Washington Redskins - TJHSST Activities

Washington Redskins
Thomas Jefferson High School Model United Nations Conference
TechMUN 2015
High School Crisis Committee
Czar: Vikram Sardana
Director: Sudhamsh Tippireddy
Chair: Puneeth Uttla
Chair: Matthew Alexander
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
Hi Everyone!
My name is Vikram Sardana, and I’m
delighted to serve as Crisis Czar for the
Washington Redskins committee. I’ve done
Model UN since seventh grade, and I’ve been
very active in activities. Outside of MUN I enjoy
playing a variety of sports and games, including
chess and an online capture the flag game called
TagPro that I highly recommend.
We hope to see great things from you this TECHMUN, as you can help rebuild the
Washington Redskins. Maybe a certain someone will take a few notes from you guys as well.
Either way, I’m sure that you guys will make our 2015 NFL season a fun one.
Your crisis director and your chairs have worked very hard to get this committee ready
for kickoff on April 10. I hope to see you on the field then!
Sincerely,
Vikram Sardana
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
Dear Delegates,
My name is Sudhamsh Tippireddy, and I’ll be the
Crisis Director for this committee. I look forward to
overseeing your committee during the duration of the
conference and I am eager to act on your creative approaches
to crises that very well could occur in the NFL.
I am a senior and have been an avid participant of
Model UN since the 9th grade. I have been a MUN officer for
two years and I love working for my club. I enjoy keeping up
with world events and global happenings, a passion which
keeps me engaged in TJMUN. Outside of MUN, you might
find me playing basketball with friends, debating Public
Forum, watching the Redskins or the Patriots play, or reading up on current events. Though you
probably will not see me that often during this conference, I hope to get to know you all better
during committee sessions.
We have a variety of crises in store for you during TechMUN and we hope you have a
great experience. Your chairs and I have worked very hard to organize this committee ahead of
time and hopefully there will be no backlogging, delays and/or slow responses. We look forward
to your interaction with the TJMUN Crisis staff and encourage you to use your portfolio powers,
communicate with us as individuals, and act to change the course of the Redskins upcoming
season (they do really need your help!).
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
I hope that you all have a fantastic time and contact me or your chairs if you have any
questions at all. On behalf of the Washington Redskins committee, I invite you to a fun and
engaging crisis experience!
Sincerely,
Sudhamsh Tippireddy
[email protected]
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
Letter from the General Manager and Head Coach
Hello Fellow Redskins Coaching Staff and Players,
I am the new general manager of the Washington Redskins, Scot McCloughan, and it is
my pleasure to be working with you all during this upcoming season. I have previous experience
working as the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers and more recently as the senior
personnel executive of the Seattle Seahawks, and I hope to bring this experience to the Redskins
to help this team build and improve from past seasons. However in order to achieve this goal, I
will need your help and advice as the offseason continues and carries into the preseason and
regular season.
One of the first orders of business that we must tackle is the 2015 NFL Draft. As we start
building and growing this season, we must add players who will be the future of the Redskins
and the draft will be where we find talents to enhance the team. From my initial analysis of the
state of the team, I feel like we must try to find players to improve our positions at defensive
back, outside linebacker, and offensive line. As we meet in committee, we will need to find our
priorities and pick players that will make our team better.
After the draft, we will need to focus on the free agency market. While some of this
process will occur before the draft, most of it in the months following the draft. There are quite a
few big-name free agents on the market, and if we cannot find the correct talent in the draft, we
will need to pick it up from the free agent market. However, while there are free agents from
other teams, there are also quite a few free agents from us as well. Again, we will need to discuss
in committee our needs and whom we should decide to re-sign or let go. There are some free
agents who are just too valuable and we cannot let them go this season.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
When the offseason comes to an end, the next step is the preseason. The preseason will
determine who will on the core team for the Redskins in the 2015 season. During this time, we
will need to decide the players who bring the most to the Redskins and will allow our team to
play to the best of its abilities. It is a time for diamonds in the rough to show themselves and the
preseason will also show the potential for our team. As the preseason comes to an end, I will
meet with you to determine the future direction of the Redskins.
Next will be the most important part of the year for the Redskins: the regular season. The
most important things to do during the regular season are to find the strengths and weaknesses of
the team as they play each game. I will meet with you to determine what is working and not
working and we will make necessary changes as needed. After every three games, you will
receive a report on how the team did and how our decisions worked out. As we receive and
analyze the reports we can discuss the direction of the team. Keep in mind, however, of other
factors that come by as the regular season proceeds. Expect to deal with injuries, lockouts, and a
number of other circumstances.
I look forward to working with each of you this season. The past two seasons have not
been particularly fruitful for the Redskins, but I am confident that with your help and
cooperation, we will be able to make this one very successful. We have plenty of talent both on
the field and on the sidelines and with practice and preparation, be prepared to go all the way.
HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
Scot McCloughan, General Manager
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
Dear Washington Redskins staff, players, and family,
2014 was a humbling experience for all of us. As a first year head coach, I could not
have imagined a more trying journey than the one we endured. From the slew of season-ending
injuries, particularly to Brian and DeAngelo on the defensive side, to our dismal 4-12 record, we
surely faced more than our fair share of trials and tribulations over the course of the season.
However, the late Nelson Mandela once said “The greatest glory in living lies not in never
falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Our shortcomings of the previous season are in the
past, and now we will persevere. We will grow and learn from our mistakes and build upon the
foundation and team philosophy that we have constructed during Year One.
As we approach the upcoming NFL campaign, I envision our team continuing to expand
upon the progress we made last year. With the No. 5 overall pick and the plethora of marquee
free agents available in the market, I expect Scot McCloughan and the rest of the front office to
retool our roster and continue to add more talent through the NFL Draft and free agency.
Specifically, the major needs that must be addressed include revamping our defense with
additional pass rushers and defensive backs to slash the league-worst 35 passing TDs we gave
up last year and bolstering our offensive line, which surrendered 58 sacks in 2014.
On the offensive half of the field, I picture our squad returning to the success enjoyed by
the legendary Redskins teams of the Hogs era. With Robert under center, Alfred in the back
field, and our cohort of offensive lineman spearheaded by Trent, I expect us to take long strides
in improving our running game and pass blocking in the new season. Additionally, I look
forward to continuing to enhance our passing game, which improved from 234.4 yds/game in
2013 to 252.9 yds/game this past season, as well as the number of giveaways, which decreased
from 34 to 31 during that same time period. Considering the immense talent we possess as an
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
offense and the growth we have demonstrated over the past season, I believe that our team will
be able to put more points on the board and place us in a position to win more games.
On the defensive end, I know we will bounce back from our tumultuous 2014 campaign.
Although we gave up 8.2 yards per pass play and a league-worst passer rating of 108.3 to
opposing QBs and saw our interceptions count drop to 7 in 2014 from 16 in 2013, we forced
more fumbles (14 vs. 12), allowed fewer points (27.4 pts/game vs. 29.9 pts/game), and nearly
halved our opponents’ rushing TD percentage (20.75% vs. 38.98%) in 2014. With the
introduction of new defensive coordinator Joe Barry and hopefully a healthier squad overall, I
anticipate the sight of a rejuvenated defense, ready to upgrade our weaknesses and refine our
advances from the past season.
As your coach and leader, I hope to establish a winning culture in our locker room and
emulate the success of our brothers, the Wizards, Capitals, and Nationals. Each of these teams
hit rock bottom before ascending to the great heights they soar at today. Likewise, let us all
remember to have a positive outlook and keep our eyes on the prize. No shenanigans, no days
off. Players, I remind you that training camp is right around the corner and I expect competition
for every position on the depth chart, beginning at the top with the starting QB and finishing
through the practice squad. Every roster spot will be earned and through the entirety of the
process, I hope to field a squad that is battle-tested and boasts the most talented players in the
league. The NFL season is a grueling one, but with the right character, work ethic, and attitude, I
know we can prevail from the trenches. Hail to the Redskins! #HogsHaven
Yours truly,
Jay Gruden
Head Coach of the Washington Redskins
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
Works Cited
Brandt, Gil. "2015 NFL Draft Order: Top Three Needs for All 32 Teams." NFL. NFL
Enterprises, 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000407751/article/2015-nfl-draft-order-topthree-needs-for-all-32-teams>.
Dudko, James. "Washington Redskins Must Build Offensive Line Through 2015 NFL Draft."
Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report-Turner Broadcasting System, 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 18
Feb. 2015. <http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2343150-washington-redskins-must-buildoffensive-line-through-2015-nfl-draft>.
"Jay Gruden Reflects on 2014 Season, Ready for '15." The Official Site of the Washington
Redskins. Washington Redskins, 30 Dec. 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Jay-Gruden-Reflects-On-2014Season-Ready-For-15/27b77fc5-2f17-4d56-9c73-942ecdad725a>.
Jones, Mike. "Redskins hire Joe Barry as defensive coordinator." Washington Post. The
Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2015/01/20/redskins-hirejoe-barry-as-defensive-coordinator-draft/>.
Keim, John. "Redskins' Depth Tested on Defense." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 21 Oct.
2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://espn.go.com/blog/washingtonredskins/post/_/id/12158/redskins-depth-tested-on-d>.
"NFL Team Opponent Rushing Touchdown Percentage." Table. Team Rankings. Team
Rankings, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/opponentpass-attempts-per-game>.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015
"NFL Team Passing Offense Statistics-2014." Table. ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, n.d. Web.
18 Feb. 2015. <http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/passing/sort/sacks>.
"2014 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics." Table. Pro-Football Reference. Sports
Reference, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://www.pro-footballreference.com/years/2014/opp.htm>.
"2014 Redskins Year in Review: Team Overview." The Official Site of the Washington Redskins.
Washington Redskins, 4 Feb. 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://www.redskins.com/newsand-events/article-1/2014-Redskins-Year-In-Review-Team-Overview/9d79b664-13414d02-b665-63f57599b171>.
TechMUN at Stuart
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology and JEB Stuart High School
Fairfax, VA | April 10-11, 2015