Quote:
Originally Posted by SmootSmack
When are we going to stop acting like our Super Bowl teams of the 80s and early 90s was built on spending high draft picks on linemen (offensive and defensive). It wasn't. It was on developing consistency and unity over several years (which was significantly easier to do in those days). But the core players in the trenches did not primarily consist of high draft picks by the Redskins
Dexter Manley (5th round)
Charles Mann (3rd round)
Dave Butz (1st round-Cardinals; joined Redskins in 2nd season)
Darryl Grant (9th round)
Marcus Koch (2nd round)
Jumpy Geathers (2nd round-Saints; joined Redskins in 7th season)
Tim Johnsons (6th round-Steelers; joined Redskins in 4th season)
Fred Stokes (12th round-Rams; Joined Redskins in 3rd season)
Bobby Wilson (1st round; bust for all intents and purposes)
Russ Grimm (3rd round)
Mark May (1st round)
George Starke (11th round)
Jeff Bostic (undrafted)
Joe Jacoby (undrafted)
Jim Lachey (1st round-Chargers; joined Redskins in 5th season)
Raleigh McKenzie (11th round)
R.C. Thielemann (2nd round-Falcons; joined Redskins in 8th season)
Mark Schlereth (10th round)
Ed Simmons (6th round)
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I think the point of the matter is, this is the new NFL and teams that have spent wisely on the offensive and defensive lines are winning football teams. Now more than ever, the NFL draft is more important. We have tried the free agent approach. Maybe Vinny and his talent scouting is the problem. The 80s NFL is long gone. The draft is more important now than ever. But, the one thing that remains a staple is you win in the trenches, period. if you get dominated in the trenches you lose. For 8 years we have lacked in both Lines. We are an average team, have been average, and we will not take that leap top the NFL elite until the Lines are given some kind of importance by this front office. Ignoring the Lines simply haven't worked. Patching the Lines with aging veterans hasn't worked. Building a Line in one mode, to run the ball, without emphasis on pass protection, hasn't worked. I advocate early draft picks on the Line because this is the new NFL and that is where some of the best talent lies. For example, Chris Samuels. Then again, we would become the new Detroit Lions and take more receivers.