I Approve

Position(s) of need

Trent Williams over Russell Okung? All the predraft hype was over Russell, I will give the Redskins braintrust the benefit of the doubt, Trent is a great prospect, had a great combine and is flexible enough to play multiple positions. The only way this can be a bad pick is if this was a bad pick. Now barring a trade Redskins fans can take a walk until Saturday, we do not pick again until number 103.

The Redskins have their new tackle.



Trent Williams: Sooners Illustrated from here.

Redskins Supplemental Draft Pick: Defensive End Jeremy Jarmon

Just what we needed, three months later

The Redskins did something today they have never done before, that being select a player in the NFL Supplemental Draft, picking University of Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon in the third round.

Ok so that is not entirely accurate. What is more true to say is that the Redskins were the only team to select a player in the 2009 NFL Supplemental Draft so in that sense the headline may as well be

Redskins select defensive end with top overall pick in Supplemental Draft

The NFL Supplemental Draft is a very weird thing. It caters to college players with at least a year of NCAA eligibility remaining that would have been eligible for the year's NFL regular Draft in April but for whatever reason did not declare, intending to come back another season and play and then somehow lost that eligibility.

In Jeremy's case he took a banned substance in an over the counter dietary supplement and was nailed in a random drug test. All indications are that this was an oversight and not part of a pattern. However the positive test led to a season long suspension, so he declared for the Supplemental Draft.

The Supplemental Draft is kind of like a blind auction, teams submit bids for players over email, the bid being in the form of a draft pick in the following year's draft. There is a quote draft unquote order, based like the regular Draft on results of the previous season. The team that submits the highest round pick for a player gets the player, with cases where multiple teams bid the same round going to the team with the highest pick in the round.

So there is no draft in the established April sense of the term. No carnival hawker in a two thousand dollar suit gets up to a podium and says to a breathless crowd of NYC douchebags With the first selection in the 2009 NFL Supplemental Draft the Washington Redskins select...

Instead there is some poor suffering bastard NFL staffer with a spreadsheet and a bunch of printed emails. In the end there was only one player selected and the Redskins offered the most for him. Five other teams bid a fourth round for Jeremy.

For his part shadow general manager Vinny Cerrato thinks Jeremy would have been a second round pick next April after playing another season, then again Vinny also selected the only punter in the 2008 draft, Durant Brooks did not last seven games.

Eight players declared for the Supplemental Draft, only one was taken. The Redskins now forfeit their third round pick in the 2010 draft. So he better be worth it.

What about Jeremy? Well he seems to be a decent pick:

Height: six feet three inches
Weight: 278 pounds

Pros: has size, has frame large enough to pack on bulk and or muscle; can play defensive end or tackle; played against top shelf competition; demonstrated ability to get to the quarterback.

Cons: not dominant at his position; best season was three years ago; coming off shoulder injury; ultimately may not be worth the pick the team gave up.

Curly R quick take: with Andre Carter anchoring the right side of the defensive line and filling the role of disruptive pass rusher, the Redskins really needed to address the left side of the line. Brian Orakpo may turn out to be the player that makes quarterbacks say oh crappo, the team has already acknowledged that he is not the right profile for an every down left defensive end. Phillip Daniels is 36 and returning from major surgery and boomerang Redskin Renaldo Wynn is 34, the team needed to do something to get younger and get younger with run stopping size and Jeremy may be that player.

The loss of a third round pick in the 2010 draft will not seem like such a big deal if Jeremy can get on the field and play, unlike last year's third round pick, offensive lineman Chad Rinehart. Oh yeah and what Greg says.



Jeremy Jarmon laying one on Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow: Getty Images from here. Everybody love to see Tim Tebow take a beating.

Redskins Undrafted Free Agent Signings Roundup

That's the way the cookie crumbles

Following days one and two of the 2009 NFL Draft and completing draft weekend activities the Redskins on Monday signed thirteen undrafted rookie free agents, with the draft now only seven rounds there is an annual league wide scrum to sign the best undrafted free agents after the draft is complete.

Because all teams have access to the same pool of talent at the same time, each front office must compile scouting reports that go beyond the top 250 or so players that will get drafted. As we learned in the ESPravda 980 interview with owner Redskins Dan Snyder, shadow general manager Vinny Cerrato and head coach Jim Zorn (interview links here op. cit.), the Redskins prepared their draft list of about 150 players, a typical number across the league. These are the players the team has evaluated and watches through draft weekend and thereafter.

As a player is picked his name comes off the list, there are no doubt several methods by which the list is sorted, best overall player, by position, by offense/defense/special teams, etc. Because each team does not scout all the same players many draft selections, particularly later in day two, say fifth round and lower, will not appear on a given team's draft list. And when the draft is finally over there will still be players on the list that were never drafted.

Often the decisions on which undrafted players to target reflect exposure to local teams and relationships in coaching and scouting. Football coaches and executives are no different from the rest of us in business, we tend to rely on our networks and work with whom we trust and with whom we believe understands our needs.

I imagine the night after draft day two and into the Monday morning after is a very busy time for team leadership, since each team now has unfettered access to the remaining prospective players, teams will rush to sign the guys they valued the highest. This often results in multiple bids for a given undrafted player, allowing that player some leeway in determining where he will get the chance to play.

Undrafted players will evaluate offers from the teams interested, almost always for rookie minimum with some smaller but varying signing bonus. The players then select where they want to sign, assuming they received more than one offer, based on a number of factors, perhaps chief among them for the smart players being the strength and or depth of the existing team roster at their position.

Other factors important to a player might be the money, the location by way of proximity to home or family, or the presumed quality of the team coaching and management and where a player might fit in a particular scheme.

There are still excellent players available after the draft ends, and the Redskins have found some themselves, see also receiver James Thrash 1997, fullback Mike Sellers 1998 and linebacker Antonio Pierce 2001.

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Let us review the rookie free agent players signed by the Redskins this week, in alphabetical order:

1. Robert Agnone, tight end, University of Delaware | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet six inches
Weight: 256 pounds

2008 line: 14 catches for 147 yard and two touchdowns.

Curly R quick take: aka Robbie, he was a high school quarterback and receiver and transferred to the Blue Hens from the University of Pittsburgh after his freshman year. Over two years as a starter pulled in 55 catches for over 700 yards and nine touchdowns. Rated by NFL Draft Scout as the 27th best tight end out of this year's prospects. The Redskins question here is yet another tight end to go with Chris Cooley, Todd Yoder, Fred Davis and Eddie Williams. Another sign perhaps Chris Cooley is on the trading block?


2. Scott Burley, offensive tackle, University of Maryland | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet five inches
Weight: 335 pounds

2008 line: honorable mention, 2008 All-ACC team, split time evenly between left and right tackle, blocked on a line enabling the first Terrapin tailback to gain 1000 yards in seven years.

Curly R quick take: college teammate of Edwin Williams, free agent rookie center also signed by Washington. Played left tackle and right tackle at Maryland, a team mostly known for one glorious ten win season eight years ago. Could be another Stephon Heyer, has the frame for the position, may be too raw and not athletic enough for NFL competition. Rated by NFL Draft Scout as the 58th best tackle out of this year's prospects. What the hell right at least it is some beef up front, I guess it is better to sift through the clearance bin than to go naked.


3. Chase Daniel, quarterback, University of Missouri | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet even (or so they say)
Weight: 225 pounds

2008 line: 385 for 528, 4335 yards, 39 touchdowns and eighteen interceptions, was a team captain for a 10-4 team that averaged 42 points per game and was in the hunt for the Heisman for most of the last two seasons.

Curly R quick take: an excellent 8.2 yards per attempt average, can throw the ball, averaged 40 attempts per game in 2008 against Big 12 competition, has touch on the ball, can make plays with his legs as well. He may be too short for the NFL, arm strength and downfield accuracy are concerns. For my part Chase sounds like this year's Colt Brennan and we already have a Colt Brennan. Rated by NFL Draft Scout as the 23rd best quarterback out of this year's prospects. As ever the Redskins continue to send conflicting messages as they dick around with their legitimate starter but do not bring in a projected can't miss prospect as insurance. I say welcome and good luck to Chase, one thing Redskins fans love for sure is a competitor and that is Chase. NFL pre draft profile.


4. Antonio Dixon, defensive tackle, University of Miami | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet three inches
Weight: 322 pounds

2008 line: 22 tackles, eight solo, in ten games last season, no sacks.

Curly R quick take: started only five games going into senior year, missed three games his senior year, tallying only fifteen total collegiate starts, rated by NFL Draft Scout as the 42nd best defensive tackle prospect this year. Looks like a depth guy, the Redskins actually have some depth now at defensive tackle with Anthony Montgomery, Kedric Golston, Albert Haynesworth, Cornelius Griffin and Lorenzo Alexander, why not bring another guy and see what happens.


5. Doug Dutch, cornerback, University of Michigan| bio page
Height: five feet eleven inches
Weight: 204 pounds

2008 line: played in all twelve games, appearing in the secondary in two.

Curly R quick take: looking like a special teamer at best, a body for camp, was not in the top 60 rated cornerback prospects this year by NFL Draft Scout. Also another position switcher, Doug came to Michigan in 2005 as a receiver and pulled in a whopping four catches over two seasons before becoming a cornerback before the 2007 season. Check the Michigan football bio page linked above, yes that is what it says, Doug appeared at cornerback in all of two games his senior year. Maybe the team knows something about Doug that we do not because it seems like he does not have a lot of experience at a position that he just learned.


6. Devin Frischknecht, tight end, Washington State | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet three inches
Weight: 251 pounds

2008 line: appeared in ten of thirteen games, caught seventeen passes for 221 yards and one touchdown.

Curly R quick take: a junior college transfer, Devin has size and can hold onto the ball, decent blocker though not dominant. Rated by NFL Draft Scout as the 25th best tight end among this year's pro prospects. A bigger question of course would be what the hell is with all the tight ends? It seems a strange position to accumulate so much depth. Is the team up to something?


7. John Halman, receiver, Concordia College | bio page
Height: six feet two inches
Weight: 215 pounds

2008 line: 43 receptions for more than 1000 yards and twelve touchdowns.

Curly R quick take: a 2001 high school graduate, John attended Pensacola Junior College and played on the flag football team. In 2002 John enlisted in the Air Force but injured his knee, tearing an ACL, he was not able to enlist. After rehabbing his knee, John became a lifeguard in his home town of Pensacola and continued playing beach flag football. In 2006 John attended an open tryout for the Canadian Football League in Mobile Alabama where he was noticed by the coaching staff of tiny Concordia College in Selma Alabama, at 23 years old he became a freshman in the fall of 2006. Three seasons later at age 25 John put together a solid 2008 season and declared himself eligible for the NFL draft, John attended a Pro Day workout at Troy University in Troy Alabama, there were no Redskins scouts there but they heard about John and asked him back for a second tryout. When he was not drafted the team went hard to sign him. A great story, I hope he can make the cut, John was not among the 105 receiver prospects evaluated by NFL Draft Scout.


8. Brigham Harwell, defensive tackle, University of California at Los Angeles | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet one inch
Weight: 280 pounds

2008 line: started all twelve games, netted 53 tackles, second team All-PAC-10.

Curly R quick take: tore his MCL in the second game of 2007, spent the whole season rehabbing before coming back in 2008 to win the starting spot. Explosive off the line, good lateral movement, used to the banging of playing in the interior line. Undersized for the position but with experience, best suited to the three technique, Brigham was rated the 44th best defensive tackle prospect by NFL Draft Scout.


9. Lendy Holmes, safety, Oklahoma | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet even
Weight: 206 pounds

2008 line: appeared in all 14 games, making 89 tackles with five interceptions for 73 yards in returns and recovered three fumbles.

Curly R quick take: another position changer, Lendy came to Oklahoma as a receiver and switched to defensive back after his freshman year, Lendy played both cornerback and safety in college. Lendy is has good size for either position in the pro game, has good play awareness and takes good angles on the ball, has a nose for the ball. Lendy plays better with his face to the play meaning he sets up as a free safety or in zone cover situations. A relative steal as an undrafted rookie free agent, Lendy was rated the 14th best free safety prospect by NFL Draft Scout. I say bring it on, the Redskins could always use another instinctive player to develop.


10. Ronnie Palmer, linebacker, University of Arizona | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet three inches
Weight: 245 pounds

2008 line: played in all thirteen games, totaling 85 tackles, one interception and 2.5 sacks

Curly R quick take: a three year starter, Ronnie has the size to be a difference maker at the middle linebacker position. He has a good downfield burst and can move sideline to sideline, a basic requirement got the Mike linebacker position. He has a hard time penetrating on the blitz and does not offer much in the way of pass coverage. Ronnie was not one of the 33 rated inside linebackers as rated by NFL Draft Scout. Linebacker is a position of need with the Redskins though not specifically at the middle position, if Ronnie can show promise there that will permit the veterans to move to the outside positions of greater need.


11. Derek Walker, defensive end, University of Illinois | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet three inches
Weight: 269 pounds

2008 line: played in all twelve games, tallying 33 tackles with one interception and six sacks.

Curly R quick take: a four year starter for the Illini, Derek is a solid player in all aspects, he is hard working with attention to detail, a good first step and is a pusher, can take a double team and stay on his feet, not easily fooled by the play. Despite his size he is small for the run stuffer spot and not as agile as you would like at the pass rush, suddenly a relatively deep position for the Redskins, Derek was rated as the 19th best defensive end among this year's prospects by NFL Draft Scout. No reason not to bring in another prospect and see what he can do at either end position.


12. Edwin Williams, center, University of Maryland | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet two inches
Weight: 308 pounds

2008 line: first team All-ACC center, academic All-ACC selection, only Maryland player to start all thirteen games, blocked on a line enabling the first Terrapin tailback to gain 1000 yards in seven years.

Curly R quick take: college teammate of Scott Burley, rookie free agent offensive tackle also signed by Washington. An underrated and fundamentally sound player, the Redskins are lucky Edwin fell into their lap, effective with quarterback under as well as with the shotgun, has good chemistry with line mates. Not as strong as his frame would indicate and struggles in the run game against larger defensive tackles. This was a good signing by Washington, Edwin was rated the seventh best center among t his year's prospects by NFL Draft Scout. Maryland is turning into the feeder program for high risk offensive line projects, with no established backup at center the past two years it makes sense to bring in a prospect, see how he does and then sort the numbers in camp.


13. Jaison Williams, receiver, University of Oregon | bio page | draft profile
Height: six feet four inches
Weight: 237 pounds

2008 line: played in all thirteen games, catching 36 passes for 473 yards and four touchdowns.

Curly R quick take: a three year starter, you have to like the 13.1 yards per catch average, what Washington needed on offense more than anything else besides better blocking, better linemen and more scoring from the tight end position was a big tall reliable possession threat to go along with tight end Chris Cooley. Was Oregon's third leading receiver in 2008 after leading the team in catches in both 2006 and 2007, leading to questions about whether we have already seen his upside. Gets good extension but has problems with drops, can catch in a crowd, height and vertical leap combine with hands to make Jaison an excellent target. He lacks competitive top speed and his game may be in decline, poor workout habits contribute to the perception. Jaison was rated the 47th best receiver prospect in this year's draft by NFL Draft Scout. Not exactly a Malcolm Kelly type, that is what Marko Mitchell was drafted to be, Jaison is more of the James Thrash position, a possession option to go along with Antwaan Randle El and take some pressure off Chris Cooley, or whomever is playing tight end for Washington in 2009.


Welcome all of you to the Washington Redskins, good luck and I look forward to marking your progress for Redskins fans world wide.



Fortune cookie from here via here, more fun making your own signs than anyone should have for free.

The Prevaricator

Getting off to a rough start

Talk about a lousy way to get started.  Barely five minutes on the big stage of Redskins foootball and already rookie linebacker Cody Glenn has stepped in it.  With lies.

Cody was Washington's fifth round pick out of the University of Nebraska in last weekend's draft, from the get go there were questions about Cody, he signed with Nebraska four years ago as a tailback, played three years at that position then due to a plethora of ball carriers Cody agreed to move to linebacker, where he won the weak side starting spot.

He played all of nine games his senior year, those games representing the sum total of Cody's experience at linebacker, Cody got himself suspended by head coach Bo Pellini for the team's final three games plus the bowl game.

I did some basic homework on Cody Sunday night, trying to see if some blogger, commenter or message board poster had information on the nature of the suspension, perhaps something that was an open secret in Lincoln but that the straight media would not report out of courtesy or journalistic standards.

I could not find anything and went back about my business wondering why the Redskins would draft a guy with less than one year of college experience at a position of serious need.

Then Monday, the day after he was drafted, the Washington Post reported (op. cit.) that Cody acknowledged in an interview Sunday the reason for his suspension was that he was caught selling, or perhaps scalping, tickets to Nebraska games which I would presume is a no no for a member of the team.  This piece also indicates parenthetically that the Redskins claim to have investigated the incident thoroughly with the Nebraska staff before making the pick, and presumably they were ok with it since they made the pick.

So now I am thinking to myself, a youthful indiscretion right, just a silly mistake and not a more serious offense or indicative of any underlying character problem.

Now Tuesday, the next day, we see over at the Washington Post Redskins blog Redskins Insider, this was in turn reported in the paper the following day, that Cody had admitted to an AP reporter that the ticket scalping story was a lie, a story he concocted to get reporters quote to leave him alone unquote which I presume would translate roughly to I really really do not want the actual cause of my suspension to come out so in my immaturity I will make up a plausible story that cannot be backed up and when questioned on it will fold like a child and try and aw shucks my way out of it, it's no big deal right?

Wrong, talk about unclear on the concept, this piece goes on to detail that Cody indicated to the AP reporter that he made up the story to get the Redskins beat writers to leave him alone and presumably end the story Sunday, his draft day.  Jason La Canfora writes that he has it on authority from at least two other teams that Cody's story at the NFL Combine ten weeks ago was that he was suspended for selling tickets.  So it is not a new story.

Add to this that none other than the Redskins' head coach himself verified that the team investigated the issue thoroughly and that is a lot of egg on a lot of faces.

What did the team find?  Did they get the truth and then hold their tongue while their new rookie went out and stuck his foot in his mouth?  Or did the Nebraska coaches give the Redskins a big fat no comment which was enough of cover your ass due diligence for the team to make this statement?  Either way I would assume the Redskins is are verruh displeased with Cody Glenn right now.

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Cody, over here a second, can I get a word?  Dude they impeached the President of the United States for getting a blow job and trying to lie his way out of it, that was right here in Redskins town.  Do you think for a moment that the fans and media are going to let this go?  This is Washington, it is never the crime that ruins your career, it is the cover up.

The real reason is going to come out, with direct attribution from Lincoln or anonymously in Sports Illustrated, I strongly recommend you try to get back ahead of this story and like now, minicamp starts this weekend and you will be on display, get up, tell the truth, or enough of it to show you understand a pound of flesh is needed for violating the code.  If you do not this will linger into camp and into the season and every time your name comes up it will be oh yeah isn't that the guy that lied.

Neutralize it now or it may neutralize you.

Nebraska tailback turned linebacker Cody Glenn:  AP photo from here.

Redskins Day Two Draft Roundup

Ignore your doctor and you'll never get better

Update 3 May: Curly R has reviewed the Redskins thirteen post draft rookie free agent signings here.

With only one pick on day one the Redskins went into day two of the 2009 NFL Draft with plenty of needs, offensive tackle and outside linebacker chief among them. And while no draft can make everyone happy it sure seems like Washington was either picking best players or throwing darts, Rich Tandler notwithstanding, yes Rich the missing and second fourth round picks would have been nice to have, the draft results speak for themselves i.e. no offensive linemen selected, you heard Dan Snyder on the ESPN 980 interview as well as I did, they do not think a 32 year old Chris Samuels is old and right now Joe Bugel is the only one that thinks Stephon Heyer is a legitimate NFL starter. But but now I am babbling...

[For anyone that did not hear the pre draft interview by Rick Doc Walker with Redskins owner Dan Snyder, shadow general manager Vinny Cerrato and head coach Jim Zorn, here is the interview: part one | part two | part three | part four | part five]

The Redskins started day two with four picks, two fewer than the full complement, Washington had dealt this year's fourth round pick to the New York Jets for left guard Pete Kendall, a move necessitated by Washington having made no serious moves to replace left guard Derrick Dockery after his departure following the 2006 season.

Ding! Opportunity cost. Retaining Derrick or realizing Todd Wade is not a guard could have saved this pick, that said Pete never missed a game in two seasons and only took one play off.

Anyway, Washignton pulled off a trade early in the day, sending Washington's fifth round pick, number 150 overall, to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's fifth round pick, number 158 overall plus the Vikings' seventh round pick, number 221 overall. This raised Washington's number of day two picks from four to five and the team's overall number of picks from five to six.

As alluded to above, here were my draft priorities for the Redskins going into day two:

1. Offensive tackle, specifically for the right side
2. Outside linebacker, specifically for the strong side
3. Run stuffing defensive end

Recapping day one, here is what the team drafted:

1. First round, #13 overall, Brian Orakpo, defensive end/linebacker, Texas

On day two the team drafted the following players:

2. Third round, #80 overall, Kevin Barnes, cornerback, Maryland
3. Fifth round, #158 overall, Cody Glenn, outside linebacker, Nebraska
4. Sixth round, #186 overall, Robert Henson, linebacker, TCU
5. Seventh round, #221 overall, Eddie Williams, tight end, Idaho
6. Seventh round, #243 overall, Marko Mitchell, receiver, Nevada

Even if Kevin was the top player on the board at the time, that was an opportunity cost pick. It means clearly to me that last year's fourth round pick, cornerback Justin Tryon, who seemed like a good idea at the time and never got on the field thereby necessitating the signing of DeAngelo Hall and the restocking of the reserve cornerback position in this year's draft. Justin may be done.

The linebacker picks I can get behind in principle but there are caveats. Cody has all of nine games experience at linebacker, he came to Nebraska as a tailback and only switched positions before this past football season then was suspended for the end of the year. Robert was part of a the number two national defense at TCU and seems like a decent pick, at least he has experience.

The tight end pick is somewhere between bizarre and bewildering. Eddie will have a hard time making the roster at tight end, Jim Zorn's offensive does not use an H-back and if the team thinks Eddie can play fullback in place of Mike Sellers, well Eddie has never played that position.

The receiver pick I like inasmuch as I like any seventh round pick *kaff kaffChrisHortonkaff kaff*, it tends to signal to me that the Redskins are dissatisfied enough with ineffective and last year's second round pick receiver Malcolm Kelly that they are bringing in another guy exactly like him to see what happens. Note to Marko, get your wind and keep your hamstrings loose.

Brian Orakpo was nice, the team was guaranteed a player at the thirteen spot so I rate that a gimme. All in all I would not rate this a particularly effective draft, or so it would seem right now.



Redskins prescription from here via here, a way to waste a whole day making funny signs.

Redskins Sixth and Final Pick: Receiver Marko Mitchell

I would like to see this one work out

Closing out the draft the Redskins used their final pick, the second of their two seventh rounders, to select University of Nevada receiver Marko Mitchell. Stuck with three so far stinkers from last year's draft Washington once again cast aside needs along the offensive line in favor of bringing in someone that a Redskins fan might hope could catch the damn ball.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: six feet four inches

Weight: 218 pounds

Pros: frame fits mold of current large receiver type, long arms and big hands, good straight line downfield speed, good body control and can catch the ball over either shoulder, good field awareness for sidelines and coverage, sticky hands, good vertical jump, good in run blocking against typically smaller cornerbacks.

Cons: concerns about whether his production was a by product of the Nevada offense, lacks breakaway speed, lacking burst to separate from tight coverage, needs to bulk up frame to withstand NFL punishment, hands and leap do not always come together in red zone, needs to be more phyiscal when challenging for the ball.

Curly R quick take: looks to me like Washington took a mulligan and re drafted Malcolm Kelly, Marko is tall with room to bulk up and can move downfield, methinks Malcolm better get it together or he may find himself as the fifth receiver. Looking beyond his build to his production you may wonder how he fell into the seventh round, 61 catches in 2008 for over 1100 yards. Do not be fooled by stories of Nevada's pistol offense generating these numbers, that offense is not as gadgety as you might think. Marko is a stretcher, a downfield receiver and his size should create problems for cornerbacks.

Although I remain disappointed the Redskins never chose to address the offensive line in this draft, adding this player might make sense, he fits the type of pass catcher coach Jim Zorn wanted last season from the draft and it gives the team one more chance to find that elusive complement to receiver Santana Moss that it feels like the team has been searching for since Santana arrived in 2005.

University of Nevada receiver Marko Mitchell: AP photo from here.

Redskins Fifth Pick: Tight End Eddie Williams

Why not, there's always room for one more

Continuing a draft more bizarre with every pick the Redskins used their first seventh round draft pick on a tight end, Eddie Williams from the University of Idaho. This might not be as bad an idea as it looks.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: 6 feet one inch

Weight: 239 pounds

Pros: versatile, can play fullback, H-back, slot receiver or tight end, has long arms and big hands, good extension on passing routes, patient against zone coverage, adept at selling fake at the line, good downfield blocker, good open field tackler on special teams.

Cons: tweener status may cause difficulty finding a position, not experienced as lead blocker despite size, trouble blocking blitzing defenders, average downfield speed.

Curly R quick take: with two solid tight ends on the roster, Chris Cooley and Todd Yoder, and with no one able to unseat either of them, including last year's second round so far absent selection tight end Fred Davis, it makes little sense to draft another guy at this position. Unless that is the team is contemplating a move at another position. His team's most valuable player in 2008, Eddie looks more like a hybrid type of back, check his pre draft profile overview, it begins with quote [Eddie] looks a fullback and plays like a wide receiver unquote. If the team is shopping Cooley which might make football sense from a value perspective or if they are anticipating parting with Mike Sellers who is unhappy with his current deal and is not particpating in voluntary team workouts then Eddie might be low cost low risk option but consider despite his size that lead blocking has not been part of his repertoire.

Still though it seems to me you could find a fullback off the street and Chris Cooley would be tough to replace in short order, maybe the team knows something I do not because this pick makes my Dick Cheney lip quiver.



University of Idaho tight end Eddie Williams from here.

Redskins Fourth Pick: Linebacker Robert Henson

More linebackers means more need for linebackers

Moving through the draft it becomes apparent that either I know nothing about the Redskins needs or the decision makers know nothing and that is not to disparage the Redskins sixth round draft pick linebacker Robert Henson from Texas Christian University. There is no question the Redskins need linebackers, this is two linebacker picks in a row and still no offensive line.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: 6 feet zero inches
Weight: 240 pounds

Pros: he is a linebacker and the Redskins need linebackers.

Cons: his pre draft NFL profile is basically empty.

Curly R quick take: as indicated above there is no meaningful information in Robert's NFL pre draft profile so I wonder whether he was a consensus NFL prospect. Looking around I can find a number of basic looks at Robert's prospects:

From FFToolbox: Robert progressed all four years at TCU, improving his totals every year. Robert is very athletic and has good speed, he lacks size and is more effective against the run than the pass. His best shot as a player is likely as a special teams player.

From SI.com: Robert was a four year starter, he is tough in run defense and takes good angles on plays, he is not as susceptible to the play action and is decent in zone coverage. On the down side Robert is average in speed and size, he has poor lateral speed and gets stuck in blocking traffic.

Bottom line, Robert has good size and seems better against the run than the pass, even the most optimistic assessment seems to evaluate Robert as a backup. Once again I would like the Redskins team to explain this one to me, I guess there must be a chart somewhere that values this guy. Six rounds and still not a drop of water for the offensive line.



Texas Christian University linebacker Robert Henson from here via here.

Redskins Third Pick: Linebacker Cody Glenn

Joining a young linebacking corps

The Redskins used their fifth round pick finally on a position of need, selecting University of Nebraska outside linebacker Cody Glenn. Cody is an interesting player, with a heritage on the offensive side the ball.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: 6 feet zero inches
Weight: 244 pounds

Pros: a quick study, has played many positions on the field at a high level,

Cons: inexperienced, only one season as a linebacker, could be a discipline and or maturity problem,

Curly R quick take: Cody came to the University of Nebraska as a tailback and played three seasons at the position finally switching before his senior year after dealing with foot and leg injuries for two seasons. Despite his inexperience Cody won the starting weak side linebacker spot his senior year, playing at middle linebacker as well. A violation of team rules, no other detail available, cut his senior year to nine games.

Cody will be a good special teams player and likely will be able to play all three linebacker positions, where Cody winds up in the depth chart is a function of the competition among the veterans. He may be raw but if he can crack the starting lineup at Nebraska in his first year at the position then he has some potential. Glad to see a linebacker taken.



Cody Glenn from University of Nebraska: AP photo from here.

Redskins Second Pick: Cornerback Kevin Barnes

When you have depth you can stop digging

Washington had no pick in the second round and therefore had plenty of time to watch and think. When their first pick of the second day came around the Redskins selected University of Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes in the third round. I would love to hear the team braintrust explain this one to me.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: 6 feet zero inches
Weight: 187 pounds

Pros: a huge hitter, good height for a corner, can focus body into point of attack, good hands, solid cover corner, can also play offense, can be valuable on special teams, good downfield tackler.

Cons: coming off four injuries suffered simultaneously, may play stronger than his body, may struggle covering outside in run game, does not always wrap up tackles, does not always pay attention at the point of tackle and can get juked.

Curly R quick take: the Redskins already have two first round picks in Carlos Rogers and DeAngelo Hall and a second round pick in Fred Smoot at corner so I guess this pick is about what the team really thinks last year's fourth round pick cornerback Justin Tryon can do which is probably very little. This pick also tells me the team thinks they are good enough to go at tackle with four players already on the roster, Chris Samuels, Stephon Heyer, Jon Jansen and the newly signed Mike Williams.

That said Kevin was a solid coverage corner, probably more like Carlos Rogers than DeAngelo Hall. Kevin only played seven games in 2008, a collision with a receiver causing four shoulder injuries, a torn labrum, fractured shoulder blade, a broken collar bone and an injured rotator cuff. Kevin came back in time for the NFL combine and most scouts do not think he will have lingering problems as a result.

My guess is that this would be a quote value based unquote pick, the team had Kevin rated proportionately higher than any player on the board at a position of need, those being linebacker and tackle.



University of Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes from here.

The Redskins Are Back on the Clock

Worry less about quantity than quality please

Update 7:40pm: the draft is over, the Redskins used their two seventh round picks, the compensatory and the one acquired in trade from the Vikings, on tight end Eddie Williams from the University of Idaho and Marko Mitchell, receiver from the University of Idaho. Six draft picks out of 256 and the Redskins did not see fit to draft a single fucking offensive lineman. Off to new player bios...

Update 4:51pm: along now into the sixth round, the Redskins used their pick here on another linebacker, Robert Henson out of Texas Christian University, I am not sure what this pick means except once again no offensive lineman. On to the seventh round where the Redskins have two picks...

Update 3:17: down into the fifth round and Washington selected University of Nebraska outside linebacker Cody Glenn, this looks at quick glance like a good pick.

Update 2:47pm: so we have a deal to report, the Redskins swapped fifth round picks with the Vikings, Minnesota getting Washington's number 150 and Washington getting Minnesota's number 158 plus Minnesota's seventh round number 221, the Redskins now have two seventh round picks.

Update 11:24am: looks like that time with the kids came earlier than I thought, I come back from drop off at a birthday party and find the Redskins used their third round pick on... Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes? The same Kevin Barnes that suffered a season ending injury his last season in college that basically made his shoulder into mincemeat? WTF?!

The 2009 NFL Draft continues, the action starts at 10am ET, once again Curly R will be covering the day's festivities for as long as possible before my wife makes me acknowledge my small children or perform some form of outdoor activity.

Washington got an early birthday present on day one when University of Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo was unexpectedly available at number thirteen, although pass rushing defensive end was not even on my list of priorities for the Redskins, I was very happy with the pick and after going over the pick last night with my neighbors I think I am even more satisfied today because this is all about line as a whole. Adding defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth changes the character of the line overnight and should reduce the needs of the ends to control as much of the run.

That said with a man mountain like Albert in the middle opposing offenses will direct more of the run to the outside so Andre Carter and Brian will be tested in the ground game. There is of course also the matter of synergy, with two new starters on line the players will have to get used to playing with one another and we know Brian will make rookie mistakes and smart offenses will expose him.

But these are matters for another time, the draft is still happening, let us hope the Redskins can find good players at tackle and linebacker and then let us see what else happens, if stories of the team wanting to generate more picks are true it could be an interesting day.


This is a draft day open thread.



2009 NFL Draft logo from here.

Redskins Day One Draft Roundup

I'm next

Update 3 May: Curly R has reviewed the Redskins' thirteen post draft rookie free agent signings here.

Update 28 April: draft day two roundup is here.

Day one of the 2009 NFL Draft is over and the Redskins drafted one player filling a position of need, no shenanigans, no shiny objects distracting the owner.

Things went a little out of order as they always do in the NFL draft, at the fifth spot Cleveland sent their fifth overall pick to the New York Jets, the Jets sent their number seventeen plus a bunch of other picks and the Jets took Mark Sanchez out of the equation. Raise your hand if you were still nervous until the Redskins made their pick about a deal with the Jets materializing.

Andre Smith went next at six, he is the tackle that emerged at number thirteen from the earliest mock drafts and projections and varied little until today. It surprised me that Andre went before tackle Michael Oher, Andre is by some considered to be better equipped for the NFL than Michael but Andre may have some maturity and or character issues. At this point I am still thinking tackle for the best pick at number thirteen.

The Raiders taking receiver Darrius Hayward-Bey over Michael Crabtree and the Bills taking defensive end Aaron Maybin over Brian Orakpo allowed Brian to fall to thirteen and Washington pulled the trigger. I generally agree with Jason La Canfora, I too would probably have taken Michael Oher with this pick but then again as I mentioned in the previous post, at that thirteen spot you have the top rated defensive end and the fourth rated offensive tackle.

It was a risk to move with Brian what with the Redskins having no second round pick to get in and find a tackle like Phil Loadholt or Max Unger. I even see as I write this that the number five rated tackle Eben Britton fell into the second round.

So it was a good pick, here was the order of needs as I saw it:

1. Offensive tackle, higher need at right side
2. Linebacker, strong side
3. Run stuffing defensive end

And here is how the Redskins drafted on day one:

1. Pass rushing defensive end Brian Orakpo from the University of Texas (op. cit.).

Not even on my priority list but the guy was the best beef available and I am happy. For now everyone get some rest and I will see you in the morning, round three begins at 10am ET, the Redskins have the sixteenth pick, I expect it to come in around 11am.


Check the blogroll at right for more coverage and if you still need more content, hop in the Curly R Wayback Machine and experience the Redskins 2008 draft round up.



Butt tattoo generator here, found through here which is an awsum resource if you like making funny signs or in eighth grade.

Redskins Top Pick: Defensive End Brian Orakpo

Can't wait to meet Donovan, Eli and Tony

In a first round that went a little differently than many expected the number thirteen pick came around and two solid players were on the board, tackle Michael Oher and defensive end Brian Orakpo, whom the team selected. Although Curly R did pooh pooh Brian somewhat in the draft preparatory this is a good pick, I had Brian rated as the top defensive end, versus the fourth best tackle at the time of the pick is a good decision.

From NFL.com's pre draft profile:

Height: 6 foot 3 inches
Weight: 263 pounds

Pros: outstanding upper body strength, can be effective both in three point position as well as a standing rusher, good field awareness, agile while engaging linemen, closes quickly into the pocket, wraps up well on tackles.

Cons: has had knee problems two of his four years at Texas, may only be a five technique in the pros, could have trouble with the four or three technique in run stoppage, body type might better be suited for strong side linebacker but may not have range for that position.

Curly R quick take: Brian was an outstanding college player, this year winning Big Twelve Conference Defensive Player of the Year, the Lombardi Award for best lineman, the Nagurski Trophy for best defensive player and the Hendricks Award for best defensive end. Incumbent defensive end Andre Carter should be very happy right now.

The Redskins did not blow up the draft and trade up for Mark Sanchez. They did not ship out Jason Campbell or Chris Cooley, they did not spend the top pick on more football porn and take a receiver for Jim Zorn's offense. This is a solid pick that will improve what should already be a terrific defense.



Brian Orakpo about to know a quarterback intimately from here.

The Redskins Are on the Clock

Think hard before you give up and move up

Update 11:20pm: and this concludes our programming day. Tune in tomorrow for coverage of day two. The Redskins are on the clock with the sixteenth pick in the third round, the Washington Post is reporting that the Redskins will attempt to add to the four picks they have tomorrow, could be some middle round wheeling and dealing. Just get me a freaking tackle and let us have done with that ok?

Update 11:13pm: the first day of the draft is over, some quick thoughts: division rivals the Giants and the Eagles both used their first round picks on receivers, New York to replace Plaxico Burress and the Eagles because they upgraded their offensive line through trade and free agency. The Cowboys had no first round pick which I love about them. In the second round Giants grabbed Wahoo linebacker Clint Sintim. Defensive end Everette Brown and offensive tackle Eben Britton both fell further than I thought they would.

Update 5:34pm: it took the Redskins all of two minutes to select Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo aka Oh Crappo which is what the opposing quarterbacks will be saying. I am satisfied with this pick, the Redskins now need to look at tackle and linebacker tomorrow in the third round. I am going to punch out and write this up, then be back to continue my one sided commentary...

Update 5:32pm: a surprise, at number twelve the Bills select tailback Knowshon Moreno, the Redskins are on the click with Michael Oher and Brian Orakpo left on the board...

Update 5:26pm: at number eleven the Bills select defensive end Aaron Maybin, two picks, it looks like Brian Orakpo might fall to Washington.

Update 5:21pm: at number ten the 49ers take receiver Michael Crabtree, Michael Oher, Brian Orakpo and Aaron Maybin are all left on the board with three picks to go...

Update 5:14pm: at number nine the Packers take defensive tackle BJ Raji, four picks to go...

Update 5:05pm: at number eight the Jaguars take tackle Eugene Monroe (Wahowaa!), that leaves Michael Oher and Eben Britton left as the blue chip tackles, methinks Michael will be gone by thirteen and the Redskins will go in another direction from tackle which is ok if it is a linebacker or defensive lineman.

Update 4:56pm: Raiders take Darrius Heyward-Bey at number seven, the ESPN crew seem to think Michael Crabtree was the better receiver.

Update 4:51pm: another pick impacting the Redskins, Cincinnati takes tackle Andre Smith at number six, that means Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher and Eben Britton are the premier tackles left on the board.

Update 4:42pm: well barring some post pick maneuvering by the New York, the Mark Sanchez stakes are over, the Jets trade their number seventeen pick to the Browns for their number five. Redskins fans can exhale... for now.

Update 4:32pm: so it goes, Seahawks pass on Mark Sanchez as a replacement for Matt Hasselbeck and take linebacker Aaron Curry, a complete defensive player at number four.

Update 4:25pm: Chiefs go at number three and take defensive end Tyson Jackson, so much conspiracies involving the Redskins and Chris Cooley. The new regime in Kansas City starting with defense.

Update 4:15pm: already diverging from the mock, we had Eugene Monroe at number two and St. Louis comes in and takes tackle Jason Smith. Mel Kiper said he thought that would have been the right pick for Mark Sanchez, I guess Mel is not in the Marc Bulger fan club.

Aesthetics update 4:09pm: I am so tired of Chris Berman and all the hyper soundtracked ESPN crap so I tried to watch the NFL Network's coverage but then I see Rich Eisen who only offends me mildly throwing it over for Matt Stafford's first interview with... Deion Sanders. User navigates to Grab Remote > Queue up ESPN HD > Execute Channel Change.

Update 4:05 pm: no surprise, Lions make it official with quarterback Matt Stafford. I think that is a good pick... for the Redskins who play the Lions in 2009.

Draft day is here, Curly R will be covering today's and tomorrow's activities, our draft preparatory is here, including a rundown of the Redskins picks and where I think the Redskins should use them. I also participated in a mock draft, have a look here.

Settle in, crack a beer, yes it is not just you the draft is in fact later this year, it has always for as long as I can remember been at noon ET, those bastards on the west coast must finally have whined their way to the commissioner's office.

This is a draft day open thread.



2009 NFL Draft logo from here.

The 2009 NFL Mock Draft for Blogs

Blogger draft day war room

Draft day is here, tee minus one hour until the fun begins, time to start learning whether we were on or off in our collective speculation, you cannot swing a dead cat without hitting a mock draft these days and if you are swinging that cat near me you just hit one.

Last month Don Delco of the terrific Browns centric No Logo Needed invited Curly R to select for Washington in their mock. I present you the 2009 Mock Draft for Blogs:

1. Lions: waynefontes.com — MATTHEW STAFFORD, QB, GEORGIA
2. Rams: turfshowtimes.com — EUGENE MONROE, OT, VIRGINIA
3. Chiefs: kcchiefsnews.com — AARON CURRY, LB, WAKE FOREST
4. Seahawks: davekriegsstrikebeard.com — MICHAEL CRABTREE, WR, TEXAS TECH
5. Browns: nologoneeded.com — REY MAUALUGA, LB, USC
6. Bengals: bengalstripes.com — JASON SMITH, OT, BAYLOR
7. Raiders: silverandblackpride.com — JEREMY MACLIN, WR, MISSOURI
8. Jaguars: jaguarsgab.com — B.J. RAJI, DT, BOSTON COLLEGE
9. Packers: lombardiave.com — BRIAN ORAKPO, DE/OLB, TEXAS
10. 49ers: ninersnation.com — EVERETTE BROWN, OLB, FLORIDA STATE
11. Bills: buffalorumblings.com CLAY MATTHEWS, OLB, USC
12. Broncos: milehighreport.com — MALCOLM JENKINS, CB, OHIO STATE
13. Redskins: The Curly R — ANDRE SMITH, OT, ALABAMA
14. Saints: canalstreetchronicles.com — BRIAN CUSHING, OLB, USC
15. Texans: houstondiehards.com — MICHAEL OHER, OT, OLE MISS
16. Chargers: bolthype.com — EBEN BRITTON, OT, ARIZONA
17. Jets: thejetsblog.com — TYSON JACKSON, DE, LSU
18. Bears: blogdownchicagobears.com — DARRIUS HEYWARD-BEY, WR, MARYLAND
19. Buccaneers: bucem.com — PERCY HARVIN, WR, FLORIDA
20. Lions (from Dallas): waynefontes.com — AARON MAYBIN, DE, PENN STATE
21. Eagles: igglesblog.com — VONTAE DAVIS, CB, ILLINOIS
22. Vikings: vikingsragnarok.blogspot.com — MARK SANCHEZ, QB, USC
23. Patriots: patriotsdaily.com — KNOWSHON MORENO, RB, GEORGIA
24. Falcons: falcoholic.com —CLINT SINTIM, LB, VIRGINIA
25. Dolphins: thephinsider.com — LARRY ENGLISH, LB, NORTHERN ILLINOIS
26. Ravens: ebonybird.com —KENNY BRITT, WR, RUTGERS
27. Colts: 18to88.com — PERIA JERRY, DT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
28. Eagles (from Carolina): igglesblog.com — ALEX MACK, OL, CALIFORNIA
29. Giants: bigblue101.com — HAKEEM NICKS, WR, NORTH CAROLINA
30. Titans: musiccitymiracles.com — D.J. MOORE, CB, VANDERBILT
31. Cardinals: raisingzona.com — CHRIS WELLS, RB, OSU
32. Steelers: steelerstoday.com — FILI MOALA, DT, USC

Here is what I said about the selection of Alabama's Andre Smith:

With the 13th pick in the 2009 NFL draft for blogs, the Washington Redskins select...

** ANDRE SMITH, OT ALABAMA **

The Redskins have fairly simple needs this year, and they are going to take the best player at either of their top two positions of need. On the offensive side of the ball Washington needs a tackle. Thirty-one year old left tackle Chris Samuels ended 2008 on injured reserve, 33 year old right tackle Jon Jansen lost his starting job then got it back and never pass blocked well, all while undrafted rising third year utility tackle Stephon Heyer still is not turning into a full range starter.

On the defensive side, the position of need is defensive end. With the release of Jason Taylor and the inexplicable loss of Demetric Evans who was the Redskins best player at the position in 2008, the Redskins are left with one quality defensive end, Andre Carter, with the next best option an as yet un re signed Phillip Daniels, 36 years old and coming off a torn ACL suffered in 2008 training camp.

Curly R rated the tackles and defensive ends likely to go in the first thirteen picks in this order: OT Jason Smith, OT Eugene Monroe, DE Brian Orakpo aka Brian Oh Crappo, OT Andre Smith, OT Michael Oher, DE Everette Brown, DE Aaron Maybin. With Jason, Eugene and Brian off the board the decision is easy, Andre will challenge at right tackle this summer.

Although this does not necessarily spell the end of either Jon Jansen or Stephon Heyer it does signal the beginning of a new era at offensive tackle in Washington.

Stick with Curly R throughout today and tomorrow for Redskins related draft news, head over to our mock draft partner blogs and see what they are saying.

The 2009 NFL Draft starts in one hour.



Dr. Strangelove war room from here.

Redskins 2009 Draft Prep - Part Five

Go time

The decisions are made, the design plan is in place, it is time to bring in the front loaders and start building a team for 2009. Curly R's five part series prepping for the Redskins 2009 draft concludes.

Part One: The Offense
Part Two: The Defense and Special Teams
Part Three: The Contract Years
Part Four: The Draft Picks
Part Five: What the Redskins Must Do

=====

Speculation is rampant for every team, as a member of an NFL braintrust it is in your best interest to disinform, divert and deny your draft motivation leading up to draft day. Despite our beliefs and allegiances as football fans it is better not to put a lot of credence in what you think your team is going to do.

Unless you are a Redskins fan that is. Then you should panic.

Here is what the Redskins must do tomorrow:

Round one: the Redskins must pick the best offensive tackle on the board. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe (Wahoowa!) will both be off the board, Andre Smith looks like the target with Michael Oher the other option. Washington needs to rejuvenate the line that protects franchise quarterback Jason Campbell.

Round three: the Redskins should examine linebackers that can play the strong side and run stopping defensive ends. Washington is sorely lacking in run stoppage at the end position and Phillip Daniels and Renaldo Wynn are short term solutions and not improvements at the position. Linebacker is the position of greater need here. Do not get distracted by outliers.

Round five: the Redskins should look at the linebacker or defensive end position that was not picked in round three. Less of a chance of starting talent in the fifth round so the team should focus on talent that can be developed. If highly a evaluated pick was available at this position the Redskins should consider it.

Round six: the Redskins should go back to the lines, selecting the best offensive or defensive lineman on the board regardless of position. An outlier could be attractive here.

Round seven: wild card. Select the best player on the board. All positions are eligible.


The Redskins are on the clock.



Draft beer selection from here.

Redskins 2009 Draft Prep - Part Four

Trade you my first Sierra Nevada for your first ESB and that bowl of pretzels

Admit it, when the Redskins had ten draft picks last year you thought they had finally gotten the point didn't you? Unfortunately it was the top of Dan Snyder's head. Curly R's five part series prepping for the 2009 draft continues.

Part One: The Offense
Part Two: The Defense and Special Teams
Part Three: The Contract Years
Part Four: The Draft Picks
Part Five: What the Redskins Must Do

=====

The way the NFL Draft works, each team gets seven draft picks, one in each round. Additionally, teams that lost free agents the previous offseason may get compensatory picks in return, this part of the system I do not understand.

For example in this year's draft, taking place Saturday and Sunday, the Redskins got an extra pick in the seventh round for the loss of Mark Brunell. Mark was demoted after game nine of the 2006 season against the Eagles, Jason's first NFL start was game ten against the Buccaneers. Mark spent all of 2007 as the third quarterback behind Todd Collins, the team voided his contract after the season and Washington had no desire to re sign Mark for 2008.

Similarly and inexplicably the Redskins got two compensatory picks in last year's 2008 draft, one in the third round and one in the seventh round, they were for the losses of Derrick Dockery, TJ Duckett, Warrick Holdman, Kenny Wright and the signing of London Fletcher. Washington was unable to match Buffalo's dollars to Derrick Dockery in the 2007 offseason so that is a legitimate loss, TJ Duckett, for whom the team traded away a 2007 third round pick and then was given the ball all of 38 times for 132 yards, a 3.5 yards per carry average with two touchdowns in all of the 2006 season. Fans and the team wanted to forget that decision. Warrick Holdman was forced into starting service in 2006 after the departure of LaVar Arrington, and was not terrific as Washington's middle linebacker. Warrick was not re signed after 2006 and retired. Kenny Wright was part of the Mike Rumph / Carlos Rogers / Kenny Wright cornerback by committee in 2006 and he was shown the door when Washington re signed Fred Smoot. And as for London Fletcher, Washington signed him, why the hell would we get compensatory picks for gaining a player?

Teams cannot trade away compensatory picks, the team selected guard Chad Rinehart with the third round pick and safety Chris Horton with the seventh rounder. One out of two ain't bad.

Anyway, I do not understand the compensatory pick system, it seems to me as though it is a system the incents teams to churn through free agents since it appears as though it does not matter if you wanted to re sign a free agent or not, if you did not and he signs with another team then you will be getting some compensation.

Back in the day the NFL Draft was 21 rounds, not seven and between the reserve clause keeping players indentured to a team and the never ending influx of young drafted players, star performers had a higher hurdle to clear in order to stay in the league. Then that pesky union came along and ever since then the players have been eating bon bons and living in high style. But I digress.

For this year's draft the Redskins have five total picks, here is how they break down:

1. First round, number thirteen overall. That is what 8-8 in the weaker conference will get you. No matter how badly every football fan quote wants unquote their team not to have high draft picks because high draft picks usually means you sucked last season, there is an electricity to having a top half first round pick. Never mind that I think NFL first round picks are over paid and there should be a rookie cap in place...

The Redskins do have a second round pick, that pick having been sent to Miami in the trade that brought Jason Taylor to Washington during 2008 training camp. Quick put your trade value hat on, one sub par season with aging veteran Jaston Taylor, perhaps sub par is too kind, how about sub basement season with Jason Taylor versus a second round draft pick where a team could expect to get an immediate contributor. Unless that second round pick is Devin Thomas or Malcolm Kelly. Wait was that my out loud voice?

2. Third round, number sixteen, number 80 overall. As Mel Kiper says there are good players in every round, Washington should be able to get a developed talent in the third round, one that could challenge to start in a position of poor depth. At a position of good depth the team can afford to sit a third round pick in the first year or two.

Washington does not have a fourth round pick, that selection having been sent to the New York Jets in the trade that brought Pete Kendall to the Redskins during 2007 training camp. That trade was necessitated after Washington lost boomerang Redskin Derrick Dockery to the Bills in free agency then made no meaningful moves to find a suitable replacement at left guard. The team tried to put Todd Wade aka Big Head Todd aka Eight Ball in at LG but Todd is too tall for the guard position and the whole experiment was a disaster, at one point almost getting Jason Campbell's leg torn off.

That said and by quote that unquote I mean that the trade might not have been necessary in the first if the Redskins had done a better job grooming a player like I don't know maybe through the draft at left guard or at the very least planned something at LG when Derrick left, in retrospect it kind of seems like the team just said fuck it things will work out no need to go crazy and sign a new left guard besides was Derrick that good anyway?

So that said and under those circumstances it was a good trade. Pete was solid for the Redskins, started every one of his 32 games with the team and my hope is he will come back and re sign as a reserve, the left guard spot would be set if he did. It is a bummer not to have that pick to be sure but Pete helped anchor the solidest part of a solid run blocking unit the past two seasons. Pete just should not run with the ball...

3. Fifth round, number 14, number 150 overall. This is where you can start to take a flyer on a player. The difference in draft team draft assessments begins to come into play as teams scramble to pick players they rated higher and therefore fell by that estimation. At this point the team is generally taking the best player available.

4. Sixth round, number thirteen, number 186 overall. Remember there are over one hundred schools that play top shelf college football and each team has sixty or more players so 186 players into picking the best of the best shouls still yield a good player. By this point teams are looking to draft for depth at solid positions or go for projects, the risk reward ratio is on its head by this point as it is no embarrassment in the grand scheme to cut a sixth rounder.

The Redskins do not own their allotted pick in the seventh round, that pick having been shipped to Minnesota in the deal to bring defensive end Erasmus James to Washington. Ninety days beforePhillip Daniels and Alex Buzbee both went down on the first day of camp Washington was facing a shortage of defensive ends so Washington sent this seventh rounder conditionally to the Vikings for Erasmus, a first round pick from 2005 that had two consective ACL tears, the second of which wiped out his 2007 season.

The three hilarous things about this deal are as follows: 1) Minnesota has released Erasmus the day before the trade happened, if Washington had just kept its trap shut for another few hours Erasmus could have been had off the street with no compensation to the Vikings; 2) this trade was conditional only on Erasmus making the roster. Despite not being able to practice nearly at all in the preseason the team kept him and he appeared in only five games, no starts and had no tackles before; 3) the team cut him in December, before the season was even over.

Bye bye draft pick, Washington might as well have rolled down the window going down the highway and tossed that one.

5. Seventh round number 34, number 243 overall. This is the aforementioned compensatory pick for the loss of Mark Brunell. I lust love how you can get free draft picks for getting rid of players you do not want. I wonder if it works with wives and kids as well. Anyway this is the seventh round, coaches and executives are plumbing their bloodlines and contacts, looking at players from programs they know and developed by coaches they know. At this point in the draft you do not have much to lose so you take what looks best.


Redskins 2009 Draft Prep concludes tomorrow with part six, What the Redskins Must Do.


Draft beer selection from here.