Times: Redskins Take Pair Of Tackles

[Jake]

Redskins take pair of tackles

By Jody Foldesy
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

The Washington Redskins yesterday wrapped up a draft of "maximized" picks, as coach Joe Gibbs put it, taking a pair of low-round offensive tackles for Joe Bugel to mold into Hogs after plugging two holes Saturday.
California's Mark Wilson and Notre Dame's Jim Molinaro were selected in the fifth and sixth rounds, respectively, based on Bugel's history of boosting unheralded linemen and the Redskins' opinion that Wilson and Molinaro, more than any other players available at those slots, had the best chances to make this year's team.

They joined a Saturday duo that filled two of Washington's biggest needs entering the draft — safety and H-back. Going fifth overall Saturday was Miami safety Sean Taylor, while in the third round (following a late trade) Washington picked up Utah State tight end Chris ey.
Although ey doesn't compare to Miami tight end Kellen Winslow II — who Washington passed up at No. 5 after much deliberation — he provides Gibbs with a terrific pair of hands at H-back and rounds out a draft class that once appeared like it might end up a bit thin.
"You look at all that talent and wish you could get a lot of players, but to be truthful, I think we maximized our opportunities there in the draft," Gibbs said. "I felt good about it, considering that we didn't have that many picks."
Washington officials moved quickly after the draft's 255th and final pick to sign 10 undrafted players. Among the take were New Mexico linebacker William Strother, BYU tackle Quinn Christensen and two Maryland players, wide receiver Jafar Williams and safety Dennard Wilson, according to a club official. The team is expected to announce the full list today.
At many points in recent months, Gibbs spoke about the excitement of finding a Pro Bowl gem in the bargain bin of undrafted players. Although it remains to be seen whether the Redskins unearthed one yesterday, they felt like they got two solid offensive line prospects in Wilson and Molinaro.
With Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen entrenched as Washington's left and right tackles, Wilson and Molinaro can develop at a slower pace. Each brings the promise associated with being 6-foot-6, more than 300 pounds and, in the Redskins' minds, relatively skilled.
Add in the possibility of working at guard, legitimate opportunities to make the final roster — competing against veterans like Brandon Winey and Daryl Terrell — and the well-known history of Bugel, Washington's assistant head coach for offense, and the case for the two tackles seemed clear.
"We've had real good luck [with unheralded linemen] in the past," Gibbs said. "I guess I go back to the days where you pick a [Joe] Jacoby and give him to Buges, and you wind up with a Pro Bowl player. You have some flashbacks there."
Wilson, 23, started a school-record 48 games for California after growing up in a small Northern California agricultural town, Fall River Mills. Gibbs was particularly impressed with Wilson's intelligence and history of staying healthy. The one-time garlic harvester attributed the latter trait to practicing and playing at full speed.
"I was told when you let up is when you get hurt," Wilson said, recalling the experience of one of his friends. "I gave it my all, and it kind of worked out to my benefit."
Molinaro, who turns 23 tomorrow, might be a bit more of a project after spending much of his Notre Dame career on the defensive line. He moved to offensive tackle as a junior, then endured a coaching change before his senior year. The athleticism that allowed him to play defensive line now gives him upside as an offensive tackle.
"It was a big change from the offensive line to the defensive line," Molinaro said. "On the defensive line, you're taught to be on your toes and move all the time. On the offensive line, you're more flat-footed and stable. And not that you don't think on the defensive line, but on the offensive line you have to think more."
Saturday's late selection of ey didn't come as a total surprise. Not only did Gibbs hint after picking Taylor that the team was still trying to make some moves, but passing over Winslow left a vacancy at H-back — a spot ey, the only projected mid-round pick to visit Redskin Park in recent weeks, fits perfectly.
Gibbs acknowledged the possibility of obtaining ey was in the back of club officials' minds when they bypassed Winslow. However, he tried to end the rumors regarding other reasons Washington passed up the talented tight end, including one reported on ESPN yesterday — that Winslow kept Gibbs waiting 1½ hours during his recent visit.
"Here's the deal: I'm convinced that guy's a super football player," Gibbs said of Winslow. "That's what we became convinced of. He should be a fantastic player. We certainly had him rated there. There was nothing in there — everybody brought up the agent, everybody brought up different things — [to dissuade us]. I think it was an evaluation of where we were, what would help us the most."
Looking ahead to next spring, the Redskins have dealt away two picks — the second-rounder (to the New Orleans Saints for the right to draft ey) and the fifth-rounder (to the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran wide receiver James Thrash). That leaves five selections in 2005 after the club made just seven in the past two years, including a franchise-low three in 2003.
The weekend's haul, combined with last week's signing of veteran linebacker Michael Barrow, solidifies Washington's roster heading into more than a month of classroom and on-field work. The Redskins open Gibbs' second minicamp, another three-day session, Friday with the newcomers in uniform.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/2 ... -5002r.htm