How the Skins are Built

I've pointed out previously that the Skins of Gibbs' first tenure were built from the inside - out, placing a greater emphasis on building up the O and D lines before anything else. Bobby Beathard acquired Mark May, Jeff Bostic, Joe Jacoby, and Russ Grimm. On Defense, he added Darryl Grant, Dexter Manley, and Charles Mann during that same timeframe.

In Gibbs' second tenure, greater emphasis has been placed on building from the outside - in, focusing on skill positions on offense, and the back 7 on defense.

After seeing how high NE has set the bar, the Skins cannot hope to compete until they get better in the trenches. I know we have injuries on the O-Line, but we aren't exactly fielding any high quality youth in that unit. Here's hoping that Gibbs focuses on the O and D lines in the next few drafts.

I agree. This is what 2-4th round picks can do for you - if you can manage to keep them. I think we need to stop forking over $10 million signing bonuses to wide recievers - we got 3 of them who have $30 million and yet we are having serious trouble finding the end zone - let alone making first downs.

What sucks is in the past drafts we missed badly with the Offensive lineman we took - i.e. Jim Molinaro never materialized. The only decscent offensive lineman we have drafted in the past 5 years has been Dockery and unfortunatley Buffalo gave him that insane contract that we couldn't realistic match without straining our cap.

All 5 of our offensive lineman are getting up there in years and if we don't don't start drafting in this area it doesn't matter who you put back there at qb - he will not have enought time to pick himself off the ground and the running backs will have a tough time getting through the line to pile up yards.

Yes it has been admirable that Gibbs and company got some players after the unfortunate events of Jansen and Thomas - but I think at this point the inner workings at Redskin Park must come to the consensus that we need to get younger on the offensive line. Forget about signing a high priced free agent lineman in the offseason - draft a couple of lineman including a guard and tackle and one of them hopefully will pan out - at least make an effort to build - but lets not take a fullback, tight end, linebacker or safety for goodness sake.

I think it's hard to argue with the success our offensive line has had when intact. The fact is that we have sustained devastating injuries this year that any team would have trouble overcoming. That being said, when you suffer injuries at the level that we have so far you begin to see the consequences of mortgaging all those 3rd and 4th round picks.

Defensively I think we have done just fine up front this year. Don't see any problem there. The front four wasn't the reason we got blown out.

But I actually think that one of our biggest problems continues to be a lack of production from the offensive skill positions, particularly WR. Going into next year I believe that's the single most imperative position to upgrade.

I think it's hard to argue with the success our offensive line has had when intact. The fact is that we have sustained devastating injuries this year that any team would have trouble overcoming. That being said, when you suffer injuries at the level that we have so far you begin to see the consequences of mortgaging all those 3rd and 4th round picks.

Defensively I think we have done just fine up front this year. Don't see any problem there. The front four wasn't the reason we got blown out.

But I actually think that one of our biggest problems continues to be a lack of production from the offensive skill positions, particularly WR. Going into next year I believe that's the single most imperative position to upgrade.

I am not sure about that, I think our D-line especially DE is imperative position to upgrade. As it is obviously in several games, we simply cannot depend on Carter to apply pressures as he constantly gets doubled up or manhandled. Once we are able to pressure from both sides, turnovers will flow to us like if it's waterfall.

And we need to draft a guard for our O-line, as if I recall right, we signed Kendall to 2 years contract and he's kinda old.. I don't want us to sign a expensive free agent guard when we need a guard.

I am not sure about that, I think our D-line especially DE is imperative position to upgrade. As it is obviously in several games, we simply cannot depend on Carter to apply pressures as he constantly gets doubled up or manhandled. Once we are able to pressure from both sides, turnovers will flow to us like if it's waterfall.

And we need to draft a guard for our O-line, as if I recall right, we signed Kendall to 2 years contract and he's kinda old.. I don't want us to sign a expensive free agent guard when we need a guard.

Well I think it will come down to what talent is available. Sure we have a need at guard and haven't drafted a dlineman with an early pick in years, so if there are solid players sitting there at those positions we will certainly spring.

But when your most consistent and explosive receiver is a hybrid punt returner option quarterback you are not giving your young QB enough to work with (nothing against ARE who I love, but no one else is really stepping up besides him).

Lloyd is gone after this year. And while I love Moss, I am starting to wonder if he will ever be an impact player again. Doesn't that Dallas game seem like a lot longer than 2 years ago?

I agree, take a look at the titans.

my brother is a titans fan and he said that they have a solid OL and now their DL is starting to dominate even though vince young is ordinary this week and their running backs is average they can still tun the ball and win a close game