First - I've always wanted to do that!

Bong

The hell with this nonsense. What's new on the PR Director front?

HIT!

the

BONG!

Did you all see this? If this is true all I can say is wow. there are pictures associated with this story, but I don't know how to upload it.

Cowboys accidentally show their draft board
By JasonB
Posted on Thu Mar 20, 2008 at 04:36:51 PM EDT

At least how they rank the DBs...

A poster on the NFL Draft countdown boards posted some screenshots of a news report done at the Cowboys headquarters.

I would love to get Wade Phillips in a poker game one day. Chances are at some point he'd show all his cards...

From what I can see they have the DBs ranked

Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

Leodis McKelvin

Kenny Phillips

Mike Jenkins

Aqib Talib

Tyrell Johnson

Tracey Porter

That's about all I can make out. They also have their defensive line rankings out, but it's impossible to see. Considering that most teams guard their draft boards like it's a collection of nuclear codes... this would seem to be a pretty careless move on the Cowboys part. Good luck trying to maneuver in the draft when every team knows who you're after.

"... And that Western Kentucky/Drake finish was just wild!"

Posted by: mmok | March 21, 2008 04:00 PM

I would like to hear the thought process that inspired the pick of Western Kentucky over Drake. [If the answer is "Hate the Drake!," I'm clearly outgunned.]

Posted by: dcsween | March 21, 2008 05:13 PM

sweenie, I picked Western Kentucky. No real reasoning, just had to throw a couple of 12 over 5 upsets in there...

Posted by: mvdame | March 21, 2008 05:24 PM

ditto what mvdame said - I've always heard you need to put in at least one 12 over 5. I'd like to say I'm winning, at the moment, because I'm some basketball guru. It's really just a lot of educated guessing and luck.

Short, but nice interview with Cooley.

Cooley: New Offense Gives Him 'Options'
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=34946

Is it true that Frosty signed his contract but his last name ended up shanking off into the right hand margin?

Hey, I'm just saying. It's what I heard.

kerzon... my bad.

I'll buy you a beer when/if we meet up.

Will you settle for 4 TCCLs? Those don't come easy these days.

Posted by: Dorf | March 21, 2008 06:12 PM

---------

Dorf,

No problem. This was good for a laugh. Especially for my daughter. She enjoyed this when I mentioned it to her. I will take you up on that beer next time I am out that way. I live in NM but have a sister in Philly and another sister in NE. Never had a TCCL, but will say yes to that.

old article, but given he is headed to Canton, its a good time to check it out.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004188/index.htm

*** RI tourney pool update

"Hanburger55" and "70 Chip" have pulled into the lead at the end of the first round, with an impressive 26 of 32 correct. Congrats, dudes. Forgive me for forgetting what "blog handle" each of you is using these days up here, or I would give you a more recognizable shout-out.

In a four-way tie for third place, with 25 correct picks, are mmok, Zornskins, daytradeforcash, and MV Dame. (One of those four is a woman... and it ain't the dame.) Then most of us are clumped together with 24, 23, 22 wins. So this thing is still wide open.

The battle for last place is getting a lot more interesting. bangkokben was the early leader with a miserable day one, but he wound up with 15 correct picks for the round. Redcoat and puttin' for bird are knocking on the cellar door, with 18 correct picks apiece.

So good luck over the weekend, everybody.

*** end RI tourney pool update

Some interesting draft tidbits:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7921384/Year-of-the-Receiver?-Eh,-not-quite

BONG!

Blog needs some candy, not mary jane. Str-ugg-le-ing.

How about we HIT! the BONG! and then eat candy and read new isht on the Blog....

Sounds like a good idea to me.

BONG!

I'm sorry if someone already brought this up but what's all this buzz about the Skins being interested in Pacman Jones? PFT mentioned the Skins being one of 3/4 teams possibly interested.

If this is true, then i guess Vinny fooled us again... bastard...

All I know is "Pac Man" can play and makes INT's. We're playing football not singing in the choir.

Well like a good choir a team needs to be in harmony and work together to be good. Last thing the team needs is weekly distraction. Look at T.O. in Philly. sure he brought talent and displayed it for one year, but when he started to become a distraction, the WHOLE team collapsed.

Guaranteed PacMan hits the....

BONG!

Papken,

Here is what PFT said I can see how you got that the Skins are interested in Jones from this.

Other teams supposedly interested in Jones (as has been reported and as we've heard) are the Patriots, Redskins, and Bucs.

Though the Pats haven't made their intentions known, publicly or otherwise, we've heard that the Redskins and the Bucs aren't biting.

I think if you would have actually read this, you would see that this is crap put out by Pacmans agent, to try to get the Cowboys to bid against themselves.

Hey! Before my inevitable demise I would like to make known that Hanburger55 is Club 320. A regular reader, though not regular poster... Currently the games being played should put me where I belong in the standings. Not first!

Hey! Before my inevitable demise I would like to make known that Hanburger55 is Club 320. A regular reader, though not regular poster... Currently the games being played should put me where I belong in the standings. Not first!

Yes! I could have done some detective work and figured that out, Club 320. Just sheer laziness on my part.

In any event, you remain in first place at the moment, and you certainly deserve it. Picking WVU over Duke was inspired, dude. The only other bracket in the (at the moment) top 14 to make that pick is etrod's, but poor etrod has UConn in the Final Four...

ANyway, that's why they play the games, and that's why the tourney is so doggone cool, and etc.

"From what I can see they have the DBs ranked

Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

Leodis McKelvin

Kenny Phillips

Mike Jenkins

Aqib Talib

Tyrell Johnson

Tracey Porter

That's about all I can make out. They also have their defensive line rankings out, but it's impossible to see. Considering that most teams guard their draft boards like it's a collection of nuclear codes... this would seem to be a pretty careless move on the Cowboys part...."

This could be an intentional dis-information campaign. For example, they might really have their eye on Aqib Talib. Putting Dominique Rogers-Cromartie at the top gives the list some credibility. Scouts Inc. has them both ranked very highly.

WE NEED TO GET PACMAN. A 5th round pick would be a good deal, plus we stop the Cowgirls from getting him.

I knew I should have pursued punting back in high school. Wish I got 850K for being inconsistent. They're only paying me about 40K to be inconsistent at this point.

Bracket update:

I suck.

Great point Dorf,

I wish I could be like most people - completely suck balls at my job and still get paid. Barely do what is expected of me and get promoted. Most individuals in the Corporate world are a joke, they think that if they repeat exactly what they hear and kiss some ass that they are intelligent. Cracks me up on a daily basis.

This is the exact reason I smoke w33d everyday. I want to make myself dumber so that I can compete on the same level - LOL.

BONG!

Testing...testing...

Is this thing on??

Nope, I think it's broke. Maybe they will fix this by tonight.

HAPPY EASTER RI BLOGGERS!!!!

kerzon:

I grew up in S.Fe and have regular joneses for the hatch. There is a grocery store here in MPLS that sells them every fall and I go around and buy them all out (usually about 30#), roast them on my grill, and freeze them. This year I ran out, though, and had to FedEx them to minnesota. I miss the food the most.
It's difficult to be a redskins fan in NM: most everybody likes the girls or the broncs.

jeez, I hope somebody resurrects this blog on Monday....

MNSkinsFan,

My folks dry #s of green chili and send to my sisters in Philly and NE. Can't always eat it the same as fresh or frozen, but definitely helps with the cravings. Especially good with the pinto beans.

I got by on the powder for years. When I saw that the local grocery store was importing fresh ones, (they started about 4 years ago...) I about lost my mind.
I'll cook up a gigantic batch of posole with it: that's my favorite. Hits the spot, and I make enough to take to work all the next week. Yum. Some home-made tortillas and it's *almost* as good as home.

I just saw this on scout.com. I'm guessing they were not impressed..

UPDATE FRIDAY 10:01 AM EST

Free agent DE Darrion Scott (Minnesota Vikings) worked out for the Washington Redskins earlier this week, Scout.com has confirmed.

The four-year veteran only played in four games last season due to a broken foot.

The versatile defensive lineman is also capable of moving inside in addition to playing his usual end position.

Scott was selected by Minnesota in the third round of the 2004 draft.

#98 Darrion Scott | DE

Full Name: Darrion Scott
Born: October 25, 1981
Charleston, WV
Height: 6-3
Weight: 289 lbs. Age: 26
Pos: DE
Experience: 4 years
College: Ohio State
Drafted: Year:2004 Round:3 Pick:25, Vikings FANTASY
Percent Owned: (Week +/-):
NFL: 0.0% (0.0%)
Avg. Draft Position:
NFL: Undrafted

TACK 1.0 | FF 0 | INT 0
Profile Stats Splits Game Log News Scouting

2007 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 62 | Key
Alert: None

Comment: Scott is the most notable restricted free agent for Minnesota as he spent the majority of this season starting at defensive end for the Vikings. The Vikings personnel department must now decide what level of tender to place on Scott to protect the team from losing an up and coming player that started for the team. Scott was a key reserve with the versatility to play either under tackle or base end in the defensive system employed by the Vikings. Scott was scheduled to regularly contribute in the rotation keeping the defensive line fresh until the season-ending injury to rush defensive end Erasmus James. With James down, Minnesota moved base end Kenechi Udeze across to rush end and elevated Scott to the starting base end position. This move proved extremely effective versus the run as these two ends along with a pair of Pro Bowl tackles, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, established the top ranked run defense in the NFL. Scott was a key cog in this excellent run defense as he was able to not only hold the point but also squeeze his edge down collapsing running lanes while not losing his contain position. Scott accomplished this using his physical strength and outstanding leverage. As tremendous as Scott was stuffing the ground game he had some limitations in generating a pass rush and pressuring the quarterback. Scott plays with power and lacks the finesse or the quick first step to gain an advantage over offensive tackles in pass sets. Once engaged, Scott tends to bull rush or use power moves rather than a series of moves combined with counter moves to defeat pass protectors making his rush predictable and defendable. As a base defensive end Scott is a solid starter especially versus the run but needs to move inside in the nickel package to be effective against the pass.

What are we talking about?

I've clawed out of the basement into 36th place! By next week, I should be in 32nd or 33rd. Flippin' amazing.

Its a marathon not a sprint bangkokben... you got to take this into account. Trust me, at 35th place I think I know a thing or two.

Georgetown???

MNskinsfan, you must be in south MN cause where my family is from (Thief River Falls) everyone is a Packers fan.

Dorf,

I hear you. At the end, I may be in 4th place. It all depends on the scoring and how the others fare but I could be in the top ten.

All I know is "Pac Man" can play and makes INT's. We're playing football not singing in the choir.

Posted by: rickyroge | March 22, 2008 04:49 PM

Spoken like a Bengals fan...

Having a guy who has a mean streak and sometimes has a hard time turning it off in the real world is one thing. Pacman is a career turd who is too stupid to NOT get in trouble. He's such a turd he can't even ACT like he's not a turd long enough to get reinstated! And bringing a guy like that to DC (where the potential for more strip club shenanigans is a mortal lock) is disaster waiting to happen. I don't give a damn how talented he is, there's no way Pacman in DC works.

*** RI tourney pool update

Club 320 is in first place after that wild second round, with 12 of his Sweet 16 intact, including WVU and Villanova. Pretty darn good.

ArtMonkToTheSticks crept into second place, one of the only folks to pick Davidson over the Hoyas (boo!). Also 12/16.

When I look at my bracket, I see a shambles... but it's good enough for third place in our pool at the moment! A seven-way tie for third, that is, with 4-12, skinsfan8kaboveMSL, etrod, 70 Chip, and Mark from 21132. Suffice to say that we're all hurting from the Duke and G-town losses. Mark from the future had Duke and G-town meeting in the finals. 'Nuff said.

Then we have 23 brackets kind of in the middle, some of them surprisingly "clean" (in the sense that a lot of late round picks are still possible).

The bottom five, some of which has been noted above: Redcoat, 4th Floor, Dorf, bangkokben, and puttin' for bird. Sorry, dudes.

So, it was a tough weekend for most of us, and for brackets like mine, it's only going to get worse. Good times, nonetheless.

*** end RI tourney pool update

I'm voting nay on Adam Jones, though it bears noting that Smoot could probably sponsor him in our defensive backs' image rehab program.

(Which is different than our defensive backs' injury rehab program, in which Springs is sponsoring Double Move.)

The new PR guy (hold up, did we hire Mr. Video Training dope from SF? or just interview him? ah, who cares?) should be an expert in image rehabilitation, since he had to start with the man in the mirror, per se.

I did not expect to be monoblogging on a Monday morning, but hey, we're still rounding into offseason shape, and again, there ain't any Actual News. What is it, Easter candy hangover?

Bring on the jibba jabba, people!

Nate, I'm with you on 'just saying no' to pacman. I think he'd put on a good show for the first few months, but old habits would be hard for this guy to break. No to him, no to CJ, yes to trading back, and finally yes to some warmer friggin weather....

Greg I'm with you on the weather, here is a look at how players have inhanced there status or hurt there status after there pro days, sorry for the long post.

2008 NFL Draft Stock - On the Rise

Kirk Barton, OT, Ohio State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
Combine 40 Time: Did not run.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.95.
Arm: 33 1/4. Benchx225: 34.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Kirk Barton expelled all concerns about a lingering knee injury by looking very impressive in the drills at his Pro Day. He also ran a 4.95 and benched 225 pounds 34 times.

Thomas Brown, RB, Georgia (Added 3/23)
Height: 5-8. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40: 4.55.
Pro Day 40: 4.42.
Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 38.5. Broad 10-6.
Projected Round: 6.
Thomas Brown redeemed him draft stock after it dropped in the wake of his poor combine performance. Brown ran a 4.42 and notched a 38.5-inch vertical at his Pro Day.

Brown had one of the best verticals at the combine. The rest of his numbers are that of a power back, but he's only 204 pounds.

Travis Brown, WR, New Mexico
Height: 6-2. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.57.
Combine 40 Time: 4.63.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.46.
Vertical: 34. Broad 10-4.
Projected Round: 7-FA.
Travis Brown rebounded off a mediocre combine to run a 4.46. He posted solid numbers in the vertical and broad jumps too. Brown posted solid numbers (76 receptions, 1,031 yards, six touchdowns) in 2007.

Wilrey Fontenot, CB, Arizona
Height: 5-8. Weight: 171.
Projected 40 Time: 4.46.
Combine 40 Time: 4.39.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.34.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical 34.
Projected Round: 6.
Forget the 4.39. Wilrey Fontenot continued to improve his 40 time, recording a 4.34 at his Pro Day. I can't imagine Fontenot not getting drafted in the later rounds.

Wilrey Fontenot is a small corner who needed to help himself at the combine. He did just that with a 4.39 40 and a 10-8 broad jump.

Isaiah Gardner, CB, Maryland
Height: 5-10. Weight: 195.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.41.
Vertical 42.5.
Projected Round: 6.
Isaiah Gardner won't get drafted on the first day or anything, but he made a name for himself at Maryland's Pro Day, running a 4.41 and leaping 42.5 inches off the ground.

Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.58.
Benchx225: 37. Vertical 42.
Projected Round: Second overall pick.
After posting an incredible 40 time at Indianapolis, most people expected Vernon Gholston to rest on his laurels. That wasn't the case at Ohio State's Pro Day. Gholston actually improved his 40, notching a 4.58. He also had a 42-inch vertical. There is no doubt in mind that if Chris Long is off the board, the Rams will take Gholston with the second-overall selection.

I'm glad I predicted Gholston to go second in my 2008 NFL Mock Draft prior to the combine. Gholston was every bit as good as Chris Long, running a 4.64, benching 225 pounds 37 times, jumping 35.5 inches off the ground. He also had a broad jump of 10'5", which is much better than Gaines Adams' sub-10. There's no doubt in my mind that unless Chris Long is on the board, the Rams are going with Gholston. It just makes too much sense at this point.

Gholston had a great game against Michigan, beating Jake Long on more than one instance.

Vernon Gholston essentially came out of nowhere to record 8.5 sacks in 2006. How will he fare now that offensive coordinators will be focusing on him? Remember, Quinn Pitcock, David Patterson and Jay Richardson all left for the NFL.

Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami
Height: 6-1. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.41.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.53.
Benchx225: 22. Vertical 39.
Projected Round: 2-3.
Tavares Gooden improved his 40 by .1 and increased his vertical by four inches. He's probably a lock to go in the third round. I would still be worried about his injury history.

Tavares Gooden's workouts will have scouts salivating, but the coaches won't be so impressed. First of all, Gooden's not that productive. In fact, he started just four of the 10 games he played in last year. Secondly, he's very injury-prone. Still, his combine numbers may propel him into the second or third round (see Chris Henry, circa April 2007).

Chris Graham, OLB, Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
Benchx225: 37. Vertical 31.
Projected Round: 5-6.
Chris Graham put up some solid numbers at Michigan's Pro Day and improved his draft stock. Graham dropped his 40 time down to a 4.50 and benched 225 pounds 37 times. More importantly, he weighed in at 232, whereas most publications had him weighing about 220 before.

Was in and out of the lineup last season with a leg injury.

Gary Guyton, OLB, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.
Benchx225: 22. Vertical 40.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Gary Guyton continued to dazzle scouts and GMs with his athleticism. He recorded a 40-inch vertical at Georgia Tech's Pro Day.

Wow, a 245-pound linebacker who ran a 4.47? You can bet scouts and coaches will be looking at game film of him.

James Hardy, WR, Indiana
Height: 6-5. Weight: 217.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.
Vertical: 37. Broad 10-5.
Projected Round: Top 25 Pick.
James Hardy all but cemented his status as a first-round pick with a solid combine. He didn't run the 40, but he notched a 37-inch vertical and dropped only two passes in the drills. The only thing keeping him from being the No. 1 wide out on this list are his character concerns.

Paul Hubbard, WR, Wisconsin
Height: 6-2. Weight: 221.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.38.
Vertical: 39.5. Broad 10-6.
Projected Round: 3-4.
After seeing his draft stock drop since the beginning of the year, Paul Hubbard put himself back on the map with a tremendous Pro Day. He ran a 4.38 and notched a 39.5-inch vertical. He also dropped one pass in the drills. I don't think too many teams will shy away from a 221-pound wide out who runs in the 4.3s. Paul Hubbard's 40 is decent at his size. He's very athletic. as you can tell by his broad jump. So, what's the problem. Other than the fact that he's coming off a knee injury, Hubbard drops too many easy passes. He could be the wide receiver version of L.J. Smith - a talented specimen who just can't live up to his potential.

Stanford Keglar, OLB, Purdue
Height: 6-1. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Combine 40 Time: 4.58.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.55.
Benchx225: 29. Vertical 39.
Projected Round: 4-5.
What is it with these Purdue guys? On the same day Dustin Keller recorded a 41-inch vertical, Stanford Keglar notched a 39-incher. He also improved his already-impressive 40 time.

Another Purdue linebacker? Keglar worked out well at the combine.

Bryan Kehl, OLB, BYU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Combine 40 Time: 4.64.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.56.
Benchx225: 26. Vertical 35.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Following a solid combine, Bryan Kehl dropped his 40 by close to .1 seconds, notching a 4.56 at his Pro Day.

Bryan Kehl looked solid at the combine; one of the NFL Network analysts compared him to Brady Poppinga.

Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Height: 6-2. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Combine 40 Time: 4.53.
Benchx225: 26. Vertical: 41.
Projected Round: 2-3.
Remember how impressive Dustin Keller's 38-inch vertical was at the combine? Yeah, forget about that. Keller improved his vertical at his Pro Day, leaping 41 inches into the air. This guy's not human.

Keller nearly touched the roof of the RCA Dome, notching a 38-inch vertical, and then blew everyone away with a 4.54 in the 40, nearly matching Greg Olsen's time of 4.51 in 2007. Keller then looked very fluid in the drills and even leaped a 10'11" broad jump.

A bit small for a tight end, but Dustin Keller burst onto the scene to catch 56 passes for 771 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2006. Matched those numbers (61 receptions, 731 yards) as a senior.

Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 181.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Combine 40 Time: 4.59.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.42.
Vertical: 35. Broad .
Projected Round: 2-3.
It's nice to see Mario Manningham back on the rise. After a horrific combine, Manningham recorded a 4.42 at Michigan's Pro Day.

Per Pro Football Talk, Mario Manningham's interviews have been horrendous. That's not good at all, considering his sloppy 40 performance.

So, a speed-burner runs a 4.59? How are we supposed to take Manningham seriously now? And what about all the people who had him going 11th to the Bills? What will become of them? Dropped numerous passes against Ohio State, lowering his draft stock. He finished with impressive numbers, however (72 catches, 1,174 yards and 12 touchdowns.)

Manningham injured his knee two years ago, but when he played, he was unstoppable. He saved his best performances against Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State and USC. Despite missing four games, Manningham notched 38 receptions, 703 yards and nine touchdowns in 2006.

Drew Miller, C/G, Florida
Height: 6-5. Weight: 297.
Projected 40 Time: 5.07.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.03.
Benchx225: 34.
Projected Round: 5-6.
Drew Miller wasn't invited to the combine (and I have no idea why), but he had a solid Pro Day, posting solid numbers in the bench, 40, vertical (30 inches) and broad jump (9-3). That should cement his status as a middle-round interior line prospect.

Started as an offensive tackle, played guard in 2006 and slated to move to center in 2007. His versatility will be enticing for some NFL teams.

Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Height: 5-10. Weight: 188.
Projected 40 Time: 4.33.
Combine 40 Time: 4.37.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.29.
Benchx225: 18. Vertical .
Projected Round: 1-2.
Tracy Porter, who doubles as a return specialist, may have inched closer to first-round consideration with a 4.29 40 at his Pro Day.

Recorded four interceptions and a blocked field goal in 2006, earning himself a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. Porter has 10 picks in his collegiate career.

Orlando Scandrick, CB, Boise State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 192.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40 Time: 4.32.
Benchx225: . Vertical 38.5.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Orlando Scandrick didn't run the 40 at his Pro Day - based on his 4.32 at the combine, you can understand why - but he did manage a vertical of 38.5. He's definitely moving up some draft boards.

Mixed reviews. Scandrick had solid numbers but he looked mediocre during the drills.

Rocky Schwartz, SS, Houston (Added 3/23)
Height: 5-10. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.44.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.42.
Benchx225: 25. Vertical: 41.5.
Projected Round: 6-7.
Put up the most reps of 225 pounds of any safety in this class, with the exception of Arkansas State's Tyrell Johnson. Also managed a 4.42, which is great for his size. As a senior, Rocky Schwartz led Houston with 87 tackles. Picked off two passes in the process.

Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Height: 6-0. Weight: 202.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Combine 40 Time: 4.47.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.42.
Benchx225: 10. Vertical 38.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
If Aqib Talib silenced all of his critics who called him slow at the combine, he made them really look dumb at his Pro Day. A 4.42 almost guarantees his spot in the top 20.

Aqib Talib ran better than expected (by most people), though he matched my predicted 40 time. He's a first-round prospect despite looking awkward in some drills. Mike Mayock also exposed some of Talib's flaws on tape.

Ryan Torain, RB, Arizona State (Added 3/23)
Height: 6-0. Weight: 222.
Projected 40 Time: 4.47.
Combine 40: 4.64.
Pro Day 40: 4.51.
Benchx225: 21. Vertical: 34. Broad .
Projected Round: 6.
Ryan Torain hasn't recovered from the torn ligament in his toe, but he managed to impress at Arizona State's Pro Day, running a 4.51 at 222 pounds.

Ernie Wheelwright, WR, Minnesota
Height: 6-4. Weight: 215.
Projected 40 Time: 4.66.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.50.
Vertical: 36. Broad .
Projected Round: 6.
Ernie Wheelwright's production in 2006 sucked. So did his projected 40 time. That has all changed. Wheelwright, who notched 66 receptions for 775 yards and nine touchdowns in 2007 despite having a mediocre quarterback, improved his workout numbers at his Pro Day. He posted a 4.50 40 and 36-inch vertical, both of which are great at his imposing size.

Jack Williams, CB, Kent State
Height: 5-9. Weight: 186.
Projected 40 Time: 4.41.
Combine 40 Time: 4.55.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.33.
Benchx225: . Vertical 41.
Projected Round: 4.
Jack Williams put up outstanding numbers at his Pro Day, notching a 40 of 4.33, a 41-inch vertical and a broad jump of 10-5. That should cement his status in the first four rounds.

Kyle Wright, QB, Miami
Height: 6-3. Weight: 218.
Projected 40 Time: 4.84.
Combine 40 Time: 4.85.
Combine 40 Time: 4.84.
Hand Size: .
Projected Round: 7.
Despite his inability to play well at Miami, Kyle Wright actually impressed scouts and GMs at the combine and Miami's Pro Day.

Benched in favor of the mediocre Kirby Freeman.

In 2005, threw 18 TDs and 10 INTs. In 2006, had 8 TDs, 7 INTs and a thumb injury after he accumulated those stats.

2008 NFL Draft Stock - On the Decline

Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.58.
Combine 40 Time: 4.69.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.75.
Vertical: 33.5. Broad .
Projected Round: 6.
Scouts wanted to time Adarius Bowman in the 40, but he took so long that they got bored and left. A 4.75? Most linebackers are faster than that.

Last year, I said if Bowman manages to get into the 4.4s, he'll go in the first round. Well, how about going a 4.5? I do like Bowman, however, and I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger in Round 3.

Tommy Blake, DE, TCU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 272.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Combine 40 Time: Did not run.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.78.
Benchx225: 23. Vertical 30.5.
Projected Round: 5-6.
How do you lose 10 pounds and add .1 to your 40 time? Then again, Tommy Blake actually showed up to his Pro Day, so that's an accomplishment in itself.

Blake, a guy with a shady habit of quitting on his team, gained 25 pounds since the end of the season. He didn't work out either. Caveat emptor.

Where is Tommy Blake? The former Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year has missed four straight practices because he went home, more than 300 miles away from campus. Rumors are Blake is struggling with high expectations. Will he ever return to the team? That remains to be seen.

Eric Brock, SS, Auburn
Height: 6-0. Weight: 204.
Projected 40 Time: 4.48.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.70.
Benchx225: 13. Vertical: 37.
Projected Round: 6.
Eric Brock showed up at his Pro Day five pounds less than what I expected. But that wasn't the most damaging news - he had a 4.70 in his 40. That won't get a 204-pound strong safety drafted.

Recorded 50 tackles and two interceptions in 2006.

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
Height: 6-7. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Combine 40 Time: 5.03.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.00.
Benchx225: . Vertical 34.5.
Projected Round: 2.
Showing up slow and overweight to your Pro Day isn't a good way to improve your draft stock. Seriously - if Calais Campbell is this lazy now, imagine how lethargic he'll become once he earns his first paycheck.

Not a good showing from Campbell, who needed to follow up a disappointing red-shirt junior season with a solid combine. Instead, he ran a 5.03. He could be out of the first round.

Joe Jon Finley, TE, Oklahoma
Height: 6-6. Weight: 254.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Combine 40 Time: Did not run.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.86.
Benchx225: 12.
Projected Round: 6.
Joe Jon Finley ran .16 seconds slower than projected at his Pro Day. Not a good showing.

Did not work out at the combine.

After a 19-catch 2006 campaign, Joe Jon Finley has seven receptions, 130 yards and a touchdown in five games.

Justin Forsett, RB, California
Height: 5-8. Weight: 194.
Projected 40 Time: 4.43.
Combine 40: Did not run.
Pro Day 40: 4.62.
Benchx225: 26. Vertical: 31. Broad .
Projected Round: 6-7.
I wondered why a 194-pound running back didn't perform in the 40. Now we know why. A 4.62? Really?

One can only wonder why a 194-pound running back didn't run the 40.

I didn't have Justin Forsett high before because he was undersized. That has certainly changed, as he put on 10 pounds of muscle this offseason. Forsett is now a speed back who can break tackles and power through the middle. Forsett also displayed the ability to change direction, gashing Tennessee's defense for 160 yards on 26 carries, which doesn't even include a 49-yard reception. I can't believe how much Forsett has improved his stock.

Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 268.
Projected 40 Time: 4.85.
Combine 40 Time: 4.96.
Pro Day 40 Time: 5.02.
Benchx225: 19. Vertical 30.
Projected Round: 5-6.
Not sure what Wallace Gilberry was doing prior to his Pro Day, but it definitely didn't work. He was slower in his 40 and put up less reps (17) than he did at the combine (19).

I wanted Gilberry to run in the 4.8s, but I don't think his 40 will hurt his stock that much.

A solid player suited for the 4-3, Gilberry collected only 3.5 sacks in 2006. That total needs to at least double to warrant first-day consideration.

Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
Height: 6-0. Weight: 200.
Projected 40 Time: 4.34.
Combine 40 Time: 4.40.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.51.
Benchx225: 15. Vertical 35.
Projected Round: 3.
Patrick Lee did not have a good Pro Day. Attempting to improve his 4.40 combine 40, Lee's time actually swelled to 4.51. Some cause for concern?

Stepped in for David Irons and played extremely well in 2007. His 40 time will definitely get him noticed.

Allen Patrick, RB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-0. Weight: 196.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Combine 40: Did not run.
Pro Day 40: 4.55.
Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 36. Broad 10-0.
Projected Round: 6.
For a small running back, Allen Patrick's 40 time wasn't exactly breath-taking.

I was disappointed to see Patrick hold off on his workouts at the combine.

Glenn Sharpe, CB, Miami
Height: 6-0. Weight: 185.
Projected 40 Time: 4.38.
Combine 40 Time: Did not run.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.52.
Benchx225: 15. Vertical 37.
Projected Round: 6-7.
Glenn Sharpe didn't run the 40 at the combine, and now we can see why. A 4.52 from a 185-pound corner isn't going to cut it.

DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College (Added 3/23)
Height: 5-8. Weight: 189.
Projected 40 Time: 4.42.
Combine 40 Time: 4.55.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.65.
Benchx225: 13. Vertical 34.5.
Projected Round: 5.
Most players improve their 40 at their Pro Day. DeJuan Tribble went from an already-disappointing 4.55 to a 4.65. Ouch.

DeJuan Tribble's combine left much to be desired; he wasn't great in the drills, and his 4.55 40 was lackluster.

After an outstanding 2006 campaign, Tribble has started where he left off. Tribble recorded seven tackles and three interceptions against Wake Forest; not some mid-major or 1-AA school. Tribble definitely helped his already-impressive draft status.

Played well against the run and returned two picks for touchdows in 2006. Tribble intercepted seven passes last year.

Darien Williams, FS, Oklahoma
Height: 6-0. Weight: 197.
Projected 40 Time: 4.49.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.71.
Projected Round: 7.
Darien Williams had a miserable 40 at his Pro Day and may have fallen out of late-round consideration.

Williams just had surgery on his foot. He could be out until mid-October. The centerpiece of Oklahoma's solid secondary, Williams is one of the smartest safeties in this class.

Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
Height: 5-9. Weight: 193.
Projected 40 Time: 4.39.
Combine 40 Time: 4.52.
Pro Day 40 Time: 4.48.
Benchx225: . Vertical 33.
Projected Round: 4-5.
Trae Williams hoped to improve his poor 40 time at South Florida's Pro Day. He accomplished that goal, but not by much. A 4.48 was a bit disappointing.

Williams was burnt on a deep ball by West Virginia's backup quarterback. Not only did the receiver make the catch, Williams was whistled for a pass interference.

A ballhawk who has a knack for picking off passes, Williams notched seven interceptions in 2006.

Adding Rocky Schwartz would extend our league lead in Rocks.

Joe Jon Finley? Really?

There was a horrible Jack Black movie where he set fire to a building, and he was being questioned by a firefighter played by Ben Stiller, and he was stumbling to give a fake name, "Joe... John..." And Stiller says incredulously "Your name's Joe John?"

km, thanks for the post. Seems like there are a TON of small corners that will be available. Guyton, Keller, and Kehl, seem intriguing if they're still out there when the 5th round comes a calling.

Based on this review, I might not want the Redskins drafting Cialis Campbell at all. They make a good point, if the guy can't get himself in shape for the OPPORTUNITY to make his draft status go up, what is going to happen after he's getting paid?? His incentive is gone.

"horrible Jack Black movie"

What portions of that phrase could be eliminated without changing the meaning?

Or, as 'Coat would say, which words are 'surplus to requirements'?

Some of them haven't been altogether horrible, cload. There was like a whole year when I was really digging Jack Black.

Also, I originally had it as "by a slumming Ben Stiller" but it occurred to me that his starring roles have been in movies as bad as this one was. So he wasn't technically slumming, he was just finding his level.

Greg I agree with not drafting Campbell. If the skins go DE in the 2nd round I'd rather see them pick Groves, or Lawrence Jackson if available. Also, it's interesting how Hardy is gaining momentum. He's now one of the top 5 WR and based on the previous post most likely top 3. Vinny has mentioned several times how impressed he is at the amount of TD's Hardy has scored.

dorfman

I live in Minneapolis, but I'm a mutt. Born in VA (hence, the skins...), but grew up in NM. There are lots of Packers fans in MN, but lots of Vikes too. Vikings fans are pretty annoying - they always are convinced that they are going to the super bowl. Lots of This Is Our Year action. It was awesome to see the skins beat their ass in person last year.

The blog is risen.

"horrible Jack Black movie"

What portions of that phrase could be eliminated without changing the meaning?

Or, as 'Coat would say, which words are 'surplus to requirements'?

Posted by: daggar | March 24, 2008 08:57 AM

I believe the word you're seeking to describe the above phrase is 'tautological' cload.

Good to see that my 'iknownothingaboutbasketball' tourney name is living up (down) to my expectations. Fear not Ben, with me neglecting to pick a winner for the whole thing I'm sure I can snatch bottom place at the death!

Is there really a college fubball player called Tribble(!)? That's so cool.

Should make Kerzon happy, probably.

I'm not sure about Hardy. I've said before his character issues should be of a concern to teams. I also don't think he's first round material, just my .02 on that.
How big is Groves? Isn't he in the 250 pound range?

Redcoat, your "no pick" will be worth the same as each incorrect pick in that game, so take heart: while you have no chance of picking that game correctly, most of us will turn out to have been just as right as you, as far as the championship round goes...

Especially those of us who, ahem, picked Memphis...

No fear here Nate, I am actively seeking out mediocrity in this tournament. This is the "quest to be the worst" and there are only a few people left in front (behind) me in that quest.

Groves is 250, but he can play OLB as well. Many scouts believe he is the best pass rusher in this draft, but he should slide because he's a "tweener".

Heres a thought:

I read somewhere (but dont know enough personally to verify) that Greenbay is overflowing with solid young players along their defensive line. Any chance they would be interested in giving us one of them to swap first rounders? Greenbay would have to be interested in moving up a few spots, but it would certainly help us out.

Redcoat, I think it will be a fight to the finish, for bragging rights to last place.

4th Floor's bracket was brutalized by the opening rounds; half of his final eight, and three of his Final Four, including his champion, have already been eliminated. It's going to be tough going the rest of the way for him, and it's going to be tough for you to 'stay ahead'.

But I have faith in you, big fella!

Seth, I believe that GB has already traded one of their defensive linemen to Cleveland, not sure how many more they might have that they'd want to trade.

I'd take Groves in the second if he's still there, and make him a situational pass rusher, as well as grooming him to play OLB.

Greg,
PFT.com
Early news,

FAVRE CASHING IN
Posted by Mike Florio on March 24, 2008, 8:55 a.m.
With his career on the football field over (supposedly), former Packers quarterback Brett Favre is embarking on the "money for nothing" portion of this career.

Per Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal, Favre recently has shot two new national commercials that will soon begin to air. Favre's agent, Bus Cook, disclosed generally the fact that Favre has added these two sponsors, but Cook wouldn't identify the companies.

Cook also tells Mullen that he has received multiple inquiries from most of the major networks about a broadcasting gig for Favre. And though we think Favre would be a natural, we wonder what his role would be.

We can't see him participating in a studio show, if for no reason other than the only time he'll ever wear a tie is when he's laying in a casket. Then again, ESPN has allowed Bobby Knight to sit at the big desk sans necktie. (Then again, there might also be a producer at ESPN who currently is having a little trouble sitting down with a tie wedged in his rectal cavity.)

Our guess is that Favre would end up in the booth, doing color commentary. Unlike Joe Montana, who was awful during his time in television, we think that Favre will be able to set aside his own experiences in the league and talk about what's happening on the field.

Permalink | 2 Comments Back to Top
BENGALS PLAYERS NOT WORRIED ABOUT STINKO
Posted by Mike Florio on March 24, 2008, 8:37 a.m.
It seems apparent to many NFL observers that Bengals receiver Chad Johnson will, if he's not traded, be a complete pain in the butt once the team convenes for mandatory offseason activities and/or training camp.

But a league source tells us that the players in Cincy aren't worried about it. They're not worried about it because the man who calls himself Ocho Cinco (and whom we call Ocho Stinko) has always been a pain in the butt. So, as the players see it, this year won't be any different.

Still, we think it will be different this time. In the past, Johnson has always practiced and played hard, regardless of how he has behaved. Moving forward, we think he'll be lollygagging and half-assing and incurring harsh words from the coaching staff and responding to such harsh words and otherwise setting the stage for another T.O.-style fiasco.

greg, try this link and see if it works:

http://m.profootballtalk.com/

my firewall at work blocked pft but it didnt block the mobile site or the beta site that used to be there.

km, thanks for the update.

Seth, no dice. The filter is pretty good, the only thing I can acccess is news-related sites. Wash-Post, Wash-Times, Boston-Globe, etc.

Thanks for both your efforts.

Isn't it amazing how we (or at least I) love to over-analyze every move made by this team? Thinking back on this offseason, our FO has done an incredible job in maintaining the roster. If Caldwell re-signs, we'll have basically returned the entire team that ended the season so well, and will have added 6-8 more draft picks to the fold. Add to that five more starters coming back that ended the season essentially on IR (Campbell, Rogers, Macintosh, Jansen, Thomas), and this team looks very dangerous from my perspective. Kudos to this FO for maintaining this roster, and not overspending in their ability to retain players. This is going to be a good year.

PSP,

You will get no argument here, I love what they are doing, and if they listen to me on the draft it will be the perfect offseason.

psps23,

I agree with your assessment, but only to a certain extent. I'm a huge proponent of continuity, but this team was built with flaws. You have to build a team from the line of scrimmage back, and this team was built the other way around.

They're as good as anybody in their front 22, but not much by way of depth, especially on the line. I know the draft should help that this year, but there's two starters on the o-line coming off of season-ending injuries and a still suspect pass rush from the d-line.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this team (unless they stay RIDICULOUSLY healthy) only wins about 8 games.

psp, we don't agree often, but on this point, I'm with you. I'm not sure when Rogers will be back, but the other 4 listed should/could be there from the start of training camp on, so thats a positive. Getting Caldwell back, to me would be a coup for the team. I think Moss/ARE/Caldwell, and a high draft pick spent on a rookie WR will put the Redskins in good shape.

More than ever before, the Redskins need to make this draft work for them for the current as well as for future success.

Check out this article analyzing the front office decision making under daniel snyder. it doesnt really tell us anything we dont know, but its provides a nice overview of what has been going on with the franchise the past few years and puts some things in perspective. It provides evidence that Snyder: 1)wants this time to win, and 2)has consistently shown that he has learned form his mistakes. I found it an enjoyable read, without much else going on with the skins right now.

http://mvn.com/nfl-redskins/2008/03/23/peering-through-the-looking-glass/

Greg,

Here is the article,

Peering through the looking glass
By Brian Mulholland | March 23rd, 2008
E-mail | Print | Share

I started this article early last week but set it aside to finish later. In the meantime Anthony Brown and others around the internet and on radio have chimed in on this general topic, so I hope nobody finds this to redundant.

Who calls the shots in the Redskin front office, and what is their managerial strategy? This off-season Vinny Cerrato has been officially given full personnel control with his new title of Executive Vice President of Football Operations. The team seems to have significantly changed it's strategy both this off-season and last. Where have these changes come from, and just what do they mean? Let's take a little stroll through recent history and see how things have changed in an attempt to come to grips with how we have arrived where we are.

It didn't take very long into Dan Snyder's ownership of the Washington Redskins to realize that this was an owner that wanted to win very, very badly, and had the economic resources to win, but didn't seem to have much of an idea of how to win. Though he is often vilified, Snyder is far from the terrible owner the media portrays him as because all Snyder has needed was to learn,which was significantly better than having an owner like Bill Bidwill of the Cardinals who seems to not care whether his teams wins or loses. As such, watching the off-season adventures of Snyder/Cerrato in hopes of seeing signs of the learning that was needed has become something of an off-season sport for me.

It is often difficult to draw conclusions because the Redskin front office decision-making structure changes regularly, and is often something of a black box. The term 'black box' in engineering or computing refers to any device or program where there are known inputs and outputs, but the user knows nothing of what happened inside to transform the input into the particular output.

Many deride Cerrato as a puppet for Snyder. How much influence has Snyder really had on the Redskin front office? How much has Cerrato had on Snyder? How much influence do the coaches or scouts have? The answer seems to change, almost year by year, but is also impossible to answer and Snyder, Cerrato, and others were often evasive in interviews when asked about it, giving vague answers that never really dispel the public doubt.

Perhaps the 'who' does not matter. Perhaps only the behavior matters. We learned very early in Snyder/Cerrato that the mindset was a short-term mindset. The pair were going to be aggressive in pursuing the personnel they felt would put the team in the Super BowlBetting-on-the-Super-Bowl , an event that was never more than a year away in their minds, and were more than willing to aggressively use the team's assets in both cap space and draft choices to get there fast.

This mindset was shown immediately in Snyder/Cerrato's first off-season with the pursuit of Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Jeff George and others. The racquetball duo pursued expensive former stars who were well out of their primes (or in the case of George, never had a prime). The objective was defensible as a gamble, even if it was an unwise one. If these men had something left, it might elevate the playoff Redskins to Super Bowl level.

Of course, we all know it did not work. Snyder/Cerrato then took a major 180 the next year and went from total control to handing the keys completely over to Marty Shottenheimer who took a long view, cutting expensive malcontents, and build the team the old fashioned way. Snyder couldn't stand being so disconnected, and ended the experiment after only one year. The following two years of decision-making were almost certainly all Snyder/Cerrato as Steve Spurrier not only did not ask for personnel control, but probably would have refused the job had it been offered. Spurrier barely even wanted total control of the offense, preferring only to coach the passing game.

The team's behavior over these two years showed that Snyder/Cerrato had learned from their first debacle. They chased younger players who had only just entered their primes. They still used unrestricted free agency (UFA), but also began to show their complete disregard for the value of the draft. They embraced trade and restricted free agency (RFA) as ways to acquire young, capable veterans.

Their logic was that draft picks were inherently risky. It was a far better thing to use the picks as ammunition to steal other team's players who had proven themselves and been groomed already. There is a certain truth to the logic, but also several key flaws. RFAs are, almost by definition, overpaid because the signing team MUST pay more than market value for the player or else the previous team would simply match the offer as is their right. Further, it misunderstands that the draft is what fills your team with inexpensive depth. Also, the importance of scheme and environment on a player's success means that changing teams is almost as risky as drafting a player.

Whatever the flaws however, it was clear that they had changed strategy, and were learning. Now, Joe Gibbs enters the picture. The exact decision-making structure is cloudy, and Gibbs occasionally described it as collaborative, or consensus based. Still, it is impossible to not believe that with Gibbs' stature, and the fact that Snyder was a fan, that should Gibbs ever choose to do so, that he could probably have his way over the others. Did he ever use this, we'll never know, but the notion of a pure consensus oriented process seems far-fetched.

Gibbs unfortunately seems to have initially been seduced by the Snyder/Cerrato philosophy. Combined with his own preference for veterans, this lead to a substantial free agent and trade binges over the next 2-3 years. The players acquired however, were of a significantly higher caliber than those acquired when Snyder/Cerrato operated alone during the Spurrier and Turner regimes. The team continues to treat the draft however as if it were an afterthought.

In the last year under Gibbs however, we saw a change. Despite suffering through a very bad year in his third year, the team does not overreact and gut the team, fire new OC Al Saunders, and otherwise act aggressively or impatiently. Instead, the team made a big deal publicly over how the team was NOT going to use up its draft choices anymore. It acts fairly modestly in free agency acquiring only a couple of middle-tier free agents, and perhaps more significantly, acquiring players that the team' coaches had personal experience with, and therefore would know how they fit with the team.

This newfound emphasis on valuing the draft, continuity, and protecting the locker room is a major change in direction. The promotion of Cerrato to officially give him control. Indeed, given Cerrato's roots in San Francisco it is surprising that a West Coast offense coach had not been hired before now. The fact that one has now been hired seems to support the notion that Cerrato may have increased input. The fact that the coach hired was not a big name similarly shows a mindset change.

Joe Gibbs was reported as having said that Dan Snyder matured alot during the last four years. That he has learned the value of patience. Is it possible that the learning process we have been wait for is now taking root? Gibbs 2.0 plainly did not live up to Redskin fans' expectations, but if Gibbs was able to teach Snyder how to be a more effective owner, it would be more than worth it, even if Gibbs hadn't been the most successful Redskin coach since...well, since Joe Gibbs.

It is possible that we are being fooled. The free agent pool was shallow this year, and the Redskins were in a certain amount of cap jail (though as Greg Trippiedi has pointed out, they restructured enough to make a deal or two if they had wanted). The team may have been forced to choose Jim Zorn by virtue of being turned down by every big name coach. The club certainly showed very little regard for the future with it's aggressive restructurings of some players whose age and recent track record indicate that they will likely need to be cut soon.

So perhaps the team's new direction is a reaction to circumstances, but it is hard not to feel that after two years of odd behavior that we haven't entered a new phase in the education of Dan Snyder.

km, thanks for posting that. I'm in agreement. If Snyder is going to be tarred and feathered for the Bruch Smith moved 8 years after the fact, then you have to give him credit for his restraint this year. Time will tell if he's completely changed, but it appears undeniable that he is learning and changing his way's.

Greg, I am leaning toward taking this kid with our first pick no matter who is available this guy is going to be a beast.

*Branden Albert

(OG) 6-6, 309, Virginia

He has all the tools to dominate at the next level and is this year's top OG prospect. Brandon Albert is solid in all phases and is likely to start from day one for a team looking to solidify their interior offensive line. He should be selected at the bottom of Round One.

The only problem I have with this offseason is this: Why clear $8M in cap room if you're not pursuing anyone? I understand Draft picks and mid season pickups, but that can't account for all the money. I can't help but think there's still a big move on the horizon.

I do like the fact that they've shyed away from overpaying guys, though.

4th Floor's bracket was brutalized by the opening rounds; half of his final eight, and three of his Final Four, including his champion, have already been eliminated. It's going to be tough going the rest of the way for him, and it's going to be tough for you to 'stay ahead'.

But I have faith in you, big fella!

Posted by: NateinthePDX | March 24, 2008 09:51 AM

Worst. Bracket. Picks. I. Ever. Done. Done. In. My. Life.

km, I've kind of resigned myself to him as well, and part of that reason is because of his ability to slide out to T as well.

Not to mention, heck if Bugel likes this cat, who the heck am I to question him?

Greg,

If we can not get Albert or go in a different direction, we could get this kid in the 3rd.

*Chilo Rachal

(OG) 6-5, 315, USC

Blessed with ideal size and strength for the position, Chilo Rachal comes from a big time program and has the skill set and versatility to play anywhere along the offensive line. It would not be a surprise to see him drafted on the first day of the draft.

Worst. Bracket. Picks. I. Ever. Done. Done. In. My. Life.

Posted by: 4thFloor | March 24, 2008 11:46 AM

Should this post be read in the voice of William Shatner 4th? :-)

Time will tell if he's completely changed, but it appears undeniable that he is learning and changing his way's.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 24, 2008 11:40 AM

The signs are definitely there this year. But I'm not ready to say undeniable yet. We've seen this team quiet in free agency before, and go back to spending the next season. I need to see this in consecutive years before I let myself get giddy over Snyder "getting it".

The only problem I have with this offseason is this: Why clear $8M in cap room if you're not pursuing anyone?

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 24, 2008 11:44 AM

Etrod - You have to have your 'Just-in-Case' monies on hand. Just in case Anqoun Boldin or Chad Johnson become available, you have the cap space to fit them in......

The main thing that worries me with our team is that we have maintained continuity THIS YEAR, but i can't see it going on too much longer. Specifically, I do not see these STARTERS being in the same roles in 1-2 years:

DEFENSE:
1) Shawn Springs (Older player, high cap)
2) Marcus Washington (Older Player, high cap)
3) London Fletcher (Older Player)
4) Phillip Daniels (Older Player, high cap)
5) Cornilius Grifin (Older Player, high cap)
6) Andre Carter (Past his time, overpaid)
7) Rocky McIntosh (contract up, health issues)
8) Carlos Rogers (contract up, health and performance issues)
9) Reed Doughty (seriously doubt he will be a full-time starter)

That leaves us with only two positions on defense to feel good about - Landry (FS) and Montgommery/Golston (DL). If Landry keeps performing well, i expect him to be a skin for life. As far as our young defensive linemen go, both of their contracts come up in the next two years and i have read we can probably only keep one of them.

Now, lets look at the other side of the ball:

OFFENSE:
1-5) Entire line will need to be replaced within the next 3 years due to age. Maybe a couple of these guys renegotiate their contracts and stay on as backups, but there are going to be some tough cuts here. And because of all the restructuring, these guys are going to hurt us when we cut them.
6) Clinton Portis (downside of his career, high cap)
7) Santana Moss (downside of his career, high cap)
8) We don't have a #3 receiver, so this is a hole right now.

Cooley should be a redskin for life. So should Campbell if he performs well in the WCO. I think Randel El stays here longer than moss. He's got more left in him and fewer injury concerns.

So whats my point in all this? 2 years from now, i only see 4 or 5 of this years projected starters continuing to start. Only another 1-3 will even being on the roster. This team, by necessity, will undergo some dramatic changes in the next two years. Where do we go to fill as many as 17 starting positions in only two years? Its unreasonable to think we will get more than 3 or 4 futures starters/year in the draft. And the cap hits created by cutting our old guys are going to be so massive that we can't afford quality free agents? Our only answer is low- to mid- tier free agents. You do NOT want mid-tier offensive and defensive linemen. Mid-tier receivers, running backs, linebackers, and defensivebacks can do just fine if you have solid offensive and defensive lines.

Bottom line - In my opinion, it is imperitive that we focus on building drafting young offensive and defensive linemen NOW who can become elite starters in the 2-3 years. We already have 4 solid guys in Heyer, Alexander, Golston, and Montgommery. We need 5-6 more guys of SUPERIOR talent in drafted in the next 2 drafts - we absolutely must use our top picks in both years to build our future lines.

I was def gooing for dramatic on that one RC.

Also, Re: $8Mil Cap room - We may cut a veteren later in the season and we may need that cap space to take the hit.....

SETH.LEMASTER,

The only thing crazier than the weather and March Madness is the fact that I actually agree with you. Continuity is great in theory, but if what you're keeping together is flawed it could be counter-productive. If this team had a run deep into the playoffs last year and had a young core, I'd feel better about this. But this team has to get younger BEFORE the wheels fall off their linemen (especially the o-line). I'm long over the whole "trade everybody" phase I went through earlier in the off-season, but if they could get some first-day picks out of a couple veteran guys, they should at least take a look into it.

The only problem I have with this offseason is this: Why clear $8M in cap room if you're not pursuing anyone? I understand Draft picks and mid season pickups, but that can't account for all the money. I can't help but think there's still a big move on the horizon.

I do like the fact that they've shyed away from overpaying guys, though.

Posted by: Original_etrod | March 24, 2008 11:44 AM

I think there was an article on espn.com a couple weeks ago explaining the benefit of cap room, even if you don't use it. If you give you're players incentive clauses, and those incentives aren't reached, then whatever the bonuses would've been are added on to the next season's unadjusted cap. This then becomes the adjusted salary cap for that season (that's why there are teams with much higher adjusted caps than others).

Essentially, when you end up with too much cap space, you write in a "fool's errand" incentive clause into you're players' contracts. Those incentives are never meant to be reached, and the team ends up with even more cap space next year. So if the skins end up with $8 million left under the cap after accounting for picks and injuries during the season, they can write in $8 million worth of unreachable incentives, and next year their adjusted cap will be (2009 set salary cap)+ $8 million.

It's basically a continuing cycle; the more cap space you have this year, the more cap you'll have next year. Cap space is hardly ever wasted, so even if Vinny doesn't splurge, we've still got a good thing here.

Fool's Errand...good name for a band.

Blah, blah blah. The Redskins are a PLAYOFF team, like it or not, and they have kept most or all of their free agents. So, in the professional and so called expert eyes, they will get a pass for not spending. Why are we over analyzing this??! Lets talk about brackets and what a GENIUS I am!! I mean, lets talk about it til Thursday...
Club 320

Disclaimer: we all know its not obvious when written, but HEAVY sarcasm above.

My bracket is beyond dead, the worst year I have ever had.

The whole "quality depth" thing is a catchphrase misused by many SKINS fins. First of all, no NFL team has all pros sitting on the bench. We lost two All-Pro O-lineman at the same point in the season. Shutdown corners don't grow on trees either. You take away the right side of any NFL team's O-line and they would have problems. I think we need to draft and develop replacements.

brownwood, if we could get a 2nd rounder for Thomas or Jansen, I would be all for it. I'm more open to trading Thomas though. Ideally, i'd like Jansen to pull a mark brunell and "void" his contract and take alot less money to come back at a backups salary. Maybe not this year, but sometime soon. We didn't draft Thomas so i'm not as "attached" to him. i'd trade him for a 3rd, maybe a high 4th, but not much less than that.

and speaking of the offensive line, check this out:

http://mvn.com/nfl-redskins/2008/03/23/unit-analysis-and-an-eye-towards-the-draft-offensive-line/

since the jasons havent been feeding us lately, i've found MVN to be an excellent, CONSISTENT source of interesting articles. kudos to extremeskins for posting links in their "breaking news" forum. I suggest you guys and gals check it out if you're bored and looking for some skins stuff.

i'd trade him for a 3rd, maybe a high 4th, but not much less than that.

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 24, 2008 12:36 PM

I'm sure the Jets were thinking the same thing when they gave up a 34 year-old Kendall for a 4th last year. And then their offensive line subsequently fell apart. You'd be amazed at how much one hole destroys the rest of the line. Thomas is too good to give up on, especially when his only semi-average replacement (Fabini) isn't signed. I'd rather keep both Jansen and Thomas as they are, and use our current picks to groom their replacements.

SETH -- you made a good argument. I would disagree with only modestly. Several of these guys could be good for 3-4 years, which does give some time to get new people in place. Samuels, for instance. Also, some of the vets may go from starter to quality depth.

But your overall point is solid. The Skins have lots of vets that are late in their careers. The upside is that while many are late in their careers, they are not done.

They lost 3 important defensive players last season in Rocky, Rogers and of course, #21. Each guy was the Skins top pick the year they were chosen. While I suspect Rocky will still work out to be a decent player, Rogers career seems at risk.

Drafting O-line was the priority last year ... even if mgmt didn't do it ... and should be again this year. And while its painful to say it after all the investment (2 top 10 picks and multiple FA signings), we'll still need to upgrade our DBs.

"a horrible Jack Black movie"...

Nate, this is a redundancy. A harmless redundancy, perhaps, but a redundancy, nonetheless.

I've had this theory about o-lines for a long time. The overall quality of a line is usually measured by its weakest link. It seemed pretty accurate, but I did tweak it a bit

The overall quality of an o-line is usually measured by the player that has the biggest negative differential to his corresponding d-lineman.

We've all seen lots of games where 1 d-line guy destroys his guy on the o-line and it almost doesn't matter what other linemen are doing.

The bottom line on this theory is this: depth on the o-line is more critical than getting a star. Teams need about 7-8 good o-line players. Given the age and injury history of the o-line, the SKins have work to do.

Joe Jon Finley? Really?

There was a horrible Jack Black movie where he set fire to a building, and he was being questioned by a firefighter played by Ben Stiller, and he was stumbling to give a fake name, "Joe... John..." And Stiller says incredulously "Your name's Joe John?"

Posted by: NateinthePDX | March 24, 2008 08:46 AM
_________________________________________

That movie would be called "Orange County."

Definitely not as funny as Tenacious D and The Pick of Destiny starring John C. Riley as the lovable Sasquatch.

Sasquatch,
We know your legend's real.
Sasquatch,
We know your love is real.
Sasquatch,
You and Tenacious D, are...real.

psps23,

i would not "give up on thomas" and just expect someone on this roster to take his place now... i would expect us to draft a guy like brandon albert, who would be our long-term solution to step in, replace him, and play at a higher level. to me, its a matter of getting something for an older player now, who youre going to have to replace soon anyways; as opposed to playing him until he's got nothing left and getting nothing of value in return. A 3rd rounder for Thomas would allow us to add another young (depth/future starter) player along one of our positions of need. Given the cap room we have, this year would be a good time to cut/trade a guy like thomas (assuming we can draft an immediate starter, of course).

Hmm... I should have said "one of the horrible Jack Black movies." Really touched a nerve with that one. Which is good.

You have the School of Rock, as an example of a non-horrible movie he was in.

The King Kong movie was not anywhere good as I'd hoped it would be, and he was hardly ideal for the role, but it was a pretty good movie, and Jack Black was no worse than anybody else in it. (You want equivocation? Nobody outequivocates me!)

RC, Tribbles are priceless. Have to keep them around in case the Klingons get out of hand.

zcezcest1,

i really hope we can keep jansen and samuels on as backups after their starting days are over... but they are going to have to redo their deals for that to be feasible.

i also agree that our defensive backfield is very suspect right now. however, i think we will be ok with players like torrence (and westbrook, i hope) IF we have a defensive line that can put constant pressure on the opposing offense. That said, we are really going to need help at corner in the first half of the season-- and no rookie can do that for us. i think we will solidify our corner position with a mid-tier post june1cut player.

I view this year as an ideal time to start rebuilding our lines so that we can focus on the defensive backfield in coming drafts and free agency periods.

On a side-note, i am a bit disappointed we didnt sign hackett, as it would have freed our hand to potentially postpone drafting a WR another year. In any case, i would be immensely happy if we draft nothing but offensive and defensive lines this year, save one DB and one WR.

Nate, I loved him in water world. Small part but a great movie w/one of the ultimate bad guys!

All true Kerzon, but having a fubball player with that name just invites lazy sub-editors using "the Trouble with Tribbles" headlines somewhere during his career....

Or as you're a DS9 fan, I guess those headlines might be of the "Trials and Tribble-ations" ilk.

Although I guess on the upside he's probably very cute and emits a pleasantly relaxing purring sound if you pet him!

Greg,

Yes, me agian trying to sell Hardy. If he is there at 21, hard to not pick him. With a contract that deals with his off field issues, I would like to see the Skins go for him. Knowing he could lose lots of $$$ if he does not keep it straight may help to keep him in line. This may be the next big WR playmaker and I would love to see him be that on the Skins team.

He is most likely the next team buster ala TO, but I love his football skills.

How About That?

Lest anyone think those compensatory picks are meaningless, consider this: there has been a direct correlation to compensatory picks and winning over the last decade. The teams that have been given the most comp picks over that time are the Ravens (24), Rams (20), Packers (19), Patriots (17), Bucs (17), Jaguars (16), Eagles (15), Cowboys (15), Bears (12), Titans (12) and Steelers (11). Of those teams, only the Jaguars and Cowboys have not played in a Super Bowl during that decade. The other nine teams have made 13 appearances in the Super Bowl and won seven of the 10. ... Among the players who have been chosen with comp picks are Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Vikings running back Chester Taylor (by the Ravens), Saints wide receiver Marques Colston, Patriots offensive tackle Nick Kaczur, Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel (by the Steelers), Seahawks linebacker LeRoy Hill and Colts safety Antoine Bethea.

-- Chicago Tribune

Given the cap room we have, this year would be a good time to cut/trade a guy like thomas (assuming we can draft an immediate starter, of course).

Posted by: SETH.LEMASTER | March 24, 2008 01:30 PM

This I can agree more with, assuming we draft a stud at guard for immediate impact. My gut tells me this won't happen though. I think Vinny's going to be looking at DE and WR in the first 2 rounds, and if that's the case, then I wouldn't trade Randy Thomas. This is a good year for us to rebuild the lines, as we don't have real immediate needs and have quality veterans that can act as mentors. I'm hoping for a heavy focus on the line of scrimmage during the draft.

MNSkinsfan,

You can reach me at kerzon417 at comcast dot net if you are ever out of the green chili. Know what it's like to live where the green stuff don't grow.

It's easy to say cut Thomas, it's much harder to make sense. Why would you cut a man that is one of the best at his position in the NFL?

Its really amazing what the Skins defense did down the stretch without Rocky, Rogers and Sean Taylor. 3 young, athletic starters. The team had just enough depth. But they begin 2008 season without these guys. Depth on defense will be a big issue, especially at LB and DB.

I'm guessing that Rogers is never a starting CB again. He was a marginal starter, with upside, given his youth. Unlike Darrell Green, Rogers doesn't have a step to lose. With his knee injury, I suspect he's a nickel back or SS. I think Rocky will come back to his prior level, but it might not be until 2009.

"invites lazy sub-editors using "the Trouble with Tribbles" headlines somewhere during his career...."

Posted by: Redcoat | March 24, 2008 01:49 PM

I suppose after posting this my name will be Mudd with WaPo sub-editors. Harry Mudd that is.

kerz, on one hand you think Hardy will be a team buster, but on the other hand you still want the Redskins to draft him? I'm not sure I can get behind this logic.

Thomas is arguably the best offensive linemen the Redskins have, yet people want to cut him?

I'm all for drafting along the OL, Kendall will be gone after next year so you phase the draft pick into a starting role in 2009. You do the same thing with Thomas his deal will be up in 2009, or thereabouts.

It's easy to say cut Thomas, it's much harder to make sense. Why would you cut a man that is one of the best at his position in the NFL?

Posted by: sams3 | March 24, 2008 01:54 PM

Common Sense has entered the blog.....

Try reading the tea leaves about this upcoming season. New coach, new offense. No free agents. Good starting talent. Most of the draft picks. No recent trading of picks.

Seems like DaVinnity (my new phrase for Danny + Vinny) is looking at 2008 as a transition year. With the obvious questions. Do they see Zorn as a placeholder for a new coach in 2009? Or are they giving Zorn the year to get his act and team together?

Sorry, I overlooked the fact that he wrote "cut" instead of trade. Cutting Thomas would be moronic, even with his injury/age concerns.

Agreed on trading Thomas. We should trade him for a first this year, and a couple picks next year. Trade Jansen while we're at it, trade him to Oakland for the 3rd/4th overall pick in the draft.

No team is trading for Randy Thomas. If cutting him is moronic, thinking that the Redskins could trade him for ANYTHING is just as moronic, if not more so.

Greg,

Just sayin that drafting is a crap shoot. How many sure fire first rd OL did not pan out. A 6'7" WR that can run. How do you not take the chance? As a young man, I did plenty of stupid things, but made the turn around.

Team buster if he does not turn his act around. Just like his skills.

wow, who said we should CUT thomas? I believe (and psp) both mentioned the possibility of TRADING him.

it would be foolish to CUT him now... which is why no one suggested it. yet for some reason, everyone is discussing why it woudl be stupid to cut him. did i miss something?

TRADING him makes sense 1) IF we got value for him and 2) IF we drafted albert.

Recent high picks used for WRs have been very mixed. Seems its hard to really know if a talented WR in college will make it at the pro level.

kerz, you're making my points. If the draft is a crap shoot, and I think that we'll all agree that it is, don't you do EVERYTHING in your power to eliminate/lessen the probability of having it blow up in your face by NOT drafting guys who have character issues?

I made tons of mistakes as well, however they didn't involve, "jail" or "violence against women". And he's 6'5, not 6'7.

Had I to choose a WR to draft he'd be 3rd behind Devin Thomas, and Limas Sweed.

If you cut or trade your starting Right Guard, who are you going to replace him with? There is no reason to belive that Randy Thomas or John Jansen will not be good. What you do is draft their replacements this year into the system, and groom Heyer to start for Jansen in 2009.

2008 draft for the Skins is all about the o-line. The d-line has 1-2 more years before it moves into the top spot. Lat year, the Skins went thru about 6 WRs that no one else wanted (Thrash, McCardell, Lloyd, Caldwell, Mix, etc?). McCardell was a gem. I'm guessing the Skins take a similar approach this year. See who is available and keep trying until you find a guy who steps up.

Last year's OL move to get Kendall was great. I wonder if DaVinnity learned something. The moral: Watch for good, older vets that aren't meshing with their current team. Kendall and Jets mgmt didn't get along -- and the Skins got him for a reasonable price.

Wow, greg. You brought the guns out today, didn't you. I never said that we would, should, or could look to trade him. I was saying that IF the skins drafted a stud in the 1st round, an immediate starter, then Thomas would become dispensable. In that case, then IF the skins were offered a trade, I wouldn't back away. I never said "let's trade Thomas for this or that." Nor did I say anything remotely close to that. Someone threw an idea out there, and I responded. I know you got the supah smaht answer to everything, and thus feel the need to judge every blogger on each and every comment, but relax. There's no competition here.

Greg,

Was reading an article where I saw he was 6'7", my bad. And you are correct, on eliminating any chances that this "crap shoot" goes the right way. I will give up my "man love" for Hardy, just love his skills. And I definitely do not want the next "pac man".

I will just blame my last few posts on Hardy on KM not sharing the brain today to try to make myself look better.

Now quit throwing logic at me!!!

kerz, my bad on the logic. I'll stop.

psp, all I'm saying is that Thomas is worth more to the Redskins than what he would return in a trade, and thats not even taking into consideration the cap hit that they'd absorb for trading him.

I don't judge, just try and apply logic to things....

Randy Thomas has atleast four years of top tier play left in him. Why would you trade that for a 3rd round pick?

Even if you took the thrid round pick and drafted someone that could be someday be as good as thomas, after four years you owuld haev to give him a contract that looks alot like thomas' anyway. All you are doing is setting yourself back and replacing a sure thing with a maybe as good as.

sams3 I believe you're labo(u)ring under a misapprehension.

The suggestion was that if the Skins draft an o-line guy (Albert?) in first round and he proves to be a 'stud', you entertain trade offers for Thomas which is where/when the 3rd round pick comes into the picture. So Thomas is effectively replaced by a first rounder in tha scenario.

psp, all I'm saying is that Thomas is worth more to the Redskins than what he would return in a trade, and thats not even taking into consideration the cap hit that they'd absorb for trading him.

Posted by: gregmarino88 | March 24, 2008 03:05 PM

that's fine, that's essentially what i said in my first response. i only responded in agreement to the 2nd proposed situation:

1. an immediate starter was drafted and could step in at a very high level to replace him (probably 1st rounder).

2. in some miracle trade with a moronic gm (and there are some out there...think al davis), we receive good value for him.

3. our cap space allows us to take the hit this year so that his salary comes off the books next year.

i didn't feel the need to rehash how unlikely this situation would be. all i was saying was that IF this situation occurred, then i wouldn't jump on the FO for taking advantage of it. otherwise, like i said on an earlier post, randy thomas is too good to get rid of for little value.

i'm all for you using logic. but you jumped in the middle of our discussion after the initial points had been made. it's not the greatest way to draw conclusions after seeing only a fraction of the debate.

sams, the only way trading thomas would be worth it is if we already had a replacement at hand (i.e. drafting an immediate starter in the 1st round), one that could step in at an equal level. at that point, given thomas' age, injury history, and salary, we would be lucky to get such value for him. however, given the unlikely chance that a rookie will be able to step in at his level, thomas is not really a viable trading commodity, and would be much more valuable to us as a starter than a 3rd round pick.

psps ... if the Skins are involved in any trade, there is, by definition, at least one moronic GM involved (OK, Vinny is technically exec VP of something, but you get the point ...)

Interesting...
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/patriots-examine-drafts-most-intriguing-player/?hp

The article fails to mention the gadget play opportunities with a QB/WR conversion. Of course, even Portis can throw.

So, ARE and Portis both have thrown three career touchdowns and career passer ratings above 150 (not that it matters)...just sayin.

IF we draft Albert, then trading Thomas beocmes the most logical solution. No matter what happens in the draft, it his HIGHLY unlikely that Both Thomas and Kendall will be starting for us in 2010.
Given that is the case, it comes down to this - would you rather:

Have Albert and Thomas start for a couple years, then cut Thomas (and Kendall, for that matter)

OR

Have Albert and Kendall start for a year. Trade Thomas for a draft pick,while he is still marketable, and hope that draft pick becomes a starter.

Assuming we drafted Albert, then keeping Thomas means we think we have a shot to win it all in the next two years. Trading Thomas means we recognize those chances are slim to none, and we want to do all we can to gain draft picks to make us contenders down the road.

Sometimes you need to do what is best for the long term, even if its not whats best for right now. This is all speculation, but if we drafted Albert, i think Trading Thomas would be whats best for this team long-term.

What happened to the search of the PR Director???

Well, I guess I'll be the one to end the story that the WashPo Reporters started:

The new PR Director of the Washington Redskins will be Zack Bono, PR Director of the Washington Wizards........

Kendall's contract is up after this season coming, so that creates an opening, which you fill by drafting Albert. If you trade Thomas, then next year you're not further ahead than you are today. Let Kendall walk after this year, and KEEP Thomas.

I'd like to see the Post do a piece on Chris Meidt. Nobody else has a Chris Meidt. Do they?

I think he's Zorn's secret weapon. But maybe he doesn't really exist. After all, they don't post his head shot on the web, they're using one of those cut-outs instead. He may be one of those silicon-based coach (Code name: "Deep Maroon").

That's my conspiracy, and I'm sticking to it.

4th,
Zere is Zomething strangZ about ziz PR hire, but I can't quite put my fingerZ on it?

**beep beep**

Is he related to Zack from Saved by the Bell? Or Bono from U2? Or Sonny Bono from Sonny and Cher? Will he work pro Bono? Does he have maps for U.S. Americans? Like such as?

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