The Tribune is reporting that Darren Sharper is still interested in joining the Bears but the Bears are not interested in Darren Sharper. Safety is a need for the Bears and it's intriguing that they would balk at the veteran who has spent his career playing within the division and who could provide some much needed leadership and stability in the Bear secondary.
Jermaine Phillips was resigned by the Bucs who the Bears were interested in. Former Cowboy Roy Williams is available but I don't think he would be a good fit. His pass coverage skills are an issue. He is more of a LB type. With NFL offenses becoming increasingly pass oriented, you need to have a fast FS that can cover a lot of ground and good pass intuition. Roy Williams is not that kind of guy.
Not sure what the Bears intend to do but from the Tribune's blogs Bears fans are certainly upset with the direction of the team.
Monday, March 9, 2009
T.O. lands in Buffalo
Him landing in Buffalo is a pretty good indication that there probably wasn't a whole lot of interest in the guy. If there was a lot of interest in him, I imagine T.O. would want to go to a big market team that was close to a championship. T.O. loves the spotlight and despite his claim, Buffalo is not North America's team.
I suppose in the end it works out for most everyone. T.O. gets yet another opportunity and Buffalo, who had that difficult season last year where they started out so hot only to fall apart in the end and miss out on the playoffs, gets a star player to excite their fans for the coming year. T.O. gets a one year deal where he typically is a decent teammate in the first year. He will have to be a model player, teammate, and citizen to make sure he gets is one last multiyear/multimillion dollar contract. Even Dallas should be happy for releasing him as they are in the process of cleaning house (T.O., Pacman, R. Williams) in order to get a better locker room atmosphere.
Good luck, T.O. or I should probably say "Good luck, Buffalo." You'll need it.
I suppose in the end it works out for most everyone. T.O. gets yet another opportunity and Buffalo, who had that difficult season last year where they started out so hot only to fall apart in the end and miss out on the playoffs, gets a star player to excite their fans for the coming year. T.O. gets a one year deal where he typically is a decent teammate in the first year. He will have to be a model player, teammate, and citizen to make sure he gets is one last multiyear/multimillion dollar contract. Even Dallas should be happy for releasing him as they are in the process of cleaning house (T.O., Pacman, R. Williams) in order to get a better locker room atmosphere.
Good luck, T.O. or I should probably say "Good luck, Buffalo." You'll need it.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Buh Bye, T.O.!
The Cowboys actually did a good thing by cutting T.O. Sure the guy has talent (although that seems to be waning) but he is such a locker room headache that he isn't worth it. The guy gets 18 passes thrown to him in a game and he will still cry that he isn't getting the ball enough. When he drops a ball (and he drops plenty), it's not a big deal but if the throw is too high he will have a hissy fit.
He has now been kicked off of two teams and he has had major issues with almost all of his QBs (Garcia, McNabb, and Romo). It will be interesting to see who will want to gamble on him. I just hope Danny Boy isn't thinking something stupid. He would be a disaster for JC and Zorn. Both those guys are still trying to find their way and having a T.O. would just set them back. The only way I would want to sign him is to a 1 year minimum contract where it would not be much of an issue to cut him if he started acting up.
He has now been kicked off of two teams and he has had major issues with almost all of his QBs (Garcia, McNabb, and Romo). It will be interesting to see who will want to gamble on him. I just hope Danny Boy isn't thinking something stupid. He would be a disaster for JC and Zorn. Both those guys are still trying to find their way and having a T.O. would just set them back. The only way I would want to sign him is to a 1 year minimum contract where it would not be much of an issue to cut him if he started acting up.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Redskins Draft
So the Redskins took care of some of their issues to FA. We definitely improved our D line with the addition of Albert Haynesworth. However, we lost Jason Taylor at DE. I don't think that is that big of deal frankly as Taylor has aged and really didn't seem like a good fit in the NFC East. He had one very good game last year (against the Eagles) otherwise he was hurt and often times looked his age getting blown of the line of scrimmage and just looked sluggish.
We also improved our O line with bringing back Derrick Dockery. I really like that pickup because he is young, talented, and knows the Skins. We still could use help at the O line since many of our guys are beginning to show their age.
I am okay with the Hall signing. He is young and a 2 time Pro Bowler and he wants to play for the Skins and is a playmaker. The guy can actually get turnovers.
So looking at our team in general:
1. I'm comfortable with the secondary. Having Hall, Landry, Horton, and Rogers gives us a very young and talented group in the defensive backfield.
2. LBs: Fletcher is solid. McIntosh is okay. We got rid of Washington (which was a good thing) and the likey replacement is Blades. He is more suited as the middle LB but I think he is pretty good so hopefully he can step it up this year.
3. D line: Need help at DE.
4. QB: I like JC and really believe he can be a franchise QB. People got on him late last year but you have to look deeper and see how poorly our O line played (in the Baltimore and Pitt games he was pressured heavily on nearly every play) and also look at our mediocre receiving corps. Again, it's not all JC.
5. RB: Portis is still one of the best out there.
6. TE: Cooley is a perennial Pro Bowler and young so no issue there. Fred Davis is also available to help.
7. WR: Very average group. Moss is decent but even he drops alot of balls. Randle El is not a #2 WR. We NEED for Thomas and/or Kelly to step up this year. They have the size and talent to be decent but they need to stay healthy, come into camp in shape, and be ready to produce. I think we will see that happen this year. They both are saying the right things in the off season and Kelly has been at the Park nearly every day working on his knee and says he wants to put any criticism of his knee to rest this year. We'll see.
As far as the draft, given the additions in FA, it does open some opportunities for us in the draft. I would still probably like to go O line as I want to make sure we can give JC the time he needs because I believe if we give him time, he will make the play. However, if there are certain players on the board at pick #13 I wouldn't mind taking Brian Orakpo. He is arguably the best DE coming out. He had a great combine and would certainly help with our much needed pass rush. Also, if one of the USC LBs are available, I wouldn't mind seeing one of them come to town.
I know we had a strong defense last year and conventional wisdom would probably dictate that we draft on the offensive side of the ball. However, as good as our defense was last year, we lacked sacks and turnovers. Both of those can have big impacts on the game. Also, by strengthening our defense even more, it would almost guarantee that we would be in every game knowing that teams would not be able to move the ball against us.
The other option regarding our pick would be to trade down to try and get more picks. Point is that we have some options with our draft pick.
We also improved our O line with bringing back Derrick Dockery. I really like that pickup because he is young, talented, and knows the Skins. We still could use help at the O line since many of our guys are beginning to show their age.
I am okay with the Hall signing. He is young and a 2 time Pro Bowler and he wants to play for the Skins and is a playmaker. The guy can actually get turnovers.
So looking at our team in general:
1. I'm comfortable with the secondary. Having Hall, Landry, Horton, and Rogers gives us a very young and talented group in the defensive backfield.
2. LBs: Fletcher is solid. McIntosh is okay. We got rid of Washington (which was a good thing) and the likey replacement is Blades. He is more suited as the middle LB but I think he is pretty good so hopefully he can step it up this year.
3. D line: Need help at DE.
4. QB: I like JC and really believe he can be a franchise QB. People got on him late last year but you have to look deeper and see how poorly our O line played (in the Baltimore and Pitt games he was pressured heavily on nearly every play) and also look at our mediocre receiving corps. Again, it's not all JC.
5. RB: Portis is still one of the best out there.
6. TE: Cooley is a perennial Pro Bowler and young so no issue there. Fred Davis is also available to help.
7. WR: Very average group. Moss is decent but even he drops alot of balls. Randle El is not a #2 WR. We NEED for Thomas and/or Kelly to step up this year. They have the size and talent to be decent but they need to stay healthy, come into camp in shape, and be ready to produce. I think we will see that happen this year. They both are saying the right things in the off season and Kelly has been at the Park nearly every day working on his knee and says he wants to put any criticism of his knee to rest this year. We'll see.
As far as the draft, given the additions in FA, it does open some opportunities for us in the draft. I would still probably like to go O line as I want to make sure we can give JC the time he needs because I believe if we give him time, he will make the play. However, if there are certain players on the board at pick #13 I wouldn't mind taking Brian Orakpo. He is arguably the best DE coming out. He had a great combine and would certainly help with our much needed pass rush. Also, if one of the USC LBs are available, I wouldn't mind seeing one of them come to town.
I know we had a strong defense last year and conventional wisdom would probably dictate that we draft on the offensive side of the ball. However, as good as our defense was last year, we lacked sacks and turnovers. Both of those can have big impacts on the game. Also, by strengthening our defense even more, it would almost guarantee that we would be in every game knowing that teams would not be able to move the ball against us.
The other option regarding our pick would be to trade down to try and get more picks. Point is that we have some options with our draft pick.
Dock is back!
You couldn't hope for a better O line pickup than Dockery. I am almost excited about this pickup as I am about Haynesworth. First, we are getting a guy that can play and is young and experienced. Second, he is familiar with his other O linemates (Samuels, Rabach, Thomas, and Jansen). Third, we didn't have to overspend to get him.
It's kind of funny how he landed with us seeing how he was VERY close to be traded to the Lions. Still, I don't care how we got him, we got him. Apparently Buges was crying as he hugged him yesterday at Redskin Park as he was re-introduced as a Redskin. Dock looked happy to be back and he will certainly help us on the O line front.
It's kind of funny how he landed with us seeing how he was VERY close to be traded to the Lions. Still, I don't care how we got him, we got him. Apparently Buges was crying as he hugged him yesterday at Redskin Park as he was re-introduced as a Redskin. Dock looked happy to be back and he will certainly help us on the O line front.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Redskins vs. Ravens
So at 7-5 the Skins find themselves on the outside looking in on the playoffs right now. We have a key matchup in the beltway bowl this Sunday in prime time.
The key for the game seems pretty simple...win the battle at the lines. The O line needs to do better than they have over the last several weeks and give JC time to make plays. The Ravens have a solid defense so this is no easy task but they have to get the job done to allow JC to make the plays he is capable of making.
Similarly, the D line needs to get pressure on Flacco. The guy is a rookie and has been playing well and improving. Still, he is a rookie and we have to get pressure on him and rattle him and force a turnover or two.
The keys to the game are as simple as that. Win the battle at the line and we can win this game.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!
The key for the game seems pretty simple...win the battle at the lines. The O line needs to do better than they have over the last several weeks and give JC time to make plays. The Ravens have a solid defense so this is no easy task but they have to get the job done to allow JC to make the plays he is capable of making.
Similarly, the D line needs to get pressure on Flacco. The guy is a rookie and has been playing well and improving. Still, he is a rookie and we have to get pressure on him and rattle him and force a turnover or two.
The keys to the game are as simple as that. Win the battle at the line and we can win this game.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!!!
Jason Candle
Alright so the Skins are 1-3 over the last four games and the offense has been sputtering. There are some that are complaining that JC is off his game. I say bullshat. It's always very easy to point at the QB as the problem. However, you have to look at the offense as a whole. I'm not saying JC is not without fault. I'm sure he could have made some better decisions at times. However, we have to remember that he is still a young QB (this is his first full year as a starter) and he having to learn yet another offensive system (this time it is the west coast offense).
Not only that but the O line has been letting him down big time over the last 4 games. He has spent more time on his back or dodging defensive players looking to put him on his back. He is not getting the time or protection he needs to make plays. Also, he has had a number of dropped passes so the receivers are not helping him out much. Frankly, he doesn't have much of a receiving corps to work with. Moss is fine but Randle El is not a number 2 WR and Thrash is not a number 3 WR.
Jason Campbell is the 12 rated QB in the league. I am just fine with that. Overall, he has played well in my opinion. What he needs is some help around him to make him better. He is entering the prime of his career and to me he has matured a lot this year. I believe he is a franchise QB. I'm glad he is getting to learn the system this year. Hopefully we can help him out by drafting some O linemen in the offseason. Rinehardt seems capable and may end up filling in for the aging Kendall next year. We need more help at RG/RT. Additionally, we NEED for either Thomas or Kelly (preferably both) to become major contributors next year. They have the size and speed to be threats they just need to work hard and come in to camp in shape and learn the offense. They haven't been able to do that yet. If we get the line help and production from those young WRs, I believe Campbell can be a great QB in this league.
What I like from him this year, again, is that I can see that he has grown as a leader. He seems more confident in understanding the NFL and taking control of the game. I'm sure he has made mistakes but for all of the issues mentioned (his youth, lack of line help, lack of WR help), I believe he has played admirably.
Frankly, if we were to make a move in the offseason at QB it would be a big mistake. Who would we go with? Brennan? Yeah, right. Brennan played pretty well against 3rd stringers and guys that didn't make NFL teams in the preseason and he is the "sexy" pick but he is not ready to lead an NFL team particularly in the tough NFC East. He is small in stature and has the side arm throw. I'm not saying that he can't develop. All I am saying is that JC has done nothing in my opinion to warrant any type of change and to even consider a change in my mind would be ridiculous as it would set our offense back even further.
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