Missing Champ Bailey...

[SKINSnCANES]

Bobby Taylor is a bum. He should have never made it to the probowl last year, and hes in hes 30's to. He had a solid year but hes no elite player. The thing with springs is he brings more to the table, if he isnt injured then he could be as good as bailey. IF he doesnt get injured.

[joethiesmanfan]

we got smoot so we will be alright

[Beemnseven]

Thanks guys, I feel better now.

Hogskin, I do have to disagree somewhat with your statement that our D-line is "marginally better". As much as I want to believe that, Cornelius Griffin and Philip Daniels only seem to be replacement parts to the departed Bruce Smith and Darrell Russell, rather than a marginal improvement. In fact, I dare say we might have seen more productivity from them compared to the current crop of linemen. And yes, I really hope to eat those words later. We'll see.

Maybe with a healthy Brandon Noble and Jermaine Haley, at least the D-tackle position could be in more solid shape. Defensive end though, is still a huge question mark. Gregg Williams had better put on the defensive wizardry that everyone expects to make up for what could be lethargic pass rush from the ends.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Thanks guys, I feel better now.

Hogskin, I do have to disagree somewhat with your statement that our D-line is "marginally better". As much as I want to believe that, Cornelius Griffin and Philip Daniels only seem to be replacement parts to the departed Bruce Smith and Darrell Russell, rather than a marginal improvement. In fact, I dare say we might have seen more productivity from them compared to the current crop of linemen. And yes, I really hope to eat those words later. We'll see.

Maybe with a healthy Brandon Noble and Jermaine Haley, at least the D-tackle position could be in more solid shape. Defensive end though, is still a huge question mark. Gregg Williams had better put on the defensive wizardry that everyone expects to make up for what could be lethargic pass rush from the ends.

Beem, you say you disagree, but by the end of your statement, it sounded like you were making my case for marginal improvement. As far as two guys being replacements for Russell and Smith, wouldn't you agree that neither of those contributed anything measureable last season? Russell hardly played and Smith whined and chased a personal record. So anything would be SOME improvement LOL. But I think you will also see Williams' influence have some impact on the DL. Expect defensive improvements across the board this year. We need some DL upgrade to make it to the top, but I fully expect a top 10 D this year. I would bet $$ that we will rank above Champ's new team D!!

[]<ing]

I've already made bets that we'd finish the season rated among the top ten defenses. I think that people are forgetting that we we're a perpetual top 5-10 rated D for years, right before the old ball coach came to town.

Williams pressence alone will have a HUGE impact. Let's just hope that he's here for the entire Gibbs era, because this coaching staff needs to offer some GREATLY needed stability.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

Beem, you say you disagree, but by the end of your statement, it sounded like you were making my case for marginal improvement. As far as two guys being replacements for Russell and Smith, wouldn't you agree that neither of those contributed anything measureable last season? Russell hardly played and Smith whined and chased a personal record. So anything would be SOME improvement LOL. But I think you will also see Williams' influence have some impact on the DL. Expect defensive improvements across the board this year. We need some DL upgrade to make it to the top, but I fully expect a top 10 D this year. I would bet $$ that we will rank above Champ's new team D!!

I said we could be in more solid shape at defensive tackle, and that's if Brandon Noble returns to full health along with Jermaine Haley. But again, that's at D-tackle, not the ends.

I was no fan of Bruce Smith in his last two seasons or so in Washington, but Smith actually did make a measureable contribution as he wound up to be the leader in sacks last year.

And while I have more confidence in Gregg Williams than George Edwards, he had certainly better be the defensive mastermind that everybody says he is who can overcome any lack of personnel or talent at key positions.

[joethiesmanfan]

Taylor is a bum? come on now. Well why did holmgrem get rid of him and get Taylor? they upgraded that position is the conventional wisdom on that subject

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by joethiesmanfan

Taylor is a bum? come on now. Well why did holmgrem get rid of him and get Taylor? they upgraded that position is the conventional wisdom on that subject

the conventional wisdom is that he wanted to get rid of an injury prone player for one that isnt. Taylor is a solid corner, he does his job. But hes not a top ten corner by any means. He had one great year last year, for some reason made the probowl, and then he went to get his last big paycheck at the end of his career.

[]<ing]

I'm glad about the trade, and what we got in return for Champ. Given a choice between the two players, I take Portis in a heartbeat.

I've also been saying for several years now that Champ is overated. He's a GREAT corner, no doubt, but I don't even know if I'd label him a legitimate "shutdown" corner. If given the choice, based soley on talent, I would rather take C Mac from Baltimore. Don't get me wrong -- I'd rather have Champ than not, but I cannot understand why the sports media is all over this dudes jock. Consider how telling it is that last year when facing his former coach, who drafted him no less, Norv repeatedly went AFTER Champ time after time with the game on the line -- and succeeded seemingly at will. I could point out more examples, but will stop there for now. Of course, our crappy d-line has to share some of the blame for Champs performance last season. But bottomline, he didn't want to be here, so our FO did a hell of a job getting a player like Portis out of the whole situation.

"Thanks for the memories Champ, good luck in Denver. Now get your ass outta here..."

[saden1]

I'm a Champ Bailey fan and will forever be. Except of course when he is playing my beloved Skins.

[joethiesmanfan]

champ did not want to be here true thats why i am glad we have portis, but to say springs is eleite is another matter. we beat seattle last year. i dont remember springs making a differnce. every game the skins played champ was on the frontline

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by joethiesmanfan

champ did not want to be here true thats why i am glad we have portis, but to say springs is eleite is another matter. we beat seattle last year. i dont remember springs making a differnce. every game the skins played champ was on the frontline

Hey, I liked Champ when he wanted to be a Redskin, but I also like Springs. You don't "dis" a guy based on not remembering him make a difference in one game. If that is the case, every fan in NY must see Champ as at the very bottom of the CB pile. Toomer has beaten him regularly for TD's for two seasons!

BTW, JoeCrisp, great post. Nice to hear insight form a hands-on guy.

[joethiesmanfan]

vernon dean lead the nfl in picks one year i liked him.

[joethiesmanfan]

smoot will pick up the slack Springs will be a wash. we walt harris we will we survive.

[SmootSmack]

I think Springs will see a revival in his career now that he's playing back in his hometown.