Random Thoughts, Predictions and Assumptions for the 2012 Redskins

By Adam Bradley

 Ball Hogs Radio

Disclaimer: The post you're about to read has no assigned order, direction or fluidity to it. It is just a bunch of random, honest, thoughts I have on where the Skins currently stand as the team is in the midst of their second organized team activities.

Cut me some slack, I leave for vacation (Turks and Caicos with the wife) in the morning. My mind is already there.

With which of the following do you agree?:

On Chris Cooley: There's a lot of talk about if he’ll make the team or be let go due to his $3.8 million cap hit to the team. Cooley is only 29, which seems young. But the ages in the NFL are more like dog years—one human year equals seven dog years. Therefore Cooley is actually 203 years old. Sort of. It’s not quite that drastic, but despite 29 sounding young, in the NFL it isn’t really. After some injury-plagued years over the last couple, I personally don’t feel Cooley is a top-tier tight end (not top 20). I actually never really felt he was as good as people made him out to be despite his statistics (somebody had to get the stats).

Unless, Cooley is willing to strongly renegotiate his contract (my preference), I’m fine with parting ways with Cooley. At this stage of his career, there are dozens of tight ends who can do we what he can do, for much less money. And all the die hard fans who love Cooley, his antics, etc.: I think you’ll be okay. If you find yourself getting sad, just reflect back to all the great wins those Cooley-featured offenses gave us over the years.

My thoughts are strictly business. As a person, I really like Cooley, would love to share a glass of wine at Tarara Winery (we’re both members) and enjoy some second-hand smoke with the guy.

On Josh Morgan:  I am not on the “We upgraded the wide receiver position” train when Josh Morgan’s name is included in it. I’ll give credit to Pierre Garcon. I like him!

As for Morgan, most people are predicting he’ll be taking over for Santana Moss. Is he younger? Yes! Advantage Morgan. Has he been better than Moss at any point of his four years in the league? No! In 2005, Moss’s 1,483 yards almost have totaled what Morgan has totaled all four years in the league: 1,764. Morgan thrived in 2009 with 52 receptions. Moss only went below that number three times in the 10 years he’s been a regular contributor. Just because he’s younger doesn’t mean the product on the field will be better. Morgan is not Moss. Despite different positions, he’s not Jabar Gaffney either. Not thrilled about Morgan today. Need. To. See. More.

On Tim Hightower:  I’m happy we re-signed Hightower. He runs hard, blocks harder and seems to be a good guy. He’s local (Alexandria, VA native/University of Richmond) and wanted to be here. When teamed up with Roy Helu Jr. and Evan Royster they make the Indiana Pacers' trio of running backs. (A bunch of good role players, but no superstar. So who takes the final shot? Or gets us that 1-yard?)

On Niles Paul: Biased opinion coming: I like Niles Paul and he likes Ball Hogs Radio. In all honesty, despite him liking BHR, if I didn't think he was a good fit for DC, I wouldn’t like him. But, I think he’s an asset that can be a major weapon for us. I hope he doesn’t end up like my current dress shirt situation. (I can’t find one that fits right. I’m in between sizes.) Wide receiver or tight end?

Tight end is the direction we’re headed and that's where I’d go too. What does the 6 foot 1 inch 225 pound Paul need to do to be successful? Be like the 6 foot 2 inch 245 pound Aaron Hernandez. And get more tattoos. Simple as that.

On Fred Davis and Trent Williams: Fresh off a brief stint on rehab suspension for their pot smoking, Trent and Fred are back! I have no legitimate reason to trust these guys (no one does) but my gut feeling is that these guys are going to stay clean and are ready for a big season. I just feel it. Especially Fred Davis. He’s playing on the franchise tag and despite getting paid handsomely this year, there’s no guarantees beyond this year. He knows that and the Skins know that. Sleepy Davis knows where his bread is buttered and will step up this year to get paid with a long-term deal.

On RG3: I still love him, as does the rest of the city! I have to be honest: When I heard Bruce Allen say that he’s been at Redskins Park 12 hours a day recently, that was music to my ears for a couple different reasons: 1) He’s learning the playbook, working out, building relationships with the coaches, etc. and 2) He’s not in front of the cameras, on TV or in the papers.

I’m not saying I dislike him being in front the camera and all. I like him, but I’ve had enough already. The guy is great, but I’m as familiar with his story as I am that of T.O. and it's only been six weeks since we drafted him. I just want to see him play football, really, really, badly. Less Hollywood. More Ashburn!

On the secondary: As of today our starting secondary would have to be: Wilson, DeAngelo Hall, Reed Doughty and DeJon Gomes. (The safety position will most likely change. But at this point, if the season started today, the other guys don’t know enough to step in.) With that said, I’m already plotting my fantasy teams accordingly: Remember to start (Miles, Dez/Cruz, Nicks/D-Jack, Maclin) for any and all matchups with the Skins. Not really thrilled about what's going on here.

On the 80th Anniversary Uniforms:  These will be rolled out during two games this season. My hope is that we’ll pull a Randy Edsall, (Please take a moment. ... The words you just read in italics, I’ve never said before.), and pull a uniform switcheroo right after warmups and go back to the regular uni’s. I wish we could re-celebrate the 75th anniversary uniforms and simply attach a new patch that reads "80th Anniversary." (How did Mark Herzlich get to wear our 80th anniversary uniform in college?)

On the practice bubble: There's one part of the story that may not be 100 percent true: Unless you're the landscapers cutting the grass in my neighborhood right now while it rains, thunders and lightnings, you shouldn’t be outside in extreme weather. Thankfully the Skins no longer have to be. We have a practice bubble! We’d like to thank the local Planet Fitness for their years of service letting the team use the aerobic room and we’d like to apologize to all the ladies who’s Zumba classes we’ve bumped because the Skins had to use the facilities. (I'm not 100 percent sure about the Zumba classes, but it makes sense.)

On Ball Hogs Radio: Big fans of them. Great banter and very entertaining!

On Jarvis Jenkins: I'm excited for JJ to return to the field. In his brief stints during preseason and training camp it was hinted by many that he was our top defensive lineman. Also, check him out on Twitter. The guy’s shoe collection is silly and he has a Darnell Dockett-esque knack for brand names—and for letting us know about them. Nonetheless, big fan of 99!

On Leonard Hankerson: Oh man, I really love this guy. I really want Hankerson to be a star in DC. Really, really badly—not just for him but for us. We need a young star at the wideout position and if Hankerson can be that guy, he and Garcon can be our duo for years to come. With that said, his hip concerns me. The Skins are saying he should be ready, but I know he hasn’t done much of anything as of today and its not like he’s a veteran with proven success to fall back on. He was still learning when he was playing. Now he’ll be learning and growing, while playing off an injury—all of which usually doesn’t equal a positive situation. This may take some time. Let's be patient.

On the offensive line: Garners zero emotion from me, neither good nor bad. Very blah! Unfortunately, when offensive lines are blah, thats not usually a good sign.

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