Redskins Insider: What we learned

MTK · 08-20-2007, 05:50 PM

What We Learned

Overall, the first team offense did what all of you guys were hoping it would. Whole lot to like about that game if you're a Skins fan. But let's start with the only thing everyone will ever remember about that game - the sight of Jason Campbell's plant foot getting buckled by a direct blow to the outside of the knee.

O-Line Issues. I have railed against the Stephon Heyer/Left Side Of The Line experiment pretty much since the onset. Now you know why. That was the season right there Saturday night, folks, and had Campbell blown out his knee after that D End blew through the kid tackle, well, not many football people would have been surprised. It was an accident waiting to happen, and I don't want to hear anything this year about the Skins not getting any breaks, because they already got the biggest break possible in August.

Even so, losing Campbell for even a week is a big deal. The third preseason game is the week that's a dress rehearsal for the regular season, with the most game planning and an approach similar to what goes on when the games count. Every practice is precious for Jason, and thus for the Redskins for that matter, and who knows how long he will have some discomfort. It was imperative to get Campbell's footwork and movement precise, and now he may have to compensate a bit. It's a setback for sure - albeit it much, much smaller than what nearly happened - and they came a fraction of an inch from taking a year or more off the kid's career and having all of his progress and hard work this offseason go down the drain.
If they go with Heyer at left tackle against Terrell Suggs this Saturday they are courting disaster again.

Hey, they have no depth on the O Line and few options - trust me I get that, even though it's a problem of their own creation (that's what the middle rounds of the draft are for) - but this has to stop. Like I wrote a week ago, too many people not named Bugel and Gibbs have told me this is an accident in waiting. Too many personnel people have told me the un-drafted kid just isn't ready to be protecting the blindside of the young franchise quarterback right now and that as his number of snaps in this role increases, despite him being serviceable for a series or two, that one huge error is always lurking.

"Right now, he can't play," one exec said. "I don't care what the Redskins tell you, he is not an NFL left tackle right now."

MTK · 08-20-2007, 05:51 PM

I've gotta say this is one of those rare times I disagree with JLC. He really seems to be overreacting in my opinion.

holcknowsbest · 08-20-2007, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I've gotta say this is one of those rare times I disagree with JLC. He really seems to be overreacting in my opinion.

Aint that the truth...i personally have never trusted a word JLC says because i dont think his nuggets are anything but his opinions. he may get the answers he wants to hear only because he is the one asking the question. He doesnt get a good interview from anyone in that locker room so he resorts to talking to other teams "executives". remember when sellers called him a little wessel on washington post live, the guy's a nerd man. Plus, he is way off base here and Kiesel didnt run right over him, it was clear that he didnt know his job on that particular protection against that front. It was a mental not physical thing.

GMScud · 08-20-2007, 08:34 PM

Look, Heyer got pushed around badly against Tennessee, and we almost lost our season because he got blown up vs. Pitt. He may be a good project, but bottom line, the guy was undrafted for a reason. I can understand wanting to get him reps in the preseason to groom him, but do it with the second team for God's sake. Starting an undrafted rookie with "lower body strength" issues to protect our season's blindside is a BAD idea. I see no reason why Fabini or another non-rookie couldn't start in Samuels place.

On the flip-side, if Heyer really is our 3rd best option at tackle, then we could be in big trouble.

70Chip · 08-20-2007, 06:03 PM

These writers always get into a twist when they talk to execs from other teams. It's like they can't believe the Redskins would be putting a gloss on things. "I can't believe Coach Bugel would lie to me, I'm the Insider!"

Gmanc711 · 08-20-2007, 06:07 PM

It maybe a slight over-reaction...but we have some serious problems at that left gaurd position. I hope we can pick someone up off the waiver wire and hope that we can add some serious depth at that left gaurd spot.

dmek25 · 08-20-2007, 06:13 PM

good read. and does anyone here really believe he is ready to start? i highly doubt it

GridIron26 · 08-20-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmek25

good read. and does anyone here really believe he is ready to start? i highly doubt it

Entering the pre-season, nobody including Heyer himself expected to start the game.. It happens, and you are right.. He is not good enough to start BUT he is improving lot I can see it myself.. I believe we found a raw gem..

DirteePosse · 08-20-2007, 06:18 PM

Heyer is a good player, but he's not ready to start. I do see the potential in him, playing behind Samuels he'll learn a lot.

backrow · 08-20-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirteePosse

Heyer is a good player, but he's not ready to start. I do see the potential in him, playing behind Samuels he'll learn a lot.

Welcome DirteePossee! You are right, Heyer is a good player, and I see a lot of potential in him.

BTW, post often!

sandman89 · 08-21-2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirteePosse

Heyer is a good player, but he's not ready to start. I do see the potential in him, playing behind Samuels he'll learn a lot.

Why wont we just put Heyer at LG?

Beemnseven · 08-21-2007, 07:37 AM

I don't see what the big problem is, JLC is simply calling it like he sees it. I'll agree there was slight improvement from Heyer in the second game over the first, but still -- he's only playing because the coaches obviously believe that they don't have anyone else who can play left tackle.

Also, think of the competition Heyer faces in practice compared to what he has to deal with from opposing teams. The Redskins haven't had a decent threat at the defensive end position since the days of Charles Mann and Fred Stokes. The level of speed rushers Heyer lines up against in exhibition play is light years ahead of anything the coaches can throw at him in practice.

And let's not forget: The Redskins are in this position because they crap on their draft picks in the first 4 rounds. Over the last 3 or 4 years, think of all the stockpiling they could have done preparing for the future and situations just like this?

Pocket$ $traight · 08-20-2007, 09:26 PM

I think they should abandon the Wade LG experiment and let him watch the blindside then when the season starts let him challenge Jansen.

They should have had Jansen studying at guard this whole time.

holcknowsbest · 08-20-2007, 09:26 PM

heyer will never start a game as a redskin in the regular season. but i stand firm with JLC being a d-bag.

RMSkins · 08-20-2007, 09:44 PM

Give the kid some time. He could end up being a good player for us in the future, but right now it is clear that he has a lot of work to do.

08-20-2007, 05:50 PM	#1
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,846	Redskins Insider: What we learned What We Learned Overall, the first team offense did what all of you guys were hoping it would. Whole lot to like about that game if you're a Skins fan. But let's start with the only thing everyone will ever remember about that game - the sight of Jason Campbell's plant foot getting buckled by a direct blow to the outside of the knee. O-Line Issues. I have railed against the Stephon Heyer/Left Side Of The Line experiment pretty much since the onset. Now you know why. That was the season right there Saturday night, folks, and had Campbell blown out his knee after that D End blew through the kid tackle, well, not many football people would have been surprised. It was an accident waiting to happen, and I don't want to hear anything this year about the Skins not getting any breaks, because they already got the biggest break possible in August. Even so, losing Campbell for even a week is a big deal. The third preseason game is the week that's a dress rehearsal for the regular season, with the most game planning and an approach similar to what goes on when the games count. Every practice is precious for Jason, and thus for the Redskins for that matter, and who knows how long he will have some discomfort. It was imperative to get Campbell's footwork and movement precise, and now he may have to compensate a bit. It's a setback for sure - albeit it much, much smaller than what nearly happened - and they came a fraction of an inch from taking a year or more off the kid's career and having all of his progress and hard work this offseason go down the drain. If they go with Heyer at left tackle against Terrell Suggs this Saturday they are courting disaster again. Hey, they have no depth on the O Line and few options - trust me I get that, even though it's a problem of their own creation (that's what the middle rounds of the draft are for) - but this has to stop. Like I wrote a week ago, too many people not named Bugel and Gibbs have told me this is an accident in waiting. Too many personnel people have told me the un-drafted kid just isn't ready to be protecting the blindside of the young franchise quarterback right now and that as his number of snaps in this role increases, despite him being serviceable for a series or two, that one huge error is always lurking. "Right now, he can't play," one exec said. "I don't care what the Redskins tell you, he is not an NFL left tackle right now." __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

08-20-2007, 05:51 PM	#2
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Age: 52 Posts: 99,846	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned I've gotta say this is one of those rare times I disagree with JLC. He really seems to be overreacting in my opinion. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

08-20-2007, 08:34 PM	#4
GMScud Swearinger Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 12,626	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned Look, Heyer got pushed around badly against Tennessee, and we almost lost our season because he got blown up vs. Pitt. He may be a good project, but bottom line, the guy was undrafted for a reason. I can understand wanting to get him reps in the preseason to groom him, but do it with the second team for God's sake. Starting an undrafted rookie with "lower body strength" issues to protect our season's blindside is a BAD idea. I see no reason why Fabini or another non-rookie couldn't start in Samuels place. On the flip-side, if Heyer really is our 3rd best option at tackle, then we could be in big trouble. __________________ Tardy

08-20-2007, 06:03 PM	#5
70Chip Playmaker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manassas Age: 54 Posts: 3,048	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned These writers always get into a twist when they talk to execs from other teams. It's like they can't believe the Redskins would be putting a gloss on things. "I can't believe Coach Bugel would lie to me, I'm the Insider!" __________________ This Monkey's Gone to Heaven

08-20-2007, 06:07 PM	#6
Gmanc711 Thank You, Sean. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Age: 39 Posts: 7,506	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned It maybe a slight over-reaction...but we have some serious problems at that left gaurd position. I hope we can pick someone up off the waiver wire and hope that we can add some serious depth at that left gaurd spot. __________________ #21

08-20-2007, 06:13 PM	#7
dmek25 MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: lancaster,pa Age: 63 Posts: 10,672	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned good read. and does anyone here really believe he is ready to start? i highly doubt it __________________ "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt." courtesy of 53fan

08-20-2007, 06:18 PM	#9
DirteePosse Camp Scrub Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 33	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned Heyer is a good player, but he's not ready to start. I do see the potential in him, playing behind Samuels he'll learn a lot.

08-21-2007, 07:37 AM	#12
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 51 Posts: 5,311	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned I don't see what the big problem is, JLC is simply calling it like he sees it. I'll agree there was slight improvement from Heyer in the second game over the first, but still -- he's only playing because the coaches obviously believe that they don't have anyone else who can play left tackle. Also, think of the competition Heyer faces in practice compared to what he has to deal with from opposing teams. The Redskins haven't had a decent threat at the defensive end position since the days of Charles Mann and Fred Stokes. The level of speed rushers Heyer lines up against in exhibition play is light years ahead of anything the coaches can throw at him in practice. And let's not forget: The Redskins are in this position because they crap on their draft picks in the first 4 rounds. Over the last 3 or 4 years, think of all the stockpiling they could have done preparing for the future and situations just like this?

08-20-2007, 09:26 PM	#13
Pocket$ $traight Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Age: 49 Posts: 4,261	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned I think they should abandon the Wade LG experiment and let him watch the blindside then when the season starts let him challenge Jansen. They should have had Jansen studying at guard this whole time.

08-20-2007, 09:26 PM	#14
holcknowsbest Special Teams Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 240	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned heyer will never start a game as a redskin in the regular season. but i stand firm with JLC being a d-bag. __________________ An outstanding dad, brother, son, friend, teamate, and football player. Sean Taylor...could not respect a guy more, thank you

08-20-2007, 09:44 PM	#15
RMSkins The Starter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Harrisburg, PA Age: 37 Posts: 1,066	Re: Redskins Insider: What we learned Give the kid some time. He could end up being a good player for us in the future, but right now it is clear that he has a lot of work to do.

Redskins Insider: What we learned

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