The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Two players whose development could be a big aid to the defense next season are DE Demetric Evans and LB Chris Clemons. Evans started much of the latter part of last season and performed capably. He has a chance to be even better next year since he will be rested coming into training camp. Evans played in NFL Europe last season, came to training camp and, despite being worn down, still made the team. He has good quickness, is learning to use his hands more effectively and to take advantage of his leverage. Clemons was cut in training camp last season, then signed off Cleveland's practice squad. He has exceptional speed and is a threat coming off the edge. Gregg Williams likes to blitz, and Clemons fits into that mentality quite well. Clemons' first two years in the league were hampered by injuries. If he can stay healthy through training camp, he has a chance to be a contributing member of the defense, as well as on special teams, next season. . . .

The team finally has admitted that WR Rod Gardner is not the answer as the No.2 receiver, and has given him permission to seek a deal with another team. This is a positive step for the offense. Now, young WRs Taylor Jacobs, Darnerien McCants, and veterans who would like a bigger role in the offense, such as WR James Thrash, will get plenty of reps during the offseason, minicamp and summer workouts to prove they deserve a chance to be the team's second receiver. Chances are, though, that the team's No.2 receiver for next season is not yet on the roster. That player is likely to be added through the draft or through free agency, such as WRs Muhsin Muhammad or Plaxico Burress.

My uninformed guess is that the Redskins will draft a center, and then a WR.

From what little I know, neither Burress ("me, me, me, my numbers!!!") nor Muhammed (old?) are players that the team can build around.

welch wrote:My uninformed guess is that the Redskins will draft a center, and then a WR.

From what little I know, neither Burress ("me, me, me, my numbers!!!") nor Muhammed (old?) are players that the team can build around.

Exactly, if we draft a WR lets get some young blood.

I think you're right welch, plus it has been the MO for these coaches recently (and in the past) to get players and "mold" them into the player they need. I think we will see this again this offseason with the offensive side of the ball.

Hopefully, no more glaring mis-judgements!!

If we get a WR through free agency none of the guys mentioned will be a number 2. If we get Plaxico, Muhammed, or those guys Lavearneus will probably be the 2, he fits that flanker spot better than the split end spot. If we draft, LC will remain 1......at least he will start there. Jacobs, Thrash, etc. will remain where they are.

DAVID GIVENS!!!!!

Every thing depends on free agency i can't see the team spending the money on Plaxico, he is a good WR but comes with baggage, complaining about the number of balls thrown his way, Gibbs won't put up with that kind of attitude.

Did you hear Moss was officially on the trading blocks now! Just thought I'd stir that pot again! We won’t draft a Center at number 9. NO ONE drafts a center in the top half of the first round. The top center usually goes in the second round. (It would be nice if we had one of those).

Moss-will-NEVER-be-a-Redskin.
Joe has already signed off on him, in the media.
WR is not an issue with this team. Getting the ball to them is. Ramsey needs more time to get acclimated to the scheme. Let's build up his protection, and maybe get a nice threat at DE and a solid-but-not-spectacular cover CB.

We're drafting Pac-Man at 9.

tcwest10 wrote:Moss-will-NEVER-be-a-Redskin.
Joe has already signed off on him, in the media.
WR is not an issue with this team. Getting the ball to them is. Ramsey needs more time to get acclimated to the scheme. Let's build up his protection, and maybe get a nice threat at DE and a solid-but-not-spectacular cover CB.

Well said!

The name of this thread sums up what I think about our defense going into next season. Current Redskins, people who are already here. We all have months of speculation to go through and we'll all go through a lot of it I'm sure. What else can we do? I hate the football offseason...

But check this out... 3rd in yards allowed and top 5 in points allowed with 4 or 5 of our defensive starters out. I'm sure that all of us know that. I'm also sure that not everyone knows that GW has never had a defense rank lower than his previous year. Not that it couldn't happen but I think that speaks volumes about the consistency of GW as a coach and the level of his expectations. I know that I haven't watched a skins D play like that even when Marvin Lewis was here. 4 or 5 players with more "talent" playing with the rest of a unit that finished 3rd overall in the league? That sounds pretty good to me. Yes, a pass rusher that isn't injured the entire year would be nice. But can we do without? I think so. I think we all just witnessed that.

After reading everyones opinions, it's hard for me to put a finger on exactly what I think was wrong with the offense this year. I still think losing Jansen hurt the offense more than anything. I still think that Gibbs should've had Clinton at least one or two more steps behind where he was lining up on running plays. I still think that Gibbs should've had more receivers running routes vs. blocking especially on 3rd down. I still think that Gibbs was feeling out his team and I still think that Gibbs is a smart man. He will figure it out.

Bottom line: Players on the defense that are already here can get it done. I think we've all seen that and we can all agree on that. Players on our offense can't get it done. I think we've also seen that.

If Ramsey has a pocket and he has the time he can deliver the ball. Jansen (still a Redskin) helps in that department. A new center will also help in that department. What we have is a solid offensive line when Jansen is lining up. When Jansen isn't lining up it's not. It's as simple as that.

Wide receiver is the number one priority. We've all heard Gibbs say it. Was it all Rod Gardners fault? No, but he did drop balls. Is DMac, Jacobs or Thrash ready to play #2 for us? I don't think so. Gardner is leaving, someone else has to fill his role and I don't think it's anyone that we have on our team right now. What we don't have is more than one starting receiver. We need receivers.

It looks like a WR @ #9. We need a DE somewhere in there, maybe a 3rd rounder.

Okay, welch! I agree about the center and then the WR position. It will be interesting to see if they can fill the center position through FA and use the #9 pick to either trade down for more picks or to get the WR.

Also we might just use the #9 for more picks. We could get a center and go with Raymer or Friedman until he's ready! This might also mean getting other less expensive players than we have in the past!

I think the WRs that are here might not be so bad (as TC points out!) and we just need some adjustments on plays and blocking assignments. Jansen and Samuels are a great begining for any line to build around.

It's all very well for fans to want the ball to go deep but you cannot do that without time and we rarely looked like we could do that.

I think there will be some player changes but I also think that Joe and co. are going to be (and need to IMO) making some adjustments to the line and how we use our backs.

The next 4 to 6 weeks will be interesting.

It'll be interesting to see who is available @ #9. I'm not really into college football so I obviously can't really be a judge of talent. But everyone I've talked to says that they're positive Mike Williams will be an NFL stud, Edwards could or couldn't be and that no one else at the WR position is worth the 9th pick.

I wasn't saying that our #3, 4 & 5 WR's (last year) are bad. I just don't think any are worthy starters. We saw what Thrash did in Phily as a starter. All are quality slot receivers. I'm hoping Jacobs makes some strides this year. I'm all about giving the young guys a shot, and they always get one in camp and preseason.

I'm definitely very anxious to see what happens. More questions will be answered after the second of March...

welch wrote:My uninformed guess is that the Redskins will draft a center, and then a WR.

"With the 9th pick in the 2005 draft, the Washington Redskins select Chris Spencer, center, Mississippi." While Joe and Buges exchange giddy high-fives in the war-room members of thehogs.net are outraged that, despite the plethora of wide receivers available, a wide receiver wasn't selected...

So Welch, my guess on your guess, is that the Skins will trade the 9th pick to allow them to get the best center in the late 1st/early 2nd round and then a WR...

tcwest10 wrote:Moss-will-NEVER-be-a-Redskin.
Joe has already signed off on him, in the media.
WR is not an issue with this team. Getting the ball to them is. Ramsey needs more time to get acclimated to the scheme. Let's build up his protection, and maybe get a nice threat at DE and a solid-but-not-spectacular cover CB.

I think we need a CB more than anything, Gregg Williams can take mediocore free-agents & make our DL better, we need to stop the stupid "bombs" that McNabb keeps getting against us at least 2-3 times a game, we need to stop that play that made us lose the last game against Dallas.

Did you also notice (in the SB) how well the passing game goes against a pretty good secondary when you give the QB time?

I want to have our line give Ramsey that sort of time.

I want Moss and three years from now, when he starts to act up, we should just dump him.

Yall wit it?

were drafting a WR first

It eould be nice to have a guy that is "Moss-like" in talent, but I don't think it'll take him any three years to start with his nonsense.
Besides, I'm pretty sure the Crossing Guards in DC are unionized. They'd never allow this sort of thing to happen.

tcwest10 wrote:It eould be nice to have a guy that is "Moss-like" in talent, but I don't think it'll take him any three years to start with his nonsense.
Besides, I'm pretty sure the Crossing Guards in DC are unionized. They'd never allow this sort of thing to happen.

Yeah, your right

If Rolle is gone by the 9 pick, the Skins will trade-down.

If they trade-down, they will draft a Center (hopefully Baas), WR and DE.

Redskin in Canada wrote:If Rolle is gone by the 9 pick, the Skins will trade-down.

If they trade-down, they will draft a Center (hopefully Baas), WR and DE.

I like this - IMO this is a win-win! We have depth and a young secondary and if we miss on Rolle we have more picks to get the lines fixed AND add inexpensive young players.

Through free agency first (next month!) and the draft we need to address the O line and get somebody to pressure the QB. They may have someone already here that they feel they can do this with BUT we do need to get more pressure than we did. The rest is the depth we need - there are so many injuries now that those teams that can adapt best seem to succeed.

I also agree with TC in that I would be surprised to see them bring in anyone with "baggage" or talent that they don't already have at that position. I would be especially surprised if they bring in a "project" at WR when there are other areas that need help.

We have a pretty good group at this position and we may draft a WR but I do not see them giving up anything for a WR.