ESPN: Redskins on the clock

On the Clock: Washington Redskins - NFC East - ESPN (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfceast/0-9-15/On-the-Clock--Washington-Redskins.html)
April 3, 2009 9:30 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Teams needs: Defensive end, offensive tackle, linebacker, guard

Dream scenario: The Redskins were ready to mortgage their 2009 and 2010 drafts in order to land Jay Cutler (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9597). But it wasn't enough. Now, they'll stay at No. 13 overall and try to find more help on defense. Tennessee defensive end Robert Ayers (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24762) is a player the Redskins have fallen in love with since he had a breakout performance during Senior Bowl week. He has a little baggage (a 2005 arrest), but he's coming off an excellent 2008 season in which he made 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage and took over several games. The Redskins desperately need help at left end, and Ayers would be a Day 1 starter. Phillip Daniels (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1033) and Renaldo Wynn (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=1206) are serviceable, but at this point in their careers you don't want to lean on them heavily. There's also a chance that Vinny Cerrato tries to trade out of that 13th pick and make a run at Ayers or even offensive tackle Michael Oher (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23889). The Redskins don't have much ammunition in the draft (five picks), so a trade could put them in a better situation. Actually, the dream scenario is Brian Orakpo (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24064) slipping to 13, but that's a stretch. There's some thought that the Raiders might take him at No. 7. Also keep your eye on LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24607)

Rest of Article available in link.

Ayers seems like a smokescreen, to an extent at least. Not that I don't want him, but I doubt we'd take him if say, Clay Matthews was on the board.

GT you've said in the past LDE is maybe the easiest position in Blache's system...well, is it really worth the 13th overall pick then? I tend to think LDE isn't even in our top 3 needs (putting LB, RT, and C ahead of LDE). Anyway, i just don't get the idea of drafting Ayers at 13. Second, why the hell are we higher on Cushing than Rey? Can someone explain that...

I would prefer an offensive tackle in oher or andre smith, but Robert Ayers is worthy of the 13th pick. He's not that fast in rushing the passer, but he gets good penetration. He seems strong enough to anchor the left d-end spot. The only question with him is that he is a late bloomer; 2008 being his lone standout year.

GT you've said in the past LDE is maybe the easiest position in Blache's system...well, is it really worth the 13th overall pick then? I tend to think LDE isn't even in our top 3 needs (putting LB, RT, and C ahead of LDE). Anyway, i just don't get the idea of drafting Ayers at 13. Second, why the hell are we higher on Cushing than Rey? Can someone explain that...

Goat, perhaps one explanation for the Cushing thing is the thought that he would be better on the outside rather than in the middle. Another explanation is that when writers say, "Team X is high on Joe Blow" this team of year, they are often dead wrong. Maybe you can think of more reasons.

As for drafting Ayers at pick #13, the article is talking about trading down and then taking Ayers later.

Personally I would be all for this. I think Ayers would be a great fit in Blache's system. LDE may be the easiest position in Blache's system, but it also is a lynchpin position - the system presumes that the LDE will take care of his business well. If the LDE can exceed expectations, and Ayers might, the whole D gets better. And if the Skins get a good late 1st/2nd round RT or C out of the deal, that would be a fabulous beginning to the draft.

GT you've said in the past LDE is maybe the easiest position in Blache's system...well, is it really worth the 13th overall pick then? I tend to think LDE isn't even in our top 3 needs (putting LB, RT, and C ahead of LDE). Anyway, i just don't get the idea of drafting Ayers at 13. Second, why the hell are we higher on Cushing than Rey? Can someone explain that...Rey's skill set doesn't impress me all that much, since I'm more convinced now than ever before that you have to keep him inside and protect him to get a productive player. That's an eventual need for us, but he doesn't help us next year.

Cushing doesn't make a lot of sense either, though he gives us a lot more flexibility with future plans than Rey does.

As far as LDE goes, I wouldn't touch a player who I thought couldn't play elsewhere in this defense as a rookie. It's an eventual need for us, not an immediate one.

Goat, perhaps one explanation for the Cushing thing is the thought that he would be better on the outside rather than in the middle. Another explanation is that when writers say, "Team X is high on Joe Blow" this team of year, they are often dead wrong. Maybe you can think of more reasons.

As for drafting Ayers at pick #13, the article is talking about trading down and then taking Ayers later.

Personally I would be all for this. I think Ayers would be a great fit in Blache's system. LDE may be the easiest position in Blache's system, but it also is a lynchpin position - the system presumes that the LDE will take care of his business well. If the LDE can exceed expectations, and Ayers might, the whole D gets better. And if the Skins get a good late 1st/2nd round RT or C out of the deal, that would be a fabulous beginning to the draft.

Even though I think if oher or andre smith were on the board, you have to take them here, but I agree that LDE is important in Blache's system. He seems stout against the run and has the ability to put consistent pressure on the quarterback. Like I said before, though, is- he isn't blazingly fast. That sounds like a good fit at LDE for the redskins.

One other thing it would do is - take away some of the deficiencies left at strong-side linebacker.

It also looks like you could put Robert Ayers in at DT in obvious passing situations. He looks strong enough to man that spot.

The more I think about it, the more I like picking up Robert Ayers at this spot. And hopefully there's enough talent in the draft to pick up a decent RT in the 3rd round. The more I see of him - the more disruptive I can see him being in the NFL. Just imagine partnering up that disruptiveness with Haynesworth.

With Ayers's talent, the redskins' defense would be tough. Picture that front 4 with Ayers, Griffin, Haynesworth, and Carter. Regardless of the hole at slb, the redskins D would be dominant.

That would be my prediction anyway if Ayers was picked up at 13.

The more I think about it, the more I like picking up Robert Ayers at this spot. And hopefully there's enough talent in the draft to pick up a decent RT in the 3rd round. The more I see of him - the more disruptive I can see him being in the NFL. Just imagine partnering up that disruptiveness with Haynesworth.

With Ayers's talent, the redskins' defense would be tough. Picture that front 4 with Ayers, Griffin, Haynesworth, and Carter. Regardless of the hole at slb, the redskins D would be dominant.

That would be my prediction anyway if Ayers was picked up at 13.

There won't be a decent RT in the 3rd round. Well at least one that can contribute right away. Ayers would be a pretty safe pick but so would any of the big 4. Still it would be nice to see a lineman drafted early instead of a skilled guy.