The hailRedskins.com Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

You voted, and here are your choices for the FIRST class of the hailRedskins.com Hall of Fame.

More on Taylor and Springs

Washington Post has a new, and if I must say, troubling article out. Why would I say troubling ....

Taylor's absence was predicted days ago by some of his defensive teammates, who said they did not believe he would be in attendance. Part of the reason, some teammates believe, is that Taylor, 24, has been unhappy with his contract, which expires following the 2008 season.

Say what you want, but folks, this problem is gong to be multiplied when Laron Landry signs a bigger deal than what Taylor currently has. Mark it down. None of us are ignorant to the fact that Taylor has never been really kosher with his rookie contract since the day he signed it. It's not a mystery. Landry perplexes the issue beyond what it is now. Prepare for a ride folks, because it will be bumpy.

Taylor's discomfort, teammates said, was exacerbated last season when the Redskins refused a $1.5 million raise to safety Ryan Clark -- Taylor's best friend on the team, who signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent in March 2006 -- but instead signed free agent safety Adam Archuleta to a six-year, $30 million deal with $10 million guaranteed, a record contract for a safety... Landry could command as much as $15 million in guaranteed money.

I actually type that above stuff out and here you go, just like I said. Just wait and see what problems this will cause.

During the meeting, Gibbs took the pay cut off of the table and told Springs he wouldn't be cut on June 1, mollifying Springs's position.

On Tuesday, the first day of workouts, Springs said he had spoken to secondary coach Jerry Gray and assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams, and that he would appear in a "couple, few weeks." Yesterday, Springs reiterated his position.

"I'll be there," Springs said from Arizona. "All I'm doing is getting myself in the best possible shape for the season. I'm a professional football player and being a professional, I'm doing everything I have to do in order to be ready. That's it. I'll definitely be there."

You know what, I have been one of the strong Springs supporters because MOST Redskins fans are completely unaware how very important Shawn Springs is to this team. Just look at how well the defense played with Springs out. But despite all that, this tells me one thing, Shawn --- you are no veteran leader, period!

Running back Nehemiah Broughton tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Sorry to hear Nemo. My friend, your days int he NFL are over.

Redskins fan is committed. And he should be.

I love the Washington Redskins and if you're reading this post, chances are pretty good you love the Washington Redskins. I've got the season tickets, the car magnet [until someone -- probably a Dallas fan -- swiped it], the pennants, the clothing, the scarf for the dog [just look to the left], you name it. But there is one thing I have not, and will not, do for the Redskins. For Kevin McCarthy of Frederick, Maryland, however, he's been there. Done that. Will probably do it again.

Perspiration bubbled on the shaved head of Kevin McCarthy Jr. every time the ink-bearing needle inched closer to his shoulder blades on Friday.

He wiped his brow with a mini-Washington Redskins towel and then stuffed it in his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut, as if silently begging for the buzzing tattoo needle to stop.

But the Germantown resident says the pain — ‘‘like a thousand bee stings” — is a small price to prove his devotion — or borderline obsession — to a football team so ingrained in his friendships and memories.

McCarthy, 35, stepped into Gus’s Tattoo Parlor in Frederick at 11 a.m. and wouldn’t step out until six hours later when the finishing touches on a tattoo that spans his entire back would be complete.
...
On April 28, McCarthy was at FedEx Field for a draft party hosted by the Redskins. It was there that Coach Joe Gibbs spotted McCarthy – although the back tattoo wasn’t yet complete — and pulled him on stage.

McCarthy got his first Redskins tattoo in 2002, but it wasn't his last.

The band of Super Bowl trophies — three of which have years on them indicating the championships the team won — came in 2005. It was followed this year by tattooed signatures of the most-valuable players from each Super Bowl team, and the list of the 20 Hall of Famers on his back.

Altogether: 15.5 hours of tattooing, $2,500 and one understanding wife.
...
But McCarthy’s clearly not just an in-season football fan. For him, it’s year-round devotion.

His closet includes more than just the Redskins-themed socks, sneakers, shorts, boxers and T-shirt that he wore on Friday.

Maroon and gold dominates his wardrobe. He has denim jeans airbrushed with ‘‘Washington” on the right leg and ‘‘Redskins” on the left.

‘‘I would literally wear it every day if I could,” McCarthy said.

And now he does. Every day. On his back.

Well, there you go, folks. This dude is committed. I think I'll stick with my t-shirts and pennants and tickets. Loving the Redskins already hurts like the cut from a knife. I don't need any cuts from a needle. But what about the rest of you? Anyone else sporting some Redskins ink?

Photo: Tom Fedor⁄The Gazette

Taylor and Springs skip first voluntary workouts ...

Here you go, the Washington Post has an article relating to the first voluntary workouts, which CB Shawn Springs and S Sean Taylor did not attend.

Springs commented in the story to clear up that his absence has nothing to do with trade rumors that have abounded all off-season as well as his refusal to take a pay reduction.

"My situation is cool," Springs said. "I'll be there in a couple, few weeks. It's not a statement about anything. All it has to do with is that I'm getting my work in here."

Other news in the article alluded to positive commenting on QB Jason Campbell.

Meantime, players seemed excited to get started. Offensive linemen Randy Thomas and Chris Samuels both said that quarterback Jason Campbell seems much improved. "He looks good," Thomas said. "I think he's much more comfortable. I'm looking forward to seeing him out there."

Before the voluntary workouts began, Campbell had wanted to work out with wide receivers Antwaan Randle El, Santana Moss and Brandon Lloyd, but the dates never materialized. Moss said he hoped to reschedule with Campbell during the six weeks between the mandatory June minicamp and the start of training camp July 27.

Dates never materialized? Is not football there only job? Completely befuddled by that one.

"Mark it down. This is going to be my best year," said defensive end Demetric Evans, who will see more work as Wynn and Daniels recover. "Everybody has a good feeling about the defense being more aggressive, so I'm ready to just let it fly."

Well, I've said it before and will say it again and again, all things staying the same, the defensive line entering the season as is, Demetric Evans deserves more time. Evans makes stuff happen. Evans has proven has shown he can get to the QB. Personally, I think all things being even right now, Evans should not be playing more due to injuries, Evans should be starting.

Discuss it.

Williams ditching Cover-2 defensive scheme

Redskins Defense Coach Gregg Williams is altering his defensive scheme to better take advantage of the quickness and speed of FS Sean Taylor. Devastated by over 50 completed long passes last season, Williams' defense was in desperate need of an overhaul this season and Williams appears prepared to do what is necessary.

In his first public comments of the new season, Williams mentioned a change he will make: For the first time in his tenure with the Redskins, his safeties will have traditional designations. Sean Taylor will be the free safety and LSU rookie LaRon Landry, should he win a starting role in training camp, will be the strong safety.

"I think that Sean Taylor's skill is that he can go so far to go and get balls, but we had to use him in the box an awful lot last year," Williams said. "He can do it all. He can do anything you want him to do. I think this young man can do that, too, and I'd like to put Sean Taylor more in the position to get the ball in the passing game."
...
This year, Williams wants to take advantage of Taylor's coverage abilities, especially the amount of ground he can cover in the defensive backfield, allowing Landry to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

The strategy is consistent with Williams's steady distancing from the heavy reliance on the cover-2 and Tampa-2 schemes the Redskins employed over much of the past two season. Last season, the Redskins yielded 54 pass plays of 20 yards or more, many of which were the byproduct of exploiting the seams between the hash marks.
...
During the offseason, some Redskins players have said they believed Williams now has the personnel to use a cover-1 scheme, with Taylor as the lone safety charged with covering the deep part of the field and the second safety, presumably Landry, playing closer to the line to blitz and impact the run.

Another reason some of Williams's players think he has moved in this direction is his confidence in his projected team of cornerbacks. With Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers and the newly acquired Fred Smoot, the Redskins will be able to cover teams capably man-to-man on the outside part of the field.

Apparently, this is the reasoning behind Washington's decision not to draft a defensive lineman in the first round. I still don't like that decision, but I'm glad that at least the decision was made as part of some larger plan. Makes for a welcome change at Redskins Park.

The shift also provides a degree of context for the Redskins' drafting of Landry instead of a defensive lineman, which was considered a greater need after a season in which the defensive line had just 13 sacks. Landry, however, seems to give Williams the personnel flexibility to play a more aggressive defense.

It seems that Head Coach Joe Gibbs' laughable assertion that nobody the team drafted in the first round would be good enough to start right away [on a 5-11 team, no less!] was precisely the joke I thought it was. Williams' plan pre-supposes the quick development of Laron Landry and immediate insertion into the starting lineup. That shouldn't be difficult in any case. Look at his competition on the roster.

DJ’s Draft Day Diary

By Mark Stout

I don’t know about you, but Draft Day is like a holiday to me. It’s right up there with Christmas, Thanksgiving and National Dress-Up Your Pet Day. (1/14) There are only two days on the NFL calendar in which fans from every team feel as if they have a shot to be a winner for the year. The first is opening weekend when all 32 teams have a clean slate, and the second is Draft Day, where every team is potentially one pick away from getting the stud football player who completes their team or turns around their team. So here is how I am celebrating today’s holiday; First off, my wife and daughter are out on a “play date” with another Mother/Daughter so I have the entire house to myself. Secondly, I have an assortment of Mexican beers chilling on ice. And finally, and most importantly, I have a dozen Blue Crabs steaming in a crab pot! It doesn’t get much better than a quiet house, brews and crabs. Amen.

So welcome to my Draft Day Diary. I’ll be posting timed entries during the draft until the Redskins make their pick. Who knows…maybe they trade up to #2 for CJ? Maybe they stand pat and take a much needed D-lineman? Maybe they trade down a few times and pick up a whole slew of draft picks in return? Either way, I’m in for the long haul. Enjoy!

11:43am: The biggest decision I have to make today is whether I watch the ESPN or NFL Network broadcasts. I’m a little partial to Boomer and Kiper, so I’ll probably default to ESPN, but I’ll switch back and forth and give the NFLN a chance to win me over. Plus, Kornheiser is the anti-Kiper, so it will be fun to watch Tony talk out of his butt all day about a subject he knows very little about. The clock for the first pick starts in 16 minutes, which means it could be a full half hour or more before the Raiders make their pick. Now is a good time to grab a beer and check on the crabs.

11:52am: I’m a little disappointed that none of the 5 blue chippers onsite at the Draft are wearing bright suits! All have taken the monochrome approach and are wearing black or gray suits. Russell is wearing black from head to toe. He will look mighty stupid if the Raiders select Quinn or CJ with the first pick. You think he has a Detroit Blue blazer in the back just in case?

12:00pm: ESPN is running their opening segment for the draft and the narrator is Alec Baldwin! Talk about poor timing. I wonder if he is going to call Brady Quinn a “rude, thoughtless little pig”. All of the pre-draft shows have been talking about Detroit fielding offers from several teams for a trade. Looks like CJ is coveted by many teams.

12:10pm: The Raiders are on the clock. I’m predicting Russell from LSU. It seems like a no-brainer to me, but this is Al Davis’ team, after all. Anything can happen.

12:20pm: With the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select LSU Quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Great pick by the Raiders. On behalf of all NFL fans, I’d like to thank the Raiders not using all 15 minutes for this pick! Nice smokescreen by the Raiders by talking with Quinn all week and not giving JaMarcus the time of day.

12:21pm: The Lions are on the clock. I think it’s safe to say that the phones are ringing off the hook in Detroit right now. In my opinion, they should trade the pick and grab an OT or RB. Oh wow…ESPN just showed CJ on his cell phone in tears. Looks like he is either getting drafted by the Lions or he was just informed of a trade. I love the drama!

12:30pm: With the 2nd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson. Ok. So do they keep him or try and trade him to the Bucs? The Lions have used a first rounder on a WR in 4 of the last 5 drafts. They haven’t had a winning season since 2000. Seems to me that taking a WR in the first round hasn’t been working for them. Again, I’m happy that the pick didn’t take the full 15 minutes. Also, CJ wins the award for best dressed blue chipper. Nice pinstripes, CJ!

12:31pm: The Browns are on the clock. Only two paths to go for this pick; Quinn or Anderson. If I were a member of the Browns’ front office, I’d go for the running back. They were the 31st ranked rushing offense last season. I guess either pick would help them, however that franchised is cursed, so I feel bad for whoever goes to Cleveland.

12:40pm: Does anyone know a good technique for removing crab shells from inside a computer keyboard? *Slaps Head* This is getting messy…

12:41pm: With the 3rd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Wisconsin LT Joe Thomas. WOW! On behalf of the Redskins Nation, we would like to thank you for allowing both Quinn and Peterson to fall and give the Redskins some added trade options. *Fist pump* I thought Joe Thomas was good enough to go as high as #2, so this is a great pick for the Browns. A left tackle is a great position to upgrade when you are rebuilding. By the way, have I mentioned lately that crabs and beer go very well together? YUM. J

12:42pm: The Bucs are on the clock. I’m predicting they stand pat and draft Gaines Adams, or they entertain offers to trade this pick and draft Gaines a few spots later. They don’t need Peterson, since they already have the keys to the Cadillac. They could pull the trigger on Quinn, but I think they are in serious need of defensive help first and foremost. I really hope they take Gaines and allow the Redskins to be a trade partner. If The Bucs take Quinn and the Cards take (Or trade) Peterson, then the Redskins are pretty much out of luck. NEWSFLASH: Gaines is talking on his cell phone! This could be a sign that he will be a Buc.

12:51pm: With the 4th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Clemson DE Gaines Adams. YES! The Redskins could be in the driver seat right now. Adams has a 50/50 chance of being a stud or a dud. He is going to a good system that will capitalize on his strengths, but only time will tell. I need another beer and a bandaid. Nothing hurts worse than a cut from a salty crab shell!

12:52pm: The Cards are on the clock. The Cards are taking a lot of phone calls right now. I’m pretty sure they wanted the LT from Wisconsin, and now that he is gone, they will probably entertain trade down options. They don’t need a RB since they have Edge, and they don’t need a QB since they have Leinhart. Could they take the 2nd best tackle on the board in Levi Brown or is that too high for him? I predict they trade the pick.

1:03 pm: With the 5th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Penn State LT Levi Brown. Hmmmm. Levi isn’t good enough to be drafted at #5, however Leinhart needs as much help as he can get. They could have traded down and still drafted Levi 5 or more spots later. Not only did they reach for this pick, but they didn’t get their top guy. Cardinal fans must be a little ticked off about this. But honestly, I really don’t care because…

1:04pm: THE REDSKINS ARE ON THE CLOCK! Time to put up or shut up, Redskins. Everything has happened perfectly for the Skins. They have two top-5 picks who have slipped to #6 for possible trades…they have a plethora of D-linemen to pick from…and they could still entertain a trade for Lance Briggs. In a perfect world, I’d like to see them trade down with Buffalo and then select a d-lineman. But I’m predicting they stand pat and select the Big Man from Louisville. *Fingers Crossed* (Runs to the fridge for a celebratory beer)

1:14pm: OH NO. The cameras just showed Landry taking a cell phone call. NO! NO! NO! His agent just pumped his fist. NOOOOOOOO! If this goes down, I’m trading my beer for bourbon and everything not nailed down in my living room is eligible to be thrown.

1:16 pm: With the 6th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select LSU Safety Laron Landry. I’m speechless. I’m going to walk this off and leave the room right now before my widescreen receives a gigantic crack from a flung Mr. Potato Head.

1:33pm: *Deep Breath* I’m back and I’m pissed, shocked, devastated and flat out confused. I didn’t throw the Mr. Potato Head, but I did kick him across the room. But my daughter is not home to witness it the act, so no harm no foul. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Landry will not start immediately. He will not be an immediate impact. He will not put constant pressure on the QB. He will not stop running backs from running straight through our D-line. He will not increase the number of sacks for our defense. He will not cover WRs/TEs any better than Taylor, Archuletta and Fox did last season. I will say this; the one and only way this draft is saved for me is if the Redskins trade next year’s #1 and trade up for Okoye or Branch right now. I’ll accept nothing less. Not addressing the d-line in this year’s draft is purely criminal.

1:38pm: Unless the Redskins trade up, this will be the unfortunate end to my Draft Day Diary. In my mind, I’m picturing a riot right now up at the Draft Day Party at FedEx. I think my choice to stay home was a good one.

Spence's 2007 Mock Draft

Everyone else is doing one so why not me? Here goes...

01.Oakland Raiders: QB JaMarcus Russell [LSU]
Comment: I think Al Davis wants to take Calvin Johnson, but he passed on a quarterback last year and paid for it. He’ll grit his teeth and grab the big passer this year.

02. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Calvin Johnson [USC]
Comment: I think Jon Gruden trades up here to get the receiver he thinks will make his offense virtually unstoppable.

03. Cleveland Browns: QB Brady Quinn [PSU]
Comment: They could go for Adrian Peterson and maybe they should, but nothing Romeo Crennel has tried at quarterback has worked. Quinn is about as ready as a rookie quarterback could be. If they give him some weapons to work with, he could be special.

04. Detroit Lions: DE Gaines Adams [Clemson]
Comment: What do you get for the team that needs everything? A good pass-rushing defensive end is a nice place to start and Gaines gets after the passer as well as anyone in this draft. The Lions haven’t had a player like that since Robert Porcher.

05. Arizona Cardinals: OT Joe Thomas [Wisconsin]
Comment: Having spent high draft picks on wideouts and quarterbacks, and free agent money on a tailback, it’s about time the Cardinals found someone to block so all those fancy ‘skill’ players can actually help their team win a few games. Thomas will start immediately for a team that desperately needs him. An ideal situation for Arizona.

06. Washington Redskins: DT Amoki Okoye [Louisville]
Comment: Cleveland ruined Washington’s prospects for trading down by selecting Brady Quinn, so the Redskins stick and make their pick – the best defensive tackle and the defender with the biggest upside in the draft. I believe Joe Gibbs has benign growths older than this guy.

07. Minnesota Vikings: TB Adrian Peterson [Oklahoma]
Comment: The Vikes could go for Laron Landry, but I think the chance to take a tailback who could gain 1500 yards a season for the next 6 or 7 seasons is too much to resist.

08. Atlanta Falcons: S Laron Landry [LSU]
Comment: The Falcons need help at safety and along the offensive and defensive lines. They might take Levi Brown here, but Landry should be a better safety than Brown will be a tackle. I think they go with Landry.

09. Miami Dolphins: OT Levi Brown [PSU]
Comment: The ‘phins are desperate for talent on the offensive line and Brown is clearly the second-best blocker in the draft. They’ll take him and smile.

10. Houston Texans: CB Leon Hall [Michigan]
Comment: With only one starting-quality cornerback [Dunta Robinson], I don’t think Houston will pass on the best cornerback in the draft. Darrelle Revis is also a possibility here, but I think Hall is better.

11. San Francisco 49ers: DT Alan Branch [Michigan]
Comment: Two Wolverines go in a row, as the Niners, who need help and depth at every position on the defensive line, grab the best defensive tackle left. Jamal Anderson is a possibility if the Niners prefer a defensive end.

12. Buffalo Bills: CB Darrelle Revis [Pittsburgh]
Comment: Losing Nate Clements leaves a gaping hole in the secondary and Revis is definitely the best cornerback on the board. If Houston took Revis, the Bills will grab Leon Hall, but, again, I see the Texans taking Hall. If both cornerbacks are gone, Patrick Willis would be a solid choice, as Buffalo lost London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes. [This is my reach pick. Every year some player goes higher than anyone has him projected to go. This year, I’m picking Revis to be that guy. I’m probably wrong, but no risk, no reward.]

13. St. Louis Rams: DE Jamal Anderson [Arkansas]
Comment: St. Louis is an absolute mess on the defensive line and at just about every other position on defense, as well. With Okoye and Branch off the board, taking Anderson here is a solid choice. He’s decent value at 13 and should help the pass rush.

14. Carolina Panthers: TE Greg Olsen [Miami]
Comment: The Panthers don’t have anything even close to a decent pass-catching tight end. Take Olsen and the problem is solved.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers: ILB Patrick Willis [Ole Miss]
Comment: If Buffalo passes on Willis the Steelers will not let the draft’s best linebacker get past them.

16. Green Bay Packers: TB Marshawn Lynch [California]
Comment: If Vernand Morency is atop your depth chart, it’s time to take a running back in the first round of the draft.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Adam Carriker [Nebraska]
Comment: The Jags like to go D-line in the first round [smart guys!] and Carriker is a solid choice here considering Jacksonville’s injury and talent problems at DE. A safety would also be nice, but if they want Michael Griffin they should trade down.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: OLB Lawrence Timmons [Florida State]
Comment: A cornerback would be nice, but with Hall and Revis already off the board, Timmons is good value. Besides, with David Pollack’s career in jeopardy after a broken neck, Timmons will fill a position of need.

19. Tennessee Titans: WR Ted Ginn, Jr. [Ohio State]
Comment: Getting weapons for their young quarterback must be the top priority and the wide receiver position is horrid. Ted Ginn doesn’t fix that problem, but he makes it a lot better.

20. New York Giants: OT Joe Staley [Central Michigan]
Comment: David Diehl is not what you want protecting Eli Manning’s blind side. Joe Staley would be better. A linebacker, probably Paul Posluszny, could go here.

21. Denver Broncos: DE Jarvis Moss [Florida]
Comment: After taking care of the secondary, a good pass-rushing defensive end is Denver’s top priority. Moss has excellent speed to get upfield and is a natural here.

22. Dallas Cowboys: CB Aaron Ross [Texas]
Comment: Dallas stays in-state to shore up a position of need. The only cornerback on the roster who looked capable of starting last season was Terrance Newman. Ross would be a nice partner for him. Chris Houston is also possible here.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Robert Meacham [Tennessee]
Comment: Boy, do these guys need a wideout in the worst possible way!

24. New England Patriots: CB Chris Houston [Texas]
Comment: These guys might do almost anything, from linebacker, to safety, to cornerback. Paul Posluszny could go here, but I think uncertainty at cornerback makes Houston the better choice.

25. New York Jets: OLB Paul Posluszny [PSU]
Comment: A need at outside linebacker makes Posluszny a good fit and a great value here. He could step in and start in the first preseason game.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: S Reggie Nelson [Florida]
Comment: Michael Lewis stunk last year so Philly let him go to San Francisco. Nelson will fit nicely in the backfield with Brian Dawkins.

27. New Orleans Saints: DT Justin Harrell [Tennessee]
Comment: With the top cornerbacks gone, Harrell is a good value at a position of considerable need for the Saints.

28. New England Patriots: S Michael Griffin [Texas]
Comment: Obviously, the health and age of Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson are concerns. As usual, Bill Belichick will leave the first round confident that his team’s biggest priorities have been met.

29. Baltimore Ravens: OT Tony Ugoh [Arkansas]
Comment: Jonathon Ogden is returning for his 13th season, but he’s obviously old to be playing on the outside and right tackle is a question mark, too.

30. San Diego Chargers: WR Dwayne Jarrett [USC]
Comment: A run on defensive players causes Jarrett to fall and the Chargers get to take advantage of it. Jarrett is the best wideout left in the draft.

31. Chicago Bears: OLB Jon Beason [Miami]
Comment: Now they can tell Lance Briggs to drop dead.

32. Indianapolis Colts: DE Anthony Spencer [Purdue]
Comment: Sure, a replacement for Cato June makes sense here, but I don’t like the outside linebackers left so if the Colts keep this pick, Spencer is a good choice. He’s quick and undersized – just the way Tony Dungy likes his defensive linemen.