Akh's Thoughts: 2011 Post Mortem

[akhhorus]

Link

Guff on!(Guff will not be taken between 1-4.30 pm)

[AustinSkin]

Very nice analysis. Can't say I agree with all of it, but here are a few comments:

* Trent Williams and Fred Davis need a serious "heart-to-heart" talk and they need to take a blood oath to lay off the weed until their playing days are over. If they are truly apologetic and completely committed to the team, then sign them and keep them. We need to develop a very strong O-Line, with depth to protect our franchise QB prospects.

* Re-sign Fletcher. He's past the twilight of his career, but he came out of 2011 as the league's leading tackler healthy. If he's in shape, keep him.

* I think the grades on Cofield were pretty harsh. I thought he played better. We do need a bona-fide nose tackle. Hopefully Jarvis Jenkins comes back healthy to shore up the D-Line.

* Not sure about Hankerson. Labrum injuries scare the heck out of me. We do need to find a tall receiver, with hands to provide our new franchise QB with a legitimate red zone threat that the QB can throw a jump-ball endzone fade to. I really wish we could have picked up Plaxico this year, despite the baggage.

* I would favor Flynn, Orton or even someone like Delhomme over Jason Campbell. Jason is way too one-dimensional.

*My "sleeper" pick for QB is Brandon Weeden. Get him as an insurance policy. Good footwork, fast decision making, quick release and great accuracy. Justin Blackmon is hands-down the best receiver in the draft. Someone had to throw to him.

[shally]

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

Very nice analysis. Can't say I agree with all of it, but here are a few comments:

* Trent Williams and Fred Davis need a serious "heart-to-heart" talk and they need to take a blood oath to lay off the weed until their playing days are over. If they are truly apologetic and completely committed to the team, then sign them and keep them. We need to develop a very strong O-Line, with depth to protect our franchise QB prospects.

* Re-sign Fletcher. He's past the twilight of his career, but he came out of 2011 as the league's leading tackler healthy. If he's in shape, keep him.

* I think the grades on Cofield were pretty harsh. I thought he played better. We do need a bona-fide nose tackle. Hopefully Jarvis Jenkins comes back healthy to shore up the D-Line.

* Not sure about Hankerson. Labrum injuries scare the heck out of me. We do need to find a tall receiver, with hands to provide our new franchise QB with a legitimate red zone threat that the QB can throw a jump-ball endzone fade to. I really wish we could have picked up Plaxico this year, despite the baggage.

* I would favor Flynn, Orton or even someone like Delhomme over Jason Campbell. Jason is way too one-dimensional.

*My "sleeper" pick for QB is Brandon Weeden. Get him as an insurance policy. Good footwork, fast decision making, quick release and great accuracy. Justin Blackmon is hands-down the best receiver in the draft. Someone had to throw to him.

Weedon is older than Flynn-- just saying...

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

Very nice analysis. Can't say I agree with all of it, but here are a few comments:

* Trent Williams and Fred Davis need a serious "heart-to-heart" talk and they need to take a blood oath to lay off the weed until their playing days are over. If they are truly apologetic and completely committed to the team, then sign them and keep them. We need to develop a very strong O-Line, with depth to protect our franchise QB prospects.

Ironically, Cheech and Chong were required to take a surprise drug test this morning.

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

* Re-sign Fletcher. He's past the twilight of his career, but he came out of 2011 as the league's leading tackler healthy. If he's in shape, keep him.

I'd like to keep him, but I wouldn't overpay.

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

* I think the grades on Cofield were pretty harsh. I thought he played better. We do need a bona-fide nose tackle. Hopefully Jarvis Jenkins comes back healthy to shore up the D-Line.

I don't know if Jenkins would be any better at NT because he's so tall. Cofield should be a DE, he's a disaster against the run.

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

* Not sure about Hankerson. Labrum injuries scare the heck out of me. We do need to find a tall receiver, with hands to provide our new franchise QB with a legitimate red zone threat that the QB can throw a jump-ball endzone fade to. I really wish we could have picked up Plaxico this year, despite the baggage.

* I would favor Flynn, Orton or even someone like Delhomme over Jason Campbell. Jason is way too one-dimensional.

*My "sleeper" pick for QB is Brandon Weeden. Get him as an insurance policy. Good footwork, fast decision making, quick release and great accuracy. Justin Blackmon is hands-down the best receiver in the draft. Someone had to throw to him.

Originally Posted by shally

Weedon is older than Flynn-- just saying...

What Shally said. Weedon will be 29 next season. Id rather get a QB prospect that I don't have to replace by the time he learns the NFL.

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

Need to see a lot more from Hankerson before he can be considered a successful draft pick. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both had one big game a piece as well.

A mid 3rd for Hankerson though.

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

If Shanny/Allen take a CB at #6 overall I'm going to have to revisit that "what will you do..." thread. CB's don't win championships. Just look at the iggles. They might have the best CB trio of all time and they didn't even make the paloffs.

I totally agree, but decision makers talk themselves into the wrong pick more often then talking themselves into the right pick.

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

Also, there were at least a few of us predicting 3-6 wins. I know I did. IIRC, there was a thread where Cowherd predicted 2-14 for the Skins. That had a lot of posters upset but there were a few of us who thought that was possible:

http://www.hailredskins.com/vbforum/...96#post1392296

This is true, I shouldn't have said "everyone" but I got a visceral reaction to my 4 win prediction this past summer.

[AustinSkin]

Originally Posted by shally

Weedon is older than Flynn-- just saying...

I know he is older, and I am not suggesting that he be the sole focus of our pursuit for a franchise QB. If available in the middle rounds, I would pick him up for insurance.

His body hasn't been hammered for eight years, so he could have 5-6 decent years as a QB in the NFL. If he has all of the skills, combined with the intelligence to pick up the system, I would be happy to have him on board.

[oldskinfan]

Nice read though taken with a grain of salt since written in hindsight.

Your suggestions as GM were also interesting though hard to imagine all that falling in place. Funny I was thinking about Quinn and Young as options at QB this morning as an alternative to the Flynn love-fest.

When I think of this year's roster, it really isn't half bad, but two things stand out as glaring needs to me.

'Nuff said about the QB position. Hard to find a Brees, Rodgers, or Brady, but my gosh, the QB play could not have been more abysmal taken as a whole.

To me the other GLARING need is WR. We don't have a #1. Gaffney is barely a decent #2 and Moss is now a #3 slot at best.

So as much as it would be exciting to see Luck or RGIII in a uni, a decent plan B to me would be Blackmon at #6 (if RGIII is gone) and Tannehill or Foles to develop, with getting a placeholder like Young, Orton, or Quinn.

I know it is possible, but I just can't stomach another year of Grossman - a QB who defends his automatic 2 turnovers per game by making the occasional good play ANY DECENT STARTING QB should make. Agree this was the single most glaring problem this year, and Shanny has to take the heat for that.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by oldskinfan

Nice read though taken with a grain of salt since written in hindsight.

Your suggestions as GM were also interesting though hard to imagine all that falling in place. Funny I was thinking about Quinn and Young as options at QB this morning as an alternative to the Flynn love-fest.

I don't think either is a good one to Flynn or a rookie. Another option would be offering a pick for Josh Freeman since the entire coaching staff was scrambled.

Originally Posted by oldskinfan

When I think of this year's roster, it really isn't half bad, but two things stand out as glaring needs to me.

'Nuff said about the QB position. Hard to find a Brees, Rodgers, or Brady, but my gosh, the QB play could not have been more abysmal taken as a whole.

To me the other GLARING need is WR. We don't have a #1. Gaffney is barely a decent #2 and Moss is now a #3 slot at best.

I don't like Gaffney's preening, but as a 3rd guy to Hankerson and someone else, I think that he could be very effective. 50 first downs speaks for itself imo.

Originally Posted by oldskinfan

So as much as it would be exciting to see Luck or RGIII in a uni, a decent plan B to me would be Blackmon at #6 (if RGIII is gone) and Tannehill or Foles to develop, with getting a placeholder like Young, Orton, or Quinn.

I know it is possible, but I just can't stomach another year of Grossman - a QB who defends his automatic 2 turnovers per game by making the occasional good play ANY DECENT STARTING QB should make.

As long as you fix that QB spot with someone of quality, the WR position can be fixed cheaper then with the #6 pick imo.

[shally]

Originally Posted by AustinSkin

I know he is older, and I am not suggesting that he be the sole focus of our pursuit for a franchise QB. If available in the middle rounds, I would pick him up for insurance.

His body hasn't been hammered for eight years, so he could have 5-6 decent years as a QB in the NFL. If he has all of the skills, combined with the intelligence to pick up the system, I would be happy to have him on board.

he is going to go in the 3-4th round.. maybe higher if he has a solid combine..

unless we are going to sign a guy like Orton or Flynn it makes little sense to use that kind of pick on a guy who will be over 30 before he is ready to start, based upon experience

better to roll with Tannehill or Foles who can afford to learn for a couple of years and still be under 25

[Ibleedburgundy]

Need to see a lot more from Hankerson before he can be considered a successful draft pick. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both had one big game a piece as well.

If Shanny/Allen take a CB at #6 overall I'm going to have to revisit that "what will you do..." thread. CB's don't win championships. Just look at the iggles. They might have the best CB trio of all time and they didn't even make the paloffs.

Also, there were at least a few of us predicting 3-6 wins. I know I did. IIRC, there was a thread where Cowherd predicted 2-14 for the Skins. That had a lot of posters upset but there were a few of us who thought that was possible:

http://www.hailredskins.com/vbforum/...96#post1392296

[CNYSkinFan]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

Need to see a lot more from Hankerson before he can be considered a successful draft pick. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly both had one big game a piece as well.

If Shanny/Allen take a CB at #6 overall I'm going to have to revisit that "what will you do..." thread. CB's don't win championships. Just look at the iggles. They might have the best CB trio of all time and they didn't even make the paloffs.

Also, there were at least a few of us predicting 3-6 wins. I know I did. IIRC, there was a thread where Cowherd predicted 2-14 for the Skins. That had a lot of posters upset but there were a few of us who thought that was possible:

http://www.hailredskins.com/vbforum/...96#post1392296

I got 5-11 right on the mark

http://www.hailredskins.com/vbforum/...75&postcount=6

[Brokenstriker]

killed some lunch hour time with this ...
CENTER
Montgomery, Will - KEEPER - Decent if not remarkably good
Cook, Erik - CUT - Proved not NFL caliber
GUARD
Lichtensteiger, Kory - KNEE? - Return to first string if he is healthy
Chester, Chris - COMPETE - Heard good and bad reviews of Chester … no idea who is right
Hurt, Maurice - COMPETE - Can he play well in the NFL?
Locklear, Sean - CUT - Twitter this …
Olsen, Eric - PS
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Smith, Willie - COMPETE - Very promising but needs to prove it in camp
Brown, Jammal - COMPETE - Need a significant upgrade at RT but Brown might be a decent back-up or better *if healthy
Williams, Trent - TRADE - Injuries and drugs - get value for him and move on
Polumbus, Tyler - COMPETE - Promising but needs to prove it in camp
Pemberton, Cole - PS
TIGHT END
Cooley, Chris - KNEE? - His injury didn't sound like the kind that will get better
Paulsen, Logan - COMPETE - Did a fair job. Needs to improve as a blocker.
Davis, Fred - TRADE - Injuries and drugs - get value for him and move on
Myers, Rob - ??
Quinn, Richard - ??
Oordt, Schuylar - PS
QUARTERBACK
Grossman, Rex - COMPETE - Keep as the back-up
Beck, John - CUT - Make it STOP!
Crompton, Jonathan - PS
RUNNING BACK
Hightower, Tim - PRICE? - Might not be as effective as either Helu or Royster - time will tell
Helu, Roy - KEEPER
Royster, Evan - KEEPER
Davis, Tristan - PS
Johnson, Stafon - PS
FULL BACK
Young, Darrel - KEEPER - pleasent surprise
Sellers, Mike - CUT - One of my favorite players but the jig is over …
WIDE RECEIVER
Gaffney, Jabar - KEEPER - Reliable
Moss, Santana - PRICE? - Role needs to be redefined. Attitude needs to be scrubbed.
Hankerson, Leonard - HIP? - Was his last game indicative of what he can do … or is it his "last" game?
Anderson, David - COMPETE - Did a fair job. Appeared to be a good route runner
Armstrong, Anthony - COMPETE - Has to return to his first year play - strong arm QB probably helps him
Paul, Niles - COMPETE - Unremarkable but still early. Needs to show something.
Stallworth, Donte - COMPETE - Reliable but old/slow/bad decision making
Austin, Terrence - COMPETE - Unremarkable and running out of time
Banks, Brandon - TRADE/CUT - worthless as a WR and questionable value as a returner ... too many drives starting inside the Skins 20
Robinson, Aldrick - ?? - Really a returner. Can he contribute as a WR?
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Cofield, Barry - COMPETE - Probably not the ideal NT
Neild, Chris - COMPETE - Solid play and high value. Does he get better with time & experience?
Worthington, Doug - COMPETE
Baker, Chris - ??
DEFENSIVE END
Jenkins, Jarvis - KNEE?? - Game changer potential
Bowen, Stephen - COMPETE - Good and bad reviews … not sure who he really is.
Carriker, Adam - KEEPER
Golston, Kedric - COMPETE
Scott, Darrion - COMPETE - looked good against the Eagles but there must have been a reason he was cut earlier
Balmer, Kentwan - COMPETE - Had potential … is it still there and will he deliver?
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Kerrigan, Ryan - KEEPER
Orakpo, Brian - KEEPER
Jackson, Rob - COMPETE - Nice job in releif of Orakpo. Can rush the passer. Can he stop the run or cover?
Alexander, Lorenzo - KEEPER - Really ST Gunner. Ability to step into position play is good but not a "good" OLB
White, Markus - COMPETE - Not much playing time … is there a bad reason for this?
INSIDE LINEBACKER
Riley, Perry - KEEPER
Fletcher, London - AGE/PRICE - When will he run out of gas?
Fox, Keyaron - COMPETE
McIntosh, Rocky - TRADE/CUT - Attitude and vanishing act in games. High end not high enough. Lost job to Riley.
CORNERBACK
Wilson, Josh - KEEPER
Westbrook, Byron - COMPETE - Looked like he as stepped up in limited play … is there something good there?
Hall, DeAngelo - TRADE/CUT - Poor decision making, bad plays really bad … good plays not often enough
Barnes, Kevin - COMPETE - Certainly would like better play from the nickle-back
Buchanon, Phillip - COMPETE - Age, decision making … reliable back-up I suppose
Thompson, Brandyn - COMPETE - thought he had a good pre-season but didn't see much if any game time
Bellany, Travon - PS
STRONG SAFETY
Landry, LaRon - TRADE/COMPETE - Poor play outshines good play. Health, decision making and attitude all bad.
Doughty, Reed - CUT - Thanks and good luck
Gomes, DeJon - COMPETE - needs get better in coverage and dealing with large bodies
Hamlin, Mike - COMPETE - Kid was a very good BCS Safety @ Clemson … lets see what he can do
FREE SAFETY
Atogwe, Oshiomogho - COMPETE - Resume says he's better than he was … so lets say it was injuries and try again
SPECIALISTS
Gano, Graham - COMPETE - Needs to be pushed in pre-season. Clutch is slipping but has the HP to go long
Sundberg, Nick - COMPETE - Is he the reason kicks were blocked? Can he hold the line?
Rocca, Sav - KEEPER

LEGEND
CUT = just end it now!
COMPETE = try to improve the position with new personnel
TRADE = prefer to remove from the roster
PS = Practice Squad Player

High Priority to Improve: Quarterback, Strong Safety
Significant Improvement Desired: Off Tackle, Cornerback, Free Safety, Center (depth), Kicker, Snapper
Not Ideal or Complete: Wide Receiver, Guard, Tight End, D Line, Inside LB
Looks Pretty Good: Running Back, Fullback, Punter

[shally]

Olsen (OL) was picked up by the Saints...

[oldskinfan]

Originally Posted by Brokenstriker

High Priority to Improve: Quarterback, Strong Safety
Significant Improvement Desired: Off Tackle, Cornerback, Free Safety, Center (depth), Kicker, Snapper
Not Ideal or Complete: Wide Receiver, Guard, Tight End, D Line, Inside LB
Looks Pretty Good: Running Back, Fullback, Punter

Disagree on WR corps as a whole. We sorely need a true #1. It's too risky to just assume Hankerson will become that guy.

I would keep Hankerson, relegate Moss to 3rd down, keep Gaffney, and draft or go after a true #1 like Bowe, or Blackmon.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by oldskinfan

Disagree on WR corps as a whole. We sorely need a true #1. It's too risky to just assume Hankerson will become that guy.

I would keep Hankerson, relegate Moss to 3rd down, keep Gaffney, and draft or go after a true #1 like Bowe, or Blackmon.

True, but the skins shouldn't have to expend a top 10 pick on it. FWIW, the average draft position of the pro bowl WRs this year was 79th. I'd look for the next 2nd or 3rd round steal to team with Hankerson.

[oldskinfan]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

True, but the skins shouldn't have to expend a top 10 pick on it. FWIW, the average draft position of the pro bowl WRs this year was 79th. I'd look for the next 2nd or 3rd round steal to team with Hankerson.

But like picking QBs later, there is also a higher bust factor for WRs with grades 15-30, which can be risky compared to 2nd or 3rd rounders, but there are some WRs that are just obvious top 10 grades. I just happen to think Blackmon is one of them, just like Alshon Jeffery Or Megatron. Or Andre Johnson.

And no I don't count the stupid picks that Matt Millen made with Rogers and Williams. :-)

Also, I don't trust our current personnel people to find late round WRs the way the Giants, Packers, or Saints do. We lucked into Hankerson IF he pans out.