With the number nine pick in the 2005 selection draft, the Redskins select former Trojan Mike Williams... right?
:pause:
Both for effect, and to catch your breath.
Wrong.
Though the talented wide receiver was unbelievably there for the taking, the Redskins opted instead for cornerback Carlos Rogers. Strangely enough, more top talent than could be expected was available to the Redskins at number nine. Along with Rogers and Williams, DE Shawn Merriman and QB Aaron Rodgers were also available. All players that could have filled needs.
The belly-aching will likely be loud from the Redskin faithful, but this is a good pick for Washington. It fills the hole left by Fred Smoot's departure and shores up the depth in the secondary by pushing everyone back one slot. At 6'1", he has the potential to be the type of physical back that defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams loves. He also has the size to match up with some of the bigger receivers that he will have to contend with in the NFC East like Terrell Owens and Keyshawn Johnson.
With both Pac Man Jones and Antrel Rolle already being selected, the Redskins opted to still fill their hole at cornerback with Auburn's Rogers. According to Joe Gibbs though, he was their man all along, "I think what we got here, we feel like, is a shut-down corner who is physical, also, to go along with it. He was our [top] pick at corner, so that made it even easier for us." Gibbs said that they were looking to add quality football players, and that he was impressed with Rogers' physical, productive career.
It didn't hurt matters that Rogers also wanted to be a Redskin, coach Gibbs mentioned that Rogers had actually called Gregg Williams several times beforehand; "I wanted to be here really badly, I loved my visit. I loved the coaching staff. I love the mind-set of the coaches. It's something I really felt comfortable about."
Rogers received the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. So while Rogers may have been third on some top 10 lists, he was tops on some boards and was considered by many to be the best cover man.
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