 |
| Grant Paulsen hard at work |
Sports have always been my passion. When I was a kid I would turn down the volume of the games I was watching and fake announce them. After games I would make up pretend questions that I would ask players about the game if I had the chance. Following the local DC teams has always been something I cared a lot about and when I started getting opportunities to cover those teams I realized I wanted to be around the sports scene forever.
Q: Favorite George Mason athlete of all time and why?
Great question. I'd have to say Lamar Butler. He was obviously one of the faces of George Mason's Final 4 run back in 2006, and I'll never forget his 18 points against UNC and 19 points in helping to upset UConn during that magical run. I was a high school senior when Mason went on it's unbelievable March journey, but I already knew I was going to he headed to GMU in the fall so I was going up to Fairfax to watch the games on campus with friends. Butler gets the nod over a couple of the other powerhouse players on that team.
Q: How do you think Paul Hewitt has done in replacing Larranaga?
I was very impressed with the job Hewitt did this past season. I was just as upset as everybody else when I found out that Coach L was leaving for Miami, but I think Mason made a quality hire in adding a former longtime-ACC head coach. Hewitt a good basketball coach and he can recruit elite talent. I expect him to have a long, prosperous run at Mason. I liked the track meet style of play he brought to the Patriot Center this past season and I look forward to many points and many wins from the Patriots under his watch in the future.
Q: What's your bigger passion - MLB or Redskins?
This is tough. It's probably more seasonal. I would say football over baseball narrowly, but at different times of the year my answer tends to vary. Come back to me after Opening Day in April and I'll probably tell you baseball.
Q: What do you think happened with the Eddie Royal negotiations?
I think Royal and the Redskins were working on the final details of a contract and other, unexpected teams inquired about his services and he started to play the field a bit. Washington wanted him. He dined with the team's top officials and both sides spent a couple days flirting with one-another but the Chargers ended up giving him what he wanted.
Q: Brandon Merriweather is a Strong Safety and has fallen off after a strong start to his career. Do you think he is just a stopgap or is it possible he plays a larger role in the team's future?
That depends on how he plays this season. He's a 28-year-old who has played in two pro bowls in just five NFL seasons. The number of players who can say that is miniscule. As a former first-round pick, there's no denying his talent. If he's healthy and a schematic fit he can be a difference maker. He showed that in 2008 and 2009 in New England when he posted back-to-back 83 tackle seasons while intercepting nine passes and forcing four fumbles. My guess is that he won't give the Redskins the prolific play he provided the Patriots, but I think he'll be better than he was with the Bears last year, when he lost his starting job and was a reserve after week five.
Q: What other needs do the Redskins have and what names could they be looking at?
The Redskins still need a right tackle. They have interviewed former Buffalo Bills tackle Demetrius Bell. He'd be an interesting fit who could provide depth. I'd be curious to see if they viewed him as an all-downs starter. Obviously, Jammal Brown is under contract so he'd be retained unless Washington finds a better solution. But other than right tackle, free safety is a major need after cutting OJ Atogwe and inside linebacker should be considered a need until London Fletcher is re-signed or another top-starter is added by way of free agency.
Q: Your views on the RG3 trade are well known. How do you think he will perform in his rookie season?
It depends on the supporting cast the Redskins surround him with on offense. Was Andy Dalton a super passer last season or did he have success in Cincinnati because he was protected well (only three NFL quarterbacks were hit less) and because the Bengals could run the football effectively?
I think Griffin will be able to make plays with his athleticism as early as week-one. He'll make some tremendous throws and he'll make several bad mistakes with the football. Every rookie quarterback does. By the end of the season, though, I fully expect that everybody will understand why the Redskins gave up what they did to get him. He's got an electrifying skillset and a dynamic personality. He's going to be a star in Washington before he ever takes a regular season snap from under center.
Q: When the Redskins start drafting in the 3rd round, do they draft BPA or do they go for a certain position? And if so, what position?
You always draft he best player available, but you should draft that player at a position you need to upgrade. Possible targets in the third round, based on Washington's needs and the way the draft should unfold, are: safety, right tackle, interior offensive line depth, speedy skill position players, linebacker.
Q: Grade Shanahallen's regime so far.
If you're judging him based on his record (11 wins in two seasons) he has not been good enough. I think you have to look at more than just the wins and losses, though. He's rebuilding a team that had very little talent when he showed up. The Redskins have gone from an old, losing team to being a young, losing team. There's a big difference. I like what he's done in putting an emphasis back on the draft (taking 12 players in 2011) and in free agency, by adding players that he deems are fits -- rather than just going after the highest-priced, best players available.
Q: Grade Shanahallen's regime so far.
No comments:
Post a Comment