Draft Impact

[PulpExposure]

If Smith is available WE HAVE to take him. He's a top Oline prospect.

He skiped the combine because he was out of shape. I'm sure he knew the schedule. Why didn't he bother to get himself in shape?

Seriously, that has to raise huge flags. He knows what his responsibility is (get in shape for the Combine)...it's a day that all draft-eligible players target. However, he shows up out of shape and completely unprepared.

Who's to say he won't take the exact same approach as an NFL player? Sign his big contract, and then not bother to do anything to show up prepared to play.

I think you have to take him as a Redskin at 13, but this is seriously a huge issue.

[CanesSkins26]

Who's to say he won't take the exact same approach as an NFL player? Sign his big contract, and then not bother to do anything to show up prepared to play.

Kind of how Thomas and Kelly showed up to camp.

[Britskin]

I think this becomes a really interesting topic about now. We may be able to do a little more in free agency but probably nothing much more than O-line/LB depth. So as I see it that leaves us with at least 2 starters needed from the draft with a good first rnd pick and a 3rd. We need a RT we know and having cut MW we definitely need a OLB.
So we might use the 13th pick overall on a RT but that depends on whose still there - if its not the right guy we probably trade down a few slots and pick up a late 2nd rounder - get the tackle in the first and a durable talented OLB in the 2nd. Unless we pick up a Linebacker in free agency I don`t think we have any option but to trade down to get a 2nd rounder to pick a LB. Even the 2nd rnd is not going to give us a starter but its better than waiting until the 3rd which we`ll have to do if we use the 13th overall.
Its an interesting one because we reached up to get McIntosh a few years back in the second and he took a good 2 seasons to get to starter level - so I wonder.... Is it best to take a stud LB in the first and use the 2nd rnder( if we get one) or the 3rd rnder (if we don`t )on the tackle? Its a decision either way but would be influenced if coaching staff think Jansen can give us more/be healthier next year.

[SkinsFreak]

If Smith is available WE HAVE to take him. He's a top Oline prospect.

He skiped the combine because he was out of shape. I'm sure he knew the schedule. Why didn't he bother to get himself in shape?

Seriously, that has to raise huge flags. He knows what his responsibility is (get in shape for the Combine)...it's a day that all draft-eligible players target. However, he shows up out of shape and completely unprepared.

Who's to say he won't take the exact same approach as an NFL player? Sign his big contract, and then not bother to do anything to show up prepared to play.

I think you have to take him as a Redskin at 13, but this is seriously a huge issue.

Pulp, just curious... you think the Skins have to take him at #13 if he's available? I agree we need a tackle, so I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but from what I've heard and read about Andre Smith, I would have some major reservations.

In addition to being overweight and completely unprepared for the biggest interview of his life, his character has been a point of concern at Alabama. And with a very tough coach like Nick Saban, I'd be fairly concerned about his work ethics and character under someone who's maybe not a disciplinarian or as tough as Saban was. He was suspended for Alabama's Sugar Bowl game, and although Saban never disclosed why he was suspended, other than to say he violated team rules, there were some reports that said he merely had improper dealings with an agent. If true, it's not disastrous, but character and work ethic are paramount at the next level.

There were already rumors circulating that Smith's weight had previously exploded to a whopping 380 pounds. Sources later said Smith's interviews with teams have been going horribly. He's been inappropriately dressed and has been giving a number of conflicting statements as to why he was choosing not to workout at the combine. Several offensive line coaches have already suggested Smith be removed from their team's draft board and there's no doubt his draft stock is falling.

[SkinsJock]

If Smith is available WE HAVE to take him. He's a top Oline prospect.

He skiped the combine because he was out of shape. I'm sure he knew the schedule. Why didn't he bother to get himself in shape?

Seriously, that has to raise huge flags. He knows what his responsibility is (get in shape for the Combine)...it's a day that all draft-eligible players target. However, he shows up out of shape and completely unprepared.

I think you have to take him as a Redskin at 13, but this is seriously a huge issue.

Pulp, just curious... you think the Skins have to take him at #13 if he's available? I agree we need a tackle, so I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but from what I've heard and read about Andre Smith, I would have some major reservations.

In addition to being overweight and completely unprepared for the biggest interview of his life, his character has been a point of concern at Alabama.

There were already rumors circulating that Smith's weight had previously exploded to a whopping 380 pounds. Sources later said Smith's interviews with teams have been going horribly. Several offensive line coaches have already suggested Smith be removed from their team's draft board and there's no doubt his draft stock is falling.

In a way I'm all for adding the best talent we can as far as the offensive line is concerned but then again IF Cerrato and his team take this guy and he's a huge bust because of character issues and such then Cerrato has to go - now that in itself is a huge plus

We are still trying to get better and we knew from what we saw at the end of the season that it was going to take while to get better here.

The offensive line is going to be in transition here because of their ages and it takes a while to get the kind of understanding together for a line to really gel - in all honesty, it's going to take more than what now looks like a draft of 4 (with NO 2nd rounder!) IMO, it's going to take another full draft and then some time to begin to look like we have a decent line again.

I think we have done well so far but anyone who thinks adding a few players to our team as we have is going to make us a force again is drinking the Snyder cool-aid. We have been duped by his spending sprees before and while I have been a Snyder defender, I am a little concerned that he is still convinced we are not far away.

I thought adding Dockery and Hall were very good moves but I just worry about the amount of money invested in 1 player that has not been the healthiest player the last couple of years - I wonder if we could not have added more players than just make the one big splash and then hope it works out


This team needs to get very lucky on the offensive side of the ball, both with the players playing better AND the game planning by Zorn.
That will take some time and we need to be patient.



So, maybe taking a big risk is worth it - IF Smith does not work out AND we lose Cerrato for failing to do his job very well - that's a good thing, IMO

IF Smith works out we are going to have a guy that we can continue to build that offensive line around.

enjoy the ride - try and be patient

[Skinsfan55]

I just hope we concentrate on the offensive line with the 13th pick. Obviously if a linebacker or lineman falls we might take the best player available (nothing wrong with that, especially since there's supposedly some interesting o line prospects in the 3rd round per Todd McShay) but I just can't stop imagining the offensive line with Samuels, Dockery, Rabach, Thomas and Oher/Smith etc.

Clinton and Betts would shred up defenses with those holes.

[PulpExposure]

If Smith is available WE HAVE to take him. He's a top Oline prospect.

He skiped the combine because he was out of shape. I'm sure he knew the schedule. Why didn't he bother to get himself in shape?

Seriously, that has to raise huge flags. He knows what his responsibility is (get in shape for the Combine)...it's a day that all draft-eligible players target. However, he shows up out of shape and completely unprepared.

Who's to say he won't take the exact same approach as an NFL player? Sign his big contract, and then not bother to do anything to show up prepared to play.

I think you have to take him as a Redskin at 13, but this is seriously a huge issue.

Pulp, just curious... you think the Skins have to take him at #13 if he's available? I agree we need a tackle, so I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but from what I've heard and read about Andre Smith, I would have some major reservations.

I completely agree, but the guy had the talent to be the top pick in the draft prior to his bizarre day at the Combine. If the Skins think they can get his head straight (and that's a big IF, granted), his talent alone makes him worth the risk.

I think you do another interview with him...away from the Combine...and see how that goes. Perhaps he just had a horrible weekend...who knows? Because aside from his improper dealings with agents at Alabama, character wasn't a concern prior to the Combine weekend.

[CanesSkins26]

I just hope we concentrate on the offensive line with the 13th pick. Obviously if a linebacker or lineman falls we might take the best player available (nothing wrong with that, especially since there's supposedly some interesting o line prospects in the 3rd round per Todd McShay) but I just can't stop imagining the offensive line with Samuels, Dockery, Rabach, Thomas and Oher/Smith etc.

Clinton and Betts would shred up defenses with those holes.

I think that you have seriously unrealistic expectations. Our offensive line was a disaster for a good portion of the season last year. Adding Dockery and a rookie isn't going to turn a weakness into a strength overnight. Under your scenario, Thomas and Rabach still have to perform at a high level for a full season and based on last season it doesn't look like they are capable of that at this point in their careers. Our oline needs an overhaul and while signing Dockery and drafting a rookie OT would be a very good start, that is definitely not going to solve all of our oline problems.