Good free agency fits for the Redskins

OG:
Carl Nicks
Evan Mathis
Ben Grubbs

C:
Chris Meyers

My first priority in free agency is offensive guard. We need at least one guard and a tackle, and there aren't many tackles on the market, but there are some great guards. If we could get Carl Nicks, Ben Grubbs, or Evan Mathis, it would be huge. Nicks and Grubbs are a lot bigger than the typical ZBS Shanahan offensive linemen, but good enough and athletic enough despite that (especially Nicks) to excel anyway. Mathis, at just over 300, is an even better fit, though he is older and less proven. Still, any of the three would be an immediate and huge upgrade for our offensive line. I mention Meyers since he's the only center that interests me. It's not as big a need with Montgomery (and Lichtensteiger being a fit at center too), but Meyers is such a fit for the ZBS, which he has been playing in in Houston, that I felt the need to list him. I doubt it would happen since we just re-signed Montgomery, but if it did, he'd still help us out.

CB:
Brandon Carr
Courtland Finnegan
Brent Grimes

I've been harping for quite a while on how much the Skins need to upgrade at corner. With Stanford Routt off the market and Lardarius Webb a restricted free agent, that leaves these three. Grimes is older and very likely to get tagged if Atlanta doesn't reach a long-term deal with him first, so he's less likely and less of an interest, even though he had a stellar year. Brandon Carr is my top pick, both because he's good and because he's young (26). The Cowboys are closely linked to Carr. Finnegan (28) would also be a player I'd be very happy for us to get. If we can't get any of those guys, luckily the draft is actually very well-stocked with promising corners, but I'd feel good about having one less thing to focus on in the draft (if we trade up for RG3, who knows what picks and how many we'll have left?) and having corner filled with a proven commodity.

Notable impressive combine performances

Just gonna keep a sort of running tab of combine performances which really catch my eye and/or are likely to help the participant's stock a lot:

Wide Receiver
Stephen Hill (6'4, 215): 4.36 40 yard dash, 39.5" vertical leap, 14 reps of 225, 133" broad jump, 6.88 3 cone, 4.48 20 yard shuttle, 4.43 60 yd shuttle
Tommy Streeter (6'5, 219): 4.40 40, 33" vert, 17 reps, 125" broad jump, 7.08 3 cone
Chris Owusu (6', 196): 4.36 40, 40.5" vert, 19 reps, 129" broad jump, 6.85 3 cone, 4.11 20 shuttle, 11.22 60 shuttle
AJ Jenkins (6', 190): 4.39 40, 38.5" vert, 12 reps, 124" broad
Ryan Broyles (5'10, 190): 21 reps
Junior Hemingway (6'1, 225): 4.53 40, 35.5" vert, 21 reps, 124" broad, 6.59 3 cone, 3.98 20 shuttle, 11.16 60 shuttle
Kashif Moore (5'9, 180): 4.42 40, 43.5" vert, 19 reps, 126" broad, 6.82 3 cone, 4.05 20 shuttle
Jerrell Jackson (6', 192): 4.62 40, 41" vert, 22 reps, 127" broad, 6.82 3 cone, 4.11 20 shuttle, 11.08 60 shuttle
Devin Wylie (5'9, 187: 4.39, 39"v, 17 reps, 123"b

Quarterback
Robert Griffin III (6'2.5, 223): 4.41 40, 39" vert, 120" broad
Andrew Luck (6'4, 234):  4.67, 36"v, 124"b, 6.80 3c,  4.28 20s, 
Russell Wilson (5'11, 204): 4.55, 34"v, 118"b, 6.97 3c, 4.09 20s
Jacory Harris (6'3, 203): 4.72, 37"v, 113"b, 7.10 3c, 4.40 20s
Jordan Jefferson (6'4, 223): 4.65, 36.5"v, 14 reps, 116"b, 6.81 3c, 4.06 20s

Offensive Line
Donald Stephenson, OT (6'6, 312): 4.94 40, 35.5" vert, 19 reps, 114" broad jump, 7.52 3 cone, 4.78 20 shuttle
Adam Gettis, G (6'2, 293): 5.00, 31.5", 112" broad, 7.99 3 cone, 4.65 20 shuttle
David Molk, G (6'1, 298): 41 reps
David Decastro, G (6'5, 316): 5.43, 29.5" v, 34 reps, 98" b, 7.30 3c, 4.56 20s
Cordy Glenn, T/G (6'5, 345): 5.15, 23.5"v, 31 reps, 93" b, 8.13 3c, 5.00 20s
Matt Kalil, OT (6'7, 306): 4.99, 27"v, 30 reps, 7.33 3c, 4.65 20s

Defensive Tackles
Dontari Poe, NT (6'4, 346): 4.98 40, 29.5" vert, 44 reps, 105" broad, 7.90 c3, 4.56 20s
Loni Fangupo, DT (6'1, 323): 5.18, 31.5"v, 36 reps, 99"b, 7.94 3c, 4.62 20s 
Mike Martin, DT (6'1, 306): 4.88, 33.5"v, 36 reps, 119"b, 7.19 3c, 4.15 20s
Kenall Reyes, DT (6'4, 299): 4.95, 34.5"v, 36 reps, 113"b, 7.13 3c, 4.53 20s
Brandon Thompson, DT (6'2, 314): 31"v, 35 reps, 100"b, 7.97 3c, 4.71 20s
Fletcher Cox, DT (6'4, 298): 4.79, 26"v, 30 reps, 103"b, 7.07 3c, 4.53 20s

Defensive Ends

Bruce Irvin, DE (6'3, 245): 4.50, 33.5"v, 23 reps, 123"b, 6.70 3c, 4.03 20s
Nick Perry, DE (6'3, 271): 4.64, 38.5"v, 35 reps, 124"b, 7.25 3c, 4.66 20s
Jake Bequette, DE (6'5, 274): 4.82, 34"v, 113"b, 6.90 3c, 4.07 20s 
Whitney Mercilus, DE (6'4, 261): 4.68, 32"v, 27 reps, 118"b, 7.17 3c, 4.53 20s
Shea McClellin, DE (6'3, 260): 4.63, 31.5"v, 19 reps, 118"b, 7.07 3c, 4.33 20s

Linebacker
Zach Brown, OLB (6'1, 244): 4.44 40, 33.5" vert, 116" broad
Ronnell Lewis, OLB (6'2, 253): 4.68 40, 31" vert, 36 reps, 112" broad, 7.09 3c, 4.4 20s
Nigel Bradham, OLB (6'2, 241): 4.64, 37"v, 24 reps, 121"b, 7.18 3c, 4.37 20s
Demario Davis, OLB (6'2, 235): 4.61, 38.5"v, 32 reps, 124"b, 7.19 3c, 4.28 20s, 11.65 60s
Mychal Kendricks, OLB (6', 240 ): 4.47, 39.5"v, 24 reps, 127"b, 4.19 20s
Lavonte David, OLB (6'1, 233): 4.65, 31.5"v, 19 reps, 119"b, 7.28 3c, 4.22 20s
Miles Burris, OLB (6'2, 246):  37.5"v, 31 reps, 121"b
Tank Carder, ILB (6'2, 236): 4.69, 34.5"v, 19 reps, 121"b, 6.89 3c, 4.18 20s, 11.53 60s
Luke Kuechly, ILB (6'3, 242): 4.58, 38"v, 27 reps, 123"b, 6.92 3c, 4.12 20s, 11.43 60s


Cornerback
Josh Robinson, CB (5'10, 199): 4.33 40, 38.5" vert, 17 reps, 133" broad jump, 6.55 3 cone, 3.97 20 yard shuttle, 11.65 60 shuttle
Jamell Fleming, CB (5'11, 206): 4.53, 34"v, 23 reps, 125" broad, 6.71 3c, 3.97 20s, 10.75 60s
Stephon Gilmore, CB (6', 190): 4.40, 46"v, 15 reps, 123"b, 6.61 3c, 3.94 20s, 11.15 60s
Coty Sensabaugh, CB (5'11, 189): 4.42, 37"v, 14 reps, 122"b, 6.60 3c, 4.06 20s
Coryell Judie, CB (6', 194): 4.48, 37"v, 126"b, 7.33 3c, 4.25 20s
Justin Bethel, CB (6', 200): 4.58, 39.5"v, 19 reps, 131"b, 6.79 3c, 4.30 20s
Ron Brooks, CB (5'10, 190): 4.37, 38"v, 12 reps, 120"b
Casey Hayward, CB (5'11, 185): 4.57, 34"v, 19 reps, 119"b, 6.76 3c, 3.90 20s, 11.10 60s

Safeties
Christian Thompson, FS (6', 211): 4.50, 31.5"v, 18 reps, 122"b, 7.33 3c, 4.13 20s, 11.72 60s 
George Iloka, FS (6'4, 225): 4.66, 34.5"v, 20 reps, 124"b, 7.03 3c, 4.03 20s, 11.75 60s
Corey White, SS (5'11, 206): 4.55, 37.5"v, 15 reps, 126"b, 6.72 3c, 4.22 20s
Eddie Pleasant, SS (5'10, 211): 4.63, 33.5"v, 22 reps, 116"b, 7.12 3c, 4.28 20s
Sean Richardson, SS (6'2, 216): 4.52, 38.5"v, 22 reps, 128"b, 7.01 3c, 4.44 20s

Runningbacks
Lamar Hill (5'11, 212): 4.40 40, 33"v
Ronnie Hillman, (5'9, 200): 4.45, 37"v, 17 reps
LaMichael James, (5'8, 194): 4.45, 35"v, 15 reps, 123" broad, 6.88 3 cone, 4.12 20 yard shuttle
Chris Rainey (5'8, 180): 4.45, 36.5"v, 16 reps, 120"b, 6.50 3c, 3.93 20s, 11.06 60s
David Wilson (5'10, 206): 4.49, 41"v, 132"b, 7.09 3c, 4.12 20s, 11.59 60s
Doug Martin (5'9, 223): 4.55, 36"v, 28 reps, 120"b, 6.79 3c, 4.16 20s, 11.29 60s
Robert Turbin (5'10, 222): 4.50, 36"v, 28 reps, 122"b, 7.16 3c, 4.31 20s

Tight Ends
James Hanna (6'4, 252): 4.49, 36" vert, 24 reps, 122" broad, 6.76 3 cone, 4.11 20 shuttle, 11.43 60 shuttle
Michael Egnew (6'5, 252): 4.62, 36"v, 21 reps, 131"b, 7.03 3c, 4.32 20s, 12.07 60s
Evan Rodriguez (6'1, 239): 4.58, 36"v,  18 reps, 119"b, 6.94 3c, 4.28 20s, 11.43 60s
Drake Dunsmore (6'2, 241): 4.64, 35.5"v, 21 reps, 117"b, 6.73 3c, 4.03 20s, 11.47 60s
Orson Charles (6'2, 251): 35 reps
Ladarius Green (6'6, 238): 4.53, 34.5"v, 16 reps, 124"b, 7.12 3c, 4.47 20s, 12.08 60s


I think the list is pretty complete now. If you find any performances impressive that I have omitted, post them in the comments for me to consider, but the drills are all done and I have all the positions (no ST specialists did anything impressive in this regard), so enjoy.

Quarterback priorities

There will be some more and longer posts forthcoming as we make our way deeper into and past the NFL combine, and as free agency starts to unfold. I've been following the combine to the best of my ability so far (busy weekend out of town), and am in the process of drafting myself up, both based on the combine and many other sources, lists of draft and free agency prospects in which I have interest, primarily offensive linemen right now because they (as well as tight ends, which I don't anticipate needing) are the ones at the combine so far. I'm still gathering, pruning, and researching that group, but in the process I've been giving more thought to the all-important quarterback position and want to give a quick update, sort of detailing my preferences for the Redskins QB going into next year:

1. Andrew Luck- Something of a pipe dream, perhaps, but still an idea I salivate over. I am and have been really high on Luck and if we somehow got him, I'd be thrilled.

2. Robert Griffin III- I always was intrigued with him and said I'd be fine with him in the absence of Luck, but he's really grown on me. In addition to the obvious physical ability and compatibility his mobility would provide with Shanahan's love of the bootleg, he has really, really impressed me in interviews and what I've read about him in regards to his work ethic, intelligence, and leadership. While Luck is still my draft crush of the year (Von Miller last year, Russell Okung in 2010, Brian Orakpo in 2009, and Calais Campbell in 2008), I'd be overjoyed if we ended up with RG3, especially if we don't have to sell the farm to move up in the draft to do it.

3. Ryan Tannehill- Unfortunately, his injury prevented Tannehill from participating in the Senior Bowl which Shanahan and co. coached, but he still looks like a good prospect and a good fit for the Redskins' offense. I wouldn't want him at 6, but if we could get him in the second round, that would be great, and moving up into the late-ish first round would be good too.

Uploaded pictures

Handful of the  pictures I've taken at a few Skins games over the last couple years, in the slideshows to the right and bottom. Most of them aren't really edited like the Hankerson photo at the top of the page, but happy to have them accessible on here now. Check 'em out.

Quick LaRon Landry update

I know I haven't posted much recently. Partially that's due to news and updates to the Redskins, draft prospects, and the NFL in general being slower since the season ended, giving me less to talk about, and partially that's due to my being busy. I've seen a couple articles, though, dealing with Landry recently about an interview he gave, and I wanted to make note; in the past I've said I very adamantly think that the Skins should re-sign Landry but that his apparent refusal to get surgery is a huge red flag, and that it was a situation which I felt must have some more undisclosed information because it did not make sense. Well, more information has come out.

According to Landry, though the initial exam did lead to a doctor recommending surgery, second opinions had some doctors saying that it wasn't necessarily the best bet. Landry said he's opting for PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma treatment, which he had on his shoulder last year) and something I know nothing of called biological matrix to heal his Achilles. Landry says that he doesn't want to get surgery because it can require up to a year and a half of healing and doesn't necessarily ever result in full range of motion returning.