Redskins mailbag: Ask John

Thanks,

Paul Sieff

Paul: My kids rarely agree with me so I’ll take your percentage, thanks. And you ask a good question. Teams typically wait until after the season once a guy gets into his contract year. If there are questions about him – as there were with Montgomery for example — it gives them one more chance to fully evaluate. Injuries play a role too as you mentioned. With a guy like Carriker, what’s the rush? See how he plays; see if he stays healthy and know that you have nearly two months to sign him after the season. Same with the others. I don’t see any reason to lock them up now; they won’t be in high demand. ‘Steiger is in a tough spot because of the injury, but they do like him. Sometimes the player wants to wait to see what his market is like. If I’m Carriker, I’d want to know my role going forward; they drafted Jarvis Jenkins and signed Stephen Bowen. Hard to imagine those two being on the bench. They can still lock them up so I wouldn’t worry yet. As for Austin, I’m not sure he’s the future either. Just being young isn’t enough reason to give him more time. Young and an elite talent? Absolutely. But he wasn’t getting enough separation on his routes earlier. Anderson did a better job with that. I like Austin’s feet and think eventually he’ll be a solid punt returner if nothing else. But as a receiver, though he’s improved and I love how hard he works – I’ve used him as an example for my kids — not sure he’s a future starter. He had some chances and didn’t produce enough. Let’s say Anderson does a decent job the rest of the way, then he can help you for the next couple years as well. That’s all you want.  

JK

John: I am a lifelong Redskins fan. Losing used to ruin my whole week. When the Redskins had a 4th quarter lead against Dallas there was no doubt in my mind that we were still going to lose the game. I don’t know if you have much experience in psychology, but is that a very dangerous attitude among the fan base if others are feeling like myself?
Thanks,

Jimmie

Jimmie: I grew up in Cleveland and therefore have a PhD in sports frustration. It takes a while (or a LeBron James, for a few years at least) to change that thinking. It’s only dangerous if the players feel that way. They remain confident in the coaching staff (unlike during the Zorn years). I’m sure Redskins fans in the 1950s and ‘60s felt that way – until Vince Lombardi came around and then George Allen. A couple years of legitimate success are the only cure.

JK

John: How has Barry Cofield been playing this year?  Was he worth the investment or are we in need of a bonafide NT going forward?  Also, looks like our 7th rounder Chris Neild will make, if nothing else, a very good backup for us.  Is that the same general assessment of yours and others in the organization?

Thanks.

Aaron

Aaron: Yes, but they not only like what Cofield has done, they’re very excited about what he can do next season. Their take: this is his first season playing the position and he’s still seeing certain blocking schemes for the first time. They’ve already started to see him adjust to some of the blocks – sometimes, for example, he’s expecting the center to block him on a certain play only to have the guard block down. There are ways to adjust or to read the play sooner. He’ll go to the sideline and talk about it with the coaches and he’ll learn. But it takes time. What I’ve always liked about him is how he can get back into plays even after he seems moved out or blocked. So once he adapts, his quickness eventually will lead to more plays. Neild has had some good games in a backup role and a couple not so good. But he’s learning too. They’re solid here.

JK

John: How would you rate Brian Orakpo’s development this year? Ryan Kerrigan is playing about as good as anyone could have expected and the spin coming out of Redskins Park was that as soon as Orakpo got some help, he would have a monster year. I haven’t seen it so far. He is good, but not really close to great. London Fletcher (other than Sav Roca) appears to be the MVP of the entire team and he is 36; not good. Also, do you see any chance of trading Landry at the end of the season being that he is in a contract year? And do you know the reason he did not have surgery on his Achilles during the offseason? We need all the draft picks we can get, and I would think a lot of teams would be more than happy to have him. Also, is there anyone else you see as good potential trade bait? What we have isn’t working. In my opinion, other than London Fletcher (who no one would give us picks for anyway because of his age), our most promising rookies, and Sav Roco, nobody on this roster should be considered sacred.

Thanks,

Charlie C

Charlie: Orakpo has developed as a run defender; still not a strength but he is using his hands better and I’ve seen him shed more blocks this year than last. But he seems like the same pass rusher he’s always been, good but not great. Orakpo’s presence does open things up for others – London Fletcher’s sack occurred last week in part because the tackle kept a longer eye on Orakpo as he rushed inside, opening it up wide. So he helps. But the Redskins view him as a guy who can get 14 sacks in a season. He’s not there yet.  I’ve always believed that having a down lineman who can rush would help him as much or more as another outside ‘backer. He played well off of Albert Haynesworth, running stunts etc.

I think the fact that London is the MVP says more about him than the rest of the defense. Yeah, you’d think Brian would ascend to that spot. But Fletcher can still play at a high level and I’m amazed every year when I watch him. Sometimes you think you see signs of slippage then he’ll respond with a 20-tackle game. I truly enjoy watching him compete. As for Landry, they can’t trade him unless they put the franchise tag on him and I can’t imagine someone surrendering what it would take in that situation. And they couldn’t trade him last offseason; not only was he hurt but he played his best ball, by far, in the first nine games. Why trade at that time? I think there could be a gap between what Landry thinks he’s worth and what the Redskins do. But, again, you can franchise him. It’s tough because he’s an elite athlete and while DeJon Gomes had a good debut last week, there’s a big difference in terms of athleticism.

As for the surgery, if he’d had it in the offseason he probably wouldn’t be playing now. Not the way to enter a contract year. Doctors did tell him if it flared up bad during this season he would need it. A little risk. But Landry is confident he won’t need surgery. Any other trade bait? Sure, but if you’re another team what would you give for castoff parts from a bad team? Orakpo has trade bait but then you need another pass-rushing outside linebacker. Why create another hole? This defense is not far away from being really good (something I’ve heard from other teams’ scouts).

JK

John: With the line as decimated as it is (and will be until it’s addressed properly in the draft), is there any chance Eric Olsen gets promoted and gets a shot a guard? Polumbus, at least in my mind, played well at guard given the circumstances, but he’s a tackle. Olsen seems similar in that he was a Shanahan original and thus presumably is well suited for the scheme.

Also, why is Mike Sellers still on this team? I was done with him years ago, but especially so when I saw him laughing in the middle of the Eagles game when he wasn’t even active. He, despite being nearly 300 lbs., has never been a viable short yardage back, drops every important pass, and is the very embodiment of the old Redskins status quo.

In summary, cut him NOW, promote Olsen, and possibly build some depth for Barkley next year.

Trevor
Birmingham, AL

Trevor: Haven’t heard much talk about Eric getting a shot. Being familiar with the scheme helps; but need to still execute well. But the way this season is going, who knows what will happen? Polumbus had a lot of tough plays, but considering he was new to the team and is a right tackle, it could have been much worse. Maurice Hurt is still a better option at this point than Olsen. Regardless, this position will be an issue the rest of the season. As for Sellers, his special teams play is the reason he’s still around. I agree, though, that he’s been ineffective on offense for a couple years. But that’s why he’s not playing. I don’t see cutting him at this point for Olsen, especially with Chris Cooley out. Olsen would be inactive anyway (barring more injuries) and he can develop on the practice squad for now. There’s a belief that they just need to throw every young guy in the game, but on this offense that would only lead to many more issues and zero success. It’s one thing if they had a good offense and only one guy needed to be brought along; it’s another when they don’t and you’d have to bring three, four or five young players along. It doesn’t help.  

JK

John: As a poker player, I feel like wide receivers around the league telling D. Hall to keep his head up and stay in the game is similar to many of us sitting at the table telling the fish to reload his chips and that he’s just catching bad breaks. Whenever an opponent needs a big passing play to extend a drive or close out a game, they throw Hall’s way…with a great deal of success I might add. It’s been said before, but many of us fans are beyond tired of Hall and Landry trash talking after giving up a key first down or big play. What on earth could they be saying? “I’ll get you next time?”

Addition by subtraction for those two this offseason? If they are leaders on this club, it says alot about why this team loses year in and year out.

Enough with the venting…if Grossman can play well enough to earn the “bridge” designation next year, what is your feeling about the Skins using their first pick on a QB? As in depth and detailed of coverage of the Skins is, can we expect something similar regarding the draft analysis in April? I think I speak for all of your readers when I say that we are thankful for your coverage of the Skins.

Rich in Tampa

Rich: Thank you very much. Yes, it will be in-depth regarding the draft. They should absolutely draft a QB in the first round. I know it’s not a guarantee a young QB will succeed; no position is. But it’s the most important spot and they’ve whiffed on their QB plan for two straight years (the proven vet… the journeymen). It’s time for the rookie approach. Yeah, it gets old that Hall and Landry talk after so many plays – especially if the other team gets a first down on the play. But when you’re winning and making plays, it’s seen as passion. The problem is, if you get rid of Hall you have to have a replacement and while he isn’t an elite corner, they already have many other needs to address. Why create more? Hall has improved vs. the run this season, but he’s never been a shutdown corner. He needs to balance allowing key catches with creating turnovers and that’s what he hasn’t done. The coaches genuinely seem to like his passion and I’ve always found him to be a stand-up guy. Landry’s future here is a little more uncertain; not sure how badly he wants to return. But the Redskins can control him via the franchise tag if they want. Oh, and a funny analogy.  

JK

John: Looking towards next year, if you had to upgrade one position on the offensive line which position would you choose? I am assuming that Kory bounces back from his injury and if so I think the right tackle position might be the one that is in most dire need for an upgrade.  

Mike Kaplan

Mike: Improving the play at right tackle would help; Jammal has moments where I think he’s doing a good job but it’s not consistent and those backside cuts just aren’t there all the time with him. Is it because he’s just not as mobile as he used to be or is he just playing hurt? I think it’s a combo of both. But the issues along the line have been spread out and not just at one spot. I’ll be curious to see how Willie Smith improves and if he can help in the future (when that might be, who knows). He’s a good athlete, but it takes more than athleticism. Improving the depth is an absolute must so if one guy goes down it doesn’t throw the whole line out of whack. I’d like a young guard they can develop.

JK

John: Ok I’m reaching here but…what’s the word on Crompton? Do the coaches think he has an upside?
Has anybody said anything about him?
Rob Lewis

Rob: It’s funny, but when I talked to Russ Lande, an ex-NFL scout who is now a draft analyst, last month (for my email report) he said he really liked him coming out of college. But in all honesty I haven’t talked to anyone about him or has his name ever been mentioned. Two organizations with head coaches who know a thing or two about QBs already have given up on him (San Diego and New England) in a very short period (he was a 2010 draft pick). He has some tools, but the knock has always been the mental part of the game.

JK

John: How does a coach take on a rebuilding job with a locker room full of guys that want to win now?  This team has some vets who I would think cannot waste more time, regardless of the reality of the situation.  Is that where the Beck / Grossman issue becomes a split?

Also, what happens if the young guys either can’t get better because of the QB or just don’t pan out (I’m looking at Armstrong, Torain, Banks from last year specifically).  Can you imagine if a bunch of these guys are busts?  This team cannot afford that.

Joe

Joe: 1) A coach does what he thinks is right. Just because the players think they can win now, the coach (and front office) has to build a team that is capable of doing more than thinking they can do so. If they listened to every player who wanted to win now, no coach would ever rebuild. But you take on this job by getting rid of guys who have no future with you, as the Redskins did in their second offseason under Mike Shanahan. I think the split about Beck/Grossman was really about the fact that they felt one guy could play and one guy could not. And the coaches agreed. Had they seen Beck handling his three games differently – building toward a strong finish and bright future – then their feeling might have been different.

2) It’s hard to be considered a bust if you’re a guy who came from indoor leagues and is playing such as Armstrong or who was an undrafted free agent such as Banks. Heck, these guys should be considered hits at this stage given their backgrounds. A bust is a high pick who does nothing (or free agents who are very inconsistent). If Kerrigan or Jarvis Jenkins or Leonard Hankerson end up doing little in the future, then that’s an issue. The future of the team does not hinge on Armstrong or Ryan Torain at this point. Not sure it ever really did. They viewed Armstrong as a third receiver at best and very clearly understood Torain’s durability issues. Every team has busts; that’s why you bring in many players and keep scouting others. A good draft class, for example, is one that yields three or four starters. You keep searching for good players and discard others. What they can’t afford is their next QB to be a bust.

JK

To subscribe to my Friday email reports, click here. This week: a conversation with Director of Pro Personnel Morocco Brown.