holler

the skins need landry. you need like 10 safties to be a good team

Good to hear Jason! I'm pretty happy with the position we're going to be in, big chance of trading down, if not, Okoye or Landry!

fourth!!!

Now THIS is inside dope. Love it. Straight talk from the man his own bad self. Damn.

By the way, we need an updated scorecard of J-La's offseason prognostications. Who was keeping tabs on this?

All sounds good to me!

Okoye or Landry

Its about to be on and poppin',
Shirts off and ****ies droppin'!

Any possibility of the Skins trading current players for picks?

I did read somewhere that OT Joe Thomas is meant to be visiting on Saturday??

J-La --

Bro, we missed ya. Love to see this stuff again.

So if Detroit is not taking Russell, then with whom do they trade down? Miami?

I am also down with Okoye or Landry.

There remain no shortage of people in that building really hope they trade down,

jason, please identify these people. they sound *competent*. they have no say do they? they're probly copy/coffee boys aren't they?

please no Landry. Waste another pick on a another DB in the top 10. Only the Redskins.

Not to bash guest bloggers or other posters, but there is nothing like the real deal...Love the insight

sicwidit -

Not sure, I think Springs is the most likely candidate, although I think we'll be keeping him. A few days ago someone said Marcus Washington WILL be traded, but there hasn't been too much talk about that.

You know... if it weren't for the fact that this team just seems "snake-bit" I'd say all options look great.

But we're just do darned good at snatching failure from the jaws of success.

seriously...please no landry...or any defensive player for that matter.

JUST TRADE DOWN MAN! love the idea of going from 6th to 10th and getting a 2nd round pick but with this FO??? no way they pull that off.

jason, you think they'd notice if i just walked in their "war" room right now...?...i can just see st. joe's face...and double D i mean double G trying to riddle me to death...

but you know...how cool would it be if everyone and their maama thought the skins had a bad draft and then just went on a tear once the season began and won the superbowl.

btw, no one answered who's the 3rd QB for the skins? are they gonna go young or old if they don't have one?

dealer -

I agree with you about trading down, I think there's a big chance with Miami at #9 if Quinn is still on the board at #6, so they can nab him before the Vikes, but I reckon that will all depend on what happens with Trent Green.

I love this excitement!!

dealer, the Skins' roster lists the following dudes at the QB position.

15 Collins, Todd
8 Brunell, Mark
17 Campbell, Jason
5 Bramlet, Casey

And don't forget Antwaan Randle El, who has some QB skills.

3rd I think Todd Collins is still 3, with Casey Bramlett 4??

Campbell
Brunell
Collins
Bramlet
Gibran Hamdan (technically belongs to MIA, but we could get him back with our '08 #1 pick...)

Good one, cload.

You can read all about Bramlet's offseason side project here, especially if you can read the German:
http://www.hamburg-seadevils.de/template_roster_detail.php4?contentId=3

Only 35 Euros for the best seats in the house for the Sea Devils' home games. Worth every Euro penny.

It's good to have more informed speculation from you JLC but could you please post one article or have one appearance on WPL without the biting sarcasm. Too much of it comes off as being obnoxious.

La Canfora:

Just dropping that knowledge, son! See, this is a blog. That is how you post. I guarantee you ArtMonktotheSticks is going to shutdown his computer, turn out the lights and hide under the bed of his hotel room after he reads this knowledge. He is so nervous this will get jinxed. He did this the year we drafted my favorite Redskin of all time LaVar Arrington. It happened to me in 2004 with Sean Teezee. And now, with Landry. There is no way Russell drops lower than two. I just can't see it happening. I still think he goes #1. I think the Skins love Okoye but he's just too much of a project. I just compare him to Mario Williams who was bigger and nastier and faster and it took that dude 3/4 of a season to figure out where the QB lines up before the snap. Or Broderick Bunckley the son of Satan who murdered the mouths of the young at FSU and he had a tough rookie year. Okoye will get shoved around in year one and we'll be wondering why. But L2, no chance. Immediate impact player who will allow the greatest safety the world has ever seen to do his thing. Plus, the Skins love that he has a brother in the NFL.

Swoop and L2...son.

kost52, I can't help noticing that the fellow sporting jumper #3 for the Geelong Cats, Mr. Bartel, leads the league with 89 disposals through three rounds. Good grief, that seems a massive number of disposals. Go Cats!

Whoops, I had some trouble interpreting the chart or table or whatever. Turns out there are two smug bastards from WBD currently first and third in disposals. Oh well. It's a young season, and Bartel is still doing us proud.

Governor, I have a question for you and AMTTS (by proxy): what is the preferred nickname for LaRon Landry? Is it L2, something else? A bomb you're going to wait to drop up here?

We had some suggestions on the last post, but you guys have squatters' rights since you were first in.

Yeah Nate, we had another good win last weekend! Jimmy Bartel is a gun, he'd probably be decent odds for the Brownlow Medal (our version of MVP) at this stage!

I'm a pimp.

And who are we going to take at 10th? I trust other people's front office more than ours (ie if we trade down, we are probably losing value.) Last year there wasn't much difference in guaranteed money between the 6th and 10th picks.

In 2006, contracts were:
5th pick) LB 6 years, $37.5 million (approx. $15 million guaranteed)
6th pick) TE 5 years, $25 million ($15.45 million guaranteed)
7th pick) S-CB 5 years, $22.5 million ($15 million guaranteed)
8th pick) S 5 years, total amount undisclosed (approx. $13.5 million guaranteed)
9th pick) LB 5 years, total amount undisclosed ($12.1 million guaranteed)
10th pick) QB $14M guaranteed
11th pick) QB 6 years, $48 million ($11 million guaranteed)

For all these picks, that's a lot of guaranteed cash. So, the big question is is: in trading down 3 or four slots, are we lowering the likelihood that we draft someone who will do well in our system? And how likely is it that a DE or other player we pick in the the second round going to succeed in our system?

Personally, I like the low first round/high second round choices, because the guaranteed money is so much less, the draft picks are sill motivated to listen/play hard, and the picks usually don't play if they aren't ready.

And let's not congratulate anyone in the FO for getting back a second round pick by trading down. If 2nd rounders were so valuable, then they never should have traded it for Rocky, right?

I still love Joe Gibbs and believe he can coach. But, I've got no faith in Potomac Dannyboy's leadership skills or his ability to put in a system that doesn't out-think itself.

Just finished listening to Eazy E's "Real Mutha******* Gs". Just getting amped up. Nate, the nickname is L2. I thank you for your courtesy. But if we draft L2, we can all share in the glory together. AMTTS just did a show in Regina, Canada. But it's not pronounced that way. As he put it to us, it rhymes with a female part of the body. Literally, I laughed for hours after hearing that.

Sounds like AMTTS is tracing the footsteps of French trappers and Frank Black, who found inspiration up in those parts and even wrote a song entitled "Manitoba" about the province next door. Those people must be starved for good comedy.

Regina, haw haw.

L2 it is.

Culpeper, like a telephone pole but less mobile. Only the Raiders would make that dumb of a move while weighing the #1 overall. Did you see their O-line last year? Like matadors without capes. Even the back ups didn't want to go in. Who knows? It sounds just dumb enough for the Cryptkeeper Davis to pull the trigger on that debacle. Definitely would be good for the Skins to get some nice picks for #6.

If I read correctly, JLC implies that a trade with the ATL would land us at #10. They are now in the 8-hole after the trade with Houston. I doubt they would give up a 2nd rounder to move up 2 spots, but what do I know. If Landry and Okoye are on the board at #6 then maybe ATL takes it chances that Minny won't want the one we don't choose.

Hee haw.

Do the 'Skins even know how to trade with someone who isn't Denver or the Jets?

Don't see how the Raiders trade for Culpepper and also get rid of Moss. I would think they would want to reunite the two...unless they hate each other now :-)

Why Al Wilson should be considered..

First and foremost it would kill anymore talk of Lance Briggs. Secondly, Al Wilson is the kind of versitile linebacker that could play weakside or Middle at an all pro level. He will immidietly provide compition and depth to a linebacking core that could use it. Marcus Washington's Hip worries me, London Fletcher's age will eventually catch up with him. Some will argue it will slow the progress of Rocky-Mac but I argue that Depth at any position is not a bad thing and Rocky will earn his way on the feild alot more this year regardless. Given Wilson's injury he will not get a multi year deal with anybody unless it's insentive laden. He's a great blitzer from the linebacking position and would fit in great with Williams style. You should be able to get him for 1 or 2 years at a reasonable price with out giving up a draft pick. He'll be hungry to get one more pay-day and he's great in the lockeroom. To me, this is the kind of Bargin Shopping the Skins need to do more of.

you forget that AL wilson Failed a physical with the G-Men

F Al Wilson, can you say M. Barrow part deu!

If the raiders pass on Russell in favor of culpepper they deserve to be turned into an arena league team...

I would be siked with either Okoye or LaRon, even better to trade down to 10 and still get Okoye, that would rule...

J-La great to have you back and way to represent with the posts!

Not to bring everyone down but on a day like today with the tragedy at VT. . . well once again I do a mental list of all the once and former students I've had who have the capacity for this kind of horror in them . . it sucks to put it in/uneloquently. Happy thoughts happy thoughts. . . .
which oddly and surprisingly brings me to fubol and the Skins . . .

chris larry - I'm with you and the Raiders. They should institute the Al Davis rule in the NFL . . . the equivalent fo the Marge Schott rule from MLB.

If you are that big a douche and disaster your team gets taken away from you. Once again I ask is Calvin Johnson going to throw passes to himself? Culpepper? Whaaa?

That being said I LOVE the intrigue. . . (although J-la I don't think the NFL would want Boy George singing their theme song, not manly man enough.)

Reading SI today and the talk amongst FO peeps in the league talking about how a lot of first rounders this year would be second or third rounders in past years and they are going to get way overpaid. . . um it's a billion dollar business and it's supply and demand kids. I agree we pay the wrong people too much money (no bias here as a teacher)but if the market will bear it well then give it to the players.

Final thought before I go beddy bye - I am outraged, OUTRAGED I tell you that Saturn as appropriated the "Mmna Mmna" song!

Is NOTHING sacred anymore?

Hey Cyn Cyty how close are we to 50K for draft day?

Brady Quinn . . . can anyone say Rick Meier? Does anyone remember Rick Meier?

I really thought Rick Meier was going to be the next Joe Montana. Now why was Tim Couch and Akili Smith ever drafted so high?

So Landry at 6, Okoye at 8, maybe Anderson at 9?

According to the draft value charts I've seen online, a trade down from 6 to 8 or 6 to 9 wouldn't merit Atlanta or Miami giving up their early 2nd round picks. But Miami has the 60th overall pick from New England. The #9 and #60 for the #6 comes close to even on the draft value charts.

That leaves the question, do the Redskins have a player or players they love who will fall to 60?

I'm a sucker for a good article or two, so I now love the prospect of picking up Weddle out of Utah.

Not sure if he'd still be there at 60, but Anderson learning from Griffin and Carter while Weddle gets used to covering alongside Taylor sounds ideal.

It is so good to have J-LaC back in the saddle - three topical, insiteful, fact-packed posts in one day.

BUCS PLOTTING A PLAY FOR JOHNSON?

John Murphy and Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports report that some NFL types believe that the Buccaneers are planning to make a play for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

The selection is currently held by the Raiders, who fleeced the Bucs five years ago out of two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and $8 million for the "rights" to coach Jon Gruden.

"I definitely get the feeling that's where the Bucs are going," an executive from another NFL team told Yahoo!

Though we realize that much of our own stuff comes from unnamed executives and other league sources, it's hard to put much credence in the above quote without knowing who said it. The Browns, for example, would have a strong interest in seeing such a deal go down, since it would ensure that either quarterback JaMarcus Russell or quarterback Brady Quinn will be available when Cleveland picks at No. 3.

Per the report, there is also speculation that the Bucs have offered four first-day picks (No. 4, No. 35, No. 64, and No. 68) for the No. 1 pick. Under the trade chart, however, that quartet of picks falls 130 points short of the value of the first overall selection. As a result, the Bucs would have to give up all of their remaining picks -- with the exception of two compensatory picks at the bottom of round seven -- to make up the entire difference.

Bottom line: If Al Davis is going to give up the No. 1 pick to two of his former employees (Gruden and G.M. Bruce Allen), it will have to be on the Raiders' terms. We wouldn't be surprised to see Davis ask for all of Tampa's picks in 2007 and a first-rounder in 2008.

And we also wouldn't be surprised to see the Bucs give all of it up; for Gruden and Allen, having to worry about not having a first-round pick in 2008 will be a good thing, since it will mean that they did well enough in 2007 to still have jobs. (profootballtalk.com)

Nate;

From the last post... yes a good GK is key...

anyway, JLa, I think ATL likes Landry and Okoye as you say, so if Minny is stuck on QB, and is stupid enough to let that be known, ATL prolly sits tight and sees who falls to 8, either Landry or Okoye.

Now if Minny likes Landry, and Atl likes Landry, we could have a little fun time having them play one-upsmanship with picks.

Then we just fall two spots at most and still get the player we want, Anderson.

Also, to quell the talk of not needing Landry... if we cannot move out of the 6 spot, no DL is worth that pick. We have a lot of needs, so you take best available... at 6 the only one worth that is L2.

And remember that the FO always thinks they can find FA to fill holes, so in their eyes they think they are in a good spot to get a good player who should help immediately and then the scour the FA after June 1 for DL, OG etc...

Also, Grilliams started Reaper as a Rookie.

Does anyone know if Carriker has been to the Park?

He would be my choice definitively, even if we don't trade down. The more I read and hear the buzz about Landry and Okoye the more I think Landry will be gone and that Carriker is better than Okoye.

Now, as a self professed draft idiot, I will most likely be toasted for this opinion but I just have a creeping feeling that Okoye may not be all that he is billed to be.

Something that sween had in the previous thread struck me as well. "Smart is good. Super smart is better."

Not always and especially not in football and especially not in foot ball on DLine. I played a little end in my time and speed, strength, reflexes and reaction time way outweigh smarts. That's why Dexter was such a stud. Not cause he was a genius.

Thinking too much at DEnd is what got Carter in trouble so much at the beginning of last season. So while I appreciate that Okoye might be a genius and that Carriker is just "football smart", I also would say that that is another big plus in the Carriker column.

Wow... didn't think that one would be a thread killer.

Larry;

I am assuming that Carriker is one of the 15 D players due in this week, as JLa reports.

I understand your point of football smarts, but when studying tape, tendencies, etc... it is good to be 'smart' i.e. understanding trends, probablitity etc.

I like Carriker, what I have heard, I like Anderson, dont like Adams (too light in the butt)and Okoye makes me nervous for some reason. I dont think we draft DT since we have Golston and Montgomery from last year.

Obviously I like Landry, and if we trade Springs I like CB Hall below #10 pick (GB and Peterson Falling is how I see us past #10) and as Nate or Sween mentioned yesterday, I love the kicker from Colorado in the second round.

The one thing I notice about all of the Super Bowl teams over the past years was they had a stud kicker. Viniteri was the reason NE won 2 superbowls (need I say Norwood) and then he goes to Indy and they win right away.

Draft down and take Carriker, he'll make the LB's behind him instantly better. Okoye looks to be a phenom (in a year or so) but dropping to 8 then to 21 (Denver wants Levi Brown and Landry and we all know how much our FO loves to give them draft picks) means getting Jarvis Moss, David Blaylock (G) and Moss' teamate Ray McDonald (DT). None nearly as good as Okoye but all upgrades to what we got.

Are the visits this week purely coach and Danny interviews or will there be any of the current players involved and giving input?

There is no need for Landry. Safeties are a dime a dozen. No safety is worth the 6 pick. And more importantly, no secondary is good unless there is a pass rush. The Redskins have to get someone who can put pressure on the QB or occupy interior linemen so the ends can get to the QB. When that happens even Springs, Smoot, Rogers, and Taylor will look like they can cover.

So I'm all for taking Okoye, Branch, Anderson or Carriker.

It is highly unlikely that we would draft Carriker...He is best suited to play in a 3-4 deffense...that's what he's been playing in Neb.

MEG;

As posted in the last thread, Phillip Daniels spoke recently and said that DL's occupy blockers in Grilliams scheme, while CB, LB and S blitz to get pressure. He also said last years lack of good coverage made the line move from 4 to 3 down lineman which made us play cover 2. which lead us to get burned.

this is where the Landry talk came about. I like DL and I like Landry... and also as posted earlier about the Safeties taken in the first round recently that they are making probowls and are generally better and a more imiportant cog in the defense than in years past. In response to your dime a dozen arguement.

kost52, I can't imagine who wrote on here that the Skins will trade Marcus Washington - thats just crazy talk and will never happen.

What DoubleEl said, especially in Grilliams D.

I like Landry, too. I just have a feeling that someone will trade up to get him.

Also, we might be having a chicken/egg argument when it comes to pass coverage/rush and Dline play v. Dback play.

I think Landry would make the pass rush stronger. The question is would he make it stronger than Okoye or Carriker would?

Lisa, we do, however, have lingering concern about Marcus Wash's recovery from his surgery, right?

I think worry about his health is one of the best (okay, one of the ONLY reasonable) arguments for adding another starter-quality LB, which for this front office could be called "The Duckett Gambit."

Lisa,

I did. Actually that he would be a cap casualty because I read an article on a draft analysis page (Murphy from Yahoo) that said that the skins might take an LB because they might cut Washington. There was something about the injury being worse than expected.

I also think it's crazy just based on his "coreness".

Larry Bud, in the absence of any facts or even factoids but awash with speculation, as a fellow draft idiot I don't care which D lineman we pick -- to paraphrase Old School -- I just want him to be the RIGHT guy.

Speaking of recovery time, Caron Butler wants to get his cast off early so he can come back for the second round of the playoffs...

Um, has he watched any of the Boulez' games since he and Gil went down? Caron is a trouper, and "don't stop believin'" and all that, but we ain't heading for the second round.

PDSquared (can I still call you that? the whole tentativeness of the AMMTS underbed jinx fears ... I'm just not ready ...), I was kidding about Mason Crosby. I was hoping for some disinformation. Also, I read somewhere (two places I think) that the K that the Skins want to bring in to compete with Suisham is a guy named Nick Folk from Arizona (Arizona State?).

Nate; Sad about the Wiz... before the all star game we were in 1st in the Eastern Conference.... how the might have fallen, or should I say limped

Larry; It is definately a chicken or egg discussion, which is why i am cool with either. If we get a young DL, then we get pressure, one backer on the blitz, man up on the outside, 2 safeties over top.

If we take safety, then we get some depth to keep DL fresh and occupy blockers. Giving the CB ability to blitz cause L2 comes down and covers for them with Reaper over top.

I lean towards Landry b/c at 6 he is the pick there. If we move down, it would be so another team could draft him, and we take DL. That is why I like our position in this draft. Not to mention what may happen should Quinn or peterson drops.

Nate,

That's why he said it. He know's he won't have to.

Sween, you can call me whatever you'd like. It might confuse some of the not-so-frequent bloggers, but I care not.

Crosby has a range of 60-65 yards... I like that. 2nd round, if we get one in a trade, I say try and get him. I like Suisham, he has proven he can hit inside 40 consistently, his accuracy is suspect after that. He does have long kickoffs which we absolutely need. Competetion is always good.

DoubleEl,

True, true...

Speaking of Journey, has anyone seen VH1s "Best Songs of the 80's"? They had Hungry Like the Wolf at #1.

You know you've crossed a demographic landmark when MTV is supplanted by VH1 and then VH1 is supplante by VH1 Classic...

Ugh, I feel old today.

The next installment of our blogmaster's love for The Owner ...

"... I hear the Skins will have something like 15 kids - on defense only! - at the facility this week, to say nothing of all the offensive players who have come through and still will come through. Is that overkill and indicative of the over-the-top nature of the guy who signs the checks? Is that too many bodies for any team to really handle in a limited time? Is it a little circus-like? ...."

Though JLaC is THE beat guy, I tend to disagree with the implication that this behavior is a bad idea. The Skins obviously will not be able to get more than one or two of these players -- THIS year. That doesn't mean that the courtship for guys at this talent level shouldn't start now. Its like how fraternities are on their best behavior during rush, and how law firms overpay and entertain their law student summer interns. Its all about creating the first impression. When these guys finish their rookie contracts, maybe it would be a GOOD idea if the player actually comes to the Skins seeking the next contract, as opposed to the Skins having to "express interest" in that player. If the business model is to rely heavily on free agency, then these guys need to be treated as free-agents-to-be. When these guys come to visit the Park, they should be made to marvel at the spectacle of what a rich owner does for the team. I say throw in a body/body/coconut oil visit with a local coed ... what happens in the Park stays in the Park. No questions asked. Add these guys to the Christmas card list and remember to call on their birthdays. Parting guests receive a lifetime supply of Rice-A-Roni and a Speigel gift certificate. Circus? Unquestionably. But no animals were harmed in the production of this motion picture.

Sween; LOL

Larry, I love VH1 and the wifey and I were discussing how the transition happened without us even knowing! I check out classic from time to time, but I still havent crossed that threshold ;)

On defense almost all of the players on your roster play. Most Dlines rotate players to keep them fresh, all teams have nickel/dime packages where most of your db's are on the field, Goal line /short yardage etc. you are really a good defense for a few reasons, sound scheme, quality depth ( cause they all have to play), play your assignment (have confidence that the guy next to you will play his..ie play together) and last you need some impact players, guys who make plays. you don't need 11 play makers, 2 or 3 is realistic ( best case is to have one on each level DL, LB, DB. Thats the formula.

If it comes down to calling dibbs, Landry or Okoye would be AOK with me. Frankly, any really good player or players would be good. Old School repeatedly says it best -- it doesn't matter who they pick, as long as they pick right (i.e., any contributor ... just not a bust ... %@^*ing Taylor Jacobs!).

The Skins' model relies on free agency. The draft is a luxury and reliance on it is not critical. Therefore, the Skins SHOULD select "best player available" -- value is value. If they do pick JRussell, I have to think it would be like Arizona last year picking Leinart. The Cards had sufficient QB power with Kurt Warner (what they really NEEDED was a O-line). When Leinart slipped so far, the Cards found themselves in an upside position -- high value player signable at below market rate (based on pick location). [That said, if they did pick Russell, I hope the idea would be to trade him within the next hour or so of Round One.]

The Skins approach to that #6 should be a risk-adverse, Old School-counselled choice. Don't go out on a limb. Make sure the guy (whoever he is, whatever position) is not going to be Ryan Leaf, Robert Gallery, Akili Smith, Taylor Jacobs, Mike Rumph, etc. Just make sure to get a contributor. Pro Bowl rookies are great, but should not be the guiding principle. Just not a bust.

Defensive line is a MUST. Branch will still be on the board at #9/10.

Take the gaurd I have been talking about in the 2nd.......

Easy as 1,2,3...

The best dope from JLaC's starter here is the Raiders taking CJ. Everyone else in Big Media seems convinced that the Raiders cannot move off JRussell. The thought is "if they pick CJ, who is going to throw to him?". The question should be, "if they pick JRussell, who is going to teach him how to play NFL?"

The market for vet, second run QBs seems deep to me. JLaC says the Raiders will go for Culpepper after he gets cut. I'm guessing, by that time, there will even be more serviceable QBs available to compete with Culpepper. Probably even a couple cast offs from Tampa Bay alone. I'm not convinced that Carolina is convinced that Leftwich is their guy. We know the Lions have been dangling Josh McCown. Charlie Batch (currently in Pittsburgh) has demonstrated his chops. Boller may want to start again. Sage is still out there. Volek thought he had a job (and the Chargers JUST picked Charlie Whitehurst last year). I could very easily see the Raiders aiming to pick CJ and forcing Tampa Bay to do the Ricky Manning deal with all their draft picks if they want CJ.

ES;

I am completely off the Branch bandwagon. You might be driving solo there.

Latest word I heard last week was that he is slipping, and that is b/c he has a weight issue as well as the dreaded 'he takes plays off' which can both be explained by bad workout habits = LAZY... I like the 'high motor' tag for a guy with less talent that the 'takes plays off' tag for those with a lot of skill.

SOunds like Carriker has that high motor, Anderson as well. Adams plays best when on a 'nasty streak' which sounds like taking plays off to me.

Sorry bruh, NO TO BRANCH

sween, your comment reminded me of the one question posed by J-La's post: yeah, this looks like a circus out at the Park (and it helps that we view the front office on their best day as the Keystone Kops 2.0), but how does it compare to what other teams are doing this week and next?

I would imagine that there are at least a few other teams having a BUNCH of dudes in, because as you get later in the first round it's so hard to predict who will be available, and you want to be ready.

Lest we forget, the teams picking at 11 and 16 and 22 and 29 have a lot of pressure to get their picks right, just not as much pressure as we top-sixers have.

Ricky... Williams?

And hats off to me for a super-smart Captain Obvious post just now. Sometimes I re-read the crap I submit and wonder why I'm not being blocked up here.

DoubleEl,

As far as taking plays off, I've heard the same thing about Okoye.

There was a funny story about him on Yahoo. Apparently, he was supposed to appear on Stupidest Damn Sports Shabingus Ever and didn't take a change of clothes. He was going to get fitted for a super fly suit by one of the tailors to the stars but was running late, so he went to a local mall.

He got very frustrated when there was nothing to his liking in size 44 waist and almost had to do the interview in the same sweats he had been wearing for 24 hours. Somebody hooked him up so that didn't happen, but, c'mon, I mean he's a genius and he couldn't remember to bring clothes?

Like Nate said, in the absence of facts or factoids any speculation will do.

Okoye or Landry at #6. Or trade down a few and get Anderson or Branch and extra pick. I like it. From just a player stand point Okoye sounds like he may have the most "upside". First round talent at 19yrs old, smart, quick, can penetrate, likely to get bigger, possibly better. A rotation with him Golston and Griffin could be interesting.

Nate, part of the circus is probably about thinking about how/what do to if a trade down offer does present itself.

I'm certain lots of other teams are talking to their alloted 25 out-of-town guys, but not sure how many provide the coed and the Rice-A-Roni.

After yesterday's discussion about the starter RFAs at DE -- and how they all seem like third-fifth round picks -- I'm steaming a little bit about the Duckett deal.

The chatter about the upside for Okoye sounds good, but the DE from Hawaii, Alama-Francis, also seems like a great upside deal (natural athlete, newish to the position, from a football family) ... and I'm wondering whether he is even going to be available with the #6 pick in the FIFTH round.

Hungry like the wolf??? Are you F'ing kidding me??? That's not even the best Duran Duran song from the 80's (Rio)

I will review this so called "list" and return with my thoughts.

I say we go for L2 unless someone offers us a 1st, 2nd and at least a 5th.

I was driving in my car listening this weekend to a Tampa sports station [I miss Kornheiser and the DC sports....]and their special guest was Chris Landry.

Landry as many of you know was an NFL coach, scout, and now serves as a consultant for a few NFL teams and is employed by Fox Sports Radio.

They were discussing the first 4 picks [Tampa selects #4] when suddenly another Redskin fan tranplanted to FL due to work like myself, telephoned.

Landry's comments about our Skins were tough to hear. They pierced like a knife through hot butter.

He said Joe Gibbs has proven himself as a man, leader and coach. However the FO is what has set back this franchise. Landry said that for the last 7 years the FO has tried quick fixes, paying out too much money and not building through the draft. He actually said the draft for the Skins this year is so depleted because of bad choices under Danny and Vinny.

Then the big close by Landry was this. "I don't understand why Vinny Ceratto, is where he is, and I don't know of ANY other NFL team that would have Ceratto in that position".

It was so sad. We are the laughing stock as far as FO goes in the NFL. To hear this over radio where they know they are not in Redskin country and to be talking about us this way... well, it just made me sick!

Are any of the aforementioned draft picks going to be potential holdouts? Who are their agents? If a rookie is going to be a starter and contribute he must get his butt into camp on time. We needed an immediate starter out of this draft.

My wife, a certified Duran Duran psychopath, agreed.

But I had to remind her that we were dealing with commercially popular.

I also feel compelled as a guy who grew up UVA fan and who is currently a UMD season ticket holder that we are all Hokies today.

I know it's been said, but I'm feelin it at the moment.

Throw;

The main holdout agent is NEXT QUESTION, and Snyder has him on lock... or wait.... is it the other way around? Our last and only holdout I can think of recently was P Ramsey.

Just found the aforementioned list and I should have known not to trust my wife...

Here is the list 1-10:

1 "Livin' on a Prayer" Bon Jovi
2 "Pour Some Sugar On Me" Def Leppard
3 "Hungry Like The Wolf" Duran Duran
4 "Billie Jean" Michael Jackson
5 "When Doves Cry" Prince
6 "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 "Sweet Child O' Mine " Guns N' Roses
8 "Like A Virgin" Madonna
9 "Walk This Way" Run-D.M.C.
10 "You Shook Me All Night Long" AC/DC

I thought DD peaked artistically with "Wild Boys," which really showcased the laughable weakness of Simon LeBon's voice, but "Hungry Like the Wolf" was huge, no doubt.

We need the whole list for a complete analysis. etrod, looking to you, buddy.

This is just the sort of Important Issue that could get us to 50k!

I looked it up and Hungry Like the Wolf was #3. Livin on a prayer was #1. Slightly more acceptable but still crap.

I must have spent 1/3 of my college weekends on road trips to VT. I can drive from Newport News to Blacksburg with my eyes closed. I was so sick yesterday...still am.

Ah, look at that list. The list is life.

The Eighties were AWESOME.

It amazes me that with the stories, spins, and outright lies that are being flung about re: all these guys, that the one that seems to have stuck is the "Branch is slipping" claim.
I'm just an unfrozen caveman blogger, I have no idea whether this shabingus is true; but I do know that he still continues to be listed as a top DT prospect, and with his size and athleticism is a great fit for the NFC East. So I want the FO to do their due diligence, look at the film, workout/interview, and make a call.
But I'll ignore the various whispering campaigns if you please.

Nate, ask and ye shal receive:

1. Bon Jovi / "Livin' on a Prayer"
2. Def Leppard / "Pour Some Sugar On Me"
3. Duran Duran / "Hungry Like the Wolf"
4. Michael Jackson / "Billie Jean"
5. Prince / "When Doves Cry"
6. Hall & Oates / "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)"
7. Guns N' Roses / "Sweet Child O' Mine"
8. Madonna / "Like a Virgin"
9. Run-D.M.C. / "Walk This Way"
10. AC/DC / "You Shook Me All Night Long"
11. Journey / "Don't Stop Believin'"
12. Whitney Houston / "How Will I Know"
13. U2 / "With Or Without You"
14. The Bangles / "Walk Like an Egyptian"
15. Van Halen / "Jump"
16. INXS / "Need You Tonight"
17. Whitesnake / "Here I Go Again"
18. Dexy's Midnight Runners / "Come On Eileen"
19. Cyndi Lauper / "Time after Time"
20. Rick Springfield / "Jessie's Girl"
21. Michael Jackson / "Beat It"
22. The Cure / "Just Like Heaven"
23. Cyndi Lauper / "Girls Just Want to Have Fun"
24. A-Ha / "Take On Me"
25. Go-Go's / "Our Lips Are Sealed"
26. Guns N' Roses / "Welcome to the Jungle"
27. Kajagoogoo / "Too Shy"
28. Wham! / "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
29. Talking Heads / "Burning Down the House"
30. Pat Benatar / "Love is a Battlefield"
31. Queen and David Bowie / "Under Pressure"
32. Night Ranger / "Sister Christian"
33. Soft Cell / "Tainted Love"
34. Poison / "Every Rose Has It's Thorn"
35. Phil Collins / "In the Air Tonight"
36. Tommy Tutone / "867-5309 / Jenny"
37. Aerosmith / "Janie's Got a Gun"
38. U2 / "Pride (In the Name of Love)"
39. Modern English / "I Melt With You"
40. The B-52's / "Love Shack"
41. Motley Crue / "Dr. Feelgood"
42. The Clash / "London Calling"
43. ABC / "Look of Love (Part One)"
44. Bananarama / "Cruel Summer"
45. Janet Jackson / "Nasty"
46. The Police / "Every Breath You Take"
47. Twisted Sister / "We're Not Gonna Take It"
48. Bruce Springsteen / "Born in the U.S.A."
49. Beastie Boys / "Fight For Your Right"
50. Eurythmics / "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
51. Ratt / "Round and Round"
52. Dead or Alive / "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)"
53. Billy Idol / "White Wedding"
54. Salt-N-Pepa / "Push It"
55. A Flock of Seagulls / "I Ran (So Far Away)"
56. Bonnie Tyler / "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
57. Toni Basil / "Mickey"
58. Culture Club / "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me"
59. John Mellencamp / "Jack & Diane"
60. Young M.C. / "Bust a Move"
61. Styx / "Mr. Roboto"
62. Berlin / "Take My Breath Away"
63. Devo / "Whip It"
64. Paula Abdul / "Straight Up"
65. Foreigner / "I Want to Know What Love Is"
66. Depeche Mode / "Just Can't Get Enough"
67. REO Speedwagon / "Keep On Loving You"
68. Public Enemy / "Fight the Power"
69. R.E.M / "It's The End of the World As We Know It (and I Feel Fine)"
70. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts/ "I Love Rock N' Roll"
71. Rick James / "Super Freak"
72. The Fixx / "One Thing Leads to Another"
73. Nena / "99 Luftbaloons"
74. George Michael / "Faith"
75. Prince / "Little Red Corvette"
76. Thomas Dolby / "She Blinded Me With Science"
77. New Edition / "Candy Girl"
78. Blondie / "Call Me"
79. Human League / "Don't You Want Me?"
80. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock / "It Takes Two"
81. Cameo / "Word Up!"
82. Squeeze / "Tempted"
83. Prince / "Kiss"
84. Lionel Richie / "All Night Long (All Night)"
85. Robert Palmer / "Addicted to Love"
86. Bow Wow Wow / "I Want Candy"
87. Falco / "Rock Me Amadeus"
88. Chaka Khan / "Ain't Nobody"
89. The Pretenders / "Brass in Pocket"
90. Tone-Loc / "Wild Thing"
91. Katrina and The Waves / "Walking On Sunshine"
92. New Kids on the Block / "You Got It (The Right Stuff)"
93. Gary Numan / "Cars"
94. The Rolling Stones / "Start Me Up"
95. Debbie Gibson / "Only in My Dreams"
96. Men at Work / "Down Under"
97. The Romantics / "What I Like About You"
98. Bobby Brown / "My Perogative"
99. Wang Chung / "Everybody Have Fun Tonight"
100. Loverboy / "Working for the Weekend"

#6 - I think Branch could be the next Sapp. No one moves up or down in the draft as Sports talk gurus say. It's all about the Hype. You refered to getting a guy whose engine is always moving and is fast but might be lighter. We already have one - Carter.......

Yes to Proposition #40 (Branch)

How do you even begin to rank all those songs? A labor of love, to be sure. But about as subjective an exercise as ranking the D linemen in this draft, I guess.

Just read this on the National's Journal, just proof the RI is the best!:

"So because this is obviously a competition among/between the blogs and the members of The Department who produce them, and because our self-worth is attached to how many page views we get in relation to other members of The Department, I announce to you that "Nationals Journal" is currently sixth of the nine blogs produced by The Department for TPATRWRSWHRNO. (No idea where the podcasts fit in. Separate animal, I think.)

Can you guess the order? Think about it for a second.

Okay, second's up. Total layup to guess that Jason La Canfora's "Redskins Insider" draws the most page views, not to mention fervent responses. JLC fills that baby up, and it's simply more proof of something we all realize anyway: The Redskins rule this town with an iron fist. Isn't going to change. Ever."

Dlinemen should be the easiest.

Big & Heavy - Good
Light & Fast - Not this time....

True cload;

Whisperings is all we have, and all we have to blog about. But as we get closer to draft day, these whisperings get louder b/c progressively over time people are letting thier thoughts and 'scouting' be known... it is like a big secret and it cannot be kept inside!

And trusting the the FO has more info than these whisperings is a BIG leap of faith. But that said, if they draft him I will assume they know what they are doing and hope for the best. I am reminded that Griff had the same knock his 1st 3 years in the league and then came to us and learned hand technique b/c he could not get by on pure athleticism anymore.

I will most likely be toasted for this opinion but I just have a creeping feeling that Okoye may not be all that he is billed to be.

Posted by: Larry Bud | April 17, 2007 07:34 AM

If the Redskins draft Okoye, he will become the 3rd or 4th man in a rotation of defensive tackles that will rarely distinguish itself. If Okoye is drafted by any other team in the NFL, he will become a perennial All-Pro and the highest-paid defensive tackle in league history. It always seems to work that way.

If all players in the NFL became free agents today with no salary cap, and Snyder signed the top two star defensemen at every position, Super Coach Double-Cheese (Williams) would proceed to turn them into the most underperforming unit in the league and then complain about how he needed better talent to make his system work. A defensive end with 12 sacks? Not in the Williams system. A cornerback with 10 interceptions? Not going to happen here. A starting defensive unit whose members leave as soon as their contracts expire? The list wil be long and glorious.

Players don't have to be smart or super-smart to be defensive starters for the Redskins. They only have to be able to say "Yes, Coach", "No, Coach" and "Right away, Coach' while memorizing a system that rewards repetition and stifles instinctiveness. Here's how it works.

(Carlos Rogers) "Okay, the Eagles are in a 3-wide set. Coach has called a 3-deep zone so I have to play 8 yards off. Wait - the tight end just went in motion away from me - now I have to press. Oops, QB just checked off - now I have to drop into zone again. Here comes my guy - looks like he's running a deep corner - better get moving. Damn - the QB is rolling this way - now I have to let my guy go to the safety and close on the QB, I think. Hey, what's Sean doing up here? Who's taking my guy? Man, maybe they were in a Y-slant zone. Oh man, my guy just caught the ball and there is no way I am going to catch him now. But hey, I made some great decisions out here. Guess I might as well dance a little to celebrate!"

And can we at least agree that any FO that doesn't meet as many draftees as permitted under the rules is leaving money on the table?

I can't respect that list ... it doesn't have Trio's "Da Da Da".

I would've put the whole list on there the first time if I'd thought you really wanted it...

The 80's were OK and all but, damn.

etrod's semi-top ten (off the top of my head and in no particular order):

GnR - Sweet Child O' Mine
AC/DC - Back In Black
The Cult - Fire Woman
NWA - Express Yourself
Dramarama - Anything Anything
The Cure - Love Song
Berlin - The Metro
Aerosmith - What it Takes
Whodini - The Freaks Come Out At Night
Prince - Purple Rain

Here's a link to a site that has greatest 80's songs listed by how long they were at #1 and how many they sold.

Check out #60. That's all I have to say about the 80's:

http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/top100_1980s.htm

ce1782, it will be veddy, veddy interesting to see how the Nats ascend in relative prominence when the new stadium opens.

Not that they'll ever challenge the Skins in DC, but I would love to see a nearly-full stadium rocking it during the lean months after the Caps have tanked and the Wiz have been eliminated and before Skins training camp.

And baseball people are nuts. All that numerology/stat worship stuff. So they got that goin' for them.

The main thing is having GOOD, competitive teams representing DC in all the sports.

Well, except hockey. The Caps are killing me. The return to red, white and blue unis should be good for a couple wins next year.

WOW skip a few posts in the middle and you end up in VH1.

Thats what I get for being lazy

dc

Thanks for the props.Just a keen observer of all things redskin football over the years.

I think you all know my QB/coach stability theory. I don't buy the snyder just wants to make money shabingus. This franchise has long viewed expierenced players are of more value than rookies, have always had an aggressive stance when comes to getting players, but they have been successful when they have had stabilty on the field. QB/coach in motion combined with players in motion is a recipe for... well exactly what we are mediorce.

Gibbs is providing the stability and setting the on field idenity of the team (we get 5 years of team building consitencey without the threat of the coach being fired). That being said is not a garentee that he will be successful, but I do believe, that the skill he brings is team building, putting the best 53 together not neccessarily the most talented. He rolled the dice on the wrong QB to lead us but that has been corrected. I generally like what we have done so far, but what we lack is that impact defender to get us to a playoff level contender.

Larry Bud,

That is why we never equate sales to greatness. The general public buys what it is told to buy. If a song or artist is marketed well, it will sell well, no matter how crappy it really is. All the public needs to know is that they are supposed to like it because it's on MTV.

Come to think of it, the music buying public is kind of like the Skins' front office. I wonder what's on Vinny's ipod?

Larry Bud's 80's list:

1. U2-Pride
2. U2-Sunday Bloody Sunday
3. U2-Where the Streets Have No Name
4. U2-I Will Follow
5. U2-Heartland
6. U2-Bullet the Blue Sky
7. REM-Wendell G
8. RUN-DMC- My Addidas
9. Fugazi-Bad Mouth
10. Beastie Boyz- Paul Revere

Vinny's IPOD, (I got this from an inside source who wishes to remain nameless)

1. Loser- Beck
2-10. See #1

Cheyenne,

"Thats what I get for being lazy"

I get irony...

That was a trick question. Vinny doesn't have an ipod. He overpaid for a 10 year old sony walk man.

Wendell Gee, Larry Bud!? Excellent 'deep cut' from the vault.

There remain no shortage of people in that building really hope they trade down, but we'll see what the Snyder/Gibbs axis ends up doing in the war room.

By Jason La Canfora | April 16, 2007; 9:19 PM ET

You can tell who in the FO are hoping to trade down for more picks - they are the ones who come here looking for analysis by DCSween.

Alright, so I had this really bad dream last night after watching NFL Network late. Jamarcus Russell was still available as the #6 pick of the Redskins came up. The Redskins selected him. A little while later, they announce that the Redskins have traded Jason Campbell to the Raiders for the Raiders 2nd round pick. It was pretty much a nightmare so I woke up before finding out who the Redskins selected in the 2nd round.

pulp

looks like you are down on double G. If he is to blame for anything last year, it was his insistance on the square peg (arch) for his D the round hole. given a solid goup of 23 guys (what ever the d roster is)he has a track record of putting some of the NFL's best defense's on the field over the years ( not many people wanted to face Tenn back 99 or our D the first 2 yrs) he didn't have the right depth players (his fault) but his D works when it all comes together and lots of that is on players like double move and sean taylor. The talented guys have to up their game, we need to add a guy(impact) like i've been saying and the role players need to play together, if that happens we can be a D nobody looks forward to facing. it ain't double G only.

Hall and Oats in top 10?! Uh uh. dcsween - love the pull on Trio.

The ONLY reason we should draft Russell if he is till at #6 is because we've worked out a San Diego/Eli Manning deal ahead of time with someone else. Play the scenario out - draft Russell he comes he competes but Soups starts and shockingly it being is first full season falters. Then what? We call for his head? We demand Russell? He comes in plays well but ultimately (within a season) proves not great. Then what?
We've established a pattern/sent the message that young QBs as lauded as they are won't get a real shot in DC and we'll keep bringing them in until we find "a winner."

Boo I say boo!

Clayton on quarterbacks

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2839055&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab6pos1

Pulp, you flatter me (like Nate did yesterday). There is only ONE reason I post here, and its rule #6 of the WaPo blog rules. [See the hyperlink just comment posting box.]

6. For any content that you post, you hereby grant to washingtonpost.com the royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, exclusive and fully sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform and display such content in whole or in part, world-wide and to incorporate it in other works, in any form, media or technology now known or later developed.

>>> One of these days, I just hope to post something worthy of the WaPo's license (now known or later developed) to it.

Pulp, Grilliams has weathered too many jm220 smacks and hammer blows to be bothered by your taunts.

But as Old School notes, he's a better coach than last year indicated, and no matter what any of us thinks of him, he's the D coordinator going into this season. We might as well hope for the best, which would be a return to the form his defenses have had most of his career.

We're at 44,979. 50K by Draft Day is cake. Pure cake. I'd be surprised if we didn't hit 60K by Draft Day.

That's about 500 comments a day.

I accept the challenge.

Nate, double G is still here so it's not working. Maybe I should get a larger hammer. lmao

If there really is concern over Marcus' health, then a LB isn't out of the question. The Briggs deal certainly makes sense in that case. It would also make sense to take Willis. Either Willis or Landry would add a hard-nosed football player with blazing speed. Trading down just to 9 or 10 and we can probably still take Willis. A little further and maybe we need to settle on Carriker.

jm220 my friend, you KNOW you loved watching this D dominate in Grilliams' first year and be really good his second year! Admit it!

That was the same dude we've all (rightly) criticized for last year's D play. I'm just sayin'...

I knew you would, Nate!

His attention span wanes
as the newness wears off,
Like a shiny new toy
in a little boy's hand;

Many years of despair
never winning the prize,
Changing pieces once more
with a wave of his hand.

Landry! Landry! Landry!

Defense will kill people with him in the secondary. It will be like the first year under Williams... coverage sacks galore!

Williams hasn't picked up a pass rusher since he has been here... I don't expect him to now. That is not how his defense works.

L2!

Nate, I'm with you all the way. I can't wait for the new stadium to open up. RFK is great but it will always be known as the home of the Redskins. I think once the Nats get a home of their own and if they continue to build around the good young group of players they have, we could have something special here in DC to help us get through the months without football.

123rd!!

Actually Nate those first two years I look at it as Marvin Lewis D.

"Again, the Skins at 6 could be prime partners. Keep an eye on this, cause at 10, plus getting a second round pick, the Skins might find two really good players in such a trade." - JLC

The trade down scenario many of us have been hoping for. It makes perfect sense. That's why it won't happen.

Redskins have traded Jason Campbell to the Raiders for the Raiders 2nd round pick. It was pretty much a nightmare so I woke up before finding out who the Redskins selected in the 2nd round.

Posted by: Pulp | April 17, 2007 11:49 AM

Wow, I had a similar nightmare, except I had the skins drafting Quinn and trading Campbell for Randy Moss.

JM;

Those two years of good grilliams D had nothing to do with Lewis.

Lewis' D was read and react where as grilliams D was attack attack. I feel like their styles were on complete opposite spectrums.

Funny how LaVar did not fit in either.

Glad to see some other people also want us taking Crosby in the 2nd round. If we trade back and take say Anderson, I think I would still want Crosby over Weddle or an OG. We haven't had a decent kicker since Lohmiller. I don't trust Suisham, and Crosby has the chance to be a lot more than just decent.

I like the idea of drafting Crosby. I hate the idea of taking any kicker before the fourth round. I know - the skins don't have a fourth rounder - yet.

Elmer Fudd decided to grow a garden so he could make salad. He wants to make it 10.1 m long and 4.2 m wide. However, in order to avoid Bugs Bunny from entering his garden he must make a fence surrounding the garden. He decides to make the fence 11.2 m long and 5.0 m wide. What is the area between the fence and the garden?

Crosby should be around in the 3rd, by the end of the 4th he will be gone though...

joeyV;

Welcome to the bandwagon... AMTTS is the proprieter and owner, I will be your driver. License plate says L2Skins!

Jon;

I am glad to see you agree on crosby. Saw a Sportscenter or NFL network highlight on the guy... damn good kicker.

I agree we could use a real stud at kicker for a change...

13.58

#6DoubleEL, didn't LaVar have his best year under Marvin Lewis, 11 sacks when Lewis just set him loose on the QB? not saying he 'fit' in the scheme, but he did well.

Probably Nate;

I just remember the struggle it was to get him to not 'freelance'.

LaVar was my man, sad he could only do one thing.

Note to JLC: Shouldn't it be obvious why I'm bringing the top 50 draft prospects into Redskins Park, even though I have only one draft choice that I haven't traded away (yet)? Answer: I'm entertaining future free agents that I can overpay five years from now.

Trade down and get Jamaal Anderson!

Danny,

Why overpay in the future when you can overpay for a guy you've already had?

Big Daddy is on the block!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/rumors/post/Wilkinson-won-t-be-in-Miami?urn=nfl,29566

Okoye
Okoye
Okoye

I sure hope we dont make any trades until draft day. That will make it much more exciting.

Anyone here from the Baltimore Area, a couple of us will be getting together to watch the draft @ Glory Days in Towson. I will have my silver Cooley jersey and will be stiing at the bar jawing with the purple baltimorons! Come join!

8.8 square meters?

Larry Bud: I would only be interested in overpaying for Big Daddy if I could also overpay for Dana Stubblefield. Maybe we could also bring in Bruce Smith and Adam Archuleta to play DE.

nah, 13.58, to think of it more simply, it's the big square minus the little square, which leaves the area between the 2

Where is Haikuman?

We should let the past be the past.

Danny and the boys have showed remarkable restraint the past few months. Sure there have been bad decisions in the past, but I would be willing to bet that not all of them were considered bad at the time.

Lets give Snyder and the crew a chance to redeem themselves this year. For better or worse, he is an owner that attracts talent.

What is the area between the fence and the garden?

Posted by: loco mullin | April 17, 2007 01:29 PM

I got it...

its the fenceline!

If everyone is interested in getting a safety, then we should STILL TRADE DOWN and get Reggie nelson. Reggie nelson is no joke. very fluid athlete who performed well for the Gators.

finally someone posted the real reason for the Skins interest in Briggs.
Marcus' injury and subsequent surgery make it very problematic that he can ever return to his Energizer Bunny form.

one other note.
CJ as a Redskin is ridiculous, regardless of his talent.
WR's don't win championships. if they did, Rice would have a dozen Super Bowl rings instead of three.
ask Montana why the 9'ers dominated their era and he'll tell you it was their DEFENSE!!

What is the area between the fence and the garden?

Posted by: loco mullin

The border.

Where is Haikuman?

Posted by: Cindy | April 17, 2007 01:55 PM

We should let the past be the past.

Posted by: Cheyenne, WY | April 17, 2007 01:55 PM

Dline
Dline

Dline

leadership and dependability go along way in making really talented players great. Because Lavar was not dependable he could not or would be thought of as a leader, he just didn't work hard enough at the film study , workouts, etc. fans and teamates marveled at his physical abilities but in the end many guys like him are cursed by that gift.

I am afraid that sean t is also headed in the same direction (it hasn't been decided yet) its the little things that in the end get it done. Thats when you stop being game planned for ... ie We know we can a fool this guy a few times every game a get a big play... to we better not try and go over there.

to use examples from more my Era do you think any team... at any time said ...yeah we'll go over to LT'S side a few times cause we know we will get him? How Ronnie Lott?

Lavar maybe coulda been a poor man's LT
and Sean t has a chance but better step it up.... I 'm not say'n.

1. Gaines Adams, Clemson (6-4¾, 258, 4.67)
Adams had a complete workout at the Combine except for lifting. He ran his two 40s in 4.64 and 4.69. He also recorded a 35-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-11 long jump, 4.36 short shuttle and 7.17 three-cone drill. He did 21 bench presses at Clemson's Pro Day on March 13. Adams played eight-man football in high school, playing wide receiver, where he posted 158 catches and 65 touchdowns, and defensive back. His team won the South Carolina state championship in 2000. He also played one year at Fork Union Prep before he entered Clemson in 2002. Adams started at Clemson the past two seasons. In 25 starts, he had 22 sacks and 15 tipped passes. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. Adams is an outstanding athlete who is just learning the game. He has outstanding quickness and speed to rush the passer, plays with leverage and effort, and has toughness and plays physically. He does not play the run as well as you would like, but he is getting better. He needs to get stronger, and he will. He is an older player; he will be 24 years old in June. He has traits you look for in pass-rushing ability, and has long arms (34 1/8 inches.)

2. Alan Branch, Michigan (6-5¾, 324, 5.08)
Branch worked out at the Combine but did not do shuttles. 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. Branch played high school football in New Mexico, playing both running back and defensive line. He was the high school Player of the Year in New Mexico and played in the 2004 Army All-America game. He also started on the basketball team. Branch played as a true freshman at Michigan in 2004 and started 10 games in 2005 and 13 in 2006. Branch has great size and strength for the defensive tackle position and has very good movement in the short area. He does not play hard on every down and needs to play lower. He will rise up sometimes, which may happen when he gets tired as he did not play in a rotation as most NFL teams use. This type of defensive lineman has decent but not great athletic ability. His numbers give him a chance to be a top-flight player.

3. Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas (6-5 3/8, 283, 4.79)
Anderson did not work out at the Combine due to a hamstring problem, but he did everything at Arkansas' Pro Day on March 13. He ran his two 40s in 4.78 and 4.79 and also recorded a 32½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-8 long jump, 4.15 short shuttle, 6.87 three-cone drill and 22 bench presses. Anderson played defensive end and wide receiver in high school and also was an outstanding basketball player. He played as a true freshman in 2004 and started five games as a sophomore in 2005. He was a full-time starter in 2006 and had 13 sacks in 14 games. Anderson has good explosion on his first step and plays with energy and emotion. He is very young, just turning 21 years old on Feb. 6, but is very alert as a player. He is big and will get bigger, has good production, and plays hard all the time. He has to improve against the run and needs to improve his use of his hands. He should have a long career at a high level as his best football is ahead of him.

4. Adam Carriker, Nebraska (6-6, 296, 4.91)
Carriker had a complete workout at the Combine, running his two 40s in 4.90 and 4.91. He also recorded a 31½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-2 long jump, 4.16 short shuttle, 7.08 three-cone drill and 33 bench presses. At Nebraska's Pro Day, he ran 4.71 and 4.74 in the 40-yard dash when his weight was 291 pounds. Carriker played quarterback and defensive end in high school. He was a three-year starter at quarterback and also played baseball. Carriker redshirted in 2002 at Nebraska and played nine games in 2003. He started the past three years and had 20½ sacks, and he was named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2006. Carriker has outstanding strength, gives very good effort, and is a hard worker. He can change direction and is a student of the game. He can play inside at defensive tackle or outside as an end. He is not a great pass rusher as he does not consistently rid himself of blockers. He is a very good, solid player who will play many years but not in a lot of Pro Bowls.

5. Amobi Okoye, Louisville (6-2, 306, 5.07)
Okoye worked out at the Combine but only ran one 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. Okoye was born in Nigeria and moved to Huntsville, Ala., as a 12-year-old. He was tested and entered into the ninth grade, where he started playing football for the first time. He started 13 games as a defensive lineman at 13 years of age. Okoye started for two years at Louisville (2005 and 2006) and had eight sacks as a senior in 2006. He played in 13 games in 2003 as a 16-year-old. Okoye has a big, thick body with a big chest. He has good use of hands, can control blockers and has quickness, agility and balance. He needs to play hard all the time. He worked and played better at the Senior Bowl than he did during the season at Louisville. He needs to watch his weight.

6. Justin Harrell, Tennessee (6-4 3/8, 300, 5.06)
Harrell had a complete workout at the Combine. He ran his two 40s in 5.04 and 5.07 and also recorded a 30½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot long jump, 4.79 short shuttle, 7.63 three-cone drill and 24 bench presses. He worked out again on March 21 at Tennessee's Pro Day when his weight was 314 pounds and he posted 31 bench presses. Harrell played tight end and defensive end in high school, where he was a three-year starter. He also played basketball, averaging 17 points a game as a senior. Harrell redshirted at Tennessee in 2002 and played the final eight games of 2003 after breaking his ankle before the season. He tore his bicep in September 2006 and tried to play with one arm. He would have been a three-year starter if not for injuries that forced him to miss starts. Harrell is a very athletic player who can be a difference-maker if healthy. He has long arms with good strength and can play nose tackle. He needs to learn to rush the passer better, but is a very solid player if healthy.

13. Ikaika Alama-Francis, Hawaii (6-5 1/8, 276, 4.88)
Alama-Francis was injured and did not work out at the Combine. He worked out at Hawaii's Pro Day on March 29, running his two 40s in 4.85 and 4.91. He also recorded a 35-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-5 long jump, 4.68 short shuttle and 7.29 three-cone drill. He did not do any strength lifts as he is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Alama-Francis did not play high school football and instead was a big-time basketball and volleyball player and also played baseball. He went to Hawaii in 2002 as a basketball player. Alama-Francis started playing football in 2003 as a backup, playing in six games with no starts. He started one game in 2004 and made 25 starts over the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He tore his pectoral muscle in the Hula Bowl, preventing him from working out at the Combine, and he still wasn't 100 percent at his recent workout. Alama-Francis has talent but is very inexperienced and was not really productive at Hawaii. He is the type of player that can be a big hit or a big miss. He worked out as a tight end and looked great catching the ball in drills.

14. Tank Tyler, N.C. State (6-2¼, 306, 5.24)
Tyler pulled a hamstring on his first run attempt at the Combine, but did have a 28½ vertical jump and 42 bench presses before getting hurt. He worked out on March 20 at North Carolina State's Pro Day, running his two 40s in 5.24 and 5.24. He also recorded an 8-foot long jump, 4.76 short shuttle and 7.47 three-cone drill. Tyler played offensive tackle and defensive tackle in high school. He graduated early from high school and entered N.C. State in January of 2003. He played but did not start in 2003, and went on to start 28 games over the next three seasons. He played offensive tackle in 2004 spring practice. Tyler has very good strength, is very good against the run and has some initial quickness. He needs to be better conditioned because he lacks stamina. He is not good as a pass rusher and takes plays off, which may be as a result of the lack of conditioning and being top heavy. If he gets in shape it might help him play better.

Wild Card
Marcus Thomas, Florida (6-2¾, 314, 5.25)
Thomas did not work out at the Combine, citing a pulled right quad, but did do 27 bench presses. He worked out March 29 in Jacksonville and ran his two 40s in 5.23 and 5.27. He also recorded a 26½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot-5 long jump, 4.81 short shuttle and 8.03 three-cone drill. He looked good in drills and it's doubtful he was 100 percent. Thomas played defensive line and running back in high school and had 30 sacks as a senior. He became the first true freshman to start a game for Florida since 1992, playing 358 snaps, the third most among defensive tackles. He started 24 games over the next two years but was suspended early in the 2006 season for five games and was subsequently dismissed for not complying with the guidelines for reinstatement. Thomas has outstanding ability but has character issues and needs to stay in shape. He is a first-round talent who someone might take a chance on in the third round or later.

leadership and dependability go along way in making really talented players great.

Posted by: Old School | April 17, 2007 02:11 PM

I dont care what you say, I still think that leadership stuff is overrated

Since the D scheme is for DL to occupy blockers while the LB or DB attacks the QB, it seems to me that more than a highly skilled DL we need several heavy meat DTs rotating to wear out the oppposing OL. Think of it the same way as opposing Os RBs constantly pounding the line. At the end of the game, those RBs break off big defeating runs. If our O does what it should, then the opposing O will be having to play catch up with a bunch of worn out OLmen at the end of the game.

Jon, for width, I subtract 4.2 from 5.0 (0.8). For length, I subtract 10.1 from 11.2 (1.1). 0.8 x 1.1 = 8.8, right?

For stat monkey, this site points to a maybe good late rounder (Ameer Ismail from Central Michigan). http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2006&div=4&site=org Check out his turnover numbers (sacks and tackles for a loss).

Finally! Someone with some sense!

No to LAndry.

Yes to big fat Branch!

dcsween, sorry for the long explanation here but...

not quite, firstly, 0.8 x 1.1=0.88. Also, multiplying those 2 figures together does not work anyway. The simpler way to think about it is the larger area is 56 square feet, and the garden's area is 42.42. By merely subtracting the garden's area from from the total fenced area, you have the area within the fence that is not the garden (56-42.42=13.58).

A more complex way to do the problem, whcih you are getting at, is to calculate the area in sections. A diagram helps with this, but you can compute the area of 4 rectangles (2 pairs of identical ones) that surround the garden. You then must add the area of the corners not covered by these rectangles.

Anyway, back to the Redksins........although my Arsenal Gooners are about to kickoff against Man City on FSC!

God bless Virginia Tech

Jon, thanks. Though I jammed on the SATs for math, its the attention to details that killed me. Lazy I am. That and the fact that, as X approached infinity, my ability to comprehend approached the trashcan.

All this talk about the first round (where whatever we do will be fine, as long as they do it right) has distracted us from the Skins true task ... which is finding four worthwhile second day picks.

Check out the timed speed by this local guy, Howard CB Geoffrey Pope. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/geoffreypope.html To me, that says SOLID return guy. The Bears found Devin Hester on the second day. Given that, on the Skins, special teams is its own unit, and given how Randel El is going to be more important as a receiver until Brandon Lloyd gets over his bad self, maybe the Skins should dedicate their second day picks to guy's whose best position is "athlete" and focus on special teams.

p.s. From everything I've read, Maryland's own CB Josh Wilson is looking to be the rich man's Devin Hester and should be gone in the second round if not the third.

sween, 4.29 is fast. Scary fast. Super-fast.

How does he rate in this class, and I don't mean compared to the fatties we D line mavens have been focusing on? Is there one site which lists trustworthy 40 times across the board?

...and everybody loves the local kid, especially from a smaller school, fighting for a roster position in camp. The media loves it, the crowds at the Park love it, we all love it to death up here.

I ran the 40 yard dash in 4.2 seconds at the age of 40.

My fastest 40 yard dash time was 4.15 seconds.

Now THAT's scary fast.

dcsween, and math was always my strong suit (I also happen to be studying for the gmats, so I'm in prime test-taking mode).

From Football Outsiders, I haven't seen the numbers from last season, but the season before last (when Hester was still at the U), Randle-El was the best punt returner in the NFL. That said, the idea of him getting hurt returning kicks is a little scary......

What up, DG?! I was just going to remark the Wikipedia has your fastest time at 4.125. How amazing is that chot?

Nate, on that Scott Wright mock site, he has the fastest time (including against RBs and WRs).

I think I am gonna get a #28 and put GUMBY on the back. Just like a #21 with REAPER and #17 with SOUPY.

Does CAP'N CHAOS fit on a #47 jersey?

or CAP'N STUBBING on #21

#6DoubleEL- btw- I'm a Skinsfan in BMore, but can't make it to Towson on draft day. Good to know though, that local Glory Days are friendly wateringholes.

Ah, Darrell. He's the ex-Redskin I miss the most when training camp runs around. He played FOREVER, and when he lost a step he was still better than most, a Redskin through and through, the last active link to Gibbs 1.0... alas.

Uh-oh, rumor has it Vince Young is cover boy for the new Madden. Maybe the Titans will want to trade up for a QB...

Plus the uber-cool thing Darrell had where he stopped running the NFL's fastest man just to let the other dudes have a shot at it. Kind of like Ty Webb not keeping score.

D7;

The glory days chain was started in NOVA... they have the 'Hoggettes Sandwhich' (pulled pork), the REDSKIN Potatoes... etc.... they have sport memorabilia, since it is in the Baltimore Area, they have Colts and Ravens gear, but they also have Redskins gear as well. \

The Ravens fans seem to despise the fact that a number of Skins fans watch the games there (b/c of the stupidest rule about not showing Skins at the same time and only one non-skins game on fox a sunday). We represent well there, although I havent been since I moved to PA a year ago and got Sunday Ticket.

Interestingly enough, York County is a Baltimre Ravens first, but without the restrictions you have in Bmore, so Skins games are on every sunday (York County has the Eagles blocked up there).. so only two games a year I dont see the skins on reg TV, the two Ravens home games against NFC opponents which Fox carries.

Bye Bye Sunday Ticket!

Darrell played so long that he had a full decade for Gibbs 1.0, and only missed Gibbs 2.0 by one season.

Oh crap, that reminded me of Darrell's upcoming candidacy for the Hall and how we'll have to balance our excitement for him (he HAS to get in the first time, right? right?) with our renewed angst about #81...

#6ElEl: Ahhh, gotcha. Now that I think about it, one of my old roommates from W&M grew up in Reston and mentioned Glory Days a few times. Growing up a Skins and O's fan, I was a little torn with the prospect of a replacement football team in B-more. At first, they were AFC- so I could deal with it- you know they were my "AFC team." (Not to mention my lifelong love affair with defense- always a priority for the Ravens).

Then I went to a few games their 1st few seasons- Ravens fans HATE Redskins fans- or at least a lot of the younger or more intoxicated ones took pride in informing me so. Not to mention that was smack in the middle of the Post-Gibbs1.0 Era mediocrity. Fine. You folks have your team, I have mine. I've actually begun actively rooting against the Ravens, which is much easier considering my woman's Pittsburgh heritage.

Needless to say, i've found a great 'Skins hangout in Bmore- FedHill to be exact. Sly Fox Pub on Fort Avenue. It's run by the brother of the guy who runs the Sly Fox in Annapolis- for those who are interested. Great place. They're also huge Tech supporters- sigh.

Jamaal Anderson was on Best Damn last night. He's a big guy - and has LOTS of personality. Also bears quite a resemblance to Ludacris.

Nate- You got that right. DG will get in, but they'll keep #81 out again. Instead, they'll elect Cris Carter...you know with all of his "signature" playoff and Super Bowl catches. What's that? None come to mind? Hmpffff

debbie gibson "only in my dreams"
tone loc's funky cold medina
MJ's Bad
george michael's faith album, the whole thing.
Guns and Roses heaven
vanila ice's stolen work (was that 90's?)

etrod, where can you get that list? it's awesome.