Random Commanders Thoughts

[McD5]

Walter Football's latest Redskin prediction:

5. Washington Redskins: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
The Redskins are passing on Shane Ray for a slightly inferior prospect, but they're set at outside linebacker. Also, they haven't been able to protect very well. It's highly disconcerting that third-round rookie Morgan Moses wasn't really able to find his way into the starting lineup despite the team's issues at right tackle. Moses finally started at San Francisco, and he was abysmal.

There was talk that Andrus Peat will return to school - though he apparently changed his mind - whereas Ronnie Stanley, who has been incredible this year, asked the draft advisory committee for his projected grade. Check out my 2015 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker, where I have grades and rumors posted.

 

[Bulldog]

The trouble with hiring a coordinator that worked under a head coach whose specialty is also defense is that it is difficult to accurately evaluate the candidate.

How much of what success they have is due to the influence of the head man?

What are they really capable of doing on their own?

Bellichick is one coach whose hands are over everything that happens in NE.

That's one reason his 'hot' assistants seem to fail when they move on to their own teams.

 

[Win4us]

With all the news about Scot coming in has there been mention of his assistant? Just wondering if he's the emperor has his Vader been identified.

 

[redskins26]

DE Ray McDonald, third round: He’s had problems off the field with sexual assault allegations, which led to his release. But the big concern over him before the draft were two ACL surgeries on his left knee. He was mostly a backup with San Francisco for his first four seasons, but became a full-time starter in 2011 (the same year he registered a career-high 5.5 sacks). He’d still be with the team if not for the (big) off-field issues.

if the redskins had drafted him and he was a back up for four years some of you would have been calling him a bust his first season

 

[Bulldog]

Ok, if Josh LeRibeus becomes a 'hog' up front in 2015 for the Skins I will admit I made a mistake.

From here he looks like an offseason casualty.

I might add that McDonald was behind some pretty good players in SF.

Can you say that about our picks from years past?

 

[Goaldeje]

Yeah. The fact that Long couldn't unseat Chester doesn't concern anyone else? Or that Moses couldn't beat out Turnstyler? And McRib can't beat anyone out when during the time he's been here we haven't had stellar lines?

I realize Moses was drafted as an expressed project, but we had enough needs that in retrospect I'm not sure it was wise to draft a project.

 

[Dead Money]

Yeah. The fact that Long couldn't unseat Chester doesn't concern anyone else? Or that Moses couldn't beat out Turnstyler? And McRib can't beat anyone out when during the time he's been here we haven't had stellar lines?

I realize Moses was drafted as an expressed project, but we had enough needs that in retrospect I'm not sure it was wise to draft a project.

I honestly would have to put this on the OL coach. Nobody has played above their grade since he has been here and I don't think his and Grudens approaches match. I feel like he was stuffed down Grudens throat for season 1 and that doesn't say much about Gruden. I seriously think... Errr... Hope he's the next casualty.

 

[Goaldeje]

Yeah, I can see that too. If there isn't a change soon there I lose a lot of faith in Gruden. Running out of people to blame.

 

[Boone]

I think the error that Gruden made in year one was focusing on wins. He assessed who was practicing best and that's who got the start. What he needed to be doing was throw every guy with a shred of potential into the fire and see if any of them could actually play. This year should have been a development/player ID year and instead we kept guys on the inactive list who we still don't know if they can play or not. I would cut McRib outright. He's had plenty of time to show something, anything. The injury made an even bigger mess of the Moses pick. He was very good at UVa contrary to what some here spin - I'm not ready to give up on him alma mater aside. Long? Who the hell knows if he can play. These guys need live game action and then make some assessments based on that. Otherwise, why waste a roster spot on them?

 

[Primus Porcus]

I think the error that Gruden made in year one was focusing on wins. He assessed who was practicing best and that's who got the start. What he needed to be doing was throw every guy with a shred of potential into the fire and see if any of them could actually play. This year should have been a development/player ID year and instead we kept guys on the inactive list who we still don't know if they can play or not. I would cut McRib outright. He's had plenty of time to show something, anything. The injury made an even bigger mess of the Moses pick. He was very good at UVa contrary to what some here spin - I'm not ready to give up on him alma mater aside. Long? Who the hell knows if he can play. These guys need live game action and then make some assessments based on that. Otherwise, why waste a roster spot on them?

I've been a long time believer that the Coach cares about wins today... the GM cares about wins tomorrow. Unfortunately when you have a situation where the Coach IS the GM, you lose all balance there. I agree that i wanted to see a more aggressive attempt at development this year, but I also want my coach to try to win every single week. I dont care if we'ree 2 - 10, Gruden's job is to win football games.. McCloughans job is to build a team.

 

[Boone]

In theory that sounds great, but what that resulted in this year was spending half a season watching Tyler Polumbus (and several others) play at their ceiling (ceilings we already knew about). We don't know any more about guys like Mose and Long than we did when we drafted them (unless the only assessment that matters is on the practice field, something I don't believe). I'd throw Ryan Grant into that bucket too. He looked great in pre-season, had 8 catches in week 2, and only saw live action in 4 other games all year. I don't get that.

It comes down to a clear lack of recognition of where this team should've been - and that's in total rebuild mode.

 

[Primus Porcus]

we also didnt have a REAL GM. Having a guy who is doing the talent evaluation (and good at it) sitting in on personnel meetings, causes those type of decisions to be made. If GM/Coach are both on the same page, then you see development.

 

[DixieFlatline]

Walter Football's latest Redskin prediction:

5. Washington Redskins: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
...... Moses finally started at San Francisco, and he was abysmal.

Started at San Francisco? What am I missing?

 

[redskins26]

I think the error that Gruden made in year one was focusing on wins. He assessed who was practicing best and that's who got the start. What he needed to be doing was throw every guy with a shred of potential into the fire and see if any of them could actually play. This year should have been a development/player ID year and instead we kept guys on the inactive list who we still don't know if they can play or not. I would cut McRib outright. He's had plenty of time to show something, anything. The injury made an even bigger mess of the Moses pick. He was very good at UVa contrary to what some here spin - I'm not ready to give up on him alma mater aside. Long? Who the hell knows if he can play. These guys need live game action and then make some assessments based on that. Otherwise, why waste a roster spot on them?

I don't believe in that strategy obviously we want a breelend every pick but that's not going to happen. Wether we have good starters or not we need to develop our players. Throwing them to the fire is not going to help them it could work the opposite
it's all about patience

 

[Miles Monroe]

It's quite refreshing to have little to no news coming out of Redskins Park...

 

[Boone]

I don't believe in that strategy obviously we want a breelend every pick but that's not going to happen. Wether we have good starters or not we need to develop our players. Throwing them to the fire is not going to help them it could work the opposite
it's all about patience

Giving players you drafted in the top 3 or 4 rounds live playing time doesn't equal throwing them in the fire. It's the only way to fully assess their potential and talent level. I'm just suggesting we could have done more of it.

 

[fansince62]

remember when Shanahan famously stated that he was in player evaluation mode at the half way mark? that's what you do when the season is cratering. more than likely the crater correlates to major roster changes during the off-season. the warp and woof of NFL assessment these days is actual game-time film. I don't see how the off-season house-cleaning gets done without putting the players you believe may stick around in real games to get some tape.

 

[micks113]

remember when Shanahan famously stated that he was in player evaluation mode at the half way mark? that's what you do when the season is cratering. more than likely the crater correlates to major roster changes during the off-season. the warp and woof of NFL assessment these days is actual game-time film. I don't see how the off-season house-cleaning gets done without putting the players you believe may stick around in real games to get some tape.

The coaches see the game tapes every week. They know whos playing well and who sucks. With the high number of injuries, coaches are focusing on roster management and playing the best guy available or making moves to obtain depth. They are not evaluating who makes the cut for next year. Once Gruden gets more seasoned, he will be able to plan past the next game.

 

[Boone]

They do??? I think that's a pretty major assumption. Two words. Tyler Polumbus.

 

[micks113]

In theory that sounds great, but what that resulted in this year was spending half a season watching Tyler Polumbus (and several others) play at their ceiling (ceilings we already knew about). We don't know any more about guys like Mose and Long than we did when we drafted them (unless the only assessment that matters is on the practice field, something I don't believe). I'd throw Ryan Grant into that bucket too. He looked great in pre-season, had 8 catches in week 2, and only saw live action in 4 other games all year. I don't get that.

It comes down to a clear lack of recognition of where this team should've been - and that's in total rebuild mode.

With all due respect, Gruden was under considerable fire to find a quarterback. He couldn't really throw green players in there and expect our QB's to play well, much less evaluate them.

No question, everything was a mess this year, top to bottom. The key is what did we learn i.e. what did the coaches learn? I'm thinking they didn't have anything positive to learn so yr one for Gruden was a net setback.