***OFFICIAL*** Washington Redskins 2011 Off-Season Thread (3 Viewers)

[Peggy Starfish]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

 

[dgreen]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

I saw him being interviewed last night and though, "Wait, why is he still here?" But, I will not give Vinny any credit if he turns out to be decent.

 

[Peggy Starfish]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

I saw him being interviewed last night and though, "Wait, why is he still here?" But, I will not give Vinny any credit if he turns out to be decent.

All I can think of is that they're trying to make him another Leonard Davis at RG. He certainly can't play tackle.

 

[buster c]

So let me get this straight: in capped years, we spend money like drunken sailors, misappropriating resources that cause areas of need to not get addressed, wrecking team chemistry and ensuring one losing season after another. Now -with no salary cap to worry about- and after cutting 3 team captains creating a void for new leaders (chemistry), they’re exercising fiscal constraint? All Snyder does is the opposite of what he should be doing! Look, I don’t for one minute think Peppers is worth 10m/year or that we need him, but there really is no good reason to NOT sign him. Sign everybody! What is the downside? And everybody here is cheering the new fiscal restraint!

Yeah, because capped versus uncapped is the only difference for the Redskins between this year and last year. You really are a miserable *******, aren't you.

dude, don’t scare me with your internet toughness. you’ve been here a week and you’re calling me a *******? wish I could work up the nerve to be so courageous.

 

[fatness]

Now -with no salary cap to worry about- and after cutting 3 team captains creating a void for new leaders (chemistry), they’re exercising fiscal constraint?

Free agency doesn't end in 24 hours. Neither does team-building. Approaching either of them in a rush seems like the best way to make expensive mistakes.

 

[fatness]

. you’ve been here a week and you’re calling me a *******?

Redman's been here for years.

 

[dgreen]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

I saw him being interviewed last night and though, "Wait, why is he still here?" But, I will not give Vinny any credit if he turns out to be decent.

All I can think of is that they're trying to make him another Leonard Davis at RG. He certainly can't play tackle.

Not sure how he'd fit into Shanahan's system at G. I doubt he has the mobility/agility...unless he's lost another 50 pounds.

 

[buster c]

Sign everybody! What is the downside?

A) While the cap is unlimited, roster spots aren't.B) Players need to fit a system. Peppers is not a 3-4 DE or 3-4 OLB.C) Chemistry and player attitudes are important. So, let's say they sign Peppers to simply be a passing down specialist (since he would be out of position in a base 3-4). Will he be ok with that? Will he complain about playing time? Will other players complain that he's getting paid so much to only play on 3rd down?D) One day there will be a cap again.

A- true, they're down to about 60 players. Seems they could jettison a few more. Stephon Heyer still has a job, right?B- agreed, but we don't know what Pepper is "not" - just what he has been. And again, don't take it as me specifically saying 'we need to sign Peppers.'C- In capped years, I agree 100% that chemistry is a delicate thing to be managed. It's one reason I was so opposed to Fat Albert and DeAngela. Proven team cancers. But for 2010, this team is being dismantled, so different chemistry is on its way regardless. D- I don't think a new CBA would strap a team for uncapped excesses (or so I've been hearing)

 

[dgreen]

Sign everybody! What is the downside?

A) While the cap is unlimited, roster spots aren't.B) Players need to fit a system. Peppers is not a 3-4 DE or 3-4 OLB.C) Chemistry and player attitudes are important. So, let's say they sign Peppers to simply be a passing down specialist (since he would be out of position in a base 3-4). Will he be ok with that? Will he complain about playing time? Will other players complain that he's getting paid so much to only play on 3rd down?D) One day there will be a cap again.

A- true, they're down to about 60 players. Seems they could jettison a few more. Stephon Heyer still has a job, right?

Sure, there may still be guys cut depending on who they can get in FA/draft.

B- agreed, but we don't know what Pepper is "not" - just what he has been.  And again, don't take it as me specifically saying 'we need to sign Peppers.'

True, we don't know for sure. But, I haven't seen anyone say Peppers would be a good 3-4 fit.

C- In capped years, I agree 100% that chemistry is a delicate thing to be managed.  It's one reason I was so opposed to Fat Albert and DeAngela.  Proven team cancers.  But for 2010, this team is being dismantled, so different chemistry is on its way regardless.

Yes, it's a different chemistry, but still a chemistry. They can't just go get everybody because some of them may not fit in well, chemistry-wise, with the new group.

D- I don't think a new CBA would strap a team for uncapped excesses (or so I've been hearing)

We'll have to wait and see how it all works. But, I've heard that some owners are going to be somewhat cautious since they don't really know what's coming next.Overall, my main point is that there's a downside to just grabbing everyone you can sign. All of these pieces have to fit together as a team for 2010 and many of them have to fit together has part of a team in 2011, 2012, etc..

 

[southeastjerome]

Sign everybody! What is the downside?

A) While the cap is unlimited, roster spots aren't.B) Players need to fit a system. Peppers is not a 3-4 DE or 3-4 OLB.

C) Chemistry and player attitudes are important. So, let's say they sign Peppers to simply be a passing down specialist (since he would be out of position in a base 3-4). Will he be ok with that? Will he complain about playing time? Will other players complain that he's getting paid so much to only play on 3rd down?

D) One day there will be a cap again.

D- I don't think a new CBA would strap a team for uncapped excesses (or so I've been hearing)

No one knows the answer to that question. It could go either way. That's why there is the 30% rule, where no more than 30% of the payment of a contract can be paid out in the first year. So if they sign guys like drunken sailors, they'd still be holding the bag with at least 70% of the contracts out there.

 

[southeastjerome]

In year's past, many could have argued that an uncapped year would be the best thing that could happen to a team like the Redskins. It looks to be that way. Ironically for not the reason conventional wisdom would have dictated. With the uncapped year the Skins can purge themselves of some older players without taking a cap hit. ARE, Griffin, Smoot, Thomas and Betts. It probably could not have been done if this had been a capped year. Its like a free pass to get rid of some unattractive contracts.

 

[dgreen]

In year's past, many could have argued that an uncapped year would be the best thing that could happen to a team like the Redskins. It looks to be that way. Ironically for not the reason conventional wisdom would have dictated. With the uncapped year the Skins can purge themselves of some older players without taking a cap hit. ARE, Griffin, Smoot, Thomas and Betts. It probably could not have been done if this had been a capped year. Its like a free pass to get rid of some unattractive contracts.

I think this uncapped year was all part of their cap/contract plan the last couple years. I've always said they were pretty good at the cap. The problem was they just gave the money to the wrong guys.

 

[Marvelous]

In year's past, many could have argued that an uncapped year would be the best thing that could happen to a team like the Redskins. It looks to be that way. Ironically for not the reason conventional wisdom would have dictated. With the uncapped year the Skins can purge themselves of some older players without taking a cap hit. ARE, Griffin, Smoot, Thomas and Betts. It probably could not have been done if this had been a capped year. Its like a free pass to get rid of some unattractive contracts.

I think this uncapped year was all part of their cap/contract plan the last couple years. I've always said they were pretty good at the cap. The problem was they just gave the money to the wrong guys.

One of the big problems with the Redskins previous cap management: They would hand out huge bonuses to players and the more bonuses to restructure to free up cap room. The problem is that so many aging players become very expensive to cut. So the Redskins tend to keep them around for a year or two or three just to avoid the cap hit. The uncapped year gives the Redskins a chance to clean them all out. It would be interesting to see what the cap hit would have been for all these players they cut or retired.

 

[Marvelous]

In year's past, many could have argued that an uncapped year would be the best thing that could happen to a team like the Redskins. It looks to be that way. Ironically for not the reason conventional wisdom would have dictated. With the uncapped year the Skins can purge themselves of some older players without taking a cap hit. ARE, Griffin, Smoot, Thomas and Betts. It probably could not have been done if this had been a capped year. Its like a free pass to get rid of some unattractive contracts.

I think this uncapped year was all part of their cap/contract plan the last couple years. I've always said they were pretty good at the cap. The problem was they just gave the money to the wrong guys.

One of the big problems with the Redskins previous cap management: They would hand out huge bonuses to players and the more bonuses to restructure to free up cap room. The problem is that so many aging players become very expensive to cut. So the Redskins tend to keep them around for a year or two or three just to avoid the cap hit. The uncapped year gives the Redskins a chance to clean them all out. It would be interesting to see what the cap hit would have been for all these players they cut or retired.

One more thought: if you keep extending a players contract to free up cap space, eventually, he will be the wrong guy. Chris Samuels was a very good player. But his cap figure became enormous with all of the restructurings.

 

[ChrisCooleyFan]

Clifton resigns with the Packers

 

[sho nuff]

Clifton resigns with the Packers

Probably best for all involved.Washington does not spend too much on a 33 year old tackle with bad knees.Packers get a guy they know well, knows their system and has been a great guy for them.Clifton gets to stay with the team who drafted him and the doctors know and the coaches let him take quite a bit of practice time off.

 

[Marvelous]

Clifton resigns with the Packers

Probably best for all involved.Washington does not spend too much on a 33 year old tackle with bad knees.Packers get a guy they know well, knows their system and has been a great guy for them.Clifton gets to stay with the team who drafted him and the doctors know and the coaches let him take quite a bit of practice time off.

From PFT:

Packers keep CliftonPosted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 5, 2010 7:33 PM ETThe big-spending Redskins could not pry left tackle Chad Clifton away from the Packers.ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Clifton will get three years and $20 million from Green Bay. $7.5 million is guaranteed.Also guaranteed: That G.M. Ted Thompson won't be roasted locally for losing Aaron Rodgers' solid blind side protection. Now the Packers just need a right tackle.

It's really a pretty modest contract for a LT. With only $7.5 M guaranteed, if his health goes south, they can easily cut him after 1 year.It looks like the Redskins really weren't that crazy about Clifton.

 

[fatness]

Redskins interested in Rex Grossman.

You should read some of the comments there:

Isn't he something like the laziest QB in NFL history (outside that fat guy in Oakland)?

 

[fatness]

Mike Williams signed a 3 year contract today?

Link

 

[fatness]

No buzz at start of free agency is clearest sign yet of the Redskins' change of direction

For all the speculation about how things would be different under the Redskins' new management, there had been little actual proof. Team employees have spoken privately about a new sense of professionalism at Redskins Park that coincided with the arrivals of General Manager Bruce Allen and Coach Mike Shanahan. And they say owner Daniel Snyder has focused more on his other businesses than he usually does at this time of the year.

Of course, good vibes and subtle changes in behavior won't matter if the Redskins continue to be defined by poor signings and ineffective roster management.

But with the start of NFL free agency Friday, at least, there was a tangible difference at Redskins Park. Most dramatically, there were no signings of big-name free agents. The highest-profile unrestricted free agents such as defensive end Julius Peppers and linebacker Karlos Dansby generated buzz elsewhere. The Redskins mostly made news for the players they got rid of; not the ones they planned to sign.

The Redskins' visitors list in Ashburn included offensive tackles Chad Clifton and Tony Pashos -- solid veterans, but hardly big names. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The failure to address problems on the offensive line was a major factor in Washington's last-place finishes in the NFC East three of the past four seasons. Wooing two offensive linemen at the outset of free agency isn't very exciting. In fact, it's downright boring.

The Redskins also largely took a back seat during free agency before the 2008 season, but that was more about other factors than judgment and restraint. Washington reverted to form a year ago, kicking off free agency by making Albert Haynesworth the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

That's why what happened -- or more importantly what didn't happen -- Friday indicates so much about where the Redskins could be headed. Allen and Shanahan appear to be taking a measured approach to the task of reshaping the organization and rebuilding the roster.

There are no overnight solutions when a franchise has fallen as far as the Redskins have since Joe Gibbs's first stint as head coach ended before the 1993 season.

 

[Sidewinder16]

No buzz at start of free agency is clearest sign yet of the Redskins' change of direction

There are no overnight solutions when a franchise has fallen as far as the Redskins have since Joe Gibbs's first stint as head coach ended before the 1993 season.

Exactly. And, more from that link:

Allen and Shanahan say they know that. They know that chasing quick-fix players doesn't make sense for a long-term project. The Redskins' problems did not occur overnight and solutions will take time, too.

They identified what needed to be done first, which wasn't difficult. A major turnover of the roster was necessary, especially considering the age, productivity and salaries of some players. In commenting on the 10 players who were released Thursday, Allen spoke of having a plan for "for 2010 and beyond," which is new territory for the Redskins.

This is a significant departure from focusing on reworking contracts of aging, unproductive veterans to remain under the salary cap in hopes of playoff runs that never occurred. In a league where 30 is considered old, the Redskins have been too old for too long. Allen and Shanahan began to address the age issue with the cuts.

In fairness to previous Washington football executives, the absence of a salary cap in 2010 provides the Redskins with an opening to prune the roster without salary cap ramifications.

The perception is Allen and Shanahan will make sound decisions and set the team on a steady course. And that's why it appears Snyder has followed their lead, despite having operated differently for most of his previous 11 seasons as owner. They possess the level of public credibility and have achieved the type of success Snyder seems to have concluded is necessary to move the Redskins forward after one of the worst seasons for the franchise in decades.

So on the day when their clock really started, Allen and Shanahan potentially could sign Clifton and Pashos and still, apparently, pursue other second-tier free agents to fill numerous roster holes. And then look to the draft in April.

Surely, such a strategy wouldn't generate much buzz, but maybe it will help to produce more wins.

And nothing would provide more proof of change than that.

And speaking of second-tier FAs, Larry Foote is scheduled to visit the 'Skins. Not as sexy (or good) as Karlos Dansby, but could probably serve the same purpose for a year or two.

 

[thayman]

So let me get this straight: in capped years, we spend money like drunken sailors, misappropriating resources that cause areas of need to not get addressed, wrecking team chemistry and ensuring one losing season after another. Now -with no salary cap to worry about- and after cutting 3 team captains creating a void for new leaders (chemistry), they’re exercising fiscal constraint? All Snyder does is the opposite of what he should be doing! Look, I don’t for one minute think Peppers is worth 10m/year or that we need him, but there really is no good reason to NOT sign him. Sign everybody! What is the downside? And everybody here is cheering the new fiscal restraint!

I don't think it is the fiscal restraint as much as it's roster moves with a purpose. So far it seems management/ownership has recognized that there is no quick fix for this team. Signing some of the big names out there serves no purpose since they quite probably won't be contributing by the time the team is competitive.

 

[Bizkiteer]

My thoughts on their lack of action and the numerous cuts they made all point to restructuring the team itself. They are getting rid of the core of the team and changing the mentality within the team. They aren't chasing BIG names and having more egos feeling entitled. They appear to be looking at 2nd or 3rd tier older players to fill voids for 1-2 years while they re-build with youth (Draft picks). By cutting so many, they are trying to change the current culture and prepare for real salary cap management once a CBA is in place. Just my thoughts on the latest...

It does seem odd that the one time they can go crazy, they don't though. Especially when you consider all the holes we have on the team. There isn't a ton of real help on the market, but something is better than nothing. I like the restraint because it clearly new and shows maybe that our FO actually has a plan other than signing a BIG name. It's just odd that they didn't even bring in a player like Dansby when they are supposedly moving a 3-4 type D. Oh well, I look forward to seeing what the Allen-Shanny machine does or doesn't do next.

 

[fatness]

My thoughts on their lack of action and the numerous cuts they made all point to restructuring the team itself. They are getting rid of the core of the team and changing the mentality within the team. They aren't chasing BIG names and having more egos feeling entitled. They appear to be looking at 2nd or 3rd tier older players to fill voids for 1-2 years while they re-build with youth (Draft picks). By cutting so many, they are trying to change the current culture and prepare for real salary cap management once a CBA is in place. Just my thoughts on the latest...

Maybe I'm misreading what you wrote. Do you really think this is about cutting egos? I think they're just cutting older players whose play doesn't justify their contracts.

 

[Marvelous]

My thoughts on their lack of action and the numerous cuts they made all point to restructuring the team itself. They are getting rid of the core of the team and changing the mentality within the team. They aren't chasing BIG names and having more egos feeling entitled. They appear to be looking at 2nd or 3rd tier older players to fill voids for 1-2 years while they re-build with youth (Draft picks). By cutting so many, they are trying to change the current culture and prepare for real salary cap management once a CBA is in place. Just my thoughts on the latest...

Maybe I'm misreading what you wrote. Do you really think this is about cutting egos? I think they're just cutting older players whose play doesn't justify their contracts.

Partly about egos, but not in a bad way. Each player has their personality and leadership abilities (good or bad) that they bring to the team. Allen/Shanahan need to shake up the Redskin culture. They have been losing and the current team leaders could not do anything about it. So it makes sense to clean out a lot of the leaders to change the culture.

 

[Marvelous]

In year's past, many could have argued that an uncapped year would be the best thing that could happen to a team like the Redskins. It looks to be that way. Ironically for not the reason conventional wisdom would have dictated. With the uncapped year the Skins can purge themselves of some older players without taking a cap hit. ARE, Griffin, Smoot, Thomas and Betts. It probably could not have been done if this had been a capped year. Its like a free pass to get rid of some unattractive contracts.

I think this uncapped year was all part of their cap/contract plan the last couple years. I've always said they were pretty good at the cap. The problem was they just gave the money to the wrong guys.

One of the big problems with the Redskins previous cap management: They would hand out huge bonuses to players and the more bonuses to restructure to free up cap room. The problem is that so many aging players become very expensive to cut. So the Redskins tend to keep them around for a year or two or three just to avoid the cap hit. The uncapped year gives the Redskins a chance to clean them all out. It would be interesting to see what the cap hit would have been for all these players they cut or retired.

According to figures at thewarpath.net, the Redskins 10 cuts plus Samuels retirement would have been a $47.6M. That includes a whopping $19M hit for Samuels retirement and $12.9M for cutting Randle El.Even if they don't sign many free agents, the lack of salary cap really makes the roster turnover a lot easier.

 

[nittanylion]

My thoughts on their lack of action and the numerous cuts they made all point to restructuring the team itself. They are getting rid of the core of the team and changing the mentality within the team. They aren't chasing BIG names and having more egos feeling entitled. They appear to be looking at 2nd or 3rd tier older players to fill voids for 1-2 years while they re-build with youth (Draft picks). By cutting so many, they are trying to change the current culture and prepare for real salary cap management once a CBA is in place. Just my thoughts on the latest...

Maybe I'm misreading what you wrote. Do you really think this is about cutting egos? I think they're just cutting older players whose play doesn't justify their contracts.

Partly about egos, but not in a bad way. Each player has their personality and leadership abilities (good or bad) that they bring to the team. Allen/Shanahan need to shake up the Redskin culture. They have been losing and the current team leaders could not do anything about it. So it makes sense to clean out a lot of the leaders to change the culture.

THIS...and in a big way. One of my buddies on the Coaching Staff is still heavily involved with the Team as well as several of the individual Players. I had dinner with him within the last week, and apparently the 'skins are cleaning out dead weight in more ways than one. Culture is most defintely one of the things being worked on at Redskins Park, and some of the Roster moves are a reflection of that. Dead Weight Performance/Pay Ratio, as well as Dead Weight Attitude is most definitely being jettisoned for the good of the Team's long-term future.I'd say the Locker Room now completely belongs to London Fletcher, much the same as Ray Lewis rules the roost in Baltimore, and he'll be getting a great deal of support and assistance from Chris Samuels, who's joining the Team as a 'Coaching Intern' under an NFL Program related to Bill Walsh. This turn of events has the potential to have a very positive impact on the Team.I remain cautiously optimistic, but jaded enough to emphasize 'caution'. So much work to do in all aspects of the Organization - I like the idea that our new Management Team appears to realize Rome wasn't built in a day...it's a strange feeling, but with every 'name' FA that leaves the market, I feel a sense of relief. We've all been through enough crap since 1999 that at this point, Wins and Losses should take a back seat to Organizational Focus and Integrity, and Team Building from the inside out (both in a football sense, and locker room sense). That's what I want to see.If you build it...the Wins will follow.

 

[dekomusic]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

Count me in as well.

 

[Sidewinder16]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

Count me in as well.

Shanny and crew apparently saw something they liked.

Williams had not played a down since 2006 before shedding weight, returning to football and joining the Redskins a year ago. He battled injuries but appeared in eight games last season with varying success.

"We believe that he's only scratched the surface of his abilities so far, and look forward to seeing what he can do after a full offseason in our program," Shanahan said in a release.

They still get the benefit of doubt with me.

 

[fatness]

Partly about egos, but not in a bad way. Each player has their personality and leadership abilities (good or bad) that they bring to the team. Allen/Shanahan need to shake up the Redskin culture. They have been losing and the current team leaders could not do anything about it. So it makes sense to clean out a lot of the leaders to change the culture.

I don't really see any difference between the egos cut and the egos kept on the roster. Do you?I think the shakeup is being done to improve the roster, period. And the resulting shock waves will achieve any desired "message sent" to the remaining players. But I don't think they based any cuts (or keeps) on personality at all.

 

[fatness]

I'm surprised about Mike Williams as well. But if football minds actually watched tape and talked to Williams, and they think there is room for lots more improvement, and that he'll help the team, that's good enough for me.

 

[Peggy Starfish]

BTW, is anyone else as shocked as I am that Mike Williams remains on the team with Shanny's endorsement? I figured he was gone for sure.

Count me in as well.

Shanny and crew apparently saw something they liked.

Williams had not played a down since 2006 before shedding weight, returning to football and joining the Redskins a year ago. He battled injuries but appeared in eight games last season with varying success.

"We believe that he's only scratched the surface of his abilities so far, and look forward to seeing what he can do after a full offseason in our program," Shanahan said in a release.

They still get the benefit of doubt with me.

Agreed, but they seem to be fairly convinced. I mean, it would be one thing to give him another one-year contract, but they signed him up for three. Does anyone know what kind of bonus he got?

 

[Peggy Starfish]

Clifton resigns with the Packers

Probably best for all involved.Washington does not spend too much on a 33 year old tackle with bad knees.Packers get a guy they know well, knows their system and has been a great guy for them.Clifton gets to stay with the team who drafted him and the doctors know and the coaches let him take quite a bit of practice time off.

From the 'Skins standpoint, this makes me happy because it will further encourage them to think LT with their first pick rather than QB. I'd much rather have rebuilding that line be the priority than rolling the dice with a highly drafted rookie QB who can't be very well protected.

 

[fatness]

We now know that at least five of the tailbacks who finished last season as members of the Redskins -- Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, Quinton Ganther, Marcus Mason and Eddie Williams -- will be continuing their careers somewhere else. The Redskins need to reload their backfield and one of the top candidates appears to be Pittsburgh's Willie Parker.

Parker will visit Redskins Park next week, according to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

Parker is known for a strong work ethic, and the possible tandem of Clinton Portis and Parker in the backfield would be a significant upgrade over what the Redskins fielded in last season.

Jason Reid

 

[Peggy Starfish]

We now know that at least five of the tailbacks who finished last season as members of the Redskins -- Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, Quinton Ganther, Marcus Mason and Eddie Williams -- will be continuing their careers somewhere else. The Redskins need to reload their backfield and one of the top candidates appears to be Pittsburgh's Willie Parker.

Parker will visit Redskins Park next week, according to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

Parker is known for a strong work ethic, and the possible tandem of Clinton Portis and Parker in the backfield would be a significant upgrade over what the Redskins fielded in last season.

Jason Reid

One of the fastest backfields in the league . . . five years ago.

 

[crnerblitz]

I am really well pleased with the direction that the new football management team is taking. Shanny has als been known to be an active trader for draft picks so it looks like the 3 year rebuild is in full effect. i for one would like to welcome our new football overlord masters!!!!11!1!!

 

[fatness]

The draft won't quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.

Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There's the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint -- past overspending didn't buy titles, either.

Rick Snider

 

[thayman]

We now know that at least five of the tailbacks who finished last season as members of the Redskins -- Rock Cartwright, Ladell Betts, Quinton Ganther, Marcus Mason and Eddie Williams -- will be continuing their careers somewhere else. The Redskins need to reload their backfield and one of the top candidates appears to be Pittsburgh's Willie Parker.

Parker will visit Redskins Park next week, according to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

Parker is known for a strong work ethic, and the possible tandem of Clinton Portis and Parker in the backfield would be a significant upgrade over what the Redskins fielded in last season.

Jason Reid

One of the fastest backfields in the league . . . five years ago.

Almost everything is just a stop gap. There will be very few players still on the roster when this team becomes competitive.

 

[thayman]

The draft won't quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.

Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There's the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint -- past overspending didn't buy titles, either.

Rick Snider

They could have signed every FA on the market and still would have only been an 8-8 team at best.

 

[fatness]

New article by Thomas Boswell, with one of the greatest opening lines ever:

Rumors of an outbreak of sanity at Redskins Park cannot be totally discounted.

A team that doesn't covet Julius Peppers or Karlos Dansby, but wants to sign an offensive tackle instead, would be a welcome novelty in this town. The NFL's two gaudiest free agents, neither of whom plays a position where the Redskins have major needs, have already signed, and the burgundy-and-gold didn't so much as twitch to grab their Big Checkbook of First Resort.

Is it possible that, under Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, the Redskins might give top priority to fixing what's horribly broken, and has been ignored for years, instead of chasing the splashiest names on the market? Sure looks like it. A veteran tackle, such as Tony Pashos, may come to Washington. But don't expect it to make the ESPN crawl at the bottom of your screen

 

[fatness]

Good stuff in that Boswell article.

Spending to win is good. Wasting money, then making it back from your customers, isn't. Will the Redskins' new coach and general manager help Dan Snyder, their open-handed but impatient owner, learn the difference?

 

[Sidewinder16]

The draft won't quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.

Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There's the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint -- past overspending didn't buy titles, either.

Rick Snider

They could have signed every FA on the market and still would have only been an 8-8 team at best.

Yeah, I'm really finding this sentiment hard to understand (that the 'Skins should have been all over the big name FAs). Do that many people really forget last season, or the past decade of poor roster management? This team is in no position to be competitive with a "jumpstart". It needs a complete overhaul.It's completely ridiculous that Snider ends his piece with this:

I'll bet Cerrato is somewhere laughing over the $200 million he would have spent.

It's only March and Snider already misses Cerrato. That baffles me beyond words.

 

[fatness]

Moving to address their major problems along the offensive line, the Redskins have agreed to terms with former Minnesota Vikings guard-tackle Artis Hicks on a three-year contract, people familiar with the situation said Saturday night.

Hicks, a versatile lineman who spent the past four seasons with Minnesota, received about $3 million in guaranteed money as part of a deal that could be worth as much as $9 million, according to a league source.

Link

 

[fatness]

It's only March and Snider already misses Cerrato. That baffles me beyond words.

I'm not sure the more important Snyder misses Vinnie.Link

 

[thayman]

The draft won't quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.

Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There's the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint -- past overspending didn't buy titles, either.

Rick Snider

They could have signed every FA on the market and still would have only been an 8-8 team at best.

Yeah, I'm really finding this sentiment hard to understand (that the 'Skins should have been all over the big name FAs). Do that many people really forget last season, or the past decade of poor roster management? This team is in no position to be competitive with a "jumpstart". It needs a complete overhaul.It's completely ridiculous that Snider ends his piece with this:

I'll bet Cerrato is somewhere laughing over the $200 million he would have spent.

It's only March and Snider already misses Cerrato. That baffles me beyond words.

Snider is an idiot. Anyone who is crowing about signing free agents when the team needs to undergo a massive multi-year overhaul is a complete moron. I don't care if there is no cap no high ticket free agents benefit this team this year.

 

[dehaven123]

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[southeastjerome]

The draft won't quickly infuse any significant talent unless the Redskins are now forced to use the fourth overall pick for a left tackle. Had Washington signed Clifton it appeared the Redskins would use the first-rounder on quarterback Sam Bradford. Now the new passer in town may be Rex Grossman, the second coming of Shane Matthews. Holy Ballcoach.

Free agency was the only chance for a jumpstart. Now, an 8-8 season may be a long shot when past years the Redskins would have signed Peppers and Dansby and finished, well, 8-8. There's the oddity of criticizing the Redskins for finally showing some restraint -- past overspending didn't buy titles, either.

Rick Snider

Snider sure sounds like a DB (not a defensive back) in this article.

 

[southeastjerome]

I'm probably in the minority, but does anyone else here want to draft Sam Bradford? I think Okung is a good player, but I'm not convinced he'll be as good as Samuels. I rarely am for drafting QB's early, but I really think Bradford is the real deal. I think they are better served with Bradford at 4 and then taking someone like Charles Brown with their 2nd round pick. I'm not convinced that Okung will a much better player than a guy like Brown.

 

[Bizkiteer]

Partly about egos, but not in a bad way. Each player has their personality and leadership abilities (good or bad) that they bring to the team. Allen/Shanahan need to shake up the Redskin culture. They have been losing and the current team leaders could not do anything about it. So it makes sense to clean out a lot of the leaders to change the culture.

I don't really see any difference between the egos cut and the egos kept on the roster. Do you?I think the shakeup is being done to improve the roster, period. And the resulting shock waves will achieve any desired "message sent" to the remaining players. But I don't think they based any cuts (or keeps) on personality at all.

Of course, every team is ALWAYS looking to improve their roster. There are more than one way to do that though.My point about egos, is that there have plenty on this team in the past and the results have not been there. Everytime we made a splash in FA, we got another ego or two. Pretty soon there are too many egos and not enough of the regular Joe. Add that the owner used to be chummy with the BIG name players and the culture within had to be screwed up.So, my point about the egos wasn't that they cut their biggest ego or not, but more so that they aren't bringing any new one's on. I think Nittany brings up a good point in that they are cutting some of the weight (prod. vs $$$) that has been holding us down. I'm sur they like to cut some more, but unfortunately that would leave too many to fill.

 

[fatness]

I think Nittany brings up a good point in that they are cutting some of the weight (prod. vs $$$) that has been holding us down.

I think that is a great way to describe what they've been doing. And it's about time.