Let There Be Football

Yeah, so I had intended this site to be a little more consistently used. Somewhere along the way I forgot that I even had this blog set up so in basically two years this is my 2nd post. Sad. This means I missed out on commenting on a number of things revolving around my favorite teams: Larry Drew's transfer, UNC's NIT season, UNC's football scandal, the Redskins being mediocre AGAIN, the Cardinals losing out in the NL Central AGAIN due mainly to a bullpen that my mom would improve, my joy that any team not named the Miami Heat won the NBA title, etc.

So, as I endeavor to actually turn this into a more consistent sports blog, I have to turn my attention to the upcoming football season, especially since my Cards are about a kajillion games behind Milwaukee for the NL Central lead and a kajillion minus one games behind Atlanta for the wild card. Anyway, it's time for football and we're only two weeks away from the NFL regular season. Yeah baby.

So, if you take the time to read my first post from 2009 (which why should you it's nearly 2 years old), you'll find out that my favorite team is the Washington Redskins. Okay, stop making fun of me. I said stop it! I get it. We've got a bad owner...okay maybe that's not fair. Dan Snyder is probably what any of us would be if we were billionaires and could buy our favorite sports franchise. We, as fans, just don't like to admit it. But yeah, if I could've bought the Redskins I probably would've started out treating it like a fantasy football team moreso than a real football team. Fortunately, it appears that Mr. Snyder either has hit early senility or has matured as an owner because beginning with this past offseason, the Redskins have actually looked like a franchise trying to build a real football team. That is completely due to the presence of Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan. I know a lot of my fellow Skins fans are less than enamored with Shanny and I can certainly understand it. The man has an ego a Mile High (yes, pun intended about the former Broncos coach). But, let me ask you this. Do you want a guy with an ego who truly believes that he is God's gift to football or a Jim Zorn who knew that he was lucky to have a head coaching job gift wrapped for him due to the ineptitude of the franchise's owner? I'll deal with Shanny's ego because if he ultimately doesn't win he gets fired anyway. Bruce Allen is the key though. For the first time in the Snyder era, the Skins have a legitimate general manager and not just another Dan Snyder "yes man". You don't think it has made a difference? Look at the Redskins offseason.

The Skins didn't trade away draft picks like they caused the plague this year. Instead, they traded down a few times and acquired more picks. That's the type of move a team makes when it is trying to bring in young talent. The Skins ended up with 12 picks by the end of the draft. Now, some of those guys may not be on the final roster after the last preseason game and some may be on the "taxi squad". However, they did draft some players who could and should make an impact this season.

First pick was Ryan Kerrigan a defensive end in a college 4-3 scheme who is being asked to convert to OLB in a pro 3-4. Fortunately for Mr. Kerrigan, he is playing opposite Bryan Orakpo who draws the attention of any blocking scheme used against the Skins. This allows Kerrigan some leeway as far as learning the position and gives him an opportunity to make plays in one-on-one situations. He has shown solid progression in the preseason and, in my opinion, will only get better as the season goes on.

Our second pick was Jarvis Jenkins out of Clemson. Sadly, he tore up his knee early in the last preseason game against Baltimore and is out for the year. It is a shame because he was showing great progress and looked like a potential starter at nose tackle. We'll have to wait another year to see what impact he will make on this team.

Third pick was Leonard Hankerson, a WR out of Miami. Hankerson comes in with a bit of a reputation for dropping passes which is not exactly a good thing. His senior season at Miami was pretty good with an average of over 16 ypc and 13 touchdowns. He won't start immediately as I fully expect Santana Moss, Jabar Gaffney and Anthony Armstrong to be the top 3 guys early. However, I think Hankerson will get more playing time as the season progresses and would not be surprised to see him competing for a starting spot next year.

After Hankerson, the Skins went on a Cornhusker run by drafting 3 straight prospects out of Nebraska. The most promising of the 3 has been Roy Helu. Due to Ryan Torain's injury issues, Helu has seen a lot of time as the 2nd RB behind Tim Hightower (more on him when I discuss free agency/trades). Helu has looked impressive. Right now, I'm of the opinion that Torain is going to have to work pretty hard not to get knocked to #3 on the depth chart going into the season. DeJon Gomes was another 'Husker pick who should provide depth in the defensive backfield, potentially as a nickel back down the road. Niles Paul may get caught up in a numbers crunch at WR as could 6th round pick Aldrick Robinson. Paul has seen more PT in the preseason of those two, but you're talking about a rotation that already includes Moss, Gaffney, Armstrong, Hankerson, Dontae Stallworth, and Terrence Austin. Maybe Paul spends a year on the taxi squad as well.

After that, there are your typical 6th/7th round picks. Guys who may end up released, may end up on the taxi squad, or may end up at the bottom of the roster looking for "spot" duty or a role on special teams.

Evan Royster, RB Penn St.- Not sure where he can possibly fit on a roster that has Hightower, Helu and Torain.

Brandyn Thompson, DB Boise St.- Another guy fighting for a spot as a defensive reserve or special teams performer, but has not gotten as much time as Gomes which could spell trouble for Thompson.

Maruice Hurt, OL Florida- The Skins thinnest area is probably offensive line which means that, for better or worse, Hurt will probably make the roster as a reserve.

Markus White, OLB Florida St.- White hasn't looked bad in preseason opportunities. He may latch on as a reserve.

Chris Neild, DT West Virginia- Neild hasn't made a huge impact, but the Skins are thin with the Jenkins injury at NT, so unless they pick up someone off the waiver wire, Neild has a chance.

Next blog will discuss free agents and trades made by the Skins this offseason.