BossHog
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Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 9873
Location: London, Ontario
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2003 7:58 am Post subject: ESPN's breakout players of the year |
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FYI, this is from ESPN insider so you need a membership to read the article, but I don't think I'm breaching any protocols if i only quote the relevant Redskins parts:
| Quote: | Patrick Ramsey, QB, Redskins - The Redskins' second-year quarterback is the biggest longshot among our breakthrough projections, but his situation has too much upside to ignore. Ramsey started six games his rookie year and went through the typical rookie quarterback growing pains, but still managed to throw for 1,539 yards and more touchdowns (9) than interceptions ( . With a full offseason to study Steve Spurrier's "Fun 'n Gun" offense, Ramsey will be much better at understanding where his receivers are and knowing how to adjust to what the defense is showing. Plus, the Redskins upgraded their offensive line and added several more receivers in wideouts Laveranues Coles, rookie Taylor Jacobs and running back Trung Canidate. The Redskins will air the ball out often, which should pad Ramsey's stats enough to keep him among the leaders in several offensive categories. The biggest danger to Ramsey's breakthrough year is the chance of the volatile Spurrier making a reactionary move to the bench when Ramsey makes a bad decision.
Matt Bowen, S, Redskins - Up until this season, NFL teams almost never considered bidding on another team's restricted free agents because of the draft pick compensation. This year, the Redskins turned that thinking on its ear by deciding that a known quantity in a veteran player was better than the guessing game that takes place in the NFL Draft. Bowen wasn't even drafted in 2001 and instead joined the Packers as a free agent. He had all the physical ability to succeed on this level, but had never been asked to do much pass coverage and was extremely raw. After the Packers spent years developing and teaching their young safety, Bowen was called on due to injuries to others last year and showed that he had learned quite a bit from his coaches. He finished the season strong, especially in the playoffs when he made 15 tackles against the Falcons. When the Packers gave him the low tender offer as a restricted free agent, the Redskins pounced knowing they would not have to give any draft pick compensation at all since the Packers had never spent a draft pick on him. Because of this, the Redskins think Bowen could be the steal of this year's free agency class. While he should play the free safety spot which requires more speed, the Redskins have had him learning both the free and strong safety spots. |
ESPN rated about 30 players... 15 on each side of the ball. These were the only 2 Redskins. If you have ESPN insider the links are:
Offense - http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story.?id=1580318
Defense - http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/story.?id=1580321 |
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