerned you won't be missed.

Bucktown--

I'm sure they also taught you at U Michigan, and probably your parents before that, that once you sign a contract you've given your word and you live by it. Once you sign it, you're given up your "right to be pissed." That was the agent jacking up LaVar to divert attention from his own shortcomings.

Cload, Amobi, weighed 287 at the Senior Bowl, and then 302 for the Combine, and 301 for his Pro-Day workout at Louisville. So he definetly didn't do as you stated he did, and lose weight to get faster. He put on roughly 15 pounds and got faster.

Unless you're intoxicated when you sign a contract...

Hail to 'em--

Well put. I'd forgotten about that playbook incident. But my recollection was that Brian Mitchell (a Schottenheimer victim) actually was pretty bitter for a while and his reconciliation was a big deal.

In any event, I take it that you don't think anyone should frame LaVar's Redskin jersey and hang it next to Doug's or Champ's, right?

PDLLNTB, we joke about the 92%. But how do you reconcile Branch's numbers with the RUMINT about his conditioning?
All I can tell you is that I saw him play, and I see his numbers, and they both say to me that he is an elite athlete, and a superior athlete to Okoye.
Doesn't make him the automatic right choice, or the best choice; maybe Okoye has intangibles that the skins need, maybe Branch isn't mature, maybe Landry likes little boys. Maybe. It's just bizarre to believe one set of information that's totally unverifiable when there's other data out there. That's the kind of thing that causes land wars in Europe, or invasions of Iraq.

It should be noted that Lavar took the high road last season when Lindsay and Springs jumped at the chance to rip him. That took class.

JLaC:

I sprained my knee shooting pool once. I understand how you feel.

If you're in touch with The Beast, tell him to start blogging the rehab and the comeback. Once a Redskin, always a Redskin. Good luck to him.

I would hang up a Lavar jersey before a Champ jersey. He wanted out and didn't even want to give the skins a chance to offer him a deal. He's the best CB in the league by a mile, but F Champ.

Didn't say Okoye had to lose weight, just upper body muscle mass -- jm220 would be better to describe the details, but with this much money at stake, there's a lot you can do to/with the human body in a reasonably short amount of time.

Anyhoo, my MAIN POINT is that some idiot (me, in this case) can put up some lame half-a$$ed wild speculation in a freakin' blog somewhere, and by next week Okoye will be in the second round because RUMINT has it that he can't bench 20x225.

KK, I agree "that once you sign a contract you've given your word and you live by it."

But to say that the dude doesn't have the right to be pissed about it and upset is just delusional. As far as I can remember, he did live with it. He played until he got injured and couldn't anymore.

I guess we'll agree to disagree on this one. Let me just say that I am happy he is no longer in a Giants uni. Now I can take a break from my Cooley jersey and revisit my Arrington jersey every once in a while with pride.

HAIL!

True story: I have a buddy with a Skip Hicks jersey. Yeah that's right Clinton Hill... I'm talking about you.

I am all for framing and hanging up any Redskins player. Its still history and when he was a Skin he played his a$$ off. My Dad has a Redskin room where he has EVERYTHING Redskins, couch, chairs, and the walls are filled with autographs of current and past Skins. (He actually still has Gus's picture hung upside down, from when he head butted the stadium wall) Lindsay was a jerk and should have been more professional, but Lavar DIDN'T take the high road, that is when he mentioned that he still had the playbook and he had passed it on.

True about Brian Mitchell, but as everyone ones he did come home.

Well, to each his own, but I don't recall that Champ ever had a bad word to say about the 'Skins (publicly), and he gave the 'Skins a chance to resign him. The 'Skins didn't want to pay him market value and traded him for Portis.

They got nothing for LaVar who trashed them and given away their playbook.

Do you think anyone in the league doesn't keep their playbook when they go to a new team? Champ didn't trash the Skins because he was to busy talking about himself.

I interviewed Champ in 2000 at a radio station I was working for. I asked him what Darrell Green had shared with him about playing CB in the NFL and he said "Nothing I don't already know"

F Champ.

F Champ and Tony Romo (I just can't stand him is the only reaso I included him)

etrod,

I take it you're nearly recovered now from your week of Exchange Administration? Was Champ one of the speakers?

Just think how good Champ could have been if he'd actually learned something from Darrell.

F Exchange Administration

Anyone catch the interviews on Comcast last night with a few of the Redskins players? Sellers apparently dropped 30 pounds in hopes of more carries this year. Then he ripped on Betts about how much more he can bench press than him. Pretty hilarious.

Believe That!

I haven't recovered--just stopped paying attention.

Here's a stupid question: what real value does another team's playbook hold? Is it about specific plays and schemes, or the terminology, or what?

Does the receiving team, after delivery of said playbook, have a squad of analysts break it down? Does the coaching staff go through it page by page, with the new player under a spotlight, interrogated Gestapo-style?

And most importantly, is there any definitive proof that any team's 'having the other team's playbook' contributed to defeating that other team?

I would guess our paid-training-camp experiment (opposing team scouts, welcome! your money is just as green as our fans'!) directly contributed to more losses for us that season than any supposed playbook stealing has.

There is nothing in a playbook that opposing teams don't already know from watching film.

Unless you're intoxicated when you sign a contract...

Posted by: Skinz | April 20, 2007 10:33 AM
****************************

Or, under the influence of some good Mary Jane... I'm just sayin'... (I really am...LOL)

DIsagree etrod;

The name of the play could come in handy. If the O overhears LM saying Dog Left, or whatever, and LeVar or the playbook told them what that was, and Grilliams was stupid enough to not change the name after LA went to the G-Men, Tiki knew to cut back to the middle.

That is a lot of if's, but Grilliams is most likely that Arrogant.

Also, I really dont know if they call plays or signal them. If the signals dont change, then yes, game film is all they need.

When did "a big guy that takes up space" become worth the #6 pick? a big guy that makes plays (aka Sapp) is worth the #6 pick. Branch is not a #6 pick!!! If they move back to the middle of the round then fine, but not at #6.

Besides, I watched several Michigan games this year and never noticed him. Not a good sign...

CC - I saw it. The funnest statement was from Smoot, who said he was trying to LOSE weight.

Mike Sellers comment to that was Smoot would be bulimic if he lost any more weight.

I've got no problem with the skins taking Branch, especially if they can move back get an extra pick and do so. If not, even taking him at #6. I caught the radio guys (one's a huge Big 10 follower - Wisconsin alum) out here talking about Branch last night and they think he'll be a star in the league. As far as him just occupying space - a dominant DT will draw double teams that make it easier for the LB's, DE's and Griffin/Golston next to him to make plays. So even if he doesn't get a lot of sacks/tackles he may make it easier for the players around him to do so. DT's may not make SportsCenter highlights every week but they are VITAL to a good D. Jacksonville's got a great defense and it all starts with their dominant DT's, Henderson and Stroud. Most great defenses start with dominant DT's up front. As far as Branch having stress fractures - that's where the skins doctors need to earn their money and separate the BS from the truth.

Safeties

http://www.nfl.com/draft/analysis/expert/brandt/s

Speaking of Comcast, why would they ask Jason Campbell if he would welcome another quarterback??? What a ridiculous question. Of course, he wouldn't when he still has Mark Brunell breathing down his neck. And, most fans wouldn't welcome another quarterback either if it wasn't just a developmental player to add to the roster once Brunell or Collins are put out to pasture.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS SENARIO...

DRAFT.

PICK 1 RUSSELL TO RAIDERS
PICK 2 QUINN TO LIONS

NOW REDSKINS TRADE UP. GIVE THE BROWNS THE 6TH PICK AND BETTS FOR THE 3RD PICK AND A 3 ROUNDER??

PICK 3 CALVIN JOHNSON TO REDSKINS....

In 1975, the Washington Redskins made a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for a 6-foot-5, 300-plus pound defensive tackle who had been a former high No. 1 draft pick, but had a reputation as an underachiever. They paid for Dave Butz by giving the Cardinals a pair of No. 1 draft choices.

skinswest - agree with you on the importance of a dominant DT. disagree with you on Branch being a beast. Hopefully our front office will be able to make a good call on that (although I am not sure about that). When I look at Branch, I just can't get visions of Gerrard Warren out of my head...

Justme, I saw Comcast asked Campbell that question. He handled it very well. Really liked what he said afterward - something to the effect that Redskins fans have a lot to be excited about in 07-08.

Greg - The Lions would never take Quinn straight up over CJ. If CJ is available and they don't want him, they'll trade down before drafting someone else.

GREG - Your scenerio has been discussed and shti on in this blog. Why give up Betts? Why draft a WR?

THE LIONS ARE VERY INTERESTED IN QUINN. SIRIUS AND ADAM SHEIN HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT. AS FAR AS WHY WE NEED JOHNSON. WELL, A BIG RECIEVER WOULD HELP OUT JASON A LOT. IF WE GOT A 3RD ROUNDER WE COULD GET SOME D HELP AND BETTS IS A LUXURY.. I AM A BIG FAN OF TAKING GAINES ADAMS BUT YOU DON'T PASS UP ON A CALVIN JOHNSON IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE HIM.

Greg - The Lions might like Quinn...but they sure as h*ll would be stupid to take him in the #2 slot when they can take him a few picks later!

Nate, on America's Game: The Baltimore Ravens, Trent Dilfer talked about his playbook disappearing after a game (can't remember the team they played against). Anyway, Baltimore played the same team in the playoffs and Trent said they knew EVERYTHING he tried to do....he then remembered losing his playoff book and seemed to think it has something to do with it.

The Browns WILL take Quinn if he is there at 3 so the Lions won't be able to move down to get him.

>>> "whether a person should go to his sister's baby shower in order to hit on the attendees"

The only place where flirting is gauche is at a funeral. The dude should go for it. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where all the women are repressed and hostile, to say nothing of "matronly". It's slim pickin's out here and you gotta take every opportunity you can get. Besides, you can't stop my charm and sophistication, you can only hope to contain it.

As for LA...really sad for the guy. He was definitely a fan favorite, and without belaboring the point, I think he got something of a bum deal here, and bad luck everywhere. But as all the players like to say, "The NFL is a business".

Wow, I got a bit carried away with the tequila and champagne last night. A wee bit fragile this morning...

Gotta say...the only thing I'm excited about for this upcoming season is Jason Campbell and Big Al's offense coming together. It's a completely unpredictable League, so it's entirely conceivable that the 'Skins could go 12-4, or 4-12. You just can't tell anymore.

The Lions will look even more stupid when they trade down and then someone jumps in front of them to get Quinn. Then Matt Millen will draft Dwayne Jarrett and call it a day. It sucks being a Skins fan many times but I am real glad I don't have a rooting interest in that train wreck.

Lisa,

Yeah, I liked his response as well. But, you could tell he was a bit taken aback to even be asked such a thing.

Most other young quarterbacks in the league can go into their first year as starter feeling pretty secure that the job is theirs, and they can be fully optimistic that it will continue to be theirs if they play well. For whatever reason, people seem to want to rob Campbell of that security and undermine his confidence from the beginning.

Fortunately, it seems that he is a confident kid. So, hopefully all of this silly stuff will just add to his mental toughness rather than distract him. But, if I was him, I would be supremely annoyed that I had to answer those type questions.

"Besides, you can't stop my charm and sophistication, you can only hope to contain it."

P Diddy, good to hear your voice (read: see your witticisms). I've been in and out of this place sporadically for a while now so I feel like it's been some time.

Champagne and tequila? That's almost as bad as the "Dom and chicken wings" phase... championed by the 69 Boyz and Hooters.

F Tampa

Pick Branch

No to LL

F Dallas

diddy

the line is between good and not to good is pretty thin so its the 20 or so teams in the middle that jockey for the low divsion winner/wildcard contender each year. thats how we get 10 or so teams with couple of weeks left that some shot at post season patcipation.

first you need to consistently stay near the top of this group. Then the trick is to get to where your at the next level where you say are going for home field advantage every year. that group has wider gap on the 20 or so teams in the middle.

Quinn is not worth #2 money and how is he going to help the Lions defense? 28th overall last year (w/ Bly). I think Detroit fans would rather see the Lions address the D and pick up a QB in another round or through a trade.

although The NFC is so weak it could be anybody's race.

Jason Campbell won't be successful in the NFL until he learns to say "Next question!" without blinking.

Hitting on gals at a baby shower? Hells yeah. Gof for it. That's how I met Lauren ... Okay, not really but I say if you are man enough to actually attend a baby shower in the first place, then by all means you gots to go for the gusto. Godspeed you baby-exploiting trailblazer, whoever you are.

As for the Doodlebops, I am banking on a severe headache and a long afternoon, but it's the cross I will gladly bear. Chloe has been walking around the house signing their theme song for he last week and asking to watch their TV show all the time, and she's been through a lot with the arrival of her baby brother, so I figured a good daddy/Chloe surprise was in order. I promise to write a full concert review Monday. Wonder what they'll play for their encore?

Want to know the most sickening part? I ponied up to a broker to get third row seats (floor seats at the Patriot Center show were going ofr $130 each!!!). So of course between every song I will screaming "Play Free Bird!" loud enough for all in my section to hear. Hope they take requests.

Lions definately need defensive help. I see the picking Adams @ #2

Peterson Falls past Cle, TB, Ari to us. Then either Houston, GB, or Buff come calling.

Then it gets interesting. I am getting hyped up to the point where I briefly thought this weekend was the draft. Knew it wasn't, but got lost in my convo I was having w a co-worker and asked what he was doing for the draft this weekend./

I almost entirely agree with ES' post. We really shouldn't pick Landry at 6 even if he is a stud. There are 3 other stud safeties in this draft that we could pick in the middle-end of the first round. Maybe not quite as great, but we can get better value and more picks if we want a safety.

If we stay at 6, we have to go DL. In that case, Okoye is tops on most lists outside of Adams (who appears to not be an option at this point).

Give me the second coming of John Randle who is okoye over a player who will eventually become one of many 330+lbs free agent high draft pick DT journeymen over their carreer. No way we pick Branch.

"Chloe has been walking around the house signing their theme song for he last week"

Jason - does this mean you have been hiding Jamaal Anderson at your house, in advance of the Redskins drafting him?

JLC, last night I gave myself a nice concert gift. I introduced a buddy of mine (a CA guy) to GoGo. A $20 ticket and a 2 drink minimum was a ridiculously low price to pay for a table at the foot of the stage to see Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers last night at Joe's Pub in Manhattan (right by Astor Place, LES).

Unbelievable show. Absolutely one of the best live performances by a band that I have ever been to. They started with a warmup a little after 11:30PM, and didn't stop until it was over, 90 minutes later. The dance floor did the same.

I got to meet Chuck after the show, shake his hand and thank him. He is a genuinely gracious person.

Bucktown Skins Fan you could have let a brother know.

Jason, I will be there as well on Sunday at Doodlepalooza. I know how you feel, I am completely dreading it but also very excited for my daughter. Never thought of tailgaiting, but maybe that's the way to go. I'll bring the Guinness and we can make some black and tans. We can blast some old Verve and Oasis songs (since I know you like the brit-rock) from our systems and act like hooligans while our wives stand by in horror!

Detroit apparently loves Adams and has met with him 3 times already i believe. They would take him at #4 it sounds like, and may even take him at #2.

Then again, that FO is about as bad as they come, so predicting their moves isnt easy.

jm220, my sincerest apologies. I actually did not know about the show until 9AM yesterday morning. My girlfriend is a HUGE music fan so she gets emails from all the venues. She saw it in her inbox and immediately emailed it to me.

She of course refused to go because she can't handle gogo. She's a pacific northwestern girl so she likes punk, alt and alt-rock. I do too, but you CANNOT replace GoGo in the heart of a kid who was born and raised in DC.

So again, my apologies. Next time, I'll know to get an extra seat on that table reservation.

He F-ing killed it last night... tore it up. And his daughter, who is a rapper, came up and did a song with him, called "Chuck Baby." Her name is KK...

...wait a minute. Have I been arguing with baby Chuck all morning? KK?

My 2 cents on the "guy at the baby shower" idea:

Don't do it, Buddy! It sends way too many signals that can be misinterpreted. Better that you should lurk outside, find the vehicle of someone you are interested in, let the air out of one of her tires, and then swoop in at closing time to save the day.

But if you insist on actually attending, here is a workable plan.

1) Prearrange with Sis to deliver the cake fashionably late. She can do the verbal setup after the guests arrive as appropriate..
2) Slightly underdress for the occasion - business casual will do.
3) After arriving and making small talk, don't join in. Hang around in the next room, somewhat inconspicuously. (Maybe you can use Sis's computer to sign up for e-Harmony - lol)
4) Check with Sis at the next break if there appear to be any interested parties. If so, stick around. If not, bail.
5) If no success, check the daily obits for promising future leads.

Good luck!

JLa,

I ain't hatin', bro. I have been to Barney concerts, Dora and Diego live shows and a kids music all-star jamboree where the big all-star was the guy from Mamas and Papas that just died.

He sang the song from Theodore the tug boat and left.

I'd pay $130 for 3rd row at a Birkner concert. She doesn't tour now that she had a kid and may not be as hot either, but I'd throw my boxers on stage for her.

Hey Diddy, did you get your wine orders fiured out? I was going to recommend an old vine zinfadel that I tried last week called Bogle. It was nice.

I like big Butz.

Posted by: Nate in the PDX | April 20, 2007 09:34 AM

this is a blog for adults and other mature people, please don't use that unaccepatble language aymore, thank you in advance for honoring my request.

Imagine being a Lions fan - you wouldn't even be able to talk smack about the Redskins FO.

Jason,

I too will be attending the Doodlebops concert at 12:30 Sunday with my wife and two kids. If the kids have fun, which I'm sure they will, then its all worth it.

Stick 75 - If the folks at Redskins Park think Okoye is the next Randle, it's a no brainer. You don't even entertain most trade-down options at that point. Someone would really have to pony up.

Hey anonymous person - go hang out at the Doodlebops blog. You'll fit in better there.

Jason, please confirm or deny that the Skins brought in Tedd Ginn, Jr. for a private workout with Jason Campbell on hand. If this is in the paper and I have simply missed it, I apologize.

Anyhoo, me no likey the sound of that.

"this is a blog for adults and other mature people, please don't use that unaccepatble language aymore, thank you in advance for honoring my request."

I don't undersatnd how it's immature to comment on the size of Dave Butz. He was a man of large carriage and I don't believe he was ashamed of that fact. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that he was indeed proud of his girth and saw it as one of his finest attributes.

So I would say this to you, Mr. Anonymous Poster, FIE! And a pox upon thee for insinuating that one should be ashamed of how God created him!

I would request that you refrain from such insinuations in the future. And, really, thank you in advance.

Bringing in Tedd Ginn, Jr. for a workout would be a smart "draft business" move. The guy has been injured and missed all the public workouts.

Better is to have a QB that can actually throw the ball to him. Wouldn't make much sense to have Brunell there and watch a speed guy run dink'n'dunk patterns.

Anyone up for happy hour today? I was thinking steak dinner, baked potato, and a couple beers.

Unless, of course, it was a West Coast-style dink'n'dunk offense.

>>> "If no success, check the daily obits for promising future leads."

Awesome idea! Hahaha!

JJ - you need to hook up with the lunch guy here (DaveB?). Sounds like you guys might have a lot in common.

Just saw highlights of the top DE/DT prospects on CNN/SI.com - yeah it's a really slow day today. I know they're subjective and don't tell the whole story, but based on just what I saw Gaines Adams was the most impressive followed by Branch and Okoye. Adams was fast, athletic as hell, and made plays. Sounds like he won't be there at #6 anyway, but if he is, the skins gotta take him or trade down.

Where is Chris Larry?

and dcsween must studying tape of high school jr's in preperation for the 2012 draft.

A random thought about Alan Branch - if he looked like "a man among boys" while playing at Michigan, how will he do when he is "a man among men" in the NFL?

To me, it sounds like he could be "just another guy" at the next level.

Crickets...

I don't understand the fascination on some of your parts with adding another WR to our roster through the draft. We currently have a full stable at that position. Where we need help is on defense. Immediate help on the DLine/Secondary is of the utmost importance this draft. Calvin Johnson does not automatically turn us into a contender. A healthy Clinton Portis, Pierson Prioleau, Marcus Washingon & more experienced Jason Campbell, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Lloyd do. DRAFT LANDRY or OKOYE!

Following that logic, it may also mean that at the next level, Amobi Okoye might be nothing more than "a boy among men". That's not a pleasant prospect for a #6 pick.

Laron Landry is the only choice worthy of the #6 pick.

Trade down for whatever is available if you are determined to take a defensive lineman. Use the trade value chart as a guide - not as a "bible". (Choosing a solid DE at #9 or #12 plus getting 3rd and 4th round picks from Miami or a 2nd round pick from Buffalo is better than wasting a #6 pick on a DT.)

However, swapping first round picks with the Broncos requires THREE additional picks - their 2nd and 3rd round picks and our former 3rd round pick. Anything less from them is UNACCEPTABLE.

I need my lawn mowed, any of you available?

Who wants to help me hang a big sign on the Redskins front gates in Ashburn late tonight?

"Calvin Johnson is the next Desmond Howard"

Random Question: Why is Todd Collins still on our roster?

If the Redskins find a way to grab Calvin Johnson in the draft, I am going to start hanging around at baby showers beginning in September.

Jason Campbell - Redskins' fans safety blanket
Mark Brunell - Joe Gibbs' safety blanket
Todd Collins - Al Saunders' safety blanket
Casey Bramlet - Vinny Ceratto's safety blanket

Otter; Agreed on the Broncos potential trade.

Problem is the team that comes calling for that trade always loses. It puts us in a position to get screwed. We might get 2 extra picks after their first. Unless we pony up Springs (Lisa faints)....

So we need to stay put at 6 and wait for teams to call us, so for once we can stick it to them. The Broncos are secretly in love with AP, so if he falls, that might be who they are targeting. They need LB help, but Willis is not a top 10 pick.

Jimmy Buffett from the front row of the Crawford boxes tomorrow at Minute Maid Park!

(Sorry guys - my kids are in their teens!)

I absolutely agree - the Redskins management should not be making calls on Draft Day. They should only be accepting calls from interested parties. If no one calls, stay at #6 and take Landry.

Nevermind, they have T Henry, I forgot. The need DL or WR. And they still have Bly so Lisa can dust herself off.

Ahh, Jimmy Buffett. The Carrot Top of musicians.

Seems like Denver would be looking for Gaines Adams or maybe Willis or Beason, depending on how far they can move up. They need a speed rusher DE like Adams or an MLB to replace Wilson. Wilson isn't very tall so Beason should interest them if they can't move up.

From NFL.com

WHICH TEAM IS LIKELY TO TRADE DOWN IN THE FIRST ROUND?

Keep in mind that more teams want to trade down than trade up every year. The one team that really has to consider a strong move down would be the Washington Redskins. They just don't have enough draft picks in 2007. If they were to select a player at the No. 6 spot in the first round, they wouldn't select again until Sunday. It would be a wise move to drop down to the middle of the first round and pick up a second-round pick. Denver is sitting at No. 21, and they have a head coach who can pull the trigger on a trade. The Patriots have two first-round selections which are close to the compensation for the No. 6 spot as well.

Maybe the Redskins can find a team just a few spots away so they could pick up at least a third round pick. For example, the Falcons are just two spots away at No. 8. Atlanta has two second-round picks, so they could throw No. 75 in the third round to the 'Skins to jump two spots, and the Redskins would go at No. 8 and come back in the third round with the new pick.

The point is don't be surprised if the Redskins are entertaining some calls from around the league.

if i were you, i wouldn't do that

Adam Schefter must have written that crap - Denver homie that he is. Only he and the Bronco crowd would call that a wise trade.

So now I will champion a trade with The Pats. They picked up a lot of FA, possibly b/c Belicheck is done soon, so they might covet an impact player @ 6. Instead of saving them for depth/solid starters.

Kirwan, NFL.com

Atlanta, Miami, Buffalo and the Patriots would all be good partners for trades of 1st round draft slots. I'd be happy if they could swing any of those that would yield additional 1st day picks. I read that Denver was talking to either Arizona or Cleveland, trying to get in the top 5 anyway. Maybe they can lose the Redskkins number while they are at it.

It's Friday and after 3 - I am out of here.

Ahh, Jimmy Buffett. The Carrot Top of musicians.

Posted by: SMACK | April 20, 2007 02:45 PM

I didn't know Jimmy Buffett became a bodybuilder....

I was just out and about on the streets of Portland and saw the most incredible mullet. The usual mullet paradigm is 'business in front, party in back,' but this one was Mo Howard in front, Gregg Allman in back. Just a thing of utterly horrific beauty.

I live in Michigan, but grew up in the DC area and am a life long Skins fan. The talk of Alan Branch concerns me. I'm not sure he's even worth a first round pick. I watched most of UM's games and though he made some plays, he takes entirely too many off. Too much lack of effort, way too often. I question his motivation. Maybe another "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, if even that. If we trade down, which seems to be more and more possible, I haven't read alot of encouraging things about Jamaal Anderson lately; "not experienced, needs to be more aggressive, lack of leverage, two years to bring out his best..." If we pick either of these two in the first round, I think I'll be sick. Why does Kenard Lang's name keep ringing in my ears?

An aside. I know our FO appears most of the time like it hasn't a clue, but living in the Detroit metro area and watching the Lion's disfunctional management provides some comic relief. Stay sane until the Draft, and lets hope we do something right.

Jason, at least you have a reason to go to the DoodleBops concert (Chloe). Years ago I went to Disney on Ice with a guy (about 10 years older than me) that I had been dating. There were no children with us. The show was his idea and we had front row seats. It was the Princess Fairy Tales or something like that. One of the "tales" was the Snow White story. When Snow White was skating around with the evil step mother (?) who was trying to get her to bite into the poison apple, my date yelled "Don't Eat It, Snow White!" I was mortified. That relationship died a quick death.

With the draft 7 days away
I really don't have much to say
In contributing a post today
On us getting to 50K.

wags

nice call on big daddy he had a decent career but was cursed by being #1 overall. just never measured up to the expectation.

I'm speechless, Lisa.

How long were you dating this guy before the "incident?"

Thanks to Wagman bringing the differing opinion on Branch who has seen UM's games.

I know the draft is hype, and the combine is hype.... but when multiple different sources start reporting the same thing on a guy, then sometimes, most of the time it is true.

Gunman at NASA building. Houston, TX.

Getting back to football. I know this is a bit of a stretch Q, JLa what would the possibilities be that Lavar could sign with the Skins again? What if he gets no suitors and the Skins offer a low yet decent offer, could he come to try to prove himself? He always said he loved DC and its fan base.

By the way, and getting out of football talk, my wife is taking my daughter to the Doodlebops. I'll send her with her Skins jersey. If you see her please take a pick with her and post it here. I'll let my wife know so she doesn't freak out, just in case. I can imagine you singing and dancing , like me, to the 'get on the bus, come on let's take a ride' lol

ah The Onion

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nfl_draft_in_chaos_as_mel_kipers

Ahh, Jimmy Buffett. The Carrot Top of musicians.

Posted by: SMACK | April 20, 2007 02:45 PM

I didn't know Jimmy Buffett became a bodybuilder....

Posted by: cdubb | April 20, 2007 03:15 PM

I knew I should have gone with Gallagher, but at least you aren't arguing with the basic premise.

No way Lavar comes back. He loves the fans and DC area, but it was a bad break with the FO. Unless Cerrato and co. were completely out (hopefully soon), can't see him coming back..........he'd have to be beyond desperate.

Do miss the excitement....imagine having Portis, Smoot, and Lavar all getting media coverage. Couldn't keep the skins off tv!

Or imagine Reaper, Lavar, and Taylor dishing it out!

I meant Reaper, Lavar, and Landry

Chuck Brown is a bleeping legend. He rocks thoroughly and completely. What a showman.

I have heard a fwe people in Skins upper management have had a thing for Ginn for a long time. they have worked out essentially the entire first round and had them all in for visits, but i think they'll go D for anyone other than CJ. but they are capable of anything, aren't they?

as for the ranmdom question - if brunell shows his arm is okay - or as okay as normal - during minicamp then collins will be gone ... if not, they could cut brunell and suffer virtually no cap ramifications and still have collins as insurance.

Skinz, I had been dating him about a month - he always had something planned and I felt bad turning him down. He also took me to the Circus (again no kids with us). We had front row seats there as well.

He was really sweet though and seemed to adore me.

ah The Onion

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nfl_draft_in_chaos_as_mel_kipers

David,

Thanks. That's about the funniest thing I've read in a long time. Hilareous. I needed that on a late Friday afternoon. If anyone hasn't read it, I suggest you link to it and do.. I laughed tears...

I don't want Collins as a backup, the preseason stuff I saw was horrible. Brunell is a fine backup. Collins is only good for holding a clipboard and teaching Campbell the Saunders offense.......keep Collins off the field

Dan Pompeii of sporting news is reporting that Branch has stress fractures in both legs. Here is the PFT write-up:

A league source tells us that Dan Pompei's recent report regarding the presence of stress fractures in the lower legs of defensive tackle Alan Branch is on the money.

"Pompei is right," said the source. "There is no doubt he is right. I don't know where he got his info but he is dead right. That's all I can say."

A source with knowledge of Branch's condition disputed Pompei's report on Thursday, calling the problem shin splints, at worst.

The problem, as we understand it, is that different doctors view the medical evidence differently. In this case, there's an issue as to whether there's a "black line" in an MRI of Branch's legs and, if so, whether it is proof of a stress fracture.

Some teams/doctors believe it does. Others don't

if brunell shows his arm is okay - or as okay as normal
Posted by: Jason La Canfora | April 20, 2007 04:12 PM

Hey Jason - has there been any word on Brunell's rehab progress? I too would rather a HEALTHY Brunell as backup QB instead of Collins.

Let me preface this by saying that drafting Calvin Johnson would be a mistake - simply for the fact that we would have to give up future draft picks and possibly a fan favorite player. Obviously, we need to stop mortgaging our future for the now - it has not been working.

However, if it does happen, let's not all hand in our season tickets. Let's not forget that ARE, B Lloyd (who?) and even Moss are not the greatest triumvarate (sp?) of receivers to ever grace this league. If one position is weak on offense, it is the receiver position. CJ would be a healthy addition.

All that said, it will likely be a big FO blunder if we gave up the farm for him. I'm just saying - it's not like we couldn't use the guy. I say try and trade down or take LL.

I don't think our receivers are necessarily weak. The focus point of the Skins' offense is the run, so I think that takes away from our receiver's capabilities. If anything, I'd say we're pretty balanced on offense. But, I agree that we should not trade up for CJ.

I don't believe the receivers to be weak in terms of the league - just the weakest link on our offense. But point taken - the focus should be and is on the running game. I really truly believe this offense is going to surprise a lot of people this year.

>>> "Hey Diddy, did you get your wine orders fiured out? I was going to recommend an old vine zinfadel that I tried last week called Bogle. It was nice."

Larry Bud, you're not going to believe this, but I was indeed drinking the Bogle Zin last night. Chef made an amazing pork chop and paired it with the Bogle.

How funny that you mention that!

I don't think offense is necessarily the problem on this team. If you recall, they were really getting things together in the second half of last season.

Remember, the plan all along was for the defense to keep them close and for the team to scrap away to a 4-4 record at the break. From there, the hope was that the offense would pull it together and they'd be able to get to the playoffs.

I think the receivers they have now are more than serviceable, to say nothing of the running game and Cooley. They have a hole at left guard, but, like I said before, they could head down to the Piggly Wiggly and find a left guard roaming the Pop Tarts aisle. Every team in the league has depth issues, so let's not go there. You lose some players, you're likely out of it (witness the Giants last season).

Make no mistake: the defense is what let them down last season. I think they did some good things during the offseason (Smoot, Fletcher), and if they can pick up a strong defensive lineman in the draft, they may be in great shape heading into the season. I also wouldn't be opposed to drafting Landry. Double G loves to get pressure through blitzes, and if he's got the DBs back there to play that game, he can get back to being a "genius".

The #6 pick in the draft will be LL. Last year the Skins felt they needed an upgrade at safety, they wanted Arch Delux and to insure they got him made him the hightest paid safety in the league. Now AA is no longer around and the need to upgrade that position still exists. The guys they got now are fillin players not full time starters. LaRon Landry will be the man.

P.Diddy, You are on th $$$ my man. GG blitzes through pressure from the secondary. When Praline went down in game 1 last season, the defensive plan toppled like a deck of cards because our depth at CB was exposed. This year we are deep at CB, and with the addition of Landry (and no visits from the injury bug) GG will be fielding phone calls from teams in search of a head coach in 2008. Which will clear the path for our next HC, Russ Grimm!

Late to the party as so often. . . .

Thoughts:
- Dudes who hit on the ladies at a baby shower is flat out lame. You may as well wear a shirt that says LOSER because either you are one due to your inability to "score" at normal places like weddings or you think you're the shti and the ladies at the shower will be all goo goo gaga and translate watching their friend unwrap a dipare genie, onesies and a breat pump into an immediate desire to make the mad mad love. Seriously, maybe I'm in minority here but having attended bunch of baby showers in the last year I can't imagine thinking "Hey big fella you're hot lets go do it in nursery where I'll really get it going!"

Lisa - how exactly did you keep a straight face when this guy asked you to Disney on Ice? I'd have laughed first and then had a look of horror thinking . . . Michael Jackson?

Continuing my contributions to 50K. . . .

I just had the most horrifying daymare that maybe others have had and said so forgive if I'm repeating. I know it is highly unlikely but with our FO . . . what if . . .

They trade Soups, #6, some 2008 picks and gawd knows what else to Raiders for the #1 and take Russell!!!???!!!