Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Redskins still last in home-grown starts

Since Mike Shanahan became the coach of the Redskins, there has been a major emphasis on acquiring talent through the draft. That has been particularly true over the past two drafts where they selected a combined 21 players, the most in the NFL over that time.

However, they are recovering from over a decade during which the organization had a propensity to try to build a winner by whipping out the checkbook for free agents and by trading away draft picks for veteran players. They have a long way to go before they can say that they were build through the draft.

In fact, in 2011 no NFL team had fewer games started by its own draft picks than the Redskins. Of a total of 352 starts (22 starters times 16 games), draft picks made 121 of them. 

In contrast, 266 of the Panthers’ starts were by their own draftees as were 264 of the Steelers’ and 257 of the 49ers’.

There does appear to be a link between being successful and having home grown players make up the bulk of your starters. The top 10 teams in terms of starts by their own draft picks had a combined record of 89-71 while the 10 teams with the fewest drafted starters went 72-88.

It should be pointed out that this is not any kind of ironclad rule. The two Super Bowl teams, the Giants and Patriots, ranked 20^th and 26^th in starts by their own draft picks, respectively. 

 

Other division top picks will be after RG3

Everyone knows that Robert Griffin III, the Redskins’ top draft pick, will make an impact on the 2012 team and that they should be better because of it. 

That’s good for the Redskins because the other three teams in the division could also be improved due to the presence of their first-round draft picks. Washington traded up to get Griffin and two of the other NFC East teams traded up to get players they hope will help stop RG3.

A look at the other NFC East first rounders:

Morris Claiborne, CB, Cowboys (6^th pick)–He was touted as the best defensive player in the 2012 draft and the Cowboys, who traded up to the sixth overall pick to take him, will need him to be very good if not great. Dallas secondary has been the team’s Achilles heel for quite some time and Jerry Jones spent a high draft pick on Claiborne and some hefty free agent dollars on Brandon Carr to transform the cornerback spot from a soft spot into an area of strength.

Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles (12^th pick)–Cox could come at Griffin from just about anywhere along the Eagles’ defensive line. He’s a freakish athlete who could spend a number of years blowing into the offensive backfield and disrupting the Redskins’ zone stretch play. Philly moved up from 15^th in the first round to 12^th to nap Cox.

David Wilson, RB, Giants (31^st pick)–Ahmad Bradshaw had better be careful. If he has any more injuries like the foot problem that kept him out of our games last year and limited him in others Wilson could take over and keep the job for good. Wilson is a deadly combination of speed and athletic ability, giving the Giants a player who take one all the way from anywhere on the field. It’s a good bet that he’ll have executed one of those plays that is all over TV on Sunday night and Monday by Week 4.

 

Draft picks signing at record pace

There are some as aspects of the NFL collective bargaining agreement that was ratified last summer that have not worked as advertised. There seems to be discontent over the amount of disciplinary power held by Roger Goodell and there has yet to be agreement on HGH testing.

But the rookie wage scale, a system that essentially results in preset contracts for each player in the draft, has been a smashing success. It was designed to save money that could be spent on veteran player salaries and to make sure that rookies signed quickly without training camp holdouts.

Per the NFL, 147 drafted players had signed contracts through Thursday, May 17. Here is now that compares to the number of signings through the entire month of May in previous years:

2011: 0 (NFL lockout prohibited contracts from being signed)
2010: 13
2009: 11
2008: 7
2007: 25
2006: 2
2005: 4

There were 253 players drafted last month so about 58 percent are in the fold. The Redskins are ahead of the pace, with six of their nine draft picks signed. It seems likely that it is just a matter of time until the Redskins get the other three, including Robert Griffin III, to sign on the line.

 

Rookie preview: Kirk Cousins

Kirk Cousins

Quarterback
Michigan State
Picked by Redskins in 4th round (102 overall)
6-3, 214

The need: When the Redskins drafted Cousins with in the fourth round, the immediate reaction was that they should have used the pick to address an area of need. Last time we checked, NFL teams need backup quarterbacks. Rex Grossman can fill the role but he is 31, on a one-year contract, and his propensity for turning the ball over does not make him an ideal guy to come off of the bench. Cousins was the third-best quarterback on the Redskins’ board and they simply thought they could not pass him up.

The fit: The scouts liked his decision making in the pocket and his coaches and teammates praised his leadership. That combination of talents make him an ideal backup quarterback. He is not as athletic a Robert Griffin III but few anywhere are and he should be able to step into Mike Shanahan’s offense fairly easily.

The depth chart: Griffin, as Shanahan said, “is the starter, period”. Grossman’s experience will probably keep him ahead of Cousins for the No. 2 job at the beginning of the season but Cousins has a shot to leapfrog Rex as the season goes on. 

Cousins’ upside: There is no question that Cousins can develop into a starting NFL quarterback but where that might be is up in the air. Griffin is the Redskins’ future, although Cousins could serve as insurance if the unthinkable happens and RG3 is injured or doesn’t pan out. Or if he shows promise the Redskins could trade him in two or three years. And Cousins might have to wait for his contract to be up four years from now before he gets his opportunity.

Shanahan on Cousins: “So if you see a guy, a quality player that you can get in the fourth round like we did, that is one or two plays away from being the starter, hopefully it doesn’t happen, but you ought to be prepared if it does. Getting a chance to know [Cousins], to know what type of guy he is, to know what he brings to the table, I thought it was a steal for us at that position. With as many draft choices that we were able to get throughout the draft, I was pleased at the end result.”

Cousins on Cousins: “Well, I think I’m going to take one step at a time and right now my job will be to go into rookie minicamp and pick up on the playbook and work as hard as I can going forward to make the team, and then have an impact on that team.  But certainly with Robert Griffin, there’s a lot of hope in him being the future.  I’m just excited to be a part of the organization and do whatever I need to do to help that team win football games.”

Previously:

•  G Adam Gettis
•  T Tom Compton
• S Jordan Bernstine
• G Josh LeRibeus

 

Keenan Robinson signs his contract with Redskins

The Redskins have announced via the team’s official Twitter feed that linebacker Keenan Robinson, a fourth-round pick of the team in last month’s draft, has signed with the team.

According to media reports the deal is for four years and is worth $2.52 million with a $420,000 signing bonus.

As has become the custom recently in case anyone should doubt them, the Redskins tweeted out a picture of Robinson signing his deal at the team facility along with the announcement.

Robinson will play inside linebacker for the Redskins and the team could be eyeing him as London Fletcher’s possible successor.

Another player will have to be released to make room for Robinson on the 90-man roster. The player’s name was not immediately known.

The signing leaves only the top three of the team's nine draft picks unsigned. The three are quarterback Robert Griffin III, guard Josh LeRibeus, and quarterback Kirk Cousins.  

Update: The team's press release on the Robinson signing is below.

ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Redskins announced today that they have signed 2012 fourth-round draft pick linebacker Keenan Robinson (119^th overall). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Robinson (6-3, 242) played collegiately at Texas for four seasons, where he appeared in 51 games with 39 starts and was a two-time second team All-Big 12 selection (2010 & 2011). During his career, he posted 317 tackles (172 solo), 5.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback pressures, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 14 passes defensed.

Robinson, 22, started all 13 games as a senior in 2011, recording 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, one sack, one safety, 13 quarterback pressures, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He was also named the 2011 Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP.

Robinson was born on July 7, 1989, in Omaha, Neb. He prepped at Plano East (Texas) H.S., where he was named first-team All-American by both Parade Magazine and USAToday. He was a member of ESPNU's top 150 national prospects, and finished his high school career with 273 tackles. 

Rookie preview: Josh Leribeus

Josh LeRibeus

Guard

SMU
Picked by Redskins in 3^rd round (71 overall)
6-3, 312

The need: The Redskins found themselves scrambling last October after left guard Kory Lichtensteiger went out for the year with a torn ACL and MCL in the fifth game of the season. First they tried Erik Cook at center and moved Will Montgomery over to guard. When that didn’t work, rookie tackle Maurice Hurt was inserted into Lichtensteiger’s spot. That was better but far from ideal. By drafting LeRibeus and Adam Gettis, the Redskins hope to have serviceable depth in the short term and perhaps a starter in the long term.

The fit: LeRibeus is not as athletic as the prototypical Shanahan offensive lineman. He generally looks for linemen who run the 40 in the 5.0-second range. LeRibeus ran it in 5.37 at the combine. Still, he has both a good motor and a nasty streak and he generally finds a way to get his man blocked. He also practiced as the backup center at SMU and Shanahan has said that position flexibility will help players make the team. 

The depth chart: Lichtensteiger will be back, but probably not until training camp. That will leave an opening for someone, perhaps LeRibeus, to get extra work at left guard during OTA’s. Montgomery appears to be set at center and Chris Chester did not miss a snap at right guard last year. LeRibeus will compete with Hurt, Gettis, and Cook for reserve spots in the interior of the line.

LeRibeus’ upside: It would be surprising if LeRibeus is not starting at either guard or center within a couple of years. He is not going to be on anyone’s Pro Bowl ballot but he could be a solid long-term starter.

Shanahan on LeRibeus: “Here’s a guy that has pretty good size, does have quickness, plays the center or guard position, has the ability to play both, [and is] extremely bright. We’re very happy to get him.”

LeRibeus on LeRibeus: (on blocking scheme at SMU and how he likes the zone) “Man, it was more of a man-blocking scheme. More of a two-point [stance], two-point all the time actually.” (zone) “Oh, I love it. We did a lot of it in the Shrine game. Definitely feels more at home . . . The three-point stance is just exploding off of the ball. [It’s] definitely something I feel more comfortable with.”

Previously:

•  G Adam Gettis
•  T Tom Compton
• S Jordan Bernstine

 

Redskins hope to repeat successful succession with Robinson

When the Redskins drafted Keenan Robinson in the fourth round last month, they were doing what worked for them just two years ago.

In the 2010 draft, they tabbed LSU outside linebacker Perry Riley in the fourth round. He played on the outside for the Tigers but the Redskins had him pegged to succeed Rocky McIntosh, a pending free agent, on the inside next to London Fletcher. After playing just a handful of snaps on defense as a rookie, Riley took over the starting job from McIntosh midway through last season and, while he is still learning, he appears to be set for a long run at the position.

After signing the 37-year-old Fletcher to a two-year deal, one that presumably will be the last contract of his career, the Redskins got down to business with succession planning at his position. They saw the athletic ability and versatility they are looking for at the position in Robinson, who played both inside and outside linebacker at Texas.

“I try to play tough between the tackles. I’m good in pass coverage, that’s another element I bring to my game, and I feel like I can play sideline to sideline,” said Robinson after the Redskins’ rookie minicamp concluded on Sunday.

Although he believes he has some game, he realizes that being in the NFL is a different game altogether. “I feel like I’m a freshman starting out again and I’ll just have to work my way all the way back up,” he said.

If he didn’t realize that before, he did when the Redskins gave him their sizeable defensive playbook. “Yes, it was about a triple cheeseburger worth,” Robinson said with a smile.

Robinson’s approach to learning the playbook was similar to how he might eat that triple cheeseburger–one bite at a time. 

“Once you get the concepts down with the defense you can pick it up real quickly,” he said. “Once you just get the concepts and the terminology everything else kind of flows from there.”

Robinson was teammates with current Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo at Texas and he said that he has watched a lot of Redskins games because of that. He plans on learning a lot from Orakpo and from the man he could replace in 2014.

“I’m going to be right there, trying to learn everything I can from the [Fletcher] especially since he’s one of those guys who have done it for so long and able to play injury free,” said Robinson. “So I’m going to learn everything I can from him and use his advice to my advantage.”

 

Rookie preview: Jordan Bernstine

By Ben Standig
CSNwashington.com 

Jordan Bernstine

Safety
Iowa
5-10, 211

The need: The Redskins secondary is undergoing a major overhaul, especially at safety.  Underwhelming free agents Brandon Meriweather, Tanard Jackson and Madieu Williams joined the two holdovers, Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes. If that last sentence doesn’t scare you, nothing will. Should the veterans max out – especially Meriweather and Jackson - this unit could surprise. Regardless, hard to imagine anyone here being a mortal lock for the Week 1 roster.

The fit: Bernstine offers versatility – played both safety positions and corner at Iowa – and a big hitting presence. Size is legitimate and is combined with 4.4 speed. Primarily a strong safety last season, he started 11 games for the Hawkeyes and recorded a career-high 15 tackles against Michigan.

The depth chart: To make the final roster, Bernstine likely needs to pass either Meriweather or Doughty. If he shows ability to play both safety spots/ or strong plus corner at the pro level, could stick as final defensive back. Again, with no spots safe at safety, opportunity exists. Another potential tiebreaker could be Bernstine’s play on special teams. Averaged 24.4 yards on 30 kickoff returns and his physical attributes plus penchant for hitting make for an ideal chaser of kicks.

Bernstine’s upside: Even if he makes the final roster, hard to imagine Bernstine receiving many snaps on defense next season. However, should he exceed playing time expectations, could become a fan favorite if he lights up an opposing receiver or three. Realistically Bernstine has the look of a 2012 practice squad player.

Pro Football Weekly on Bernstine: “Has the size and mentality of a safety combined with the speed and explosion of a cornerback, as evidenced by his 41-inch vertical leap and broad jump of 10 feet 7 inches…Seeks the big hit, but tackles inconsistently and is not as instinctive as he is athletic. Durability has been an issue, though he could be attractive as a reserve DB/special-teamer.”

Bernstine on Bernstine: (on what he does well): “As far as my game, the biggest part of it is that I’m athletic and I like to put my face in there, which is why I felt I was a good fit at Iowa at strong safety. I mean, I like to hit.  I like to come down and be a factor in the run game, but I can also go out and cover tight ends or slot receivers.” 

Previously:

• G Adam Gettis
• T Tom Compton

 

Morris could be the right player in the right place

Running back Alfred Morris, the Redskins’ sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic, could be the right guy in the right place.

Morris said he was shocked when the phone rang during the draft and the Redskins’ head coach was on the other end. 

“‘He said, ‘This is Mike Shanahan, welcome to the Redskins,’” said Morris, who grew up a Redskins fan. “I was like, wow! It kind of floored me but I was excited, I told him thank you, thank you and ended up talking to [running backs] coach [Bobby] Turner.”

It wasn’t the first time that Morris had talked to Shanahan. He was a member of the South team at the Senior Bowl, the squad coached by the Redskins’ staff. Morris was a bit puzzled by Shanahan’s demeanor on the practice field. “He was just kind of quiet the whole time, he just walked around.”

Morris found out during last weekend’s rookie minicamp that he was seeing Shanahan’s normal practice-field manner. He is normally seen around the middle of the field observing the offense and the defense.

Morris believes that he is well prepared to play in Shanahan’s offense. His coach at FAU was Howard Schnellenberger and he was not one to get caught up in the trend towards the spread offense. 

“He was a big I-formation guy,” Morris said of Schnellenberger, who has been around so long he was the head coach of the Colts the year after they traded away Johnny Unitas. “I’ve been in the I formation, it helped me with my blocking skills, just running between the tackles . . . I definitely helped me transition over.”

Morris said that he is well aware of Shanahan’s history of taking running backs late in the draft and turning them into highly productive players. But he’s not thinking about that right now. 

“It just goes to show, he saw something in me that others didn’t,” he said. “He was taking a chance on me and I definitely didn’t want to disappoint him.”

 

Rookie preview: Tom Compton

Tom Compton

 

Tackle
South Dakota
6-9, 310

The need: Starting tackle Jammal Brown has been dealing with an injured hip ever since he came to the Redskins in 2010. Mike Shanahan has said that he seems to be better this year but that remains to be seen. In any case, an eventual replacement is needed for the 31-year-old Brown. Willie Smith did a nice job filling in for both Brown and Trent Williams last year and it is possible that he and Compton will compete for Browns job next year or, at the latest, in 2014. 

The fit: Compton is smart, quick and athletic, just the way you draw up a zone blocking O-lineman on the board. At 310 lb., he is not going to overpower anyone but he uses his quickness and intelligence to make blocks in the second level. 

The depth chart: Trent Williams is the starter at left tackle and, as noted above, Brown is the starter on the right side. Smith filled in for both last year and Tyler Polumbus also played some games there. Polumbus is a utility lineman so Compton might have to bump Smith if he is going to remain on the 53-man roster.

Compton’s upside: It seems doubtful that Compton could start this year except in the event of a rash in injuries. But, as noted above, he could get himself in position to compete with Smith for Browns job either next year or the year after. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Compton spend all or part of 2012 on the practice squad. 

Shanahan on Compton: [He’s] got great speed, quickness, what we look for in our tackle. [He] did a great job in all his agility drills as well as his 40-yard dash. We think he gives us some flexibility to play both sides.

Compton on Compton: (on playing either side of the line) I am comfortable on either side. It’s one of those things that it doesn’t really matter to me. I was hoping that it would add some value to me because I am pretty versatile throughout the line.”

Previously:

• G Adam Gettis