Smoot's a Viking

SkinFan 0-16 or 16-0 · Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:58 pm

This one hurts. I really wanted Smoot to be here. Mostly because of his leadership and his heart.

For the record THis is not like the Champ Bailey Situation to me. I still like Smoot (At least for right now) and I will continue to root for him, because of the passion he brings to the game. I wish him the best, although I disagree with his decision. It's too bad we couldn't get this worked out.

However Gregg Williams and Joe Gibbs will line up the best possible replacement and I trully believe we will still have a great Defense.

Hopefully our paths will cross again some day, but for now I guess is the last time I will say this.

Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot!!

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:37 pm

Primetime42 wrote:..Keep in mind Zimmer rode a #D ranking with the likes of Ebenezer Ekuban at RE, Wiliie Blade at NT, Mario Edwards at CB, and Eric Ogbobu as his pass rush specialist.

For all the "shortcomings" of Washington's D, they still had two solid corners, a much better LB corps, and a bigger, beefier D-Line (Anchored by a great run stuffer in Brandon Noble- yes, that plays a HUGE part in any defense.)

Both points taken and I do expect that Dallas D to be more effective because of Zimmer this year. Hopefully not too much better.

I will say again that I think we will miss both AP and Fred but I am also hoping for some more minor miracles out of our D this year!

Maybe we will also see Mike B on the field and he can help "ease the pain"!

Be interesting to see what the coaches have in mind from those that are left here and what might be available both elsewhere and in the draft.

Primetime42 · Post by **Primetime42** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:46 pm

SkinsJock wrote:
Primetime42 wrote:..Keep in mind Zimmer rode a #D ranking with the likes of Ebenezer Ekuban at RE, Wiliie Blade at NT, Mario Edwards at CB, and Eric Ogbobu as his pass rush specialist.

For all the "shortcomings" of Washington's D, they still had two solid corners, a much better LB corps, and a bigger, beefier D-Line (Anchored by a great run stuffer in Brandon Noble- yes, that plays a HUGE part in any defense.)

Both points taken and I do expect that Dallas D to be more effective because of Zimmer this year. Hopefully not too much better.

I will say again that I think we will miss both AP and Fred but I am also hoping for some more minor miracles out of our D this year!

Maybe we will also see Mike B on the field and he can help "ease the pain"!

Be interesting to see what the coaches have in mind from those that are left here and what might be available both elsewhere and in the draft.

See, this makes sense...

Look at it like this...corners are fast becoming a hot commmodity when they shouldn't be. I can't think of a team that wins on defensive coverage alone (No, the Eagles do not, because they have 3 solid DE's).

A good D is built by a solid front seven. Dallas' was weak last year, hence the dropoff.

Washington, even with the loss of Pierce, has a solid one.

Don't take into account what people said about those defendesr going into last season. The fact is they performed. Might have overacheived, but they got the job done.

Remember that you actually now have a DC who knows what the hell he's doing, and quite possibly the best OLB in the game. (Pains me to say that, but I do believe Arrington is)

Also, as I hinted, Brandon Noble is way more valuable to your defense than you think. That's one of the few Snyder signings in years past I actually think was smart (and killed us-mind you, I think Snyder did this more to spite the Cowboys than to get a good DT, he just got a bonus cuz he got both).

Your D will still be good. I doubt it'll be #1 again, but if the Redskins are gonna improve, it must be on the shoulders of their D.

Cooley47 · Post by **Cooley47** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:50 pm

I am going to miss him

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:54 pm

I am going to miss him diving head first at the QBs feet.

dredg · Post by **dredg** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:07 am

to me this was more of a big picture move, everybody knows sean taylor is going to be the best safety in the NFL real soon, everybody knows he's gonna want a new deal ... if we had paid smoot we would have gotten to the point where we'd have to tie $150 million dollars up in our secondary to keep all 3 (w/ springs), you cant do that

i liked smoot, a lot, but i admire what the skins have done regarding CB's, the market is insane, they arnt worth what they're getting and no team should be trying to sign two top corners at market value, we still got 1, time to move on and fix the offense, greg is going to get the job done

The Hogster · Post by **The Hogster** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:29 am

He only got 10.8 million up front. Makes you wonder if all that talk about wanting to stay in Washington was bogus.

hkHog · Post by **hkHog** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:32 am

Man, this is sad, Smoot was so tough and became a great leader.

However, I don't think this will have such an adverse effect on our D. The reason I say this is that Smoot was a great cover guy but I never really thought he fit into G Williams scheme all that well.

I truly believe that the thing that made our D so great was the team tackling. The 'Skins would give up completions and didn't force many turnovers but they were still incredibly successful because they never gave the opposing offense an extra chance. Guys were in position and made sure tackles and IMO that's why we were good. This is the most fundamentally sound defense I have seen in a long time.

However, I kept on feeling as the season passed that Smoot was the odd man out. He was the only guy I ever saw missing tackles and the only guy who would just try to take out the guy's feet instead of wrapping up. In fact, his poor tackling form is what caused him so many shoulder injuries. Why does he have to closeline a player's ankles with his shoulder to put him on the ground?

Just think about it, Clark, Bowen, Taylor, and Springs (and obviously the linebackers and Griffin in particular) all tackle well. We were not flashy and didn't make many big plays, we just went out there and made all the little plays we needed to. Just as a little more proof that Smoot is a below average tackler, why is he the only guy on the team who Williams didn't blitz?

I don't think we will be as good without him but I think that he was almost out of place in Gregg's D. I think that he will excel more in a D where he is more of a pure cover guy and is utilized in a different way and I hope he plays well in Minny. I don't mean to be badmouthing his skills because I think this is the only area of his game that is not very good or exceptional. He has the speed, instincts, and all the intangibles (toughness, leadership, competitiveness) that one would desire in a top flight corner. We will not be able to replace him but I think that there are some lesser talented guys out there who Gregg Williams will be able to put in and play well. They will not be as good as Smoot but we can keep this defense together even after the losses we have endured this offseason.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:35 am

How can we lose Chump and have no effects and now lose Smoot and its the end of the world, he's not even as good as Chump or Springs imo.

The world we continue to turn, we will have an improved defense without him.

We just need to get the offense together.

learnnew · Post by **learnnew** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:03 am

Has Smoot ever played in the same defense for 2 seasons in NFL? May be continuity was scary for him.

Anyway, good luck Smoot. I hope we can trade down and get a WR and a CB in the early rounds. My choices:

WR:
1) Troy Williamson, SC, 6-1 3/8, 203, 4.38
2) Mark Clayton, OK, 5-10 3/8, 193, 4.43
3) Fred Gibson, UGA, 6-4, 196, 4.55
or an experimental but an interesting choice:
4) Matt Jones, AK, 6-6 1/4, 242, 4.39!
(For those of you who don't know about Matt Jones, he played QB for Arkansas; considered to be one of the best athletes in SEC this past season; projected to be drafted NOT as a QB but possibly as a WR or a TE; would need some work but has huge upside. Can you just imagine the combination of size and speed? I thought I got it wrong but here's the link: http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/player ... jones.html)

CB:
1) Carlos Rogers, AU, 6-0 3/8, 196, 4.35
2) Corey Webster, LSU, 6-0, 199, 4.5
3) Antonio Perkins, OK, 5-10 3/4, 190, 4.47

I think we'll miss Smoot and Pierce but definitely not as much as Primetime42 or some other doubters make it out to be.

Pudgeman37 · Post by **Pudgeman37** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:05 am

It is sad that Smoot left, but I don't think its going to hit us that hard. You have to trust Gregg in that he has a top 5 defense for 6 years. So I think he can find talent.

Now, for people who said we're picking corner as our first pick, just look at the New England Patriots. That should be our model and I think GW coached up his players well. Also, I suspect Pac-Man will be gone to the Titans, and I still have to question Antrel Rolle's character. He left the combine early because of a poor 40 time. Although he recovered in Pro Day, that might throw caution in the wind.

Our defense will be fine, but is the offense ready to explode? That's the real question

DE SKINS FAN · Post by **DE SKINS FAN** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:13 am

hkHog wrote:Man, this is sad, Smoot was so tough and became a great leader.

However, I don't think this will have such an adverse effect on our D. The reason I say this is that Smoot was a great cover guy but I never really thought he fit into G Williams scheme all that well.

I truly believe that the thing that made our D so great was the team tackling. The 'Skins would give up completions and didn't force many turnovers but they were still incredibly successful because they never gave the opposing offense an extra chance. Guys were in position and made sure tackles and IMO that's why we were good. This is the most fundamentally sound defense I have seen in a long time.

However, I kept on feeling as the season passed that Smoot was the odd man out. He was the only guy I ever saw missing tackles and the only guy who would just try to take out the guy's feet instead of wrapping up. In fact, his poor tackling form is what caused him so many shoulder injuries. Why does he have to closeline a player's ankles with his shoulder to put him on the ground?

Just think about it, Clark, Bowen, Taylor, and Springs (and obviously the linebackers and Griffin in particular) all tackle well. We were not flashy and didn't make many big plays, we just went out there and made all the little plays we needed to. Just as a little more proof that Smoot is a below average tackler, why is he the only guy on the team who Williams didn't blitz?

I don't think we will be as good without him but I think that he was almost out of place in Gregg's D. I think that he will excel more in a D where he is more of a pure cover guy and is utilized in a different way and I hope he plays well in Minny. I don't mean to be badmouthing his skills because I think this is the only area of his game that is not very good or exceptional. He has the speed, instincts, and all the intangibles (toughness, leadership, competitiveness) that one would desire in a top flight corner. We will not be able to replace him but I think that there are some lesser talented guys out there who Gregg Williams will be able to put in and play well. They will not be as good as Smoot but we can keep this defense together even after the losses we have endured this offseason.

ditto...

Scottskins · Post by **Scottskins** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:16 am

patjam77 wrote:
truskinsfan18 wrote:man (f word) smoot, i hate that guy now...he just left one of the best D's to go to one of the worst...his loss

skins will be LUCKY to get close to the 3rd ranking again... i don't want to here this BS about wilds or harris. skins lost smoot and pierce, you don't lose 2 guys that played extremely well last year and expect to be 3rd or higher again. as someone just posted '06 is here and biting us square in the ass.
also for all you guys saying how smoot signed for only 800k more well noe one yet no the sory, maybe he gave the skins a chance and they wouldnt budge... i don't know but who cares? he's still gone and it will hurt! don't take the easy way out and say that he didnt have any heart and good riddance. the skins had all of last year to resign him and pierce! look at what the eagles and patriots do. they identify thier good young talent and lock them up before the season is over. sorry fellas, you'll never convince me that the skins didnt drop the ball this season.

our defense will actually be better next season. Antonio sort of stings, but I think a lot of it was system, and I think Lemar will step right in no problem. If Barrow is completely healthy, he'll be an upgrade on Pierce anyway. Smoots loss really doesn't bother me. He's an above average corner, but he did get burned at least 2 or 3 times a game and the way he threw himself at players when he tackled, I figure his career will be short anyway. You just can't continually beat yourself up like that. I also believe that CB will be even less effective next season, with an improved pash rush, the redskins really won't have to really on great corners as much.

We are looking good on both sides of the ball IMO. I expect good things from here on out.

I personally loved this offseason :rock:

SkinsHead56 · Post by **SkinsHead56** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 1:47 am

I'm happy for Fred he found the deal he wanted. I am sad he didn't feel the Skins were treating him right. Turns out The Skins were right on with the offer. I am glad that this offseason is not becoming a scarf & barf as it has been in previous seasons. The CORE Skins are comming back.

-Cooking 101-
Start with a pound of the old school, blue collar, hard working guys like Noble, Salavea, Bowen, Marshall, & Wynn.

Throw in a cupfull of high price playmakers like LaVar, Springs, Griffin, and Washington.

Add a dash of youth in Wilds and Chris Clemons

Then BAM! kick it up a notch with an insanely talented young buck......#36!

That my freinds is the recepie for a Dominating Defense.

Thanks for the good times Freddy! Your jersey will now hang along side Johnson, Davis, & Bailey.

HTTR

Scottskins · Post by **Scottskins** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:05 am

hkHog wrote:I truly believe that the thing that made our D so great was the team tackling. The 'Skins would give up completions and didn't force many turnovers but they were still incredibly successful because they never gave the opposing offense an extra chance. Guys were in position and made sure tackles and IMO that's why we were good. This is the most fundamentally sound defense I have seen in a long time.

You hit it right on the head hk. That's also my belief. The two things every great defense does is tackle and get to the QB. The Ravens and Tampa superbowl teams were the best in recent memory if not all time. We did both of those things pretty well last season. This defense has the ability to be one of the greats if we can get to the QB with the front 4. We did it mostly thru blitzing last year.

I for one was extremely happy with last season for the one fact that we didn't miss many tackles. That has been a problem for us for years.

Not tackling and quitting were the two things I've despised about redskins teams the last decade, and Gibbs and Williams fixed both in the first season. I look for huge improvement on offense and more of the same on defense next season.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:20 am

I'm glad he's gone. I was really starting to like this guy. I thought he was going to re-up. He even said so himself...at first. Once he talked to his buddies Champ and Deon he didn't want to re-up no more. That was clear. Once he asked for a $14 million bonus after getting offered a $10 million bonus. All he was saying was bye-bye.

I'm glad its finally over. Thanks for the four years smoot. I wish you the best in Minnesota.

DaveSkin · Post by **DaveSkin** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:44 am

I for one will really miss Smoot. You guys that are dumping on him because he didn't live up to the "core Redskin" title for a mere $800K are not looking at the whole compensation package. If it was just a difference of $800K for the signing bonus I seriously doubt that he would be going to the Vikings. That young man played with a lot of courage and will be missed.

The way I'm looking at this offseason is that for the last several years we've made HUGE splashes in free agency. That's resulted in records of 7-9, 5-11 and 6-10. Maybe this year we'll lose the offseason Superbowl and transfer that to the actual season.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:47 am

I love the optimism I'm seeing here, and I really like the almost reminiscent tone that's coming out for Smoot now.
It's like, after the initial shock of losing him, we're remembering all he did for us.
That's kinda cool.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:55 am

I hope Garnell Wilds or whoever takes Smoot's old job can step up the trash talking to "Smoot" level.

In college Smoot once told an Ivy League reciever that if that wideout did Fred's homework for him then Smoot would allow him to catch a pass that day.

I'm really gonna miss Freddy

I wonder if Garnell Wilds is really the man though, seems like he got a LOT of help in that Moss game... remember when Taylor BEAT RANDY MOSS ON A JUMP BALL? To me that was 2X as impressive as when he stood up Mo Williams on the goal line.

SKIN4LIFE · Post by **SKIN4LIFE** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:56 am

Smoot will be exposed when he is asked to cover #1 receivers on a week to week basis. He was a perfect cornerback to line up against a #2 wideout. I think we have cornerbacks that can step in and get the job done, so I hope the #9 pick is dedicated to a wideout who can move the chains because Williams will stop our opponents from doing likewise.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:26 am

Skins4, I'm gonna ignore that, because you're hurting right now.
SkinsFan, let me tell you something. The cover corner of yesteryear has been seriously devalued by the new rules that benefit the WR's of the league exclusively. There's really no need to bend over backwards and/or break the bank to sign a "great" cover corner anymore...simply put, a fast guy with a good nose for the football can more likely than not fill the role just fine.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:43 am

Good point about the trash-talking aspect, SkinsFan. I really hate it when players showboat, but (for whatever reason) I don't mind trash talk much at all. In fact, it's kind of fun to watch Smoot or ST make a nice play and then watch their helmet shake back and forth as they let the receiver know about it. You never hear what they say, but I love seeing it.

Come to think of it, Sean Taylor did his fair share of smack talk and could back it up (not that Smoot couldn't). . .so maybe we'll be alright when it comes down to it.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:21 pm

Maybe you guys should refer to me as 55, there's like 10,000 Skinsfan(etc.) registered here

Anyway, I really will miss Smoot's gift for talking smack, anyone else remember some of his best quotes?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:27 pm

Skinsfan55 wrote:Anyway, I really will miss Smoot's gift for talking smack, anyone else remember some of his best quotes?

Not too long ago, there was a website for this. The address for www.smootsmack.com is dead now.
Maybe somebody has it cached.
It was a riot to read.

ChillWill · Post by **ChillWill** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:28 pm

Our run support will improve from this position.

Smoot is not worth the money. This is a good no move.