Oldskool Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Shanahan_Says_Pass_Rushing_Linebacker_Is_Top_Need_193151.jsp The Redskins have one elite pass rusher in outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, who has 19.5 sacks and two Pro Bowl berths to his credit. Mike Shanahan said on Friday the Redskins need another pass-rushing linebacker to complement Orakpo in the team’s 3-4 defense. It’s a priority for the club, Shanahan said. “I think it ranks right at the top [of Redskins’ personnel needs],” Shanahan said in a media briefing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He added: “Obviously when you have any consistent defense, using the 3-4, you’ve got to have two great outside pass rushers, a great nose tackle and a great safety.” Certainly Shanahan is aware that two teams that run a successful 3-4 – the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers – competed in the Super Bowl. Those two teams have elite pass rushing linebackers in Clay Matthews, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, among others. In the draft, Texas A&M’s Von Miller is the top outside linebacker available, followed by UCLA’s Akeem Ayers. Miller could be off the draft board by the time the Redskins pick at No. 10. Ayers should be available. Green Bay and Pittsburgh also have two outstanding nose tackles in Casey Hampton – a six-time Pro Bowler – and B.J. Raji. Asked where nose tackle fits in as a team need, Shanahan replied: “You’re always looking for that great nose tackle. They don’t come around every day. We’ve got a plan in free agency, we’ve got a plan in the draft. “We’re just going to have to let that play out. We do have a couple of guys there, but we don’t have a dominant guy there.” Shanahan said he felt better prepared to address the Redskins’ needs heading into his second season with the club. “You know what offense you’re running, the type of defense you’re running, you have an idea of what players fit in and what players don’t,” he said. “So then, when you hit free agency and the draft, you have a game plan. “When you first come in, you’re not really sure. Not sure about the people you have and the personalities. So it is a process the first year.” Shanahan indicated that the team still has “a ways to go” in terms of developing the roster. He said several times that improving the depth across the board is another critical goal of the offseason. “The only place we’re really deep at is the tight end position,” he said. “That’s why we’ve got to have a good game plan for free agency and the draft and build it the right way. It’s not going to happen overnight, it never does. “But we’re going to focus on character and guys that want to be a part of this football team long-term. We want to try to get younger. But we’re not going to do it all overnight.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HLF Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I think this is what we end up doing at #10 unless somebody like AJ Green falls back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffBattles Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I would LOOOOOOVE us to draft Von Miller. That has been my top choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukes and Skins Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I would LOOOOOOVE us to draft Von Miller. That has been my top choice. Don't see him there at #10, looks like #5 to Arizona is a very good spot for him, at worst #7 to San Francisco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted February 27, 2011 Author Share Posted February 27, 2011 Don't see him there at #10, looks like #5 to Arizona is a very good spot for him, at worst #7 to San Francisco. Both teams need QB's as well. This draft is becoming interesting and difficult to mock atm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMOSS89 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Don't rule out Miller. Remember how the Redskins got Brian Orakpo, who was a lock to be in the top 10 in '09. There are teams that need QB's ahead of the Redskins, and with two QBs whose draft stock should rise as time goes on, you never know what could happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewCliche21 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I would love Von Miller as much as anyone, but one of the advantages to having so many holes is that there are so many options for us in the draft. Miller, Green, Jones, Ayers, Gabbert, and the list goes on of people who wouldn't disappoint me at #10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukes and Skins Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Don't rule out Miller. Remember how the Redskins got Brian Orakpo, who was a lock to be in the top 10 in '09. There are teams that need QB's ahead of the Redskins, and with two QBs whose draft stock should rise as time goes on, you never know what could happen. Right but also when you look at it, Arizona I'm pretty confident isn't taking a QB, Miller makes a lot of sense then for them especially trying to rebuild that D. San Fran is the wild card and that could be a QB or it could be a guy like Patrick Peterson. And I know the whole Orakpo thing but at the same time I feel pretty confident that Miller isn't going to drop to us at #10 I just don't think it'll happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilco_holland Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 “The only place we’re really deep at is the tight end position,” he said So why don´t we use it???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelgreenie Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Shanahan Says Pass-Rushing Linebacker Is Top Need Shanahan's statements are true on its face. But, if you look at the Steelers history even they don't invest 2 top 10 picks on OLB. IIRC the Steelers don't take their OLB above the 2nd round. Look at the Packers they have a similar 3-4 scheme yet they're getting it done w/ 1 elite OLB pass rusher and the other side is manned by a rotation of players. Imo our biggest weakness is along the DL its the area we have the least talent and its the area of the most important to running a functional 3-4. The Packer have 1 elite pass rushing OLB in Matthews the Steelers have 2 but common factor is talent along the DL the Packers have: Raji, Pickett and Jenkins the Steelers have Hood, Hampton, Kiesel and both team have depth. What do we have? Carriker and and and....... Talent along the DL is imo the biggest need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HailToTheRedskins14 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Am I crazy to think that maybe we should address the DL before worrying about the second line of attack? No point in having great linebackers if they're DL is getting pushed off the line. Our line was atrocious last year. I honestly wouldn't have put OLB as a top need. I know, I know, I'm second guessing Mike Shanahan but trust me I wouldn't say this to his face. Just look at that picture in the first post, the guy is scary intimidating! He's basically thinking "Which one of you stupid reporters is gonna ask a dumb question first?" But hell, we need NT, DE, QB, G, before we need an OLB on my board. EDIT - But I do think this could just be a smokescreen. Since when has Shanahan ever plainly stated what he wants to do, let alone when talking about the #10 pick of the NFL Draft. If he says they're looking at OLB, I'm thinking he's liking a QB or a D linemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enter Apotheosis Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 “The only place we’re really deep at is the tight end position,” he saidSo why don´t we use it???? We got 1175 yards out of our TEs last season. While you can argue until you're blue in the face that we didn't go to Davis or Paulsen enough, that's still a damn good number by any standard. Just look at the Patriots, who may have had the best TE depth in the league last season with Gronkowski, Hernandez, and Crumpler but amassed slightly less yardage (1161). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorPickSix Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 If we draft an OLB in the first then I'm pretty much convinced we're taking Locker in the 2nd (pending he's still there when we pick). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HailToTheRedskins14 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Did he really say TE is our only position of depth? Good ol' Vinny, the gift that keeps on giving. I think Shanahan might be a poster here since that's been a running joke for a couple years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MumboSauce Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 This 3-4 needs a lot of help..I want Ayers now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gutlead74 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 just keep in mind there are a bunch of won't be there at 10 prospects, but there is only nine slots before it. a great player will be available at 10. will we be smart enough to pick the right one? ---------- Post added February-27th-2011 at 03:59 PM ---------- By the way the steelers were stealing great OLBs in the draft before half the NFL went 34. tweeners are in higher demand now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATLredskin Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 We got 1175 yards out of our TEs last season. While you can argue until you're blue in the face that we didn't go to Davis or Paulsen enough, that's still a damn good number by any standard. Just look at the Patriots, who may have had the best TE depth in the league last season with Gronkowski, Hernandez, and Crumpler but amassed slightly less yardage (1161). Using the Patriots as an example is not a good example. Crumpler was more of a blocking TE which leaves Aaron and Rob. I'm pretty sure they caught most of their passes at the slot WR position plus the Pats passed the ball a lot and spread the ball around to actual WRs and RBs lining up as WRs and coming out of the backfield. The impressive thing about the Pats is Aaron and Rob being rookies. Just another reason to trade Cooley, because he is easy to replace... ---------- Post added February-27th-2011 at 04:16 PM ---------- Did he really say TE is our only position of depth?Good ol' Vinny, the gift that keeps on giving. I think Shanahan might be a poster here since that's been a running joke for a couple years now. In the 4-3 we had plenty depth. Vinny did a good job in creating a solid defensive roster. Shanahan didn't need to put his greasy hands on the defense... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumplestilskin Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Casey Mathews anyone? Just because its a priority doesn't mean we need to use our first rounder. Dareus then Mathews would be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukes and Skins Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Casey Mathews anyone? Just because its a priority doesn't mean we need to use our first rounder. Dareus then Mathews would be nice. Casey Matthews shouldn't be taken until the 5th round IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redskins55 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 You cant put any stock into what Shanahan says.. The man is so used to spinning BS that he grins about it before it even comes out of his mouth. The obvious choice is OLB ,DL or WR at #10 but who knows what he will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumplestilskin Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Casey Matthews shouldn't be taken until the 5th round IMO I am thinking more like the third and alas we dont have one of those but from what I read he can sneek into the second with a great combine. There is no point in reaching for him in the second but he is the type of player that would fit the hard working team first mentality. In the fifth round would be a dream as far as quality for the pick. I think the second rounder will be a QB and the more I see of Ponder the more I like him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukes and Skins Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I am thinking more like the third and alas we dont have one of those but from what I read he can sneek into the second with a great combine. There is no point in reaching for him in the second but he is the type of player that would fit the hard working team first mentality. In the fifth round would be a dream as far as quality for the pick. I think the second rounder will be a QB and the more I see of Ponder the more I like him. I can't see Matthews in the 2nd round honestly, he's not that good he's a better value in the 5th round and personally whoever takes him round 2 is making a big mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conn Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Casey Mathews anyone? Just because its a priority doesn't mean we need to use our first rounder. Dareus then Mathews would be nice. Casey Mathews isn't a pass-rush specialist, or anything resembling a well-rounded player. Like Dukes said, he's worth a look later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumplestilskin Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I can't see Matthews in the 2nd round honestly, he's not that good he's a better value in the 5th round and personally whoever takes him round 2 is making a big mistake I tend to agree with you but Green bay picked Clay Mathews in the first and many experts thought they were crazy. We all know the rest of that story as he made Greenbays brass look genius but I will admit that Clay is a better player and the second would be a reach for Casey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaSkins27 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I'm not too high on Ayers, especially at #10. -I hope we magically come out of the first (if we stay at #10) with one of these three studs: Miller Dareus Julio It's possible one of those three falls to us (like Orakpo did, I never expected him to make it to us), and I believe they will have some of the best pro careers coming out of this draft class. -Tier 2 Guys I'd be satisfied with at #10 but not as excited as the first group: Jordan Quin Watt (Insert QB with ??? that Shanny pulls trigger on earlier then expected or desired) -Players I wouldn't mind coming out of the first with if we trade down to the bottom half of the round but would not be too happy with at #10 overall: Hudson - (I think he's early second / late first round grade that would fit great here) Pouncey Wisniewski Paea Tyron Smith / Sherrod / Carimi Phil Taylor (Insert QB with ??? that Shanny pulls trigger on earlier then expected or desired) Jeremy Beal Those are my draft expectations for the first, depending on what happens changes who I want us to target in the second. I really like Ras-I Dowling and the overall CB / G (interior OL) talent that is expected to be available when we pick in the second, so I hope we set ourselves up to go that route. There's so many directions we could go in this draft that help fix this team, I trust Shanny will come out of it with talent we can build around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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