Redskins Receivers Rotation

[warriorzpath]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I wouldn't say that at all. Hankerson could easily step into the #2 role once he gets some experience. I think there's definitely room for the young guys to move up once they get their feet wet. Tough to expect them to be ready for prime time with no offseason. I think Gaffney was brought in to help bridge that gap.

I was thinking that too. And if Hankerson takes awhile to develop then Gaffney's not all that bad and can be very productive in the meantime at #2.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I wouldn't say that at all. Hankerson could easily step into the #2 role once he gets some experience. I think there's definitely room for the young guys to move up once they get their feet wet. Tough to expect them to be ready for prime time with no offseason. I think Gaffney was brought in to help bridge that gap.

I can buy Gaffney as the guy who will gradually give reps to Hankerson as he earns them over the next two years, setting up a breakout (in receiving yards) 2013 for Hankerson when Gaffney is out of his way. But I also think the best thing that you can do for Hankerson if they really like him is just play him. Instead of playing Gaffney until Hankerson knows everything about everything, just throw him out there and let him fail a few times.

We screwed up a lot about the Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly draft, but one thing they didn't do is acquire a vet to block them. Either Chad Johnsoncinco was going to be the acquisition that offseason, or it was going to be Thomas. And even then, Devin Thomas' lack of grasp of an NFL offense was probably the single biggest reason the 2008 team failed to make the playoffs. But that was justifiable because the idea was that the 2009 team would benefit from that.

I firmly believe that having Jabar Gaffney or Donte Stallworth in 2008 would have put that team in the playoffs, but I think it's a different animal entirely when talking about the difference between 4 wins (receiver position is total crap) and 6 wins (receiver position performs better than expected).

[MTK]

With a normal offseason I might agree with tossing Hankerson to the wolves. Given the circumstances of the lockout though I would look to ease him in there and maybe have him starting by week 4, assuming he's got the basic grasp of things.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I can see this is going nowhere. The young guys will play... when they earn their spots.

Ok so why not let all the young guys compete against each other??? Makes no sense to bring in middle age and old guys on a team that's rebuilding, especially at the wr position. He even tried to bring in Brandon Stockley. The Eagles put in DeShawn Jackson and Jeremy Maclin right away. I didn't see them signing older guys.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by warriorzpath

I was thinking that too. And if Hankerson takes awhile to develop then Gaffney's not all that bad and can be very productive in the meantime at #2.

I think the young guys can remember 30 pass plays. We don't need the Al Saunders playbook.

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

And even then, Devin Thomas' lack of grasp of an NFL offense was probably the single biggest reason the 2008 team failed to make the playoffs.

I think it had more to do with his work ethic and inability to run proper routes. He was one of those club guys that Willie Parker was referencing on this way out of town.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by NC_Skins

I think it had more to do with his work ethic and inability to run proper routes. He was one of those club guys that Willie Parker was referencing on this way out of town.

He was also pretty much responsible for every illegal formation we took as a team that year. Ridiculous.

Luckily, we were able to replace his contribution in 2009 by having Heyer line up off the line of scrimmage.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Ok so why not let all the young guys compete against each other??? Makes no sense to bring in middle age and old guys on a team that's rebuilding, especially at the wr position. He even tried to bring in Brandon Stockley. The Eagles put in DeShawn Jackson and Jeremy Maclin right away. I didn't see them signing older guys.

Well, as I've said repeatedly this wasn't a normal offseason. Trying to get these guys ready to play day 1 with just a month of training camp is expecting a lot.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I think the young guys can remember 30 pass plays. We don't need the Al Saunders playbook.

You think that's all they've got?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Well, as I've said repeatedly this wasn't a normal offseason. Trying to get these guys ready to play day 1 with just a month of training camp is expecting a lot.

But the alternative is cutting some of the more high upside guys. If in fact they have less time to determine the relative learning curve of the young players, is the answer really to say "screw it" and just go find some purdy veterans who will screw up less in Weeks 1-6?

Is a 3-3 start to the 2011 season really the end game? Is this how we will remember Mike Shanahan as Redskins coach: did everything in his power to stay in the hunt into early November?

[MTK]

Hey, maybe the young guys will impress in the preseason. These games will be critical to evaluate them. Is it a bad thing if someone ends up on the practice squad? Every team is facing the harsh reality of having to make quicker than usual decisions on their rookies this year.

[GTripp0012]

Well, if Hankerson looks good but still drops balls, he's pretty much locked into that 4th WR spots for the year. So then lets take the best of all worlds and say in this preseason that Terrence Austin, Aldrick Robinson, and Niles Paul all play quite well for young guys and look to our opponents like players who can help their WR situations. Lets say they play so well that it just becomes clear that Donte Stallworth has no role here.

Now, million dollar question: which two do you cut and expose to waivers in September? Why are you cutting two high upside rookies on a rebuilding team? Why, of course, because Moss and Gaffney are your starters.

[NLC1054]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Ok so why not let all the young guys compete against each other??? Makes no sense to bring in middle age and old guys on a team that's rebuilding, especially at the wr position. He even tried to bring in Brandon Stockley. The Eagles put in DeShawn Jackson and Jeremy Maclin right away. I didn't see them signing older guys.

What are we still upset about Stokley?

Even if Stokley was signed, we'd have four wide receivers out of the 14 we had that would be 30 or over.

FOUR. Out of 14. There are still more receivers under the age of 30. Stallworth is listed behind Hankerson on the depth chart.

And the Eagles already had a solid core of receivers AROUND DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. So that, you know, the whole friggin' game didn't fall squarely on their shoulders.

I can't imagine how the "let them go out there and fail" crowd figures that's supposed to work. Did Devin Thomas get any better with his numerous, NUMEROUS failures? No, and he's bloody unlikely to get better for the Giants. (At least I hope not, God I don't feel like arguing about DT again).

There's something to be said for having some confidence, not to mention having veterans around you to be able to teach you what coaches can't.

I'm not worried about our young guys. I think, eventually, they all make the football team. Good on the Eagles for just starting DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. They also went on a spending spree for over 30-year old jerks while D-Jax threatened to hold out so he can get paid to the level of his play.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I can buy Gaffney as the guy who will gradually give reps to Hankerson as he earns them over the next two years, setting up a breakout (in receiving yards) 2013 for Hankerson when Gaffney is out of his way. But I also think the best thing that you can do for Hankerson if they really like him is just play him. Instead of playing Gaffney until Hankerson knows everything about everything, just throw him out there and let him fail a few times.

We screwed up a lot about the Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly draft, but one thing they didn't do is acquire a vet to block them. Either Chad Johnsoncinco was going to be the acquisition that offseason, or it was going to be Thomas. And even then, Devin Thomas' lack of grasp of an NFL offense was probably the single biggest reason the 2008 team failed to make the playoffs. But that was justifiable because the idea was that the 2009 team would benefit from that.

I firmly believe that having Jabar Gaffney or Donte Stallworth in 2008 would have put that team in the playoffs, but I think it's a different animal entirely when talking about the difference between 4 wins (receiver position is total crap) and 6 wins (receiver position performs better than expected).

Tripp I disagree here. We see young guys contributing all over the league at the Wr position. Macklin and Jackson in Philly, and the guys on Tampa Bay. Mike Wallace in Pittsburgh came into his own year in 2. 2013 is two years away. If he gets significant time now then that fastens his development. Right? Same with Austin and the rest of the guys. You don't get better sitting and watching. I'm not buying that sitting behind a vet and learning.

If this was 05, 06 and 07 and Gibbs was here, even 08 w/ Zorn and this was playoff team then fine, I'm all for Gaffney and co. But that's not the case now. This is a team that has won 12 games in 2 and a half years.

[NLC1054]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Well, if Hankerson looks good but still drops balls, he's pretty much locked into that 4th WR spots for the year. So then lets take the best of all worlds and say in this preseason that Terrence Austin, Aldrick Robinson, and Niles Paul all play quite well for young guys and look to our opponents like players who can help their WR situations. Lets say they play so well that it just becomes clear that Donte Stallworth has no role here.

Now, million dollar question: which two do you cut and expose to waivers in September? Why are you cutting two high upside rookies on a rebuilding team? Why, of course, because Moss and Gaffney are your starters.

That's business, unfortunately, and that's what the coaches have to decide.

Fact is, Gaff and Moss are here to stay. AA's on, Hank's on. Banks, Robinson, Austin and Paul are going to have to fight like hell to get a spot.