Until we have both an Offensive line and Defensive line we will suck....

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Golston, Montgomery, Alexander, Chris Wilson had 4 sacks last year, Rob Jackson saw some action yesterday

Those are all servicable players, but we really need a stud DL who can disrupt opposing offenses continuously. Having such a player will make our servicable players that much better. I know Reggie Whites don't grow on trees, but we need a D-lineman like that in the worst way.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

Those are all servicable players, but we really need a stud DL who can disrupt opposing offenses continuously. Having such a player will make our servicable players that much better. I know Reggie Whites don't grow on trees, but we need a D-lineman like that in the worst way.

Well I think Montgomery has the potential to be that guy, and Griffin was that guy though I think his better days are behind him now.

But the point is we have several players who are solid so I don't think depth is the issue. It's more so what you say, where's the difference maker?

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Didn't really hear too many complaints about the OL while we were 6-2. As the season is wearing on the OL is growing old before our eyes, that's what often happens over the course of a season with 30+ year old players across the OL (Samuels included). As their skills diminish they make errors in technique. IMO the FO was hoping the OL could hold up for this year to reload for 2009.

Bottom line is; we will have a bunch of cap freed up this off-season, we have our 1st & 3rd round picks, we have the skill players in place, Samuels should be serviceable for 2009, Rinehardt should be able to step in for Kendall, Randy Thomas will be fine, Heyer should be average at RT, Jansen will be a solid utility back-up. We need a C and either a top-notch LG or T from either the draft or FA. I've mentioned this before, I think Buges will retire after this season.

For the Defense, the secondary appears to be solid with Rogers emergence as a solid CB, Hall should be able to be re-signed and hopefully stay on the "straight & narrow". We need a RDE, a DT that can generate a pass rush, and an OLB (and also the winning lottery numbers).

Alot of need w/ only a 1st and 3rd and a FA or two.

[redsk1]

How much more athletic did the Raven's D line look vs ours? It's laughable to even compare. The Steelers? The Giants? We're not in the same league, but now we know this.

Our D is solid. Our line can stop the run, typically. They just can't get to the QB. That is a big problem.

[Bubba305-ST21-]

are there any appealing free agent O or D linemen this offseason???

[GMScud]

Full disclosure- this is a duplicate post, however I didn't realize this thread was here when I posted it originally in the "Samuels Done" thread:

I saw this posted in a comment on Redskins Insider today.

Miami's 2008 Draft (Parcells knows how to shop for groceries):

1st round: Jake Long - OT
2nd round: Merling - DE
3rd round: Langford - DT
4th round: Murphy - OT
6th round: Thomas - OG
7th round: Dotson - DE

After a 1-15 season last year, guess who the most improved team is this season? Granted Pennington is a big part of that, but The Tuna understands what butters the bread of successful NFL teams. The trenches baby.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Full disclosure- this is a duplicate post, however I didn't realize this thread was here when I posted it originally in the "Samuels Done" thread:

I saw this posted in a comment on Redskins Insider today.

Miami's 2008 Draft (Parcells knows how to shop for groceries):

1st round: Jake Long - OT
2nd round: Merling - DE
3rd round: Langford - DT
4th round: Murphy - OT
6th round: Thomas - OG
7th round: Dotson - DE

After a 1-15 season last year, guess who the most improved team is this season? Granted Pennington is a big part of that, but The Tuna understands what butters the bread of successful NFL teams. The trenches baby.

To be fair though, we had ignored our offense for years in the upper rounds of the draft prior to this year. Campbell was the last time we took an offensive player in the first five rounds of the draft.

So this draft is excusable if we address the lines next year. But if we don't, especially after having to play with offensive players in the playoffs that we found on other teams trash heaps, I don't know what we can do.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Well I think Montgomery has the potential to be that guy, and Griffin was that guy though I think his better days are behind him now.

But the point is we have several players who are solid so I don't think depth is the issue. It's more so what you say, where's the difference maker?

Carter and Taylor are both difference makers when healthy, but now that their both on the wrong side of thirty (and subsequently, less than healthy), I think we do have to keep an eye out in the third round for a defensive lineman that shouldn't still be around.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

To be fair though, we had ignored our offense for years in the upper rounds of the draft prior to this year. Campbell was the last time we took an offensive player in the first five rounds of the draft.

So this draft is excusable if we address the lines next year. But if we don't, especially after having to play with offensive players in the playoffs that we found on other teams trash heaps, I don't know what we can do.

While it's undeniable we have neglected offense in the upper round the past few years, O-lineman do count as offense, right? Just saying...

I do think it was a good move to trade with Atlanta and score three 2nd round picks, I'm standing pat on my opinion that we should NOT have used all of three of those picks on pass catchers.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by GMScud

While it's undeniable we have neglected offense in the upper round the past few years, O-lineman do count as offense, right? Just saying...

I do think it was a good move to trade with Atlanta and score three 2nd round picks, I'm standing pat on my opinion that we should NOT have used all of three of those picks on pass catchers.

Ha. I hear that.

I'm not disagreeing with you, especially since I know at the time that we hadn't picked up any can't miss prospects in doing so, and had passed over a pretty good DL prospect or two.

To be fair to Cerrato, it was slim pickings in terms of offensive lineman in the second round. He got all the way to the supplemental picks before having to take his guy, who was Rinehart. But he could have added a stud defensive lineman instead of picking Thomas.

Anyway, we should let it go. Either way, we were going to be kind of screwed on the offensive line this year with no real help coming in the draft where we selected. So, could have signed a veteran Center, I suppose, and instead we went with Rabach (and journeyman Geisinger). Could have not signed Randy Thomas to an extension, but we did. We had to lean heavily on Samuels, and hopefully Heyer can look not overmatched these last three games, especially against Philly.

I think we'll know a lot more about the future of the OL once we see how Heyer and Rinehart do. Either way, our first pick has to go towards a tackle, and we can't afford to miss.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

Those are all servicable players, but we really need a stud DL who can disrupt opposing offenses continuously. Having such a player will make our servicable players that much better. I know Reggie Whites don't grow on trees, but we need a D-lineman like that in the worst way.

Everyone on our D-line is pretty average. Montgomery has the most potential but I haven't seen it. He's in his 3rd year and it's time for him to put up or shut up. If he's going to be a dominate player than do it already. But to be honest, and I've been saying this for weeks, the d-line isn't the problem. It's the O-line that needs the major work. IMO the O-line is directly responsible for us not scoring enough points.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Ha. I hear that.

I'm not disagreeing with you, especially since I know at the time that we hadn't picked up any can't miss prospects in doing so, and had passed over a pretty good DL prospect or two.

To be fair to Cerrato, it was slim pickings in terms of offensive lineman in the second round. He got all the way to the supplemental picks before having to take his guy, who was Rinehart. But he could have added a stud defensive lineman instead of picking Thomas.

Anyway, we should let it go. Either way, we were going to be kind of screwed on the offensive line this year with no real help coming in the draft where we selected. So, could have signed a veteran Center, I suppose, and instead we went with Rabach (and journeyman Geisinger). Could have not signed Randy Thomas to an extension, but we did. We had to lean heavily on Samuels, and hopefully Heyer can look not overmatched these last three games, especially against Philly.

I think we'll know a lot more about the future of the OL once we see how Heyer and Rinehart do. Either way, our first pick has to go towards a tackle, and we can't afford to miss.

I agree. So who do we take? Any chance Alabama's Andre Smith, Baylor's Jason Smith, or UVA's Eugene Monroe fall to us? I highly doubt Michael Oher makes it out of the 1st round.

[BrunellMVP?]

100% true. I really hope the draft and off-season treat us well (the danny sees the light)

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Carter and Taylor are both difference makers when healthy, but now that their both on the wrong side of thirty (and subsequently, less than healthy), I think we do have to keep an eye out in the third round for a defensive lineman that shouldn't still be around.

Taylor was a difference maker. He's simply not anymore. Carter simply doesn't have the burst or explosiveness as some of the top pass rushers.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Taylor was a difference maker. He's simply not anymore. Carter simply doesn't have the burst or explosiveness as some of the top pass rushers.

Even this year, Carter can kill some of the top tackles in the league. Can't get sacks though if the offense is just turning the ball short all day long against heavy blitz.

Taylor probably is done with 16 game healthy seasons, and was a moronic use of a second round draft pick ESPECIALLY for a team with Andre Carter, but he has played really well against the pass in Carter's abscence, and his 8 passes deflected probably lead the NFL.

Taylor is just totally useless against the run, so you can't justify having him on the field unless he's rushing the passer like he has been the last two games.