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Washington Needs To Retain and Develop Younger Players

Bulldog

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After we watched the Redskins select 12 players in April’s draft, the question now becomes how many of those players the team is going to keep for the future. I have seen some mocks where Kerrigan, Jenkins, Hankerson and Helu were the only draft picks to make the roster.

That to me would be a mistake. One would hope with a rebuilding team, the Redskins would keep their younger players who have some upside as contributors on offense or defense, perhaps at the cost of veterans who may be well-versed special teams performers but have limited upside on the regular units.

If there ever was a year to maximize the process of developing potential across the board for Washington 2011 would appear to be it. McNabb and Haynesworth are gone, few of the players on this team are signed to big contracts for multiple seasons and I think a fair assessment still puts Washington behind at least the Eagles and Giants in the NFC East.

If the Redskins were on the verge of contending I would feel differently and think finding a spot on the roster specifically for the niche performers on ST would be an imperative.

But we first have to find players who can score the touchdowns and convert the field goals as well as stop the opposition for the kickoff and punt returners, coverage men and wedge busters to then be relevant to the bottom line of winning football games.
 
Well, sometimes you just miss on a guy. For example, Aldrick Robinson needs to step up big time, or I'd have no problem cutting him loose. You just can't muff two punts.
 
Well, sometimes you just miss on a guy. For example, Aldrick Robinson needs to step up big time, or I'd have no problem cutting him loose. You just can't muff two punts.


Yet you have no problem forgiving Hankerson for his blunders the other night? I know... a third round pick is a bigger investment, right?
 
Yet you have no problem forgiving Hankerson for his blunders the other night? I know... a third round pick is a bigger investment, right?


Come on El. You know that in a perfect world, it truly wouldn't matter where a player is drafted, but the higher the draft pick, the more leeway he will be given. Fair or not, that's the way it is. Robinson was facing an uphill battle to make the team, and he may end up making the team yet if he shines the next couple of games.

Hank needs to step it up too having said that. If he plays like he did Friday for another game, I think he will have an uphill battle as well. And I don't think practice squad is an option either. Seems to me there will be plenty of teams that would snatch him in a heartbeat unless he really dogs it.
 
Well, sometimes you just miss on a guy. For example, Aldrick Robinson needs to step up big time, or I'd have no problem cutting him loose. You just can't muff two punts.

Come on man... Robinson looked great today with dem towels under his arms catchin punts!

BDT, I agree wholeheartedly. This year is about rebuilding and you need youth to rebuild. We've had a great turnover this year. I feel like you're talking about Sellers directly here and if that's the case, I agree. I would much rather see Austin and Paul on this team rather than Stallworth. If it comes down to Riley or Blades or I'd go with upside and would assume that be Riley.

Oh yeah and I love the fact that we've got a couple of vets to teach the young wr's but if Austin keeps spinning the ball after his catches I'm gonna lose it... (sorry watching game on NFLN again)
 
Kerrigan, Jenkins, Hankerson and Helu

I see more making the team. Royster got first swing at bat and looked like Terry Allen or Earnest Byner. There's a lot to be said for a back that always goes forward and gets what's there. Gomes made some nice plays and Horton has been stinking it up from most reports. Frankly, I would give Paul (or Austin) the lead over Stallworth for the last receiver slot because you want that receiver to play on special teams.

The only two the came off poorly, that I saw, were Robinson and Hankerson. Muffed punts are worse than drops, but neither is acceptable. Because of where he was drafted and because I've heard so much good about him you have to assume Hankerson makes it. I don't actually care if another team would swoop him up if we decide he isn't good enough, but I am hoping his drops have to do with nerves. Lord knows his hands are big enough.
 
One of the names that wasn't mentioned here was Markus White. He played pretty well in the second half of that game and have been hearing positive things about him from camp. Early on in camp I heard he struggled, but that he is progressing tremendously.
 
I still say watch the P-burgh LB - Fox - we signed. he played a good game.
 
I still say watch the P-burgh LB - Fox - we signed. he played a good game.
He also made some mistakes. He made a great play getting back on a tackle that netted a 7 or 8 yard gain after he whiffed on the initial tackle at the line of scrimmage. But overall, I liked him too.
 
He also made some mistakes. He made a great play getting back on a tackle that netted a 7 or 8 yard gain after he whiffed on the initial tackle at the line of scrimmage. But overall, I liked him too.


funny! that's exactly the play I have in mind. I also saw him lose his leverage.....but not get blown out...and get right back into the play! I've seen Fletcher do same. anywho...not saying he'll be a star....only that this is different from what we have seen in the past and there is potential.
 
funny! that's exactly the play I have in mind. I also saw him lose his leverage.....but not get blown out...and get right back into the play! I've seen Fletcher do same. anywho...not saying he'll be a star....only that this is different from what we have seen in the past and there is potential.
Gotta agree there-the ability to make a quick recovery is a good sign.
 
NOT COnfirmed by anyone other than A FEW ON TWITTER BUT......

Looks like we picked up another ex-steeler linebacker who was waived last year, picked up by the 9'rs and then waived by them recently.

I read on cbssportsline that he had 27 sacks his junior/senior years. :love:

San Francisco 49ers Waive Linebacker Thaddeus Gibson

The 23-year-old Gibson will enter his second year in the league after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He did not receive any playing time however and was cut by the team. The Ohio State product later signed with the 49ers and appeared in the final two games of the season against the St. Louis Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. He recorded three tackles and one forced fumble in limited action.
http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/8/15/2365181/san-francisco-49ers-waive-linebacker-thaddeus-gibson


Looks like a Special teams and backup outside linebacker for the 3-4... 23 years old... just the kind of building block we should be happy to see!:clap2:

Im just really happy that the redskins staff doesnt seem complacent with some of our depth. I mean I like Chris Wilson, Rob Jackson and Horatio Blades but they havent pushed very hard for starting positions in all the time they have been here. Good teams keep trying to find players to push for playing time... we've seemed to just luck out once in a while with some so-so depth and we seemed in the past to be OK with that. I hope it changes..
 
Last edited:
WaPo just put this up:


Posted at 10:25 PM ET, 08/17/2011
LB Thaddeus Gibson claimed off waivers by Redskins
By Mike Jones
The Washington Redskins have claimed linebacker Thaddeus Gibson off waivers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Gibson, a second-year player out of Ohio State, had been cut by the San Francisco 49ers. Three teams - Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh - put in claims for him, but Washington ranked highest on the waiver priority list by virtue of having the worst record of the three last season.

It was not immediately clear which player Washington cut to make room for Gibson, who spent time with San Francisco and Pittsburgh last year, appearing in two games and recorded three tackles.

By Mike Jones | 10:25 PM ET, 08/17/2011

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/lb-thaddeus-gibson-claimed-off-waivers-by-redskins/2011/08/17/gIQA7RFPMJ_blog.html
 
Come on El. You know that in a perfect world, it truly wouldn't matter where a player is drafted, but the higher the draft pick, the more leeway he will be given. Fair or not, that's the way it is.
This is very true, and it's a very backwards way to look at things, but every team and most fans do it.

I personally think that the higher a guy is drafted, the less leeway should be given, because more is expected of him. I think with a higher draft pick, the guy is basically obligated to perform, and if he doesn't, he should get the boot.

Shuler, Westbrook and 50/50 come to mind. The worst part is when you look at the receivers we passed on over the years while we put our faith into Westbrook.....

1. Terrell Owens
2. Keyshawn Johnson
3. Marvin Harrison
4. Randy Moss
5. Hines Ward
6. Donald Driver
7. Plaxico Burress
8. Reggie Wayne
9. Steve Smith
10. Chad Ochocinco

Think about that for a minute. We stood by our man while he gave us nothing in return. At least half the guys on this list will likely end up in the hall of fame, and I can honestly see as many as 7 of these guys ending up there. It just highlights how much management has failed us as fans in recent history. And these are just the WR we missed out on because of one sub par player. When you look at the QBs we had a chance to draft over the years, it makes you sick.
 
Gotta agree there-the ability to make a quick recovery is a good sign.

Not only that but the will to make that recovery. In the past, it seems like a lot of our guys would have just given up or maybe that is just my perception. Maybe it is an Albert Haynesworth cause and effect.

Also, I want a youth movement, but I do not think you keep a guy just because you drafted him. If you missed out on his value to the team, part ways and move on as quick as you can. Even if we keep only 4-5 rookies, our team is significantly younger than last year. I think hitting on 4-5 solid contributors is nice.

I would also be on the lookout for Gomes to make the team. Not because of his great play, but because of the injuries to the Safety position. This might be a position of need, especially with Landry, Atogwe, and Moore out. In fact, Moore seems pretty brittle. Might be time to move on.

We still have 3 games left and anyone could step up and make this team. Remember Terrell Davis made the Broncos with a Special Teams tackle that shook Mile High.
 
No, you don't keep a player just because he is young and a draft pick.

But you don't release or put on the practice squad players with upside because a current veteran is good on punt coverage but can't find a role supporting the regular offense or defense.

Those kinds of specialists are valuable when you already have a solid core of skill talent on board that is producing.

The Redskins are still trying to identify and start to build that core.
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Well, sometimes you just miss on a guy. For example, Aldrick Robinson needs to step up big time, or I'd have no problem cutting him loose. You just can't muff two punts.

Brandon Banks muffed 3 punts last preseason. The kid is a rookie and last week was his first game. He will improve and hopefully we will be able to stash him on the PS because of those muffs.
 
Banks also took one to the house. Different scenarios.
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