Like It Or Not Redskins Two Years Away

[Bulldog]

With the salary cap penalty in 2012 and 2013, the 'jumpstart' that was expected coming out of the lockout is not going to happen.

The trade for Griffin has solved the biggest hole on the roster and the presence of Morris, Davis and Garcon gives the Redskins a young solid core of skill players for Griffin to grow with.

Kurt Cousins looks like an NFL quarterback in terms of his arm and ability to come in under tough circumstances and hold his own.

That and the defensive line/LB are the good news stories.

But the Redskins are going to struggle to be better than a .500 team, win one - lose one, as long as there are major holes at the other positions.

It's going to take another 2 years (again given the cap penalty and lack of picks) to round out the roster with finds at these positions, and that's assuming the front office makes the right moves.

We need:

RT
RG
OC
K
DT (behind Cofield)
CB (both sides)
S (both strong and free)

It's a tall order. But then again you have injuries to Helu, Orakpo, Carriker, etc. that have put the team in an early hole in re personnel.

Kerrigan is doing well, but he is the only real threat the team has vs the pass.

Jarvis Jenkins has been less than advertised so far at DE/DT and the backfield combo of Hall and Wilson are a highly paid tandem of corners given their production.

These were two bad contracts. Neither player is over 5'10 and are 190-195.

They are regularly getting eaten live in coverage of 6'2 and 6'3 athletic WRs week to week.

There was a good chance the Redskins might have been able to pull this game out if Griffin had not gotten hurt.

That is how much he brings to the table.

Now that he is aboard, the holes elsewhere are only that much more exposed to the light.

Not going to be an easy offseason for Shanahan and Allen.

This year's #3 pick, LeRibeus, is off to a VERY slow start on the inactive list and low on the depth chart for such a high pick.

We can't miss on that #2 and #3 pick next offseason.

We need those picks to be starters/contributors early in their careers for the team to improve.

 

[GSF]

Good analysis BD, and I would add mlb to your list of needs considering Fletcher is not going to be able to play forever(though it feels like he probably could).

Having said that, there are 2 additions the Skins could hopefully make next year via FA that I believe would make a big difference in their ability to compete: a legit #1 corner, and a legit RT.

Wilson is a decent #2 corner, but is not a guy who can handle big #1s as you said. Chester and Montgomery are good enough for now if you have a good set of bookend tackles.

The rest of the positions I believe can be addressed over the next 2-3 years as resources allow.

 

[Elephant]

The only thing I would definitely disagree with is Josh Wilson. He is a good corner. Put someone who is a legit #1 CB on the other side, he would excel. And if we go after a CBin FA it should be Brent Grimes. He will recover from his injury and not demand as high a salary. Bad time to get a knee injury for him.

As for OL. I think we could live with the current interior of our OL while the youth develops, i.e. LeRiebus and/or Gettis. We must upgrade RT and we must do it asap! This is a position I would consider moving Trent over to fill if we could land a FA LT. There are 2 of the best in the game going on the market this off-season. While I am not sure Jake Long would fit the ZBS we know Ryan Clady does.

Not a fan of talking about FA for next year, but we are Redskins' fans, so...

 

[Henry]

We don't need to fill every single one of those holes to be competitive.

Even with our line we have a solid offense. We can already run the ball just fine. If Griffin an learn to throw the ball away and not be a hero we can live with holes on that line. Solid safety play will improve the corner play. Things can be covered for when they aren't gaping holes.

We may need two years or more to become a completely perfect team with no discernible weakness. But we're not two years away from being good. Do we really have to do this after every loss?

 

[Dreamingwolf]

We don't need to fill every single one of those holes to be competitive.

Even with our line we have a solid offense. We can already run the ball just fine. If Griffin an learn to throw the ball away and not be a hero we can live with holes on that line. Solid safety play will improve the corner play. Things can be covered for when they aren't gaping holes.

We may need two years or more to become a completely perfect team with no discernible weakness. But we're not two years away from being good. Do we really have to do this after every loss?

I completely agree, with how bad alot of skins and cowgirl fans(will probably get a misogynist accusation after that one) like to say we are horrible remember we just barely lost to an undefeated team that has previously dominated some tough opponents.

I dont feel so bad about this loss, especially since we lost RG3 when we needed him most. The team fought hard and I believe in them. I thought we could win and we almost did.

 

[Rymanofthenorth]

we are at least a full year away, dpending on the offseason.

but we NEED a left tackle, I would love to see us get Long here, he would fit, Clady would be my second choice, it would let us move TW to the RT spot. we need a guard who can step in and immediately play at a high level, you can get by with one subpar interior lineman, not 3. this is a decent offence right now, it would be excellent with a better line.

We need a coverage safety, someone who is actually a threat back there. and a real legit #1 corner.

if we stay with the 3-4 as our base scheme then we NEED GD NOSETACKLE.

we also need more depth at LB and across the O and D lines.

 

[Sarge]

WE HAVE GOT TO FIX THE LINE

I've been saying that **** for 10 years at least. It has become even more important now that we have a rookie QB with a penchant for running.

Otherwise, I pretty much agree with you BD. The secondary is horrible and quite frankly I'm surprise that Altlanta didn't light us up even more.

As I've said before, I expect noting from this team this year and although it still get a lttle pissed when we lose, I've come to expect it over the last 20 years.

Next year I think we have to be at .500 for SHanny to keep his job and the year after we have to be comepetative

 

[tshile]

We don't need to fill every single one of those holes to be competitive.

Even with our line we have a solid offense. We can already run the ball just fine. If Griffin an learn to throw the ball away and not be a hero we can live with holes on that line. Solid safety play will improve the corner play. Things can be covered for when they aren't gaping holes.

We may need two years or more to become a completely perfect team with no discernible weakness. But we're not two years away from being good. Do we really have to do this after every loss?

This. The post loss overreaction of doom and gloom is as tiring as the post win overreaction of pending greatness.

We were competitive with one of the better teams in the league with a prolific offense.

And we did it with a backup rookie qb with no game experience, an awful kicker that can't hit chip shots, and a suspect secondary.

Josh Wilson had a bad game, Griffin went out on a bad decision, and we missed a chip shot that swung momentum.

We're 2-3 and one game out of first place in the division. The season is young and they've been in every game in the 4th quarter.

Calm down.

 

[hail2skins]

I think all BT was saying is that this is still somewhat a shaky team and that the remaining salary cap penalty for next season (primarily) will limit our ability to fill holes and to perhaps lessen great expectations for the very near future.

Saying "we're competitive" is fine but sooner or later you have to translate this into wins. Especially at home. Shanahan is now a mind-boggling 4-14 at FedEx.

Its true we are only a game out of first place in the division, but based on what you have seen so far after five weeks, how many of you would pick the Redskins to win the NFC East this season? Be honest.

Finally, if you are saying that we can be good in 2013 (which is reasonable), define "good" in terms of record. And if we don't meet that record, should Shanahan be retained?

 

[Lanky Livingston]

Disagree about Jenkins - he had a great game yesterday. If the refs called holding penalties anymore, two of their touchdown drives may have been stalled because of his pass-rush. He was also instrumental in stopping a few of their short-yardage plays.

 

[Henry]

Finally, if you are saying that we can be good in 2013 (which is reasonable), define "good" in terms of record. And if we don't meet that record, should Shanahan be retained?

Well then how about we define what we are 'two years away' from?

From 8 wins? 10 wins? Playoffs? Being Totally Awesome in Every Way?

I think if Griffin continues to prove to be the real deal we can reasonably expect to be a playoff team next year.

 

[Elephant]

Well then how about we define what we are 'two years away' from?

From 8 wins? 10 wins? Playoffs? Being Totally Awesome in Every Way?

I think if Griffin continues to prove to be the real deal we can reasonably expect to be a playoff team next year.

Isn't that what they were saying in Carolina with Cam?

 

[Henry]

Carolina should be better than they are. If we were in their situation right now I would understand a lot more bitching.

 

[Elephant]

Carolina should be better than they are. If we were in their situation right now I would understand a lot more bitching.

Meh, we're merely venting. And it takes a few of the level headed members to talk some sense into us...if that is possible!

I understand it is a learning process for Kyle, the kid is only 33 years old, and Griff...I mean he is a rookie. But it is frustrating to watch something that works pushed aside so easily for some foolish play call. I mean, sitting at a desk chatting with friends while watching the game, I could see that play action coming... If I can see it, Mike Nolan should and did.

 

[Bulldog]

Losing close games does not always mean you are very close

Under Norv this team lost games by 3 or 4 points for 7 years

You know when you willl get a feel this team has turned the corner?

When they are able to put a 3 game winning streak together and look solid on both sides of the ball in doing so.

That to me is a sign things will be coming together.

Could it happen this year?

I don't know. The games the Redskins have won the defense gave up 32 and 22 points and over 300 yards in the air in both contests.

The problem I see is that at CB, S, OL, it's not just that the team doesn't have star performers out there as veteran starters, the team really doesn't have any younger players who appear close to emerging and becoming contributors.

LeRibeus and Gettis are pretty far down the depth chart on a below average line. When Maurice Hurt with all of his technique issues is ahead of you and is the active interior backup on Sundays, you have to wonder how much hope these two draft picks really bring to the table.

At cornerback the backups are no answer right now. Cedric Griffin is a 30 year old who no longer has the speed (due to two ACL reconstructions) to be a player at CB.

I thought it was a decent bet to attempt to transition the good tackling Griffin to safety and I did hear some of that in the offseason. But expecting him to cover legitimat wideouts on a island by himself, that's not going to happen.

That's why he was available. Minnesota felt he had become a liability vs. the pass.

Richard Crawford is a rookie seventh round draft pick. He may have an NFL future. But he is as green as grass and looks like a rookie seventh round pick. He has been beaten short, beaten long and has missed tackles by being out of position.

He clearly is a developmental player that is not going to be ready in 2012.

So, we are back to Hall and Wilson for the entire 2012 season.

Another Cerrato draft pick, #3 choice Kevin Barnes, was here for 3 plus years and didn't impress anyone. HE was the player the team was counting on for improvement from within - he had decent speed and was 6'1 on the outside.

But he never showed the instincts to be a cover corner in the NFL.

 

[riggins44]

If we could get some of the cap money that Goodell and Mara stole from us, then we would be better sooner.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

I get your frustration over LeRibeus and Gettis, but can we give them longer than 5 games into their rookie seasons before writing them off?

 

[Bulldog]

The LeRibeus situation reminds me too much of Chad Rinehart, another #3 pick, that ended up as active for 1 or 2 games and then was inactive for the balance of his rookie season.

We all know how his term in Washington ended.

I watched the draft and to be honest didn't know Josh LeRibeus from Adam.

But I was somewhat surprised when almost ALL of the draftniks were commenting that this was a player whose college career was up and down, he had weight and fitness issues and could be projected as a #6 or even #7 pick.

That had me questioning what Shanahan saw in him that advanced him that far up the draft board.

So far, I don't see it. I didn't see it in the preseason, I didn't hear anyone commenting on the team from the ex-Redskins to our broadcasters to NFL observers take specific notice of LeRibeus over the summer and indicate he was a solid player to watch down the road.

In fact Gettis was getting more time inside during the preseason with the regulars than LeRibeus.

 

[Lanky Livingston]

I agree...LeRibeus was a reach where he was taken. But I'm not ready to write him off just yet, especially when Shanahan picked him higher than his value.

 

[Bulldog]

I am not writing off anyone, but then again I am not going to make plans based on counting on them to be there either. Especially if the team itself doesn't seem to be promoting the player on the depth chart to garner some confidence in his abilities.