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Here's my master plan...what's yours?

GSF

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Just for fun here, I wonder what approach you guys would take now that Shanny and staff are gone(thank goodness).

I personally do not think things are as terrible with the Redskins from a personnel perspective as a 3 - 13 record would suggest. Shanny and others have suggested recently that the team is full of holes, and it's no wonder the team tanked because of the lack of talent, salary cap penalties, ect.

I personally disagree. I believe the 3 - 13 record was much more a result of horrible coaching in all 3 phases of the game than it was because of a lack of talent. While I agree the Redskins have some serious holes in the roster that need to be filled, I do not think this is a roster that is bereft of talent. I just think there are a few positions that are in severe need of upgrade, and that some adjustments need to be made to the scheme. I feel very strongly that the right coaching staff and front office could make these Redskins perennial contenders rather quickly. my main reason for feeling this way is that I believe RG3 is extremely talented, but was horribly mis-managed since the injury.

Starting from the top, I think it is a good thing that Allen appears to be given more control of the team. I believe he is a very steady guy who can provide solid leadership. I do not know enough about Brown and Campbell to really say if they are ready to build the roster themselves, but I do believe they are very competent, when I consider many of the players they have brought in recent years. Kerrigan, Garcon, Amerson, Riley, Morris, Reed...these guys have all mostly done quite well for the Redskins. So I like the Front office the Redskins have right now, but I leave open the possibility of Allen bringing in another personnel guy.

The coaching staff I believe is where the most important changes must be made. I believe it is absolutely imperative that the Redskins do not repeat recent history and give complete control to a retread coach, like a Bill Cower for example. I am 100% convinced that this model almost never works, and especially won't work in Washington. I also am 100% against bringing in a college coach. There's just too much that can go wrong in Washington to bring in someone lacking experience. For the same reason, I am against hiring a young, hot shot coordinator like a Jay Gruden for example.

So what does that leave for coaches? It leaves guys that have been successful coordinators in the NFL for several years, but either haven't been hired as head coaches yet for whatever reason, or are former head coaches that have returned to being coordinators after losing head coaching jobs. I personally prefer the former, because I want a guy who has been successful in the nfl for a long time, but hasn't had the chance to be a head coach yet. I believe there are 2 guys in the nfl right now that fit that description that would be perfect in Washington: Mike Zimmer, Defensive Coordinator in Cincy since 2008, and Tom Clements, Offensive Coordinator in Green Bay since 2006.

Here is some info on both from Wikipedia:

Tom Clements:
In 1992, Clements was hired as quarterbacks coach for Notre Dame, where he served until 1995 under head coach Lou Holtz. After practicing law in 1996, Clements took his first NFL job, working as the quarterback coach for the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999. Clements would hold the same job in 2000 with the Kansas City Chiefs, and between 2001 and 2003 with the Pittsburgh Steelers; under Clements’s tutelage, the Chiefs’ Elvis Grbac (in 2000) and the Steelers’ Kordell Stewart (in 2001) and Tommy Maddox (in 2002) each reached the Pro Bowl.

During Clements time as the quarterbacks coach with the Green Bay Packers, he has worked with starting quarterbacks: Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Matt Flynn. In 2007, Favre statistically had one of his best seasons with the Green Bay Packers, taking them to the NFC Championship game. Clements is also credited for assisting in the development of one of the game's elite quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, as the only player in NFL history to throw for 4,000+ yards during his first two years as a starting quarterback in 2008 and 2009, and winning Super Bowl XLV and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award in Rodgers' third year as a starting quarterback in 2010. In Week 17 of the 2011 season, after the Packers went 14-1, head coach Mike McCarthy chose to deactivate Rodgers to keep him healthy for the playoffs and start backup quarterback, Matt Flynn, on January 1, 2012 at Lambeau Field vs. the Detroit Lions, Flynn's second start in his career. Throughout the game, Clements worked with Flynn on the sidelines, showing him what to look for in the photos from the previous offensive series. Flynn had a record setting performance, throwing for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns, both single game records for the Green Bay Packers.

Mike Zimmer:

Zimmer was named the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals on January 15, 2008. In 2009, Zimmer earned NFL Assistant Coach of the Year honors from Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers and from CBSSports.com,[3] after guiding the Bengals to the 4th ranked defense in the league. In 2011, the Bengals finished with the 7th ranked defense in total yards and 9th ranked defense in points allowed. In 2012, the Bengals finished with the 6th ranked defense in total yards and 8th ranked defense in points allowed,[4] prompting the Cleveland Browns to interview Zimmer for their head coaching vacancy.[5] The Browns eventually hired former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski on January 11, 2013.[6] Browns fans consider him a strong candidate to replace Chudzinski as Browns head coach

Both men are were born in the 50s. Both men come from organizations that have been very stable that have consistently won since they've been there. Both men coach systems that have been very successful in recent years in the nfl. Systems that could be good fits for the core talent that we have here now. Keep in mind that RG3 has mentioned Aaron Rogers more than once in interviews as a player he wants to emulate. Clements is often noted as being a big part of Rogers' development.

So why haven't these guys been given the shot yet? I really don't know, but I think a big part of it must be that both have been coaching in the playoffs most years for the several years now.

If I own the Redskins, I make Zimmer the head coach, and Clements the OC/Assistant Head Coach and pay them both very well. You could also consider doing the reverse, making Clements the head coach, but I would prefer for his primary focus to be developing RG3, and building an offense specially designed to fit his skills, but that doesn't feature him as a rushing QB.

That leaves the roster and schemes. I know people think this roster has "so many holes", but there are 3 key positions that must be addressed this offseason with free agent money: right tackle, right guard, and defensive tackle. Most of the rest of the positions are good enough for now.

On offense, Polumbus and Chester have been absolutely terrible. These positions must be upgraded so that RG3 can have the time to learn to read defenses and find open receivers. I want to hear the phrase,"Griffin with all kinds of time..." on a weekly basis. I believe that Montgomery and Lichtensteiger are actually good enough with the right players added on the other side. I also believe that Hankerson, Morgan, Davis, Reed, and even Moss are all good enough for now.

On defense, Zimmer will take us back to the 4-3, with Rak and Kerrigan playing defensive end where they should be playing. Most importantly, A stud defensive tackle that can generate a pass rush must be added to play next to Cofield or Golston or Bowen. Henry Melton from the bears would be ideal. Talk about the secondary and linebackers all you want, but the real problem with the defense this year was the front 4 could not generate a pass rush. Put a stud tackle in there, with rak and Kerrigan back at their natural positions and that front 4 will go from being 1 of the teams biggest weaknesses to the team's biggest strengths. Get that front 4 going, and guys like Riley, Rob Jackson, Meriweather, Amerson, and Hall are all going to look a whole lot better than they did this year. These guys all got much better at the end of this season imo, give them a pass rush and it's game on.

So there's my plan lol. Sorry for the long post, but I had to get it off my chest. Like I said, I don't think things are necessarily as bad as they appear with the Redskins if the right changes are made. I also think the coaching jobs are actually quite attractive between Snyder's money and RG3's potential.

So what do you guys think? What would you do?
 
Great post GSF, and I agree that we're NOT as bad as our record indicates.

Honestly one of the very first things I would do is triple and quadruple check our college scouting departments resources. Make sure those guys have every avenue covered for this team to succeed with the draft first and foremost.
 
nice post GSF. agree with a lot..except the defense. it was EPICALLY bad this year. not only do we need a DT or two, we need safeties, a middle lb, and, IMO, inside LBs as well, and a replacement for Wilson (maybe Hall for longer term) in the secondary.

hoping like heck we sign Byrd and Talib to upgrade the secondary.

your o-line fixes make sense. center is a trade-off for me: smart guy which is a premium. but he struck me as under-sized for pass pro and pushed around a lot.

so, in the we won't have all our wishes fulfilled during one off-season...I'd settle for:

- FA:
Byrd and Tallib
3-4 ST signings
RG

- draft:
RT
DT
depth/STs

- 10-15 UFAs: find 2 ST guys

missing? a fast, non-smurf wide receiver to complement Garcon; fast, change of pace RB; kick return specialist (though I liked how Williams was making a fast decision and running upfield); linebackers w/speed

1) keep getting younger

2) keep getting faster
 
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Thanks guys for your replies. 62, I agree that eventually we will have to address all of those defensive positions. My point is that we will not be able to do that in 1 offseason, and that by simply adding a DT and putting our best defensive players(Rak and Kerrigan), in their natural positions the defense will be much improved.

I also think Riley and Jackson are guys that can play. Did you notice how much Riley was flying around in the last game. Dude was working very hard in a miserable, meaningless game.
 
Get that front 4 going, and guys like Riley, Rob Jackson, Meriweather, Amerson, and Hall are all going to look a whole lot better than they did this year.

Riley, Meriweather, Jackson, and Hall are all going to be Free Agents, so that's a lot of IFS.
Everyone in that sentence except Amerson.
 
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Riley, Meriweather, Jackson, and Hall are all going to be Free Agents, so that's a lot of IFS.
Everyone in that sentence except Amerson.

Yes but 1 of the nice things about coming off a 3-13 season with terrible defensive rankings is that those guys aren't going to be getting any huge offers out there. Not saying that they all will be here next year, just making the point that a stud DT and scheme change could dramatically change this defense.
 
Yes but 1 of the nice things about coming off a 3-13 season with terrible defensive rankings is that those guys aren't going to be getting any huge offers out there.

But one of the crappy things about coming off a 3-13 season, is those guys may take less pay, to go elsewhere and NOT play for a dysfunctional 3-13 team, with an owner with a Rep.
As for the terrible defensive rankings, any good GM should be able to look past a defense's overall rankings, and spot a good individual player. If he can't, then he doesn't deserve to be GM. I mean, if you noticed Riley flying around in a meaningless game, don't you think another team's scouting personnel is gonna be able to notice ??
 
But one of the crappy things about coming off a 3-13 season, is those guys may take less pay, to go elsewhere and NOT play for a dysfunctional 3-13 team, with an owner with a Rep.
As for the terrible defensive rankings, any good GM should be able to look past a defense's overall rankings, and spot a good individual player. If he can't, then he doesn't deserve to be GM. I mean, if you noticed Riley flying around in a meaningless game, don't you think another team's scouting personnel is gonna be able to notice ??

Fear my friend, you are missing the point here. Please note that in my original post you quoted I said guys "like"...What I meant by that is average guys. If some of those guys leave, we will plug in similar guys for similar money. My point was the most important position that needs to be dealt with this offseason on defense is tackle, and that if we do land a stud tackle, the defense could be significantly better. The most important free agent to resign is Rak, and I strongly believe that will happen.

Also just to add, I don't agree at all with your idea that some of those players will sign elsewhere for less money just to escape the dysfunction as you put it. Players want to play, and they want to get paid, especially the average ones. All that "dysfunction" talk is just fan/media speak.
 
I love the amount of time you put into the OP. I don't necessarily agree with all of it--most notably the coaching candidates, but this is an excellent thread. Very well done.
 
I love the amount of time you put into the OP. I don't necessarily agree with all of it--most notably the coaching candidates, but this is an excellent thread. Very well done.

Thanks my man. Who for you have in mind for coaches?
 
I think you're spot on. I would like to see Zimmer too, but Gruden is a proven OC. The problem I see trying to get both of your choices here is that they'd be making lateral moves if one was to be HC and the other a coordinator. Zimmer turned down Shanahan for the DC position when Shanny came here, I don't see him leaving for a lateral position.

Don't know much about Clements, but I like Zimmer. His only rub is that he has been reported to be "difficult" to work with. I am not sure how much truth there is in that, but if he's a hard-nosed defensive guy like the reports suggest, I like that. I just don't know who we could get to be OC. Don't know enough but we need to ensure that whomever is working with Griffin is the ideal fit or the kid could be ruined here in DC.

As for the "rebuild", I agree! We need to solidify both lines first and foremost. A switch back to 4-3 makes players like Bowen, Cofield better immediately. I do think we'd have to bring in some LB's and I would not be opposed to bringing Rak back if we make that switch. If we stay 3-4, which I just don't see, let him walk. The defensive scheme will determine too much for me to get into the LB position, but I think Riley is the only real LB we have, who is not over the hill, who will transition easily to 4-3. Will be interesting to see how Keenan Robinson does coming back from injury. Pat Angerer as MLB moving Riley to OLB? As for secondary, I truly believe that signing Aqib Talib and bringing D-Hall back on a 2 year contract would make our Secondary immediately better provided our DL is addressed with a DT as you say. I like the Henry Melton suggestion...he's only 27.

On offense, the right side of the OL needs replaced, but there are not a lot of Free Agents out there on that side of the line that impress except maybe Oher, but he is oft injured anymore. Breno Giacomini is solid in Seattle, but they have a solid OL across the board so how would he fare with less talent on the line? Saffold in St Louis has been shaky, but he's only 25 and has potential. There are however a couple of young Centers out there who would be very good pickups. De La Puenta in NO or Alex Mack in Cleveland would be an instant upgrade over Monty and Monty could be kept for depth along the interior of that line...maybe even replace either Guard. I don't know enough about any guards in Free Agency this year.

Free Agents...I am only going to address FA right now.

Defense:
Brian Orakpo (Only if switch back to 4-3)
Henry Melton
Aqib Talib
DeAngelo Hall
Perry Riley
Pat Angerer

We may not have nor should we tie up too much of our new cap space with huge name signings, but I feel Aqib Talib is a must sign. If we sign him it probably means we can't sign Melton...he's gonna want big money. But we could probably re-sign Riley, Hall and Rak bring in Talib or Melton and still get Angerer here. A switch to 4-3 upgrades our DL immediately but is Cofield spent after 2 season as a battering ram at NT? Carriker would need to be jettisoned.

Offense:
Alex Mack
Breno Giacomini

We are going to need a guard too, but I don't know about the G position to know who would fit here. Won't even pretend to...as if I know enough about other positions. :laugh: Other than the upgrades on the OL, I don't think we need to address the other positions except maybe another WR but I gotta feel that is a position that can wait. We need at least 3 solid signings along that OL.

And while I do not think Russ Grimm is Head Coach material, whomever we bring in to coach the offense and defense, we should seriously consider Grimm as an assistant OC to coach up the OL. We need OL help badly!
 
Thanks my man. Who for you have in mind for coaches?

I love Jay Gruden. But I've also been watching him up close for 15 years now. I do believe others could also be successful though.

And I do love Talib.
 
Thanks Elephant for your comments. I have to admit that I really don't know much about the FA olineman that will be available in 2014. I am kind of assuming/hoping there will be some decent ones out there. There may also be a chance to draft a top RG or RT with the second pick of the second round. You must not believe much in Amerson based on your comments on bringing in Talib. I thought Amerson was a bust for most of the season, but I really thought I saw some playmaker potential there as the season went on, and I want to see what he could do in year 2, especially if we can generate a pass rush with the front 4. If I had to choose between Melton and Talib I'd go Melton all day. I just think this team needs to build from the lines back.
 
Thanks Elephant for your comments. I have to admit that I really don't know much about the FA olineman that will be available in 2014. I am kind of assuming/hoping there will be some decent ones out there. There may also be a chance to draft a top RG or RT with the second pick of the second round. You must not believe much in Amerson based on your comments on bringing in Talib. I thought Amerson was a bust for most of the season, but I really thought I saw some playmaker potential there as the season went on, and I want to see what he could do in year 2, especially if we can generate a pass rush with the front 4. If I had to choose between Melton and Talib I'd go Melton all day. I just think this team needs to build from the lines back.

I like Amerson, but Josh Wilson and D-Hall are free agents, that leaves us with only Amerson and I don't think he is solid enough to line up against anyone in the NFL, but I do believe Talib is. I think Amerson is a very solid #2 and could eventually become a #1 with experience and coaching. And while I think you may be correct about Melton, I really believe the only reason we didn't sign Talib last year was money that we spent on Fred Davis prevented it. I think Melton is going to want a huge payday and I am not convinced he deserves it. I think DT is a position a #2 pick in the 2nd round could net. I think that is 1st round talent that could fall into 2nd round. OL too, we'll have to see how FA plays out.

But I agree GSF...I like Zimmer.
 
I don't know who they should hire as head coach or what players they will go after but I'm not sure if it'll really matter now that we're back to potentially having dumb and dumber running the team again like back in the good old Snyderatto days. Snyder will more than likely do like Al Davis did it in Oakland with Allen as GM or how they did it in Tampa with Gruden telling Allen who he wants. We still wont have a Football GM, just a guy who is good at signing up decent contracts, which is the only real upgrade over Cerrato.

Does anybody really think that somehow they are going to turn the guy who has been a puppet GM everywhere he's been into the guy that Snyder defers to in making player acquisition decisions? No other owner has ever done that with Allen and we already know what Snyder is known for so lets do the math here.
 

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