How do you feel about Shawn Springs?

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I agree with just about everything said in the first post. Another thing that isn't really mentioned much is that people are trying to imply he's upstaging the new coach, but I think people forget Springs and Zorn were together in Seattle. Albeit on different sides of the ball, but they do have a history together and know each other and their habits quite well.

I wish SS was here but as long as he is ready to play come September I'm not worried

Everyone is giving SS the benefit of the doubt, as it pertains to him not showing up in OTAs. I think its a load of crap that he is not showing up, i cant recall one season where the guy stayed healthy the whole season, so what really is the benefit of him training in Arizona? Maybe he would be better suited training at the redskins facility with the skins strength and conditioning coaches.

Hes a 12 yr veteran he did it last year and he played well down the strecth for us.

ITS NOT A BIG DEAL

In ideal circumstances, SS would be a nickel back & finish his career as such. Due to injuries & that Rogers wasn't there yet while healthy (though he made progress) he's our best cb. Of course he can't stay w/the best recievers 1 on 1 all game, but he played well in the cover 2 & at the end of the year he played really well man to man until the seattle game.

I think if the skins could get one more CB, they could place SS at free safety, LL at strong, that way he would be around a couple of years longer than he would be at CB. That would be a huge asset to the development of the young DBs on the roster.

How do I feel about Shawn Springs? Pretty good. According to KC Joyner the football scientist the Redskins had the second lowest YPA against their starting corners last year, in this case Smoot/Springs, who according to the article only allowed 5.9 Yards Per Attempt.

Ironically our good friends over in Denver (Bailey/Bly) had the 8th highest yards per attempt at 8.4 YPA. In fact read for yourselves

The worst


Champ Bailey (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4655)/Dre' Bly (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4690): The buzz going into the 2007 season was that Bailey and Bly might be the best starting battery around, but it didn't turn out anywhere near that way. A lot of this poor performance was on Bly's shoulders, as evidenced by his 8.8 YPA, but Bailey has to take some of blame as well. His 7.8 YPA was his worst since 2005. Both will have to improve if Denver's defense is going to see a turnaround in 2008.

I think Springs is a good mentor to the youth we have in the secondary.

If Springs was a good mentor for the "youth", he'd be at OTA's helping the new DB's, not training alone in Arizona. Yea he's a good corner, but he's not what i would call a mentor.

"Springs is still regarded as the team's top corner, and his ability to play the nickel position in their sub-package makes him critical member of their defense. However, opponents have noticed that the former Pro Bowler's skills have started to slip and few regard him as a top corner in the league."

Writing was on wall for Henry - Bucky Brooks - SI.com (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/bucky_brooks/06/06/buzz/index.html?eref=T1)

IMO Brooks is taking the worst observations of Springs and trying to make them the status quo. While Springs was a step slower last year I thought his skill level looked at or near its peak. Also, I think Brooks is way off in assuming Springs is disgruntled. He spent last year in AZ getting into tip-top shape and it showed last season as he stayed healthy. Who's to say he isn't taking the same approach this year? Also, w/ the tragic circumstances surrounding his father it wouldn't surprise me if Springs is spending as much time w/ his family as he can.

I'm still a Springs fan (obvious, isn't it) and I think we're a better defense when he is on the field. Though his presence during the off-season would be good for the rooks especially I think it makes little difference for Shawn. We've heard Blache say again and again the defense will be simpler, and Shawn flourished even in Williams' complex schemes.

Thoughts?

yes springs is our best corner, yes injuries and age have probaly slowed him but we all know this but i think the writer makes a valid observation: springs is unhappy or distancing himself from the organization. some of you might think "if he shows up sunday and plays well thats all you can ask of him" but i dont think he has even come close to taking his job on this team seriously. we need guys, especially high paid vets, to be 100% on board and setting an example for others to follow. even though he grew up in md and said all these nice things when he first came here he is not a true skin or leader. i dont think you consistently win in the nfl when your leaders arent fully committed to the team. that being said, i am sure his fathers health has rightfully distracted him and put this game in proper perspective as to what really matters in life.

i also think moss isnt fully committed ever since that memorable cowboys game where portis said he saw moss sulking on the bench before the big comeback and asked him whats wrong. moss complained that they (gibbs) wasnt running the plays they practiced all week. if a player doesnt believe his coach is giving them the best chance to win he might just go on autopilot, going thru the motions. we won that game on brunnel and moss' shoulders but i dont think 2 catches changed his perception or attitude. maybe with gibbs gone moss might develop confidence in zorn and the teams chances of success.

there seems to be a different way fletcher, sellers, the o line and cooley approach the game versus moss and springs. moss and springs are great players but i dont think we will ever really win when some of our top players at important positions dont give it their all mentally and physically.

i like springs and moss and they produce for us but i think they also hold us back by holding top spots on our team but not giving us their all when their spots could be held by similarly talented and committed players.

rant over. go skins!