Looks like either Bacarri Rambo or Phillip Thomas will start

[drocksthaparty]

I didn't see this posted, but Jim Haslett has spoke.

http://nfldraftzone.com/draft-news/baca ... -redskins/

Which player do you think wins? Take the poll?

[Deadskins]

I voted Thomas, because we need a FS more than a SS, and he was drafted higher. That's the logical choice.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I voted Rambo to shake things up a bit.. both will probably see plenty of playing time, and as rookies will experience highs and lows. If we get a starter and reliable depth at both positions it will be a 100% turnaround from last year. I think Thomas is more of the ballhawking type and Rambo more the hit stick type. It's a given that nowadays we need two different types of players to even try to live up to Sean Taylor. I hope both are taking notes on what playing with pure heart looked like.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

DeadSkins-
I don't think we can put to much stock on when someone was drafted (particularly with this FO). We don't know the draft board and strategy that went into it. Maybe they wanted both, and picking Rambo first was less likely to get both.. How each progress to the big leagues as well as the scheme will be the deciding factor. Luckily we can't see anything worse back there then madoodoo and co

[Deadskins]

ckR,
The draft order wasn't my first reason, that only sealed the deal. FS > SS need, IMO.

[emoses14]

From what I remember reading during OTA and mini camp, I think the right answer is Rambo because Has believes him to be the more natural FS and Thomas, the more natural SS. I agree with Deadskins that FS is the greater need which is why I voted Rambo.

I could be wrong about that remembrance however.

[gay4pacman]

yeah thomas has been playing strong and rambo at free, so by deadskins logic (fs>ss) rambo should get the nod...

[Countertrey]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

This thread seriously brightened my day... Two young, hungry, and athletic doodes battling it out at our weakest position last year: is so refreshing to descuss and contemplate right now.

*best thread since "Rgiiis progress with the knee" award! Lmao

[drocksthaparty]

I agree, it is a great subject, since the both are hungry. I think Thomas will start but I think Rambo is a better player.

[The Hogster]

I voted Rambo because all of the news that has trickled out suggests that Rambo is playing Free Safety while Thomas has been working more at Strong Safety.

I expect one of them to start at Free. So, I'd go with the guy they're giving those reps too. I think Merriweather is back ready to go.

[Irn-Bru]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

[HTTRRG3ALMO]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

There's those rare occasions that your later round picks prove to be 1st or 2nd round talents. Granted, the odds are against them, but I feel pretty good about these guys. Feeling 10x better this year is a great way to put it.

Not so sure they'll have stellar years this season, but I think as a unit, the entire defense will be improved dramatically.

That said, I voted for Rambo. I think we'll be seeing Meriweather and Rambo starting, but also expect to see Thomas in rotation. I also think we'll be seeing a lot of rotations between our LBs. With all this depth and possible rotations in a game, our defense should stay pretty "fresh" through an entire game.

[Bob 0119]

I voted for Rambo...just because I hope he does well enough that I can justify buying a "Rambo" jersey

[Countertrey]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.
Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

[yupchagee]

I picked Thomas because I think he's more of a natural ballhawk. I'd have been very happy had we picked each a round sooner. Even 2 round sooner would have been OK.

[cowboykillerzRGiii]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.
Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

On that note.. our sixth rounder starter from last year did OK... Ask Portis!

[Deadskins]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.
Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

On that note.. our sixth rounder starter from last year did OK... Ask Portis!

Yeah, but he wasn't tagged to start pre-training camp.

[SkinsJock]

I didn't see this posted, but Jim Haslett has spoke.

Which player do you think wins? Take the poll?

I really don't care who 'starts' at any position - I just hope that they all help each other during the game and for the whole season

there's a good chance that both will play a lot here - the guys that brought them in know what this team needs and who can best help here

[Irn-Bru]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.

Well let's say Thomas would go in round 2 and Rambo in round 3. I guess in that world I'd feel even better about the depth and average quality of our players at safety. But still, would I call it a position of "strength"? No way; not this early, at least.

Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

I think these guys are going to have a lot to learn. I expect some hiccups along the way. I do think they'll both be long-term contributors, but let's be honest that if even one of them becomes a long-term solution, a reliable starter that makes us "forget" the position for 5-6 years, then Shanahan struck gold. It's difficult to find that past rounds one and two of the draft.

[The Hogster]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.

Well let's say Thomas would go in round 2 and Rambo in round 3. I guess in that world I'd feel even better about the depth and average quality of our players at safety. But still, would I call it a position of "strength"? No way; not this early, at least.

Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

I think these guys are going to have a lot to learn. I expect some hiccups along the way. I do think they'll both be long-term contributors, but let's be honest that if even one of them becomes a long-term solution, a reliable starter that makes us "forget" the position for 5-6 years, then Shanahan struck gold. It's difficult to find that past rounds one and two of the draft.

I don't put much stock into the Round for Thomas because of the amount of highly rated safeties that were in this draft. I consider Rambo in an entirely different category because he dropped due to non-football related issues. I think Rambo is a legit 2-3rd round pick if he were a model citizen.

What it comes down to is competition. It looks as though Thomas is competing with Brandon Merriweather--an experienced vet who has been to the Pro Bowl. Rambo is competing with a hode podge of guys that nobody wants to see start in an ideal scenario to begin with. Advantage Rambo.

[Deadskins]

I'm thinking that Safety (both positions) has gone from pathetic to a strength...

Can't say that I agree. I have high hopes for the guys we drafted, but any time you are going into the season with your 4th or 6th round pick slotted to start . . . before you've really even seen what they can do in training camp (much less preseason games) . . . you aren't dealing with a particularly deep or solid unit.

That said, I feel about 10x better about this group than I did going into week one of last year. (We didn't look too bad IMHO prior to preseason and the Jackson suspension.)

Hardly fair... in any other year, both would have gone in the second or third round. The depth of this draft at DB was one of those "hundred year storm" type of affairs.

Well let's say Thomas would go in round 2 and Rambo in round 3. I guess in that world I'd feel even better about the depth and average quality of our players at safety. But still, would I call it a position of "strength"? No way; not this early, at least.

Both of these players are steals of the Kirk Cousins type... high quality prospects who should never have been available where they were... and will be major contributors...

I think these guys are going to have a lot to learn. I expect some hiccups along the way. I do think they'll both be long-term contributors, but let's be honest that if even one of them becomes a long-term solution, a reliable starter that makes us "forget" the position for 5-6 years, then Shanahan struck gold. It's difficult to find that past rounds one and two of the draft.

I don't put much stock into the Round for Thomas because of the amount of highly rated safeties that were in this draft. I consider Rambo in an entirely different category because he dropped due to non-football related issues. I think Rambo is a legit 2-3rd round pick if he were a model citizen.

What it comes down to is competition. It looks as though Thomas is competing with Brandon Merriweather--an experienced vet who has been to the Pro Bowl. Rambo is competing with a hode podge of guys that nobody wants to see start in an ideal scenario to begin with. Advantage Rambo.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/foo ... and-rambo/
It appears you are correct, in that Rambo is get PT at FS and Thomas at SS. I thought it was the other way around, hence my vote for Thomas. If I could, I would switch my vote.

[Chris Luva Luva]

We definitely need more athelticism on the field. OVer the weekend, I must have rewatched 2 or 3 games and a few interceptions were left on the field by Madieu Williams. He simply didn't have the ability to close the gap on a few over thrown passes, not even a diving attempt.

As much as our curiousity would like to see both rookies on the field this year, this team will be better off if only one of them is needed. Merriweather is a beast and a game changer for us at SS. Hopefully he can stay healthy.