March 30, 2009

Redskins 2009 Preseason Schedule: (Premature) Release

It only lasted a few seconds, but I caught a whiff of football today.

Aug 13 @Baltimore 7:30PM
Aug 20-24 vs.Pittsburgh
Aug 28 vs.New England 8PM
Sept 3-4 @Jacksonville
Funny how the mind works. With the release of the Redskins 2009 preseason schedule, barely a ripple in the vast football ocean, within about in a ten-second span my mind went through a process something like this:

Damn–that’s four tough-ass games.

Let’s see ... three monster defenses, one prime-time date with Tom “Allow Me To Demonstrate How I’m Still Damn Terrific” Brady.

I smell 1-3.

At Baltimore. Better hope Colt (Brennan, for the uninitiate) runs around and makes second-half magic or we may get shut out. Be pretty cool to see Haynesworth get a series though. I just want to hear his name called once. Then get him the hell out of there. The Ravens will want it more though. Show they don’t miss Ryan’s kid. Home crowd. Opener.

Just get out healthy Zorn.

Steelers here, huh? FedEx will be half Pittsburgh fans, half Redskins fan in a foul mood about it. Got Mace? Defending champions and all though—Steelers won’t be up for this one unless they lay an egg in their opener. Stay close, maybe grab an lead early. Maybe Zorn turns Brennan loose against the scrubs with Kelly, Thomas and Davis to play with. Good shot at a W.

For what it’s worth.

The New England Patriots come to FedExField. Cool—might have to go to that one. Hey, we own Brady and Belichick at FedEx. Good news is it’ll be a treat to see the best team of the last decade up close. Bad news is Game 3 is when the generally get some extended playing time, and Brady will be chomping at the bit to show he’s all the way back. Plus his backup—whoever that is—will be all about showing they didn’t screw up letting Cassell go.

Going to be interesting.

At Jacksonville in the finale ... meh. Gregg with three G’s is gone, right? Only thing interesting there will be watching Colt stir things up again, maybe hopefully the new draft picks will get some run. But by then preseason will have gotten really old—it always does—and I’ll be watching with one side of my brain tied behind my back.

Still, looks pretty damn good from here. Looks like football. August 13, you say? Lemme grab my calendar ... June, July ... here we go.

August 13th is a ... Thursday. Huh. Well, Friday’s Casual Day, that works. So let’s see that’s ... 1 day left in March, 30 in April, May has 31, June 30 , July 31 ... and 13 more in August.

* tap, tap ... tap, tap ... click *

One hundred and thirty-six days.

Sigh.

March 29, 2009

Experience the Super League with 888sport

The top-level professional rugby league football club competition, known as the Super League, is currently referred to as the Engage Super League as a result of the sponsorship of Engage Mutual Assurance. Fourteen teams, one team from Wales, twelve from England, and one from France, are featured in the league and will be competing from February to October 2009.

From February to September, each team plays 27 games over 27 rounds during the league’s regular season. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season play in the playoffs, culminating with the Grand Final. In 2009, Super League games will be played in five different countries: Spain, France, Scotland, Wales and England. 888sport.com provides you with the opportunity to place your bets on all games, for each and every country and in several languages.

In May 2005, the Rugby Football League (RFL) announced that Super League licences will be a new requirement of the participants in the Super League competition from 2009, in place of regulation and promotion. After considering several factors besides a club’s on-the-field performance, the licences will be awarded.

The RFL also stated that those clubs that will be competing in 2009 Super League XIV will undergo assessment based on four areas: playing strength, which includes player production and development; finance and business performance; stadium facilities; and commercial and marketing performance. The RFL Board of Directors will give the final decision after evaluations.

In June 2008, it was confirmed by the RFL that the Super League will be expanding in 2009 from 12 teams to 14 teams. The 14 clubs were awarded licences per the announcement that transpired on 22 July 2008.

At 888sport you can find further interesting, relevant information regarding all that has to do with football, rugby or any other sport you might be interested in at their professional sports betting news section. 888 sport, the professional online bookmakers, provide detailed information and user-friendly interfaces with regards to any particular competition, it also brings you all you need to know in order to make the current game even more exiting! Enter 888sport.com and learn how to do so in no time.

March 26, 2009

Om Field Update

Continuing its tireless quest for world domination (or becoming a successful blog, whichever comes first), The Om Field has broadened its horizons this week by joining Sports Blog Net.

I do a lot of scouting around the web these days for widgets, gadgets and new networks I think might "fit" what I am trying to build, and most simply do not feel right.  Once in a while, though, something does.  I was drawn to SBN's crisp look, intuitive interface and professional response.  Mostly though, there is just a vibe I found there that speaks to me of coming success ... and I want to be part of that.  

Take a minute to check it out for yourself, particularly if you've ever considered starting your own sports blog.  You might just find yourself diving in.  

Thanks for the indulgence.  Now back to your regularly scheduled burgundy and gold obsession.  

Hail.

March 24, 2009

A Brief History of Pick No. 243

In its charity and wisdom, the National Football League has awarded the Washington Redskins one (1) compensatory draft pick in the upcoming 2009 NFL Draft. Meaning, in addition to their other bounty, Washington now owns the 243rd selection in the April NFL Draft as well.

The gift of Brunell just keeps on giving.

So ... why do a piece on the 243rd pick? Because a whole lot of jawing and gnashing of teeth goes on amongst serious pro football fans about the value of late-round draft picks. And more often that not, it is largely done devoid of context. You may have participated in such a conversation yourself—I know I have.

"Smith? Sucks. I can't believe they gave up Jones and next years' 7th for that (loser)."

So, fresh off compiling a serious piece about the history of the 13th pick in the NFL draft (the Redskins first round pick in April), I thought we might amuse ourselves with quick look at just what kind of success the league has had with pick number 243.

Below, you will find a list of the last thirty players chosen with the 243rd selection in the draft. Why thirty? Two reasons. One, I have a job. And two, because it allows a ten-year period for players whose careers are still in progress, while still covering twenty additional years, a full generation, from which to draw data.

If anyone would like to go farther, by all means please feel free to do so. If you want I’ll even append it here. Word to the wise, however: the NFL's records are great, but don't rely on them 100 percent. For example, they didn't start keeping official sack records until 1983, or tackles until 2001.

I went into the exercise with no preconceived notions, but did target some obvious questions:

[Please note:

1) I am a writer, not a statistician. I have made every effort to nail the numbers, but if/where I have erred, please let me know and I’ll make it right.

2) Again, as of this writing there are three active 243rd picks in the league; I have taken that into account in answering the following.]

Let's get to it.

How many of those picks washed out without ever making an NFL roster?
Answer: 8 of 30 (26.6%)

How many have played at least two years?
Answer: 15 of 29 (51.7%)

How many played at least five years?
Answer: 10 of 25 (40%)

How many started 10 or more games in their career?
Answer: 9 of 27 (33.3%)

Who were these diamonds in the rough, and how many starts did each have?

125 - JEFF HERROD, LB, IND (1988)
107 - JASON FISK, DT, MIN (1995)
85 - KEITH UECKER, OT, DEN (1982)
61 - AVON RILEY, LB, HOU (1981)
52 - KELVIN GARMON, OG, DAL (1999)
33 - ADAM SCHREIBER, OG, SEA (1984)
29 - GREG BRACELIN, LB, DEN (1980)
21 - DOUG BEAUDOIN, DB, NE (1976)
13 - TERDELL SANDS,* DT, KC (2001; active)

(Pretty good run there in the early 80's. Of course, that could just mean the pro talent pool didn’t run as deep then, and it was “easier” for late-rounders to hang on ...)

How many of the 30 have made the Pro Bowl?
Answer: None, though three remain active and hopeful.

Notes / Observations

■ Pick #243, by Position:

9 - Offensive Line
7 - Linebacker
4 - Running Back
4 - Defensive Line
3 - Defensive Back
1 - Quarterback
1 - Wide receiver
1 - Tight End

■ You know those nine players listed above who started double- and triple-digit games? Check what positions all but one played. I'm not making this stuff up, Mr. Cerrato.

■ Washington has made the 243rd selection three times in the past 30 drafts:

1991 - CHARLES BELL, DB, WAS
1990 - TIM MOXLEY, OG, WAS
1978 - JOHN HURLEY, QB, WAS

None made an NFL roster.

Conclusions

No hard ones, really. A study like this would be far more meaningful broadening the field to more than just one particular-numbered pick, even over a thirty years time period. If we were to analyze all seventh-round picks, say, over that period (approx. 1000 players), the results would obviously carry more weight.

But as a general feeling, I walked away thinking that while you aren't likely to stumble into a Hall of Famer or even a Pro Bowler (though a few guys, like Herrod, Fisk and Uecker, proved outstanding value as late-round picks), you do have a better chance of landing a player who can provide productive depth for a few years than you do a player whose name you end up peeling off a locker before the leaves turn.

And of course, the more picks you have—be they late-round, first-day or in between—the better your odds of finding gold in them thar hills. But then … we already knew that.

Didn’t we.

***

NOTES:

- There were no 243rd picks in 1998, 1997, l994, l993
- NFL.com does not record tackles prior to 2001
- NFL started tracking sacks in 1982
- Stats not broken down OFF/DEF vs Special Teams
- "Out of NFL" = not on NFL roster in 2008
- Where NFL stats incomplete, filled in w/ PFR

KEY:

DNP = did not play
plyd = games played in
strt = games started
tckls = tackles
scks = sacks


2008 - JOEY LAROCQUE LB,* CHI
1 YR CHI - plyd 14 gms
Career-to-date: 1 yr, 14 gms, 6 tckls

2007 - CLARK HARRIS, TE, HOU
1 YR HOU - plyd 4 gms (no stats)
Out of NFL

2006 - TONY PALMER, OG STL/GB
2 YRS GB - plyd 8 gms
Out of NFL

2005 - ANTHONY DAVIS, RB, IND
Out of NFL

2004 - DOMINIC FURIO, C PHI
1 YR PHI - DNP
Out of NFL

2003 - ETHAN KELLEY, NT NE
1 YR NE - plyd 1
3 YRS CLE - plyd 35, strt 9
Career: 4 yrs, 9 strt, 2 scks, 63 tckls
(Out of NFL)

2002 - CHRIS MASSEY,* C STL
Career-to-date: 7 YRS STL - plyd 112, strt 1 (rookie)

2001 - TERDELL SANDS,* DT, KC

1 YR KC - DNP
1 YR GB - plyd 1
6 YRS OAK - plyd 76 gms, 13 strts
Career-to-date: 7 yrs, 77 gms, 13 strt, 129 Tckls, 4 scks, 1 INT

2000 - SHYRONE STITH, RB, JAX
1 YR JAX - plyd 14
2 YRS IND - plyd 1
Career: 3 yrs, 15 gms, 20 carr., 55 yds, 1 TD

1999 - KELVIN GARMON, OG, DAL
4 YRS DAL - plyd/strt 21
2 YRS SD - plyd 23, strt 21
1 YR CLE - plyd/strt 8
Career: 6 yrs, 52 gms, 50 strt

1996 - RYAN WOOD, RB, DAL
Out of NFL

1995 - JASON FISK, DT, MIN
4 YRS MIN - plyd 54, strt 16
3 YRS TEN - plyd/strt 47
3 YRS SD - plyd 47, strt 30
1 YR CLE - plyd 16, strt 14
1 YR STL - plyd 16
Career: 12 yrs, 180 gms, 107 strt, 280 tckls, 19 scks, 3 INT

1992 - KEITH ALEX, OT, ATL
1 YR ATL - plyd 14
1 YR MIN - DNP
Career: 2 yrs, 14 gms

1991 - CHARLES BELL, DB, WAS
Out of NFL

1990 - TIM MOXLEY, OG, WAS
Out of NFL

1989 - LASALLE HARPER, LB, CHI
1 YR NYG - plyd 1
1 YR CHI - plyd 3
Career: 2 yrs, 4 gms (no stats listed)

1988 - JEFF HERROD, LB, IND
9 YRS IND - plyd 133, 89 strt
1 YR PHI - plyd 10, strt 2
1 YR IND - plyd 10, strt 7
Career: 11 yrs, 153 gms, 125 strt, 14.5 scks, 5 INT, 1 TD, ? tckls

1987 - M.L. JOHNSON, LB, SEA
3 YRS SEA - plyd 37
Career: 3 yrs, 37 gms (no stats listed)

1986 - ELBERT WATTS, DB, LA Rams
1 YR GB - plyd 9
Career: 1 yr, 9 gms, 1 sack, 1 INT

1985 - SCOTT STRASBURGER, LB, DAL
Out of NFL

1984 - ADAM SCHREIBER, OG, SEA
1 YR SEA - plyd 6
1 YR NO - plyd 1
3 YRS PHI - plyd 27, strt 12
2 YRS NYJ - plyd 23
4 YRS MIN - plyd 63, strt 17 (16 in '93)
3 YRS NYG - plyd 47, strt 4
3 YRS ATL - plyd 35
Career: 17 yrs, 202 gms, 33 strt

1983 - ROBIN HAM, C, GB
Out of NFL

1982 - KEITH UECKER, OT, DEN
2 YRS DEN - plyd 21, strt 2
6 YRS GB - plyd 64, strt 47
Career: 8 yrs, 85 gms, 49 strt

1981 - AVON RILEY, LB, HOU
6 YRS HOU - plyd 88, 61 strt
1 YR PIT - plyd 3
Career: 7 yrs, 91 gms, 61 strt, 6.5 scks, 3 INT, ? tckls

1980 - GREG BRACELIN, LB, DEN
1 YR DEN - plyd 12
1 YR OAK - plyd 15
3 YRS BAL/IND - plyd 41, strt 29
Career: 5 yrs, 68 gms, 29 strt, 9.5 scks, 3 INT, ? tckls

1979 - RICH ELLENDER, WR HOU
1 YR HOU - plyd 13
Career: 1 yr, 13 gms, 1 rec, 15 yds

1978 - JOHN HURLEY, QB, WAS
Out of League

1977 - JOHNNY JACKSON, DT, STL
1 YR PHI - plyd 2
Career: 1 yr, 2 gms (no stats listed)

1976 - DOUG BEAUDOIN, DB, NE
4 YRS NE - plyd 45, strt 21
1 YR MIA - plyd 10
1 YR SD - plyd 4
Career: 7 yrs, 59 gms, 21 strt, 4 INT, ? tckls

1975 - DONNE LAYTON, RB, SF
Out of League


March 22, 2009

NFL Draft: History of Pick No.13

On April 25, the Washington Redskins will exercise their right to claim the 13th selection in the 2009 NFL Draft. Should they opt to use the pick on a player (as opposed to trading it away), what kind of player can they reasonably expect to get?

Thirteen is an interesting spot after all. On the one hand, it doesn't carry with it the white-hot pressure of, say, a top five pick ... the kind of pick that, when missed badly, can set a franchise back for years.

On the other hand, it is hardly a throwaway either. Maybe at pick 28 you can write a bust off to bad luck, but at 13, you better hope the guy you tap isn't a whiff. No, there isn't a set formula for judging the merits of career after-the-fact–injuries, regime-changes and other X Factors can sometimes overtake the most promising of careers–but at the very least, you do want to be able to look back 5-10 years down the road and say, "Yeah, but he could play."

With pre-draft hype building to a crescendo (you can't swing a dead cat around the internet these days without hitting draft analysis and prediction), this week we're taking a look at the history of the 13th pick.

As one might expect, over the course of 73 years (as far back as NFL.com keeps draft records), the success/failure spectrum has run the gamut. On one extreme you'll find all-time greats and Hall-of-Famers, like RB Jim Brown (arguably the greatest player in league history), RB Franco Harris, DE Carl Eller and TE Tony Gonzalez.

On the other you'll find afterthoughts and asterisks, like OT James Fitzpatrick, WR Lindsay Scott, DT Troy Archer, LB Jim Files.

You'll even find tragedy, like that of RB David Overstreet.

This research is not offered as prediction or analysis of what the Washington Redskins will do with the 13th pick in the 2009 draft. Instead, it is offered as context and a chance to consider flesh-and-blood examples of the kind of player the pick has brought through NFL history.

My original intent was to look at a representative sample of thirteenth picks, and I set out using a 30-year window as a base line. Before I knew it, however, I had gone back 40 years, to 1969, (what can I say, the internet connection was cooking).

Here is what I found.


Since 1969, players chosen at #13:

14 have played 10 years or more (not counting active players at less than 10)

9 have played 5 years or less (not counting active players)

Longest career: 17 yrs (OT Mike Kenn, ATL)

Shortest career: 1 yr. (RB David Overstreet (MIA) deceased; 2 yrs. RB Leon Burns (SD))

Average career length (retired players): 8.1 yrs

Drafted By Position:
8 - Defensive Line
7 - Linebacker
7 - Wide Receiver
6 - Offensive Line
6 - Running Back
3 - Tight End
2 - Defensive Back
1 - Quarterback

One positive trend that bears mention is recent success rate. A quick look at the last ten years shows a very solid list of players, including DT's Adam Carriker, Marcus Stroud and Ty Warren, DE/LB John Abraham, and OT Jammal Brown. The Redskins should be so lucky.

Since 1936, players chosen at #13:

Hall of Famers: 5 - RB Jim Brown, DE Carl Eller, RB Franco Harris, TE Kellen Winslow, TE Tony Gonzalez (book it)

• There's a certain symmetry at play. As noted above, NFL.com's official draft history goes back to 1936. The 13th pick that year was used to select RB Bernie Scherer, by a team called the Boston Redskins. One year later, that team would leave Beantown and head south to its new home in Washington, DC. In the 73 years since, the Redskins have had the 13th selection one other time, and selected ... RB Ray McDonald in 1967. Redskins fans jonesing for RB Knowshon Moreno should take note. Could be karma. **

Best Name: Tie - OG Tarzan White, RB McArthur Lane

• Worst Name: LB Percy Snow

Let's get to the matter at hand. The list below is broken into three sections:

1. The NFL started tracking games started in 1980, so for the 29-year period between 1980-2008, each player is listed by career length (retired players only), number of years in which he started at least half of games he played in ("strt"), and teams with which he spent his career.

2. Pre-1980, players are listed by career length and teams played for.

3. Pre-1969 (my artificial 40-year cut-off; the internet connection wasn't that fast), players are listed only by name, position and team drafted by.

You are invited to make your own observations, offer additional breakdowns and, if you wish, draw your own conclusions. And, as I have found myself doing the last couple of days, you may take a second or two reflecting on your own job, and whether or not it hangs on something as tenuous telling a Jim Brown from a Chet Hanulak before the fact.

Hail, and enjoy.

***

** EDIT 3/23:
Two errors to note:
1) I mistakenly listed Bernie Scherer as the 13th pick in 1936, by the Boston Redskins. NFL.com's draft "History" page has him as the 13th player *listed* in 1936, but selected by the GB Packers. They have the Redskins choosing FB Ed Smith with the 14th player *listed*.
2) I managed to leave out the following disclaimer:
Note: the records on NFL.com appear either incomplete or misnumbered, as ALL picks are not numbered sequentially prior to 1967. For purposes of this piece I rely on the accuracy of the official league record. If there are errors, please let me know.
Thanks to the attentive anonymous reader who brought this to my attention.]


***

[* = active player]

2008 - JONATHAN STEWART,* RB, CAR
1 yr. (0 strt)

2007 - ADAM CARRIKER,* DT, STL
2 yrs. (2 strt)

2006 - KAMERION WIMBLEY,* LB, CLE
3 yrs. (3 strt)

2005 - JAMMAL BROWN,* OT, NO
4 yrs. (4 strt)

2004 - LEE EVANS,* WR, BUF
5 yrs. (5 strt)

2003 - TY WARREN,* DT, NE
6 yrs. (5 strt)

2002 - DONTE' STALLWORTH,* WR, NO
7 yrs. (6 strt) - 4 NO (3 strt), 1 PHI, CLE, NE (all strt)

2001 - MARCUS STROUD,* DT, JAX
8 yrs. (7 strt) - 7 JAX (6 strt), 1 BUF (strt)

2000 - JOHN ABRAHAM,* DE/LB, NYJ
9 yrs. (8 strt) - 6 NYJ (5 strt), 3 ATL (3 strt)

1999 - TROY EDWARDS, WR, PIT
7 yrs. (1 strt) - 3 PIT, 1 STL, 2 JAX (1 strt), 1 DET

1998 - TAKEO SPIKES,* LB, CIN
11 yrs. (11 strt) - 5 CIN, 4 BUF, 1 PHI, 1 SF

1997 - TONY GONZALEZ,* TE, KC
11 yrs. (11 strt)

1996 - WALT HARRIS,* CB, CHI
13 yrs. (12 strt) - 6 CHI, 2 IND, 2 WAS (1 strt), 3 SF

1995 - MARK FIELDS, LB, NO
10 yrs. (8 strt) - 6 NO (5 strt), 1 STL (strt), 3 CAR (2 strt)

1994 - JOE JOHNSON, DE, NO
10 yrs. (9 strt) - 8 NO (7 strt), 2 GB (2 strt)

1993 - BRAD HOPKINS, OT, HOU/TEN
13 yrs. (13 strt)

1992 - EUGENE CHUNG, OG, NE
5 yrs. (2 strt) - 3 NE (2 strt), 1 JAX, 1 IND

1991 - MIKE PRITCHARD, WR, ATL
9 yrs. (6 strt) - 3 ATL (3 strt); 2 DEN (1 strt), 4 SEA (2 strt)

1990 - PERCY SNOW, LB, KC
4 yrs. (0 strt) - 3 KC, 1 CHI


1989 - ERIC METCALF, WR, CLE
13 yrs. (5 strt) - 6 CLE (3 strt), 2 ATL (2 strt), 1 SD, AZ, CAR, WAS, GB

1988 - KEITH JACKSON, TE, PHI
9 yrs. (4 strt) - 4 PHI (1 strt), 3 MIA (3 strt), 2 GB

1987 - CHRIS MILLER, QB, ATL
10 yrs. (6 strt) - 7 ATL (3 strt), 2 LA/STL (3 strt), 1 DEN (strt)

1986 - JAMES FITZPATRICK, OT, SD
7 yrs. (0 strt) - 4 SD, 3 LA

1985 - EDDIE BROWN, WR, CIN
8 yrs. (1 strt)


1984 - KEITH MILLARD, DT, MIN
10 yrs. (0 strt) - 7 MIN, 1 SEA, 1 GB, 1 PHI

1983 - JAMES JONES, RB, DET
11 yrs. (0 strtr) - 6 DET, 4 SEA, 1 DET

1982 - LINDSAY SCOTT, WR, NO
4 yrs. (0 strt)

1981 - DAVID OVERSTREET, RB, MIA
1 yr. (0 strt) - deceased

1980 - EARL COOPER, RB, SF
7 yrs. (0 strt) - 6 SF, 1 LA Raiders


*

1979 - KELLEN WINSLOW, TE, SD (9 yrs.)
1978 - MIKE KENN, OT, ATL (17 yrs.)
1977 - A.J. DUHE, LB, MIA (8 yrs.)
1976 - TROY ARCHER, DT, NYG (3 yrs.)
1975 - LYNN BODEN, OG, DET (5 yrs. - 4 DET, 1 CHI)
1974 - RICK MIDDLETON, LB, NO (5 yrs. - 2 NO, 3 SD)
1973 - BURGESS OWENS, DB, NYJ (10 yrs. 7 NY, 3 OAK/LA)
1972 - FRANCO HARRIS, RB, PIT (13 yrs. - 12 PIT, 1 SEA)
1971 - LEON BURNS, RB, SD (2 yrs. - SD, STL)
1970 - JIM FILES, LB, NYG (4 yrs.)
1969 - FREDDY DRYER, DE, NYG (13 yrs. - 3 NY, 9 LA)

*

1968 - McARTHUR LANE, RB, STL
1967 - RAY McDONALD, RB, WAS
1966 - STAN HINDMAN, DE, SF
1965 - RALPH NEELY, OT, BAL
1964 - CARL ELLER, DE, MIN
1963 - JIM KANICKI, DT, CLE
1962 - CLYDE BROCK, OT, CHI
1961 - RIP HAWKINS, LB, MIN
1960 - WARREN RABB, QB, DET
1959 - ALEX HAWKINS, RB, GB
1958 - JIM PHILLIPS, WR, LA
1957 - JIM BROWN, FB, CLE
1956 - LEON CLARKE, WR, LA
1955 - LINDON CROW, DB, CHI
1954 - CHET HANULAK, RB, CLE
1953 - BILLY REYNOLDS, RB, CLE
1952 - RAY BECK, OG, NYG
1951 - DON JOYCE, DE, CHI
1950 - CHUCK HUNSINGER, RB, CHI
1949 - GEORGE SIMS, DB, LA
1948 - JOE SCOTT, RB, NYG
1947 - FRANK WYDI, OT, PIT
1946 - NICK SCOLLARD, DE, BOS
1945 - JACK DUGGER, OT, PIT
1944 - RALPH HEYWOOD, WR, DET
1943 - TOM FARMER, RB, LA
1942 - ALF BAUMAN, DT, DET
1941 - NORM STANDLEE, RB, CHI
1940 - JOHN SCHIECHL, C, PHI
1939 - GAYLON SMITH, RB, CLE
1938 - BOYD BRUMBAUGH, RB, BKLN
1937 - TARZAN WHITE, OG, NYG
1936 - BERNIE SCHERER, RB, GB **



March 12, 2009

Meanwhile, back at Redskins Park ...

Ninety-nine percent of Redskins talk these days centers on the nut-and-bolt specifics of certain roster spots---primarily SAM linebacker, defensive end and offensive tackle---and what the team plans to do about them via free agency and the April draft.

Fair enough, I've been indulging in it somewhat myself. The discussion is topical, relevant and pure offseason gold for the serious fan feeling the absence of the game itself more acutely with each passing week.

What I found myself thinking about this week, however---in short bouts between fretting over the relative size of potential SAM linebackers and the inexorable process of determining which particular college player the Redskins simply cannot live without come draft day---is what is going on out at the Redskins Park practice fields when no reporters are around, and in the offices not plastered floor-to-ceiling with player evaluation cards.

What is Head Coach Jim Zorn up to? What does he believe he learned during Year One as an NFL head coach, and what specific things is he doing to incorporate said lessons into Year Two?

How different will his offense be in 2009? Will it look more like the "modified" West Coast Offense he envisioned at this time last year, or, with a year under his belt and resulting familiarity with his quarterback, line and receivers, will he take it in a noticeably new direction? And if so, how far along is he in that process?

What is QB Jason Campbell up to? Who is he throwing to and how often? Has he spent time studying with and/or throwing to Moss, Randle El, Cooley, and more importantly, rising sophomores Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly and Fred Davis?

Where is Campbell's head these days? It's a pretty good bet he wonders from time to time exactly what his future holds in Washington, given the window to sign a new contract prior to the season has apparently closed and he will head into the last year of his rookie contract playing for free agency in 2010. How does he feel about that, and will it affect his play?

And speaking of QB's, there's the whole Cult of Colt thing always hovering in the background. Personally, I'm not a cultist---to me it's a no-brainer Campbell is the incumbent heading into the season, and until and unless the wheels are clearly falling off at mid-season, he's the man throughout the year---but like a whole lot of other Redskins fans, I won't deny it was pretty damn electric watching the kid move around, make plays and ignite the offense last preseason.

If nothing else, I'd sure like to know what kind of progress young Mr. Brennan is making learning the pro game between the ears, and what his chances are of mounting a legitimate challenge to Todd Collins for the #2 spot behind Campbell.

What is defensive coordinator Greg Blache thinking? As you recall, he was seriously considering retirement before last season, and was convinced to return by some combination of the owner, general manager and incoming head coach. After last seasons' successes and frustrations, and with the addition of Albert Haynesworth, who might give him something he's not had here before---serious push up the middle---is Blache re-energized? Is he at the blackboard scheming up nasty new ways to let opposing QB's know the Redskins will, in fact, plant you in the turf from time to time?

And assuming he is (I mean, with AH on board, who wouldn't?), wouldn't it just be amazing to be a fly on the wall?

Point of all this being, as important as personnel acquisition during these frenzied weeks of free agency and the draft are, the fortunes of the 2009 Redskins will turn at least as much, if not considerably more, on the answers to the kinds of questions posed above.

It won't always be easy, but as fans we would do well to remind ourselves of that fact as the free agent market continues, the draft draws closer, the mock drafts proliferate, and whenever we catch ourselves obsessing too much about such things as what as-yet-undetermined player will draw the starting assignment at LDE come opening day in September.

You know what they say about forests and trees.

March 5, 2009

Redskins Feeling a Cold Draft

"Jason Taylor was going to play [strong-side] linebacker, we were still going to have to fill the left end spot."

- Vinny Cerrato

Lost in the news and opinion blitz of the past few days was this quick quote from Redskins Executive VP of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato. It appeared in an unrelated piece discussing the free agent acquisition of OG Derrick Dockery and re-signing of CB DeAngelo Hall. I read it, stopped, then went back and read it again to be sure I’d read it right.

Huh.

Over the past week, everyone with an opinion about the Washington Redskins signing of free agent big fish DT Albert Haynesworth had Jason Taylor lining up off Big Albert’s shoulder, taking advantage of one-on-one blocking caused by AH’s presence inside. Maybe the team would have stood Taylor up once in a while, but he was going to be an end. He was going to come off the edge all year and either take down QB’s himself or drive them up into the pocket into AH’s waiting arms.

Except that he wasn’t. Apparently, the Redskins were planning to turn him into a strong-side linebacker. A 34-year-old, 6'6", 240 lb. speed-rushing right defensive end was going to be the strong side linebacker.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’m surprised this particular nugget hasn't scared up a whole lot more attention. Maybe I'm just over-reacting to this one bit of news. But I have to tell you, this one sent a bit of a chill up my spine.

Is it possible, I find myself wondering, that getting word of this move is part of what allegedly had Taylor “fed up” with the Redskins? I’m firmly in the camp that supports having cut him loose under the reported circumstances, but I have to admit, in his shoes I probably wouldn’t have found that prospect all that thrilling. Forget about the quarterback, JT. Just handle the tight end and stuff the run.

And what did defensive coordinator Greg Blache think of the move? Was it his idea? Word is Blache didn’t want Taylor here in the first place, not even as an end, a role he had played throughout a potential Hall of Fame career.

And setting aside why they were considering the move ... is SAM linebacker even a sensible fit for a long, lanky, 12-year veteran with a game built around using speed and finesse to evade 320 pound tackles on his way to the quarterback?

Then, of course, there’s the bigger picture. As in, what does it say about the Redskins that they even have to consider converting a 34-year-old defensive end to SAM? That position has been held down for five years by FA acquisition Marcus Washington, who played it very well until an accumulation of injuries starting in 2007 finally robbed him of his explosion. Well, who did they have behind him, pushing for playing time and hopefully ready to take over?

Exactly.

Point being ... what this latest news has underscored, with startling clarity, is that everywhere on the starting depth chart a hole crops up, the 2009 Redskins are having to scramble.

Thought I'd grab some quick numbers to sharpen the focus a bit:

Linebacker. In their last ten drafts (‘99 –‘08) the Redskins selected a total of seven linebackers (by round: 1 first, 1 second, 2 fifths, 2 sixths, 1 seventh). Note that the only LB selected higher than Round 5 since LaVar Arrington was chosen with the second overall pick in Round 1 in 2000, was Rocky McIntosh in 2006.

[Players on the roster today in bold.]

2008 – n/a
2007 – Dallas Sartz (5); H.B. Blades (6)
2006 – Rocky McIntosh (2); Kevin Simon (7)
2005 – Robert McCune (5); Jared NewBerry (6)
2004 – n/a
2003 – n/a
2002 – n/a
2001 – n/a
2000 - LaVar Arrington (1)
1999 – n/a


Marcus was a fine FA acquistion. He gave the team five good years, was a rock on the field (when healthy), a team leader and solid in the locker room. Problem is, the team developed nothing behind him. Rocky McIntosh is a pure WILL, and will use 2009 to show whether or not he can hold down a starting job at all. And the low-round draft picks the Redskins have used at linebacker over the past ten years haven’t borne fruit at all.

Sartz didn’t make it out of his first training camp. Blades is a nice complementary player who may still develop into a legitimate starter, but at 5'10" it's a stretch to picture him at SAM. I'd love to be proved wrong on that, but I won't be holding my breath.

So it’s not just the failure to invest draft picks in the position, it’s the failure of the few low-round picks that were used to measure up.

Defensive End. Over the last ten years, the Redskins have drafted three defensive ends (all seventh-rounders).

2008 – Rob Jackson (7)
2007 – n/a
2006 – n/a
2005 – n/a
2004 – n/a
2003 – n/a
2002 – Greg Scott (7)
2001 – n/a
2000 – Delbert Cowsette (7)
1999 – n/a


Any questions?

I’m not breaking any new ground here—the level of attention the Redskins have paid their lines in the draft, and paid to the draft in general, has been discussed ad nauseam.

But as the Redskins scramble once again to fill basic starting positions, and are apparently resorting to moves such as sending Jason Taylor to SAM backer—at best a one-year stopgap—and without even one legitimate home-grown young candidate ready to step in to any either of two building-block positions, it’s tough for even the most optimistic among us not to arch an eyebrow.

We'll leave the other side of the ball for another discussion. Not sure it's needed in this one.

Landing Albert Haynesworth in FA was a great move—particularly when the money involved turned out to be less than half of what many of the lemmings who “report” this stuff for a living continue to trumpet it to be. It’s not about that. You have a chance to land one of the best players in football at a position you've been scratching to fill for years, you do it.

It’s about relying so much on FA that a team with serious playoff aspirations ends up like they did last against Baltimore last December, and more to the question at hand, now finds itself in another offseason scrambling to plug fundamental holes with questionable position-shifts or from the outside, given there's nothing homegrown in the pipeline.

I’m not a “never” guy ... that the plug-and-play strategy hasn’t worked doesn’t mean it can’t. Until I see this team operate a season or two with a legitimate NFL-caliber quarterback at the helm—something I haven’t seen for more than a few games at a time since Mark Rypien retired 17 years ago—I won’t close the book on the notion that one can build and sustain a successful NFL program that way.

Plug a healthy Tom Brady into the lineup, say, and let’s see what happens. History makes a compelling case that everyone and everything associated with the burgundy and gold would suddenly start to look a lot stronger, seem a lot smarter and a smell a lot better.

But until that day comes, we’re left with such as the events of the past few days, brought into focus by news that the plan, apparently, was to move one aging non-draftee (and very expensive) veteran, Jason Taylor, into a position, SAM linebacker, where it is almost impossible to picture him thriving, because the team found the need to replace another aging non-draftee, Marcus Washington, who left his best football on the field two years ago, which in turn left another hole at LDE needing to be filled ... and discovering there was no one on the roster remotely ready to claim the job.

It’s a good thing the brain trust out at the Park knows what it's doing, becuase otherwise I might start to worry.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but few NFL teams have ever needed a franchise quarterback to emerge more than these Washington Redskins. And I wager no one is rooting harder for that to happen right about now than Vincent Cerrato.