Discussing the Shanaplan

As all of us anxious football fans wait around to see whether our beloved teams will actually see the field next season the one thing that seems to keep us going is the (enter buzz word here) NFL Draft.  From the day our team’s season is finished, whether it is 6 weeks into the season or the Monday after the Super Bowl, we ponder, predict, and analyze, what our team needs to do in next year’s draft.  Draft “experts” do the same, and with the combine and pro-days galore the NFL draft becomes the NYSE, where some players rise to the top of draft boards from obscurity while others see their stock plummet to disheartening lows.   Every year there are great picks, and there are terrible picks, and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has made plenty of each in his day.  Currently the Redskins hold the 10^th and 41^st picks, with needs across the board.  Let’s take a look back at the history of Coach Shanahan’s early round selections and figure out which positions and players the Redskins should pick, based on the past.

In 14 drafts, with 12 first round picks and  15 second round picks coach Shanahan has picked 5 LBs, 6 DBs, 2 RBs, 1 QB, 1 TE, 5 DEs, 4WRs, 3 OL.

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According to Adam Schefter the Redskins have reached an agreement with free agent FS Oshiomogho Atogwe.

Former Rams safety O.J. Atogwe reached agreement on a five-year deal with the Washington Redskins via @AdamSchefter

Not only is Atogwe a huge upgrade for a secondary that ranked second to last in the NFL last year but his familiarity with Haslett’s defensive scheme should be a huge plus.  This also fills a need for the Skins, allowing them to focus on numerous other lacking positions in the draft.  In a draft where the FS position is especially weak, picking up a player of Atogwe’s caliber was a great move for the Skins.

The only question that remains…will he carry his number 21 with him to the Skins?  What do you think about the signing?

Go Skins!

Update: The deal is reportedly 5 years, $26 million

Update 2: Atogwe says he will not wear #21

With the departure of Santana Moss looking more and more like a reality, the Redskins are going into the 2011 season with a glaring need in the number 1 wide receiver slot.  It was widely thought that the team would make a run a Vincent Jackson this offseason due to Shanahan’s apparent obsession with him since draft day 2005.  Unfortunately for coach Shanahan, Jackson is off the market after being franchise tagged by the chargers, leaving the recently available Sidney Rice as the best free agent wide receiver.   Here are some of his Pros and Cons.

Pros:

• 6’4” 204 pounds
• 24 years old
• In 2009 he was selected to the pro bowl with eye popping numbers – 83 receptions, 1312 yards (15.8 per catch), and 8 touchdowns.
• Rice is easily the most talented FA receiver available.  He is much better than cheaper options like James Jones, Steve Breaston, or Malcom Floyd and easily an upgrade over every receiver on the roster.

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