The Situation so Far: Defense

[cowboyhater4life]

This years draft is loaded with secondary players. I'm sure they have there eye on a few. Especially with our cap issues this year in FA. w
Winfield is injury prone as stated before and we don't have the money.

[Skinsfan55]

Not only is the draft loaded, but the FA pool is ripe with defensive backs.

[riggofan]

I'm kind of scratching my head on this one. Chase Minnifield is an undrafted kid who hasn't played a down in the NFL, coming off his second ACL surgery. We're going to pencil him in as the second half of an excellent CB tandem?

I do love your optimism though!

He wouldn't have went undrafted if it wasn't for the microfracture issue. He was projected to go anywhere from late second to the fourth round. You can find a potential starter where he would have been drafted.

I don't disagree with that. But that kid still has to prove he can even make the roster this summer, much less be our starting CB. Like I said, I like the optimism, but I hope like crazy the Skins can land even a decent free agent to fill D. Hall's spot.

We're hoping and believe RGIII will return to top form too, are we not? They both have the chance to return to top form, they both have the chance that they won't...

I guess so. We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL though. Not so sure about the top form of a "shoulda been a third round pick" CB.

Fingers crossed either way. We need some luck this season.

[SkinsJock]

Luck is a part of it - we seem to have some of that too

we also have a group of guys in charge here that have done an outstanding job of finding and adding players that many did not think were very good but that have contributed a lot -AND - while we do have many issues, time and again we've seen players step up and really make the most of their opportunity to be a part of the team

yes, we need to continue to find/identify some players that can show they have a lot to offer

and we need some luck

let's let this thing unfold a little more - patience

[Chris Luva Luva]

I'm kind of scratching my head on this one. Chase Minnifield is an undrafted kid who hasn't played a down in the NFL, coming off his second ACL surgery. We're going to pencil him in as the second half of an excellent CB tandem?

I do love your optimism though!

He wouldn't have went undrafted if it wasn't for the microfracture issue. He was projected to go anywhere from late second to the fourth round. You can find a potential starter where he would have been drafted.

I don't disagree with that. But that kid still has to prove he can even make the roster this summer, much less be our starting CB. Like I said, I like the optimism, but I hope like crazy the Skins can land even a decent free agent to fill D. Hall's spot.

We're hoping and believe RGIII will return to top form too, are we not? They both have the chance to return to top form, they both have the chance that they won't...

I guess so. We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL though. Not so sure about the top form of a "shoulda been a third round pick" CB.

Fingers crossed either way. We need some luck this season.

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase. I choose to believe that Chase will pull through, just like I believe RGIII will...

[riggofan]

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase.

Nice job selectively quoting me. What I wrote was: "We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL".

So, no. Its not the "same as Chase." Do you know what Chase Minnifield's top form looks like in the NFL? I don't. Anyway...

[Chris Luva Luva]

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase.

Nice job selectively quoting me. What I wrote was: "We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL".

So, no. Its not the "same as Chase." Do you know what Chase Minnifield's top form looks like in the NFL? I don't. Anyway...

I'm not selectively quoting you because I don't disagree with your point of emphasis.

MY POINT is that we can't dismiss one players ability to recover from injury but totally accept anothers... I believe RGIII will fully heal. I also believe Chase will fully heal. I believe that RGIII will resume where he left off. I believe that Chase will resume where he left off which is about a low second round talent. People of that talent level have the potential to start in the NFL. Given our success via the draft under this regime, I believe that they pick good players.

[riggofan]

I'll buy that argument. Those guys are both young, elite athletes. We should rightly expect them to bounce back.

Looking forward to seeing what our plan "A" is though at CB without Hall, because it isn't Wilson/Minnifield right now!

[emoses14]

Perhaps we should wait for more than day 2 of free agency and more than a month prior to the draft before calling our defensive backfield.

Yes, I recognize the title of the thread, but still, right now doesn't imply the answer come 9.5.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

I'm kind of scratching my head on this one. Chase Minnifield is an undrafted kid who hasn't played a down in the NFL, coming off his second ACL surgery. We're going to pencil him in as the second half of an excellent CB tandem?

I do love your optimism though!

He wouldn't have went undrafted if it wasn't for the microfracture issue. He was projected to go anywhere from late second to the fourth round. You can find a potential starter where he would have been drafted.

I don't disagree with that. But that kid still has to prove he can even make the roster this summer, much less be our starting CB. Like I said, I like the optimism, but I hope like crazy the Skins can land even a decent free agent to fill D. Hall's spot.

We're hoping and believe RGIII will return to top form too, are we not? They both have the chance to return to top form, they both have the chance that they won't...

I guess so. We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL though. Not so sure about the top form of a "shoulda been a third round pick" CB.

Fingers crossed either way. We need some luck this season.

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase. I choose to believe that Chase will pull through, just like I believe RGIII will...

We have a smart FO now. IF RG3 isn't what he used to be, you have Cousins, who btw, is very hungry to improve his game and according to an interview of him from last month, he's been working extremely hard this off season.

I think RG3 is gonna light it up, but we are more than prepared for the worst. Our end goal should be that at every position, we can say the same thing for each starter & backup.

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase.

Nice job selectively quoting me. What I wrote was: "We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL".

So, no. Its not the "same as Chase." Do you know what Chase Minnifield's top form looks like in the NFL? I don't. Anyway...

I'm not selectively quoting you because I don't disagree with your point of emphasis.

MY POINT is that we can't dismiss one players ability to recover from injury but totally accept anothers... I believe RGIII will fully heal. I also believe Chase will fully heal. I believe that RGIII will resume where he left off. I believe that Chase will resume where he left off which is about a low second round talent. People of that talent level have the potential to start in the NFL. Given our success via the draft under this regime, I believe that they pick good players.

Isn't Chase running routes etc at this point as well? I mean that's been the talk on here and the news right?

With all that, not sure why there's so much negative talk about him. Sure, I wouldn't fully trust his durability and would find great players to take his place in such a way that he could be a powerful backup. He'd have all the time in the world to heal then. Plus, like I said, he'd be a seamless backup at worst. Pretty ideal situation with that attitude.

[Chris Luva Luva]

With all that, not sure why there's so much negative talk about him.

The fanbase is still afraid of being let down and disappointed.

[Countertrey]

With all that, not sure why there's so much negative talk about him.

The fanbase is still afraid of being let down and disappointed.

And... there really hasn't been that much negative...

[Chris Luva Luva]

With all that, not sure why there's so much negative talk about him.

The fanbase is still afraid of being let down and disappointed.

And... there really hasn't been that much negative...

There's been A TON of positivity since the day Mike came aboard... But people continued to whine and cry because they're short-sighted. The progress made in the seasons prior to the 12/13 campaign are the reason why we won the NFCE last year.

They refused to acknowledge the progress because it didn't show up in the Win column... Fair enough but even still, people cried and they're crying still. Last off-season everyone felt we had an antrocious line. The season starts and we're on our way to a single season rushing record and OROTY awards... Multiple negative streaks were broken. But.. You know, that isn't good enough for them. It was a fluke apparently, you know, having a top 5 offense. That was a fluke. Yep. We'll be a 3 win team next year.

[emoses14]

With all that, not sure why there's so much negative talk about him.

The fanbase is still afraid of being let down and disappointed.

And... there really hasn't been that much negative...

There's been A TON of positivity since the day Mike came aboard... But people continued to whine and cry because they're short-sighted. The progress made in the seasons prior to the 12/13 campaign are the reason why we won the NFCE last year.

They refused to acknowledge the progress because it didn't show up in the Win column... Fair enough but even still, people cried and they're crying still. Last off-season everyone felt we had an antrocious line. The season starts and we're on our way to a single season rushing record and OROTY awards... Multiple negative streaks were broken. But.. You know, that isn't good enough for them. It was a fluke apparently, you know, having a top 5 offense. That was a fluke. Yep. We'll be a 3 win team next year.

I agree 100%.

But I can understand the reticence by others. They are having a hard time overcoming the PTSD that most of us suffer from with this team. Some of us see the "right way" (or Shanaplan if you're SJ) finally taking hold and adopt a "boy I can't wait till this all starts coming together because if these are the results from doing the little things right, imagine what will happen when we 1. are not being robbed (literally); 2. have our more seasoning on our draftees; 3. acquire some of the pieces we coudn't previously; 4. add depth at those positions where we are thin and 4. (my favorite) start being able to acquire players who we view as specialists only that can do the 1 or 2 things that we'd like to have and not that we need to score more/get more sacks/special teams bonus, etc."

Others react to their PTSD by never being able to give the team credit, I guess until the win the superbowl, but I'm sure they'll have something negative to say even then. Its a tough way to be a fan, but understandable. How many times they must have thought the franchise was turning the corner only to be let down? They are just waiting for that shoe that always has dropped, to do so again. Records, draft strategy, free agency philosophy, smart moves and, well, reality be damned; they aren't getting fooled again, NO WAY!

Its been 2 years at least of clear progress being made, and quite frankly I think you can go back as far as last year. For the first offseason in forever; I'm unconcerned, and only curious, about the moves we are and aren't making. I trust the decision makers because their track record here and here alone have demanded that trust.

Oh, wrt to the original topic, I'm starting to become hopeful that Deangelo ends up back with us.

[tribeofjudah]

Ronde Barber anyone........???

Pat Yasinkas of ESPN made a strong case that longtime Buc Ronde Barber could wind up in Washington. There doesn’t seem to be a spot for him in Tampa Bay as they signed Dashon Goldson as a free agent and drafted Mark Barron in the first round in 2012.

Here are some of the reasons to think that Barber and the Redskins are a good fit:

And let’s keep in mind the Redskins were a playoff team last season and look like a contender to be one next season. It’s been a while since Barber’s been on a playoff team, and that could make this scenario tempting.

There are a few other tidbits that could make Washington tempting. Former Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris is Washington’s secondary coach. Washington general manager Bruce Allen held the same role in Tampa Bay during a good chunk of Barber’s career. Oh, and Washington coach Mike Shanahan already took one icon (John Lynch) out of Tampa Bay back when he was coaching Denver.

As of right now, the 2013 starting safeties likely would be Reed Doughty at free safety and, if his knee is sufficiently healed, Brandon Meriweather at strong. Meriweather’s health will be a season-long concern and Doughty is better suited to a role as a reserve safety and special teams player.

http://www.csnwashington.com/football-w ... t-redskins

[yupchagee]

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase.

Nice job selectively quoting me. What I wrote was: "We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL".

So, no. Its not the "same as Chase." Do you know what Chase Minnifield's top form looks like in the NFL? I don't. Anyway...

I'm not selectively quoting you because I don't disagree with your point of emphasis.

MY POINT is that we can't dismiss one players ability to recover from injury but totally accept anothers... I believe RGIII will fully heal. I also believe Chase will fully heal. I believe that RGIII will resume where he left off. I believe that Chase will resume where he left off which is about a low second round talent. People of that talent level have the potential to start in the NFL. Given our success via the draft under this regime, I believe that they pick good players.

Minnifield had microfracture surgery, RGIII did not. As I understand things, this is potentially a big difference.

[The Hogster]

Yes, we know what RGIII's top form looked like. That's past tense. He has the chance that he won't look like that. Same as Chase.

Nice job selectively quoting me. What I wrote was: "We know what RGIII's top form looks like in the NFL".

So, no. Its not the "same as Chase." Do you know what Chase Minnifield's top form looks like in the NFL? I don't. Anyway...

I'm not selectively quoting you because I don't disagree with your point of emphasis.

MY POINT is that we can't dismiss one players ability to recover from injury but totally accept anothers... I believe RGIII will fully heal. I also believe Chase will fully heal. I believe that RGIII will resume where he left off. I believe that Chase will resume where he left off which is about a low second round talent. People of that talent level have the potential to start in the NFL. Given our success via the draft under this regime, I believe that they pick good players.

Minnifield had microfracture surgery, RGIII did not. As I understand things, this is potentially a big difference.

+1

[Skinsfan55]

Can we at least just agree that if Minnefield makes any contribution to the 2013 Redskins it will be a huge miracle?

[Deadskins]

Can we at least just agree that if Minnefield makes any contribution to the 2013 Redskins it will be a huge miracle?

I don't know about being a miracle, but it would definitely be a nice surprise.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I EXPECT him to contribute.. back up, nickel, spell, or ST don't matter. His drive and hunger after not being drafted being any indication- my expectations are realistic.

[SkinsJock]

IF Chase makes the roster he will have to show that he can help our secondary

that being said - he's only making the roster if he earns it and we can use all the players we can find that will 'upgrade' our secondary


I think he's going to be on the roster and that's not a miracle IMO - that's a player you'd like to have

[Countertrey]

Can we at least just agree that if Minnefield makes any contribution to the 2013 Redskins it will be a huge miracle?

Dear Mr Optimist:

NO.

My feeling since he was signed was that Shanahan is making an investment... this kid was NOT released for a reason. I don't believe he is a project. And I don't believe that "any contribution" will be a "miracle"... much less a "huge miracle".

I project that Chase Minnifield will be a surprise to many... but not to me.
The best I can give you is, any contribution from Minnefieldd will be a bonus... and any exceptional contributions can be classified as a "huge bonus".

If Shanahan turns out to be right... he's a genius. If he's wrong about this kid... hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained... no big. This is a low risk/high potential reward situation if there ever was one. I'm betting on Shanahan... and Chase Minnifield... on this one...

[Chris Luva Luva]

Can we at least just agree that if Minnefield makes any contribution to the 2013 Redskins it will be a huge miracle?

Last off-season you would have tried to say the same thing about...

Alfred Morris a 6th round pick breaking the single season rushing record...
Polumbus
Kory coming back with a gimpy knee
Rob Jackson subbing for Orakpo
Paulsen
And more...

[Skinsfan55]

Can we at least just agree that if Minnefield makes any contribution to the 2013 Redskins it will be a huge miracle?

Dear Mr Optimist:

NO.

My feeling since he was signed was that Shanahan is making an investment... this kid was NOT released for a reason. I don't believe he is a project. And I don't believe that "any contribution" will be a "miracle"... much less a "huge miracle".

I project that Chase Minnifield will be a surprise to many... but not to me.
The best I can give you is, any contribution from Minnefieldd will be a bonus... and any exceptional contributions can be classified as a "huge bonus".

If Shanahan turns out to be right... he's a genius. If he's wrong about this kid... hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained... no big. This is a low risk/high potential reward situation if there ever was one. I'm betting on Shanahan... and Chase Minnifield... on this one...

So wait, he's an investment... but not a project? He'll surprise a lot of people, but not you. Because, you know that he'll be a success. You should work for a pro football team because 32 teams passed on him, not once, not twice but thrice. Obviously they could benefit from your wisdom.

Then, despite all the nonsense you wrote, you say it's a low risk-high reward type signing. You hit the nail on the head despite bumbling around the obvious point. The Redskins took a flyer on him. Nothing more, nothing less.

Also, contrary to what you said. He actually WAS released. Rather waived when the team realized he was still riddled with injuries. No one took him off waivers so rather than throw away a potentially useful player the team kept him on IR since it cost nothing and they could give him a chance to get healthy.

All these people pining for Minnifield or talking about him like he's a known quantity are ridiculous. It's like saying Darius Hanks is going to become a starter next season or any other baseless claim about the team. Start thinking in facts. Minnifield has a HUGE climb in order to become an NFL starter. He's got to get healthy (microfracture surgery is no joke), then he's got to beat out the competition and play at a high level without re-injuring himself. Acting like he's a sure thing is idiotic.