Diner Morning News: Redskins Offseason

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

4 May 2009

QUOTE:  “The absence of arrogance.” -- Katharine Graham, when asked what the most important leadership quality is.    

FROM DALLASCOWBOYS.COM... A Dallas Cowboys scouting assistant was permanently paralyzed from the waist down after his spine was severed during the collapse of the team's tent-like practice structure in a severe storm. The team announced Rich Behm was in stable condition at Parkland Hospital on Sunday after surgery to stabilize a fracture to the thoracic spine.  The 33-year-old Behm was among a dozen people hurt in the accident Saturday, and was one of three Cowboys staffers who remained hospitalized.  "To the Behm family we extend our love, comfort, and the full support of every person and resource within the organization," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Rich is a courageous member of our family and someone for whom we care deeply. We ask for all friends and fans of the Dallas Cowboys to join us in embracing him and his family with their thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time."

This is so sad on so many levels.  Before I finished the Sunday Post, there were reports that there were no significant injuries, so to find out about this makes you sick to your stomach. All of us at the Post extend our thoughts and prayers to Rich and his family. 

FROM CARLOS MONARREZ OF THE DETRIOT FREE PRESS... (Coach Jim) Schwartz said he did not fully appreciate Stafford's throws until he watched film. "Quite honestly, I didn't realize how well he was throwing the ball until I watched film and then you see the balls put right on those wide receivers," Schwartz said.  (GM Martin) Mayhew was a little more critical. "I thought a couple times he rushed himself and he missed a couple things," Mayhew said. "Then there were a couple times he threw some balls and it was like, 'Wow, I haven't seen anybody throw a ball like that in a long time.' So I think that's the way it's going to be for a while with him.  He's going to do some things that are really exciting and get everybody energized and enthused, and he's going to make some rookie mistakes."

Nothing drives me crazier than when a personnel man offers his analysis of players to the media after a practice – and I’m a personnel man. Jim Nantz set me straight on this year ago when he told me that America only cares about two things – who’s the head coach and who’s playing quarterback. Every offensive coach on the Detroit staff is reading those quotes and probably thinking, “What’s he saying?  He doesn’t know what we’re asking Stafford to do.” The role of the GM in front of the camera is now over. No one cares what he thinks about the players. There’s no need to have a two-headed voice of the organization. Schwartz is the head coach, so let him have the platform and be the voice of authority. Every time there’s something in the paper, the players read it and have their own unique perspective on the comments.  When you’re speaking to the media, your audience is not only John Q. Fan, it’s also all the players in the locker room, and they should always be your first point of reference. When they read about the GM evaluating the players, this sends a message that the head coach is not in complete control. I know this was not Martin Mayhew’s intent with his comments, but he has to know that everything he says has an effect – and that effect is not always a good thing. 

FROM JASON REID OF THE WASHINGTON POST... The minicamp was the first practice since owner Daniel Snyder repeatedly pushed to replace (Jason) Campbell.  According to league sources, he first attempted to trade for Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, who was traded to the Chicago Bears, and then tried to trade up in the draft to select Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Jets traded up and selected Sanchez with the fifth overall pick. Had the Redskins drafted Sanchez, Campbell's representative, Joel Segal, would have requested a trade, NFL sources said.  "In spite of all the stuff that happened during the offseason," offensive coordinator Sherman Smith said, "I think he just came out here and he's taken over."

The ‘Skins have been on my mind for some time, and now that the draft is over, their team is finally set. From the owner on down, they have doubts about the ability of their quarterback to be productive in the Jim Zorn system. No matter what you may feel about the system, the team’s ability to win in ‘09 lies solely in the offense’s ability to execute and score more points.  The ‘Skins’ average margin of victory last year ranked 31st in the NFL, which means they were playing many close games. With a bad field-goal kicker, they ranked 30th in points scored the last eight games of the season, winning only two of those games. So for the ‘Skins to catch the Giants and Eagles, they have to score more points. 

How will this change in 2009? They added only one new player (Derrick Dockery) to their offense in the offseason. The clear message they’re sending is that they just need a better level of play from their current players. I know they went after Jay Cutler and I know they entertained Mark Sanchez, but both attempts failed, and all that remains are the same players from a year ago. 

Bill Walsh always believed that in the first year, we teach the players the system. The second year, we develop their skills in the system. So for people who believe in continuity, there lies hope for the ‘Skins in the second year -- clearly not a plan, just hope.  However, continuity only works if you have the right players.  And this is where the ‘Skins are well short on offense. 

Their offensive line is a mess. Before the 2008 season, I was very critical of this area. I thought they were too old and injury prone -- but most of all, they lacked talent. That analysis was not looking good after the ‘Skins went 6-2 in the first eight games. But after the season, and in doing a recap, it proved correct. They ranked 22nd in sacks allowed, giving up 38, with a west coast-based offense that prides itself on getting rid of the ball quickly. They had breakdowns at every level on the line, and now they’re bringing back the same cast of characters – all a year older.  How can they expect to play well and handle the Giants’ new and improved defensive line, or the Eagles’ defensive front, or even the Cowboys’?  The NFC East this offseason has been like an ”arms race,” with the Eagles and the Giants making huge investments in their lines and making the most modifications. 

The burden of winning from the front office perspective seems to lie on the shoulders of Jason Campbell, whose position was the one area the ‘Skins wanted to improve on offense. And yes, I have been very critical of Campbell in my posts. I don’t see him as a west coast quarterback, as the system does not fit the player’s skill level. However, I feel that the failure to address the critical areas of concern this offseason will, in large part, affect Campbell and ultimately kill the ‘Skins chances. 

I love the signing of Albert Haynesworth because he will command double teams and press the pocket. I was not crazy about the signing of corner DeAngelo Hall or guard Derrick Dockery, but what bothers me most is that they didn’t address their most pressing need -- the offensive line. 

In the NFC East, you must win games with your ability to pass protect, your ability to match the physical power of both lines. Having an old, injury-prone line is not giving yourself the best chance. The ‘Skins are asking Joe Bugel, a great line coach, to make magic with the players he currently has on the roster. As a personnel man, the one area you feel a sense of frustration about is when your line is below par and there are no players available to help. You must have a two-year plan to fix the line. In training camp in 2008, the ‘Skins should have placed a premium on building a back-up offensive line for the 2009 camp. There should have been a plan to make sure there were five quality players on the team who could function in games and have a chance to develop into starters.  It takes a year to develop a line; there are no quick fixes. The ‘Skins chose to focus their attention on other areas. 

They’ll pay a huge price for those decisions come November. 

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