What are our needs now?

Skins need a starting guard AND at least one competent back-up offensive lineman who can play virtually any position on the line. There are two needs here.

Skins need at least one new DT. He can be a run-stuffer (in the mold of Sam Adams) or he can be a guy who will reliably collapse the pocket from the inside on pass plays. At the moment, the Skins have a bunch of DTs on the squad who do not do either of these things reliably. There's one more need - - and truth be told, it's probably two more needs.

Skins need an upgrade at DE. This is one more need - and I'd make it the least important thing on the list.

Skins coaching staff needs to decide if Rocky can actually play OLB for 50% of the defensive snaps this year. If he can do that without embarrassing himself, fine; if not, they need another OLB. I know that Marshall will move back outside this year, but you cannot go into a season with only 3 solid linebackers. I'll agree for the moment - until he shows me otherwise - that Rocky can play most of the time without soiling himself in public. This is a need that might show up later, but for the moment we can ignore it.

Skins need a safety who can cover pass receivers. They don't have one; that's why they led the league in giving up big plays to opposing offenses. This is another area of need that has to be fixed.

Skins coaches need to determine if this corps of wide receivers is sufficient. Did they all have down years at the same time last season or do two of them just stink? They need more production from the WR spot and the coaches demned well better realize that and figure out who the people are to produce that added production.

In summary:

Very Important Needs:

Starting Guard
Back-up OL
One Defesnive Tackle
Safety Who Can Cover


Important Needs:

Second DT
Upgrade DE


Areas of Concern/Question Marks:

WR corps
OLB

what about a blocking TE?
are we set with Suisham (sp?)?
are Springs, Smoot, Rogers, and Ade our only cornerbacks? are we okay with that?

I have seen Justin Blaylock play college ball for the past few years here in Austin, TX. The guy is an excellent OL and would fit in nicely with our scheme. I like the idea of trading down with the Texans and/or someone to pick up another Day 1 pick if we can get the DL/OL guys we want. If not, then we need to bite the bullet and take a DL with that #6 pick.

I agree we desperately need a starting OG but we don't needs a backup OL over a starting DE. Our biggest problem last year on defense was that we weren't getting after any QB we faced (til the end of the season). A stellar pass rush makes a shaky secondary look above average, but the opposite is not true. Therefore, we can pass on Landry and look to trade the #6 pick. If we can't get a suitable trade then I fully expect us to go for a DL with that pick.

I think a blocking tight end is pretty easy to find. I would not obsess on signing an expensive free agent to do that.

Kickers are also players who can be had for reasonable prices on short order - assuming that the coaches and scouts have a good eye for ability among the guys who are "unencumbered" at the moment. I would not waste time and effort on a kicker now.

Assuming that Springs stays here and none of the top 3 CBs breaks a leg in training camp, I think they are fine at CB - - given the problems elsewhere.

The reason I suggest the Skins need a back-up on the OL is pure statistics. The Skins basically had no injuries on the OL last year that cost the team a series of games without a starter. Having that happen two years in a row is not all that probable. So, a competent back-up may be a very important link in the chain...

we had ray brown, then todd wade. hopefully we can find another late hire to do that depth job for us this year.

I think that our needs right now, i.e. this offseason are simple: DE. We have addressed MLB and CB and i beleive our offence is going to explode next year, even without Doc.

Our need on the D-Line is obvious and our depth at DE is alot worse than our DT's. With Griff-Golston-Mont-and Big Joe (Hopefully all healthy) I think we are set at DT for next year. Carter showed great imporvement through his first year back at DE so i think he's set on one side of the line, however the other side is a serious concern. Daniels and Wynn are both well past their best, and IMO are taking up too much cap space for what they contribute, neither rushed the passer or stopped the run last season. Cases have been made for both another pass rush 'specialist' and a 'run stopper' and which one we end up going for only time will tell, but i think it will depend on how good our staff think Golston and co will be next year.

We won't be able to find a DE good enough in FA given cap problems and crazy contracts!

So given that this is the last year that we will have such a high pick for a while (FINGERS CROSSED) i think we should use it and get a franchise DE.

The reason I suggest the Skins need a back-up on the OL is pure statistics. The Skins basically had no injuries on the OL last year that cost the team a series of games without a starter. Having that happen two years in a row is not all that probable. So, a competent back-up may be a very important link in the chain...Wonderful application of the law of averages. I was pondering this to myself recently. The 5 starting Redskin lineman all started 16 games except Jansen who started 15. This was very, very fortunate. Almost certainly next year injuries to the offensive line are going to be a factor.

This means we shouldn't be spending massive amounts on a OG when the important thing is to get considerable depth around the entire line.