The collective thought process going through the Capitals fan base after Monday Night's series clinching win over the Blue Jackets was a sarcastic "Here we go again". For the third straight year, the Capitals will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Caps fans let the hockey world know how they feel about this match up the only way they know how to deal with their emotions. Cynical passive aggressiveness. Caps fans are inundating the DC Sports landscape with sayings like "Get ready for another Game 7 loss", "I guess the Pens win the cup again this year", and "We better win in 5 games, otherwise we are not winning the series". Caps fans already resigned themselves to being disappointed once they saw that a black and gold 87 would be on the opposing side in the second round, but the fan base's cynicism is not without warrant. The numbers for the Caps vs. Pens playoff history have been bandied about over the past 48 hours, and none really favor the Capitals (quick note: most of these numbers came from Pensburgh Blog. Please check it out for a good history of this playoff match up). The Capitals are 1-9 against the Pens all time in playoff series, yet they are 8-2 in Game 1 of those series and they blew a 2-0 series lead in 2009. The Pens are 4-0 against the Caps in Game 7's, and they are 11-2 against the Caps in playoff overtime games. Finally, in all five (yes, get depressed Caps fans, FIVE) of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup Championship runs they have defeated the Capitals en route to the promised land. All of these numbers equate to good reasons for Caps fans to be cynical about this upcoming match up, but there is only one number that should be coursing through the Capitals' mind right now. One.
The number one should be on the Capitals' minds because for the first time in the playoffs it feels as if the Caps have that one thing, that one guy, that all Stanley Cup Contenders seem to have once the playoffs roll around. They have that one hot goaltender who finds his stride come the playoffs. They have that one guy who comes out of nowhere to make significant contributions no one saw coming (Chandler Stephenson). They have that one guy everyone forgot was really good, and now is showing everyone why he is really good through playoff production (John Carlson). They have that one line that seems to have "it" whenever they are on the ice, and one that can give production outside of the superstars on the team (Connolly-Eller-DSP). They have that one guy who is not going to take shit from anybody and prove it by knocking heads and putting points on the board (Tom Wilson). They have that one superstar who can come through in the clutch (Nick Backstrom). They have the one superstar who has proven why he is the greatest in the most important game of the playoffs to date. Finally, the Caps have that one thing that has been lacking in all other playoff runs this past decade. Grit. These Capitals have a sense about them this year that they will never give up. It has been honed throughout the season and it was on full display in the series against Columbus. The 2-0 comeback, the double overtime goal in Game 3, the relentless penalty kill the last 4 games, Backstrom's OT redirect goal in Game 5, Stephenson's short handed goal in Game 6. All of this shows how this Capitals team will not be fazed by adversity as easily has they have been in the past, and that is a good thing because the one thing that is most important in this upcoming series with the Pens is more tangible than grit. Winning.
All it will take is one victory. One time for Alex Ovechkin to get the better of his nemesis to make the fan base believe in themselves again. It does not matter how many times the Penguins have ousted the Capitals in the past, all the Caps need to do is win this one series against their most hated rival to give the fan base back some dignity. One time where Caps fans get to celebrate in their own building, their own city, and not have to watch this travesty again. There have been too many times over the past decade where Caps fans' hopes have been dashed in gut wrenching fashion in the playoffs, but all of those don't matter now. All that matter is that the Caps win this one series, one game at at time, to give Caps fans something to come back at Pens fans with when the discussion of playoff success comes up. The Caps need to win this one series so that Ovechkin can say he got the better of Sidney Crosby at least once when it really mattered. Finally, the Caps need to win this one series in order to break the playoff futility of all DC Sports in order to give the fan base the one thing they want. The chance to see their team play for a championship.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 1 (Pick 13)
Is it Guice? Is it Vea? Is it James? Is it Ward? Do the Redskins trade up? Will the Redskins trade down? Will all 12 teams in front of the Redskins have aneurysms right when they pick and let Fitzpatrick fall to 13? There are so many questions about who the Redskins will draft in the first round. The idea that they will take Guice is gaining tons of traction, as is the notion that they can trade back to recoup the third round pick they gave up for Alex Smith. Wherever they draft in the first round, the Redskins should heed the old boxing adage of "it's not about how well you throw a punch, it's about how well you take a punch" and draft this DT that will help them stop the run.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 1 (13th Overall Selection): Da'Ron Payne DT (Alabama)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yrd: 4.95 Reps: 27 Cone Drill: 7.58
Vita Vea looks like the no brainer pick at 13, but all indications coming from Redskins Park make it seem as if the Redskins' front office may be lukewarm about the underdeveloped nature of Vea's game. Payne is the more polished pick, and with Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson already on the team it makes sense that Bruce Allen would want to take a page out of Lefty Driesell's playbook and make Redskins Park the Alabama of the North. Payne would bring the run stopping presence and mentality the Redskins need in order to allow Alex Smith the time to operate an offense. Payne was a Top 20 national high school recruit who weighed in at 350 pounds before slimming down at Alabama. That may have been a good thing since he started the past two seasons at nose tackle for the Crimson Tide amassing 33 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 4 passes defended during that time. Scouts note that Payne already plays like a professional, with an impressive level of natural strength and high leadership qualities. Scouts also highlight his ability to eat up blocks, and teams will need to scheme for him due to his ability to anchor the defensive line and command double teams. Payne has a high level of athleticism for the position, and he showed signs this past year that he is honing that athleticism into better pass rushing skills. He also displayed an ability to beat linemen with both power and skill, and he has the ability to range beyond his assignment in order to make plays. Payne is not without his downsides. His biggest issue is that he does not always get a good jump off the snap, which causes him to lose leverage at the line of scrimmage. Scouts also note his pedestrian pass rush skills that are easily contained if his first move does not work. This could limit Payne to playing solely on early downs in order to stop the run. All players have downsides, however, and Payne's upsides would be a worthy investment of a first round pick by the Redskins.
The Redskins need an answer in stopping the run in order to prevent Alex Smith from having to whip the ball up and down the field to keep pace with the other team. While Vita Vea may be literally, and figuratively, the bigger name on the DT Draft Board, Payne may be more of what the Redskins are looking for in a nose tackle. He has a high level of strength and athleticism for a guy his size, and while Vea has about 20-30 pounds on Payne, Vea lacks the consistency found in Payne's game. There may be less of a learning curve with Payne and Allen having played together at Alabama, and that collective camaraderie is something that has been lacking on the Redskins defensive line for some time. That sense of unity will be needed to stop a daunting list of running backs this season that includes David Johnson, Ezekiel Elliot, Mark Ingram/Alvin Kamara, Leonard Fournette, Jay Ajayi, Devontae Freeman, a rejuvenated Derrick Henry, and possibly Saquon Barkley if the Giants get froggy with their second pick. The Redskins will need to win the battles up front in order to prevent these backs from dictating the pace of the game, and drafting Payne to bolster the D-Line will do just that. It may be tough to justify taking Payne with the 13th pick so there may be a trade down in order to regain the 3rd round pick the Redskins lost in the Alex Smith trade. But the Redskins should not let perception get in the way of drafting the player that they need. If no good offer comes the Redskins way to trade out of 13 then they will need to pull the trigger on Da'Ron Payne and have him finally be the anchor of that 3-4 defensive line they have been looking for or so long.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 1 (13th Overall Selection): Da'Ron Payne DT (Alabama)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 311 lbs 40 yrd: 4.95 Reps: 27 Cone Drill: 7.58
Vita Vea looks like the no brainer pick at 13, but all indications coming from Redskins Park make it seem as if the Redskins' front office may be lukewarm about the underdeveloped nature of Vea's game. Payne is the more polished pick, and with Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson already on the team it makes sense that Bruce Allen would want to take a page out of Lefty Driesell's playbook and make Redskins Park the Alabama of the North. Payne would bring the run stopping presence and mentality the Redskins need in order to allow Alex Smith the time to operate an offense. Payne was a Top 20 national high school recruit who weighed in at 350 pounds before slimming down at Alabama. That may have been a good thing since he started the past two seasons at nose tackle for the Crimson Tide amassing 33 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 4 passes defended during that time. Scouts note that Payne already plays like a professional, with an impressive level of natural strength and high leadership qualities. Scouts also highlight his ability to eat up blocks, and teams will need to scheme for him due to his ability to anchor the defensive line and command double teams. Payne has a high level of athleticism for the position, and he showed signs this past year that he is honing that athleticism into better pass rushing skills. He also displayed an ability to beat linemen with both power and skill, and he has the ability to range beyond his assignment in order to make plays. Payne is not without his downsides. His biggest issue is that he does not always get a good jump off the snap, which causes him to lose leverage at the line of scrimmage. Scouts also note his pedestrian pass rush skills that are easily contained if his first move does not work. This could limit Payne to playing solely on early downs in order to stop the run. All players have downsides, however, and Payne's upsides would be a worthy investment of a first round pick by the Redskins.
The Redskins need an answer in stopping the run in order to prevent Alex Smith from having to whip the ball up and down the field to keep pace with the other team. While Vita Vea may be literally, and figuratively, the bigger name on the DT Draft Board, Payne may be more of what the Redskins are looking for in a nose tackle. He has a high level of strength and athleticism for a guy his size, and while Vea has about 20-30 pounds on Payne, Vea lacks the consistency found in Payne's game. There may be less of a learning curve with Payne and Allen having played together at Alabama, and that collective camaraderie is something that has been lacking on the Redskins defensive line for some time. That sense of unity will be needed to stop a daunting list of running backs this season that includes David Johnson, Ezekiel Elliot, Mark Ingram/Alvin Kamara, Leonard Fournette, Jay Ajayi, Devontae Freeman, a rejuvenated Derrick Henry, and possibly Saquon Barkley if the Giants get froggy with their second pick. The Redskins will need to win the battles up front in order to prevent these backs from dictating the pace of the game, and drafting Payne to bolster the D-Line will do just that. It may be tough to justify taking Payne with the 13th pick so there may be a trade down in order to regain the 3rd round pick the Redskins lost in the Alex Smith trade. But the Redskins should not let perception get in the way of drafting the player that they need. If no good offer comes the Redskins way to trade out of 13 then they will need to pull the trigger on Da'Ron Payne and have him finally be the anchor of that 3-4 defensive line they have been looking for or so long.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 2 (Pick 44)
A lot of Mock Drafts have the Redskins taking a skill position player in the second round, but what will those players do if they don't have the protection up front to be successful? The Redskins need to go O-Line in the second round.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 2 (44th Overall Selection): Billy Price C (Ohio State)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 305 lbs
It is concerning that Billy Price suffered a torn pectoral muscle while warming up for the bench press at the NFL Combine. The injury is said to be minor, though, and the Redskins should heed that advice and take a long hard look at Price if he is available at the 44th pick. Price was Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior in Ohio, but he was moved to offensive line when he got to Ohio State. He began his career as a Guard where he started all 15 games as a freshman on the 2014 National Championship Team. He filled in at left guard his sophomore year where he garnered Third Team All-Big Ten honors, and he moved to right guard the next year and was First Team All-Big Ten. Last year he was moved to center where he won the Remington Trophy as the Nation's top center and was First Team All-American. His meteoric rise throughout his college career is due to an impressive set of skills. Scouts note his incredible strength and ability to move defenders off the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to play in space and to hold his position on the line, and he has significant experience at both guard positions and center. Price sets a strong anchor in pass protection, and he plays with a mean streak to compliment his physicality. It is this mean streak, though, that brings the negative side of Price's game. Price tends to be too aggressive at times, and gets himself out of position by over lunging at the defender. Scouts note that Price may rely too heavily on his brute strength, which causes his footwork to go dead and allow more athletic rushers to get by him. Finally, his mean demeanor has given him the moniker of being a tough personality to deal with, but the Redskins need high level depth on the offensive line after what happened last year.
The Redskins offensive line became a MASH Unit by the end of last season, and it was a big reason why the Redskins had trouble running the football and protecting Kirk Cousins as the season progressed. Guys like Derrius Guice, Courtland Sutton, and Christian Kirk are good, but what happens if the offensive line cannot provide the protection to make these skill players successful? Price is the answer for people who wonder if Arie Kuandjio is up to the task of starting at Left Guard, and it gives the Redskins interior line a jolt of high level starting talent. Price's over aggressiveness is a concern, but that can be remedied through coaching. It is harder to coach up desire than it is to teach temperance, and Bill Callahan seems to be just the guy to work with Price on fixing some of the holes in his game. Alex Smith will need protection, and whatever running back starts for the Redskins will need holes to run through. Price brings all of that to the table, and he should be the guy the Redskins select with the 44th pick if he is there even if Guice is still available.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 2 (44th Overall Selection): Billy Price C (Ohio State)
Height: 6'4" Weight: 305 lbs
It is concerning that Billy Price suffered a torn pectoral muscle while warming up for the bench press at the NFL Combine. The injury is said to be minor, though, and the Redskins should heed that advice and take a long hard look at Price if he is available at the 44th pick. Price was Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a high school senior in Ohio, but he was moved to offensive line when he got to Ohio State. He began his career as a Guard where he started all 15 games as a freshman on the 2014 National Championship Team. He filled in at left guard his sophomore year where he garnered Third Team All-Big Ten honors, and he moved to right guard the next year and was First Team All-Big Ten. Last year he was moved to center where he won the Remington Trophy as the Nation's top center and was First Team All-American. His meteoric rise throughout his college career is due to an impressive set of skills. Scouts note his incredible strength and ability to move defenders off the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to play in space and to hold his position on the line, and he has significant experience at both guard positions and center. Price sets a strong anchor in pass protection, and he plays with a mean streak to compliment his physicality. It is this mean streak, though, that brings the negative side of Price's game. Price tends to be too aggressive at times, and gets himself out of position by over lunging at the defender. Scouts note that Price may rely too heavily on his brute strength, which causes his footwork to go dead and allow more athletic rushers to get by him. Finally, his mean demeanor has given him the moniker of being a tough personality to deal with, but the Redskins need high level depth on the offensive line after what happened last year.
The Redskins offensive line became a MASH Unit by the end of last season, and it was a big reason why the Redskins had trouble running the football and protecting Kirk Cousins as the season progressed. Guys like Derrius Guice, Courtland Sutton, and Christian Kirk are good, but what happens if the offensive line cannot provide the protection to make these skill players successful? Price is the answer for people who wonder if Arie Kuandjio is up to the task of starting at Left Guard, and it gives the Redskins interior line a jolt of high level starting talent. Price's over aggressiveness is a concern, but that can be remedied through coaching. It is harder to coach up desire than it is to teach temperance, and Bill Callahan seems to be just the guy to work with Price on fixing some of the holes in his game. Alex Smith will need protection, and whatever running back starts for the Redskins will need holes to run through. Price brings all of that to the table, and he should be the guy the Redskins select with the 44th pick if he is there even if Guice is still available.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 4 (Pick 109)
Hopefully moving up four spots in the fourth round from the Su'a Cravens trade allows the Redskins to draft this RB that may not be getting as much run as all the others
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 4 (109th Overall Selection): Kalen Ballage RB (Arizona State)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 228 lbs Reps: 15 40 yd: 4.46 Cone Drill: 6.91 Broad Jump: 122
Just hear me out on this one. I know everyone is fawning over the running backs in the first and second round, and I know I have stated that it is not worth taking a running back outside of the second round, but Kalen Ballage (pronounced BA-Lahj) should be a guy the Redskins consider taking in the fourth round and leaving the first and second round picks for other needs. Ballage was a four year player at Arizona State where he split carries with another back his Junior and Senior Year. Even with splitting time over the pats two seasons, Ballage was able to amass 20 rushing TD's and over 1700 yards from scrimmage. These two stats highlight Ballage's value to the Redskins. He is a versatile back that has run out of read option formations, single back formations, I-formations, and wildcat formations. He is a talented receiver out of the backfield, who can also line up in the slot, and he has kick returning ability. Ballage is also extremely fast with a 4.46 in the 40, and you have to imagine a 6'1" 228 lb running back who ran a faster 40 at the combine that Guice can wreck people in the open field once he reaches top speed. The problem is he had a little trouble with that this past season due to teams stacking the box against him. Ballage is not a shifty type back, and he is somewhat tentative at the line of scrimmage which caused him to miss open running lanes. Scouts also note that he lacks the vision and sharp cutting ability to find tight seems when running to the edge. So where's the upside to drafting another running back in the fourth round? The answer is insurance.
Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley do not have the pass catching skills of Chris Thompson, and Thompson does not have the size to run through the tackles to get the tough yards. Ballage has both, and if any of these backs were to go down the Redskins could plug in Ballage and not miss a beat. Ballage has the power to gain tough yards in short down or goal line situations, and he can be a home run hitter in catching passes out of the backfield. Just watch some of his highlights. Ballage can do it all, and he would not have to be THE guy right away. He has spent the past two years sharing time at Arizona State, and he could play the same role to begin his career in Washington with the ability to move up if he shows promise. Taking Ballage after the second round also allows the Redskins to spend a high pick on the offensive line in order to open up better holes for the running game. Yes, Guice and Penny may be the hotter picks, but Ballage has similar running skills and better pass catching ability. He is someone who would add versatility to an RB corps that is one injury away from becoming one dimensional. Just look at what happened last year. Ballage is someone the Redskins should seriously consider taking outside the second round, and he may even be worth trading into the third round to get. Think David Johnson playing for the Redskins without a wrist injury and that is Kalen Ballage. Lets go get him.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 4 (109th Overall Selection): Kalen Ballage RB (Arizona State)
Height: 6'1" Weight: 228 lbs Reps: 15 40 yd: 4.46 Cone Drill: 6.91 Broad Jump: 122
Just hear me out on this one. I know everyone is fawning over the running backs in the first and second round, and I know I have stated that it is not worth taking a running back outside of the second round, but Kalen Ballage (pronounced BA-Lahj) should be a guy the Redskins consider taking in the fourth round and leaving the first and second round picks for other needs. Ballage was a four year player at Arizona State where he split carries with another back his Junior and Senior Year. Even with splitting time over the pats two seasons, Ballage was able to amass 20 rushing TD's and over 1700 yards from scrimmage. These two stats highlight Ballage's value to the Redskins. He is a versatile back that has run out of read option formations, single back formations, I-formations, and wildcat formations. He is a talented receiver out of the backfield, who can also line up in the slot, and he has kick returning ability. Ballage is also extremely fast with a 4.46 in the 40, and you have to imagine a 6'1" 228 lb running back who ran a faster 40 at the combine that Guice can wreck people in the open field once he reaches top speed. The problem is he had a little trouble with that this past season due to teams stacking the box against him. Ballage is not a shifty type back, and he is somewhat tentative at the line of scrimmage which caused him to miss open running lanes. Scouts also note that he lacks the vision and sharp cutting ability to find tight seems when running to the edge. So where's the upside to drafting another running back in the fourth round? The answer is insurance.
Samaje Perine and Rob Kelley do not have the pass catching skills of Chris Thompson, and Thompson does not have the size to run through the tackles to get the tough yards. Ballage has both, and if any of these backs were to go down the Redskins could plug in Ballage and not miss a beat. Ballage has the power to gain tough yards in short down or goal line situations, and he can be a home run hitter in catching passes out of the backfield. Just watch some of his highlights. Ballage can do it all, and he would not have to be THE guy right away. He has spent the past two years sharing time at Arizona State, and he could play the same role to begin his career in Washington with the ability to move up if he shows promise. Taking Ballage after the second round also allows the Redskins to spend a high pick on the offensive line in order to open up better holes for the running game. Yes, Guice and Penny may be the hotter picks, but Ballage has similar running skills and better pass catching ability. He is someone who would add versatility to an RB corps that is one injury away from becoming one dimensional. Just look at what happened last year. Ballage is someone the Redskins should seriously consider taking outside the second round, and he may even be worth trading into the third round to get. Think David Johnson playing for the Redskins without a wrist injury and that is Kalen Ballage. Lets go get him.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 5 (Pick 142)
The Redskins keep winning in the short term with the Su'a Cravens deal. The Redskins original 5th round pick was number 149, but Cravens moved the Redskins up all the way to 142 in order to draft his potential replacement. Maybe.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 5 (142nd Overall Selection): Godwin Igwebuike S (Northwestern)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 205 lbs Reps: 19 40 yd: 4.44 Cone Drill: 6.56 20yrd Shuttle: 4.12
Admittedly, this would be an ideal scenario for the Redskins to be able to draft Godwin Igwebuike (ig-weh-BYU-kay) at this pick. It is possible he goes earlier than this due to his impressive combine performance. But if he is there, and the Redskins have not already drafted a safety, they would be crazy to pass on a player of his caliber. Igwebuike was a three year starter at Northwestern where he garnered Second Team All-Big 10 honors as a junior and senior, and he was voted team captain his senior year. Scouts highlight his high intelligence level and his physical demeanor that made him a successful run stuffer as evidenced by his combined 7 TFL's his junior and senior season from the safety position. There are concerns that he may be limited to strong safety due to his deficiencies in man coverage, his lack of ability to anticipate and read routes in zone coverage, and the overall stiffness with which he plays in covering receivers. His combine numbers, though, leave room for speculation that Igwebuike's down sides can be remedied with coaching. His 40 time was fifth among safeties at the combine and his Cone Drill was tied for first. These physical skills, coupled with Igwebuike's positive production on special teams and his familial relationship to Christian Okoye, should make him an ideal candidate for the Redskins to draft and develop over the next few seasons.
The Redskins need depth at safety after trading Su'a Cravens, and while Igwebuike may not be a starter that will make an immediate impact, he has the tools that could give the Redskins some options in case anything happens. You know. In case anyone gets injured. In case Montae Nicholson's injury status remain precarious. In case DJ Swearinger's rants become too out of hand this season. In case Deshazor Everett can't cut the mustard. In case we have to rely on some guy named Fish to fill in at safety. Igwebuike could be there waiting to help in case those things happen, and in the mean time he could be a valuable addition to special teams while honing his skills as a cover safety. He definitely has the physical skills to do so, and with his already polished run support capabilities the Redskins should look to take Igwebuike if he is still on the board at 142.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 5 (142nd Overall Selection): Godwin Igwebuike S (Northwestern)
Height: 6'0" Weight: 205 lbs Reps: 19 40 yd: 4.44 Cone Drill: 6.56 20yrd Shuttle: 4.12
Admittedly, this would be an ideal scenario for the Redskins to be able to draft Godwin Igwebuike (ig-weh-BYU-kay) at this pick. It is possible he goes earlier than this due to his impressive combine performance. But if he is there, and the Redskins have not already drafted a safety, they would be crazy to pass on a player of his caliber. Igwebuike was a three year starter at Northwestern where he garnered Second Team All-Big 10 honors as a junior and senior, and he was voted team captain his senior year. Scouts highlight his high intelligence level and his physical demeanor that made him a successful run stuffer as evidenced by his combined 7 TFL's his junior and senior season from the safety position. There are concerns that he may be limited to strong safety due to his deficiencies in man coverage, his lack of ability to anticipate and read routes in zone coverage, and the overall stiffness with which he plays in covering receivers. His combine numbers, though, leave room for speculation that Igwebuike's down sides can be remedied with coaching. His 40 time was fifth among safeties at the combine and his Cone Drill was tied for first. These physical skills, coupled with Igwebuike's positive production on special teams and his familial relationship to Christian Okoye, should make him an ideal candidate for the Redskins to draft and develop over the next few seasons.
The Redskins need depth at safety after trading Su'a Cravens, and while Igwebuike may not be a starter that will make an immediate impact, he has the tools that could give the Redskins some options in case anything happens. You know. In case anyone gets injured. In case Montae Nicholson's injury status remain precarious. In case DJ Swearinger's rants become too out of hand this season. In case Deshazor Everett can't cut the mustard. In case we have to rely on some guy named Fish to fill in at safety. Igwebuike could be there waiting to help in case those things happen, and in the mean time he could be a valuable addition to special teams while honing his skills as a cover safety. He definitely has the physical skills to do so, and with his already polished run support capabilities the Redskins should look to take Igwebuike if he is still on the board at 142.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 5 (Pick 163)
The Redskins actually got something for Su'a Cravens. We'll see if trading Cravens was a bad idea, but in the short term, and in the spirit of sunk costs, this 5th round pick is a boon that could turn into a solid player.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 5 (163rd Overall Selection): Darius Phillips CB (Western Michigan)
Height: 5'10" Weight: 190 lbs Reps: 9 40 yd: 4.54 20yrd Shuttle: 4.18
The Redskins defensive worries cannot all be remedied by beefing up the front seven. There needs to be added talent in the secondary in order to defend the pass, and Darius Phillips out of Western Michigan fits the bill perfectly. A disciple of PJ Fleck's "Row the Boat" philosophy, Phillips was a big in state signing for the Broncos in 2014 as a wide receiver/kick returner. Phillips has modest success as a freshman wide out, but he was moved to cornerback in 2015 where he was an All-MAC Conference Player the last three years. Now, it is easy when you play against a bunch of rejects in the MAC, but in those three years Phillips racked up 35 PD's, 12 INT's, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks, 5 defensive TD's, and 6 return TD's (5 KR, 1 PR). Phillips may have played against perceived inferior competition, but he sure beat their brains in with a talent level that should pique the Redskins interest. Scouts note that he has a quick backpedal and fluid turn and sprint skills. They also note his impeccable ball hawking skills, his instinctive ability to diagnose routes, his ability to play both man and zone, and his experience as a returner. The big knock on Phillips is that he is very soft against the run where he can be exploited if he is to play the slot in the NFL. Unfortunately, most scouts project that he needs to play in the slot in order to maximize his strengths as a man corner. He is also undersized at 5'10", and being undersized and soft is not a good combination, but his skills as a cover corner are what the Redskins need.
This pick may seem redundant since the Redskins drafted Fabian Moreau in the third round last year. Moreau was hurt most of last year, though, and with the departure of Kendall Fuller the Redskins need a reliable cover corner in the slot. Maybe that is Moreau. Maybe that is another converted receiver in Quinton Dunbar, but it is always good to have an insurance policy considering the only other corner on the roster is Josh Holsey. Phillips seems to have the talent in coverage that could replace Fuller, and his abilities as a returner would make him more versatile on this roster. His 4.5 speed leaves something to be desired, but at his Pro-Day he ran a 4.40. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but that is a good middle to have and think if the Redskins could finally have a true punt returner that allows Jamison Crowder to focus on catching passes. Phillips's deficiencies in run support are a red flag for a team that was one of the worst against the run, but Phillips could be used sparingly in obvious passing situations in order to develop him at a more modest pace. There are other pressing needs at higher picks, but cornerback depth is something the Redskins cannot neglect with the injury status of Fabian Moreau. Phillips would be a great addition if he can be acquired with this pick.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 5 (163rd Overall Selection): Darius Phillips CB (Western Michigan)
Height: 5'10" Weight: 190 lbs Reps: 9 40 yd: 4.54 20yrd Shuttle: 4.18
The Redskins defensive worries cannot all be remedied by beefing up the front seven. There needs to be added talent in the secondary in order to defend the pass, and Darius Phillips out of Western Michigan fits the bill perfectly. A disciple of PJ Fleck's "Row the Boat" philosophy, Phillips was a big in state signing for the Broncos in 2014 as a wide receiver/kick returner. Phillips has modest success as a freshman wide out, but he was moved to cornerback in 2015 where he was an All-MAC Conference Player the last three years. Now, it is easy when you play against a bunch of rejects in the MAC, but in those three years Phillips racked up 35 PD's, 12 INT's, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 sacks, 5 defensive TD's, and 6 return TD's (5 KR, 1 PR). Phillips may have played against perceived inferior competition, but he sure beat their brains in with a talent level that should pique the Redskins interest. Scouts note that he has a quick backpedal and fluid turn and sprint skills. They also note his impeccable ball hawking skills, his instinctive ability to diagnose routes, his ability to play both man and zone, and his experience as a returner. The big knock on Phillips is that he is very soft against the run where he can be exploited if he is to play the slot in the NFL. Unfortunately, most scouts project that he needs to play in the slot in order to maximize his strengths as a man corner. He is also undersized at 5'10", and being undersized and soft is not a good combination, but his skills as a cover corner are what the Redskins need.
This pick may seem redundant since the Redskins drafted Fabian Moreau in the third round last year. Moreau was hurt most of last year, though, and with the departure of Kendall Fuller the Redskins need a reliable cover corner in the slot. Maybe that is Moreau. Maybe that is another converted receiver in Quinton Dunbar, but it is always good to have an insurance policy considering the only other corner on the roster is Josh Holsey. Phillips seems to have the talent in coverage that could replace Fuller, and his abilities as a returner would make him more versatile on this roster. His 4.5 speed leaves something to be desired, but at his Pro-Day he ran a 4.40. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle, but that is a good middle to have and think if the Redskins could finally have a true punt returner that allows Jamison Crowder to focus on catching passes. Phillips's deficiencies in run support are a red flag for a team that was one of the worst against the run, but Phillips could be used sparingly in obvious passing situations in order to develop him at a more modest pace. There are other pressing needs at higher picks, but cornerback depth is something the Redskins cannot neglect with the injury status of Fabian Moreau. Phillips would be a great addition if he can be acquired with this pick.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 6 (Pick 205)
The Redskins finally did it. Move over Colt McCoy because Kevin Hogan is now here to take your backup job from you. In return for Hogan's services the Redskins had to swap the 188th pick for the Browns' 205th pick this year, where hopefully they can still draft this wide receiver.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 6 (205th Overall Selection): Steve Ishmael WR (Syracuse)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs 40 yd: 4.59 Vert: 32.5 Cone Drill: 6.84
What if a receiver was a down field threat because he could catch anything that was thrown to him rather than being a burner? Steve Ishmael is the answer to that question. Ishmael played in 47 out of a possible 48 games for Syracuse with 39 starts between 2014-2017, and his senior year numbers are eye popping. Ishmael hauled in 105 receptions for 1,347 yards and seven TD's in 2017, which garnered him unanimous First-Team All ACC honors and a big Stone Cold Steve Austin Salute from the NFL Combine representatives. That may be good for the Redskins considering that scouts have noted his ability to adjust quickly to the ball and make sudden catches, especially on downfield throws. He is a big receiver who can wall off smaller DB's and he plays with a nasty intensity. His lack of speed, though, is a concern because it has caused him to have a low YAC, slow route speed, and a lack of separation from his defender. Scouts also note that despite his size, Ishmael has trouble beating press coverage off the line. His upside may not be what HTTR nation is looking for, but it may be what they need if they consider a few points.
First, Ishmael's 105 receptions are second all-time in ACC single season history behind.......wait for it.......Jamison Crowder who had 108 receptions in 2013. Second, which receiver do you trust to make those tough catches in traffic or one-on-one coverage? Not Crowder. Doctson has proven to be soft, Jordan Reed is too injury prone, and Richardson was brought in to be the burner. Ishmael is the guy that we need to get the tough yards, and someone Alex Smith can trust will get the ball by winning his one-on-one battles through physical play and intelligence. Just watch his tape and tell me you don't see Pierre Garcon. Redskins fans are calling for a burner, but I say we go with a guy who can catch anything that is thrown to him, create separation at the last minute, and make catches in tight spaces to gain tough yards. Steve Ishmael is that guy who could command safety help because one defender just won't cut it in denying him the ball. A 6th Round pick may be ambitious considering most outlets have him going undrafted, but it may be wise for Bruce Allen to add some edge to the receiving corps before someone else does.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 6 (205th Overall Selection): Steve Ishmael WR (Syracuse)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs 40 yd: 4.59 Vert: 32.5 Cone Drill: 6.84
What if a receiver was a down field threat because he could catch anything that was thrown to him rather than being a burner? Steve Ishmael is the answer to that question. Ishmael played in 47 out of a possible 48 games for Syracuse with 39 starts between 2014-2017, and his senior year numbers are eye popping. Ishmael hauled in 105 receptions for 1,347 yards and seven TD's in 2017, which garnered him unanimous First-Team All ACC honors and a big Stone Cold Steve Austin Salute from the NFL Combine representatives. That may be good for the Redskins considering that scouts have noted his ability to adjust quickly to the ball and make sudden catches, especially on downfield throws. He is a big receiver who can wall off smaller DB's and he plays with a nasty intensity. His lack of speed, though, is a concern because it has caused him to have a low YAC, slow route speed, and a lack of separation from his defender. Scouts also note that despite his size, Ishmael has trouble beating press coverage off the line. His upside may not be what HTTR nation is looking for, but it may be what they need if they consider a few points.
First, Ishmael's 105 receptions are second all-time in ACC single season history behind.......wait for it.......Jamison Crowder who had 108 receptions in 2013. Second, which receiver do you trust to make those tough catches in traffic or one-on-one coverage? Not Crowder. Doctson has proven to be soft, Jordan Reed is too injury prone, and Richardson was brought in to be the burner. Ishmael is the guy that we need to get the tough yards, and someone Alex Smith can trust will get the ball by winning his one-on-one battles through physical play and intelligence. Just watch his tape and tell me you don't see Pierre Garcon. Redskins fans are calling for a burner, but I say we go with a guy who can catch anything that is thrown to him, create separation at the last minute, and make catches in tight spaces to gain tough yards. Steve Ishmael is that guy who could command safety help because one defender just won't cut it in denying him the ball. A 6th Round pick may be ambitious considering most outlets have him going undrafted, but it may be wise for Bruce Allen to add some edge to the receiving corps before someone else does.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 7 (Pick 231)
In a 3-4 Defense you can never have too many linebackers, and this one may be hard to pass on if he is there at 231.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 7 (231st Overall Selection): Keishawn Bierria LB (Washington)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs 40 yd: 4.79 Bench Press: 16 reps Vert: 30.5
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect.
Round 7 (231st Overall Selection): Keishawn Bierria LB (Washington)
Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs 40 yd: 4.79 Bench Press: 16 reps Vert: 30.5
Not the flashiest pick, but someone who can get the job done. Keishawn Bierria was actually one of the mid to lower performing linebackers at the combine, but his skill set lies outside of pure athleticism. Bierria is noted as having a high football IQ after playing in a majority of every season since 2014 at Washington. Scouts note his ability to diagnose plays and see things before they happen. He is good at reading misdirection, and he possesses good closing speed and aggressiveness at the point of attack that allowed him to be around the ball more often than naught (5 fumble recoveries in 2016 and 7 for his career). The most important feature that the Redskins should covet this late in the draft is his work ethic and his high leadership qualities. Bierria was only the fifth player in 110 years to win Washington's Guy Flaherty Most Inspirational Award twice. The trade off is that Bierria is low on the athletic spectrum. Scouts note that he can be beat on the edge by pure speed, and that he is more reactive than aggressive. This gives him a small margin for error that will get even smaller at the NFL level, and it makes it so that he may need to be moved inside to play more to his skill set. Despite these athletic shortcomings, the Redskins would be crazy to pass on Bierria at this pick.
You either need to draft for skill or intangibles, and Bierria is the latter. A shot of work ethic may be what the inside linebacking corps of this team needs considering what has transpired over the past year. Zach Brown needed a little more time to think about coming back than Redskins fans would have liked, and lets not forget that Mason Foster's little rant after he was shut down for the season back in October made people think he did not want to come back here. With these two players being the starters this season it may be beneficial for the Redskins to choose high character over high skill set at this pick. Bierria brings much more than character, though, and the Redskins should take him as someone who can progress from a college playmaker to an NFL playmaker.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Redskins 2018 Draft Special Round 7 (Pick 241)
It is that time of year again. The time where the NFL reminds all other sports why it does not matter how many CTE lawsuits come at them, their Draft will outdo any other Spring sports programming. The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and for the Redskins fan base this year's Draft will be quite a conundrum. The first 12 picks in this Draft will dictate the Redskins strategy, but it is insane how many iterations there are of those first 12 picks that continue to keep all of HTTR nation guessing. Will Minkah Fitzpatrick fall to 13? Derwin James or Vita Vea? Is Derrius Guice worth the 13th overall pick? Should we trade back to get an RB later in the first round? Do we try to recover the 3rd round pick we lost in the Alex Smith trade? Whatever the answers, it will be a crazy Draft and I attempt to guess who the Redskins will select. Remember that I assume there are no trades and the Redskins keep all of their picks. Maybe you should take note because last year was very, very good to me. I called the Josh Harvey-Clemons selection, albeit one round early. I said they would go D-Line in the first round. I said they would choose an RB in the fourth round and not the second, and I said they would go with a center late in the draft. Some would call that luck, I would call it......luck, but here's hoping this year's choices are just as good.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect. Without further ado lets begin the 2018 Redskins Draft with the gift that keeps on giving....Derrick Carrier. Earlier this year, the Redskins traded Derrick Carrier to the Rams for a 7th Round pick that turned into the 241st overall selection and hopefully into this gem out of Army.
Round 7 (241st Overall Selection): Brett Toth OT (Army)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 291 lbs 40 yd: 5.14 Bench Press: 16 reps 20 yrd Shuttle: 4.75
If you haven't noticed, the Redskins two starting tackles will not be at OTA's due to injury. Trent Williams and Morgan Moses still need time to heal, and in the meanwhile the Redskins could draft an insurance policy with this pick. Brett Toth is an athletic tackle that fits well into a zone running scheme. He looks to move towards the second level, and he has the agility to redirect blocks when they try to come off the edge. Scouts note his toughness at the point of attack, and they note that he shows good hustle in space. His 20 yard shuttle time is from his pro day, but that time would have been first by 0.2 seconds at the combine. There are major concerns with his size and lack of pass protection experience due to Army's offensive scheme, but who better to mentor him than Bill Callahan? Toth is the perfect 7th Round project pick that could turn into a much needed short term backup for the Redskins.
Trent Williams is not getting any younger, and the only legitimate replacement we have for him is Ty Nsekhe. Toth will not be ready to replace either of them this year, but he can learn from the best and develop his skills and size to hopefully be ready by next season. Toth has the intangibles needed to be successful in Jay Gruden's system, and he will have the time in Washington to learn at a more steady pace. The Redskins desperately need more bodies at the tackle position, and Toth gives some sense of competition to guys like TJ Clemmings and John Kling. He may not be ready this year, but they do not need him to be. They just need a return on the investment in 2-3 years, and Toth's skill set may turn out to be a steal for a 7th Round pick.
Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports , NFL Combine Results Page, plus help from Walter Football, Ourlads, Drafttek, and DraftScout. Please check these sites out for all the work that they do in informing all of us laypeople about every possible college prospect. Without further ado lets begin the 2018 Redskins Draft with the gift that keeps on giving....Derrick Carrier. Earlier this year, the Redskins traded Derrick Carrier to the Rams for a 7th Round pick that turned into the 241st overall selection and hopefully into this gem out of Army.
Round 7 (241st Overall Selection): Brett Toth OT (Army)
Height: 6'6" Weight: 291 lbs 40 yd: 5.14 Bench Press: 16 reps 20 yrd Shuttle: 4.75
If you haven't noticed, the Redskins two starting tackles will not be at OTA's due to injury. Trent Williams and Morgan Moses still need time to heal, and in the meanwhile the Redskins could draft an insurance policy with this pick. Brett Toth is an athletic tackle that fits well into a zone running scheme. He looks to move towards the second level, and he has the agility to redirect blocks when they try to come off the edge. Scouts note his toughness at the point of attack, and they note that he shows good hustle in space. His 20 yard shuttle time is from his pro day, but that time would have been first by 0.2 seconds at the combine. There are major concerns with his size and lack of pass protection experience due to Army's offensive scheme, but who better to mentor him than Bill Callahan? Toth is the perfect 7th Round project pick that could turn into a much needed short term backup for the Redskins.
Trent Williams is not getting any younger, and the only legitimate replacement we have for him is Ty Nsekhe. Toth will not be ready to replace either of them this year, but he can learn from the best and develop his skills and size to hopefully be ready by next season. Toth has the intangibles needed to be successful in Jay Gruden's system, and he will have the time in Washington to learn at a more steady pace. The Redskins desperately need more bodies at the tackle position, and Toth gives some sense of competition to guys like TJ Clemmings and John Kling. He may not be ready this year, but they do not need him to be. They just need a return on the investment in 2-3 years, and Toth's skill set may turn out to be a steal for a 7th Round pick.
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