Before we talk about the obvious needs of the team, let's take a moment to look back at last year's draft and key acquisitions in the free agency. 2011 was, for me, the year that the Redskins finally started to turn in the direction that the fans have been asking for during most of Mr. Snyder's tenure as team owner.
Key 2011 Draft Choices:
Other than saying "the entire frickin' class", let's look at my top 5 picks from last year's draft and what they did to better the team as a whole.
- Ryan Kerrigan: Playing opposite Orakpo at outside linebacker, Kerrigan is an explosive player that made the entire defensive front better. He even single-handily won his first pro game with a pair of sacks and a huge pick 6. Playing every down for the entire season at a high level, this guy is here for the long haul.
- Roy Helu: Every time he touched the ball there was the chance for big yardage. In his first 4 starts he had 3, 100 + yard games. He may not be a starter next year, but he is a fine addition to the Redskin's only real position of offensive strength: Running back.
- Leonard Hankerson: Can anyone say "Hank Time"? His season was ended prematurely by a hip injury, but we saw a flash of brilliance when he was on the field. Assuming he returns at full strength this year and can build on what he started last year, Hankerson will be the number 2 threat at wideout, maybe even number 1 in another couple of years.
- Evan Royster: Another running back that was picked in the lower rounds, Royster racked up a 100 yard game in his first NFL start. Not as shifty as Helu or powerful as Hightower, but clearly able to make big plays, Royster will make a great 3rd down back for years to come.
- Jarvis Jenkins: He didn't take a single regular season snap due to a season ending injury in the pre-season, but all indications point to this Defensive Tackle being a key member of the Redskin's D for many years to come. Let's hope we see him in action this year!
Key 2011 Free Agent Signings:
These guys came in under the radar. No big splashes, but they all made big differences both on and off the field.
- Barry Cofield: After Big Al screwed the team, the Redskins needed a nose tackle. Cofield may have seemed like a strange choice given his size, but he proved himself on the field and made some pretty big plays throughout the year. As far as I'm concerned he was one of the best free agent signings in recent memory.
- Stephen Bowen: Another DE that made an immediate impact and is hopefully a Redskin for the rest of his career. A guy like Bowen plays for the team, and while you will rarely hear his name mentioned in the papers, you can trust that he is out there playing with everything he's got.
- Tim Hightower: His season ended early, but when he did play you could see that he has what it takes to be the starting running back for many years. He's physically and mentally tough, and willing to be the workhorse of the Redskins run-first offense. Let's hope he's back to full speed this year.
- Chris Chester: The O line has been a problem for years. While Chester didn't solve the problem, he was certainly the first piece in a project that will hopefully be completed this year.
- Rex Grossman: Look, no one loves to hate this guy more than me, but the fact is he did just as much to keep us in games as he did to take us out. I think if he didn't miss those 3 games, the Redskins may have had 1 or 2 more wins last season. He's not the long term answer at QB, but I would be happy to see him in a backup role for the next couple of years.
So there you have it, 10 players that made an impact from the beginning of 2011 season. A few of them had short seasons, but at full strength they represent a shift in focus from big, flashy names to hard working, hungry athletes. You may have noticed that I left out Oshimigo Atogwe. Look, I like him a lot and when he finally started to contribute towards the end of the year, we saw what we had hoped to see for the entire season. If he's healthy next year and plays all 16 games at a high level then you can put him close to the top of this list. If not, then we need to address free safety this year with the quickness.
With all of this in mind, let's talk 2012.
The Draft:
Andrew Luck is going to Indy. With Matt Barkley and Landry Jones both deciding to stay in college for their senior years, the only explosive option at QB this year is Robert Griffin III. They call him RG3. I like that, it reminds me of Star Wars. Can I write his nickname as "Arejee Three"? Anyway, RG3 would be the best thing to happen at QB for the Redskins in decades. DECADES. The problem is the cost. To move up to number 2 in the draft would cost at they very least a number 1 and 3 pick this year and a number 1 pick next year. Since this is a supply and demand issue and lots of teams need a franchise QB, the cost could get even higher as the draft approaches.
I was so happy with last year's strategy of trading down, amassing picks (12 total) and addressing multiple needs. I think that should happen again this year as well, but a player like RG3 only comes around once and a while. Should they mortgage the future on this guy? I honestly don't know. What I do know is that if I am watching the draft this Spring and I see the Redskins move up to number 2, my neighbors will wonder what that insane screaming they hear could possibly be. It will be me, screaming for joy!
Drafting RG3 does 3 things. One, it adds legitimacy to a position that's been a point of contention for years while increasing the chances for more games to fall in the W columns. Two, it gives Shanahan at least another year to rebuild the team, especially if 2012 is another losing season. Three, an entire city (plus most of MD and VA) will be energized and rally behind RG3! He will be to DC what Peyton is to Indy or Brady to Boston. Bonus fourth thing: The Redskins would stop being the only NFC East team to lack a franchise QB.
The other needs that should be addressed in the draft are wideout, corner back, safety, right tackle, guard and linebacker. Linebacker is a position of strength now, but when London Fletcher officially starts to slow down, we should have some depth at the position to keep it strong.
Free Agency:
Many of the needs I just mentioned can also be addressed in free agency. Shanahan has stated that he is looking for a certain type of individual for his free agent selections. Specifically he is looking at the 27-29 year old range (old enough to have a lot of experience, but young enough to play at a high level), and beyond that he is looking for character.
Character athletes are mentally tough, understated and proven leaders. If there is a great player available during free agency but has a track record of being outspoken or a distraction, then chances are he will not be sporting the burgundy and gold this year. Personally, I am fine with that.
The main needs that I think need to be addressed in free agency rather than / in addition to the draft are right tackle, wideout and guard. I don't have a list of names in mind, but after last year's success I trust that the team will make the right decisions this year.
Which Vets Should Stay?
This is a short list containing guys that have been with the team for over 2 years or were not mentioned by me anywhere else. You will notice a distance lack of familiar names like Cooley, Landry, Hall and Moss. They are lacking because while I love having them on the team, they are on the decline and might be better suited as a backup or playing for another team (wow, it hurt to type that last part!).
London Fletcher - My Captain, my King.
Brian Orakpo - Daddy 'Rak! Do what it takes to keep him for all time.
Fred Davis - All is forgiven, assuming you pass instead of puff and play like you did in 2011
Trent Williams - See above.
Jabar Gaffney - We need one vet at wideout while we groom the rookies, and only one vet had a great 2011 season
Kory Lichtensteiger - He's playing at a high level, and O line depth is something we severely need.
Sav Rocca - He's a beast.
Mike Sellers - They call him the One Man Gang for a reason.
Graham Gano: He's been inconsistent at best, but he has a strong leg and elite kickers are hard to find. Give him some competition if you can find it, but I say give the kid one more year.
See? A short list.
Which Vets Should Stay?
This is a short list containing guys that have been with the team for over 2 years or were not mentioned by me anywhere else. You will notice a distance lack of familiar names like Cooley, Landry, Hall and Moss. They are lacking because while I love having them on the team, they are on the decline and might be better suited as a backup or playing for another team (wow, it hurt to type that last part!).
London Fletcher - My Captain, my King.
Brian Orakpo - Daddy 'Rak! Do what it takes to keep him for all time.
Fred Davis - All is forgiven, assuming you pass instead of puff and play like you did in 2011
Trent Williams - See above.
Jabar Gaffney - We need one vet at wideout while we groom the rookies, and only one vet had a great 2011 season
Kory Lichtensteiger - He's playing at a high level, and O line depth is something we severely need.
Sav Rocca - He's a beast.
Mike Sellers - They call him the One Man Gang for a reason.
Graham Gano: He's been inconsistent at best, but he has a strong leg and elite kickers are hard to find. Give him some competition if you can find it, but I say give the kid one more year.
See? A short list.
What I Would Do for 2012:
So let's break this up into 2 scenarios. In the first, we draft RG3 and in the second, he's off the board by the time we pick.
Scenario 1:
-We Draft RG3 at QB
-With less picks, we use the ones we have left to pick a wideout and safety in the mid rounds
-In the low rounds we select offensive linemen
-Free agency is spent on a right tackle, corner, offensive line (depth, people) safety, tight end and linebacker
Scenario 2:
-The front office knows that the cost for RG3 is too high and decide to pass on him
-We pick a QB in free agency. Don't hate me, but my pick is Kyle Orton.
-Drop back from #6 overall to acquire more picks.
-Use our #1 pick on a QB, corner or wideout
-Depending on who is selected in the first, draft the best available QB, corner or wideout in the second round
-Fill the remaining needs as listed in scenario 1.
Of these, scenario 2 is more likely in my opinion. With guys like Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn as potential free agents, why would I pick Orton for QB?
Well, I seriously doubt that Manning will ever play like he did before his season ending neck injury, even if he is fully cleared to play. That, and how bad would it suck to go all-in on Manning only to lose him to injury and possibly lose him to the game for good. You don't want to be the team that's remembered for failing to protect the single greatest QB to play the game.
Matt Flynn has shown flashes of brilliance, but that's all we've seen. Flashes. We don't know if he can play a full, 16 game season. He could be as great as advertised, or he could be a total bust. I say let someone else take that risk, we've taken it plenty of times in the past and look where it got us.
Well, I seriously doubt that Manning will ever play like he did before his season ending neck injury, even if he is fully cleared to play. That, and how bad would it suck to go all-in on Manning only to lose him to injury and possibly lose him to the game for good. You don't want to be the team that's remembered for failing to protect the single greatest QB to play the game.
Matt Flynn has shown flashes of brilliance, but that's all we've seen. Flashes. We don't know if he can play a full, 16 game season. He could be as great as advertised, or he could be a total bust. I say let someone else take that risk, we've taken it plenty of times in the past and look where it got us.
With Orton, you know what you get. A capable vet that's a clear upgrade over Grossman, but still not a long term solution. If we can get a guy like Rayn Tannehill with our #1 or 2 pick and groom him behind Orton, we could find out if he was the long term answer or another bust at QB with very little risk. Worst case: another losing season with a chance to draft Barkley or Jones in 2013. Best Case: a winning season and a long term solution at QB.
With either of these scenarios I think the Redskins have a chance to improve upon two less-than-inspiring seasons under Shanahan. Despite his record, I do believe that Shanahan is the guy to turn this franchise around. Even if 2012 is another losing season, I sincerely hope that Snyder doesn't get cold feet and hit the reboot button once again. I say give Shanahan the full 5 years at minimum. I think that if the Redskins continue along the path they set in 2011, by 2013 we could be relevant and by 2014 serious contenders.
The question is, what will 2012 bring? A losing record? 8-8? A winning record? Play-off's? No one knows, and that's what makes this sport so intriguing and entertaining. Could an RG3 propel us to new heights right away? Could a journeyman like Orton join the 'Skins, pull and Alex Smith and become "the guy" in the right system? All of this and more will be answered soon!
Free Agency kicks off in a few short weeks and the Draft isn't much further behind. Let's see if Shanahan and the gang attempt to go all-in on RG3 or continue to address the multiple needs on both sides of the ball with intelligent draft choices and free agent signings. Either way, I'm excited for the coming months!
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