The reason I feel Sean Taylor is the most valuable Redskin and soon to be best player in the NFL comes down to two games from last season: Week 10 at Tampa Bay, and the first round of the playoffs at Tampa Bay.  The first game the score was a 36-35 Redskins loss.  Sean Taylor was injured and did not play.  The second game was a 17-10 win.  Sean Taylor did play.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpZ0Dyy5uDU>

In the first game Brunell threw for over 200 yards and two scores, Portis ran for 144 yards and one score, and the Moss/Cooley duo combined for 10 catches and 155 yards.  In the second game Brunell threw for 41 yards, Portis ran for 53 yards and the Moss/Cooley duo combined for four catches and 30 yards.  Why then, did the Redskins lose the first game and win the second?  The answer is simple: Sean Taylor. 

In the first game Chris Simms was throwing the ball around like his dad Phil used to.  His receivers were getting open at an alarming rate and he torched the Redskins secondary for 279 yards and three touchdowns.  Without Taylor in the secondary roaming around and putting fear into every receiver on the field, the passing game was easy for the Buccaneers.  In the second game however, Simms struggled to get anything going all day long and despite the poor offensive performance by the Redskins they were able to win the game.  A win that put the Redskins in the second round of the playoffs. 

Aside from the fact that Taylor is a ball hawk, recovering fumbles in two straight games for touchdowns, touchdowns that won both games, his mere presence on the field changes the way offenses have to game plan.  Receivers are scared to cross the middle for fear of becoming the recipient of a mind numbing blow, or even worse, alligator arming a pass because of the thought of Sean Taylor lurking. He has the ability to shut down half, or even the entire field.  He is a safety with linebacker size and sub 4.4 speed. He hits really really hard all the time.  In an early training camp scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens Sean Taylor put this hit on Mike Anderson... http://www.youtube.com/watchv=cncs76D8D_M  ...After the scrimmage when asked about the hit on Anderson, he called it routine.

As a Florida State Seminole I know all to well Sean Taylor(former Miami Hurricane) and his ability to completely shut down an opposing offense.  Against the Seminoles in the rain he did everything from intercept passes, sack the quarterback, and even down a punt on the one yard line. His entire Hurricane career he dominated the Seminoles, a team which year in and year out puts talent on the field.  He is on the verge of dominating again. 

Last year he shut down two premier athletes at their position, Randy Moss and Antonio Gates.  He delivered big hit after big hit and big play after big play.  Entering just his 3rd year in the NFL Taylor has yet to enter his prime.  The third year is usually the breakout year for rising players.  Ed Reed rose to elite status after his third year. Expect Sean Taylor to do the same, maybe even more.  If you feel the need to write me off as a homer, go ahead, but just be sure to watch this video...in its entirety first.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA61sF2OrsA&mode=r
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When the Redskins hired Al Saunders this past offseason, Gibbs handed over the offense, and comparisons were made between him and Bobby Bowden. 

Bowden has been known for years as a coach who is more of a grandfather figure.  He is the wise old man who steps in when necessary, but for the most part he let's his highly acclaimed assistant coaches do the majority of the work.  This is due in large part to his age, he is old but doesn't want to retire. 

Now at first it may seem like Gibbs is the same as Bowden, a man who only steps in when needed, but it is not the case at all.  While he may stand silent on the practice fields for portions of the day, and spend less time coaching one individual side of the ball, he knows everything that is going on at all times.  Gibbs runs the team and is in total control of every player and coach on the team.  He has the final say in everything that takes place each day. 

Bowden may the have the utmost authority, but he does not have the control Gibbs has.  Gibbs knows he can spend less time focusing on coaching because he has such great assistant coaches.  This allows him to spend his sleepless nights focused on other things, rather than the playcalling.  When all is said and done, Joe Gibbs will be the reason this team fails or succeeds.  Bowden is the most important influence on the Seminoles, but he is not in total control.  Mickey Andrews and Jeff Bowden are in total control of their respective sides of the ball. 

So while it may seem as though they are similar in the way they lead their respective teams, in reality they are nothing alike.  But that's O.K., because they are both successful in their own way. 

Clinton Portis of the Washington Redskins...

 Of course I don't think Portis is the only back that could reach 2000 yards next.  However, compared to the rest of the backs in the NFL his chances are pretty good, and considering he is only 24, he may be one of the very few current backs in the NFL with a chance to approach Emmitt Smith's record of 18,355 career rushing yards.

Before I get carried away with why I feel Portis could approach Emmitt's record, I will address why I feel Portis could be the next running back to reach 2000 yards.  The biggest reason for his chance at 2000 are the additions the Redskins have made on offense, starting with new Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders.  Last year Larry Johnson amassed 1750 yards in just nine starts, and would have most likely reached 2000 with ease had he started the whole year.  Although the Chiefs have a very good offensive line, their offensive success the past few seasons is because of Al Saunders.  With even more weapons in Washington than he had in Kansas City, Saunders will be create more through the passing game, allowing for Portis to have more open holes than ever before. 

With receiving threats Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randle El, and David Patten occupying opposing defensive coordinators thoughts, it will be very hard for teams to put eight or nine in the box and focus on the run game.  For the past two seasons Portis has been able to run for a combined 2,831 yards, and that is without many receiving threats to worry other teams.  The first year Portis was here the passing game was beyond terrible and everyone knew what the Redskins were going to try and do.  Last season two receiving threats emerged and made it a little more difficult for opponents, but next season Portis will have more help than he has ever had in his career.  With teams unable to focus on one aspect of the offense, Portis will be able to get more yards on less carries, allowing his body to take less of a beating than it has the past two years.  By the end of last season Portis was worn down, physically beaten from the long season, next year Clinton won't be required to carry the whole offense, and will be able to stay fresh for the majority of the season.  

With all the talent on the offense, and great coaching, Portis will be able to challenge for 2000 yards and may even reach that goal.  Washington Redskins Running Back's Coach, Ernest Byner, has already stated it is Clinton's goal next year to reach 2000 yards.  While it may be every running back's goal to reach that mark, he is one of the few backs with a real chance to do it.   For Portis to reach this goal, he will have to average 30.25 yards more per game than he did last year, when he ran for 1,516.  A very reachable number for a talented running back on a good offense with great coaching.          

Now on to an even bolder statement, Portis will challenge Emmitt Smith's record.  Before I am called a homer for this one, I would like to say that I have been claiming this since he was a Bronco and ran for 3,099 yards in his first two seasons.  Little did I know he would soon be coming to Washington in a blockbuster trade.     

I know that this is a very tough record to reach, and Portis will have to be very consistent and even improve, but out of all the running backs in the NFL he has perhaps the best chance to do it.  Through his first four seasons in the NFL Clinton Portis has run for a total of 5,930 yards.  Through Emmitt Smith's first four years he ran for 5,699 yards.  At the end of their fourth seasons, both Portis and Smith were 24 years old.  Emmitt's first season is the difference here, as he ran for only 937 yards and Portis ran for 1,508.  Portis has a very good team and the opportunity for big time yards should be ther.  If he can stay healthy and have a lengthy career, two very big IF's, he will have an opportunity to close in on Emmitt's record and possibly even break it. 

Now wouldn't that be ashame, A Redskin taking a record from a Cowboy.  I'm not saying either of these predictions will actually come to pass.  But what I am saying is this....keep your eye on Clinton Portis and the rest of the Washington Redskins. 

The reason I feel Sean Taylor is the most valuable Redskin and soon to be best player in the NFL comes down to two games: Week 10 at Tampa Bay, and the first round of the playoffs at Tampa Bay.  The first game the score was a 36-35 loss.  Sean Taylor was injured and did not play.  The second game was a 17-10 win.  Sean Taylor did play. 

In the first game Brunell threw for over 200 yards and two scores, Portis ran for 144 yards and one score, and the Moss/Cooley duo combined for 10 catches and 155 yards.  In the second game Brunell threw for 41 yards, Portis ran for 53 yards and the Moss/Cooley duo combined for four catches and 30 yards.  Why then, did the Redskins lose the first game and win the second.  The answer is simple: Sean Taylor. 

In the first game Chris Simms was throwing the ball around like his dad Phil used to.  His receivers were getting open at an alarming rate and he torched the Redskins secondary for 279 yards and three touchdowns.  Without Taylor in the secondary roaming around and putting fear into every receiver on the field, the passing game was easy for the Buccaneers.  In the second game however, Simms struggled to get anything going all day long and despite the poor offensive performance the Redskins were able to win the game.  A win that put the Redskins in the second round of the playoffs. 

Aside from the fact that Taylor is a ball hawk, recovering fumbles in two straight games for touchdowns, his mere presence on the field changes the way offenses have to game plan.  Receivers are scared to cross the middle for fear of becoming the recipient of a mind numbing blow, or even worse, alligator arming a pass because of the thought of Sean Taylor lurking. 

For the doubters out there who assume I am just a homer, I could go into detail about the amount of hits he has made in two years, and maybe provide links of some footage.  But I'd rather just wait, because maybe the Redskins play your team this year, and if they do....well.....you'll just have to watch and see for yourself. 

Here I come

Foxsports.com gave the Redskins the worst possible draft grade, an F, and the Skins were placed down at the bottom in slot 32.  I completely disagree with this analysis and It is not just because I am a homer, I have facts to back it up. 

Unlike the posters of most Redskins message boards that have personal hatred for certain writers, I try to remain neutral and judge only bodies of work.  Because I am trying to enter this profession I understand that what I write will not always make everyone happy.  Nevertheless, I feel as the reader, I should be able to voice my opinion as long as I have the facts to present a worthwhile argument. 

I understand that the Washington Redskins had few picks because they traded them away.  However, when completing a draft grade that should be taken into consideration.  Even though the players were not acquired strictly through the draft, the picks were still used to get something in return.  It is not as though the Redskins just offered the picks to another team in return for cash and a six-pack.  They used the picks to acquire talent that will help the team immediately. 

As many draft experts will tell you, the draft is hit or miss.  A team can draft a quarterback like Heath Shuler (Redskins) in the first round; or they can take a quarterback like Tom Brady (Patriots) in the sixth round.  Although the teams spend a very long time analyzing who they want to take, in the end, these players have yet to play in the NFL and a full analysis of their talent can not be performed. 

The Redskins have decided to bypass the hit our miss draft, and build with players who have already proven they can play at the NFL level.  Instead of drafting 10-12 players and giving them all contracts, they will give bigger contracts to free agents who have proven they can play.  The way the Redskins spend is decidedly different from the time Synder took over as owner compared to now with Gibbs at the helm.  Instead of signing aging big names, Washington signs players who are fresh off of their rookie contracts, and entering their prime.  Although the majority of the Redskins were signed via free agency or acquired by trade, the team is still very young as a whole, and the players have all been signed for long term.  Gibbs was previously a head coach before the days of salary cap and free agency.  He does not build a team that can win for a year or two, he plans for the future and tries to build a team that will contend for the next 5-10 years.  Anyone who wants to doubt him go ahead, but his track record is proven, and it is something that can not be argued.  Arguing the decision of a Super Bowl champion, Hall of Famer, NASCAR champion and the current head coach of a playoff football team is like trying to argue the world is flat.  The argument for Gibbs' player personnel decisions could continue, but I feel that I should not have to do that for a team that just came off of a 10-6 season.  What Gibbs and co. are doing is obviously working, so I will move on to something else.

In the analysis it stated that Gibbs claimed the Redskins drafted Rocky McIntosh because they liked his name.  That was obviously a joke by Gibbs and has no business being in the analysis of the draft pick.  Joe Gibbs is a head coach known for sleeping on a cot in his office because he works so hard.  So it is safe to say that the pick had nothing to do with his name and the coaching staff have watched more film and done more research on McIntosh than humanly possible. Trading up in the draft is something the Redskins do, not to be flashly, but to get the player they think will work well on the team.  Chris Cooley was a player the Redskins traded up for and has proven well worth the picks they gave up to get him.  This years first round pick was given up so that the Redskins could draft Jason Campbell last year.  The Redskins decided they would rather take a quarterback last year, as opposed to this year, and give him an extra year to develop.  When it comes to quarterbacks, nothing is more crucial than development, and Joe Gibbs does not believe in playing a quarterback as a rookie.    

My disagreement with the grade does not mean that I feel the Redskins should receive an A.  I feel they deserve a C.  The Redskins filled a need at Outside Linebacker and drafted a player they are comfortable can do that.  Other than some minor depth issues that were filled later on in the draft, the Redskins have few holes.  Having 12 draft picks would not benefit the Redskins because some of the players would not even be able to make the final roster.  How a team can receive an F in a draft because they have few holes to fill boggles my mind.  McIntosh was a player they needed so they went after them. 

Quantity of draft picks should not have an affect on the overall grade.  The Redskins drafted the player they needed to fill an opening, and then used their remaining picks to fill depth at positions that required it.  On a defense filled with playmakers and a talented coordinator leading the way, McIntosh could flourish in his new role.

Grade: C  

Sean Taylor doing what Sean Taylor does

The Washington Redskins traded up from pick #53 to pick #35 today, and selected linebacker Roger "Rocky" McIntosh from the Miami Hurricanes.

Although I am a Florida State fan, and the Redskins just added their fourth Hurricane, I still love this pick.  Rocky is exactly the player they needed at outside linebacker and will fill the void Lavar Arrington left when he paid the Skins four million to buy out his contract. 

McIntosh is a versatile linebacker who possesses the ability to play all three linebacker positions.  The Redskins prefer players like McIntosh, who can play multiple defensive positions.  Other defensive players who can play more than one position include Lemar Marshall (Inside and Outside Linebacker) and Andre Carter ( Outside Linebacker and Defensive End.) 

For the third consecutive season the Redskins traded up in the draft to select a player they felt was too good to pass up.  Two seasons ago Washington made the move to the third round to draft Chris Cooley, last season they traded into the first round to draft Jason Campbell, and today they traded into the second round to draft McIntosh.  Cooley has turned into a star in Washington, well worth the picks given up to obtain him.  Jason Campbell is the future at quarterback in Washington; but the jury is still out on whether or not he was worth the extra picks.  

McIntosh is a player the Redskins had targeted from the beginning and felt he would not be available by their original pick at #53.  When the second round began and linebackers Demarco Ryans (Alabama) and D'Qwell Jackson (Maryland) were selected, the Redskins knew it was time to make a move.  In order to move up the Redskins forfeited a second round pick next year, their current second round pick #53, and one of their three six round picks in this years draft.  Although it may seem a steep price to some, Joe Gibbs' track record with choosing players since coming to Washington is nearly flawless, and Rocky McIntosh will continue this trend.

"Hey everyone, come and see how good I look!"

(The above quote is by Will Ferrell in Anchorman.  If you have not yet seen that movie, then you have yet to truly laugh.)

As a young boy (already a die-hard Redskins fan, why I did not know, but I knew that I was because my entire family told me so) I remember catching a glimpse of a Florida State football game and noticing how much they reminded me of the Redskins.  From that day on my teams were, and would always be, the Redskins and Seminoles.  For the most part it always worked out, having teams that were similar has always been fun.  But recently, all the fun and games stopped, and I had to make some serious decisions. 

The Redskins grabbed up three Miami Hurricanes in two consecutive offseasons via trade and the draft .  Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, and Sean Taylor became the face of the franchise and were formerly players I loved to hate.  Especially Taylor, because the images of him shutting down the Florida State passing game single-handedly every time we played the 'Canes, was still fresh in my mind.  I found myself in a conundrum, should I root against these three players and wait for their time with the franchise to pass, like I did with the joke of an NFL coach Steve Spurrier, or should I embrace these three players no matter where they went to school.

Two seasons ago the Redskins had Taylor and Portis, but no Moss.  The team finished 6-10, Portis ran below what was expected of him, and Taylor played well but had some problems off the field early on.  The impact of players from the U was not a big deal until last offseason when Santana Moss came over in a trade from the Jets for disgruntled receiver Laveranues Coles. 

When the season began Moss, Portis, and Taylor took over.  This became obvious in week two when Santana Moss caught two long bombs in the final five minutes against the Cowboys, and Sean Taylor laid the boom on Patrick Crayton while he was trying to make a catch.  The catch was one the Cowboys needed to have a shot to win, and the hit sent the ball, and Crayton, flying in the wrong direction.  From that point on these three players became the face of the franchise.  Moss and Portis each set single season team records for receiving and rushing yards---and were arguably the two most important players in the Skins six game winning streak at the end of the season.  All Sean Taylor did was become the biggest playmaker on D, delivering huge blows and making big time plays against opposing offenses.  In the Redskins final game of the season Taylor picked up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to seal a win against the Eagles.  The next week he did the same thing against the Bucs, in an even more dramatic fashion, scooping the ball after Marcus Washington lost control, and taking it to the house for a score.  These two scores were the two biggest touchdowns of the year for the Skins.  The first was the touchdown that guarunteed a playoff birth, for the first time since 1999, and the second was the lone touchdown of the defensive battle between the Skins and Bucs in the first round. 

Before last season, I was unsure of the players from "The U", and was unsure of the direction my feelings for them would take.   After the season, however, I realized it does not matter where they played in college, because they are true Skins now.  True Skins who have the potential to help this organization do something it hasn't done since 1991, win a ring. 

So I have decided that on Saturday's I can still hate the Hurricanes, but on Sunday's, I gotta let the players from the U do what they do baby. 

First things first, congrats G-men on continually signing Redskin linebackers.  Piece and Lavar should work out well with the Giants, except when they are playing the Skins.  I may be a homer, but I also know my football, and the Redskins, well.................THEY ARE FOR REAL.  Here are just a few of the reasons why:

1)The Skins ended the regular season on a 5 game winning streak, going 10-6 on the season and 5-1 in the tough NFC East.  After going into Tampa and knocking off the overrated Bucs, they were finally ousted in the 2nd round by the Seahawks.

2)Al Saunders: Any time a team can bring in the best offensive coordinator in the game you have to take notice.  But when you put him with perhaps the best defensive coordinator in the game, Gregg Williams, and a Hall of Fame head coach in Joe Gibbs, that's just stupid(in a good way).  Saunders will guide the Redskins offense to at least a top 10 finish, and maybe even top five, which isn't a reach considering the Skins finished 11th on offense last year.  The coaching staff doesn't drop off from their.  This staff is filled with guys who have stacked resumes.  The defensive backs coach.......was the Defensive coordinator for the Bills  the past five seasons.  There is a ton of experience at every coaching position on this staff. 

3)Randle El, Lloyd, Carter, and Arch:  The days of the Skins bringing in old players with big names, like Neon Deion, Bruce Smith, and Mark Carrier, are long gone.  Now they bring in young, talented players, who fit the mold Joe Gibbs wants in a player.  Say what you want about the moves he makes, because he usually is right and you will be let dumbfounded, looking like a fool. Since he's come back he has added numerous players and has been criticized for it.  He was bashed for getting Brunell, getting the losing end of the deal for Santana Moss, and Portis was a system back.   For those that continue to criticize, you will be eating your words.  I've already heard about the weaknesses these four additions have.  Here's why I don't listen.  When Santana Moss came here he was inconsistent, injury prone, and not a legit number one wide receiver.  Well at least that's what I was told on a daily basis.  Anyone know what he did last year? Oh yeah, he started in the Pro Bowl, and finished 2nd in the league in receiving yards. Doing all of this while being basically the Skins only threat at wide receiver for the entire season. The Redskins have a Hall of Fame coaching staff who bring the best out in players. 

4)The Media: I love the media, they give hope to all other fans that think their squad may have a shot this year.  Guess what, Len Pasquerelli, Peter King, Dr. Z, and many others are extremely biased.  Everyone talks about the Skins "overpaying" for players.  But had the Redskins not overpaid, then they would be playing somewhere else. The Redskins have the money to do it, and continues to prove that it can afford these salaries year after year, so what does overpaying really mean.  It means, holy (bleep) the Redskins are loaded, we have to find a way to bash them anyway.  Last year Moss received a monster contract from the Skins before he even stepped on the field.  At first it was overpaying for a player, but now.............any team would take him, and his contract. 

This is only the beginning of my Redskin Rant, I will have plenty more: But now I will leave you with one prediction/statement: SEAN TAYLOR IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NFL