Redskins mailbag: Ask John

John: Thinking longer term, what about moving Trent Williams to RT eventually?  I am assuming of course they either draft a LT or they are confident that Jammal Brown can still play LT, which he claims is his more natural position.  I recall reading when Trent was drafted that he made his mark in college as a dominating right tackle not left tackle.  He switched to left tackle his last year in college and although he had moments, he wasn’t a shutdown type, similar to how he’s been with the Redskins.

Mike     

Mike: Trent played subpar in the opener but had a solid second game. You’re right; he hasn’t been a shutdown left tackle. Seems like the issue with him a lot of times is recognition of blitzes or stunts. His athleticism is unreal. It’s too early to move him and I’d wait to see how he progresses throughout the season before even considering it for the future. Let’s see if he can be consistent. I will say, before the draft I talked to one GM who thought he’d be a better guard. And you’re right, his best play in college came at right tackle. Jammal Brown, at least in my mind, is not the answer at left tackle. He’s been uneven this year – struggled in the opener, much better second game. But in talking to scouts, they don’t think his feet are quick enough anymore to play on the left side. He seems to struggle when having to react to a second move.

JK

John: Trent Williams didn’t give Jason Pierre-Paul any respect after Giants game and talked as if he had played a perfect game. I guess I was watching another game. His quotes are the most worrisome I have heard all 2011 from a Skin. Should I be worried that he may be locker room poison? Also, should I worry that he will never live up to where he was taken in the draft? This is starting to worry me, not only because he is our LT, but because he cost us a PREMIUM pick. Please put my fears to rest.

Charlie

Charlie: I can’t. Pierre-Paul beat him much of the game, on run downs as well. He was better in Week 2, but I want to see a string of games where he has a quiet day. Until then, I’ll wonder about him as well. The coaches said they were pleased about his play in the opener, but they say a lot of things you know are designed to boost a guy’s confidence.  Sacks will occur; everyone gives them up. But one bad play out of 60 or 70 isn’t an issue. He’s the most important player on this line and must play consistent. I don’t view him as a locker room poison; I think he’s still a young kid learning the game. He frustrated some teammates by not showing up to the offseason workouts and my guess is that some of them will remember that whenever he has a bad game.

JK

John: Was Fred Davis Dan’s pick or Vinny’s ?

Chris Day

Chris: Vinny. Dan wanted tall receivers in that draft, which is why the advice of the training staff was ignored when it came to Malcolm Kelly. But from what I understand Fred was Vinny’s call.

JK

John: What is the condition on the conditional pick in Hightower-Holliday trade?

Steve Sweeney

Steve: Playing time. It’ll be a sixth-round pick from what I understand. Yes, a sixth-rounder and an aging end for a starting back. The Cards, though, did not view Tim Hightower as a starter which is why they drafted two other backs – in rounds 1 and 2 – in the past three years.

JK

John: It seems to me that Sellers has been a liability on offense for at least the last 3 years. I even agreed (for perhaps the only time) with Portis when he called him out on his indecisive/noncommittal lead blocks, although Portis should have kept that in the locker room.

Brandon Banks on the roster, as you have said since the b eginning of training camp makes sense, Sellers does not. He can’t be that good on special teams can he. Dump him now and bring up another o-lineman.

I guess the question is, what is it about this guy that keeps him around?

They should have cut him 3 years ago

Charlie Cochran

Charlie: Portis was right and that was an issue for others, too. Mike was always a better blocker when he had a specific player to block. He was pretty good at times. But, yes, he is a good special teams player and because he can back up at two different positions he still has some value. He became a better special teams player the past several years when he worried more about making the best block and not just blowing up a guy. He’s a good worker who plays hard. And because they have the cap room there’s no harm keeping him around.  If they brought in a young player to be their ninth linemen, that guy may or may not help them in a couple years. Sellers would have a role this season if either Darrel Young or one of the tight ends gets hurt. But this is clearly his last season in Washington. And it’s still not a lock that he lasts all season.

JK

John: Excellent work covering the Skins.  Question, what was the reasoning behind keeping Terrence Austin inactive for this game? I saw Stallworth was active and Niles Paul was active as well. Any reason or just a rotation? Also, with regard to Niles Paul- why not use him on the goal line with a fade pass? The red zone offense could use that play. Thanks …

Amani in LA. 

Amani: It’ll be a tough call every week. Basically, it comes down to this: do you want a guy better on the outside (Stallworth)? Or in the slot (Austin)? Both are considered adequate blockers by the coaches. Stallworth was used often enough (19 snaps) that it’s clear the Redskins wanted the extra outside receiver. As far as Niles Paul, he’s only 6-foot-1 (an inch shorter than Jabar Gaffney) so it’s not as if he’s Plaxico Burress. Fades can be thrown to quick guys, too, especially if one has a wide side to work with. They scored on such a play with Anthony Armstrong in the opener. 

JK

John: It seems the scouting department isn’t getting enough credit for the players drafted and free agents signed for the 2011 season. Was there a complete overhaul of the scouting system after Vinny left, or are most of the same people there? Did Mike Shanahan have them change anything in how they scouted, or what they look for in players at various positions? And any reason 3 Nebraska players were taken in the last draft, or just a coincidence because of positional needs?

Deene Ehlis

Deene: It’s largely the same staff, with Scott Campbell still the director of player personnel. Yes, they deserve a lot of credit. I think it also helped that, with free agency in particular, the coaches had no other distractions. They watched more film on targets and, more importantly, did more research. A big change is that Mike Shanahan is in charge and there’s no situation where, say, the owner tells them they have to target a certain position. In Denver, Shanahan was good at letting his scouts know exactly what he wanted in a player at each position. The Nebraska situation is a coincidence. All three were very close before the draft, incidentally.

JK

Hi John: You’re doing a great job. My question is about the no huddle offense (not counting the 2:00 minute offense when you have to run it). It seems a lot of teams are running it to great effect, and tiring out defenses (leading to faking injuries). The Redskins don’t ever seem to run it, though (again, unless under 2 minutes). Since Shanahan is the kind of coach who likes to gain any little edge he can, have you ever asked why they don’t have it as something they do on a regular or semi-regular basis?

Thanks,

Stephen

Stephen: Thank you.  You’re right, the Redskins don’t run it often; not sure they ran it last year other than in two-minute situations. Not every team is comfortable running it for more than spurts. And usually it’s done to change tempo. Some defenses don’t handle this very well. In the Redskins situation, some of it comes down to gaining more familiarity in the system. They clearly wouldn’t have had confidence in Donovan McNabb to run it last year.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they use this tactic the more this offense is together.  Quarterbacks have to be aware of defensive tendencies in this situation. For example, some defensive coordinators will call a blitz on the second play of a no-huddle, after they’ve been able to get the right personnel in the game.

JK

Hey John: Have you noticed a trend on certain downs where the Skins like to zone blitz versus man-to-man, cover-2, etc.? Of course, it depends on the opponents’ down and distance but are there specific personnel that prefer man-to-man vis-a-vis other coverages? This would reference DHall’s wanting to “hurt” Dallas by exploiting Romo’s injury through a corner blitz. Thanks for taking my question.

Cheers,

Sean O’Neil

Sean: I haven’t noticed any trends, but that’s also something that would take a lot of time to chart; and probably the coach’s film, too, (which we don’t see). However, one thing that makes their blitzes effective is they haven’t been too predictable, whether it’s who’s coming or when. As far as the corners, DeAngelo has always said he prefers zone because it leads to more interceptions (better chance to read the quarterback; also, in zone you don’t have as many routes to worry about unlike in man). He can play man, obviously, but he seems to like zone better. Josh Wilson played a lot of press coverage in Baltimore and seems to like that, but as far as his preference I’m not sure.  I get the sense that it doesn’t really matter to him. He also covered a lot in the slot in Seattle; more man coverage. But the Redskins mix it up enough that it’s not a big deal.

JK

John: Was the blocked field goal Gano’s fault(ball too low) or a breakdown in his protection? I like his deep kickoffs but still worry about his FG accuracy.

Tim Tribbett, DVM

Tim: That was a blocking issue.  Also, Lorenzo Alexander had to leave the game and was replaced by Adam Carriker. That didn’t help. But sounds like it was a technique issue by Carriker and Jammal Brown.  Players are taught to basically hold their ground and punch to either side, unless there’s a player right over their chest. The Cardinals overloaded that side of the line so the two end blockers, Perry Riley and Carriker had to handle three men. But the Cards also squeezed Calais Campbell between Carriker and Jammal Brown. Brown blocked down to help the guard and that created an opening for Campbell. Brown tried to recover, but was too late to knock Campbell off stride. 

JK