Roster Moves

[VetSkinsFan]

Because he'll quickly break down, and then where would that leave our receiving corps?

It's the Brian Westbrook dilemma; dude is lethal on punt returns, but the Eagles don't use him for PR duties, because he's more valuable as a RB, touching the ball 20+ times per game.

I'd agree with you IF our WR corps were doing anything decent. They were terrible last year and weren't helped by spotty QB play.

What's the point in keeping Moss healthy for the next game when you're just going to go out and lose it the same exact what you're losing the current game? That's crazy.

Zorn said that he wouldn't start the rookies in the final 2 games cus this team always plays to win. Keeping ARE at PR and not putting Moss back at PR more often makes his statement BS.

If Moss got hurt on a PR, what would have happened? We would have scored less points? Would we have lost more games? I mean really now... He was healthy and we LOST, what would it have hurt?! NOTHING!

A little more extreme than I was thinking, but the same sentiment is there. It's not like he's battling TO, Welker, TJ, ect, for the receiving title. I don't recall Moss doing much spectacular last year on offense in general. I DO, however, recall him kickin major tail on PRs...

I think Zorn should give Moss at least one PR a game next season. Just let him get one a game and I guarantee you he'll make it worth while.

I say every time. If he can't score on offense, let him score on teams...

<disclaimer> I am not completely blaming Moss for Moss' lack of production. This is an entirely different convo that's been beat to death.

[Irn-Bru]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

Amen.

[CanesSkins26]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

I agree 100%. I don't buy the argument that he is going to break down by returning 2 to 3 punts a game.

[PulpExposure]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

I agree 100%. I don't buy the argument that he is going to break down by returning 2 to 3 punts a game.

If that isn't true, why don't we see more star WRs returning punts? For example, why isn't Steve Smith returning punts?

Remember, Moss is a guy who has habitual hamstring issues. Do you really think returning punts isn't going to aggravate those hamstrings?

[SkinsFreak]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

Amen.

I agree we need somebody else back there returning punts and Moss has proven himself. Again, I'm not sold that just because ARE has had his contract renegotiated that it means he's a lock for the PR duties. I still believe a change will be made.

[CanesSkins26]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

I agree 100%. I don't buy the argument that he is going to break down by returning 2 to 3 punts a game.

If that isn't true, why don't we see more star WRs returning punts? For example, why isn't Steve Smith returning punts?

Remember, Moss is a guy who has habitual hamstring issues. Do you really think returning punts isn't going to aggravate those hamstrings?

Steve Smith used to return punts. During his first three seasons in the NFL he actually returned both punt and kick offs. He was also Carolina's main punt returner during his most productive season as a wide receiver (2005). That year he had over 100 catches and returned 27 punts.

There are also plenty of starting receivers and running backs that return punts and/or kicks for their teams. Wes Welker, Santonio Holmes, DeSean Jackson, Reggie Bush, Leon Washington, and Eddie Royal were all either primary kick or punt returners for their teams last season.

[Chris Luva Luva]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

Amen.

I agree we need somebody else back there returning punts and Moss has proven himself. Again, I'm not sold that just because ARE has had his contract renegotiated that it means he's a lock for the PR duties. I still believe a change will be made.

Although Zorns track record is short, from what he's shown me...I don't have too much faith. IMO he shouldn't even start the season at PR but I he will...sadly. Best case scenario is that they give him a short leash.

[SkinsFreak]

I think Moss should take ALL of our punt returns. Injury concerns aren't a great reason to hold him back at this point. It would be different if he was a year-in, year-out 1,500 yd receiver; but we've gotta get some value out of this guy next year.

Amen.

I agree we need somebody else back there returning punts and Moss has proven himself. Again, I'm not sold that just because ARE has had his contract renegotiated that it means he's a lock for the PR duties. I still believe a change will be made.

Although Zorns track record is short, from what he's shown me...I don't have too much faith. IMO he shouldn't even start the season at PR but I he will...sadly. Best case scenario is that they give him a short leash.

That's a fair concern. But from my perspective, and I know I've said it a thousand times, but I just think Zorn wasn't going to come in a create a mess in the locker room by making a ton of changes to a team basically built by a HoF'er and the home town hero in Gibbs. I just think he was using his first year as a gauge and now can make changes without the backlash from the locker room. He needed to earn a lot of respect coming in, especially from the players, and that doesn't happen if you start with benching "core players". The coaches did elude to the problems at PR last season, so I still expect a change to be made. We'll see.

[SkinsFreak]

Friday, February 13: Redskins Claim Anthony Alridge, Establishing A Trend

When the Redskins signed RB/KR Dominique Dorsey out of the CFL to a futures contract, I speculated that he might be a bargain version of Darren Sproles. Last night, the Redskins were awarded RB/KR Anthony Alridge off waivers from the Denver Broncos, and it now seems safe to say that "quick little kick returner" is a position that's receiving some attention.

Alridge had a productive career with the University of Houston Cougars -- he averaged 10 yards a carry over 95 carries in 2006; in 2007 he rushed for 1,597 yards (with a 6.2 yard average) and caught 42 passes for 428 additional yards. In fact, his college numbers were strong enough that he was named second team All-Conference USA.

That might not seem particularly impressive -- it's only second team, and it's only Conference USA -- but the three running backs ahead of him were Matt Forte (1,715 yards from scrimmage for the Bears), Kevin Smith (976 yards rushing for the hapless Lions), and Chris Johnson (named to the Pro Bowl for the Titans). So getting pushed down to fourth best in that crew is still pretty darned good.

Among the running back prospects at the 2008 NFL scouting combine, Alridge finished third in the 40-yard dash behind Johnson and fourth overall pick (and first running back selected) Darren McFadden, first in the broad jump, and sixth in the 3-cone drill.

So the numbers are there for that speedy kick returning role. He's considered a bit undersized at a listed 5-9, 185 pounds, which hurt his stock, and he spent last season on injured reserve for the Broncos after tearing a ligament in his foot. But as a longshot heading into training camp, he shows some promise.

Check out the videos posted on Matt's blog page. This kids nickname is "Quick 6".

[Chris Luva Luva]

That's a fair concern. But from my perspective, and I know I've said it a thousand times, but I just think Zorn wasn't going to come in a create a mess in the locker room by making a ton of changes to a team basically built by a HoF'er and the home town hero in Gibbs. I just think he was using his first year as a gauge and now can make changes without the backlash from the locker room. He needed to earn a lot of respect coming in, especially from the players, and that doesn't happen if you start with benching "core players". The coaches did elude to the problems at PR last season, so I still expect a change to be made. We'll see.

And he went 2-6 because of it... Walking on egg shells while losing your season isn't going to earn respect. Cutting off dead weight and making changes that better the team to stop a skid garners respect. IMHO.

"core players". I hate that term so much.

[Deadskins]

Denver is pretty good at evaluating running back talent. If he's good, why would they release him?

Edit: I missed the "scat-back/returner" label. A kid with that kind of speed as a returner can be dangerous.

Actually Denver has had trouble getting production from the RB spot since Clinton. And teams can release players for other reasons than talent level.

[PulpExposure]

Denver is pretty good at evaluating running back talent. If he's good, why would they release him?

Edit: I missed the "scat-back/returner" label. A kid with that kind of speed as a returner can be dangerous.

Actually Denver has had trouble getting production from the RB spot since Clinton. And teams can release players for other reasons than talent level.

Yeah, not sure I buy the whole Denver as RB heaven thing anymore; they've spent a lot of relatively high draft picks on RB lately that haven't panned out. Maurice Clarett in the 3rd in 2005, Tatum Bell in the 2nd in 2004, Quentin Griffin in the 4th in 2003. The last RB they had drafted who worked out was Portis in 2002.

[Jake]

The Bengals have claimed Ryan Plackemeier off of waivers.

[Skinsfan55]

Denver is pretty good at evaluating running back talent. If he's good, why would they release him?

Denver is not great at evaluating running backs, they have had success because of their offensive line and zone blocking schemes.

Yeah, not sure I buy the whole Denver as RB heaven thing anymore; they've spent a lot of relatively high draft picks on RB lately that haven't panned out. Maurice Clarett in the 3rd in 2005, Tatum Bell in the 2nd in 2004, Quentin Griffin in the 4th in 2003. The last RB they had drafted who worked out was Portis in 2002.

Well, I mean here's some of their running backs since Clinton Portis:

2004 Reuben Droughns, 1,240 yds, 6 TD
2005 Mike Anderson, 1,014 yds, 12 TD
2006 Tatum Bell, 1,025 yds, 2 TD (As a short yardage guy Mike Bell picked up 8 more scores.)
2007 Travis Henry was the main attraction with 691 yds but they ran for almost 2,000 as a team.

Last season nearly every RB on the roster was hurt at one point. IMO it continues to be an environment conducive to running backs but Mike Shannahan got overconfident. He thought he could throw anyone out there.

[Irn-Bru]

IMO it continues to be an environment conducive to running backs but Mike Shannahan got overconfident. He thought he could throw anyone out there.

To be fair to him, there have been years when he could.

[SkinsFreak]

IMO it continues to be an environment conducive to running backs but Mike Shannahan got overconfident. He thought he could throw anyone out there.

To be fair to him, there have been years when he could.

Right Bru, that was my point. Nevertheless, I hope one of these speedy guys, either Dominique Dorsey or Anthony Alridge, can flourish and perhaps earn a starting role as a kick/punt returner and a change-up RB in the backfield with home run potential. I like both signings.

[PulpExposure]

Steve Smith used to return punts. During his first three seasons in the NFL he actually returned both punt and kick offs. He was also Carolina's main punt returner during his most productive season as a wide receiver (2005). That year he had over 100 catches and returned 27 punts.

Yeah but he doesn't anymore. If 2-3 punt returns a game wasn't an injury concern, as you've asserted, why isn't he doing PR anymore?

Although Zorns track record is short, from what he's shown me...I don't have too much faith. IMO he shouldn't even start the season at PR but I he will...sadly. Best case scenario is that they give him a short leash.

I sincerely hope ARE is retained with the thought of playing WR exclusively. He just is not good enough at PR; we get zero production out of him at that spot.

[SkinsFreak]

I sincerely hope ARE is retained with the thought of playing WR exclusively. He just is not good enough at PR; we get zero production out of him at that spot.

I think/hope that's the case. With limited cap space to sign free agents and a current total of 4 draft picks, getting another WR to replace Randle El at this point would be difficult. He's worth keeping, for now, in a WR role exclusively, but hopefully Zorn and Smith will look elsewhere for a punt returner. The recent signings of Dorsey and Alridge suggest that's the case.