Vision Quest: Media Wars: Revenge of the Snyder

A not so long time age, on a football field not so far away….

An emperor sits in his Death Star brooding. In his rise to power just a few years ago he judiciously used the Jedi, rulers of “the Force”, to bring about not only power but accolades and riches. Together the Jedi and the emperor brought the Seperatists into submission. But now the Jedi have turned against him. So he must seek out a new apprentice, a former Jedi, to control the “force” and achieve his goal of absolute power.

Sure that is the plot to the new Star Wars film. But a very similar war is playing out over at Redskin Park. Daniel Snyder (the emperor) was once allied with the Washington Post (the Jedi). In fact he worked with the Post over the Washington Times (the Seperatists) when he first came into power. However after a few bad articles and a change in beat writers and Snyder is moving to control the media (that’s right the force) himself. He has hired Larry Michaels, a former member of the media, to produce exclusive “news” videos for Redskins.com (the Death Star). Redskins.com now becomes the ultimate weapon against the Post and the Times.

Ok I promise that is the last I am going to use that analogy. Even though one could make a decent case for Joe Bugel as Obi Wan Kenobi (“Feel the power of the Hogs”) or Joe Gibbs as Yoda (“Win or win not, there is no tie”). Or Sean Taylor as C3PO (“Oh Clinton I am not programmed for voluntary workouts, I am having a melt down”) or Clinton Portis as Jar Jar Binks (“Meesa say stay in Miami if yousa want”) Ok that is the last time. I promise. Maybe.

Did you hear the news? Redskins.com is upgrading. Over the last year they have carried press conferences live on streaming audio but they are going further now. They are supplementing it with streaming video features including player and personnel interviews, video of practices, and short Q&A sessions with Coach Gibbs and Cerrato (and I mean short like 30 seconds in some cases). All in an effort to “reach out to fans” according to Gibbs, Cerrato, and Snyder and escape the “filter” of other news source And there is more to come, message boards, email updates, and maybe even a death ray (stop it!!).

I love the new videos coming out of Redskin.com. Being a fan that is so far away from my team I can not get to training camp every year or even to the games, so seeing the Redskins practice in Oat’s is very fun for me. I used to play football and I can recall those spring practices and summer football camps. They are great memories. Also seeing Rosenhaus talking to Larry Michael immediately after Santana Moss’s signing was kind of cool. And interviewing Vinny Cerrato every other day about a roster move is also somewhat informative.

Let’s be clear though, this is a blatant attempt by Snyder to take control of the media war he has been losing over the last couple of months. As I have written here before Snyder is a very media savvy business man. He understands the media and is largely ahead of the curve when compared to most NFL owners. But lately the news has all been negative, so Snyder is now deciding Redskins.com will be making the news and others will have no choice but to follow suit.

Snyder’s main reason for this is the negative reporting done in the Washington Post as of late. The war boiled over this off-season when the Post continued to break negative story after negative story. First the erroneous story that Gibbs would retire and then the supposed outright release of Coles story. The team responded with taking away 200+ season tickets. The Post responded with even more negative articles.

This is a surprising meltdown in relations between the Post and the times. Many will remember under the Jack Kent Cooke era that the paper of preference for the Redskins was the Washington Times. When Snyder took over he fired most of the PR staff preferring his own people to come in. Snyder quickly decided that the Times would get no more special treatment and preferred to give preferential treatment to the Washington Post. This was not an arbitrary decision either. The times readership base and conservative bias, then as well as now, tend to limit its readership base. The Washington Post was nationally known and had double the amount of regular subscribers. And more importantly was a mainstream paper that more of the local residents AKA season ticket holders read.

Not surprisingly the Washington Times responded with attack article after attack article. The Post was very soft on the Redskins multiple mistakes under the Snyder era in hopes of keeping their preferential treatment. The previous Beat reporters fro the Post gave Snyder and the team passes early on as the first couple of years of Snyder’s rein started piling up more mistakes then a monkey taking dictation. The Times of course was super critical. Fans had to read both and look somewhere in between to get the truth.

But the current Post beat reporters of Nunyo Demasio and Jason LaConforia have been anything but soft on the Redskins. Snyder reacted so badly to the Post off season he granted his first interview to the Times in four years. That was the shot over the bow that started the war. However it took Demasio’s breaking of the Coles situation to turn it into an all out assault. Now Snyder has decided to pass on both and take control himself.

I am not a big fan of the reporting in the Post as of late either, but this is certainly a drastic and expensive decision on Snyder’s part. Demasio and LaConforia have had some examples of very loose reporting, for example the Gibbs retirement story and the trading up for Braylon Edwards during the draft. However they were spot on in the Coles story (even though Coles was not released but traded. They were the first to say there was a tangible problem and one could make the case that their reporting actually changed the original plans for the Redskins.

But Snyder’s attempt is at best transparent and at worst an extreme example of Snyder’s best quality as a businessman and worst quality as an owner, his need for absolute control. As I said I like the videos and interviews but I will not rely on Redskins.com for my Redskin’s information. That would be like relying on the Tobacco industry for health and safety concerns with cigarette smoking, or that PR guy from Iraq during the Gulf War II on the state of the war, or Fox News for, well, news. Anything from Redskins.com should be considered fluff and propaganda and not real news at all.

That being said, it sure is fun to look at. And pretty harmless, unless Larry Michael cuts of Nunyo Demasio’s hand and surprises him with “Nunyo, I am your Father!!!!!”

Akhhorus and CNYSkinFan debate series: June 1st cuts.

Akh on Rod Gardner: He should be cut if the skins cannot deal him. The simple fact is, there is no role for him on this team. And cutting him will save 2 million in cap space. Considering his track record, the acquisition of Moss and Patten and the apparent ascendency of Taylor Jacobs; Rod, who has been a starter his whole career, better get use to sitting on the bench. And you don’t pay two million of cap room to a guy who sits behind at least 3 others and has a negative influence on the team.

CNYSkinFan on Rod Gardner, WR: Cut him. I am not sure how much more can be said about him. He is not in Washingtonís plans and no one else is willing to part with a draft pick for him. Cutting him will save 2 million on this yearís cap and cost us nothing next year. It is a sad end for a first round draft pick, to be let go without compensation. However Gardner is in the last year of his rookie contract and has not shown that he deserves an extension, and Washington needs the cap room.

Akh on Morten: He’s still a good player, coming off of an injury. However, his contract starts to weight heavy, and Antonio Brown/Moss/Patten/Whomever can do his job just as well and for a lot less. Cut.

CNYSkinFan on Chad Morten, HB, KR: Cut him. Antonio Brown is the main reason Chad Morten is expendable. Chad came to Washington with great promise and never fulfilled it either. Chad Morton was exclusively a kickoff returner for the NY Jets but was supposed to pick up punt returns and be our 3rd down back when we acquired him in 2003. He did all three and because of injuries even did a feature back role under Spurrierís last year. However in 2004 the acquisition of Clinton Portis eliminated the need for Morten to be in the backfield. His kick and punt returns were lacking as well. It always seemed he made a beeline for the sideline and never showed the explosiveness he did in yearís past. When Morten went down with a season ending injury, Antonio Brown was signed. Immediately the kick and punt returns were once again threats. Brown is quicker then a whisper and less expensive. Cutting Morten will save us .5 million this year but cost us 1 million in dead cap next year. We need the roster space though so Morten must go.

Akh on Barrow: A real player and a leader that has been unfairly demonized by Skins fan. However, he cannot stay healthy and has a debilitive knee injury. His cap figure is small enough to cut now and get out from 1+ million of cap room. Also, the acquisition of Warrick Holdman and Robert McCune makes his stay in DC shorter by the day.

CNYSkinFan on Michael Barrow, MLB: Cut him. Barrow was supposed to start at MLB for us last year but never even made the field. The Redskin doctors need to take a hit on this one. Barrow was injured when we signed him but was supposed to be ready for training camp. He may not even be ready for this yearís training camp. . Antonio Pierce showed us that Gregg Williams could plug in an average player into the middle and turn him into a superstar. And whether that player is Lemar Marshall or Warrick Holdman, it is not going to be Barrow. Cutting him June 1 will save us 1.7 million this year and count as 1.7 million in dead cap in í06. The Redskins need the roster space and the money. Barrow is all but gone.

Akh on McCants: Overpaid, doesn’t contribute, bad attitude. He’s in the same boat as Rod Gardner–too many players at his position and he really botched a great opportunity last year to play when Gardner was struggling. He’s not worth keeping around, despite his size. And dumping him will go a long way to show that you can’t trash your coach in public and get away with it.

CNYSkinFan on Darnerian McCants, WR: Keep him. Dmac gets one more year to prove himself and he may actually do well. Watching the OTAís on Redskins.com one thing really stands out. His size. The Redskins need Dmac to fill either win the second or third receiver role this year. He along with Cooley can fill the role of possession receiver while our burners can streak down the filed on the outside. Since we will save no money this year by releasing him I donít see a need. However he is primed for release next year if he is not in a contributing role this year. It will either be feast or famine for Dmac, but he gets a one more year to determine his fate.

Akh on Walt Harris: Solid vet, who is now expendable with the drafting of Carlos Rodgers. this is purely a cap move, since dumping him will save a couple million in cap room. If he didn’t hit his performance bonuses, he would stay, but the skins can’t afford to pay his salary with the drafting of Rodgers and Wilds, who showed some talent last year.

CNYSkinFan on Walt Harris, CB: Keep Him. This is an interesting option and to be honest I never thought about it. However with the improved play of Garnell Wilds and the drafting of Carlos Rogers it is a possibility. However much like McCants we will save no money with a June 1 cut this year. Rogers and Wilds are still raw and we need the experience of Springs and Harris to bring them along. Like Dmac he may be cut next year, but not this one.

Akh on Friedman: Keep him. The skins have no real depth on the line, Friedman is a solid vet and can play multiple line positions. the cap relief from cutting him wouldn’t be worth the hole it creates.

CNYSkinFan onLennie Freidman C, G: Cut Him. Some would say that Friedmanís versatility might save him from a pink slip on his locker door. But I rather make way for one of the younger guys like Ben Nowland, Mark Wilson, and Jim Molinaro to fill his reserve slot. And cutting Friedman is VERY cap friendly, saving the Redskins .65 million this year and only costing 50k (thatís right 50k) in dead cap money next year. We got to let our young guys get the experience to be decent reserves in the league and Friedman is standing in their way.

Akh on Raymer: I like Raymer. He’s a solid dirtbag who is the kind of guy you want on the line, however his play has degraded. He was ineffective last year and the signing of Rabach makes him expendable. Cut him.

CNYSkinFan on Cory Raymer C: Cut Him. The first lineman in the dirt after each snap last year is probably the first person I would cut this year. The signing of Casey Rabach makes Raymer obsolete. His age and serious lack of skill does not make him a decent backup either. Cutting him will give us a cap savings of .975 million this year and has a dead cap charge of only $134k next year. This is an easy cut and if I were Raymer I would be looking for teams that need a Center who specializes in collecting dirt in his facemask as a defensive tackle runs over him.

Vision Quest: The One Year Re-Do

The National Football League has had its share of hold outs since the Salary Cap era began in 1993. In fact there is no real surprise anymore. Many teams expect several of their stars to be out of camp until right before training camp or even the start of the season.

And most of the time I don’t blame the players for holding out. Hold outs usually occurred while a player was under a restrictive tag, such as Franchise, Transition, or some kind of RFA. In this case they have not agreed to a contract so why should they come to camp unless it is on their terms. Previous years you have seen Walter Jones and Orlando Pace be prime examples of this. In some other cases players are in the last year of an existing contract and trying to get an extension, for example Santana Moss and the Redskins. Not as noble but when a career can end in an instant in the NFL you have to protect your future, so I can understand it.

However a new phenomenon is happening in the NFL. I call it the one year “Redo”. Players in the NFL are demanding new contracts only a year after signing long term deals. Gone are the days of a long term contract giving peace of mind to an owner and fans. Now one year of increased stats are enough to ask for a new contract.

A Prime example of this is Terrell Owens of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Owens situation is incredibly ugly already and it should have never got this way. Here we have a wide receiver whose agent screwed up his contract last year nullifying his free agent status. His original team hated him and sent him packing to Baltimore. TO then went into arbitration to nullify the Baltimore trade and worked out a contract with Philly, where he wanted to go. So against all odds TO went to where he wanted for the contract he wanted to sign.

Now TO wants a new contract. He had a great year last year, some would say MVP year. He risked his career to come back for the Super Bowl and played on a just healed broken leg. And not just played, played well. If the Eagles had won TO would have been the MVP of the Super Bowl. Even the most grudging Redskin fan had to give a nod in TO’s direction. Here was a supposedly selfish cancer of a team mate giving it all in the pursuit of the ultimate team goal, a championship. One could actually hope that TO had turned a corner into a new more productive portion of his career. He was a hero in Philly and he could finally be loved and play football at a high level.

Uhm well, if you were think that I got some swamp land in Florida for you. Since the Super Bowl TO finally fired his agent that screwed up his free agency last year and hired Drew Rosenhaus. He then made it clearly known through the Media that he wanted, no demanded a new contract. All that could have been forgiven even excused, however then in a case of what I call “dick head momentum” he called out Donovan McNabb, a virtual patron saint in Philly. Now if you are a wide receiver why piss off the one guy on the team that will throw you the ball? He has already skipped a mandatory mini camp and the hold out looks like it is going to get uglier and uglier. The owner has sent a clear message they aren't budging and if TO's history is any clue, TO won't either.

Now before us Redskin fans get all giddy with the hopes of a protracted hold out with the Eagles we need only look to our backyard for another example of this. Sean Taylor, our #5 pick just last year, is trying to renegotiate his 7 year 18 million dollar contract. He is unhappy with the contract even though with incentives it could be worth up to $40 million dollars. He has stayed in Miami this off season instead of participating in the weight program at Redskin Park. Now so far Taylor has been silent, preferring to let his agent do the talking. The problem is that his agent is Drew Rosenhaus, the same agent as Owens.

Taylor and Drew Rosenhaus are in a different position then TO though. They believe the contract Taylor signed was unworthy of him because it was not negotiated properly by his agent at the time. They quickly side step the fact that Taylor had Rosenhaus as his agent, fired him, and played agent carousel for months before finally settling with a guy who is no longer in the sports agent business. Rosenhaus would have renegotiated the contract immediately after being re-hired if it was not for NFL rules disallowing renegotiating a rookie contract in its first year.

In Taylor’s case this could be a multi-year effort to get a better contract. TO is 32 and realizes he will never see the full worth of his 7 year contract and if he does nothing he will never get another big pay day. However Taylor is young. He and his agent could be setting up the Redskins for renegotiations next year. They know the skins won’t do something this year, so they let the Redskins know that Taylor is not kidding about a new contract. Taylor shows up for mini-camp, has a great season, then Drew goes to Danny next year and says “Ok we played ball, now lets sign a contract that makes Sean a Redskin forever.”

But TO and Taylor are certainly not the only players holding out this year. The “one year redo” is starting to become more and more common. Is this new trend just selfish players or is it symptomatic of a larger problem? The NFL is not totally blameless. This is the only professional sport where player contracts are not guaranteed. Teams can routinely release a player and be free of the salary for the remaining years of the contract. To offset this signing bonuses have become more important in negotiations and are usually the only guaranteed money a player will have. So why should the player be the only held to the contract if the team is not?

The answer is simple, “Because that is the way it is”. This is not new. The NFL busted the player’s union years ago and this particular bargaining agreement has been in place for almost 10 years. Guaranteed contracts are killing competition in Baseball and Basketball (and don’t get me started on Hockey’s financial problems). So the NFL is performance based. Many contracts, including Taylor’s, have escalators tied to production. You produce you get paid.

Perhaps the NFL should look into guaranteeing contracts for 1/3 of the life of that contract. You sign a 7 year deal and not only is the SB guaranteed but the first two years salary. That may be a compromise worth investigating when the Union goes back to the bargaining table next year. But individual players need to honor the contracts they have signed. Jeffrey Lurie of the Eagles has it right when he says there will be no renegotiation of TO’s deal. So does Gibbs when he says Taylor is under contract and needs to be at mini-camp.

Mr. Taylor we will be seeing you on July 17th.

Vision Quest: Gardner....Reaping what he has sown

So yesterday the Redskins finally completed to contract extension with Santana Moss. The man we traded Coles for months ago is finally agreeing to come to camp. His future, at least for the next few years, is in Burgundy and Gold. Having forgone a WR in the NFL draft this is the final step of revamping of the WR unit for this year. Moss will be the #1 receiver. #2 and #3 will be battled for by David Patten, who we acquired from New England, Taylor Jacobs, who excelled at the end of last season, James Thrash, the dependable man, and Darnerian McCants, who may be emerging from Gibbs dog house.

And where does that leave Rod Gardner? In limbo that is where. The Redskins and his agent tried to trade him the entire off season and not one quality bidder has come out of the woodwork. Even during the Draft no one wanted to take a stab at him. There are reports that Gardner intentionally scrubbed earlier deals by refusing to sign a contract extension, hoping to hit FA in a year. Is it no wonder why we could not get a draft choice for him?

So what should the Redskins do with Gardner? There are several possible scenarios with pros and cons on each. Here they are as I see it.

Trade Gardner for a future draft choice

This is still the best scenario for Gardner and the Redskins. Gardner gets to start over; the Redskins get some draft choices in the future. A future third or a fourth with escalators to a second with performance guarantees could be the ticket. However is anyone out there willing to part with one? Maybe Tampa Bay. But they drafted three WRs and may not be looking for another project. San Diego is still a possibility, after all Schottenheimer did draft Gardner for the Skins over the objections of Dan Snyder. Miami needs a WR but may not be willing to take a chance on another Redskin possession type receiver with Derrius Thompson still on their roster.

Odds: 5-1

Keep Gardner and have him play out his contract

Some are suggesting this is going to happen, and one of them was Joe Gibbs. I think it is more likely that Gibbs is trying to drive up Gardner’s trade value before releasing him, but you never know with the Coach. He may keep him and put him in the WR rotation. The problem is that I would put three WRs ahead of Gardner on the depth chart (Patten, Jacobs, and Moss) and two other WRs would be tied for him for fourth (McCants and Thrash). It is doubtful the Redskins will keep 6 WR so he would have to beat out someone for this roster spot. Lastly everyone knows Backup WRs have to play special teams for Gibbs. Gardner never has and I doubt would be willing to.

Odds: 10-1


Give Gardner a multi year extension and he plays like the pro-bowler he should be.

Are you out of your *****Censored By Spence***** mind?

Odds: 2,000,000 – 1


Let Gardner go and get no value back for him (but be glad ye are rid of a knave).

In my mind this is still the only option left to the Redskins. No one is going to trade for an underachiever in the last year of his contract when they can sign him for cheaper after he is cut. We have too many receivers for him to make his mark on the team, and why now when he has had 3 years and did nothing? The Redskins could use the 2+million in cap space that his release will bring. We have rookies to sign and possibly Taylor’s contract to deal with. Gibbs can’t afford a 3+million cap hit for a 4th WR.

Odds: Even Money

Since Rod Gardner is in the last year of his contract there is no benefit, other then trying to drive up his trade value, to waiting for the June 1st cut. Unless there is a bidding war started by a foolish team or two then I would expect 50/50 to be looking for a squad to drop balls for next year. It’s frustrating to see a guy with flashes of brilliance be given up on by the Redskins however his mental lapses have cost us many games over the past 3 years. Sure he may make a brilliant one-handed diving catch for a touchdown 3 or 4 times a year but Gibbs system depends on guys who can run a 10 yard curl and move the sticks more.

In the end there is nothing more to say. Gardner never reaped the harvest we had hoped so it is time to start over, without him.

Akhhorus and CNYSkinFan Debate Series: Post-Draft 2005 grades

Now that we all have had some time to disgest the picks, and see posed pictures of the picks in redskins uniforms, CNYSkinFan and I have a grade for each of the draft picks the skins made:

Carlos Rodgers:

CNYSkinfan on Rodgers: Despite my initial disappointment in missing out on Mike Williams, I like this pick. When we lost Fred Smoot I felt that Walt Harris and Shawn Springs *could* be an adequate replacement, but I was worried about their age and injury history. Rogers puts those fears at ease. He is bigger then Smoot at 6’ 1” and very athletic. Many teams had him as the top rated corner and he may be the best fit into the Williams “D”. Grade: A

Akh on Rodgers: I think he was the best CB available in the draft. He’s got good size, speed, quickness and technique. The only reservation I had about this pick was whether or not they could have deal down to 13 or so and still gotten him, but a lot of teams would have snapped him up in a second. If you want a comparison to a player in the NFL, think Dunta Robinson, only more polished a player. Grade: A

Jason Campbell:

CNYSkinFan on Campbell: First off I was disappointed that the Redskins used this pick on a QB. I still feel the possession type receiver that offense needs does not exist on our roster and Heath Miller (TE) was available with this pick. But after taking time to look at things there is some logic to this choice. Patrick Ramsey has not done as well as expected in his Redskin career. Now Ramsey will get his shot this year, but it will be his last. Ramsey’s contract runs out at the end of next season. His agent and him have been displeased with Ramsey’s stay and whether Ramsey does well or does not, it looks as he won’t be in Burgundy and Gold for too much longer. Campbell can spend this year as the #3 and next year as the #2 and learn the Gibbs offense. It is a wise plan. But I still would rather have Heath Miller and go for it all in the next two years. Grade: Conditional B (If Ramsey falters and Campbell is the starter next year).

Akh on Campbell: I like the pick. While we could have used Heath Miller or another player there, if Gibbs sees something in him that made him want to draft Campbell there, I say, get the Qb of the future now and let him learn. I would rather take him now, and let him sit for a year, learning the NFL and be ready for 06 than see Ramsye fail again, draft a rookie and force him into a lineup before he is ready. Grade: Conditional B+ (based on where the first the skins gave up for him is)

Manuel White:

CNYSkinFan on White: Manuel is going to get a little bump in his grade because the Redskins traded back for him and picked up another pick as well. Manuel is going to be replacing Rock Cartwright on the roster and giving the Redskins more flexibility when it comes to goal line situations. The Redskins could line White at RB and let Sellers be the lead blocker and also could line White at H-Back and let CP run it in. White could be a candidate to take over the H-back slot full time if Cooley moves to TE. This is a good value pick in the second day and could help our offense immediately. Grade: B

Akh on White: I don’t think this was the guy they were targetting after the trade down. I think they were after one of the wideouts taken between where they dealt from to where they to. Interesting pick here, though, and I think he will contribute at HB and as a short yardage back. Grade: C+/B- due to picking up a draft pick

Robert McCune:

CNYSkinFan on McCune: This could be one of the most intriguing picks of the draft. At age #26 McCune is not your typical rookie. He served his country for 3 years and went to school on the GI Bill. You gotta like his story. The MLB spot is one that requires a lot of mental acuity. He may not be a candidate to start there, this year anyways. However if Barrow is unable to come back from injury and if Lemar Marshall can not make the adjustment to the inside or God forbid we need him on the outside because of injuries, McCune could be ready to serve us as well. At the very least he will be a “teamer” and give us quality depth at LB. Grade: B

Akh on McCune: He needs teaching, but as a physical talent, is amazing. Good value pick here. he’s a mature person who is a physical freak. He will immediately contribute on special teams, but don’t be surprised to see him in the defense before too long. Grade: B

Jared Newberry:

CNYSkinFan on Newberry: With Lavar ailing and Lemar moving to the inside the Skins needed help at the OLB spot. Newberry also plays special teams which is a must for a Gibbs linebacker. He is noted for his smarts and work ethic. However he is bit of a tweener, too small for LB to big for Strong safety. Williams needs to make a decision on where he needs to go and Newberry has to follow the plan for him to stay on the team past this next year. He will help on special teams this year though. Grade: C+

Akh on Newberry: They must see something I don’t in this guy. I don’t see him as anything but a special teamer, and with other needs, wouldnt this pick have been better served on a guy like Bill Swancutt or Jovan Haye? I’ve heard he might move to SS, which still isnt a need. He’s another hard worker type who will make the team on effort and character. Grade: C-/D+

Nehemiah Boughton:

CNYSkinFan on Boughton: This is the most puzzling pick of the draft for me. On face it appears as if White and Newberry will be battling for the same roster spot as a big h-back who can also do TB. I know Nehemiah plays special teams and you can never have too much of that. However I do think that the Redskins bypassed need at the WR position and added a guy at H-back that may not make the team. Many quality WR projects were bypassed , including JR Russell. Grade: C

Akh on Boughton: Very interesting pick here. Boughton is a hard worker who is relentless on the field. Big, with okay speed, he will be the change up to Portis. Betts, you might want to update your resume. He’s another guy who is a hard working, top effort, high motor type guy; who have colored the skins’ draft. Interesting. Grade: C+

Overall:

CNYSkinFan: The Redskins addressed needs at CB and LB. They also drafted a future QB and addressed the goal line rushing situation. However glaring needs at TE and WR went wholly unaddressed. Time will tell on this draft as only one player, Carlos Rodgers, is likely to see major time this season. Grade: B

Akh: I really like the Rodgers pick. He will make people forget about Smoot. Campbell will be the Qb of the team, but the question is how much we gave up for him. The later picks were less about addressing needs, but stocking the team with high motor, hard worker types. Obviously Gibbs feels that this is a bigger need than any positional one. Interesting. Conditional Grade: B+ (If Campbell pans out and the first we gave up isn’t a high one, then the grade might go up to an A)