Hoi, Eagle fan!
Just wondering what the Skins fans here think on these subjects.
Well, I'll take a crack at 'em.
Most of them are already talking playoffs for you guys. I just don't see it happening this year.
I think it can happen, given our upgrades at key positions. If we could go 7-9 last season with the talent we had then, our upgrades and another year in the system should be good for at least another 3 wins. I expect next year will be our serious run for the big prize, though.
Jeramiah Trotter, do you guys feel he's worth the money you are paying him? Is he as good as advertised? . . . He really wasnt' that good against the run in the 4-3, but with the Skins running the 3-4, he's probably better, although it takes away from his tackle stats and keeps him from blitzing as much as he did with the Eagles.
I think it took Trot some time to pick up the system, but even then he was leading the team in tackles when he was injured. But it's hard to say with only one injury-shortened season as a Redskin whether he was worth the money--give us a couple of years to see how he plays over more of his contract. And I do believe you've been misinformed--we're not running a 3-4 as our base package. We occasionally put one in as a change-up, which we can do with our depth at LB. This year it ought to be even easier, in fact, since Brandon Noble has experience at nose guard.
Steve Spurrier, do you guys feel he will be given a real chance to turn it around with this team? Ole' Danny Boy has been quick on the trigger in the past, how long will he wait? I thought Marty Schottenweiner could have done it if he was allowed to bring in players he wanted. He had the track record, he just wasn't given the time. Seemed like his firing was the result of a personality clash.
I absolutely think SOS will be given every chance to win. The tenor of the FO has changed and they really seem to be going at things with a plan (an oft-mentioned 3-year plan, in fact). SOS is Snyder's top choice and I haven't seen anything but unwavering confidence in the Ol' Ball Coach. I think Snyder's learned a thing or two about the league and will be less prone to the itchy trigger finger. Schotty might have gotten us to the playoffs, but I don't think we ever would have gone all the way--you need somebody with more of a sense of adventure. He was let go because he wouldn't give Snyder more of a say in personnel matters (which was Schotty's prerogative in my opinion, since that was the deal under which he was hired). Plus the fact that Spurrier, Snyder's dream coach from day one, was coming available.
Rod Gardner, do you feel he can be your number 1 reciever? Is he worth being drafted so high?
Well, I think he and Laveranues Coles are basically the interchangeable #1 receivers. Gardner was definitely it last year, catching 1000+ yards in his second year--not bad. And it's only going to get better for him with Coles being the speedster on the other side of the field. But one thing you have to know about the Fun 'n Gun is that it doesn't really have traditionally-slotted receivers (#1 receiver, #2 receiver, etc.). There's a lot of audibling at the line by the QB to change the play depending on the defense that they're being shown, so the go-to guy might end up being the #4 receiver because he's got the best match-up. Gardner and Coles are the top two receivers based primarily on native skill level.
Who's your qb this year? Do you think Patrick Ramsey will be given the job? Will Spurrier leave him in? Would he be able to survive without getting injured behind your offensive line?
Without question, Ramsey is our starter. He's been getting all the reps, the coaches have been praising him, and Rob Johnson came in with the understanding that he was #2 and wouldn't be competing for the #1 spot. I think Spurrier will leave him in through thick and thin, up to the point where Ramsey is actively losing games for us--and I just don't see that happening. He's got too good a head on his shoulders and too good a cannon for an arm. And my friend, have you heard anything about our O-line this year? By the tone of your question, I have to think you haven't. We've got one of the potential top lines of the league this year (with the caveat that of course we haven't seen them play together). But our bookend tackles, Samuels and Jansen, remain tops in the league. We've added two near-All-Pro guards with Randy Thomas and Dave Fiore. Our center from last year, Larry Moore, was solid. And we've got a rookie guard, Derrick Dockery, who is already pushing to be a starter. I don't think Ramsey needs to worry about staying upright. And even if he gets knocked down, he's one of the toughest QBs I've seen (which he learned to be playing behind the seive at Tulane and here last year). It's one of the attributes that most endeared him to his teammates and coach.
Whew--anybody else?
