Free agency: where should we spend Dan's money?

[riggofan]

I see Ryan Clark is coming in for a visit.

[emoses14]

Ryan Clark that used to play for us or his son or some unrelated guy with the same name? Isn't he old?

[riggofan]

Ryan Clark that used to play for us or his son or some unrelated guy with the same name? Isn't he old?

Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Safety who used to play here. He's 34, so I resent your calling him "old".

[emoses14]

Ryan Clark that used to play for us or his son or some unrelated guy with the same name? Isn't he old?

Ryan Clark, Pittsburgh Safety who used to play here. He's 34, so I resent your calling him "old".

Old is relative. Relative to NFL players, not us normal phenomenal 34(5) year olds!

[RayNAustin]

I guess I'm the only one extremely disappointed in how the early stage of FA has worked out?

The way is see it, the Redskins have totally dropped the ball in not acquiring one of the top tier DB's ... particularly Byrd, given the dire need for a free safety. The Saints picked him up for less than 10 M per year, and the Redskins could have easily afforded that for a game changer on defense.

Think about what you all would be thinking if we still had Sean Taylor, and we let him walk? Now, I'm not saying Byrd is equivalent to ST, but he's a legit star FS, and these types are rarely available on the open market, and the situation called for aggressive action to land him:

1) we badly need a FS ... it's been a gaping hole since ST's tragic murder.

2) we don't have a #1 draft pick, and haven't for the past two years. This equates to being shorted two impact star players ... and with the cap penalty in place the last two years, we were painted in a corner, ad need to catch up, and fill those gaps in FA now that the penalty is lifted, else we continue to operate short handed in talent.

3) our cornerback pay is not as bad as it might seem, given that we've been using players at the safety position that have no business being starters in the NFL ... perhaps not even backup quality. Great safety play really allows your corners to press and be more aggressive, knowing they have help should their man get behind them, and when that happens, and it happens to most CB's, the error is more visible when the safety sucks, and the result of the play is an 80 yard TD. Nobody takes note of the DB that get's beat deep, when the safety makes the play, and it doesn't show up in the stats.

4) aside from a dominant pass rusher, I don't think there is another position on defense that offers more big play, game changing opportunities than can be made by a super star safety .... while Ray Lewis was the central figure in the Ravens defense, it was Ed Reed who really produced those game changing plays so often. Turnovers decide many games, and the safety is in the best spot to generate turnovers. It's not a position to target a player that is merely average or competent, because when the safety screws up, the result is often 7 points.

So, here we are ... a horrific secondary .... no draft pick in the first round, but the football Gods were smiling on us .... cap penalty lifted, cap increased, and a free agent group with several star quality players at the very positions of greatest need .. Safety and Corner. We had. The ability to fix the backfield problems instantly!!!

So far, we've whiffed.

[SkinsJock]

I'm not disappointed at all - we're in dire need of a decent secondary but we also have to face the fact that it's not getting better by going overboard by adding 1 good/great safety

this franchise is building itself up and recovering from the BS cap hit and the micro managing/coaching of Mike Shanahan

the franchise is in a good place and just like Rome it cannot be rebuilt in a day

enjoy the process ... I am

[Chris Luva Luva]

The way is see it, the Redskins have totally dropped the ball in not acquiring one of the top tier DB's ... particularly Byrd, given the dire need for a free safety.

I can't agree with you there. Thats too much money for us. If they whiffed on anyone, they whiffed on Mitchell. And that's ASSUMING that they didn't offer enough. For all we know, they offered Mitchell more and he still signed elsewhere. This isn't indentured servitude, these guys have thoughts/opinions on where they want to play.


Moving forward, I see a couple of things happening.

- The Redskins resigning Ryan Clark for a 1 year deal.
- Who's the FS that's been suspended for us? They will invite him back to participate.

Those two will battle it out for the starting nod. If Clark wins and the suspended dude is DOA, they'll hope Rambo will develop. If he doesn't it'll be addressed next year.


In addition, it's rumored that Carlos Rogers could be resigned to play in the slot. That's where he's dominant at. So, there's still players to be signed. We're not going to solidify EVERY position for years to come in one free-agency period. Some will be bandaids.

[riggofan]

I guess I'm the only one extremely disappointed in how the early stage of FA has worked out?

I don't agree with everything you wrote, especially about Byrd. But yeah I'm a little anxious about what we've seen so far. We all know what the big holes are right now. Even if we can't afford a Byrd right now (which I don't believe we really could), I'm anxious to see some kind of solution at safety. No offense to Ryan Clark, but is that really the best option we can find at this point? Maybe it is, I don't know. I'm also concerned about that inside linebacker spot.

Btw I know a lot of people will hate me for saying this, but I think we should just go ahead and re-sign Doughty if its not going to cost much. He's one of the few decent special teams guys, and even though no one wants to see him on the field, he's bailed us out year after year when a safety has been injured.

[riggofan]

We're not going to solidify EVERY position for years to come in one free-agency period. Some will be bandaids.

Unfortunately true.

[PAPDOG67]

RayNaustin, I am with you. We desperately need a FS and/or secondary help. I don't know if over paying for Byrd was the answer, but there were other safety options out there, and we seemed to be asleep at the wheel.

[HEROHAMO]

So far we have not overpayed for a free agent. So far so good. We have signed two lineman to hopefully shore up the Oline. For the record our Oline has not been terrible but could be better. Keep in mind. I always think of the Hogs as the standard when evaluating our Oline. Fair or not fair.

Anyhow I like what how our front office is approaching this. If we do overpay. I would like it to be at the nose tackle position. B.J. Raji is available. So a mid level contract shouldnt be out of the question. Getting a solid nose tackle would help pressure up front making Rak and Kerrigan that much more effective.

Jason Hatcher could also be had as a 3-4 DE/DT. He played well for the pukes last season. Hes older but should not demand a huge contract. Would be a good pick up in my opinion. One year contract sounds good to me.

[riggofan]

No Corey Graham. He just signed with the Bills.

[CanesSkins26]

I would love to pick up Chris Clemons and Tarrel Brown on the cheap. This free agency confirms IMO that Snyder is completely OUT of the picture. Finished. We are finally building this correctly.

It's WAY too early to say that we are building "correctly." By all accounts we were really interested in Mitchell but didn't get him, so who knows if this was our plan all along or if we've just failed to execute our plan. Besides, I don't think that there is any magical formula for building a team "correctly." There's nothing wrong with signing big time free agents, you just have to sign the right players, which we haven't always done. We got Garcon early on in free agency and I would say that he's worked out pretty damn well so far.

[AnthonyRRedskin1995]

lol. Wouldn't this be crazy?

The Washington Post reports free agent CB Carlos Rogers could be a "possibility" for the Redskins.
Washington is in the market for a slot corner with Josh Wilson a free agent. That's where Rogers excels at this point in his career. The 32-year-old started his career in D.C. and shouldn't command more than a one-year deal.

Mine as we'll sign Ryan Clark and Shawn Springs too and party like its 2005!

[CanesSkins26]

lol. Wouldn't this be crazy?

The Washington Post reports free agent CB Carlos Rogers could be a "possibility" for the Redskins.
Washington is in the market for a slot corner with Josh Wilson a free agent. That's where Rogers excels at this point in his career. The 32-year-old started his career in D.C. and shouldn't command more than a one-year deal.

Mine as we'll sign Ryan Clark and Shawn Springs too and party like its 2005!

Ryan Clark is scheduled to visit tomorrow...

[RayNAustin]

I'm not disappointed at all - we're in dire need of a decent secondary but we also have to face the fact that it's not getting better by going overboard by adding 1 good/great safety

this franchise is building itself up and recovering from the BS cap hit and the micro managing/coaching of Mike Shanahan

the franchise is in a good place and just like Rome it cannot be rebuilt in a day

enjoy the process ... I am

Bull ... this franchise had one of it's worst seasons in DECADES last year.

Furthermore, you were spewing the same crap about how Shanahan was building the team the "correct way" during his 4 failed years.

Try having an original thought ... this broken record is becoming a bit old.

[SkinsJock]

We would be in worse shape than we are if Snyder had not brought in Mike & Bruce and also, basically, gave up 'control'

Mike and Bruce did do some good things and they certainly made a lot of mistakes

while some may want to get into woulda, coulda and shoulda, this franchise is not looking as bad as many think

we have a franchise QB, some very good young players and we have a new HC



This franchise is rebuilding and it will take time - while it's the same old story, the glass is half full

[PAPDOG67]

I've been hearing about us rebuilding for years, when exactly is that process over???

[SkinsJock]

I've been hearing about us rebuilding for years, when exactly is that process over???

Rebuilding because we have a new coaching staff - new players are needed to 'build' the offense & defense to suit their systems

[riggofan]

I would love to pick up Chris Clemons and Tarrel Brown on the cheap. This free agency confirms IMO that Snyder is completely OUT of the picture. Finished. We are finally building this correctly.

It's WAY too early to say that we are building "correctly." By all accounts we were really interested in Mitchell but didn't get him, so who knows if this was our plan all along or if we've just failed to execute our plan. Besides, I don't think that there is any magical formula for building a team "correctly."

I think his point that "Snyder is completely OUT of the picture" is why he is saying we are building this correctly. No argument from me there.

Regarding Mitchell, I don't see how his signing with Pittsburgh would mean we didn't execute our plan correctly. We can be interested in and want to sign any player we want. But if that guy wants too much money or - in this case - just prefers to play in Pittsburgh (and who can freaking blame him?) I think executing the plan correctly means that you don't push the panic button and chase/overpay that guy. You move on to the next player.

[SkinsJock]

Dan Snyder is not 'involved' or making bad decisions about the product on the field - I am sure he is in touch with what is happening


Mike and Bruce were the first step - now we are seeing a new approach that involves a lot more people than the last 4 years

i'm sure there are many contingency plans and not all of the guys they think they need will end up here

the accountability aspect has also changed and I'm excited to see what a young guy like Jay Gruden can get done here

[RayNAustin]

We would be in worse shape than we are if Snyder had not brought in Mike & Bruce and also, basically, gave up 'control'

Mike and Bruce did do some good things and they certainly made a lot of mistakes

while some may want to get into woulda, coulda and shoulda, this franchise is not looking as bad as many think

we have a franchise QB, some very good young players and we have a new HC



This franchise is rebuilding and it will take time - while it's the same old story, the glass is half full

You are aware of the fact that last year's 3-13 record is the worst since before Snyder bought the team, right? Whatever one's personal view of Snyder is, so far, he hadn't done worse ... not even when he and Vinny hired Zorn.

He turned over control to Allen & Shanahan 4 years ago, and they managed to do worse than Snyder ever has!

Now, as for RG3, let's all hope that he can return to form ... but if he repeats last year's performance, we could be starring at the greatest boondoggle bust in franchise history, which would be the cherry on top of an already proven disaster that resulted in the worst record in 20 years.

While it's great to embrace optimism, ignoring reality is never a good idea. So far this off season, this front office has squandered a golden opportunity to drastically upgrade a very poor defense, and Haslett must be thinking to himself who's azz must he kiss to get a few competent players to work with ...

With so many corners and safeties available ... we have witnessed each one sign with other teams, ONE BY ONE ... while we've come up empty.

Oh yes, I'm sure they have a plan .... I was just hoping it was not the same one that produced last year's 3-13 .... but from what I see so far, it appears we will be needing to contact Smoot and Green to see if we can manage a reunion with Carlos "the hands" Rogers, ... or switch to a 37 defense and let Hall play by himself in the secondary.

[riggofan]

Well we've signed a few more:

CB Tracy Porter
ILB Darryl Sharpton (Texans, one year/$2m)
DE Clifton Geathers

[riggofan]

While it's great to embrace optimism, ignoring reality is never a good idea. So far this off season, this front office has squandered a golden opportunity to drastically upgrade a very poor defense, and Haslett must be thinking to himself who's azz must he kiss to get a few competent players to work with ...

lol. I think you're both too freaking extreme.

[SkinsJock]

While it's great to embrace optimism, ignoring reality is never a good idea. So far this off season, this front office has squandered a golden opportunity to drastically upgrade a very poor defense, and Haslett must be thinking to himself who's azz must he kiss to get a few competent players to work with ...

lol. I think you're both too freaking extreme.

really - I am admittedly optimistic but I don't see my optimism as being extreme ...

I am hopeful for the near future and realistic about the fact that it will take time to get the players and the continuity needed to have a consistently competitive product on the field

we are nowhere near as bad as we looked last season - the reasons for that will not be a part of this franchise this season

I have VERY high expectations for Robert Griffin - this kid will be a very special QB and I think these guys will help him a lot