Om
January-3rd-2008, 12:53 PM
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=33635
Where Credit Is Due
By John Pappas
January 3, 2008
In winning four straight games to end the season and clinch a Wild Card playoff berth, the Redskins players and coaches deserve a lot of credit.
Following injuries, tragedy and yet another second half collapse in the loss to Buffalo (its fourth straight), the team appeared all but out of the playoff race.
Then, with a seeming flip of a switch, the Redskins were able to get hot and win their final four games against conference opponents to earn the final NFC wildcard spot.
It was a remarkable run that has fans and pundits applauding head coach Joe Gibbs and the Redskins for their determination and character in the face of adversity.
While Coach Gibbs, the assistant coaches and the players have rightfully been recognized for a remarkable achievement in making the playoffs, what has been overlooked is the masterful job that Gibbs, Vinny Cerrato, and the personnel department did in bringing in players whose talent and fortitude were instrumental to the effort.
The Redskins experienced season-ending injuries to key starters and backups in 2007. Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Lloyd, and Rocky McIntosh were all placed on injured reserve, lost for the year.
Other injuries caused starters to miss games. Of the 11 starters on offense against Miami in Week 1, only three players, Chris Cooley, Chris Samuels and Pete Kendall, started all 16 games in 2007. Of the 11 starters on defense in Week 1 only five players, Andre Carter, Cornelius Griffin, London Fletcher, Shawn Springs, and LaRon Landry, started or played in all 16 games.
This left the responsibility of carrying the team to veteran backup players, rookies, and other late-round draft picks.
Since Joe Gibbs' return and before, the Redskins' front office has received more than its fair share of criticism for draft day decisions and offseason acquisitions, some deservedly.
Yet the moves the team made and the players brought in over the last few years allowed the Redskins in 2007 to withstand the injuries as well as the death of arguably its most talented player, Sean Taylor, while eventually earning a post-season spot.
This is especially true of the Day 2 draft picks and unheralded free agents the Redskins signed. The team's roster for the playoffs is rich with examples of players brought in as backups or in the late rounds of the draft that proved instrumental to the team's success in 2007.
Below are 12 players who were on no one's radar at the start of training camp but who have contributed significantly to the Redskins' playoff run.
* 1. Todd Collins was viewed as a perennial backup when brought in to help instill Al Saunders' offensive system in Washington. He started the year third on the QB depth chart but earned the No. 2 spot following camp. Collins relieved Jason Campbell in Week 13 against Chicago and had what Coach Gibbs describes as one of the best performances of a quarterback coming in cold Gibbs has seen. Since then Collins has thrown for 888 yards in four starts with five touchdowns and no interceptions with a quarterback rating of 106.4.
* 2. Stephon Heyer may be the most startling example of a backup who has made the most of an opportunity. Heyer, an undrafted free agent rookie, has done a remarkable job in filling in at right tackle on the offensive line. During the four game win streak to close out the season, Heyer was successful against superior defensive pass-rushing defenses in the New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys.
* 3. Pete Kendall was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets just prior to the season. A 16-year veteran, Kendall started every game of the 2007 regular season and was stalwart in his performance.
* 4. Jason Fabini was acquired via free agency in 2007. A backup last year in Dallas, Fabini was effective stepping in at right guard after Randy Thomas was injured and eventually placed on injured reserve.
* 6. Randall Godfrey was coaxed out of retirement to come play for the Redskins. With the season-ending injury to Rocky McIntosh, Godfrey split time with H.B. Blades at outside linebacker. His run defense against the league-leading rushing attack of the Minnesota Vikings was highlighted by both Coach Gibbs and assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams as superb.
* 7. Reed Doughty was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. With the passing of Sean Taylor, Doughty has assumed the starting strong safety position (with LaRon Landry moved to free) ahead of veterans Pearson Prioleau, Vernon Fox and Omar Stoumire. Doughty's play has improved steadily over the final five games of the season.
* H.B. Blades was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. The son and nephew of former NFL players, Blades, a middle linebacker, was thrust into sharing time with Randall Godfrey in the outside linebacker position following the season-ending injury to Rocky McIntosh.
* Lorenzo Alexander has been the team ironman. An undrafted free agent acquired in 2006, Alexander in 2007 played offense as a tight end, defense as a tackle, and on special teams.
* 10. Chris Wilson was acquired via free agency in 2007. Originally drafted by the CFL, Wilson is a first year NFL player who saw more and more duty during games as a pass-rushing specialist. He logged 13 tackles and 4 sacks on the season.
* 11. Keenan McCardell is a 16-year veteran drafted by the Redskins in 1991. The Redskins originally wanted to re-sign McCardell in preseason, but McCardell signed with the Houston Texans. Following his release from Houston, McCardell was brought in for wide receiver depth mid-year because of injuries to the wide receivers. McCardell contributed with 22 catches for 256 yards.
* 12. Reche Caldwell is a former New England Patriot and San Diego Charger that the Redskins acquired two days after the regular season started. He added immediate wide receiver depth. Caldwell, along with veteran Keenan McCardell, played an important role spelling injured starters during the playoff run with 15 catches for 141 yards.
None of these players were considered starters when the season began. Yet each played a part in the Redskins' late-season success.
The improbable run the Redskins made in December would have proved impossible without players such as these that could step in and maintain quality play in December.
That the team was able to play at a high-level when it most mattered is a testament to the great job the front office has done of scouting and signing players.
In a Redskins' postseason that is as remarkable for who is not playing as who is, the front office deserves credit for finding players with the right mix of character, talent and toughness to step in and help carry the team to the playoffs.
:helmet:
Where Credit Is Due
By John Pappas
January 3, 2008
In winning four straight games to end the season and clinch a Wild Card playoff berth, the Redskins players and coaches deserve a lot of credit.
Following injuries, tragedy and yet another second half collapse in the loss to Buffalo (its fourth straight), the team appeared all but out of the playoff race.
Then, with a seeming flip of a switch, the Redskins were able to get hot and win their final four games against conference opponents to earn the final NFC wildcard spot.
It was a remarkable run that has fans and pundits applauding head coach Joe Gibbs and the Redskins for their determination and character in the face of adversity.
While Coach Gibbs, the assistant coaches and the players have rightfully been recognized for a remarkable achievement in making the playoffs, what has been overlooked is the masterful job that Gibbs, Vinny Cerrato, and the personnel department did in bringing in players whose talent and fortitude were instrumental to the effort.
The Redskins experienced season-ending injuries to key starters and backups in 2007. Jon Jansen, Randy Thomas, Carlos Rogers, Brandon Lloyd, and Rocky McIntosh were all placed on injured reserve, lost for the year.
Other injuries caused starters to miss games. Of the 11 starters on offense against Miami in Week 1, only three players, Chris Cooley, Chris Samuels and Pete Kendall, started all 16 games in 2007. Of the 11 starters on defense in Week 1 only five players, Andre Carter, Cornelius Griffin, London Fletcher, Shawn Springs, and LaRon Landry, started or played in all 16 games.
This left the responsibility of carrying the team to veteran backup players, rookies, and other late-round draft picks.
Since Joe Gibbs' return and before, the Redskins' front office has received more than its fair share of criticism for draft day decisions and offseason acquisitions, some deservedly.
Yet the moves the team made and the players brought in over the last few years allowed the Redskins in 2007 to withstand the injuries as well as the death of arguably its most talented player, Sean Taylor, while eventually earning a post-season spot.
This is especially true of the Day 2 draft picks and unheralded free agents the Redskins signed. The team's roster for the playoffs is rich with examples of players brought in as backups or in the late rounds of the draft that proved instrumental to the team's success in 2007.
Below are 12 players who were on no one's radar at the start of training camp but who have contributed significantly to the Redskins' playoff run.
* 1. Todd Collins was viewed as a perennial backup when brought in to help instill Al Saunders' offensive system in Washington. He started the year third on the QB depth chart but earned the No. 2 spot following camp. Collins relieved Jason Campbell in Week 13 against Chicago and had what Coach Gibbs describes as one of the best performances of a quarterback coming in cold Gibbs has seen. Since then Collins has thrown for 888 yards in four starts with five touchdowns and no interceptions with a quarterback rating of 106.4.
* 2. Stephon Heyer may be the most startling example of a backup who has made the most of an opportunity. Heyer, an undrafted free agent rookie, has done a remarkable job in filling in at right tackle on the offensive line. During the four game win streak to close out the season, Heyer was successful against superior defensive pass-rushing defenses in the New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys.
* 3. Pete Kendall was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets just prior to the season. A 16-year veteran, Kendall started every game of the 2007 regular season and was stalwart in his performance.
* 4. Jason Fabini was acquired via free agency in 2007. A backup last year in Dallas, Fabini was effective stepping in at right guard after Randy Thomas was injured and eventually placed on injured reserve.
* 6. Randall Godfrey was coaxed out of retirement to come play for the Redskins. With the season-ending injury to Rocky McIntosh, Godfrey split time with H.B. Blades at outside linebacker. His run defense against the league-leading rushing attack of the Minnesota Vikings was highlighted by both Coach Gibbs and assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams as superb.
* 7. Reed Doughty was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 draft. With the passing of Sean Taylor, Doughty has assumed the starting strong safety position (with LaRon Landry moved to free) ahead of veterans Pearson Prioleau, Vernon Fox and Omar Stoumire. Doughty's play has improved steadily over the final five games of the season.
* H.B. Blades was drafted by the Redskins in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. The son and nephew of former NFL players, Blades, a middle linebacker, was thrust into sharing time with Randall Godfrey in the outside linebacker position following the season-ending injury to Rocky McIntosh.
* Lorenzo Alexander has been the team ironman. An undrafted free agent acquired in 2006, Alexander in 2007 played offense as a tight end, defense as a tackle, and on special teams.
* 10. Chris Wilson was acquired via free agency in 2007. Originally drafted by the CFL, Wilson is a first year NFL player who saw more and more duty during games as a pass-rushing specialist. He logged 13 tackles and 4 sacks on the season.
* 11. Keenan McCardell is a 16-year veteran drafted by the Redskins in 1991. The Redskins originally wanted to re-sign McCardell in preseason, but McCardell signed with the Houston Texans. Following his release from Houston, McCardell was brought in for wide receiver depth mid-year because of injuries to the wide receivers. McCardell contributed with 22 catches for 256 yards.
* 12. Reche Caldwell is a former New England Patriot and San Diego Charger that the Redskins acquired two days after the regular season started. He added immediate wide receiver depth. Caldwell, along with veteran Keenan McCardell, played an important role spelling injured starters during the playoff run with 15 catches for 141 yards.
None of these players were considered starters when the season began. Yet each played a part in the Redskins' late-season success.
The improbable run the Redskins made in December would have proved impossible without players such as these that could step in and maintain quality play in December.
That the team was able to play at a high-level when it most mattered is a testament to the great job the front office has done of scouting and signing players.
In a Redskins' postseason that is as remarkable for who is not playing as who is, the front office deserves credit for finding players with the right mix of character, talent and toughness to step in and help carry the team to the playoffs.
:helmet: