I wrote this article pre-draft, so it's a little dated, but I put it up as a lead into a great topic of discussion for the offseason, how well every team drafted. I'll be breaking down each team's offseason, their draft, free agent signings and outlook for next season, starting with the Washington Redskins.
As the NFL combine comes to a close, we have officially entered my favorite part of the offseason, the run-up to the draft. This time of year is especially important for the Redskins because it appears as though, for once, they will hold on to their draft picks. This could mark the first time since Daniel Snyder took over the franchise that the front office and the coaching staff are valuing the draft over free agency, and it couldn’t come at a better time.
There are great elements to this team, but there are also glaring weaknesses and aging players, partly because of the push for free agents over draft picks. To compound the problem, this team is also in transition, with a new head coach, new coordinators and a new style of offense. For new head coach Jim Zorn to be successful, he’s going to need to infuse young talent into an aging roster, providing more depth and athleticism. The draft is the perfect remedy for the situation.
Fortunately for Zorn, he has good talent and relative youth at skill positions on the offensive side of the ball. The top passer (Jason Campbell), top two rushers (Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts) and top three receivers (Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle El) from last year are all 28 or younger. However, the same can’t be said for the offensive line. Undrafted rookie Stephon Heyer was the only one under 30 to see significant playing time. The starting line-up next year could be Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen, all over 30. Depth on the line was exposed last season when Jansen and Thomas were both lost for the season by the third game. Heyer shined when given the opportunity and should develop into a quality prospect with more time and experience. However, Todd Wade couldn’t transition to guard the way the team hoped and although Jason Fabini filled in well when asked, he is now a free agent in his mid-30s. The draft would be the perfect way to bolster that line in a younger, cheaper way.
Recent history says the Redskins have done well when they have used picks in the first three rounds on offensive linemen. Looking back from 1999 till now, the Redskins have hit home runs on guys like Jon Jansen, Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery. Unfortunately, later picks devoted to the same position haven’t had the same success. Names like Derek Smith, Michael Moore, Reggie Coleman and Mark Wilson haven’t matched that kind of production. So if the Redskins want to draft for the offensive line, they would be wise do it with their early picks. There is certainly talent in this draft to warrant that kind of attention at both tackle and guard.
On the defensive side of the ball, age is beginning to show. It is a talented but oft-injured group. Key contributors such as Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs and Marcus Washington have battled through nagging injuries to play on Sundays. Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh both tore their ACLs and MCLs and may not be ready for the start of the season. The defensive unit doesn’t necessarily need immediate starting help, so much as depth in all areas. So many injuries last season left the coaching staff reaching for players second or third on the depth chart. Every group, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, all had some sort of significant injury or loss.
The Redskins have found success drafting for defense as players like Rogers, McIntosh, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry now find themselves with significant roles in this defense. Those players will have to step up even more next season as veterans age and salaries reach levels Snyder no longer wants to pay. Looking down the road, don’t expect to see players like Griffin, Washington, Springs, Phillip Daniels or London Fletcher to be around in just a couple of years. Therefore, this year’s draft will be crucial to having productive players to plug in when the aforementioned list is no longer around. The defensive line is the glaring weakness of the group as there is a need for a pass rushing defensive end as well as a defensive tackle that can collapse the pocket. The Redskins could devote several draft picks to filling those areas of need.
Zorn finds himself in a rare scenario where is taking over a team not because it is bad, but because its legendary coach retired. The second era of Joe Gibbs was prosperous, even though he didn’t reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Now that he is gone, we can look back and appreciate how he set this franchise on the right track. Two playoff appearances and a playoff win in four years with well disciplined players and a competent coaching staff gives Zorn everything he needs to know about the possibilities with this organization. A couple smart personnel moves and development of the young talent on the roster could make this team a contender in a year or two with a rather large window of opportunity. The draft is the first of many steps for our new head coach to bring us a Super Bowl championship, but Joe Gibbs left the framework. All Zorn has to do is build on it.
As the NFL combine comes to a close, we have officially entered my favorite part of the offseason, the run-up to the draft. This time of year is especially important for the Redskins because it appears as though, for once, they will hold on to their draft picks. This could mark the first time since Daniel Snyder took over the franchise that the front office and the coaching staff are valuing the draft over free agency, and it couldn’t come at a better time.
There are great elements to this team, but there are also glaring weaknesses and aging players, partly because of the push for free agents over draft picks. To compound the problem, this team is also in transition, with a new head coach, new coordinators and a new style of offense. For new head coach Jim Zorn to be successful, he’s going to need to infuse young talent into an aging roster, providing more depth and athleticism. The draft is the perfect remedy for the situation.
Fortunately for Zorn, he has good talent and relative youth at skill positions on the offensive side of the ball. The top passer (Jason Campbell), top two rushers (Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts) and top three receivers (Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and Antwaan Randle El) from last year are all 28 or younger. However, the same can’t be said for the offensive line. Undrafted rookie Stephon Heyer was the only one under 30 to see significant playing time. The starting line-up next year could be Chris Samuels, Pete Kendall, Casey Rabach, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen, all over 30. Depth on the line was exposed last season when Jansen and Thomas were both lost for the season by the third game. Heyer shined when given the opportunity and should develop into a quality prospect with more time and experience. However, Todd Wade couldn’t transition to guard the way the team hoped and although Jason Fabini filled in well when asked, he is now a free agent in his mid-30s. The draft would be the perfect way to bolster that line in a younger, cheaper way.
Recent history says the Redskins have done well when they have used picks in the first three rounds on offensive linemen. Looking back from 1999 till now, the Redskins have hit home runs on guys like Jon Jansen, Chris Samuels and Derrick Dockery. Unfortunately, later picks devoted to the same position haven’t had the same success. Names like Derek Smith, Michael Moore, Reggie Coleman and Mark Wilson haven’t matched that kind of production. So if the Redskins want to draft for the offensive line, they would be wise do it with their early picks. There is certainly talent in this draft to warrant that kind of attention at both tackle and guard.
On the defensive side of the ball, age is beginning to show. It is a talented but oft-injured group. Key contributors such as Cornelius Griffin, Shawn Springs and Marcus Washington have battled through nagging injuries to play on Sundays. Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntosh both tore their ACLs and MCLs and may not be ready for the start of the season. The defensive unit doesn’t necessarily need immediate starting help, so much as depth in all areas. So many injuries last season left the coaching staff reaching for players second or third on the depth chart. Every group, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, all had some sort of significant injury or loss.
The Redskins have found success drafting for defense as players like Rogers, McIntosh, Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Reed Doughty and LaRon Landry now find themselves with significant roles in this defense. Those players will have to step up even more next season as veterans age and salaries reach levels Snyder no longer wants to pay. Looking down the road, don’t expect to see players like Griffin, Washington, Springs, Phillip Daniels or London Fletcher to be around in just a couple of years. Therefore, this year’s draft will be crucial to having productive players to plug in when the aforementioned list is no longer around. The defensive line is the glaring weakness of the group as there is a need for a pass rushing defensive end as well as a defensive tackle that can collapse the pocket. The Redskins could devote several draft picks to filling those areas of need.
Zorn finds himself in a rare scenario where is taking over a team not because it is bad, but because its legendary coach retired. The second era of Joe Gibbs was prosperous, even though he didn’t reach the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Now that he is gone, we can look back and appreciate how he set this franchise on the right track. Two playoff appearances and a playoff win in four years with well disciplined players and a competent coaching staff gives Zorn everything he needs to know about the possibilities with this organization. A couple smart personnel moves and development of the young talent on the roster could make this team a contender in a year or two with a rather large window of opportunity. The draft is the first of many steps for our new head coach to bring us a Super Bowl championship, but Joe Gibbs left the framework. All Zorn has to do is build on it.
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