Smoak Signals - Redskins News for August 7

[smoak]

A Gunner and a Target (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR2008080603571.html)
Campbell Is Well Aware of Pressure That Comes as Redskins' Starting QB

Channel surfing on his car radio last week, Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell stopped when he heard his name. The Redskins were the topic on a sports talk call-in show and Campbell was the focus.

"Some guy [called in and] said, 'Well, if the Redskins start out 1-4, do you throw Todd Collins in there?' I just started laughing," Campbell said after a recent practice at Redskins Park. "I thought to myself, 'Darn, you're basically throwing me under the bus by saying it's a one-man show.' It's not a one-man show. It's a team game. What if I play great games and we still don't win? So that's still all on me? I guess that's just the way it is for me."

Redskins Notebook (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR2008080603570.html?sid=ST2008080603791&pos=list)
Blache Gives His Rookies Helping of Sweet and Sour

Defensive coordinator Greg Blache praised the work of several Washington rookies in Sunday's preseason opener but also was quick to point out their flaws. Blache said he saw flashes of what he wanted from safety Chris Horton, defensive end Rob Jackson and cornerback Matteral Richardson, though plenty of mistakes shone through on the game film.

Gotta keep the kids grounded in my opinion.

Randle El ready to exceed expectations (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/07/randle-el-ready-to-exceed-expectations/)
Zorn expects veteran receiver to thrive in this year's offense

The threat of Santana Moss' speed drew an Indianapolis Colts cornerback and safety with him, leaving fellow receiver Antwaan Randle El free to streak wide-open across the field and haul in a touchdown pass from Jason Campbell three snaps into the Jim Zorn era Sunday night in Canton, Ohio.

Boschetti earns his keep (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/07/boschetti-earns-his-keep/)
Ryan Boschetti lounged in an ice bath after Wednesday morning's practice. After four years of going full bore, the Washington Redskins' reserve defensive lineman has earned the right to chill.

The Washington Times Ryan Boschetti (left), in his fifth season, has been around longer than all but seven Redskins players.

Four Augusts ago, Boschetti was a fresh-faced long shot in training camp as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. Nineteen games, two starts and 15 career tackles later, Boschetti has had a longer shelf life than all but seven Redskins.

'They will break your heart' (http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/redskins/2008/Aug/06/they-will-break-heart/)
"Rookies are fine and dandy, and I'm glad to see them progressing, but I don't fall in love with rookies," Blache said after morning practice. "[B]I would rather fall in love with a stripper than a rookie because they will break your heart."

Ok, that is my new signature. :D

[smoak]

Another Brennan article
Despite splashy debut, Brennan still has room for improvement (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2008-08-05-brennan_N.htm)
After Tuesday's morning practice, "Coach Meidt turned to me and said, 'You were pretty horrible when it came to technique, but you made up for it with some good throws,' " Brennan said.

[smoak]

Browns, Cowboys, Vikings top O-line rankings (http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?id=3447747)23. Washington Redskins
The Redskins neither excelled nor faltered with run or pass blocking in 2007. They were without one of their better linemen, RT Jon Jansen, who missed the entire season after dislocating his ankle. A pure right tackle who probably is declining after a rough series of injuries, Jansen is tough, experienced and the type of lineman to run behind in short yardage situations. He will be welcomed back with open arms, although Stephon Heyer filled in quite well and looks to have a place in this league. On the opposite side, Chris Samuels still is playing at a high level, particularly as a blind side pass-protector who faces some elite edge pass-rushers in the NFC East. Both guards, Randy Thomas and Pete Kendall, have battled injuries, and as with this entire line, age is an issue. Thomas has played only one full season out of the past four, and Kendall has a chronic knee problem. Outside of Heyer, there isn't a lot of depth here, but rookie Chad Rinehart could become a versatile backup as he acclimates to this level. This line really struggled in its playoff loss in Seattle but now will be switching to an offensive scheme much like the one the Seahawks play under Jim Zorn. Teaching old dogs new tricks isn't always a smooth transition, and there could be bumps in the road for the Redskins.

[Death_Venom]

Another Brennan article
Despite splashy debut, Brennan still has room for improvement (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/redskins/2008-08-05-brennan_N.htm)After Tuesday's morning practice, "Coach Meidt turned to me and said, 'You were pretty horrible when it came to technique, but you made up for it with some good throws,' " Brennan said.

I know that further down in his blog Brennan states he realizes that he has a great deal of improvement to do and welcomes it.

[firehawk157]

If Campbell keeps up what he's doing though, Brennan will have to find somewhere else to go to start if that's what he wants to do.

[smoak]

Time for Skins to get healthy (http://www.examiner.com/a-1525292~Time_for_Skins_to_get_healthy.html)
The Redskins are so banged up the next Easterns Auto commercial will be filmed in a junk yard.

Players are out for the year, others for a few weeks and the top two draft picks quickly went down after entering camp out of shape. What’s next? You know what’s next — a major injury to a major player.

[hockeygoalie29]

Browns, Cowboys, Vikings top O-line rankings (http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?id=3447747)
23. Washington Redskins
The Redskins neither excelled nor faltered with run or pass blocking in 2007. They were without one of their better linemen, RT Jon Jansen, who missed the entire season after dislocating his ankle. A pure right tackle who probably is declining after a rough series of injuries, Jansen is tough, experienced and the type of lineman to run behind in short yardage situations. He will be welcomed back with open arms, although Stephon Heyer filled in quite well and looks to have a place in this league. On the opposite side, Chris Samuels still is playing at a high level, particularly as a blind side pass-protector who faces some elite edge pass-rushers in the NFC East. Both guards, Randy Thomas and Pete Kendall, have battled injuries, and as with this entire line, age is an issue. Thomas has played only one full season out of the past four, and Kendall has a chronic knee problem. Outside of Heyer, there isn't a lot of depth here, but rookie Chad Rinehart could become a versatile backup as he acclimates to this level. This line really struggled in its playoff loss in Seattle but now will be switching to an offensive scheme much like the one the Seahawks play under Jim Zorn. Teaching old dogs new tricks isn't always a smooth transition, and there could be bumps in the road for the Redskins.


That is a ludicrous ranking. They are judging the 2007 line based on how the 2006 line performed? They knock them because they struggled in the playoff loss to Seattle? What did you expect when 40% of the starting line was missing the ENTIRE season? Come on ESPN, I thought you had more common sense than that. I'd agree they were probably around the 23rd best line at the end of 2007, but this line is easily top 10 in the NFL in 2008.

Furthermore, they say there isn't a lot of depth, but yet say we "neither excelled nor faltered with run or pass blocking in 2007." There must be some pretty good depth there if they didn't falter with 40% of the line on IR last season. Not too mention we added Reinart in the draft and also have Wade, a former starter, on the bench to go along with Fabini and Heyer. I'd say our depth is just fine...

[LATrueRedskin]

Thanks for the articles, smoak. Who knew Boschetti has been on the team this long? And I agree with hockeygoalie: 23rd?!?!

[bergiemoore]

That is a ludicrous ranking. They are judging the 2007 line based on how the 2006 line performed? They knock them because they struggled in the playoff loss to Seattle? What did you expect when 40% of the starting line was missing the ENTIRE season? Come on ESPN, I thought you had more common sense than that. I'd agree they were probably around the 23rd best line at the end of 2007, but this line is easily top 10 in the NFL in 2008.

Furthermore, they say there isn't a lot of depth, but yet say we "neither excelled nor faltered with run or pass blocking in 2007." There must be some pretty good depth there if they didn't falter with 40% of the line on IR last season. Not too mention we added Reinart in the draft and also have Wade, a former starter, on the bench to go along with Fabini and Heyer. I'd say our depth is just fine...

I agree. How they can rate this OLine behind the likes of Houston is beyond me. The author seems to be grading them based on their age and not their talent. Also, the author was completely wrong in his assessment that this OLine "will be switching to an offensive scheme much like the one the Seahawks play under Jim Zorn. Teaching old dogs new tricks isn't always a smooth transition, and there could be bumps in the road for the Redskins." This OLine is not learning a new scheme, rather, it is remaining consistent with the same coach, blocking schemes and vocabulary they've used the last 4 years. This guy obviously didn't do his research. It looks he pulled his rankings from fantasy football, and then threw in some gibberish to justify them.

[colkurtz]

I agree. How they can rate this OLine behind the likes of Houston is beyond me. The author seems to be grading them based on their age and not their talent. Also, the author was completely wrong in his assessment that this OLine "will be switching to an offensive scheme much like the one the Seahawks play under Jim Zorn. Teaching old dogs new tricks isn't always a smooth transition, and there could be bumps in the road for the Redskins." This OLine is not learning a new scheme, rather, it is remaining consistent with the same coach, blocking schemes and vocabulary they've used the last 4 years. This guy obviously didn't do his research. It looks he pulled his rankings from fantasy football, and then threw in some gibberish to justify them.

#23? What? The team finished #12 last season with a boatload of injuries to key players. They are all coming back, as well as some decent rookies. We just fixed our biggest hole [DE] with a premiere DE FA. We just went from a weak pass rush to a strong one. Our offense is much more potent with a new coach and style. Guess ESPN didn't watch any of the HOF game. I'd rather stay under the radar.

[hockeygoalie29]

#23? What? The team finished #12 last season with a boatload of injuries to key players. They are all coming back, as well as some decent rookies. We just fixed our biggest hole [DE] with a premiere DE FA. We just went from a weak pass rush to a strong one. Our offense is much more potent with a new coach and style. Guess ESPN didn't watch any of the HOF game. I'd rather stay under the radar.

Psssst. This is referring to O-line rankings, not a power poll. ;)

[firehawk157]

I agree. How they can rate this OLine behind the likes of Houston is beyond me. The author seems to be grading them based on their age and not their talent. Also, the author was completely wrong in his assessment that this OLine "will be switching to an offensive scheme much like the one the Seahawks play under Jim Zorn. Teaching old dogs new tricks isn't always a smooth transition, and there could be bumps in the road for the Redskins." This OLine is not learning a new scheme, rather, it is remaining consistent with the same coach, blocking schemes and vocabulary they've used the last 4 years. This guy obviously didn't do his research. It looks he pulled his rankings from fantasy football, and then threw in some gibberish to justify them.
So pretty much par for the course. I think gone are the days that every story you read is well researched but rather stories now are an amalgamution of common prospective, selective stat use, made up statistics (stop percentage vs. an indoor team playing in the snow) and the writer's own bias.

[jaylen]

a couple quick thoughts. Brennan ought to be scaled back bigtime, he's getting too much camera burn and interest, its creating alittle bit of a vaccum, if he can play and thats not been proven at all he'll rise in a couple years but its time to give JC the whole stage and chance to excel with full confidence. I'd scale back some of Brennan's minutes and make him really earn the pt, I'd leap Devine ahead and see what he's got for a game just too keep Brennan head in the right place.

or it'll start an idiotic Brennan call from fans.

Also why is Boschetti still on this team, he doesn't appear to be any good, a good teammate an effort guy but its probably time to move him on, he's not seized any chance to move up the depth chart in his time here.

[Nomad]

That is a ludicrous ranking. They are judging the 2007 line based on how the 2006 line performed? They knock them because they struggled in the playoff loss to Seattle? What did you expect when 40% of the starting line was missing the ENTIRE season? Come on ESPN, I thought you had more common sense than that. I'd agree they were probably around the 23rd best line at the end of 2007, but this line is easily top 10 in the NFL in 2008.

Furthermore, they say there isn't a lot of depth, but yet say we "neither excelled nor faltered with run or pass blocking in 2007." There must be some pretty good depth there if they didn't falter with 40% of the line on IR last season. Not too mention we added Reinart in the draft and also have Wade, a former starter, on the bench to go along with Fabini and Heyer. I'd say our depth is just fine...


I hope we outperform it, but I think the ranking is fair. Samuels is the only truely blue chip player in terms of performance AND health, and the only thing that has really changed from last year is the addition of a 3rd rounder.

[hockeygoalie29]

I hope we outperform it, but I think the ranking is fair. Samuels is the only truely blue chip player in terms of performance AND health, and the only thing that has really changed from last year is the addition of a 3rd rounder.

What about the fact that two of our starters, one of which is the 2nd best lineman on the team (Thomas), will actually be playing this year? This line is completely different, and vastly better, than the line we ended the season with in 2007.

We have an all-pro in Samuels who is easily top 3 in the league at LT. Thomas, while not at Hutchinson/Faneca level, is on the 2nd tier of elite guards and is an integral part of our running game. Rabach is vastly underrated at center and Kendall/Jansen, while aging, are still above average at their respective positions.

There is no way this line is worse than the lines in St. Louis, Buffalo, Carolina, Houston, Miami, Denver, Cincy, or NY (Jets), all of whom are ranked above the Skins. Not to mention they are ranked dead last in the NFC East which I think complete bull.

[Moe]

What about the fact that two of our starters, one of which is the 2nd best lineman on the team (Thomas), will actually be playing this year? This line is completely different, and vastly better, than the line we ended the season with in 2007.

We have an all-pro in Samuels who is easily top 3 in the league at LT. Thomas, while not at Hutchinson/Faneca level, is on the 2nd tier of elite guards and is an integral part of our running game. Rabach is vastly underrated at center and Kendall/Jansen, while aging, are still above average at their respective positions.

There is no way this line is worse than the lines in St. Louis, Buffalo, Carolina, Houston, Miami, Denver, Cincy, or NY (Jets), all of whom are ranked above the Skins. Not to mention they are ranked dead last in the NFC East which I think complete bull.

Add in the numbers Portis racked up despite missing the right side and it's even further ammo that the article is skewed a bit.

Maybe if Rabach launched 10 or 11 snaps over Campbell's head this year (a la Gurode) he'd get more love ;)

[Swirvi]

Time for Skins to get healthy (http://www.examiner.com/a-1525292~Time_for_Skins_to_get_healthy.html)

Is this supposed to be a joke? Major injury to a major player? I don't find it funny.