John: It appears as though the Redskins will at least have a shot, perhaps through a draft-day trade, of landing Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, although I would assume Griffin is far more likely of the two. What’s your take on these two quarterbacks, in terms of both their potential and their fit with the 2012 Redskins? One thing’s for sure, the Redskins had better do something, because I won’t be able to tolerate yet another season without a good quarterback.
Steve Woods
Steve: I think they will do something and I think they will be aggressive in trying to do so. I’ll have something more on this, and what the Redskins could expect to pay, in a week or two in my Friday insider email reports. Their potential is obviously very good; both reportedly have strong work ethics and that makes a huge difference. Character won’t be a topic with these two. Luck is probably the highest rated QB to come out since Peyton Manning, based on the draft experts/scouts I’ve spoken to. He’s run a pro-style offense and is adept at running play-action, which the Redskins love. He’s not afraid to make the tight throw. Griffin has terrific talent and keeps plays alive for a long time – while usually keeping his eyes downfield. He must adjust from playing almost exclusively in shotgun. I wonder about his size mixed with the style he plays (he’s probably around the same dimensions as Michael Vick). But there’s a special quality about him and he’s one of the more fun players to watch in years. I’m anxious to talk more to scouts about both players. But both would bring hope, something the Redskins haven’t had at this position often enough for most of the past 20 years. The question is, can they land either one?
JK
John: 1) I read all your postings and weekly Mail-bag and would like to ask how Kory Lichtensteiger has become such a hot topic. Like recent fan favorites such as Rocky McIntosh and Mike Sellers before him, he seems to have taken on some sort of folk lore status. Why? He seems to me to be average at very best. Is there something special I have overlooked? Is he so good that we should overlook the type of injury he suffered this year and not figure on replacing him next year? I have nothing against the guy, but sometimes it seems that the Skins are lacking in so many areas that we as fans treat any player who could start for another team in the NFL as someone we can’t survive without.
2) I never thought LaRon Landry was healthy enough to start this year (and am glad to see him finally on the IR under the circumstances), but I would hate to see the Skins just cut him with no compensation involved. I believe he was the 6th player in the draft when we took him. What do you think we should do with him and is there any chance Landry will try to help us keep him? I believe that you said, since this was a contract year for him, that the normal options would be to either Franchise Tag him or give him a new long term contract. Could there be a compromise that would be good for both parties? I think it’s kind of humorous that Carlos Rogers and Andre Carter are both having such great seasons just one year removed from the Skins but I understand completely why the Skins let them go and I am glad for both players and will not second guess the Skins management on either issue. However, cutting Landry, a # 6 draft pick loose for nada? Not so much
3) I was glad to see Darrel Young become the starting full back this year and thought he might be solid to very good. He was called for 2 huge penalties in the Vikes game however which is very disturbing. I know he hasn’t played that much this year but, what is your opinion on his overall play this year and how do you see his future potential with the Skins?
Thanks,
Charlie C
Charlie: 1. Kory looks better in part because his replacements have struggled. He also was doing a solid job, in camp, preseason and the – games he did play. Is he great? No. Was he improved? Yes. The Redskins don’t need a Pro Bowler at left guard, they just need someone to do their job and that’s why they like Lichtensteiger. He understands the zone blocking techniques well. But they’ll always look to upgrade any spot and yes an injury like that always gives you pause (though he should be at or near 100 percent by the time OTAs roll around).
2. Landry will be a free agent so they can’t cut him. Given his injury history, it’ll be tough for him to get the sort of deal he wants. I wouldn’t be surprised if ends up signing a one-year deal and then try to prove that he can stay healthy, and produce, for 16 games. The Redskins want players who can help them for 16 games, not eight or nine. At the right price I’m sure they’d like him back. I’ve heard varying things about whether or not he wants to return. There have definitely been times when the vibe he gives off is that he wants to leave. But money always talks here and they could franchise him if they wanted (a much better option before his latest Achilles issue).
3. I think Young has been fine and has had some games where he’s blocked very well. Other times he still looks like a guy trying to figure it out. I like how he runs after the catch. I think he’s fine; they have much bigger needs on offense.
JK
John: Grossman is a turnover machine but I have heard/read coaches and analysts say all year that all the interceptions he has thrown are not his fault. Will Keenan McCardell be able to retain his job? I hope not. It seems we have some talent in the WR department but not much discipline or heart. Other than Moss, no one fights for the ball, especially Fred Davis, our leading receiver for a while.
Thanks,
Charlie C
Charlie: Every quarterback throws interceptions that aren’t their fault, which is why I grew weary of that whole line long ago. I just think they sometimes want to say, ‘See, it’s not Rex’s fault!’ That may be, but the bottom line is good quarterbacks still limit their turnovers. I don’t think discipline or heart were an issue at all with the wideouts. On some of the picks, I did not think it was a matter of them not fighting for the ball to prevent the pick – I watched the replays several times to see if they could have. Maybe there could have been better efforts going after the ballcarrier after an interception. But you can’t blame a position coach for that. I don’t see the receivers as having underachieved, though I sure am curious why Anthony Armstrong had the sort of season he did. But it’s just not a sterling group.
JK
John: Obviously a lot of us fans have moved on to talking about the draft. One topic that keeps coming up is the possible intentions of the Cleveland Browns as it relates to them picking a quarterback. Do you think that they’ll try to move ahead of us to take a QB or are they going to continue to give McCoy a chance?
Also, any insight as to whether or not Cooley, Moss, or Landry are in the plans going forward? I’d assume Moss will be here because his 3 year deal is pretty team friendly but I know Cooley’s money is pretty high. I wonder what the difference between Landry and the team’s view of his value is. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Scott
Scott: Thanks… The Browns already are ahead of the Redskins in the draft order. They played a rather easy schedule, aside from the AFC North teams. But I don’t know how it’ll play out if they both ended with five wins. I don’t worry about draft order during the season. It’s sort of like worrying about who’s No. 1 in college basketball before the tournament. It’s all settled in the end. If the Browns have a chance to take RGIII, I’d imagine they would do so. They need a talent infusion and playmakers on offense. I don’t know what they truly think of McCoy and he has less weapons to work with than most QBs.
As for the other three: Cooley is in the plans because they need a tight end they can rely on and having two (if Fred Davis returns) can help the offense. Safe to say that Cooley already can’t wait for next season. And I’m not convinced he’ll need to re-do his deal, based on what I’ve heard. We’ll see. Moss remains an effective player, but there’s no doubt they need a playmaker at receiver. It concerns me that he’s only caught 50 percent of the balls thrown his way (43-86). He can still help them, but he’d be better with an elite target next to him. Landry’s situation is iffy. Hard to accurately say what they want to do with him until he gets through surgery and they know his rehab situation. But there is definite concern about his durability.
JK
John: With Aldrick Robinson making the 53-man roster (albeit to keep another team from signing him), does he make the field Sunday? Also, I know Shanahan said he has big upside, but where do you feel (whether it be something you’ve heard or seen) his prospects lie going into OTAs and next summer?
In terms of draft strategy, I’m starting to be resolved that we won’t be Robert Griffin III. I’d certainly love it if he did, but if not, I’m thinking two other scenarios.
1. Draft Alshon Jefferies (or get DeSean Jackson) in the 1st and go for a guy like Ryan Tannehill in the 2nd. Then, draft a solid RT in the 3rd.
2. Trade back and get Landry Jones in the mid-1st (assuming he comes out) and draft another burner at WR in the 2nd (or get DeSean Jackson). With trading back, I’ll assume they could get another 2nd rounder and, again, go for a solid RT.
My thinking is this. Teams that have done really well with a rookie QB established a lot of talent around them, instead of making him the only savior. In Cincinnati, they went and got AJ Green for Andy Dalton, and they’re close to getting into the playoffs. Ben Roethlisberger won a title with a stacked defense and solid WRs and RBs his rookie year.
If the Redskins find a way to improve the defensive secondary (ie PLAYMAKERS!), get a healthy Leonard Hankerson (you can probably tell I’m high on him), and bolster the line, I think this team can reach the playoffs next year or get real close.
Thoughts on either of the two QBs I listed above?
Thanks as always.
Aaron
Aaron: Tannehill is athletic, but he’ll likely take a couple years to really develop. Not sold on Jones and opinions on him seem very mixed. But the Redskins should not just draft a QB to draft one. It has to be a guy that you like (my guess is they will find one they like and go hard after him). If they like Jones and can trade back, that’s great because they do have other needs. But those needs will be better known after free agency. You are right: rookies do better when they have playmakers to catch the ball for them. But there’s a lot of work to be done to start thinking about playoffs next season.
JK
John: Remember back in 1996 when 36″ Toshiba TV’s were the best money could buy? They weighed 500 lbs and took 4 of your buddies to help bring it in from the van. How do they stack up to the HDTV’s in 2011? That’s how I feel about Shanahan. Fifteen years ago, the man was great, best money could buy. Today and 20+ losses in two years, not so much. Mike Brown messes up the Bengals year after year and they occasionally show signs of progress under Marvin Lewis. Without a significant upgrade at QB next year (can we even trust the Shanny’s to do this), how is this team better than 8-8 in 2012?
P.S. I know you’re a fan of the defense, but in critical situations this season, they have let the team down.
Rich in Tampa
Rich: I’m a fan of the direction of the defense, but you’re right they are definitely not there yet. I thought they were improved, but definitely not a top-10 unit. And, yes, they have let them down in key spots. Seems like that’s gone on here for a while, doesn’t it? They have to fill two holes at safety. When looking to next year, it’s hard to start thinking about a record before we know what pieces they add. But they’re once again starting in a talent arrears when it comes to the other NFC East teams. Even if they add a rookie QB, it’s hard to see them winning more than eight games because of the natural maturation process. But it also depends on what else they add around him. I know other QBs have come in and won; it’s the exception not the rule. But let’s see what they do first, both in free agency and the draft.
JK
John: What’s your hunch about what the Redskins are going to do in the draft, do you think they will do whatever it takes to trade up for Luck or Griffin III (if he comes out), or draft a player who perhaps is a bit more of a developmental QB like Tannehill or Foles, or just go with the best player available regardless if it’s a quarterback?
Mike
Mike: There’s a long way to go before we have a great feel. But based on recent comments out of Redskins Park, there’s little doubt they’ll be looking very, very hard at QB. I think if they like Luck or RGIII, they will be ultra-aggressive in trying to move up. Of course, they liked Sam Bradford but the Rams weren’t going to trade that pick. So it really doesn’t matter what they always want. As far as which QB they like, that’s when I have to say it’s too early in the process to have a good idea on that.
JK
