Pete Prisco: Skins show Desperation....

[nightbird]

Oh come on, Demetric is a solid guy and has a great motor, but did he think we were just supposed to go in to the season with Demetric Evans, Chris Wilson, Rob Jackson and Erasmus James holding down the DE spot?

[GibbsFactor]

Prisco is an idiot. How good will the best player on the worst team perform? Other teams aren't accounting for Taylor, double, triple teaming him.

:doh:

Prisco is an idiot.

[Oldfan]

ii mean, i agree that if we had drafted D-line more we probably wouldn't be in this situation, but whining about what we could have done doesn't fix the current situation. judge what we did do based on what options we had at the time, which i think prove that this move was not only smart, but the best option we had.

Don't you see? It's a cycle. We will have to do this again at another position in the future because we dealt away picks for Kendall and Taylor in emergencies created by dealing away picks earlier.

[tone_dubbz]

Us not better than the sorry ass Eagles in completely ludicrous.

Jason Taylor's stats from last year are deceiving, he played on a 1-15 team last year. Of course his sack total will be down when your team is getting blown out most of the time and the opposing team is just running the ball to preserve the clock. Less opportunities to get at the QB.

Anyways, Strahan seemed to pretty effective his last year of playing, so no reason that JT won't provide the same contributions to this club.

[SonnyJ]

What can you say? I don't like Priss co much, but he has a point. We don't draft linemen. It bit us in the ass last year. It has already started biting us in the ass again this year

That Gibbs and Bugel, who built a franchise around their lines, didn't draft linemen much while they were here the second time just tells me where the imput is still coming from

Yup.

Yup.

I just don't understand where this comes from.

Roster sizes are limited. A team can only carry so many linemen, both into training camp and into the season - these hypothetical draft picks would have been INSTEAD of guys on the roster, not IN ADDITION to. When guys go down, depth takes a hit. These hypothetical draft picks would merely have taken the roster spots of other players at the same position. Who is to say that had these draft picks been in place, instead of Daniels and Buzzbee, that those would not have been the guys to be lost for the season? The injuries they suffered can happen to any player of any age (obviously in Buzzbee's case).

So, basically, what you're saying is that if the Giants lost Tuck and a potential backup on the first day of training camp, they would be fine because they draft linemen? Weren't they looking to add Taylor themselves, but the Redskins beat them to the punch? The Giants did not all of a sudden become the model by which to build a championship team - their train almost completely derailed leaving the station last season, and didn't look so hot going into the postseason. The only thing the Giants proved last season is that writing a team off before the season plays itself out is completely absurd.

Yes, it would be nice to have a roster 2-deep with studs at every DL or OL position. And I agree that the Redskins have not been prudent with draft picks. But the notion that there are teams that can absorb these kinds of injuries, without missing a beat, "because they draft linemen" is fantasy.

[Tennessee Ed]

Where is the picture of the cat with the chicken hat on!

The sky is falling!

Never would have made this trade, but injuries forced our hand. Carry on.

[Hail_Skinz]

Not better than the Giants? Hmmm...we shouldv'e swept them...not to mention that we pretty much SMOKED them in their own house. Not better than than Cowboys? Hmmmm...how quickly they forget Week 17. How many rushing yards did the Pukes gain? Not better than the Eagles?! Ha ha ha ha!!! Did I read that correctly?

[TD_washingtonredskins]

This article doesn't bother me all that much because I would have had NO complaints if the Skins had just plugged Evans into Daniels' spot.

However, I don't believe the Taylor acquisition was a bad one. Our line was borderline thin BEFORE we lost two ends on the first day of training camp so we could have promoted our backup and acquired depth or done what we did: IMPROVE our starters and keep our depth in tact. Granted, we are eating more salary, but we're also starting a DE who is better and younger than the one who would have started had Daniels stayed healthy.

As for who's better in our division, no comment. Anything can happen (in either direction), but I don't believe we're outclassed at this point given how our handcuffed offense and depleted defense (no Taylor, Rogers, Rocky, etc.) played within our division last year.

[McMetal]

Douchebag. Is he keeping the bitterness stoked til Lenny gets back?

Losing a starter and back-up on the first day of training camp at an already thin position is catastrophic. So any "desperation" is completely warranted. As evidenced by the Shockey trade yesterday, we hardly gave up too much for a premiere DE who is NOT coming off a major injury like Shockey is.

If anything the whole sequence shows the FO had some foresight by keeping cap space available, the "umbrella for a rainy day" as Peter King put it yesterday. I see no reason to suspect JT won't play out those two years, and it will be at a high level. He was good enough to be pursued by the Eagles, whom Prisco apparently loves a lot more than us.

Ignorant and just plain wrong.

[Henry]

I just don't understand where this comes from.

Roster sizes are limited. A team can only carry so many linemen, both into training camp and into the season - these hypothetical draft picks would have been INSTEAD of guys on the roster, not IN ADDITION to. When guys go down, depth takes a hit. These hypothetical draft picks would merely have taken the roster spots of other players at the same position. Who is to say that had these draft picks been in place, instead of Daniels and Buzzbee, that those would not have been the guys to be lost for the season? The injuries they suffered can happen to any player of any age (obviously in Buzzbee's case).

So, basically, what you're saying is that if the Giants lost Tuck and a potential backup on the first day of training camp, they would be fine because they draft linemen? Weren't they looking to add Taylor themselves, but the Redskins beat them to the punch? The Giants did not all of a sudden become the model by which to build a championship team - their train almost completely derailed leaving the station last season, and didn't look so hot going into the postseason. The only thing the Giants proved last season is that writing a team off before the season plays itself out is completely absurd.

Yes, it would be nice to have a roster 2-deep with studs at every DL or OL position. And I agree that the Redskins have not been prudent with draft picks. But the notion that there are teams that can absorb these kinds of injuries, without missing a beat, "because they draft linemen" is fantasy.

We're not down to 53-man rosters yet. We should be deeper on the lines right now. If this had happened Week 2 or something you'd have a point. I was far more forgiving of our OL situation when guys were going down during the season. But we shouldn't have been forced to desperately trade for Kendall. That's getting caught with your pants down.

We lucked out with Kendall last year. Hopefully that luck continues to hold. But I'd rather not rely on that.

[LD0506]

Prisco shows the same problem that a lot of the regs here have- their bias is THE determining factor in what they claim to believe.

An honest appraisal of this trade would begin "We don't know yet...." but that isn't the case is it? Some already claim to know, their prescient vision has already shown them the disastrous season that lurks ahead and the stellar future HOFer that lies in wait in next year's second round. I swear to God some people will seize any opportunity to spew their venom no matter what the circumstances are. They would have you believe that Vinnie was whispering in TheDan's ear "Just wait 'til camp, when someone gets injured we can make the big splash trade to eviscerate the team again!"

Losing Daniels and Buzbee on day 1 could not have been anticipated, but there ya go, it happened. The FO moved with amazing vigor to address this with the best possible option available. Taylor is here and will get the benefit of working into the defense before the season kicks off instead of days wasted mulling over other options.

You really need to stretch like Gumby to twist this into another example of Dan Snyder's Evil Plan to Destroy the Redskins! (cue the thunder and lightning)

[RalphZero]

The issue here is Reality vs. Fantasy.

Miami and Parcells are smart enough to realize they are rebuilding their team. Taylor is at the tail end of his career and the Dolphins need to start rebuilding for the future. The Redskins, on the other hand, feel they are one or two players from winning a Superbowl. Yes..I agree. They need Taylor. I’m not arguing that. However, they need plenty more players too. Even if Daniels did not get injured and the Redskins had no injuries the entire season and all players were playing at 100%, the Redskins would still finish 6-10 at best.

The Redskins have a brand new Coaching staff and Philosophy. To even imagine this team has a shot at the playoffs is stupid.

The Redskins don’t need to spend 100% of their cap money. If Dan Snyder wants a West-Coast offense then Zorn needs to stay on for the next 5 seasons and the team needs to build through the draft. This is not the time to blow cap money on superstar free-agents.

This is like the Herschel Walker trade between the Cowboys and the Vikings.

[Peregrine]

So wait, the man says that he didnt play as well last year and he had 11 sacks, 4 FF, 1 INT, 1 TD, and 55 tackels, and them im supposed to believe the rest of his article isnt as full of crap?

[TD_washingtonredskins]

The issue here is Reality vs. Fantasy.

Miami and Parcells are smart enough to realize they are rebuilding their team. Taylor is at the tail end of his career and the Dolphins need to start rebuilding for the future. The Redskins, on the other hand, feel they are one or two players from winning a Superbowl. Yes..I agree. They need Taylor. I’m not arguing that. However, they need plenty more players too. Even if Daniels did not get injured and the Redskins had no injuries the entire season and all players were playing at 100%, the Redskins would still finish 6-10 at best.

The Redskins have a brand new Coaching staff and Philosophy. To even imagine this team has a shot at the playoffs is stupid.

The Redskins don’t need to spend 100% of their cap money. If Dan Snyder wants a West-Coast offense then Zorn needs to stay on for the next 5 seasons and the team needs to build through the draft. This is not the time to blow cap money on superstar free-agents.

This is like the Herschel Walker trade between the Cowboys and the Vikings.

In this day and age you can't have that mentality.

The Cowboys changed their coaching staff from Parcells to Phillps and improved by several games.

[SkinsFTW]

Your link does not work, but on to more important things.

Prisco is a complete idiot. JT is 1 year removed from being DPOY, not 2. He also was the only pro bowler on a 1-15 team. He had nothing to play for last year yet still put up some very good numbers. Prisco makes it sound like he lost a step but he still has the NFL's best DE numbers over the past 4-5 years, while knowing before the season starts that his team has no chance to win their own division every year.

I think he could have one of his best seasons here this year. He will be playing on a good team for the first time in years.

Prisco loves DE's who get 15 sacks (once in their career) even though they have 30 tackles a year. He loves Freeney despite the fact that he hasn't done **** in 3 years and wasn't as good as Taylor at any time of his career anyway. Freeney is a 30 tackle guy who might get 10-15 sacks a year against teams that have to pass 75% of the time to keep up with the Colts offense, but even then he hasn't had 6 sacks since 2005 and averages 10 a year for his career and sacks is all he does. He doesn't defense passes like JT does 10-15 times a year (or return them for TD's) and he hasn't forced many fumbles since his rookie year. Freeney has 9 sacks over the past 2 seasons while Taylor has 24.5 and has averaged 12-13 per year this entire decade while never missing a game..

Hmm.

[ttr77]

Taylor reminds me of Carter. Great against the pass and gets enough sacks to make everyone forget about the fact that he is not so strong against the run. Having 2 pass rush specialists anchoring the line, playing in obvious run situations, can be devastating.

[Meatsnack]

Prisco's article is poor on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin.

"One guy in the NFL said Taylor is only worth a 4th - and I agree." Wow, one guy I know thinks the earth is shaped like a burrito. I don't happen to agree because we have satellite images of the earth from space. This is what we who don't live in Prisco-land like to call "objective evidence". Well, evidence says that multiple teams have offered the 'Phins a 4th for Taylor and he wasn't moving for that price. So, the market has spoken, Jason Taylor is worth exactly a 2nd and a prorated 2010 6th.

"They should have let Demetric Evans start the season." Listen, Pete. There's just a chance that the position coaches in Washington know the capabilities of their players to fill a starting role better than you. If they thought Evans could be a starter at LDE, don't you think they would have done that? If Wilson, or Jackson, or James could be counted on for significant snaps, you think they might have let their chips ride rather than cash out? Hmmmmm...Nope, Pete must be the smartest guy in the world!

Not better than any other team in the NFC-E. OK, I'll buy that but only in the context of, since we split with the East, they are no better than us, either.

You traded a 2nd for a guy who is 33!?!? Listen, Pete, we traded a 2nd for a guy who is the active NFL Leader in Sacks, who has never missed a game in his career, who is a locker room leader, who is a 3-down DE, a role model, a spiffy dresser, and a damned fine dancer. When the Cownotmen signed a known headcase but still productive TO at 33, where was this action? TO will be 35 entering the season, are the Cowboys doomed at WR? Is TO only worth a cup of the soup du jour and a packet of saltines because he's a known fumbler/pass dropper who gets misty during press conferences? Dallass sure seemed to spend a lot of picks on receivers over the last few years before signing a perrenial pro bowler. Jason Taylor is an answer not just to the question, "How did Pete Prisco demonstrate that he is low-browed, forebrain lacking, lower primate most recently?" but to a lot of questions on the football field.

For instance this list from NFL.com of 2007 sack leaders:

1 Jared Allen KC DE 15.5

2 Patrick Kerney SEA 14.5

3 DeMarcus Ware DAL 14.0

3 Mario Williams HOU 14.0

5 Osi Umenyiora NYG 13.0

6 Trent Cole PHI 12.5

6 Elvis Dumervil DEN 12.5

6 Greg Ellis DAL OLB 12.5

6 Shawne Merriman SD 12.5

6 Mike Vrabel NE 12.5

11 Aaron Kampman GB 12.0

11 Kyle Vanden Bosch TEN 12.0

13 Jason Taylor MIA DE 11.0

14 Andre Carter WAS 10.5

This is the list of NFL sack leaders in 2007. Let's look at what these numbers suggest, shall we? If we reomve OLBs in the 3-4 and look at true DE's where does Taylor, or for that matter, Carter, rank? Gosh, 9 and 10. Both played on teams without a complementary rusher on the other side. Do you think there is any chance that being across from one another will make them better? Maybe like Osi Umenyiori playing across from Strahan? Hmmmm. Maybe there's something to this theory, Pete. And I'll add in, our OLBs get sacks, too, unlike the typical 3-4 team's DEs. So, by trading a 2nd-rounder and improving line play and pass rush across the board, we are desparate know-nothing ****s? I don't see it.

I could go on and on. You get the idea. Just say "no" to clicking on Prisco's columns and save the sacrifice of those brain cells for beer drinking.

[mbws]

"Kids, you did your best , and you failed. The secret is to not try." --Homer Simpson

[Dan T.]

Considering the circumstances, this was a good trade.

As to giving up too much, in the potential 3-way trade talked about between the Saints, Giants, and the Dolphins, the Saints were sending a 2nd and a 5th to the Dolphins. Less than what we paid.

Plus, by negating that 3-way trade, we kept Taylor off the roster of NFC East rival Giants, which should be factored in.

As to Taylor not being the player he was, that might be so. But you have to factor in the rejuvenation effect of coming to a competitive team after years in the dungeon of horridness that is Miami. That can be a fountain of youth to a proud, competitve guy like Taylor.

Plus, Taylor has pretty much guaranteed he'll play at least two more years.

[mrdoctor]

people are made we made some good decisions

i guess we wil see come game day

[Fifty Gut]

Evans a full time starter? Carter weak against the run? Please man. PP, actually watch our team before you comment on it.

[Walking Deadman]

The funny thing is if we didn't go after Taylor and did exactly what Prisco suggested; he'd write an article about why didn't the Redskins go after Taylor- they only wanted a 2nd and a 6th.

Most of the pundits that like to go after the Skins even have to admit it was the right move based on the situation.

[Dan T.]

Taylor reminds me of Carter. Great against the pass and gets enough sacks to make everyone forget about the fact that he is not so strong against the run. Having 2 pass rush specialists anchoring the line, playing in obvious run situations, can be devastating.

People said that about Manley and Mann, too - that they were weak against the run. It was overblown then too.

[hoosandskinsMUSTwin]

These "scouts", that say Taylor wasn't effective last year, may want to consider the Dolphins were 1-15, and JT wasnt happy with his situation. That tends to have an affect on your psyche. Put him in an energizing situation, and remember that 2 frickin years ago he was defensive player of the year!

Oh, and by the way, he went to the pro bowl and had 11 sacks. We havent had that many from a player since the year 2000.

Lastly, we had the cap room. So whats wrong with a rental even if he does only play one or two years? Was it a bit of a desperate move? Yes. Does it make us a better team? Yes.

[SkinsToTheSuperbowl]

I agree it was the right move for the situation the skins were in....if we didn't pick up JT everyone would have been asking why we didn't..

GO SKINS