Whether this becomes true remains to be seen.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Mon Nov 24, 2003 10:30 pm

http://profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Wa ... rs1820.htm

- There has been some early speculation that the Redskins might be one of the primary suitors of free-agent-to-be DT Warren Sapp.

- There is talk that the Redskins could release LBs Jesse Armstead and Jeremiah Trotter in the offseason. If they did, it would be more of the team sending a message than it would be for salary-cap relief.

Warren Sapp is overpaid and overrated and there will be no need to sign to sign him if we bring back Russell.

I don't know why you would release Trotter and Armstead. They are solid linebackers. If we do release them, we better re-sign Kevin Mitchell and hope Clifton Smith or Chris Clemons produces in camp. Why not bring in Ian Gold or Al Wilson in the offseason?

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 11:44 am

Please no Sapp! I personally have seem some decline in Armstead's play, but would like to see Trotter retained (if not too expensive). I also like Mitchell.

skins75 · Post by **skins75** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 1:31 pm

I hope to god that Daniel Snyder learned his lesson and does not grant permission to sign Sapp. We have overpaid for players on the decline before. Sapp although great is way way too expensive. We need to try to build a team not buy one.

Regarding the release of Trotter and Armstead...WHY? Although there have been some mistakes by Trotter they both still can play. The scheme sucks not our LB's. Why create more holes in our defense than there already are. Remember with a good DC last year these guys helped our D be ranked #5 in the league.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 1:49 pm

I think Armstead has been pretty quiet, so i'm a little indifferent as to whether he stays or goes. It's a money game, so if there's equal talent out there at a cheaper price, you have to go grab it. Antonio Pierce isn't much of a drop off in talent already, so it's not like you have to look too far. He's a heady, cerebral LB that could probably fill the role given more playing time.

I think Trotter has had some really good performances this year and think the scheme, or lack thereof, has contributed greatly to games that he has not. He's getting paid large, and again... you have to address the finances of any move, but he has already reworked his contract to move more dollars into 'guaranteed signing bonus' money and he will be very expensive to cut. He signed a 7 year deal and we really need to keep him another year or two to limit the dead cap money involved with cutting him.

I like Sapp. I agree that he's on the decline and should not be overpaid for, but you never can tell what that free agent market holds. It's not likely that a perrennial pro bowl DT won't draw some fairly hefty offers though. While I agree with the thinking that DS shouldn't throw out any huge offers, I wouldn't wince seeing him in the B&G for the right price.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Tue Nov 25, 2003 6:27 pm

Warren would help this pitiful line, even with Russell.

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Wed Nov 26, 2003 11:56 am

what a suprise....city likes fatboy

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sat Nov 29, 2003 11:42 pm

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 11:07 am

I would be very pissed if this team signs D. Sanders, I mean "Sapp". Hey, do you see a similarity there? Both beyond their prime. Both wanting big $$ by whomever is stupid enough to pay them! Come on, Dan! Didn't you learn your lesson!!??!?!?

I say let Armstead go to see if that will help sign Bailey. Keep Trotter.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 1:18 pm

Well.... since Dan has been with us how much money has he spent??!?? How many good players did we get?? How many did we get rid of.

Warren Sapp even though his skills are fading he is still better than any D-line we have or had in the last 15 years.

If he asks for to much money, we dont get him, simple.

Looking at the Patriots, I think its coaching as opposed to players.

I also think Russell will be a beast next year for someone. I hope its with us.

Armstead can go. CB must stay but if he wants to much $$$$$ forget about it.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 1:28 pm

redskincity wrote:If he asks for to much money, we dont get him, simple.

I think as long as the FO obeys that rule... there's no harm in looking at a guy like Sapp. I agree that he's a lot better than anything we have.

Having said that... I think I'd rather pick up a FA pass rushing DE like John Abrahams and try get a stud young DT in the draft with our 1st rounder. The Jets won't be able to afford Abrahams and Shaun Ellis and Ellis is having a pro bowl season with 11 1/2 sacks. Maybe there will be another JetSkin on the way!!

Regardless DT needs to be addressed and you can do a lot worse than Sapp as long as you don't give him a long term lucrative contract.

Of course... the Skins can probably choose their preferred head case between Sapp and Daryl Gardener when the Broncos cut him :-)

I think Champ has burned his bridges and a couple of draft picks for a 'franchised' Champ Bailey are probably the best thing we can hope for.

Besides... how many WR has he shut down this year? Guys like Chris McAlister and Bobby Taylor will probably do close to the same job for considerably less.

If that frees up more cap for some pass rush then I am all for it. The Panthers have managed to completely hide the fact that they have a bad secondary solely due to their phenomenal pass rush. As has been beat to death on the board... nobody can cover a WR for 8-10 seconds while the QB just stands in the pocket and fires.

Texas Hog · Post by **Texas Hog** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 2:22 pm

stuffing the run would be another major priority of mine....stuff the run, then pin the ears back and go after the QB....that's when the DBs have fun and get to make plays

no one mentioned it, but we damn near had a goal-line stand last week against Miami....I can't remember the last time we had a goal-line stand....we stuffed Ricky for 3 downs....wouldn't it have been sweet to hold them on 4th at that point in the game?

Wingman · Post by **Wingman** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:56 pm

I hope we pass on Sapp. One of the main reasons is that he is not going to sign anywhere for what he is really worth. Another is that he soooo overrated. He is a wide body that occupies blockers to allow his backers to get free. That's it. We had the same thing last season with Gardener. I wish Noble would be able to return. Him healthy would have been a major plus for this line.

redskincity · Post by **redskincity** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:25 pm

Yeah... I would agree with not getting him this offseason but, imagine the kind of defense we could be or maybe with Sapp taken up three men while blizing up the middle with Trotter or Arrington. We cant imagine it because we dont have anything close to him.

I just hope Russell decides to stay with us for atleast 2 years. :idea:

I like Noble, but he wont be any good for atleast two years. His injury was very serious. Man, I saw it on T.V. the camera was right inside his knee and I saw it pop :cry:

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:47 pm

With regards to Noble...

You know it's bad when it's quicker to say what he didn't wreck in his knee. These guys are freaks though, so you never know. I would tend to agree that there's definitely a possibility he doesn't play next year, maybe even ever again. It was brutal.

And it's a shame because the guy is just great. He quickly became one of my faves at training camp with that big nasty beard and equally big grin. Photo Hog got some awesome pics of him, especially the day he was carrying his kid after practice.