Hail to the Washington Commanders

[volfanbill]

Raiders. Without a doubt.


Snyder arguably only got Allen there by promising to step back and let a football man run the organization. Snyder looks to be just a financial boost at this point. He's smart enough to realize that the combo of him and Cerrato did not work. Allen should be a very good fit for the Skins... especially with his history with the club. If Shanny comes in, and brings his son (OC for the Texans) they'll look to have a good staff in place. As long as Shanny doesn't bring in his DC from Denver. Ugh.


It's ironic, though, that both teams have surprisingly good defenses. Both have something to build on... but the Skins are less down the hole than the Raiders are. You have 2 worthless players (Heyward-Bey and Russell) on the Raiders that are guaranteed something like $65,000,000. Russell has to be the worst pick in this decade and probably one of the worst in the history of the NFL. McFadden isn't durable and not worth the money. Heyward-Bey has been passed by Crabtree even though he had a 5 game head-start. Terrible 1st Round drafting at Oakland.

At least Orakpo looks to be able to pan out and pay off for the Skins. The jury is out on Landry. If Berry does go to the Skins (and look for him to if Okung isn't on the board) the Skins will have a disgusting backfield if Landry goes to his natural SS.

You're crazy. Snyder forced Vinny C.'S resignation just to take the heat off of himself and he hired Allen because it was a pre-requisite to hiring Shanahan. As in it had to be Allen that was hired. Snyder couldn't even fully keep his nose out of football operations when god, aka Joe Gibbs came back. Snyder sure as heck isn't going to suddenly stop now. He'll prolly throw away another two draft picks this on an old overweight O-lineman that has no business in Shanahan's o-line scheme. That or pick up another useless receiever.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[volfanbill]

And yes I know just a couple of days ago I said I was optimistic he would keep his nose out of it. However after two pathetic losses I know reality has set in and Snyder will continue to destroy what was at least once the richest franchise in all of sports.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[DC Vol]

You're crazy. Snyder forced Vinny C.'S resignation just to take the heat off of himself and he hired Allen because it was a pre-requisite to hiring Shanahan. As in it had to be Allen that was hired. Snyder couldn't even fully keep his nose out of football operations when god, aka Joe Gibbs came back. Snyder sure as heck isn't going to suddenly stop now. He'll prolly throw away another two draft picks this on an old overweight O-lineman that has no business in Shanahan's o-line scheme. That or pick up another useless receiever.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

HEY! Let me be hopeful for the next couple of months. As a Skins fan you have to live in a world of delusion to be able to make it from year to year.


I will continue to be hopeful that Snyder steps back. You and I can only speculate, at best, about what is going on in Ashburn. Bruce Allen, though, probably wouldn't put himself in a position where he's powerless. GM is completely different than HC as it pertains to personnel management. Snyder has been absolutely devastated by the DC media, and he's seen a significant downturn in revenue... money talks to Snyder. Those mitigating factors make me hope that he takes a step back and allows Allen to do his job.

I may be wrong, but hope is pretty much all I've got for the Skins.

 

[DC Vol]

And yes I know just a couple of days ago I said I was optimistic he would keep his nose out of it. However after two pathetic losses I know reality has set in and Snyder will continue to destroy what was at least once the richest franchise in all of sports.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

I know you play to win the game and all, but I can't help think it has something to do with several things:

A) Zorn doesn't care, coaches don't care. Their fate is sealed. All of them are gone.
B) Players don't care (if Allen does at DC what he did at TB it doesn't matter how anyone plays... their fate is already sealed). Also, the Defense is beginning to let it out that they do not like Blache's system.


Point being: if you're not making the playoffs, play for draft position. The Skins are in a untenable position where they could pretty much take the best player on the board and not look back. Best picks for them are Okung, Suh or Berry. Drafting #6 the only one available would probably be Berry. Having a midfielder at FS and Landry back at SS would make an almost immediate difference in their Defense. If they draft Bradford I'm throwing in the towel.


Lets play GM. Who would you keep and why?

 

[volfanbill]

I know you play to win the game and all, but I can't help think it has something to do with several things:

A) Zorn doesn't care, coaches don't care. Their fate is sealed. All of them are gone.
B) Players don't care (if Allen does at DC what he did at TB it doesn't matter how anyone plays... their fate is already sealed). Also, the Defense is beginning to let it out that they do not like Blache's system.

Point being: if you're not making the playoffs, play for draft position. The Skins are in a untenable position where they could pretty much take the best player on the board and not look back. Best picks for them are Okung, Suh or Berry. Drafting #6 the only one available would probably be Berry. Having a midfielder at FS and Landry back at SS would make an almost immediate difference in their Defense. If they draft Bradford I'm throwing in the towel.


Lets play GM. Who would you keep and why?

A. Zorn was hired to be exactly what he has been, a yes man to Snyder. Snyder's realized he can't do it (but that doesn't mean he'll stop meddling). You don't hire someone who's never even been a coordinator to be your HC. And you don't hire a coordinator before you hire a coach.
B. The 'Skins have no need to draft Berry, Suh or any defensive player for that matter until late into day two, if at all. Their offensive woes at every single position trump any issues on the defensive side of the ball. I'd get two O-linemen, a rb or two and a couple of receivers before I ever even looked at available defensive players. If you're worried about Cooley's injury, I'd also look at TE. The offense is just atrocious.

C. I'd clean house and let Shanahan and lil' Allen pick and choose as they see fit for their staff. But I'd just about bet my life that Snyder will have too much say.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[DC Vol]

A. Zorn was hired to be exactly what he has been, a yes man to Snyder. Snyder's realized he can't do it (but that doesn't mean he'll stop meddling). You don't hire someone who's never even been a coordinator to be your HC. And you don't hire a coordinator before you hire a coach.
B. The 'Skins have no need to draft Berry, Suh or any defensive player for that matter until late into day two, if at all. Their offensive woes at every single position trump any issues on the defensive side of the ball. I'd get two O-linemen, a rb or two and a couple of receivers before I ever even looked at available defensive players. If you're worried about Cooley's injury, I'd also look at TE. The offense is just atrocious.

C. I'd clean house and let Shanahan and lil' Allen pick and choose as they see fit for their staff. But I'd just about bet my life that Snyder will have too much say.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

A. Absolutely right. Allen, however is not Cerrato. He hasn't shown signs of being a pushover in any of his previous venues. This is a sign that this is Snyder moving in the right direction. Will it work? Who knows. If it works is it long term? Who knows. It'll be quite a ride though... especially if DC brings in Shanny.

B. You're right. The offense is atrocious. Injuries on the OL and a QB that just can't make things work are at play here. There isn't, to me, an OL outside Okung, a QB or an RB that warrants such a high pick. With Berry you have, to me, what should be a franchise 10 year player. He'll make an impact and can play multiple positions. Look at the impact Dawkins had with Philly and has with Denver, Polamalu has at Pittsburgh, Reed at Baltimore, etc. He'll be an immediate impact and will add to Landry's abilities as well as probably add to Hall, Smoot and Rogers. At #5 or 6, you can't go wrong picking up Berry. His talents don't come around often... and I'm trying as much as possible to not be a homer here. Build OL in the 2-4 Rounds and pick up the best player available with first pick. Trade away Portis and Cooley if you can get a 2nd Round pick for either. FA should be scoured for vet RB/OL (there are some good ones that should be available). QB is a huge question mark. Maybe pick up Sean Canfield in 3-4 if he's available.

C. Again, we don't know how much of the Skins FA/Draft issues were Cerrato (either him direct or a result of him being passive) or Snyder. Between the 2, they were disastrous.

 

[volfanbill]

A. Absolutely right. Allen, however is not Cerrato. He hasn't shown signs of being a pushover in any of his previous venues. This is a sign that this is Snyder moving in the right direction. Will it work? Who knows. If it works is it long term? Who knows. It'll be quite a ride though... especially if DC brings in Shanny.

B. You're right. The offense is atrocious. Injuries on the OL and a QB that just can't make things work are at play here. There isn't, to me, an OL outside Okung, a QB or an RB that warrants such a high pick. With Berry you have, to me, what should be a franchise 10 year player. He'll make an impact and can play multiple positions. Look at the impact Dawkins had with Philly and has with Denver, Polamalu has at Pittsburgh, Reed at Baltimore, etc. He'll be an immediate impact and will add to Landry's abilities as well as probably add to Hall, Smoot and Rogers. At #5 or 6, you can't go wrong picking up Berry. His talents don't come around often... and I'm trying as much as possible to not be a homer here. Build OL in the 2-4 Rounds and pick up the best player available with first pick. Trade away Portis and Cooley if you can get a 2nd Round pick for either. FA should be scoured for vet RB/OL (there are some good ones that should be available). QB is a huge question mark. Maybe pick up Sean Canfield in 3-4 if he's available.

C. Again, we don't know how much of the Skins FA/Draft issues were Cerrato (either him direct or a result of him being passive) or Snyder. Between the 2, they were disastrous.

The O-line isn't capable of letting Campbell even get a 3 step drop before he has to be rid of the ball. I'm fine with giving Campbell 3 seasons or so to grasp Shanahan's plan and see where he stands. If there aren't players available through the draft to improve the offense, let 'lil Allen handle some trades for the draft picks then. The offense is that bad and it wouldn't be a huge gain for the D, despite Berry's unbelievable abilities. Don't fix what isn't broken when you have a train wreck of epic proportions on offense.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[DC Vol]

The O-line isn't capable of letting Campbell even get a 3 step drop before he has to be rid of the ball. I'm fine with giving Campbell 3 seasons or so to grasp Shanahan's plan and see where he stands. If there aren't players available through the draft to improve the offense, let 'lil Allen handle some trades for the draft picks then. The offense is that bad and it wouldn't be a huge gain for the D, despite Berry's unbelievable abilities. Don't fix what isn't broken when you have a train wreck of epic proportions on offense.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Well, the problem is two-fold. The OL was decimated by injuries and that played a role... but Campbell holds onto the ball way too long. He would pedal backwards when he should have stepped up into the pocket. His fundamentals are terrible. It isn't all the OL... even if they are 2nd-3rd Stringers. Compare Rodgers (Packers OL was probably worse off than the Redskins) and Campbell. Both were under extreme duress while passing but Rodgers showed he could step up into the pocket and get the ball out. Campbell can't read blitzes, step up into the pocket (it is the responsiblity of the QB to step into the pocket the OL provides... they can't know where he is) and get the ball out on time with any consistency.

Colts OL looked great when Manning was in.. but not so much when Painter was in. Why? QB didn't read the blitz and didn't get the ball out on time. The QB behind the OL is more often than not the difference. If the Skins can pick up a good FA or two (Logan Mankins, Jahri Evans and Jared Gaither at LG, RG and RT if possible) the OL will see a huge upgrade next year with the already seen improvement with Levi Jones. Any of those 3 names pickups will be significant. Chris Samuels is likely to retire so Levi Jones is more than likely a cemented player.


No, the Defense isn't broken, per se, but it can certainly be improved. A good FS (which Landry is not) will improve it dramatically. I'm sticking to my guns here. Currently, a FS is needed. Landry is a SS... trying to force him to be a FS was a horrible choice. He can't cover deep and that left the CBs on an island. Berry at FS would change the dynamic of that pass defense... almost immediately. No other player will give you an immediate impact. Any drafted QB shouldn't get any PT until his 2nd year at the soonest. Even then a rebuild of the OL would be suicide. RB? None worth that high of a pick.


Who are you saying the Skins should pick up at 5-6. Lets assume Okung is off the board.

 

[TrueOrange]

Zorn's fired

Course we all knew this was coming

 

[volfanbill]

Well, the problem is two-fold. The OL was decimated by injuries and that played a role... but Campbell holds onto the ball way too long. He would pedal backwards when he should have stepped up into the pocket. His fundamentals are terrible. It isn't all the OL... even if they are 2nd-3rd Stringers. Compare Rodgers (Packers OL was probably worse off than the Redskins) and Campbell. Both were under extreme duress while passing but Rodgers showed he could step up into the pocket and get the ball out. Campbell can't read blitzes, step up into the pocket (it is the responsiblity of the QB to step into the pocket the OL provides... they can't know where he is) and get the ball out on time with any consistency.

Colts OL looked great when Manning was in.. but not so much when Painter was in. Why? QB didn't read the blitz and didn't get the ball out on time. The QB behind the OL is more often than not the difference. If the Skins can pick up a good FA or two (Logan Mankins, Jahri Evans and Jared Gaither at LG, RG and RT if possible) the OL will see a huge upgrade next year with the already seen improvement with Levi Jones. Any of those 3 names pickups will be significant. Chris Samuels is likely to retire so Levi Jones is more than likely a cemented player.


No, the Defense isn't broken, per se, but it can certainly be improved. A good FS (which Landry is not) will improve it dramatically. I'm sticking to my guns here. Currently, a FS is needed. Landry is a SS... trying to force him to be a FS was a horrible choice. He can't cover deep and that left the CBs on an island. Berry at FS would change the dynamic of that pass defense... almost immediately. No other player will give you an immediate impact. Any drafted QB shouldn't get any PT until his 2nd year at the soonest. Even then a rebuild of the OL would be suicide. RB? None worth that high of a pick.


Who are you saying the Skins should pick up at 5-6. Lets assume Okung is off the board.

The offensive line sucked when healthy. Samuels is well past his prime and shouldn't have even been around last year, much less this year. If Campbell can't even complete a 3 step drop because of insufficient blocking, he can't be accused of holding onto too long. It also doesn't help him that the only two half decent receivers only know one route- the deep one. It's not that he can't read blitzes, the O-line is just getting destroyed and his backs can pick up a block to save their life. Neither can any of the TEs.

as for the Colts offensive line looking great when Peyton was in and horrible when he left, it's because the O-line starters got benched too, so that's a horrible comparison.

The D is still really really good. To even think it would be valuable to add someone on D just because someone is available when every other aspect of the team needs DRASTIC help is absurd. If no one is available for the 'Skins to draft, trade the picks and pick up people via trades and/or cash. Snyder has enough cash to throw around. Drafting Berry wouldn't do a thing to improve the 'Skins record. It would just be a 17 point beatdown instead of a 21 point beatdown. Whoopdedoo.

Anyways, Bring on Shanahan.

 

[DC Vol]

The offensive line sucked when healthy. Samuels is well past his prime and shouldn't have even been around last year, much less this year. If Campbell can't even complete a 3 step drop because of insufficient blocking, he can't be accused of holding onto too long. It also doesn't help him that the only two half decent receivers only know one route- the deep one. It's not that he can't read blitzes, the O-line is just getting destroyed and his backs can pick up a block to save their life. Neither can any of the TEs.

as for the Colts offensive line looking great when Peyton was in and horrible when he left, it's because the O-line starters got benched too, so that's a horrible comparison.

The D is still really really good. To even think it would be valuable to add someone on D just because someone is available when every other aspect of the team needs DRASTIC help is absurd. If no one is available for the 'Skins to draft, trade the picks and pick up people via trades and/or cash. Snyder has enough cash to throw around. Drafting Berry wouldn't do a thing to improve the 'Skins record. It would just be a 17 point beatdown instead of a 21 point beatdown. Whoopdedoo.

Anyways, Bring on Shanahan.

I agree that OL is a desperate need for the Skins, but picking any other OL besides Okung or QB at that high would be a waste of a pick. Berry gives you not only an immediate fill but a viable, long term option to build a D around. Many of the D's best players are in double-digit years in the league. Neglect the D in this instance and it'll come back to bite you in 2-3 years. Drafting for next year is a terrible option. You're supposed to draft for the next 5 years. Okung is the only OL, in my opinion, that will give you as much long-term value as Berry. Instead of constantly lambasting picking Berry, answer me this:

If Okung is off the board at #4, what would you do? I'm only arguing for Berry if Okung is off the board... I feel like I either failed to make that point or you're ignoring it.


Also, I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure when the fumble occurred (2nd Quarter, I thought) most of the 1st String OL were in the game. If I'm wrong, forgo that point.

 

[DC Vol]

STATEMENT FROM REDSKINS OWNER DANIEL M. SNYDER

“This has been an extremely difficult season for our organization and for the fans. Bruce Allen spent many hours examining the football operations, and we are both determined to do whatever it takes to build a championship team. That process begins today.

“No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years, and I am sure that Jim would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him too. I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made. I am hopeful that our fans will accept my commitment and pledge to deliver a franchise that can compete in the NFC East every season.

Thought this was interesting. I don't know how long that will stick, or how truthful it is, but it is nice to have Snyder show some humility.

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Shanny is already in Ashburn VA, according to a tweet.

 

[DC Vol]

Shanny is already in Ashburn VA, according to a tweet.

It's as official as something can be without being being "official".

I just want to know who the DC will be. I just hope it It wouldn't surprise me to see some of the vocal big-payroll guys (Haynesworth, Hall) to be gone.

 

[volfanbill]

I agree that OL is a desperate need for the Skins, but picking any other OL besides Okung or QB at that high would be a waste of a pick. Berry gives you not only an immediate fill but a viable, long term option to build a D around. Many of the D's best players are in double-digit years in the league. Neglect the D in this instance and it'll come back to bite you in 2-3 years. Drafting for next year is a terrible option. You're supposed to draft for the next 5 years. Okung is the only OL, in my opinion, that will give you as much long-term value as Berry. Instead of constantly lambasting picking Berry, answer me this:

If Okung is off the board at #4, what would you do? I'm only arguing for Berry if Okung is off the board... I feel like I either failed to make that point or you're ignoring it.


Also, I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure when the fumble occurred (2nd Quarter, I thought) most of the 1st String OL were in the game. If I'm wrong, forgo that point.

let me break it down slowly for you then...

i-f
t-h-e-r-e
i-s-n-t
g-o-i-n-g
t-o
b-e
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g
f-o-r
t-h-e-m
t-o
d-r-a-f-t,
t-r-a-d-e
t-h-e
d-r-a-f-t
p-i-c-k-s.

 

[DC Vol]

let me break it down slowly for you then...

i-f
t-h-e-r-e
i-s-n-t
g-o-i-n-g
t-o
b-e
a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g
f-o-r
t-h-e-m
t-o
d-r-a-f-t,
t-r-a-d-e
t-h-e
d-r-a-f-t
p-i-c-k-s.

If you're going to be a patronizing smart@ss, at least base your vitriol off of something that I haven't already asserted.

Brasstacks: I'm assuming Okung will be gone by #4. If the Skins trade down (could be smart, could not be) and miss out on Berry, they'd better be able to get a 1st, 3rd and 5th for it. (Considering Dallas traded just that for Roy Williams, I think that's at a minimum realistic). Maybe throw in a 1st or a 2nd next year, assuming the PA talks don't go to crap.

The Skins D is getting old. Half of it almost (5/11) are in their double-digits and Haynesworth is only good for half the season. They're solid now... but for how long?

 

[volfanbill]

If you're going to be a patronizing smart@ss, at least base your vitriol off of something that I haven't already asserted.

Brasstacks: I'm assuming Okung will be gone by #4. If the Skins trade down (could be smart, could not be) and miss out on Berry, they'd better be able to get a 1st, 3rd and 5th for it. (Considering Dallas traded just that for Roy Williams, I think that's at a minimum realistic). Maybe throw in a 1st or a 2nd next year, assuming the PA talks don't go to crap.

The Skins D is getting old. Half of it almost (5/11) are in their double-digits and Haynesworth is only good for half the season. They're solid now... but for how long?

I'm not talking about trading the picks for picks necessarily trade cash and picks for players if need be. The Redskins are in no position to be improving a good thing. They have to improve the offense to do anything. Winning cures what ails Haynesworth. Berry just makes losses a little closer. It does them no good to improve defensively right now.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[DC Vol]

I'm not talking about trading the picks for picks necessarily trade cash and picks for players if need be. The Redskins are in no position to be improving a good thing. They have to improve the offense to do anything. Winning cures what ails Haynesworth. Berry just makes losses a little closer. It does them no good to improve defensively right now.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

Without getting into a catfight... this is where we disagree. Berry is, unarguably, a very rare talent. I'm trying to see this without my Vol Fan glasses on, but that's what's been asserted by pretty much every single draft scout and analyst.

The OL Free Agency is pretty stout 2010 NFL Free Agents: OL and Snyder will spend the cash. Several of the better ones are on the same team (Titans/Patriots/Chargers) and those teams won't be able to spend the money to keep their lines together. The Skins have a good chance to get in on a very rich top-to-bottom Free Agency. Bear in mind the current lines at NYJ and Minnesota were built primarily from Free Agency. New England and Tennessee are the only teams I can't think of that have supurb lines (when healthy) that have built it through draft... and that's mostly with 2-4 Round picks. A good talent scout for OL goes a lot further than 1st Round Picks.

Basically, my point is this: Why use a First Round pick on a maybe when you get a much more likely talent from Free Agency and draft a solid franchise Safety? Again, it's just a difference in mindset. Plus, I desperately don't want to see Berry go to Cleveland.

 

[VolsByNature]

How bout them cowboys!!!

 

[milohimself]

Best of luck to you guys with Shanny. I'd rather my Cowboys beat you when you're good than beat THE Jim Zorn.

However, I think Snyder is an absolute moron for wanting to pay Shananahan that much money. Let's face it, he was Wade Phillips v1.0 as soon as Elway decided to start selling cars instead.

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Haslett officially joins Redskins as defensive coordinator - washingtonpost.com

Skins pick up Jim Haslett as DC, good pick up imo

"I think you got the personnel to do whatever you want," Haslett said. "You got to decide what angle you want to go. The secondary doesn't make a difference [in terms of what front to use], but I think you got to decide what's best to run for you to be effective.

"I think the 3-4 is a good fit for them. Guys like Orakpo, he could really do it. Haynesworth could do it. London, he's done it before. I think [linebacker] Rocky [McIntosh] could do it. I think Carter could be a good rush linebacker, but he's a good defensive end, too. Those are all things we'll go through."

Haslett, 54, last served in the NFL in 2008 as the interim head coach of the St. Louis Rams, for whom he was originally hired as the defensive coordinator in 2006. He was the head coach of the Florida Tuskers of the fledgling United Football League in 2009 -- "I had a lot of fun doing that," he said -- but he badly wanted back into the NFL. He was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2005.

 

[superdave1984]

The NFL needs the skins to be competitive. Just like it needs the Cowboys to be competitive. There are a handful of teams like the skins and 'Boys that simply make the NFL a better product when they are playing well. Steelers, Dolphins, anybody from the NFC North (except Detroit), San Fran and Denver.I can't stand the skins, but when they are playing well, it's good for the league. Much like NCAA football needs notre dame, michigan, miami, nebraska, alabama, and some team from the puke 10 to be good. Like it or not, it's just the truth.

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Zorn hired by the Ravens to be QB coach

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Skins are 75-1 odds to win the 2011 Super Bowl

Its a shame that we let Gregg Williams go. Anyway 29 players on the Saints are restricted\unrestricted free agents, and one of them All-Pro guard Jahri Evans should be a must get for the Skins

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Bill Romanowski interviewed yesterday to be the S+C Coach for the Skins. (as per Twitter) I would love him to light a fire under the butts of some (ehem Portis) but not sure about the drama he would bring

Redskins Insider - Redskins will interview Bill Romanowski