Redskins mailbag: Ask John

Mike: Right now it’s easy to be more intrigued by Griffin than anyone else. My preference: getting the best QB you can find is the option. If that means trading up for Griffin, then do it. Shanahan is not one to settle for a guy if he thinks he can land an elite player. There’s no guarantee with any player, but having to trade a couple picks for a guy I think can really play would not be a deterrent. To trade up high in the first round means you’re convinced the player will be elite. If you’re not convinced, don’t do it. There’s nothing the Redskins have needed more for a long time than a franchise QB. If that’s Griffin, get him and don’t hesitate.

JK

John: So far no coaching changes among our assistant coaches (Although they talked to Raheem Morris). What coaches do you expect to be gone next year? What is your opinion on our Offensive Line coach and WR Coaches Keenan McCardell? I remember that they one person who was crucial to the zone blocking system in Denver isn’t with us (Alex Gibbs?). He stayed unemployed through the rest of the year. Any way he comes on board with us next season?

Thanks,

Amani in LA. 

Amani in LA: Obviously this question was submitted before the staff changes that became public on Wednesday. So you know that McCardell is out as is Steve Jackson and Morris is in. Neither firing was a stunning move. Liked both guys, but the young wideouts didn’t develop as much as hoped, nor did the young DBs. It’s a bottom line business. As for Gibbs, he retired after the 2010 season. I’ve heard good things about Morris; his DBs in Tampa loved playing for him.

JK

John: I’ve read a lot of speculation and heard a lot of fans talking about trading up for RGIII. Personally, I’m in agreement with the philosophy; if you have a chance to land a franchise QB, you do what it takes to get him. Shanahan has done a great job of finding good pieces in the middle and later rounds of the draft; it’s time for us to add a stud QB.

My issue, however, is this: if you’re going to trade up for a QB, why settle for second best? I fully realize that Luck will cost more than RGIII, and I also realize that the Colts will have to be willing trade partners; having said that, if the pieces fall into place, wouldn’t Luck be worth the extra cost over RGIII?

Let me ask this question in another way (caveat: this is based entirely on presumption from how I’ve seen the two graded out): which is more valuable – an elite QB with a good supporting cast or a great QB with an elite supporting cast?  Many reports say Luck has the chance to be in the same class, ability-wise, as Peyton/Brady/Rodgers/Brees. My presumption is that RGIII has the chance to be of the same caliber as Eli/Vick (without the off-the-field stuff)/Ryan. The first tier is elite; the second tier is great.

You have a chance to win a SB with great QBs, but those chances come only once every few years. You have a chance to win a Super Bowl every year with an elite QB (or so it seems).

Alexan

Alexan: You hit it on the head when you said the Colts would have to be willing trade partners. If Luck is that good why would anyone want to trade the rights to him? Let’s say they like Griffin as much as they do Luck. If they traded with Washington could they still get Griffin? Probably not. So why risk it? Take Luck (or RGIII) and move on. I do agree that if the Redskins view Luck as a once-a-decade player, then go hard after him. I just wouldn’t expect anyone to trade the rights to such a guy. Yes, the elite QB gives you a shot every year. That’s why I do expect them to be aggressive (and why others might not be willing to comply). It’ll be easier to be aggressive this year considering they have the sixth pick than it would be next year if they bolster other areas, win nine games or so in a best-case scenario and then pick in the 20s.

JK

John: Looking at the receiver situation, if the Skins sign a guy like Jackson (personal problems aside) their receiver corps looks very strong. Hankerson, Jackson, possession guys like Gaffney and Moss comprise a very formidable group. Throw in a healthy Cooley and clean Davis and you’ve got the makings of an outstanding passing attack. Your thoughts?

With Helu, Royster and a healthy Hightower (3rd down back), I like the offensive weapons if we add Jackson. Just gotta find someone to get them the ball consistently. I think RGIII will be gone by #6 and it’s not normally Shanny’s deal to move up in the draft. Thoughts on Flynn?

Rich in Tampa

Rich in Tampa: I do agree that they don’t need to add a whole lot at receiver, assuming they get a top guy. Yes, if they sign a guy and Hankerson improves and Davis is back and Cooley is healthy, that’s a good group. Then it’s up to the QB to do his job. Can’t blame it all on the wideouts. I do think Shanahan will be aggressive if there’s a chance to land a QB he really likes. But I think he has to really like him. Haven’t seen enough of Flynn. I talked to a couple people about him for Friday’s insider email report. I’m a little wary; they were not.

JK

John: Just a couple of offseason questions. 1) What’s the window for franchising players? 2) What is your opinion of Matt Flynn and would he fit this scheme in your opinion. I have reservations about a guy with 2 games of film. 3) When do we know about compensatory picks and what should we be getting? How high a pick should we get for Rogers? I know we signed quite a few FA so would those equal out? 4) I know you reviewed wide receivers and mentioned a few FA’s. Is there any that you believe we should target because of their potential fit here?

  

Scott

Scott: I) Players must be franchised by Feb. 25. 2) I’m a bit wary of Flynn as well, but it also depends what he’s shown in the preseason and in practices. He’d fit a West Coast system, but that’s such an ambiguous term anymore because not every one is the same. The Redskins like to go downfield a little more and need a QB with mobility who has enough arm to throw deep and to throw to the backside off a bootleg. Flynn does not have a huge arm, but he is accurate and the arm strength can be compensated for with a quick release. In the limited plays I saw him make vs. Detroit, he executed play-action, but stayed in the pocket. Scouts say he’s athletic.

3) Compensatory picks are awarded at the NFL’s annual meeting in late March. The highest pick you could receive is a third rounder. And it’s based on whether or not you lost more qualifying free agents than you signed. Rogers’ good showing helps, but the Redskins also signed a handful of players who were starters (Barry Cofield, Stephen Bowen, Josh Wilson, Chris Chester). So that could negate what they lost. The determining factors: player’s salary, playing time, postseason honors.

4) Any receiver who can make plays would be a good fit. I like Justin Blackmon, but if things go right they’re taking a QB with their first pick. I’m intrigued by Baylor’s Kendall Wright because of his speed. A guy like Robert Meacham would be nice: wouldn’t break the bank; can make plays. But would New Orleans let him and Marques Colston leave?

JK

John: Now, I’m not liking this Matt Flynn talk.  Please tell me this is NOT an option.  How many “backup quarterbacks to the stars”, who’ve had no real game experience, have we seen fail (Whitehurst, Jackson, Cassel, Kolb, Beck, etc)? 

I’d rather go with a young option from the draft any day of the week.  Yeah, he’ll need coaching no matter how great a career he had, but at least he’s ours.  And considering the way the new CBA was constructed to not let guys, who’ve never played a down in the league, get paid as if they’re Brady.  Now, look at these contracts they are giving up to these backup QBs.  Not to mention the draft picks.  I believe if we HAVE to get a QB, it has to come from the draft.  I’d rather give up picks for Robert Griffin III or Andrew Luck any day of the week verse take a chance on Matt Flynn.

Am I wrong?

Thanks.

Aaron

Aaron: Not necessarily. Clearly Griffin is flashier than Flynn and would be exciting. So it’s easy to be caught up in him. The ceiling is high for both Luck and Griffin. Like you, I’m hesitant to fall in love with a guy in Flynn’s situation. (Would not put Beck in that group, but the rest are reasonable mentions). But as I wrote earlier some scouts/evaluators [outside the organization] I’ve spoken with are high on him. You have to at least check him out.  If there’s a talent gap between Griffin and Flynn, and you think you can get Griffin, then go after him. But what if you can’t get Griffin or Luck, then what? What if you let Flynn sign elsewhere and then can’t get a QB in the draft? This will be a very interesting, and defining, offseason.

JK

John: If I remember correctly it was said that Malcolm Kelly was running crisp routes before his last (foot) injury. In the offseason he had kept attending meetings while many players would not be seen after being put on Injured Reserve. So if he is healthy (by now he should be!) is there still a future for him in the NFL? What are the possibilities for him?

I worry that another team with better trainers will grab him and he will be Brandon Lloyd II but with an NFC rival… i.e. Malcolm will produce for them what we had hoped for all along.

Otherwise perhaps Marko Mitchell and Malcolm Kelly can be in the same grief support group? Who might join them?

Rick (redskins fan before the cowboys ever were a team)

Williamsburg

Rick: I haven’t talked to Malcolm in a while, nor heard much about him. I know when we talked to him after he was cut he was contemplating retirement. I wonder if he has the desire to keep trying to prove he can stay healthy and produce. My sense from him is that he can have a life outside of football. His long history of injuries would make any team hesitant to sign him. If he goes on to another team and somehow excels, I would not fault the Redskins for having released him. I liked Malcolm a lot, but how long can you keep a guy around who’s hurt as much as he was?  

JK

John: I’m wondering how Big Mike Williams is doing.  The last I heard, he had life-threatening blood clots.  Is this issue still occurring?  Has he been able to keep his weight “down” to 340-350?  Is he still thinking of playing, or has the clotting issue made a return to the NFL unthinkable?

Thanks.

Fred

Fred: Last I heard he was still dealing with the blood clot issue. But that was a while ago. I can’t imagine he’s still thinking about playing. Or, if he is, that any team would sign him. He’s started eight games since 2006 and he’s coming off a blood clot issue and has missed the past two seasons. There’s not much appeal. It’s a shame because he worked very hard to get back into shape and did well enough that Mike Shanahan gave him two-year deal.

JK

John: My questions are as follows:1) Have you been able to observe Jonathan Crompton in practice? Was he the scout team QB – if so, how did he look? 2) Do you have a sense for how his teammates take to him? The Shanahans failed to discern the lack of chemistry between John Beck and the team. Could this be a problem if Crompton gets a long look next preseason? 3) Do you get any sense from the Shanahans that they think that Crompton could be their secret weapon in waiting… that they like him the way that they liked Beck? 4) What kind of personality does Crompton have? Does he have any charisma or the qualities that might make him a leader? 5) Why is John Beck still on the roster? Do they still hold out hope for him? I don’t know how you fix the chemistry issue… guys just don’t seem to take to him.

Sorry for all of the questions; but I’ve been thinking about Crompton for weeks… wondering. When I saw that they retained his rights it really got me to thinking!

Thanks,

Spencer

Spencer: Stop thinking so much. I’m kidding. 1) Never really saw him do much in practice because we’re limited to the first 20 minutes (stretching, individual drills). And because he wasn’t signed until Sept. 4, we’ve never really seen him in a game either.  2) Honestly haven’t talked to anyone about him much (though I talked to one scout who liked him coming out of college. Thought he could be really good). Crompton is now with his fourth team in two years (San Diego, New England and Tampa Bay being the others). Not exactly the blueprint for success. However, Crompton has some ability, though he was inconsistent in college. Keep in mind that Tampa signed him to a three-year deal in August and cut him a month later. 3) No. And … No.  4) Crompton seems like a decent guy, but when you’re trying to cover a 53-man roster, you don’t get many chances to talk to a practice squad QB. 5) Beck is on the roster because the Shanahans like him. They can excuse his season by saying he never had a full offseason in this offense and that was partly to blame for his poor play. They also like how well he played in relief vs. Philadelphia. So that’s why. Plus he’s under contract. Beck still hasn’t proven he can be a good backup, but he has one year left and if he somehow looks better having had a full offseason, then you stand to benefit. If not, you probably addressed this position already through the draft or free agency. No harm no foul. I’m not sure I’d say there were chemistry issues; I don’t think it was about them liking or disliking Beck. But I do think guys definitely took to Rex better. He just let things occur naturally. And players knew he was better. If Beck wants to be more popular in the locker room, he can start by winning games and throwing TD passes. That’s always a good recipe.

JK

John: It’s pretty clear that offense will be the focus of the 2012 offseason.  The QB situation will be resolved via the draft I believe (Flynn goes to Cleveland in FA, we trade up for Griffin III) so the next area that needs real improvement is clearly the WR spot.  I expect only three players to return, Hankerson, Paul and Gaffney.  Moss is done (lost explosiveness, too many drops/missed targets), Stallworth was a stopgap, Armstrong, Anderson & Austin barely played and showed nothing when they did.  Do you anticipate the Redskins making a big splash attempt here in free agency-Desean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston- or trying to explore any trade options?  While Vincent Jackson has been rumored and fits the profile of the #1 WR/playmaker we need, I can’t see the team having 3 of it’s most important players (Davis, T. Williams & V. Jackson) being one party away from being lost for an entire year.  My prediction is they sign Colston and Eddie Royal plus draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round (depending on RGIII trade costs).  What are your thoughts on the direction the team will go at WR in free agency?

John Little

John: I agree that they will target a WR in free agency. They need someone with speed who scares a D;. doesn’t have to be a 70 or 80 catch guy either. Eddie Royal is OK in the slot, but lacks that sort of speed. Colston is not a fast guy either but he or a guy like Bowe would be good pickups just because of size and the ability to break tackles. That would definitely help them in the red zone if nothing else. Robert Meacham is a downfield threat too. I do think more than the three WRs you named will return. Clearly they don’t think it was just the fault of the players as they just fired McCardell. Like you, I wonder about Moss’ future here. He did not have a good year.

JK