The Young Guys

[gregory smith]

After 5 games we've had a chance to see a few of the draft picks play. I just wondered what others were thinking about the young players. Rookies and other young guys that stood out one way or another. I guess we all agree Ryan Grant is a keeper, and Breeland has promise. What about the others? Is it just me or is Trent Murphy not going to do much? He's played a lot of snaps but, invisible. Moses, good grief, downright scary. Never even looks at the guy across from him. Bolser must be bad or they wouldn't be asking Paul to do so much in the run gam, that was a massive failure. Just rambling I guess, trying to find something to look forward to. My main question is about Murphy. Thoughts.

[Deadskins]

Bolser must be bad or they wouldn't be asking Paul to do so much in the run gam, that was a massive failure.

Bosler was waived before the season, signed to the practice sqad, and then waived from that last night.

[Mirttinur]

It's not looking good for Amerson and Breeland, but the talent seems to be there. Hopefully we have the kind of staff that can develop these guys into quality corners.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

Silas Redd has been SOLID.
His limited snaps netted him a TD already vs JAx..

AND he was the only person to make a fkn tackle on punt coverage vs Seattle!
I know we have a lot of depth at RB, but I like that he has maximized his production when called upon.

IMHO Breeland might be the best tackler on the entire Defense!

[markshark84]

I was not happy about the Murphy draft pick to put it mildly....

Murphy has averaged between 20-25 plays a game. Against SEA he was only in on only 16 plays. He has 6 total tackles this year. Orkapo has 20, Kerrigan 16. Murphy has played about 40% of the total time of Orakpo and Kerrigan. If you run the numbers, his production is almost the same in terms of pure tackles..... but that doesn't paint the true picture.

From what I have seen, I don't see him as an impact type player similar to Kerrigan or Orakpo. He is slow to the ball and doesn't close well. IMHO, one of the reasons for his decline in plays against SEA was his inability to contain Russell Wilson. I would like to see him put on 20 pounds and play DE -- and I know that is not easy to do.

[frankcal20]

You also forgot to mention that Murphy gets doubled almost every time he's in the game. Check out the stats.

[markshark84]

You also forgot to mention that Murphy gets doubled almost every time he's in the game. Check out the stats.

I'm not sure where to find those stats, but I'll take your word for it.

[yupchagee]

I was not happy about the Murphy draft pick to put it mildly....

Murphy has averaged between 20-25 plays a game. Against SEA he was only in on only 16 plays. He has 6 total tackles this year. Orkapo has 20, Kerrigan 16. Murphy has played about 40% of the total time of Orakpo and Kerrigan. If you run the numbers, his production is almost the same in terms of pure tackles..... but that doesn't paint the true picture.

From what I have seen, I don't see him as an impact type player similar to Kerrigan or Orakpo. He is slow to the ball and doesn't close well. IMHO, one of the reasons for his decline in plays against SEA was his inability to contain Russell Wilson. I would like to see him put on 20 pounds and play DE -- and I know that is not easy to do.

Even if he adds 20#, he'll still be too light to play 4-3 DE.

[brad7686]

Breeland could have looked a whole lot worse in the position he's been put in. Murphy looks pretty stock thus far. I think Amerson and Breeland are at least covering better than meriweather, who is a dumpster fire.

[riggofan]

From what I have seen, I don't see him as an impact type player similar to Kerrigan or Orakpo.

That might be true, but the guy is a rookie who has played what? Five games? 100 snaps? Might want to reserve judgement on him until he's played a year.

Even Khalil Mack has struggled his first five games and that guy was the #5 pick.

[riggofan]

Here's a timely article for you:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/foo ... pass-rush/

When the Washington Redskins drafted Trent Murphy back in May, they were looking for a player to bolster their pass rush. With five games in the books, Murphy has yet to register a sack, leaving many fans to question the pick. While he doesn’t have a sack to his credit, he’s still been able to help out the defense get pressure.

Washington has used him as a third rush linebacker along side Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo in their nickel rush package. Murphy has done a good job drawing double teams in this package and allowing Kerrigan, Orakpo and even tackle Jason Hatcher to get one-on-one matchups.

[markshark84]

From what I have seen, I don't see him as an impact type player similar to Kerrigan or Orakpo.

That might be true, but the guy is a rookie who has played what? Five games? 100 snaps? Might want to reserve judgement on him until he's played a year.

Even Khalil Mack has struggled his first five games and that guy was the #5 pick.

I totally understand what you are saying, but if you look at the historical majority of rookie LBs that end up being all-pros, they tend to make a greater impact in their first year. Kerrigan and Orakpo had VERY VERY good rookie seasons -- then again solid guys like Riley didn't. When I say "impact" player I mean like a Kerrigan or Orakpo. Murphy could absolutely end up like a Riley, but who knows.

I know we are literally 5 games into the year and I could very well be wrong. I honestly believe my opinion is influence because I wasn't happy with the selection in the first place and the fact he hasn't come on fast just makes it worse.

And I wouldn't say that Mack is struggling based on his #s. I personally haven't watched an OAK game. That being said, he very well may be a bust, but he does appear to be contributing.

[riggofan]

From what I have seen, I don't see him as an impact type player similar to Kerrigan or Orakpo.

That might be true, but the guy is a rookie who has played what? Five games? 100 snaps? Might want to reserve judgement on him until he's played a year.

Even Khalil Mack has struggled his first five games and that guy was the #5 pick.

I totally understand what you are saying, but if you look at the historical majority of rookie LBs that end up being all-pros, they tend to make a greater impact in their first year. Kerrigan and Orakpo had VERY VERY good rookie seasons -- then again solid guys like Riley didn't. When I say "impact" player I mean like a Kerrigan or Orakpo. Murphy could absolutely end up like a Riley, but who knows.

I hear what you're saying. Kerrigan and Orakpo were both top of the first round picks though, so I'm not sure the comparison is totally fair.

I do understand what you mean about the Murphy pick in the first place. He was kind of a surprising, left field pick for one thing, and I think we all agree we needed to get some sort of immediate impact guy with our first pick. Its kind of frustrating.

[EA7649]

I had wishful thinking with Moses and unfortunately watching him play has shown he's not ready to play in the NFL. Breeland and Grant has been a breath of fresh air and shows promise, same goes for Siles but he's not on the field enough and maybe in a few years he'll be the #2 back. Murphy seems like a solid young player.

And on Mack, I've always had a little skepticism on him. All of the sudden he was declared to be a superstar this spring, just because of his physical abilities.