Which pups have teeth?

[Burgold]

Well, we're halfway through the season, so I think it's time to check on our pups aka our draft picks and second year guys. Which of our youngsters have risen and can play, which are still question marks, and which have disappointed.

If I had to say which pups have teeth... I'd say Helu, Kerrigan, and Hankerson look like they might take a bite out of the NFL. Others are ready to nip, and some are gumming....

I won't do a full list, but I'll list of few.

Trent Williams can play, but he's so darn inconsistant. That was the rap on him pre-draft and he can't seem to prove his critics wrong.

T. Austin-- I'm not sold. He's made some plays. Seems to have good hands, but there's something missing. It might just be that he's a good utility man or it could be that he's not great at getting open or a victim of poor qbing...

A Armstrong-- This kid can play, BUT injuries and inconsistancy has hurt him this year. Is it a sophmore slump, the injuries, the qb play? He was demoted last week so the coaches must think it is at least a little bit him.

B Banks-- Ah, when you are healthy you are great, but keeping you healthy is tough and this week you started making BIG mistakes in your eagerness to prove yourself. He's trying to play himself off the team.

R Kerrigan-- A rookie who keeps making plays. If Ryan keeps up his trajectory we have a superstar in the making.

R. Helu-- He's done almost everything that's been asked of him pretty well. I think he's a player. I do want to see him really bust one though.

Hankerson-- How can you assess after one game? It was a pretty good game though.

Paul and Gomes and Hurt--- I'm not sure if you are out there. I need more from you.

[Brotherz]

Just curious, how did you think Maurice Hurt did yesterday? I'd love for us to hit on a guy like him. I agree with your assessments on everyone else. Its so frustrating to see Trent making such boneheaded plays and still being so inconsistent. Helu looks promising but he also looks small to me. Hopefully he is durable. I don't know about him as an everydown back though. Austin and Armstrong are very disappointing.

[Clutch03]

I think at this point it is very difficult to evaluate the young Wrs due to the lack of QB play. I now somewhat understand what Shanahan was trying to do last year with bringing in McNabb. He figured he would have a known entity at the QB position which would make it easier to evaluate the other positions. Well we all know what happened there so now we have a QB who is being evaluated himself and he is leaving a lot of plays on the field.
If Beck can’t get it together they will have to go back to Grossman. That is the only way they can really know if these kids can play. It’s very hard to tell if they are any good if they never get the ball thrown to them.

Kerrigan - he is the real deal. He will only get better with experience and a complete offseason.

Helu - Is quick but he seems to be missing something. I feel like he should be playing better than he has (even though he was our whole offense yesterday).

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I know he's only a second year player, but I'm not sure I'd class AA as a 'pup', lol. (Besides which I honestly think he's lost a step since the injury.). Wouldn't be too perturbed to see him move on in the close-season.

Aside from those you listed, who I agree with your write-ups on save for liking Austin more than yourself Bur man, I'd add the following :

Logan Paulsen looks a great pick. Big, strong blocking TE who also has a great pair of hands. Darrel Young looks a real good FB. Like Poulsen, big and strong; but athletic enough with great hands to play a part in the passing game. Nield has been getting some nice experience in the line rotation; and Jenkins looked a beast in pre-season before he went down. Two nice, starting calibre D-linemen there. Thompson and White looked real promising pre-season, and have been getting good experience being involved on the 53 this year. Hopefully they'll see action sooner rather than later. Nick Sundberg's been faultless as a long-snapper, so where set there for a long, long time to come.

Throw in the potential yet to make the jump from the practice squad of Robinson, Royster and Worthington; and Smith at tackle who looked a real find pre-season; and our first/ second year players look like forming a large part of the roster going forward.

We've also found out two or three of the first/ second year guys that probably aren't good enough to stick around as we go. Eric Cooks a complete joke at center. It started with the two false statrs, from a guy who STARTS the darn plays, and got real bad real quick from there. WAY too tall a dude to be playing centre to start with. And I know he's strictly a third year player, but Barnes has been a major disappointment for me this year. I get he's not in his natural corner role, but his fundamentals have been SORELY lacking. And I've seen little to think Riley is even solid depth to work with. Pre-season's one thing, but he looks totally lost with the full paced game.

Hail.

[acuratl1984]

Paul will be a ST Captain in a year or two IMO. And will continue to get more opportunities on the field as WR. Once we get a legit QB, I believe we will see Hankerson and Paul shine, I like there play, size, and speed.
As a 5th round draft choice, I think he has done pretty good. The guy got speed, and is usually the first one down field, he needs to get consistent and take down the runner.

I think they need to start playing Gomes instead of Doughty, in what i see from his highlights seems like he has good fundamentals.

Hurt, in yesterday's game. I thought he did "OK" and I think i'm being nice when I say that. I was watching the game off and on, but in what I saw.
He played too high and lost leverage, and because of that he was push back quite a few times. He's suppose to be a solid run blocker, but the line did not open any holes for Helu.

I love what I saw in Helu in terms of receiving, the guy got great hands. I think that's what Shanny like about his RB, the ability to catch. Remember he study Bilicheck during the 2 years he was out of coaching. And Belichek LOVES his pass catching RBs, like Kevin Faulk and Now Danny Woodhead.

[SWFLSkins]

I don't know how Gomes has not beaten out Doughty at this point. He is shoulder tackling big backs and they don't go down, he does.

[Burgold]

I agree with your assessment on Paulson and Young... though I'm not completely convinced on Young, Ghh.

The problem with grading Helu and Young for that matter is the feeble o-line play and the qb play which compounds the o-lines difficulties. A running back needs some kind of hole or crease and too often our running backs just don't get that chance.

So, who is Helu behind a good line? He seems to have performed at least as well as Hightower and better than Torrain. Hard to know.

[HogNose]

I want to see more of Darrel Young. Best thing they did was to convert him from LB to FB.

[Skins199021]

I like Helu, just need to be a little more physical

I like Austin as well, very good route runner if you watch him play. Not gonna lie, he is very wes welker like, but since we don't have a QB we will never realize that

Hankerson has potential, really need to see more.

Trent, potential is high, progressing slowly, but still progressing

Paulson I like him, ill leave it at that

Hurt.... had some promist in him

Kerrigan looks legit

Jarvis Jenkins looks legit.

[flexxskins]

T. Austin-- I'm not sold. He's made some plays. Seems to have good hands, but there's something missing. It might just be that he's a good utility man or it could be that he's not great at getting open or a victim of poor qbing... This is the first of two of your best observations (IMO:)). Austin seems to have great speed, yet still manages to some how not get good seperation from the defender.

Also, I think that he could easily replace Banks as our punt and kick return guy.


B Banks-- Ah, when you are healthy you are great, but keeping you healthy is tough and this week you started making BIG mistakes in your eagerness to prove yourself. He's trying to play himself off the team.Banks was already on the fense going into the 49ers game with me anyway. But I watched that game again last night, and when he muffed that kick, he didn't even make a attempt to dive on and recover the ball. The ball actually squirted back out of the pile and then he jumped on it.

I'm not saying that our special teams blocking couldn't improve, but I do miss the days when Banks would see a lane and hit up in it like his ass was on fire.

Side note: I like what I see everytime Keyaron Fox is on the field. I know that he has been around for a while. But my boy doesn't **** around. He goes after his target and when he gets there it's a sure tackle.

[Houston2Taylor2Landry]

I find it a little humorous that during Pre-Season, most were singing Paul's praises and saying Hank was terrible.

Paul has played in every game this year...Hank has 2x as many receptions as him.

I hope Paul becomes a beast though.

[Box76]

R.Helu- has that dual threat working for him similar to M.Forte. He could be a future cornerstone for the O with his speed and quickness.

Hankerson- my question... can he fit the mold of big playmaking wr. He has all the intangibles size,speed and enormous hands but this means little without production. He is getting his chance now.

T.Williams- up and down player but the potential is there. I think his play is a reflection of the guy he protects. He needs a field general in the huddle to keep him focused.

3/4 of the formula for an explosive O. Hopefully we add the right qb this time.

[Burgold]

I find it a little humorous that during Pre-Season, most were singing Paul's praises and saying Hank was terrible.

Paul has played in every game this year...Hank has 2x as many receptions as him.

I hope Paul becomes a beast though.

That's the problem with snap judgements. It'll be true in this thread too. Some views will be really optimistic and not pan out and some will be far too negative on a kid who'll be great, but needs much more seasoning.

[Enter Apotheosis]

I find it a little humorous that during Pre-Season, most were singing Paul's praises and saying Hank was terrible.

Paul has played in every game this year...Hank has 2x as many receptions as him.

I hope Paul becomes a beast though.

Paul was used almost exclusively as a run blocker through the first five games of the season, so it's a gross exaggeration to say that he's had significantly more looks than Hankerson as a receiver. It's rather unusual for a rookie wide receiver to be used like that but it (along with his special teams play) bodes pretty well for his future even if he turns out to be a marginal receiving talent.

[pjfootballer]

One thing about Niles Paul, I am so impressed with him as a "gunner" on the punt coverage teams. He's always the first one down there in front of the returner.

---------- Post added November-7th-2011 at 03:28 PM ----------


I agree with your assessment on Paulson and Young... though I'm not completely convinced on Young, Ghh.

The problem with grading Helu and Young for that matter is the feeble o-line play and the qb play which compounds the o-lines difficulties. A running back needs some kind of hole or crease and too often our running backs just don't get that chance.

So, who is Helu behind a good line? He seems to have performed at least as well as Hightower and better than Torrain. Hard to know.

I thought Helu "missed" alot of the holes yesterday. He had like 3 or 4 runs where he hit the wrong cutback lane that could have resulted in a longer gain. But that will come with experience.

[Burgold]

I thought Helu "missed" alot of the holes yesterday. He had like 3 or 4 runs where he hit the wrong cutback lane that could have resulted in a longer gain. But that will come with experience.

You may have a better eye than me for these things. I do remember Hightower missing some holes, but didn't really see Helu's misses. I assume you're right though.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

You may have a better eye than me for these things. I do remember Hightower missing some holes, but didn't really see Helu's misses. I assume you're right though.

It's possible...but I would contend that is also why you play these guys THIS year. Maybe in a meaningful game next year or in 2013, he hits the right hole and scores a TD.

[Rpredskins]

Hankerson is the most jittery-looking player I've ever seen. He clearly has talent but he looks like he is going to poop his pants during every play (e.g. the bobbled catch).

[2cents]

He was just surprised Beck threw to a WR...

[MLSKINS]

I have been defending Banks for the last year... I can't do it anymore. The one thing he can do in this league, he hasn't done this year. We should just part ways and replace him. I am disappointed in Austin too. I thought he would have a breakout season this year. Hopefully Shanny has another draft in 2012 like he did last year. We need to start building depth now in almost ever position on the team.

[BleedBNG]

I'd like to see the 1-2 tandem of pup Helu and pup Royster if Shanny would just let one of them out of the doghouse. :rolleyes:

[ConcordNCSkinsFan]

The Hankerson 2 point conversion made me think for a few moments because it seems I haven't seen a Skins receiver execute a goal line fade route properly in years. He made it look easy. Keep seeing what the young guys can do and how about seeing if Perry Riley has anything at ILB instead of continuing to play the dreadful Rocky Mcintosh. He and Doughty continuing to be starters on this team the rest of the season makes no sense.

[slats7]

Well, you had one nice moment yesterday.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTWTBMHMrhU

[Brotherz]

can we just go ahead and sign Sav Rocca to a ten year deal? That dude is the man. I know he is a punter but damn, he brings it every damn punt. Sad that this is what excites me nowadays but I say lock him up for the next decade.

---------- Post added November-7th-2011 at 04:40 PM ----------


The Hankerson 2 point conversion made me think for a few moments because it seems I haven't seen a Skins receiver execute a goal line fade route properly in years. He made it look easy. Keep seeing what the young guys can do and how about seeing if Perry Riley has anything at ILB instead of continuing to play the dreadful Rocky Mcintosh. He and Doughty continuing to be starters on this team the rest of the season makes no sense.

If I never see Doughty again it won't be soon enough. How many years have I been screaming "NO Doughty! NO!!" at my tv?

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

can we just go ahead and sign Sav Rocca to a ten year deal? That dude is the man. I know he is a punter but damn, he brings it every damn punt. Sad that this is what excites me nowadays but I say lock him up for the next decade.

How bad is it when your two kickers are vying for your POY?

Hail.

[Destructis]

I have a huge mancrush on Kerrigan. During the game, on some plays, I just focus on him. The guy will get knocked down and jump right back up. This is no fatass Haynesworth we have. The guy just has a motor that never stops. Even in the 4th quarter, he is still motoring along.

[skinzplay]

Trent Williams ---> should be playing on the right side, where he's most effective; still, i agree that he has been inconsistent. attitude of Mark May, but talent (so far) of Shar Pourdanesh

Young Receivers ---> it takes time to develop, and unfortunately, their development has been stunted by the unnecessary presence of people like Stallworth. I'm still not convinced that Keenan McCardell is the answer as receivers coach. Look at what the 49ers did -- they hired a real receivers coach and hired Bobby Engram as a quality control coach. Shanahan should've done the same thing with McCardell.

Kerrigan - among the best 1st round picks that the Skins have made in a long, long time.........and there haven't been many

[HailGreen28]

Jarvis Jenkins looks legit.Huh? I'm looking forward to seeing Jenkins play next season, but maybe you mean Neild is legit?

[authentic]

Austin: i think that experiment may be over. He's a slightly below average player. And doesn't seem strong enough to fight his defender for the ball

T. Williams: Getting better as he goes along. Needs to play smarter and not allow his emotions to cost his team in games. However, he looks like our franchise LT.

P. Riley: Hopefully with a full offseason to prepare he could take Rocky's spot as the starting ILB. He certainly has the physicality for the position.

Kerrigan: Bona fide star in the making. Many of us knew he would be good, but he has become one of the stars on defense. Another great building block we have there.

Jenkins: too bad he got hurt in the PS, he would be starting at this point. Looking forward to what he can do next season as he returns from injury.

Hankerson: clearly talented. but difficult to gauge since he doesn't have a legit QB throwing him the ball. I certainly see some potential however.

Helu: the way he's playing, his potential is through the roof. He has assumed alot of the work load as the season has progressed. I'm rooting for him to be the starter in the future.

[CrabR]

Helu is more of change oof pace back and not a every down back

Trent Williams not playing like a 4th overall pick

T. Austin loked good aganist 2&3 stringers in pre season, not a starter

A Armstrong backup at best

B Banks one year wonder

R Kerrigan home run on this pick

Hankerson, started slow in preseason, but i think he is starter materail


Paul i think he is going to starter/backup, I like his blocking

Gomes Neild and Hurt need to see more

this is the best we have draft since the 80s

[Brotherz]

How bad is it when your two kickers are vying for your POY?

Hail.

I get the sentiment. I do. But hell THAT is improvement. There are some signs of real improvement on this team and we often just completely miss it because we are so God awful right now in the MIDDLE of the rebuild. But yea, WHEN we are a championship caliber team we will likely have a pro-bowl kicker and punter. That's cool. They are probably on our roster right now. That's sweet.

WHEN we are a championship caliber team running a 3-4 defense we will have two OLB's who have incredible talent and high motors who can get after the QB. We have those two guys on our roster right now.

WHEN we are a championship caliber team we will have a pro bowl left tackle. The jury is out, but I see the idea of Trent being that guy. HOPEFULLY, he will continue to mature and improve. His run blocking is excellent and he is still learning pass pro against the elite of the NFL week in and week out. His durability is what concerns me. But Lord willing, that pro bowl left tackle is 25 years old and on our roster right now.

WHEN we have a champion caliber team we will likely have at least one pro bowl caliber safety (preferably two). He's on our roster right now. He needs to get his health squared away and return to form but he is young and in a position of impact.

WHEN we have a championship caliber team we will likely have at least one, if not two , pro-bowl type tight ends. We have at least one of those guys on our roster right now.

We have ALOT to do, because that champsionship caliber team has a pro bowl QB, guards, center, db's, and recievers too. But I don't take for granted when there is ANY position on this football team where I can look at it and envision it being on a champion. Rocca (and to a lesser degree Gano) are those types of guys. That's something to be happy about.

[GoDeep81]

WHEN we have a champion caliber team we will likely have at least one pro bowl caliber safety (preferably two). He's on our roster right now. He needs to get his health squared away and return to form but he is young and in a position of impact.



Who are you referring to here? Moore?

[freeSeanT.]

Small pups, big paws.~ Marlo Stansfield

[Burgold]

I realize I probably started it, but I think we're being a bit hard on T Austin in this thread. He has made some nice catches and seems to have good hands. It's hard to guage his production with his limited playing time and the inconsistant qbing and I doubt he's often the first or second option when he's out there.

[Brotherz]

Who are you referring to here? Moore?


You don't like Landry at Strong Safety?

[GoDeep81]

You don't like Landry at Strong Safety?
No No, I do, I was just tryin to think of who was injured that's a probowl caliber safety.. ;)

[mi6]

- Ryan Kerrigan

- Leonard Hankerson

- Niles Paul

- Anthony Armstrong

- Terrance Austin

- Roy Helu

... These kids have potential. Time will tell how successful they can be. But, till we have a legit OL and QB the WRs are not gonna shine.

[Brotherz]

No No, I do, I was just tryin to think of who was injured that's a probowl caliber safety.. ;)

Oh gotchya, I would have been much clearer had I though anyone might be thinking I was speaking of any of our other safeties? HAHAHAHAHA

I am still real high on Landry but he definitely looks. . . um. .. different since the achilles last year. I don't think its a no-brainer to sign him next year but I think we will ultimately have to.