The National Hockey League's 2nd season, and some -- would argue only season is finally here.

 

Tonight and Friday night at Verizon Center -- the Washington Capitals will embark on what they hope will be a two-month odyssey towards the "Holy Grail."

 

Will they get it done? I don't think so -- but can they? Of course, but only if....

 

**They win Game 1 at home (Wednesday night, 7:30 PM) and do something they were not able to do against the Montreal Canadiens or the New York Rangers, in the opening round each of the last two years.

 

The Caps are 2-2 at Verizon Center in Game 1's over the last three seasons, beating Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for the two W's.

 

As a side note, I think it is even more important then ever for the Caps to win Game 1, for true, tested belief in their new approach. Also, it would certainly give un-tested goaltender Michael Neuvirth even more confidence as the Caps hope he is answer for a long run. In addition - Caps are (7-9) at home in the postseason the last three years, and (4-5) on the road. You can't take for granted that you are going to comeback in every series, like they did against the Rangers two seasons ago. The Caps have blown 2-0 leads (Pittsburgh) as much as they have bounced back from a 2-0 deficit (NYR).

 

**The Caps will win if Mike Green can be close to 100% (he insisted he was and got a little chippy with me on Tuesday when I asked) and stays out of the penalty box, while being the Mike Green we know - and haven't seen much of the last two postseasons on offense. Last year, Green did have 3 assists, but spent 12 minutes of the series in the penalty box, including an ill-fated frustration penalty that was a back breaker. Against Pittsburg, Green had 4 assists, but was awful defensively and didn't really seem like a big factor offensively.

 

Washington needs Green more then ever, with newly acquired Dennis Wideman out for at least the first round, and with Tom Poti possibly out for the first round -- depending on how things shake out and at the very least, very rusty.

 

The Caps will win if, Alex Semin decides that the playoffs start on April 13th and not on July 13th. Semin -- simply has to score a few goals against Henrik Lundqvist. Semin has not scored a playoff goal in the Capitals last two series, with only 2 assists vs. Montreal and he did have 6 assists against Pittsburgh.  Here's the good news, he did have a monster series against the Rangers, with 5 goals and 3 assists two years ago.  Semin also HAS to stay out of the penalty box, as he's drawn 28 penalty minutues in 28 career post season games. Semin needs to be a scorer, a finisher in this series - especially because he will be paired with Jason Arnott on the 2nd line.

 

Those are the mostly obvious points to everyone (I think) but here are a few things that might not stand out first in your mind....

 

The Caps will win if  the power play gives them something, but doesn't cost them in the most back-breaking of ways. That is easy to say, but the task is daunting with the Rangers coming in ranked 6th in league on the road for penalty kill and  the "blue-shirts" scored 11 short-handed goals (4th in NHL). Youngster Brandon Prust had  5 SHG on the season, with another Brandon, as in Dubinsky scoring 2 SHG's. Overall the Rangers had a  + 13 Rating on Special teams (2nd in NHL) during the season. The Caps by the way, allowed 5 short-handed goals this year.

 

The Capitals power-play has been a mystery for much of the season, scoring only 46 goals with the man advantage, tied for 15th in the NHL. Washington's short-handed play was fabulous, ranking 2nd in the entire NHL killing off 85.6% of penalties.

 

The Caps will win if they score first, if you factor in the regular season numbers as a base for the arguement. Washington was 25-4-5 when scoring first, and at the same time, they were 23-19-5.

 

The Caps will win if they lead after the first, again based on the regular season -- the Capitals were 21-1-5 when leading after the first twenty minutes.

 

The Caps will win if Karl Alzner and John Carlson do what they have been doing as a top pair. With Green likely limited minutes wise, and possibly even paired with John Erskins - while Jeff Schultz and Scott Hannan comprise the other pairing -- the young guns need to be the difference. Alzner has 15 minutes of playoff experience, (Game 7 last year), but has always been a very good two way player for Hershey. Meanwhile, Carlson played in all 7 games against Montreal (1 G, 3 A) and was smart in terms of not taking reckless penalties like Green did.

 

The Caps will win because Matt Hendricks was not on the team last year, and he is this year. Hendricks had 9 goals and 16 assists in the regular season, but is a smart agitator -- who contributes on the penalty kill -- and makes up one of the best fourth lines in all of hockey, paired with Boyd Gordon and Matt Bradley. The Rangers agitator Sean Avery has been scratched for at least game 1, and hasnt' played a lot down the stretch -- so Hendricks might be the most important 'niche' player in the series.

 

OFFICIAL PREDICTION - CAPS in 7.

If you've listened to me at all over the last two-plus months (and hopefully you have, otherwise I have bigger issues to deal with), you know that I feel passionately about two things when it comes to the Redskins and the NFL Draft.
 
# 1 -- they should trade down, preferably twice if they can make it work and try to recover both the 3rd and 4th round picks that they surrendered as part of the Donovan McNabb & Jammal Brown deals.
 
# 2 -- Terrell Owens used to say "I love me -- some -- me." Well, I don't really fall in too that death trap, but from a quarterback and true value/stud potential angle -- I do love Nevada's Colin Kaepernick.
 
Quite simply, he did it all. He's the only college quarterback to ever throw for over 10,000 yards and run for over 4,000. If you are not impressed at that point, maybe consider the 6-5, 230 ish pound frame - so you know he's not just running all over the place -- recklessly -- like say Michael Vick does.  He was the top scorer of the 2011 crop of throwers when it came to the "Wonderlic" test. What does that mean? Colin has a good answer down below.
 
He has a rocket for an arm, along with the great speed AND most importantly, he is clean injury wise and clean reputation wise, which you can't say about every quarterback or player in this draft.
 
A top scouting official in the NFL said the other day to ESPN 980 via text about Kaepernick,  "A lot of people are in love with the guy."

 

Russ Lande of Sporting News and GM JR has consistently had Kaepernick ranked # 2 among his quarterback rankings.
 
Yet to show you wild this process is, Wes Bunting and the National Football Post have Kaepernick rated # 8 with Florida State's Christian Ponder as the top choice. I have respect for anybody that does this for a living, but Ponder is injury prone and overall, has to be considered a disappointment in his career at Florida State.
 
In case you missed the entire interview, you can listen here http://redskins.ESPN980.com/  under "Redskins Audio"  or if you prefer the right in-front of you method -- here are exact quotes from Kaepernick with my questions slightly edited for brevity.
 
CR: At this time of the year, you hear a some positives and a lot of negatives about players. What has that been like for you?
 
CK:"Every person in this draft, is going to be picked apart looking  for their flaws. No one really wants to talk so much about what you do well, but what you do bad. goes through the positives. Going through this process, it's something you can't worry about, you just have to be yourself and be the player you know you are, and hope an NFL team likes what you are doing."
 
CR: Have you ever had anyone say you throw the ball too hard? (Kaepernick was clocked at 59 MPH at the scouting combine, fastest of draft class)
 
CK: "I've had a few receivers complain. I had a couple of broken fingers where I was training at. They get used too it over time. There's a time and a place to cut it loose, and a time and a place to put some touch on it."
 
CR: How would you describe the "pistol offense" that Kaepernick played in at Nevada, under Chris Ault?
 
CK: "I would say it's a spread offense with the downhill running game of a pro-style offense. It's very unique to be able to run both sides of the field, out of the shotgun formation. There's a lot of different things you can do  to try to confuse a defense in that formation."
 
CR: Did you do a lot of movement out-of-the-pocket throws, that Mike and Kyle Shanahan specifically like to use?
 
CK: "Yeah we did a lot of bootlegs, a  lot of sprint outs. I would say we probably did that about 60% of the time, and drop back the other 40%."
 
CR: How long did it take you to feel comfortable in the system, where you could just play and not think as much?
 
CK:"I would say it took about a year. It's something where, when you get in that formation, the hardest part is the running  game, because the running back is on you so quickly. That's the biggest adjustment you have to get used too is doing everything  you have too,  controlled, but fast enough where it doesn't mess with the running back's steps or spacing . The passing game is where it's easy, you can catch the ball, take a nice easy drop and start going through your progressions. So the biggest difference is the run game."
 
CR: How about some of the mechanical concerns that analysts and teams have about you?
 
CK: "That's something, I've tried to quicken it up as much as I can, but it's something I don't worry too much  about.  All of the workouts I've had, the coaches have said my release it's fine, it's so quick.  the biggest thing is it looks different then most quarterbacks, so most people assume it's bad. Going forward, you just have to be yourself and when you get to an NFL team, you let them do what they want with you."
 
CR: How important was your Senior Bowl experience in Mobile?
 
CK: "For me, it was huge just to get that first introduction to a pro-style offense. Some of the terminology, some of the progressions  they go through, which surprisingly enough -- a lot of the progressions aren't too much different then what we did.  It's just called something different, and you have to get used to going under center -- which wasn't a big deal with me.  I think the biggest thing is, you learn how quickly you have to pick up on things, when you are at the Senior Bowl. They're not going to walk you through everything they're going to tell you something once and you better know if from there on out."
 
CR: What does scoring such a high grade on the Wonderlic say about Colin Kaepernick? Does it mean anything?
 
CK: "I think for me, a lot of people thought I was just a running quarterback and didn't go through progressions and didn't check protections or audible or anything like that. I think it lets everybody know, I am not just an athlete out there, I'm a quarterback. I'm very intelligent. I'm capable of going through progressions, checking, audibling, making sure the offense is in the best position to be successful."
 
CR: Is there any QB in the NFL now, that you model your game after?
 
CK: "I wouldn't say there is one player I model my game after. I try to steal my favorite bits and pieces of every NFL quarterbacks games, and try to put it in to my own unique style."
 
CR: I've seen you at ESPN, on Sport Science, NFL Network and  for a photo shoot at the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC. Has this been a fun time for you?
 
"It's been an amazing process for me. I think with opening up a few peoples eyes at the Senior Bowl and the combine, some of those things have come along.  My agency, X-A-M Sports, has done a great job  for me, marketing me -- and just really making sure I'm in the best position to be successful going through this process.  So there's a lot of hard work from a lot of different people going in too this."
 
CR: The other day you were tweeting about going to "Red Robin" to eat with Nevada TE Virgil Green, did you put them out of business?
 
CK: "No we definitely had a good time, we ate quite a bit. I ended up eating my food, and a few extra baskets of fries. He ended up ordering two entrees and eating both of them. We're definitely big eaters."

 

 

The Washington Redskins have choices. They have plenty of options when it comes to the # 10 and # 41 overall picks at the end of this month in the NFL draft.

 

Do they go Quarterback in the first round, if Cam Newton or Blane Gabbert are there? How about Julio Jones to help out Anthony Armstrong, and put a major dagger in the hopes of Santana Moss returning to DC?

 

Does Mike Shanahan, Bruce Allen and company try and go defense, if Robert Quinn or Von Miller are still on the board to give Jim Haslett more of what he needs? How about a defensive end like Cam Jordan or J.J. Watt, or a cornerback to replace Carlos Rogers like Prince Amukamara?

 

Surely, when a team is (10-22) in the last two seasons, and (12-28) since the midway point of Jim Zorn's first year -- it's hard to justify any position not being a need.

 

Most pundits say Quarterback of the future is the number one target on Shanahan's shopping list, and while I disagree that you NEED to take one in the first round, I would say that the position is a priority item by the end of the 2nd round, however that gets accomplished.

 

One of the guys that might fill that void is Jake Locker. A senior signal caller from Washington, who many thought could be a top-5 pick in last years selection meeting if he chose to leave after playing just one year under Steve Sarkisian.

 

The question now however -- is he a first round pick? Many NFL mock drafts have him dropping out of the first round. However, he does have amazing athleticism and a very strong arm (he was drafted twice and eventually signed a baseball contract with the Los Angeles Angels).

 

He also may have cost himself millions of dollars, but in a phone interview with the "Sports Reporters" on ESPN 980 late last week, it doesn't seem like he has many regrets.

 

The following are direct quotes from Locker to Steve Czaban, Andy Pollin and Thom Loverro with their questions to Locker being slightly edited for brevity.

 

 

SR: You worked out for the Seattle Seahawks just recently. How did that go?

 

JL: "It was a little local workout. Most of the guys from this area, were able to go up to the facilities and kind of show 'em what we're capable of."

 

SR: How do you think you have performed so far in the draft workout process?

 

JL: "I feel really good about it. I feel confident and felt comfortable in  all of them. It's just going out and having fun with it and  enjoying it, playing a game that we've all played since we were really young."

 

SR: Why did you struggle in your senior year and seemingly regress accuracy wise?

 

JL:"It's a combination of a lot of things. If you really look at the film, i grew as a passer and as a quarterback. I don't think the numbers were indicative of what last year was able to do for me and how much it allowed me to grow and mature as a Quarterback."

 

SR: Did you lose some weapons around you - and if so, is that maybe some of the cause of the struggles?

 

JL: "We've got a pretty consistent core group of guys the last couple of  years. I was really proud to play with them."

 

SR: What happened in the first Nebraska game where you really struggled to throw the ball?

 

JL: "Just a very good defense, they were very simple with what they did, but very good at what they did. Caused us some problems. They had a good plan for us. We didn't take advantage of some of the weaknesses of their defense, which we were able to look at and kind of exploit the 2nd time around."

 

SR: How is the NFL lockout and all of the different dynamics, affecting this process for you?

 

JL: "It's gonna affect us, and it's gonna be something that we're going to be a part of here in the next month. For a lot of us, it's just focusing on.this process and making sure we're not getting distracted with other things, and putting our best foot forward...That's where my focus is. You keep an eye on what's going on. We hear the same stuff that you guys do."

 

SR: Are you scheduled to come here to Washington and workout or visit the Redskins? 

 

JL: "Your not able to go to teams and work out there, so no I have not" ...."You know I gotta take a look at it, and see in the next couple of weeks, where I'm going. I have a couple scheduled, and uhhh yeah -- we'll see how they go."

 

SR: Do you have any second thoughts or regrets about going back for your senior season?

 

JL: "Oh it helped me a lot. WE did have the year that we wanted too, we made it to a bowl game, We finished third in the Pac 10, we beat a very good Nebraska team. I was very proud of what we accomplished this past year. I think it allowed me to develop as a passer and as a quarterback, giving me more experience going in, making the step to this next level and making the step not such a big one for me."

 

SR: You seem to be well-coached on your answers. Do you have someone who helps you with media training?

 

JL: "No, I tell you the TRUTH"

 

SR: What specific football benefits did you get from going back to Washington?

 

JL: "It allowed me to spend one more year in a pro style offense and  work from under center, and run a lot of the same concepts, I believe we'll be asked to run at the next level. I got a year more repetitions doing it, and allowed me to be that more comfortable in it."

 

SR: Knowing the history here recently, if you are drafted by the Redskins -- do you think you can do what the Shanahan's ask of you?

 

JL: "Well that's the plan everywhere ...to listen to the coaches"

 

You can listen to the entire Jake Locker interview here http://www.espn980.com/audiovault/ under the "Sports Reporters" tab - April 7th.

 

- Chris Russell // RussellC@Redskins.com // www.twitter.com/russellmania09

Earlier this week, as part of our 'Road to the Draft' here at ESPN 980 and Redskins Radio -- I had a chance to catch up with some of the players that will be having their names called beginning on Thursday April 28th.

 

The group of players included  Virginia Tech Running Back, Ryan Williams, who played his high school ball in nearby Manassas, Virginia. I was also joined by Virginia Tech CB and Clinton, Maryland native -- Rashad 'Roc' Carmichael, and  Stanford CB/WR Richard Sherman.

 

You can hear all of the interviews by clicking here http://www.espn980.com/audiovault/ (Miscellaneous Tab on the upper far-right)  but here are some of the best quotes from these young men, who find themselves in the cross hairs of 32 teams, draft pundits and a labor dispute.

 

Ryan Williams - RB - Virginia Tech

 

On the draft process: "This is like living the dream. Since the Orange Bowl, my main focus is just moving up the draft boards. It's finally here. It's more exciting then anything."

 

On his Virginia Tech lasting memory: "I say the big run against Miami, because when I came back there were a lot of questions, about my explosiveness, my speed. I think that shut a lot of questions (up). That one specific play,  I was able to plant my foot, cut, I broke a tackle, used my vision and I was able to score a 85-yard touchdown  and it was against Miami, and everybody knows Miami's not a slow defense. It just showed that I was able to contribute the way I always been, I just needed time to do it.

 

On his critics & does he use it as motivation: "Man, to be honest -- it doesn't fuel me. It don't anger me. Those guys don't know me. I've played through the broken fingers, the ankle injuries, the tore ligaments in my wrists, the thigh bruises. I played through it all They don't know anything. The only time I ever missed practice  or ever missed a game, was because of the hamstring injury. People are going to say what they want to say. I can only control what I can. I don't pay any attention to it. People on the outside looking in, they can say what they want to say.

 

On what scheme he can fit in: "To be honest, I feel like I can fit in any scheme. A zone scheme would work,  at Tech, we run sorta like a zone type of scheme. The Redskins scheme would work, just like anybody else's. If eel like I can do it all on the field.

 

On being invited and accepting invitation to NFL Draft: "Regardless if I get drafted in the first round or not, only a certain amount of people are able to experience that a year. It's just a blessing. It's been a dream  since I was little. If not the first round or second round, 'oh well' but I'm there. It's the highlight of my day, I can't stop thinking about it, I can't stop talking  about it. There's a slight chance I might  get to walk the stage on that first day, who knows.  I'm excited, I'm happy. Words can't describe how I feel. It just feels really good. Everything that I have been through this year, I will still able  to have an opportunity to experience what's going on. It's a blessing."

 

Rashad "Roc" Carmichael - CB - Virginia Tech - Maryland Native

 

What he'll miss about playing for the Hokies: "I would say, like a Thursday night in Lane Stadium. Just an electric atmosphere. I'm definitely going to miss that about being at Tech. As soon as you hear "Enter Sandman" you can actually hear everybody in the stadium jumping, when they start bouncing -- it's time for us to come out the tunnel.

 

On physical attributes & improving his game: "As a corner, you always want better hips and better footwork, just be a little quicker. The game is changing to a speed game. I think I'm a  pretty good size. Teams are throwing more, you got Peyton Manning and other great quarterbacks lining up each and every week.  You gotta be able to move, I think I can move pretty well. 

 

On bouncing back as a CB: As far as me, I try to go out there and have fun on each and every play, and just work on the small things. You worry about the smaller things, and everything will work out for you.  Just pay attention to details, and hopefully you can make a play.

 

On what scheme he fits best: "It just depends on the game plan. As long as I have time to study the game plan. At Tech, it depended on what type of offense we're going against. I like to switch it up. Every corner, likes to be able to see the ball. You might get a few knockdowns, but you gotta play your role.

 

On growing up in Maryland, what was playing at Fed Ex like and what would it mean to be a Redskins player: "It was hard to describe that atmosphere that night at Fed Ex. Growing up, my Aunt lived in the houses right down the street from the stadium. To be in the locker room getting dressed and heading out to play another great team on a Monday night,  it was kind of like a dream come true for me. Of course, going to be able to play for the Redskins, one day, that would be fun.  I  definitely would love that -- DeAngelo Hall, being able to to play with him. That would definitely be fun.

 

Richard Sherman - CB - Stanford

 

On Switching from WR to CB: "The transition was a little more difficult because you have to learn coverages and alignments on the defensive side. Obviously, tackling is a big priority. It's just a totally different mindset.

 

On the versatility created (Sherman asked HC Jim Harbaugh to move because of an injury) by the position switch: "It's part of the game, you have to be unselfish. You have to be willing to sacrifice, whatever you have to do to help the team win. It's really all about winning in the long run and that's what I wanted to do.

 

On Andrew Luck staying at Stanford : "I wasn't surprised at all. We know the guy. He's a great guy. For all the negativity that he got, from the decision he made, I feel those people should be ridiculed and criticized for them even saying anything about that kid. Because if a kid comes out early, and passes up an education, then he's a bad kid. If a kid says I want to get my degree, and stays in school, then he's an idiot for passing up millions of dollars. 

 

The kid is the best quarterback I've ever seen in my life. He's better then every quarterback in the league right now. He'll be that quarterback. He'll be better then everyone. I've never seen anything like him. In the NFL, you have quarterbacks that are mobile, but are not as accurate or don't have the passing strength. The ability to analyze coverages, as good as pocket passers. Then you have pocket passers, who just aren't as mobile, but they can read coverages. He can do everything. If you watch tape on him,you won't find a flaw in his game. He can do it all. He's 6-4, 250. He'll run you over if he has too.

 

On Harbaugh's move to the San Francisco 49'ers: "I believe that everyone has dreams. Once you've worked hard enough, once you've put the work in, you've earned the right to move on, pursue the dreams  to be an NFL coach, as he always wanted to be. He put in the four years at Stanford, he turned the program around. I don't think people could ask much more of him, at Stanford. The next step for him was to pursue his dream. I was happy for him."

 

During all the "March Madness" that has engulfed the country over the last several weeks, you may not be aware of all of the uncertainty and 'madness' that is building for an event that is not even taking place until late April.     Of course, right about now -- the NFL Draft -- is basically the only event football fans can wrap their arms around and know that it won't be so ruthlessly taken from them by the owners and the players.    At least until some whack job trying to make a name for themselves, attempts to take away, what has become the marquee rite of spring.   That's right, Masters -- no thanks; NBA Playoffs -- OK whatever; Stanley Cup Playoffs -- now that's TRUE madness, 1st month of the MLB season -- Uh huh, it's a super long grind.   When you talk NFL Draft - there is one man above all of the new age draft experts, that has become synonymous with the event, the hype and perhaps is as recognized as any individual figure in all of sports broadcasting.   Mel Kiper Jr. -- most of us love him, some loathe him. Some think he's off his rocker, and some (the smarter ones) realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this is FAR from an exact science or a case study in accuracy and predictability.   With all of that being said, Kiper, still  vigorously defends his love for Carolina's Jimmy Clausen (a QB that I thought was inconsistent at Notre Dame) who may be on the back burner if the Panthers take a QB with the # 1 overall pick.   Honestly, it's a fascination I don't get -- but again -- that's partially why the NFL Draft has become the phenomenon it has, because nothing spurs debate like 32 teams taking players that may or may not turn out to be good professionals, and filling or coming up empty on their perceived target areas of need.   At this time of the year, with pro days wrapping up and private workouts along with facility visits being conducted -- opinion is the thing that changes for the most part.   Sorry but no workout in shorts tells you what bonafide playing tape shows you. The only problem with that tape, you still have to project how the player you saw in college translates those skills and that effort against the very best in the world.   Kiper, certainly is in that group, and he admitted to Andy Pollin and I on ESPN-980 that the evaluation process is mostly complete, at least for his 'Big Board.'   "Very little (movement), if any in the Top 25.  Only thing I did, was move up (Temple DL) Muhammad Wilkerson just a bit," said Kiper when talking about his ranking system now less then a month from the first round.   Wilkerson, so far does not have a scheduled visit with the Redskins but did work out earlier this week for the Baltimore Ravens, and as ESPN 980 first reported -- is scheduled to work out for the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans shortly.   "Wilkerson's a hot guy right now. A lot of defensive line coaches are very enamored with this kid, says Kiper. He gives you a lot of scheme versatility which is important at this time of the year."   In talking to a scout, Wilkerson probably would be at his best as a 4-3 'three-technique' defensive tackle, but projects to be a very good 3-4 defensive end as well, who can be disruptive against both the run and pass.   What might effect Wilkerson's status more -- is the great crop of versatile defensive lineman that are projected first rounders, like Marcell Dareus, Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith, Nick Fairley, Cameron Jordan, J.J. Watt, DaQuan Bowers and Ryan Kerrigan.   The other player according to Kiper to make a slight move in the right direction for Kiper Jr. was USC Offensive Tackle, "Tyron Smith took a little bit of a jump. He's beginning to separate a little bit from the other tackles. Anthony Costonzo is right on his heels from his Boston College."   Smith is scheduled to visit Redskins Park on April 18th, as ESPN -980 reported first last week. The question now becomes is the career right-tackle on the collegiate level, ready to go to the money side? Is that his best position?   I asked Kiper for his evaluation. "He's 307 (at the combine). I think left tackle is going to be his best position,  with his athleticism and his feet and the way he performs even at right tackle with some pretty good defensive ends, that he pretty much toyed with. If your drafting Tyron Smith in the top 10 to 12 -- (He has to play)  as a left tackle with the skill level he has, (but) he's not a finished product like Costonzo."   However, Kiper made it clear that the USC product has the most upside, "Smith has that future pro bowl ability. Costonzo is a safe pick."   I think NFL Network analyst and good pal, Brian Baldinger would shred the argument that Costonzo is a 'safe pick.' Baldy has regularly hammered Costonzo for his lack of strength, and that is what was pretty obvious -- to my semi-trained eye at the Senior Bowl.   So what do the Redskins do at # 10? Don't forget they also have pick # 41 in the 2nd round. I still argue that a trade down is the right way to go, but obviously value has to be there in order for that to happen, which is a very dicey proposition at best.   For now, Kiper Jr. has the Redskins addressing speed and big play ability on offense as the plan, with Washington selecting Alabama's talented but somewhat brittle wide receiver Julio Jones.   A selection that makes me cringe, but what do I know? (Don't answer that)   "I can see that. I had to put Julio Jones someplace. St. Louis is just hoping he would be there at 14, says Kiper.   "If you think about J.J. Watt out of Wisconsin, If you think about Muhammad Wilkerson, whose red hot -- I like him in a 4-3 as a '3-technique' (Mel likes Nick Fairley in that scheme/position as well)," says Kiper.   "Cameron Jordan (Cal DE), some people, they say he played in a 3-4 but he's not best suited for that, I disagree with that.  As a service (and as a cheap plug), Jordan will join me on ESPN 980 AM, 94.3 FM, 92.7 FM at 7:04 PM ET on Wednesday night.   But alas, Kiper says if the Redskins feel so inclined to help out Jim Haslett, "I think J.J. Watt would be the 'best fit' for what the Redskins are doing, if you are going to go that route."