If Sam Bradford is Washington-bound...

Tackle-or-quarterback argument aside, let's take a look at Oklahoma junior QB Sam Bradford. Why? Better ask draft experts Mel Kiper and/or Todd McShay.

Kiper's first mock draft (updated 1/20):

1. Rams- Ndamukong Suh
2. Lions- Gerald McCoy
3. Bucs- Eric Berry
4. Skins- Sam Bradford

McShay's first mock draft (updated 12/15)

1. Rams- Ndamukong Suh
2. Bucs- Eric Berry
3. Browns- Derrick Morgan
4. Lions- Gerald McCoy
5. Chiefs- Russell Okung
6. Raiders- Carlos Dunlap
7. Skins- Sam Bradford

At 6'4,'' 215ish lbs., Bradford has the size. With 31 starts, after missing all but 3 games his junior season, he arguably has the experience. And with a freshman TD record, a BCS Championship game appearance, and a Heisman trophy, he certainly has the credentials.

So what's the concern?

Bradford was injury-prone during his productive, yet short college career: a concussion his freshman year and a third-degree AC joint (throwing shoulder) sprain in September - his junior year - that he re-injured forcing him to undergo season-ending surgery.

Washington gave up the fourth most sacks in 2009. With Samuels and Randy Thomas's future in doubt, and no foreseeable immediate improvements if a QB is selected fourth in April's draft, who's to say Bradford can withstand the same punishment Campbell endured in 2009?

And even if Bradford manages to stay upright behind conceivably Washington's weakest unit, does he still possess NFL-caliber arm strength following major (throwing) shoulder surgery?

Renown Dr. James Andrews performed Bradford's surgery in late October and announced the procedure went "just as we expected." Coincidentally, Andrews happens to be the Redskins team doctor and reported the recovery usually takes anywhere from 4-6 months, just in time for April's draft and Shanny/Allen's first pick.

Would Sam Bradford, reportedly one-sixteenth Cherokee, make a good Redskin? Scouts Inc.'s take:

Quick feet. Consistently sidesteps the rush. Not overly elusive but displays enough quickness, agility and speed to turn the corner and pick up the first down when nothing available. Throws accurately on the run to both sides. Does not need to pull up while throwing on the run. Pocket presence is good at times but not consistent enough at this point. Gets too comfortable at times and trusts his protection too much. There are certain plays on which he feels the rush coming and avoids it, but others when he holds onto the ball too long and clearly doesn't feel pocket collapsing around him. He is capable of avoiding the rush at a high level in the NFL but needs to show ability to adjust to less protection after being spoiled in college.

Improvement over Campbell? Fourth overall pick? You be the judge.

If you weren't exactly sure how Skins fans are feeling these days...

Coaching... No, Culture Changes

Good god. An organization hasn't seen turnover like this since the Treaty of Paris.

Who's out? Vinny Cerrato and Jim Zorn (fired), Joe Bugel (retired), Sherm Smith and Sherm Lewis (not retained), Greg Blache (retired/replaced), Jerry Gray (not retained, now with Seattle), and Stump Mitchell (left for Southern Univ.).

Who's in? Bruce Allen (GM), Mike Shanahan (head coach), Kyle Shanahan (offensive coordinator), Jim Haslett (defensive coordinator), Bobby Turner (assistant head coach/RBs), and Lou Spanos (linebackers coach).

How do they stack up? Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan are unquestioned upgrades. Shanny Jr. aka Kyle became the youngest coordinator in the league nearly two years ago in Houston. In those two years, his unit finished third and fourth in the NFL in total yards/game - Schaub led the NFL in passing yards in 2009. Impressive, but how much authority will father give son?

Jim Haslett's NFL resume is slightly less impressive. From 1993-1999 Haslett served as either an defensive assistant or defensive coordinator for the Raiders, Saints, and Steelers. In 2000, Haslett replaced Mike Ditka as head coach of the Saints and was named Coach of the Year after posting a 10-6 record (3-13 in 1999). Haslett went 35-45 over the next 5 seasons and was fired in 2005, an especially hectic year in which Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to relocate for nearly every home game.

In 2006, he was hired as defensive coordinator in St. Louis. In September 2008, Scott Linehan was dismissed and Haslett was promoted to interim head coach. The team went 2-10 under Haslett, but his role as head coach during the nosedive took a backseat role to St. Louis's evident lack of talent. However, the defense, Haslett's unit, finished 23rd, 21st, and 28th in his three years in St. Louis.

Bobby Turner was Shanahan Sr.'s right-hand man in Denver when it came to constructing the decade's most consistent, intimidating rushing attack. Turner arrived in Denver in 1995, a year before Shanahan. Since then, Denver has rushed for more yards than any team in the league. Most impressively, Turner got it done with Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell, Mike Bell, Selvin Young, Travis Henry, and most recently with Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter.

Moral of the story: the name on the back of the jersey is irrelevant. He'll love Washington's Portis-Betts-Rock-QG committee, that is if Shanahan doesn't bring in one of his own.

Haslett might bring the 3-4 to Washington. If so, Lou Spanos is the man for the job. Spanos coached the linebackers in Pittsburgh as long as Turner coached RBs in Denver. Spanos was also just as instrumental in the success of Pittsburgh's strongest unit as Turner was in Denver. Of Spanos’s 15 years in the Steel City, his defense ranked in the top 10 13 times, including four #1 rankings. He has as many Super Bowl rings as the entire Redskin franchise (3).

This next part is for Washington's only 2009 pro bowler, according to Redskins.com:

Spanos coached nine different linebackers who combined for 19 Pro Bowl appearances -- Kevin Greene (2), Greg Lloyd (2), Chad Brown (1), Levon Kirkland (2), Jason Gildon (3), Kendrell Bell (1), Joey Porter (3), James Farrior (2) and James Harrison (3). Additionally, Harrison earned the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2008, while Bell was the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2001.

Sure Washington will miss the contributions of ol' Boss Hog, the Shermans, and fiery Jerry Gray but I think it's safe to say the "new direction" is up.

RIP Gaines Adams