Big Holes Left, have we got the cash to fill them?

[The Hogster]

I also disagree that TE is a hole. Fauria may not be a star, and he is old, but he'll do better than Royal. Plus with all our WRs, I see us having the TE on the field less. I don't see us doing anything more than using one of the late round draft picks on the position this year. As for the other holes, here are my thoughts...

CB- there are still a number of huge stars availiable in FA. I don't think we'll get one, but it should drive down the price of some solid corners like Fletcher, Allen, Azuhma, and Dyson.

OL- Sounds like we're going to get that Godwin guy. Even with him though, we could use more depth. I guess that at least 2 of the late round picks will be spent here.

S- We need depth here, and knowing Gibbs it will be someone who can help on special teams. My vote would be to sign Keion Carpenter or Ifeanyi Ohalete. Carpenter was a solid starter in Atlanta for a few year and should come cheap. Also, he started alongside Prielou at VT in college , so there is a connection to get him here. As for Ohalete, I always liked him and thought we should have kept him, but since we didn't I doubt he'll be brought in.

LB- There are a few ways we could go here. We could go with who he have and either start McClune or Clemons at MLB or OLB respectively and have Marshall play the other. Personally, I haven't seen anything to make me think they are ready for that much playing time. We could sign Cowart like I heard rumors of earlier in the week or we could get one of the many availiable OLBs. I know people want to see Arrington brought back. I'm one of them, but I doubt it will happen. Maybe we can get Peterson or Polley, but I doubt they'd come cheap. If I were a GM, I'd be willing to spend a lot for LBs, but I don't know that the skins feel that way. Rumor earlier in the week was we'd get Adams from Phily. I have no idea whether he could be a solid starter for us or not, so maybe you guys can chime in on that. We could also use our 2nd round pick and get decent a OLB. Its risky to start a rookie, but I think there is enough depth there in this years draft for us to get a good player. I'm intreged by Kia Parham from UVA. I played against this guy in HS and watched him a lot on college. He's got all the physical tools but I think he's kinda lazy. If Williams can light a fire under him and make him play every down, I think he could be a solid draft pick and starter for us.

There's my , well it was long, so my 72 cents I guess.

Why does anyone think Fauria is a better pass catcher than Royal. There's no evidence of it, rather the reverse. Hopefully, he can block better, but that's a push to. He's probably not an upgrade and we've probably still got a hole at TE.

We definately do not have a hole at MLB. Maybe Clemmons can't cut it as an everydown LB, maybe he can. To me here's how it stacks up, hole-wise:

LLB: Maybe a hole
TE: A hole
S: Maybe a hole (if Taylor jailed)
CB: Maybe a hole (Springs injury prone)
Nickle: A hole
K: Maybe a hole (Hall injury prone)
QB: Probably a hole (Brunell injury prone, Campbell unready)

Uncertainties severe enough, especially at QB, to project 6 losses.

Uh, what?? He's been regarded as one of the best blocking TE's in the game.

He won't be called on to catch a ton of balls, but if he is thrown the ball he probably won't drop it four times in a row either.

[frankcal20]

Lets just hope. I just want pass protection.

[Chris Luva Luva]

CB also shouldn't be a problem...when AA/Taylor are blitzing.

Actually I think that's why it is a problem.

When AA and Sean are blitzing 24/7, it will leave the CB's out there on an island all by themselves, and I know for a fact I don't want Ade Jimoh out there on a number 3 WR man to man.

Amen

A pass rush will help that problem A LOT. A lot of people will wonder how in the heck our DB's improved so much from last year... I tip my hat to those guys for the past 2 seasons because playing DB successfully like they have without a pass rush is incredible. Now that we have one you'll see Jimohs abilites seemingly elevate along with Springs, Rogers and Morton.

[John Manfreda]

I don't think we still have a 3rd round pick. Didn't we use it to get Lloyd?

yeah i thought it was 2007 3rd round and 4th round 2006.
but anyway we can get someone in the 4tth round

We don't have a 3rd or a 4th this year. We traded the 3rd for Lyod and the 4th for Campell. This is what we have this year. 2nd, 5th, 3 6th round picks, and a 7th round pick.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I don't think we still have a 3rd round pick. Didn't we use it to get Lloyd?

yeah i thought it was 2007 3rd round and 4th round 2006.
but anyway we can get someone in the 4tth round

We don't have a 3rd or a 4th this year. We traded the 3rd for Lyod and the 4th for Campell. This is what we have this year. 2nd, 5th, 3 6th round picks, and a 7th round pick.

This years draft wont be exciting to watch but it'll definately be interesting during mini/training camp. I think this year moreso than the previous two we will need quality guys. This draft imo will be all about garnering depth. I dont think we can afford just to draft guys because we have a pick and then let them collect dust. These guys could very well be filling in for our starters are some point during the season.

I think we'll need to rotate these guys in a bit more heavily than usual so that if we need them full-time they'll have a bit of game time experience. If we're beating the Girls by 21 points with 8 minutes to go in the 4th. Lets insert some of our rookies/3rd string guys. Lets give them some full speed NFL experience.

[The Hogster]

I don't think we still have a 3rd round pick. Didn't we use it to get Lloyd?

yeah i thought it was 2007 3rd round and 4th round 2006.
but anyway we can get someone in the 4tth round

We don't have a 3rd or a 4th this year. We traded the 3rd for Lyod and the 4th for Campell. This is what we have this year. 2nd, 5th, 3 6th round picks, and a 7th round pick.

we also will have compensatory picks for smoot and pierce

[frankcal20]

When will we find out what those picks will be?

We may get something for Ohelette, he started for Arizona I believe also.

[BossHog]

BIG holes left?

Depth in the secondary and the offensive line are BIG needs are they? I think a lot of teams would love to be in a situation where most of their 'needs' are at depth slots.

I don't see linebacker as that much of a glaring hole either... with Marshall and Washington, we have a lot of options already... Marshall can go back to weak if McCune is ready to play MIC, Chris Clemons will line up at LB on 3rd and long... Khari Campbell often comes in at MIC in 3rd and short already... we're really only in need of filling the MIC slot on first and second downs... something McCune should be good at.


Linebacker is also probably the most talent-rich position in the draft... so if it isn't going to be McCune... then we could address it on draft day... or after the draft on June 1 cuts. With marshall being able to now effectively play either... we can actually look inside or outside for help... i don't see it being that tough to do. Clemons might even surprise and be able to take on more of a role (play more than just third downs).

Any of these scenarios don't seem that dire to me and worthy of the term 'big needs' IMO. We do still have some needs... I just don't see them as being all that monumental to our success... especially with the defensive maestro always making the best of the personnel he has to work with.

A nickel back and offensive line depth are also easily addressed later on in free agency when all the dust has setlled and you can land workman-like guys looking for jobs at league minimum... maybe even veteran league minimum for the cap break (bring back Raymer to again back up center at vet min if we need to and can)

You also have to look at the development of Jim Molinaro... the Redskins keep giving him reps at tackle... and he's obviously a more valuable back up inside... there's a good chance that he'lll move back to guard this year and then we can pick up ONE backup tackle and be pretty much set. (Samuels, Dockery, Rabach, Thomas, Jansen, Molinaro, Raymer, and new tackle) I hav been EXTREMELY impressedwith Mlinaro despite the fact that mainstream media seems to just label him 'useless' having not supplanted anyone in the o-line already. He really only had last year with reps as Wilson was favored in 2004, so I still expect good things from molinaro... he's huge and has great footwork.

[Skinsfan55]

BH, I trust your assessment of Jim Molinaro, but I think depth is something that is extremely precious.

It's not that we have a BIG hole at any one position (besides linebacker) but I as thinking about depth as its own position that we were lacking.

I would really like to see a MLB brought in so we could move Marshall to the outside.

Someone like Cowart who we were talking to, or Brad Kassell, or Na'il Diggs.

[BossHog]

It's not that we have a BIG hole at any one position (besides linebacker) but I as thinking about depth as its own position that we were lacking.

If we don't have a big hole at any position, then why is this thread called Big Holes Left, have we got the cash to fill them ?

You can't group depth together and call it a 'position'... or no team will EVER be without some needs... in the days of parity and free agency... depth is a rare commodity.

You've simply run out of things to wail about as to why the sky is falling and are now grasping at straws. Do we still haved depth concerns? Of course we do. Find me a team that doesn't. But the Redskins go into 2006 with a very solid unit of 22 starters.

like in any NFL season... injuries will play a huge part and depth will come into it... NO team can make sure they can account for the loss of ANYBODY... the key is trying to be able to account for as many as you can.

The Redskins have done an excellent job filing their BIG holes... now they just have some tweaking and depth issues.

No BIG deal at all IMO. You're living a pipe dream if you think you're ever going to see an NFL team withh 44 caliber starters.

[Skinsfan55]

I still think we have a hole at linebacker, we only have two legit starters.

[BossHog]

Funny... could have sworn I heard that before... think it was when Lavar went down in 2004 and Marshall came in at weak... 'but we only have two legit starters.'

Worked out okay. You can't just discount guys like McCune, Campbell and Clemons... they earned roster slots because of their ability to play... these aren't pop warner coaches out there... these guys know that if you're going to give a guy a roster slot, eventually he'll have to do more than play special teams. So they usually choose guys accordingly. They keep a guy like Chris Clemons in hopes that he'll be able to do exactly what Lemar marshall did... grow into an every down player... same with McCune. Not saying it WILL happen, but I think that's the hope isn't it?

The fact that Gregg Williams has SO many different looks also means that he can use so many different alignments. In the past, and I'm sure in the future, he just finds ways to make what he has in front of him work in the system. When have injuries on defense caused huge drop offs in performance when he's been here? We finished 2004 with only THREE of our original starting 11 on defense for cryiong out loud. Williams managed to account for the loss of EIGHT guys and still fielded a top 3 defense.

This ISN'T a stat NFL defense... we have a lot of guys that can move around and play 'out of position' on plays.

Without adding a single guy you can line up:

Daniels Griffin Salave'a Wynn
Carter Marshall Washington

or

Carter Griffin Salave'a Daniels
Marshall McCune Washington

or

Carter Griffin Wynn Daniels
Clemons Marshall Washington

or

Carter Griffin Salave'a Daniels
Marshall K.Campbell Washington

or

Carter Griffin Daniels
Clemons Marshall McCune Washington

or

Daniels Griffin Wynn
Carter Marshall McCune Washington

Those are just some of the options and I'm not for one second saying that we won't address LB with a move between now and September... be it through the draft or free agency. I just think that with the versatility we have already, Williams could get by as we stand TODAY. maybe that's putting too much faith in GW but I think he's earned the praise...

[GoSkins]

In my view the biggest little hole is on OL. We simply don't have OG depth. Watching Raymer against Seattle was not fun. Hopefully with Ndukwe and a possible FA we will solve that problem.

[Steve Spurrier III]

RE: Christian Fauria

I asked some Patriot fans on their take on Christian Fauria and what we should be able to expect out of him. You might remember that Fauria played well for the Patriots, but was just buried on the depth chart behind Daniel Graham and Ben Watson.

Here's what they had to say:

he is a decent blocker, which i think is the reason the skins went after him in the first place as they were lacking a blocking te. he was third on our depth chart but he couldve easily started on a lot of teams, we just happened to be deep at te. i'd be happy with that signing if i were you.

Good all-around player. Not an overpowering blocker, but he's got good technique and he doesn't blow many assignments. He's a good, smart route-runner, decent hands, and has made some big catches for us. (He's also had a few bad drops, too -- in fact, I think one of them coming in a loss to the Skins in the 4th quarter in '03.)

I think one of the biggest knocks on him is that he never seems to pick up any yards after catch. It seems like he doesn't even try, just catches the ball and falls down each time. Still, at least he catches it.

Fauria's main asset is his catching ability. He's got good hands and is a decent (not great) blocker. Both Watson and Graham were much better blockers (and complete TEs for that matter) so that made Fauria expendable. He's a good player and person. You'll like him.

Nothing earth-shattering here, but you will notice that everyone considers Fauria to be a competent, if not punishing, blocker. I think there is still room for improvement at the TE position should the Redskins choose to add a player, but I wouldn't consider it a hole.

[Hog Heaven]

BH, all but the 1st one of your front 7 line ups include someone who is unproven starting. The 1st one had Carter at LB, which he can do, but he was told he'd play DE when he was signed. Sure we could go with these solutions, and hopefully if we do one will pan out, but its an unnecesitated risk. There are so many more proven LBs in FA right now, and as you point out, after the June 1st cuts, there will likely be more. So with our lack of other holes in our starting 22 we should address this. As for depth, I don't think anyone has been advocating getting 44 starting caliber players, but we do need people who can step in with some competence behind all of our starters. I'm encouraged by you assessment of Molinero and the O-line, but that still leave a glaring deficieny at CB. Morton has potential, Jimoh is only good at special teams. That means we will likely struggle when we are forced into using nickle coverage, to say nothing of a Dime defense. Williams is a magician and can hide this weakness for a couple of games, but sooner or later it will get exploited. And God forbid we have an injury to Springs or Rogers. CB definately fits the description of BIG need even of the other positions are only minor needs.

And btw, thanks for doing a great job as a mod. You guys don't hear thats as often as you should.

[box]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

[gay4pacman]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

taylor wont play any corner that would be a stretch

[roybus14]

If you ask me. I think we made out like fat rats this off-season. We were able to get some value in talent and youth in several key positions. I agree with BossHog that depth is something that every team is concerned with. So are we saying that the Texans' or the Steelers' depth is better than ours?

The way the defense is constructed, it's just plug and play. Well then someone would say "what about Warrick Holdman and the season he had?" If this offense had put points on the board like it should have, those big runs to Holdman's side would be mute. This is not to say that we don't need depth, of course we do but I think that we are fine in key positions.

PLUS, give us a chance to get to the draft, sign any remaining players we need and let the coaches 'coach-em' up before we "wail" as BH put it, about whether or not we made the right off-season moves.

Look people, you can't have it both ways. You kill Snyder for paying alot of money to has beens and now you killin' him for spending money on 'young up and coming stars'. Get off of the fence and get excited, damn-it.....

[Skinsfan55]

Funny... could have sworn I heard that before... think it was when Lavar went down in 2004 and Marshall came in at weak... 'but we only have two legit starters.'

[snip]

BH, I know we have a lot of options, and I'm not saying that mixing and matching WOULDN'T work. I'm just saying that you can't expect every backup to come in and just shine, Gregg Williams or no Gregg Williams.

We are talking to other linebackers from the sounds of things, but if we don't go out and get someone (in FA or the draft, or June) then I will trust GW and company, I just think it's interesting to talk about the LB position precisely because there are so many options.

Are we going to do what you suggest? Are we going to move Marshall to WLB and sign/draft a MLB? Are we going to sign draft a WLB and leave Marshall be?

The decisions the FO make could really have a big impact on the season.

[box]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

taylor wont play any corner that would be a stretch

Posting just to be posting?..... Taylor HAS and can cover any wr. Just wait till we play dallas, you will see taylor one on one with to.

[SkinsJock]

I remember last year we all felt that we would suffer because of various types, or, skill levels we did not have on defence. It did not prove to be that bad a defensive group and I think that we would end up being very competitive with who we have now. I also expect more tweaking and possible additions by the time we get out of camp.

The only thing "big" about this present group on D is how big will they play? I'm with the guys who think we are looking pretty good right now and we have a lot of time to get even better.

I guess I just look on the bright side because that is where Gibbs and Williams are.

man we are a lucky bunch of fans

[gay4pacman]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

taylor wont play any corner that would be a stretch

Posting just to be posting?..... Taylor HAS and can cover any wr. Just wait till we play dallas, you will see taylor one on one with to.

that is your opinion, when has he ever played at the CB position? Im just curious because while he might cover one on one in some defenses, he will alway be a safety.



So if Taylor steps up to play CB who then steps up at S?
Yeah he CAN cover anybody but his skills are best showcasd from the safety position. Moving him to cb would be a mistake.

ps- i hope he covers TO when we play Dallas but not oneon one!

Believe me im waiting to play dallas and taylor coming over the top of TO.



edit. oh and welcome to the board box.

[crazyhorse1]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

He might be in jail.

[gay4pacman]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

He might be in jail.

he might be a pro bowler

[crazyhorse1]

what holes in the secondary? taylor can step in at cb if need be

He might be in jail.

he might be a pro bowler

The hole that can kill may well develop at QB. My breath is being held.