Redskins determine draft order
By Jody Foldesy
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The decision between tight end Kellen Winslow II and safety Sean Taylor was made last night.
The Washington Redskins, already having spent weeks rating prospective selections for this weekend's NFL Draft, split the final hairs between top targets Winslow and Taylor, two University of Miami stars the team is prepared to take with the draft's fifth overall selection.
On a day when the Redskins reinforced their defense with another significant free agent, former New York Giants linebacker Michael Barrow, vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said the club was finalizing a clear order for the top players on its draft board.
"By tonight, after we get done with our next meetings, we'll know exactly which guy we would like," Cerrato said at an afternoon press conference. "If there's three [of our top targets available at No. 5], we'll know which one we're taking. We'll have a definite board Saturday."
Sources familiar with the team's draft preparations reiterated in recent days that Winslow and Taylor are Washington's focus.
Although it was unclear which player emerged as No. 1, there's a growing belief around the league that the Redskins want Winslow, who is viewed as perhaps a bit more of a sure thing in the NFL and who fits a more clear need: the Redskins' depleted H-back position.
There even has been a rumor that coach Joe Gibbs told Winslow, son of Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow, that he would be selected if he remained at No. 5.
"Not true," Gibbs said. "I didn't tell anybody that."
Some around the NFL aren't ruling out the possibility of the Redskins trading up for Iowa tackle Robert Gallery, and in fact there was one pocket of belief among other clubs' officials that Washington had a trade ready to go for the Oakland Raiders' No. 2 overall selection.
But rumors are rampant, and many intentionally misleading, in the days leading up to the draft. And the bulk of evidence indicates that Washington would be happy to select Winslow, Taylor or Gallery at No. 5 — perhaps in that order.
"What would be the dreaded fear is that the guys we really want are off the board in the first four picks," Gibbs said.
Club officials downplayed the idea of moving up. Owner Dan Snyder shrugged his shoulders and replied, "sure," it's a possibility, but Cerrato later called it "highly, highly unlikely." Also, Snyder dubbed dealing a current Redskins player — one of the few viable maneuvers to go up, given Washington's paucity of picks —"probably unrealistic."
The Redskins also could trade down if Winslow and Taylor were gone, or if another team made an over-the-top offer to move up. However, one source said Washington probably would not be able to pass on Winslow or Taylor if either is available.
Questions about selecting Winslow because of his agents, Kevin and Carl Poston, also seem to be fading. Although the Redskins remain wary of the Postons, who have filed a formal grievance claiming Washington removed a $6.5 million roster bonus from linebacker LaVar Arrington's contract, Snyder said representation does not function as a tiebreaker in the club's draft-day decisions.
Of passing on a player because of his agent, Gibbs said, "We wouldn't do that. But I would say every single part of a person, and every single thing around them, influences you."
Meanwhile, Washington's agreement in principle with Barrow gives the defense a capable replacement for middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who is in line to be released after June 1. Sportsline.com reported Barrow's deal as being for six years, with about $8 million paid over the first three.
"It came down to the Redskins and the [Detroit] Lions, and I couldn't go wrong either way," Barrow told Sportsline.com. "But in the end, football-wise I loved what the Redskins had to offer with Joe Gibbs and [assistant head coach for defense] Gregg Williams."
The Redskins also had been looking at Warrick Holdman, who signed with the Cleveland Browns last week, but Barrow might be a better fit. Holdman plays weakside linebacker and would have forced a shuffle of outside linebackers Arrington and Marcus Washington.
Barrow, 34, had a career-high 148 tackles for the Giants last season. In Washington, he will be slotted ahead of veteran Kevin Mitchell, who worked first-string middle linebacker during the late-March minicamp. Mitchell still is expected to play situationally and on special teams.
Notes — Cerrato said there have been no trade inquiries for Trotter, an expected scenario that pretty much confirms he will be cut. ... The Redskins also signed linebacker Antonio Pierce, a restricted free agent who lost his ability to talk to other teams when the deadline passed last week. Safety Ifeanyi Ohalete, the Redskins' final restricted free agent, remains unsigned.
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