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No. 9 overall pick may be receiver


By David Elfin
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


After a disappointing 6-10 season, the Washington Redskins will have the ninth choice in the first round of the April 23 draft.
If the Redskins keep the selection, it will be their fifth top-10 pick in seven drafts. Cornerback Champ Bailey (seventh, 1999), linebacker LaVar Arrington (second, 2000) and offensive tackle Chris Samuels (third, 2000) have been to multiple Pro Bowls, and safety Sean Taylor (fifth, 2004) was a first alternate as a rookie.
Washington's most pressing need is a big-play receiver. Michigan's Braylon Edwards and Southern Cal's Mike Williams, who unsuccessfully petitioned to enter the 2004 draft, are possibilities.

The Redskins only have five selections in the draft, having traded their second-rounder in order to move up in the third round in 2004 to take tight end Chris ey and their fifth-rounder to Philadelphia for receiver James Thrash.

Coles wary of surgery
Though Laveranues Coles became just the second Redskin to catch 90 passes in a season, he averaged just 10.6 yards a catch, the lowest of any No. 1 receiver in the league. Coles, who arrived from the New York Jets in 2003 as a big-play threat, has been hampered by an arthritic big toe for the past year-and-a-half.
Coles, who doesn't speak to the media, has told the Redskins the toe bothered him much less since a cortisone shot in early December. However, Coles' average actually dropped to 8.3 yards the rest of the way despite playing with strong-armed quarterback Patrick Ramsey and facing the poor defenses of San Francisco and Minnesota.
Coles will see a specialist later this month, and coach Joe Gibbs said the receiver will decide whether to have surgery.
"L.C. probably feels like he's OK and doesn't need the surgery," Gibbs said. "We're going to talk to the doctors again, get all the facts and let him make the final decision."
LaVar Arrington's right knee will be re-examined by surgeon James Andrews next week in order to plan his rehabilitation, but director of sports medicine Bubba Tyer said the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker won't need another operation.
"Getting LaVar totally healthy is a big deal for us," Gibbs said. "He's an impact player. Where would we have been rushing the passer if we had had LaVar in there?"
Of course, the defense was the NFC's best despite having Arrington for just four games and two starts.
Offensive tackles Chris Samuels and Ray Brown will have arthroscopic surgery on their right ankles. Samuels was hurt in the Aug. 27 preseason game at St. Louis. He missed a number of practices during the season but started every game. Brown also sprained a knee in Sunday's 21-18 victory over Minnesota but won't need surgery on that injury.
Neither will running back Clinton Portis (chest), cornerbacks Fred Smoot (kidney, back), Shawn Springs (foot) and Ade Jimoh (ankle) nor kicker John Hall (quadriceps). Gibbs said the Redskins have yet to decide whether to bring fill-in kicker Jeff Chandler back to challenge Hall next year. Chandler made all five of his field goal attempts under 51 yards. Hall was 1-for-5 from 40 to 50 yards.
Michael Barrow still is hampered by the tendinitis in his knee that kept him out all season, putting the 34-year-old middle linebacker's career in serious jeopardy, especially if the Redskins re-sign sterling replacement Antonio Pierce.
Offseason workouts begin March 21. Players are expected to be on hand Tuesday-Thursday each week. The Redskins will have a minicamp, a rookie camp and 14 other on-field (organized team activity) days.

Staying put
Although assistant head coach/offense Joe Bugel and offensive coordinator Don Breaux are turning 65, tight ends coach Rennie Simmons will be 63 and linebackers coach Dale Lindsey will be 62, Gibbs said he expects them all to return.

Moving up
Cornerbacks James Bethea and Korey Banks, and defensive linemen Nic Clemons and Melvin Williams were promoted from the practice squad

http://www.washtimes.com/sports/2005010 ... -9363r.htm

I doubt that Williams will be around when our pick comes up but hopefully we can draft Edwards.

I would love to see us get Mike Williams, But also think he will be gone before our 9th pick, Maybe we can trade up in the draft with someone

If Williams isn't there at the 9 then I think we should trade down to later in the 1st. There are many quality pass rushing DE's and one will be there a little later.

That said if Williams was in the draft last season he would have been the 9th pick, so why would he move up?

I don't know how big an effect it will have, but Williams has been out of football for over a year now

Yeah, Williams is going to need to readjust to the speed of the game, but he's big and has spectacular hands. I think we can risk a gamble on someone who's unfinished because we have a good foundation to work on.

Williams will be a 2nd rounder.

He is to slow to be a receiver and and to small to be a TE.

Even if they buff him up, his base isn't wide enough, H-Back maybe?

No way Williams drops to the 2nd round.

If Williams throws up even a low 4.6, he be a top 15 pick.

I've heard various reports about him. Some say that he's been working with a speed coach over the last year and could even get into the 4.5s while others suggest that he won't even break 4.7.

There's never been a player whose private workouts has ever had such a bearing on his draft status.

curveball wrote:If Williams throws up even a low 4.6, he be a top 15 pick.

I've heard various reports about him. Some say that he's been working with a speed coach over the last year and could even get into the 4.5s while others suggest that he won't even break 4.7.

There's never been a player whose private workouts has ever had such a bearing on his draft status.

Taylor Jacobs thought the samething didn't he?

Had Mike Williams been in the draft last season, he'd have gone as high as #2.

Williams is gonna be a star in the mold of a TO/Moss, without the attitude problems.

I would not pass that guy up if I was in Washington and he were available. Cuz if not, we sure could use him down in Big D

Primetime42 wrote:Had Mike Williams been in the draft last season, he'd have gone as high as #2.

Williams is gonna be a star in the mold of a TO/Moss, without the attitude problems.

I would not pass that guy up if I was in Washington and he were available. Cuz if not, we sure could use him down in Big D

Yall need receivers more than we do.

Here, you can have him.

What about more O-line. A pass rush would be nice, but defense wasn't exactly our problem. We are much better with Ramsey, but could still use help with protection. Injuries really hurt, and some of our O-line is getting up there in age anyway.
PS We'll never see Edwards or Williams. WR always more up when it comes to draft day. DE always fall.

Scott Wright's Top 32 Players for the 2005 NFL Draft:

Player Class Pos. School
1. Aaron Rodgers JR QB California
One of the few players in this Draft with "Star" potential.
2. Cedric Benson SR RB Texas
Could have been starting for a lot of pro teams in '04.
3. Derrick Johnson SR LB Texas
Athletic linebacker with speed who simply makes plays.
4. Matt Leinart JR QB USC
Has all the tools you look for in a franchise signal caller.
5. Antrel Rolle SR CB Miami (FL)
Physical corner with great size, speed and athleticism.
6. Mike Williams JR WR USC
May go higher in the '05 Draft than he would have in '04.
7. Ahmad Brooks SO OLB Virginia
Still raw but might have the highest upside in the Draft.
8. D'Brickashaw Ferguson JR OT Virginia
Getting bigger and could be an elite prospect in 2006.
9. Braylon Edwards SR WR Michigan
Consistency lacking but has every other tool in the world.
10. Thomas Davis JR S Georgia
A rare difference maker on the defensive side of the ball.
11. Cadillac Williams SR RB Auburn
Dynamic runner who is always a threat to go the distance.
12. Rodrique Wright JR DT Texas
Has been an impact player since his true freshman year.
13. Mathias Kiwanuka JR DE Boston College
Physical beast with unlimited upside as a pass rusher.
14. Alex Barron SR OT Florida St.
Could be a potential franchise left tackle in the pros.
15. Ronnie Brown SR RB Auburn
Overshadowed by Cadillac, but has better physical tools.
16. Erasmus James SR DE Wisconsin
Has seen his stock rise more than anyone in the country.
17. Kevin Burnett SR OLB Tennessee
Athleticism and physical tools are unmatched.
18. Justin Miller JR CB Clemson
Dynamic playmaker in the secondary & also a return man.
19. Channing Crowder SO ILB Florida
Durability is the only concern with this guy.
20. Heath Miller JR TE Virginia
Productive and a major weapon in the passing game.
21. Mark Clayton SR WR Oklahoma
Diminutive playmaker and a major deep threat.
22. Marcus Spears SR DE L.S.U.
Great athlete could play DE or DT depending on scheme.
23. Corey Webster SR CB L.S.U.
Ballhawking former wideout who is a tremendous athlete.
24. Jammal Brown SR OT Oklahoma
May be the best all-around OT in this Draft.
25. DeAngelo Williams JR RB Memphis
On the rise and could be one of the top RB's drafted.
26. Marlin Jackson SR CB Michigan
Really bounced back as a senior and solidified his grade.
27. Shaun Cody SR DT USC
Very productive and could project to either DT or DE.
28. Marcus McNeill JR OT Auburn
An amazing physical specimen at 6-9 and 340 pounds.
29. David Pollack SR DE Georgia
Extremely productive and has a non-stop motor.
30. Travis Johnson SR DT Florida St.
Finally lived up to his potential as a senior in 2004.
31. Dan Cody SR DE Oklahoma
Undersized end with great speed and pass rush ability.
32. Pac-Man Jones JR CB West Virginia
Active, physical cornerback who likes to hit.

Ridiculous. If Dallas gets a playmaker like Mike Williams then we should shut it down and rebuild. Luckily, it won't happen. This team NEEDS offense.

redskincity wrote:

Primetime42 wrote:Had Mike Williams been in the draft last season, he'd have gone as high as #2.

Williams is gonna be a star in the mold of a TO/Moss, without the attitude problems.

I would not pass that guy up if I was in Washington and he were available. Cuz if not, we sure could use him down in Big D

Yall need receivers more than we do.

Here, you can have him.

Guys check this out:

Terrell Owens is 6'3 230lbs.He runs around a 4.5 to 4.6 and is a tremendous receiver with good hands, who can go up for the ball and also outmuscles smaller cornerbacks for jump balls.The only difference between TO and Mike Williams is probably the unknown about his work ethic. TO is very quite chiselled and strong,because he trains in the gym like a maniac.
Mike could be our own TO but bigger 6'5 230lbs. Some say Mike Williams is not fast, but I personally think because of his long strides he might look slow but he is deceptively fast, runs good routes, and will be the playmaker this team needs on offense. We can find a good center in the 3rd round then our remaining picks will just be for depth.

So we must draft MIKE WILLIAMS WR USC Washington #9 pick.

Signed to a SIX YEAR CONTRACT.

What do you guys think of moving up in the draft now?...Arizona has the number 1 pick, however is struggling with their salary cap, along with other teams like Miami.

Why would we want the No.1 pick anyways....

Skinsfan55 wrote:Ridiculous. If Dallas gets a playmaker like Mike Williams then we should shut it down and rebuild. Luckily, it won't happen. This team NEEDS offense.

redskincity wrote:

Primetime42 wrote:Had Mike Williams been in the draft last season, he'd have gone as high as #2.

Williams is gonna be a star in the mold of a TO/Moss, without the attitude problems.

I would not pass that guy up if I was in Washington and he were available. Cuz if not, we sure could use him down in Big D

Yall need receivers more than we do.

Here, you can have him.

This team needs guys that strecth the field.

The short dump passes are left for ay or Royal.

I am just not impressed with Williams

Mike wrote:What do you guys think of moving up in the draft now?...Arizona has the number 1 pick, however is struggling with their salary cap, along with other teams like Miami.

Arizona drafts 8th not 1st
I don't see us moving up but moving down would give up more picks

Draft Order
1. San Francisco 2-14
2. Miami 4-12
3. Cleveland 4-12
4. Chicago 5-11
5. Tampa Bay 5-11
6. Tennessee 5-11
7. Oakland 5-11
8. Arizona 6-10
9. Washington 6-10
10. Detroit 6-10

We need to move down unless one player really separates himself from the pack. There are a lot of DL and WRs that seem to be pretty similar in terms of their draft stock. If we could narrow it down to 2 or 3 that we like and move down and accumulate extra picks (and not have to pay anyone Top 10 money) and still get one of those 3 guys it would be great.

JPM, well said. There are a bunch of great talented WR's. I'd put Williams on top of the heap in spite of the year-and-a-half layoff. He's special and would have been the best WR in last years draft. Getting an impact guy in the Top 10 is the question. With Aaron Rogers declaring - he might go in the Top 10 and be good bait for someone to trade up. Arizona needs a QB. Free Agency will determine a lot of what goes on draft day - just like last year.

Trading the 9th overall could net a late 1st, a second, and a third-round pick. If we go offensive line, then DE - and a WR with that combination.

I hope Williams does fall to the #9 spot - I think he'd be a no-brainer. If not, we don't need any of the top RB's or QB's. We don't need LB's (just need to sign Pierce)... so we could trade down and get good quality at the other, deeper positions.

ramble ended :0)

1. San Francisco 2-14
2. Miami 4-12
3. Cleveland 4-12
4. Chicago 5-11
5. Tampa Bay 5-11
6. Tennessee 5-11
7. Oakland 5-11
8. Arizona 6-10
9. Washington 6-10
10. Detroit 6-10

I want Mike Williams. I just hope he is there when we pick. Let's see,

San Fran will get a QB

Miami may go for a QB or o-line

Clevland may go for a QB or o-line, possibly a WR or a defensive player

I'm not really sure which position Chicago needs. They may go for a WR

Tampa, not sure who they will go for but I don't think it's a WR.

Tennessee may go for a DE.

Oakland may go for a RB, possibly a WR.

Arizona doesn't need a WR

Then us. The only teams I see going for Williams is Clevland, Chicago, and Oakland. That's not factoring in Miami trading down for more picks to draft for the o-line.

I think:

San Fran- takes Lineart
Miami will take a running back.
Cleveland takes Rogers
Then it goes O-line, RB, O-line, RB... and I think Arizona is set at reciever.

if williams is gone before we pick, then I think we should trade down to get an offensive lineman. I think we could get a guy at receiver in the second or third round by the name of roscoe parrish. IMO he is underrated and overshadowed at miami by all the other stars there but this kid has blinding speed. He can really stretch the field. Coles does have great speed but he doesn't seem to make too many long plays after the catch. Not only is roscoe a solid receiver but he could also pair up with Brown on kick returns and we would have 2 guys who can take to the house on any play returning kicks.