Arrington's replacement?

[SkinzCanes]

Are you on suicide watch??? I mean Free Agency hasn't started yet and you are complaining that we can't replace Arrington?? How in the heck do you expect us to replace him the same day he's released and FA and the draft have not happened yet.

We have a plan, and the plan has proved you wrong so many times you would think you would learn how to be patient sometimes.

Hogster you make a very good point about being patient and letting things play out before jumping to conclusions on the effect that this will have on the team. However, the other poster does makes some sense in his post. Looking at our cap situation, with or without the new CBA, I think it will be nearly impossible to sign a player that has the game changing ability of Lavar. There are guys out there like Julian Petterson who I would love to have on this team but I think that those types of players are outside of our price range. Also we don't have a first round pick and we have plenty of other issues to address through the draft (DE, oline depth) so I think it might be difficult to find a suitbale replacement for Lavar. This move helps our salary cap problems but it also creates another hole for us to fill this offseason. Maybe one of our young guys will surprise and win the job but at this point I think that we are going to have to look outside the organization for Lavar's replacement. With needs at oline, dline, wr, and secondary (with the likely cutting of Harris and maybe Clarck) I just don't like the idea of creating another hole to fill.

[The Hogster]

First of all we don't need to replace Lavar with a high priced stud in order to make improvements on defense. We need to replace him with a quality player who gells well with our team and in our system.

Lavar is a great talent, but he has not had game changing ability over the past two years. Not to say that he won't regain his old form, but is that worth a 12 million dollar risk?? The answer is no in my opinion.

Two years ago people would have never thought that Marcus Washington would be such a force, but he has and has arguably become the leader of our defense. I think he is even more engergetic and effective as Lavar right now.

People want Lavar Arrington on the field simply because he is Lavar Arrington, but in reality we can find a player that may improve our team.

If you want to get better, you have to first accept the fact that we did some things wrong in the past. Granted Lavar was a bright spot on a bad team earlier in his career, but I think this team is changing and we can improve through the old adage of 'addition by subtraction" or "less is more".

We don't need a Lavar type name on defense, just like we don't need a Champ Bailey. We can do fine with a good talent to come in and play well for us.

I am patient enough to not proclaim that we have no replacement before we have even cleared out Lavar's locker.

People said these players couldn't be replaced, and these decisioins were dumb:

1) Champ Bailey and picks for Clinton Portis. (Turns out Portis is now the heart of our offense and Shawn Springs replaced Champ)

2) Fred Smoot (Carlos Rogers played at starter level on a playoff defense as a rookie and he's a great tackler, replaced Smoot)

3) Mike Barrow (Some people didn't think Antonio Pierce could get it done..proved them wrong)

4) Lemar Marshall (Some people had never heard of him before he stepped in for Lavar...we played with only 2 of the slated starters at LB and had the #3 overall defense, even better than last year)

5) Lemar Marshall again (some people thought we needed to re-sign Pierce and that he would not be able to replace Piere...proved them wrong)

6) Coles for Moss (Some people on this very website said confidently that were dumb for taking a 9 million dollar cap hit for a "lesser" player. Check my posts...I always maintained that Moss would be explosive in our offense.

This staff has a track record for getting great players for their system..taking Taylor over Winslow, trading up for ey.

Why on earth are we jumping off the boat now all over a guy that hasn't even been on the field for over 1/4th of the past 2 years and we've proven that we can thrive withou???

And we got 4 million in cap relief to boot?

[crazyhorse1]

McCune, if not Holdman.

Sure, Holdman. I have great confidence in Holdman. Where do you guys get your material?

[crazyhorse1]

First, all possible replacements for Arrington have already failed miserably at the position, except Clemons, who's worked out ok as a third down replacement.

Weren't we the #5 ranked defense without Arrington?

Second, we've gotten nothing for one of the best linebackers in the game who's likely to return to form after recovery from injury.

We got CAP relief. Why not get rid of player who doesn't want to be here?

Third, the weak side is further endangered by the shaky groin of Springs, which will probably not last the season.

Why evidence do you have to prove it'll be an issue this year? He's going to have an offseason to heal it properly. Injuries like that take time, he had to constantly aggravate it because he needed to play.

Forth, Harris will also get the ax, which will further de-stabelize the D on the weak side

This is a position that will need to be sured up. I think Walt will restructure, I doubt anyone will pay top dollar for him.

Fifth, these jury tampering charges in Florida might ensnare Taylor, creating a real mess on D.

Supposedly Taylor received threats also. Those threats didnt have to originate from Taylor, it could be some fanatic skin fan.

Overall: Just a little bad luck could see us opening day without Arrington, Taylor, Harris, and Springs. We might be starting Holdman, Bowen, Jimon, and a player to be named later instead. I hope Brunell's prepared to put about 35 on the board.

Do you honestly think think our coaches would start on opening day without doing everything they do to make the team better?

I'm just getting nervous, Chris. I'll be alright in the morning. But isn't this the second year in a row that Springs has hurt his groin.

[crazyhorse1]

If the NFL signs a new CBA, Ray Lewis will be our new MLB. A few weeks ago Ray said he would like to stay in the area, but not with Baltimore.

I disagree 100%.

We dont have the money to pay him.

We have talent in our depth charts.

MLB is NOT the position to spend a bunch of money on. We've had 2 nobodies excel so why go out and get a fading star?

If we're goign to waste money, waste it on a DE. Ray Lewis is not going to help our pass rush. Ray Lewis got shutdown once his line dissapeared in 2001.

Why should we fall right back into the habit that have us screwed with the CAP now? Lets use our homegrown talent and stop eating everyones leftovers? Why do you want someone's garbage? He's not the player he used to be and he's going want to be paid. He doesn't want to be a Skin cus he loves the team, its convient for him. He thinks he can come here and get a lucrative contract and not have to buy a new house or his businesses, or foundations....

Not to criticize Ray Ray overmuch, but he used to get an awful lot of phantom tackles, especially in Baltimore.I've never trusted his stats.

[crazyhorse1]

I agree BernieSki. For no reason other than that seems like exactly the kind of move Snyder would love to make.

Where have you guys been? Its 2006, Spurrier is gone. Snyder doesn't make decisions, Gibbs makes them. Gregg has had 2 backups excel in his defense. The coaches gushed over McCune. Holdman is still here and clearly the coaches are comfy with him filling in. Remeber? Lavar was on the bench and coaches were clearly content with it.

Ray Ray isn't coming to DC.

Let's not give even our resident genius too much credit. If he was content with Holdman, he had something loose.

[crazyhorse1]

I agree BernieSki. For no reason other than that seems like exactly the kind of move Snyder would love to make.

Then 1999 Dan Snyder. He's changed. Think of the last time we spent big money on a free agent that hasn't worked out. It's been awhile.

Where have you guys been? Its 2006, Spurrier is gone. Snyder doesn't make decisions, Gibbs makes them. Gregg has had 2 backups excel in his defense. The coaches gushed over McCune. Holdman is still here and clearly the coaches are comfy with him filling in. Remeber? Lavar was on the bench and coaches were clearly content with it.

Ray Ray isn't coming to DC.

Baltimore said they want a 1st for Ray-Ray anyways. No way Gibbs & team gives up a first for him.

I think we'll be fine. No one thought Antonio Pierce or Lemar Marshall were anything more than unproven backups, and look how well they played for us.

Actually, that's not true. I told everyone I knew they were both going to be stars. Everyone called me an idiot. Now they don't remember that I called both shots. Sort of like the Seattle game. I called the score exactly in the Seattle game, with the proviso-- if Brunell starts and plays most of the game. Guys are still calling me an idiot for actually thinking that what actually happened was going to happen.
Here's a couple of more shots I choose to call: neither McCune nor Holman will be adequate. You can take that to the bank. Brunell will wear out or be injured before the season is over, and so will Springs. Campbell will flug his shot, like a typical rookie. We'll not make it for lack of a sound QB. Remind me to remind you when it all happens.

[crazyhorse1]

Chris Clemons is my guess. There are some upper echelon guy sout there, but I think Clemons will win this job in training camp.

If no outside guy comes in, it's got to be Clemons.

[portis26]

Anymore predictions oh great Nostradamus?

[crazyhorse1]

Anymore predictions oh great Nostradamus?

yes, glad you asked. We'll be successful if we keep the following in mind.

We've got to keep Ramsey for insurance, no ifs, ands or butts and spend what it takes to get Randle El and a good pass catch blocking maniac at TE...by trading numerous draft picks if need be. Jettison all mid priced receivers and RBs currently emplowed, buy FA DE and take chances on stocking up with cut players willing to accept the mimimum.

BASIC Principle: Restructure salaries of all 1st stringers; dump all backups receiving more than league minimum, as well as well paid kickers. Trade virtually all or all draft choices. Fill DE, TE, WR, and now LB with top talent and fill out rest of squad with cap casualties desperate enough to accept small salaries or journeymen.
This is a one year strategy for a desperate time, Salaries can be adjusted later. The season after next we'll be filling holes at back up positions, not holes at starter positions, and the financial situation will be different.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Anymore predictions oh great Nostradamus?

yes, glad you asked. We'll be successful if we keep the following in mind.

You are too much. I almost spit out my juice between the two of u.

[kadskin]

Im not sure about Chris Clemons. He was great for us at third down but he didn't play the LB position remember? He played the DE spot and rushed the QB. Yes, he's fast, we know that but is he strong enough to stand at the LB spot and take all the hits from RBs? If I had to choose between Clemons, Holdman, McCune, it would probably be Holdman since he's had 1st string experience already. But id still want to give McCune a shot.

[crazyhorse1]

Im not sure about Chris Clemons. He was great for us at third down but he didn't play the LB position remember? He played the DE spot and rushed the QB. Yes, he's fast, we know that but is he strong enough to stand at the LB spot and take all the hits from RBs? If I had to choose between Clemons, Holdman, McCune, it would probably be Holdman since he's had 1st string experience already. But id still want to give McCune a shot.

Holdman got a lot of experience last year missing tackles, getting turned around, and getting dumped on his butt.

[kadskin]

Im not sure about Chris Clemons. He was great for us at third down but he didn't play the LB position remember? He played the DE spot and rushed the QB. Yes, he's fast, we know that but is he strong enough to stand at the LB spot and take all the hits from RBs? If I had to choose between Clemons, Holdman, McCune, it would probably be Holdman since he's had 1st string experience already. But id still want to give McCune a shot.

Holdman got a lot of experience last year missing tackles, getting turned around, and getting dumped on his butt.

Still sounds like 1st string experience to me. How do we know that Chris Clemons want be just as bad or worse? But Holdman wasn't as bad as you make him sound.