A few things I liked and disliked about the Redskins draft weekend:
What I liked:
Recommended Stories
1. The emphasis on the offensive line » in the previous 10 years of the Dan Snyder regime, the Redskins had selected eight offensive lineman. Shockingly, their line grew old and injured and they couldn’t sustain any sort of momentum. But Washington took three linemen among its six picks, one of whom should start immediately (Trent Williams). You can quibble about whether or not they should have taken Williams or Russell Okung, but you can’t argue with their direction. I wasn’t a big fan of Selvish Capers after the Senior Bowl, but as a seventh-round choice? Good pick.
2. The trade of Jason Campbell » Let him go somewhere that he’s wanted. He hasn’t been wanted in Washington since Joe Gibbs left and even Gibbs, had he returned, would have given Todd Collins a chance to win the starting job. The Raiders have made enough of an investment in him that they’ll give him every opportunity to succeed. And he’ll be a welcomed change after JaMarcus Russell. I think players here are happy that they have Donovan McNabb and that Campbell will go somewhere that he can play, albeit for another dysfunctional franchise.
3. Adding more picks late » They turned one fifth-round pick into a sixth-rounder and two more sevenths. I’ll take the extra choices every day; that’s how you find a hidden gem. In a couple years if one of the seventh-rounders becomes a key player, nobody will remember the other two guys from that round who were cut. The more picks you add late, the more of a chance you have to unearth a gem. I’m curious about the sixth-rounder, fullback/tight end Dennis Morris. I liked his highlight tape, though you have to keep in mind that it was his best plays. Still, he could be a guy worth watching down the road. For now, the Redskins don’t need him; they just needed another guy who could play some fullback behind Mike Sellers.
4. That we had the sound down on ESPN’s draft coverage in the press room » At least for much of the time (there are two TVs in the room and sometimes we had the sound on the NFL Network). But based on the complaints I’ve heard, ESPN did not have its best day. Unless you love watching Todd McShay stick it to Mel Kiper about Jimmy Clausen.
5. I love that they drafted Terrence Austin, the returner » Again, he might not pan out; I really have no idea. But he offers them what they need: some explosiveness in the return game. And if he develops as a shifty slot guy (their version of Eddie Royal, perhaps), that’s all the better. But if he were that dynamic as a receiver, he would have been picked much higher.
6. Meeting Trent Williams » Dude has a crushing handshake; or I’m just a big wimp. But he was quite personable; hope that’s a good sign because you never really know how these guys ultimately will be.
What I disliked:
1. The inability to add more picks in the second or third rounds » I give the Redskins credit for not just giving Albert Haynesworth away and if what they wanted was a second-round pick and they couldn’t get it, then that’s fine. He could become a problem for them, however. Still, it would have been nice for them to add at least one pick in these rounds, where there was excellent value.
2. The inability to get a pick for Campbell in this draft » However, based on the pick they did receive, they wouldn’t have gotten more than a sixth-rounder this year. With four picks in the last two rounds, that’s plenty. And I’m not surprised they couldn’t get a fifth-rounder this year; teams knew the Redskins wanted to unload him — they knew this before the trade for Donovan McNabb.
3. Offensive linemen with individual nicknames » I get that Williams thinks he’s a “beast”, and maybe I’m being nit-picky, but I won’t be calling him “Silverback” anytime soon. Nicknames are best when they sort of happen naturally — like The Hogs.
4. The new format » Maybe for a fan it was great, but selfishly it meant working three days from early morning until late night rather than two as in the past. But I can see why the NFL did it. There was a huge buildup the entire day Thursday to the first round; it was the difference between playing a big game at 1 p.m. Sunday vs. having it as a Monday night game. So I get it and I definitely don’t want any sympathy. Well, maybe just a little. Maybe you could make a donation to www.whinysportsreporter.com. No, that’s not a real Web site. I think.
5. The inability to find a change-of-pace running back » They likely would have needed a second- or third-round pick to get a guy who could help this year. Based on the past three years, I’m not sold on what Willie Parker has left. I l like Anthony Alridge‘s speed and I remember some runs last preseason where it was clear that only he would have been able to turn the corner. But his fumbling was a major issue. Has it been solved? For now, no one picked after the fourth round likely would offer them what Alridge already can. Until he proves he can hold onto the ball, however, I’m dubious.
