Should the Redskins look at T.O.?

[Frobby]

Just a question from a casual football fan. Moss is out and the Redksins receiving corps is no great shakes. Is T.O. worth a look?

[Dr. FLK]

No. The Skins aren't going to win anything this season - especially not with the current pile of injuries. They have plenty of in-house guys that they need to evaluate. They aren't close enough to winning that they need a side-show in town.

[allstar1579]

No. The Skins aren't going to win anything this season - especially not with the current pile of injuries. They have plenty of in-house guys that they need to evaluate. They aren't close enough to winning that they need a side-show in town.

Yeah I agree here. They are in talent evaluation mode. If they were 5-1 or something and seriously making a run maybe, but they have guys that can step in for Moss, they just need to figure it out. 3 young wideouts that need reps to see who can do what like AA last year.

[backwardsk]

To try to make an Orioles analogy, it'd be like going after Milton Bradley when Luke Scott got hurt instead of giving at-bats to Pie, Reimold, or Angle for assessment.

They don't need that kind of crazy.

[Frobby]

No. The Skins aren't going to win anything this season - especially not with the current pile of injuries. They have plenty of in-house guys that they need to evaluate. They aren't close enough to winning that they need a side-show in town.

Yeah I agree here. They are in talent evaluation mode. If they were 5-1 or something and seriously making a run maybe, but they have guys that can step in for Moss, they just need to figure it out. 3 young wideouts that need reps to see who can do what like AA last year.

To try to make an Orioles analogy, it'd be like going after Milton Bradley when Luke Scott got hurt instead of giving at-bats to Pie, Reimold, or Angle for assessment.

They don't need that kind of crazy.

I am not necessarily advocating that they sign T.O., but let me just rebut these points a little. First, are you telling me that after 6 games, in a division where the best team is 4-2, the Redskins should give up on the playoffs already and just be in "evaluation mode?" This isn't like the Orioles being 20 games out of first in July. Second, I don't see that T.O. has been any big distraction in Buffalo or Cincinnati, and I very much doubt he'd be a disruptive force coming to DC in mid-season. Third, do they really have receiver candidates that are worth evaluating, or is it already clear that they are a bunch of mediocre guys who are never going to be more than reserve-types? I ask that last question in complete ignorance -- I can't even name several members of the Redskins receving corps. But it seems to me like a very unimpressive group overall.

[Dr. FLK]

I am not necessarily advocating that they sign T.O., but let me just rebut these points a little. First, are you telling me that after 6 games, in a division where the best team is 4-2, the Redskins should give up on the playoffs already and just be in "evaluation mode?" This isn't like the Orioles being 20 games out of first in July. Second, I don't see that T.O. has been any big distraction in Buffalo or Cincinnati, and I very much doubt he'd be a disruptive force coming to DC in mid-season. Third, do they really have receiver candidates that are worth evaluating, or is it already clear that they are a bunch of mediocre guys who are never going to be more than reserve-types? I ask that last question in complete ignorance -- I can't even name several members of the Redskins receving corps. But it seems to me like a very unimpressive group overall.

1. They have Rexy/Beck at QB, no OLine, Cooley is out, Hightower is out, Moss is out, etc... The chances of them making the playoffs are unlikely as it is. And, I don't think they are a solid WR away from anything.
2. They do have WR worth evaluating: Austin, Paul, Hankerson, and even Armstrong. These guys all could be solid going forward, and I think it's worth expanding their roles to see what they can do. Those guys all have the ability to become "impressive" given the chance, as they each bring a different skillset to the table.
3. I'll refrain from commenting on TO being a distraction to avoid derailing the thread.

[allstar1579]

I am not necessarily advocating that they sign T.O., but let me just rebut these points a little. First, are you telling me that after 6 games, in a division where the best team is 4-2, the Redskins should give up on the playoffs already and just be in "evaluation mode?" This isn't like the Orioles being 20 games out of first in July. Second, I don't see that T.O. has been any big distraction in Buffalo or Cincinnati, and I very much doubt he'd be a disruptive force coming to DC in mid-season. Third, do they really have receiver candidates that are worth evaluating, or is it already clear that they are a bunch of mediocre guys who are never going to be more than reserve-types? I ask that last question in complete ignorance -- I can't even name several members of the Redskins receving corps. But it seems to me like a very unimpressive group overall.

Yeah like FLK said there are a lot more issues than an aging WR can fix. We have 3 legitimate young WR that could be VERY good WR that haven't gotten a lot of playing time yet. Austin from UCLA looks like a mirror image of a younger Moss, albeit a half step slower. Paul has great hands and looks like he could be a very solid #2 guy, but he's a rookie and needs some time. Same for Hankerson who has HR potential, but needs rep and time to learn the NFL game. Think guys like TO when they were young, mid-round draft picks who spend a season or so on ST, then start getting a little time on offense and bust out in year 2-3 somewhere.

Gaffney is getting a bunch of reps because Kyle is comfortable with him in his offense, but the younger kids you haven't seen are by far the future of this team next year and going forward.

[Frobby]

2. They do have WR worth evaluating: Austin, Paul, Hankerson, and even Armstrong. These guys all could be solid going forward, and I think it's worth expanding their roles to see what they can do. Those guys all have the ability to become "impressive" given the chance, as they each bring a different skillset to the table.

We have 3 legitimate young WR that could be VERY good WR that haven't gotten a lot of playing time yet. Austin from UCLA looks like a mirror image of a younger Moss, albeit a half step slower. Paul has great hands and looks like he could be a very solid #2 guy, but he's a rookie and needs some time. Same for Hankerson who has HR potential, but needs rep and time to learn the NFL game. Think guys like TO when they were young, mid-round draft picks who spend a season or so on ST, then start getting a little time on offense and bust out in year 2-3 somewhere.

Gaffney is getting a bunch of reps because Kyle is comfortable with him in his offense, but the younger kids you haven't seen are by far the future of this team next year and going forward.

OK, I will take your word for it with regard to the young receiving corps prospects. If so, perhaps that is sufficient reason to stay the course. I don't agree that the Redskins should write off their playoff hopes at this point, despite the fact that it will clearly be an uphill battle considering the recent injuries. But if there is a reasonsable shot that the exisiting corps can do something, then going after a veteran probably is a bad idea.

[Dr. FLK]

OK, I will take your word for it with regard to the young receiving corps prospects. If so, perhaps that is sufficient reason to stay the course. I don't agree that the Redskins should write off their playoff hopes at this point, despite the fact that it will clearly be an uphill battle considering the recent injuries. But if there is a reasonsable shot that the exisiting corps can do something, then going after a veteran probably is a bad idea.

I don't think they are writing off their playoff hopes. But, I don't think they are in the position that they incur the risk of bringing in a 37-year-old narcissistic malcontent coming off of major knee surgery to make a playoff run. They have also invested draft picks on some young guys who show promise, and it's time to see what those guys can do (if you ever plan on them being part of the future).

IMO, a team like the Ravens are a better candidate for this. They are built to win now, but they lack significant red-zone threats out of their WRs.

[Frobby]

I don't think they are writing off their playoff hopes. But, I don't think they are in the position that they incur the risk of bringing in a 37-year-old narcissistic malcontent coming off of major knee surgery to make a playoff run. They have also invested draft picks on some young guys who show promise, and it's time to see what those guys can do (if you ever plan on them being part of the future).

IMO, a team like the Ravens are a better candidate for this. They are built to win now, but they lack significant red-zone threats out of their WRs.

I'd leave the "narcissistic malcontent" out of it. I'm no big fan of T.O.'s past behavior, but he was well-behaved in Buffalo and Cincinnati and, frankly, isn't in position to play the prima donna if he want to keep playing in the NFL. Your other reasons are sufficiently convincing.

[OrioleMagic]

I agree with my fellow Redskin fans. If we had an established QB and a little better O-line, I would be open to it. But we don't. There is no way in hell that we are better than the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys THIS year. I think we are on our way, but not this year. I like our defense even though Carolina embarrassed us Sunday. I like our three runningbacks. But... we need a franchise QB and we need to upgrade the OL before we are a T.O. signing away from success.

[SammyBirdland]

If anyone can handle a big personality/locker room cancer like T.O., it's gotta be Shanahan, right? I mean, look how well the Haynesworth situation worked out.