Are the Washington Redskins better off today than they were on Friday? In the end, a little ground was lost, but not enough to make a difference this fall.
The Redskins did OK with what they had — they just didn’t have much. Washington picked up a linebacker who may help by midseason, a reserve runstopper and a safety who can play special teams. It’s not exactly the foundation of success unless the practice squad has a game on Saturday.
Washington knew entering the draft that it wasn’t going to do much. One starter would be better than some years, though. The Redskins have drafted terribly with Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato working with four coaches since 2000 to draft an NFL-low five current starters.
Washington’s second-round move is the real water cooler conversation. They probably paid too much when trading a second and sixth this year and a second next year to the New York Jets to move up 18 spots. While remembering a second-rounder next year is equivalent to a third this season, it was still too much. Snyder loves to deal so you just have to pray it’s not Versace prices for Walmart clothes.
Some fans argue the Redskins should have taken Virginia Tech cornerback Jimmy Williams over Miami linebacker Rocky McIntosh. Williams slid in the draft to 37th because of the “character issues.” However, if Williams can play for a man of good character like Hokies coachFrank Beamer, that’s good enough for me. The Redskins can’t use that excuse anyway after choosing Georgia defensive tackle Kedrick Golston, whose predraft report includes missing the 2005 opener following an offseason arrest for scuffling with police during a bar fight.
The measuring stick of this draft is through external means. First, Washington fell behind in the division. Philadelphia garnered the best draft and New York fared a little better. Dallas’ picks were worse, but not by much.
Philadelphia will get better this season with quarterback Donovan McNabb back and receiver Terrell Owens gone. But the Eagles also improved with two linemen. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley was a steal with the 14th pick. The Florida Stater has the size and speed to start right away. Winston Justice was another gem in the second round. Character issues that seemed to follow many Southern Cal players lately caused the offensive tackle to fall to a team that greatly needs him.
New York added a pass rusher and a breakaway receiver. Defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka gives the Giants a third pass rusher who can move inside on third downs to let New York overwhelm offensive lines. Receiver Sinorice Moss may be just as good as big brother Santana Moss of the Redskins.
Dallas picked up outside linebacker Bobby Carpenter of Ohio State, a fine pass rusher but not someone can carry the whole draft for a team. The Cowboys added a backup tight end in Anthony Fasano of Notre Dame, but big deal.
Second, did challengers for the wild card pick up ground on the Redskins? Amazingly, Minnesota might have been the only one in grabbing a cornerback and linebacker who can immediately help.
Chicago picked up two safeties in the second round, but overall didn’t fare better than Washington. Atlanta gained Williams two slots after the Redskins choice, but the Falcons draft was nothing special. Carolina’s picks rated a big “blah.” And for some reason Arizona teases me as a wild card contender but its draft was long-term in Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart and not a whole lot else.
So maybe this wasn’t a memorable weekend for the Redskins. The report card should sport a “C-minus” with some incompletes. We’ll know better by Thanksgiving.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
