Some Optimism from a Pessimist - The Skins CAN Reclaim Greatness

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

You're probably right, but the teams that made the list didn't make any drastic changes to management and/or ownership (with the exception of the Dolphins with Parcells). They just started doing things differently or, in some cases, just struck lightning. We either have to hope Snyderato has learned from this season OR that Snyder sees the light and fires Cerrato.

I keep saying this, but our "core Redskins" have given us all they're capable of giving. Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, and Clinton Portis have peaked. From this point on, they will do nothing but go downhill. This is especially true of the O-line. The door has already been slammed shut on Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas. Those were veteran fixtures that had been on the decline for awhile.

These turnaround teams you speak of had promising players that had not yet reached their potential. The pieces were already in place. Our pieces have been in place since 2005, 2006. In some cases further back than that. Now we're seeing them begin to crumble.

If there's a turnaround in store, it won't be with the players we have right now on this roster.

[wolfeskins]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I keep saying this, but our "core Redskins" have given us all they're capable of giving. Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El, and Clinton Portis have peaked. From this point on, they will do nothing but go downhill. This is especially true of the O-line. The door has already been slammed shut on Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas. Those were veteran fixtures that had been on the decline for awhile.

These turnaround teams you speak of had promising players that had not yet reached their potential. The pieces were already in place. Our pieces have been in place since 2005, 2006. In some cases further back than that. Now we're seeing them begin to crumble.

If there's a turnaround in store, it won't be with the players we have right now on this roster.

i agree with your final sentence more than any other i've read. the skins are in desperate need of some new people,in management,yes but just as much in players. the roster needs to be drastically different next season.

[Skinny Tee]

Originally Posted by wolfeskins

i agree with your final sentence more than any other i've read. the skins are in desperate need of some new people,in management,yes but just as much in players. the roster needs to be drastically different next season.

It would also be a crime if we have all new players next year and the same front office or coach in place.

The overall idea for this rebuild effort should be fresh change from top to bottom.

[Beemnseven]

The thing is, sometimes rebuilding happens whether management wants it to or not. Problem is -- and this has been said before -- if it's Snyderatto doing the rebuilding, this team is going nowhere.

You just know our first pick next year will be a quarterback...

[47FAN]

i think a return to greatness is possible in a short amount of time(2 years?) and just maybe dan can get a new coach and gm and finally sit back and just be a fan and watch football and write checks?

[Dogtag]

Isn't the definition of insanity - doing the same thing multiple times and expecting a different outcome each time?

[joethiesmanfan]

All players are regressing. Got to b the coach, our run o was the best foundation to build from for long term success. We sold out to get a passing game we had santana. We no longer can run still don't have a passing game still got santana.

Ultimately my conclusion is to fix the redskins fix the run game. Zorn's route combinations make alot more sense when our run game is dictating the defenses formations.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

I haven't checked it out but I heard someone on WPL say that our 53 man roster at the beginning of the year was the oldest in the league.

Having these guys doesn't help team age and all can be purged next year (except Fletcher and Smith):

Wynn
Daniels
Griffin
Fletcher (love him, but he's getting up there)
Collins
Rabach
Samuels (might be done for good)
Thomas
Albright
Yoder
Hunter Smith

[44Deezel]

Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles
Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles


When general managers are quizzed about rebuilding a franchise most respond in terms that refer to the construction of a house. They frequently cite the need to "build a strong foundation" to steady the project and that adage often follows them into the war room when it is time to select the players to orchestrate a dramatic turnaround.

Whereas most observers would point to the quarterback as the key to a franchise's revival, recent history is showing that the offensive tackle position is playing a prominent role in the restoration process.

While many credited the sudden turnarounds of Miami, Baltimore and Atlanta to their installation of new quarterbacks, it is not a coincidence that the trio also featured three young offensive tackles (Jared Gaither, Ravens; Sam Baker, Falcons and Jake Long, Dolphins) excelling as first-time starters. In addition, the Carolina Panthers' 12-4 season was keyed by the stellar play of Jeff Otah on the edges.

Given the instant success of those players, and the fact that 12 offensive tackles have been taken in the first round of the past two drafts, scouts are beating the bushes to find another dominant edge blocker on the horizon. Fortunately, this year's draft class features a host of talented offensive tackles that scouts project to make immediate impacts as pros.

Oklahoma State's Russell Okung and Oklahoma's Trent Williams are currently viewed as the gems of the class, but they are joined by Southern California's Charles Brown, Notre Dame's Sam Young and LSU's Ciron Black as potential first-round picks in a draft that could produce as many as six first-round offensive tackles when all is said and done.

With several franchises on the verge of being blown up in the offseason, general managers may opt to grab a hard hat and an offensive tackle to start the rebuilding.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

If anything serves as optimism for this team it should be the quick turnaround of teams like the Falcons and Dolphins. The Falcons had to change their whole team around from their scrambling centric franchise QB and are now competitive on a consistent basis with a whole new team. They were able to turn things around with a new coach and GM and see immediate results.

That's promising at least.

They did it with young players and fresh new ideas. Both teams have something we do not have, respectable and knowledgeable personnel heading up their programs. The Redskins need to get younger as well among other things.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles
Building blocks: Turnaround teams usually turn tackles


When general managers are quizzed about rebuilding a franchise most respond in terms that refer to the construction of a house. They frequently cite the need to "build a strong foundation" to steady the project and that adage often follows them into the war room when it is time to select the players to orchestrate a dramatic turnaround.

Whereas most observers would point to the quarterback as the key to a franchise's revival, recent history is showing that the offensive tackle position is playing a prominent role in the restoration process.

While many credited the sudden turnarounds of Miami, Baltimore and Atlanta to their installation of new quarterbacks, it is not a coincidence that the trio also featured three young offensive tackles (Jared Gaither, Ravens; Sam Baker, Falcons and Jake Long, Dolphins) excelling as first-time starters. In addition, the Carolina Panthers' 12-4 season was keyed by the stellar play of Jeff Otah on the edges.

Given the instant success of those players, and the fact that 12 offensive tackles have been taken in the first round of the past two drafts, scouts are beating the bushes to find another dominant edge blocker on the horizon. Fortunately, this year's draft class features a host of talented offensive tackles that scouts project to make immediate impacts as pros.

Oklahoma State's Russell Okung and Oklahoma's Trent Williams are currently viewed as the gems of the class, but they are joined by Southern California's Charles Brown, Notre Dame's Sam Young and LSU's Ciron Black as potential first-round picks in a draft that could produce as many as six first-round offensive tackles when all is said and done.

With several franchises on the verge of being blown up in the offseason, general managers may opt to grab a hard hat and an offensive tackle to start the rebuilding.

Do the Skins have anyone worth a first round pick? Would be nice if they could snag a QB AND Tackle in the first round... assuming they don't resign JC. I'm starting to think they might though.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Do the Skins have anyone worth a first round pick? Would be nice if they could snag a QB AND Tackle in the first round... assuming they don't resign JC. I'm starting to think they might though.

I would trade down and go for 2 OL in the 1st and 2nd (if able to trade down) just like Jacksonville did this year.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

The thing is, sometimes rebuilding happens whether management wants it to or not. Problem is -- and this has been said before -- if it's Snyderatto doing the rebuilding, this team is going nowhere.

You just know our first pick next year will be a quarterback...

"The creator has a master plan", and if includes one/or both of them let the laughter begin.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Do the Skins have anyone worth a first round pick? Would be nice if they could snag a QB AND Tackle in the first round... assuming they don't resign JC. I'm starting to think they might though.

I've thought about this too -- the only player I can think of who might be worth a 1st rounder is Chris Cooley. Could we live w/o Cooley if it meant getting two first round picks to go after a tackle and QB or two good O-linemen?

That might be a good poll question...

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I've thought about this too -- the only player I can think of who might be worth a 1st rounder is Chris Cooley. Could we live w/o Cooley if it meant getting two first round picks to go after a tackle and QB or two good O-linemen?

That might be a good poll question...

If Fred Davis did a complete 180, maybe. I'd hate to see Cooley go, but business is business. Can't fall in love with anyone.