There are two thoughts to Thursday’s NFL Draft — lies and big lies.
Coaches and general managers should just not comment because not a word of truth comes out of their mouths. Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen even jokingly admitted it once last year when talking to the press about the coming draft.
For once, it’s a forgivable sin. The draft is a competition. Talk about a prospect too hard and everyone else will stare at him wondering what you see that they don’t. Suddenly, someone grabs him before your turn.
Washington coach Mike Shanahan loves misdirection, especially come draft time. He picked players as Denver’s coach while purposely not talking to them beforehand so others didn’t detect his interest.
Shanahan recently tipped the Redskins wouldn’t be afraid to draft a passer, which is good given Donovan McNabb is expected to be traded elsewhere, Rex Grossman is unsigned and John Beck has four games of experience in 2007. But is it Cam Newton if he’s available at No. 10 or maybe falling to the second round for a prospect?
Then again, it won’t be shocking if the Redskins simply select a great defensive line prospect and save quarterback for next year. Anything can happen.
Shanahan is second only to New England coach Bill Belichick as potential CIA directors, and that plays into the Redskins’ fanaticism for making others guess who Washington will draft. Given its 6-10 record, the team needs help at five positions, which makes it impossible to truly know their intent.
Every team does this. Carolina is considering several players, and the Panthers are drafting first. No one can steal their choice, but Carolina is playing several prospects against each other over money. Let them guess who’s first, maybe agree to a contract before the pick for a little less money.
Dallas at No. 9 would certainly love to steal the player Washington wants with the 10th pick.
Shanahan doesn’t like saying who’s on the injury report, so he’s sure not gabbing on potential draft picks or positions. It’s the smallest glimmers that reveal his thoughts, and they come as often as an April snow in Washington.
As much as teams swear they won’t take a passer early, expect the usual rush. Blaine Gabbert and Newton will be gone in the draft’s first hour. The top three pass rushers will be off the board come Washington’s turn as well as linebacker Von Miller.
Washington will still take a quality player with the 10th pick; perhaps a future Pro Bowler like they did when selecting Brian Orakpo 13th in 2009.
And then the Redskins will say they got their man.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
