Could the Redskins 2011 Draft Make Up for Lost Millions?

Ryan Kerrigan (left)

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan made a lot of good decisions last season and he made a few that weren’t so good. Some of those not-so-good decisions contributed to a situation in which a player basically received a $31 million gift from the team. While I think if handled differently, those millions might have ended up as the intended paycheck for services rendered, it was the coach’s first year here. Also, he had nothing to do with bringing the player under discussion to Washington. I shall refrain from criticizing the man.

After watching the way Shanahan handled this 2011 NFL Draft, I am even less inclined to judge.

The Redskins' coach did just about what I expected him to do, both in terms of maneuvering trades to get more picks and in the positions he drafted.

By trading back with several teams throughout the event, Shanahan was able to double the amount of players drafted from the original allotment and so add some much-needed depth to the team. When it was all said and done, Shanahan had made deals with six different teams and Washington ended up with the most draft picks it has had since 1985. Well done.

This team must get better on defense to compete (they plummeted to a ranking of 31^st last season). Shanahan addressed that need and others. He focused on both sides of the ball by drafting six defensive players (two backs, four linemen), three wide receivers (one of which is also a return specialist), two running backs, and an offensive lineman.

I give Shanahan & Co. a high passing grade for the event. One of the things I noticed was the emphasis on character drafted into his locker room. Many of the draftees’ scouting reports list intangibles like “hard working” and “team leader.”

Ryan Kerrigan (DE/OLB, Purdue), the Redskins’ first round draft pick, has strengths of “Team leader” and “Intelligent with solid work ethic” listed on WalterFootball.com. Even better is, “Person of high character. Outstanding work ethic on and off the field. Named 2010 team captain. Received team's Pit Bull Award (exemplified and sustained tenacity and intense play) during 2009 spring practices. Named team's MVP in 2009. Three-time Academic All Big Ten” on another website.

This youngster sounds like someone Joe Gibbs would love.

The great thing is that this type of narrative is typical for several of the rookies.  For instance, there is:

Jarvis Jenkins, DL, Clemson (Round 2, 41^st overall) – “Good motor... Disciplined,” “Team captain. Improving as a leader and is learning to trust his coaching more as he matures.”

Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (Round 3, 79^th overall) – “Good character” and “Tough kid with good intangibles,”  “Great work ethic. Will pay the price. Matured during career at Miami. One of the most improved players on the team in 2009…” “…continues to improve in 2010 due to hard work.”

Roy Helu, RB, Nebraska (Round 4, 105^th overall) – “High character, respected by teammates,” “Has taken the leadership reigns offensively this past off-season. Hard worker both on and off the field. Active in community service.”

DeJon Gomes, DB, Nebraska (Round 5, 146^th overall) – “Active in the community and charity work,” ”Accountable and well-respected by teammates and coaches. A film rat and puts in the necessary time to be successful.”

Evan Royster, RB, Penn State (Round 6, 177^th overall) – “…not the type that is boisterous or a ‘chest beater’ preferring to let his performance on the field speak volumes for his… ability,” “…tireless work ethic,” “…quiet warrior,”  “Few young players carry themselves off the field like he does, making family and staff proud to be part of his life on the football field and away from the game.”

Maurice Hurt, OL, Florida (Round 7, 217^th overall) –“Respectful to teammates and coaches. Self-motivated and will work to improve as a football player. Passionate about football.”

Markus White, DE, Florida State (Round 7, 224^th overall) – “Earned captain honors for seven games in 2010 and was voted a permanent team captain after the season. Has worked hard to improve as a football player since arriving to the program in 2008. Has very good football character.”

Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia (Round 7, 253^rd overall) – “Developed into the leader and pace setter along the defensive line. Selected as a team captain during senior campaign. Awarded the John Russell award by the coaches during his junior season (2009) for his leadership skills.”

Considering the problem that Shanahan had last season with the afore-referenced defensive lineman, it’s no surprise that he would go out of his way to draft high character guys into his locker room.

The team basically gave a LOT of money to a player that made the most minimal of contributions to the team possible while still getting the check. Perhaps, with the character that these new rookies possess, they will make up for some of the missing effort from last year. Could youth combined with character be that "thing" that could have gotten ten more yards or possibly three more points last season? Could that have been the difference between winning and losing a few of those close games?

There are a lot of great guys wearing the burgundy and gold right now and I am not insinuating that any of them (save one) gave less than all they had last season. But there were off-the-field distractions that could subconsciously affect the hardest of workers. There was the issue of the wear and tear over the years on our guys that must be factored into the equation of wins vs. losses.

I will not predict any sort of record for the coming season at this point and obviously, we don't know how many of the rookies will make the team. I will say, however that the intangibles, youth and talent that some of these young recruits bring to the table, added to the character already in the locker room, could mean that the 2011 Washington Redskins just might end up over .500.  This, my fellow fans, constitutes a winning season.

Hail.

Washington Redskins 2011 NFL Draft: Immediate Impact Critical

Marcell Dareus

NFL head and position coaches all across the league are salivating over some of the elite players in this year’s very talented NFL draft. And why not? What coach wouldn’t give his headset for an Aldon Smith or Cameron Jordan? These young men will likely make an immediate impact for the teams that draft them (this, of course, is assuming there will be football in 2011).

There are any number of draft moves that would help the Washington Redskins this year and we can only guess at whether head coach Mike Shanahan will draft the best player on the board with the teams’ first-round pick or draft for need. (Perhaps there is no distinction between the two?) This is a very talented draft class. It would almost be impossible to go wrong - whoever they draft. And whoever that player is needs to make an immediate impact on the team if they are to be more competitive in 2011.

Quality first round draft pick players have the potential to make serious contributions to their teams in their rookie years. In the last 10 years, the Redskins' organization has been fraught with instability and uncertainty, except during the short reign of Hall of Fame head coach Joe Gibbs. On either side of those years, there was no continuity in the coaching staff and the system. Those players that were play-makers on the team were stifled by the instability and winning seasons were the exception rather than the norm. The first round athletes in this years' draft can make a difference quickly and help this team win.

Think about LaDainian Tomlinson, Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Terrell Suggs, Andre Johnson and Kevin Williams. These were all first round guys who made major contributions to their teams in their rookie years.

That's not to say that the Redskins haven't had some great first round picks. We had LaVar Arrington, Chris Samuels, (the late, great) Sean Taylor (RIP), Carlos Rogers, LaRon Landry, Brian Orakpo and Trent Williams who all came in and contributed. But there were also years when the team had no first round picks because they had been traded away for free agents that may or may not have made notable contributions to the team. Ouch.

In the second year of a regime in which we have a Super Bowl winning coach and lingering high hopes, Redskins fans are ready for results. There are guys in this 2011 draft that can provide them.

Identifying the draft needs of the Redskins is easy because they (ahem) don’t have too many. They only need a few players on the defensive line, at outside linebacker and at the cornerback position. Oh yea… and all along the offensive line they need depth. They could also use a running back and yes, a quarterback. And, oops… I forgot about a special teams position or two. It’s not that much… right?

OK, fine… so I’m a wise guy.

The possibility that Shanahan will trade the 10^th pick (overall) back to get more picks is high. In Washington’s draft War Room, they will have plans for every situation and we won’t know what’s going to happen until it does. For the sake of this prose, I’m going to work on the premise that Shanahan & Co. will use the 10^th and 41^st draft picks overall without trading up or down.

In 2010, the team switched from the 4-3 defensive scheme that they had played for a zillion years to the 3-4. Disaster ensued. Shanahan should have (my favorite phrase) phased in the new scheme more gradually (but that’s another discussion for another day).  It was a sad testament to how difficult it is to convert schemes in a single year when we saw a consistently high-ranking Redskins defense go from one of the top ten (or even top five a few times) to 31^st in the league last season.

Two positions that would immediately make the Redskins’ defense better are a good pass rushing end and a pure nose tackle. While Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo handled the transition to the 3-4 system well, his stats suffered due to the lack of the right personnel - the right nose tackle - pushing people around up front and distracting offensive linemen. D-tackle Ma’ake Kemoeatu did not come back as quickly from his injured Achilles heel as predicted and, while Anthony Bryant filled in well towards the end of the season, he is close to 30-years old. The 'Skins need to get younger along the defensive line

Nose tackle is not a glamorous position though and, while I personally think Washington should draft one early, I would be surprised if they did… especially if any of the aforementioned “elite” potential draftees are still on the board at #10. Another bookend to compliment Orakpo would make a huge difference for Washington. I can think of several talented young players that would make an immediate impact along the line.

A lot of draft gurus have suggested that the Redskins should take Texas A&M’s Von Miller or North Carolina’s Robert Quinn but the guy I’d most like to see the Redskins take (and for which I’ll probably get some grief) at defensive end is J.J. Watt (6’5”, 290 lbs. out of Wisconsin). Watt is a natural pass rusher and a beast. He has long, long arms and can defend the run. Also, he’s a “character” guy and after last year, the Redskins need this. It doesn’t even bother me that he’s skipped his senior year to go into the draft.

Football fans have all heard about Aldon Smith (6’4”, 263 lbs., DE out of Missouri) and it's true that he would be a good fit opposite Orakpo. Not having some of the off-field issues that other guys have had is a plus.

Here’s the thing however... what if, the Redskins did acquire a nose tackle with that #10 pick?

The 3-4 scheme will work most effectively - the way it was designed - with the anchor of a good nose tackle. Washington has enough talent at the other D-line positions that, if all they could do is draft that one position, they could get seriously better defensively in 2011, even as the rest of the squad continued to learn their jobs.

Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus would be a good acquisition for Washington. At 6’3”, 319 lbs., he is bit lighter than some of the other nose tackles available but an upside is that he is listed as a defensive end, defensive tackle and nose tackle. He is versatile.  NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith says that Dareus has a “…tremendous amount of talent and upside.” If Bruce Smith likes him, that’s another plus.

The D-tackle ran the 40 in 4.92 at the Combine. That shows athleticism.

There were rumors earlier in the week that Washington has talked to the Denver Broncos whose first-round pick is number two overall. The Broncos have a need for a defensive tackle and there are mock drafts out there that have them taking Dareus. Hmm… could the Redskins be thinking of moving up rather than back?

Baylor’s Phil Taylor has been ranked to go in the first or second round. He is 6’3”, currently listed at 334 lbs. and is more the prototypical nose tackle. Heavier than Dareus, he ran a 5.18 40 at the Combine - faster than projected - and that speaks well of his work ethic. His scouting report lists some his attributes as: “Massive frame, carries weight well, great strength and power.” It goes on to say that he has “violent quick hands” that he “uses well,” that he can “push the pocket with bull rush,” that he is a “space eater who occupies blockers” and that he has a “mean streak.”

What more could you ask for in a nose tackle?

Dareus’ scouting report lists some of the same attributes as Taylor including the ability to “shed blockers.” He might not have the size and/or power that the Baylor tackle has but he had a good pro day. Either of these young men would make an immediate impact in Washington.

Were the Redskins to use the 10^th pick on a position other than nose tackle, there are others at the position the team could take later, if available, with their second round pick (41^st overall). Hampton’s Kenrick Ellis (he is heavier at 346 lbs. but unfortunately, is listed as  having some work ethic concerns) or Jerrell Powell out of Ole Miss are just a couple of them.

Again, I’m focusing here on the scenario of the Redskins keeping the 10^th and 41^st picks. While I am as anxious for the 'Skins to find a franchise quarterback as the next fan, I would be surprised if Washington was able to take one in the first round. They’ll never get Auburn’s Cam Newton (the Carolina Panthers are reportedly looking hard at him and they pick first overall) or Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert (Washington would have to fight with the Buffalo Bills at number three overall) unless Shanahan trades up. Hopefully, they will find a QB later and either Washington’s Jake Locker or Florida State’s Christian Ponder would be worthy of any pick beyond the first round. TCU’s Andy Dalton, 6’2, 215 lbs. is more recently making noise in the news and there are mock draft gurus who grade him as a decent quarterback if he gets – and accepts - some coaching up.

Call me overly optimistic but, before they spend the early picks on a player like  Alabama wide out Julio Jones or Georgia’s A.J. Green (who will likely be unavailable anyway), I’d like to see the receivers that they have given a chance to progress through the second year of the offense. Receiver Malcolm Kelly was put on injured reserve last year rather than released for a reason. Why go out and draft a receiver when Kelly, at 6’4”, could be the end zone, jump-ball player the Redskins have needed since they drafted him?  The guy is healthy (actually, he was before the end of last season) and talented. Recall Shanahan’s mantra: “You wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think you gave us the best chance to win.”

I say bring back Santana Moss, let Anthony Armstrong do what we know he can do, give Kelly a chance to SHOW us what he can do and keep the 41^st overall pick for a d-lineman; Locker or Ponder; or an offensive lineman to protect whatever quarterback Washington ends up with (don’t even get me started on the McNabb debacle).

I’d be ecstatic if Florida State guard Rodney Hudson was still available at the 41^st pick though he probably won’t be (the New England Patriots could take him). USC’s offensive tackle Tyron Smith could be an important addition with the expiration of right tackle Jammal Brown's contract. Offensive line depth has been neglected for so long that I almost hate to suggest the Redskins take any other position in the first or second rounds.

The other position that could be addressed is running back (Alabama’s Mark Ingram visited Ashburn yesterday) only because Washington’s guys are still unproven or have some issues. We know what Ryan Torain can do. He justified Shanahan's keeping him last season but he needs to stay healthy. Keiland Williams only carried the ball 65 times last year. While he showed flashes of talent, we didn’t see enough to really know.

I like Redskins' RBs Chad Simpson and James Davis. They both have experience but the former did not carry the ball at all last season and the latter, while only carrying the ball 15 times in three games, had an 11.3 yards-per-carry average. Not bad.

The cornerback and safety positions have a few question marks in 2011 but they are not dire. DeAngelo Hall’s record speaks for itself (as does he) and new Redskins safety A.J. Atogwe is an upgrade at the position.

Once the CBA is completed, some position issues could be addressed via free agency. I do think that the team should not waste first and second round draft picks on positions that are not critical.

The two lines – offensive and defensive - are two critical areas of need for the Washington Redskins. Whether the team keeps the 10^th and 41^st picks overall, or trades back to get more, these are the positions that need to be addressed in the draft first. In my humble opinion, unless Shanahan somehow finesses the acquisition of one of the class's highly ranked quarterbacks, a solid nose tackle would address a critical need and benefit the team the most.

As always... Hail.

POLL: How Should the Redskins Handle the Quarterback Position in 2011?

Donovan McNabb should remain
the Redskins starting QB in 2011

The Washington Redskins are going into their second year under the regime of General Manager Bruce Allen and head coach Mike Shanahan and, while I knew that the team had gone through a lot of signal callers over the years, I have never stopped to count. I was surprised to find the number was so high. Dan Daly ofThe Washington Times pointed out in an article today that the Redskins have had 17 quarterbacks in the last 17 years. His question, therefore, pertaining to this-coming season of "will 18 be the lucky number?" is a relevant one. Personally, I'd like the number to stay at 17 because this would mean that Donovan McNabb would remain the team's quarter back. But...

17 quarterbacks in 17 years. Wow.

McNabb hardly got a fair shake last season. After Shanahan said over and over that learning a new system is like learning a new language, the head coach and son/offensive coordinator Kyle gave McNabb less than one season to learn this new "language."

Backup quarterback Rex Grossman called the signals in the last games of the season and third string quarterback John Beck is still under contract. With the 10th pick in the draft, there have been mock drafts and predictions of any number of college players that Allen and Shanahan could pick, some of which have been quarterbacks and some of which have been offensive/defensive linemen and/or wide receivers.

Obviously, only those on the inside know what this team is going to do about the most important position on the field, whether it's through the draft or, if/when it hopefully arrives, free agency.

There are many different opinions out there. I'd like to know what YOU think should happen at the Washington Redskins quarterback position in 2011.

The NFL CBA: Zero Hour Negotiations and Revenue

It’s no secret that NFL players, coaches, owners, fans and the industry surrounding the game of professional football are extremely concerned about what is going to happen when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on March 4, 2011.

Some owners and coaches are acting in anticipation of a season without football. Teams have laid off workers. Free agency movement is slow. The NFL Scouting Combine and 2011 NFL Draft are the only events that are sure to take place.

Commissioner Roger Goodell has indicated that he wants to get negotiations completed – or at least begun - before the ‘critical’ deadline of March 4^th but not much could happen until the last minute according to NFL outside labor counsel Bob Batterman. The attorney spoke on an Atlanta, GA radio station recently and said that it’s not unusual for negotiations in situations like this to not progress at all right up to the deadline or beyond.

“Unfortunately, it is in the nature of collective bargaining,” he said. “It is a process in which it is usually deadline bargaining. Sometimes you do go over the edge. It is not usual when there are difficult, contentious issues that you have an early resolution.”

There are certainly “difficult, contentious issues” in this negotiation. Not only has an 18-game season been added to the table, there are revenue-sharing issues between team markets, owners and players; medical care and insurance issues, safety issues and basic money issues surrounding the salary cap, rookie pay and more.

The issues are complicated. However, the bottom line is a lack of equality (perceived or not) between the players and the owners. Whether it is revenue sharing of television profits or enough money for players to get proper medical care after they stop playing the game, it all comes down to the almighty dollar in one way or the other.

The issue of the owners receiving revenue from the TV networks whether football is played or not has been publicized but not correctly interpreted by the media according to Batterman. Whereas many think that the Snyder’s and Jones’ of the world will get a check from FOX even if there are no games played next year, Batterman says that no cash will cross any palms. Rather, credit will be given for when the games are finally played. Owners’ wallets will not become fatter, in other words.

To be believed when it is seen.

“This is an issue which has been so misreported,” Batterman said during the interview. “The owners have the right under circumstances to draw down payments from some of the broadcasters even if there is a work stoppage but it is not a cash payment which they get to keep. It is like a line of credit.  It is like a home equity loan. They have to pay it back the following year with interest, with significant interest. All it is [is] the equivalent of another bank line of credit. That is all. It is not something where if they draw down the money it is a gift from the network.”

“Draw down payments…” and “not a cash payment...” These words are contradictions in terms. It’s no wonder there is confusion about the issues.

Batterman feels the need to make a distinction between the owners' “revenue” and their “profit.” When asked about the accuracy of reported $9 billion in annual NFL revenues he says, "It is close, but that is revenue not profits. That is revenue.”

Anyone who’s taken a basic economics class knows that (in simple terms) revenue is the total amount of monies made from product sales before any operating overhead or expenses (i.e., bills) are paid. Profit is the amount of money left over after payment of operating expenses. R – OE = P. So revenue less all of the costs or expenses leaves the profits.

Hey… even if the billions of dollars that the owners make annually are “revenue” and not “profit,” we are still talking about a lot of money here. It’s not hundreds of dollars. It’s not thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. We are not even talking about millions or tens of millions here. The issue is about billions of dollars. Fans who are scraping to pay their water bills and buy gas to go to work are having a problem getting upset for the owners who want more whether the current state of affairs is equal or not. Especially because it is the players providing the entertainment that are getting beat up on the field.

Recently, the owners and the union agreed to meet with a federal mediator for a week in an effort to come to some resolution. It is non-binding mediation but mediation all the same. Since at this point, they have barely been able to decide when to meet, much less how to come to some common ground between the very difficult issues, I heartily applaud this step.

"This is not binding on the parties," said Seth H. Borden, according to The Washington Post. "The role of the mediator is to try to find common ground and narrow the areas of dispute between them. He's going to be working with what he has to work with. At the end of the day, if one party or the other feels it's not productive, they can withdraw from the process."

While things may be starting to move forward, they likely won't move forward in earnest until the zero hour. A previously scheduled owners meeting for March 3 in Fort Lauderdale, FL was just changed to be held on March 2^nd near Dulles Airport according to Mark Maske. Well, every little bit helps. One day is definitely a little bit earlier.

Now, if both sides (and in my opinion it is the owners that need to give the most on the issues) can agree that to keep football on the field is the most important thing here, things could move quickly once they actually start meaningful communication.

Arizona Cardinals kicker and player representative Jay Feely has the right perspective on things. “We have record revenue, we have record TV ratings, we have record worth of franchises and players have never made more money,” he said according to nfllabor.com. "It is inherent on both sides to find a way to get a deal done."

From a fan perspective, a lockout is unacceptable. Football must be played in 2011.

Washington Redskins: Multiple Needs Means Hard Choices in 2011 Draft

Just for kicks, I went through as many mock drafts as I could find to see the different positions NFL draft gurus are predicting the Washington Redskins will take with their 10^th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The list was actually pretty long. As usual, there are a lot of opinions out there but with the needs of the team being so long, this is no surprise.

The issue of what happens with quarterback Donovan McNabb will play a part in who the Redskins select in the first round as will needs for depth along both the offensive and defensive line. There is popular thinking that the wide receiver corps needs additions though I haven't thoroughly bought into that thinking... yet. The Redskins have some hard decisions to make.

Most Redskins fans already know that Mel Kiper, Jr. of ESPN believes that Auburn’s Cam Newton from Auburn University is the man for the job. He is not the only one who thinks so but he is one who people watch.

"I think [Redskins head coach Mike] Shanahan needs to address this position with a young quarterback”, Kiper said according to the Washington Post. “He went the veteran route with [quarterback Donovan] McNabb. It didn't work," Kiper said. "I think he needs to bring in -- as he did in Denver [where] he drafted [Jay] Cutler out of Vanderbilt -- to get a young quarterback that he can mold."

Newton ended the year with a 66.1% completion ratio. Strong points for him are his size (6’5^1/2”) and ability to run. In terms of a body of work from which to evaluate, there isn’t much on the Tiger because he only played one full season as a senior. But, with his size and raw talent, I can see why Kiper thinks Newton might work for the Redskins.

It would be strange if the Redskins took another quarterback from Auburn in the first round but it could happen. Hopefully, Newton would have a better career in the nation’s capital than now Oakland Raiders’ quarterback Jason Campbell, who former Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs picked in the first round of the 2005 draft.

WalterFootball.com has the University of Missouri's quarterback Blaine Gabbert as a good match for the Redskins at number 10, saying his is the best quarterback available and suggesting that he could fit into head coach Mike Shanahan's offense.

One of the problems with Gabbert according to some is his inaccuracy. The Missouri offense is “gimmicky,” he has a 63.4% completion ratio and he has reportedly not always been motivated enough to stay in shape. Maybe this would not be such a good fit. Redskins fans know how Shanahan feels about his players being in ‘football shape’.

He is another big guy – 6’5” - which is helpful but the Redskins do not need another player – especially in a high-profile position like quarterback - with any sort “issues.”

If it is true that he has somewhat of a bad attitude (one scout compared him to the Oakland Raiders former number one draft pick JaMarcus Russell), I would be surprised if Shanahan really wanted him. A strong arm and size are good but, as with the 'football shape' issue, we know how things go with players that have bad attitudes at Redskins Park.

Jake Locker of the University of Washington is another name in the mix for the Redskins at number 10. Matt Millen, of the NFL Network, thinks highly of Locker. He said the other day during a Senior Bowl pre-game show that Locker’s abilities are off the chart. Millen agrees with Mike Mayock (NFL Network) that he has amazing skills. At a 55.4% completion ratio, he is another one that needs to work on his accuracy but his rating is 124.2. Millen thinks he will measure well at the combine.

Like anything, opinion runs the gambit on this young man and, while Millen thinks he is raw enough that he would do well to be mentored for a year or two behind a veteran quarterback, others believe he is NFL-ready – perhaps the most ready in this year’s class.

A couple of mock draft groups have explored whether the University of Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett would be a good fit for the Redskins at number 10 but none have stuck with him that I can find. The Razorback looks more like a pro-style quarterback than Locker or Newton.  His completion ratio, at  64.7% is comparable but at 6’6”, he is bigger than the other quarterbacks.  At that size, you’d think he’d be hard to bring down. I love his rushing statistics:  Mallett rushed 44 times this past year and logged -74 yards. Hmm.... He did make 4 rushing TD’s though, even with a -1.7 yards-per-attempt average.

I looked at 20 mock drafts and a few had the Redskins taking other positions besides quarterback. Footballsfuture.com has the Skins taking Julio Jones, a wide receiver from Alabama. At 6’4”, here would be the big wide out that many feel the Redskins need to round out their receiving corps and compliment standout receiver Santana Moss. Jones is considered to be a brave player, unafraid to get hit, who caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and an average-per-catch of 14.5 yards and seven touchdowns. Being tall helps a lot as long as you concentrate on catching the ball and it is in this regard - the concentration - that some folks have concerns.

Another mock draft has the Redskins taking a much-needed defensive end and, in this case, it is Cameron Jordon out of the University of California. According to his college bio, the first-team All-Pac-10 player finished the season with 175 tackles (88 unassisted, 87 assisted), including 34 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks. He has one interception that he returned for three yards, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries that he returned twice for touchdowns.

According to mockingthedraft.com, Jordan is ahead of many of the DE’s in this year’s draft class because he has so many powerful pass rush moves and because he is quick off of the snap. While these are great attributes, this group feels he isn’t particularly fast on stunts. If this is the case (I haven’t yet watched any game film on Jordan looking for this) this will give him trouble with the speed he finds once he gets to the pros.

The other defensive player I found being picked for the Redskins was OLB/DE Aldon Smith from the University of Missouri.  What bothers me about the 6’5” Missouri Tiger is that he will be going into the NFL straight from his third year of college. Apparently a gifted athlete, the redshirt sophomore feels he can handle the pros. Obviously that doesn’t mean he can. Time will tell.

In all, I looked at 20 drafts. A lot of them predicted first a quarterback and then allowed a “but… if they don’t take him, they might take this guy.” These "but maybe's" were all either wide receivers or defensive linemen – the defensive positions especially a real need in Washington.

I did not see any mock drafts with offensive linemen predicted or suggested. The Redskins addressed this last year by selecting left tackle Trent Williams in the first round (4^thoverall). It's a Catch-22 situation... there are so many other areas on the team needing help, I would suspect the O-line will not be addressed in the first round this year. By the same token, one of the reasons the team is hurting so badly on the line is because the offensive line positions have been so badly neglected in the draft in the last 10 years.

What's a team to do?

Even if Nate Solder (offensive tackle, University of Colorado) were still available at number 10, the Redskins already have their talented, young left tackle with Williams.

But since depth along the line has always been an issue, it would not make me mad if they went after someone like Michael Pouncey (guard/center, University of Florida) to compete with – and possibly win the job of center or right guard with the Redskins.

Not an offensive lineman but an interesting thought is A.J. Green (wide receiver, Georgia) who unfortunately will not still be around at number 10 (the Cincinnati Bengals could use him at #4). Having had to sit out of the first four games of the 2010 Georgia season because of a suspension, he drops down a notch in the “character guy” department. His forced hiatus was because he sold a jersey to a person in the NCAA classified as an “agent”.  The infraction does not seem like a serious locker room problem… it’s only that he didn’t “think things through” according to Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I don't think this is as bad as refusing to talk to a head coach, driving drunk or any other number of violations that have been known to be committed by Washington Redskins’ players.

As is the nature of the beast (the NFL beast), the mock drafts will likely change many times before the Big Day arrives. On the assumption that Mike Shanahan and Co. will have done their homework, let us hope that this April 28, they fulfill the head coach's mantra and select for "what's in the best interest of the organization."