Can't believe it's been two months since my last post.
To anyone who has noticed and not found that a pleasant development, my apologies. And to anyone who noticed and has found it a pleasant development, my apologies for now breaking the silence.
Anyway, it's not like I have missed anything earth-shattering since I gleefully rubbed my cyberhands together over day one the draft. I should probably have posted about the disappointment (if not surprise) of the Redskins then allowing the rest of the draft to pass by without even pretending to get serious about the offensive line ... but then, I've beaten that drum so often the entry might simply have read, "Ibid."
I did consider writing a piece getting out front of the OT Mike Williams story. In it, I would have declared that this behemoth may very well urn out to be the Redskins story of the year. About how I have this sneaking suspicion that come opening day Williams will not only be the starter, but, should he hold up over the course of the season, might just emerge as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
Of course, I probably would have couched those pronouncements in enough caveats, to protect myself against ridicule should he blow out a hammy the first day of camp and be relegated to the historical dustbin, to file down any actual teeth the piece might have had.
What can I say—I do that sometimes.
Add to that the unsurprising end of venerable OT Jon Jansen's Redskins career (which has, candidly, effectively been over for a couple of years), and the requisite annual contrived mini-dramas surrounding who did and did not show up for at OTA's, and what Clinton Portis has and has not said and how we said it, and the past two months worth of posts would have been about filling and killing time between the draft and training camp.
Those of you who check the Forum here may already have some idea as to what I have been doing with my internet time instead.
For those who have not and might be interested ... I have been devoting my time, with three partners you will soon meet, building a new Redskins site. What started out as a bit of a lark—building a better Forum for the blog—has evolved into something none of us could have possibly envisioned. Something I dare say those of you as burgundy and gold obsessed as we are may find absolutely … well … you’ll see.
So, while I really do regret the disappearing act, I'm equally hopeful that when we go live with the new site, perhaps as soon as the end of this week, you will understand.
When the NY Jets moved up to grab Franchise QB-designee Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall selection of the 2009 NFL Draft on Saturday, and the realization set in that there would be no tumultuous quarterback transition in Washington this offseason (or at least this weekend), I experienced a moment of vague disappointment.
In fairness, it was probably due as much to the sense of “losing out” to another team—the competitive juices flow hard on draft day—as it was legitimate concern over the long-term best interests of the Washington Redskins (talking QB changes everything). Nonetheless, in that instant I felt a little deflated.
It didn’t last long.
As the subsequent picks unfolded and the Redskins selection drew closer, with big men like OT Michael Oher and DE's Brian Orakpo, Robert Ayers and Aaron Maybin still on the board, I got jazzed all over again. And when Denver surprisingly chose RB Knowshon Moreno at number twelve, leaving the Redskins a virtual smorgasbord of highly-rated big men from which to choose, I quietly pumped a fist.
I certainly didn't expect the Redskins to send someone sprinting to the podium before the echo of the Moreno announcement even faded to turn in their card (seriously, what was that?—if you aren't going to use your allotted time to field possible trade offers, at least give your fans the full allotment in which to revel—we waited months for those ten minutes), but when they did, and the Commissioner read off the name Brian Orakpo, my gut reaction was fierce ...
“Oh hell yes.”
It only took a moment for the mental image of Orakpo putting his hand in the dirt alongside Cornelius Griffin, Albert Haynesworth and Andre Carter to dance into my head. It took only a few seconds more to envision him standing over Phillip Daniels, Renaldo Wynn or Chris Wilson’s shoulder on that first 2nd-and-long of the new season, or sliding up and down the line on 3rd-and-long behind Haynesworth, as NY Giants QB Eli Manning tracks him warily.
It sank in fast ... the Redskins may well have built themselves pass rush Saturday.
Been talking a lot lately about how the Redskins haven’t had a pure pass-rusher since Charles Mann (no disrespect to Andre Carter) left town in 1993. They have had good defenses in that time, yes, particularly since defensive coordinator Gregg Williams brought his act to town in 2004 and Greg Blache continued it in 2008. But one thing they have not been known for since the end of the first Gibbs era has been pass rush.
The additions of Haynesworth and Orakpo remake the Redskins defensive profile almost overnight, and potentially at least, point to an evolution away from the strictly containment-type units they have fielded for years and toward the kind of aggressive, ball-hawking defenses in cities like Pittsburgh and Baltimore that Redskins fans have eyed jealously for so long.
There are no guarantees, of course, that any of this will happen. Orakpo could become 2009's version of Mike Mamula as easily he could its Dwight Freeney. But as of today, with seemingly unlimited potential stretching for the next ten years in front of him, and what his development could mean for his team, it is difficult to look at his selection with anything other than excitment and anticipation.
We will see the Redskins new prize bull take the field in a Redskins uniform for the first time in the Redskins preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on August 13. For those scoring at home, that’s 108 days.
Bring it.
Brian Orakpo becomes the first defensive lineman the Redskins have drafted in the first round since they made DE Kennard Lang the 17th overall choice in 1997.
A quick look at their draft history shows that defensive lineman has never really been targeted a position of first choice for Redskins brain trusts:
In the 72 college drafts since the franchise moved to Washington in 1937, Brian Orakpo becomes the Redskins' eighth defensive lineman chosen with their first available pick.
He becomes only the fourth defensive lineman selected in the first round.
He becomes the second-highest overall defensive line selection in team history, behind only DT Joe Rutgens, chosen third overall in 1961.
2009 – DE Brian Orakpo, 1st round (13) 1997 – DE Kenard Lang, 1st round (17) 1991 – DT Bobby Wilson, 1st round (17) 1989 – DT Tracy Rocker, 3rd round (66) 1986 – DE Marcus Koch, 2nd round (30) 1984 – DT Bob Slater, 2nd round (31) 1970 – DT Bill Brundige, 2nd round (43) 1961 – DT Joe Rutgens, 1st round (3)
I will give my take on the rest of the Redskins draft in the days ahead ... but for today, it’s all about the big man. Regardless of his selection slot, regardless of how close the team did or did not come to opting for Sanchez and a titanic quarterback controversy instead, the fact remains that Brian Orakpo—physical specimen, consensus man-beast and potentially the strongest pass-rushing burgundy and gold presence Dexter Manley—is a Washington Redskin.
As someone old to remember what that looks like on game days, count me as pretty damn juiced.
By the way, one quick request to young Mr. Orakpo. About that “big bed” you plan to buy, so you can relax and take it all in? Invest in an alarm as well. Maybe give new teammate Fred Davis a buzz—I hear he’s done some research.
For those old enough to remember when that meant little more than checking the Monday morning Washington Post sports section for the inside-page graphic listing the name, position and college of twelve mostly unknown new Redskins, the colossal hype machine surrounding 21st-century draft weekends is still the source of a little bemusement. It is no doubt a great weekend for any serious NFL fan however ... and all kidding aside, I count myself among them.
Bring it on.
Two of the best mock draft compilation sites I know of, DC Pro Sports Report and HailRedskins.com, both show roughly quarter of their compiled mock drafts predicting the Redskins will stand pat at pick number 13 and select Ole Miss OT Michael Oher.
Not being one to spend the hundreds of hours required to meaningfully assess an entire incoming draft class for the best prospect for any given teams' needs, I will assume, at the very least, that those who have put in the time have justifiable reason to believe Oher is worthy of being selected that high.
At 6'5”, 310 lbs., with no history of injury or "character issues" and widely considered a solid prospect, Oher would be a difficult selection to criticize. If ever a team needed a young, potential ten-year anchor at OT added to their roster, it is the 2009 Washington Redskins. If that is how it plays out Saturday, I will hail the pick.
Should it play out that the Redskins instead end up using that pick to select a similarly highly-regarded defensive end or linebacker, I will hail that as well. At some point the Redskins are going to have to begin restocking their offensive and defensive line and linebacker corps with young players, including, at long last, some drafted in the higher rounds rather than second-day hopefuls.
As much as an Oher or other similarly-rated DE or LB would feel "right" in terms of immediate on-field considerations, it would also send a comforting signal that the Redskins are willing to fight the impulse to chase "splash" with their top pick, and start the non-sexy but fundamentally sound process of rebuilding at the line of scrimmage.
I could write volumes on this, but in a nutshell ... the rules are different when it comes to quarterback. Given the buzz—hell, the roar—surrounding Sanchez of late, it would be a serious surprise to see him drop to #13. But if he does, and the Redskins are convinced he is The One ... they have to take him. And then, given the pressing needs elsewhere, they better damn well hope they're right.
I am not a fan of trading up to get him, however; the price will almost certainly be prohibitive given teams like the Jets and Broncos—both in more dire need of a QB and loaded with picks to offer in trade—are reportedly lusting after Sanchez as well.
With the Redskins' recent history of almost casual willingness to trade away high draft picks, the potential impact of giving up even one first- or other high-round pick is rather daunting. If the Redskins were in NY or Denver's situation and trying to trade away their stockpile of picks, Washington could pull the trigger on a move like this without blinking an eye.
But they are not (and despite their apparent loss of confidence in him, they do have a serviceable quarterback in hand in Jason Campbell) ... and with first-day picks so few and far between, the idea of parting with any, to say nothing of many, for anything other than a sure thing, toes the line between daunting and frightening.
Sorry about that sentence.
Bottom line, if the Redskins do end up getting Sanchez, there will be mixed feelings here. On the one hand, the longstanding dream of landing a true "franchise quarterback" after more than 20 years of watching the revolving door spin, is highly intriguing. If the thought of ending the drought doesn't get the burgundy in an any serious Redskins fans’ veins flowing, I respectfully submit they may have not been paying close attention to what that special one player, at that one key position, can mean to a professional football franchise.
On the other hand, given the acknowledged holes at OT, DE and LB, the idea of heading into 2009 without a stud rookie to project into at least one of those positions is a little daunting (okay, borderline frightening) as well.
If the Redskins end up pulling the trigger on Sanchez—be it via trade-up or having him slide unexpectedly to #13—they had better hope they're right, and the young man is indeed the real deal. Because if he isn't, they could well set the franchise back again on the order of the foundation-shaking, long-term hit they took with the mighty whiff on a certain Heath Shuler with the #3 overall pick way back in 1994.
Which, not coincidentally, is when the current QB revolving door spin-cycle in Washington began.
Cutting to the chase, my 2009 NFl Draft wish list:
1) Sanchez drops to the Redskins at #13 and a half-dozen teams throw offers their way hoping to trade up to get him, putting Washington in the enviable position of deciding between a guy they have decided is worth a shot as a franchise quartergack ... or accepting a bonanza in picks they cannot refuse to trade down. In the case of the latter, the Redskins use those picks on as many big, fast, aggressive, foul-breathed linemen and linebackers oozing evil intent for anyone wearing wrong-colored jerseys as their shopping basket can hold.
2) Use the #13 pick on the highest-rated OT, DE or LB left on their board. An Oher, say, or maybe a DE Tyson Jackson or DE Robert Ayers. Maybe even a stud LB like USC's Ray Maluaga or Brian Cushing. Then, use the remaining picks to bring in prospects at the other two positions. If they end up only using the four picks they have going in, use them on at least two linemen, one LB and one wildcard for best player available (young speed back, anyone?).
3) If they end up trading down, avoid the temptation to chase "skill position" players with the higher picks and focus extensively on the line of scrimmage.
If you think you sense a pattern, you're not wrong.
What do I think they should do?
Stay put at #13 and either use it on Sanchez, if he should happen to fall to them and they are convinced he's The Real Deal, or take the best OT, DE or LB left on their board.
What do I think they will do?
Something other than what I think they should. History teaches.
What do I think it all means?
1) that until the Washington Redksins start winning consistently again, those of us on the outside looking in legitimately get to criticize (and now again even poke a little fun) at the way they run their personnel business, and
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