"Two weeks before the Washington Redskins made the bold decision to spend their first-round pick in the NFL draft on a pass rusher rather than address their need at the quarterback position, Ryan Kerrigan made his first trip to Washington. Kerrigan had visited nearly 20 NFL teams, but his meeting with Redskins coaches felt different. "He said, 'Mom, I'd really like to go there,' " recalled his mother, Anita. "And he hadn't said that about any other team." The feeling was mutual. The Redskins enjoyed a busy first day of the draft, trading the 10th overall pick and adding Kerrigan, instantly bolstering the league's 31st-ranked defense and adding a much-needed pass rusher opposite Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo. "I know they've got a great core great group of guys -- Brian Orakpo, London Fletcher, LaRon Landry -- I'm looking forward to being a part of that," Kerrigan said moments after stepping off the stage at Radio City Music Hall, with his new burgundy jersey and black Redskins' cap. With the opportunity to select a possible franchise quarterback, the Redskins instead traded away the 10th overall selection, sliding back six spots and picking up another draft pick in the process. "When you look at him, we think he fits in our system very well," Coach Mike Shanahan said of Kerrigan, "not only to play the run but to play the pass. Blue-collar player and we're sure glad he's part of the Redskins."" Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...ond-round-pick/2011/04/28/AFtCGX9E_story.html
