Rich Tandler's Real Redskins

Shanahan's draft history: Quarterback

On Thursday, the Redskins will make the draft pick that will shape the course of their franchise for the next several years, probably longer, when they take quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick in the draft. Is there good reason to think that Shanahan can pick quarterbacks? Can Redskins fans be confident that the two first-round picks and the second expended to move up to take RG3 will be well spent? A look at his past might reveal a glimpse of how this decision might turn out.

 Shanahan has been the primary talent selector in 15 drafts with the Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and for two with the Redskins (2010-11). How well has he performed?

Over the past few days, we have been breaking down Shanahan’s drafts position by position. If the past is prelude, maybe we can learn something about where he might go in the draft that starts on Thursday and how much success the players drafted might have going forward.

Previously: Linebackers, wide receivers, defensive backs

Best pick

The relatively brief career of Jay Cutler has seen some ups and downs since Shanahan moved up to draft him with the 11^th overall pick in 2006. After being put into the starting lineup for the last five games of his rookie season, Cutler made his way to the Pro Bowl in 2008 by throwing for over 4500 yards. Then came the coaching change, the trade to Chicago and Cutler becoming a turnover machine in 2009, throwing 26 interceptions. After a rocky start in 2010, the Bears won the NFC North and made the conference title game. That up ended on a down note as Cutler sat out most of the second half and had his toughness questioned. At age 28, there are more chapters to be written in his career. Cutler clearly has talent and we will see how he handles the mental side of it. 

Good picks

Shanahan got some decent production out of Brian Griese. He was put in the unenviable spot of being the guy who replaced the legend when he took over as the starter after John Elway retired following Denver’s second straight Super Bowl win in 1998. The Broncos went 27-24 in Griese’s 51 starts over four seasons. He made the Pro Bowl following the 2000 season.

Worst pick

Besides Griese and Cutler, the only other quarterback Shanahan has drafted with a top 100 pick was Jeff Lewis, taken with pick 100 in the fourth round in 1996. Playing behind Elway and Gary Kubiak, Lewis saw very limited action and was released after the 1997 season. That is hardly a disaster but you’d like to get a bit more out of a top-100 pick.

Bad picks

The other three quarterbacks Shanahan has drafted all were taken in the seventh round and they only are listed as bad picks because none of them turned out to be a diamond in the rough. Jarious Jackson (2000), Bradlee Van Pelt (2004) and Matt Mauck (2004) combined to play in 11 NFL games, mostly in mop up duty.

The nitty-gritty 

Total quarterbacks drafted drafted: 6
NFL games played: 184
Seasons as a starter: 9
Pro Bowls: 2—Jay Cutler 2008, Brian Griese 2000
Games played, seasons as starter and Pro Bowls are for player’s career with all teams.

Rounds/Players

1. 1—Jay Cutler (11 overall) 2006
2. None
3. 1—Brian Griese (91) 1998
4. 1—Jeff Lewis (100) 1996
5. None
6. None
7. 3—Jarious Jackson (214) 2000; Bradlee Van Pelt (250) 2004; Matt Mauck (225) 2004

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.

 

Franchise QB process is ongoing

According to Mike Shanahan, the process of getting a franchise quarterback has been going on ever since he arrived. And it won’t be over when they select Robert Griffin III with the second pick in the draft.

“Just one guy doesn’t do it, you’ve got to have a supporting cast,” Shanahan said at Redskins Park on Wednesday. “I think we made some strides over the years of putting that kind of team together. When you do bring a quarterback in hopefully he was the weapons to make him successful.”

In preparation for the arrival of Griffin, or any  potential franchise signal caller, Shanahan has nearly completely turned over the potential offensive weapons on the roster. Of all the running backs and wide receivers who were on the roster when Shanahan took over as head coach in January of 2010, only Santana Moss and Anthony Armstrong (who was on the practice squad and had not yet played an NFL snap) remain. 

Whether the new group of receivers and running backs is an improvement over the players who were here before remains to be seen. So does how Griffin will look when he puts on an NFL uniform and takes the field. And that, of course, is the key.

“When you’re talking about a franchise quarterback you’re really talking about a guy that has all of the physical and mental attributes that you’re looking for in a quarterback,” said Shanahan. “And now he has to go do it out on the field.”

Indeed, Roger Goodell calling Griffin’s name on Thursday night is only the beginning for the Heisman winner and for the Redskins. After that, it becomes a matter of what happens between the lines. We won’t get the answer to that for a few years.

 

Shanahan's draft history: Linebackers

Mike Shanahan has been the primary talent selector in 15 drafts with the Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and for two with the Redskins (2010-11). How well has he performed?

Over the next few days, we’ll break down Shanahan’s drafts position by position. If the past is prelude, maybe we can learn something about where he might go in the draft that starts on Thursday and how much success the players drafted might have going forward.

So far, we’ve look at defensive backs and wide receivers elected by Shanahan. Today, we look at linebackers. 

Details of each player’s draft status are at the bottom of the article.

Best pick

Middle linebacker Al Wilson more than justified his first-round status by cracking the starting lineup early in his rookie campaign. He made the first of three straight Pro Bowls following his third season, the start of five appearances is six years. He might still be playing had a neck injury suffered in 2006, when he was just 29, not forced his retirement.

Good picks

This is a solid group as five of the 13 linebackers drafted by Shanahan played in 90 or more games and two others, Ryan Kerrigan and Perry Riley, look like they are on their way to doing so. All of them made a roster and appeared in at least two NFL games. In addition to Wilson, the other two first-rounders, John Mobley and D. J. Williams started for the Broncos for six and seven years, respectively. Ian Gold played in 115 NFL games, 99 of them for the Broncos, and made the Pro Bowl in 2001. And seventh-round pick Nate Wayne lasted just two years in Denver but he went on to play 90 games for a total of four different teams, including 23 as a starter for the Eagles in 2003-2004. Spencer Larsen he started a game at fullback and at linebacker as a rookie in 2008 and has coverted to a full-tim backup. Kerrigan, the Redskins’ top pick a year ago, made most all-rookie teams and appears to be on his way to a good career, if not a great one. Riley is establishing himself as a solid player at inside linebacker.

Worst pick

Terry Pierce was the 51^st overall pick in 2003 and he never was able to establish himself in Denver. He played in just three games as a rookie. After playing mostly special teams in 2005 he was waived before the next season. The Broncos got 18 games and four tackles for their second-round pick. 

Bad picks

Fourth-round pick Ken Brown, and fifth-rounder Phil Yeboah-Kodie, both picked in 1995, played in two games each. Again, there isn’t much to complain about here as every linebacker Shanahan has drafted has made the roster and has played in an NFL game.

The nitty-gritty

Total linebackers drafted: 13
NFL games played: 658
Seasons as a starter: 32
Pro Bowls: 6—Al Wilson 5 (2001-2003, 2005-2006); Ian Gold 1 (2001) Note: John Mobley was named first-team All-NFL in 1997, but was not selected for the Pro Bowl
Games played, seasons as starter and Pro Bowls are for player’s career with all teams. 

Rounds/Players

1. 4—John Mobley (15 overall) 1996; Al Wilson (31) 1999; D. J. Williams (17) 2004; Ryan Kerrigan (16) 2011
2. 2—Ian Gold (40) 2000; Terry Pierce (51) 2003
3. None
4. 2—Ken Brown (124) 1995; Perry Riley (103) 2010
5. 1—Phil Yeboah-Kodie (146) 1995
6. 1—Spence Larsen (183) 2008
7. 3—Steve Russ (218) 1995; Nate Wayne (219) 1998; Markus White (224) 2011

You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.

 

Moving on up?

The Redskins have a third-round pick in the draft plus two in the fourth round. Since they had 12 draft picks last year who will be around to compete for jobs this year, some think that they might try to package those mid-round picks together and try to move up.

We don’t know what Mike Shanahan and company are thinking of doing but we can consult the handy draft trade value chart and see what they could get for their picks.

Their third-round pick is 69^th overall and their fourth-rounders are 102 and 109 overall. If they want to go all in, they could parlay the third (worth 245 points on the chart) and both fourths (worth 92 and 76 points) and move up to the 17^th pick of the second round, the 49^th overall pick.

That could bring into play such players as OT Bobbie Massie or CB Dwight Bentley or a player to whom the Redskins have given a first-round grade who is still there in the middle of the second round.

If the Redskins still wanted to hold on to one of the fourths, they could parlay the third and the earlier of the two fourths into a pick later in the second round, about the 24 selection in the round (57^th overall). The third and the latter fourth would get them up to a bit later in the second, about the 60^th overall.

If a player they want is there, they just might pull the trigger on a deal to move up.

 

Shanahan's draft history: Wide receiver

Mike Shanahan has been the primary talent selector in 15 drafts with the Denver Broncos (1995-2008) and for two with the Redskins (2010-11). How well has he performed?

Over the next few days, we’ll break down Shanahan’s drafts position by position. If the past is prelude, maybe we can learn something about where he might go in the draft that starts on April 28 and how much success the players drafted might have going forward.

So far, we’ve look at defensive backs selected by Shanahan. Today, we turn our attention to the wide receivers. 

Details of each player’s draft status are at the bottom of the article.

Best pick

As part of the trade to acquire an additional first-round draft pick in 2005, the Redskins traded their fourth-round pick in 2006 to the Broncos. Shanahan used that selection to take Brandon Marshall out of Central Florida. While Marshall had some off-field and attitude issues he certainly has been productive posting three straight seasons with over 100 catches and four straight with 1000 yards. 

Good picks

Eddie Royal gained 980 yards receiving as a rookie in 2008 and he has proven to be a solid contributor both as a receiver and punt returner. The Broncos didn’t get much out of Patrick Jeffers but he did gain 1084 yards for the Panthers in 1999. Ashley Lelie played fairly well in four seasons in Denver, leading the NFL in average yards per catch in 2003 (20.1) and 2004 (18.3). Still, describing him as a good pick is a borderline call since you would like to get more than four seasons out of the 19^th overall pick in the draft. Denver did, however, manage to get third- and fourth-round picks from the Redskins in a three-way trade when the parted ways with Lelie, so that tips the balance in favor of it being a solid selection. Leonard Hankerson showed some flashes of potential before his rookie 2011 season ended early due to a hip injury.

Worst pick

Drafting last as the Super Bowl champs, the Broncos took Marcus Nash out of Tennessee at the end of the first round in 1998. Denver got four receptions in ten games out of Nash before cutting him loose during the 1999 season. He played one game with the Ravens later that year and never caught on with another team after that. 

Bad picks

Unfortunately, most of Shanahan’s wide receiver picks fall into this category. Second-round pick Darius Watts had 31 receptions as a rookie in 2004 but he was gone after a two-catch season in 2004. Third-round picks Travis McGriff and Chris Cole had five and 12 career receptions, respectively. Fourth-round pick Domenik Hixon became a valuable reserve but it was for the Giants as the Broncos released him during his rookie 2006 season. No receiver selected by Shanahan in Denver from the fifth round on had double-digit receptions for the Broncos. 

The nitty-gritty

Total wide receivers drafted: 20
NFL games played: 520
Seasons as a starter: 12
Pro Bowls: 2—Brandon Marshall 2008-2009
Games played, seasons as starter and Pro Bowls are for player’s career with all teams.

Rounds/Players

1. 2—Marcus Nash (30 overall) 1998; Ashley Lelie (19) 2002
2. 2—Darius Watts (54) 2004; Eddie Royal (42) 2008
3. 3—Travis McGriff (93) 1999; Chris Cole (70) 2000; Leonard Hankerson (79) 2011
4. 2—Domenick Hixon (130) 2006; Brandon Marshall (119) 2006
5. 5—Patrick Jeffers (159) 1996; Muneer Moore (154) 2000; Herb Haygood (144) 2002; Adrian Madise (158) 2003; Niles Paul (155) 2011
6. 4—Chad Plummer (204) 1999; Kevin Kasper (190) 2001; Triandos Luke (171) 2004; Aldrick Robinson (178)
7. 2—Leroy Fields (246) 2000; Terrence Austin (219) 2010

Rich Tandler blogs about the Redskins at www.RealRedskins.com. You can reach him by email at RTandlerCSN@comcast.net and follow him on Twitter @Rich_Tandler.

 

Redskins sign PK Rackers

Free agent kicker Neil Rackers told a Houston television station that he has signed a contract with the Redskins. The 12-year veteran, who has kicked for the Bengals, Cardinals, and, for the past two seasons, the Texans will compete with Graham Gano for the Redskins’ kicking job.

Last year in Houston he was good on 32 of 38 field goal attempts. Oddly, he was better from distances of 50 yards or more (four of five) than he was from 40 to 49 yards (four of eight). 

Rackers’ best season came in 2005 when he was with the Cardinals. He make 40 of 42 field goals and was named first-team All-Pro. The Bengals drafted him in the sixth round of the 2000 draft and he was with them for three years before moving on to Arizona. In his career, he has made 80 percent of his field goal attempts.

Gano made 31 of 41 last year but he did have several attempts blocked. He has been the Redskins’ kicker since late in the 2009 season and this will be the first time that the team has signed serious competition for his job. 

 

Grigson says Colts to take Luck

Stop me if you’re heard this before, but the Indianapolis Colts are going to draft Andrew Lu--. Oh, you have heard it. 

We have one more confirmation to move the needle from a probability that the Colts will make the move everyone has thought they would make since about last November from 99.99 percent to about 99.999 percent.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson publicly confirmed the choice of Andrew Luck with the first overall pick for the first time, according to Albert Breer of NFL.com. 

That means, of course, that the Redskins will be free to pick Robert Griffin III of Baylor to be their quarterback of the future. Although Mike Shanahan and others in the organization have said that the team would be happy with either quarterback, Griffin was clearly the fan’s choice.

Breer also reported that is was unlikely that the Colts would sign Luck to a contract prior to the draft as the rookie salary pool has not yet been set.

So, unless the contract situation, which would give Luck a 100 percent chance of becoming a Colt, changes, that’s it on the subject from here. Well, until Thursday night, anyway when the draft actually starts, anyway.

 

Watch "Draft Talk Live" today at 3 p.m.

Get ready for the NFL draft with "Draft Talk Live" this afternoon at 3 p.m. on CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com.

This web-exclusive live stream show will feature Redskins blogger Rich Tandler and Ravens insider John Eisenberg for an in-depth analysis of the draft. They will be joined by a roster of guests who will add their unique insights to the discussion:

*Comcast SportsNet's Chick Hernandez
*Washington Times Redskins reporter Rich Campbell
*Ravens 24x7's Tony Lombardi
*Hogs Haven's Ken Meringolo
*Bleacher Report senior NFL draft lead writer Matt Miller

Check back here this afternoon at 3 to connect to our live stream. In the meantime, catch up with some of our latest draft-related reports:

Point-Counterpoint: Will Cooley survive?

By Rich Tandler and Ben Standig
CSNwashington.com 

When a team is in the midst of a youth movement and pushed up against the salary cap, a tight end who will be 30 soon, is unlikely to start, and carries a high cap number is an endangered species. When you find out they are moving another, younger player to your position, your chances for survival take another hit.

And if you’re Chris Cooley and you have all of that going on plus the fact that you missed a good chunk of two of the past three seasons with injuries, well, you should perhaps think about the next stage of your football career.

Or should he? 

Is Cooley, the longest-tenured player on the team, done in Washington? Or does he have enough left in the tank to contribute? Rich Tandler and Ben Standig debate Cooley’s future with the Redskins in this week’s edition of Point-Counterpoint.

Rich Tandler: So Cooley will be 30 this year. What, did 30 become the new 38 or something? He has a few more productive years left in him. In 2010, he tied a career high for receiving yards with 849 and actually had a better year than the did in 2008, when he made the Pro Bowl. I’m a big Fred Davis fan but he’s one bad decision away from a year off. It’s not as though Cooley would be riding the pine to see if anything happens with Davis; two-TE sets are all the rage in today’s NFL and with some improved quarterbacking this year maybe we can see the potential to give defenses fits.

Ben Standig: Nice job defending your boy’s roster spot – but there are compelling factors that suggest the fan favorite and pottery enthusiast might need to pack up all his kiln sooner than expected.  Unless the NFL reverses its harsh salary cap penalty, the Redskins are working with a fewer dollars then they hoped for this off-season. His 2012 salary of $3.8 million is a number a contending team could live with in a perfect world, but a touch steep in this financial scenario for a “backup”, especially one that missed 20 games with injuries over the past three season. Davis starts, sign a veteran backup on the cheap, draft a tight end to develop in the middle round. Then use those remaining salary cap resources to fill holes elsewhere.

Tandler: I do think that Cooley would be a little more secure if the Redskins should get back all or part of the cap space the Redskins lost in John Mara’s revenge. Still, pairing a rookie quarterback--potentially a great on in RG3 but a rookie nonetheless--with “a veteran backup on the cheap” doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Just because the Redskins aren’t likely to be going to New Orleans, the site of the Super Bowl, anytime after their season opener there doesn’t mean that they should give up quality depth if they want to develop Griffin. Cooley would be a pricey insurance policy but well worth it to give Griffin a veteran security blanket who knows the offense.

Standig: It's also nice if a team can keep a rookie quarterback upright. We know RG3 has wheels, just prefer he/Shanahan decides when to run and not because some defender with bad intentions is bearing down on him time after time. It's also nice if a team's secondary can keep the opposing passing game in check so the rookie does not find himself in constant shootouts or playing catch-up repeatedly. Those areas need starting help, legitimate depth at a minimum. Maybe the Redskins can address those areas without cutting payroll, i.e. Cooley, maybe not. Veteran Visanthe Shiancoe is a free agent. Same with John Gilmore, who played for the Bucs when current tight end coach Sean McVay was on Tampa Bay's coaching staff. They wouldn't replace Cooley's presence in town and maybe just a percentage of 47's production. Of course, that last point might apply to Cooley as well.

 

Fair and balanced punishment?

Free agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson, formerly of the Bengals, will be suspended for the first three games of the 2012 season for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Simpson recently served a 15-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to a felony drug charge. He was arrested in September for having about two pounds of marijuana delivered to his home in northern Kentucky. 

The suspension seems light when compared to the four-game suspensions handed out to the Redskins’ Trent Williams and Fred Davis for repeated failing of tests for marijuana. Simpson was guilty of a felony while what Williams and Davis did barely registers as a misdemeanor in most jurisdictions. Not that Davis and Williams should have received lighter penalties necessarily but it does seem odd that an offense that the legal system treats pretty lightly, use and possession, gets a harsher punishment from the NFL than a felony.