Rebuilding the Redskins

[Drift Reality]

I'm going to avoid getting emotional because of the last several games and try to share some more rational thoughts on what I believe this organization needs to do to get moving in the right direction.

1. Figure out who is going to be responsible for managing personnel. The Skins brought A.J. Smith, who has a solid track record, to help in this area. I'm not sure if he is the right guy but they need to decide whether its going to be home or whether they need to acquire a first-rate personnel guy who believes in building through the draft and developing younger players.

2. This coaching regime just seems like they are on their way out, which at this point seems like the right move. As much as I hate the instability that comes with coaching turnover, it just feels like it isn't going to happen with this group of coaches. I'd like to see the Redskins bring in a young, sharp coordinator with NFL experience and work with him to get a talented veteran staff in place with a clearly articulated vision and principles.

3. As for the team:

Offense

Quarterback - I think they are basically set here. Unless there is an opportunity to acquire a 2nd or more for Cousins, this unit is set. I'd assume that whatever regime comes in will replace Grossman with someone else.

Receivers - They have one solid player (Garcon); two marginal players (Hank & Aldrick) and two guys (Moss and Morgan) who are done at the end of this season. Finding a legitimate starter is a need.

Running backs - They are set here.

Tightends - Set.

Offensive line - This is the one unit on offense that needs significant work. Other than Williams, you have four marginal starters (regardless of how well Polumbus is playing according to PFF this year). They are going to need to figure out how to get two starters to add to this unit. I haven't really done much analysis of individual performance but I'd say it certainly seems as though Chris Chester and Kory need to go. Will and Tyler are marginal (both would be ideal upgrades) but there is so much work to be done to get this line into shape that in one offseason, you may only be able to fix half the problem.

Defense

Defensive line - In a 3-4, you have one solid starter (Cofield) and a bunch of marginal players. If they shift to a 4-3 and relocate Kerrigan to end, they still have two spots they'll need to find legitimate starters to fill.

Linebackers - In a 3-4, they have good outside backers (if they re-sign Orakpo) , one marginal ilb (Riley) and then one hole after London Fletcher retires this season. They need a top-tier / borderline all-pro inside linebacker to get this unit on track.

Secondary - I think their assets here are an emerging young cb (Amerson), a solid veteran (Hall) and nothing in the backfield. They are going to need to get a top-tier safety to play in the backfield and at least a solid, 2nd-tier player to join the cb group.

Overall, this team is going to have 6 draft picks and a significant amount of cap room with loads of holes to fill. I'd say the things they really need:

1. 1st tier interior offensive lineman
2. 1st tier safety
3. 1st tier defensive lineman
4. 2nd tier interior offensive lineman
5. 2nd tier cornerback
6. 2nd tier wide receiver
7. 2nd tier offensive lineman

They might have younger, unproven players who have the ability to fill the holes. Somewhere between that group, the free agency market and upcoming draft, they'll need to figure out how to fill those holes.

[Kindoy]

You think a lot more of Polumbus than most of this board.

RT should be a priority. Draft needs to include more than 1 O-Lineman and a quality DB, MLB, and WR.

[mooby]

Originally Posted by Kindoy

You think a lot more of Polumbus than most of this board.

RT should be a priority. Draft needs to include more than 1 O-Lineman and a quality DB, MLB, and WR.

We only have 6 picks, if you're expecting we get quality players with at least 5 of those picks you might want to lower expectations. We have a lot of holes to fill and we're probably going to have to fill the majority in free agency. Hopefully our new coach is smart and goes after solid guys instead of the name guys looking for a payday.

[Kindoy]

Originally Posted by mooby

We only have 6 picks, if you're expecting we get quality players with at least 5 of those picks you might want to lower expectations. We have a lot of holes to fill and we're probably going to have to fill the majority in free agency. Hopefully our new coach is smart and goes after solid guys instead of the name guys looking for a payday.

Sorry - [a quality DB], MLB and WR.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by Kindoy

You think a lot more of Polumbus than most of this board.

RT should be a priority. Draft needs to include more than 1 O-Lineman and a quality DB, MLB, and WR.

Polumbus doesn't even try to his his ground, he backpedals and pushes his man weakly, right into his own QB.

[The Goat]

I think the defensive roster is (still) far better suited to a 4-3.

LDE Kerrigan
DT Cofield/backup
DT Jenkins/Golston/Bowen rotating
RDE Orakpo

MLB Riley
SLB Jackson
WLB Tapp

Hall and Amerson at corners. One of Rambo/Merriweather/Jackson starts and we need a starter at the other safety spot.

Maybe bring in a FA over Tapp, but I definitely think Riley and Jackson can hold down the other two spots.

Depth is still and issue at many positions, but at least we're making the most of our assets. Rak especially will be a beast at RDE and Kerrigan is plenty stout enough to play LDE and create some pressure too.

The offense needs more help than defense in terms of adding players/talent. 3 or even 4 new olineman and at least another starting WR.

[VTSkins1961]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I think the defensive roster is (still) far better suited to a 4-3.

LDE Kerrigan
DT Cofield/backup
DT Jenkins/Golston/Bowen rotating
RDE Orakpo

MLB Riley
SLB Jackson
WLB Tapp

Hall and Amerson at corners. One of Rambo/Merriweather/Jackson starts and we need a starter at the other safety spot.

Maybe bring in a FA over Tapp, but I definitely think Riley and Jackson can hold down the other two spots.

Depth is still and issue at many positions, but at least we're making the most of our assets. Rak especially will be a beast at RDE and Kerrigan is plenty stout enough to play LDE and create some pressure too.

The offense needs more help than defense in terms of adding players/talent. 3 or even 4 new olineman and at least another starting WR.

Agreed. defense should go back to 4-3

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I think the defensive roster is (still) far better suited to a 4-3.

LDE Kerrigan
DT Cofield/backup
DT Jenkins/Golston/Bowen rotating
RDE Orakpo

MLB Riley
SLB Jackson
WLB Tapp

Hall and Amerson at corners. One of Rambo/Merriweather/Jackson starts and we need a starter at the other safety spot.

Maybe bring in a FA over Tapp, but I definitely think Riley and Jackson can hold down the other two spots.

Depth is still and issue at many positions, but at least we're making the most of our assets. Rak especially will be a beast at RDE and Kerrigan is plenty stout enough to play LDE and create some pressure too.

The offense needs more help than defense in terms of adding players/talent. 3 or even 4 new olineman and at least another starting WR.

I've always felt that the switch to a 3-4 was Shanny's first and biggest mistake, and I agree that the personnel in place are the makings of a decent 4-3, with additional help at safety required.

[RFKRat]

Rebuild? Here's the problem. When people here have complained over the years about the state of the franchise and the ongoing "rebuild", far too many fans bought into that nonsense, while despite the good record last year, there was still a lot not to like about this team.

Throw in also that it was being run by an egotistical jerk of an owner and an arrogant, egotistical coach who has done nothing of note in fourteen years. The foundation wasn't close to concrete, but far too many fans and certainly the local media bought into the nonsense that this team was on the edge of going truly deep into the playoffs. At 3-10 the truth is out. Funny how teams like SF, even Detroit, etc can go from horrific seasons to solid/playoff teams with just a few additions and some good coaching. But this team goes from just bad to a laughable soap opera drama that is an insult to the proud tradition of this franchise.

According to many the Redskins have been in a rebuild for 3 or 4 years now. Now basically they have to blow it up and start again. Nothing ever changes here and unfortunately under Snyder it never will. This franchise is well on its way to cementing itself as one of the worst franchises in sports this century. And nothing is going to change any time soon.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by RFKRat

Rebuild? Here's the problem. When people here have complained over the years about the state of the franchise and the ongoing "rebuild", far too many fans bought into that nonsense, while despite the good record last year, there was still a lot not to like about this team.

Throw in also that it was being run by an egotistical jerk of an owner and an arrogant, egotistical coach who has done nothing of note in fourteen years. The foundation wasn't close to concrete, but far too many fans and certainly the local media bought into the nonsense that this team was on the edge of going truly deep into the playoffs. At 3-10 the truth is out. Funny how teams like SF, even Detroit, etc can go from horrific seasons to solid/playoff teams with just a few additions and some good coaching. But this team goes from just bad to a laughable soap opera drama that is an insult to the proud tradition of this franchise.

According to many the Redskins have been in a rebuild for 3 or 4 years now. Now basically they have to blow it up and start again. Nothing ever changes here and unfortunately under Snyder it never will. This franchise is well on its way to cementing itself as one of the worst franchises in sports this century. And nothing is going to change any time soon.

SF and Detroit had many horrific years and high draft picks before finally turning the corner. Detroit in particular drafted Stafford, C. Johnson, and D. Suh as top-2 picks overall. They still fell to last place last year, and selected DE Ezekiel Ansah #5 overall. That's FOUR top-5 picks in the last seven drafts, for those that are counting. You've conveniently forgotten the horror of the Millen years in Detroit that netted the high picks to build the nice foundation they have today.

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

SF and Detroit had many horrific years and high draft picks before finally turning the corner. Detroit in particular drafted Stafford, C. Johnson, and D. Suh as top-2 picks overall. They still fell to last place last year, and selected DE Ezekiel Ansah #5 overall. That's FOUR top-5 picks in the last seven drafts, for those that are counting. You've conveniently forgotten the horror of the Millen years in Detroit that netted the high picks to build the nice foundation they have today.

I think more accurate comparison would be Seattle, who also had two first round picks but didn't make the dumb decisions Shanahan and the Skins did.

San Fran and Detroit weretalented they just didn't have the right coach. Even though I think some of Harbaugh's magic is starting to fade. Detroit's coaches suck.

In the end without a changed philosophy within the organization which will in turn change the coaching and player's attitudes, the Skins will always be a bottom dweller.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

I've always felt that the switch to a 3-4 was Shanny's first and biggest mistake, and I agree that the personnel in place are the makings of a decent 4-3, with additional help at safety required.

#1- I think DS was wanting a 3-4 also and if he didn't he could easily have said don't do it or just not hired MS for the HC job since MS was talking about changing to a 3-4 also.

#2- 3-4, 4-3, I honestly don't care cause to me it seems the DL sucks. In our 3-4 we have 3 DL rushing and 1 or 2 LB's and they still can't get to the QB. You keep the same guys you have the same guys rushing but their job titles are different.

3-4: LB, DE, DL, DE, LB
4-3: DE, DL, LB, DL, DE,

[redskins5044]

Originally Posted by The Goat

I think the defensive roster is (still) far better suited to a 4-3.

LDE Kerrigan
DT Cofield/backup
DT Jenkins/Golston/Bowen rotating
RDE Orakpo

MLB Riley
SLB Jackson
WLB Tapp

.

Switching defenses might be better, but we would be asking Kerrigan and Orakpo to play a position they have never played in the NFL. Kerrigan might be able to, but Rak played LB in the 4-3 so too think he could move to end and be effective is very optismistic. who knows it could work maybe it would suit him better.

[donofriose]

Originally Posted by redskins5044

Switching defenses might be better, but we would be asking Kerrigan and Orakpo to play a position they have never played in the NFL. Kerrigan might be able to, but Rak played LB in the 4-3 so too think he could move to end and be effective is very optismistic. who knows it could work maybe it would suit him better.

Orakpo played DE in college like Rob Jackson/Ryan Kerrigan, he also played a lot of DE his rookie year. I think with the right coach he would be a good DE.

[donofriose]

I think it is irrelevant if its a 4-3 or 3-4 "roster" right now, because who ever comes in is going to blow it up and no matter what the scheme is the players as currently assembled are still going to suck. There is not much talent on the Skins right now, specifically defense.

Cowboys went from a 3-4 to a 4-3... might have the worst defense ever.
Saints went from a 4-3 to a 3-4... went from having the worst defense to a top 10 one in less than a year.

It is not the scheme, its the players and coaches.

Also remember when Orakpo was moved from DE to a 4-3 OLB... Yea Rob Jackson would be just as bad at that position.