Cooley put on IR

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Probably because we haven't focused on having a fundamentally sound team for the last decade. Playmakers are great, and I agree that we need to find one, two, or even 3, BUT, when our team fails at the simple things of pass protection, run blocking, or defensive pressure, the playmakers we have brought in (Moss, Portis, etc) generally fail. In most cases you have to have a sound team before you can have an explosive team. I believe we are doing better at building a sound team, admittedly- the last two weeks seem to argue against that.

We need a Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson type guy that opens up everything for the entire offense. That's what's been missing around here. When was the last time we had a wr w/ double digit TD's??

[Lotus]

We signed Dominique Byrd and Jonathan Compas.

Hopefully Compas can guide Helu to the end zone.

Injury-riddled Redskins sign TE Byrd, OL Compas - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

[irish]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Probably because we haven't focused on having a fundamentally sound team for the last decade. Playmakers are great, and I agree that we need to find one, two, or even 3, BUT, when our team fails at the simple things of pass protection, run blocking, or defensive pressure, the playmakers we have brought in (Moss, Portis, etc) generally fail. In most cases you have to have a sound team before you can have an explosive team. I believe we are doing better at building a sound team, admittedly- the last two weeks seem to argue against that.

Yep, this team has been so chronically broken that it struggles to do the basics required to be consistently decent, its unrealistic to expect them to be dynamic.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Probably because we haven't focused on having a fundamentally sound team for the last decade. Playmakers are great, and I agree that we need to find one, two, or even 3, BUT, when our team fails at the simple things of pass protection, run blocking, or defensive pressure, the playmakers we have brought in (Moss, Portis, etc) generally fail. In most cases you have to have a sound team before you can have an explosive team. I believe we are doing better at building a sound team, admittedly- the last two weeks seem to argue against that.

We need at least 6-7 playmakers on both sides of the ball. It is impossible to get 14 starting playmakers and depth to go along with it using the strategy Snyder, Gibbs, Vinny, and even Shanahan year 1 tried to follow. There just isn't enough cap room and roster room left to pull it off. A sound team is a team full of playmakers.

And I'm not kidding about 7 playmakers. OLB, OLB, NT, Shutdown CB, Stud MLB, stud safety for our D. We have 4 of those positions filled on D, but only 3 long-term as Fletch is close to retirement. Franchise QB, stud RB, stud WR, stud TE, stud LT, a couple other stud OL are needed for our O. No one on our O has proven that they've reach that level of greatness, but at least we have some prospects that might help long-term in Trent, Helu, and Davis.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Probably because we haven't focused on having a fundamentally sound team for the last decade. Playmakers are great, and I agree that we need to find one, two, or even 3, BUT, when our team fails at the simple things of pass protection, run blocking, or defensive pressure, the playmakers we have brought in (Moss, Portis, etc) generally fail. In most cases you have to have a sound team before you can have an explosive team. I believe we are doing better at building a sound team, admittedly- the last two weeks seem to argue against that.

One of the most important facets of a "fundamentally sound team" are players that can score points. I would argue that all of the things you mentioned, pass pro, run blocking, and defensive pressure, have improved. Granted, the running game is sometimes there, and sometimes it isn't. But when I talk about "playmakers" I'm referring specifically to wideouts who can get separation, run precise routes, and have the speed and elusiveness to find the endzone.

As I said, the only player we have that remotely fits this description has been Santana Moss and even he hasn't been there when we've needed a score most. Fred Davis comes after that, but now all opposing defenses have to do is focus in on him and our offense is effectively grounded.

What bugs me is this idea that you can't rely on young receivers to fill these needs because the learning curve takes so long to go from college to the pros. I'm not sure I buy that. Nonetheless, it's a problem and year after year this franchise doesn't have an answer for it.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

One of the most important facets of a "fundamentally sound team" are players that can score points. I would argue that all of the things you mentioned, pass pro, run blocking, and defensive pressure, have improved. Granted, the running game is sometimes there, and sometimes it isn't. But when I talk about "playmakers" I'm referring specifically to wideouts who can get separation, run precise routes, and have the speed and elusiveness to find the endzone.

As I said, the only player we have that remotely fits this description has been Santana Moss and even he hasn't been there when we've needed a score most. Fred Davis comes after that, but now all opposing defenses have to do is focus in on him and our offense is effectively grounded.

What bugs me is this idea that you can't rely on young receivers to fill these needs because the learning curve takes so long to go from college to the pros. I'm not sure I buy that. Nonetheless, it's a problem and year after year this franchise doesn't have an answer for it.

The bolded point is THE point. Playmakers are great but only if an offense, or defense, can - in all other facets- at least keep an opposing teams on an even keel. Much like we hoped RK would allow Orakpo more freedom to blitz. Playmakers still, generally, need a solid team in order for their abilities to shine through, otherwise opponents zero in, and can prevent them from making plays.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

As optimistic as I was at the beginning, for me it's hard not to see this thing going into a tailspin. We're last in the NFC in turnover ratio, 4th last in the league -- that's the only thing that's correctable. Otherwise, we have all the classic problems: Mediocre QB, no gamebreakers on offense. Hell, Moss was our biggest threat and even he hasn't been superstar material lately. Best you can say for Gaffney and Stallworth is that they're competent.

And apparently, asking young WRs like Paul, Hankerson, and Austin to step up and perform is a herculean task; 2-3 year learning curve rule for wideouts and all. Why does it always seem so hard for the Redskins to get some dynamic playmakers?

Building a football team is very much like building a portfolio, and most people don't know jack shit on how to do either, Vinny Cerrato and Dan Snyder included.

[SouperMeister]

This sucks, but totally makes sense, given the depth we have at TE, and pressing needs at OL and RB. I hate to ask the question, but will Cooley be back with the Skins next year? I would expect the team to ask him to take a pay cut. I'm pretty sure that Davis will be a free agent after the season, and the FO would be wise to give him an extension before he can hit the open market.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by SouperMeister

This sucks, but totally makes sense, given the depth we have at TE, and pressing needs at OL and RB. I hate to ask the question, but will Cooley be back with the Skins next year? I would expect the team to ask him to take a pay cut. I'm pretty sure that Davis will be a free agent after the season, and the FO would be wise to give him an extension before he can hit the open market.

I think it sucks too but does make sense. I thought he would have hung around and would only come back if we made a playoff push. I dont think him playing just to play this season would be worth it. Hopefully this gives him time to get his knee right too.

I think he will be back. hes proven that when hes out with a injury hes still the guy that coaches other players. With Samuels gone hes probably the biggest offensive leader. I also dont think hes getting paid that much.

A positive is that this could act as a bait ploy to keep Davis around. Davis is going to rightfully want some money and will also want to start. Now that he will truely be considered the teams number 1 TE for the rest of the year the starting position will probably be considered his job to loose next year. Im thinking Davis will continue as a hybrid TE/WR next year while Cooley will play the more traditional TE role. Hopefully we will actually get to see more of the 2 TE sets next year that weve been promised agian and again....

[12thMan]

I think both Cooley and Davis come back next year. I mean, Cooley has a hand injury not an ACL tear. He'll be fine, but I have to think Davis is now the future at TE.

[NC_Skins]

I think we've seen the last of Cooley as a Redskin, unless he takes a huge pay cut. The era of Fred Davis has already begun.

[Paintrain]

Sucks for Cooley and for us this year.. He's going to have to take a pay cut in order to be back in 2012.

[skinsfan69]

Feel bad for Cooley but I think his career here is over. Not really a big loss on the field cause he was a non factor. It's Davis' time and position now.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Feel bad for Cooley but I think his career here is over. Not really a big loss on the field cause he was a non factor. It's Davis' time and position now.

I love Cooley, he has always been a gamer, but he has been almost non existent this year in terms of catching the ball, as he has been injured most of the season. The only way he stays a Skin next season is like everyone else says, he takes a pay cut. Whether he does or not I don't know, but I think he will. I don't see him garnering big money from other teams next season either, because of what has transpired this season.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Feel bad for Cooley but I think his career here is over. Not really a big loss on the field cause he was a non factor. It's Davis' time and position now.

Well said. I do think there's a chance we would resign him to backup Davis if he takes a pay cut though.