WP: No Alarms and No Surprises

[mhd24]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12354-2005Apr23.html

No Alarms And No Surprises

By Thomas Boswell

Sunday, April 24, 2005; Page E11

After an offseason of confusion and controversy, the Redskins finally had a simple day of sound decisions in the NFL draft. With the ninth overall pick, they got the man they wanted most, Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers, the player who best fit the team's needs. Perhaps as important, they avoided a far flashier but riskier pick, wide receiver Mike Williams.

Who's in charge? Clearly, in this draft at least, Coach Joe Gibbs. Others may have agreed with him. But this was a sensible team-building choice, not the kind of desperate or headline-grabbing decision that has plagued the team in so many recent years.

To reinforce that message, the Redskins used their other first-round pick, the 25th overall, to pick a quarterback for the future in Jason Campbell, also of Auburn. Most assume that Campbell's future includes two years with a clipboard under his arm. Again, Gibbs might have made a splashier pick with faster impact potential. But the coach has claimed, ever since he returned, that he was rebuilding a whole franchise. In Campbell, who didn't blossom until his senior year, the Redskins made a pick that, while not undermining quarterback Patrick Ramsey, opened other options for the team someday.

"Too much value in the pick" to do anything else, Gibbs said several times as his reason for why anyone with the Redskins' long-term interests at heart would jump at Campbell, even if it meant passing up a promising wide receiver.

Entering the day, the Redskins, like every team, hoped that their phone might ring with some spectacular but unexpected trade offer. And they, in turn, pursued opportunities to trade up and down, according to Gibbs. However, the Redskins' basic default-setting strategy was to hope the No. 9 pick would fetch one of three elite cornerbacks in this draft so that departed free agent Fred Smoot could not only be replaced but, eventually, improved upon.

The probabilities, with three corners on the board and only eight teams picking before the Redskins, were in Washington's favor, yet not a certainty. For once, the Redskins showed the patience to wait and it worked.

In recent weeks, the team developed a clear preference for Rogers, who played for undefeated Auburn and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top corner. They'd have been content to select Adam Jones of West Virginia or Antrel Rolle of Miami. But the 199-pound Rogers's reputation as a big hitter, as well as speedster, complemented the Redskins' top pick of last year, safety Sean Taylor. Both are part of a larger Gibbs view of how the contemporary game is played.

Since he returned to the NFL, Gibbs has become convinced that the central change in the sport has been the wild-eyed pursuit of blitzing by creative coordinators like his own Gregg Williams. "Nobody sits back anymore. They overload you in the box," said Gibbs, referring to the area around the interior linemen. "That puts more pressure at cornerback. Also, the rule changes [making it easier for receivers to get off the line] mean that your corners become absolutely critical for you.

"A player like Carlos gives you freedom to stack the box," said Gibbs, envisioning another season of Williams's blitzes.

Rogers, whose style combines speed, violence and audacity, is the cornerback equivalent of the 231-pound Taylor at safety. Gibbs always preaches to players that the team comes first. By using two high No. 1 picks to build cornerstones of Williams's defense, rather than his own offense -- which needs another deep receiving threat -- Gibbs has done his part to walk the walk. If only the team's front office, which continues to alienate players -- the latest being LaVar Arrington -- would follow some similar mode of operation. But then the gap between Gibbs's standards and some around him is still stark.

The day evolved as the Redskins hoped. When the first five picks were all offensive players, the Redskins' odds improved. When Tennessee picked Jones, the percentages improved even more. When the Vikings, picking seventh, chose a wide receiver, the Redskins knew they would get one of their corners. But when Arizona tabbed Rolle, Rogers became both the Last Cornerback Available and, also, the player at that position whom the Redskins say they had graded highest.

Of course, almost all teams claim that they got exactly the player they wanted with their top selection. Sometimes, it's even true. This time, the Redskins' contention is quite believable, both on its Thorpe Award merits and because Gibbs says so unequivocally.

In recent days, the Redskins have continued to shred their credibility with silly attempts to play draft-week disinformation games. This amuses the NFL's adults. To fool people, you first have to establish a pattern of telling the truth. If the Redskins put out a news release saying the sun is up, the whole league would raise the blinds to double-check. So days like this, when bland sanity and not palace intrigue seems to prevail, are a tentative step forward.

The proof of the power of the Redskins' feelings for Rogers was that they picked him over Williams, USC's spectacular wide receiver, whose talents would have matched the team's obvious weaknesses. And, no doubt, have pleased more fans. Williams, in fact, would have been the quintessential Dan Snyder-style pick. After all, almost every major Deion Sanders signing or Steve Spurrier courtship of the Snyder era has been cheered by fans -- in the offseason. Then, as soon as the next season rolled around, the evidence proved once again that fans -- including owner-fans -- make the worst decisions.

There could hardly be a better sign for the Redskins than if its fans weep that Williams wasn't grabbed or that the 25th pick was used on a player who may seldom set foot on the FedEx field for a couple of years. Go on, folks, have fun. Howl for Williams and the Player of Your Choice who was still on the board when Campbell was picked.

But just factor into your thinking that Gibbs disagrees. Maybe he's wrong. But why bring him back and then not do it his way?

"Mike Williams is going to be a heck of a player in the NFL," Gibbs said. "But because we could get Carlos [rather than Jones or Rolle], that made it even easier. He gives you everything in the cornerback package: speed, size and he's physical. He's a shut-down corner who will [also] hit you. For our defense, that's very important."

Every No. 1 pick has pressure, but Gibbs will be put under a strong spotlight after passing up a gifted and famous USC wide receiver for a cornerback whom scouts love, but the public has barely met. He passed up players at several positions who probably could have started by the middle of next season. By the time Campbell pans out, or flops, Gibbs may be back in NASCAR.

If you think Mark Brunell was a decision that didn't work out, what happens if Williams has a dozen touchdown catches next year and but Rogers turns out to have the tiniest flaw?

Still, this was one of too few days in the last six years when it felt like the Redskins were in the hands of a professional.

[bubba9497]

some one email this to Lenny P

[Chris 44]

I didnt expect this from the Post.

[Bizkiteer]

But just factor into your thinking that Gibbs disagrees. Maybe he's wrong. But why bring him back and then not do it his way?

Yeah, he was the same guy that was sold and made the jump to get sure bet Desmond Howard! Gibbs sure knows how to play GM and make the BEST player evaluations and decisions.

[Tarhog]

The proof of the power of the Redskins' feelings for Rogers was that they picked him over Williams, USC's spectacular wide receiver, whose talents would have matched the team's obvious weaknesses. And, no doubt, have pleased more fans. Williams, in fact, would have been the quintessential Dan Snyder-style pick. After all, almost every major Deion Sanders signing or Steve Spurrier courtship of the Snyder era has been cheered by fans -- in the offseason. Then, as soon as the next season rolled around, the evidence proved once again that fans -- including owner-fans -- make the worst decisions.

That says it all right there.

[richard saunders]

It's written by Boswell

[bulldog]

Boswell writes independently and doesn't follow the flow of what others on his paper write or think.

He has been quite outspoken on the issue of Angelos' meddling with baseball in Washington and I think quite rightly so. Others on the paper have softpedaled the differences and still seem to have some sympathy in their heart for the Baltimore Birdies.

Boswell is right that the Campbell pick shows that Gibbs is not in this just for the instant gratification of a 11-5 season and then a quick retirement.

At the same time, the drafting of Rogers shows that Gibbs is not going to ignore the team's biggest need area where the guy they rated #1 is still avaiable, just to make a pick that the fans would oogle over

I was hoping the Skins were going to keep and use both picks.

Let's face it, this club DOES need as many talented players as we can bring in.

There is no certainty at this point with Ramsey. We are guardedly optimistic about him, as I think Gibbs is. But it is not a slam dunk that he is the answer.

And Brunell showed last year that he is no longer a starting qb in the NFL.

[Tarhog]

Originally posted by Bizkiteer

Yeah, he was the same guy that was sold and made the jump to get sure bet Desmond Howard! Gibbs sure knows how to play GM and make the BEST player evaluations and decisions.

Do you think thats fair? Theres not a coach or front office in the league, in league history, that hasn't had a bust or two.

Whats your point?

[TODD]

Originally posted by Chris 44

I didnt expect this from the Post.

Boswell is classy, unlike immature writers like Demasio and Jenkins.

[tr1]

Boswell and Solomon have always been fair.

[TheLongshot]

Still, this was one of too few days in the last six years when it felt like the Redskins were in the hands of a professional.

And this is one of the few days that I felt the WP sports page was in the hands of a professional.

Jason

[SkinsRback04]

This is a good read.

Calming perspective is always a useful thing.

I especially like it because it plays the 'Devil's Advocate' very well.

Williams will be a major player in this league.

Like I said yesterday...I'll live.

[Big Will]

Who's in charge? Clearly, in this draft at least, Coach Joe Gibbs. Others may have agreed with him. But this was a sensible team-building choice, not the kind of desperate or headline-grabbing decision that has plagued the team in so many recent years.

After getting over the initial frustration of not grabbing Williams, I had this thought too. Not picking Williams seems so out of character for the Redskins of the past few years.

I wonder if Synder was pushing for Mike Williams..seems like that would be the pick. Maybe thats why picking Rogers came as such a shock to me.

Either way, we got the best CB in the draft and filled our biggest need.

[arrowhead]

Originally posted by Bizkiteer

Yeah, he was the same guy that was sold and made the jump to get sure bet Desmond Howard! Gibbs sure knows how to play GM and make the BEST player evaluations and decisions.

Way to indict JG on perhaps one of the only miscues of his Hall of Fame career. I love it when the negative undercurrent surfaces to rear it's ugly head when a move that's not popular but calculated goes down. Perhaps you need to read the article again.

[MumboSauce]

nice article.

the part I liked was..why bring Joe Gibbs back and not do it his way?

[arkowi]

Originally posted by TheLongshot

And this is one of the few days that I felt the WP sports page was in the hands of a professional.

Jason

well put.

[Hauss]

I can't believe that Desmond Howard is still an issue. He went at the point in that draft where he was targeted to go. He was a pick that people loved at the time as did the media.

[TC4]

Originally posted by bubba9497

some one email this to Lenny P

Some folks here need to read this too

[arkowi]

The title of this thread is wrong...it says "No answers, No suprises" while it would appear it is called "No Alarms And No Surprises".

[richard saunders]

Originally posted by mhd24

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12354-2005Apr23.html

But the 199-pound Rogers's reputation as a big hitter, as well as speedster, complemented the Redskins' top pick of last year, safety Sean Taylor. .....

Rogers, whose style combines speed, violence and audacity, is the cornerback equivalent of the 231-pound Taylor at safety.

"He gives you everything in the cornerback package: speed, size and he's physical. He's a shut-down corner who will [also] hit you. For our defense, that's very important."

.... a cornerback whom scouts love, but the public has barely met.

Read the above paraphrased from Bos...

We will again have the most exciting defense in the league.

[Gilgamesh]

Originally posted by Bizkiteer

Yeah, he was the same guy that was sold and made the jump to get sure bet Desmond Howard! Gibbs sure knows how to play GM and make the BEST player evaluations and decisions.

Charlie Casserly had something to do with that...and most teams had him rated as a high 1st round talent. We made the same mistake that most other teams would have made.

[The Sisko]

He presented a good analysis of both picks and the rationale used to make them. Not a softball piece but neither was it another ill informed diatribe either. All in all a very well balanced article.

[Tarhog]

Originally posted by arkowi

The title of this thread is wrong...it says "No answers, No suprises" while it would appear it is called "No Alarms And No Surprises".

Thanks for catching that....although the subtle difference nicely encapsulizes the two camps here.

[SnyderShrugged]

Originally posted by arkowi

The title of this thread is wrong...it says "No answers, No suprises" while it would appear it is called "No Alarms And No Surprises".

you are correct, in fact I wasnt going to read this thread just because I thought it was vitriol, glad i did.

Mods, can you edit?

[Gilgamesh]

Originally posted by arkowi

The title of this thread is wrong...it says "No answers, No suprises" while it would appear it is called "No Alarms And No Surprises".

Sounds like Boz might be a Radiohead fan...