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

Team Report 5/8/2005

By Paul Woody

The safety spots should be among the strengths of the defense. Assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams will have multiple options. Matt Bowen is ahead of schedule on his recovery and should be near full speed when training camp opens. Williams used Bowen effectively at strong safety. Bowen came off the edge on blitzes and provided high-impact hits in run support. Bowen is best when he's not left in man pass coverage, and Williams used schemes that did not expose Bowen's vulnerabilities. While Bowen was out, Ryan Clark proved to be an excellent backup, moving in and showing excellent recognition and closing ability in run support. Clark will be in the mix again this season. He is a sure tackler who doesn't hesitate to take on interference. He's smart, durable and has excellent recognition of plays. What he does not have is great speed, which also makes him vulnerable in man-to-man coverage.

With Santana Moss under contract, QB Patrick Ramsey and the other quarterbacks now might be able to get some valuable work done toward developing timing with Moss. Moss is expected to be the team's big play receiver. He has quickness and speed, can get off the jam and get downfield. He has good hands and makes catches in clutch situations. Now that he's signed, Moss' next assignment will be to stay healthy through training camp and the season. Good health has been his Achilles' heel so far in his career.

Adding Billy Baber to the mix at tight end makes things interesting. The team lacked a solid backup, and Baber could find his niche in Washington. He's a decent all-around end with the ability to become an effective blocking tight end.

SCOUTING REPORT: Chris ey had a good season at H-back as a rookie, and he has the potential to be the team's most improved player this season. ey has excellent hands, can slip blocks at the line and has a knack for finding the open spot in zones. He sits down well and provides a good target for quarterbacks. He's especially effective in the red zone, particularly inside the 10. ey is very good at driving defenders into the end zone, pivoting and keeping the defender on his back and making the catch just inside the goal line. At 260 pounds, his size is deceptive. His blocking is improving, especially the use of his hands and keeping his pads square.

MINICAMP MAYHEM: Although it's a long way from tryout player to regular-season contributor, Charles Howard, a defensive end from Florida State, has taken the first step in the journey. Howard showed excellent quickness and good speed in the rookie minicamp. He came in as a tryout player and walked out with a free-agent contract. Howard's effectiveness will be tested when he faces real NFL players. But he might have enough quickness off the edge to merit a long look in training camp. . . .

Jason Campbell also is a long way from earning a starting job, but he at least performed well enough to provide some justification for his selection at No. 25 overall. The former Auburn quarterback had good pocket presence and showed an ability to zip medium-range passes to receivers. He did a good job of understanding pass patterns, finding open receivers in traffic and delivering the ball where the receiver was supposed to be. He impressed the coaching staff with his patience. When something went wrong, he refused to blame the less talented tryout players and took the blame himself.

DEFENSIVE END ANALYSIS: Grade: C. Although they lack pure pass-rushing skills, the starting duo of Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels, and the No.3 man Demetric Evans, never lack for effort. Daniels, if healthy, has the potential to generate some quarterback pressure.


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With Santana Moss under contract, QB Patrick Ramsey and the other quarterbacks now might be able to get some valuable work done toward developing timing with Moss. Moss is expected to be the team's big play receiver. He has quickness and speed, can get off the jam and get downfield. He has good hands and makes catches in clutch situations. Now that he's signed, Moss' next assignment will be to stay healthy through training camp and the season. Good health has been his Achilles' heel so far in his career.

I wasn't too thrilled about Moss coming here. I wasn't mad either. I was happy to see Coles go since he didn't want to be here, although I did like him while he was here. Moss got a big deal, and I dont know if he is worth it. Hopefully he'll grow here. A change of scenery may jump start his growth and he'll become an even better WR. I'm looking forward to seeing the PA go deep to him and Patten.

Adding Billy Baber to the mix at tight end makes things interesting. The team lacked a solid backup, and Baber could find his niche in Washington. He's a decent all-around end with the ability to become an effective blocking tight end.

Ive been out the loop and dont remeber hearing about him. Im glad to see that we've addressed the issue at TE. From this statement he seems to fit the mold of most of the new additions to this team. We seem to get a lot of hard working players at key positions. Im glad to see that he's a decent blocker and can do other things as well. I believe that Royal will step it up this season also. I'll be looking forward to seeing some dual TE sets.

SCOUTING REPORT: Chris ey had a good season at H-back as a rookie, and he has the potential to be the team's most improved player this season. ey has excellent hands, can slip blocks at the line and has a knack for finding the open spot in zones. He sits down well and provides a good target for quarterbacks. He's especially effective in the red zone, particularly inside the 10. ey is very good at driving defenders into the end zone, pivoting and keeping the defender on his back and making the catch just inside the goal line. At 260 pounds, his size is deceptive. His blocking is improving, especially the use of his hands and keeping his pads square.

This kid is truly turning into my favorite player. I love his personality, and his play on the field is incredible. I believe he'll surprise us again this year becuase Iseriously doubt Gibbs had him in on all the plays. Being a rookie I think Gibbs was taking it easy with him, I look forward to seeing a lot more action out of him.

Although it's a long way from tryout player to regular-season contributor, Charles Howard, a defensive end from Florida State, has taken the first step in the journey. Howard showed excellent quickness and good speed in the rookie minicamp. He came in as a tryout player and walked out with a free-agent contract. Howard's effectiveness will be tested when he faces real NFL players. But he might have enough quickness off the edge to merit a long look in training camp. . . .

Once again Im out the loop. Im loving htis acquisition at DT. Ive been crying for months for a good DT. This guy will make a contribution, Williams gets the most of his players. He'll help out a lot.

DEFENSIVE END ANALYSIS: Grade: C. Although they lack pure pass-rushing skills, the starting duo of Renaldo Wynn and Phillip Daniels, and the No.3 man Demetric Evans, never lack for effort. Daniels, if healthy, has the potential to generate some quarterback pressure.

Im really hoping that Howard becomes a stud for us. I dont know his stats but if he can be as good as Noble, and Griffin I'

I don't see the reason for the "love affair" with ey. Decent player, nothing more, nothing less.

SKINZ_DOMIN8 wrote:I don't see the reason for the "love affair" with ey. Decent player, nothing more, nothing less.

He catches everything that goes near him, handles himself in a professional manner, and is one of our best offensive weapons.

You don't like ey? Are you a Skin fan? Why would you not like a hard working rookie who happens to have the most TDs on his team?? ey is the man. He doesn't have problems in the offseason nor he regular season. I hope we give HIM a nice contract. He's one of those who deserve it, truly.

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Once again Im out the loop. Im loving htis acquisition at DT. Ive been crying for months for a good DT. This guy will make a contribution, Williams gets the most of his players. He'll help out a lot.

Im really hoping that Howard becomes a stud for us. I dont know his stats but if he can be as good as Noble, and Griffin I'

Howard is a DE, not a DT. I am keeping my fingers crossed about this guy. He may be one of the true nice surprises among the "walk-in" players. Go Howard!

I think that the paragraph about ey, more than anything else in this article, is what made me excited for this season. I've been thinking of him as a valuable asset on the offense, but I hadn't considered the notion that he might be the "most improved player" on our team this year!


This paragraph was also pretty telling:

Jason Campbell also is a long way from earning a starting job, but he at least performed well enough to provide some justification for his selection at No. 25 overall. The former Auburn quarterback had good pocket presence and showed an ability to zip medium-range passes to receivers. He did a good job of understanding pass patterns, finding open receivers in traffic and delivering the ball where the receiver was supposed to be. He impressed the coaching staff with his patience. When something went wrong, he refused to blame the less talented tryout players and took the blame himself.

I don't want to say it too early and jinx anything, but it really looks like we got some quality, character guys in this draft. It's a lot more fun to watch the Skins play when everyone is under control (win or lose) and trying the best they can. . .with no explosions looming on the sideline or in the locker room. Drafting Rogers and Campbell may have given us 2 valuable pieces in better establishing that pattern of behavior for the Skins. (Incidentally, I also believe that Ramsey is that kind of guy, as well as Washington, Thrash, and others).

My only concern is Howards size, he is listed at 6'2 259lbs. Hopefully he can pack on 20 lbs or so.
y will be a force!!!

I think that the idea that ey is an average player is completely obsurd. He does everything he's asked to do and more. He put the blame on himself when Ramsey overthrew a pass to him in the endzone for the win and it just touched his fingertips and hit the ground. Thats the kind of player we want on the team. Other guys would have said it was overthrown (which it was) but he took the blame and said if it hits his hands he's supposed to catch it.

Its amazing how some of how belittle our own players but as soon as another team releases a peice of trash I see 1000 threads "Joe Blow, should we sign him?". Yall say Joe Gibbs needs to go, I think we need to fire some of you retarded fans.

dont talk down on cooley, he's a real pro. and will help tis organization in major contribution in red zones

frankcal20 wrote:I think that the idea that ey is an average player is completely obsurd. He does everything he's asked to do and more. He put the blame on himself when Ramsey overthrew a pass to him in the endzone for the win and it just touched his fingertips and hit the ground. Thats the kind of player we want on the team. Other guys would have said it was overthrown (which it was) but he took the blame and said if it hits his hands he's supposed to catch it.

I'm pretty sure that was Brunell. You're talking about the play where ey is wide open in the corner of the endzone and the ball is overthrown right? I think Brunell was being rushed and he just threw it up there. That wasn't ey's fault! The ball was clearly overthrown, I blame it on the QB. Pretty sure it was Brunell....but even if it was Ramsey, it was clearly the QB's fault.

*Playing Loser's Advocate*

Cooley didn't even attmept to rip the ball outta the defender's hands in our second game against Philly. He coulda saved the play and given us a chance to make a few more plays.

*Okay...done. Back to optimistic self*

He's certainly not devoid of faults, but he's got tremendous upside. He's definitely one of Joe's guys, and he has a bright future with the Skins.

ey is a flat out animal

Chris Luva Luva wrote:Its amazing how some of how belittle our own players but as soon as another team releases a peice of trash I see 1000 threads "Joe Blow, should we sign him?". Yall say Joe Gibbs needs to go, I think we need to fire some of you retarded fans.

You noticed that too. Anyone who thinks ey is just OK must not watch the games. One of Joe's mistakes last year was not going to the kid enough in the early part of the season. He should do even better this coming season.