"Blades Could Emerge As a Starter" - Redskins.com

[AliBabba]

Ugh

http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/In_Third_Season__Blades_Could_Emerge_As_a_Starter_ 33382.jsp
With Washington released this offseason, Blades could emerge as a front-runner to start at strong-side linebacker.

Chris Wilson and Alfred Fincher are also in the mix. (Wilson would convert from defensive end, where he has played the last two seasons.)

And the Redskins could address the linebacker position in the NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-26..

The only problem is that Blades is 5-10 (listed very generously at that) and can't cover, Wilson has not played the position since college and probably can't cover or stop the run, and Fincher is a special teamer

Said defensive coordinator Greg Blache: “They tell H.B. he is not big enough, not fast enough, not good-looking enough, but yet he gets it done. He’s a guy who plays tough and that’s the good thing about him. He goes out and does what we ask him to do.”

This man is delusional. I don't care about how "good-looking" Blades is or even that much how fast our SLB is but yes I am very concerned about his size. That and the fact that he's gonna be lining up behind Daniels/Wynn

PLEASE DRAFT A LB!!! We need an SLB and RT so badly that I think we have to trade back somehow or maybe even trade a pick from next year to grab one of each in the first two rounds

[RedskinsDave]

I bet there's a janitor out there who could crack the starting line up if he walks on the field. Where are the folks who defended the lack of depth again?

[firehawk157]

Ugh

http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/In_Third_Season__Blades_Could_Emerge_As_a_Starter_ 33382.jsp


The only problem is that Blades is 5-10 (listed very generously at that) and can't cover, Wilson has not played the position since college and probably can't cover or stop the run, and Fincher is a special teamer



This man is delusional. I don't care about how "good-looking" Blades is or even that much how fast our SLB is but yes I am very concerned about his size. That and the fact that he's gonna be lining up behind Daniels/Wynn

PLEASE DRAFT A LB!!! We need an SLB and RT so badly that I think we have to trade back somehow or maybe even trade a pick from next year to grab one of each in the first two rounds
It doesn't tell us anything that is new by any stretch of the imagination. Blades, Fincher, Wilson or unknown draft prospect may start at LB. Woo-hoo, thanks for letting us know.

[shally]

he is maybe, 5 7".. witten is 6' 7"... tell me how he can cover someone like that ?

[redskin_rich]

he is maybe, 5 7".. witten is 6' 7"... tell me how he can cover someone like that ?

The same way most LB's cover-- grab hold of him and hope the ref doesn't see.

[LATrueRedskin]

Boy, not a fan of this. Blades is a Mike linebacker if he is a linebacker at all. Putting him on the outside will create severe mismatches with tight ends and pulling lineman. We better draft or sign somebody to take Marcus Washington's place.

[SkinsfaninNJ]

Has Washington signed anywhere else? I guess he could still be in the mix too if no one else shows interest.

[firehawk157]

Has Washington signed anywhere else? I guess he could still be in the mix too if no one else shows interest.
No, but JLC tends to think he's not going to re-sign for the vet min and that's what we're giving out now.

This reminds me so much of the Todd Wade at LG situation.

[AliBabba]

Has Washington signed anywhere else? I guess he could still be in the mix too if no one else shows interest.

No, but JLC tends to think he's not going to re-sign for the vet min and that's what we're giving out now.

This reminds me so much of the Todd Wade at LG situation.

If he does sign for vet min he may not do it here anyhow as there are several reports of him feeling "betrayed" and "dissed" by the organization. I read somewhere he told another player he would retire before coming back to the Redskins

[Jon Creveling]

This man is delusional. I don't care about how "good-looking" Blades is or even that much how fast our SLB is but yes I am very concerned about his size. That and the fact that he's gonna be lining up behind Daniels/Wynn

PLEASE DRAFT A LB!!! We need an SLB and RT so badly that I think we have to trade back somehow or maybe even trade a pick from next year to grab one of each in the first two rounds

I think he looks bigger than he realy is because of that big ass neck collar he always wears........:)

Nothing against the player himself, this is where and when we lose, this damn mindset of it will be ok coupled with both Blache and Bugel willing to WING-IT through yet another season.

ATTENTION !..........Disclaimer!....:)
I can not stand Wynn and have limited tolerance for Phil!

But I brought it up in the Sign Phil thread, do you guys think we now need much more speed atleast on the outside L.B.er positions? I do.

Running off-tackle and pitch-outs are going to kill us this year with no speed at all at any L.B.er position, this in combo with those two dead on their feet D.E.'s are going to eat us to the bone.

Lets face it not many teams will challenge Big AL up the middle.

Your second point I'm OK with , in fact if G.M. I would endorse doing it, as far as grabbing 2 high grade prospects this year but I highly doubt the team will act.

But both prospects at R.T. + L.B. must be Bugel-proof and Blache-proof!

That's not intended to come off as a wise-ass, it's just reality when dealing with this team!

[CNYSkinFan]

If Vinny does nothing to shore up the LB spot, of course Blades will have a chance at starting. Just like Reed started at SS last year because we did nothing to really shore that up until we got lucky with horton emergin.

[shally]

Boy, not a fan of this. Blades is a Mike linebacker if he is a linebacker at all. Putting him on the outside will create severe mismatches with tight ends and pulling lineman. We better draft or sign somebody to take Marcus Washington's place.

+1, absolutely !!

[Keino]

I thought Blades looked good at SAM in his Rook year, when he played it in spots. Last year he looked awful.

I am so sick of Blache...........

[skin4ever]

I like it for one reason, I think everyone should be told they have a chance to start or that their position as starter is not safe. I mean we basically did it with JC, now all the LBs will be working harder. At least then a vet starter cant claim he didnt know his job was up for grabs like jansen last year.(i know this circustance is different). We arent that good of a team, more guys need to be told this.

ON a side note and what i think is reality, i agree with CNYSkinsfan who posted:"If Vinny does nothing to shore up the LB spot, of course Blades will have a chance at starting. Just like Reed started at SS last year because we did nothing to really shore that up until we got lucky with horton emergin."[sorry dont know how to do the quote within apost without replying to a quote]

[BurgundyNGold]

Ugh
Quoted for emphasis. Blades will never be good enough to start or even back up at either OLB position and I have serious reservations about believing he can even adequately fill in as Fletcher's heir apparent at MLB.

Has Washington signed anywhere else? I guess he could still be in the mix too if no one else shows interest.
Leave him be. Cutting him was addition by subtraction.

[Brokenstriker]

Said defensive coordinator Greg Blache: “They tell H.B. he is not big enough, not fast enough, not good-looking enough, but yet he gets it done. He’s a guy who plays tough and that’s the good thing about him. He goes out and does what we ask him to do.”


What have they asked him to do? Cause if he did it last season is sure wasn't "go out there and prove you are an NFL linebacker!" and most certainly not "go out there and prove you should be starting ... at OLB"

Ol' Doc Blanche must be self medicating if he sincerely beleives that Blades is either an NFL caliber linebacker ... or a smart choice for OLB

[shally]

Said defensive coordinator Greg Blache: “They tell H.B. he is not big enough, not fast enough, not good-looking enough, but yet he gets it done. He’s a guy who plays tough and that’s the good thing about him. He goes out and does what we ask him to do.”


What have they asked him to do? Cause if he did it last season is sure wasn't "go out there and prove you are an NFL linebacker!" and most certainly not "go out there and prove you should be starting ... at OLB"

Ol' Doc Blanche must be self medicating if he sincerely beleives that Blades is either an NFL caliber linebacker ... or a smart choice for OLB

problem we have is that blades is a natural MLB, and would probably do very well in that position.. but we have fletcher who is superb inthat position.. either we should run some 3/4, or we need to get used to the idea that blades is a reserve until fletcher retires..he simply doesnt have the size needed to play OLB--certainly not over the tight end..

[Sean36]

problem we have is that blades is a natural MLB, and would probably do very well in that position.. but we have fletcher who is superb inthat position.. either we should run some 3/4, or we need to get used to the idea that blades is a reserve until fletcher retires..he simply doesnt have the size needed to play OLB--certainly not over the tight end..

Like I said on the other thread.....LaVar Arrington's knee should be 100% & a 85 to 90% LaVar is better than all the LB's we have at SLB & he is big enough to play SAM.....tell Snyder to get over it & that retard Vinny.

H.B. Blades what a joke:smash:

[Redskinmayhem]

This is sickening although its like we didn't know they were going to plug him in there. It's going to be another patchwork rotation...if they do draft a sam, it's going to be very late.

[Redskinmayhem]

another thing...Blades is a nice guy, hard worker an Humble but you can't teach Size. He's too short, too small, even to play Mike. Imagine a 300lb C or G getting in his face. He'd never get off the point of attack.

Lets be honest. HB Blades is a career special teamer. I'd love to eat crow but we all know it won't happen.

[bergiemoore]

another thing...Blades is a nice guy, hard worker an Humble but you can't teach Size. He's too short, too small, even to play Mike. Imagine a 300lb C or G getting in his face. He'd never get off the point of attack.

Lets be honest. HB Blades is a career special teamer. I'd love to eat crow but we all know it won't happen.

Playing Mike isn't out of the question for Blades, especially with Haynesworth in front of him. Blades would be allowed to flow untouched into gaps and snuff out the running game. Physically, the only difference between Blades and Fletcher is about 9 years of age. To be clear, I'm not equating Blades with Fletcher. Blades has a ways to go before he's allowed to carry Fletcher's jock strap, but he shouldn't be dismissed from competing at Mike due to his size.

That said, SAM is an entirely different animal.

[BurgundyNGold]

Playing Mike isn't out of the question for Blades, especially with Haynesworth in front of him. Blades would be allowed to flow untouched into gaps and snuff out the running game. Physically, the only difference between Blades and Fletcher is about 9 years of age. To be clear, I'm not equating Blades with Fletcher. Blades has a ways to go before he's allowed to carry Fletcher's jock strap, but he shouldn't be dismissed from competing at Mike due to his size.

That said, SAM is an entirely different animal.
Agreed on both points. I think the Mike is his for the taking. He should be able to compete with that. I hope he gets it because he turns out to be a better than average player -- not because we don't have anybody else -- which is why he'd be playing Sam.

[Moe]

Playing Mike isn't out of the question for Blades, especially with Haynesworth in front of him. Blades would be allowed to flow untouched into gaps and snuff out the running game. Physically, the only difference between Blades and Fletcher is about 9 years of age. To be clear, I'm not equating Blades with Fletcher. Blades has a ways to go before he's allowed to carry Fletcher's jock strap, but he shouldn't be dismissed from competing at Mike due to his size.

That said, SAM is an entirely different animal.

You beat me to the punch. Blades is built just like Fletcher and IMO Blades has never lacked for physicality or ability to tackle, he just struggles dropping back and in coverage (as do a great many LB's). In rotation, where he'll be positioned to primarily support the run and in short area schemes, he can be successful at SAM, but if he's to be asked to cover seam routes on a regular basis then we better hope the corners are locking down so the safeties can help him.

[bergiemoore]

Agreed on both points. I think the Mike is his for the taking. He should be able to compete with that. I hope he gets it because he turns out to be a better than average player -- not because we don't have anybody else -- which is why he'd be playing Sam.

I don't believe that the starting SAM is on the team, at this time. This position should be the Skins' first priority in the draft, unless they're able to find a quality SAM still in the FA market. Is there anything like this still on the FA market, or available for a trade?

[shally]

Agreed on both points. I think the Mike is his for the taking. He should be able to compete with that. I hope he gets it because he turns out to be a better than average player -- not because we don't have anybody else -- which is why he'd be playing Sam.

they had talked about possibly rocky moving to SAM... i dont see that either. he wont hold up

thomas should be a decent stop gap

[shally]

I don't believe that the starting SAM is on the team, at this time. This position should be the Skins' first priority in the draft, unless they're able to find a quality SAM still in the FA market. Is there anything like this still on the FA market, or available for a trade?


again, we quietly signed Robert Thomas this week.. he will get a shot at SAM, i bet

but expect a mid round pick for a LB..also, Wilson is being tried at SAM.. at least he has the size needed

[AliBabba]

again, we quietly signed Robert Thomas this week.. he will get a shot at SAM, i bet

but expect a mid round pick for a LB..also, Wilson is being tried at SAM.. at least he has the size needed
i wouldn't consider Thomas as anything but camp fodder right nwo

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

Ugh...why???? :banghead: This should be interesting. And not the good kind of interesting either.

[VegasSkinsFan]

I like Blades, but not at OLB. I hope that Wilson works, but i am getting tired of us trying guys in spots that just dont fit. Take last year, we had Geisinger...who in preseason didnt look terrible at C, he is listed as a G, but we played him at T...and he got smoked. We need to get guys who fit the role and not more guys that dont fit the scheme either like AA etc.

[Redskinmayhem]

Playing Mike isn't out of the question for Blades, especially with Haynesworth in front of him. Blades would be allowed to flow untouched into gaps and snuff out the running game. Physically, the only difference between Blades and Fletcher is about 9 years of age. To be clear, I'm not equating Blades with Fletcher. Blades has a ways to go before he's allowed to carry Fletcher's jock strap, but he shouldn't be dismissed from competing at Mike due to his size.

That said, SAM is an entirely different animal.

that's a good point, I had forgotten about Fat Albert in front of him...

Still, I don't think HB will ever be the player that Fletcher is. Fletcher is something else all together and super durable on top of that. Personally, I just haven't seen out of HB what I would have liked to have seen by now.

[silverspring]

Not that this is saying much, but I am sure blades could perform as well as marcus washington did last year

[shally]

Not that this is saying much, but I am sure blades could perform as well as marcus washington did last year

sadly, i dont even think that is true.. blades really is a liability at SLB, no matter what Blaches says...

[silverspring]

sadly, i dont even think that is true.. blades really is a liability at SLB, no matter what Blaches says...

Oh come on shally the only bit of liability compared to MW is that I won't learn any new dance moves from Blades :)

[esmith1790]

sadly, i dont even think that is true.. blades really is a liability at SLB, no matter what Blaches says...


they might be able to survive the first couple of games, there will be no game planning in the pre-season to expose the issue then. However, it wont take long to get game tape and then a good OC will target him and expose him really fast.

They can line up the TE in the slot to see if Blades is gona go out and cover him, if they offer safety help over the top, then the OC will bring a Westbrook or Felix Jones out of the back field to isolate him.

NO way Blades can keep up in the flat on a swing pass, or a crossing pattern across the middle to TE or RB.

[Meatsnack]

The most likely move seems to be moving McIntosh over to SAM. There are a number of smaller, faster OLBs in this draft that will go in the middle rounds and can play Will. Unless we spent a round 1 draft pick on Matthews, there are precious few who are a natural SAM.

[BurgundyNGold]

The most likely move seems to be moving McIntosh over to SAM. There are a number of smaller, faster OLBs in this draft that will go in the middle rounds and can play Will. Unless we spent a round 1 draft pick on Matthews, there are precious few who are a natural SAM.
Didn't Matthews and Cushing turn up positive in drug testing? I would be hesitant to draft either of those guys at 13. Rocky moving over to Sam isn't out of the question but his coverage skills have never been very good. Honestly, they'd do better just to play Cobra as a base set.

[NCskinsfanatic]

If he does sign for vet min he may not do it here anyhow as there are several reports of him feeling "betrayed" and "dissed" by the organization. I read somewhere he told another player he would retire before coming back to the Redskins

I feel dissed as a fan of his for his lackluster play, constant injuries, inability to face reality and his dancing after making a routine tackle. He can kiss my grits lol...

[VegasSkinsFan]

Didn't Matthews and Cushing turn up positive in drug testing? I would be hesitant to draft either of those guys at 13. Rocky moving over to Sam isn't out of the question but his coverage skills have never been very good. Honestly, they'd do better just to play Cobra as a base set.

Cobra isnt a bad idea...especially when you have a quality #4 safety :Peace:

[Meatsnack]

Didn't Matthews and Cushing turn up positive in drug testing? I would be hesitant to draft either of those guys at 13. Rocky moving over to Sam isn't out of the question but his coverage skills have never been very good. Honestly, they'd do better just to play Cobra as a base set.

The drug testing thing has been disputed by the Matthews camp and the Cushing camp has remained silent. I agree that I would not draft Matthews or any LB at 13 but if he is clean and can start without a strike against him in the NFL's drug policy, I wouldn't be opposed to him in the mid to late 20's.

[shally]

Didn't Matthews and Cushing turn up positive in drug testing? I would be hesitant to draft either of those guys at 13. Rocky moving over to Sam isn't out of the question but his coverage skills have never been very good. Honestly, they'd do better just to play Cobra as a base set.

+1 on the Cobra..BUT until Horton develops better coverage skills, or K moore can play FS well enough for landry to move into the box, we are still going to get torched by TE's who can move up the seam and catch passes

rocky is so brittle that i think putting him at SAM just about guarantees that he limps off the second half of the season..

[AliBabba]

I feel dissed as a fan of his for his lackluster play, constant injuries, inability to face reality and his dancing after making a routine tackle. He can kiss my grits lol...
Couldn't agree more.... good riddance MW

[joethefan]

do these people watch any film?...if blades played well at the inside linebacker spot and fletcher is there, then allow him to wait his turn plat ST until fletcher rolls out or change to a 3-4.

we are the only team that asks guys to play out of position all the time!!...then when it doesn't work out we cut them because they aren't so called productive.....

[firehawk157]

do these people watch any film?...if blades played well at the inside linebacker spot and fletcher is there, then allow him to wait his turn plat ST until fletcher rolls out or change to a 3-4.

we are the only team that asks guys to play out of position all the time!!...then when it doesn't work out we cut them because they aren't so called productive.....
Like Shaun Suisham at kicker?

[colkurtz]

This article is a pure smoke screen. The Redskins are leaning heavily toward OL or OLB for our #13. They'd love to trade down.

So even though we have a massive hole with Marcus Washington gone, they print this powder puff piece on Blades and how he's coming along. Blades is barely backup material.

This article tells me that there is a very strong chance we draft OLB at #13. Vinny is so freaking transparant.

Cerrato do better just telling other teams who he's going to draft - no one would believe him.

[ClubSandwichGuy]

This article is a pure smoke screen. The Redskins are leaning heavily toward OL or OLB for our #13. They'd love to trade down.

So even though we have a massive hole with Marcus Washington gone, they print this powder puff piece on Blades and how he's coming along. Blades is barely backup material.

This article tells me that there is a very strong chance we draft OLB at #13. Vinny is so freaking transparant.

Cerrato do better just telling other teams who he's going to draft - no one would believe him.
Unless it is ReyRey I am going to be angry. I can just see us drafting that roid-head Cushing.

[MadDog97]

sadly, i dont even think that is true.. blades really is a liability at SLB, no matter what Blaches says...

I agree that we should draft a LB, but the need at offensive tackle is also great. I could live with either one. The problem is an overall lack of draft choices and the prospects at tackle are deeper than LB.

I say trade down, get a first and 2nd, and use them to get a LB and tackle. Use the remaining 3 choices to build depth on the offensive line. We should not trade away 2010 choices, because we will need them as well.

Putting Blades on the outside is a mistake. I think we could live with him in the middle in the future though.

This is where throwing away draft picks really kills us.


:sun:

[firehawk157]

LB is much easier to disguise in a scheme. You can't disguise a horrible RT. We can get a decent guy in the 3rd as well. Or package our 3rd and next year's 2nd to move up into the 2nd round and pick up a guy there.

[smoak]

This is a fluff piece... I'll ruffle my feathers in July/August.

[firehawk157]

This is a fluff piece... I'll ruffle my feathers in July/August.
I'm not so sure. This is a need position, we paid more than the vet min and it was pretty widely publicized.

I'm worried Vinny/Danny will look at this position and think, hey, we got a former 1st rounder (Thomas), a 3rd rounder (Fincher) and a 5th rounder (Blades) competing for OLB, that problem is solved... Hell, we even have a Chris Clemonsesque rush LB (Wilson).

[BurgundyNGold]

LB is much easier to disguise in a scheme. You can't disguise a horrible RT. We can get a decent guy in the 3rd as well. Or package our 3rd and next year's 2nd to move up into the 2nd round and pick up a guy there.
Not that much easier. I still break out in psychosomatic hives at the mere mention of the name Warrick Holdman, lol.

[AliBabba]

LB is much easier to disguise in a scheme. You can't disguise a horrible RT. We can get a decent guy in the 3rd as well. Or package our 3rd and next year's 2nd to move up into the 2nd round and pick up a guy there.

In most schemes/instances I'd agree with you but not here. It's gonna be pretty tough to hide an ineffective or undersized LB who's lining up behind one of two guys who are pushing 40

I'm not so sure. This is a need position, we paid more than the vet min and it was pretty widely publicized.

I'm worried Vinny/Danny will look at this position and think, hey, we got a former 1st rounder (Thomas), a 3rd rounder (Fincher) and a 5th rounder (Blades) competing for OLB, that problem is solved... Hell, we even have a Chris Clemonsesque rush LB (Wilson).

Since this story was from Redskins.com I definitely thought this was a fluff piece/smokescreen. THen they signed Thomas and for more than the vet min. That worries me a lot for the reason you just gave. If they are content with that then WTF are we switching coaches and QBs every time the wind blows?

Anybody else could see that between Thomas, Fincher, Blades and Wilson you've got a decent group of kick coverage guys and 0 LBs who are worthy of starting or backing up at the strong side

[bergiemoore]

Not that much easier. I still break out in psychosomatic hives at the mere mention of the name Warrick Holdman, lol.

Teams constantly ran left down highway 57. I would hate to see the Skins open up another lane on the right by not addressing the SAM.

[firehawk157]

Not that much easier. I still break out in psychosomatic hives at the mere mention of the name Warrick Holdman, lol.

Holdman was bad, but if we had a solid MLB at the time, we could have made do. But Marshall was FAR out of his reckoning playing MLB in a cover-2. Fletcher should be able to compensate a bit better.

In most schemes/instances I'd agree with you but not here. It's gonna be pretty tough to hide an ineffective or undersized LB who's lining up behind one of two guys who are pushing 40

I would rather have an ox in front (which like them or not, Daniels/Wynn are oxen) and a fringe guy at LB then a Jason Taylor with an only slightly better MW.



Since this story was from Redskins.com I definitely thought this was a fluff piece/smokescreen. THen they signed Thomas and for more than the vet min. That worries me a lot for the reason you just gave. If they are content with that then WTF are we switching coaches and QBs every time the wind blows?

Anybody else could see that between Thomas, Fincher, Blades and Wilson you've got a decent group of kick coverage guys and 0 LBs who are worthy of starting or backing up at the strong side

Yeah, I agree. I fear we think we're set at OLB now. Or at least, won't devote much in the way of draft picks in this direction.

[bergiemoore]

In most schemes/instances I'd agree with you but not here. It's gonna be pretty tough to hide an ineffective or undersized LB who's lining up behind one of two guys who are pushing 40



Since this story was from Redskins.com I definitely thought this was a fluff piece/smokescreen. THen they signed Thomas and for more than the vet min. That worries me a lot for the reason you just gave. If they are content with that then WTF are we switching coaches and QBs every time the wind blows?

Anybody else could see that between Thomas, Fincher, Blades and Wilson you've got a decent group of kick coverage guys and 0 LBs who are worthy of starting or backing up at the strong side

Maybe they're planning on running out of the nickle or cobra package every down?

[Patrick]

It will all come down to who's left at 13 becasue as of right now I really don't see anyone wanting to play the Trade-Up game. You've got to believe that the Skins are looking at three positions OL, LB, and yes QB.
I wouldn't be heartbroken if they drafted a DE though.

[firehawk157]

Maybe they're planning on running out of the nickle or cobra package every down?
God, I hope you are joking.

[bergiemoore]

God, I hope you are joking.

What, you don't see the value in having a 210 lb safety being responsible for taking a pounding from a 225 lb RB, or having to cover a 245 lb TE in the flat, for 60 snaps?..... ;)

[Moe]

Holdman was bad, but if we had a solid MLB at the time, we could have made do. But Marshall was FAR out of his reckoning playing MLB in a cover-2. Fletcher should be able to compensate a bit better.

Agree with you here and that it's easier to mask a LB liability, and I'd add it's easier to find LB's late in the draft and as free agents than it is a quality olineman..if in fact that is the choice at 13.
I don't think it's accurate to compare Holdman and Blades. Blades, while limited in areas, is a much more physical prescence than was Holdman and is effective in run support and going forward.


Yeah, I agree. I fear we think we're set at OLB now. Or at least, won't devote much in the way of draft picks in this direction.

That is a concern. There should be quite a lot of attention at this spot and DB with late picks and free agents. If the Skins can trade down to later in the first or early second and address both OT and OLB then we'd all feel better.

[SkinsFan#26]

Im sorry but who really thinks that Blades can play outside linebacker for any team in the NFL he is entirely to short for the position we need to get an OLB out of the draft or something Blades shouldd stay put behind Fletcher untill his time.........also is Lamar Marshall free I would take a look at him again

[ChiefPowhatan17]

I would have signed Lemar Marshall before Robert Thomas as long as he is healthy and in shape, but I don't think Marshall played at all last year, so I doubt he would be in shape and ready to play. But, I think the Blades article is a smokescreen to the world. Blades is not a SLB, he doesn't have the speed to keep up with RB's and TE's. He is way too slow. Sorry.

[shally]

It will all come down to who's left at 13 becasue as of right now I really don't see anyone wanting to play the Trade-Up game. You've got to believe that the Skins are looking at three positions OL, LB, and yes QB.
I wouldn't be heartbroken if they drafted a DE though.

ayers, if he is still there at 13.. none of the others including maybin, johnson, jackson would be worth it...

[skinsfan36]

ayers, if he is still there at 13.. none of the others including maybin, johnson, jackson would be worth it...

ayers seems to be this years branden albert but may be a reach at 13.

if hb starts we better put haynesworth and daniels on that side because he will get ran over and the tight ends run wide open.blades is the MLB of the future not SLb of the present imo

[shally]

ayers seems to be this years branden albert but may be a reach at 13.

if hb starts we better put haynesworth and daniels on that side because he will get ran over and the tight ends run wide open.blades is the MLB of the future not SLb of the present imo

kind of how i see it as well.. worth keeping blades until fletcher is done (next year his salary jumps to 7 million.. i dont think he will be here for that amount)

[Monk4HOF]

I would rather have Jansen or Heyer at RT than Blades at SLB. Blades starting at SLB is an act of complete and total desperation. At least Jansen and Heyer are built to play RT. Blades is a special teamer and part time MLB in a pinch. He is not capable of providing the coverage required on the strong side and he certainly won't fill the pass-rushing role that the old men on that side can't provide.

I have mentioned it before, but if we only have one pick and there is a top-notch SLB available, he has to be the pick. I wouldn't waste a top 15 pick on a RT.

[shally]

I would rather have Jansen or Heyer at RT than Blades at SLB. Blades starting at SLB is an act of complete and total desperation. At least Jansen and Heyer are built to play RT. Blades is a special teamer and part time MLB in a pinch. He is not capable of providing the coverage required on the strong side and he certainly won't fill the pass-rushing role that the old men on that side can't provide.

I have mentioned it before, but if we only have one pick and there is a top-notch SLB available, he has to be the pick. I wouldn't waste a top 15 pick on a RT.

i was with you right up until the last sentence.. i think if there is a solid RT candidate, THAT is who we need to pounce on. i am not convinced that, other than curry and maulauga, there is any LB that is worth the #13 pick.. it might be that the guys in the 3rd round are equally good..

if we can solidify the R tackle position for 5-7 years, it will allow Heyer to move inside to guard, or remain as a reserve Tackle . jansen can shuffle off next year, and we can pick up replacements for rabach and thomas in the next 2 years, even if reinhart doesnt progress, and clark turns out to be a PS player..

we have thomas who can play all 3 positions and has started for 7 years.. add another draftee in the 3rd round, and if Rocky stays healthy we are in good shape for this year