Footy's Ramble On

[footy_29]

The Redskins Bye Week Report/Review
I know the Redskins are already half-way through their season, but this seems like a good time to do it considering the timing of the bye week and the sentiments expressed in the last couple of weeks. And I do not work today, so a rare day off seems a good time to finish this. Any stylistic comments are accepted and appreciated.


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Note: I have missed the game against the Panthers, and most of the Tampa Bay game.
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PART ONE: The Redskins Free Agents

Lost/Diregarded
FB/TE Mike Sellers
RB Tim Hightower
WR Donte' Stallworth
WR David Anderson
OT Sean Locklear
OT Willie Smith
DL Kentwan Balmer (Left team)
DL Darrion Scott
ILB Rocky McIntosh
ILB Keyaron Fox
OLB Markus White
CB Phillip Buchanan
CB Byron Westbrook
SS LaRon Landry
K Graham Gano

Kept
QB Rex Grossman (Short-term)
TE Fred Davis (Franchise)
C Will Montgomery (Medium-length)
LG Kory Lichtensteiger (RFA Tender)
OT Tyler Polumbus (Short-term)
DL Kedric Golston (Short-term)
DE Adam Carriker (Medium-length)
ILB London Fletcher (Short-term)

Significant Additions
Information: thewarpath, and spotrac
WR Pierre Garcon

5 year/42 million, 11 million guaranteed, 400k workout bonus 2012-2016.

S Brandon Merriweather

5 year/15 million, 2 million guaranteed, 100k roster bonus in 2013.

WR Josh Morgan

2 year/11.5 million, 5.5 million guaranteed, 200k bonus 2012 and 2013. (officially 5 year/38.5million)

Not significant, but intriguing
WR Dezmon Briscoe - 2 year/1.115 million.
S Jordan Pugh - 4 year/1.87 million.
S Tanard Jackson - 1 year/540k

Quick-fixes
CB Cedric Griffin - 1 year/2.5million
S Madieu Williams - 1 year/890k
T Jordan Black - 1 year/825k
NT Chris Baker - 1 year/540k
S Tanard Jackson - 1 year/540k

Okay, You Too
RB Keilland Williams
DE Doug Worthington
CB DJ Johnson
LB Mario Addison

Go, Don't Stay
K Billy Cundiff
CB David Jones
LS Justin Snow
OLB Markus White

A fair amount of turnover from last season when you consider all the free agents who were not re-signed and the new players drafted who made the roster. There will continue to be roughly 20 per cent of the roster in flux, at least in the short-term, before potentially dropping to 10 per cent. These percentages do not factor in players added due to injury.

PART TWO: The 2012 Opening Day Roster
All roster information via Redskins.com

Code:

POS     First                  Second               Third               Other WR      Josh Morgan            Leonard Hankerson    Santana Moss      Dezmon Briscoe LT      Trent Williams         Jordan Black LG      Kory Lichtensteiger    Maurice Hurt         Josh LeRibeus C       Will Montgomery RG      Chris Chester          Adam Gettis RT      Tyler Polumbus TE      Fred Davis             Niles Paul           Logan Paulsen WR      Pierre Garcon          Brandon Banks        Aldrick Robinson QB      Robert Griffin III     Rex Grossman         Kirk Cousins FB      Darrel Young RB      Evan Royster           Roy Helu, Jr.        Alfred Morris POS     First                  Second               Third               Other DE      Adam Carriker          Kedric Golston NT      Barry Cofield          Chris Baker DE      Stephen Bowen          Jarvis Jenkins OLB     Ryan Kerrigan          Chris Wilson ILB     London Fletcher        Lorenzo Alexander ILB     Perry Riley            Keenan Robinson OLB     Brian Orakpo           Rob Jackson CB      DeAngelo Hall          Cedric Griffin       Richard Crawford S       Brandon Meriweather    Reed Doughty         Jordan Bernstine S       Madieu Williams        DeJon Gomes CB      Josh Wilson POS     First                  Second               Third               Other PK      Billy Cundiff P       Sav Rocca KO      Billy Cundiff H       Sav Rocca PR      Brandon Banks          Aldrick Robinson     Richard Crawford    Santana Moss KR      Brandon Banks          Aldrick Robinson     Niles Paul          Alfred Morris                                                                         Evan Royster                                                                         Roy Helu, Jr. LS      Nick Sundberg

PART THREE: The Roster @ The Bye

Legend of Color
Red is a player who was pre-Shanahan - draft or free agent.
Blue is a Shanahan draft pick.
Green is a Shanahan free agent.
Orange was acquired via trade by Shanahan/Allen.
Olive is an in-season acquisition.
Indigo is a practice squad promotion

Offense
QB - Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman III
RB - Alfred Morris, Evan Royster, Keilland Williams
FB - Darrel Young*
WR - Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson
WR - Joshua Morgan, Dezmon Briscoe
WR - Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson
TE - Logan Paulsen, Niles Paul, Chris Cooley
LT - Trent Williams, Mo Hurt
LG - Kory Lichtensteiger, Josh LeRibeus
C - Will Montgomery
RG - Chris Chester, Adam Gettis
RT - Tyler Polumbus, Jordan Black

Defense
LE - Jarvis Jenkins, Doug Worthington
NT - Barry Cofield, Chris Baker
RE - Stephen Bowen, Kedric Golston
LOLB - Ryan Kerrigan, Mario Addison
MILB - Perry Riley , Keenan Robinson
MILB - London Fletcher, Lorenzo Alexander
ROLB - Rob Jackson, Chris Wilson**
LCB - DeAngelo Hall, Cedric Griffin
FS - Madieu Williams, Jordan Pugh
SS - Brandon Merriweather, Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes
RCB - Josh Wilson, Richard Crawford, DJ Johnson

Special Teams
K - Kai Forbath
P - Sav Rocca
LS - Nick Sundberg
KR/PR - Brandon Banks

*Technically pre-Shanahan, but he was converted to FB, so Shanahan should get the credit.
**Chris Wilson arrived from the CFL, spent 4 seasons on the Redskins roster, was out of football last year. I classified him as a Shahanan free agent.

Synopsis
The green: most brought in as transition players (+/- 3 years, ie. whenever their replacement is ready), they include: Josh Wilson, Joshua Morgan, Stephen Bowen, Brandon Merriweather. The others are equivalent to a one-year patch: Sexy Rexy, Jordan Black, Madieu Williams, Cedric Griffin, Tanard Jackson. Even though I am a fan of Steiger, you'll notice I did not include him in the transition players list because he could be up for a Adam Carriker length deal or he may not get a long-term contract.

There will be exceptions, and they include: Tyler Polumbus and Dezmon Briscoe. While they may not be with the team in 2014, it is possible they do enough to earn themselves an extended stay.

Notice the amount of green and red in that secondary (and olive)? It is the one area that has been put aside in the interest of building the rest of the roster.

You build from front to back. The starting OL was built before addressing the receivers and the QB position. It is expected that the team continues to look to fill the depth positions with draft picks for the offensive line and linebacking crew, unfortunately they will need to build re-build the secondary.

A Quick run-down:
- We cannot expect Doughty to stay much longer
- Tanard might not be re-instated
- Bernstine has been injured 3 of the last 5 years (iirc, could be 4/5)
- DeAngelo's contract is going to see him cut
- Madieu Williams will not be re-signed
- Cedric Griffin is a coin flip to return
- Jordan Pugh is still a relative unknown
- Chase Minnifield is a prayer

Those who remain: Josh Wilson, Richard Crawford, Brandon Merriweather and DeJon Gomes. Slim pickings for sure. Unless Gomes has a career trajectory similar to Dashon Goldson, this unit needs priority status and that will cost money that the team does not necessarily have to allocate to that position.

PART FOUR: Injured Reserve and Inactives

Adam Carriker
Chris Neild
Brian Orakpo
Chase Minnifield
Darius Hanks
Dorson Boyce
Fred Davis
Jammal Brown (Just off PUP)
Jordan Bernstine
Roy Helu Jr.
Tanard Jackson (suspended)
Tristan Davis

Note: I did not include Kentwaan Balmer as I assume he has given up on his career.

-- Losing Fred Davis has hurt this offense and hurt his bargaining position. If the Skins are receptive to signing him long-term, this has helped their negotiations at a crucial time because of the cap penalty.

-- 2011 draft picks Roy Helu and Chris Neild look to have a tough road back and may not be healthy for the off-season. The same can be said for Chase Minnifield.

-- The recovery of Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker will have a fairly significant impact on the moves that the FO makes in the off-season, and the performance of the team in 2013. Obviously this defense relies fairly extensively on the presence of Brian Orakpo. In the event of Orakpo's healthy return, the depth at OLB will have to be addressed in the draft and free agency.

-- Really hard to know what the Redskins have in Minnifield and Bernstine. They could contribute nothing, or one could be a Reed Doughty or Jason McCourty (Titans starter at CB). Troublesome that Berstine was injured.

-- And of course, Jammal Brown would be a boon if he can play a quarter of the season and go into the 2013 offseason healthy.

PART FIVE: The Bruce Allen/Mike Shanahan Drafts 2010, 2011, 2012.
The font adjustments should be self-explanatory, but just in case.
Red = Cut
Indigo = Practice Squad
Green = IR

2010
OT - Trent Williams (1st)
ILB - Perry Riley (4th)
FB - Dennis Morris (5th) *theoretically traded
WR - Terrence Austin (7th)
C - Erik Cook (7th)
G - Selvish Capers (7th)

Trent Williams is finally living up to his All Pro potential
Perry Riley
Poor picks for the rest - I chalk this up to the FO having minimal time to establish their preferences and criteria, ie. scouts and FO not on the same page yet.

2011
OLB - Ryan Kerrigan (1st)
DE - Jarvis Jenkins (2nd)
WR - Leonard Hankerson (3rd)
RB - Roy Helu Jr. (4th)
S - DeJon Gomes (5th)
TE - Niles Paul (5th)
RB - Evan Royster (6th)
WR - Aldrick Robinson (6th)
CB - Brandyn Thompson (7th)
G/T - Maurice Hurt (7th)
OLB - Markus White (7th)
NT - Chris Neild (7th)

Kerrigan is an impact starter.
Hankerson and Jenkins will be important rotation players from hereon. Both could be starters at some time during the 2013 season.
Roy Helu will be the speed to Alfred Morris' power.
Evan Royster and DeJon Gomes
Niles Paul and Aldrick Robinson are valuable role players.
Mo Hurt's future is uncertain - long arms, so I could see him sticking as a RT reserve.

2012
QB - Robert Griffin III (1st)
G - Josh LeRibeus (3rd)
QB - Kirk Cousins (4th)
ILB - Keenan Robinson (4th)
G - Adam Gettis (5th)
RB - Alfred Morris (6th)
OT - Tom Compton (6th)
CB - Richard Crawford (7th)
S - Jordan Bernstine (7th)

Robert Griffin III is franchise QB material - If Griffin becomes an elite QB, the compensation was entirely worth it.
Josh LeRibeus was active last week as the only interior OL sub.
Kirk Cousins is an ideal young back-up QB. Solid player, good leader, strong work ethic, intelligent.
Keenan Robinson has seen time increasingly in passing situations, some issues with play diagnosis.
Adam Gettis - won't know anything about him until next year.
Alfred Morris is pretty darn awesome.
Tom Compton - won't know anything about him until next year.
Richard Crawford has largely been inactive after seeing early playing time and getting beat a few times for long passing plays.
Bernstine has great athleticism, but just like college, seems to have been hit with the injury bug.

PART SIX: Coaching

Coaches:
Executive Vice President/Head Coach - Mike Shanahan

Assistant Head Coach/RB - Bobby Turner
Offensive Coordinator - Kyle Shanahan
Offensive Line - Chris Foerster
Quarterbacks - Matt LaFleur
Tight Ends - Sean McVay
Wide Receivers - Ike Hilliard

Defensive Coordinator - Jim Haslett
Defensive Line - Jacob Burney
Linebackers - Bob Slowik
Defensive Backs - Raheem Morris

Special Teams - Danny Smith

Assistant Defensive Backs/Special Teams - Richard Hightower
Offensive Line Assistant - Chris Morgan
Offensive Assistant - Mike McDaniel
Defensive Assistant - Bobby Slowik
Coaching Assistant - Richmond Flowers

Head Strength and Conditioning - Ray Wright
Assistant Strength and Conditioning - Chad Englehart

Director of Football Operations - Paul Kelly
Director of Player Development - Phillip Daniels

Will there be any changes?

I doubt any coach will be taken from another team, one of the advantages of a losing record, unless it is from the college level. Even then, I do not see it as likely, although Chris Foerster is surely attracting some attention at that level. I think the offensive side of the ball needs absolutely no changes, and I hope no vacancies open.

My preference would be to move on from both Haslett and Danny Smith, but considering Slowik is still around, I can hardly be any more than hopeful.

My expectation is that Shanahan will aggressively pursue a high-profile candidate for DC, and see what is out there for STs coordinator. Haslett is not the worst option, but obviously there is something lost in translation and a new chess player should be found. This would be my list for replacements:

1 - Romeo Crennel (assuming he is fired)
2 - Eric Mangini
3 - Dom Capers

Shanahan will want someone who has a lot of experience as a coordinator, and likely someone who has been a head coach, as he will be focusing on the offensive side of the ball and overall team management. If they get one of those three, this defense can turn it around. Romeo Crennel is a dream that I wish could come true.

PART SEVEN: Play-Calling

A lot of questions about the play-calling, and it's probably the hardest thing to assess about a club because we lack the footage and play-call to match up with it - would love to have them.

For Kyle Shanahan, I have been really impressed. Just when we were clamoring about Griffin getting hit too much when tossing the pitch in the pistol (vs the Bengals), we have yet to see him get hit that cleanly since. Despite Garcon's season ending injury (yes, I'm calling this), Moss' inconsistencies, and Davis' injury, Griffin is still having success in large part because he has been given that are both simple and effective. Lots of similar plays from different formations that shows Mike Shanahan's influence.

I abhor using Banks on offense, truly, but they have minimal options right now for speed. When I started to grumble like an old man about it, lo-and-behold they start using Josh Morgan as the receiver who motions to the backfield. He is constantly improving in his ability to identify when to use a play to maximize the skills of a particular individual.

Kyle is making adjustments in-game and on a weekly basis. There are many long-play drives, Morris is having a great deal of success. When it comes down to crunch time, he is putting Griffin in a good position to come out on top.

The defense is the tough part. This recent discussion about the Armanti Edwards touchdown is a good example. One player did not execute and the defense was torched. Going back to earlier in the season, we saw DeAngelo calling Gomes to his side versus the Bengals because Gomes seemingly did not realize that the defense needed to adjust to the wildcat audible.

There seems to be multiple plays on a per game basis where this is happening. Are the coaches not prepping the players on situational football or are the players not making the proper in-game adjustments? Considering most of it is in the secondary, and some in the LBs, should we be questioning Raheem Morris more than Jim Haslett. They were playing better last year with Bob Slowik as their position coach.

Considering the success that teams have had using their TEs, it seems to suggest that it is more than play-calling. London Fletcher cannot seem to cover TEs anymore, and in response Haslett is putting Robinson out there, or having Riley or a corner do it. The adjustments are being made, at some point we have to expect the play to be executed. It appears that is what it is coming down to. No different than the receivers dropping 10 catches in one game, 7 of which were essentially perfect passes

I believe this defense needs a change, but considering that players are losing individual match-ups and the play-calls suggest they are being put in the right position, perhaps too much blame is being leveled on Jim Haslett. The team stayed with the NYG because of defensive play-calling, and lost because Williams was not at proper depth, which has happened at various times this season.

In sum, great development from Kyle Shanahan and Haslett may be a fall guy rather than the person who should be fired.

PART EIGHT: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?

Green - need to be re-signed.
Red - need to cut.
Dark Blue - depends on contract demands, available free agents and progression of young players.

QB Rex Grossman
FB Darrel Young
RB Keilland Williams
TE Fred Davis
LG Kory Lichtensteiger
RT Jordan Black
RT Tyler Polumbus
TE Logan Paulsen

DL Kedric Golston
NT Chris Baker
ILB Lorenzo Alexander
OLB Rob Jackson
OLB Chris Wilson
CB Cedric Griffin
FS Tanard Jackson
S Madieu Williams

LS Nick Sundberg
P Sav Rocca
K/PR Brandon Banks

Sleepy Fred should get a deal, as should Steiger, Zo and DY.
All depends on the contract for Logan Paulsen.
Tyler Polumbus could be bumped if J.Brown and M.Hurt are kept, and Compton makes the squad.
It is time to move on from Kedric Golston.
Chris Baker's spot they might reserve for Neild, or they could draft another late-round NT.
One of Wilson or Jackson could stay
I see Cedric Griffin returning, but that's nothing more than a guess based on DeAngelo's departure.
I am in favor of giving Tanard Jackson another shot.
I expect the team to draft a return specialist to replace Banks.

PART NINE: Looking Ahead

Team checklist
*Assumptions made with re-signings

(X) Quarterback

- Franchise signal-caller
- Insurance policy and Clip-holder

(X) Running backs

- Morris = vision and violent
- Royster = vision and technique
- Helu = speed and hands

*Love the combination of this backfield - if all are healthy, it is close to perfect.

(X) Top receiver

- Garcon = game-breaking ability (he is exactly what they are looking for)

(X) Complementary receivers

- Santana Moss = good against zone, inconsistent hands, soon to be retired
- Josh Morgan = great blocker, physical possession receiver
- Leonard Hankerson = speed and size for intermediate routes

(X) Development receivers

- Aldrick Robinson = great improvement from 2011 to 2012, but only developing player
- Dezmon Briscoe = physical possession receiver

(X) Tight End

- Fred Davis = pure pass catcher, physical skill set
- Niles Paul = great blocker, STs (developing)
- Logan Paulsen = good blocker, good size, limited physical abilities

( ) Offensive Tackle

- Trent Williams = All-Pro caliber tackle living up to his potential
- Jammal Brown = mature leader, physical, not healthy
- Tyler Polumbus = veteran stop-gap familiar with the system with limited athleticism

Need: Starter at RT (if Brown does not return in health)

(X) Interior Offensive Line

- Kory Lichtensteiger = other than false starts, great pulling guard with strong anchor in pass pro
- Will Montgomery = improved anchor, some improvement communicating offensive line calls
- Chris Chester = Solid

( ) Reserve Offensive Line

- Mo Hurt = strong with limired mobility, undecided future with team
- Josh LeRibeus and Adam Gettis = one with starting potential, the other as a reserve
- Tom Compton = developing reserve player

Need: Reserve interior lineman (1) and Reserve offensive tackle (1-2)

(X) Defensive End

- Adam Carriker = asset in the run game, hard-worker
- Stephen Bowen = pass-rush specialist with improved discipline in 2012
- Jarvis Jenkins = leg-strength, primarily a run-stopper

(X) Nose Tackle

- Barry Cofield = Not quite living up to his billing as a pass-rusher, but remains a strength in the run game. Long-term contract ensures status.

( ) Defensive Line Reserves

- Chris Baker provides a good rotational presence, nothing more
- Chris Neild = pass-rush potential, on IR, very much a project
- Doug Worthington = borderline roster player, ideal size

Need: reserve DE

( ) Inside Linebacker

- London Fletcher = the inspirational leader of the club, declining physical skills (retiring)
- Perry Riley = average starting linebacker

Need: Impact starter

(X) Reserve Inside Linebacker

- Keenan Robinson = length, athletic - drafted as potential successor to Fletcher
- Lorenzo Alexander = solid size, good downhill, likely 2013 starter

Need (if Zo promoted): veteran reserve

(X) Outside Linebacker

- Brian Orakpo = well-rounded, mature leader (when healthy top 5 3-4 OLB)
- Ryan Kerrigan = well-rounded, causes turnovers

( ) Reserve Outside Linebacker

- Jackson and Wilson = free agents, uncertain future

Need: talented pass rusher as insurance

( ) Corner

- Josh Wilson or DeAngelo Hall to be cut

Need: #1 corner

( ) Reserve Corner

- Richard Crawford = shows potential, not enough tape

Need: veteran reserve (potentially C.Griffin) and Day 2 draft pick

( ) Safety

- Brandon Merriweather = comparable to LaRon Landry (injured)

Need: Impact FS, in a bad way

( ) Reserve Safety
- DeJon Gomes = in the doghouse, seems likely to remain as a reserve
- Reed Doughty = valuable on STs, will be in a battle for a spot
- Bernstine = raw with potential

( ) Special Teams

- Nick Sundberg = quick snap, marked improvement from last year in consistency.
- Sav Rocca = overweight with slightly diminishing leg strength
- Kai Forbath = TBD

( ) Returner

- Brandon Banks = great burst and ability to turn the corner, fumbler, lacking production

Where to from here?

The team does not have limited ability moving forward to fix their holes. They may face limitations for immediate upgrades, however they will not overwhelming suffer because of the loss of the next two first round picks. Somewhere in here, I hope some of you have come to this conclusion.

Their primary concern is developing their talent as it comes in. Clearly the scouts and draft room are doing some good work finding talent that fits the scheme, so it's about developing that talent at all levels to ensure that there is minimal drop-off in the event of injuries.

Unfortunately, where to from here is nowhere but forward with patience. The foundation pieces are essentially set:
a) franchise QB (RG3)
b) franchise LT (T-Will)
c) rushing attack
d) go-to receiver
d) pass rush (Kerrigan and Orakpo)
e) defensive line

What remains is coaching developing the draft picks, players like Leonard Hankerson, Josh LeRibeus, DeJon Gomes, Jarvis Jenkins, Keenan Robinson, Richard Crawford. As long as the coaching staff can develop those players into contributors, then the team has the ability to have success moving forward.

Although at mid-season the team does not have the record I thought it would, as long as Griffin's development continues as planned this team can be a perennial contender. Remember: this is a QB driven league, and if you have a franchise QB, a franchise LT, a go-to receiver and elite pass rushers (Orkapo and Kerrigan can be), you can make a lot of noise in this league.

Suggested free agent targets
1 - Jairus Byrd (FS)
2 - Brent Grimes (CB) - pending physical status and contract
3 - Sam Shields (CB)

*I will have to take a closer look at players of depth.

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I think I will wait to do a review of each player until the end of the season. Perhaps others will offer their views.

footy

[MKnight82]

Sing my song....

[turtle28]

Amazing work footy. You're the man
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RIP SSFmike23md

"God made certain people to play football... Sean was one" JG

[DCRED]

Way to make the 5-year plan clear footy.

I like how you showed the players that only have 3-year (or less) contracts. We are going to have to continue to aggressively pursue players despite the youth movement on the team.

Also, it was easy to be happy (or mad) for the Leribeus and Gettis (and Compton) picks in particular when they happened since they are Olinemen. Then be upset because they are not on the field when we have other holes. But, as you mentioned, if they can play well enough to get on the field, and we continue to bolster our lines the way we have been, then the team will really come around once the young guys develop. However, there is ALOT riding on the development of these guys!
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Meanest sigs by mike23md

[footy_29]

[turtle28]

[FosterTheSkins]

Bloody brilliant Footy! Thanks.
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[Thaiphoon]

Just awesome Footy. I've been formulating my mid-year review in my mind since Sunday. I will wait to post it until you are done (when do you think that will be?).
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Being Vague Is Almost As Much Fun As That Other Thing

[footy_29]

[turtle28]

[footy_29]

I am largely finished, although I would like to add some targets for free agency, but perhaps that is better left for my year end review.

[turtle28]

Good jobs footy. Thanks. I look forward to the year end
_________________
RIP SSFmike23md

"God made certain people to play football... Sean was one" JG