A look back at the 2008 draft
 

They say you need to give a draft class 3 years to fairly judge it, well let's look at the 2008 draft and see where it stands.

Devin Thomas - gone
Malcolm Kelly - IR
Fred Davis - 2nd TE
Chad Rinehart - gone
Justin Tryon - gone
Durant Brooks - gone
Kareem Moore - starting
Colt Brennan - gone
Rob Jackson - PS
Chris Horton - backup

Moore is the only guy currently starting and he's nothing special, Horton has been a decent reserve/spot starter, Jackson is still hanging on by a string on the PS, and Kelly is on IR. Davis is the only one of the bunch who's at least show he has a bright future, when utilized of course.

The rest of the guys are gone.

And we wonder why we have no depth right now.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Awful! It is easy to see why we are were we are.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

I felt pretty good about the draft at the time. Funny to see KM being the only starter now.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=mredskins;769413]Awful! It is easy to see why we are were we are.[/quote]

Yep, and for the crowd out there that has no patience right now and is wondering why MS wasn't able to turn things around in one year, just look at the draft history of the past 3-5 years and you can easily see why the depth is so glaringly lacking and we're stuck with veteran band-aid types.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Whoever was in chagre of that draft should be fired. lol. There are many reasons we have no depth. But the one that really hurts is the Jason Taylor trade. I still shake my head at that one. And not having a 3rd and 4th rounder in this years draft doesn't help the situation either.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

:doh: can you just lock this thread and send it to thread hell now?

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Looks like we'll be getting an extra 5th rounder back from the Saints for the Brown deal.

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5306133]Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans Saints - ESPN[/url]

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Funny thing is the 2010 draft class doesn't look much better sans TW. Unless Riley and Austin step it up I don't see this being a good draft class either.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=mredskins;769431]Funny thing is the 2010 draft class doesn't look much better sans TW. Unless Riley and Austin step it up I don't see this being a good draft class either.[/quote]

Obviously the jury is out on Riley, Austin, Cook, and Capers. Hopefully at least 2 of those guys pan out.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

At the time, it seemed like such an incredible draft.

How quickly things chance in the NFL.



I guess we can no longer give Vinny any credit for a good draft in 2008. :D

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=CrustyRedskin;769416]I felt pretty good about the draft at the time. Funny to see KM being the only starter now.[/quote]
and we might be one of the few teams he could start on. definitely not starting material in the NFL

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Mattyk;769429]Looks like we'll be getting an extra 5th rounder back from the Saints for the Brown deal.

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5306133"]Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans Saints - ESPN[/URL][/quote]


That is cool, I think Brown will be better next year after having a year under his belt from the surgery. Look at Kevin Garnett and plenty others the year after their surgery they always come back better.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Just a quick list of some people available after we traded the 21st pick in the draft.

Chris Johnson
Rashard Mendahall
Jordy Nelson (after available after D thomas)
Curtis Lofton
Matt Forte
Trevor Laws
DeSean Jackson (available after Thomas and Fred Davis)
Jamaal Charles

I mean you cant be successful in this league and miss out on those players while spending picks 2 of 3 picks on guys that never made any contribution!

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

It's sad to see that the 2008 draft was pretty much bust for us, except for Davis.. Although, Davis' dropped balls is starting to be noticeable this season.. Especially in red zone. I wonder if Thomas stayed one more year at MSU, would he be more successful in NFL? I remember Thomas' coaches wanted him to stay because they felt like Thomas was not ready for next level yet.. And of course, they needed him..

It's way too early to assume whether if 2010 draft was bust too..

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Jontrem;769449]Just a quick list of some people available after we traded the 21st pick in the draft.

Chris Johnson
Rashard Mendahall
Jordy Nelson (after available after D thomas)
Curtis Lofton
Matt Forte
Trevor Laws
DeSean Jackson (available after Thomas and Fred Davis)
Jamaal Charles

I mean you cant be successful in this league and miss out on those players while spending picks 2 of 3 picks on guys that never made any contribution![/quote]

Man, it's sickening that we missed those players.. Not many people believed Chris Johnson would be successful before he was drafted due to his size.. We had Portis at that time, we did not think we need another RB, it would have been [I]awesome[/I] if we drafted Johnson or Charles..

I really wanted us to draft Jordy Nelson but I am kinda glad we didn't because he have not really done much since he was drafted, but he is good #3 wr.. Some of us would be screaming for Vinny's head if we drafted Jackson because we already had Moss and we needed a tall WR.. Vinny believed he took care of that problem by drafting Thomas and Kelly, but it did not turn out well for us obviously.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Mattyk;769429]Looks like we'll be getting an extra 5th rounder back from the Saints for the Brown deal.

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5306133]Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans Saints - ESPN[/url][/quote]

And a 6th (I believe) for Justin Tryon

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=SmootSmack;769472]And a 6th (I believe) for Justin Tryon[/quote]

Nice, so we'll have some ammo to move back up if we want

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Mattyk;769429]Looks like we'll be getting an extra 5th rounder back from the Saints for the Brown deal.

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5306133]Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans Saints - ESPN[/url][/quote]

That was one of the most convoluted trades I had seen. Also doesn't seem like we will lose the 2012 pick. I wonder if that played any factor to Heyer getting so many snaps in place of Brown.

Glad the Saints get our higher pick, and Philly gets a little less.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=mredskins;769431]Funny thing is the 2010 draft class doesn't look much better sans TW. Unless Riley and Austin step it up I don't see this being a good draft class either.[/quote]

It wasn't a totla bust. I think we've got two keepers in Williams and Banks. And w/out a doubt Torain looks like a real keeper if he can stay healthy. I know he's not a drafted guy but free agents can be added in as well.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Malcom Kelly might become a contributor if the medics can ever get him healthy to the point where he does not injure himself again. Since he had a history of injuries in college, taking him where the Skins did was not a good move, but if he ever gets his body right, he might become a solid possession receiver. Cross your fingers...

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Yeah MK could still come through, still even he if he turned into a stud that 2008 draft is still a dud.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Mattyk;769429]Looks like we'll be getting an extra 5th rounder back from the Saints for the Brown deal.

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5306133"]Washington Redskins agree to deal for Jammal Brown of New Orleans Saints - ESPN[/URL][/quote]

That turns out to be some really good negotiating by Allen, at least where Brown in concerned. It also looks like Allen & co. were able to keep this part of the deal under raps for a couple of months. I mean Philly would've had to agree to it when they traded mcnabb, yet this deal was consumated in June, mcnabb traded in april. there may be something that NO is getting from philly as well, otherwise it wasn't much for them.

Overall, we got McNabb, Brown & a 5th.
We gave up a 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=mredskins;769431]Funny thing is the 2010 draft class doesn't look much better sans TW. Unless Riley and Austin step it up I don't see this being a good draft class either.[/quote]

We didn't have many picks though. The 4th - 7th rounds are not high percentage picks, so I wouldn't be too hard on MS if most of those guys don't stick. Capers is clearly a project, I don't know what they think of Cook, but it's encouraging that he got called up before the TB game. Austin too.

What is really frustrating about the 08 class was that Vinny made the right moves to trade back & pick up extra picks. Having 3 2nd rounders is very Belicheck-ish & most any GM will get 2/3 of them right. At this point he's at 1/3, and the '1' in that case is a TE that we weren't as much in need of (love Davis don't get me wrong). If Kelly can become a starter or a good #3 we can feel much better about the 08 draft, but no matter what it wasn't the kind of draft a team so lacking in depth needed.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Vinny sure has a special teamer stud fetish.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

This should be a reality check for all of the fans who scream about draft picks, draft picks, draft picks. You can have a million picks but if you don't use them wisely they are worthless. The real question now is do we have the right people making the right decisions with the picks that we have.

I'm going on the record that it's going to take at least 2 more FULL (free agency and draft) offseasons before we can legitimately expect to contend with the NFC big boys. Considering we have no more than 5 players (Williams, Rak, Landry, Hall, Banks) that we can consider players to build something around or that we can count on to contribute for the next 3 seasons I don't see us making any rapid improvements.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Paintrain;769530]This should be a reality check for all of the fans who scream about [B]draft picks, draft picks, draft picks.[/B] You can have a million picks but if you don't use them wisely they are worthless. The real question now is do we have the right people making the right decisions with the picks that we have.

I'm going on the record that it's going to take at least 2 more FULL (free agency and draft) offseasons before we can legitimately expect to contend with the NFC big boys. Considering we have no more than 5 players (Williams, Rak, Landry, Hall, Banks) that we can consider players to build something around or that we can count on to contribute for the next 3 seasons I don't see us making any rapid improvements.[/quote]

Agreed, but for we fans that are on the outside looking in, we can easily point to teams around the league that win, & most, if not all, value their draft picks. Sure you have to draft well, but if you give up your chances at it, it doesn't matter cause in the end you won't have depth.

That's what's even more frustrating about the 08 draft; we got more picks yet didn't capitalize enough. In fairness to Vinny et al, the Skins really have drafted decently over the years, e.g. this team hasn't had a costly first round bust for years. We just haven't had enough picks due to trades.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=freddyg12;769545]Agreed, but for we fans that are on the outside looking in, we can easily point to teams around the league that win, & most, if not all, value their draft picks. Sure you have to draft well, but if you give up your chances at it, it doesn't matter cause in the end you won't have depth.

That's what's even more frustrating about the 08 draft; we got more picks yet didn't capitalize enough. In fairness to Vinny et al, the Skins really have drafted decently over the years, e.g. [B]this team hasn't had a costly first round bust for years[/B]. We just haven't had enough picks due to trades.[/quote]

Five years, to be exact.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Jontrem;769449]Just a quick list of some people available after we traded the 21st pick in the draft.

Chris Johnson
Rashard Mendahall
Jordy Nelson (after available after D thomas)
Curtis Lofton
Matt Forte
Trevor Laws
DeSean Jackson (available after Thomas and Fred Davis)
Jamaal Charles

I mean you cant be successful in this league and miss out on those players while spending picks 2 of 3 picks on guys that never made any contribution![/quote]

This is the most depressing thing I've ever seen.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;769546]Five years, to be exact.[/quote]

So are you callin JC a bust? It didn't work out the way we'd hoped, but for a qb at #25 it wasn't a pick that set the team back w/no return. He started for a few years & was avg. He didn't make a ton of $ & impact the cap like a top 10 pick.

To call him a bust is relative, I don't think he was. In the end, we even got a return on the investment - 4th round pick.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=freddyg12;769545]Agreed, but for we fans that are on the outside looking in, we can easily point to teams around the league that win, & most, if not all, value their draft picks. Sure you have to draft well, but if you give up your chances at it, it doesn't matter cause in the end you won't have depth.

That's what's even more frustrating about the 08 draft; we got more picks yet didn't capitalize enough. In fairness to Vinny et al, the Skins really have drafted decently over the years, e.g. [B]this team hasn't had a costly first round bust for years[/B]. We just haven't had enough picks due to trades.[/quote]

No argument that I'd rather have the chances at players with more picks but I didn't trust previous regimes with them anyways.

We hadn't had any 'busts', but only Rak and arguably Landry this year (only) have lived up to their draft slot. Unfortunately of our 1st and 2nd round picks since '02 only Taylor (RIP), Cooley, Landry, Rak and Williams have performed to their draft slot. That's pathetic. Since '00 we haven't drafted a single player who has been an impact player in the 3rd round or beyond. It's no surprise that regime after regime struggles to be successful.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

I hate looking back at the 2008 draft. Especially every time Desean Jackson catches a 50 yard pass.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=freddyg12;769550]So are you callin JC a bust? It didn't work out the way we'd hoped, but for a qb at #25 it wasn't a pick that set the team back w/no return. He started for a few years & was avg. He didn't make a ton of $ & impact the cap like a top 10 pick.

To call him a bust is relative, I don't think he was. In the end, we even got a return on the investment - 4th round pick.[/quote]On an objective level, since he's shown he can play at some decent level. But in terms of the investment we put into him, he definitely is a bust. He was kind financially, but in terms of helping us grab quality players, our move to get him hurt us greatly.
We coughed up pretty supply of picks(A third in 2005, a first from 2006, and a 4th from 2006) to move up and use the 25th pick to grab him. The fourth rounder from Oakland just makes up for the 4th rounder coughed up to Denver in 2006.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

ok well .... this is why we hired Bruce Allen .... give him a f*cking 3 year plan ... i'm SICK OF BITCHING ABOUT THE PAST ... BLAH BLAH BLAH ... let's get this regime some time ... they are great in franchise mode on Madden 11 so i'm assuming this will work ? I won 2 Super Bowls w/ Shanny and McNabb ... the game doesn't lie people

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

Fred Davis should be a really valuable part of our offense. Granted, we have no idea how he can be an every down player for us, but the best offenses (Saints and Patriots) are getting it done with TEs. We have two good ones, and Paulsen is good enough as a rookie to justify using some 3 TE formations. Our plays to get Davis the ball aren't really read based...they're just designed to put the ball in his hands. He's not really part of our offense.

It will be interesting to see if Malcolm Kelly is finally healthy. If he stays healthy ALL offseason, I think he's going to be our leading receiver next season. If he gets hurt in the offseason, I doubt he makes the 53 man roster.

We didn't notice when we took him, but Kelly and Armstrong have excellent complementary skill sets.

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[quote=Mattyk;769473]Nice, so we'll have some ammo to move back up if we want[/quote]To, like, the fourth round.

Which, admittedly, is a vast improvement from the past.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=Paintrain;769530]This should be a reality check for all of the fans who scream about draft picks, draft picks, draft picks. You can have a million picks but if you don't use them wisely they are worthless. The real question now is do we have the right people making the right decisions with the picks that we have.

I'm going on the record that it's going to take at least 2 more FULL (free agency and draft) offseasons before we can legitimately expect to contend with the NFC big boys. Considering we have no more than 5 players (Williams, Rak, Landry, Hall, Banks) that we can consider players to build something around or that we can count on to contribute for the next 3 seasons I don't see us making any rapid improvements.[/quote]Well, I think the first step would be to show you can actually keep your draft picks year to year, i.e. not trade up in this draft for the first shiny object (quarterback) we see.

Then, once we've proven we're on the road to rehabilitation, we can worry about making sure we use the best available methodology and scouting to ensure we outdraft other teams. Right now, outdrafting someone else isn't even a question because we've used the draft just like an extension of FA: getting the best players in it for our needs with no eye to depth.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;769529]Vinny sure has a special teamer stud fetish.[/quote]Which made it all the more hilarious that our special teams units sucked under Zorn. Vinny put in so much effort to try to get great coverage teams, and had average ones at best.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=SirClintonPortis;769546]Five years, to be exact.[/quote]Rocky McIntosh was our last costly bust. Devin Thomas, obviously, the most recent bust of a pick in the top two rounds, but all that cost us was a 2nd rounder (and maybe a playoff spot in 2008, given the fact that we were a win or two away).

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=freddyg12;769550]So are you callin JC a bust? It didn't work out the way we'd hoped, but for a qb at #25 it wasn't a pick that set the team back w/no return. He started for a few years & was avg. He didn't make a ton of $ & impact the cap like a top 10 pick.

To call him a bust is relative, I don't think he was. In the end, we even got a return on the investment - 4th round pick.[/quote]I think the fact that we overpaid so very, very much for McNabb's advanced skill set greatly overshadows the fact that a 4th round pick is a pretty good return for Jason Campbell in a buyers market. One of the big problems I had with the trade is that we were keeping the status quo, not changing it. Had we ACTUALLY gone in a different direction (like Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy), that's about as valuable as you can expect a non-elite player off a losing team to go for. So kudos for getting that, front office.

Unfortunately, they then (well, previously) traded a second AND a fourth for an equally non-elite quarterback in the same buyer's market. Way to go.

Sorry for the post-run.

Re: A look back at the 2008 draft
 

[quote=GTripp0012;769572]Rocky McIntosh was our last costly bust. Devin Thomas, obviously, the most recent bust of a pick in the top two rounds, but all that cost us was a 2nd rounder (and maybe a playoff spot in 2008, given the fact that we were a win or two away).[/quote]

What is your definition of a bust?
What level of play do you expect out of a second round linebacker?

I get the impression you want him to be Clay Matthews.