Casserly Keeping his options open

But we did get (if not already have) that depth. Portis goes down, we had Betts and got Duckett. Springs goes down, we had Kenny Wright (a starter on the Jags last year), Pierson goes down we got Vernon Fox and later Troy Vincent. So it's not like we couldn't or didn't get depth. Question, as I've brought up before, is did we get the right guys?

TAFKAS - would you also question the method in which some of the depth was obtained - specifically giving up a 3rd rounder and either a possible swappage of 1rst rounder or 4th rounder next year?

TAFKAS - would you also question the method in which some of the depth was obtained - specifically giving up a 3rd rounder and either a possible swappage of 1rst rounder or 4th rounder next year?

Specifically in regards to the Duckett case, which is the one you're addressing here, yes that move has really baffled me to this point.

I'm not here saying that we need a GM or that injuries never affect things. However, our offense was horrible all year w/ and w/out Portis. We had our starting QB and a more than serviceable back up all year. We had plenty of talent w/ WR's, O-line, and TE. We are just bad no excuses.

On D we don't have depth and are even worse than our offense.

I do think some go out of there way to defend some of the choices the FO makes that don't make good-wise sense.

...well the Duckett trade was a good one b/c if portis can't play then we're going to need another back in here and a 3rd round draft pick is ok

So why didn't the other 31 teams trade for him? Yea, i know CP was a little banged up. Did we not know that Betts can play and Rock is a pretty serviceable back up? A 3rd rounder for "insurance." Not very smart imo.

I just think our philosophy has to change a little. If one guys goes down we should have enough depth to at least get by. We didn't get by, we're 4-9 no where near .500 in a WEAK nfc.

I do think the FO is going to tweak some things though. Vinny has recently been on the radio and actually said they've made some mistakes (he mentioned not keeping their own-resigning there own---Pierce) as being one of them. So the FO is not dumb, and they will get it straight (i think and hope).

For the amount of time and carries Duckett has had, Rock Cartwright would have been just fine.

Certainly we needed help at wide receiver, but not to the extent that was addressed -- spending two draft picks, both with $10 million signing bonuses. Again, in the rare instances we're in 3 or 4 wideout formations, Thrash and Patten would have been fine. Maybe even a practice squad guy could have gotten some time.

If nothing else, it's an example of a hideous misallocation of available resources. And if injuries are as big a reason to the season's downfall as many have said, then it only serves to further illustrate the need for a change at player-personnel.

Can't agree more. Why do that to a guy like Rock who is more than serviceable.

Moss, LLoyd, ARE, Thrash, Patten 5 starters??? 4 making starters $? That was my concern and others concerns when they signed. How can we keep them all?

I honestly don't think we knew what we had in Betts... plus when you factor in his history of injuries and that's why we went after insurance in Duckett.

I honestly don't think we knew what we had in Betts... plus when you factor in his history of injuries and that's why we went after insurance in Duckett.

Oh come on. With the way Al Sauners was going ga-ga over Ladell Betts before the season began? Even with their apprehension with Betts' history of injury, we still had Cartwright.

It was a blunder plain and simple. One of many, I might add.

Oh come on. With the way Al Sauners was going ga-ga over Ladell Betts before the season began? Even with their apprehension with Betts' history of injury, we still had Cartwright.

It was a blunder plain and simple. One of many, I might add.


The only part that is a blunder, in my opinion, was giving a pick to get him. Without question, they needed another back besides Betts and Cartwright after Portis went down, but giving up a third round pick for Duckett was pretty stupid.

The only part that is a blunder, in my opinion, was giving a pick to get him. Without question, they needed another back besides Betts and Cartwright after Portis went down, but giving up a third round pick for Duckett was pretty stupid.


I don't know -- Cartwright had 27 carries last year for 199 yards in the 3rd spot behind Portis and Betts. This year Duckett has 30 for 118. Not that big a difference.

With as much as he busts his tail for special teams, you'd think the coaches have the confidence in Rock to be the third back. I don't want him for long stretches mind you, but a player on T.J. Duckett's level meant that a draft choice had to be in the offering to get him.

I think we'd have been fine with Cartwright.

And that's what I think has been one of the factors to the team's demise this year: Overkill with personnel on offense, while neglecting the obvious age of the defensive line.

I don't know -- Cartwright had 27 carries last year for 199 yards in the 3rd spot behind Portis and Betts. This year Duckett has 30 for 118. Not that big a difference.

With as much as he busts his tail for special teams, you'd think the coaches have the confidence in Rock to be the third back. I don't want him for long stretches mind you, but a player on T.J. Duckett's level meant that a draft choice had to be in the offering to get him.

I think we'd have been fine with Cartwright.

And that's what I think has been one of the factors to the team's demise this year: Overkill with personnel on offense, while neglecting the obvious age of the defensive line.

Beemnseven - I thought the Redskins were one of the oldest teams in the NFL overall as well - not just on the defensive side of the ball - correct?

Beemnseven - I thought the Redskins were one of the oldest teams in the NFL overall as well - not just on the defensive side of the ball - correct?

Well, at the offensive line, Jansen and Thomas are the oldest, each with 8 seasons in the league. Behind them is Chris Samuels, with 7 seasons, Rabach has 5, and Dockery has 4. Not the oldest, but sometimes offensive linemen get into their best grooves later on. The biggest advantage we have is their time together. In 2007, that'll be 3 years playing together for all five of them, and 5 years for everyone except Rabach. That's fantastic continuity in this day and age.

Moss, Randle El, and Lloyd have 6, 5, and 4 seasons in the league respectively. Again, not the oldest tandem there is, in fact their experience is just where you'd like it.

Portis is young, but he's got lots of mileage; Betts was drafted the same year, (2002), and Jason Campbell is a youngster. Factor in Cooley, and this offense is young and vibrant at the skill positions -- with just the right level of maturity along the O-line.

Question is, will they gel to form a potent attack? I think so. It's all on Campbell and his chemistry with the receivers he's got.