No, they should keep him. He was awesome against Chicago's 3rd stringers. Clearly he was a more important need than any of the many other holes.
I just think a 4th round pick is not going to "fill a hole". Thats the main rub with this argument. A 3rd...maybe...but a 4th? I dunno. 4th's are usually back ups, arent they? At best?
Last edited by Ridley Simon: 08-19-2012 at 01:42 PM.
Listening to 980 this morning I will say it is refreshing to hear how quality players like Banks, Briscoe, Morris, etc... might not make the team. There are some interesting roster spots to keep track of. Here are my thoughts on offensive.
QB: Based on Cousins performance against scrubs Saturday does Grossman make the team? I say no, but Grossman probably will hang around.
My guess: Griffin, Grossman, and Cousins are on the team week 1.
RB: Alfred Morris looks like a RB prospect that should be kept around, but does that mean the Skins keep for RB's? Depends on how other positions shake out on offense like WR, TE, and OL.
My guess: Hightower, Royster, and Helu are on the team week 1. The Skins will try to stash Morris on the practice squad. Hope he makes it.
TE: Sleepy makes the team, but after him who is kept at TE to back him up? Cooley is the best TE blocker, Paul is an interesting prospect and special teams contributor, and Paulson is a solid 3rd TE and special teams contributor as well. Paulson looked good and Paul is worth keeping around, IMO. Cooley might be the odd man out. Darrell Young's health at FB could save Cooley though.
My guess: Sleepy, Cooley, and Paulson at TE with Paul maybe getting stashed on practice squad.
WR: Wow what a toss up. Garcon, Morgan, Moss and Hankerson are locks, IMO. So how many WR's does the Skins keep? Robinson and Banks have the inside track to grab the last WR spots, but what about Briscoe?
Despite his return for a TD on Saturday, I still can't see how Banks makes the team unless he somehow turns into an NFL caliber WR. With so much young talent fighting for roster spots, Banks has to contribute at WR. He has to. Morgan and Robinson can return kicks.
My guess: Garcon, Morgan, Moss, Hankerson, and Robinson make the team. Only 5 WR's based on needs at other positions.
OL: Have limited thoughts on OL right now based on injuries and the number of backups looking to make an impact. LeRiebus and Gettis make the team, IMO. Hurt hasn't impressed me at LG so far. OL should be clearer after pre-season game #3.
I thought it was interesting that on ESPN last night, they specifically called out Banks as NOT needing to make it as WR because of his big play ability on returns being so important and rare in the NFL.
Guess we'll see. Certainly is nice to see a influx of talent.
__________________
George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
I thought it was interesting that on ESPN last night, they specifically called out Banks as NOT needing to make it as WR because of his big play ability on returns being so important and rare in the NFL.
Guess we'll see. Certainly is nice to see a influx of talent.
But with kickoffs rarely getting returned these days its tough to keep around a guy that all he does is return punts. NFL punters can kick away from Banks or kick out of bounds to negate him, and then you have 1 guy holding down a valuable roster spot that might make an impact during the game.
Of the top 4 projected WR's only Josh Morgan can contribute on special teams. Thats why I don't have Briscoe making the team. He doesn't play special teams.
What I would like to see is Banks used on screens and reverses on offense. Forget the downfield stuff. He is so tiny and quick he can get lost on screens and reverses and be very effective that way.
For a team that can barely score as it is....I dont see how they can let a guy go that can score on one play any given time. But whatever.
He didn't score at all, I believe, last year.
But who doesn't make the team at the expense of Banks? Aldrick Robinson? Alfred Morris? Niles Paul?
See thats the tough part. Banks only able to return punts and takes a roster spot at the expense of someone like Robinson who can play WR and special teams.
Regardless, having to many quality players for a 53 man roster is a good problem to have.
I think keeping a ST specialist in Banks would cost them depth at LB or maybe CB instead of an offensive skill position. They're deeper but still not abundantly deep. Still two games to go but I don't think the cuts are that difficult unless they're sentimental re: Cooley. Paulsen's very likely better at this point.
An LB like Kehl or Wilson would be the last cut for me, with Banks making it. They could also cut Banks, IR Brown and have two spots open for players cut elsewhere, particularly better OL/CB options.
Edit: The bigger factor with Banks IMO is who they'd keep inactive on game day.
But with kickoffs rarely getting returned these days its tough to keep around a guy that all he does is return punts. NFL punters can kick away from Banks or kick out of bounds to negate him, and then you have 1 guy holding down a valuable roster spot that might make an impact during the game.
Of the top 4 projected WR's only Josh Morgan can contribute on special teams. Thats why I don't have Briscoe making the team. He doesn't play special teams.
What I would like to see is Banks used on screens and reverses on offense. Forget the downfield stuff. He is so tiny and quick he can get lost on screens and reverses and be very effective that way.
I guess I just dont see this. If we are forcing them to kick punts out of bounds, then that benefits the team. Angled kicks lose distance.
I also dont think the 3rd string LB, DT, OF is more useful than a game changer. I think Banks stays.
Josh Morgan, Aldrick Robinson, and Richard Crawford can return kicks. They can also contribute on offense and defense.
Banks is dynamic returning punts, but if you look at teams that are contending year after year for a SB not many of them have a guy like Banks that can only return punts taking a roster spot. Especially one the same size as a 15 year old kid.
Still 2 pre-season games left. Time for Banks to show he can help in other areas. He could be a force on screens and reverses. Wish Baby Shanny used him in that way.
If not for injuries, who knows how much better he could have been here....
If not for injuries he might of broken Riggins team record for rushing. Glad he didn't.
Speaking of Skins RBs, report out that Royster won't play Saturday with a hurt ankle and Hightower will play Saturday. That means the top 3 RBs on the roster are either hurt or coming back from an injury. Based on that Alfred Morris makes the team.
So you would rather have Wilson over Griffin. Got it.
Prior to the Rams trade I floated Wilson as a possibility for the Skins in the 3rd if they missed out on a QB in the first two rounds. He is a good player. Still, it is the pre-season. When the real games start Rookie QBs have a way of being brought back to reality.
I am hoping to see some things opened up for Griffin tonight. Want to see him throwing down field more. And with some promising young talent fighting for a few open WR spots on the roster, tonight is a perfect opportunity.
I am not saying Wilson will be better than RGIII. However, when considering what the Skins gave up versus keeping their own picks and drafting Wilson in the 3rd (which is what I suggested at the time), then, ya.
I am not saying Wilson will be better than RGIII. However, when considering what the Skins gave up versus keeping their own picks and drafting Wilson in the 3rd (which is what I suggested at the time), then, ya.
Either way, am good with RGIII.
To early to say the Griffin trade was good or bad. Way to early. And considering the Skins QB history since Rypien, Griffin was worth the gamble.
And if Wilson winds up starting that will be a 3rd used well. On the flip side though, that means the Seahawks have a backup QB making 26 mil.
