Washingtonpost: Guessing games are all but over.

[skinsfanjoe]

Guessing Games Are All but Over

Redskins Prepare to Make Choices

By Nunyo Demasio

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, April 24, 2004; Page D01

Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, owner Daniel Snyder and team vice president Vinny Cerrato sat at a white-clothed table with two Redskins helmets at each end Thursday to address the media about the 2004 NFL draft. A few minutes into the briefing at Redskins Park, the loud ring of Cerrato's cell phone interrupted an answer from Gibbs. Cerrato quickly reached into his right pants pocket and placed the phone on silent mode.

Feigning irritation, Cerrato loudly announced: "The Chargers keep calling." Laughter filled the auditorium.

The Chargers, of course, own the No. 1 overall pick in today's draft. Last week, San Diego General Manager A.J. Smith revealed the Redskins, who draft No. 5 and have fifth- and sixth-round selections, made an inquiry about dealing for the top selection. That now appears highly unlikely.

"You can never say never," Snyder said.

The Redskins are expected to choose between a pair of University of Miami teammates -- tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. and safety Sean Taylor. Although NFL sentiment is that Washington has Winslow atop its draft board, Gibbs said yesterday that it wouldn't be finalized until today because of the evenness of talent. Either player would address needs that remain despite myriad player acquisition moves.

Most teams keep their true intentions hidden before the draft, which begins today at New York's Madison Square Garden with rounds 1 through 3 and wraps up Sunday with rounds 4 through 7.

"Most teams believe in giving out misinformation: a hint here, hint there," St. Louis Rams General Manager Charlie Armey said Thursday. "Everybody values real information but doesn't like to give it up. We're paranoid by nature. We all think we have an edge and want to protect it."

The Redskins are no different. According to one AFC general manager who requested anonymity, Washington has told four prospects they will probably be the team's choice: Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie Harris, Southern California defensive end Kenechi Udeze (by trading down), Taylor and Winslow.

Gibbs has dismissed reports he told Winslow he was going to be Washington's selection. Said Cerrato: "You tell the truth, nobody believes you. You really can't know what's going to happen until [today]."

Some NFL general managers believe this draft will be more unpredictable than usual because a few teams are bidding to move up, including the Cleveland Browns at No. 7 (to snag Taylor) and the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 9 (to pick Texas wide receiver Roy Williams).

"It's going to be very active with teams moving up," predicted Houston Texans GM Charlie Casserly, Gibbs's general manager with the Redskins from 1989 to 1991.

Although Washington has completed a mock draft, the Redskins have formulated numerous contingency plans, particularly to prepare for a worst-case scenario: a club trading into one of the top four spots and taking the player Washington has targeted. "The dreaded fear," Gibbs called it.

The Redskins are prepared should that happen. Gibbs said the Redskins received several trade proposals from teams yesterday who want the No. 5 pick, but Washington declined the offers. "Most of the [offers] were too far out of the range to be enticing," Gibbs said.

The best reason for Washington to trade down for extra picks would be to fill multiple needs.

Two NFL general managers indicate Washington's preference is moving up to at least the No. 2 spot to select Iowa tackle Robert Gallery by using a combination of players and future picks. And the Redskins have been at the center of various draft-related trade rumors this week. A sampling:

• New England's 21st and 32nd picks and possibly cornerback Ty Law to Washington for the No. 5 pick;

• A three-team deal including the Miami Dolphins and Patriots, with Washington landing the 20th (Miami's) and the 21st pick;

• The diminishing rumors of San Diego's No. 1 or Oakland's No. 2 for a combination of players and future draft picks. According to a front-office source, the Redskins were rebuffed after making a proposal for the Raiders' pick.

In Gibbs's previous coaching stint, the Redskins had a proclivity to trade first-round picks for veterans. From 1981 to 1992 -- with Bobby Beathard and Casserly as GM, Washington traded the first-round pick seven times, mostly for older players.

"In those days," Gibbs explained, "we were looking to get a proven guy."

Although the draft has a strong quarterback and wideout class, the most unrealistic scenario is Washington selecting a player from those positions. Washington's main needs are tight end (particularly H-back), defensive end, defensive tackle and safety.

The Redskins needed a middle linebacker after placing Jeremiah Trotter on the trading block with the intention of releasing him in June without an acceptable deal. But Washington filled the void Thursday by signing Micheal Barrow, who led the NFC in tackles (148) for the New York Giants.

The draft will end three weeks of intense evaluation sessions, in which 150 prospects received cumulative grades during a democratic process by scouts and coaches. As in previous seasons, any draft-day trade will be decided among Cerrato, Gibbs and Snyder, who holds the tiebreaker.

"You can't have 20 people making that decision," Snyder said of a last-minute trade. However, Gibbs -- also the team president -- will essentially have final say, partly because he has roster control.

"It has been a group decision, but coach will have ultimate say," Cerrato said. "Why shove someone down his throat that doesn't fit his team?"

Note: FedEx Field will be open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today for the team's fourth annual draft-day party. Gibbs is scheduled to make an appearance between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

[bubba9497]

Please post a link :thumbsup: