Editorial: Why the Redskins aren't an Elite Team

This is the easiest question ever:

Becaues we can't protect the passer and therefore can't throw downfield and we can't generate a passrush either from our front four or from blitzing, thus allowing other teams to stay on the field as long as they need to put up points.

When are we going to stop acting like our Super Bowl teams of the 80s and early 90s was built on spending high draft picks on linemen (offensive and defensive). It wasn't. It was on developing consistency and unity over several years (which was significantly easier to do in those days). But the core players in the trenches did not primarily consist of high draft picks by the Redskins

Dexter Manley (5th round)
Charles Mann (3rd round)
Dave Butz (1st round-Cardinals; joined Redskins in 2nd season)
Darryl Grant (9th round)
Marcus Koch (2nd round)
Jumpy Geathers (2nd round-Saints; joined Redskins in 7th season)
Tim Johnsons (6th round-Steelers; joined Redskins in 4th season)
Fred Stokes (12th round-Rams; Joined Redskins in 3rd season)
Bobby Wilson (1st round; bust for all intents and purposes)

Russ Grimm (3rd round)
Mark May (1st round)
George Starke (11th round)
Jeff Bostic (undrafted)
Joe Jacoby (undrafted)
Jim Lachey (1st round-Chargers; joined Redskins in 5th season)
Raleigh McKenzie (11th round)
R.C. Thielemann (2nd round-Falcons; joined Redskins in 8th season)
Mark Schlereth (10th round)
Ed Simmons (6th round)

I have to say this is pretty good analysis. Still, what this tells me then is that the Redskins used to have better scouting than they do today because they were able to find talented players in the mid and late rounds of the draft...

I have to say this is pretty good analysis. Still, what this tells me then is that the Redskins used to have better scouting than they do today because they were able to find talented players in the mid and late rounds of the draft...SS also argues frequently that it's not like we don't have any talent on the defensive lines. Anthony Montgomery is like having a young Kris Jenkins (playing out of scheme and everything!), Kedric Golston is like having a young Corneilius Griffin, Corneilius Griffin is like having an old (and still largely effective) Corneilius Griffin. Andre Carter would start at DE for every team in the NFL. Demetric Evans would for most. A healthy Jason Taylor -- as bad as he is against the run -- would still start for most teams at DE. Even though a lot of our talent on the DL is aging, it's certainly there.

A line of Griffin/Alexander, Montgomery, Evans, and Jason Taylor isn't going to defend the run for long, so we've got to get Golston and Carter healthy fast.

To a man, it is not an unimpressive group. However, we basically cannot bring the heat to the opposing Qb

I disagree with the assessment that teams are just more talented than us. I like to argue that the "elite" teams have brought into the coaches systems more. Look at the Giants, Patriots, Colts, and Steelers all have tenured coaches with players that have brought into the coaches schemes. we will get better if we continue this aproach of keeping players and coaches

SS also argues frequently that it's not like we don't have any talent on the defensive lines. Anthony Montgomery is like having a young Kris Jenkins (playing out of scheme and everything!), Kedric Golston is like having a young Corneilius Griffin, Corneilius Griffin is like having an old (and still largely effective) Corneilius Griffin. Andre Carter would start at DE for every team in the NFL. Demetric Evans would for most. A healthy Jason Taylor -- as bad as he is against the run -- would still start for most teams at DE. Even though a lot of our talent on the DL is aging, it's certainly there.

A line of Griffin/Alexander, Montgomery, Evans, and Jason Taylor isn't going to defend the run for long, so we've got to get Golston and Carter healthy fast.

I agree. I think we do have some talented players on the defensive line however I don't think we have one player who is really a flat out beast like a Tuck at DE or a guy like Rogers in the middle.

Drafting for the OL or DL is unglamorous; yet essential to the long-term success of the team.

The Redskins have had a long-term aversion of over 10 years to using premium draft picks for the trenches - as stated so well in this editorial. Our team's overall record over these years has reflected that neglect.

A good OL makes every QB and RB look better. A good DL makes every DB and turnover % look better.

I hope that Vinny/Zorn will bite the bullet this off season and draft for the trenches. We won't regret it, although the payoff doesn't happen overnight. Some modest FA acquisitions in both areas will also add to this philosophy change.

Drafting for the OL or DL is unglamorous; yet essential to the long-term success of the team.

The Redskins have had a long-term aversion of over 10 years to using premium draft picks for the trenches - as stated so well in this editorial. Our team's overall record over these years has reflected that neglect.

A good OL makes every QB and RB look better. A good DL makes every DB and turnover % look better.

I hope that Vinny/Zorn will bite the bullet this off season and draft for the trenches. We won't regret it, although the payoff doesn't happen overnight. Some modest FA acquisitions in both areas will also add to this philosophy change.

I don't think we really have a choice at this point. I think we have to draft HEAVY in the trenches, particularly on offense.

I don't think we really have a choice at this point. I think we have to draft HEAVY in the trenches, particularly on offense.

You, I, Matt, Pennskinfan, Spence and most every other internet rat may believe that to the core. However, the real people who have to make that paradigm shift is Vinny and Zorn. It's very easy to go for the flash positions - as we have for a decade.

It's a lot harder to draft a 330 lb 2-gap DT in your #1 draft pick in 2009......

You, I, Matt, Pennskinfan, Spence and most every other internet rat may believe that to the core. However, the real people who have to make that paradigm shift is Vinny and Zorn. It's very easy to go for the flash positions - as we have for a decade.

It's a lot harder to draft a 330 lb 2-gap DT in your #1 draft pick in 2009......And we will get an eyeful of just such a player Sunday night versus Baltimore. If Haloti Ngata isn't the best D-tackle in only his 2nd season in the league, he will be shortly. The guy will probably add a year or two to Ray Lewis's career.