ESPN 980's Chris Russell On Redskins Safeties

[Darrell Green Fan]

I believe we've had this exact same conversation 25 times now. I understand what Shark is saying, we have 16 games to determine if we have a QB on this roster. And every single one of us recognize the need to improve the pass protection so we can do just that.

But what I don't understand how he can say that a good pass blocker is critical but a pass rusher who can make a good pass blocker look like Tyler Polumbus is a "sexy pick" and a stupid move. Aren't they kind of equally important?

 

[Stymietee]

I believe we've had this exact same conversation 25 times now. I understand what Shark is saying, we have 16 games to determine if we have a QB on this roster. And every single one of us recognize the need to improve the pass protection so we can do just that.

But what I don't understand how he can say that a good pass blocker is critical but a pass rusher who can make a good pass blocker look like Tyler Polumbus is a "sexy pick" and a stupid move. Aren't they kind of equally important?

They are sort of equally important, for the team that one roots for. Sure having both is a big plus for any team, but too many believe that QB is the most important position on a team (not me) and evaluating what we currently have must take precedence over other things. The question comes down to.....which is most important.......kill their QB........or kill ours.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Back to the safeties I remember Russell talking about Davis last year. 4.34 does not lie but being a free safety is about instincts more than speed. I still do not understand how they decide which guy to cover when 2 guys 30 yard apart are coming open. But my job is sales, not covering Dez Bryant.

 

[j_y19]

Back to the safeties I remember Russell talking about Davis last year. 4.34 does not lie but being a free safety is about instincts more than speed. I still do not understand how they decide which guy to cover when 2 guys 30 yard apart are coming open. But my job is sales, not covering Dez Bryant.

You are right, it is about instinct. It's also about knowing the scheme, what the other DBs responsibilities are, and reading the QB and knowing his tendencies. Speed is a great equalizer, but that skill alone does not make a great safety.

 

[skinsdad62]

just because we havent cut chester on your time table dean doesnt mean we wont . maybe we wait till after the draft ?

i have no issue with drafting an o/lineman at 5 . none at all . niether do i have an issue drafting an OLB , or cb or wr . we need a blue chipper

 

[Sharkinva]

I believe we've had this exact same conversation 25 times now. I understand what Shark is saying, we have 16 games to determine if we have a QB on this roster. And every single one of us recognize the need to improve the pass protection so we can do just that.

But what I don't understand how he can say that a good pass blocker is critical but a pass rusher who can make a good pass blocker look like Tyler Polumbus is a "sexy pick" and a stupid move. Aren't they kind of equally important?

All things being equal yes they are both just as important. But reality is, all things are NOT equal. We dont in fact need to figure out if we have an ILB worth keeping therefore needing to surround them with better talent to figure out the worth of them. Bottom line is, the thinking that prevails is, if its not a LT then its never worthy of a top ten pick much less a top five pick. Truth is if we were picking at 10 or 12, no one would even begin to question Schreffs worth or Peat for that matter. Because the RT and RG slots are positions of NEED period. And if we got either of these guys at ten most would be doing back flips. But a RT at #5 just isnt sexy enough for most of you.. but now another fucking pass rusher, some one who will likely show up on Sports Center doing a doofy sack dance after he gets to the QB... now that makes ones dick hard apparently as far as draft picks for this team are concerned.

 

[redskinsfan]

All things being equal yes they are both just as important. But reality is, all things are NOT equal. We dont in fact need to figure out if we have an ILB worth keeping therefore needing to surround them with better talent to figure out the worth of them. Bottom line is, the thinking that prevails is, if its not a LT then its never worthy of a top ten pick much less a top five pick. Truth is if we were picking at 10 or 12, no one would even begin to question Schreffs worth or Peat for that matter. Because the RT and RG slots are positions of NEED period. And if we got either of these guys at ten most would be doing back flips. But a RT at #5 just isnt sexy enough for most of you.. but now another fucking pass rusher, some one who will likely show up on Sports Center doing a doofy sack dance after he gets to the QB... now that makes ones dick hard apparently as far as draft picks for this team are concerned.

I'll agree with you that if we had the #10 or #12 pick, Scherff is a no-brainer. But we're at #5 and Scherff is a guard. That would be the highest a guard would ever be picked if we took him there. BPA at #5 as it stands now would one of either Randy Gregory, Shane Ray, Dante Fowler, Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Scherff becomes BPA at around #10 and the BPA RT perks up around #15.

If you're McCloughan and you profess to draft BPA, what do you do then? (Of course, McCloughan, like any good GM, will tell you that when drafting BPA, it's tempered by the factor of need, especially when drafting within the first three rounds.)

 

[Sharkinva]

I'll agree with you that if we had the #10 or #12 pick, Scherff is a no-brainer. But we're at #5 and Scherff is a guard. That would be the highest a guard would ever be picked if we took him there. BPA at #5 as it stands now would one of either Randy Gregory, Shane Ray, Dante Fowler, Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Scherff becomes BPA at around #10 and the BPA RT perks up around #15.

If you're McCloughan and you profess to draft BPA, what do you do then? (Of course, McCloughan, like any good GM, will tell you that when drafting BPA, it's tempered by the factor of need, especially when drafting within the first three rounds.)

If we NEEDED a LT Schreff or Peat would be a no brainer. First off I dont buy into the fact the Schreff is nothing more than a guard. Secondly I think the whole BPA chart is totally subjective. After all, does ANYONE in their right mind really think Jamies Winston is the best player in this draft?? Was RG3 the second best player in the 2012 draft?? How about Jamarcus Russell??? All these guys have been gauged as the BPA based on their highlight factor, nothing more. Based on what is best for the TEAM, a RT should be the BPA at 5 or 15. Possible Highlight factor, or sexy factor should NEVER factor into it. But it will, we probably will draft the pass rusher at #5 ( insert your preferred high light reel player here), and this time next year we will be debating on if we should try and get in position to draft Cardale Jones. Well assuming we dont finish badly enough to just draft him with the #1 pick all on our own.

Again I will simply say that the only reason Schereff or Peat are not considered top ten or top five posibilities is because no one in the top ten is currently in need of a LT. If one of the top five teams needed a LT, then all of a sudden one of these guys would be considered worthy of the pick by the talking heads. And its the need factor that makes me believe that PBA is a sham in most cases. Its an excuse used to justify agreeing with the talking heads.

 

[redskinsfan]

If we NEEDED a LT Schreff or Peat would be a no brainer. First off I dont buy into the fact the Schreff is nothing more than a guard. Secondly I think the whole BPA chart is totally subjective. After all, does ANYONE in their right mind really think Jamies Winston is the best player in this draft?? Was RG3 the second best player in the 2012 draft?? How about Jamarcus Russell??? All these guys have been gauged as the BPA based on their highlight factor, nothing more. Based on what is best for the TEAM, a RT should be the BPA at 5 or 15. Possible Highlight factor, or sexy factor should NEVER factor into it. But it will, we probably will draft the pass rusher at #5 ( insert your preferred high light reel player here), and this time next year we will be debating on if we should try and get in position to draft Cardale Jones. Well assuming we dont finish badly enough to just draft him with the #1 pick all on our own.

Ok, let me pose to you this hypothetical: Scherff will be an All-Pro guard, but a mid-level RT; the guys I mentioned above are tied for the BPA at #5 when we pick; the BPA RT is slotted at about #15.

Who do you take then?

 

[Sharkinva]

Ok, let me pose to you this hypothetical: Scherff will be an All-Pro guard, but a mid-level RT; the guys I mentioned above are tied for the BPA at #5 when we pick; the BPA RT is slotted at about #15.

Who do you take then?

Considering that we have all junk at RG, even if Shcreff is only considered a guard, I would take him based on the fact that long term and right off the break, he does alot more for the TEAM than anothe pass rusher who is considered worthy of the #5.

So let me ask you.. we stock up on pass rushers, and some how manage to field a top five Defense that lead the league in defense but still have no answer at QB and STILL need a guard to boot... did we actually make the team better. Or just make ourselves feel better about the defense??? Mind you we had a top ten defense every year Gregg Williams was here, but still managed to suck.

 

[redskinsfan]

Considering that we have all junk at RG, even if Shcreff is only considered a guard, I would take him based on the fact that long term and right off the break, he does alot more for the TEAM than anothe pass rusher who is considered worthy of the #5.

So let me ask you.. we stock up on pass rushers, and some how manage to field a top five Defense that lead the league in defense but still have no answer at QB and STILL need a guard to boot... did we actually make the team better. Or just make ourselves feel better about the defense??? Mind you we had a top ten defense every year Gregg Williams was here, but still managed to suck.

Let me preface what I'm going to say with the fact that I completely agree that RT and RG are the two biggest needs on this team and that Scherff would be great in filling a huge need on this team. Having said that, it doesn't make sense to make history by taking a guard at #5. The only way I'd bend on that is if someone has a crystal ball and can see if he's the next Larry Allen. Based on my hypothetical and on conventional (McClougan) draft wisdom, you take the BPA that fits a need. And that would be one of the OLBs. This is NOT a splash-based pick but one dictated by the circumstances we're faced with. Because we're probably going to be faced with this, my position is that we trade down to get more picks and to select someone like a Scherff, Peat or other o-lineman with the first rounder we eventually get.

 

[Sharkinva]

Let me preface what I'm going to say with the fact that I completely agree that RT and RG are the two biggest needs on this team and that Scherff would be great in filling a huge need on this team. Having said that, it doesn't make sense to make history by taking a guard at #5. The only way I'd bend on that is if someone has a crystal ball and can see if he's the next Larry Allen. Based on my hypothetical and on conventional (McClougan) draft wisdom, you take the BPA that fits a need. And that would be one of the OLBs. This is NOT a splash-based pick but one dictated by the circumstances we're faced with. Because we're probably going to be faced with this, my position is that we trade down to get more picks and to select someone like a Scherff, Peat or other o-lineman with the first rounder we eventually get.

OK I get that, but I will say this. Assume for a moment we cant trade down unless we simply give the pick away. We dont need a more explosive OLB. Sure we could use one, but reality is none of the guys mentioned are going to suddenly turn our defense into the 85 Bears. If greater need does not help determine BPA, then you are simply picking for sexy factor.

 

[Sharkinva]

Bottom line is, i could care less what Kiper or McShay grade our pick five minutes after the draft is. I want whats best for the team long term. And Long term fixing the O-line and determining if we actually have a QB worth going forward with is much more important in my opinion than getting another pass rusher, WR or some other high light player that every one says will be an "Impact" player. Because to me Impact player is just another word for highlight player. And to me, right now thats more about what looks good on paper than whats best for the team now and going forward.

I fully expect to be highly disappointed come draft day because I do think we take the pass rusher or the Wr, and in 12 months will be debating the merits of the next QB because we didnt do what was needed to determine if we had a QB worth moving forward with. And lets say we fix the line, and both QBs still turn out to be garbage... at least we have fixed the line so that we CAN afford to bring in a new QB and not have the same old question of "Well does the QB suck, or do we simply need to give him better protection?"

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

You will be disappointed because our GM is a professional and is smart enough not to reach 10 spots to take a lesser player. I can live with your disappointment.

 

[Sharkinva]

You will be disappointed because our GM is a professional and is smart enough not to reach 10 spots to take a lesser player. I can live with your disappointment.

If our professional GM allows this team to go into the season with Chester and Compton starting on the right side, I will have to start wondering if he has fallen off the wagon. And explain to me where we would be reaching ten spots for Schreff?? Most mocks have him going any where from 8 to 12, so lets not say it like we would be taking a 3rd rounder in the top five... we did that in 2012 after all.

 

[skinsdad62]

why does it have to be that because we select one position (say olb ) in round one that we are destined for doom .? By the same token if we draft an all pro OG why is that so horrible ? you think people are bitching in dallas because they drafted frederick waaay ahead of where he was projected to go by 2 rounds ?

both sides of this debate need to understand that there are 7 rounds in this draft not one

if we pass on a RT or OG in round one why cant a A J Cann or Laken Tomlingson fit the bill ? why cant the donavon smith be a starting RT in round 3 ?

by the same token why cant we take scherf at 5 and be happy ? the kid will fill a gaping hole at either OG or RT why cant we draft OLB in round 2 . the kid from VA could be a great fit or god forbid murphy could get even better

we have 7 rounds . i bet we can get 3 starters out of this draft with in 2 years since we have a decent GM in control

the next thing is what are the expectations for the team next season . i think anymore then 6 wins is out of reach . remember some of the FA's wont pan out they will get hurt etc . what happens to our pass rush if hatcher or paea or pot roast is injured ? or murphy , or kerrigan ? what happens if culliver goes down ? what if trent willams tears an acl ?

we may have enough starters to compete but we dont have any real depth we also have 3 qbs who are questionable at best

people talk about the cardale jones sweep stakes . well hell we might be in it if we are 7-9 and qb play is a failure or 6-10 or 5-11

we arent simply an RT or OG OR OLB away from being in the playoffs at this point . and if we get a winning record i assure you it will be fools gold because this team doesnt have the depth to be a consistent winner at this point .

you all may not want to hear that or piss and moan what the fan base and/or snyder will "tolerate " but that simply dodges the reality we are in . we are at least 2 -3 years away from being competitors for the playoffs on a year to year basis and this coaching staff may or may not be the one to take us there

yes build up the o/line we focused on the d/line in FA now get the o/line addressed and we should see some better results

 

[redskinsfan]

OK I get that, but I will say this. Assume for a moment we cant trade down unless we simply give the pick away. We dont need a more explosive OLB. Sure we could use one, but reality is none of the guys mentioned are going to suddenly turn our defense into the 85 Bears. If greater need does not help determine BPA, then you are simply picking for sexy factor.

I'll agree with you on this: if we're stuck picking at #5 and we haven't addressed our RG and RT needs by then, that will be a truly dunning conundrum. Let's take RT first. Biggest need -- by far. But no one in the draft is close to being worth taken that high. As for RG, like I've said before, if you take one there, you're making history. Do you want to do that based on need? That's Vinny-like thinking. Then we come to BPA. At that point, it'll be between the WRs and OLBs. BPA there will probably be Amari Cooper or Kevin White. Some draft pundits are now postulating that we may very well take Cooper if he drops to us. But BPA with a first rounder must be qualified by need. Measured by that, it'll be one of the three OLBs, probably Dante Fowler.

Of course, this discussion assumes quite a bit. One big assumption is that Scherff will be an above-average RT. If McCloughan believes he can turn in Trent-like play at the RT position, that's a pretty easy decision if Scherff lands to us at #5 -- or elsewhere. But NO ONE seems to think he' s a legit NFL RT. It also assumes we can't somehow address our RG and RT needs before the draft. Or that we haven't devised a plan for trading down, which is what I believe is the best possible option right now.

Our current gameplan with our #5 pick is really fluid and therefore completely unknown. We'll have to see how things play out. There are now more suitors for Mariota and therefore more potential options for trading down. McCloughan could also think that we make a stretch pick at #5 and select Scherff. We then address the RT with out second rounder. And with our third rounder, we take an OLB as a bookend for Kerrigan. According to Bucky Brooks, the OLBs in this draft are so deep that teams can actually fetch starters in Day 3.

So, we'll just have to see. But if things stay the same and we're stuck at #5, McCloughan will be picking the BPA that fits a need. Right now, that appears to be someone like Dante Fowler. But no one knows what Scotty is thinking.

 

[redskinsfan]

why does it have to be that because we select one position (say olb ) in round one that we are destined for doom .? By the same token if we draft an all pro OG why is that so horrible ? you think people are bitching in dallas because they drafted frederick waaay ahead of where he was projected to go by 2 rounds ?

both sides of this debate need to understand that there are 7 rounds in this draft not one

if we pass on a RT or OG in round one why cant a A J Cann or Laken Tomlingson fit the bill ? why cant the donavon smith be a starting RT in round 3 ?

by the same token why cant we take scherf at 5 and be happy ? the kid will fill a gaping hole at either OG or RT why cant we draft OLB in round 2 . the kid from VA could be a great fit or god forbid murphy could get even better

we have 7 rounds . i bet we can get 3 starters out of this draft with in 2 years since we have a decent GM in control

the next thing is what are the expectations for the team next season . i think anymore then 6 wins is out of reach . remember some of the FA's wont pan out they will get hurt etc . what happens to our pass rush if hatcher or paea or pot roast is injured ? or murphy , or kerrigan ? what happens if culliver goes down ? what if trent willams tears an acl ?

we may have enough starters to compete but we dont have any real depth we also have 3 qbs who are questionable at best

people talk about the cardale jones sweep stakes . well hell we might be in it if we are 7-9 and qb play is a failure or 6-10 or 5-11

we arent simply an RT or OG OR OLB away from being in the playoffs at this point . and if we get a winning record i assure you it will be fools gold because this team doesnt have the depth to be a consistent winner at this point .

you all may not want to hear that or piss and moan what the fan base and/or snyder will "tolerate " but that simply dodges the reality we are in . we are at least 2 -3 years away from being competitors for the playoffs on a year to year basis and this coaching staff may or may not be the one to take us there

yes build up the o/line we focused on the d/line in FA now get the o/line addressed and we should see some better results

Let's put taking Scherff as an OG in perspective: if we do that, we make history. If so, we'd better make darn sure we're right. I have no qualms with Shark that our biggest needs are at RG and RT. This is particularly true this year since we need to give "Bob" or whomever is taking snaps at center a fair change to prove his worth. If the o-line is another swinging gate like it has been in past years, you'll not only get "Robert Three Sticks" -- thanks Smooty -- killed, you'll never get to properly assess his progress.

 

[Sharkinva]

Skinsdad... I agree with you that we are looking at a 4-6 win season. My line of thinking on this is not about wins and losses. Its about accurately assesing the team going forward. I admit we need depth at the OLB spot, and could actually use a starter. Mythinking remains however that the best thing for the team is to fix the line. Now we have swung and missed on multiple 3-7tyh round O-line prospects over the years. Actually invest in the line, ad worst case even if we come out knowing for sure, all our QBs are junk... you wont be asking the question is it a matter of the Qbs being bad, or does the line still suck. A relatively young talented O-line to me trumps another pass rusher at this point. And if we are talking the difference of 3 or 4 spots on the pick, Im perfectly fine with that. And yes that is basically what we are talking here is the difference between 5 and 8-12 since most pundits have Schreff coming off the board in the 8-12 range.

Side note who cares if its a make history kind of move if it actually Improves the team over all. And before you say one of the pass rushers would be a safer bet because every one assumes they are worthy of the #5 spot.... highly drafted O-lineman generally tend to have a much better career as far as production than do pass rushers, WRs or DBs.

 

[skinsdad62]

I'll agree with you on this: if we're stuck picking at #5 and we haven't addressed our RG and RT needs by then, that will be a truly dunning conundrum. Let's take RT first. Biggest need -- by far. But no one in the draft is close to being worth taken that high. As for RG, like I've said before, if you take one there, you're making history. Do you want to do that based on need? That's Vinny-like thinking. Then we come to BPA. At that point, it'll be between the WRs and OLBs. BPA there will probably be Amari Cooper or Kevin White. Some draft pundits are now postulating that we may very well take Cooper if he drops to us. But BPA with a first rounder must be qualified by need. Measured by that, it'll be one of the three OLBs, probably Dante Fowler.

Of course, this discussion assumes quite a bit. One big assumption is that Scherff will be an above-average RT. If McCloughan believes he can turn in Trent-like play at the RT position, that's a pretty easy decision if Scherff lands to us at #5 -- or elsewhere. But NO ONE seems to think he' s a legit NFL RT. It also assumes we can't somehow address our RG and RT needs before the draft. Or that we haven't devised a plan for trading down, which is what I believe is the best possible option right now.

Our current gameplan with our #5 pick is really fluid and therefore completely unknown. We'll have to see how things play out. There are now more suitors for Mariota and therefore more potential options for trading down. McCloughan could also think that we make a stretch pick at #5 and select Scherff. We then address the RT with out second rounder. And with our third rounder, we take an OLB as a bookend for Kerrigan. According to Bucky Brooks, the OLBs in this draft are so deep that teams can actually fetch starters in Day 3.

So, we'll just have to see. But if things stay the same and we're stuck at #5, McCloughan will be picking the BPA that fits a need. Right now, that appears to be someone like Dante Fowler. But no one knows what Scotty is thinking.

not true , mayock has said he will be a good RT in the NFL but a great OG and that is most likely true

as for history who cares ? shouldnt be a consideration

now as i have said this draft lasts 7 rounds . i am not militant one way or another . i think we can get 3 starters from this draft