Wellness

[Spurt]

Hey GARDENMAN---I was just kidding about the stick'em ....I knew it was illegal....but hey even if things are illegal...ya know certain teams still....(I'll leave it at that). But wasn't it a shocker to hear Jerry Rice admitted to using stick'em...gee I wonder if he had some kind of unfair advantage on Dancing With The Stars.....

PSSSST---hey CHIP---the Redskins are sitting at the 5 spot...and boy have we got a deal for you to get Mariota.... (will it happen, probably not, but I have a feeling Mariota WILL fall, despite the QB shortage)....

For the Redskins, the quick-fix days of signing other team’s stars have ended. The deals with long-in-the-tooth veterans are no more. McCloughan also abhors shipping off draft picks for well-worn veterans.

McCloughan will hang on to every last draft pick and try to get more if he can. Those picks — regardless of how late the round — are gold to him. His past late-round gems include Richard Sherman (fifth), Kam Chancellor (fifth) and Byron Maxwell (sixth).

The Redskins still need help at safety, linebacker and the offensive line. These positions will probably be addressed in the draft.

I really like McCloughan's plan....gone are the days of Vinny Cerrato's "that draft pick, well that was just a fun pick" while competent players remained available on the draft board.....

McCloughan wants to mold young players to be Redskins....

[gardenman]

SPURT. I don't think Chip is looking to make a big move up the draft board and moving up to five would take a lot. Now if Washington decides they want Bradford and will trade us the fifth pick for Bradford, Chip would likely take that, but barring that, I don't see us moving up nearly that high. If Mariota drops to a spot where Chip only has to part with a fourth or fifth round pick to hop up and get him, then he might make the move, but Chip's devoted to building through the draft and you can't do that if you trade all of your picks away.

This year's plunge into free agency is largely a short term measure to fill gaping holes and replace people immediately who don't fit Chip's system. I'd be surprised if we were ever this active in free agency again. You can't really go into the draft needing starting caliber cornerbacks (two of them,) a safety, a defensive end, a running back or two, an offensive guard and a wide receiver and hope to come out with all of that, so Chip had to find some pieces elsewhere. God willing the list of needs will be smaller in future years so it will take a smaller investment in free agency.

Local media keeps comparing this to the Andy Reid "Dream Team" of a few years back and predicting failure, but (and this is a big but) they forget that was the year of the new CBA when training camp was shortened, there were no OTA's or team building activities. I think the last guy we added was just a few days before the season opener. Now next month (April) the players will all report back to the Novacare facility to start team based workouts and they'll get a chance to meet each other and start to bond into a cohesive unit. Then in May the first of the OTA's take place where the coaches can get their hands on the guys and start to mold them and by the time training camp rolls around they'll have had three months or so of togetherness and bonding going on. I don't expect this to be a trainwreck. I have a suspicion this unit will come together pretty quickly.

I like the new Redskins GM McCloughan. I think he's a smart football guy. The only real question is, who has absolute final say in DC, McCloughan or Snyder? And if there's anyplace where the owner is likely to drive a GM to drink, it's DC. McCloughan is going to need one heck of a sponsor to stay sober working there. You also have to wonder if Gruden is a McCloughan guy. As a rule the GM's hire the coach and hire a guy who has their vision. Is Gruden that guy? We'll find out soon enough. This is a big year for both Gruden and RGIII. Both guys need a good year to keep their jobs and I'm not sure either one really likes/trusts the other one and the new GM isn't indebted to either of them. If the Redskins fall short of expectations then McCloughan may just clean house next off season and start over.

[Spurt]

On 3/16/2015 gardenman said:

SPURT. I don't think Chip is looking to make a big move up the draft board and moving up to five would take a lot. Now if Washington decides they want Bradford and will trade us the fifth pick for Bradford, Chip would likely take that, but barring that, I don't see us moving up nearly that high. If Mariota drops to a spot where Chip only has to part with a fourth or fifth round pick to hop up and get him, then he might make the move, but Chip's devoted to building through the draft and you can't do that if you trade all of your picks away.

This year's plunge into free agency is largely a short term measure to fill gaping holes and replace people immediately who don't fit Chip's system. I'd be surprised if we were ever this active in free agency again. You can't really go into the draft needing starting caliber cornerbacks (two of them,) a safety, a defensive end, a running back or two, an offensive guard and a wide receiver and hope to come out with all of that, so Chip had to find some pieces elsewhere. God willing the list of needs will be smaller in future years so it will take a smaller investment in free agency.

Local media keeps comparing this to the Andy Reid "Dream Team" of a few years back and predicting failure, but (and this is a big but) they forget that was the year of the new CBA when training camp was shortened, there were no OTA's or team building activities. I think the last guy we added was just a few days before the season opener. Now next month (April) the players will all report back to the Novacare facility to start team based workouts and they'll get a chance to meet each other and start to bond into a cohesive unit. Then in May the first of the OTA's take place where the coaches can get their hands on the guys and start to mold them and by the time training camp rolls around they'll have had three months or so of togetherness and bonding going on. I don't expect this to be a trainwreck. I have a suspicion this unit will come together pretty quickly.

I like the new Redskins GM McCloughan. I think he's a smart football guy. The only real question is, who has absolute final say in DC, McCloughan or Snyder? And if there's anyplace where the owner is likely to drive a GM to drink, it's DC. McCloughan is going to need one heck of a sponsor to stay sober working there. You also have to wonder if Gruden is a McCloughan guy. As a rule the GM's hire the coach and hire a guy who has their vision. Is Gruden that guy? We'll find out soon enough. This is a big year for both Gruden and RGIII. Both guys need a good year to keep their jobs and I'm not sure either one really likes/trusts the other one and the new GM isn't indebted to either of them. If the Redskins fall short of expectations then McCloughan may just clean house next off season and start over.

GARDENMAN-Tim Tebow worked out with the Eagles, but was not signed....

As for Chips plan, it will be interesting to see how all these parts gel together. One interesting bit of trivia was about the Packers....

Of the 60 Packers currently under contract, only Julius Peppers has ever played a game for another team. Think about that for a minute.

As for the Redskins---they swear that Snyder is only writing the checks, and not involved in personnel decisions, he is letting the GM, Allen, and the coaches run the show. Now whether McCoughlan and Gruden are on the same page---that is a question many are debating...That very question was posed to long time reporter that has covered the Redskins for many years and is now the ESPN Redskin Correspondent --- he basically agreed with what you said when posed that very question--

Keim: Ah, good question. I don't know how they get along, but both have good personalities so I'd imagine they have at least a good working relationship if nothing else. That's pivotal. But if I'm Scot McCloughan I want to see what kind of coach Gruden is -- and he definitely has something to prove. Going into camp, the storyline will be quarterback and coach, but if they start losing that focus shifts even more to the coach. I don't think his seat is already hot for 2015, though. He has a fully guaranteed five-year contract. But if it's a disaster, then anything is possible.

So we will have to wait and see......

The Redskins signed Jeron Johnson who will play SS. Still many holes to fill in the secondary and Oline.....

[gardenman]

The Tim Tebow news is interesting. Tebow has a lot going for him (big, strong, strong arm, good runner, healthy, works hard, high quality guy) but I'm just not sure he's a great fit for the Eagles. I'm one of those few people who don't think Tim Tebow is necessarily a bad quarterback. He just hasn't had a great shot at showing his full capabilities. In the right system with a coach who believes in him, Tebow could end up surprising quite a few people. Is Philly the right situation???? Who knows?

One thing in Tebow's favor is he's still working hard to improve. He's working with Tom Brady's QB coach, he's probably better now than he's ever been before. He'd be a cheap pickup for a team willing to endure the circus (ESPN) that comes with Tebow.

On an interesting Cowboy related note, Cowboy's former coach Jimmy Johnson is now advising Chip Kelly and the two have become good friends. Jimmy is apparently quite intrigued by Chip and wants him to succeed. I'm betting that's not going over very well with the other JJ down in Dallas. It'll be interesting to see if that affection affects Jimmy Johnson's picks this season on the pre-game show.

[Spurt]

On 3/16/2015 gardenman said:

The Tim Tebow news is interesting. Tebow has a lot going for him (big, strong, strong arm, good runner, healthy, works hard, high quality guy) but I'm just not sure he's a great fit for the Eagles. I'm one of those few people who don't think Tim Tebow is necessarily a bad quarterback. He just hasn't had a great shot at showing his full capabilities. In the right system with a coach who believes in him, Tebow could end up surprising quite a few people. Is Philly the right situation???? Who knows?

One thing in Tebow's favor is he's still working hard to improve. He's working with Tom Brady's QB coach, he's probably better now than he's ever been before. He'd be a cheap pickup for a team willing to endure the circus (ESPN) that comes with Tebow.

On an interesting Cowboy related note, Cowboy's former coach Jimmy Johnson is now advising Chip Kelly and the two have become good friends. Jimmy is apparently quite intrigued by Chip and wants him to succeed. I'm betting that's not going over very well with the other JJ down in Dallas. It'll be interesting to see if that affection affects Jimmy Johnson's picks this season on the pre-game show.

Poor Tim....he never really got a chance to develop. I read that he was still working hard to try to improve his fundamentals......on one site they had said Eagles will not sign him.

As for Jimmy becoming friends with Chip and giving him advise to succeed, that is interesting....and I bet Jimmy would just love to see Chip's Eagles stick it to Jerrah's Cowboys....And I agree I will be all ears waiting to hear how Jimmy analyzes both the Eagles and Cowboys next season...... Another reason I can't wait for the season to start!!!!.......I think I am going through NFL withdrawl.....

[gardenman]

Hmmm. . . .with all of the talk about Dez Bryant and his issues in the Walmart parking lot, the Cowboys are now considering signing Greg Hardy? As a player you have to like Hardy, but as a person, there's not a lot there to like. He's also likely to end up being suspended for the first three to six weeks of the upcoming NFL season. That's a courageous move if they make it.

The good news for NFL fans is we're now within six months of the start of the new season. Yea!!! Things actually start getting pretty interesting six weeks or so before that even when training camps open and exhibition games kick off. The new season is bearing down upon us quickly now! It's definitely going to be an interesting one.

[Spurt]

Well GOOD NEWS for the Redskins....at least in my opinion that is....throw out the notion that the Redskins will only have 2 QBs because there are not enough reps to go around....because COLT MCCOY IS BACK!!!! ....YEAHHH! I think he showed the best option for making the Redskins offense be effective.....It also shows that time is ticking for RGIII and if he doesn't show progress he could be easily benched and then traded or cut when is contract is up after this year! I am happy that McCoy gets to stay, he may not be the long term solution, but he's good in the interim and we know how bleak the free agency and draft picture is for QBs.

GOOD LUCK TO COLT!!!

[gardenman]

Colt McCoy's signing also makes it less likely that the Redskins will make a move for Mariota if he drops to them. I like Colt. I've liked him since he came out of college. He's just never found himself in the right situation. I'm not sure the Redskins are the right situation either, but he's getting a chance.

Greg Hardy is widely rumored to be heading for the Cowboys now. That could be interesting. He'll eat up all of the Cowboy's remaining cap room if they sign him. That means no Adrian Peterson for the Cowboys and limited room to add help down the road. He'd help their pass rush, when/if he gets back on the field, but he's likely going to be suspended for a few weeks anyway.

Trent Richardson wasn't out of work for long. The Raiders have signed him for some reason. I have seen nothing out of Richardson to make me think signing him is a good move. I just don't get why anyone would sign him at this time.

The Eagles are reworking a few smaller contracts to free up cap space, so Chip Kelly isn't done making moves just yet. There are rumors of potential trades involving players, but nothing too dramatic just yet. Chip's been quiet lately (too quiet?) but expect some more noise soon.

[teganslaw]

Signing Trent Richardson is a typical move for the Raiders. They're the only team who would want him. I was reading some posts on the Raiders message boards, and feelings are mixed. Some fans are willing to give him a chance, saying that if he doesn't work out it's low risk. Others are saying it's a bad signing, and some aren't surprised just because this is something the Raiders would do. Richardson has said that it was Indy's fault he didn't do well; now he has a chance to start over in a new system. Maybe he will do better with the Raiders, who knows? I wouldn't put money on it, but stranger things have happened.

SPURT, good deal for the Redskins keeping Colt McCoy.

Surprised that Borland has retired already. There's a lot of that going around this year.

Our area televises all the Colts games, so I can see how Brian Orakpo does with Tennessee. The teams play each other twice, and I keep track of what happens in that division. As long as he doesn't get hurt, he should do fine.

[Spurt]

On 3/17/2015 teganslaw said:

Signing Trent Richardson is a typical move for the Raiders. They're the only team who would want him. I was reading some posts on the Raiders message boards, and feelings are mixed. Some fans are willing to give him a chance, saying that if he doesn't work out it's low risk. Others are saying it's a bad signing, and some aren't surprised just because this is something the Raiders would do. Richardson has said that it was Indy's fault he didn't do well; now he has a chance to start over in a new system. Maybe he will do better with the Raiders, who knows? I wouldn't put money on it, but stranger things have happened.

SPURT, good deal for the Redskins keeping Colt McCoy.

Surprised that Borland has retired already. There's a lot of that going around this year.

Our area televises all the Colts games, so I can see how Brian Orakpo does with Tennessee. The teams play each other twice, and I keep track of what happens in that division. As long as he doesn't get hurt, he should do fine.

TEGAN-Yes, please let me know how Orakpo does---he's a good guy and I hope for his sake he can stay healthy.

I think some of the NFL Players are either concerned about concussions and life after football, and wear and tear on their bodies so they are retiring young.....

TEGAN/GARDENMAN- Yep, poor Colt he's been the victim of poor NFL organizations---especially the Browns that don't want to seem to spend the money to sign decent players---look what Hoyer had to work with, and good luck Johnny Manziel. As for the Redskins with bad management and bad past decisions by owner and so-called GM (Cerrato) put us in a bad state, and then there was all the different coaches and system....not an ideal situation either....but at least Colt had a few weapons to work with in Washington---Desean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, Alfred Morris, but a so so Oline.....

Here's some interesting news--if Eagles can trade Barkley, they are likely to sign Tebow...