Top GM's

[riggofan]

You guys are suffering from battered wives syndrome.

I won't deny it!

Heard one of those SI guys on NFL network this morning talking about how this move (and DJax and Gallette) is different from the Snyder splash moves of the past. All three of these guys have been quality players who became available unexpectedly. Because the Skins have been patient in the early FA period, they've been able to take advantage.

[Irn-Bru]

You guys are suffering from battered wives syndrome.

I won't deny it!

Heard one of those SI guys on NFL network this morning talking about how this move (and DJax and Gallette) is different from the Snyder splash moves of the past. All three of these guys have been quality players who became available unexpectedly. Because the Skins have been patient in the early FA period, they've been able to take advantage.

I can't help but see these guys as falling into different camps. We got Galette for a steal and Jackson for a good deal. (If I recall correctly the Eagles paid Jackson more to play for us than we did in his first year in DC.)

It's true that, just like with DeSean and Galette, we took advantage of an unusual situation that developed between Norman and Carolina's personnel execs. But we still paid top dollar for him to come here — perhaps something pretty darn close to what we would have paid in early March. No matter how we try to frame the situation as the Redskins taking advantage of an opportunity, they now employ the highest paid CB in the league even though it isn't clear-cut that he is the best CB in the league.

[SkinsJock]

I doubt that Norman is the highest paid CB for very long but there's little doubt that he will help the secondary & the defense - BIG time

[riggofan]

I know Irn-Bru already knows this, but highest paid does not equal best player in the NFL. Fans get hung up on that all the time, and its a mistake.

[Countertrey]

I know Irn-Bru already knows this, but highest paid does not equal best player in the NFL. Fans get hung up on that all the time, and its a mistake.

Additionally, I think you have to factor in his "special" relationship with certain receivers within our division... that is no small item on his list of desirables. Norman's signing must be worrisome to the Giants and Dallas... as he has shown a special ability to neutralize their weapons.

[welch]

Winning off the field

Did we just win the off season again?

NO! Don't say that!!!

[Countertrey]

Winning off the field

Did we just win the off season again?

NO! Don't say that!!!

Yeah... sometimes, my keyboard makes me type things I don't like...

[OldSchool]

me too DM - Scot has certainly helped turn this franchise around - there's a noticeable change in attitude

nice for Scot to get some recognition

I think the frustrating part though is to see how much of a positive effect he seems to have had in the short time he has been here. Was it really so hard for Snyder to realize he should hire and empower a smart, football guy for one of the most important off the field positions in the organization? I wonder if he ever actually came around to that or if he just dumb lucked his way into McCloughan by trying to buy his way into replicating the Seahawks' success.

2016 will be a big test for the team. I think most of us agree that the team overachieved to a certain extent last year. Not to take anything away from what they did, but there's no doubt the weak division helped some. If we don't do as well this year, Snyder needs to stick with McCloughan's plan and allow him to continue to build this team up.

Last year I read an article about Snyder and the source for the reporter was one of Snyder's friends who said Snyder wasn't having any fun with Marty Schottenheimer in charge. Marty made the decisions and quickly transformed the team, they won 6 of the last 8 games but it wasn't fun for Dan because it didn't feel like it was his team it felt like it was Marty's so Snyder let him go.

Now many years later SM & JG have the Redskins winning and visibly improved. By all accounts Dan Snyder is letting them run the team, although according to reports SM had to have a 4 hour meeting to convince Snyder to let them start Cousins instead of Griffin. I share your concern that Snyder could reengage again if things don't go well in 2016. Maybe he's learned his lesson and will rely on SM to fix things if they struggle but I have my doubts. Even before the start of the 2016 season I wonder about Snyder's involvement in the big Norman deal.

I hope this was Scot's decision although it is a much bigger commitment than his other transactions. Going all in for a much sought after FA is a classic Snyder move. Up to now SM has gone about getting more big guys and making incremental progress without huge commitments. Some of us here may have faith in the public pronouncements and media reports that the football people are running the show and others like me have heard it all before are wary. I hope the painful and humiliating Griffin fiasco taught Snyder to stay out of the kitchen but with Snyder you never know.

[SkinsJock]

Nice for Scot to get some credit - he has certainly helped turn this franchise around - there's a noticeable change in attitude and how the franchise is perceived by others

I think the frustrating part though is to see how much of a positive effect he seems to have had in the short time he has been here. Was it really so hard for Snyder to realize he should hire and empower a smart, football guy for one of the most important off the field positions in the organization? I wonder if he ever actually came around to that or if he just dumb lucked his way into McCloughan by trying to buy his way into replicating the Seahawks' success.

2016 will be a big test for the team. I think most of us agree that the team overachieved to a certain extent last year. Not to take anything away from what they did, but there's no doubt the weak division helped some. If we don't do as well this year, Snyder needs to stick with McCloughan's plan and allow him to continue to build this team up.

I have friends that are both business and personal friends with this idiot - he is 'distracted' by advice from people that don't have a clue

Scot is a huge surprise but Snyder is not 'threatened' by his success here as he was in the past

Totally agree that 2016 is going to be another prove it season ... but not for Scot

[Countertrey]

Even before the start of the 2016 season I wonder about Snyder's involvement in the big Norman deal.

I watched the presser... Scot could barely contain his elation about getting Norman signed. He was one VERY HAPPY man, with an ear to ear grin... There are things you just can't fake. That whole spontaneous exchange with Chris Baker, ending with the "I gotcha, Baker" line was from a man who was having a lot of fun. I doubt it was a Snyder push, though I'm sure he was on board. .

[Irn-Bru]

Even before the start of the 2016 season I wonder about Snyder's involvement in the big Norman deal.

I watched the presser... Scot could barely contain his elation about getting Norman signed. He was one VERY HAPPY man, with an ear to ear grin... There are things you just can't fake. That whole spontaneous exchange with Chris Baker, ending with the "I gotcha, Baker" line was from a man who was having a lot of fun. I doubt it was a Snyder push, though I'm sure he was on board. .

That was my take too. I was really concerned about the move having Snyder influence till I watched the press conference. I'm not saying it's the right move yet, but at least now I feel confident that it was a McCloughan-approved decision, and probably even a McCloughan-driven decision.

[SkinsJock]

Let's not forget that Scot has only been here for a little over a year and how he handled/managed the Griffin fiasco was huge

Scot has done well but now it's time to see if he has the right personnel to continue to build around ...

I'm looking forward to this season

[DarthMonk]

It appears Scot had Norman on a list of desirable players who were not yet signed. As soon as he was available, Scot got unanimous agreement on acquiring him.

A Snyder-esque move is to sign a dude at 12:01 AM even though he's shown he's lazy, beyond his peak, or both. That didn't happen here.

Jury is still out on the wisdom of the move but it has all the looks of springing from SM not DS. DS probably had no idea where the guy was in terms of being unsigned or even who he is. In spite of his high ranking at CB, Norman was not a "household" name.

[SkinsJock]

let's not forget who sent his own plane to pick up the whole dang family ...

[SkinsJock]

A Snyder-esque move is to sign a dude at 12:01 AM even though he's shown he's lazy, beyond his peak, or both. That didn't happen here. Jury is still out on the wisdom of the move but it has all the looks of springing from SM not DS. DS probably had no idea where the guy was in terms of being unsigned or even who he is. In spite of his high ranking at CB, Norman was not a "household" name

good point DM

[SkinsJock]

more kudos for our GM ...

Watch out NFC East, Scot McCloughan is building a squad in Washington
McCloughan is one of the NFL's premier talent evaluators, focusing on players who may lack ideal measurable but never instincts, toughness and competitiveness. Those are some of the traits which describe his haul of wideout Josh Doctson in the first round, edge rusher Su'a Cravens in the second and cornerback Kendall Fuller in the third. Few clubs did more with less than the Redskins.