[sportscurmudgeon]

Mr Redskin:

WR: They needed to upgrade this position last year; they tried in the draft but it hasn't worked. They still need an upgrade. If they go with what they have and IF the "young pups" dont get a whole lot better by next September, this will be a HUGE problem.


Sadly, the Skins have a history of drafting/signing players with "headline value" and that does not necessarily fit the definition of a player who fits the scheme or the team need. A change of focus there would be nice... just like it would be nice if the statues on Mt Rushmore smiled more.


OL: Needs new blood. Heyer is still a work in progress. Please note: not every work in progress is successfully completed! For everyone who likes to think that the Skins retain their "identity" as a smashmouth team, you had better not root for Heyer to play RT. If he's there and it's third and two, you can bet the defense will load up over on the left side of the formation. As to Rhinehart, he was a first-day draft pick; and so far this year, it seems as if the rule is that he will see the field only after every other offensive lineman on the squad is in an ICU somewhere. Frankly, that's not promising if you are looking at him to provide lots of help next year.


DL: The Skins have not had a top-shelf DT since Dave Butz retired. They have plugged in this guy and that guy and schemed here and schemed there. They need a top-shelf DT and there is not one on the roster.

Taylor's performance so far this year is disappointing but he did have surgery and he is in his mid-30s. What bothers me is his big cap number for next year... Carter is a good DE. The other guys on the roster who play DE are adequate and nothing more. Realistically, you can hope they will be "average" some day.


LB: Agree that Marcus Washington has lost two steps and his experience/savvy isn't enough to make up for that. I am less enamored with Blades and Rocky than others here. I think Blades makes far too many mistakes that result in 20-yard plays and Rocky is a step late to make a big play at least a half-dozen times a game. These two will do in a pinch but the real concern ought to be London Fletcher who is getting along in years. Who is on the roster to play behind him? You want to talk about a position where the backup is a big step down from the starter...


CB: We will have to disagree on Hall. I think he is marginal as a cover corner and is certainly not a "big-hitter". I suspect they will groom Springs to play safety next year alongside Landry and use Smoot/Hall/Rogers as the CB rotation when they want 3 corners on the field and use Springs/Landry/Horton when they want 3 safeties. What they do with Tryon is of no concern at all to me.


Getting a new punter and kicker would be a good idea - - but you don't really need to draft anyone at these positions unless there is a "Ray Guy clone" out there. There isn't.