Free Agency discussion

[SkinsJock]

IMO - Osweiller did not really want to play QB for the Broncos and the Broncos weren't exactly all in on Osweiller - I don't blame them

IMO Cousins wants to play here and this FO wants him here, they just are not convinced that he's worth what his people are telling him

This FO is willing to let Cousins show that he's worth the market value of 2017 - even though this could be $20M - $25M

IMO Cousins takes a long term deal because he knows he's not likely to have a great season here and who knows what might happen



I just like that this FO is not paying Cousins or any player any more than what he's worth to this franchise

that's what I mean about the Osweiller deal not meaning anything to this FO - I'm sure the Cousins camp think it is but they don't 'sign the deal'

[SkinsJock]

IF this FO is doing what Tandler suggests, I think they are exactly right in letting Cousins play for the huge payday

IMO - Cousins ALSO knows that he's not that good


to me this FO is not having any difficulty at all - they know what they've got in Cousins and they will not overpay him

[riggofan]

that's what I mean about the Osweiller deal not meaning anything to this FO

It means they can't suggest anything less than $18m/yr without Cousins' agent pointing to the Osweiler deal. The bar has been set.

[StorminMormon86]

I just think that Chris is blowing this out of proportion - he's lying!

Ricky Jean Francois sat silently while C00ley said over and over, "he [RJF] didn't say what I said wasn't true, did he". That was pretty telling.

[SkinsJock]

that's what I mean about the Osweiller deal not meaning anything to this FO

It means they can't suggest anything less than $18m/yr without Cousins' agent pointing to the Osweiler deal. The bar has been set.

MAYBE - but that's not far from what the Redskins think is an OK deal

Cousins is not getting a long term deal based on what Osweiller got - Cousins deal will be based on what he's worth to this franchise

this FO should not give Cousins a $17M a year long term deal if they do not think he's worth it, and certainly not because "the bar has been set"

I really hope Cousins plays for $19.9M & shows that he's worth $25M-$30M a year - I don't think he can do that but I'd love it if he did

Realistically - Cousins should take a long term deal at $17M because it's a good deal for him and he's not having a great year at QB in 2016

[SkinsJock]

Chris C. is just mouthing off - this guy's just a douche and is trying to make something bigger than it really is

typical BS and hyping everything from that area's media types

[markshark84]

that's what I mean about the Osweiller deal not meaning anything to this FO

It means they can't suggest anything less than $18m/yr without Cousins' agent pointing to the Osweiler deal. The bar has been set.

Honestly, the bar really hasn't been raised by the Osweiller deal. The contract is basically a 2 year deal, 37M deal. Cousins wouldn't have taken that or anything less than 20M per year over 4-5 (with 40-50% guaranteed) --- forget next season when the price goes up (pending performance) a couple million from that. Scot has already set the precedent that he'll pay Cousins 20M a year. Now, the Osweiler deal gave decent guaranteed money, but he can basically be cut in 2 years. Osweiller ended up with $500k per year more than I thought he would get in the open market. IMHO, Cousins doesn't look at Osweiller as a "comparable" QB --- so I don't see Cousins' agent going to Scot and comparing Osweiller's contract to what Cousins wants moving forward --- because that would be like comparing apples and oranges.

That being said, I wouldn't have done it if I were HOU --- in fact, I now think FAR LESS of Rick Smith than I did 2 days ago.

[SkinsJock]

I understand what riggofan and many others are saying - I just don't think that Osweiller has shown that he might be as good a QB as Cousins

this FO is only interested in what Cousins is worth to them and not what the "QB market" is 'dictating' with some of these deals

Cousins has helped himself a lot by what has done but this FO is really focused on doing what is best for this franchise going forward

I expect a fair deal for both sides will get worked out and while the Osweiller deal looks good for Cousins to some, this FO does not care

[SkinsJock]

... I wouldn't have done it if I were HOU --- in fact, I now think FAR LESS of Rick Smith than I did 2 days ago.

and, from what we can tell - a lot of guys that know more than we do, would agree with you

[SkinsJock]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

[mastdark81]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

Denver went gangbusters in 2014 with free agents and they just won the Super Bowl. Usually the teams with the least amount of position needs are always quiet. I ain't saying we should be flying the jet everywhere but we should at least be active. We have some holes.

[riggofan]

that's what I mean about the Osweiller deal not meaning anything to this FO

It means they can't suggest anything less than $18m/yr without Cousins' agent pointing to the Osweiler deal. The bar has been set.

Honestly, the bar really hasn't been raised by the Osweiller deal. The contract is basically a 2 year deal, 37M deal. Cousins wouldn't have taken that or anything less than 20M per year over 4-5 (with 40-50% guaranteed) --- forget next season when the price goes up (pending performance) a couple million from that. Scot has already set the precedent that he'll pay Cousins 20M a year.

Yeah you're kind of right on that, Mark. I do see what you're saying. Its not so much that Osweiler raised the bar, but that he raised the floor after the Skins set the ceiling, yeah?

Chris Russell just posted a long but very thorough breakdown getting at the same point I've been trying to make though. If you're interested in more than just "oh the Skins will make something or other happen". Its a good read, key point:

The Redskins set the market, the market filled in and before he takes another snap again, even in the off-season program, Cousins has become richer by the day, week and because of the poor decision the Redskins made. There was a reason why Scot McCloughan said over and over again he wanted a long term deal.

The problem? Scot is not dealing directly with the cap and the money component. That's on Bruce Allen and Eric Schaffer. They're gambling big time and if they win, the Redskins lose.

Because of these FACTS, the Redskins now will have to pay Cousins much more on an average annual basis and a LOT more in fully guaranteed money than they would have if they put the transition tag on him OR if they dealt with him fairly from the beginning.

http://www.dchotread.com/2016/03/10/brocks-big-pay-day

I get that some people like the franchise tag and the "go prove it" idea. But its just not a good long term strategy.

[SkinsJock]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

Denver went gangbusters in 2014 with free agents and they just won the Super Bowl. Usually the teams with the least amount of position needs are always quiet. I ain't saying we should be flying the jet everywhere but we should at least be active. We have some holes.

Fair enough - I'm not saying we don't need to sign any free agents I'm just glad we didn't go after any of the glamor guys

the hole this franchise was in was huge and while we're not out of it yet we are able to see what's going on around us a bit better

I'm looking forward to the next five or six months

the only starting offensive lineman from the beginning of the 2013 & 2014 rosters will be Trent Williams - those other guys were terrible

[mastdark81]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

Denver went gangbusters in 2014 with free agents and they just won the Super Bowl. Usually the teams with the least amount of position needs are always quiet. I ain't saying we should be flying the jet everywhere but we should at least be active. We have some holes.

Fair enough - I'm not saying we don't need to sign any free agents I'm just glad we didn't go after any of the glamor guys

the hole this franchise was in was huge and while we're not out of it yet we are able to see what's going on around us a bit better

I'm looking forward to the next five or six months

the only starting offensive lineman from the beginning of the 2013 & 2014 rosters will be Trent Williams - those other guys were terrible

Good point.

[SkinsJock]

... Chris Russell just posted a long but very thorough breakdown getting at the same point I've been trying to make though. If you're interested in more than just "oh the Skins will make something or other happen". Its a good read, key point:

The Redskins set the market, the market filled in and before he takes another snap again, even in the off-season program, Cousins has become richer by the day, week and because of the poor decision the Redskins made. There was a reason why Scot McCloughan said over and over again he wanted a long term deal.

The problem? Scot is not dealing directly with the cap and the money component. That's on Bruce Allen and Eric Schaffer. They're gambling big time and if they win, the Redskins lose.

Because of these FACTS, the Redskins now will have to pay Cousins much more on an average annual basis and a LOT more in fully guaranteed money than they would have if they put the transition tag on him OR if they dealt with him fairly from the beginning.

http://www.dchotread.com/2016/03/10/brocks-big-pay-day

I get that some people like the franchise tag and the "go prove it" idea. But its just not a good long term strategy.

even if Cousins proves to be just a good NFL QB?

Is Cousins going to become an elite NFL QB or just continue to be a good NFL QB

I do not think that Cousins is going to become an elite NFL QB and therefore we should not pay him elite QB money - if he does we have to pay him market value which is great for him but if he does not improve markedly, he should be paid accordingly

If we end up with an elite NFL QB at the end of this season, the Redskins should make him the top paid player in the NFL

it's not going to happen ...

[markshark84]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

Denver went gangbusters in 2014 with free agents and they just won the Super Bowl. Usually the teams with the least amount of position needs are always quiet. I ain't saying we should be flying the jet everywhere but we should at least be active. We have some holes.

Gangbusters??????

In 2014 they signed (per 2014 free agent tracker):
◾Emmanuel Sanders, WR (formerly with Pittsburgh) – should start
◾DeMarcus Ware, DE/OLB (formerly with Dallas) – should start
◾Will Montgomery, C (released by Washington) – should start at guard or center
◾Aqib Talib, CB (formerly with New England) – should start
◾T.J. Ward, S (formerly with Cleveland) – should start

Now, 4 of those guys were impact players, but I wouldn't say they went "gangbusters". In fact, signing 4 new starters is quite common.

At the end of the day, good teams draft their talent and don't spend $$$ on big time FAs. I LOVED how Scot did that last year, and I LOVE how he's doing it this year.

We have holes, but we shouldn't be going after cap liabilities. Scot is smart in how he signs FAs. You DRAFT your franchise players.....

[Irn-Bru]

So, we're 24 hours in ... and we've added how many of the "Top 50 Free Agents?

........................................

my, how things have changed

Denver went gangbusters in 2014 with free agents and they just won the Super Bowl. Usually the teams with the least amount of position needs are always quiet. I ain't saying we should be flying the jet everywhere but we should at least be active. We have some holes.

Gangbusters??????

In 2014 they signed (per 2014 free agent tracker):
◾Emmanuel Sanders, WR (formerly with Pittsburgh) – should start
◾DeMarcus Ware, DE/OLB (formerly with Dallas) – should start
◾Will Montgomery, C (released by Washington) – should start at guard or center
◾Aqib Talib, CB (formerly with New England) – should start
◾T.J. Ward, S (formerly with Cleveland) – should start

Now, 4 of those guys were impact players, but I wouldn't say they went "gangbusters". In fact, signing 4 new starters is quite common.

Three of those players (Ward, Talib, Ware) were big-name acquisitions when Denver got them — all of them probably among the top 10 of the players who were available and all either first or second best available at their positions. All-Pro and Pro Bowl level talent.

For one team to sign that many high-quality players in a single offseason is not common, and they paid for it, too. "Gangbusters" doesn't sound too far-fetched to me at all.

At the end of the day, good teams draft their talent and don't spend $$$ on big time FAs.

The dynasties do this, and I want the Redskins to do it, but not every team that makes it deep into the playoffs or even wins the Super Bowl do, as the Broncos have just demonstrated.

[riggofan]

Got a new Redskin:

Kendall Reyes lands deal with Redskins
Posted by Josh Alper on March 11, 2016, 10:15 AM EST
SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 28: Kendall Reyes #91 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates his tackle during his team's 33-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 28, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) Getty Images

Defensive end Kendall Reyes crossed the country when he was drafted by the Chargers out of the University of Connecticut and he’ll be reversing that trip this year.

According to multiple reports, Reyes has signed a one-year deal to join the Redskins. Reyes is the first new addition to Washington’s roster since free agency opened on Wednesday.

Reyes was a second-round pick by the Chargers in 2012 and spent the last three seasons as a mainstay in their starting lineup. He flashed some pass rushing ability in his first two years, recording 10.5 sacks, but hasn’t been as productive the last two seasons.

He’ll join a Redskins line fronted by Chris Baker, Ricky Jean Francois, Kedric Golston and Stephen Paea. Nose tackle Terrance Knighton is a free agent and isn’t expected back with the team. The Chargers have signed Brandon Mebane as a free agent and will likely make other moves up front as they try to bounce back from a 4-12 season.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -redskins/

[riggofan]

DE Kendall Reyes signed.

I see Logan Paulsen has re-upped on a one year contract too.

[SkinsJock]

3+ days and still no "Top 50 Free Agents" signings - I am really impressed .... this is how it should be done

[riggofan]

3+ days and still no "Top 50 Free Agents" signings - I am really impressed .... this is how it should be done

That's patience and discipline. With you 1000%.

[SkinsJock]

3+ days and still no "Top 50 Free Agents" signings - I am really impressed .... this is how it should be done

That's patience and discipline. With you 1000%.

+1 - we all understand that we need to find some more players - it's just great to see this FO not making the big splash in free agency

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

On one hand we're applauding the team for underreacting. On the other hand, based upon the current roster, we're taking a step backwards this season. We're not going to replace veteran starters with stopgaps and draft picks, play a tougher first place schedule, and have the same record. We're also not going to surprise anyone with the Kirk Cousins offense this season. What we need is balance in the form of a respectable rushing game, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I trust Matt Jones to be the primary option in a respectable rushing game. I'm sure Scot McCloughan has a plan but I'd like to know what it is.

[SKINS#1]

On one hand we're applauding the team for underreacting. On the other hand, based upon the current roster, we're taking a step backwards this season. We're not going to replace veteran starters with stopgaps and draft picks, play a tougher first place schedule, and have the same record. We're also not going to surprise anyone with the Kirk Cousins offense this season. What we need is balance in the form of a respectable rushing game, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I trust Matt Jones to be the primary option in a respectable rushing game. I'm sure Scot McCloughan has a plan but I'd like to know what it is.

I am with you B&G, what is his plan? Regardless, he has the ability to find unknown players that can play football so I guess we wait and see.

[riggofan]

On one hand we're applauding the team for underreacting. On the other hand, based upon the current roster, we're taking a step backwards this season. We're not going to replace veteran starters with stopgaps and draft picks, play a tougher first place schedule, and have the same record. We're also not going to surprise anyone with the Kirk Cousins offense this season. What we need is balance in the form of a respectable rushing game, and it'll be a cold day in hell before I trust Matt Jones to be the primary option in a respectable rushing game. I'm sure Scot McCloughan has a plan but I'd like to know what it is.

I get your point man. But what does free agency have to do with getting balance from a respectable rushing game? I don't expect any changes to the o-line or the RB position from free agency.

I also disagree that we need to replace veteran starters with stopgaps. We need to replace veteran stopgaps with new veteran stopgaps and draft picks.

You're completely right though that we have holes that are going to have to be filled in free agency. What I'm personally applauding is that the team didn't go out in the first three days of FA and go buck wild throwing money around. Some of the best guys that McCloughan picked up last year were guys that he signed after May.