What's our greatest need now?

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

What about Safety?
I know we've got a ton of young guys...including our 2 starters...typically depth includes a prior starter thats got NFL smarts.
I worry about if one of our starters goes down...a rookie for both backup spots seems risky to me....especially since our corners beyond our 3 starters are also very inexperienced....and yes....I was a preiloux fan...I could just never spell his name

The Skins just signed one....with NFL game experience at that.

The Redskins have signed second-year safety Justin Hamilton, the team announced on Friday
Hamilton, 6-3 and 222 pounds, played the 2006 season with the Cleveland Browns, totaling 15 tackles (13 solo) during his rookie season.

Hopefully that takes care of the Safety concern!
Redskins Sign DB Hamilton

[jsarno]

I am surprised there hasn't been more talk about a DE. Sure Carter has one side locked down, but the other side is Daniels and he just doesn't cut it. We need to generate more pressure on the QB, especially (as many have pointed out) because our CB's could use some help.
I am not sure if the FO is thinking James is the answer at DE, I thought he was still "hurt", but I am not positive on that. I'd take James over Daniels anyway.

I certainly agree with general concensus that LB needs some work.

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.

I don't have a link but I read somewhere (I think it was Scout.com) that Jansen has been taking reps at center this year.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Ghost

I don't have a link but I read somewhere (I think it was Scout.com) that Jansen has been taking reps at center this year.

Washington Times

http://www.thewarpath.net/447033-post20.html

[T.O.Killa]

I think our biggest weakness, assuming McIntosh is ready opening day is DT. We got a total of 3 sacks from that position.

[The Goat]

Evidently I haven't been paying close enough attention to our roster because I thought R. Godfrey was still w/ us. Where'd he go? W/ his absence I def think LB is a concern - I'm a huge M. Washington fan but he seems to need a few games to heal up during the season, and then if McIntosh is recovering/ailing we're talking about possibly two starters out. We probably need more depth for the season.

I've not be so worried about CB since Smooty rejoined and Springs began his own workout regimen. Nobody mentions Torrence as a quality backup but damn w/ his speed/agility a little quality coaching should go a long way - I'd like to expect a solid season from him.

D-line is a constant concern, would not have guessed we only got 3 sacks among DTs last season, but our guys haven't been brittle just sort of mediocre (not counting AC).

So that leaves o-line and OLB as top concerns for me. The o-line always looks solid this time of year (you know, on paper) and then shit starts to happen. Pardon the cynicism.

[That Guy]

its still DE, and we could use a young stud at DT still for when griffin's done.

[Schneed10]

See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us right now. I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us right now. I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.

Someone on the DL is going to have to have a career year to keep us competitive there (I'm looking at you Griffin). However, you are correct, there is little that can be done to improve the DL anymore right now. We have good depth, lets let the players go out at play there, and make sure to address it next offseason (finally).

We definately can make strides in the depth department at LB.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Someone on the DL is going to have to have a career year to keep us competitive there (I'm looking at you Griffin). However, you are correct, there is little that can be done to improve the DL anymore right now. We have good depth, lets let the players go out at play there, and make sure to address it next offseason (finally).

We definately can make strides in the depth department at LB.

I'm just curious as to why you think that?

My thinking is if they just repeat last year, we'll be fine. You could argue that last year was a career year (or close) for Andre Carter. But other than him, nobody really played out of their shoes, so to speak. And we ranked 8th in defense and were very stout against the run.

Certainly if Griffin dominates like he did in 2004, we'll be beast. If Montgomery continues his ascension and goes from quality starter to upper echelon DT, then we'll be beast. But all we need is a repeat of last year. We need Carter to keep up the 10+ sack pace, we need Wilson/Washington/Daniels/James/Evans/whoever to combine for 10 sacks again on the other side. And we need Griffin, Monty, and Golston to play like they did last year. If all that happens, I don't see why we can't be a top 10 D again.

If the line plays like it did last season, they won't be the reason if our D drops off.

It's just hard for me to ask much more from the D line position than what we got last year. I see them as pulling their weight. Other positions and units are the ones that need to step up in order for us to go from pretty good playoff team to championship contender. Namely the offensive line (love our chances with the guys all healthy) the wide receivers (who the hell knows) and the LBs (do we have enough of them).

And needless to say, QB.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

See, I don't get the logic that DE or DT is a major need for us right now. I get that Daniels and Griffin are old and you want youth for the future. But they're good for this season.

We were ranked what, 8th in defense last season? We are returning the same defensive line, nobody left us. We're even returning all of our specialized d-line packages (M Washington as rush end). So unless people are counting on those guys getting considerably worse, I can't see any reason to expect the D line will be a problem.

The same cannot be said at LB. We lost Godfrey, and one of our starters is coming back from major injury. Frankly, I'm astounded that they're talking about Rocky trying to be ready for training camp. He blew his ACL in week 15. Most ACLs take AT LEAST 6 months to heal, and even then you're not yourself for another 6 months after that. I assume the 'Skins training staff knows what they're doing, but I'm also really praying that they don't rush him back too fast. It seems too fast for a guy who already has degenerative knee issues.

With no Godfrey and Rocky a question mark, we can't come close to saying we've returned the same group at LB like we have with the line. Linebacker is by far our biggest problem.

I agree, we're solid enough up front to get by for now.

The key is the continued development of guys like Monty and Golston at DT. And hopefully guys like Wilson, Evans, and even Buzbee at DE can play important roles as backups.

[4mrusmc]

I would like for us to somehow get some "studs" on the O-line and D-line. Up-front is where it all starts. I know that Rome wasn't built in a day, but we need to get guys that are not just "servicable", but the best at their position. Solid lines make everyone else better. -See Redskins teams in the 80's. You can't deny the results.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I'm just curious as to why you think that?

My thinking is if they just repeat last year, we'll be fine. You could argue that last year was a career year (or close) for Andre Carter. But other than him, nobody really played out of their shoes, so to speak. And we ranked 8th in defense and were very stout against the run.

Certainly if Griffin dominates like he did in 2004, we'll be beast. If Montgomery continues his ascension and goes from quality starter to upper echelon DT, then we'll be beast. But all we need is a repeat of last year. We need Carter to keep up the 10+ sack pace, we need Wilson/Washington/Daniels/James/Evans/whoever to combine for 10 sacks again on the other side. And we need Griffin, Monty, and Golston to play like they did last year. If all that happens, I don't see why we can't be a top 10 D again.

If the line plays like it did last season, they won't be the reason if our D drops off.

It's just hard for me to ask much more from the D line position than what we got last year. I see them as pulling their weight. Other positions and units are the ones that need to step up in order for us to go from pretty good playoff team to championship contender. Namely the offensive line (love our chances with the guys all healthy) the wide receivers (who the hell knows) and the LBs (do we have enough of them).

And needless to say, QB.

Actually, I do argue that it was a career year for Andre Carter.

And that is my entire argument.

It's not really fair to go to Carter in training camp and go, "Great season guy! Better than anyone could have expected out of you based on your prior career. Now, if you don't mind, you are going to have to do that again this year -- improve on it in fact, or we are going to blame you for the regression of the entire defensive line. Good luck!"

You do say yourself, that we need to rely on Carter for another 10+ sacks to sustain production. And I mean, he's proven it's certainly possible.

What if 10+ is unreasonable for Carter? Then someone else is going to have to have a career year to pick up the slack, or the production is going to fall off. That's all I'm really asserting here.

[GTripp0012]

I do still agree that our depth on the DL is fine, and that we need more depth at LB. LB is the greater need right now.

But I assert that we can reasonably expect the DL to decline, unless Montgomery breaks out, or Griffin has another career year.

[MTK]

AC could have easily had 15 sacks last year. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to expect another 10 sack season from him. He's in the prime of his career.