Redskins Redeux (Madden Head Coach 09)

[HeathyT]

Ok, I've redone my Redskins Dynasty and so far its going better then last time, now that I know what im doing.

I'm starting a career with the Washington Redskins starting in the Off-season, i'll be simming/super-simming the first year, so i can quickly get into the off season and get the coaching staff i want ect. So here it goes.

[HeathyT]

Skins Hire New Head Coach

After the retirement of former head coach Joe Gibbs, the Washington Redskins have been searching for a new head coach. At first we were hearing names like Mike Smith, Jason Garret, Bill Cowher and Rex Ryan, but it seems Redskins owner Peter Amberose has gone in another direction, by hiring former Green Bay Packers offensive assistant Heath Thomas. Thomas originally applied and interviewed for the vacant OC job, but instead he ended up with main job. So the Redskins will go into next season with a rookie head coach, and a staff picked out by Amberose himself, it will be interesting to see how this will all come together. One thing for sure, we are all eagerly awaiting Thomas' first press conference as Head coach

Barry Svrluga - Washington Post

Yesterdays press conference introducing new Redskins Head Coach Heath Thomas raised a few eyebrows and got peoples attention. Thomas talked about his plans for the upcoming season, and one thing he said made a few people start to question the young coach 15 minutes into his tenure.
Thomas said that he wants to install a 3-4 defence this year
"The idea is so we can confuse the quarterback and generate pressure, and I feel the 3-4 defence fits this philosophy......We play in a division with 3 proven quarterbacks with Eli, Mcnabb and Romo, so we need to do something to stop these guys from making plays.

....I feel that we have a versitile bunch playing on our defence, so we plan on moving guys around the field to create some confusion. One player I am impressed with is LaRon Landry, hes the kind of guy we want on our defence, we can play him at the line of scrimmige, we can have him playing deep, covering TE's hes a complete player...."

When asked about all the changes he intends to bring, if it means the team is in a rebuilding stage, Thomas responded saying
"I don't like to say the word rebuilding, we may have a transitional period, between schemes, but i feel we have a very talented group of guys that we can win games with....."

Barry Svrluga - Washington Post

[HeathyT]

Is Switching to the 3-4 a great Idea?

Redskins head coach Heath Thomas stated in his introductory press conference, that he plans on changing the defence from a 4-3 scheme to the 3-4 scheme. The 3-4 has become quite a popular defence to use due to the great success in places like Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Baltimore, but it is not for everyone and are the Redskins part of this 'everyone'.

To me it just doesn't seem like the best move for the Skins due to the missing elements such as, a dominate nose tackle that can plug up the middle, pass rushing outside linebackers, an inside linebacker to play next to London Fletcher, or a secondary to play man coverage for all these exotic blitz packages they want to install. One thing the Skins do have, a saftey that they can move across the board, he can play at the line of scrimmige, can cover a tight end or slot receiver, can play deep. This defence is lickley to revolve around Landry. While things don't look great right now given time it can develope quite nicely. Coach Heath Thomas seems to be revamping the offence and defence which can create a lot of buzz for the fans.

Adam Schefter - NFL Network

[HeathyT]

Position Philosophie
Playbook: Custom (Thomas West Coast)

QB: Pure Passer
HB: Workhorse
FB: Blocking
WR: Quick/Route Runner
TE: Soft hands/routes
T: Pass Block Specialist
G: Run Block Specialist
C: Run Block Specialist
Scheme: West Coast Normal

Playbook: Custom
(based of steelers w/alot of added man blitzes)

DE: Versitile 3-4
DT: Run Stopper
OLB: Pass Rush/3-4 Blitzer
ILB: 3-4 Tackler
CB: Man Coverage
FS: Centerfield
SS: Run Support/Big Hitter
Scheme: 3-4 (with alot of 1-5-5, 2-4-5 sets)
Blitz: Heavy
Coverage: Man (really more zone coverage)

[HeathyT]

The Washington Post reports the Redskins have cut the following players:

QB: Mark Brunell
DT: Cornelius Griffin
G: Pete Kendel
FB: Mike Sellers
WR: James Thrash
TE: Tyler Ecker
TE: Todd Yoder
CB: Shaun Springs

Free Agency

The Washington Redskins have signed former Patriots CB Asante Samuel to a 4 year deal worth $22 million including a $3.5 million signing bonus, this will help sure up the Skins secondary

[HeathyT]

Mock Draft (1st round)

1 - Dolphins - Jake Long, T
2 - Rams - Vernon Gholston, OLB
3 - Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB
4 - Raiders - Chris Long, DE
5 - Chiefs - Glenn Dorsey, DT (probs not since they got Haynsworth)
6 - Jets - Keith Rivers, OLB
7 - Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB
8 - Ravens - Sedrick Ellis, DT
9 - Bengals - Darren McFadden, HB
10 - Saints - Derrick Harvey, DE
11 - Bills - Brandon Albert, G
12 - Broncos - Ryan Clady, T
13 - Panthers - Sam Baker, T
14 - Bears - Joe Flacco, QB
15 - Lions - Domoniqie Cromartie, CB
16 - Cardinals - Jerod Mayo, OLB
17 - Chiefs - Chris Williams, T
18 - Texans - Chris Johnson, HB
19 - Eagles - Jeff Otah, T
20 - Bucks - Felix Jones, HB
21 - Redskins - Kentwan Balmer (yeah....right)
22 - Cowboys - Reshard Mendenhall, HB
23 - Steelers - Gosder Cherilus, T
24 - Titans - Antoine Cason, CB
25 - Seahawks - Aqib Talib, CB
26 - Jaguars - Philip Merling, DE
27 - Chargers - Mike Jenkins, CB
28 - Cowboys - Lawrence Jackson, DE
29 - 49'ers - John Carlson, TE
30 - Packers - Duane Brown, T
31 - Giants - Dustin Keller, TE
32 - Dolphins - Kenny Philips, SS

[HeathyT]

The Real Draft (round 1)

1 - Dolphins - Jake Long, T
2 - Rams - Vernon Gholston, OLB
3 - Falcons - Matt Ryan, QB
4 - Raiders - Glenn Dorsey, DT
5 - Chiefs - Chris Long, DE
6 - Jets - Joe Flacco, QB
7 - Patriots - Leodis McKelvin, CB
8 - Ravens - Derrick Harvey, DE
9 - Bengals - TRADE - Broncos - Keith Rivers OLB
10 - Saints - Darren McFadden, HB
11 - Bills - Jeff Otah, T
12 - Broncos - Chris Williams, T
13 - Panthers - Sedrick Ellis, DT
14 - Bears - Chris Johnson, HB
15 - Lions - Domonique Cromartie, CB
16 - Cardinals - Lawrence Jackson, DE
17 - Chiefs - Ryan Clady, T
18 - Texans - Reshard Mendenhall, HB
19 - Eagles - TRADE - Bills - Mike Jenkins, CB
20 - Bucks - Gosder Cherilus, T
21 - Redskins - Brandon Albert, G
22 - Cowboys - Kentwan Balmer, DT
23 - Steelers - Aqib Talib, CB
24 - Titans - Duane Brown, T
25 - Seahawks - Dustin Keller, TE
26 - Jaguars - TRADE - Eagles - Antoine Cason, CB
27 - Chargers - TRADE - Eagles - Jerod Mayo, OLB
28 - Cowboys - Felix Jones, HB
29 - 49'ers - John Carlson, TE
30 - Packers - RAMS (for OJ Atogwe RFA) - Kenny Philips, SS
31 - Giants - Tracy Porter, CB
32 - Dolphins - TRADE - Jaguars - Jordy Nelson

My Picks rounds 2nd-7

2nd - #51 - Calais Campbell DE
3rd - #84 - Ray Rice, HB (what a steal)
3rd - #96 - Mario Manningham (didn't have a 4th round pick)
5th - #149 - Athya Rubin, DT
6th - #180 - Traded to Broncos for #198 and 2009 7th round
7th - #198 - Xavier Omon, HB
7th - #213 - Warren Adams, G

Undrafted Rookies:

Alexis Serna, K
Mario Urrutia, WR
Carl Stewart, FB
Tony Bake, DE
Mike Peterson, TE

Lost Jonathan Wilhite with 1 second left

[HeathyT]

Free Agents

Signed QB Mark Brunell to a 1 year $820k deal (for depth)
Signed C Rob Hunt to a 1 year $440k deal (eventually cut)

Released T Jon Jansen, then signed for a 1 year $1 million deal (then converted to G)

Released G Randy Thomas, then resigned for a 1 year $1 million deal
Released OLB Marcus Washington, then resigned to a 1 year $900k deal

Rookie Signings:

Signed Brandon Albert to a 5 year $9.81 million deal with $5 million bonus
Signed Calais Campbell to a 4 year $2.8 million deal
Signed Ray Rice to a 3 year $1.55 million deal
Signed Mario Manningham to a 3 year $1.48 million deal
Signed Athya Rubin to a 3 year $760k deal
Signed Xavier Omon to a 3 year $870k deal
Signed Warren Adams to a 2 year $860k deal

The Washington Redskins have traded their 2010 5th and 2010 6th round to the Eagles for OLB Chris Gocong