<![CDATA[Here’s what the Washington Redskins are telling us with their Draft picks. The team is going to win with players already on the roster. (Looking at you, Robert Griffin III.)
The Redskins said they were selecting players with an eye towards the 2015 and 2016 roster. Their first three picks were trench warriors for 2014 depth. They opened today's Draft by selecting Clemson CB Bashaud Breeland. He excites Mid Atlantic fans for the same reason Morgan Moses does, familiarity.
Both played for ACC teams.
Fans are always amped up on Draft Weekend, just as they are on Free Agency Day when they are disappointed if the Redskins do not make a big-name acquisition. Hog Heaven is glad those days are over (I hope).
Big names don’t win games. Players who execute what you are trying to do are the ones who win games. Stars must emerge from your system. The Redskins are doing things right. That is the most we can go on right now.
Jay Gruden has drafted four players as head coach. He has three more picks today and those UFDAs they will sigh tomorrow. He has no track record.
I like what Bruce Allen is doing as GM to manage front office decision-makers and to protect the salary cap whose value is under-appreciated by fans and owner. Allen is not known as a talent guru, however. These unsexy picks the Redskins are making have to pan out better than Chad Rinehart and faster than Adam Gettis, Josh LeRibeus and Tom Compton, chosen by those who were talent gurus.
I hope there is an Alfred Morris in the bunch, but few members of this Redskins Draft Class will see the field much in 2014.
Avoiding Albert Haynesworth-sized blunders is something to be excited about.
Praise and pans of the Redskins’ Draft picks
Gladys Louise Tyler is not impressed with Trent Murphy.
“Washington did not have a pick in the first round. Then they traded their first pick of the second round to the Dallas Cowboys. The first pick of Washington came a little later in the second round. Their choice? Trent Murphy, linebacker. Murphy had a fourth round grade at best. But the first choice of the new regime was a reach. Let’s hope it isn’t a sign of things to come.”
Gruden: Redskins were happy to see Murphy drop and felt that team also got good value in Moses.
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) May 10, 2014
Football Nation, Day 2 Winners and Losers
David Levan liked the Morgan Moses pick.
“You could see the relief on his face once his name was called. The big offensive lineman from Virginia waited in the Green Room for what had to seem like an eternity. The Redskins showed patience and it paid off.
“Moses is a load to move and will be a fixture on the Redskins line for the next five seasons. Jay Gruden has an offense that needs to protect RGIII in the pocket. This is the kind of pick that can help solidify that task.”
Football Nation, 5 Best Picks of the Third Round
Hog Heaven had a hunch the Redskins were targeting UCLA guard Xavier Su’A-Filo, or Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. The Texans snatched Su’A-Filo from under us with their 33rd overall pick and then I read that Kouandjio failed the Redskins’ physical.
From Draft Value Chart, Redskins traded 560 (#34) value for 630 value (#47 & 78) for 12.5% gain in Draft value. #dontblowit
— Anthony Brown, The RedsCommander (@RedsCommanders) May 9, 2014
The Redskins traded down with the Cowboys right after Houston’s pick. They picked two offensive linemen, Moses and Spencer Long, in the third round. Hog Heaven had an immediate flashback to Chad Rinehart.
Rinehart is no prediction of failure by Moses. He is a reminder that these things must play out. Sometimes they don’t.
Moses grades out as an equivalent talent to Su’A-Filo and Kouandjio. I think he is the pick of the Redskins Draft. Expecting success is the only appropriate response. Just don’t make Super Bowl reservations until we see these guys play.
Eric Galko of Optimum Scouting thinks Moses may be a keeper.
“The third round started out far less exciting, with offensive linemen being taken with five of the first 14 picks. Rumored first rounders Morgan Moses and Marcus Martin found their waits over, landing with the Redskins and 49ers, respectively. Moses could offer immediate right tackle starter value….”
National Football Post, Another Day in the Books
Rush Limbaugh thinks the Redskins will take Michael Sam and I don’t know what to make of that because…Limbaugh.
Rushlimbaugh.com, Lets Hope The Redskins Draft Michael Sam
The controversy over the Redskins team name has become partisan with the most reliable defenders being archconservatives like Limbaugh. There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, only permanent interests. In the fight to save the Redskins name, we take our allies where we find them. Meh.]]>
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