Shaun Alexander Looking to Tiptoe His Way Onto Redskins...Again?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by diehardskin2982

what are the chances of us keeping Mason on the roster to make our own 3 headed monster?

Mason's biggest issues are he's not special on special teams and he pass blocks only slightly better than a blind man with no arms.. Unless he's overcome those flaws he's no better than the 54th man on a 53 man roster.

[CRedskinsRule]

While not on the Mason bandwagon, his quotes earlier, heavily paraphrased ...
"I get it, I have to be more than just a runner." and he pointed to a couple of players who tried to drive home that point.
IF he truly gets that he has to be more than a RB specialist to make a 53 man team roster, than maybe this will be his year. He definitely has some talent, so if we get lucky, and he steps up, that would be great.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Mason's biggest issues are he's not special on special teams and he pass blocks only slightly better than a blind man with no arms.. Unless he's overcome those flaws he's no better than the 54th man on a 53 man roster.

I don't doubt your observations but these issues can be taught and developed unless he's a complete moron which I doubt they would bring him back if that was the case. I don't think it's an issue of him not being able to block or big enough to block, but simply not knowing who to block when. If I'm not mistaken Portis had the same problem during the first few games last yr. They even stuck Sellers back there to help out and they both wiffed on one play.

Perhaps people should be more concerned about JC's ability to read defenses?

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I don't doubt your observations but these issues can be taught and developed unless he's a complete moron which I doubt they would bring him back if that was the case. I don't think it's an issue of him not being able to block or big enough to block, but simply not knowing who to block when. If I'm not mistaken Portis had the same problem during the first few games last yr. They even stuck Sellers back there to help out and they both wiffed on one play.

Perhaps people should be more concerned about JC's ability to read defenses?

Yes, but Portis and Sellers are starters, and not camp scrubs who need to do everything to stay on the team. If Mason is to remain on the 53-man roster, he needs to prove he can do other things than just running the ball, since we have a starter and a backup and a 3rd string guy in that position.

[jsarno]

I love how we Redskin fans LOVE our projects! It's not like taking a rookie and letting him play and develope...we love the camp scrub that was cut for valid reason but somehow we think he's a future hall of famer. I swear some here think higher of Mason than they do Portis. That's lunacy.

There is a reason he was cut, and there is a reason he was invited back to camp. IF, and that's a big IF he worked on becoming an ALL AROUND back, then guess what? He'll make the roster this year. Anyone can run the ball...every kid in his back yard has some sort of talent, but being a team player and an all around back that will help out on EVERY play, not just running plays is what makes you stick in the pros. I'd love to see Mason make it, I love the underdog...but let's wait to crown his ass huh?

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I love how we Redskin fans LOVE our projects! It's not like taking a rookie and letting him play and develope...we love the camp scrub that was cut for valid reason but somehow we think he's a future hall of famer. I swear some here think higher of Mason than they do Portis. That's lunacy.

And hate starters/backups (Campbell, ARE, Betts, Jensen, etc., etc.); which is fine to do so, but they fall in love with guys whose only "positive" is that the they played well against scrubs.

If these guys were so great, they'd make the team (i.e. Horton) and not live on our or other team's practice squad.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

And hate starters/backups (Campbell, ARE, Betts, Jensen, etc., etc.); which is fine to do so, but they fall in love with guys whose only "positive" is that the they played well against scrubs.

If these guys were so great, they'd make the team (i.e. Horton) and not live on our or other team's practice squad.

Absolutely. I think most of us should have learned our lesson when Danny Woe-ful led the preseason in passing, then completely fell on his face.

Let's see him play in a real time situation and see what he can do.

[Monksdown]

Our offensive line isn't good enough to make Shaun look average.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I love how we Redskin fans LOVE our projects! It's not like taking a rookie and letting him play and develope...we love the camp scrub that was cut for valid reason but somehow we think he's a future hall of famer. I swear some here think higher of Mason than they do Portis. That's lunacy.

There is a reason he was cut, and there is a reason he was invited back to camp. IF, and that's a big IF he worked on becoming an ALL AROUND back, then guess what? He'll make the roster this year. Anyone can run the ball...every kid in his back yard has some sort of talent, but being a team player and an all around back that will help out on EVERY play, not just running plays is what makes you stick in the pros. I'd love to see Mason make it, I love the underdog...but let's wait to crown his ass huh?

Well, I never said he was or is or ever will be a Hall of Famer.....however, if we don't develope any young talent for the future we will be hurting later. All I'm pointing out is the fact that he is a good, fast runner that would be good to keep around for development reasons. Now to be honest I do believe he's a better runner then Rock, but again like you have said he can't be one dimensional. I find it funny though that Rock can't run his way out of a wet paper bag which makes him one dimensional, even worse he's only utilized on KR's. He sucks as a RB and sucks as a PR. If we are throwing players off cause they are one dimensional then he definitly should be on the cut list. Unfortunatly Mason was not that great at KR and the team already had one pro bowl RB (Portis) and a half decent back up (Betts). So yes he was placed on the PS. Baltimore only had 3 RB's and one got injured so they seemed to like what they saw in Mason and pulled him over to learn on their PS in case they had another injury. The Jets suffered a similar problem and pulled him to their team but kept him on the active roster.

I have no reason to know why teams let players go, perhaps he sucks, but then why would the Skins waist their time with challenging San Diego for his rights and win them? If he sucks let him go to the west coast. Let him be San Diego's problem. but instead he's here.

and to be honest I (in all my Mason bandwagonish) have not crowned Mason. Honestly I liked what I saw last yr. He did more then simply run the ball he caught the ball out of the back field rather well also. He got positive yards (unlike Rock who loses yrds until he breaks one big one to even it all up). Crown Mason....no. Portis wears the crown right now, but I would like to see us with a young back for Portis to help develope in order to pass the crown off to. No harm in wishing to see young talent waiting in the wings. No different then the Colt fans, atleast at that position we do have young talent being developed.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

Well, I never said he was or is or ever will be a Hall of Famer.....however, if we don't develope any young talent for the future we will be hurting later. All I'm pointing out is the fact that he is a good, fast runner that would be good to keep around for development reasons. Now to be honest I do believe he's a better runner then Rock, but again like you have said he can't be one dimensional. I find it funny though that Rock can't run his way out of a wet paper bag which makes him one dimensional, even worse he's only utilized on KR's. He sucks as a RB and sucks as a PR. If we are throwing players off cause they are one dimensional then he definitly should be on the cut list. Unfortunatly Mason was not that great at KR and the team already had one pro bowl RB (Portis) and a half decent back up (Betts). So yes he was placed on the PS. Baltimore only had 3 RB's and one got injured so they seemed to like what they saw in Mason and pulled him over to learn on their PS in case they had another injury. The Jets suffered a similar problem and pulled him to their team but kept him on the active roster.

I have no reason to know why teams let players go, perhaps he sucks, but then why would the Skins waist their time with challenging San Diego for his rights and win them? If he sucks let him go to the west coast. Let him be San Diego's problem. but instead he's here.

and to be honest I (in all my Mason bandwagonish) have not crowned Mason. Honestly I liked what I saw last yr. He did more then simply run the ball he caught the ball out of the back field rather well also. He got positive yards (unlike Rock who loses yrds until he breaks one big one to even it all up). Crown Mason....no. Portis wears the crown right now, but I would like to see us with a young back for Portis to help develope in order to pass the crown off to. No harm in wishing to see young talent waiting in the wings. No different then the Colt fans, atleast at that position we do have young talent being developed.

I agree with your post...
want to point out that I have been a vocal advocate to drop Rock. He's a fan favorite, and he works hard (think Rudy), but he will never develope into someone we need...so why waste the space? I'd drop Rock for Mason in a heartbeat FYI.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I agree with your post...
want to point out that I have been a vocal advocate to drop Rock. He's a fan favorite, and he works hard (think Rudy), but he will never develope into someone we need...so why waste the space? I'd drop Rock for Mason in a heartbeat FYI.

Rock may be gone soon, but let's not undervalue his ST play on both sides, as a KR and as the "qb" on coverage schemes. His value was repeatedly pointed out by coaches this last year. I think as KR he is steady, but does on occasion break one off.
Really curious how the NFL's ban on the wedge formation messes with ST's play this year.

[Chief PA]

No thanks seen motre them enough of him in B & G

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Rock may be gone soon, but let's not undervalue his ST play on both sides, as a KR and as the "qb" on coverage schemes. His value was repeatedly pointed out by coaches this last year. I think as KR he is steady, but does on occasion break one off.
Really curious how the NFL's ban on the wedge formation messes with ST's play this year.

I am one that doesn't think highly of his running skills in special teams play. Yes, he does rank up there fairly highly in return yards, and I give him total props for his north / south approach. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for it in intelligence. ARE should pay more attention to Rock. However, if we could find someone else that could go north / south like Rock does, he'd get even MORE yards. We have good blocking on ST, Rock doesn't make his own holes with moves. I just think we can do better. He has 0 breakaway speed meaning anyone could have done what he did if they just move forward instead of side to side.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I love how we Redskin fans LOVE our projects! It's not like taking a rookie and letting him play and develope...we love the camp scrub that was cut for valid reason but somehow we think he's a future hall of famer. I swear some here think higher of Mason than they do Portis. That's lunacy.

It's not just us; we already know what to expect out of Portis type players so the diamond in the rough guy is who will excite you more.

All the love that's been had for Mason -- Denver probably had 3-fold for Alridge.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I am one that doesn't think highly of his running skills in special teams play. Yes, he does rank up there fairly highly in return yards, and I give him total props for his north / south approach. What he lacks in talent, he makes up for it in intelligence. ARE should pay more attention to Rock. However, if we could find someone else that could go north / south like Rock does, he'd get even MORE yards. We have good blocking on ST, Rock doesn't make his own holes with moves. I just think we can do better. He has 0 breakaway speed meaning anyone could have done what he did if they just move forward instead of side to side.

Jsarno, I am beside you on this brother. People say he is a great special teamer. All he does is run the ball. I don't understand this "He's a QB" issue. He's not a QB. Not even a QB for special teams. All the players know their assignments. You never see him moving players around. You never see him pointing and readjusting assignments. He stands back and counts to make sure they don't have too many players and when the ball gets to him he runs it to the 30 yrd line. consistantly.

He is not even a half decent RB. So he's one demensional. If the team ever gets someone who can KR/PR he's gone. Alridge may be the person. I'm excited to see what he brings also. In college he atleast was used several different ways. He was the KR/PR, he was the RB, and he acted as a WR sometimes. Due to his speed I could see us putting Moss, Thomas, and Alridge in as WR's to create mismatches.