A lot of Questions Concerning 2008 Defense

GW: Will he stay, or will he become a HC somewhere else?
Rocky McIntosh: Will he even play next season, if not who replaces him?
Carlos Rogers: See Rocky McIntosh.
Shawn Springs: Will he be back next season?
Reed Doughty: Is he really starting material?
Marcus Washington: Some people seem to think he will not be back next year, if not who replaces him?
Cornelius Griffin: See Marcus Washington.
Kedric Golston: See Reed Doughty.
Phillip Daniels: Does he start again, or do we find someone to replace him?
Randall Godfrey: See Shawn Springs.
Depth: Do we really have quality depth?

What do you guys think?

Well, obviously we have to focus on defense because it's what been carrying Redskins through out the season.. However I think some of those names would be fine such as Shawn Springs, Marcus Washington, Kedric Golston, and Reed Doughty..

Yes, Springs and Washington are old and are well known for injuries.. But it does not stop them from being our key defenders.. I truly do believe Springs will be back and I am certain Washington will still be with us.. But the question remains for Griffin, as much I love this guy.. I hope we will keep him for next season (if we do, next season will be his last), but Redskins surprised us with releasing Salave'a.. So it is possible..

I'm kind of surprised with some people regarding Kedric, he has been pretty good for us this year.. Just like last year, only little better.. I have noticed when Anthony and Kedric plays together, they tend to clog interior up.. I think we should try and discover another gem DT later in 5th or 6th rd.. Or even 7th..

Reed Doughty: I have to admit I am absolutely impressed with him.. He was left with a HUGE, a REALLY HUGE shoes to fill in.. Granted he did not do things what Sean did (in fact there are nobody who can do things like Sean could) but he did not blew the games for us except perhaps 1st game against Cowboys.. He stayed within his limits and he pretty much did good as SS.. He even shut down Shaun Alexander, Witten, and few others.. I do not think we should draft another safety this year, we should wait until next year..

As for LB positions, I think this is the position we should be concerned about most.. There re pretty high chances of Rocky not playing next year, we probably should bring in a vet or maybe draft a lb in 2nd rd or 3rd (I prefer this choice).. So that way we can groom him for all LB positions, and then he can fill in Washington's position once either we release him or he leaves..

GW: Will he stay, or will he become a HC somewhere else?
Rocky McIntosh: Will he even play next season, if not who replaces him?
Carlos Rogers: See Rocky McIntosh.
Shawn Springs: Will he be back next season?
Reed Doughty: Is he really starting material?
Marcus Washington: Some people seem to think he will not be back next year, if not who replaces him?
Cornelius Griffin: See Marcus Washington.
Kedric Golston: See Reed Doughty.
Phillip Daniels: Does he start again, or do we find someone to replace him?
Randall Godfrey: See Shawn Springs.
Depth: Do we really have quality depth?

What do you guys think?

Good thread.

GW- He'll absolutely be back. I think he and a lot of the players and coaches feel a renewed togetherness and sense of responsibility to the Redskins in light of Taylor's death and the late season run. Plus he has a 7-figure buyout if he doesn't succeed Gibbs.

Rocky- I highly doubt he'll play next year. His knee injury was very severe and came late enough in the year to put 2008 in serious doubt. I'd like to see a list of other FA LBs. I wonder if we could find a way to afford Briggs...

Carlos- He had multiple ligament tears. Speed and cutting is so vital to success as a corner. I worry about his effectiveness next season. Plus Springs is aging and injury prone. I wouldn't be surprised if we sign a FA corner with starting potential. Leigh Torrence played better every week as a rookie, so I'd like to see him step up. I also wouldn't be surprised if we drafted a corner.

Springs- If Carlos hadn't gotten hurt, I would say Springs leaving would be a no-brainer. Now I'm not sure. He wasn't willing to restructure last year. Hopefully he will this offseason. I personally think if he stays healthy he has another very good year left in him.

Doughty- After his jitters in the Dallas game, he has really settled down and played good football. I think he can be a good safety. This was only his second season, and he's getting better. Why not stick with him?

Marcus- I'm kind of up in the air on this one. Kind of like my Springs response- if Rocky hadn't gotten hurt it would be easier to see him go. Maybe he'll restructure too. He's certainly pretty damn good, but also has been an injury concern at times.

Cornelius Griffin- He could be this year's Joe Salave'a. You gotta think we're going to go after some more D-lineman in either/or the draft and free agency. He's frequently injured and also aging.

Phillip Daniels- I love this guy. But he's aging too. He is very durable and a good leader. I say we continue to rotate him with Chris Wilson, who I want to see us continue to develop into an Osi Umenyiora-like DE...

Kedric Golston- young and strong, he'll stick around and continue to be an important part of our D-line rotation.

Randall Godfrey- Gregg Williams had to talk him out of retirement this year. I doubt he comes back again. If he doesn't you'll see more of HB Blades, which is fine with me.

Depth- We need more at LB, and I'd like to see us add an elite interior D-lineman to help take some run-stop pressure off of the lineman.

GW: Will he stay, or will he become a HC somewhere else?
Rocky McIntosh: Will he even play next season, if not who replaces him?
Carlos Rogers: See Rocky McIntosh.
Shawn Springs: Will he be back next season?
Reed Doughty: Is he really starting material?
Marcus Washington: Some people seem to think he will not be back next year, if not who replaces him?
Cornelius Griffin: See Marcus Washington.
Kedric Golston: See Reed Doughty.
Phillip Daniels: Does he start again, or do we find someone to replace him?
Randall Godfrey: See Shawn Springs.
Depth: Do we really have quality depth?

What do you guys think?

I'm hoping GW will be back. I'm a big fan of continuity, and Gregg Williams has done a great job regrouping the defense this year.

As far as Carlos Rogers and Rocky McIntoch are concerned, that is a huge question mark. Rogers will probably be back before Rocky will, but I will be stunned if he has anything close to a pro bowl season.

I think we keep Marcus Washington, but I'm not sure about Griffin. Both Griffin and Daniels are getting up there, I'd love to see a much younger starting DL. Goldston and Godfrey should definitely be back.....along with Montgomery.

In regards to Shawn Springs, I really hope he comes back. He played pretty well down the stretch, and with Carlos not being 100% next season (as much of us will probably expect,) we need all the help we can get in the secondary.

Oh, Reed Doughty. I think he's played pretty solid. Everybody is going to pale in comparison to Sean Taylor. Yes, Taylor was THAT good! I think he's starting material, but not superstar material.

Overall, with all these questions on the D I would normally be worried about them next season, except for the fact that despite the loss of Rocky, Rogers, and Taylor the D played some of the best football in the last five games of the season. Also, we have a LOT of young talent; including some serious sleepers. My feeling is that if we draft well and pickup some more young depth, that this unit will remain in the top ten net season, and in seasons to come will get even better. With that said:

Rocky- wouldnt expect to see him at all next season, and would like to see us find a gem similar to Blades late in the draft or undrafted to provide some depth, that in the next couple of years might develop into a starter next to Rocky.

Rogers- He'll be back, but he wont be the same player he was this season until half way through the season. With that said, I think Springs and Smoot will be able to hold it down until he gets back into the swing of things, and maybe Torrence will step up to help carry the load until then. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing some cheap young talent to develope.

Springs- He'll be back I think, I hope he'll restructure. If he doesn't we definitely need to pick someone up via FA or early in the draft.

Doughty- Solid starter, he probably won't be a huge play maker, but wont be a liability either. Still, Id like to see some experienced depth for security. Landry is good enough I think that we don't need another star back there, but the thought of what could have been are certainly devastating.

Washington- I think he should be back, I dont know why he is a question, but if it is plausible I think it is necessary to have him back next year.

Griffin- I say he is gone, We have some good young DT's, and I would rather see us pickup a younger cheaper alternative as a backup.

Golston- Didn't hear much about him this season, last year I was more impressed with him then Montgomery, this year Montgomery obviously became the better player. I think that Golston could be our starter next year, especially if Griffin goes.

Daniels- I think this is the most important part of this equation. Daniels must go is my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the guy has made some great plays for us, especially against the run on the outside. But it is time we got a young, elite pass rusher to compliment my man Andre Carter. I say this should be where we spend our first round pick. I don't know who'll be available, but if it is plausible this is IMO the most glaring need on this unit.

Godfrey- I say he wont be back, and I would prefer that. He was servicable as a backup, but Id rather see us grooming some younger guys, he gives us nothing in terms of the future.

Overall, not much should be changed, IMO, I just would like to see some of our older guys replaced with some younger depth.

very good thread.

daniels needs to be replaced, but a draft pick won't unseat him in the first year, and i'm not sure about the FA class, but last i checked it seemed thin on young DEs (and there weren't many franchise QBs out there either... go figure)

griffin and washington should both be back. griffin is much closer to being cut than marcus though (more injuries, better depth there). both are worth keeping if possible.

godfrey should be back. good cheap depth, no reason not to, unless he retires.

rocky is gone for 2008 for sure, possibly part of 2009. rogers won't be 100% till at least week 9 of the regular season. smoot and springs (who i would keep for sure) can hold it down, but you need insurance against springs many injury problems for at least 8 weeks next year.

doughty is better as a good backup, as a starter he's low end, but they're using his strengths and he's solid for his talent level.

golston can be a #2 DT right now... not sure how he'd do without griffin though.

GW should stay, but i don't know how much money might be thrown at him and how sweet danny's under the table deal with him here is.

depth needs work at LB, DL. on offense, YOUNG OL depth, and a stud WR (CJ type talent) are by far the biggest needs.