Akh's Blog: 2012 Draft Review

[JRudy]

Shanny talked with RG 3 before drafting Cousins.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-r.../post/18894616

I would of loved to have heard that conversation.

[KMDeMuth]

Originally Posted by JRudy

Shanny talked with RG 3 before drafting Cousins.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-r.../post/18894616
I would of loved to have heard that conversation.

Likely went something like "It's not you, its us, you know we love you, look at all we gave up for you. It's just, the other guy, it's Rex Grossman. You'll understand."

[panamaMike]

Originally Posted by cal_junior

Cousins was the 8th QB taken in the draft. He and the Skins will be very fortunate if he can hang in the league as a career back-up.

Cal, How many QBs were drafted before T J Yates at Houston last year?

[shally]

Originally Posted by panamaMike

Cal, How many QBs were drafted before T J Yates at Houston last year?

or before Brady ? this is STILL a very inexact science

[KMDeMuth]

• Picked a franchise altering QB, no more Grossman starting. High value QB pick mid draft, that the coaching staff has experience with, no more Beck. One more year of Grossman on the roster.
  
• Addressed the O-line with a G, a G/C and a T. Fit the scheme, coaching staff has experience with the one drafted well above rankings; I guess they liked something.
  
• Drafted an ILB, projected as an OLB in a 4-3, but fits the redskins need inside well in the 3-4. Will do what we aren't fans of the 2 star OLB doing, covers well.
  
• 2 Project DB's at the end of the draft. From what I've been reading about them, one is projected as a FS and the other as a SS. If one pans out, might be the end of Doughty? (Wishful thinking?)
  
• A RB picked by Shanny, hard to question that. He is small, but power above his size. He runs through tackles and lowers shoulders at contact.
  
• One of the first UDFA signing was the top ranked undrafted CB. Projected as a 4th/5th rounder, fell due to injury concerns.

I'm 'ok' with this draft... Addressed most of the positions the fan base is most worried about, maybe not where or who we wanted. Have to wait and see how they pan out, hope for the best.

Edit: To everyone overly upset about where 'the other QB' was drafted, interesting comment.

Rich Tandler: “For those who want immediate impact from 4th-round players—4 players taken in 4th last year started half of their teams’ games.”

[Arkangiest]

Good write up Akh.

This draft was interesting to say the least. I will be bitter if LeReibus doesn't pan out but I'm hopeful at least 2 of these guys can develop into above average starters with Cousins being a solid backup or trade chip down the road.

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by tribeinca

To ensure the success of RG3, you want to build around him and give him protection. That's why every draft pick is so valuable and we don't have many.

It is nothing short of stupidity to take Cousins in the 4th round IMO. Cousins has the potential to be a starter in this league and you told him right off the bet he is going to be a back-up or even a 3rd stringer? How is he going to feel? Is he going to be a distraction in the locker room? If we think RG3 has a high risk of being injured and need heavy insurance, then don't give up our future to take him. Whether RG3 is going to pan out or not, Cousins won't see the field for at least 2-3 years unless RG3 is injured. So, his trade value is minimal as he is going to be an unknown. One way or the other, the only way to describe this pick is "waste".

Nothing about Cousins resembles the kind of player that will be a distraction. The fact that he was voted as a team captain his sophomore year and every year thereafter, says that he is a true team player.

I think RGIII will gain more from Cousins than Grossman or any other useless vet.

At first, I thought the pick for Cousins was stupid but the more I looked into it, the more I understand it and like it.

Let's be clear, there is no controversy, nor will there be.
Cousins wasn't drafted by anyone else in the first 3 rounds, so I doubt he had any expectations of being a starter.
Hell, being the backup QB in DC has been a popular position over the last 20 years... Hopefully, that won't be the case this time.

We just addressed the most important position on the field with two high character guys. One with athletic ability beyond anyone before, the other with unmatched leadership and respect of his teammates.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by FanFromArizona

So, akh, based on the draft picks, what do you project as our starting lineup come September?

Way too early to project.

Originally Posted by Nomad

So the bench is irrelevant?

Chester McGlockton, who died recently, once benched 510 lbs. Yet, he still struggled to move 300 lbs OLinemen during his career on the d-line. I guess there is a difference between on the field strength and in the weight room strength

Originally Posted by Nomad

Nope.
He is a nasty, fierce blocker.

Who no-one thinks is a powerful or strong blocker. There's a difference between "nasty and fierce" and "strong." Try again.

Originally Posted by GloryHog

The little bit of film on him that I've seen seems to back that up...And he can pull. We'll find out soon enough.

The film I've seen is that he's more of a wall then a blocker, he can pull and move his feet, but I havent' seen any clip that suggests any power.

Originally Posted by KMDeMuth

Edit: To everyone overly upset about where 'the other QB' was drafted, interesting comment.

And the skins were able to find a regular starter in Roy Helu last year in the 4th round. If you identify a good prospect, you should be able to find a contributer in the 4th. Cousins won't unless disaster strikes.

[RedskinsDave]

A good bench is helpful but most of their push comes from the legs. The squat is more important for linemen.

[culpeper]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

Chester McGlockton, who died recently, once benched 510 lbs. Yet, he still struggled to move 300 lbs OLinemen during his career on the d-line. I guess there is a difference between on the field strength and in the weight room strength

First off, good morning. Get ready to engage in BATTLE!!! MUHAHAHAHA! Kidding...

Lower body strength, balance, hip explosion is MORE important than how much a guy can bench. If someone gets an 11 at 225 on the bench at the combine for instance, they can get in the weight room and get up to 20 by training camp.

If they have poor footwork, weak in the hips/legs, thats a WHOLE lot harder to fix. Most of the time those kind of guys have never concentrated on lower body OR theres some biomechanical issue that will keep them from making big strides in the weight room and on the field.

All 3 of those guys have great feet, balance, athletic ability, hip explosion. Im excited about them and look for AT LEAST one of the Gs to start (my guess is KL isnt back to full speed by TC).

The film I've seen is that he's more of a wall then a blocker, he can pull and move his feet, but I havent' seen any clip that suggests any power.

This is perfect for a ZBS.

And the skins were able to find a regular starter in Roy Helu last year in the 4th round. If you identify a good prospect, you should be able to find a contributer in the 4th. Cousins won't unless disaster strikes.

Disaster of a pick. If it was in the 5th or later I wouldnt complain. 100% with you here.

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by culpeper

First off, good morning. Get ready to engage in BATTLE!!! MUHAHAHAHA! Kidding...

Lower body strength, balance, hip explosion is MORE important than how much a guy can bench. If someone gets an 11 at 225 on the bench at the combine for instance, they can get in the weight room and get up to 20 by training camp.

Thats my point, no?

Originally Posted by culpeper

All 3 of those guys have great feet, balance, athletic ability, hip explosion. Im excited about them and look for AT LEAST one of the Gs to start (my guess is KL isnt back to full speed by TC).

Gettis has them. LeRibeus doesn't appear to have them. LeRibroast appears to have footwork/hipwork issues.

Originally Posted by culpeper

This is perfect for a ZBS.

From the PFW scouting report on him:

Stiff, try-hard, limited athlete. Is tightly wound. Plodder. Has a dumpy-looking physique. Appears stiff in space. Struggles to adjust to movement in pass protection

Doesn't sound like a good ZBS prospect to me.

[culpeper]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

Thats my point, no?

HA, maybe it was. I didnt read much of the thread, just jumped in. My bad

BATTLE!!!

Gettis has them. LeRibeus doesn't appear to have them. LeRibroast appears to have footwork/hipwork issues.

From the PFW scouting report on him:

Doesn't sound like a good ZBS prospect to me

I will agree that a system OL could have probably been picked in the 4th/5th, 3rd was probably a reach. But the tape I saw from him at the combine looked like he moves VERY fluidly and is athletic with good hips and feet. The NFL.com app I have says the same (above) for his strengths and for weakness says "better suited for ZBS". Cant pull it off my phone, it wont let me copy and paste.

Weakness IMO is his excess weight up top and his upper body IS weak. That can be fixed though...easily & quickly (with hard work). BIG upgrade over Mo Hurt IMO

Shanny was also quoted as saying that they were targeting all three of these guys before the draft and how rare it is that you get all the guys you wanted. Take it for what its worth, but I think back to the Jenkins pick last year in the 2nd. I hope LeRibeus can do the same thing.

All in all it seemed as if the Redskins had a lot of guys they liked for the later rounds and had NO CLUE for the 3rd and 4th rounds. I dont like that, but thats the way it turned out. We got 3 OL (3/5 of the positions up front) to come in and compete and you HAVE to be excited for that as a fan. We got the franchise QB, and we're addressing the LOS. Also like the ILB and Minnefield in FA.

[skins4life24]

Originally Posted by culpeper

HA, maybe it was. I didnt read much of the thread, just jumped in. My bad

BATTLE!!!



I will agree that a system OL could have probably been picked in the 4th/5th, 3rd was probably a reach. But the tape I saw from him at the combine looked like he moves VERY fluidly and is athletic with good hips and feet. The NFL.com app I have says the same (above) for his strengths and for weakness says "better suited for ZBS". Cant pull it off my phone, it wont let me copy and paste.

Weakness IMO is his excess weight up top and his upper body IS weak. That can be fixed though...easily & quickly (with hard work). BIG upgrade over Mo Hurt IMO

Shanny was also quoted as saying that they were targeting all three of these guys before the draft and how rare it is that you get all the guys you wanted. Take it for what its worth, but I think back to the Jenkins pick last year in the 2nd. I hope LeRibeus can do the same thing.

All in all it seemed as if the Redskins had a lot of guys they liked for the later rounds and had NO CLUE for the 3rd and 4th rounds. I dont like that, but thats the way it turned out. We got 3 OL (3/5 of the positions up front) to come in and compete and you HAVE to be excited for that as a fan. We got the franchise QB, and we're addressing the LOS. Also like the ILB and Minnefield in FA.

Get a season ending injury in training camp? That seems like a horrible thing to wish on someone!

[akhhorus]

Originally Posted by culpeper

I will agree that a system OL could have probably been picked in the 4th/5th, 3rd was probably a reach. But the tape I saw from him at the combine looked like he moves VERY fluidly and is athletic with good hips and feet. The NFL.com app I have says the same (above) for his strengths and for weakness says "better suited for ZBS". Cant pull it off my phone, it wont let me copy and paste.

Yes, I saw that, but if he can't move well in space(which is different then pulling), he'll struggle. Gettis seems like a better fit for it.

Originally Posted by culpeper

Weakness IMO is his excess weight up top and his upper body IS weak. That can be fixed though...easily & quickly (with hard work). BIG upgrade over Mo Hurt IMO

A cardboard cutout would be an upgrade over Hurt lol.

Originally Posted by culpeper

Shanny was also quoted as saying that they were targeting all three of these guys before the draft and how rare it is that you get all the guys you wanted. Take it for what its worth, but I think back to the Jenkins pick last year in the 2nd. I hope LeRibeus can do the same thing.

Get hurt and miss the season? *rimshot* lol. I have a much less problem with the LeRibeus pick if it happened in the 5th or 6th round also.

Originally Posted by culpeper

All in all it seemed as if the Redskins had a lot of guys they liked for the later rounds and had NO CLUE for the 3rd and 4th rounds.

Seems like a lot of the skins' picks under Shanny are hasty plan B picks.

[culpeper]

Originally Posted by skins4life24

Get a season ending injury in training camp? That seems like a horrible thing to wish on someone!

LOL! OOOOH! *in my Dice Man voice

No, not that. What I mean is once they hit the field, its obvious that this guy is a player and it doesnt look like the pick was such a reach.

Originally Posted by Akhhorus

Yes, I saw that, but if he can't move well in space(which is different then pulling), he'll struggle. Gettis seems like a better fit for it.

IDK. He just looked athletic to me and his lower body is SOLID.

Originally Posted by Akhhorus

A cardboard cutout would be an upgrade over Hurt lol.

The new P.Daniels?!

Perfect example of a piss poor lower body (Mo Hurt)

Originally Posted by Akhhorus

Get hurt and miss the season? *rimshot* lol. I have a much less problem with the LeRibeus pick if it happened in the 5th or 6th round also.

Agreed