Draft wrap-up 2013

Why did Thomas and Rambo fall so far?


I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder.


Player - Projected Round - Actual Round
Vaccaro - 1 ===> 1 (15)
Eric Reid - 1-2 ===> 1 (18)
Matt Elam - 1-2 ===> 1 (32)
Cyprien - 1-2 ===> 2 (33)
Swearninger - 2-3 ===> 2 (57)
TJ McDonald - 3-4 ===> 3 (71)
JJ Wilcox - 3 ===> 3 (80)
S.Williams - 3-4 ===> 3 (84)
D.Harmon NA ===> 3 (91)
D.Williams 5 ===> 4 (105)
S.Thomas 3-4 ===> 4 (111)
P. Thomas - 2-3 ===> 4 (119)
E.Wolff 6 ===> 5 (136)
J.Meeks ===> 5 (143)
C.Taylor 7 ===> 5 (152)
J.Evans 4 ===> 6 (169)
J.Slaughter ===> 6(175)
B.Rambo 3-4 ===> 6 (191)

It could very well come down to scheme fit in all honesty.

Why did Thomas and Rambo fall so far?


I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder.


Player - Projected Round - Actual Round
Vaccaro - 1 ===> 1 (15)
Eric Reid - 1-2 ===> 1 (18)
Matt Elam - 1-2 ===> 1 (32)
Cyprien - 1-2 ===> 2 (33)
Swearninger - 2-3 ===> 2 (57)
TJ McDonald - 3-4 ===> 3 (71)
JJ Wilcox - 3 ===> 3 (80)
S.Williams - 3-4 ===> 3 (84)
D.Harmon NA ===> 3 (91)
D.Williams 5 ===> 4 (105)
S.Thomas 3-4 ===> 4 (111)
P. Thomas - 2-3 ===> 4 (119)
E.Wolff 6 ===> 5 (136)
J.Meeks ===> 5 (143)
C.Taylor 7 ===> 5 (152)
J.Evans 4 ===> 6 (169)
J.Slaughter ===> 6(175)
B.Rambo 3-4 ===> 6 (191)



The teams that passed these guys up are going to be regretting it in the near future, we have our Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu playing safety for us for the foreseeable future.

Phillip Thomas headlines Fresno State defense; more mid-major college football news | Campus Union - SI.com (http://college-football.si.com/2012/10/31/fresno-state-phillip-thomas-profiles-in-profiteroles/)

“This 3-4 defense that we run, we learned it from Dick LeBeau and the Steelers, and Phillip’s our Troy Polamalu,” DeRuyter told SI.com. “Where you’ve gotta have a guy who’s gonna be a difference-maker, you can blitz him, you can have him in pass coverage, you can have him as a run-force player, he can play man coverage and he can disguise everything? That guy, for us, is Phillip.”

Phillip Thomas Says "I'm Going to be the Steal of the Draft" - HTTR4LIFE.com (http://httr4life.com/phillip-thomas-talks-to-media/)

Phillip Thomas is a life-long Redskins fan, when asked who his favorite player was he replied, “Sean Taylor.”

“To watch him play the game as aggressive as he was and as great a player as he was…” Thomas said. “He studied film and did everything he had to do and was a perfectionist at the game.”

Phillip Thomas, FS, Fresno State, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1692675/phillip-thomas)

Ultimate Phillip Thomas Highlights (NFL Draft 2013 - 119th Pick // Washington Redskins) - YouTube



Bulldogs' Bacarri Rambo welcomes comparison to his role model | jacksonville.com (http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/georgia-bulldogs/2012-11-08/story/bulldogs-bacarri-rambo-welcomes-comparison-his-role)

Bacarri Rambo has a knack for swarming to the ball.

So does his favorite player, Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed. Teammates and coaches have said that Rambo reminds them most of Reed when asked to compare the Georgia safety to an NFL player. And that’s without the eight-time Pro Bowler’s name even mentioned in the question.

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though. Rambo said that he’s followed Reed’s career since he was a child and tries to emulate the future Hall of Famer every Saturday.

“I watch his highlight film a lot to see how he does things,” Rambo said. “I feel like he’s more of a ball hawk and that’s what I try to suit myself as. If it comes down to making a big hit, he’s going to make the big hit. I try to do that, too, but now I’d rather just catch interceptions.”

http://fanspeak.com/nfldraft/2013/04/28/bacarri-rambo-senior-bowl-interview/

I used to look up to Sean Taylor. Rest in peace to a great man, he was a great player. I really respected him, and I looked up to him. But right now, I’d say Ed Reed. I just like his playing style. I just try to do certain things like him, like reading the quarterback and just playing certain types of coverages. And just having that knack for the ball.

Washington Redskins can afford gamble on Bacarri Rambo - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/washington-redskins-can-afford-gamble-on-bacarri-rambo/2013/05/05/d901afdc-b5cc-11e2-b94c-b684dda07add_story.html)

“I feel like I can get there [to the football] and create turnovers,” Rambo said after practice. “I want to be the greatest at my position.”

Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1632077/bacarri-rambo)

Ultimate Bacarri Rambo Highlights | HD - YouTube

Why did Thomas and Rambo fall so far?


I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder.


Player - Projected Round - Actual Round
Vaccaro - 1 ===> 1 (15)
Eric Reid - 1-2 ===> 1 (18)
Matt Elam - 1-2 ===> 1 (32)
Cyprien - 1-2 ===> 2 (33)
Swearninger - 2-3 ===> 2 (57)
TJ McDonald - 3-4 ===> 3 (71)
JJ Wilcox - 3 ===> 3 (80)
S.Williams - 3-4 ===> 3 (84)
D.Harmon NA ===> 3 (91)
D.Williams 5 ===> 4 (105)
S.Thomas 3-4 ===> 4 (111)
P. Thomas - 2-3 ===> 4 (119)
E.Wolff 6 ===> 5 (136)
J.Meeks ===> 5 (143)
C.Taylor 7 ===> 5 (152)
J.Evans 4 ===> 6 (169)
J.Slaughter ===> 6(175)
B.Rambo 3-4 ===> 6 (191)

Good point and well done.

Maybe we should stop anointing our new safeties as gods until we've seen 'em play in the NFL.

Why did Thomas and Rambo fall so far?


I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder.


Player - Projected Round - Actual Round
Vaccaro - 1 ===> 1 (15)
Eric Reid - 1-2 ===> 1 (18)
Matt Elam - 1-2 ===> 1 (32)
Cyprien - 1-2 ===> 2 (33)
Swearninger - 2-3 ===> 2 (57)
TJ McDonald - 3-4 ===> 3 (71)
JJ Wilcox - 3 ===> 3 (80)
S.Williams - 3-4 ===> 3 (84)
D.Harmon NA ===> 3 (91)
D.Williams 5 ===> 4 (105)
S.Thomas 3-4 ===> 4 (111)
P. Thomas - 2-3 ===> 4 (119)
E.Wolff 6 ===> 5 (136)
J.Meeks ===> 5 (143)
C.Taylor 7 ===> 5 (152)
J.Evans 4 ===> 6 (169)
J.Slaughter ===> 6(175)
B.Rambo 3-4 ===> 6 (191)

Ryan Leaf -- 1st
Jamarcus Russell -- 1st
Brandon Weeden -- 1st
Blaine Gabbert -- 1st

Tom Brady -- 6th
Joe Montana -- 3rd

I wouldnt exactly put to much into a player dropping or going early. It would be one thing if there was 32 Ozzie Newsome's as GM's, but thats far from the truth. I also have some faith in Shanallen. They dont hit on every draft pick, but have been pretty good at it since they started, especially with getting people that fit their system. Jacksonville passed on Rambo 6 times, thats got to be a good sign. They dont like to draft talented football players there.

[...]I"m sure it has been discussed somewhere over the past 1-2 weeks, but... everyone is saying they could start, both were supposed to have been drafted 2-3 rounds higher, but... they weren't. I realize the drugs with Rambo, but just wanted to see what everyone else was thinking by passing them up. A lot of teams passed on these guys round after round, and picked up much lower ranked safeties ahead of them. If we get "steals", I'd love it, but makes me wonder[.]

I pencilled in PT and BR as making the roster, not neccessarily as starters. Given that they are rookies and safety carries a lot of responsibility in our defensive system, I would be very surprised if both are a day one starters. Given the state of our safeties, however, I would be less so if one is a day starter. The bar, quite frankly, is not set very high right now, and, if they play competently during the preseason and work their way into the rotation, one or both may very well be regular starters by the end of the year. That is not a comment on their ability so much as it a comment on our lack of talent at the position.

While I think it unlikely either replaces B. Merriweather as starter, let us not forget BM has been cut twice folks and has played in one game for us. Just as we need to wait on the rookies, let's see more than one half out of Merriweather. I would agree that, based on his past performance, BM is the best we have at the position but that is just not saying much. As for Tanard Jackson, even if reinstated (not a given), he is not eligible to practice until after the preseason. I can see him starting out on the PUP list or something equivalent so he can get into game shape if Shanahan is even willing to give him a shot once reinstated. As I recall, MS was pretty pissed about his suspension and talked about accountability and how TJ really let folks down.

As for the rest of the safety crew, who is someone that we are saying "Oh yeah, he's a keeper - we can't cut him for a rookie". Gomes? Pugh? Doughty? Bernstine? If either PT or BR show even a little potential in preseason Gomes is history - he's had his shot to show up and, well, he hasn't. Bernstine - maybe, but Bernstine would probably be safe on the practice squad where PT and BR probably would not. Pugh? ehh. I think he is the day one starter opposite BM but is very very replaceable. Doughty? <sigh> I imagine he makes the team 'cause that's just what he does.

All in all, I think pencilling in PT and BR the final roster is pretty much a "unless they sh** the bed" move b/c of their youth and the draft pick investment but mostly b/c our current safeties are marginal at best.

As for being passed over, let's not forget last year. RB's chosen before our own Alfred Morris:

1(3) Trent Richardson (CLE)
1(31) Doug Martin (TAM)
1(32) David Wilson (NYG)
2(50) Isaiah Pead (STL)
2(61) LaMichael James (SFO)
3(67) Ronnie Hillman (DEN)
3(84) Bernard Pierce (BAL)
4(97) Lamar Miller (MIA)
4(106) Robert Turbin (SEA)
5(159) Chris Rainey (PIT)
5(170) Vick Ballard (IND)
6(173) Alfred Morris

Sure, Morris fits the Shanny system but, please, the boy is a tough, patient runner with vision - he would succeed in almost any system. Who knows why guys fall, several safeties (Vaccaro, Reid, Elam, Cyprien) were generally ranked ahead of PT & BR. Others may be scheme fits or just looking at different tape - You think the Giants, Rams, Pittsburg, the Colts and Miami aren't cursing themselves for passing on Morris? Bottom line, regardless of ranking, it's a big ol' crap shoot and, hopefully, by throwing enough darts at the DB's we hit something close to a bullseye.

PT and BR are getting a lot of early love based on their college play. Regardless, I think their making the roster is a given in light of our crappy safety talent and the fact that they are this year's cheap talent. Further, and for the same reasons, earning a starter's spot at safety is not an impossible dream on this team - not seeing any Ed Reed's or Sean Taylor's on the current roster. However, whether they are "steals" or not is an entirely different question that will have to wait until we see them strap on some pads and play with the big boys.

Well said Joe, well said.

I give this draft an A. Trading this year's and next year's #1's to get Griffin was a winning move. The rest of this draft included 3 ballhawking DB's, a playmaking H-back, and an excellent sleeper coming off injury at OLB. Oh yeah, and 2 RB's - Shanny knows a thing or two about that position. Only thing I wished for that wasn't addressed was a future right OT, but this team is definitely moving in the right direction. If #10 stays healthy, I see a deep playoff run in 2013.

I also read that Mike Shanahan said Chris Thompson would have been round 1-2 talent if not for the injury, despite his size.



Monday mailbag: Rookie standouts, running back challenges and Tanard Jackson (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/05/06/monday-mailbag-rookie-minicamp-undrafted-free-agents-and-more/)


Do you think that Roy Helu Jr. or Evan Royster are more threatened by the new running back picks? Thompson looks like a serious threat to be a third-down back, but he is coming off of two season-ending injuries. And Jamison looks like more of an early-down back, with good quickness and strength but not elite speed.

I think Thompson (the fifth-round pick out of Florida State) is more of a threat to Helu. The Redskins could’ve used Helu’s speed and pass-catching abilities last season, but he spent the majority of the year on injured reserve. He has yet to prove that he can stay healthy. Thompson possesses great speed, elusiveness and receiving skills, and also did well in pass protection at Florida State. He too is coming off injury (torn anterior cruciate ligament last season), but Mike Shanahan said doctors are confident Thompson will be fully recovered by the start of training camp. The Redskins feel like they got a steal in Thompson. Shanahan believes he would have been a first- or second-round pick had it not been for his injury.

Jordan Reed vs South Carolina 2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDs1YNmEC10)

Really shows his versatility and what he brings in this game. Excited for what he can do for us.

Jordan Reed vs South Carolina 2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDs1YNmEC10)

Really shows his versatility and what he brings in this game. Excited for what he can do for us.

As am I my friend, as am I. :)