First......

Thanks Cyn Cyty and Happy Mother's day.

Sally Jenkins is a brilliant writer. She has single handedly figured out whats wrong with the redskins by anylizing 1 gibbs quote and speculating why two players did not show up to a NON MANDATORY training camp.

Right back atcha, JM! Er...right back at your mom! You know what I mean....Happy Mother's Day to all the Insider peeps!
Beside Howard's story, I have to say the most intriguing sports story (speaking of moms...) of late is Dale Earnhardt (HUGE Skins fan) splitting with his stepmom and leaving DEI. Hooking up with JGR would be interesting, but the stable there is full, at the moment. The possibility of joining Childress and driving the 3 car is pretty amazing.
Back to fubball...we reported the possibility of the 17th game about 10 days ago after the commissioner's meeting in New York. It's something that is still fairly remote, but that really may be the only feasible way to expand internationally...I'm in favor of losing a preseason game.

Hey! Can we watch the language please??? You can say anything you'd like about our writers, but you'll note that there are cautions about profanity all over our site. Thanks.

Hey there, Cindy, thanks for the new thread.

Happy Mothers' Day to all the babymamas out there.

F profanity.

Hey, Nate! A Happy Day to Mrs. Nate!

Cindy, I suggested subtracting TWO preseason games if they add one regular season game. The loss of one (preseason) home game per team would be offset by the shared revenue from the neutral-site seventeenth game. Feel free to pass that suggestion along to your boy Goodell.

Earnhardt Jr to RCR makes just too much sense to happen. There's a perception that RCR is not among the elites (Hendrick, Roush, Gibbs). Chicken-egg problem; is it the drivers or the owners or what?

One thing hardly anybody ever mentions is that Dale Jr.'s fame is way out of proportion to his racing accomplishments. Because his family name is sacrosanct, I guess that topic is off limits. But again, maybe it's a matter of 'team resources' which DEI couldn't provide... or somethin'

Dale Jr., Gordon and Stewart already look like dinosaurs since they are about the last guys with distinguishable character out there. In a sport created by outsized personalities like King Richard and Earnhardt Sr. Most of the young dudes seem like interchangeable cookie-cutter pretty-boys. Nary a Southern accent among them. It's gotten a lot more boring out there, IMO. And there are not enough Virginians for my taste. Where have you gone, Ricky Rudd?

I'd have no problem with cutting two preseason games....In fact, that makes sense. My boy Goodell! THAT'S a good one!
I agree on Junior; his driving as been, as Liz Clarke wrote, "inconsistent." Interesting piece today in the NYTimes on Junior and his sister, who really runs his career and looks out for him.

I think that's why NASCAR would love to bring back the No. 3 car...an idea that may be intriguing, but isn't really good for the long-range in NASCAR.
I just realized that my boy hasn't sent me anything for Mother's Day!

I don't even watch the races any more, so my opinions on NASCAR are even less informed than those on all the other topics we cover.

But one final note on this: in order to make their acronym 'work,' the geniuses had to coin the clunky phrase 'stock car auto racing.' Which raises the musical question of what a stock car automobile might be.

Anyway.

HAIL

I'm heading to work...Catch you there in about 45 minutes or so....Gotta hit Starbucks.

Just give shawn springs one more chance with the redskins he is our best cover corner...I believe in him

Shawn Springs is not only the best cover corner on the team, there's nobody else available at the moment. And certainly nobody at Springs' current '07 cap number.

I hope the FO, having missed out on Samuel Clemens, Clem Samuels, Dre Bly, and every other potential #1 replacement, understands this.

Springs, Smoot, Rogers; Taylor, Landry, Praline.

happy maama day to all the mothers up here! and to erryone's maama!!!

cindy, boys in your life need a good spankin! first the santa's shabingus and now this...

and who's profanitizing up here?

ohh i/we saw babel last night. it was very good. i love it when writers/movie makers don't spoon feed the viewers. then at least there's something to talk about after the movie. like reading a good book.

Happy Mother's Day to Mrs. Dealer...I was surprised by how good "Babel" was...I had the same reaction to "Last King of Scotland," which I finally saw last week. Also started watching "Not the Best of the Larry Sanders Show," which is terrific. I'm in for "Sopranos" till the bitter end, but Vito Jr.'s shower scene nearly drove me away.

I know of at least 4 Virginians in the Cup level of NASCAR, Nate.

Denny Hamlin, Jeff Burton, Ward Burton, Ricky Rudd (full time in the 88 this year).

I like open-wheel more, myself, and hope Tony George somehow gets away from it, but that won't happen soon (enough). At least Indy's qualifying 1st day was a good throw back to when that race, and former league, mattered. The 500 should be a good race again this year.

Happy Mom's Day all
As fans look to OTAs,
Hope Springs eternal.

Call me fecal foot.

Echoing H-Man
Happy Mother's Day to all
No us without them

Please lose a pre season game. Season ticket holders have to pay for nothing more then a glorified scrimmage. Instead of internatinal games, how about neutral site games. Vegas, Orlando, Birmingham etc...

Great Shawn Springs article. He has had an injury plagued career, why will this season be different?

JR to RCR.

Loyal Fans,

I know the pressure of the off season can make some of us irritable and more prone to use profanity; however, one place you will never hear bad words is at the family friendly six flags amusement parks!

Fondly,

D. Snyder

Happy Mother's Day to all the lady peeploggers and the boy peeploggers mamas and wives.

(Lisa thoughts to you my friend on this day. I'm estranged from my mom so today is weird for me as I imagine it is for you too.)

Can we please let go of the Sean Taylor stuff? At least for a few days. So he missed some OTAs BFD! I'd rather that than his past off season shennanigans. Once again we're all going to drink the Kool Aid anyway so why not lay off on some of this stuff until the season starts and then have at it.

As for Springs he's here so let's hope he makes it through the season intact and we get a whizbang perfomance every week.

Thanks for the kind words, sfskin. Yes, today has been difficult for me as it the first Mother's Day since mine passed away. And my sister just called me in tears. Sorry to hear you are estranged from your mother.

On another note - how about them Golden State Warriors? I'm not sure if you are a Warriors fan - guess not everyone in SF is - but I have totally become one.

I got my mom a Joshua Bell CD and a print out of the WaPo's Gene Weingarten's "Pearls before Breakfast" article about Bell's experience as a street musician in a Metro stop. Good stuff.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

Mom loved it. Thanks The Washington Post.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there.

Not much Skins news so it's good to see the O's take 2 of 3 from the Sox.

Happy Mother's Day as well to all the current and soon to be Mom's.
Ricky Bobby, you spoke to soon. Giving up 6 in the bottom of the ninth. They're killin me.

Jenkins probably wrote the article for mothers day cuz her Kids hate her, ane she probably hates life, what a ho

I'm not sure why this blog and its posters would produce "vile" postings. Unfortunately I find that Sally Jenkins is right on the mark where Taylor is concerned and the front office. But I think she is wrong to point so strong a finger at Gibbs. Let's face it Gibbs came into what was an untenable situation for ANY OTHER COACH or GENERAL MANAGER for that matter. Did Sally or anyone here think that it would completely change overnight? That Snyder and his "special" assistant Vinnie Cerrato would keep their hands completely off and be advisers only?

Does anyone not watch Smallville? Its like asking Lex Luthor to keep his hands off 33.1. He always claims he has but seems to always be working on it in some secret place. The more he denies it, the more secret it becomes the greater the disasters he creates.

The POST provided a glimpse into the early machinations of the new regime when they provided insight via quotes from former WR Laveraneus Coles. Coles actually sounded frightened by Snyder when he threatened his entire career because he perceived that Coles was putting the trade for Moss in jeopardy. Completely different from the attitude voiced by Gibbs. Another insight was provided when reports on how negotiations with Bobby Beathard fell through were published. Purportedly he was offered something by Snyder and then Snyder's minions began renegotiating to get a better deal.

I'm sorry this whole deal does not sound like Joe Gibbs. Does not sound like the philosophy he preached while with the Redskins previously. How he dealt with players, especially troublesome players. Doing everything he could to keep bad publicity and negative comments away from the public eye.

To me it sounds like a struggle between Gibbs philosophy and Snyder's chaos. Like Al Davis, Snyder is someone who seems like he would bench a player like Marcus Allen just to ruin the guy's career. Because he pissed him off. Someone who needs to grow up.

Thus enter the only possible mentor for this man: Joe Jackson Gibbs. How successful will Gibbs be? He had to give up the offense to someone who seems far less capable in order to spend more time dealing with this single problem. He many not succeed. And where should the finger of blame fall? ON Gibbs the mentor for not bringing his owner under control? Or on Snyder for his reckless, immature comportment? And if Gibbs does fail what then?

If Sally Jenkins or Jason La Canfora believes that Gibbs is the only authority in contact with these players ... particularly where their status and contracts are concerned then aren't they are naive? Does the buck really stop with Gibbs like it should?

periculum, I don't believe Jason has made any comment about Gibbs interaction (or lack thereof) with the players....that was Sally - who obviously has no clue what is going on - she claims Springs was one of the "primary culprits" for the bad defense last season - and he was barely on the field due to injury!! How could he be a culprit?

Oh yeah...and Cris Carter weighed in - and I have no idea how he would know anything about Gibbs or the Skins.

I'd like to appologize for saying a few nasty things about Sally Jenkins. I meant every word I said. Those were my true feelings. But I should have had more class then to vent them here.

Maybe this will help restore some civility to our discussion.

Hail!

The secondary:

A freelancer, a riverboat gambler, a glass groin, and a rookie.

We are going to get torched.

I'm not sure why Springs is so apprehensive about the Redskins. How can he blame them for being nervous about the injuries from last year. There is no denying his history of injuries and his age. His cap number is huge and I don't blame them for exploring their options. Kind of surprised by his attitude, he never seemed to be that type.

I hope it all gets ironed out, we will need him if the defense is going to get back in the top ten.

Worseforreading you showed real class by appologizing to those of us that were offended. That's not to say she wasn't way off base with her story.

I thought Sally Jenkins article was well written and accurate. It is quite disturbing when 2 of 11 defensive starters on a unit that was miserable last year "lose contact" with their head coach without explanation. These guys are supposed to be key veteran leaders on the defense this year. (I also found the satellite analogy humorous, as I work in the space industry.) The upside is both of these guys have shown they can stay in excellent shape on their own, but Taylor needs to become more of a leader on the field.

Hi, i'am injured

thank you cindy! lisa, hi... :(.

really m with sfskin...skins went 5-11 last year, they only had one pick in the draft...and with that pick they drafted not a need position and possibly pissin off one of their best players, and nothing has changed in the FO or anything...so we all wasting our breaths...let's just wait till the season starts...then we can start throwing batteries at the owner's box and egging and TPing skins park.

mr. swanson, i was joking about egging and battering. i'll be doing all the egging and assaulting up here.

cindy, yes last king...gotta see that. also you're right vito jr. shower scene, they could've done without. but last week's episode was very good i thought. i'm really hoping they don't kill tony.

It is my contention and belief that Gibbs has played it smart where Shawn Springs is concerned. He knows just how valuable Springs can potentially be. Last year they let an excellent shutdown corner leave to provide more "cap room". Walt Harris was gone just when he was needed most. Springs can provide the exact same value that Harris did and does. He can play on passing situations only. Using him as a situational player hopefully will keep him healthy longer. He would not be the so-called nickel back as much as the guy in most pass defense packages. In this scenario Smoot and Rogers would start.

And so perhaps that is the bone of contention for Springs. That he is probably not going to start. And offending for shopping him around and asking him to take a pay cut. He is still considered a top cover corner when healthy.

As far as Taylor is concerned; as I thought it was about Arch Deluxe and the money Landry will likely receive. Taylor is obsessed with the idea that the Redskins ripped him off with the contract he ended up with. 3 or 4 agents later he is still angry and resentful. In spite of the criticisms of him he did make all-pro as an alternate. And he does have unlimited potential. Kenny Houston / Jack Tatum / Rosey Taylor / Richie Petitbone potential. That cannot be measured by whether you drafted a defensive end or two. Add Landry and they just may have something special if Snyder or Grilliams don't screw it up.

I think the only reason Sean Taylor was better behaved these past couple of years was in fact because of his little run-in with the law. I think that was an eye opening experience that put his priorities in the right place. For Sean that is the past. For the coaches and fans it is still clear and present danger. He doesn't realize that
he isn't out of the woods yet.

As far as Gibbs evaluation of him. He is basically a good kid ... just someone who is easily offended and tends to collect rather large chips on this shoulders. That makes him an especially intimidating tackler and perhaps a potential future sack master. But also a potential problem player. Easily resolved under Gibbs and Petitbone. Not so easily resolved when Snyder and his minions are involved.

On the baseball front:

Forget Camden yards Jason. No real DC fan (especially Senators fans) would ever want to go back there again. I know you are a Bosox fan and
like the AL. Still ...

Instead why not take Chloe to see Jesus Flores. You might be in for a treat. The birth of the next superstar catcher. The Nats at least are doing things the right way.

Periculum, excuse me but when did Walt Harris become an "excellent, shut down corner"? Yes, he played well in SF but that was SF and look at their schedule last season. You are the first person I have ever heard refer to Harris as a "shut down corner" - still shaking my head over that one.

One more question: your comment "As far as Taylor is concerned; as I thought it was about Arch Deluxe and the money Landry will likely receive" is based on what? Is there any latebreaking news from Redskins Park to confirm this?

Springs was considered an injury risk when he was signed after he left the Seahawks. The Redskins were BLASTED in every media possible for signing Springs. He was called "soft" Injury prone" cant stay healthy" etc etc...Now after the SKINS took a chance on him...he did what? Stayed healthy one freakin season? It's pretty simple....SPRINGS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HEALTH CONCERN. THATS WHY THE SEASHAWKS LET HIM GO. He was always hurt. He has continued to show this with the Redskins after they took a chance on him...well What do you do now? Pay this guy all the money? Take a cap hit? Let him play 4 games and get hurt again? Or better yet hurt in training camp? Bottom line is...Springs is always hurt... NOTHING NEW!!!! Now the Skins are being blasted because they are worried about his injury prone career and wonder what to do...Whats the wrong in that? The Guy is ALWAYS HURT!

Leevi, I believe Springs was healthy for TWO seasons with the Skins. He got injured at the end of 2005 but was healthy most of the year.

As an individual you are defined by pro bowls in the free agent market. Especially on underachieving teams. Springs has had more good than bad with the Skins and has been a pro bowler with them. Lotta short term memory out there. Just like Sallys with the Skins making the playoffs AND getting a win. The panic button needs to be released. If this team has the luck to stay healthy they will be back in the mix...

Third Alternate still counts as a pro bowler? I guess... technically...

First!

I'm Skippy and I have a mental plate in my head and really really like Lemon Meringue Pie. Here's my question, Is it fair that the Redkins have to play all 16 games this year because they wouldn't let them draft nobody in the 2nd 3rd and 4th rounds? Because that doesn't seem fair. But I'm their biggest fan so I'll keep rooting for them, too, especially Sandra Moss, which I may not spell right. Also, what's up with CB Dennis Springs?

Fondly,

Skippy

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, how about that Jeff Gordon?

I like your positive enthusiasm up here... If I had to describe you in one word it would be "plucky"...

loco mullin, could have used a heads up on this cold front... brought my bathing suit down to va beach this weekend and ended up needing to borrow a sweatshirt from the Captain instead.

hows the weather in Tempe, AZ?

When does the NFL season start?

Hang in there, El Dorfo! Less than four months to kickoff! We can make it... if we stick together!

It's annoying to read Sally Jenkins articles. The level and frequency of
negativity is disheartening. Perhaps someone should tell her that complaints and negative comments do not always have to form the basis of a well argued and coherent hypothesis.

1. No contact between Springs and Taylor:

Ms Jenkins implies that this a symptom of front office-malaise. Oh really? Are there no other teams that have starters missing OTA's? Are there no other teams that have had them missing in the past? Out of the ones that had, how many had losing seasons? How many missed the playoffs? In other words, is there a strong correlation between how well your season goes and a couple of players missing the *start* of non-mandatory camp?

2. The secondary were "primary culprits":

How exactly does Ms. Jenkins
so sure that the play of the secondary was what lead to the terrible defense? Could it have not been because of the line? The play of the linebackers? Tensions and differences of philosophy among defensive coaches?

3. "Frankly, it's hard not to feel that the current situation, while seemingly minor, is symptomatic of everything that has come before and everything likely to come later":

Again, please back up what you have to say with some concrete evidence. Otherwise, these are just words to fill up an article and even worse, Ms Jenkins is wasting the reader's time.

4. "The fact is, the 24-year-old Taylor has never really been reachable, in any sense":

This undermines the central thesis of Ms. Jenkins argument. If Taylor's never been reachable on any level, his failure to show up *this* year can't reflect on the front office, now can it?

5. "[Taylor] has yet to really master the safety position":

Taylor is about to enter his fourth year and he's been a pro bowl alternate for one year and has a leaguewide reputation as a fearsome hitter. Let's wait a little bit before declaring his career to be a failure, yes?

6. "Think about that. Clark would have cost them just $1.5 million, while Archuleta and Landry between them will cost $25 million":

Point well taken; Archuleta was a colossal mistake. However, Ms. Jenkins, please do not cast Landry in that lot. You have no idea what impact he will have? He could be the next Ronnie Lott and perhaps even better. Is that not worth it?

7. "And how can Gibbs credibly demand discipline, devotion, and "contact," when the front office shows none?"

Yeah, that's it. The front office has shown no devotion. Not to Daniels, not to Renaldo Wynn, both of whom could arguably have been cut. Not to Lloyd, who had one of the statistically worst seasons of a starting receiver in NFL history.

If you don't mind, I'm going to stop reading all Jenkins articles from now on. Not because of this one article. That, of course, could be an aberration. But, this sort of style seems to penetrate all of her writing and so I'm going to chalk it down to a characteristic style and not a one-time thing.

I prefer to look at Sally Jenkins a little differently.

Two years ago Jenkins wrote a thoughtless, mean-spirited article slamming the Redskins and Joe Gibbs. The team promptly went on a 6 game winning streak and made the playoffs.

Negative Sally Jenkins articles are the Redskins good luck charm! Sean Taylor and Shawn Spings will now have pro-bowl caliber seasons thanks to Ms. Jenkins.

I only hope the Redskins lose all of their preseason games so Sally will write in from New York with another article explaining all of the things Joe Gibbs is doing wrong, and Gibbs will then lead the team to the playoffs.

Bryant's article was excellent. I would have liked some explanation of why Gibbs and Springs aren't communicating directly, but the article provided a window into Springs' character. I hope he's healthy - I think the Redskins' season depends on him.

Here's that Jenkins article I mentioned.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/29/AR2005112901478.html

Still a great read, 18 months later. I love how Sally always refences a quote or headline from another Post reporter, as if she needs to include evidence that she still reads the paper while living in New York.

Thank you Sally Jenkins. You and PDSquared are in my unintentional comedy HOF.

Thanks mugamack, that was a great read. Amazing how many strong opinions are in that article that are seemingly baseless. An example of "it's not what you say, but how loudly you say it".

Sally Jenkins and Bosworth both love to bash the skins. Sometimes baseless bashing, sometimes really needling the fine details. It does seem impossible to get a balanced or optimistic view of the skins anywhere these days, local or national media.

Her one accurate point seems to be the domino effect of letting Clark go. Since the position coach and players seemed to know Clark was mentioring Taylor, getting him lined up on the field, etc., and maing plays himself to boot (even and article in the paper about it) why did they let him go?

Was this penny pinching gone bad or did Greg Williams want Archu for Blitzing purposes? It seems like the Redskins should probably do three sets of analysis each year, (Who do we keep, Who do we get in FA, who do we draft), seems like the who do we keep is not getting anough attention.

I remember at the time of the Archu signing, Scout.dot.com reported that Archu was cerntainly not as good as Clark, so real football people knew that deal was bad before it was signed.

This is an example of what is wrong. Other people knew Archu was a bad fit and Clark was a steal. Just like other people know this year that we badly need DL and DE upgrades. The Redskins don't follow conventional wisdom.

Gibbs apparently is willing to let his legacy become tarnished without ever stepping up (besides Brunel) and taking control of the operation as the true head, when he did this fully, the Radskins made the playoffs. He is now relying on washed up position coaches, Dan & Vinny, and now even AL Saunders. Gibbs has become sort of an empty suit.

Bosworth = Boswell. Similar professional attributes though.

I prefer to think of Gibbs as an empty NASCAR jacket.

Jenkins believes that her negativity is insightful (credit quasiac07 for that observation).

The WaPo should let Jenkins go. Her baseless rants are old and stale.

I miss Kornheiser and Wilbon ripping the 'Skins, but at least with some reverence and flair.

DTC,

Kate or Bryan??? B/C Kate has some fairly positive "attributes"... nudge, nudge squire.

Maybe I haven't read everyone's posts, but has it occurred to people that drafting Landry was an insurance policy against Taylor? While they both play the same way-fearlessly, vicious hitters, etc., Landry seems to be much more of the archetypal Gibbs 'character guy'. If Taylor flips out then Landry becomes the big cheese in the def. backfield. I'm guessing Gibb's strategy is using Landry as the model against whom Taylor must perform, and if he doesn't he becomes trade bait.

Okay... It's obvious why Taylor has decided to make his stance known to the the franchise and public, (MONEY), but Springs should be smarter than this. If I didn't know any better, I'd think Springs were a second-year professional who has yet to grasp how system is run. If your an NFL vet, get your butt in team activity, mandatory or not, you just had something called an "off-season" to sit around and soak in the good-life; (we all know there is no such thing as "mandatory"), if that were true, it wouldn't be as big a story as it is.
Trade Springs already! We don't need his distractions, as I said before, he should be smarter than this. And for goodness sakes, make Taylor happy! Without him, the draft would have ment absolutely nothing, and our secondary is in some deep poo. Remember when he was injured last season?... we try not too. Throw him a bone and get the defense together now before it's too late. Sorry to say it, but Taylor IS the team's secondary.
Rogers, Smoot, Macklin, and Jimoh got things covered at the CB position, but when it comes to safety... Taylor, Landry, Fox, Stoutmire, and oh yeah, Doughty (WHO?), we need all the help we can get!
Please skins', don't make this season another five-win ordeal, beacause then we won't be looking for a new safety, but a new coach.

Brandon--

"make Taylor happy"? Now there's an idea. What, excactly do you think will "make Taylor happy?" We made him happy once in his rookie contract and then he turned around, fired his manager, and has been demanding more money ever since.

Do you really think that a new contract is the answer? Exactly how long would he be happy? And, if it is, where do the 'Skins get the money? They're already near the cap after the two recent signings and their $3.4 million rookie pool. Cutting Springs would free up some money -- forget trading him because his salary is too high for a guy who only played 9 games last year.

adinasi, I've had the same thought about the rationale for drafting Landry since this latest blah blah about Taylor started. They seem to have similar playing styles (from what I've read about Landry) and we have exactly one season left to get Taylor re-signed. I predict that if Taylor is not re-signed at the same time Landry gets signed (w/Taylor making more than Landry, at least this season), then Sean Taylor will not re-sign during or after the season, i.e., he will not be with the Skins after next season.

Also, to Cindy, I agree about the vileness of that last post, esp. all the discussion of The Olive Garden. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.

[Nate: which movie pick won out?]

Hmmmmm.......Lawyer Milloy broke contact with the Patriots in 2003, and Plaxico Burress was incommunicado with the Steelers in 2004. I also see Hines Ward held out until July the following year.

Does anyone do any research anymore or do writers like Sally Jenkins just regurgitate ignorance?

We have the information superhighway at our fingertips poeple!

sween, no movie for us this weekend. I really tried to sell 'The Host,' but to no avail. "It's a monster movie... but it's supposed to be really good!"

Sally Jenkins : Dan Jenkins :: Kyle Petty : Richard Petty

"Jimoh got things covered at the CB position"

Every time I read something about Jimoh and covered I have to laugh. If he sees any time at CB we are in for a tremendously long season.

Guess it's time to pitch my 2 bits in.

Springs - The HowBry article did at least give some insight on Springs' mindset, but at the same time, I think I can see where the Redskins are angling at. I imagine that unless further salary talks go real badly, the Skins will find a way to keep Springs on. Springs does provide that leadership that the Skins' secondary lacks, and when healthy, he's definitely strong in his play. (I think that it's because he grew in a system that didn't involve the ever-changing, ever-evolving Gregg Williams School Of Odd Reads and 10-Yard Dropback Coverage, but that's always another issue....) The major sticking point is just how much of a demotion Springs is going to be willing to take - it's going to be the swing point of the negotiations.

Sean Taylor - It frightens me as to the fervor some people have started to rail against the Reaper, right now. We've already noted that these OTAs were voluntary, so we'll skip that point. But to claim he was inept at coverage, always out of position ... it's a harsh assessment. You're always going to be out of position when (a) your corners are leaving the center open with 10 foot dropbacks from the LOS, (b) your secondary teammates just can't seem to get a grip on the whole coverage thing, and let guys by them on a regular basis, and (c) the opposing QBs have pretty much the span of the play to find the holes and exploit them. And let's not even get into how well everyone's favorite Achilles Heel, Adam Archuleta was performing. There's too many loose bolts in this operation to start pointing our fingers at just one person, especially a guy that tries to make the plays, but is consistently put in a position of failure by the shoddy play of many of his teammates. Leave off him!

LaLaLand - I'm not sure that he was brought in as stopgap for insurance against Sean Taylor leaving the team - I just don't buy it. I see him as a huge correctional effort on the part of the front office to fix the colossal mistakes that occurred when the FO decided to bring in Adam Archuleta. Considering that we have some average talent at that position, perhaps it made the FO think that there was a more serious hole in that position compared to the depth we had in the defensive line. (I still think that we should have brought in a DT or a DE, but that's spilt milk, now....) The fact that there wasn't too many safeties of note available in free agency didn't help, either - not that we have the cap room for anything more than gap filler, anyway. The bigger fault gets the bigger hammer. It's just a matter of what you think is the bigger fault....

adinasi, I for one do not agree with you about the Landry draft....I simply believe he was the best player on the board at the time and it had nothing to do with Sean Taylor.

jahswim, agreed. Jeremy Shockey never shows up for OTAs (at least I don't think so) but is anyone making a big deal out of that?

RE: Peter King. I know this is a little late but so what. What gets me about him is that a few months ago on one of his Monday Morning Quarterback entries he was talking about he was visiting wounded troops (maybe at Walter Reed, I don't remember where exactly) anyways, King, goes on to tell how one of the wounded troops asks "Why isn't Art Monk in the HOF?" Peter King had the nerve to answer "We're trying to get him in." Are you kidding me? This is the same clown who basically campaigned to keep Monk out, "because his numbers weren't good enough," and King is now saying hhe's doing everything he can to get Monk in. Peter King is a huge POS as far as I'm concerned.

Lisa, I'm not suggesting that the ONLY reason they picked Landry was as Sean Taylor insurance ... or even the primary or secondary reason ... but I do think the ability to replicate Sean Taylor's skill set was one of the reasons that Landry became the "safe" and risk-averse pick for the Skins ... and provided some comfort for the Skins not to have to sell their shirts to trade down from #6 (who knows whether there really was any team interested in trading up to #6 and what that team might have been offering).

It seems beyond denial, however, that Landry's draft position (#6) and the expected salary there makes things a little "delicate" when it comes to re-negotiating Sean Taylor's salary.

Chief Clancy Wiggum --

Peter King got religion this year. He went on about it in a couple of his Monday Morning Quarterbacks and has been on Monk's side for a while now.

Maybe he was a POS last year, but don't you give the guy some credit for reconsidering, admitting he was wrong, and then trying to do the right thing?

I liked Sally Jenkins' article. The best thing it did was take the blame for Springs & Taylor missing OTAs off the players' shoulders entirely, and put some of it squarely on the shoulders of Gibbs, Snyder & Co.

I don't disagree with the pick of Landry in any way, but when you put his choice in the context of the Redskins prior free agency moves at the safety position (Ryan Clark, Archuletta), it's hard to deny that the organization has blundered pretty bad.

One has to hope that the Skins have learned their lesson (Gibbs at least, Snyder should've learned his lesson years ago, so I have little hope for him), but there's no doubt they're paying for their past mistakes now.

Jenkins also mentions in the article the 'Skins went 5-11 last year. How dare her!

Everything in your life has an influence and an interaction with everything else. Make an improvement in one area of your life, and many other areas will benefit.

Everything in your world is interconnected. Create value in one place, and that value casts its light in additional places as well.

Your positive thoughts and actions often have immediate and direct results. They also have indirect results that can continue far beyond the obvious.

A small kindness offered to just one person can end up benefiting countless others. The love you give will always, in ways that you may never even realize, come back to you.

Success and fulfillment do not occur in isolation. You'll receive no great benefit from being positive about only a few things if you take a negative approach in other areas.

Instead, focus all your awareness and intention in a positive, fulfilling direction. Then, all the many connections will organize in such a way as to move you quickly forward.

I thought that Peter King (and Wilbon) are OFF the Hall of Fame selection committee and have been replaced. If so, then its a no lose proposition for Mr. King to change his tune about Art Monk.

Flim

good points on the bolts falling off the machine that was our defense last year. no doubt that sean t.'s play can and will be helped by better support (everywhere on defense).

that being said having that much talent is both a blessing and a curse. I make the comparison to Michael Vick. when he came into the league the sky was the limit,he was the best athelete to ever play the position and who knew where he would go once he figured out the nfl.That was the expectation in Atlanta and around the league.Over the years he has at times been spectacular, but mostly inconsistent and has never really improved or changed his game. Now entering this season ( under a cloud of controversey) there are serious questions about if he or can he or can't he really play qb in the nfl. big year for him needs to develope and and harness his talent in team leading consistent play making way.

sean is in a simiular situtation it maybe make or break for him too, he takes his game to the next level or remains at times spectacular but inconsistent?

So that becomes the question, that teams face under the salary cap. do you pay a super talented player because he is super talented and you hope someday he puts it all together or do you trade/cut him to save money to be used in getting better football players (who don't have as much gifted talent but have a better understanding of the game).

Folks we sit here and consistently act naive and never put things together. there is a reason why the Redskins have all of these recurring issues. We all know that pro-athletes are disposable, but the Redskins have taken it to another degree. The behavior of the front office [gibbs, Snyder, Cerrato] is deplorable. Gibbs should not be on TV saying whatever about Taylor or Springs when he has no right to demand they are there, not to mention just a few weeks ago you told one guy you did not want him. Frankly, its another b!tch move by this team. When you look at the Skins look how they treat their players and realize why folks are leaving or want out. Realize how the atmosphere of constant disarray and frankly sissy issues are so prominent. This is not football. On the field the team under performs, had some outdated approaches, and played people out of caoches preferences verse performances and talent and did not maximize their talent level. The problem with this team lies in its front office. it lacks the leadership and direction from the top and it shows. we can tout the 3 trophies all we want, but this team and organization is not much better than the Arizona cardinals, cincy bengals, Aints, etc. since Snyder took over.

Johnnie Futbol,

Can you explain why it's the Redskins fault when Sean/Shawn skip OTA's? I thought this was the weakest part of her illogical rant.

In Taylor's case, he's only gone to OTA's once, so it's really a stretch to blame the Redskins for this man's lack of character. George Solomon saw it much more clearly in the Sunday Post:

"What's with Sean Taylor? It's always something with him. If he's not chasing some guy with a gun in Miami, he's spitting in an opponent's face or leveling the opposing punter with a cheap shot in the Pro Bowl, which he played in as an alternate last season. He's too busy to take Joe Gibbs's calls, or show up for work at Redskins Park? Besides, who needs a safety who wants to be the next Paulie Gualtieri? I questioned the Redskins taking LSU safety LaRon Landry with the sixth pick. Now we know why. Trade Taylor."

KK, your comment:

"make Taylor happy"? Now there's an idea. What, excactly do you think will "make Taylor happy?" We made him happy once in his rookie contract and then he turned around, fired his manager, and has been demanding more money ever since."

Just what do you base this on? Have you seen any $$$ demands from Taylor? Because I sure haven't. Everything has simply been a speculation and to say "demanding more money EVER SINCE" like this has been an issue every season is so off base because it's just not true.

THAT is the jm220 I dig reading! [The bloghammer wears me out b/c so many other people use it ...] Thanks for the refresher.

Now where is that loco mullin. Now that jm220 has nourish my soul, I need some loco mullin info to build my knowledge!

Just read the Springs article. My primary takeaway from reading that ... he's going to come back in TREMENDOUS shape, physically and mentally. Hopefully, the bad mojo from the Skins FO doesn't weigh him down too much.

Old School Look at the WR that Mike V had to play with. Can you name any of them other than the TE?

KK you really need to let us know why you have this negative hard on for the Reaper.

Lisa,

I base it on the agent he fired a few years ago, his request for more money then, and on Jason La Canfora's post on this blog two days ago: "the players are convinced that Taylor isn't going to be around for a while and their read on the situation is that he wants to get paid."

If you can't trust Jason and the players he talks to, who can you trust?

jm220--

What is a "negative hard on"? A soft off?

I've laid out my case a couple of times. It's similar enough to George Solomon's. The man is a gifted athlete but is an immature head case who has consistently failed to realize his potential. He could be better than Ronnie Lott, but he could end up worse than Pacman Jones.

Skimming though the blog trying to catch up I caught the following:

Walt Harris as a shutdown corner and Ade Jimoh has us covered.

Is this bizzaro blog? Did I miss the announcement for opposite day?

Even though Vick hasn't had a pro bowl receiver he has fallen far short of what everyone expected he would be coming out of Va Tech. Atlanta has tried to get some solid WR's but made some bad personnel decisions on that one. Traded for Peerless Price, drafted Michael Jenkins and Roddy White in the 1st round and traded for Ashley Lelie.

Bottom line is Vick hasn't led Atlanta to the playoffs in some time to go along with all his off field stuff. Flipping off the fans, the weed water bottle and now the dog fighting ring. If Atlanta was on the clock to draft right now would they take Vick over LT? Hell no.

Hugs and kisses to the forhead.

Sure, it's tough for a QB to not have Pro Bowl caliber receivers, but is it the receiver that makes the QB or is it the QB that makes the receiver?

jm220

I don't have a hammer for you..... but the vick no recievers thing is just a cop out. at this point in his career vick should be in complete control.instead its still one on one basketball ie... he drops back and know one knows what he is going to to do.

Look what Tom Brady did last year with no receivers and you'll find the answers that you seek.

KK, you continue to stun me. This remark "agent he fired a few years ago, his request for more money THEN."

Duh....that comment is sooo lame. The agent was fired A FEW YEARS AGO...he wanted more money THEN. Geez....if your boss, wife, girlfriend, holds everything you did A FEW YEARS AGO over you head, I bet you would be hurting. This is 2007 - that was so long ago no one really remembers it but you.

You just don't like Taylor and even if he had attended the OTA you would find something to criticize.

etrod, what are you talking about? We ran the routes, Brady just couldn't get us the ball! The video evidence was faked!

Besides, did you see that one time, where we made that one catch?

Johnnie Futbol,

Can you explain why it's the Redskins fault when Sean/Shawn skip OTA's? I thought this was the weakest part of her illogical rant.

In Taylor's case, he's only gone to OTA's once, so it's really a stretch to blame the Redskins for this man's lack of character.

Posted by: KK | May 14, 2007 10:27 AM

Why do the Redskins deserve blame in this?

Well before I give an answer to that, again we can't lose sight of these OTA's being voluntary. So I'm not sure we should even be pointing fingers at players or the organization, except that Gibbs has come out and expressed his dissappointment in the absense of Taylor/Springs.

In any case if the Redskins (or ANY NFL team for that matter) want a perfect attendence record for their OTA's - if that's even possible year in, year out for something that's voluntary - they need to give their players the respect they deserve if they're going to get the level of devotion they want. That simple fact extends way beyond football to so many other aspects of life.

Missing OTA's is in no way a breach of contract, so a player's attendence largely rests on him buying into the system/organization.

In the case of Springs it's so simple. The Redskins spent much of the offseason shopping Shawn Springs. They have every right to do that of course, and given Springs' history of injuries perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea.

However, there's no question that sends a message to Springs that the Redskins ultimately don't think he's good or reliable enough. True or not, it's a cold message to send, and if the Redskins don't "buy into" Shawn Springs then why should he "buy into" the Redskins?

If I were Shawn Springs, under those circumstances I might not attend OTA's either.

Sean Taylor's circumstances aren't quite the same, but surely he's reacting to the way the Redskins do things. It's the Redskins who have thrown around big $$$ to free agent after free agent, while neglecting "core Redskins" at the same time (Ryan Clark for example). That too sends a message of what the Redskins truly value to its players. We can't pretend that it doesn't. In the case of the Clark/Archuletta/Landry fiasco, Sean Taylor is the player who's certainly most affected.

If the Redskins are about buying STAR POWER, while paying lip service to "core Redskins," then surely it's players are going to respond in kind.

on second thought, maybe Joe Horn will be better at catching passes that are thrown at his feet and 3 feet over his head than Roddy White, Ashlie Lelie and Peirless Price were.

I find it very difficult to believe anyone who thinks getting rid of Sean Taylor is a good idea is a true Skins fan.

118 days til kickoff...

IMHO, Springs has done enough to 'meet the standard'; he's been in contact with the team, maybe changed his mind in the last couple of weeks about coming for OTAs, but has a legitimate reason to keep recovering in AZ.
Taylor does not contractually owe the team a phone call, but the team does not contractually owe Taylor a contract renegotiation. I'd like to see Taylor at OTAs as a message to the rest of the team; particularly if he thinks that his performance last year suffered as a result of their overall performance.
I think that Taylor (or his minions -- after all, why have minions if you can't get them to do unpleasant, pissy tasks) should call in as a matter of professional courtesy -- or should I say, return the calls the team has made.

In the end, though, having Gibbs and Cerrato hem, haw, and fumble their way through public interviews about it is a disservice to the player and to the team. This is an internal matter, and while I don't expect them to lie about it, a simpler statement of "Sean is not here, we haven't spoken directly in a while, but we have been in touch with his agent and we're not worried" would have been sufficient.
There. So everybody sucks except me, your loyal voice of reason!

Wow are we still on this......

- Heros tonight!!!!! SWEET!

- Utah Jazz....wow...Boozer is straight beast, if he was still a Cleveland Cav they be a shoe in in the east.

- How excited are we for "Knocked Up" VERY

- Best new DVD in my collection: WKRP Season 1...Dr. Johnny Fever is my God!

- Are the Yankees done?

- Better Skins special teamer: Mike Nelms v Brian Mitchell

just some suggestions...

Good morning...this is great reading. I love it when you disagree with our writers in a thought-provoking way.
FYI, as of this year Wilbon no longer votes for the HOF. I'm not sure about Len Shapiro, who works for us on a free-lance basis. We no longer have any full-time writers who vote for the HOF.

Oh, and when can we discuss "Sopranos?"

Hugs and kisses to the forhead.

Posted by: bizzaro jm220 | May 14, 2007 11:02 AM

That wasn't me but it did make me laugh. lol

It strikes me that we all need to acknowledge a certain level of stone throwing in a glass house. You may not like Jenkins writing/take on the situation. She may be a hack but why isn't she allowed to take the Skins to task but all of us are?

That fact that we are spending days and days and days and days and days dissecting Sean Taylor and Shawn Springs says something about the whole Redskin nation. This is a mediocre team that has been mediocre for 15 years with a couple of exceptions. That breeds a culture within the organization and apparently the fanbase that leads to these rantings (and I fully acknowledge I'm one of them).

Couple that with the modern NFL with FA and parity and win now attitude and you set yourself up for disappointment. To put the needle back on the scratched up record - Snyder et al took this team down the rabbit hole for many years and now we're trying to find our way back out. It's going to take a while.

That's why I'm trying my best to wait for the season and see what happens. I have no problems dragging Snyder and Cerrato's balls through the fire along with coaches on occaison as they deserve it even if they are generous blah blah blah. You have to question an FO that doesn't address what the rest of the world seems to think is their glaring problem in the offseason or in the draft (d-line). It continues the fine tradition of head scratching "wha?" moves made by these guys for the last 15 years.

Um...NOW!

This final mini-season has been amazing....Tony on peyote....wow amazing...

Don't feel sorry for Christahfa....his days were numbered after the christening episode..

Is Meadow the lamest character ever?

First

I thought Sally's article was quite fair. She presented Springs's side of the argument nicely. Springs intimates as much, but it's clear: he's 32, he was injured quite a bit last year, and he needs to prove that he can still play and that he won't get hurt. The 'Skins were right to ask for the paycut, Springs was right to refuse. It'll all play out on the field.

Personally, all the drama in the secondary aside, I just want to see Campbell on the field to see if he has progressed at all. He's the key to the season. Every team has glaring weaknesses, but you can't win without a serious QB.

BTW, I'm in the midst of a 3 week road trip through Europe. Spent a little bit of time in Paris at a crappy hotel at first. Big mistake: avoid Le Meridien Montparnasse. The concierge was a total jerk. I asked for a "hip and trendy" restaurant recommendation, and he looked at me as if I had just offended his mother's family. Damn French! Anyway, I finally got fed up with him at breakfast one morning when I asked for a place that was full of "young and cool" people, and he sent me to the French equivalent of an AARP convention. Dude next to me was on an oxygen tank! The old folks were nice enough to me, of course (I got some GREAT WW2 and French liberation stories!!!), but the concierge was too much. I checked out that afternoon, headed to the Four Seasons, and enjoyed the rest of my trip. Funny story, I was just wandering around the hotel, minding my own business, when I ran into a German Shepherd, on a leash, being held by a policeman, who was in front of a phalanx of other policemen and suits, who were in front of the nouveau Presidente de France. He's really short, but was very patient with my jogging shorts, t-shirt, and plus mauvais de francais.

Now I'm in Munich. I thought this would be the dead zone of my trip, but no! The flight attendant on my Lufthansa flight over gave me her email, and is having dinner with me tonight. It's 80 and sunny, and all the frauleins are out in their little dresses. And I'm on beer #3 at a biergarden and mooching WiFi off the (gasp!) Starbucks next door. Munich might end up being the highlight of my trip.

After Munich is London later this week, then back to the yucky Pacific Northwest.

A players standing on a team is temporary. All players know this or need to learn this quickly (fans too). it is a constant balancing act between team and player, his contract, his health and performance, the contacts and cap related impact of the other 52 guys in relation to all available free agents and draft picks at his position. its all constantly in motion and some parts of your career for brief period a player may not be under "review" for replacement but that status is only temporary, then your number comes up the next year or the year after, as soon as your play slips injuries or your attitude to sacrifice for the good of the team changes, they are looking to get rid of you. thats just the way it is, the team has to be in control, because its the team that continues on, not the players, its cold but it is a machine, players need to max thier short window of opportunity and buy into whatever the team they are on is selling, cause the belt is always moving for every guy in the league there are 10 20 50 guys at every position (except QB)waiting for thier chance at your job.

sfskin: true enough, and well said!

You can take issue with our writers all you want; they're wrong all the time! Attacking them personally by calling them bleeping morons is out of bounds.
The opening 45 minutes of Sopranos went faster than any show I've seen in ages...Christofah's days were definitely numbered, but how great was it to go out with The Departed soundtrack playing? ...The trip to Vegas, the peyote, the hooker, Paulie being upstaged by Christopher, even in death, the widow "Jackie Onassis," the Melfi scenes were just riveting. What is going on with AJ?

Yeah I loved the Sopranos last night where Tony killed Christopher after their car accident. hahahahaha

Nice a Pdiddy appearance!!!!! City reviews, a common sense approach to skins news, tail chasing updates, drink counts....everything we need and love!!!!!

F france, especially now they failed to elect that liberal babe!

Cindy,

AJ my take:

He is the embodiement of tony's tortured soul, so we are seeing the battel in Tony play out in AJ in an even more wrenching way. Ultimately he is the version of Tony where good might prevail over the dark. Even though we see the viloence, excitement revive AJ it can't sustain him and he does have some ability to contextualize his actions in a broader world. Chase foreshadowed this early on...remember when AJ had his "exstesential" phase when he was still in Jr High? He never left that and even though he doesnt have the intellect to understand it, that world view drives him.....

It's been hard to follow all the 'Skins news...because there isn't any! I think anyone who has been a fan of this team for the last 15 years knows better than to get excited about this squad when they're in shorts and t-shirts. OTAs my butt. Who cares? I refuse to get excited until September.

BTW, the Munich city center looks a lot like Rodeo Drive. Very chic, and not at all German. All the girls look like fashion models, so I'm not complaining. I'm working my way down the beer menu.

"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." --Marge Simpson

what do you think of this:

Citing the April 16 campus shootings at Virginia Tech that left 32 people and their killer dead, basketball recruit Augustus Gilchrist said he is "not mentally prepared" to honor his letter-of-intent and will not play for the Hokies next season.

In an interview with The Washington Post, the 6-foot-9 Gilchrist said he informed Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg of his decision shortly after the killings.

"I want to send my condolences to the families and the victims. It's a terrible situation that happened," Gilchrist told The Post for a story published Monday. "I'm not mentally prepared to go there for this [coming] year. I think the campus needs time to heal. The campus needs time to mourn the first year. I don't know if I'm prepared to do that next year."

Diddy, you could take in some NFL Europe...
I think you're right, Chris Larry, about AJ. I think he ends up running the family, tho...

Marge Simpson, truly genius.

Or, as Groundskeeper Willie once said, "Bonjour, you cheese-eating surrender monkeys."

I kid, because I love. How can you not love a culture that invented French Kissing, French's Mustard, French Fries, and French Poodles. Well, except for the poodles.

I hear ya Cindy, its def trending that way...

Cindy do you buy the theory that Tony is gonna enter witness protection on basis of breaking up terrorism...thus getting he and his family out without ratting out....seems to me that the up with people ending....

I saw this somewhere else, but, of course, Shawn Springs isn't showing up until June. He wants as much time as possible with his strength coach, Ian Danney, who was David Boston's trainer when Boston was caught on steroids and when Boston was suspected of being on HGH as well. Ian Danney is someone to be suspicious of, and, therefore, we should be suspicious of Springs. He knows his career is on the line this season, so it wouldn't be surprising if he resorted to some performance enhancing you-know-whats. How can the Post write that he's training with Ian Danney and then ignore who Ian Danney is? Go read the San Diego Union-Trib articles on Boston when he was with the Chargers. Who was Boston with when he was at his all-time bulkiest with the Chargers: Ian Danney. No one can say for sure if Springs is cheating, but where there's smoke, there's....

The Gilchrist story was interesting. God knows what I'd do in that situation, as an 18-year-old. And I'm cynical enough to question any athlete for pulling out on a letter-of-intent. Is the reasonable solution to allow him to do so, but to have him sit out a year?

Sammy...that is a stellar point. Well done.

We shouldn't hint that Springs is cheating, but you're 100% correct that the Post should have reported on who exactly Danny is.

Again, well done.

"If Brett Favre really wants to be traded, he could pressure the Packers into doing it, given his stature in the game. The Packers don't think they're in a rebuilding mode and want Favre to lead their team next season, but if he is truly unhappy, they could find takers for his services. From a salary-cap standpoint, they'd be able to wipe Favre's $11 million base salary off the books while absorbing only a small hit from the prorated portion of his original contract. They might be able to find a team that thinks it's on the brink of a championship and needs only a veteran quarterback (Washington, Denver and Jacksonville come to mind) and squeeze out a high pick. Ted Thompson probably wouldn't object to trading Favre if the quarterback were dead-set on playing somewhere else. Favre could threaten retirement unless the Packers trade him to a contender. They already have what they think is their quarterback of the future in Aaron Rodgers, although he is coming off a broken foot and hasn't proved anything yet. At this point, the situation doesn't appear to be anywhere close to where Thompson would consider a trade."

Tony is obviously increasingly isolated. Christopher was the only one willing to tell him to give Phil Leotardo 25%. Every one else around him is either a yes man, a simple man, bizarro or in Juniorland. He has no counsel now and he's turning against Melfi and pushing Carm away as he turns into Carlos Castenada. I don't see him in witness protection; I see him either dead or, like Michael Corleone, completely cut off from everyone. AJ (a combination of Fredo/Sonny) has to eventually step up.
BTW, if you're the director of "Cleaver," doncha feel a leeeeettle uncomfortable with the screenwriter and Christopher now dead?
Untimately, the show will end with Meadow investing smartly and buying Chrysler from the Germans.
On the Skins, the feeling is that Springs comes back after the first of June. The trade/cut dance is ovah.

Yucky Pacific Northwest, P Diddy? It's been beautiful here for weeks. Some rain showers but mostly cool sunny days. But I understand how it feels like a comedown after your fortnight-and-a-half in Europa.

You oughta run up to Hamburg to party with Casey Bramlet this Wochenende.

P Diddy, if you are in Munich for another day at lunch time, stroll by the Englishe Garten. Nude sunbathing all day, but the receptionists come out for lunch. The big field can be nasty (all ages, from newborn to your AARP pals), but the canal by the bridge is very nice just for toplessness.

P Diddy, I think the place is bigger than I remember. The part I remember is the schoenfielweise (sp?). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englischer_Garten_%28Munich%29

It sounds like they want us to think that Springs is super healthy and can contribute for at least 5 MORE YEARS?????
BWAHAHAHAHAHA
Christ alimighty, are we that stupid? For once the skins as an organization acted correctly by shopping Springs and asking him to take a cut. HE WILL NOT PLAY EVERY GAME THIS SEASON

Lets not forget that WE had Champ, arguably the best complete CB ever, and we gave him up for some 1 year phenom who turns out to be a product of a SYSTEM that we had to adopt ( zone blocking)- when we had Betts all along, who showed moves and vision from the very start.

Im so sic of this team getting rid of every home grown player that blossoms into a "Redskin Football" kinda guy. Pierce showed instinct and skillz way before Grilliams. Ill admit i didnt
know how valuable Clarke was untill he was gone, but then again, I'M NOT IN THE ORGANIZATION!!!

But there is hope that Gibbs is righting the ship....

-They did KEEP Betts

-They fixed the secondary by bringing SMOOOOOOOT back. Mark my words, he'll be bad ass again in this system. Bump and zone are strong suits for him.

-Landry in. Arch D out. Nuff said.

So keep ur chin up folks and trust in Gibbs. Oh and one last thing,

"Jimoh got things covered at the CB position"

Every time I read something about Jimoh and covered I have to laugh. If he sees any time at CB we are in for a tremendously long season.

Posted by: cdubb | May 14, 2007 09:37 AM

truer words were never spoken brother.

HAIL!!

Cindy,

If you want to check out a top-rate breakdown and discussion of the Sopranos, take a look at The Bastard Machine at sfgate. New Sopranos posts usually go up Monday evening, and there are always insights and observations that expand my understanding of the show.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/indexn?blogid=24

Wow, to be farting around in France, and to be whining about it. How very French of you!

sfskin,

I can't figure out who's throwing stones and who is the glass house. Is Jenkins a hack who is throwing stones at the glass house that is The Redskins?

I agree that the Redskins are attempting to climb out of mediocrity. That's what makes them so compelling this year. No one really knows what the Redksins will bring to the field.

I disagree that we are all here setting ourselves up for dissapointment. What we're doing here, among other things, is pointing out all of the potential for greatness and failure that the Redskins currently possess. Jenkins, on the other hand, seems to revel only in the Redskins potential for misery, and this has backfired on her before (much to my delight).

I also disagree that picking Landry over Anderson or Okoye at #6 was a real head-scratcher. Consensus opinion is that Landry was the best talent available. Even Shawn Spings was text messaging his joy with the pick. Only time will tell if Landry was the right pick, but to put him in league with past mistakes over the last 15 years that include Westbrook, Shuler and Gardner seems premature.

Why can't the other 52 guys be like Springs and want to win more than get paid!!!Its like the America's Game series that they did, our superbowl teams didn't care as much about getting paid as they did winning a superbowl and going down in the history books. Go Springs!!!!

According to John Clayton, Carriker is the real deal:

Carriker to the rescue: Adam Carriker could be a savior for the Rams at defensive tackle. With defensive end Jamaal Anderson off the board, Carriker was the natural pick at No. 13. Over the weekend, the Rams held a rookie minicamp, and Carriker was a revelation to coaches. What the Rams love about Carriker is how coachable he is. Last year, the Rams couldn't get defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy to do the proper techniques in helping them stop the run. They wanted him to wrestle blockers in a two-gap approach. He just wouldn't do it. Consequently, the Rams finished 31st against the run. Carriker is a technician. At Nebraska, the defensive linemen challenged one another to work well with their hands. Two-gapping isn't going to be a problem for Carriker. The Rams have been horrible stopping the run for years. During minicamp, Carriker offered hope.

Mugamack - That's great, but he's not a Redskin, so I'm over it...

Interesting article on Ian Danney and David Boston:

http://www.extremefitness.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-1784.html

If Springs shows up looking like a human bobblehead the Skins are in big trouble. Then again, if Springs were to take HGH, he might fill the need at defensive end. Spings led the team in sacks 3 seasons ago - with another 75 pounds he'd be unstoppable!

CC,

You're not going to follow the rookie careers of Anderson, Carriker, or Okoye?

I know these guys didn't end up as Skins, but they could have. I'm interested in how they'll do.

Sammy/ mugamack you guys are really reaching. I played in high school with people that took steriods. I have trained in the gym with body builders that takes it. Does that mean I take it as well? Hell no, and to suggest that Springs is because he is trainging with a person shows you uninformed you really are.

Did anybody else take away from the Springs article the undertone (when you think about his dad's situation) that SS wants to still be a player in the NFL in order to get the health coverage? I don't know what sort of health insurance they have, but it's like people in any profession -- you want to keep working because you couldn't afford the premiums on your own. And in the NFL, if you don't PLAY, you don't get your game pay. Simple as that.

jm, I don't think they're suggesting Springs is taking. Only that the Post should have reported who the dude was. Come to think of it, I no longer know where I stand on the topic...oh well, I don't care :-)

SU, I'm not complaining about France, I'm complaining about the concierge. I'm a big lemon/lemonade theorist, and even at the AARP (or should that be "AFPR"?) convention, I managed to get some great stories. After all, the universal truth about old folks is that they just want to tell their stories.

This concierge was something else, though. A total jerk. I've had some brilliant and wonderful concierges before (the one in Istanbul who nearly saved my life, the one in Sydney who got his best friend to open the Sony Store and get me a power adapter, the one in Bangkok who went clubbing with me, the one in Italy who took in a stray dog that I had gotten a bit too close to). They really are wonderful people, particularly for people like me who basically live in hotels and on airplanes. The one in France, however, sucked.

Paris is a stunning city. I think I ate my weight in croissants, crepes, and frommage. And any culture that has wine with every meal...well, that's my kinda joint.

BTW, when in France, I have three bar recommendations for you: Buddha Bar, Bound, and Hotel Costes. GREAT people watching, even better girl watching. J'adore les jeune filles francaise.

I think a Taylor Landry tandem has a chance to easily surpass the current elite at safety including Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and Roy Williams. That can bring instant improvement to the defense. How much depends again on the system and coaching and how well the players buy into it. The "ARCH DELUXE" playboy playmate "tackler" fiasco did more damage then anyone is willing to admit inside Redskins park. Losing Clark followed by the salary and the under performance did not just affect Taylor. After all he isn't the one talking to reporters. Accounts in the POST and to Sally Jenkins are from OTHER PLAYERS who sound just as disgruntled and unhappy even though they attend the OTA's. The thing about Taylor is he is not going to be a hypocrite. Not any different from a Petitbone, a Ken Houston, a Champ Bailey, even a Darell Green. Don't you think?

And that's really who they need. A Gibbs man on the inside of the defense. Darell Green would have been perfect as a defensive backs coach. Is Taylor going to argue with that guy? And Petitbone might be "old" but the guy was a PRO BOWL safety for the 'Skins, the Rams, and da Bears. If you really want a Gibbs II and a second ride of the "Magnificent Seven" YOU NEED THE BONE. NOT GRILLIAMS and SNYDER ruling the defense. WHO decided to pay Arch Deluxe that sort of money? Wasn't it penny wise dollar foolish Danny? Wrecking team chemistry AGAIN!?

Is this happening over on the offensive side of the ball where Gibbs used to spend most of his time? HIS PLAYERS are in there for the long haul! Jason Campbell, Betts, and Portis. THE OFFENSIVE LINE. The tight ends. The receivers. They are improving as we watch. A good mix of youth and veterans.

Oh Danny boy when will you learn not to listen to Vinnie and players' agents!!!?

From Yahoo sports:

Most overrated: Ronde Barber and Adam Archuleta
I just don't think Barber is an elite corner. He doesn't have the coverage skills. He's in a great system with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one that plays to his strengths, and he's a good player. But he's overrated as far as coverage ability.

I think Adam Archuleta is the most overrated safety. He just hasn't gotten that much better since the St. Louis Rams drafted him in the first round in 2001. His small size, which I thought would be a problem when he got into the league, has really played a huge role in him constantly getting hurt.

Ready to break out: Fred Smoot and Nnamdi Asomugha
Smoot will get more attention now that he's on a better team in Minnesota. He'll have the first opportunity in his career to play in big games after spending four years with Washington. That is the only way you can judge a premier player - what he does in big games. I think the Vikings will get their money's worth with Smoot.

Asomugha, a first-round pick in 2003, has been having a great training camp with the Oakland Raiders. Moss has been really impressed with the cornerback's ability. The Raiders will need man-to-man coverage if they're to succeed in a 4-3 scheme by pushing up field and rushing the passer. With Asomugha playing opposite Charles Woodson, the Raiders believe they can get back to what they've been doing for so many years - press coverage.

WHAT THE REDSKINS REAL BRAIN TRUST are thinking by getting both Landry and Taylor as safeties:

From USA Today:

Offensive prowess did not shut out defensive players from the top 10. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, after a disappointing 2004 season by his standards, slipped to third overall after being our No. 1 player a year ago. Safety Ed Reed, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and the other defender to crack our top 10, is on his way to being a more important component in Baltimore's tenacious defense than Lewis.

"I don't know if there is a better playmaker in the game," says former Ravens defensive coordinator and new 49ers coach Mike Nolan. "Ed is clearly the best safety in the league."

jm220-

To clarify, I was joking. I don't think an HGH'd Shawn Springs is our answer at DE.

Sorry for the confusion.

But maybe you should put your high school teammates in touch with Greg Blache.

I've been hip to Goodman's Bastard Machine for a while. His stuff on "24" last year was classic.

Cindy-

Glad to hear you're down with the Machine. Goodman and his readers are at their absolute peak discussing The Wire - can't wait for that show to come back this fall.

Periculum-

Are you quoting a 2005 Yahoo Sports article?

What's up everyone? I'm a longtime lurker, originally from Maryland and now living in Indiana. Just wanted to say hi and I'll try to start actually posting since I'm technically a regular!

welcome T-Dawg:

Heros or 24?

Chris Larry smells like funky gym socks. lol

Welcome, T-Dawg. Hint: Say Heroes.

Shreveport, LA

May 14 Today
Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Hot. High 91F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
May 14 Tonight
Isolated thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
May 15 Tomorrow
Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. High 83F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
May 15 Tomorrow night
Scattered thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
May 16 Wednesday
Scattered thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s.
May 17 Thursday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 50s.
May 18 Friday
Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 50s.
May 19 Saturday
Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the low 60s

panties

A train carrying loco mullin was traveling east at 45 mph. A train carrying one of the imposter 4-12s was travelling south at 60 mph. They met somewhere in Jersey when a hammer was applied to the back of the fake 4-12's head.
What was the current Redskins salary cap?

Although I'm still upset with JLC for never giving me my prize for winning his Redskins song contest last year (Go ahead, blame it on Cooley), I must say that was a pretty good article on the Springss. Oh wait, that article was written by Howard Bryant.

The article was 98% great, but I must note that this claim troubled me: "Had the Redskins been able to acquire both Bly and Fred Smoot, sources said, the Redskins would have cut Springs."

Now, I have no doubt the Skins could have had that plan in the works--why keep Springs if you had Bly, Smoot and Rogers on the team, right? But what I have a problem with is I don't for one second believe that anyone in the Redskins front office told Howard Bryant that had the team aquired Bly, they would've cut Springs. Maybe that was the assumption around town, maybe it went without saying...but it strikes me as EXTREMELY far-fetched to believe anyone in the Skins front office would say that to a Washington Post reporter.

If indeed Howard botched this part of his article, this is not just a tiny, little screw up. This is big. You don't think that Shawn Springs read that article? His friends, his family, his teammates? How about the "source" that Bryant claims said that they were going to cut Springs if they got Bly? How do all these people involved feel when something like that is reported?

Bottom line: Howard has some 'splaining to do...

Redskins' 2007 Salary Cap Situation
Last updated: May 12, 2007

$4.431m* under the Skins adj cap of $109.656m.

*NOTE: This figure will be adj on June 1 for the pre-June 1 release of WR David Patten.

I stopped watching 24 a few weeks ago. Didn't think it was going anywhere that I couldn't predict in my sleep.

Muga - I actually have a good deal of hope for the coming season. I'm just tempering it with the reality of the last 15 years. Plus my hope is that we'll go 9-7, I'm not even thinking about the post season. We're all in this for the long haul obviously but I'm trying to think 2-3 years out and not SB 2008! In this league anything is possible but I'm not willing to drink that much Kool Aid just yet.

History has a habit of repeating itself.

In 1998, Peyton Manning was drafted by the Colts. The Colts had a so-so offense and a not-very-good defense. After a coaching change and about 8 years of steady improvement, Manning led the team to a Super Bowl victory.

Assuming that Jason Campbell is anywhere near as good as everyone hopes him to be, the Redskins should change coaches in a year or two, get the defense fixed, and then finally win another Super Bowl in about 2012.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=604873&format=print

Some idiot Milwaukee reporter thinks that the Redskins would be one of the teams open to trading for Farve.

PWC--

Of the $4.431 million, $3.432 million is allocated to the rookie pool. Also, not clear how many of the recent signings are included as of May 14. So, the Skins are effectively cap-bound right now.

I knew there was something I wanted to throw out here. At the end of the Springs article is the discussion about his dad and health care costs.

I think it is criminal, 100% criminal, that the NFL a multi- BILLION $ per year business does not take care of it's retired players. Yeah yeah I know how is that different from many other industries. It's not I guess.

Except that these guys are destroying themselves physically to entertain us so that we'll keep ponying up the cash for tickets, food, beer, jerseys, caps, parking, Sunday Ticket and on and on. The owners and the NFLPA should pull their heads out of their a$$es and sacrifice some of the billions in revenue to ensure the retired players have full health coverage and a decent pension for LIFE, which because of the brutality of the game is not a long life relative to the rest of us.

With rosters pretty much set for most teams, Favre would have to take a tremendous pay cut to play anywhere else. I can't see him doing that unless he is going to a team that has a real chance to make a Super Bowl run in 2007. It's not likely that the Redskins would be on Favre's list of desirable teams.

Ok, here's a look at SJ's article.

First, only two out of what? 75? players are "out of contact" with Gibbs. (Actually Springs has made his intentions known as Bryant knew.) Granted, it was 2 important players but still the vast majority of players conformed.

Cris Carter - "I think there's a disconnect between some of the younger players now and Coach Gibbs,..."

Wrong. Just one - ST. What about all the other young players that are there. The other half that didn't show up was 32 year old veteran SS.

"Call Bill Belichick, look at him, I'm sure he's in contact with all of his players. [Mike] Shanahan in Denver, I'm sure he's in contact with his players." -CC

CC said that he's sure but is that the reality? He doesn't say it as a fact, he's just "sure." Did Jenkins confirm this statement as a reporter? No.

"Frankly, it's hard not to feel that the current situation, while seemingly minor, is symptomatic of everything..."

She thinks that two minor incidents are symptomatic of everything but generally in life, the majority of the major things are a better precursor to what is happening. Predicting the future on two minor incidents is called pessimism.

"...the roster is such an exercise in incoherence, excess and fickleness."

How about examples of the 70 other players incoherence (what are they saying that you cannot understand Sally?) excess and fickleness (examples of over-the-top and fickle behavior that you completely left out of the article)? If the organization is actually like that, it would be so easy to find lots of fickle behaviors but she does not give one single example to bolster this argument.

"But Taylor has been completely unreachable -- as usual."

And as others have pointed out here - that ST was in contact last year.

I will grant her that the last two paragraphs do point to accurate behavior about the front office which justifies SS and ST's actions but why didn't it affect all the other players that are at camp?

The main problem with Jenkins' article is that she has taken two players' actions and concluded that the front office is a shabingus. While it may be true that the front office is that shabingus, the article bases her conclusions on selective facts and weak arguments. Not a good article.

Maybe the article should have been titled -

"The Redskins FO - Poster Boys for Shabingus"

KK -- it's only the top 51 salaries that get counted toward the cap. These extra players (Hilton, Blaylock) are likely to take Vet minimum deals at ~$450K (or rather, that's the cap charge even if their pay is a little more). The salary cap pages that everyone points to has our cheapest players at ~$433K, so the cap hit of these guys is maybe $20K -- pennies on the dollar. The $285K for all of our rookie 5th-6th-7th rounders is even less.
Depending on the structure of DoubleVision's contract, his 2007 cap figure could be ~$2M.
In short, the skins are not horribly cap-bound, and they'll be even less so after June 1... which is when they'll start to negotiate with Landry in earnest.

Marvin Lewis is in contact with ALL of his players; his only problem is that visiting hours aren't long enough to spend enough time with each of them.

The available cap space will increase after June 1, if I understand it correctly. Patten's designation as a post-June 1 exception will not be reflected until that time.

Charlie, I agree.

Things arent that bad. I think they just try to give us things to talk about. Cuz I remember how looooooonnnnnnnggggg the offseasons used to be, before the net and NFL network.

Springs will start, get hurt, and get released or traded next year. I just hope Carlos Rogers can actually catch half the balls he touches this year. If not, dont look for too much man-to-man. And pray to God Jimoh only steps on the field during special teams.

SFskin,

I agree that its criminal what coverage vets get, especially given the documented abuse pro football enacts on the body. Thats one of the reasons I agrued last week that people who say these players should be playing for "heart" and "love of game" and "loyalty to franchise" are out of line, and that its hard to fault a "me first" attutude of these players. Look at a guy like Mike Webster, ultimate sacrifice for team guy, whoose life was ruined.

Now its easy to say "Hey buy the ticket take the ride" and I agree to an extent these dudes are adults and have choice, but there is no doubt the teams and league throw them on the scrap heap and fight like hell to get out of paying for health etc....of course the players union is a joke and that doesn't help...

Okay, so Gibbs is never going to see another Super Bowl trophy and will be leaving in the next ye