Wash Post on Pick Swap

[Hercules Rockefeller]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2217-2005Apr19.html

Redskins Swap Draft Picks
Washington Gives Up Three for Broncos' First-Round Choice

By Jason LaCanfora
Washington Post staff Writer
Wednesday, April 20, 2005; Page D01

With most NFL analysts believing this weekend's draft is one of the weakest in memory, the Washington Redskins yesterday surprisingly traded their No. 1 pick next season and two other picks to the Denver Broncos for the 25th overall selection Saturday.

The Broncos will also get Washington's third-round pick this season and its fourth-round pick in 2006. The deal leaves the Redskins with only two picks on Saturday: the ninth and 25th.

Coach and team president Joe Gibbs was not at Redskins Park yesterday and was unavailable to comment.

"That's a pretty steep price to pay for [pick] No. 25," one NFL executive said. "They must be up to something else."

The days approaching the draft are filled with speculation about what teams will do. That has been especially true this year because this draft has no clear No. 1 pick and is considered to lack the star power of recent years. Many teams in the top five are reportedly willing to trade down to get more picks and avoid paying the high signing bonus and salary required of a high selection.

Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' vice president of football operations, said after the trade was announced that the Redskins have informed all 31 other NFL teams of their willingness to trade down. "We're looking to acquire picks rather than give them up," he said. "We're looking at adding a number of players and not just one guy."

But others around the league believed Cerrato could be bluffing and chatter about the Redskins' intentions began immediately after the trade was announced.

One NFL source who has spoken to officials from many clubs said he expected the Redskins to trade the first-round picks for a better selection that would allow them to draft Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards, considered by many to be the best player available in the draft. Another source was certain the Redskins would use the picks on two Auburn players: cornerback Carlos Rogers and quarterback Jason Campbell. ESPN reported Campbell is the Redskins' target.

The Redskins have the oldest coaching staff in the league and, coming off a 6-10 season and without a playoff berth since 1999, are looking for an immediate turnaround. But they have holes to fill in the secondary and at No. 1 wide receiver. They lost out on acquiring Oakland Raiders cornerback Philip Buchanon last night when the Houston Texans acquired the disgruntled starter in a trade for two early round draft picks.

Redskins officials, who are scheduled to hold a news conference today to discuss the draft, brought in most of the top cornerback and receiver prospects for individual visits leading up to the draft.

The day began in bizarre fashion at Redskins Park. Team officials issued a series of seemingly contradictory statements about what they were planning to do with their first-round pick. First, the team's Web site and a news release said the Redskins would not trade their No. 1 pick. The site said the Redskins "will use their first-round pick to select a player in this weekend's upcoming draft" and Cerrato was quoted in a statement as saying, "We are not trading that pick."

But Gibbs issued a statement contradicting both, saying the team will "consider anything."

"Are we considering any options we are presented with? Yes, we'll consider anything" Gibbs said in the statement.

As team president, Gibbs, not Cerrato, has final say on all personnel decisions. Gibbs had said on Friday that the Redskins were discussing trade scenarios with "four or five teams" and that trading down was possible. He reiterated that Monday as well.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2217-2005Apr19_2.html

Last night, Cerrato said he had been misquoted in the team's statement and that the team had always planned to trade the No. 9 pick. He said his comment should have only stated that the Redskins would not trade the No. 9 pick in a deal for Buchanon. The Washington Post, citing league sources, reported yesterday that the team had explored several trade scenarios and one involved obtaining Buchanon and the Raiders' second-round pick, the 38th overall, for Washington's first-round pick. Essentially, the team would move down 31 picks and get one of Oakland's starting cornerbacks.

Cerrato indicated the team had concluded the price was too high and the Redskins have no intention of trading their picks for an established player. Instead, Houston General Manager Charley Casserly, formerly of the Redskins, won the bidding war for Buchanon last night by giving the Raiders a second- and a third-round pick in this year's draft, according to a source.

Last night, a source close to the Buchanon trade said the Redskins had made a bid to acquire the cornerback.

Cerrato said the contradictory statements do not reflect division in the front office and that all team officials agree on the plan to trade down and will continue working in that fashion.

It has been a tumultuous offseason for the team, which has done little to appease critics of its front-office structure. The team is run by Cerrato, owner Daniel Snyder and Gibbs, and does not have a general manager, which detractors say is to blame for the team's inability to make the playoffs since 1999.

Wide receiver Laveranues Coles believed he had been promised his release by the team's front office in January and instead said he was threatened by Snyder when Coles refused to immediately accept a trade.

Coles was eventually traded to the New York Jets.

Linebacker LaVar Arrington remains mired in a dispute with the front office over a $6.5 million bonus payment he believes the team agreed to give him but then left out of his contract. A date has not been set for Arrington's grievance hearing against the team.

Two prominent free agents departed as linebacker Antonio Pierce signed with the New York Giants and cornerback Fred Smoot joined the Minnesota Vikings.

Staff writer Mark Maske contributed to this report

[watermock]

Cerrato said the contradictory statements do not reflect division in the front office and that all team officials agree on the plan

When plans collide.

[Rock Chalk]

Here we go with more "plan" talk.

Look, the only plan for any team is to improve from the year before. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt.

We got lucky this year, or so Im told what with the Brown castoffs and no number 1 draft pick and a bunch of low round picks that will probably be off the team in a year or two.

Brilliant plan. Only good out of this offseason for this coming season has been the resigning of Mr Underacheiver himself Trevor Pryce. I do like the potential of next year, but this year I will be grateful to finish .500.

[KillerBronco#76]

I do like the potential of next year, but this year I will be grateful to finish .500.
Your joking right, our team has deffinatley gotten better this offseason and if we can execute in the redzone this year we will easily win 10 games even with the tough schedual.

[Taco John]

"That's a pretty steep price to pay for [pick] No. 25," one NFL executive said. "They must be up to something else."




I agree entirely. I think this isn't the last we've heard of this trade. I think the Redskins have some plans to package and move up in a market full of teams begging to trade down. Their move is risky to be sure, but I think they think someone out there is "the" missing link to their game...

[Atlas]

Here we go with more "plan" talk.

Look, the only plan for any team is to improve from the year before. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt.

We got lucky this year, or so Im told what with the Brown castoffs and no number 1 draft pick and a bunch of low round picks that will probably be off the team in a year or two.

Brilliant plan. Only good out of this offseason for this coming season has been the resigning of Mr Underacheiver himself Trevor Pryce. I do like the potential of next year, but this year I will be grateful to finish .500.

Alec I think this year hinges not on the Dline, Not on the Oline and not on the secondary it all comes down to Jake. If he plays better, Makes better reads and converts 3rd downs Denver will be a better team.

I also think the Dline will be much improved. Just with Pryce and Ellis back healthy will improve the team. But really it all comes down to Jake.

Let's hope he comes through

[Taco John]

This team goes where Jake goes. Jake's performance will set the tone for this team, period, just like any team.

[Kaylore]

This team goes where Jake goes. Jake's performance will set the tone for this team, period, just like any team.
When the receivers catch the balls, that sets the tone for Jake's game.

[Atlas]

When the receivers catch the balls, that sets the tone for Jake's game.

Yeah if the ball isn't thrown over their head, in the ground, or behind them ~Popps~

[Vegas_Bronco]

AZZLAS stop with the cheeks - man who is that?

Who thought we should have picked up Gardner or a solid starter instead of additional picks?

[DB-Freak]

Yeah if the ball isn't thrown over their head, in the ground, or behind them ~Popps~
Jake plummer doesnt play defense.

Nor is he that inaccurate.

Denver was fifth in dropping passes in the league and nor does he have Randy Moss or T.O type of players that he can depend on.

[Atlas]

Jake plummer doesnt play defense.

Nor is he that inaccurate.

Denver was fifth in dropping passes in the league and nor does he have Randy Moss or T.O type of players that he can depend on.


Jake isn't inacurate? I like Jake but I must disagree with you. Have you seen him play? In his whole career he has only completed 60% of his passes twice. He under throws, over throws and throws behind the WR on crossing routes.

That is just Jake. That doesn't mean he can't improve. He can get better and lets hope he does.

Denver was 5th in the league in drops because Jake does not throw an easily catchable ball. Many passes are just a little off. He makes his WRs work hard and they drop some "catchable balls" They are catchable but they aren't well thrown.

I'm not bashing Jake this is common knowledge. Maybe this is the year he can put it all together

[Atlas]

AZZLAS stop with the cheeks - man who is that?

Who thought we should have picked up Gardner or a solid starter instead of additional picks?

That's my favorite avatar. I bring her out on special occasions!!LOL

I think Denver should turn around and trade Washington's 3rd back to Washington for Gardner. To me that would make good sense.

[Taco John]

When the receivers catch the balls, that sets the tone for Jake's game.


Jake had better not be making the same excuses that you're making. Jake's decision-making is the chief problem here... Not who he has catching the football. When he's not too busy throwing away division title games, he can start pointing fingers.

[Taco John]

Jake plummer doesnt play defense.

Nor is he that inaccurate.

Denver was fifth in dropping passes in the league and nor does he have Randy Moss or T.O type of players that he can depend on.



Denver was fifth in dropping passes because our quarterback throws errant passes... especially from the pocket.

Thankfully, Shanahan isn't blind to this...

[SoCalBronco]

That's my favorite avatar. I bring her out on special occasions!!LOL

I think Denver should turn around and trade Washington's 3rd back to Washington for Gardner. To me that would make good sense.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/image.php?u=2889&dateline=1113969313

Yep thats my favorite of your av's too. Forget about Gardner, how bout we turn around and trade Washington's third for that ass. Its polished, its well sculpted, it still has alot of upside, it can definitely make an impact from day one and most importantly it isnt a tweener. It has perfect size, the measurables are all there. She also seems to have "it" as well. I honestly dont see the risk here. I just dont. Send off the Skins 3rd for a piece of that. Now the league will really see how we ****ed the Redskins blind.

[Taco John]

Jake isn't inacurate? I like Jake but I must disagree with you. Have you seen him play? In his whole career he has only completed 60% of his passes twice. He under throws, over throws and throws behind the WR on crossing routes.

That is just Jake. That doesn't mean he can't improve. He can get better and lets hope he does.

Denver was 5th in the league in drops because Jake does not throw an easily catchable ball. Many passes are just a little off. He makes his WRs work hard and they drop some "catchable balls" They are catchable but they aren't well thrown.

I'm not bashing Jake this is common knowledge. Maybe this is the year he can put it all together


Jake is what he is, and he's not going to improve. It is necessary for the team to improve around him, and compensate for what Jake doesn't do right. That's not to say that we can't win with Jake. We can. We win with Jake when Jake plays like a winner. Alternately, we lose when Jake does not play like a winner. This team will only go as far as Jake's game allows for. He could absolutely put together a Kordell Stewart-like season and play within himself and the system and take the team to a Championship game or two. But the stars will have to be aligned just right for it to happen. Jake isn't a guy you can build around though... and that's what this team needs, IMO.

[Atlas]

Jake is what he is, and he's not going to improve. It is necessary for the team to improve around him, and compensate for what Jake doesn't do right. That's not to say that we can't win with Jake. We can. We win with Jake when Jake plays like a winner. Alternately, we lose when Jake does not play like a winner. This team will only go as far as Jake's game allows for. He could absolutely put together a Kordell Stewart-like season and play within himself and the system and take the team to a Championship game or two. But the stars will have to be aligned just right for it to happen. Jake isn't a guy you can build around though... and that's what this team needs, IMO.

I think he can improve. He can start by making better decisions which Shanny and Kubes are hard at work on but I also think he can throw better, Too me it looks like he rushes himself on some of his throws causing it to sail or be behind the WR. It also looks like he is late on some of his throws like he didn't anticipate the break off or he wanted the WR facing him before he throws the ball. I think this stuff he can improve on.

[Vegas_Bronco]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/image.php?u=2889&dateline=1113969313

Yep thats my favorite of your av's too. Forget about Gardner, how bout we turn around and trade Washington's third for that ass. Its polished, its well sculpted, it still has alot of upside, it can definitely make an impact from day one and most importantly it isnt a tweener. It has perfect size, the measurables are all there. She also seems to have "it" as well. I honestly dont see the risk here. I just dont. Send off the Skins 3rd for a piece of that. Now the league will really see how we ****ed the Redskins blind.

So if someone wanted to cheer that azz on as a Bronco, or assign it a number, better yet- adopt it, who is it and where did Atlas come up with it? All these posts about 'catching' mixed with that ava is just sending a confusing message to all our minds - there's only enough blood in a man to flow into his brain or his peni$.

[Atlas]

So if someone wanted to cheer that azz on as a Bronco, or assign it a number, better yet- adopt it, who is it and where did Atlas come up with it? All these posts about 'catching' mixed with that ava is just sending a confusing message to all our minds - there's only enough blood in a man to flow into his brain or his peni$.

Since Denver doesn't have a first I'm not adopting Justin Miller. I'll take her. Sorry but she is mine.

[Vegas_Bronco]

So, its your girlfriend, no wait.... someone close to Atlas, hmmmm...... ah ha, I knew it- your sister!!!

JK Atlas, it's a very nice avatar and thank you for 'bringing it out' on this special occasion.

[Kaylore]

Jake had better not be making the same excuses that you're making. Jake's decision-making is the chief problem here... Not who he has catching the football. When he's not too busy throwing away division title games, he can start pointing fingers.
Taco, there were passes that were right on target that our receivers just dropped. Several bounced right off of receivers hands into defender's. Jake does make mistakes, but better catching would help cut away many of those interceptions because we wouldn't be behind as much and thus wouldn't have to throw as much.

[fontaine]

Jake is what he is, and he's not going to improve. It is necessary for the team to improve around him, and compensate for what Jake doesn't do right. That's not to say that we can't win with Jake. We can. We win with Jake when Jake plays like a winner. Alternately, we lose when Jake does not play like a winner. This team will only go as far as Jake's game allows for. He could absolutely put together a Kordell Stewart-like season and play within himself and the system and take the team to a Championship game or two. But the stars will have to be aligned just right for it to happen. Jake isn't a guy you can build around though... and that's what this team needs, IMO.

I'm not so sure. Jake has shown that he can be a very good QB for stretches at a time. In his first season here from week 2 to week 16 he threw 13 TDs and only 4 Ints. He missed a few games in between and Denver's offense struggled without him.

He had a very good run in that time because the burden of the offense and moving the chains wasn't on his shoulders but on guys like Portis/Sharpe and Rod Smith (Lelie struggled that year).

We already know that great QB stats don't win ball games. You do it with a solid defense and players on skill positions in the offense that can cause matchup problems. Only a handful of teams that have guys like Manning, McNair, Culpeppar, McNabb can tell their QB to go out and win games for them. 90% of the league does not operate like this though and Denver falls in that category.

With Plummer, less is more. The more often we ask him to keep throwing the ball the less effective he is. We need to run the ball effectively with a set of Wideouts that have quality receptions instead of just quantity. With a more mature set of players like Bell/Putz/Watts/Lelie I think we're there.

In short as long as the running game is effective then Plummer has no excuses this year.

[Odysseus]

With Plummer, less is more. The more often we ask him to keep throwing the ball the less effective he is. We need to run the ball effectively with a set of Wideouts that have quality receptions instead of just quantity. With a more mature set of players like Bell/Putz/Watts/Lelie I think we're there.

In short as long as the running game is effective then Plummer has no excuses this year.

1. Absolutely. If the Broncos run the ball effectively there is no doubt that Plummer will have a chance to shine. Bell, Sapp, Anderson, Dayne, and Q have a chance to carry the team. Who wants it?

2. Unfortunately most defenses are going to force Plummer to beat them and that means Jake has to master the short game. Defense will give away the post because frankly Jake can't hit it that well. I cannot imagine Jake getting suddenly accurate. It would be fun if it just seemed that way...less picks.

3. The defense has to get turnovers. All running games are stoppable and if Jake can't light up the secondary our DL has to provide the key stops. If our defense could take away 10 points a game with stops think of the advantage. I'm preaching to the choir here Fontaine. You and I are both on the same page when it comes to big daddy D!

4. If Jason Elam isn't hitting like he was last year we won't even be able to count on the piddly threes we were living off last year. This team has to get 7's and start killing the red zone running, passing, boot legging, or giving Hape a chair and making him wait in the end zone. Go coach Brewster!

Ultimately Jake has to stop making mistakes. It won't be about what he did right but if he can eliminate what he did wrong we'll be so much better. If the Broncos FORCE teams to stop their running game they are setting up a situation where Jake has a chance to shine.

It would be fun to see fans saying Jake is suddenly awesome when everyone knows he's just Jake.

[Atlas]

Taco, there were passes that were right on target that our receivers just dropped. Several bounced right off of receivers hands into defender's. Jake does make mistakes, but better catching would help cut away many of those interceptions because we wouldn't be behind as much and thus wouldn't have to throw as much.

If you watch those games again you will see alot of those dropped passes were slightly behind or a little high. Sure they should have been caught but when Jakes throws those kind of balls almost every pass it puts a lot of pressure on them to make every catch.