Post Draft, What Are Our Needs?

[Skinsfan55]

In order of need, here's how I see it:

FS- Here our the safeties listed for the Redskins on the team website:
Reed Doughty
Lendy Holmes
Chris Horton
LaRon Landry
Kareem Moore

Lendy and Holmes are the only players you could call cover guys... and they're also the least developed out of the group. Doughty, Landry and Horton are all strong safety types who play well against the run and stuggle in coverage. Granted, at this stage, we're not going to find an elite "centerfielder" type who can keep our D from getting burned on big plays (God, I miss Sean Taylor) but there are some legit options out there for FS's.

Darren Sharper- Veteran leader who could sign for short money.

Ken Hamlin- Ex Puke, but could come in and start right away. Used to be considered a ball hawk but has lost a little over the years... maybe a change of scenery could help.

Anthony Henry, William James- Two CB's but have the size and strength to possibly play FS.


LB- We have decent starters in Orakpo, Fletcher, McIntosh and Carter... but no depth here at all... and I would expect we'll be rotating linebackers. We could try Chike Okeafor, who is a veteran DE/OLB. We've got Wilson, Alexander, Jarmon (possibly) and Rob Jackson (possibly) but I don't know who will stick and who won't.

OL- Our front 5 are mediocre... and there's no depth behind them. I like Capers who we drafted, Ed Williams showed little flashes of ability, Heyer is okay I guess... but it still doesn't look like a strong unit to me. Getting a RT, or having someone really stand out in mini camps would be nice.

[The Hogster]

I agree that RT is still a concern. We have Hicks who could step in, but like you said, nothing behind him.

I disagree that Heyer is okay. I think he's awful. I truly believe that he benefited from the past regime's neglect, and the belief that Joe Bugel could recreate Joe Jacoby's from clay. Without that perfect storm, Stephon is not in the league.

With that said, we might consider a veteran free agent signing at tackle. I doubt that Shanahan would go with rookie bookends/

Free Safety will be interesting. It all depends on what the new staff thinks of our guys. We should bring someone in for competition. I am a fan of giving guys like Lendy Holmes a shot. But, we need more. I'd be all for Sharper but think he'll resign with NO.

We got a find at LB with Riley. He's our Larry Foote/Farrior in my view.

[Deadskins]

FS- Here our the safeties listed for the Redskins on the team website:
Reed Doughty
Lendy Holmes
Chris Horton
LaRon Landry
Kareem Moore

Lendy and Holmes are the only players you could call cover guys...

And that's the official word from Skins and fan55.

[Gibbs4Life]

CB is my biggest concern as I have doubts about Hall and Los

[KazooSkinsFan]

CB is my biggest concern as I have doubts about Hall and Los

If we still had a weak D line I'd agree with you on this, but they are decent cover guys and we have some depth. With a good pass rush, Hall is a ball hawk and should get some picks. They aren't going to be a shut down unit, but they are good enough to cover as long as the rush requires quick QB decisions.

I'd rate our needs:

1) O-Line - still the weakest link. Trent a rookie, Dockery is OK, Rabach aging and two make shift positions. I never thought this would be fixed in one year, and it wasn't.
2) WR - Not going into the off season, but coming out of it because we've been addressing our needs
3) Safety

We also need a QB of the future, but at least we don't need a QB of the now.

[1niksder]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp? Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

[Countertrey]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp? Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

It's not unreasonable... your question is valid, but he WAS projected to go much higher than he did. There is an excellent chance that Capers breaks the starting lineup.

BTW... what round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

[1niksder]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp?

Selvish Caspers was ranked in the top 10 tackles going into the draft, lower ranked OT were drafted before him and I still don't know he dropped as far as he did.

You could step right in and replace Heyer...

Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

Maybe 32 teams had other players on their boards, maybe some of those 32 teams didn't have a pick in every round so they didn't pass on him six times. Why did so many teams pass on Bruce Campbell (5 OT were drafted after Russell Okung before he came of the board)?

Why ask why? What do you know about Caspers that makes you doubt he can't replace the weakest link on one of the weakest line in NFL? Other than his draft position?

[The Hogster]

Let's sign Jamarcus Russell, Oakland already has enough offensive tackles.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp?

Selvish Caspers was ranked in the top 10 tackles going into the draft, lower ranked OT were drafted before him and I still don't know he dropped as far as he did.

You could step right in and replace Heyer...

Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

Maybe 32 teams had other players on their boards, maybe some of those 32 teams didn't have a pick in every round so they didn't pass on him six times. Why did so many teams pass on Bruce Campbell (5 OT were drafted after Russell Okung before he came of the board)?

Why ask why? What do you know about Caspers that makes you doubt he can't replace the weakest link on one of the weakest line in NFL? Other than his draft position?

So my choices are that I can predict he is going to step from the seventh round into a starting role or I'm saying he "can't replace Heyer?" Why are those polar extremes my only choices?

I didn't say he won't make the team, I didn't say he can't start, I pointed out he went in the 7th round and hasn't even had a practice yet and you're saying he "should be able to step right in and replace Heyer" and I find that a stretch and said so.

[1niksder]

I still think the BIGGEST need is O-line, RT to be more specific. Selvish Caspers should be able to step right in and replace Heyer but then you're looking at bookend rookies protecting a not so mobile anymore QB.

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp?

Selvish Caspers was ranked in the top 10 tackles going into the draft, lower ranked OT were drafted before him and I still don't know he dropped as far as he did.

You could step right in and replace Heyer...

Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

Maybe 32 teams had other players on their boards, maybe some of those 32 teams didn't have a pick in every round so they didn't pass on him six times. Why did so many teams pass on Bruce Campbell (5 OT were drafted after Russell Okung before he came of the board)?

Why ask why? What do you know about Caspers that makes you doubt he can't replace the weakest link on one of the weakest line in NFL? Other than his draft position?

So my choices are that I can predict he is going to step from the seventh round into a starting role or I'm saying he "can't replace Heyer?" Why are those polar extremes my only choices?

I didn't give you any choices, I made a comment and you questioned my projection. I'm simply asking what you know about Caspers that makes you doubt that he will replace Heyer, other than the round he was selected in.

I didn't say he won't make the team, I didn't say he can't start, I pointed out he went in the 7th round and hasn't even had a practice yet and you're saying he "should be able to step right in and replace Heyer" and I find that a stretch and said so.

You've watched Heyer act like the double doors at the grocery store for the past few years, and they have a guy fall to them in the 7th round that was projected much higher and it's a stretch. OK, why is it a stretch? How much of a stretch is it? A 7th rounder can't replace a guy that wasn't selected at all when he enter the league?

[KazooSkinsFan]

what you know about Caspers that makes you doubt that he will replace Heyer, other than the round he was selected in.

32 teams let him slide all the way to the seventh. Sure that includes the Raiders and Lions. It also includes the Patriots, Purcells, Giants, ... Relying on their assessment isn't the technicality you make it sound like. I seriously doubt that had happened if he "should" be starting on opening day.

A 7th rounder can't replace a guy that wasn't selected at all when he enter the league?

Again we're back to that my saying it's a stretch to say he "should" means I'm saying he "can't." Once again, I'm between those two. I have no problem with that he may one day replace Heyer, but if he were that close I seriously doubt he'd have slid to the seventh. Sure it's possible, but possible doesn't mean "should" and it doesn't mean "can't" either. Again I reject though that those two words are my only choices even if you're stuck on them.

[1niksder]

what you know about Caspers that makes you doubt that he will replace Heyer, other than the round he was selected in.

32 teams let him slide all the way to the seventh. Sure that includes the Raiders and Lions. It also includes the Patriots, Purcells, Giants, ... Relying on their assessment isn't the technicality you make it sound like. I seriously doubt that had happened if he "should" be starting on opening day.

A 7th rounder can't replace a guy that wasn't selected at all when he enter the league?

Again we're back to that my saying it's a stretch to say he "should" means I'm saying he "can't." Once again, I'm between those two. I have no problem with that he may one day replace Heyer, but if he were that close I seriously doubt he'd have slid to the seventh. Sure it's possible, but possible doesn't mean "should" and it doesn't mean "can't" either. Again I reject though that those two words are my only choices even if you're stuck on them.

You choose to state what your choices are are just as you choose not to answer the only question I have asked you.

Why do you feel it's a stretch other than where he was drafted?

I'll keep coming back to this until it's answered no matter how many time you try to change the actual questioned.

[1niksder]

what you know about Caspers that makes you doubt that he will replace Heyer, other than the round he was selected in.

32 teams let him slide all the way to the seventh. Sure that includes the Raiders and Lions. It also includes the Patriots, Purcells, Giants, ... Relying on their assessment isn't the technicality you make it sound like. I seriously doubt that had happened if he "should" be starting on opening day.

32 teams didn't need OT help some of them need players to fill other positions but as far as the team that you mention:
The Raiders selected OTs in the 3rd and 4th rounds so at most they pass on him for 2 rounds although they went into the draft looking for defensive help. Both tackles they selected were projected higher than Caspers so you really can't say they passed on him they just didn't have a need for him after day 2.

The Lions also went into the draft looking for defensive help but selected Jason Fox in the fourth (ranked lower than Caspers on most boards), having no picks in rounds 2,5 and 6 makes it kind of hard to say they passed on him 6 times doesn't it?

Parcell drafted a RG in the 4th and the Giants drafted one in the 5th. Neither team took a OT in any round so maybe that wasn't a need for them. It doesn't mean they took a pass on Caspers.

NE selected a lower ranked OT with the pick we sent them and the waited until round seven so maybe find OL help wasn't high on their list either.

What does any of this have to do with me projecting Caspers as Heyer day 1 replacement?

[KazooSkinsFan]

Why do you feel it's a stretch other than where he was drafted?

I'll keep coming back to this until it's answered no matter how many time you try to change the actual questioned.

Actually that's the first time you asked me that. Before that you kept asking why I said he "can't" and I kept accurately replying I hadn't said that.

Also, I already answered the question. I have no reason other then that he was drafted in the 7th round, but that's a pretty good reason to believe it's unlikely he's ready to start in the NFL in his first game as a rookie. It's not certain first rounders are starters day one and beyond that the odds are against. I think it's a stretch because 32 teams let him fall that far. Teams who are professional organizations at assessing talent. I agree that not all 32 need starting O linemen, but lots of them do.

If we had gone through OTA's and camp and he was playing well in the pre-season I could see it. But to say it before a single OTA? It's a stretch.

You're the stats guy, what percent of 7th round OL's start on day one?

[Countertrey]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

[KazooSkinsFan]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

He wasn't drafted

[1niksder]

Why do you feel it's a stretch other than where he was drafted?

I'll keep coming back to this until it's answered no matter how many time you try to change the actual questioned.

Actually that's the first time you asked me that. Before that you kept asking why I said he "can't" and I kept accurately replying I hadn't said that.

Why ask why? What do you know about Caspers that makes you doubt he can't replace the weakest link on one of the weakest line in NFL? Other than his draft position?

You've watched Heyer act like the double doors at the grocery store for the past few years, and they have a guy fall to them in the 7th round that was projected much higher and it's a stretch. OK, why is it a stretch? How much of a stretch is it? A 7th rounder can't replace a guy that wasn't selected at all when he enter the league?

Also, I already answered the question. I have no reason other then that he was drafted in the 7th round, but that's a pretty good reason to believe it's unlikely he's ready to start in the NFL in his first game as a rookie. It's not certain first rounders are starters day one and beyond that the odds are against. I think it's a stretch because 32 teams let him fall that far. Teams who are professional organizations at assessing talent. I agree that not all 32 need starting O linemen, but lots of them do.

If we had gone through OTA's and camp and he was playing well in the pre-season I could see it. But to say it before a single OTA? It's a stretch.

Heyer walked off the streets as a UDFA ROT and is a starting LOT, yet a player drafted in the late rounds that was projected to go higher can replace him as the starter by the beginning of the season is a stretch to you. I didn't say you were wrong to think it was a stretch, I just wanted to know what you based it on. Now I know.

You're the stats guy, what percent of 7th round OL's start on day one?

Doesn't matter... none of them competed with Heyer for the spot...

In September I'll ask you to name one and I'm projecting you'll be able to do it.

[KazooSkinsFan]

In September I'll ask you to name one and I'm projecting you'll be able to do it.

I hope you're right!

I was googling scouting reports on him since our discussion though and the word I see over and over on him is "project." I see why you like him as a pick so much. He sounds like a good pick from what I read, there's a good upside. But he was originally a TE and the general view seems to believe he's still learning to be a tackle.

I don't think Heyer is as bad as you and Hogster do, but I don't actually like him enough to defend him and I think even if he makes the team this year, even if he starts this year, his upside isn't very big and he's not going to be here more then a year or two. I hope not anyway.

[1niksder]

I was just wondering if I had missed something about Caspers....
Heyer has been a project for years

[Deadskins]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

He wasn't drafted

So every team passed on him 12 times? That guy must have sucked to high heaven.

[Countertrey]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

He wasn't drafted

That's my point.

[KazooSkinsFan]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

He wasn't drafted

That's my point.

How did your point pertain to the discussion?

[Countertrey]

What round was Joe Jacoby drafted in?

He wasn't drafted

That's my point.

How did your point pertain to the discussion?

Oh, I don't know... maybe...

You project a seventh round rookie to be able to "step right in" and start before the first camp? Seriously? If that was the case, why did 32 teams pass on him 6 times?

You offer this rhetoric as though there is some absolute, based upon when the player is drafted. To make this challenge, you have to ignore the history of the Hogs, who had their share of unlikely starters, Jacoby being the most obvious. The draft war rooms DO NOT know all. they select players who turn out to be useless, yes... they also miss future Hall of Fame players entirely.

This player is very likely to be better than the current "starter" projected for the left side... the chances of his starting on day one are good. If he doesn't, there is an good chance that he will be starting at some point during the season.