Preparing for the Bruce and Dan Draft

[Darrell Green Fan]

The problem with that line of thinking is this. Bruce has a habit of taking all the credit if something goes right, and shifting the blame if something goes wrong.

Bruce wants credit... its all his good or bad at this point. Because that is what HE wanted.

Bingo. He has made it very clear that he is the guy running the show, all success or failure falls directly on his shoulders. So yeah 7-9 falls squarely on him should it happen.

 

[Sleepy T]

What's going on here is an assertion that everyone must be blamed for bad decisions that heretofore belonged at the feet of the GM. Ironically, and a bit puzzling, is the clear singular blame being put on former GMSM but when it comes to GM Bruce Allen, everyone gets the blame.

I wouldn't say that GMSM is singularly to blame, but like in all business, it starts at the top.

Management needs to be accountable for their people, actions, production (or lack of) etc. On top of that, they need to know their role and know the chain of command. There were other personal things going on IMO with the Scot situation (that we will probably never know about), but there was clearly there was some friction between GMSM and his bosses Bruce/Dan. Did he overstep his boundaries? Did he go over their head in certain situations? Did he think act like he was the owner and that he didn't have to answer to anybody at times? Did he act bigger than the organization? Possibly/Probably . Does Bruce act like this too? Probably. If SM was supposed to be given full control of Draft/player/personnel/FA when he came on but the rug was jerked out from under him by Bruce and Dan... then that is on them and this organization and they will pay the price. IMO GMSM was cut loose because he had Personal problems, Butted heads with the Boss(es), AND underperformed wrt his job. All of the above.

But there are no excuses for Bruce now. He is the man and he will/should be held accountable for player/personnel going forward, just like GMSM was. If he doesnt get it done, then Dan will shitcan him too. And he should.

 

[Sportster 72]

He does not have to draft player A. The scouts responsibilities are to find good, very good and exceptional players, the head coach's responsibility is to get them to play together at a high level while the GM responsibility centers around putting the entire puzzle together. This last part includes the drafting and acquisition of players who BEST fit.

So why is this uniquely important to the job of the GM especially during the draft? Well, contrary to a lot of opinion drafting BPA comes with this tagline....AT A POSITION OF NEED.

Fortunately for us, we are currently debating that right now at the RB spot. I hope that we all agree that ideally we need a 3 down back to really set Gruden's offense apart from the rest.....right? Well, by now I'm sure that JG has informed Bruce of this, if he didn't already know. With that in mind let's play it out using your criteria.

Pick number 17 is on the clock looking for a RB, (McCaffrey and either Cook, Mixon or Fournette are available). The scouts and head coach agree that they really like the Cook, Mixon, Fournette guy while Bruce really likes McCaffrey. Guess who's going to be drafted at 17?

From Keim today:
Both Cook and McCaffrey would give the Redskins something they lack: a dynamic every-down back (more in the Brian Westbrook mold). Cook, though, has more red flags and that could cause him to slide.

I support the opinion that McCaffrey can be an every down back.

 

[Skin'EmAll]

My biggest draft concerns:

1. Our team doesn't know to trade or acquire draft picks properly
2. Our team doesn't know how to draft talent that fits our schemes

until this changes, I believe the 'skins will always be a 1-and-done team every 2 years.

 

[skinsdad62]

From Keim today:
Both Cook and McCaffrey would give the Redskins something they lack: a dynamic every-down back (more in the Brian Westbrook mold). Cook, though, has more red flags and that could cause him to slide.

I support the opinion that McCaffrey can be an every down back.

i dont , at 5-11 203 lbs i dont see him as a 20-25 carry guy , maybe touches , but not carries and there is a difference . i think he encourages jay to abandon the run even more . he is a good back , i just dont think he is the best fit for us . i dont see him as a guy who consistently will get me 3rd and 4th short , i see him having issues at the goal line . his 10 bench reps make me think he wont break many NFL tackles

if you platoon him with kelley or jones then the defense is tipped off as to what you may do based on the back in the game . i think there are better fits at RB for this team then CM . i think we have enough receiving weapons

to me CM can be lined up everywhere , catch the ball vs lbs and safeties and can run outside plays and delayed draws and screens . he wont make a living between the tackles but on occassion make some good even great runs

i like fournette , cook and mixon ahead of him , even foreman for our team

all that being said i will support him if he is on our team because if he fails our team fails and you can bet i will be a homer when talking about him

 

[Sleepy T]

i dont , at 5-11 203 lbs i dont see him as a 20-25 carry guy , maybe touches , but not carries and there is a difference.

I like your post sdad, I agree that CM is not what we need most for our team. But if we picked him, I too would be OK with it and become a big CM fan. He is versatile and I think if he could be used properly, he could be a big time weapon. The biggest question is can he block well enough out of the back field, and as you said, be a force between the tackles on any given carry. I'm not sure about that. So while I don't think he is an every down back. He is an every down player.

For sake of argument, There are very very few guys who run the ball like that in today's NFL. I was surpised to see that last year, there were only 19 guys who averaged over 15 attempts per game, Only 8 averaged 18+, ..ONLY 2 averaged over 20 a game. Now.... are those numbers tainted a little bit by injuries and other situations. Sure. But the days of Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith, Tomlinson, etc. ripping off 25-30 carries a game, every game. Those days are gone. So I think McCaffrey could handle 10-15 carries a game, 20 touches total.

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

My biggest draft concerns:

1. Our team doesn't know to trade or acquire draft picks properly
2. Our team doesn't know how to draft talent that fits our schemes

until this changes, I believe the 'skins will always be a 1-and-done team every 2 years.

i think skins do good on undrafted rookies seems like every year 1 or 2 make the 53 in the past we loaded up on FA then the draft turn into dog shit see joe gibbs draft but we need to hit on more picks finding 2 starters out of 17 picks its not good enough sorry

 

[Stymietee]

I like your post sdad, I agree that CM is not what we need most for our team. But if we picked him, I too would be OK with it and become a big CM fan. He is versatile and I think if he could be used properly, he could be a big time weapon. The biggest question is can he block well enough out of the back field, and as you said, be a force between the tackles on any given carry. I'm not sure about that. So while I don't think he is an every down back. He is an every down player.

For sake of argument, There are very very few guys who run the ball like that in today's NFL. I was surpised to see that last year, there were only 19 guys who averaged over 15 attempts per game, Only 8 averaged 18+, ..ONLY 2 averaged over 20 a game. Now.... are those numbers tainted a little bit by injuries and other situations. Sure. But the days of Adrian Peterson, Emmitt Smith, Tomlinson, etc. ripping off 25-30 carries a game, every game. Those days are gone. So I think McCaffrey could handle 10-15 carries a game, 20 touches total.

One of the biggest problems AND greatest strengths of the NFL is that it is a copycat league. Right now we're seeing almost every team following the N.E. Patriots model, where the pass is used to set up the run.

........................................................ THAT SAID ...................................................

It really doesn't take much imagination to predict what the next dominant "stroke of genius" move will be in the league. A complete elimination of the running game? Naw, just the opposite, in a league where everyone has now become accustomed to the Patriot model, someone is goint to figure out that the best way to defeat that model comes with a dominant run game. Why shouldn't we be the purveyors of that new era. (As old as it is)

 

[Sportster 72]

Those of you who do not think that McCaffrey can be a full time back are all thinking 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Yes I am putting a little yeast in that story.

I see parts I agree with from all the posts that followed mine. I get it. He is too little, like Clinton Portis at 205 or 210. Was he a three down back?

I also agree that Gruden would look to use him in the passing game. As well he should. I don't care if the D knows he is going to throw the ball. If I have Reed, 2 or 3 good WRs and McCaffrey ... go ahead an defend that.

I do not agree with you pass to setup the run. The Redskins proved last year when they couldn't run they also struggled in the pass game. Decent running setups up play action and once you do that the Redskins are going to take advantage.

Anyhow many here said that McCaffrey is a part time back, a one cut back etc. etc. I think a lot of these labels were to make their choice look better. No worries, we all do that to some extent. I have said before many times I am not a big fan of drafting a RB No. 1. I would be intrigued to see McCaffrey in a Gruden offense. I think he would fit like a glove but I am not advocating drafting him No. 17.

 

[Buffalo_Nickel_1]

Um i think the panthers said they will draft CM at 8 so skins will not get CM draft wr davis at 17then we will be awesome .. might be over kill doctson pyror,davis crowder quick lol

 

[Sharkinva]

Um i think the panthers said they will draft CM at 8 so skins will not get CM draft wr davis at 17then we will be awesome .. might be over kill doctson pyror,davis crowder quick lol

at 17 we need a player that is expected to be a major contributor this year. WR doesnt fit that mold.

 

[Sportster 72]

Again let me say that I am not suggesting we pick McCaffrey, we will draft McCaffrey etc. etc. .... just saying I think he will be a good NFL player and not pigeon holing the guy into any specific kind of player.

I have no clue who the team will draft and as shark says "as long as it isn't D. Watson" or any other QB fine. I would love an edge rusher over any position. I liked Reddick and I like Dline. If we have a guy rated higher at 17 that isn't dline I am fine with that as long as we get one or two DLineman later.

 

[gkekoa]

The Panthers said publically they will take him at 8. Why would they do that?

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

i dont , at 5-11 203 lbs i dont see him as a 20-25 carry guy , maybe touches , but not carries and there is a difference . i think he encourages jay to abandon the run even more . he is a good back , i just dont think he is the best fit for us . i dont see him as a guy who consistently will get me 3rd and 4th short , i see him having issues at the goal line . his 10 bench reps make me think he wont break many NFL tackles

if you platoon him with kelley or jones then the defense is tipped off as to what you may do based on the back in the game . i think there are better fits at RB for this team then CM . i think we have enough receiving weapons

to me CM can be lined up everywhere , catch the ball vs lbs and safeties and can run outside plays and delayed draws and screens . he wont make a living between the tackles but on occassion make some good even great runs

i like fournette , cook and mixon ahead of him , even foreman for our team

all that being said i will support him if he is on our team because if he fails our team fails and you can bet i will be a homer when talking about him

Yeah this is how I've always seen it. Another thing to factor in is we just don't run the ball enough to justify a RB at 17. And will a guy like McCaffery solve the red zone issues? I don't see that.

But like you said I'll support the pick if it turns out to be McCaffery as I do believe he will be an impact player at some level.

 

[Sportster 72]

I'll start by saying I love JReed. He presents mismatch problems whenever we are passing.

I'll finish by saying this. If you want to be a dominant run team you can't have JReed in the game. Blocking TEs are essential in the run game. If you are old enough to remember Donny Warren he was like a third Tackle. Think back to the Steelers years ago. Same thing.

I keep hearing this title "3 down back" that is fine, better get a "3 down blocking dedicated TE" and it is good if your 2nd TE can compliment. Otherwise it is 5 against 7 and the 7 is going to win most often. Basic football 101 men.

 

[skinsdad62]

then we shgouldnt draft a back early

 

[Stymietee]

One thing wrong with that example using Donnie Warren and his name is Clint Didier the pass catching TE during that time frame. Yes warren was indeed like an extra tackle, but Didier was, just like JReed, the pass catcher. If we are to turn to running the ball more, then sitting Reed is not what must be done. Getting a blocking TE or relying on V Davis is the move that we'll have to make.

Although the Steelers did pass the ball their primary attack mode was first and foremost the run. When they did pass they had TE targets in Randy Grossman and later Big Benny Cunningham.

BTW: Washington also employed an H-back and the Steelers a fullback that added extra blocking bulk to an already potent running attacks

The strength of a 3 down back is that a really good one also blocks well.

 

[Stymietee]

then we shgouldnt draft a back early

Actually we should, in fact what you're responding to stands in support of one of the 3 stud guys coming out. (Actually 2 of them, I'm not sold on Fournette's skills as a blocker)

 

[Sportster 72]

There is nothing wrong in what I said. Didier a pass catching type of TE or H-Back as Gibbs called him was a much better blocker than Reed.

I did not go into the FB because that is so old school but you are right and BTW the H-Back (Doc Walker, Didier) was essentially the FB in motion. Many times used to wham block, trap block in the center of the line or set the edge on an outside backer. By the way Didier had one year with 41 catches, 2 years at 34 and 30 and only one other year over 10 catches in an 8 year career so comparing him to Reed is far fetched. Reeds 45 catches his rookie year is his lowest number.

Gibbs most often used offenses were 5 OL, TE (Warren), QB, RB, 2 WRs and HBack. He also used a basic set where instead of HBack he used a third WR (the Fun Bunch and later; Monk, Clark and Sanders)

Another point is Gibbs loved having a 3rd down back, guys like Lil Joe Washington and Kelvin Bryant.

In later years he had Byner and some combination of a big back or two or towards the end he had Ricky Ervins as his change of pace back.

I'll let you pick which one was a 3 down back and will argue till the cows come home about blocking assignments.

 

[Stymietee]

Never said what you said was wrong, just by omission the example used gave the impression that they didn't have a pass catching TE. We do know that ....that was not the case, right? The championship Gibbs era was clearly one in which running games dominated, so expecting your pass catching TE to get the numbers that they do today makes little sense. So is the idea of not having Reed on the field because there are a number of things that they can do with him where he has to be accounted for which also helps the running game.

Comparing eras makes for bad comparisons as well, as you know the passing game has almost completely changed from that time because of rule changes, so that 7 on 5 only happens if you're dropping linebackers or some combination every time. BTW: isn't that also a huge reason to have that stud RB who keeps them (LBers) honest?

Sure, they had a change of pace back and currently we are loaded with enough of them, just in case the inference is towards adding McCaffrey. To me McCaffrey = a 3 - 4" taller, 5 pound bigger, slower yep slower, version of Chris Thompson but that doesn't matter because of another omission, specifically, what they did have was that bellcow at running back, something that we desperately lack today.