****OFFICIAL**** 2008 Washington Redskins Off Season Thread! (2 Viewers)

[Marvelous]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

In my view, he and Mix essentially fill all the roles that James Thrash did, and they're younger and better as WR's.

James Thrash is a special teams player and on offense, is a WR#5. I don't think he took any offensive snaps in a game until Lloyd was on IR, and Moss and McCardell were injured.

 

[redman]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

In my view, he and Mix essentially fill all the roles that James Thrash did, and they're younger and better as WR's.

James Thrash is a special teams player and on offense, is a WR#5. I don't think he took any offensive snaps in a game until Lloyd was on IR, and Moss and McCardell were injured.

Nothing you said contradicts anything I said. :IBTL:

 

[Bizkiteer]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

Don't want to bash Caldwell, but couldn't anyone have made those same catches if they were in his respective spot? He really didn't do anything spectacular that made him a real go-to type of guy. He played well, but basically anyone could have done the same in that spot. For example, I saw Mix play better and make more difficult catches in the preseason for NYG. I'm not saying throw him overboard, but I really don't see the harm if he left.

 

[southeastjerome]

Macklin is gone. Caldwell may be gone as well. Link

Receiver Reche Caldwell and corner David Macklin were the first Redskins free agents to visit another team today when both were entertained by the St. Louis Rams. Caldwell would reunite in St. Louis with former Redskins associate head coach Al Saunders. Caldwell, who has also had feelers from Oakland, has received a minimum salary offer from Washington. The Redskins don't appear to be interested in retaining Macklin.

UPDATE (5:37 p.m.):

Macklin signed a 1-year deal with the Rams; we haven't yet learned terms on the deal. Caldwell, meanwhile, could sign as early Friday.

Can't miss what you really never had....at least he played so little it seemed like we didn't have Macklin and/or Caldwell.

Caldwell made some big catches down the stretch. IMO, it would be a shame to lose him. He'd make a great WR4 and a nice WR3.

Don't want to bash Caldwell, but couldn't anyone have made those same catches if they were in his respective spot? He really didn't do anything spectacular that made him a real go-to type of guy. He played well, but basically anyone could have done the same in that spot. For example, I saw Mix play better and make more difficult catches in the preseason for NYG. I'm not saying throw him overboard, but I really don't see the harm if he left.

I don't think that anyone believes he's anything more than an ok #3 with some experience in the league. Brandon Lloyd couldn't make the catches Caldwell made. Could Lloyd physically make the catches, yes, but could he physically get open? Have a WR corps of Moss, ARE, and Caldwell/Rookie/Mix would be decent. Adding in another questionable player to be the #3 WR could be pretty shaky. I like Mix's potential like everyone else, but I do not like the idea of depending on him or Thrash to be the #3 WR.

 

[fatness]

Fabini Is Staying

Veteran offensive lineman Jason Fabini plans to re-sign with Washington, a league source said today, providing depth for the offensive line with right guard Randy Thomas still recovering from triceps surgery. Contract terms were not immediately available.

Fabini filled in well while playing guard for the first time in his career last season, so the Redskins hoped he would return to the team next season. Fabini, a tackle for the first nine years of his 10-year career, was thrust into the starting lineup when Thomas tore his triceps in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He got off to a rough start (Fabini had consecutive false-start penalties on a key drive late in the first half) in relief of Thomas, but emerged as a key contributor of a makeshift offensive line that helped the Redskins win their last four games in the regular season and earn a playoff berth. Although not as athletic as Thomas, Fabini performed consistently while starting 13 games at right guard, line coach Joe Bugel said during the season.

 

[fatness]

Have a WR corps of Moss, ARE, and Caldwell/Rookie/Mix would be decent.

I don't agree. Considering how much he's hurt, Moss is about an average WR#1 at best. Randle El is a below average WR#2. Caldwell/Mix are at best an average WR#3, and perhaps worse than that. A rookie is just an unknown at this time.

 

[southeastjerome]

Have a WR corps of Moss, ARE, and Caldwell/Rookie/Mix would be decent.

I don't agree. Considering how much he's hurt, Moss is about an average WR#1 at best. Randle El is a below average WR#2. Caldwell/Mix are at best an average WR#3, and perhaps worse than that. A rookie is just an unknown at this time.

I think its decent, not good and by no means great. Considering the alternative of not having an experienced guy like Caldwell there, it definately looks decent to me. Would I rather see them have different WRs all together? Perhaps, but I don't see that as a realistic option. Also, I think you're selling ARE short as a below average #2. I thought he played pretty well last year. He's not a prototypical possession type #2 WR, but to call him a below average #2 is selling him short imo. Take a look at a few #2 WRs from the NFC. Crayton, Toomer, Reggie Brown, Berrian, Brandon Lloyd, Ike Hilliard, Hackett, Driver, Lance Moore, Horn/Jenkins, Engram, Boldin, Bruce and Bennett. ARE fits somewhere in the middle of the pack there. He's certainly not better than Boldin, Driver or Berrian, but he certainly is better than Lloyd, Lance Moore, Horn/Jenkins, and Hilliard. The rest I think are comparable but could be argued one way or the other.

 

[redman]

Have a WR corps of Moss, ARE, and Caldwell/Rookie/Mix would be decent.

I don't agree. Considering how much he's hurt, Moss is about an average WR#1 at best. Randle El is a below average WR#2. Caldwell/Mix are at best an average WR#3, and perhaps worse than that. A rookie is just an unknown at this time.

This is precisely why I was so in favor of signing Hackett.

 

[fatness]

From PFT:

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the St. Louis Rams have reached an agreement with free agent wide receiver Reche Caldwell.

Take what I said about our WR's and adjust it downward a bit now.

 

[Marvelous]

Have a WR corps of Moss, ARE, and Caldwell/Rookie/Mix would be decent.

I don't agree. Considering how much he's hurt, Moss is about an average WR#1 at best. Randle El is a below average WR#2. Caldwell/Mix are at best an average WR#3, and perhaps worse than that. A rookie is just an unknown at this time.

I think its decent, not good and by no means great. Considering the alternative of not having an experienced guy like Caldwell there, it definately looks decent to me. Would I rather see them have different WRs all together? Perhaps, but I don't see that as a realistic option. Also, I think you're selling ARE short as a below average #2. I thought he played pretty well last year. He's not a prototypical possession type #2 WR, but to call him a below average #2 is selling him short imo. Take a look at a few #2 WRs from the NFC. Crayton, Toomer, Reggie Brown, Berrian, Brandon Lloyd, Ike Hilliard, Hackett, Driver, Lance Moore, Horn/Jenkins, Engram, Boldin, Bruce and Bennett. ARE fits somewhere in the middle of the pack there. He's certainly not better than Boldin, Driver or Berrian, but he certainly is better than Lloyd, Lance Moore, Horn/Jenkins, and Hilliard. The rest I think are comparable but could be argued one way or the other.

I think Moss is a very good wr when he is healthy. And the offense is a lot better when Moss is healthy.If you are building through the draft, the best bet is to pray that Moss stays healthy for this year and maybe next year, and start developing some wr talent.I looks like the Redskins were offering Caldwell the veteran minimum. He did not really stand out. Unless he could nail down the wr#3, he may not have made the team.

 

[Marvelous]

Fabini Is Staying

Veteran offensive lineman Jason Fabini plans to re-sign with Washington, a league source said today, providing depth for the offensive line with right guard Randy Thomas still recovering from triceps surgery. Contract terms were not immediately available.

Fabini filled in well while playing guard for the first time in his career last season, so the Redskins hoped he would return to the team next season. Fabini, a tackle for the first nine years of his 10-year career, was thrust into the starting lineup when Thomas tore his triceps in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He got off to a rough start (Fabini had consecutive false-start penalties on a key drive late in the first half) in relief of Thomas, but emerged as a key contributor of a makeshift offensive line that helped the Redskins win their last four games in the regular season and earn a playoff berth. Although not as athletic as Thomas, Fabini performed consistently while starting 13 games at right guard, line coach Joe Bugel said during the season.

Signing Fabini fro the veteran minimum is an excellent signing. He can play tackle and showed last year that he played reasonalbly well at guard. He provides great depth. From what I heard, he may have played better than Kendall.

 

[redman]

Fabini Is Staying

Veteran offensive lineman Jason Fabini plans to re-sign with Washington, a league source said today, providing depth for the offensive line with right guard Randy Thomas still recovering from triceps surgery. Contract terms were not immediately available.

Fabini filled in well while playing guard for the first time in his career last season, so the Redskins hoped he would return to the team next season. Fabini, a tackle for the first nine years of his 10-year career, was thrust into the starting lineup when Thomas tore his triceps in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He got off to a rough start (Fabini had consecutive false-start penalties on a key drive late in the first half) in relief of Thomas, but emerged as a key contributor of a makeshift offensive line that helped the Redskins win their last four games in the regular season and earn a playoff berth. Although not as athletic as Thomas, Fabini performed consistently while starting 13 games at right guard, line coach Joe Bugel said during the season.

Signing Fabini fro the veteran minimum is an excellent signing. He can play tackle and showed last year that he played reasonalbly well at guard. He provides great depth. From what I heard, he may have played better than Kendall.

I like this signing too. He basically provides valuable depth at three positions, RT, RG and LG.

 

[Marvelous]

According the Warpath cap sheet, here are the UFA:

Todd Collins

Randall Godfrey

Pierson Prioleau

Derrick Frost

Ethan Albright

Mike Pucillo

Ross Tucker

Jason Fabini

David Macklin

Shaun Suisham

Ryan Boschetti

Nehemiah Broughton

Reche Caldwell

Keenan McCardell

Brian Kozlowski

Rick DeMulling

OmarStoutmire

I have another thought on the Redskins free agency approach.The Redskins get compensatory draft picks in 2009 for players they lose this year in free agency. If they don't sign any free agents, they will probably get a 7th round pick for Caldwell. They may get a 7th round pick for Macklin. It's possible if Stoutmire or Godfrey are signed by other teams, they could get another 7th round pick. Or they could get a 7th round pick for a net loss of free agents.

If the Redskins sign a free agent, even to the veteran minimum, they could be losing a 7th round compensatory pick. It's not much, but if you need draft picks, this is one way to get them.

 

[southeastjerome]

From PFT:

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the St. Louis Rams have reached an agreement with free agent wide receiver Reche Caldwell.

Take what I said about our WR's and adjust it downward a bit now.

This definately doesn't help. While nobody will confuse Caldwell with a stud WR, he's a known quantity and he adds veteran depth. I stand by what I say though that Moss and ARE are a decent, not great, one two combo. The problem is with Thrash, Mix and a rookie as the 3/4/5 WR's in any order, depth is seriously lacking. I'd be less concerned if Moss didn't always get injured. On the bright side, I think this draft is pretty deep at WR, there are a lot of guys who will go in round 3 that could be very good pros. And there is always the chance that one of the "1st round" guys could slide to round 2. The bad news is that they almost need to draft a WR with one of their first 3 picks when they could have just anted up a little bit more, signed Hackett instead.

 

[TankRizzo]

This is precisely why I was so in favor of signing Hackett.

I was really hoping to snag Bryant Johnson.Man....I havn't checked in here in a while. Things came to a screeching halt after Zorn was named HC. Side note, a mock draft on another general BS forum has us with 1) Jeff Otah and 2) Calias Campbell.I think it's still going, but it slowed way down after the 2nd round.

 

[Swing 51]

Posted at 4:58 PM ET, 03/26/2008Skins Get Thursday Season Opener Against GiantsJason Reid has confirmed that the Redskins and New York Giants will play in the NFL season opener Thursday (Sept. 4) at Giants Stadium. An official announcement is expected to come Monday at the annual owners' meetings in Florida.Note from the earlier posts that the NFL is considering changing the starting time of this game to 7 p.m., rather than 8:30, because that is the final night of the Republican Convention.Posted by Cindy Boren

 

[Bizkiteer]

Posted at 4:58 PM ET, 03/26/2008Skins Get Thursday Season Opener Against GiantsJason Reid has confirmed that the Redskins and New York Giants will play in the NFL season opener Thursday (Sept. 4) at Giants Stadium. An official announcement is expected to come Monday at the annual owners' meetings in Florida.Note from the earlier posts that the NFL is considering changing the starting time of this game to 7 p.m., rather than 8:30, because that is the final night of the Republican Convention.Posted by Cindy Boren

Nothing like the defending champs going 0-1 to start the season.

 

[fatness]

Rich Tandler

There are two receivers who should be available around selection #21 who may be worthy of the pick. One is Limas Sweed, 6' 5" out of Texas; the other is Malcolm Kelly, 6' 4" out of Oklahoma. Neither is a burner, but they're both fast enough (around 4.5 in the 40 at the combine) to get deep.

Not only are their measurables good, both Sweed and Kelly pass the eyeball test. You look at video of each of them on the field and you think, "there's a future NFL receiver". These guys are not combine superstars.

 

[AB in DC]

If the Redskins sign a free agent, even to the veteran minimum, they could be losing a 7th round compensatory pick. It's not much, but if you need draft picks, this is one way to get them.

A seventh-round comp pick is almost worthless. 90% of the time, you can just sign the same player as an undrafted FA right after the draft.

 

[redman]

If the Redskins sign a free agent, even to the veteran minimum, they could be losing a 7th round compensatory pick. It's not much, but if you need draft picks, this is one way to get them.

A seventh-round comp pick is almost worthless. 90% of the time, you can just sign the same player as an undrafted FA right after the draft.

I completely agree.

 

[Bizkiteer]

If the Redskins sign a free agent, even to the veteran minimum, they could be losing a 7th round compensatory pick. It's not much, but if you need draft picks, this is one way to get them.

A seventh-round comp pick is almost worthless. 90% of the time, you can just sign the same player as an undrafted FA right after the draft.

I completely agree.

Given our late round drafting history in the past decade... x2

 

[fatness]

CBS Sportsline

Seldom has a promotion produced less of a response than Washington's naming of Vinny Cerrato as its executive vice president of football operations, but don't kid yourself: That shouldn't diminish the significance of the move. With it, Cerrato ascends to a position where he can shape and determine the Redskins' immediate future, and if you don't believe me you weren't paying attention to the team's last coaching hire.

It was Cerrato who swung the votes in favor of Jim Zorn. It was Cerrato who headed the search for the team's new public relations director, too. It was Cerrato who urged owner Daniel Snyder to avoid the free-agent frenzy. And it will be Cerrato who takes the wheel for the club's next spin around the NFL Draft.

"I have a lot more say-so," he said.

It's the first time in the Dan Snyder era," said one agent, "that there's a sense of a game plan. It's a good move for Washington because Vinny Cerrato is where he was in San Francisco and where he's been at his best, and that's the draft process."

But that's where Cerrato comes in. With his advice the Redskins sat on the free-agent sidelines this year, spending early only to retain Collins. Otherwise, they let others do the spending, and that could be a good thing for the Redskins.

Of course, that all depends on how successful Cerrato is.

"If there's a lesson we learned through free agency," he said, "it's that, number one, you try to sign young guys who can play out the contracts, and, two, the guys we had success with all played for one of our coaches or someone on the staff at some time in their careers."

"He's in the crosshairs," the agent said of Cerrato, "but if you're not in the crosshairs you're not doing all that much. You're the guy who's collecting a gold watch after 25 years. Vinny will be the one pulling the strings and the one with a game plan that he will adhere to and won't waver from."

It's a daunting task, but Cerrato doesn't seem concerned. Why should he? He was blamed for the 49ers' missteps a decade ago, so he knows the terrain. In fact, when the question of how he's perceived arose Cerrato couldn't help himself.

He started to laugh.

"I will definitely get the blame," he said, grinning. "When Dan and Joe and I would go out, they would introduce me as the guy responsible for all the losses. So I'm ready. I'm as ready as I've ever been."

He should be. For years he operated in the shadows of Snyder, Gibbs and Spurrier. Now the Redskins are carting him out to help make critical decisions, meet with the media, meet with the public and, above all, keep them competitive in Life After Joe.

 

[fatness]

Judge threatens to jail cop in Sean Taylor case

A judge gave a homicide detective investigating Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor's death until April 28 to finish his report -- or the cop will go to jail, the Miami Herald reports.

 

[Marvelous]

CBS Sportsline

Seldom has a promotion produced less of a response than Washington's naming of Vinny Cerrato as its executive vice president of football operations, but don't kid yourself: That shouldn't diminish the significance of the move. With it, Cerrato ascends to a position where he can shape and determine the Redskins' immediate future, and if you don't believe me you weren't paying attention to the team's last coaching hire.

It was Cerrato who swung the votes in favor of Jim Zorn. It was Cerrato who headed the search for the team's new public relations director, too. It was Cerrato who urged owner Daniel Snyder to avoid the free-agent frenzy. And it will be Cerrato who takes the wheel for the club's next spin around the NFL Draft.

"I have a lot more say-so," he said.

It's the first time in the Dan Snyder era," said one agent, "that there's a sense of a game plan. It's a good move for Washington because Vinny Cerrato is where he was in San Francisco and where he's been at his best, and that's the draft process."

But that's where Cerrato comes in. With his advice the Redskins sat on the free-agent sidelines this year, spending early only to retain Collins. Otherwise, they let others do the spending, and that could be a good thing for the Redskins.

Of course, that all depends on how successful Cerrato is.

"If there's a lesson we learned through free agency," he said, "it's that, number one, you try to sign young guys who can play out the contracts, and, two, the guys we had success with all played for one of our coaches or someone on the staff at some time in their careers."

"He's in the crosshairs," the agent said of Cerrato, "but if you're not in the crosshairs you're not doing all that much. You're the guy who's collecting a gold watch after 25 years. Vinny will be the one pulling the strings and the one with a game plan that he will adhere to and won't waver from."

It's a daunting task, but Cerrato doesn't seem concerned. Why should he? He was blamed for the 49ers' missteps a decade ago, so he knows the terrain. In fact, when the question of how he's perceived arose Cerrato couldn't help himself.

He started to laugh.

"I will definitely get the blame," he said, grinning. "When Dan and Joe and I would go out, they would introduce me as the guy responsible for all the losses. So I'm ready. I'm as ready as I've ever been."

He should be. For years he operated in the shadows of Snyder, Gibbs and Spurrier. Now the Redskins are carting him out to help make critical decisions, meet with the media, meet with the public and, above all, keep them competitive in Life After Joe.

Nice article. It really looks like Cerrato is the GM. The big keys are not making big mistakes in free agency and finding players that can play in the lower rounds of the draft.

 

[southeastjerome]

CBS Sportsline

Seldom has a promotion produced less of a response than Washington's naming of Vinny Cerrato as its executive vice president of football operations, but don't kid yourself: That shouldn't diminish the significance of the move. With it, Cerrato ascends to a position where he can shape and determine the Redskins' immediate future, and if you don't believe me you weren't paying attention to the team's last coaching hire.

It was Cerrato who swung the votes in favor of Jim Zorn. It was Cerrato who headed the search for the team's new public relations director, too. It was Cerrato who urged owner Daniel Snyder to avoid the free-agent frenzy. And it will be Cerrato who takes the wheel for the club's next spin around the NFL Draft.

"I have a lot more say-so," he said.

It's the first time in the Dan Snyder era," said one agent, "that there's a sense of a game plan. It's a good move for Washington because Vinny Cerrato is where he was in San Francisco and where he's been at his best, and that's the draft process."

But that's where Cerrato comes in. With his advice the Redskins sat on the free-agent sidelines this year, spending early only to retain Collins. Otherwise, they let others do the spending, and that could be a good thing for the Redskins.

Of course, that all depends on how successful Cerrato is.

"If there's a lesson we learned through free agency," he said, "it's that, number one, you try to sign young guys who can play out the contracts, and, two, the guys we had success with all played for one of our coaches or someone on the staff at some time in their careers."

"He's in the crosshairs," the agent said of Cerrato, "but if you're not in the crosshairs you're not doing all that much. You're the guy who's collecting a gold watch after 25 years. Vinny will be the one pulling the strings and the one with a game plan that he will adhere to and won't waver from."

It's a daunting task, but Cerrato doesn't seem concerned. Why should he? He was blamed for the 49ers' missteps a decade ago, so he knows the terrain. In fact, when the question of how he's perceived arose Cerrato couldn't help himself.

He started to laugh.

"I will definitely get the blame," he said, grinning. "When Dan and Joe and I would go out, they would introduce me as the guy responsible for all the losses. So I'm ready. I'm as ready as I've ever been."

He should be. For years he operated in the shadows of Snyder, Gibbs and Spurrier. Now the Redskins are carting him out to help make critical decisions, meet with the media, meet with the public and, above all, keep them competitive in Life After Joe.

Anyone know Cerrato's draft record in SF? All I really know is that he was responsible for drafting Bryant Young and TO, and that he was the eventual scapegoat there (deserved or undeserved). What years was he in SF? 95-99?

 

[pablito]

From Redskin Insider:

PALM BEACH, Fla.--The Washington Redskins were awarded three additional picks in the NFL draft in April, including a third-rounder, today.

The league announced the compensatory draft choices awarded based on a formula balancing players lost and added in free agency.

The Redskins were awarded the highest of the compensatory selections, the 96th overall pick in the draft. Their other two compensatory choices come in the seventh round, Nos. 242 and 249 overall.

The Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens also were awarded third-round picks. The Ravens and Bengals were awarded four picks each, the most in the league.

 

[dgreen]

 

[fatness]

4 picks in the first 3 rounds.

If they draft well, they can get 4 longterm parts of the team.

 

[thayman]

I don't want to sound crass, but do they get any compensation for Sean Taylor?

 

[Lowen1]

I don't want to sound crass, but do they get any compensation for Sean Taylor?

I was wondering about any salary cap relief???

 

[thayman]

I don't want to sound crass, but do they get any compensation for Sean Taylor?

I was wondering about any salary cap relief???

IIRC the cap hit from him was very minimal.

 

[Sebowski]

JLC thinks we are going to go after Chad Johnson and draft D-Line early.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

...But of course, I also fully expect them to continue their covert longing for Cincy's Chad Johnson. As I reported a day after Jim Zorn came on board as coach, Johnson was the major player the Skins hoped to acquire. He's the splash they hope to make after weeks of barely a ripple. In June, when his cap hit to the Bengals would be halved the Skins will be there to pounce should Chad force his way out of Cincy.

Look, Cerrato and Snyder cleared about $9 million in cap room for a reason. They knew they would not be active in the first few waves of free agency, save for re-signing Collins and some of their own players....

Snyder made it known in no uncertain terms that he wanted Johnson when interviewing coaching candidates this off season, and I await Johnson and agent Drew Rosenhaus's next move to try to force an exit from Cincy.

Click for full article.

He also says Snyder wanted to draft Ted Ginn Jr. at #6 last year

 

[Sebowski]

I don't want to sound crass, but do they get any compensation for Sean Taylor?

No.

 

[thayman]

JLC thinks we are going to go after Chad Johnson and draft D-Line early.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

...But of course, I also fully expect them to continue their covert longing for Cincy's Chad Johnson. As I reported a day after Jim Zorn came on board as coach, Johnson was the major player the Skins hoped to acquire. He's the splash they hope to make after weeks of barely a ripple. In June, when his cap hit to the Bengals would be halved the Skins will be there to pounce should Chad force his way out of Cincy.

Look, Cerrato and Snyder cleared about $9 million in cap room for a reason. They knew they would not be active in the first few waves of free agency, save for re-signing Collins and some of their own players....

Snyder made it known in no uncertain terms that he wanted Johnson when interviewing coaching candidates this off season, and I await Johnson and agent Drew Rosenhaus's next move to try to force an exit from Cincy.

Click for full article.

He also says Snyder wanted to draft Ted Ginn Jr. at #6 last year

Well if they are intent on pursuing Johnson maybe he will make himself such an issue that the price for him will drop considerably.....

 

[fatness]

If this is what we get out of our first 4 draft picks, I'll get moist:

rookie DT

rookie O-lineman

Chad Johnson

 

[fatness]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/

Other good quotes from that article:

The primary issues on defense - D Line in particular - will be addresses early in the draft, they have told DC Greg Blache as much (Blache has been adamant about his want, sources said, to his credit).

According to sources, Snyder pushed long and hard to draft WR Ted Ginn Jr. with the sixth overall pick last year (what a disaster that would have been had Gregg Williams not saved the owner from himself - RB Clinton Portis's constant lobbying of Snyder and Joe Gibbs for Landry had some impact as well, team sources said),

I like Greg Blache. I like Clinton Portis.

 

[dgreen]

If this is what we get out of our first 4 draft picks, I'll get moist:rookie DTrookie O-linemanChad Johnson

Would those two 3rd round picks get CJ?

 

[Sebowski]

If this is what we get out of our first 4 draft picks, I'll get moist:rookie DTrookie O-linemanChad Johnson

That would be great as long as we don't over pay for Johnson. Moss went for a fourth last year. Welker went for a second. We should not give up more than a second.

 

[Sebowski]

If this is what we get out of our first 4 draft picks, I'll get moist:rookie DTrookie O-linemanChad Johnson

Would those two 3rd round picks get CJ?

You can't trade compensatory picks.

 

[redman]

I don't want to sound crass, but do they get any compensation for Sean Taylor?

I was wondering about any salary cap relief???

IIRC the cap hit from him was very minimal.

He was far enough into a cap friendly rookie contract that the hit wasn't bad. They were fortunate in the sense that they hadn't quite gotten to the point of extending him, which would have spelled trouble. They get no compensation because another team didn't sign him away from them as a FA.

 

[redman]

Chad Johnson is a stud who would make the offense instantly better, but I believe the price to acquire him would be prohibitive. He's just not at the right position on the team to do that. If it was Steve Hutchinson, maybe I'd consider it, but not a WR.

 

[fatness]

If they have their eye on one particular DT and one particular O-lineman at 1.21, and those players are gone, and they faced with the choice of best-player-available or basically drafting another rookie there whom is equivalent to someone they'll likely be able to get in the 2nd round, I could see trading the 1st for Chad Johnson. Moss won't disappear from the field if they get Johnson, remember. And the step up from Randle El to Johnson as the second starting WR is huge.

Huge.

 

[fatness]

Here We Go

Hog Heaven

Chad Johnson to Redskins in secret deal

By Anthony Brown | April 1st, 2008

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown made known to agent Drew Rosenhaus that he was relenting on a possible trade for wide receiver Chad Johnson. Brown finally lost all patience with Johnson and his antics and would like to be rid of a headache.

That was all Rosenhaus needed to approach Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder about trading for Johnson. Rosenhaus and Johnson met Snyder in a cocktail bar at the NFL owner’s meeting in Palm Beach, Fla. But, Snyder deferred to new executive vice president Vinny Cerrato who now makes all personnel calls for the team.

According to sources who wish to remain anonymous because they are not authorized to speak for the teams, Cerrato balked at Johnson’s price tag but relented with Rosenhaus’ offer to structure a back end loaded deal that would protect the Redskins’ salary cap position in 2008 and ‘09, but could guarantee Johnson over $10 million per year starting in 2010 when the salary cap will go away with the voided Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Cerrato was also concerned about the Dallas Cowboys boosting their pass defense with Pacman Jones. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is pushing the team to either counter the move or counter the offer to Jones.

The teams have a handshake agreement on the Johnson deal, but will not announce it until draft day, April 26. The Bengals, who have the ninth pick in the first round, will receive the Redskins’ first and fourth round draft pick.

This story was written on April 1st.

 

[Lowen1]

In other news, Chris Cooley has a blog: http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/

"I thought the highlight of my trip to San Diego would be playing in the Professional Open. Little did I know that I was going to get into the best pre-round competition of my life. Immediately after arriving at Torre Pines I was carted off into depths of the course. Where to you ask? To meet up with Sterling Sharp, Marshall Faulk, Drew Brees, Ladainian Tomlinson and members of NFL network to compete in a special "Closest to the Pin" competition. The stakes - winner gets to hit batting practice with the San Diego Padres at their game tomorrow Apr. 1. Since I didn't have my own clubs (still in the car, and I had to borrow Sterling's) my hopes weren't too high on winning this event. But what the hell. My shot, five feet from the flag. I won! Oh and by the way, we played some golf later that day too".

And from J La C: Performance-Based Pay

The NFL announced the annual leaders in performanced-based pay, a sytem explained below. One Skin, G Jason Fabini, cracked the top 25. Fabini, Jason Redskins T $230,042

His latest RI update goes into some detail on the formula and who else got what.

 

[thayman]

Chad Johnson is a stud who would make the offense instantly better, but I believe the price to acquire him would be prohibitive. He's just not at the right position on the team to do that. If it was Steve Hutchinson, maybe I'd consider it, but not a WR.

It would be fun to have Johnson, but honestly we aren't going to be competing for a Super Bowl this year. The team will be better over the next 3-5 years by not making a deal for Johnson. The price will just be too high. Now the 2nd rounder for Roy Williams is something that could be a good deal.

 

[fatness]

Interview with Dan Snyder

"There are a bunch of things I wish I would have done differently," Mr. Snyder told The Washington Times yesterday at the annual NFL meetings. "I've made plenty of mistakes, but I've learned from my mistakes as a good entrepreneur, a good CEO would do. I've matured. I wasn't patient enough in certain areas early on. I didn't understand the game the way I do now. I didn't understand the agents, the contractual relationship with the salary cap, the importance of the age of players. Now it's easy for me, second nature."

Gregg Williams, the assistant head coach/defense the past four years and the favorite of the players to replace Gibbs, wasn't.

"Absolutely. It would've been easy to say, 'Gregg, you're the head coach of the Redskins,' " Mr. Snyder said. "But I promised everyone that I would do a thorough, professional job and hopefully make the right choice for the Redskins. I wanted to see what [Gregg] had learned from Joe. That was the most important thing. At the end of the day, [Gregg] wasn't right for us."

Full Transcript

 

[fatness]

From JLC's blog:

The Redskins have just announced that they have re-signed Nehemiah Broughton, 5-11, 255-pound fullback

The Redskins' preseason schedule has just been released, although as you'll remember it first comes out with just the opponents and the weekend of some games in the middle of the preseason:Aug. 3 -- Hall of Fame game against Indianapolis in Canton, OhioAug. 7-10 -- vs. BuffaloAug. 14-17 -- at New York JetsAug. 21-24 -- at CarolinaAug. 28 -- vs. Jacksonville

 

[Sidewinder16]

From JLC's blog:

Aug. 28 -- vs. Jacksonville

Welcome back Gregg Williams!

 

[Sidewinder16]

Some owner's meeting and draft notes from Cerrato (via Weinstein's blog):

On why the Skins voted against the radio communication in one defensive player's helmet, which did pass, Cerrato said it was offensive coaches who all voted against it, including Jim Zorn, but conceeded he thinks it will be a good advancement for the game and the competitive balance..

Cerrato continues to assert that the Skins are much more likely to mover down from their top pick at 21st overall then to package anything and move up..

CB is starting to look like a possible early round target.. The team likes Kansas CB Aqib Talib and should he be available, he could be the first pick.. WR is expected to be addressed with any one of the 4 picks in the first three rounds and defensive line feels like a certainty.. The team is most interested in an interior D-lineman who can provide pressure on passing downs..

 

[Sidewinder16]

Redskins nominated for the Halas Award (Elfin's blog):

The entire Redskins team is one of five finalists for the Halas Award given each year by the Pro Football Writers of America for courage and perseverance in overcoming obstacles. The Redskins were recognized for their 4-1 run to the playoffs after the shooting death of Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor in November.

The other nominees for the Halas are Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis and receiver Plaxico Burress and quarterback Eli Manning of the New York Giants.

In my 15 years in the PFWA, including 12 on the board, six on the executive board and two as President, I can't recall an entire team being nominated before this. I believe the award will go either to the Redskins or to Everett, who's walking again after being paralyzed in last season's opener. Ironically, Taylor and Everett were teammates at the University of Miami.