Random Commanders Thoughts

[Goaldeje]

Scot's in this for the long haul. This draft sets the tone that we are looking BPA, not need. I would have rather drafted OLine, DLine, THEN Secondary, but I trust the guy drafting.

I do think this off season taken as a whole (which is not finished yet) put a lot of pressure on Gruden and Barry. Especially Barry. You don't go get Norman, then devote your 2 and 3 to defensive players while expecting to stay in the bottom third of the league in D. I think Scot is expecting substantial gains there - into the top ten, at least. If Barry can't do it, I'm thinking they'll find someone who can.

Same is true with Gruden. I am surprised to see them satisfied with the anemic rushing game we had last year, but maybe this is Scot's way of putting a little pressure on Gruden to coach up Jones & Thompson and continue to let the OLine gel.

Either way, I don't Scot will be satisfied with 7-9 or worse this year. At the absolute least, we need to tread water.

 

[Elephant]

Very true. But we don't no that it won't either. And if the majority of added weight is muscle, then it seems likely that both players would have to improve.

You're not one to reach, my friend...this is a reach. Adding muscle does not automatically "improve" a player. We'll see how Murphy adding size translates on the field. I believe it won't matter, he'll still get pushed around on the interior of the DL like he has the many times we've had him inside on different defensive fronts in his 2 years here. I like the kid, just think they're trying one last ditch effort to salvage a 2nd round pick before he gets released. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him released before the first game of the season.

No way to know. But Scot thought it wise to pass on him. I do know that every year, there are a handful of can't miss Dlinemen that fail to meet expectations. And as my good friend fansince always reminds us (where the hell is he BTW) team and scheme go long way in determining a players success. Even if Billings lights it up, it's not a given he would have done it here. The reverse is true as well.

And that is what has me scratching my head, understanding that McGloo is the person I wanted here all along, but again...he is not infallible. There is almost certainly going to be some DL drafted in the 4th round this year to come out of college who is going to be way better than a projected draft pick.

Henry, "is a looter and a pillager. He's the worst enemy those men have got!"

Well, we certainly do agree there!

 

[Chris]

Here's the UDFA list:

Washington

Tevin Carter, S, Utah
Michael Cooper, TE, Indiana
Reginald Diggs, WR, Richmond
Ejiro Ederaine, LB, Fresno State
Joe Gore, OT, Clemson
Travis Greene, RB, Bowling Green
Maurice Harris, WR, Cal
Dominick Jackson, OT, Alabama
Joe Kerridge, FB, Michigan
Anthony Lanier, DE, Alamaba A&M
Kelly Mason, LS, Kentucky
Geno Matias-Smith, DB, Alabama
Andre McCullough, WR, Rocky Mountain
Kenneth Springer, DB, NM Highlands

Undrafted free agent signings 2016: Every team's pickups in one place - SBNation.com

I've seen several reports that FSU LB Reggie Northrup agreed to a UDFA contract with us. Did he change his mind?

 

[Elephant]

I've seen several reports that FSU LB Reggie Northrup signed a UDFA contract with us. Did he change his mind?

I thought I saw someone post he tweeted it. Local beat reporters are suggesting this is common and that the actual contract in place will be the real indicator. A lot of kids tweet they signed, but actually only came to an agreement, then one side or the other changed their minds prior to the actual signing.

And Chris, I don't remember him from FSU...doesn't stand out to me.

 

[Ax]

You're not one to reach, my friend...this is a reach. Adding muscle does not automatically "improve" a player. We'll see how Murphy adding size translates on the field. I believe it won't matter, he'll still get pushed around on the interior of the DL like he has the many times we've had him inside on different defensive fronts in his 2 years here. I like the kid, just think they're trying one last ditch effort to salvage a 2nd round pick before he gets released. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him released before the first game of the season.

By improve I meant, more muscle=more strength=getting pushed around less than they would have without the extra muscle/weight. Don't see that as a reach at all.

Murph also might have been a half step slow for a LB. But he doesn't need to be as fast at DE. Also, concentrating solely on the technique for DE should help as well. I'm gonna go optimistic here and say this move is gonna work out well for us.

And that is what has me scratching my head, understanding that McGloo is the person I wanted here all along, but again...he is not infallible. There is almost certainly going to be some DL drafted in the 4th round this year to come out of college who is going to be way better than a projected draft pick.

Absolutely right. Also gonna be more than one 1st rounder getting outplayed by our 5th rounder.

 

[Bulldog]

The way the draft went to me indicates that the Redskins are going to be looking for veteran depth on the DL before training camp as teams assess their picks and designate post June 1 cuts, etc.

Even if we assume that Stephen Paea is going to resemble a solid NFL defensive end, which he didn't do last year AND we assume our #5 draft pick makes the team and is able to contribute as part of a rotation, we still have 1-2 slots that need to get filled, and filled with guys with some experience.

Again, my assumption, and perhaps I am way off here, is that Kedric Golston was signed back for 2016 largely for his leadership and locker room presence, not with the goal of having him go out there at 32 and play a major role at NT/DT for the team on run downs, etc.

And the departure of Knighton, Hatcher and Kearse indicated depth was going to be a major issue heading into the offseason.

Why we let Kearse go is a bit of a head-scratcher to me. He was on a vet minimum type deal and seemed to be the kind of tough, hard-nosed, hard-working player the front office talked about having on the team.

The fact he was snatched up by New England within a week of us releasing him makes me think we at least should have brought him to camp and had him compete for a job with us.

 

[Chris]

And Chris, I don't remember him from FSU...doesn't stand out to me.

#5. Smallish ILB (6'1 230) but a run thumper. Very good special teams performer.

 

[redskins26]

Cravens to wear Sean Taylor's old number 36 the one he wore as a rookie

 

[redskins26]

I've seen several reports that FSU LB Reggie Northrup agreed to a UDFA contract with us. Did he change his mind?

He just got invited to the tryouts not signed

 

[DieselPwr44]

Nice...........


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's a look at the drop rates for some of the top WRs taken in the NFL Draft <a href="https://t.co/9lTlRwVKBy">pic.twitter.com/9lTlRwVKBy</a></p>— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBFilmRoom/status/726455733718421505">April 30, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[McD5]

For those that feel we need to add a C:

The Bears announced they released OL Matt Slauson, who played every single offensive snap for the team in 2015: 1,083 of 1,083.

He plays both C and G. Widely believed to be one of Chicago's best linemen. Very reasonable too.

Callahan also coached him for two seasons.

6'5, 320 pounds. 30 years old.

 

[Chris]

He just got invited to the tryouts not signed

Huh. Numerous reports down here (Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post) that he signed a UDFA contract.

 

[redskins26]

Huh. Numerous reports down here (Orlando Sentinel, Palm Beach Post) that he signed a UDFA contract.

It was on a tweet earlier listed like 10 names that were invited to Reddkins rookie camp but not signed

 

[Cycleans]

I can't help but think Norman and his contract dropped in their laps unexpected and somehow changed the draft plan for this year. By all accounts the salary cap is being raised in 2017. Kirk is drawing a franchise deal awaiting something long term...I've given up trying to predict or understand the drafting strategies for this or any other team...At the end of the day we upgraded our Wr, safety and db positions by a wide margin if Josh Norman is included. I believe we have an upgrade at DT as well. Is it enough? Who knows? I'm excited though...Next year maybe we can address the lines on both sides...

What's abundantly clear about this draft is that Gruden and McCl believe they have sufficient talent on both lines, and neither needed to be addressed.

Maybe. There were a number of injuries on the o-line last year. And, we had a very good player in rehab all year last year.

If we continue to have an anemic running game, and a mediocre defense, the miscalculation will be obvious.

 

[Ax]

What would be great, would be if the kid we drafted late last year, Austin Reiter has worked his way into the #2 slot behind Kory. Scratching at his heels to be the starter.
Improvement from Kouandjio & Long. Who might also challenge for the center job.

On the dline, that all the guys returning have improved. Though Golston I think has hit his ceiling already.
And, at least one of the new FA guys, Hood & Reyes, is a hit. Along with our new kid, The King of Sparta, Ioannidis?

Yeah, it's a lot to hope for. But it's damn well possible.

 

[stevenaa]

And that is what has me scratching my head, understanding that McGloo is the person I wanted here all along, but again...he is not infallible. There is almost certainly going to be some DL drafted in the 4th round this year to come out of college who is going to be way better than a projected draft pick.

I think this is a huge change for us. We're used to just plugging holes of immediate need and never drafting for overall talent and long term viability. We never see our over all roster talent improve. I think that over the course of 3 drafts, you can draft best available, within reason, and fill a lot of your needs with a better roster. If you buy into McL's philosophy that you build the team by focusing on the best players you can get, true football players, you will ultimately have success that is sustainable. I want to see the talent level overall improve. I don't think it matters whether the back field or interior get fixed first. There will be FA help, there will be DL available next draft. We were killed at WR when Desean was out last year. We can't suffer that and really hope to compete. Barry got a lot more out of our Defensive backfield than I though possible, but it cost us in the running defense. TE's tore us up. We may have a guy that can stop that from happening. We may have filled some glaring needs that will have definite impact on quality of play. I'm excited to see the team jell in the coming seasons.

 

[Bulldog]

Again, though part of the calculus is how good a prospect someone like Billings is vs players at other positions.

As I thought yesterday, our drafting of only one DL in 2016 indicates McCloughan thinks he can find a veteran for depth in post-draft free agency to help in 2016 and wasn't going to pick a player strictly because he was a DT.

So, it's a bit of a gamble.

But justified in his mind by the tilt of the draft board.

His hope is that 2 years from now Doctson and Cravens are pro bowlers and Fuller is either a starter or quality nickel corner.

Meanwhile a DT could be in the offing next year with all of those extra picks.

We picked up #4, #5, and #6 picks to add to the pot for 2017 which means we can really 'own' the middle rounds.

 

[riggins44]

I have no problem with drafting a WR in our first round. All you need to do is look to next season. Chances are Jackson and/or Garcon are gone. It generally takes a WR 2 years to make the transition. With Doctson he will be ready and our passing game should be okay, plus he gets chance to create chemistry with Cousins.

 

[Bulldog]

Well, we already invested two first round picks in the OL, along with two third rounders and a fourth as well.

Outside of Williams who is proven we don't yet know the upside for Moses, Scherff, Long and Kouandjio.

We know Moses and Scherff look like and performed like solid NFL starters in 2015 as first year guys.

Kouandjio may end up being the answer at LG and Long may end up at center.

We just don't know yet.

But Callahan knows their capabilities if anyone does and if rang the alarm bell after the season about the OL we would have signed a veteran in FA or invested more in the draft.

The lack of a running game IMO is partly the result of a year in which you put in 3 new starters and see your veteran center go down with a season ending injury.

The other part of it is the performance of the backs. Morris has slowed down after carrying the ball more than any other back since 2012. Thompson is a third down performer but not a between the tackles chain mover.

Jones meanwhile has the talent to be a starter but was very raw in 2015 and didn't seem prepared mentally for the challenge of transitioning to the NFL and being fundamentally sound on the field in knowing the playbook and holding onto the ball.

Hopefully in 2016 he comes in ready to work and improve.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Pierre Thomas resigned as a passing down safety valve for Cousins and a base set runner that gets some reps.

 

[Shi no Tenshi]

Hmmm...I see us signing expensive FAs (Norman), not addressing needs (o-line, d-line), gambling on picks with health issues or tweeners, and generally thinking that we're better in a lot of positions than we really are.

Here's the difference: We now have an actual GM...if that means anything.

I know I may seem a bit contrarian, but a wide-out isn't going to fix our running game. And, a guy we're wanting to add weight isn't going to fix our d-line.

I hope Galette is ready. I hope Lauvao is ready.

If they're not, I don't see an improvement in the run game. And, I don't see an improvement in run defense.

I'm sorry, but you have a huge chunk of confirmation bias going into your viewpoint. Look at what those not so vested in our team say about it, versus what they said about our previous drafts. There are a lot of people out there saying that the picks were not bad ones; people that have previously laughed at how bad the drafts were.

I understand why you have that confirmation bias, and why you always think things are related. However, it isn't holding up to objective scrutiny. Those other observers could be completely wrong, of course. Signs are showing that we aren't the "same old (Danny's) Redskins" that you so fear, however.