the all encompassing 'discuss all things offseason' thread sponsored by Paintrain

Redskin great Jerry Smith will be on "A Football Life" tonight at 9 EST. Should be interesting.

can't wait to see it. can't believe the guy died at 43.

This is the key. How we get a player is rather irrelevant, it's what we do when they get here that's the key. That's one ding on bringing back so many position coaches. We have done a terrible job of developing players for a long, long time. I think players like Kerrigan, Amerson, Rak, Williams, Hankerson, Helu, even Morris and of course RG3 have a lot more upside that we've yet to see.

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.

I think they have done a good job developing Perry Reily, then again, the LB coaches have been replaced, and perhaps Fletcher had more to do with that than the coaches.

Jordan Reed and Rob Jackson are two others that might be considered well developed talent, and I think Paul and Paulsen have developed into good depth TE's at least.

Overall though, I see what you're saying.

Good call on Riley. I think Reed based on his draft status has been about where we should have expected him to be. I think Jackson is a great role player, but I still would be SUPER nervous about him starting.

For Paul/Paulsen, I like them as blocking backs only. Paulsen WAY more than Paul.

One problem I've found about the Skins in recent years is always a catch-22 with player development.

On one hand, we'll push someone into a starting role far before they're early, and they fizzle out after a few games (anyone remember Chris Horton?)

On the other hand, we stash people on the bench where they get zero live game reps until they fade into obscurity OR fame (Clemons/Rinehart/etc.) Not saying that Compton or Gettis or McRib are the answer, but damn it would have been nice to see them get some game reps. At least we could have properly evaluated them. If Rib would have come back in shape after the playoff loss, I think he would have been starting, so there's that.

Alfred Morris is the only "developmental" player that has really worked out for us, at least that I can remember. And if it wasn't for injuries, we might not have ever known his name.


Are you implying that Horton washed out because he played too much as a rookie?
I don't buy that argument. Nothing is more valuable than playing time for rookies.

It's all about coaching and talent evaluation.
The good teams can take an unknown player that fits their system and coach them up so they can play solid football. Patriots toss new people in the starting line up every week and they play pretty well.

Are you implying that Horton washed out because he played too much as a rookie?
I don't buy that argument. Nothing is more valuable than playing time for rookies.

It's all about coaching and talent evaluation.
The good teams can take an unknown player that fits their system and coach them up so they can play solid football. Patriots toss new people in the starting line up every week and they play pretty well.

This.

Player development is key.

Good call on Riley. I think Reed based on his draft status has been about where we should have expected him to be. I think Jackson is a great role player, but I still would be SUPER nervous about him starting.

If you expected Reed to play as well as he did, you're a better talent evaluator than me. He played far beyond what I expected him to.

I hate reading DC media members sometimes because they become so enamored with other teams. Watching that championship game Seattle is not all that. Russell Wilson was under duress the whole game. The key to the secondary in Seattle is coaching IMO. They target player that meet their scheme and coach them up to be successful.

Dont know if this is the right thread but tough luck for Bowman, i really liked watching him play d, watched a documentary in him seems like a geat guy good family man and teammate.