Blaylock a Skin - Zach Hilton on his way

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:14 am

Blaylock Is a Skin; Hilton About 99 Percent

RB Derrick Blaylock agreed to terms a little while ago according to his agent. I think it's a nice signing for depth and he will be someone to watch at camp. I know Rock will be keeping an eye on him. He's prospered in this system before and in KC averaged like 4.7 per carry, was a good return guy and scored 8 TDs in 2004, starting 5 games.

I know he isn't a CFL stud, but maybe the Jesse Lumsden fan club will adopt Derrick as their cause this season. Seemed like a real cool dude when I chatted with him this afternoon and I have a weird feeling he is one of the last cuts or starts the year with them, especially if Dolla Bill isn't full-go for Week 1,

Also, TE Zach Hilton was offered a contract tonight by the Skins I am told, and the Silver Spring native badly wants to play here. He'll go in tomorrow to take a physical and knock out some paperwork, and barring an unlikely setback, he'll be signed too. He's 6-8 with some good upside and plays a position where he has a to battle Todd Yoder and not a whole lot else to make the team. I think he could end up being a real nice addition as well.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

Just as JLC says, I'm sure that Rock isn't going to be happy with this. I'm also sure that guys around Redskins Park will be a bit upset b/c Rock has worked his butt off. What do I think about this? I think that tough times call for tough measures and I want wins. Just like players always say, Its a business.

warpath1410 · Post by **warpath1410** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:54 am

I've never rea;;y paid much attention to blaylock but he compation is key to bringing the best out of players. Rock seems to be a really cool guy when i got to meet him and seems ready to face anything going to be fun to watch.plus this might end up great for the Skins,
Portis
Betts
Cartwright/Blaylock

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:57 am

Last year thay had Portis, Betts, Cartwright, Duckett.
This year they could 4 backs that have all played in Saunders system.

warpath1410 · Post by **warpath1410** » Mon May 07, 2007 1:13 am

I wonder do you this we will alot of the shifts and movement or maybe more of the line up run the ball down the throat type of offense. I'm think a little of both(if that was possible)

crazyhorse1 · Post by **crazyhorse1** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:22 am

warpath1410 wrote:I've never rea;;y paid much attention to blaylock but he compation is key to bringing the best out of players. Rock seems to be a really cool guy when i got to meet him and seems ready to face anything going to be fun to watch.plus this might end up great for the Skins,
Portis
Betts
Cartwright/Blaylock

I doubt Blaylock will see much playing time unless Rock gets hurt, except on special teams. I really see the TE as a guy who won't play at all, so am not too excited about the signings. I would like to know the Skin thinking in regard to some of these pickups-- just as a matter of interest. I'm also curious about why Brunell and Collins haven't been dropped and we haven't tried to pick up a viable backup at QB. Right now, it's clear to me that the season will be a disaster if Campbell goes down. It seems we ignore our weaknesses and pad our strengths.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:29 am

Here is our depth at TE:

47 Cooley, Chris TE 6-3 265 3 Utah State 07-11-1982
88 Ecker, Tyler TE 6-6 246 R Michigan 04-18-1982
84 Edwards, Eric TE 6-5 257 2 LSU 08-04-1980
87 Yoder, Todd TE 6-4 262 7 Vanderbilt 03-18-1978

Here is our QB depth:

5 Bramlet, Casey QB 6-4 225 1 Wyoming 04-02-1981
8 Brunell, Mark QB 6-1 217 14 Washington 09-17-1970
17 Campbell, Jason QB 6-4 228 2 Auburn 12-31-1981
15 Collins, Todd QB 6-4 228 12 Michigan 11-05-1971
14 Hollenbach, Sam QB 6-4 214 R Maryland 09-09-1983
3 Palmer, Jordan QB 6-5 231 R UTEP 05-30-1984

I would say that we have more depth at QB than we do at TE. Matter of fact, we can let go of a few QBs and we would still be ok. As for tight end though, if Cool

ey goes down, who comes in? There isn't anyone besides Yoder with experience.

HanburgerHelper · Post by **HanburgerHelper** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:39 am

Yes, Blaylock will be the 4th RB behind Rock Cartright. He's also good insurance in case any one of them gets hurt. I like the depth here. Nowadays you can never have enough good RBs. RBs ALWAYS get hurt to some degree and platooning RBs is an ideal situation.

Historically, we've always relied on multiple backs to carry the load whenever we've had success:

1982-83 Team (SB XVII) -- John Riggins, Joe Washington, Wilbur Jackson/Clarence Harmon
1987-88 Team (SB XXII) -- George Rogers, Timmy Smith, Kelvin Bryant
1991-92 Team (SB XXVI) -- Ernest Byner, Ricky Ervins, Gerald Riggs

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:43 am

1niksder wrote:Last year thay had Portis, Betts, Cartwright, Duckett.
This year they could 4 backs that have all played in Saunders system.

Last year Portis was hurt, and we still never used Duckett or Cartwright.

Quite frankly I don't understand why the coaches don't respect Rock and are always bringing in new competition at the position where we have the most/best depth.

Not only is Rock a huge team leader on ST and in the locker room, but he's still a pretty good runner.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:46 am

I know that blocking is important and I feel like I remember someone saying that his blocking skills are less than desired. Also, doesn't he have a fumble problem?

Wheat · Post by **Wheat** » Mon May 07, 2007 10:48 am

Then he can practice hanging onto the ball with #46.

I think Rock should be worried. But, seems that he found his roll on special teams. So, as long as he's the kickoff guy. I think he has a job.

everydayAskinsday · Post by **everydayAskinsday** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:29 am

I really like Rock and dont remember him having a fumbling issue.. he always seems to step up to the plate when we need him and has a great attitude.. Im all for depth and I think we brought in Blaylock because of what he can out of the backfield in terms of recieving.. just as long as we let Rock keep his kick returning duties I think all will be fine.. I fully expect him to beat out Blaylock for that 3rd running back spot.. He will continue to fight to show he belongs

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:35 am

I think Rock is being kept out of the back field since he's a decent returner. If he went down we don't have too many people who could take over. Sure we have fast players but...

Can they catch a kick off?
Can they continuously catch balls without muffing one?
Can they determine when to run it?
Will they fumble?

Rock is a safe bet at his position and you don't want to have a question mark back there.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:45 am

Danny Smith will pull for Rock. He worked his butt off. I wonder if they are planning on using Rock like our Brian Mitchell.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon May 07, 2007 11:54 am

warpath1410 wrote:I wonder do you this we will alot of the shifts and movement or maybe more of the line up run the ball down the throat type of offense. I'm think a little of both(if that was possible)

Larry Johnson/Priest Holmes? Saunders offense? Absolutely.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Mon May 07, 2007 12:07 pm

frankcal20 wrote:Danny Smith will pull for Rock. He worked his butt off. I wonder if they are planning on using Rock like our Brian Mitchell.

Rock will make the squad has a special teams player as always, he does more on teams than just return kickoffs.

Before Portis went down last year Betts was his back up and shared return duties with Rock. Last year Rock continued his duties on coverage teams and on the return teams but Betts as the #1 back wasn't out there.

Betts will go back to being the #2 this year with a larger role and a second KO return man will be needed. Blaylock may be a better #3 RB or he may not be. That's why the have the OTAs and mini-camp, Rock will make the team regardless.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Mon May 07, 2007 2:04 pm

Oh, I don't have a doubt that Rock won't make the team. He's a long timer who gives 100%. I'm just curious if they maybe are going to find a niche for him outside of the RB role.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon May 07, 2007 3:05 pm

frankcal20 wrote:Oh, I don't have a doubt that Rock won't make the team. He's a long timer who gives 100%. I'm just curious if they maybe are going to find a niche for him outside of the RB role.

He did return almost all of our kickoffs last year . . .

warpath1410 · Post by **warpath1410** » Mon May 07, 2007 3:44 pm

I still think is a nice set up,
Portis
Betts
Cartwright
Blaylock
Kickoffs
Cartwright/Blaylock/Randle El?

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon May 07, 2007 5:23 pm

Redskins Sign TE Hilton, Release Carter
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
May 7, 2007

The Redskins have signed veteran tight end Zach Hilton, the team announced on Monday.

The Redskins also signed first-year wide receiver Adrian Madise and released running back Kerry Carter and wide receiver Taylor Sele.

Hilton participated in the Redskins' three-day mini-camp from May 4-6. He is a four-year NFL veteran who has played with the New Orleans Saints from 2003-05 and the New York Jets last season.

Hilton, listed at 6-7 and 262 pounds, originally signed with the Saints as an undrafted rookie. In 2005, he saw extensive playing time, playing in 15 games with six starts and recording 35 catches for 396 yards and one touchdown.

Hilton joins a tight end corps that includes starter Chris ey and backups Todd Yoder and Eric Edwards. The Redskins also drafted Michigan tight end Tyler Ecker in the seventh round of the April 28-29 NFL Draft.

Hilton grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Md.

He played his college ball at North Carolina, where he was a two-year starter and logged 31 career receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns.

Madise, 5-11 and 215 pounds, has had NFL stints with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos.

He was originally selected in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He played in 11 games as a rookie with the Broncos. He was released by the Broncos following the 2004 season.

Madise played his college ball at Texas Christian.

Carter, a third-year player, had signed with the Redskins in January 2006, but he suffered a serious knee ligament injury in preseason last year. With the addition of two undrafted rookie running backs to the roster last week, it was decided to release Carter.

Sele had signed with the Redskins on April 30 as an undrafted rookie. He had participated in the Rookie Camp.

I like this signing. We needed depth at that position and he had a really good season two years ago.

skins2357 · Post by **skins2357** » Mon May 07, 2007 8:16 pm

I agree. I really like this signing. He may be what we needed for a blocking tight end. At 6'7 and 260 he deff has the size. Lets get his butt in the weight room and put another 20 pounds on him and let him open some holes with the OLine

HardDawg · Post by **HardDawg** » Tue May 08, 2007 6:21 pm

Great Thread...You can tell Footballs back the most intelligence football fans in the NFL are at it again!

Since were on RB's...good pick up in Blaylock buth...check this guy we just signed from Wisconsin..Pete Smith Div III UW-Whitewater. Sounds really interesting...Could be a good one in the mix.....FB/TE/HB/Battering Ram

http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/gener ... 17&ntpid=0

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Tue May 08, 2007 7:56 pm

I think that we just found our Cinderella Story in training camp.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Sun May 13, 2007 11:53 pm

frankcal20 wrote:I think that we just found our Cinderella Story in training camp.

3). The Redskins made a very good and subtle move when they signed Derrick Blaylock to a deal.

The running back thrived under Al Saunders when the two were together in Kansas City. In 2004, it was Blaylock, not Larry Johnson, getting significant playing time when Priest Holmes was hurt.

Blaylock knows the Saunders system cold and was elated to be back with the offensive coordinator when we talked this week.

He'll be the third down back for Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts.

Blaylock was lost in New York for two years with the Jets. With all of the Jets running back woes, Blalock was never called upon last year. But he refused to criticize the organization.

Link

Cappster · Post by **Cappster** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:48 am

It seems like every year the team tries to get rid of Rock. Every year he makes the team. Talk about a guy that has to prove himself on a daily basis! I don't think Rock is going anywhere because to me it seems like he is a core redskin. Call me crazy but guys like Rock are guys we want on our team even if they aren't the "best" talent.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:51 am

Cappster wrote:It seems like every year the team tries to get rid of Rock. Every year he makes the team. Talk about a guy that has to prove himself on a daily basis! I don't think Rock is going anywhere because to me it seems like he is a core redskin. Call me crazy but guys like Rock are guys we want on our team even if they aren't the "best" talent.

I would put James Thrash in that category, too.